Manila Standard - 2017 March 06 - Monday by Manila Standard

Duterte’s men visit US warship VOL. XXXI • NO. 24 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

YOUTH SUMMIT. Youth students from various countries and SM Cares ofﬁcials join a photo session during the opening of the Global Youth Summit 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Now on its ﬁfth year, Global Youth Summit is a celebration of youth leadership that aims to engage and inspire the world’s future experts. EY ACASIO

Soldiers recover German’s corpse By Florante S. Solmerin and Sandy Araneta THE body of an elderly German hostage who was beheaded by Abu Sayyaf bandits has been found, the government said on Sunday. The Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, murdered Jurgen Kantner, 70, last week after its demand for P30 million was not met. Military ofﬁcials said Marines found Kantner’s body on Saturday evening in the militants’ remote stronghold of Sulu. Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command, said it was 6 p.m. when the troops found the decapitated body. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement Next page

DEFENSE Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana on Saturday visited a US aircraft carrier patrolling the South China Sea, hailing the “strong relationship” with Washington despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot away from Manila’s traditional ally. The US Navy said the USS Carl Vinson had been engaging in “routine operations in the South China Sea” since last month to assert freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway claimed by Beijing, Manila and a host of other Southeast Asian nations. Lorenzana said he and other top ofﬁcials in Duterte’s administration had a “very interesting and informative” visit to the aircraft carrier. “We have a strong relationship with the US on account of our mutual defense treaty,” he added, referring to the cornerstone 1951 agreement. Duterte has thrown the Philippines’ 70-year-old alliance with the US into question, threatening a “separation” from Washington last year and calling for the withdrawal of American troops from his country. Next page

Gina L. charged with P1-b graft Troops kill 4 more ASG amid clashes FOUR more Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed after ground troops stumbled on the terrorist group on the outskirts of Talipao in Sulu early Sunday morning, an official said. Col. Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the four were killed during a firefight in Lumipad village around 5:45 a.m. He made the statement even as President Rodrigo Duterte’s ongoing campaign against extremism and terrorism got a much needed

boost after the descendants of sultans and royal clans in Mindanao expressed their support for the government’s campaign against the two security menaces. That resulted from the ﬁrst-ever Mindanao Sultanate Summit on Peace and Security hosted by the Defense and Interior departments on March 2 to 4 that was attended by around 500 participants. The death of the four bandits brought to 16 the number of slain terrorists after a series of military

operations against the Abu Sayyaf, which started after the group beheaded 70-year-old German hostage Jurgen Kantner in Igasan, Sulu, on Sunday last week. Sobejana said troops of the 64th Marine Company were mobilized after a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits was reported in Lumipad village, where they arrived and engaged the bandits in a ﬁreﬁght. Sobejana said soldiers found the bodies of the found bandits as Next page

By Christine F. Herrera

NVIRONMENT Secretary Regina Lopez is facing criminal and administrative charges before the Ofﬁce of the Ombudsman for allegedly covering up past wrongdoings of her trusted lieutenants who favored a supplier involving a questionable project worth P1 billion.

The charges were among the grounds used to oppose Lopez’s conﬁrmation by the Commission on Appointments, which meets Wednesday to decide if Congress will approve her say in President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet.

Rodolfo Javellana Jr., president of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, and Manuel Galvez, managing partner of Airboard Co., accused Lopez, her consultant Leo Jasareno, Department Next page

Food chief faces ouster for defying rice policy By Anna Leah E. Gonzales NATIONAL Food Authority Administrator Jason Aquino faces disciplinary sanctions that could lead to his removal over his repeated deﬁance of the orders of the NFA Council, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. said Sunday. In a statement, Evasco, who is also the ex- ofﬁcio chairman of the NFA Council, said Aquino’s disregard of the Council’s deci-

sion to extend the rice importation under the Minimum Access Volume was offensive to the country’s food security. “The NFA administrator has actively refused to implement the lawful orders of the NFAC and directives of the [Cabinet Secretary] to publish and has even released a press statement countering the NFAC’s decision that the MAV has been extended to March 31,” Evasco said. Next page “

TEMBLOR. Workers arrange crates of soft drinks that fell after an earthquake struck Surigao City in Mindanao on March 5, 2017. One person was killed and several others injured when a powerful aftershock hit the city still recovering from a quake last month, authorities said. AFP

Aftershock jolts quake-hit Surigao; 1 dead, 29 hurt By Rio N. Araja ONE person was killed and several others were injured Sunday when a powerful aftershock hit Surigao City, which is still recovering from a quake last month, au-

thorities said. The 5.9-magnitude quake struck Surigao and surrounding areas, causing some walls to collapse, government seismologists and civil defense ofﬁcers said. The quake was felt as far as San

Juan and San Francisco in Southern Leyte, and General Luna, Surigao del Norte and Ormoc City. One 65-year-old woman, Socoro Cenes, a resident of Surigao City, died of a heart attack while at least 29 people were injured, local

television reports added. The new earthquake was just one of over 100 aftershocks to hit Surigao City since a 6.5-magnitude quake on Feb. 10 left eight dead and over 250 injured, mainly due to falling objects. Next page

Plunder may still be included in death bill—solon By Rio N. Araja CONGRESS has omitted plunder, rape, treason and other heinous crimes from the death penalty bill but there is still a chance

to include them once the measure reaches the bicameral conference committee, Rep. Reynaldo Umali said Sunday. He said the heinous crimes that had been omitted from the bill

could also be added especially if President Rodrigo Duterte made an appeal to include them. “Everything is possible during the bicam, but I don’t want to preempt the decision of the panel,” said

Umali, the chairman of the House committee on justice and the sponsor of the death penalty bill. That bill is set for approval on the third and ﬁnal reading on Next page Tuesday.

POWER UP. Meralco workers replace old wirings from electric posts in Tondo, Manila. Power rates are bound to go up by P1.44 per kilowatthour, a little higher than earlier projections this March following the 20-day Malampaya shutdown, according to Meralco. NORMAN CRUZ

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Lascañas’ journal fabricated’ By Sandy Araneta and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Duterte’s...

ALACAÑANG said Sunday the journal of selfconfessed Davao Death Squad team leader Arturo Lascañas as cited by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism was a “fabrication.”

“As I have previously stated, the so-called journal is a fabrication,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “The fact alone that it was not presented at the first opportunity is already a giveaway that it is an obvious and a nobrainer afterthought. “Moreover, the contents of the journal speak for themselves, obviously written by a lawyer with a penchant for literary prose, and certainly not by an ordinary police sergeant who cannot understand the words like ‘Waterloo,’ ‘presidential derby’ and ‘telecommunication.’ Panelo made his statement even as Senator Bam Aquino said hearing the testimony of retired Lascañas on the Davao Death Squad today was an indication of the Senate’s independence. Lascañas will face the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs led by Senator Panfilo Lacson after the majority of the senators voted to allow his testimony. “The Senate should not shirk from pursuing the truth. The public should know the whole truth on this issue,” said Aquino who was among 10 senators who voted to hear Lascañas’ claim. Recently, the PCIJ said “We take strong exception to [the] unfounded claims of columnist Rigoberto Tiglao of The Manila Times that the story was ‘fake news’ about a ‘fake journal’ and its release, one ‘managed’ by Senator Antonio Trillanes II.” The PCIJ said Dean Jose Manuel Diokno is the national chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group or FLAG and has been a PCIJ trustee since 2015. The group said that, contrary to Tiglao’s claim, neither Diokno nor any of the FLAG lawyers had anything to do with the writing of the journal of SPO3 Arturo Lascañas or the publication of the PCIJ story. The PCIJ said Trillanes had nothing to do as well with the production and distribution of the PCIJ story. The PCIJ obtained a copy of the journal from Lascañas through sources close to him a fortnight ago. But before running the story on Feb. 27, the PCIJ said it verified the accuracy of its contents from various agencies and in interviews with officers of the Philippine National Police, people privy to the medical condition of Lascañas since he fell ill in 2015 and, through conduit sources, Lascañas himself. To validate the details mentioned in the journal, the PCIJ obtained information about the retirement benefits that Lascañas received in December 2016, the identities of those he had named in his journal, the circumstances surrounding his testimony before the Senate on Oct. 3, 2016, the testimony of DDS whistleblower Edgar Matobato before the Senate on Sept. 15, 2016, and the official investigation reports and court records related to the existence of the “Davao Death Squad.”

From A1

After angrily rejecting US criticism of his deadly war on drugs, the President has shifted his nation’s foreign policy more towards China and Russia. Duterte has made overtures to Beijing despite a long-running territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Lorenzana said the Philippines had “nothing to do” with America’s naval patrols through Chinese-claimed waters but said he was “impressed” by the aircraft carrier and its some 70 aircraft. “They have more combat planes than the [Philippine Air Force],” he said. Under previous governments, Manila tried to improve defense ties with its former colonial ruler Washington to boost one of Asia’s weakest armed forces. Duterte has said he plans to source weapons from Beijing and Moscow instead. AFP

Food... From A1

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, shown in this ﬁle photo plowing through the Indian Ocean, has just been redeployed for patrol duties in the South China Sea.

Gina L. ... From A1

of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau officials Jean Rosete and Teresita Peralta of protecting the interests of Electrobyte, a supplier of what they called a “substandard, overpriced, nonworking air monitor” to the detriment of the government. “It is not only on the issue of mining that Secretary Lopez had erred in her judgment. She has also forgotten to take care of the air we breathe when she knew and was fully made aware that anomalous contracts worth close to P1 billion had been entered into by the government for nothing,” Galvez said. “Her inaction on our complaint has made her unfit to become the DENR secretary.” In their complaint, Javellana and Galvez said the EMB officials had allegedly “tailor-fit” all the requirements for bidding to ensure that Electrobyte Environmental Concerns Corp. would bag the contract.

“The air monitor was supposed to provide real time data on the quality of air in Metro Manila and other provinces but the Electrobyte supplies continuously failed to provide such data, yet the DENREMB continued to source the equipment from the Electrobyte,” Galvez said. “These acquisitions failed to deliver consistent and reliable air quality data. These machines would not function or could not be utilized for the purposes they were acquired. The data were always inaccurate, not real time and could not be relied upon,” the complainants said. Despite the voluminous evidence that pointed to the anomalous contracts, the EMB continued to procure the same product from Electrobyte in 2006, 2010 and 2013, Galvez said. Based on documents, Galvez said, Electrobyte was always paid before installation and acceptance of deliveries. As early as Aug. 2, 2016, Galvez said, they made representations with Lopez and brought up the alleged anom-

Soldiers... From A1

that the government was “deeply saddened but resolved as ever to respond to the recent discovery of the body of Mr. Jurgen Kantner.” “President Duterte has declared time and again that terrorism is the twin scourge of narco-politics, and that this government will leave no stone unturned in squarely addressing the evils of extremism and plain banditry,” Abella said. “We reiterate our sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Kantner, as well as to the rest of the German people, for this modern-day cruelty. Rest assured these mindless acts will not go unpunished,” Abella also said. Westmincom chief Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed “deep regrets” to Kantner’s family for being unable to rescue him. Troops have clashed with the Abu Sayyaf in recent days, leaving 29 soldiers injured and 14 militants dead, according to the military, which says it has been unable to recover the bodies of slain guerrillas. “It was not easy to ﬁnd it because of the ﬁghting with the Abu Sayyaf kidnap group that resulted in the wounding of 29 of our men and in the wounding of many of the enemy,” said Col. Cirilito Sobejana,

alous procurement. Lopez vowed to take action, but did not. “Everything boiled down to mere words,” the complainants said. On Sept. 22, 2016, the complainants sent a letter to the Ombudsman to complain about Lopez’s inaction. The letter alleged a “coverup of past wrongdoings continuously being perpetrated by the ofﬁcers and staff of the EMBAir Quality Monitoring Section.” The Ombudsman forwarded the complaint to Lopez, who, instead of acting on their complaint, referred it to the persons being complained of, they said. “No such investigation had ever been opened up or set up, a whitewash had succeeded, and respondent Honorable Secretary Lopez had been overheard commending the very persons not only for what they are doing, but also for their competence,” they said. In the CA complaint, the UFCC and AC urged that “no conﬁrmation be given” to Lopez.

head of an anti-terror task force in the southern islands. He said the government was arranging with the German Embassy to repatriate Kantner’s body for burial. Kantner’s yacht, the Rockall, was found drifting on Nov. 7 off the southern Philippines with the body of his female companion, Sabine Merz, who had been shot. The Abu Sayyaf claimed the kidnapping. Kantner’s remains are in a military hospital morgue in Sulu while officials prepare documentation for transporting the body, authorities said. President Rodrigo Duterte has apologized for failing to save Kantner and said the military had stepped up operations against the militants. The Abu Sayyaf, established with seed money from Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaida network, has been kidnapping foreigners and locals for decades and holding them for ransom. The Armed Forces said Abu Sayyaf, tagged as a terrorist organization, still has 31 hostages—12 Vietnamese, seven Indonesians, six Filipinos, five Malaysians, and a Dutch national. The group, blamed for the nation’s worst terrorist attacks, has used the support of local communities, millions of dollars in ransom and collusion with corrupt local officials to defy decades of military operations. With AFP

“We are seeking only the truth and by so doing we will unmask who this person really is. Is she really qualified to properly manage the DENR to finally benefit our people or is she just a fairy tale that we all badly need to have or create because of our infinite disgust and disappointment against corruption at the DENR?” Javellana said. “The trimedia heiress Gina Lopez with her public relations group may engage in what we can call deflection strategy on the real issue that we brought against her at the Ombudsman and the CA. Their squid tactics may confuse our people and temporarily divert public attention away from the real issue that we accused her of and that is on her inaction on our legitimate complaints on the anomalous purchases of the past,” Galvez said. “We trust the Ombudsman and the CA that they will always champion the truth,” Galvez added. As complainants, Galvez and Javellana will face Lopez during the CA hearing on Wednesday.

Plunder... From A1

Umali said Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was expected to explain to Duterte why Congress excluded plunder and rape on the list of the 22 original crimes punishable by capital punishment. “That is the overwhelming consensus of the members of the super majority. If we will be called by the President, we will explain that to him. But for sure, the Speaker will take charge of that,” Umali said. “There is nothing wrong if the bicameral panel will put plunder and rape among the crimes punishable by death,” Rep. Gustavo Tambunting said. “I was in favor of plunder, too. However, it was decided that we focus on drug-related crimes ﬁrst. Looks like it [death penalty bill] has a better chance of passing the Senate if it’s limited to drugs.” Rep. Fredenil Castro said an amendment was still possible even if the bill became law. “Other crimes that call for the death penalty may be the subject of a subsequent amendatory law that may be passed by Congress,” Castro said. To limit the death penalty to drug-related crimes could make the bill easier to pass in Congress and the Senate, he said. Duterte had questioned the removal of plunder and rape on the list of heinous crimes punishable with death. As the Catholic Church was observing Ash Wednesday, the House of Representatives approved the measure through a voice vote. The bill seeks to punish at least seven major drugrelated offenses punishable by capital punishment.

Instead, what were posted were extensions only for India and Pakistan when the Council explicitly granted an extension to all sources of origin. “It is not for him [as NFA administrator] to decide whether an extension of the MAV is proper or not, let alone as to which sources of origin is entitled thereto.” The NFA is one of the 12 agencies that have been placed under the supervision of the Ofﬁce of the Cabinet Secretary pursuant to Executive Order 1. Earlier, Aquino issued a statement denying that there was an extension to the Feb. 28, 2017 deadline for the arrival of rice imports under the MAV scheme. “There’s no need to extend the deadline because there were others, including farmer cooperatives, that participated in the MAV and have complied with the deadline,” Aquino said. “If these co-ops can do it, why can’t the others?” Aquino also said farmers were now harvesting their summer crop and the arrival of rice imports could dampen the prices of their produce. Evasco said of the 10 members of the NFA Council, nine were present during the Feb. 27 meeting and they voted for the extension of the MAV importation to March 31 from the original deadline of Feb. 28, while Aquino and none of the NFA management attended the meeting. “Aquino, by using my name, has canceled the ﬁrst two NFA Council meetings, thus the Council was compelled to convene the third time last February 27, during which he deliberately absented himself,” Evasco said.

Aftershock... From A1

Its epicenter was outside Surigao City in the same area as the epicenter of last month’s tremor, the government seismology ofﬁce said. The Philippines lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Paciﬁc Ocean region where many of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Before the Feb. 10 quake, the last lethal one to hit the country was a 7.1-magnitude tremor that left over 220 people dead and destroyed historic churches when it struck the central islands in October 2013. With AFP

Troops... From A1

well as seven high-powered ﬁrearms and two grenade launchers. “Our troops are more than motivated to go after these bandits who know nothing but to victimize innocent civilians for their own personal gain,” Major Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said. Francisco Tuyay with PNA

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MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

Palace group shifts to second gear P LANS are under way to institute “revitalizing” changes to the presidential communications group including the state-run news agencies, radio and television stations.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar announced the plan during a meeting with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas at the Golden Prince Hotel inCebu. The Presidential Communications chief was in Cebu in time for the Asean—PCOO Roadshow. “We’ve been in office for about eight months now. It’s about time to shift second gear,” Andanar told the new officers and members of the KBP - Cebu Chapter disclosing some courses of action his office is planning to take in the next days. Plans include a reboot of the International Press Center, whose building was newly renovated, and an upgrade of the Philippine News Agency as the premiere state news wire agency. “We have about 40 plus reporters, if we combined them all, in Metro Manila. So if you look at the numbers, sheer number of reporters, then you have a very powerful Philippine News Agency. Those who are operating in Mindanao, in the Visayas, and in the provinces of Luzon can maximize the reports that we write for the Philippine News Agency. And that’s one way to rejuvenate, revitalize Philippine News Agency,” Andanar said. Modernization plans for the PNA include a modernized news room, a television, a broadcast, and news cast to be shown on the internet, social media sites, and also a special channel, which will be a sub-channel of PTV when it becomes digital. “Once a station becomes digital, you have the HD channel, the main channel, then you have sub-channels—three to four sub-channels. One of those sub-channels will be the Philippine News Agency, one will be the Muslim Lumad TV, and there will also be the tele-radyo, which is the Radyo ng Bayan, that will have a video cast and

maybe one more, maybe an agricultural channel if the Department of Agriculture would like to sponsor,” Andanar explained. Andanar is likewise working on having an integrated news room, which included People’s Television, Radyo ng Bayan, Philippine Information Agency, and PNA. Also within the 2017, PCOO deliverables for the year are the groundbreaking of the Mindanao broadcast hub in Davao, FM1 or the FM station for the youth, PIA kiosks in the domestic and international airport among others, among others. Andanar clarified the current reorganization of the PCOO. “I. Ernie (Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella), and Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, saw the wisdom of doing a little reorganization, to which the Content & Messaging, ang head nun si Queenie (PCOO Assistant Secretary Rachel Queenie Dizon-Rodulfo)... So sabi ko, since si Spokes [Abella] is the one talking and he’s the one managing the press briefing room, napagusapan namin na it’s just rational for him to lead the content and messaging [aspect],” Andanar disclosed. Apart from the Content and Messaging Group, Spokesperson Abella will also have oversight function to all contents and messaging aspect of all agencies under the PCOO. Likewise, Abella will now be the spokesperson of not only the President, but latter’s alter ego as well, the Cabinet. Nonetheless, for matters about the agencies under the PCOO that have to do with operations, Andanar assured, he is still the “go-to guy”. Moreover, Andanar said he was planning to revert back PCOO to its former name as Office of the Press Secretary. He said an executive order had already been drafted, waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

AGAINST TOKHANG. Children and child-rights advocates gather to protest against the war on drugs that has victimitized kids during a meeting at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Cathedral along Taft Avenue in Manila. Norman Cruz

Consumers ask SC to dismiss suit vs RCOA By Rey E. Requejo A GROUP of electricity consumers has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition against the retail competition and open access in the power industry. In a motion for intervention, the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms through its Executive Director Rafael Antonio Acebedo appealed to the high court, saying that “any decision or resolution to the contrary will definitely prove harmful to the welfare and interest of the electricity consuming public.” Nasecore filed the motion in an effort to reverse the Court’s ruling against the RCOA, a landmark policy meant to give consumers the choice to choose their own electricity supplier.

The SC earlier temporarily stopped the implementation of RCOA, which was supposed to take effect on Feb. 26, based on a petition filed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ateneo de Manila University, San Beda College (Alabang) and mall owner Riverbanks Development Corp. The group in its submitted comment to the SC asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit and prejudicial to the interest of electricity consuming public. “One of the pillars of the restructuring of the energy industry, as envisioned by the Epira [the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001], is the establishment of retail competition and open access. The framers of

the Epira believed that the migration of electricity consumers to the competitive retail electricity market would lead to market competition thereby leading to lower and reasonable electricity prices,” Nasecore stressed. “Nasecore is intervening in the present case based on the ground that the issues raised herein are matters of transcendental importance, public service, policy and interest, and that its electricity consumersmembers will be directly, actually and greatly affected by the annulment of the Department of Energy [DoE] and Energy Regulatory Commission’s [ERC’s] assailed issuances in this petition,” the group said. Nasecore said it “vehemently disagrees” with the petition-

ers who wished to stop RCOA, which is covered by DoE Circular No. DC-2015-06-0010, series of 2015; ERC Resolution No. 5, Series of 2016; ERC Resolution No. 10, Series of 2016; ERC Resolution No. 11, Series of 2016; and ERC Resolution No. 28, Series of 2016. “The assailed issuances are valid and reasonable regulatory measures geared toward the promotion of the avowed purposes of the Epira, among others, promote true market competition and prevent harmful monopoly and market power abuse in the electric power industry,” Nasecore argued. The group pointed out that without RCOA “certain industry players will be able to monopolize and abuse the electricity market.”

Justice system in a mess—Recto By Macon Araneta

ICONIC. THE Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Department of History and Volkswagen Club stage an exhibit of Volkswagen Beetles on PUP campus. Founded in 1937 by the Germany Labour Front, volkswagen means people’s automobile and later dubbed as the people car. Norman Cruz

SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto agreed with the findings of the US State Department’s human rights report on the Philippines that “our nation being plagued by a weak and overburdened criminal justice system notable for slow court procedures, weak prosecutions, and poor cooperation between police and investigators.” “We have long been aware of that, and we have long pleaded guilty to that charge. The said report merely reiterates a crisis we have long been grappling with,” Recto said. The law enforcement system is plagued by logistical shortfalls and manpower shortages, he said. The PNP is almost 50,000 men short of what is ideally required. They lack 18,000 long firearms and 3,000 patrol vehicles. “Our prosecutors are saddled by the same problems. Some 1,700 vacancies remain unfilled, burdening each of the 2,000 in service with an average punishing load of 500 cases.”

Public Attorneys Office lawyers fare worse, with each of these underpaid, overworked public defenders attending 5,000 clients per year. Like prosecutors, they soldier on in spartan offices, where equipment and support staff are scarce. Philippine courts are slowed down by vacancies in judgeships. Of the 367 Municipal Trial Courts, only 289 have judges filled. A fourth of 1,229 Regional Trial Courts either have no judge or have yet to be organized. At any given time, the Senate leader said the judiciary has a backlog of 600,000 cases. He related that last stop in the justice system is also congested The almost 20,000 inmates in eight Bureau of Corrections prisons are housed in cells which have an average congestion rate of 215 percent, Recto said. Over at the BJMP, its 463 jails have a congestion rate of almost 500 percent, with each of the 116,000 inmates squeezed into less than one square meter of cell space, he said.

Senator presses for health care for ‘nut cases’ SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara has joined the call for the immediate passage of a bill that aims to establish a national mental health policy in the country to ensure that mental health care is made available even to ordinary Filipinos. In his co-sponsorship speech of the proposed measure uncer Senate Bill 1354, Angara stressed that the government should heed the staggering numbers that comprise the country’s mental health problem.

A 2011 World Health Organization study found that the Philippines had the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia. Almost one out of every 100 households had a member with a mental disorder, based on a 2004 Department of Health survey. The lawmaker also cited a 2006 DoH study which showed that one in three employees from 20 government agencies in Metro Manila had experienced a mental health

problem or breakdown at least once in their lifetime-including specific phobias, alcohol abuse and depression. “Our numbers are quite dated, pointing to two dimensions of our problem: 1) That our institutions are ill-equipped to keep track and treat the mental health of Filipinos; and 2) That because of this inability, many cases possibly go undiagnosed,” said Angara, one of the authors of the bill. According to the Philippine

Psychiatric Association, there are only 490 psychiatrists serving in the country today or roughly 50 qualified psychiatrists for every 10-million Filipinos. “Very few of our general practitioners, guidance counselors— not to mention barangay health workers or even jail wardens— are trained on early assessment and management of common mental health problems. “At times, the only course of action we know is to chain up

the mentally ill and isolate them from the rest of society,” the senator added. The proposed measure aims to institutionalize mental health services as a permanent component of the country’s national health system thereby providing the legal basis for greater investment of public funds in mental health. By adopting a rights-based approach, the measure also guards against and aims to eliminate any abuse a mental-

ly-ill person might endure in the hands of doctors, nurses, caregivers, community health workers or even from their loved ones. He said all Filipinos with mental health problems possess intelligence. They have the capacity and potential to contribute to the development of the country. “It just so happened that they have this different feeling or situation that needs particular care,” he said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

EDITORIAL

Firing is not enough

FTER firing his friend and former campaign spokesman as head of the National Irrigation Administration over allegations of extortion, President Rodrigo Duterte promised to sack more of his appointees who are tainted with corruption. “In the coming days, I’m going to fire additional people whom I have appointed in government. There are many of them, I’m still trying to figure out how it was done,” Duterte said while in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday.

Adelle Chua, Editor

Earlier, Duterte had also ﬁred two fraternity brothers who were at the center of a bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration. “This is my warning to those in the government: whether you are a director or [career executive

service officer] or [even] civil service eligible, I’m telling you stop it. At least for six years while I’m still sitting in office,” he said. “Corruption will stop and it will stop. I am telling you I will put a stop to it,” he added. While we applaud Mr. Duterte’s moves to stop corruption in his administration, we are compelled to point out two problems with his approach. First, simply firing government officials who are accused of corruption will not solve the deep-rooted problem, particularly if

the administrative sanction is not followed by criminal prosecution and a swift conviction. In the case of the sacked NIA administrator, we were even treated to his posts on social media professing his innocence and explaining his decision to “quietly” leave office to spare President Duterte the embarrassment of dealing with “false” rumors that he received money from private contractors. Are we to simply take the NIA administrator’s word for it that he did no

wrong? Wouldn’t it be more prudent not only to ﬁre him and investigate the charges against him? Nobody accused of corruption should be able to “quietly” leave government. They must be investigated, and if the facts warrant it, be prosecuted as well. The lesson learned long ago by Singapore, which has been deemed one of the least corrupt nations in the world, is that the certainty of being caught and punished is the best deterrent to corruption. Being allowed to quietly leave

ofﬁce is not punishment; it’s an exit plan. The second problem with Mr. Duterte’s latest statement is that aiming for six years without corruption is awfully shortsighted and lacking in ambition. To say he wants honest government only for the next six years suggests Mr. Duterte is not ready to pursue institutional reforms that will reduce if not eradicate corruption well beyond his administration. Surely this would be a far better legacy than six “clean” years.

Article of faith

Keeping the classroom and the factory apart AMONG educators (or those who pass themselves off as educators!) today, the craze is to make education “industrybased.” The coveted outcome (even OBE—outcomes-based education uses a production paradigm) is for the student to be able to move, almost effortlessly, from the classroom to the workplace. The highly prized professors are corporate directors, managers and entrepreneurs. Theory is a bad word, and only a resume that recites page after page of actual work experience can expect some attention. (How a person can ever acquire experience if the requisite of employment is previous experience is one of the conundrums of the present ideology almost as insoluble as the mathematical and logical paradoxes that challenge philosophers!) When a species, evolutionary science tells us, is so perfectly adapted to its environment, any change can bring about its doom.

And when our universities and colleges shape our students’ minds and attitudes to allow them to fit snugly into the cubbyholes of industry, enterprise and occupation, then when these environments change, our students become “non-performing non-assets” because school prepared them almost exclusively for what may have become obsolescent of late. When practice becomes the determinant of education, then the student becomes hostage to current practice, with the result that when practice is changed, the student finds herself pathetically adrift! Practice and industry do have their places in education. That is what “on-the-job” training is for—and this too needs serious restudy, because in many cases of which I am aware as a school administrator, OJT is an underhanded means by which establishments get a boost in their labor force, and get to be paid besides for accepting “train-

Theory challenges practice.

ees.” I have never understood how hospitality industry management students are trained as managers by assigning them janitorial jobs at hotels! Practice and practicum, their usefulness notwithstanding, cannot be the heart and soul of education. Much of practice is habit, unexamined and un-criticized routine that have meanwhile taken on normative status (“Talagang ganyan ang ginagawa dito”), and worse, it is often the perpetration of practices of subterfuge and circumvention. Young accountants learn to “cook the books” from practitioners

skilled in the malevolent art! Non schola discimus, sed vita vita...We study not for school but for life. This was a favored mantra of my exegesis professor, Fr. Frederik Scharpf, SVD. It is wisdom until now. If education were principally the cultivation and the honing of skills needed to allow the student to fit into industry’s present vacancies and job-opportunities, the “default outcome” of all institutions would be highly skilled specialists and adept practitioners, regrettably, with shriveled intellects and atrophied souls. These are performers-practitioners that computers, automatons and artificial intelligence can so easily replace and render redundant. But the vision and imagination, the combinatorial capacities and synthetic abilities, as well as the depth of purpose and motive —these are exclusively human faculties and the gifts of the educated heart. Why, for example, the num-

ber of philosophy subjects in the curriculum (what presently passes for a muddled K to 12 program of study!) has been whittled down to just one completely escapes me. When you remove logic from the course of study, then what you get is the mediocrity if not petulant stupidity on social media—that detestable gutter talk that passes for national discourse. The impoverished products of this decadent system of education can be very efficient, as travel agents, at getting you booked to the North Pole and then to the remotest tourist destinations— if skill is all that one is after. As lawyers for hire, having learned every trick of the trade from apprenticeship with leading law firms, they know exactly what motions to file so that it takes all of three years before the accused is arraigned! Theory challenges practice. Theory critically examines rouTurn to A5

ON TWO successive occasions last Thursday in Cebu, President Duterte defended his strong hand against drugs and criminality. “I have always held it as an article of faith that there can never be progress and development for as long as there is no peace and order,” he said. He had just laid the cornerstone for what should be by 2020 a third bridge linking Mactan Island, where the international airport is located, to the main island and city of Cebu. The groundbreaking on the Cordova side was attended by Metro Pacific CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan and company officials, the executive secretary, as well as Secretary Michel Lloyd Dino, his presidential assistant for the Visayas, whom he acknowledged in his speech as the first person to support him in Cebu, even when nobody took his potential presidency seriously. He repeated the same article of faith in his speech later that evening before businessmen-members of the Cebu City Chamber of Commerce. The first time I heard the President use the phrase “article of faith” was in early 2015, when he was in the midst of what was then billed as a “listening tour.” He promoted the concept of federalism and in the process introduced himself to the population. He was invited to speak before the Asian CEO Forum, and I was in Davao to help draft his speech. I then posited that before a business gathering, he should read from a prepared speech. Closeted at the Marco Polo Hotel with his close aides, I asked him to enumerate his “principles” of leadership. I had hoped to relate these to the local governance success that was Davao City, then adjudged one of the 10 safest cities in the world. The first, he said, was “I hold it as an article of faith that there can be no development unless there is peace and order.” I thought: Bingo! I had a speech. Then he recounted his first days as the elected mayor of Davao in 1988. He called the business community in the trouble-plagued city to a meeting through his friend, the late Chito Ayala of respected memory. He told them that “you guys take care of business, and I will take care of restoring the peace and order of our place.” “You know business better than I. You know the vast economic potentials of our city and the Davao region. I for my part will deal with the lawlessness that prevails here, and when you Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

Death penalty express WITH the way the restoration of the death penalty bill was railroaded at the House of Representatives, the supermajority congressmen should perhaps also run the public railway system. But it’s a shame to call it a system given the daily breakdown and delays of the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Rail Transit. However, commuters do not see the MRT and the LRT running like the famous Bicol Express of old. It will be recalled that it was during the watch of a former congressman, Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya, that the two Metro Manila commuter trains deteriorated. Buhay Party List Representative Lito Atienza, one of the staunchest oppositors of the death penalty, called the railroading of the death penalty in the House reminiscent of the Bicol Express. He’s still seething after the House passed the measure on second reading via viva voce vote. His was the loudest voice in the chamber who shouted “nay.” But the ayes had it after the congressmen were co-opted to vote for the measure lest they lose their perks and Palace funding for their district projects. Atienza assailed the measure because due process of deliberation was sidetracked. He claimed debates on the floor were squelched by the acting House Speaker and a vote was immediately called despite protests from the anti-death penalty solons. The pro-death congressmen said the antis kept saying the same thing as part of their dilatory tactics. The Senate, according to Senator Ralph Recto, will carry out a full-blown debate on the

death penalty bill and will hear every point of view. “The supermajority coalition called it tyranny of the minority. How is that possible when they have the numbers as shown by the manner in which they railroaded the bill?” fumed Atienza. He pointed out an exhaustive debate on the landmark legislation was needed. Privilege speeches against it were not a privilege but the duty of every congressman to illuminate the pros and cons for their constituents. He added that there is no compelling reason for the restoration of the death penalty since the Duterte administration with its vast resources is already exercising the power of life and death in the brutal war on illegal drugs. So far more than 7,000, most of them mere suspects, have been slain in what many see as summary killing. The European Union, Human Rights Watch and other groups are studying the possibility of filing charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte and police officials involved in the anti-drug war. President Duterte and his legal panel have dismissed the allegations of extra judicial killings as baseless and interference in the internal affairs of the country. But this is an issue government legal adviser Salvador Panelo should not take lightly. If the case against Digong and Philippine National Police chief Ronald de la Rosa is filed with the International Criminal Court,

they could find themselves in deep trouble. The best advice Panelo could heed is “if you’re in a hole, stop digging.” Rep. Atienza cited that the Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations convention that bans capital punishment. The UN accord was ratified by the Senate. “This is an international agreement that has to be upheld. It cannot be cast aside without the Philippines violating international law. The Senate will have to review and discuss thoroughly this UN agreement that it ratified,” said Atienza. He added that even if the death penalty slips through the Senate, he and other oppositors will elevate the issue to the Supreme Court. Yasay a foreigner secretary President Duterte is not known for taking unsolicited advice. He dismissed calls to relieve PNP chief De la Rosa in the wake of the brazen killing of Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo right inside Camp Crame. Policemen carrying out his anti-drug operations Oplan Tokhang are the prime suspects. Yet Dela Rosa is still PNP boss without culpability for command responsibility. For the murder committed inside the PNP camp, other officials in the world would have resigned and not wait for the president to fire them. There are now calls for President Duterte to replace Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr .This, after documents showed he was an American citizen who

only renounced his citizenship at the US embassy in Manila when he was appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs after Duterte had won the May 2016 presidential elections. Yasay also did not take any step to reacquire his Filipino citizenship which would make him a stateless person. We now have the vexing problem of having a foreigner or stateless person as the country’s foreign secretary. The decent thing Yasay could do is to resign and spare the President the embarrassment of having a foreigner as secretary of foreign affairs. Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto R. Romulo in his column in the Philippine Star last week provided documents not only of Yasay’s flawed qualification as SFA but also bank documents of his alleged default in paying bank loans in New York and New Jersey. Yasay’s stint as head of the Security and Exchange Commission in 19952000 would also make him liable for perjury for attesting he was a Filipino citizen when he assumed the SEC post. If Yasay’s fallback position is to be named Philippine ambassador to Washington, the US as host government may not accept him because of his pending court cases. This, in diplomatic protocol, is called the granting of agrement. Where does that leave Yasay? Defeated vice presidential candidate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is reportedly being eyed by Duterte as foreign secretary. The one-year ban on defeated candidates being appointed to a Cabinet position ends on May 30 this year.

Beyond the (anti-mining) blitz THE latest episode in the ongoing saga featuring Gina Lopez saw opposing groups mobilize ahead of her confirmation as Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary. One group, the familiar anti-mining militants, showed up in front of the Senate, shouting the usual slogans and waving the usual placards and streamers. The other, meanwhile, witnessed thousands of mining stakeholders from as far away as Mindanao, in a rare show of force calling against Lopez’s confirmation. The composition of the two groups already reveal so much about the character of this ongoing debate. The pro-Lopez side is composed of various left-leaning propagandists obviously performing to drum up publicity for the sake of the cameras. In clear contrast, participants in the Reject Gina Lopez demonstrations were people coming from as far as Mindanao, whose everyday life was directly compromised by the slew of mining closures that Lopez had ordered. This brand of polarizing debate echoes in all forms of media, with the anti-mining side exploiting the same drama and vitriolic refrains, which, to many experts, preclude the discussion of the real issues. The bandied-about line on mining’s supposedly miniscule contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, while dramatic for sound bites, is misleading at best. The figure only represents up

this translates to the benefiOPEN to some 1.2-milciation stage of lion Filipino operation, with THOUGHTS lives summarily the processing OrlaNdO compromised. of minerals like OxalES These famicopper, gold, lies likewise nickel, iron ore, benefit from the cement, silica, and others are attributed to manu- massive investment in human facturing. Other allied industries, capital and community services like construction, and service in- and infrastructure that mining dustries, like logistics, shipping, companies are required by law transportation, communications, to expend. Generations of chiland small businesses all over min- dren have gone to and finished ing communities are often exclud- school via scholarships in technied in the accounting of the sector’s cal fields, while thousands of elnumerical contribution in terms of ementary and high school pupils enjoy free tuition in mining comGDP. For the macro-economy, a to- munities and nearby areas. Some tal of P10 billion in tax revenues P1 billion is allotted annually on came from mining in 2015. Nearly average into these projects. All half of this amount or P4.6 billion in all, up to P28 billion in these comes from mining companies funds are in danger of being comthat are now facing closure or sus- promised by the closure orders. There is also a protectionist pension. This does not include the support services and other small angle that anti-mining advocates industries in mining sites, such as echo: That the revenues of big contractors and small businesses, mining companies are all repatall of which pay taxes. According riated to foreign countries. This to the World Bank, these enter- is obviously rooted in a leftists’ prises are particularly important aversion to foreign ownership, because they contribute the most dating back decades to the 1960s. to rural development in far-flung A simple check will again reveal areas ignored by the conventional this to be unfounded. The two FTAAs that allow foreign owneconomy. These figures only account ership, Oceana Gold and Tampafor taxes and revenues. In terms kan, has just started operating and of jobs both direct and indirect, have not started at all, respectivewhich Lopez belittles as easily ly. The rest are all Filipino firms. Beyond these, in the long term, replaceable, nearly 200,000 Filipinos are bound to suffer. If we investments in mining, which assume that these workers feed an could reach the trillion-peso average of six family members, mark, could easily aid the Duterte

Article... From A4 see the results of my governance, then you invest, and you invite others to invest,” said the newly elected mayor. In Cebu City last week, in the presence of one of the country’s top business moguls, he declared, “my job then was to build a city; my job now is to build a country.” The same basic principle applies. The article of faith. Listening in the audience to a leader who never relied on prepared speeches, I realized why he keeps referring to his war on drugs, and defending the draconian measures he has had to employ before skeptics, naysayers, bleeding heart activists, as well as plain haters of Duterte. He just has to keep drumming that article of faith in the national consciousness. Everything else will follow. Now that he is president, he is single-mindedly focused on the war against illegal drugs. He vows to exterminate the drug lords and even the pushers who truly, “destroy my peo-

Keeping... From A4

ple.” “You destroy my people, you destroy the future of my youth, I will kill you,” he exclaims in no uncertain terms. “These international agencies, these meddlers, even the Catholic bishops, can’t they understand this? If it is necessary to kill criminals in order to save and protect our children, then so be it! Do we have a choice?” He proceeds to berate his critics and even would-be destabilizers. The audience, composed of local officialdom of the province as well as the business community, and beyond them, ordinary folks who waited hours to be able to greet their fellow Bisaya, lapped his words with applause. What he was saying was what they themselves know and feel in their seminal lives. From petty crimes that victimize the poor, to syndicated crimes at times perpetrated by those sworn to defend them, they know how criminality and the scourge of drugs affect them and their families. And here, at last, was a leader who in plain language, was telling them that all along, we seem to have forgotten the basics. And see what mess it has created. Later that evening over a late dinner at the

administration’s ambitious industrialization and manufacturing resurgence programs. A roadmap for the mining sector has been development, geared to maximize its contribution toward spurring productivity en route to inclusive growth. Instead, the unstable investment environment deters any sensible long-term prospect for the potentially rich industry. These are the complex realities that should take centerstage in any principled debate about a matter as complex as mining and the environment. On one hand, anti-mining propagandists can be expected to deliberately misguide the public through scare tactics carefully veiled in environmental and social crusade. Glaringly missing is the science, the economics, the truth behind the blitz. Our policy leaders and specially the powerful members of the Commission on Appointments should sift through the propaganda and ground the discussion. If the government gives in to the propaganda, will the environment win, then? Not really, going by how the same outcry omits thousands of illegal small scale mining operations and its attendant issues, from environmental degradation to child labor and smuggling. What, then, is their real agenda? Signs tell us that their enemy seems to be development itself with the strategic goal of destabilizing the system. So much for being “progressive.”

Mactan Airbase preparatory to his leaving for Davao to see his newest grandson (his tenth from three children) born to Mayor Inday Sara and her husband Mans Carpio, he was in an ebullient mood. Seated between ES Bingbong Medialdea and this writer in a table shared with Governor Davide of Cebu, Governor Degamo of Negros Oriental, Mayor Osmeña of Cebu City and a few of his close friends, he was clearly delighted at the arrival of Inday Sara’s new baby nicknamed Stonefish. We had a simple meal of eggplant torta, bam-i, that Visayan noodle dish, munggo, roast native chicken and of course, Cebu lechon. Oh, and also, puso (accent on the last syllable), rice wrapped in coconut leaves and soaked in boiling water, the way the Bisayang dako prepare their to-go staple. The President was clearly in a good mood. We talked about a variety of topics, from economics to developments in the international scene, but as he listened, his eyes smiling, I knew he was very confident that he was in the right direction.

bining powerful concepts in syntheses of which no artificial intelligence is ever capable. And, come to think of it, the most radical changes that have tine and habit. Theory calls on capacities of im- come upon humanity and the world have come agination, and comes about as the result of com- about because of theory. What is—that is what

Is world peace possible? THE world is becoming a more dangerous place, the Institute for Economics and Peace reported. The 2016 Global Peace Index shows that there are now only 10 counties in the world which are not engaged in conflict either internally or externally. These are: Botswana, Chile, Costa Rica, Japan, Mauritius, Panama, Qatar, Switzerland, Uruguay and Vietnam. The report further states that the worsening conflict in the Middle East, the lack of solution to the refugee crisis and the increase in deaths from major terrorist incidents all over the globe, have all contributed to the world being less peaceful in 2016 than it was in 2015. The most remarkable result from the 2016 peace index was the extent to which the situation in the Middle East has dragged down the rest of the world in terms of peacefulness. The study said that if we took out the Middle East from the index, the world, in general, would become more peaceful. The study showed a trend where the more peaceful countries improved while the less peaceful ones deteriorated, producing what the study called “peace inequality” across the world. Eighty-one countries became more peaceful while 79 deteriorated. The report said that the majority of terrorist activities are concentrated in five countries, namely; Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, accounting for 78 percent of deaths from terrorism in 2014, although in 2015 to 2016, nearly every region had an increase in terrorism scores. The Philippines ranked 130th in 2011, dropped to 141st in 2015, It only and improved slightly takes a few to 139th in 2016 on the global peace index. determined Amidst the worsening and goodpeace situation all over the world, the Globhearted al Peace Foundation people to start chaired by Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon forges on with the ripples. its peace building efforts around the globe. The Foundation which started in Korea to spur the unification of the North and South now has a presence in 16 countries, namely: Uruguay, the United States, Uganda, Tanzania, the Philippines, Paraguay, Nigeria, Nepal, Mongolia, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Kenya, Ireland, Indonesia and India. What does the foundation do? It partners with public and private institutions and persons to establish a culture of peace. Starting in the home where values are first learned by every person, the foundation, through the Global Peace Women, holds conferences and women leadership trainings to empower women in promoting the values of caring, sharing and loving unconditionally. It believes that if children grow up in an atmosphere of love, the culture of valuing peace and rejecting violence takes root. The foundation also focuses on other tracks to build peace, particularly in education, interfaith peacebuilding, and sustainable development and poverty reduction through a socially responsible business paradigm. The foundation realizes that it is not possible to talk of peace when hunger grips a people. Thus, it has also embarked on poverty alleviation through livelihood and entrepreneurial development in a number of countries. When I first joined the movement for global peace, particularly the Global Peace Women, I was skeptical about how this almost unrealistic, if not impossible, dream could be achieved especially in the growing threats of terrorism worldwide. But when I saw in the four-day Global Peace Convention held at the Marriott hotel in Pasay City last week that no less than 40 nations were represented by at least a thousand delegates, I started re-thinking. Global peace is possible, it seems. It only takes a few determined and good-hearted people to start the ripples and soon—who knows—the contagion of peace will spread and conquer the world. It was encouraging to see former heads of states and prominent world leaders in attendance among whom were former president of Guatemala, Venicio Cerezo; former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; former deputy prime minister for strategy and finance of Korea, Jin-Pyo Kim; the Director of Geopolitic and International Relations and Unesco Peace Chairman in India, Madham Das Nalapat; and the founder and chairman of the Asian Studies Center, Edwin Feulner. In the Philippines, peace may be a hard nut to crack. Yet, with the reality that unrest is fueled by poverty, causing separatist ideals and communist insurgency, the track to take is to reduce poverty. The admnistration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has planted the seed by starting a movement to shift the structure of government from the present unitary and toocentralized system to a federal form. Should he succeed in this, peace may yet be achieved as the poor regions in the Philippines can begin to strengthen their capacities to deliver to people the social services and economic progress they need. The government should not delay the process if peace were to be a reality. Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

industry and practice and the practical will teach you. What can be—that is what theory is all about. And mustering the breadth of vision and the resoluteness of heart so that one transitions—in calculated, deliberate and a studied manner—from what

is to what can be, that is education! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

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MONDAY, March 6, 2017

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DoJ: End rent-a-car scam T Rey E. Requejo

The members of the panel include Senior Assistant State HE Department of Justice has created Prosecutor Rex Gingoyon; Asa task force to handle preliminary sistant State Prosecutors Aristotinvestigation hearings on criminal charges le Reyes, Rodan Parrocha, Bryan Jacinto Cacha Jr., Anna Noreen ﬁled against suspects allegedly behind a “rentDevanadera and Jovyanne Essangla” scam that has victimized close to 500 caño-Santamaria; and Assistant Prosecution Attorneys Wendell car owners across the country. Bendoval, Joan Garcia and Marc Eico Tariga. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Agu- of the alleged syndicate. Aguirre’s directive came after irre II, through Department Order Senior Assistant State ProsNo. 138, assigned 10 prosecutors ecutor Rosanne Balauag has the Philippine National Policeto conduct the preliminary probe been designated chairman of Highway Patrol Group, along with several scam victims from on the complaints ﬁled by victims the task force.

Bulacan, Laguna, Angeles City, Batangas and Nueva Ecija, ﬁled charges for carjacking, swindling and syndicated estafa before the DoJ. The respondents in the complaints are Rafaela Anunciacion, Tychicus Nambia, Anastacia Cauyan, Sabina Torres, Eliseo Cortez, Eleanor Constatino, Marilou Cruz, Jhennelyn Berroya, Ana Borlon and Lea Rosales. The Justice department has already placed them under an Immi-

gration lookout bulletin to prevent them from leaving the country. Investigators said the suspects enticed car owners to rent out their vehicles in exchange for P35,000 to P45,000 a month. Once the owners agreed, their vehicles would never be returned to them as the cars appeared to have either been mortgaged or sold to another person. Aguirre has also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe on the scheme.

‘Meco may have violated One-China’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III has called for an inquiry on reports that the Manila Economic and Cultural Ofﬁce is treating its employees as political appointees, a move that may be violative of the country’s One-China policy. “There is a need to review the consular functions being performed by Meco as there have been reports that its employees are being treated as political appointees under its ‘new management,’” Pimentel said. He cited a Supreme Court ruling classifying Meco as a nongovernmental entity. This means that its employees enjoy security of tenure in accordance with the Constitution and existing labor laws as it performs consular functions for the Philippines in Taiwan. The senator said reports have reached him that the new management of Meco, whom he did not name but was clearly referring to the team of Meco chairman Angelito Banayo, is insisting that they be given a free hand to appoint their own people. He said that treating Meco employees as political appointees “may result in removing the status of Meco as a private corporation.” “It may considered a government-controlled entity performing diplomatic functions in Taiwan,” Pimentel said, warning that this may violate the One-China rule. Under Senate Resolution No. 302 ﬁled by Pimentel, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has been directed to conduct a probe in aid of legislation on the legal basis of Meco and its authority “to perform diplomatic and consular functions.”

Lawmaker seeks DTI clarification on steel bars AGE OF INNOCENCE. As summertime draws near, children in Makati City set aside their gadgets and ﬂock to the streets to play games such as spinning tops. Diana B. Noche

Gatchalian bats for Road Board abolition anew By Macon Ramos-Araneta ure as mayor and congressman split the fund,” he said. SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his call for the abolition of the Road Board as he revealed previous attempts by road project contractors to induce him into committing corrupt acts while he was still a local government ofﬁcial. During a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Works, Gatchalian disclosed that several contractors approached him during his ten-

of Valenzuela City and offered to “facilitate” with the Road Board the funding for repair and maintenance works on the city’s streets. “The contractors approached me and said: ‘There is money in the Road Board. You only have to give me a signed letter and I will build you a P50-million road.’ Of course, I knew what they meant. If I had availed of the funding, the next step would have been a meeting on how to

“I rejected the offers. I did not avail of the special road funds. I was stunned by their audacity but I was not interested in their offers,” he told representatives of the Road Board who attended the committee hearing. Gatchalian lamented that “the Road Board has become a venue for graft and corruption of abusive government ofﬁcials” at the expense of critical road projects that remain unfunded and yet to be constructed.

Aside from corruption issues, Gatchalian also stressed that the Road Board should be abolished because its functions are redundant with that of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation. The Road Board is tasked with the management and utilization of the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge, which is imposed on vehicle owners and earmarked solely and used exclusively for the maintenance

and repair of local and national roads, pollution control, and safety works. To remove the redundancy, Gatchalian proposed that the administration of the MVUC should be delegated to the DPWH and DOTr, which are the major implementing agencies for road maintenance projects and safety measures. The senator has ﬁled Senate Bill No. 986 seeking the abolition of the Road Board and the reassignment of its mandate.

Solon wants broader credit access for micro-borrowers By Rio N. Araja CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte urged on Sunday local officials to take prompt steps to bring informal lenders to the economic mainstream in a bid to stop usury, and broaden the access of micro-borrowers and small entrepreneurs to easy and affordable credit. Villafuerte said local government units are the best partners of the Department of Trade and Industry in implementing a new initiative to give the so-called “five-six” lenders up to six months to register their businesses with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This would then allow these informal lenders to be part of the official lending sector. “Our LGUs, the front-liners in delivering basic services to the people, could help stop the five-six lending practices. They could identify un-

derground lenders and assist them in complying with the DTI deadline for their business registration,” he said. The DTI’s P3 program, or the ‘Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso Program,’ seeks to legitimize ﬁve-six lenders and provide micro, small and medium enterprises easy access to credit with no collateral and minimal interest through micro-ﬁnance institutions and cooperatives accredited by the DTI and the Small Business Corp. Five-six lenders also lend without collateral or any documentary requirements but charge an exorbitant nominal interest rate of 20 percent over an agreed period to their borrowers, usually market vendors, private storeowners and other micro entrepreneurs. “Rather than continue with their illegal scheme, loan sharks would be better situated in the economic mainstream by taking part in the P3 program that would legitimize their business,” Villafuerte said.

DRESS FOR LESS. A sales lady arranges her merchandise on Sunday in Baclaran where clothes for kids are priced at P50.00 while a pair of jeans go for P250.00 each. Manny Palmero

By Rio N. Araja A LAWMAKER has asked Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to clarify conflicting tests and inspection findings on some P500 million worth of 20,000 metric tons of substandard steel bars that arrived from China in December. In a one-page letter, Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron requested the Department of Trade and Industry to “submit to the committee on trade and industry of the House of Representatives a comprehensive report” of its findings. “The committee is keenly interested on the matter in the interest and protection of the Filipino consumers,” he said. Biron’s letter was in response to the appeal of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, headed by Rodolfo Javellana Jr., to look into their complaint against the release of the steel bars in question. On Dec. 8, the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards recalled the steel bars’ import commodity clearance. But the imported steel bars were “illegally withdrawn and sold to the market” on Dec. 19, Javellana said in the group’s letter to Biron. The UFCC warned the steel bars could put the lives and properties of too many people at risk given that the Philippines is prone to earthquakes and typhoons. In a letter to Trade Undersecretary Teodoro Pascua, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute informed the agency about the recent crackdown by Chinese authorities on illegal steel mills that produce substandard steel products, particularly in Jiangsu province.

Sports

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

CEU, St. Paul keep crowns THE pep squads of Centro Escolar University, St. Paul College Pasig and Poveda retained their titles as the 47th Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association capped another successful season with the cheerleading competition held recently at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. CEU is champion for the third year in a row, bringing its total senior division haul to 6 championships, including a 6th straight basketball title. The Lady Scorpions also ruled taekwondo, table tennis, badminton and swimming. St. Paul and incoming host Poveda bagged their fourth straight titles in the junior and midgets division, respectively. Overall, De La Salle Zobel was the winningest squad with 8 victories--a 7th straight midgets’ basketball title on top of titles in midgets’ volleyball and badminton and junior volleyball, futsal, lawn tennis, table tennis and swimming. Miriam College snared four championships--midgets’ taekwondo and swimming and junior taekwondo and softball. Bagging one title each were Chiang Kai Shek College (junior basketball), San Beda College Alabang (senior volleyball), Philippine Women’s University (senior futsal) and La Sal- CEU, the champion for the third year in a row, brought its total senior division haul to 6 championships. Here, the Lady Scorpions form their winning routine in the cheerleading championship. le College Antipolo (junior badminton).

PH Volcanoes win Doha top prize

OHA—The Philippine National Men’s Rugby Sevens Team won the top prize in the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy competition in Doha, Qatar. Coming out of the first day on top of their pool with dominant wins versus Nepal and Qatar, the Volcanoes started Day 2 by defeating Iran, 42-0, in the quarterfinals to set up a semifinal battle with SEA Games rivals, Singapore. A strong start had Singapore

leading the match, 10-7, but the Volcanoes kept their composure and produced try by Vincent Amar Young on the final play, ending the match at 12-10. The narrow win pushed the Philippines into the finals against Thailand, which had also yet to drop a game in the

competition. In the championship game, the Volcanoes wasted no time and produced a rapid series of tries which gave them a commanding 29-0 lead at halftime. Thailand attempted a comeback in the second half, but only managed one try and conversion before the Philippines finished them off with a final two tries ending the match 41-7. Philippine Captain Daniel Bembo Matthews was awarded Most Valuable Player of the

competition, while Timothy Bweheni was proclaimed Man of the Match. “A real team effort to win this tournament. The players put in the hard yards and really played for each other. This win was for all our supporters, we appreciate all the support we have received” said Matthews. With this win, the Philippines gained entry back into the Asian Sevens Series, which is the Rugby Sevens competition among top tier teams in Asia such as

Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. The A7S will be played through September and October in Hong Kong, Korea and Sri Lanka. “It’s been an amazing start to 2017, very proud of the coaching staff and the players. It sets the foundation for our Southeast Asian Games preparation also. Having support from both Globe Telecom and the PSC allows our preparation to be where it needs to be to perform at the top in Asia” said Letts, National Teams Head of the PRFU.

2 Taiwan tour legs kick off golf season THE ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour marks its fifth season with another pair of tournaments serving as part of the Taiwan LPGA Tour, ensuring stellar international rosters for the twin events set at Splendido and Mt. Malarayat. Korean Lee Jeong-hwa nipped Fumika Kawagishi of Japan in a thrilling finish to snare the ICTSI Champion Tour presented by Champion and TLPGA by one last year with the same windup expected when the event returns for the kick-off leg starting Wednesday (March 8) at the wind-raked Splendido Taal Golf Club. Recognizing the growing status of the LPGT in the region, the Taiwan LPGA has also made the next LPGT leg at Mt. Malarayat part of its circuit with the same Splendido field expected to clash for the ICTSI Champion Tour presented by Champion Infinity crown on March 1517 at the Malarayat layout in Lipa City, Batangas. The LPGT events, also serving as the third and fifth legs, respectively, of the Taiwan LPGA, offer a total prize fund of $75,000 each. Sustaining its gains the past four years, the LPGT, put up by ICTSI in 2013 to provide the country’s golfing ladies a tournament of their own and help produce world class players, will again hold

a 10-stage circuit this year, including the second ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters, also a TLPGA co-sanctioned event. “By co-sanctioning LPGT’s first two events again, the TLPGA continues to recognize our tour as a key circuit to play in the region,” said Colo Ventosa, general manager of the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. After Mt. Malarayat, the LPGT resumes with the ICTSI Luisita Ladies Challenge on April 18-20 to be followed by the Orchard Ladies Invitational on May 30-June 1. Action shifts back to Baguio on June 28-30 for the Baguio Ladies Classic then the circuit heads back to Mt. Malarayat on July 25-27. Southwoods will host the seventh leg on Aug. 15-17 then the tour goes to Sherwood Hills on Sept. 12-14 and Wack Wack will stage the penultimate leg on Oct. 24-26. The Phl Ladies Masters will again wind up the circuit on a date still to be finalized late this year. Symetra Tour-bound Dottie Ardina, Princess Superal, Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez are expected to lead the local challenge at Splendido and Mt. Malarayat, all hoping to nail victories and a big boost to their respective campaigns abroad.

IronKids to usher Ironman weekend KIDS aged 6-to-14 take center stage this Saturday (March 11) as they showcase their stuff in their own version of triathlon – the Alaska IronKids – in Subic Bay. Around 300 youngsters, expected to be led by the multititled Borlain sisters – Samantha, Tara and Franchezka, veteran internationalist Wacky Baniqued and Jane Macalaad, will see action in the event serving as the appetizer to the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3. Up for grabs in the Alaska IronKids are the 6-8, 9-10, 1112 and 13-14 age-group titles and it will feature newcomers and regular campaigners. The event also serves as the kickoff of a three-stage circuit, that includes two aquathlon on April 9 at the Manila Polo Club and on June 3, also in Subic. It will culminate in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon in Mactan, Cebu in August. All category winners will be given free entry to the Cebu IronKids with free flights and accommodations, all courtesy of Alaska. Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and sponsored by Alaska Milk Corp., the Alaska IronKids is the junior version of the Ironman, which also features swimming, biking and running events. The Alaska IronKids is held to promote a well-balanced lifestyle for kids and at the same time serving as a perfect venue for family bonding. The youngsters will actually share the spotlight with the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run, which is again expected to provide the sizzler of a side-event to the much-awaited Ironman 70.3. It will feature the country’s Superbods finalists – who will all be running alongside the fancied names of the sport. It will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Subic Yacht Club and pass through a scenic route along the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

PH netters top Delhi tilt

Photo shows the division champions of the ninth Manila Southwoods Seniors Invitational (from left) Jake Buenaﬂor, Graeme Deane, Lino Ceriola, Jun Del Corro, Polo Pantaleon, Jose Cedo, Tristan Calixto and Paco Gonzalez.

Ceriola, Deane top seniors’ tourney LINO Ceriola and guest partner Graeme Deane snared the Class A crown while Polo Pantaleon and Ceasar Castro dominated Class B in the ninth Manila Southwoods Seniors Invitational at the Manila Southwoods’ Legends course in Carmona, Cavite recently. Ceriola and Deane combined for 128 Stableford points then edged the Mar Badillo-Nestor Tolentino tandem in the countback to top the premier division in the two-day tournament organized by the Manila Southwoods Seniors headed by Paco Gonzalez. Pantaleon and Castro, on the other hand, outclassed the Class B ﬁeld in the Scramble and Aggregate formats to pool 140 points and fashion out a 10-point romp

over Ramon Gonzalez and Mari Castañeda, who scored a 130. Jose Cedo and partner Tristan Calixto captured the Class C diadem with a 139, four points clear of Jun Ymbong and Ernie Uy, who turned in a 135 in the event backed by hole-in-one sponsors Diamond Motor Corp. and BMG Solar with Brainmaster/ Cran-UTI/Goutritis/Megaﬁber by Whealth, Red Eagle Lending Investors, Corp., Romago, Inc. and San Miguel Purefoods as yearround hole sponsors. Francis Celones, meanwhile, shared the spotlight as he won the E-Z Go 4-seater electric golf cart during the rafﬂe draw in the event backed by hole sponsors were American Standard & Grohe by

Lixil Phils. Ltd. Co., Anako Philippines Corp., Anthilla Land Corp., Camp John Hay Golf Club, Caramba Foods, G&W Clubshares, Inc., Gentec Distribution Corp., Golden Oats Corp., Federal Land, Inc., Le Chef, MRT Development Corp., Robros, Inc., Rudy Project Phils., The Forest Lodge and The Manor@Camp John Hay, United Laboratories, Inc. and Warbird Security and Investigation Agency. Other fun hole winners in the tournament for 55-years-oldand-above were Antonio Villanueva and Manny Panlilio (nearest the pin—10 ft and 7 inches, respectively), and Rudy Fulo and Mentz Deguito (most accurate drive—5 inches and on the line, respectively).

THE Philippine under-14 girls’ team swept its four-game assignment and emerged unbeaten following a 3-0 win over Jordan in the finals of the 2017 Asia Oceania pre-qualifying zone tournament last Saturday in New Delhi, India. The Filipinas banked on the plays of Carmencita Carlos, Alexandra Eala and Gaby Zoleta in holding off the Jordanians. Carlos, a sixth grader from Keys School, Manila, once again scored the first win. She pulled off 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Randa Al-Qudsi before Eala came up with a 6-0, 6-0 blanking of Jana AlKhatib. In the doubles, Eala and Zoleta stopped Al-Qudsi and Haya Joudeh, 6-0, 6-0. Their title win eased memories of last year’s campaign in Nonthaburi, Thailand, where the Filipinas took a 1-2 setback at the hands of Sri Lanka in the pre-qualifying finals. The feat allowed them to keep a winning streak going into the final qualifying tournament of the World Junior Tennis competition when it gets going to weeks from now. Peter Atencio

Malaysian bags men’s Prima title; Barredo retains tiara MALAYSIAN Shahrul Shazwan and reigning women’s open champion Sarah Joy Barredo blasted separate finals foes recently to capture the singles’ open crown of 10th Prima Pasta Badminton Championship at the Powersmash Badminton Courts in Pasong Tamo, Makati City. Shazwan bashed R-Jay Baquiran Ormilla of Team Prima, 21-15, 16-21, 21-13, to bag the men’s open singles’ trophy, while Barredo retained her open women’s singles’ crown by beating Airah Mae Nicole Albo, 2119, 16-21, 21-14, in the annual tournament organized by Prima Pasta Chairman Alex Lim. In other results of the tournament sponsored by Babolat and SMART Communications, through MVP Sports Foundation, Lanz Ralf Zafra bagged two singles’ titles by dominating the boys’ 17-Under and 19-Under divisions. Malaysian Shahrul Shazwan (right) and R-Jay Baquiran Zafra outlasted Arthur Samuel Salvado, 21-11, 19Ormilla (left) of Team Prima are shown during the awards 21, 21-15, to win the boys’ 17-Under crown, and durites of the 10th Prima Pasta Badminton Championship plicated the performance in the boys’ 19-Under class, at the Powersmash Badminton Courts.

beating Kyle Justine Legaspi, 21-17, 21-13, to get his Anthea Marie Gonzales defeated Viana Meryl Antonio, 14-21, 21-8, 21-11, to take home the girls’ second title. Over 2,000 participants all over the country partici- 15-Under crown. pated in the weeklong tournament organized by committee chairman Alexander Lim in partnership with the Philippine Badminton Association and affiliated with the Philippine National Ranking System. The event is also supported by Boysen Paints, 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ Morning Star Milling Corporation., Mabz Builders, ILO Construction, Monolith Construction, Monocrete Construction, Pioneer Insurance, Promax Interna00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M tional, Regent Foods Corp., RFM Corp and Del Monte Phils. Mikaela Joy De Guzman beat Anthea Marie GonDIGITS 0-0-0-0 zales, 21-16, 21-17, for the girls’ 17-Under trophy, while Janelle Anne Andres crushed Aldreen Rae Concepcion, 14-21, 21-17, 21-19, to grab the girls’ 19-Under DIGITS 0-0-0 title. Jewel Angelo Albo routed Francis Sarmiento, 21EZ2 0-0 8, 21-15, to pocket the boys’ 15-Under crown, while

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 6/45 4 3 2

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

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

Founder’s PAL golf crown to Orchard

Sports

LOST in Manila Southwoods’ dominance of the just-ended 70th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships were the close battles in the other divisions in Davao City. Orchard captured the second-tier Founders division, holding off Forest Hills’ final day rally by three points. Rodel Mangulabnan and Niko Santiano scored 31 and 30 points to lead Orchard which was outscored by Forest Hills by 15 points at the Palos Rancho Verdes. Orchard struggled with 117 points in the Members of the Manila Southwoods team, headed by Thirdy Escano (sixth from left) receive their championship trophy from Philippines Airlines President Jaime J. Baufinal round with Aaron Dimabuyu (29) and tista (fifth from left). Southwoods bagged the 70th PAL Interclub men’s title in Davao City. Lino Santos Raymund Sangil (27) rounding out its scorers. Forest Hills got a big lift from former national player Jude Eustaquio to close out with 132 points. Eustaquio eagled the par-5, No. 8 and had four birdies against three bogeys and a pickup. The other Forest Hills scorers were Inigo Raymundo 33, Ronnie Littaua 33 and Peter Young 29. In another close fight for third place, Valley nipped Riviera and Cebu Country Club with 468 points. Valley rode on Enrico GalVeerman, who rallied from lardo’s 36 points to finish with 125 points, a TA. ROSA, Laguna – Steve Lewton two down to force a playoff at point ahead of Riviera (112) and three clear pulled through in a nerve-wracking one-under 287, also missed winof CCC (111). ning it outright with a bogey In the Sportswriters’ division, Sarangani sudden death, edging Johannes Veerman on the last hole for a 73 then finished two points ahead of Sta. Elena to with a gutsy par off the bunker on the exacting cracked after watching Lewton’s claim the crown. Led by Arthur Ong’s 29 par-saving putt in the playoff points, Sarangani completed the come-from- finishing hole of The Country Club and snaring drop in, enabling the Northampbehind win by scoring 109 points at the Apo the 99th Solaire Philippine Open crown that ton ace to pocket the top $72,000 Golf and Country Club for 377 points. nearly slipped off his grasp with a shaky fi nish purse in the event held in coopSta. Elena settled for second with 375 foleration with Meralco and PLDT. in regulation. lowed by Mactan Island with 368 points. Veerman settled for $40,000. PGA of British Columbia won the FriendNearly blowing it all with a also became the first EnglishIt was indeed a thrilling endship class with 331 points, five points ahead bogey-par-bogey windup for man to win the fabled champiing to what had been an unpreof Camp Aguinaldo. dictable week at the tough TCC Art Makalintal and Jesse Castillo turned in his first over-par card, a 75, in onship, also Asia’s oldest Nadespite Lewton’s seizing control 27 and 24 points, respectively to lead PGA regulation, Lewton rebounded tional Open. when it mattered most, com“I didn’t expect to win beof the elite field in the second British Columbia. ing through with a blast to 12 cause I am not familiar with and third rounds with a run of Third place went to KGC Boys Club Melfeet and drilling the downhiller, the course. I just played my under-par scores. bourne with 321 points. Thai Rattanon WannasSherwood Hills, on the other hand, posted clinching the win as Veerman, game and luckily made it,” richan, three down at the start a comfortable 31-point victory over Lumbia who reached the green in regu- added Lewton, who turned in lation, crumbled under pres- an impressive 70 and two 71s of the final round, fell farther in the Aviator division. back with bogeys on Nos. 1 Drawing firepower from Harry Paltongan sure, flubbing his par-putt bid to lead in the middle rounds of the $400,000 event sponsored and 7 but birdied No. 8 for the (27), Nestor Sevilla (25) and Nicolae Eribert from seven feet. “I’m very, very happy for my by Solaire Resort and Casino. fourth straight day and rattled Sevilla (24), Sherwood tallied 93 points at He missed a 15-footer for par on victory. This is my first here off three more in the first six Apo for 413 points. holes at the back, including Lumbia was second with 382 and Davao and I will never foget it. This is the difficult par-4 18th in regumemorable,” said Lewton, who lation. back-to-back from No. 14. Steve Lewton kisses his championship trophy. City Golf third with 375. The 70th PAL Interclub Platinum sponsors are Mareco Broadcasting Network, A&E Networks Asia, RMN Networks, The Manila Standard, Fox Networks Group, Rolls-Royce, TV5, MasterCard, TFC and Business Mirror. signs of improvement in the conference. The Fuel Masters’ first By Jeric Lopez Major sponsors include Asian Air Safari, Philippine Cup. After enjoying visible prog- choice Jarrid Famous, a faAirbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and BLACKWATER has joined Smith was journeyman ress in the Philippine Cup miliar name who played for Sabre Airline Solutions while Corporate the list of teams with an im- in the NBA, having several with prized rookie Mac Belo Meralco and GlobalPort in the sponsors are Baron Travel Corporation, port for the upcoming 2017 stints with the Chicago Bulls, showing his worth, Blackwa- past seasons, is unfortunately Boeing, MX3, GE Aviation, Bombo Radyo Philippine Basketball Asso- Dallas Mavericks, Houston ter had an early surge in the still tied up to the Batang Pier, Philippines, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distill- ciation Commissioner’s Cup, Rockets and the Minnesota tournament, placing second who still holds his rights. NATIONAL pool member Aners, Sabre Airline Solutions and Tourism choosing to tap NBA veteran Timberwolves from 2011 up in the early goings before inAs of the moment, Phoefernee Lopena set a new meet Promotions Board. Greg Smith for the mid-sea- to last year. experience allowed it to falter nix is doing its best to have record as he retained the crown son tournament. He then went on to Turkey and lose out on the last slot in his release. in the men’s 100-meter dash in The Dioceldo Sy-owned after his NBA stint to start a the playoffs. If in case it won’t workout, the recent 92nd National Collefranchise is hoping that the career overseas. Smith’s arrival will certain- the Fuel Masters are looking giate Athletic Association track 6’10” Smith can be the answer Smith is expected to ar- ly boost Blackwater’s ceiling. at the possibility of bringing and field competition that the team has been search- rive this week and immeMeanwhile, Phoenix seems back former import Eugene The 23-year-old Lopena, ing for and help it rise to even diately join Blackwater in to still be having some issues Phelps or bringing in a new playing for the College of St. greater heights after showing its preparations for the next in securing its import. name. Benilde, clocked 10.64 seconds in the heats of the century dash in last week’s action at the Philsports Complex in Pasig. MOMENTS after claiming his second His effort smashed last year’s LBC Ronda Pilipinas crown, Jan Paul meet mark of 10.66 set by San Morales has set his sights at snaring Sebastian’s Jomar Udtohan. a medal in the 29th Southeast Asian With Udtohan absent this Games slated Aug. 19 to 31 in Kuala time due to injury, Lopena Lumpur, Malaysia. took the gold in 10.7 seconds “If they still want me, I will be in the finals. ready,” said the 31-year-old Morales, Eight records were set during who blew away the competition by the three-day meet, which saw dominating the LBC Ronda Pilipinas Arellano University sweeping 2017 that concluded in Iloilo City Satthe 1,500-meter medals on the urday, in Filipino. final day Saturday to bag se“I think I still have it in me to comniors’ championship. pete in the SEA Games,” he added. It was the second straight Morales has been representing Jan Paul Morales (third from left) receives the checkered flag from (from left) race year that the Chiefs ruled the the country in several international director Jingo Hervas, project director Moe Chulani and Administrative director Badet trackfest. competitions including the biennial Guerrero. CSB’s Julian Reem Fuentes, meet where he has reaped a pair of Emilio Aguinaldo’s Tyrone Ex“I think I’m more matured as a rider February to April. bronze medals in the 4km team purecquiel and Jose Rizal Univernow and a better one,” said Morales, “It has been set, our LBC Ronda Pilisuit and 10km scratch in the 2009 sity’s Miller Manulat claimed who also swept both the sprint and king pinas 2018 edition will start on April 6,” edition in Laos. the other new meet records. said Chulani during Saturday night’s He wasn’t as fortunate in road race of the mountain awards. Fuentes cleared 7.59m to This year’s SEAG has both road race grand awarding ceremony at the Iloilo he was part of the team that placed erase the 7.42m he himself set sixth in the 100-km Team Time Trial and track events where Morales has a Business Park in Iloilo City. a year ago in men’s long jump. Ronda has been held in February the and 23rd in the 163-km road race in chance to snatch a medal. Excquiel smashed the Nestor Sevilla made his birdie putt at Apo Meanwhile, LBC Ronda Pilipi- past few years and has clashed with Myanmar. 11-year-old meet record of 40 Golf’s Hole No. 7 and scored 25 points overall The Calumpang, Marikina City na- nas project director Moe Chulani an- the schedule of the Le Tour, which meters that Letran’s Randolph to help Sherwood Hills to a convincing victory tive though has evolved into a better nounced the 2018 edition of the event, was also held in the same month, forcagainst Lumbia in the Aviator division of the Hernandez had in 2006 with a 70th PAL Men’s Interclub in Davao. Sherwood road racer now and should be a force in considered the biggest cycling race in ing some athletes to miss one race for 42.69 in secondary boys disthe country today, will be moved from the other. Hills finished with 413, while runner-up the SEAG. cus throw. Peter Atencio

Lewton edges Veermen, crowned PH Open champ S

Blackwater bringing NBA journeyman

Morales sets sights on SEA Games

Lumbia had 382.

Lopena leads record breakers

SMC revives Laiban Dam project

IN BRIEF Govt keeps P500-b 2017 investment goal THE government is keeping the P500-billion investment target in 2017, as it aims to double the share of manufacturing in overall investments this year. Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing director Ceferino Rodolfo said the department was optimistic investors would continue to make the Philippines the choice location for their investments. “There will be no revisions to the government’s investments target of P500 billion. We’ve been ﬁghting for the recovery of the manufacturing sector since we’ve launched the manufacturing resurgence program,” he said. The BOI expects growth in big-ticket projects such as power generation, cement manufacturing and construction-related investments. Overall investments in 2016 grew 20.4 to P441.8 billion from P366.7 billion in 2015. It was the second highest value of investments since 2000, and next only to P466 billion registered in 2013. The 20.4-percent growth also exceeded the agency’s 7-percent target for 2016. About 377 projects were approved and were expected to generate about 67,615 in new jobs once these investment projects become fully operational. “The revival of the manufacturing sector is key to inclusive economic growth because it will generate much-needed decent employment and help the country tap regional production networks,” Rodolfo said. Othel V. Campos

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

BSP cautious on Fed hike B By Julito G. Rada

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas said over the weekend it is closely watching global developments and market uncertainties, ahead of the expected interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said monetary authorities would take advantage of the current monetary policy settings to ﬁnd better position to counter volatilities stemming from global developments, especially the impending interest rate hike by the Fed. Guinigundo made the statement after Fed chair Janet Yellen hinted of an interest rate hike this month (related story on B4), taking into consideration the status of employment and consumer prices in the world’s largest economy.

“A two or three interest rate hikes have been expected by the market in the last few months. Inasmuch as the Philippines retains its monetary space, we should take advantage of such a space to continue monitoring and positioning our monetary policy in the general context of a more challenging global economic and volatile global markets as well as in our own unique circumstance as a small, open economy,” Guinigundo said over the weekend. “We should remain conscious of unfolding economic and financial developments including the uptrend in consumer prices and domestic credit that would affect inflation and growth dynamics as well as the dictates of financial sector health,” Guinigundo said. Bangko Sentral kept its own policy rates steady during the Monetary Board’s first meeting this year on Feb. 9. The bank retained the interest rates at 3.5 percent for overnight lending, 3 percent for overnight borrowing and 2.5 percent for overnight deposits. Inflation rate climbed to 2.7 percent in January, the fastest in two years, led by rising fuel prices and weakening peso. The looming Fed rate hike, coupled with domestic political developments, pulled down

the peso to a 10-year low of 50.40 against the US dollar on March 3. The Philippine economy grew 6.8 percent in 2016, near the upper bound of the Duterte administration’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent. Yellen said the Fed was set to increase interest rates later this month, as long as economic data on jobs and inflation held up. “At our meeting later this month, the committee will evaluate whether employment and inflation are continuing to evolve in line with our expectations, in which case a further adjustment of the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate,” Yellen said in a statement. Yellen also said rates were seen to rise faster this year as the US economy appeared clear of any imminent hurdles at home or abroad. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. earlier said local monetary authorities needed not to move “in sync” with the US policymakers. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said volatilities experienced by the global financial markets, including the Philippines, were expected as the Fed was anticipated to hike rates this year.

DoF to ﬁle cases against tax evaders

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asked the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue to file appropriate charges against persons and companies caught with “hot goods” to curb smuggling and tax evasion. Dominguez cited the seizure of P2.2 billion worth of smuggled and counterfeit tobacco products, shoes and clothes that government agents seized in a series of raids since last week. “If the evidence warrants, I urge the BIR and BoC to file the appropriate charges in court as soon as possible,” Dominguez said. He also warned government officials in cahoots with erring entities included in the charge sheets. “They [BoC and BIR] should speed up their investigations and also look into the possible involvement of bureaucrats acting as protectors of these large-scale tax evasion attempts,” Dominguez said. Customs operatives seized some P200 million-worth of assorted clothing apparel with brand names “Adidas,” “Nike,” “Armour All,” “Vans,” “Lacoste,” “Jag,” “Wrangler,” “Under Armour,” “Superman,” and “NBA” in operations conducted in two buildings in Pasay City. The Customs also uncovered an attempt to smuggle out of the country three live monitor lizards, which were discovered hidden in the casing of a computer’s CPU. Julito G. Rada

Romulo takes oath as chairman of DBP

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III swore into office last week former senator Alberto Romulo as the new chairman of the board of the state-run Development Bank of the Philippines. Rogelio Garcia also took his oath of office before Dominguez as a director of the DBP board. Romulo brings with him to the DBP his extensive experience in both the executive and legislative branches of government. He has served as the secretary of the Departments of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Budget and executive secretary in the Arroyo administration. He returned to head the DFA during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III. As Foreign Affairs secretary, Romulo pushed for the congressional approval of the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law, which, prior to his watch, had not been acted upon for 27 years. His efforts to have the law passed paved the way for the government to secure its claim in the United Nations for an extended continental shelf covering an area as big as Luzon. Romulo also worked for the passage of the Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act in the US Congress, benefiting Filipino veterans who had waited for 60 years to have the law passed.

SM’S NEW TOWER. Construction of SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s newest ofﬁce development—the FourEcomCenter—at the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City

is in full swing. The Four E-com Project is a 176,199-square-meter ofﬁce development at the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City. Shown during the concrete pouring ceremony are (from left) electrical design consultant Randal Salamida, EEI Corp. assistant vice president for marketing Kenneth Samson, EEI executive vice president Antonio Pascua, SM Prime senior assistant vice president Ranilo Gison, SM Prime vice president Russell Sy, Carunungan & Partners principal architect Jose Ramon Carunungan, EEI president Robert Castillo, EEI project manager Edgar Abejero, NGYA plumbing and sanitary design consultant Noel Yumol, Design Coordinates Inc. managing director Franz Ziebert, RTM mechanical design consultant Rico Mercado and RATA structural design consultant Rodelio Tiburcio.

NFA Council extends rice importation by 1 month THE National Food Authority Council extended by a month the importation of rice under the minimum access volume scheme. The NFA Council, where Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. sits as a member, said the deadline on rice import allocation arrivals was extended from Feb. 28, 2017 to March 31, 2017. It said the council approved the amendment on the 2016 minimum access volume guidelines, pertaining to the deadlines set for rice import arrivals.

The council is the governing body of the NFA by virtue of the Presidential Decree No. 4 in which the powers and functions of the NFA are vested. The council decides as a collegial body and is comprised mostly of ex-officio members. It is headed by the Cabinet secretary as chairman while the NFA administrator, who is elected by the NFA council from among its ranks, sits as the vice chairman. The other members of the council are the governor of BSP, chairman of the Development Bank of the

Philippines, president of Land Bank of the Philippines, Finance secretary, Trade secretary, National Economic and Development Authority director-general and a representative from a farmers’ group. Under PD No. 4, as amended, one of the inherent powers of the NFA council is to establish rules and regulations governing the importation of rice. The present guidelines, including prior ones, are reflective of such power. The 2016 guidelines was issued pursuant to the NFA council resolu-

tion 825-2016-F dated June 15, 2016. One of the provisions gives discretionary power to the NFA administrator to approve individual requests for extension arrival of the rice importation. This specific power is delegated to the NFA administrator by the NFA council for efficiency purposes, but in no way should be interpreted to mean that the NFA council stripped itself of its power to amend the 2016 MAV guidelines, the council said. Julito G. Rada

MPIC plans to cut Maynilad stake By Jenniffer B. Austria INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. plans to reduce its stake in water unit Maynilad Water Services Inc. to raise funds for toll road projects, an executive said over the weekend. Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez said Metro Pacific was in talks with potential investors for a possible selldown on Maynilad. Fernandez said while the deal could result in Metro Pacific owning less than a 51-percent stake in the water utility firm, the conglomerate would still remain the single biggest shareholder of Maynilad. “There are on going discussions but will all depend other side [potential investor] on how eager they are and how quick their decision process will be. But our hope is within this year,” Fernandez said. Metro Pacific currently owns a 52.8-precent stake in Maynilad, while Japanese trading firm Marubeni Corp. and Consunji-led DMCI Holdings Inc. own 20 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Fernandez said the selldown would likely happen this year, regardless of the results of the

arbitration case filed by the water utility firm against the Philippine government. “We already have a valuation target in our mind whether we win or not,” Fernandez said. Fernandez did not comment when asked if Metro Pacific was in talks with Marubeni for the planned selldown. “I cannot comment, but there are other parties who want to look at this opportunity,” Fernandez said. Fernandez said as an existing shareholder, Marubeni would have a right of first refusal on the planned selldown. Marubeni bought into Maynilad for around $400 million in 2013. It purchased 21.54 percent in DMCI-MPIC Water Co., the joint venture holding company which held 92.85 percent of the shares in Maynilad. This translated into a fifth of the economic interest in Maynilad, which is the water concessionaire for the west zone of Metro Manila which covered the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Makati, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Phil. Inc. and the Philippine

Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo sign a memorandum of agreement to support the Kapatid-Mentor ME program. The FICCI will provide a pool of mentors, which the PCE can tap for its mentorship program. Shown signing the agreement are (seated, from left) FICCI vice president for internal Lal Chatlani, FICCI president Rex Daryanani, PCE adviser for MSME development Merly Cruz and PCE senior program development ofﬁcer Jahaziel Ann La Guardia. With them are Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (standing, center), presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion (fourth from right) and FCCI ofﬁcers.

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Weak peso likely to affect stocks By Jenniffer B. Austria

TOCKS are expected to track regional markets this week, ahead of the anticipated US Federal Reserve interest rate hike which analysts expect this month.

Brokerage company 2TradeAsia.com said an upward interest rate adjustment could lead to further weakening of the peso against the US dollar, which would keep the investing mood at bay over the short term. “Markets are seemingly on an early mode of pricing in the possibility of the Fed’s upward interest rate adjustment, which could lend further strength on the greenback and

weakness in local currencies. The Philippine peso closed at its intra-week low of P50.40:$1, while net foreign selling in equities widened to P494 million on average, from P209 million previously,” 2TradeAsia.com said. “Setting aside political noises at home, bulk of funds flow will depend on foreign institutional fund managers’ US jobs data reading and inflation. Overall, this could keep the investing mood at bay for now, until Fed actions are fully factored-in,” the online brokerage firm said. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, went down 0.2 percent last week to close at 7,247.12 on March 3, while the all-share index retreated 0.2 percent to 4,385.68. The sub-indices closed the week on a mixed note, as mining and oil rose 2.7 percent while financials and services increased

0.3 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively. Property closed lower by 1.1 percent on concerns of rising interest rates while industrials and holding ﬁrms shed 0.4 percent and 0.30 percent, respectively. Foreign investors were net sellers by P2.4 billion last week, while average daily turnover dropped to P5.5 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.4 billion. Among the top gainers last week were Shakeys Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. which gained 4.6 percent to P12.66, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which rose 3.7 percent to P146.20 and PLDT Inc. which gained 3.3 percent to P1,447. Heavy losers were Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. which declined 14 percent to P8.28, Robinsons Land Corp. which went down 5.5 percent to P23.15 and Megawide Construction Corp. which ended lower by 3.5 percent to P12.30.

ATI posts 18% growth in Batangas operations By Darwin G. Amojelar PORT operator Asian Terminals Inc. said operations at Batangas Container Terminal posted an 18-percent increase in foreign container throughput last year. ATI said BCT sustained the impressive growth over the past three years and ended 2016 with nearly 160,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, its highest foreign container throughput since it began commercial operations in 2010.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 3, 2017 Close Volume Value

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

3.4 48.35 117.60 96.80 40 4.30 1.26 9.99 16 19.96 7.73 0.73 1.7 840.00 0.660 81.5 0.74 1454 26.30 57.25 89.2 113 239 39.65 198 1790.00 79.95 1.22

53,000 43,300 10,892,160 4,832,280 711,900 186,000 301,000 10,100 209,000 2,904,500 2,800 50,000 247,000 2,710 18,791,000 9,219,540 814,000 325,000 61,200 954,650 6,890 8,360 10,010 573,000 3,361,670 1,980 404,010 17,000

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp. Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Chemrez Technologies Inc. Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co À’ MG Holdings Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phil H2O Pilipinas Shell Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. À’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp. Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

43.75 5.5 0.85 1.47 19.8 0.285 98.15 14.70 8.28 16.66 165.1 95 100 23.5 61.5 2.17 6.1 11.96 12.820 6.90 5.82 7.85 1.76 21.3 73.1 12.30 16.88 6.56 1.700 201.00 73.50 7.95 3.87 31.4 26.9 15.34 293.60 0.265 6.69 3.5 8.87 3.76 77.9 11.56 2.30 7.03 1.88 5.04 5.00 2.02 2.75 266.8 12.66 4.52 0.146 1.48 163 4.54 1.7 34.65 1.06

4,536,900 2,923,700 1,909,000 42,995,000 318,500 74,090,000 320 54,800 79,802,300 18,333,100 480 3,530 5,470 871,100 2,380 1,587,000 184,900 57,400 13,259,400 9,383,100 75,355,800 583,200 12,000 7,352,700 1,085,190 10,000 680,500 1,992,700 2,199,000 2,471,120 10,550 15,625,800 53,000 5,321,600 1,920,300 16,985,700 459,200 77,350,000 611,700 1,014,000 11,844,400 25,000 2,731,590 16,600 2,436,000 2,653,300 5,612,000 467,900 338,000 1,000 381,000 59,160 17,891,300 42,000 2,160,000 1,450,000 8,145,070 6,000 6,756,000 100 646,000

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp À’ Seafront À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.385 73.00 12.50 1.18 6.30 0.395 0.400 820 8.88 13.06 6.25 8.05 0.184 1210 6.09 77.20 4.49 7.88 1.15 15.28 0.420 6.88 3.11 0.0580 1.130 1.980 2.49 107.00 3.3 656.50 1.55 0.87 268.000 0.2900 0.1880 0.255

18,130,000 5,118,230 93,005,100 51,000 270,900 27,400,000 1,910,000 1,106,770 10,734,500 18,262,200 200 12,400 3,540,000 671,165 51,100 4,226,650 41,000 3,208,400 205,377,000 21,578,300 1,280,000 218,704,500 45,000 971,730,000 61,000 833,000 6,000 2,189,620 2,479,000 1,674,240 3,805,000 18,000 57,240 4,460,000 1,110,000 1,060,000

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. À’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport À’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind.

6.590 1.02 2.520 1.490 35.800 3.63 5.05 5.6 0.510 1.03 1.270 0.160 0.560 54 0.710 0.157 0.98 1.65 1.23 4.05 3.71 0.165

1,095,100 1,612,000 2,356,000 343,270,000 43,728,700 26,274,000 145,000 11,800 65,527,000 37,000 1,172,000 92,070,000 20,623,000 2,093,370 2,361,000 3,230,000 10,301,000 34,258,000 1,149,000 14,000 66,519,000 71,870,000

FINANCIAL 176,140.00 2,081,540.00 1,275,335,918 460,722,916.50 28,532,245.00 810,150.00 382,250.00 100,981.00 3,348,056.00 57,861,665.00 21,597 36,500 418,320.00 2,274,900.00 12,624,910.00 744,989,428.50 602,270.00 4,704,824.00 1,581,945.00 54,478,517.50 619,710.00 943,116.00 2,410,658.00 22,454,775 672,762,941.00 3,523,850 31,962,752.00 20,820.00 INDUSTRIAL 196,203,440.00 15,918,378.00 1,620,960.00 58,701,510.00 6,403,259.00 21,293,650.00 31,480.50 820,316.00 701,462,334.00 301,520,928 83,252.00 328,451.50 546,990.00 20,375,575.00 140,570 3,387,850.00 1,128,569.00 686,138.00 171,429,050.00 64,534,586.00 442,134,264.00 4,598,869.00 21,060.00 155,281,515.00 79,428,903.50 122,964.00 11,531,596.00 13,189,508.00 3,757,750.00 400,656,902.00 738,535.00 121,678,325.00 199,010.00 164,295,280.00 51,351,785.00 268,144,896.00 134,043,460.00 20,598,200.00 4,242,029.00 3,531,440.00 104,144,614.00 94,310.00 213,411,718.00 191,820.00 5,656,080.00 18,691,000.00 10,676,330.00 2,307,256.00 1,672,250.00 2,020.00 1,065,240.00 15,674,136.00 220,944,942.00 185,450.00 317,760.00 2,133,110.00 1,320,591,102 26,640.00 11,459,380.00 3,465.00 688,570.00 HOLDING FIRMS 7,000,700.00 372,578,278.50 1,179,988,024.00 58,540.00 1,718,338.00 10,498,250.00 744,900.00 883,067,695 95,112,017.00 236,466,564.00 1,250.00 99,663.00 659,300.00 812,999,460.00 308,788.00 322,540,817.00 177,400.00 25,158,108.00 236,365,290.00 323,015,998.00 543,650.00 1,504,110,762.00 150,310.00 54,790,750.00 67,250.00 1,655,720.00 14,940.00 233,044,936.00 7,781,930.00 1,109,737,925.00 5,862,130.00 15,660.00 15,274,332.00 1,321,200.00 208,970.00 273,900.00 PROPERTY 7,283,666.00 1,636,870.00 5,915,640.00 480,700,750.00 1,564,250,170.00 93,976,600.00 732,876.00 66,656.00 33,899,910.00 38,920.00 1,543,360.00 14,865,060.00 11,404,520.00 111,929,650.50 1,692,590.00 516,990.00 10,151,240.00 56,469,950.00 1,455,990.00 56,760.00 245,581,580.00 11,629,460.00

FEBRUARY 20-24, 2017 Volume Value

3.45 48.4 118.00 95.00 40.35 4.24 1.30 9.99 16.1 20 7.71 0.66 1.69 835.00 0.680 80.3 0.75 14.4 25.75 58.65 89 120 239 39.15 202.6 1780.00 79.05 1.24

241,000 88,300 12,397,920 5,234,470 856,600 194,000 876,000 200 50,100 1,611,100 11,500 15,000 188,000 520 21,051,000 6,203,000 5,376,000 250,200 78,500 373,640 3,520 13,180 3,970 1,848,300 4,579,890 780 1,754,900 18,500

801,480.00 4,266,350.00 1,447,749,122 498,669,390.00 34,564,925.00 835,670.00 1,186,940.00 1,998.00 806,618.00 32,216,676.00 91,870 9,920 303,350.00 441,300.00 14,675,940.00 496,863,984.50 4,123,780.00 3,586,858.00 1,987,775.00 22,287,253.50 316,240.00 1,584,969.00 959,728.00 73,245,620 949,383,156.00 1,390,455 138,517,512.00 29,650.00

43.5 5.48 0.85 1.4 19 0.280 95 14.92 9.62 16.3 165.6 94.95

6,479,800 5,073,800 1,303,000 1,683,000 86,100 85,020,000 97 95,500 44,861,100 13,673,300 250 4,990

282,198,690.00 26,678,670.00 1,130,450.00 2,363,080.00 1,719,524.00 23,148,250.00 20.00 1,442,660.00 429,372,563.00 222,514,226 44,668.00 473,297.00

23.4 60.5 2.18 6.2 11.8 12.960 6.80 5.98 7.98 1.68 21.55 73.7 12.78 16.78 6.75 1.710 201.80 73.00 8.17 3.7 30.5 27 15.9 290.00 0.260 6.60 3.43 9.00 3.7 78.6 11.56 2.38 7.15 1.93 4.93 4.95 2.03 2.89 266 12.1 4.24 0.152 1.50 165.1 4.52 1.73

811,800 1,683,840 7,426,000 1,038,200 108,400 33,916,400 36,354,000 67,490,000 2,234,400 52,000 6,603,800 437,010 402,600 437,900 4,948,900 3,028,000 2,538,330 9,860 17,534,700 30,000 3,039,700 2,154,100 19,456,300 1,527,080 356,480,000 317,100 1,635,000 23,591,500 11,000 3,679,000 44,900 8,930,000 4,213,600 32,452,000 963,700 3,681,700 8,000 834,000 28,170 11,156,200 250,000 16,800,000 863,000 8,273,400 4,323,000 13,243,000

18,922,100.00 100,949,820 16,238,800.00 6,354,611.00 1,280,812.00 427,967,987.00 251,495,605.00 401,830,484.00 17,835,718.00 88,130.00 143,302,965.00 32,276,081.00 5,152,862.00 7,478,728.00 32,983,215.00 5,236,690.00 517,151,940.00 710,124.50 131,196,371.00 110,360.00 92,333,005.00 58,379,885.00 318,182,480.00 442,320,242.00 106,407,900.00 2,053,953.00 5,634,080.00 212,234,629.00 41,500.00 290,803,502.50 510,976.00 21,072,030.00 29,809,731.00 67,342,830.00 4,659,482.00 18,336,771.00 16,280.00 2,413,170.00 7,592,150.00 135,605,110.00 1,055,560.00 2,538,780.00 1,295,940.00 1,363,714,479 19,067,420.00 22,573,390.00

1.08

389,000

419,240.00

0.380 73.15 12.78 1.17 6.35 0.375 0.390 801 9.2 13.00 6.3 8.09 0.190 1235 6.05 77.00 4 7.9 0.97 15 0.455 6.88 3.01 0.0570 1.200 2.010 2.55 106.80 2.5 668.00 1.51 0.88 267.000 0.2900 0.1880 0.255

45,450,000 4,349,540 32,983,200 155,000 82,600 67,230,000 2,070,000 816,490 7,626,400 53,621,800 225,500 44,500 2,930,000 627,455 47,900 6,401,410 6,000 6,284,200 38,979,000 12,667,700 1,000,000 150,315,400 15,000 1,316,290,000 3,000 539,000 8,000 1,774,770 54,000 1,238,390 2,562,000 119,000 65,680 2,860,000 2,950,000 1,090,000

18,087,700.00 319,132,213.00 424,652,544.00 178,850.00 517,474.00 25,449,300.00 788,300.00 654,207,815 69,490,734.00 705,026,974.00 1,386,777.00 358,884.00 567,840.00 773,679,200.00 288,329.00 493,560,855.50 24,000.00 48,996,649.00 38,153,830.00 185,460,920.00 444,900.00 1,031,167,478.00 45,150.00 78,955,170.00 3,600.00 1,077,650.00 20,400.00 188,695,573.00 139,010.00 838,271,035.00 3,830,630.00 103,850.00 17,559,738.00 839,950.00 558,390.00 277,800.00

6.800 1.03 2.600 1.170 36.050 3.5 5.13

2,385,500 5,442,000 1,029,000 267,904,000 65,783,900 35,627,000 62,300

15,680,174.00 5,642,040.00 2,682,000.00 306,850,520.00 2,414,208,380.00 125,835,890.00 314,723.00

0.510 1.03 1.350 0.169 0.570 55 0.740 0.165 0.99 1.65 1.30

37,801,000 115,000 4,918,000 37,440,000 19,798,000 1,799,150 507,000 100,290,000 22,625,000 46,784,000 2,193,000

19,665,420.00 122,290.00 6,704,270.00 6,340,420.00 11,144,590.00 98,282,502.00 357,020.00 18,708,480.00 22,646,170.00 79,607,580.00 2,939,160.00

3.7 0.164

108,331,000 97,540,000

401,206,640.00 16,445,270.00

STOCKS

FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 3, 2017 Close Volume Value

Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.3200 0.590 4.78 23.15 1.7 3.27 29.00 1.06 6.98 0.910 4.860

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. À’ IPeople Inc. À’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

7.9 46.05 1.49 0.530 0.063 11 5.16 7.37 0.0650 2.44 90.95 9.82 2.38 9.00 950 1835 6.13 16.50 15.30 3.59 75 4.14 11.9 0.0093 9.06 0.192 1.3500 3.16 14.38 3.86 1.00 3.32 18.20 2.24 5.19 3.82 2.820 11.2 5.52 3.29 8.56 138.00 9.09 1447.00 0.410 1.420 45.50 80.00 6.17 2.44 1.130 1.75 3.22 0.385

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. À’ Atok-Big Wedge À’ Benguet Corp À’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0033 1.87 5.70 11.48 1.8300 1.9000 0.47 0.445 10.28 2.640 0.247 0.186 0.193 0.011 0.0110 1.95 6.76 2.38 0.4600 0.9000 0.0110 0.0120 4.13 9.30 3.28 0.0140 146.20 2.9 0.0090

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ Alco Preferred B DD PREF First Gen F First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

46.9 528 529 106 105 108.2 115 515 530 5.85 1021 1031 1.03 104.3 1050 1110 1020 107 77.9 82.45 76.55 76.6 80 79.45 78.1 79.4 2.06

LR Warrant SME Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

2.95 3.55 6.82 8.34

First Metro ETF

119.1

2.150

15,280,000 142,596,000 5,554,000 11,606,100 2,010,000 230,000 29,147,100 79,908,000 1,700 669,000 17,050,000

4,800,100.00 84,048,780.00 26,131,810.00 274,008,115.00 3,405,670.00 758,030.00 842,806,155.00 83,841,400.00 11,866.00 600,640.00 80,224,150.00 SERVICES 361,700 2,837,351.00 130,900 6,160,935.00 112,000 165,580.00 4,270,000 2,377,460.00 4,093,580,000 284,839,670.00 797,800 8,758,766.00 15,000 81,045 26,466,300 193,024,542.00 16,930,000 1,103,960.00 13,769,000 34,099,280.00 1,477,920 135,956,976.50 32,200 314,819.00 137,600 493,620 2,042,700 17,951,880.00 2,900 2,759,000.00 215,530 390,643,880 1,077,700 6,571,520.00 322,800 5,328,798.00 1,300 19,968 34,649,000 117,657,350.00 12,627,570 952,760,889.50 4,632,000 18,898,670 11,700 140,260.00 63,000,000 584,000.00 2,217,100 20,067,076.00 81,150,000 16,091,600.00 1,413,000 1,924,380.00 586,000 1,818,560.00 2,500 35,188.00 18,147,000 70,149,650 57,000 57,080.00 7,405,000 23,753,110.00 4,200 72,790 3,744,000 8,899,900.00 12,503,900 62,963,492.00 3,380,000 12,800,170.00 7,491,000 20,717,170.00 2,292,300 25,673,108.00 75,900 412,283 262,000 839,890.00 600 5,140.00 450 62,100.00 2,097,500 18,961,509.00 419,225 594,543,060.00 15,210,000 6,228,500.00 39,462,000 55,928,230.00 15,705,100 724,207,635.00 5,336,640 429,224,068.00 698,500 4,340,422.00 16,375,000 39,827,280.00 80,022,000 88,166,750.00 18,000 29,760.00 1,228,000 3,973,660.00 3,950,000 1,562,050.00 MINING & OIL 1,410,000,000 4,587,000.00 19,257,000 38,391,900.00 1,105,100 6,310,762.00 3,400 36,219.00 172,000 319,030.00 121,000 231,090.00 1,460,000 685,950.00 1,220,000 548,600.00 203,000 2,136,458.00 18,979,000 47,359,260.00 7,530,000 1,491,400.00 39,820,000 7,548,380.00 1,320,000 256,900.00 13,100,000 144,100.00 49,600,000 545,600.00 6,194,000 11,691,460.00 8,412,000 57,054,626.00 601,000 1,456,430.00 250,000 113,950.00 3,276,000 2,971,920.00 64,800,000 736,400.00 2,700,000 32,400.00 103,000 432,220.00 3,705,500 34,630,062.00 12,853,000 42,881,400.00 253,400,000 3,577,000.00 6,193,490 888,622,702.00 197,000 560,700.00 12,000,000 106,100.00 PREFERRED 594,200 27,804,055.00 4,860 2,579,970.00 790 417,910 7,750 821,455 188,430 19,720,860.00 100 10,820.00 10,000 1,150,000.00 530 272,850.00 1,800 954,000.00 9,334,400 54,604,781.00 25 25,525.00 1,930 2,003,410.00 107,000 110,310 247,100 26,137,699.00 1,775 1,863,750.00 10 11,100.00 14,520 14,756,170.00 1,700 181,900.00 236,880 18,255,796.00 75,580 6,182,128.50 104,700 8,016,755.00 81,500 6,290,028.00 489,550 39,541,534.00 26,990 2,130,166.50 142,800 11,152,680.00 1,736,130 137,755,972.00 23,000 46,600.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 1,135,000 2,393,060.00 48,000 141,580.00 1,081,000 3,834,100.00 732,500 5,124,490.00 28,132,900 237,877,024.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 40,630 4,830,837.00

FEBRUARY 20-24, 2017 Volume Value

0.3250 0.640 4.94 24.50 1.68 3.35 29.40 1.03 7 0.900 4.770

5,040,000 196,697,000 5,893,000 6,673,700 886,000 348,000 50,935,100 43,936,000 15,600 829,600 25,110,000

1,617,100.00 124,465,750.00 28,374,290.00 166,323,605.00 1,501,730.00 1,162,810.00 1,509,201,775.00 44,787,920.00 108,226.00 825,200.00 121,541,210.00

7.91 47.35 1.48 0.540

731,800 83,400 372,000 2,039,000

5,846,533.00 3,964,190.00 547,570.00 1,084,240.00

10.68 5.16 7.40 0.0660 2.42 93.5 9.75 2.09 8.85 1000 1831 6.14 16.38 15.52 3.70 75.45 4.20 12 0.0093 9.06 0.194 1.3600 3.2 14.04 3.98 0.95 3.26 17.50

650,800 26,800 39,003,400 60,530,000 15,281,000 1,578,760 33,200 208,000 2,209,900 3,490 520,970 795,100 465,300 1,400 22,088,000 10,401,890 11,431,300 37,200 532,100,000 2,351,000 41,290,000 1,712,000 485,000 7,600 6,469,000 93,000 10,820,000 1,600

7,017,314.00 138,505 296,113,814.00 4,019,200.00 36,714,830.00 147,741,535.00 323,405.00 476,040 19,375,452.00 3,376,400.00 945,224,180 4,883,625.00 7,725,106.00 21,882 83,212,800.00 788,274,893.50 64,006,469 447,236.00 5,218,250.00 21,297,420.00 7,985,220.00 2,387,000.00 1,565,450.00 107,006.00 25,619,060 97,120.00 33,656,910.00 27,700

5.1 3.78 2.780 11.2 5.69 3.15

31,767,600 3,536,000 35,064,000 1,945,400 267,900 131,000

164,469,625.00 13,469,240.00 104,876,740.00 21,748,434.00 1,489,153 424,600.00

138.00 9.00 1400.00 0.420 1.420 46.20 79.20 6.16 2.44 1.130 1.74 3.3 0.415

1,760 3,271,100 480,410 10,320,000 58,804,000 39,932,000 2,889,490 612,700 2,944,000 61,499,000 61,000 17,503,000 6,470,000

244,860.00 29,786,308.00 686,503,450.00 4,359,600.00 79,668,320.00 1,833,930,670.00 230,038,914.00 3,782,871.00 7,256,010.00 70,403,460.00 102,090.00 58,590,600.00 2,681,250.00

0.0032 2.22 5.70 11.48 1.8400 1.9800 0.465 0.450 11.06 2.400 0.250 0.186 0.195 0.011 0.0110 1.85 6.7 2.33 0.4950 0.9200 0.0110 0.0120 4.19 9.10 3.19 0.0140 141.00 2.85 0.0090

618,167,000 70,119,000 2,554,100 600 394,000 137,000 1,540,000 3,290,000 107,800 26,963,000 2,100,000 27,370,000 3,720,000 147,900,000 47,900,000 2,424,000 15,507,900 577,000 468,000 1,112,000 39,200,000 2,000,000 52,000 5,152,600 4,426,000 295,900,000 10,565,890 223,000 15,000,000

2,514,000.00 146,056,430.00 14,694,110.00 6,639.00 728,100.00 266,170.00 727,250.00 1,492,350.00 1,162,448.00 65,534,270.00 530,980.00 5,086,070.00 729,520.00 1,640,600.00 3,272,700.00 4,415,690.00 105,682,613.00 1,349,780.00 218,715.00 1,040,580.00 438,800.00 24,000.00 212,960.00 48,035,279.00 14,165,610.00 4,214,200.00 1,525,969,222.00 643,910.00 135,300.00

47.25 535 540 106 104 112.8 115.2

281,000 23,370 180 206,190 1,079,340 40 13,900

13,278,325.00 12,348,100.00 95,450 21,874,185 112,331,625.00 4,512.00 1,599,180.00

530 5.84 1020 1040 1.03 107 1045 1096 1011

3,740 2,628,900 550 1,260 50,000 223,820 3,640 490 10,000

1,982,200.00 15,373,975.00 561,000.00 1,311,100.00 51,500 23,945,138.00 3,822,310.00 537,480.00 10,129,740.00

77 82

130,520 204,750

10,040,619.00 16,758,718.50

78 79.8 78 79.5 78.05 2.39

14,330 88,000 10,800 108,910 1,086,200 7,000

1,107,920.00 7,076,200.00 837,500.00 8,553,977.50 85,594,178.00 16,170.00

2.200

958,000

2,058,610.00

2.93 3.58 7.2 8

19,000 796,000 888,400 20,885,600

55,690.00 2,878,820.00 6,512,156.00 166,570,671.00

120

30,380

3,648,926.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Apollo Global Abra Mining Pacifica À’ Arthaland Corp. Philodrill Corp. À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. Phil. Realty À’ Alliance Global Inc. Crown Equities Inc.

VOLUME 4,093,580,000 1,410,000,000 971,730,000 343,270,000 253,400,000 218,704,500 205,377,000 142,596,000 93,005,100 92,070,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Metro Paciﬁc Inv. Corp. Universal Robina Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Alliance Global Inc. SM Investments Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Semirara Corp. Ayala Corp `A’ SM Prime Holdings

VALUE 1,564,250,170.00 1,504,110,762.00 1,320,591,102 1,275,335,918 1,179,988,024.00 1,109,737,925.00 952,760,889.50 888,622,702.00 883,067,695 842,806,155.00

This surpassed the previous record of over 130,000 TEUs in 2015, reﬂecting a year-on-year growth of over 18 percent. ATI said this translated into a reduction of over 80,000 trucks trips along Metro Manila’s roads last year, with more importers and exporters opting to route commodities via Batangas instead of Manila. BCT, located near Calabarzon’s major industrial hubs, delivers comprehensive and competitive services to its growing list of multinational customers, including Japanese electronics giants, food and beverage conglomerates, agriculture exporters, car manufacturers and other major businesses in the region. ATI said despite the double-digit volume surge, BCT operated at world-class efﬁciency pace in 2016, with full-year production averaging 29 gmph or gross moves per crane per hour. It said during the fourth quarter’s peak season, BCT operated at an even faster pace of 31 gmph, equaling the production of global trade hubs in Singapore and Hong Kong. GMPH is a measure of how many boxes cranes move from ship to shore in an hour.

Meralco eyes more projects in Nigeria By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. is looking at another technical partnership in a distribution utility in Nigeria, a top executive said. “There is another distribution utility in Nigeria who asked us to be their technical partner as well. This will be in addition to Ibadan,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said. Meralco and partner Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd. took over the operations of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc. and Yola Electricity Distribution Co. Plc. in November 2013. Reyes did not identify the other distribution company Meralco was eyeing in Nigeria. “We are working to improve operations [in Nigeria]. We would like to see how this progresses,” Reyes said earlier. Reyes said capital investment costs would be provided by IEDM while Meralco was working towards lowering systems loss. IEDM is a special purpose vehicle speciﬁcally incorporated in 2006 to carry on the business of electricity distribution and marketing in the emerging Nigerian electricity market. Meralco acted as the technical partner of IEDM in bidding for the distribution assets in Nigeria. Meralco had a 5-percent stake in IEDM. Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan earlier said Meralco was open to increasing its stake in the Nigerian distribution business to 20 percent. “We are open to it, but it depends on the exact nature of viability of investment. We’d like to take a look at it from the point of view of being more a service provider to IEDM,” Pangilinan said. Meralco’s investment in Nigeria is the company’s ﬁrst distribution footprint overseas.

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

INSULAR LIFE PARTNER. Insular Life and Producers Savings Bank Corp. sign a memorandum of agreement to seal a partnership that will expand financial learning and education to more Filipinos in the country. Sealing the deal are Producers Bank president and chief operating officer Manuel Castaneda (third from left) and Insular Life president and chief operating officer Mona Lisa de la Cruz (fourth from left). Witnessing the event are Insular Life executives (from left) first vice president and business development unit head Alijeffty Gonzales, senior VP and chief agency executive Ramon Cabrera, senior executive VP and sales and marketing group head Jesus Alfonso Hofileña, SVP and chief marketing executive Amelita Tamayo and senior assistant VP Geraldine Pascual.

San Miguel revives Laiban Dam project By Alena Mae S. Flores

IVERSIFIED Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. remains keen on the Laiban Dam project in Tanay, Rizal and is waiting for the new administration to act on an unsolicited proposal.

“We haven’t heard (from the government). We will always be interested in Laiban. We have completed our studies there. We already have a proposal. We have an unsolicited bid on the table that can always be updated,” said SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. president Alan Ortiz said. San Miguel announced in 2009 that wholly-owned subsidiary San Miguel Bulk Water Co. Inc. submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Sys-

tem for the Laiban dam project. Ortiz said the Laiban dam project could be “harnessed for power, bulk water and for irrigation.” San Miguel’s unsolicited proposal involves a joint venture with MWSS under the publicprivate joint venture scheme. San Miguel and a foreign partner plan to form a joint venture with MWSS to secure ﬁnancing and undertake the engineering and design, construction, operation and maintenance of the

project. The project includes the construction of a dam and headworks, raw water conveyance facilities, water treatment plant, hydropower plant, treated water conveyance facilities, pumping stations, storage facilities and offtake points. The Laiban dam project aims to address the long-term water requirements of Metro Manila and provide stability and security to the water supply source. San Miguel said the project was in line with the company’s direction to invest in strategic industries such as power, oil and gas and water. “This is the only remaining massive bulk water system for Luzon. This is very large and it’s waiting to be exploited properly for irrigation bulk water pump storage power

Winning the heart of customers SINGAPORE is such a conTake care of people venient country. Everything I remembered the store above GEORGINA is organized, clean and interwhile I was reading through TONGCO connected. People are also the deck for this week’s class. REEN IGHT There was a statement there very disciplined. The country boasts of many attractions but since I had vis- that asks where the consumer’s duty to protecting ited all those before, I was left to amuse myself their interests begin and where does the manufacduring free time at the malls. They have malls turer’s duty to protect its consumers’ interests bein every corner of that little country. I went to a gin. For the example above, the saleslady went all different mall everyday. And because their train the way. She took on even my responsibility to pick is very efficient, it was very easy for me to get up the dress. Her service was a great advertisement around. I ate every meal at a different restaurant. of what their business stands for. And after every hearty meal, I needed cardio in I think that providing outstanding goods and the form of shopping to balance things out. services is the best way to win the hearts of conImpress your customer sumers. There should be no cutting corners. ConOf all the stores I visited, one stood out. It sumers will gravitate towards companies that was a local fashion brand that carried one of take care of people. a kind office and party dresses. The saleslady See past the bottom line politely approached me and asked me how she I also agree that advertising should be ethical. could help. After telling her what I needed, she Again, companies have to see past their bottom accompanied me to the correct rack and gave line. As business leaders we have to consider her recommendations. And no, she did not of- what message we are sending to the community. fer the most expensive dresses on the rack. She I don’t think that an advertisement needs to be chose dresses that suited to the occasion I men- sexed up to catch attention. A wonderful example tioned and even pointed out some that were on of good advertising is the Jollibee valentine camdiscount. paign this year. They told simple stories of love After trying on each dress, the saleslady was and captured the attention of the Philippines. standing outside the door to check if the dress fit There was no legs, no boobs and no booze. But right. She would offer alterations and would pin the point was made and the objective achieved. the dress so I could see how it would look. After I think it’s time for businesses updates their deciding on a dress, they committed to altering strategies. Their consumers are getting smarter. the dress accordingly. I asked when I could pick it up from the store. They said that since my hotel The author is an MBA student at the Ramon was in the same building, they could drop it off V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay at the concierge. is part of a journal she keeps in fulfillment of the Since I’m not used to this kind of customer requirements of the course, Lasallian Business service, I reluctantly agreed but I was worrying Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibilabout whether or not the dress would really be ity and Ethics. Visit her blog at https://gia2017. dropped off. A day later, the dress was dropped wordpress.com/. off at the concierge. Yay! And, it fit perfectly. I was really impressed with the service they proThe views expressed here are the author’s and vided and how they took on additional work for do not necessarily reflect the official position of their customer. DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

generation. It’s there. In our estimate, 800 megawatts (of) power generation capability which is waiting to be tapped,” Ortiz said two years ago. Ortiz reiterated San Miguel would continue to be interested in the privatization of Laiban dam project, which has been “stuck in bureaucracy for the last 35 years.” MWSS in 2013 identiﬁed over P100 billion worth of water projects in the medium- to long-term period, including the Laiban Dam. The projects included the P85-billion development of a new water resource, called centennial water project that involves the construction of the Laiban Dam at the upper Kaliwa River and the Kaliwa Low Dam and at the downstream part of the same river.

Energy mix stays despite Paris pact THE Energy Department said the proposed energy mix until 2030 will remain the same even after the Philippines signed the Paris Agreement on climate change last week. “It won’t (change the mix). Our concurrence is with condition that we won’t sacriﬁce our energy source to meet the country’s demand,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said over the weekend. Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella also said “with the signing of the Paris agreement, the mix will remain the same.” The Duterte administration’s energy mix comprise of 70 percent baseload power, or power plants that are able to run 24 hours, 20 percent mid merit and 10 percent peaking plant, or those plants that can run during peak hours. “The DoE sees the mix as technology neutral because it looks into the capability of the plants to respond to the load curve of the users,” Fuentebella said. He said Cusi looked at the mix fro the consumers’ point of view. “Hence, the load curve is the basis for the country’s need for 70 percent baseload, 20 percent mid merit and 10 percent peaking plants,” Fuentebella said. Cusi said earlier baseload power

plants would serve as the foundation of the economy. “If your baseload is not efficient, then you will have an intermittent supply. So we need to have a strong baseload so you can prepare for industrialization,” he said. “We are also in a situation that our energy supply is not that sufficient. We are still having an intermittent supply. We are experiencing, yellow, red, brownout. We don’t like that so DoE is saying we want power... as long as it is meeting the standard that is required by us,” Cusi said. The energy chief said the department also scrapped the previous planned energy mix of 30 percent coal, 30 percent gas, 30 percent renewables and 10 percent other sources. Cusi said he would not put a cap on the the use of coal and give a quota for gas technology or vice versa. “There is an energy mix. It has always been there... We want it to be competitive so we don’t want a quota... We want an energy mix where there will be competition so coal, gas, geothermal, hydro or nuclear can compete in that 70 percent baseload,” the official said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Golden Haven builds crematory By Jenniffer B. Austria GOLDEN Haven Memorial Park, Inc. one the Philippines’ fastest growing memorial park developers, launched its first memorial chapel and crematorium complex in Las Piñas City. Golden Haven said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the launching of the new services was part of its goal to become the first complete, fullservice death care company in the country. “The opening of the Golden Haven Chapels and Crematorium brings us another step closer to expanding our offerings across the five segments of the death care industry,” said Golden Haven chief operating officer Maribeth Tolentino. “Not only does this open a new chapter in the Golden Ha-

ven story, this chapel and crematorium opening also creates a new opportunity for us to increase our recurring income prospects.” The company during the company’s initial public offering in 2016 indicated plans to go into ﬁve segments of the death care industry, namely memorial parks, memorial chapels and services, columbaria, death care merchandising (caskets, urns, and keepsakes) and pre-need planning. Meanwhile, Golden Haven founder and majority shareholder Manuel Villar, Jr. said the newest service aimed to satisfy both the current market requirements and the growing demand in the death care services, especially cremation. “The chapel we opened is just the first of a chain of me-

morial chapels that we are looking to in various locations around the country where we see a growing, yet underserved market for cremation,” Villar said. The Spanish-themed chapel and crematorium complex was designed by an award-winning architectural company, with interiors done by one of the country’s top interior designers. With the completion of the Golden Haven Chapel and Crematorium, the Ezekiel complex in Las Piñas now offers a full range of memorial services. The company was the ﬁrst to be listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2016 and the ﬁrst from the death care industry to conduct an IPO. Share price of Golden Haven on Friday gained 0.1 percent to P16.50.

NEW AIM LOGO. The Asian Institute of Management, the Asian pioneer in management education, ofﬁcially unveils its new identity ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2018. For over 48 years, AIM has been a trailblazer in molding titans of industry, thought leadership, and driving meaningful transformation in society. The institute begins its celebration this year with a new logo that represents the dynamism of the school and the region.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

Business

Fed’s Yellen signals March rate increase

HICAGO―Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled Friday an interest rate increase could be on the way this month― if US employment and inflation remain in line with expectations. Analysts interpreted that as a clear sign that the central bank will raise the benchmark lending rate at the March 14-15 policy meeting. The Fed last raised the federal funds rate in December―only the second increase in a decade―but Yellen’s comments confirm the expectation of another move following recent statements from other Fed officials. The Fed’s policy-setting rate committee “will evaluate whether employment and inflation are continuing to evolve in line with our expectations, in which case a further adjustment of the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate,” Yellen said in a speech to a Chicago business group. Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, summed up Yellen’s

speech in one line: “They’ll hike this month unless payrolls are disastrous.” The Fed will get to see one more employment report before they decide the direction of interest rates, when the Labor Department releases data for February on March 10, and will see two inflation reports the following week. Yellen’s comment that a March increase could be appropriate “is about as blunt a statement of near-term policy intent as we have ever seen from (the) Fed chair,” Shepherdson said. And “it means that the Fed will hike unless next week’s payroll report is calamitous.” Barclays analysts agreed, and also highlighted Yellen’s comments on the reduced economic risks in the global economy. “In our view, this show of confidence in both domestic and external conditions suggests the committee is increasingly comfortable continuing to tighten policy further,” they said. However, Yellen said central bankers continue to believe they will only need to raise rates “gradually” assuming the economic data “continue to come in about as we expect.” “Those increases would keep the economy from significantly overheating, thereby sustaining the expansion and maintaining price

stability,” she said. She cautioned that monetary policy “cannot be and is not on a preset course,” although it is likely to happen faster this year than last. In the face of some critics, even among Fed officials, who say the central bank risks allowing inflation to rekindle by raising rates so slowly, Yellen defended the committee’s performance. She acknowledged that waiting too long to raise rates could mean the Fed has to hike more rapidly at some point, which “could risk disrupting financial markets and pushing the economy into recession.” However, Yellen said, “I currently see no evidence that the Federal Reserve has fallen behind the curve.” Many economists have pointed to the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, which recently reached a targeted two percent annual rate, but Yellen noted that higher energy prices are contributing to that increase and could be temporary. Fed officials in December projected three rate hikes this year, but in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed’s moves have been “at a slower pace than most FOMC participants anticipated in 2014.” AFP

Kirin targets Myanmar drinkers YANGON, Myanmar―Japanese brewer Kirin is hoping to tap into swift growth―and serious staying power―with its latest investment in Myanmar’s fizzing beer market, a senior executive said Friday. Last month the beer giant took a controlling stake in Mandalay Brewery for $4.3 million, topping off its more than half a billion investment in top producer Myanmar Brewery in 2015. Myanmar Brewery deputy managing director Hideki Mitsuhashi predicted sales will grow in line with GDP at around seven percent a year. In the long-run, he said Myanmar’s drinkers can also knock it back for longer than their regional counterparts. “Myanmar people are very, very strong for alcohol,” he told AFP. “We have a kit to measure resistance to drink... They are much stronger than Japanese and Chinese.” Myanmar beer consumption rates are currently among the lowest in Asia. Drinkers chug down around three liters per head each year, according to Euromonitor, a fraction of the more than 40 liters drunk in neighboring Vietnam or over 30 in Laos. But the market has been brewing since a quasi-civilian government took over in 2011 and introduced a raft of economic reforms that have uncorked a market long stifled by military rule. Today local brands are vying with international heavyweights like Carlsberg and Heineken for a share of the relatively untapped market of some 55 million people. Euromonitor predicts beer sales will more than double between 2014-18 to $675 million a year. Mitsuhashi said the influx of Westerners since the end of sanctions is drawing more people to drink. He also predicted that more women will start to enjoy beer: “Myanmar people think women shouldn’t drink alcohol―40 or 50 years ago Japan was the same.” Kirin currently controls around 80 percent of Myanmar’s beer market through Myanmar Brewery, which would increase if its purchase of Mandalay Brewery gets government approval. AFP

EUROZONE TALKS. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (right) stands next to his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve during their joint press conference after their talks in Athens on March 3, 2017. Cazeneuve expressed the “solidarity” of France with Greece, as the country is in negotiations with its eurozone partners, during his visit in Athens on March 3, 2017. AFP

Booming Asia grapples with shantytowns By Karl Lester M. Yap FAST-growing emerging economies in Asia are grappling with the conundrum that a boom brings: hordes of villagers flocking to cities only for many of them to end up living in slums. About 55 percent of the urban population live in shantytowns in Cambodia, 43 percent in Mongolia, 41 percent in Myanmar, and 38 percent in the Philippines, according to World Bank data that covers East Asia and the Pacific. The ratio is more than 20 percent in Vietnam, China and Indonesia, which are among the fastest-growing economies in the world. In some respects these nations have become a victim of their own success amid massive urbanization, where inward migration is outstripping governments’ ability to supply necessary infrastructure and services. In places like Manila and Jakarta, a dense sprawl of illegal or unplanned housing have sprouted up to offer homes for millions of workers who power their economies. “Emerging slums are proof that the economy is growing and the opportunities are often in cities,” Makiko Watanabe, a World Bank senior urban specialist, said in an interview in Manila. “But governments cannot keep up with providing adequate housing. There is a need to improve land use policies and make housing finance more affordable.” Developing nations can look to the success of countries like Singapore, South Korea and Japan,

Special Envoy to the US Jose E.B. Antonio, ASEAN Business Advisory Council chairman Jose Ma. Concepcion III, AMCHAM executive director Ebb Hinchliffe, Trade-Related Assistance for Development chief Cielito Habito and US-Phil Society co-chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan during the private sector Business Dialogue organised with Amcham, MBC and the Phil-US Business Council

THE US–PHILIPPINES SOCIETY: A NEW HOPE THE US–Philippines Society (“USPS”) came into being in Washington D.C. on May 01, 2012, to “realize the vision of its founders to create a new and timely mechanism for elevating the Philippines’ profile in the United States. It is “a private sector initiative organized to broaden and expand interaction and understanding in areas of security, trade, investments, tourism, the environment, history, education and culture between the United States and the Philippines”. Its mission is “to build on the rich and longstanding historical ties between the two nations and help to bring that unique relationship fully into the 21st century at a junction when U.S. policy interests are increasingly focused on East Asia”. How time flies, indeed. It has been five years since we launched this in Washington D.C. during then-President Benigno Aquino III’s first official visit to the United States. In the ensuing months after Rodrigo Roa Duterte became President of the Republic of the Philippines in 2016, the general public perception was that relations with the United States of America would be strained, owing to some misinterpretations and misimpressions to certain pronouncements. But the fact that the US-PS held its bi-national Board of Directors meeting here, co-chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan and Ambassador John D. Negroponte, is concrete proof that US-Philippines relations have never waned, and have even become stronger. Honorary Chairmen of the Society’s Board are the venerable Washington Sycip for the Philippines and former AIG Chair and CEO Maurice Greenberg for the United States. Ambassador John F. Maisto is the Society’s President while Hank Hendrickson is its Executive Director. Other Board members include Special Envoy to the US Ambassador Joey Antonio and such business luminaries as Gerry Borromeo, BPI’s Bong Consing, Ambassador Joey Cuisia, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Vic Noel, Enrique Razon, Ambassador Roberto Romulo, M.A.P. Management Man of the Year 2016 and SMIC’s Tessie Sy-Coson, and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, just to name a few. Their five-day series of activities in the Philippines started off with no less than a Welcome Reception by His Excellency President Rody Duterte himself at Malacañan Palace, followed by another Welcome Reception but this time by the new US Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Sung Y. Kim (see my column two weeks ago on this remarkable public servant whom I got to know personally). The next day, February 21, was a Meeting with Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senator Grace Poe and Cagayan de Oro Congressman Max Rodriguez at the Conservatory of the Manila Peninsula. In that meeting, the key legislators gave assurances that Congress would ease restrictions on foreign investment and strengthen a rules-based legal environment for investors. Senate President Koko Pimentel outlined the congressional strategy for supporting the Duterte Administration’s economic agenda and vision for a federal government structure. After the meeting with the leg-

With Amb. John Negroponte, Manuel V. Pangilinan and Amb. John Maisto

islators was a Forum with Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, Trade Secretary Mon Lopez, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernie Pernia, and Budget Secretary Ben Diokno. In this Forum the Duterte Economic Team presented in a clear, concrete and concise manner the vision of Tatay Digong’s administration for inclusive growth, poverty alleviation, infrastructure build-up, and sustained growth. They also laid out the details on how this will be achieved, in line with the AmBisyon Natin 2040 Program, the national long-term vision spearheaded by NEDA which represents “the collective vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country”. The Economic Forum then segued into a “no-holds-barred” press conference of the Society Co-Chairs and Officers which I moderated. Lunchtime was reserved for a Private Sector Dialogue with the “Views from Washington” expounded upon by Ambassadors John Negroponte and Thomas Hubbard, and the “Prospects and Opportunities: Doing Business in the Philippines” part shared by Economist Ciel Habito, Ambassador Joey Antonio, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, and US-Philippines Society Co-Chair Manuel V. Pangilinan. The Society then proceeded to PLDT for their Board Meeting. After the Board meeting was a fabulous dinner hosted by CoChairman Manuel V. Pangilinan at the Manila Peninsula where the food was an exquisite gastronomic delight and the ambience and beauty of the Old Manila restaurant were enhanced by the magic touch of SMART’s Julie Carceller. The last day of the Society’s Program was spent with a visit to a Drug Rehabilitation Center in Taguig followed by an excellent lunch showcasing Filipino culinary favorites at the splendid residence of power couple Senator Alan Peter and Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano with an unobstructed view of Laguna de Bay. Surely, by now, you must be thinking that all we ever did was eat, and that this piece would be better off in this paper’s Food Section. Ahh, but a good meal can be a harbinger of good things, and I would be remiss in not pointing out that we all had good meals which brought out good feelings that eventually make for good relationships. The US-PS is celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year as the premier non-stock non-profit, non-partisan organization focusing on strengthening bilateral ties between the Philippines and the United States. I can only wish the US-PS more success, far more than what it has gained over the past five years. Its continued existence is a good sign of a new hope for us all.

Grafﬁti is seen on a pipe near shanty houses standing perched on stilts along a river in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Having watched his economic reform momentum falter in recent months, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is resurrecting his biggest policy success by cutting more subsidies. Bloomberg

which also struggled with slums in the past, Watanabe said. In Singapore, the government transformed the city from a largely rural town with squatter colonies to the modern cosmopolitan city that it is today by building affordable housing. “If there is political will, it can be done,” Watanabe said. Another strategy is to strengthen urban centers outside of the main capital cities by building schools, hospitals, highways and airports to encourage more investment, she said. From Beijing to Bangkok, governments are trying to counter the draw of the dominant capitals that soak up the lion’s share of workers and investment. In the Philippines that means spreading

some of the wealth that’s concentrated in Manila, an urban sprawl of about 22 million people that accounts for more than a third of the nation’s economy. “If you succeed in building regional economic hubs, you can disburse the population,” Watanabe said. There is a need to change the perspective that slum-dwellers are a burden for the government and for the society, Watanabe said. “They offer a lot of jobs required in cities, they generate a lot of economic opportunities but they aren’t captured very well because they are in the informal sector,” she said. “But in fact they are the backbones of the economy.”

Bloomberg

(Front row from left) Henry B. Howard, Teresita Sy-Coson, Leonardo Canseco, Dennis Wright,Magesvaran Suran Suranjan , Charles Taylor, Ross Matthews, Washington Sycip, Jose Eduardo Antonio, Amb Roberto Romulo, Amb Jose Cuisia, Atty. Mike Toledo, Shankar Viswanathan, Gerardo Borromeo, Amb. Thomas Hubbard. (Second row from left) Hank Hendrickson, Roberto Llames, Amb. John Maisto, Secretary Mon Lopez , Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Cochair Manuel Pangilinan, Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Secretary Benjamin Diokno, and Co-chair Amb John Negroponte From left: With VP for Smart MultiSegment Marketing Department Julie Carceller, Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies President Dindo Manhit, U.S. Ambassador Kim Sung, MVP, USPS Director and Procter and Gamble President for Asia Paciﬁc Magesvaran Suran Suranjan, USPS Director and Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala, USPS Director and BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, and USPS Director and Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. Chairman and Managing Partner Vic P. Noel.

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

SUMMER SPOT. The new destination this summer, Canhugas Nature Park, is in Hernani, Eastern Samar, a 10-minute walk from the town proper of Hernani. Mel Caspe

Baguio garbage crisis looms over P75-m fund B By Dexter A. See

AGUIO CITY—Garbage is expected to pile up in this city’s 128 barangays once the local government stops hauling residual waste to the sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac.

The P9-million fund allocated by the City Council for the purpose will be exhausted by March 9, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said. He said the city government has no recourse but to stop hauling Baguio’s waste to Tarlac because the city council refuses to return the P75 million it transferred to the city’s maintenance and operating expenses allocation back to environment and sanitary services, which used to cover the costs

of garbage hauling. “We already explained to some members of the City Council that the account for environment and sanitary services includes the expenditures for garbage hauling and payment of tipping fees, pursuant to existing circulars previously issued by the Commission on Audit, thereby making the appropriation specific—contrary to their contention that it is generic,” Domogan stressed. The city council transferred

the appropriation to the MOOE budget of the City General Services Office to compel the Mayor’s Office to submit the contract for hauling to the Council for confirmation. It also decided to earmark just P9 million for garbage hauling expenses for the first two months of the year. However, Domogan partially vetoed the portion of Appropriation Ordinance No. 072, series of 2016, specifically the transfer of the P75-million garbage fund. He argued that it runs counter to the provisions of existing CoA circulars that define environment and sanitary services to include expenditures for garbage hauling. The City Council decided to override the mayor’s veto, arguing that the 10-day reglamentary period to veto the ordinance

had passed. It said the ordinance was transmitted to Domogan on Jan. 11, and that the veto was only submitted to the council on February 6. Domogan explained in his motion for reconsideration to the council that “while it is true the Appropriation Ordinance was transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office on January 11, it was only the first and last pages that were available.” “The same was withdrawn by the City Council staff on January 26, before it was again completely transmitted on February 2, thus, the veto was still within the prescribed reglamentary period,” he added. The council is expected to deliberate on the merits of Domogan’s motion to avert the negative impact of the exhaustion of the garbage funds.

BoC to sue ‘shabu’ import consignee By Lance Baconguis CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— The Bureau of Customs is filing charges against a shipment consignee after hundreds of plastic drums containing hydrochloric acid from India were found to have no import permit when it entered the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, recently. The BoC in Northern Mindanao or Region 10 said it will file a complaint against the consignee apart from the one the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is preparing, said Alvin Enciso, chief of the agency’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service. Last weeke, a warrant of seizure and detention was issued by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, upon the request of Deputy Commissioner Teddy Raval of the agency’s Intelligence Group to hold the chemical at MCT pending the filing of cases, Enciso said.

State of Women address by ‘Bistek’

Over 5K Manileños learn livelihood skills OVER 5,000 poor Manileños became certified skilled workers last year after graduating from the skills training program of the Manila Manpower Development Center, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said. Estrada said a “substantial number” of the 5,577 beneficiaries have landed jobs, while others managed to put up their own small businesses through the MMDC, the job-and-livelihood skills promotion arm of the city under the Manila Department of Social Welfare. “Through this program, we train and equip Manileños with skills they need to find a job or start up a new business. I believe that with proper training and knowledge, they will be-

come productive citizens,” Estrada said. “This way, we could, help the Manileños in having a prosperous and better future,” he added. MMDC chief Fely Onanad said the Manileños graduated in 2016 from various courses such as hotel and restaurant services; massage therapy; barista, cooking and food preservation; baking; beauty care; unisex haircutting; solar nightlight assembly; garment trade; silkscreen; fashion jewelry making; curtain making; manicure and pedicure; beads assembly; throw pillow making; and dressmaking. The courses are completed in one month, or 20 daily classes, from Monday to Friday, Onanad added. Sandy Araneta

BOOK FOR BOOTS. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista hands over a coffee table book produced by the city government to veteran actress and civic leader Boots Anson-Roa, who was the special guest of city hall in a recent flag-raising ceremony. Anson-Roa later gave an inspirational talk centering on life and relationships.

Villar sacks 3 top DPWH Bicol Region executives By Manilyn B. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY—Secretary Mark Villar has relieved three officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Bicol region, more than a month after he was told his agency is the most corrupt in the region.

DPWH regional director Reynaldo Tagudando, assistant regional director Armando Estrella, and legal officer Oliver Rodulfo were dismissed in Special Orders No. 17 and 18 signed by Villar on Feb. 23, according to the department’s website. Region 13 director Danilo Versola will replace Tagudando

He said the 320 plastic drums were seized by BoC-10 as PDEA-10 also confirmed the chemical was really hydrochloric acid—used to produce the illegal drug shabu or metamphetamine hydrochloride—after it underwent a laboratory test. The chemical was in placed inside four 4x20 container vans that entered the MCT sub-port last month. PDEA-10 said the samples taken from the items containing hydrochloric acid is a controlled precursor and essential chemical under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. “With the laboratory result, we have already forwarded our recommendations to the [BOC] head office for filing of smuggling case against the importer,” Enciso said. He said the consignee failed to present an import permit. For that, the company based in Butuan City may be facing violations of importation laws.

and Marinduque district engineer Esmeraldo Sarmiento will succeed Estrella in an acting capacity, the orders added. Rodulfo, who had been openly feuding with Tagudando, will be reassigned to Cebu and will be replaced by Atty. Eulogio Laboga of the DPWH Region 8 office. Tagudando could not be con-

tacted for comment, while Estrella confirmed he and the former were both relieved. He said Tagudando would be reassigned to the Bureau of Research and Standards, “while I am still blank on where to be reassigned,” he said in a telephone interview on Friday. On Jan. 14, Villar met Volunteers Against Crime and Corrup-

tion founding chairman Dante Jimenez by chance at the Legazpi airport. There, Jimenez told the secretary “that DPWH is the most corrupt in Bicol,” a dialogue reportedly witnessed by Estrella, Rodulfo, Godofredo Beltran of the construction division, Albay district engineer Simon Arias, and engineer Ogbon Relativo.

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista is set to deliver on Monday his State of the Women Address to report on the various gains and accomplishments of his administration in upholding and protecting women’s rights. Bautista’s address, to be delivered and presented in time for this year’s celebration of Women’s Month, will also highlight the status of the city government’s different programs and projects that empower women in Quezon City. The city has already been recognized as one of the most progressive cities in the world, especially after it enacted a local ordinance penalizing violence and discrimination against women. The United Nations has also selected Quezon City to pilot its “safe cities” project. It is also the first city in Metro Manila to have its own gender mainstreaming and advocacy program, including projects for the economic empowerment of women and the protection of their rights. Rio N. Araja

2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

LGUs

Standard

TODAY MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

EO keeping income from NV LGUs B AYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—A controversial executive order signed by then-President Benigno Aquino III in 2014 has denied sizable income to local government units and indigenous cultural communities hosting the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project, records examined by Manila Standard showed.

Executive Order 173, signed by Aquino, allowed independent power producers like CMIPP to pay real property taxes levied by LGUs to government-owned and

-controlled corporations, in this case the National Irrigation Administration, to attract investors. Without the income from Casecnan, the Nueva Vizcaya pro-

vincial government’s income was reduced by eight percent, that of Alfonso Castañeda municipality by 61 percent, and the barangay LGUs of Pelaway by 84 percent, Abuyo by 77 percent, Cauayan by 86 percent and Lipuga also by 86 percent, records obtained by the Standard revealed. Before EO 173 was signed on October 31, 2014 by Aquino, these LGUs were expecting to collect a combined P1.7 billion in real property taxes, a newspaper report on October 15, 2014 said, quoting officials of the Nueva Vizcaya provincial treasury.

“The Bugkalots of Casecnan lamented the fact that EO 173 has caused a delay in the collection of taxes that should have been used to alleviate poverty in their villages,” Gov. Carlos M. Padilla told Manila Standard. The Casecnan project’s impact zone is an ancestral domain of the Bugkalot ICCs. An irrigation project of the Ramos administration, the CMIPP was undertaken in a build-operate-transfer contract between the government and CE Casecnan Water and Energy Co., a US Securities and Exchange Commission registered firm.

EO 173 granted independent power producers under BOT contracts with the national government a “reduction and condonation of real property taxes and interests, penalties on power generation facilities.” The executive order saw the need to condone and reduce real property taxes and interest income because the obligation has been “contractually assumed” by GOCCs, in this case the NIA, which signed an amended and restated project agreement with CWEC on June 26, 1995, a Manila Standard source said, requesting anonymity

because he was not authorized to discuss the contract. Paying a huge amount “would pose a threat to the financial stability of GOCCs,” the source added. Under the agreement, CWEC is required to provide NIA all the net electrical energy generated, and deliver to the Pantabangan Reservoir all water diverted from the Casecnan watershed. NIA, in turn, pays water delivery and energy delivery fees to CWEC; acting as middleman, it then sells the power to the National Power Corp. at a markedup price.

Probe on piggery, poultry farms set By Romeo Dizon MAGALANG, Pampanga—About 200 piggeries and poultry farms here will be inspected to determine if they are engaged in legal business or are being used as fronts for the manufacture of illegal drugs, Mayor Malu Lacson said. Lacson said a “massive inspection” is being conducted by teams from the permit, health, sanitation, fire, and police authorities of Magalang to make sure these businesses are doing what they should. Only 10 piggeries and poultries were able to renew their business permits at the start of the fiscal year “because they met strict requirements and were cleared of any wrongdoing,” while the others are under further inspections “pending the submission of additional papers as required by the law,” the mayor said. During a media forum at the Clark Freeport, Lacson said the composite inspection was launched after police uncovered

one pig farm as a front for illegal drug production in barangay Balitucan, Magalang last year. The inspection also aims to validate reports Lacson continues to get from concerned citizens, nongovernment organizations and other sources “that there are still some who continue to ply their illegal activities in the area.” Lacson warned the animal farm owners “to stop their illegal activities or face the full force of the law.” Illegal drug manufacturers have used poultry and piggery farms as laboratories to conceal or blend the smell of the drugs against the waste of the animals to mislead authorities. The farm raided in Balitucan resulted in the seizure of P6 million worth of illegal drugs, including equipment, last September. Another laboratory raided in barangay San Juan Bano in Arayat was disguised as piggery farm, which was the biggest in the region if not in the country, and capable of producing 100 kilograms of shabu a day.

FIRST PLACE PHOTO.

This photo recently won for Pagsanjan, Laguna first place in the Best in CBMS Photo category during the 6th CBMSPhilippine Special Awards for Local Government Units at the 13th CBMS (Community-Based Monitoring System) Philippines National Convention in Quezon City. Receiving the award (inset photo, from left) are MPDC’s Keens Acebuche, Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie ‘Maita’ Ejercito, former Laguna governor ER Ejercito, Admin officer Seng Salvador, and Budget officer Carlito Priola. Roy Tomandao

Kalinga’s Ngao-i is volunteer awardee TABUK CITY, Kalinga—A veteran tribal conflict mediator was conferred the 2016 National Outstanding Volunteer Award in the individual adult category by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency for his “inspiring commitment to volunteer service in the field of peace and development.”

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

Information on the criminal proceedings in the country expected to be the final destination of the delivery; and 10. Other information as may be required from time to time.

PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph

a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. 2017-001 CONDUCT OF CONTROLLED DELIVERY OPERATIONS REFERENCES:

B. C. D. E. F. G. II.

h. i.

Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”; DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002, Subject: Conduct of Controlled Delivery Operations; PDEA Manual of Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations; The 1987 Philippine Constitution; The Revised Rules of Court; The Revised Penal Code; and Applicable United States jurisprudence.

PREFATORY STATEMENT:

Controlled Delivery, as defined in Republic Act 9165, is an investigative technique of allowing an unlawful or suspect consignment of any Dangerous drug (DD) and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs), equipment or paraphernalia, or property believed to be derived directly or indirectly from any offense, to pass into, through or out of the country under the supervision of an authorized officer, with a view of gathering evidence to identify any person involved in any dangerous drugs related offense, or to facilitate prosecution of that offense.

1. 2. 3. 4.

PURPOSE:

c. d. e.

VII. GENERAL GUIDELINES: The following policies and guidelines shall be observed by all PDEA personnel and other LEAs in accordance with Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Article II, DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002. A. 1.

Pre-Operation Proper assessment and evaluation shall be made prior the conduct of the operation to determine its applicability. Pursuant to Section 4, Article II, DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002, PDEA and other LEAs should: a. b. c. d.

Weigh the costs/benefits before committing to a controlled delivery operation; Establish realistic degree of manpower involvement, support equipment and funds allocation at the onset of the operation; Make an Operational Plan (OPLAN) and briefing sheet detailing each law enforcement agent or officer’s assignment, if applicable and if time permits; Enter into an inter-agency agreement/understanding on the conduct of joint and/or coordinated investigations including controlled delivery operations.

d. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Prior authorization is required for the conduct of controlled delivery operations in the Philippines; The Head of the operating unit shall secure Authorization/Clearance from the Head of the Agency. The Authorization/Clearance shall be attached to the Pre-Operation Report and Authority to Operate/Coordination Form to be submitted to PDEA thru the National Operations Center which shall process and issue the Certificate of Coordination once the requirements are complied with. The Director General, PDEA may approve a request in writing by PDEA units, or a domestic or foreign counterpart enforcement agency for controlled delivery to take place in transit or in any way involving the Philippines for a specific purpose and specified period. The Director General, PDEA may require the following information from the requesting Party: The reason or justification for the operation; Type and quantity of the dangerous drugs and CPECs being transported; The planned point of entry and – if applicable – exit (transit) in the Philippine territory; The means of transportation and the intended route; The suspect’s identity, nationality, whereabouts, accomplices, home address, etc.; The name of the organization which provided the information and responsible for the operation in the requesting country and means of contacting that agency; Details of law enforcement agencies taking part in the operation (PNP, NBI, BOC, Coast Guard, etc.); Details of special techniques to be used (undercover agents, action agents/ informants, special surveillance equipment, etc.);

Undercover agents shall continuously and closely monitor the package subject of the operation until such time the same is received by the consignee.

Before arrest may be effected, it shall be ascertained that the recipient is indeed the consignee. However, if the consignee only possesses the authority to receive the same, his knowledge and involvement shall be established.

After the arrest, the apprehending officer shall immediately seize and take initial custody of the package subject of the operation.

The operation will have a time frame depending on the extent of operations of the drug personality/syndicates. If a controlled delivery does not proceed on schedule due to unexpected delay, loss of the drugs or other contraband cargo, change in location or route of delivery, or change in intended recipient, Head of the Operating Unit will relay this information and make appropriate recommendations to the Director General, PDEA and his counterpart(s) in the transited or receiving jurisdictions, as soon as possible. This notification process also applies to newly developed information unknown at the initiation of the operation.

After the implementation of controlled delivery operations, the Investigator-On-Case shall file case/cases before the Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings within the reglementary period.

Procedures on Controlled Delivery Operations Involving Parcels and/or Express Couriers

Immediately after the receipt of information, either from local or foreign counterparts or from the Philippine Postal Corporation or parcel service, the operating unit shall notify its counterpart at the Bureau of Customs (BOC) regarding the suspected illegal drugs inside the parcel.

The BOC shall call upon its Customs Examiner who shall open the parcel in the presence of representatives from the operating unit, BOC, and either the representative of the Philpost or parcel service. The opening of the said parcel shall be properly photographed and the dangerous drugs properly marked.

A field test or initial test shall be conducted to determine the presence of dangerous drugs. Representative sample of the dangerous drugs or CPECs shall be submitted to the Laboratory Service for forensic examination.

Thereafter, the operating unit shall submit a Development Report to the Head of the operating unit who shall submit the same to the Head of the Agency copy furnished Director General, PDEA thru POS. After which, the Head of the operating unit shall hold a briefing to the operating unit for the possible conduct of controlled delivery operations. The Development Report shall include the name, address, and other important data relative to the recipient of the parcel/mail.

Before the intended actual controlled delivery, concerned unit or counterpart shall ensure proper storage and custody of the subject parcel.

Thereafter, if the representative samples are found to be positive for presence of dangerous drugs or CPECs as examined by the Laboratory Service, a report shall be submitted to the Head of the Agency with a request for the conduct of controlled delivery operations. The report shall include the following:

Foreign counterparts may participate in the implementation of controlled delivery operations under the following conditions: a. b. c. d.

Participation in the operations is approved by the Director General, PDEA; Foreign counterparts shall act under the authority of the team leader or Head of the Operating Unit; Provide technical assistance such as monitoring devices, subject to authorization of their use by proper jurisdiction; and They shall abide by the domestic laws.

B. 1.

a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

i. j.

During Operation The procedures on evidence handling pursuant to Section 7, Article III of the DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002 shall be strictly implemented to uphold the integrity of the implementation of controlled delivery operation and prevent potential risk to operatives, such as: Strict observance of the requirements in Section 21, RA 9165 as amended in order to preserve the integrity and evidentiary value of dangerous drugs/CPECs subject of the controlled delivery operations. Utilization of postal (mail parcels) and private courier services in the delivery of dangerous drugs. Identify, process, and secure all evidence discovered/identified, as practical prior to conducting the controlled delivery. Photograph, videotape, and photocopy the evidence both upon discovery and after removal from the place of concealment; Mark the evidence and the container for future identification, if practicable; Field test any drug evidence and if possible, submit the same for laboratory examination; Obtain laboratory analysis for the filing of case after completion of a controlled delivery operation; In case that the contraband is discovered while in the course of inspection or other law enforcement activity, transport is allowed to proceed to its intended destination while under the close surveillance of law enforcement officers or agents, disable any potential countersurveillance devices or weapons to prevent any potential use by the violator; Where tracking device is available and allowed to be used by proper jurisdiction, install the tracking device on or inside the evidence; Ensure that special measures are undertaken to assure connection of the package subject of operation with the suspects at the time the controlled delivery is terminated. Special measures may be defined with, but not limited, to the following: 1. 2. 3. 4.

All controlled delivery operations shall be authorized by the Director General, PDEA thru the Plans and Operations Service (POS). a.

Identify, arrest, prosecute and convict offenders; Disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations engaged in smuggling drugs or other contraband; Broaden the scope of investigation, identify additional and higher level offenders and obtain further evidence; Establish evidentiary proof that the suspects employed by these organizations to transport drugs and other contraband were knowingly in possession of illegal substances; and Identify the offender(s) assets for consideration in asset forfeiture proceedings.

Procedures on Controlled Delivery Operation Involving Delivery of Substances to Consignees:

The designated evidence custodian of the apprehending team shall ensure that the requirements of Sec. 21, RA 9165, as amended are properly complied with.

IV.

a. b.

In accordance with existing policies and guidelines governing Inter-Agency Task Groups (IADITGs) operating in the seaports and/or airports, lateral coordination with concerned Task Group should be made in case of controlled delivery operations conducted in the seaports and/ or airports.

Pursuant to Section 2, Article II (Objectives, Requisites, and Scope of Authorization for Controlled Delivery Operations) of DDB Regulation No. 2 Series of 2002, Controlled Delivery Operations aim to delay the seizure of dangerous drugs (DDs) and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) or the property derived from an offense and to suspend detaining the courier(s) in order to:

The following specific guidelines shall be observed by the operating units for controlled delivery operations involving delivery of substances to consignees and involving parcels or express couriers.

.All conduct of controlled delivery operations shall be supervised/ monitored by the Head of the Operating Unit.

OBJECTIVES:

As the need arises, a Post Operation Conference shall be conducted in every successful controlled delivery operation to determine lessons learned.

Operating units may seek augmentation from other LEAs.

The Director General, PDEA shall inform the Board of every approved controlled delivery operation.

This SOP shall apply to PDEA and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) during the execution of a Controlled Delivery Operation.

A case conference shall be conducted by the operating unit, together with the Legal Office of the Agency, to strengthen the case. In the Regional Offices, the Legal Officers shall coordinate with the Prosecutor’s Office to do the same.

VIII. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

Prior criminal history associated with the recipient of parcel; Multiple and similar previous shipments to the same person or location; An agreement by all parties that a controlled delivery is necessary; and Others as may be prescribed from time to time.

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribes the rules, procedures and guidelines in the conduct of controlled delivery operations by PDEA operating units and other agencies which will be authorized by the Director General, PDEA to ensure its proper implementation and gather sufficient evidence for the prosecution of arrested suspect. SCOPE:

controlled delivery operation to the Board.

It is a form of entrapment where diligence must be exercised in the conduct of delivery to its destination by observing the rules on evidence and warrantless arrests, searches and seizures. III.

Inadequate information concerning the consignment or the transporter; The other transit countries do not give their consent; Risk of losing the suspects and drugs and/or other contraband; Lack of resources; Final destination is unknown or uncertain; No certainty of prosecution being brought; Lack of material time to act on the request due to short notice, unless it can be shown that the request cannot be submitted an at earlier date due to circumstances beyond the control of the operating unit; Scale of the traffic do not justify the cost of operation; Quantity of dangerous drugs involved in the shipment is small and does not meet prosecutorial or the receiving jurisdiction’s threshold levels: Unless, a controlled delivery is necessary to develop a more significant investigation based on any one of the following:

and promoted a reign of peace in Kalinga through the years.” He is described by his colleagues as “the man” in tribal conflict resolution, as he was able to negotiate more than 100 tribal and nontribal cases involving 46 tribes of Kalinga, 10 sub-tribes of Mountain Province and six sub-tribes of Abra, of which about 90 percent were successful.

The Head of the Operating Unit may refuse to allow a controlled delivery operation to be carried out for some or all of the following reasons:

January 26, 2017

culture of restorative justice, especially for the Kalingas and for his staunch advocacy for voluntarism for peace and development.” The 60-year-old Kalinga elder was active in conflict mediation not only among feuding tribes inside and outside the province, but also in tribal conflicts “that prevented the escalation of violence

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Andres Ngao-i, chairman of the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army and chairman of the Regional Council of Elders for Indigenous Peoples Education, was cited for his leadership in “advocating indigenous people’s education, preservation of indigenous practices, and nurturing a

a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Taking photographs; Videotaping; Photocopying; and Others.

After the issuance of Authority to Conduct Controlled Delivery Operation by the Head of the Agency and the Director General, PDEA, a briefing shall be conducted by the Head of the operating unit on the means, manner and form of controlled delivery operation to be conducted.

If viable, a surveillance operation may be conducted to determine the presence of the recipient and to familiarize operatives with the area of operation.

At the day of the delivery, coordination shall be made with the local PNP and PDEA Regional Office, if same shall be conducted outside the area of jurisdiction. The personnel of the Philpost or parcel service, as the case may be, shall deliver and hand over the mail or parcel to the intended recipient. He shall require, from the recipient, at the time of the delivery, valid identification cards to determine his/her identity and thereafter sign the receipt. In case management refuses to allow their personnel to be utilized in the conduct of controlled delivery operations, operating agents may pose as such upon expressed consent from the Philpost or parcel service concerned. Immediately after signing of the receipt, seizure and arrest shall be undertaken by the operatives. The recipient shall be informed of his/her constitutional rights in a language/ dialect known to him/her before placing him/her under arrest. Inventory of the seized drugs shall be done in accordance with Section 21, RA 9165, as amended. The remainder of the drugs shall be submitted to the Laboratory Service for the requisite forensic examination. Thereafter, a Spot Report shall be submitted by the Operating Unit to the Director General, PDEA thru POS upon completion of the operation, and a progress report once the case has been filed at the Prosecutor’s Office.

10.

In case of a controlled delivery of illegal drugs seized with large amounts of currency, utilize currency/monetary instrument procedures for accountability purposes; Obtain information on any corporations involved and personal information on the suspected driver; m.Arrange for aerial surveillance, if applicable.

11.

Post-Operation

12.

Operating units shall submit periodic reports to the Director General, PDEA, through POS, on the status/development of the operation. Pursuant to Section 8, Article II of DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002 (Accountability of Lost Contraband), law enforcers shall perform the following if contraband is lost during enforcement operations:

13.

IX. a. b.

Immediately notify the Director General, PDEA and Heads of appropriate Law Enforcement Agency; Within 24 hours or as soon as practicable, the PDEA, as lead agency and through its Internal Affairs Service (IAS), shall conduct joint investigation with other LEAs concerned and make appropriate recommendations. The Director General, PDEA shall inform the Board in writing about the loss and the action taken thereof.

When the controlled delivery operation is completed and the case has been filed in the proper jurisdiction (pursuant to Section 9, Article II of DDB Regulation No. 2, Series of 2002), the Head of the Operating Unit shall ensure that the guidelines (DDB Regulation No. 1, series of 2002) pertaining to inventory, reporting and laboratory analysis are complied with. The Director General, PDEA through POS, shall submit a report of the completed

Justification for controlled delivery operations; Type of quantity of drugs to be transported; Means of transportation to be used; Means of securing the subject parcel/items before the intended controlled delivery; The names of members of the operating unit and of partner agencies who shall participate in the operations (names of personnel from OLEA authorized by their respective mother agencies to participate in the controlled delivery operation); Pre-Operation Report; and Authority to Operate.

EFFECTIVITY:

This SOP shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and after its registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), UP Law Center, Quezon City. APPROVED:

ISIDRO S. LAPEÑA PhD, CSEE Director General (MS-MAR. 6, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World Manila

Standard

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

TODAY

IN BRIEF Three killed in gunfight in Kashmir SRINAGAR―A police officer and two suspected militants were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir during a fierce 15-hour gunfight overnight, an official said Sunday, triggering clashes between protesters and government forces. The firefight erupted late Saturday when Indian soldiers and counter-insurgency police, acting on a tip-off, surrounded a home believed to be occupied by militants in southern Nazneenpora village. Soldiers detonated explosives during the siege, which stretched into the early hours as both sides exchanged heavy gunfire. “Two militants were killed in the encounter. We also lost a boy of SOG,” director general of police S. P. Vaid told AFP, referring to the slain officer from the Special Operations Group. A Major was also critically wounded in the battle, an army officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to the press. Defying orders to stay indoors as the skirmish escalated, hundreds of villagers descended on the scene, throwing rocks at government forces in a bid to aid the besieged militants, a police officer said. AFP

Struggling to cover Trump N

EW YORK―Facing a White House that has been unrelenting in its attacks on the media, news organizations are struggling to find the right balance in covering President Donald Trump’s administration.

66,000 displaced in Syria BEIRUT―A total of 66,000 people have been displaced by fighting along two fronts in Syria’s fractured north, the United Nation’s humanitarian coordination agency (OCHA) said Sunday. “This includes nearly 40,000 people from Al-Bab city and nearby Taduf town, as well as 26,000 people from communities to the east of Al-Bab” in northern Aleppo province, OCHA said. Turkey-backed rebels seized Al-Bab from the Islamic State group on February 23 after several months of fighting. OCHA said the 39,766 people displaced from the town fled north to areas controlled by other rebel forces, and that the “high contamination” of unexploded bombs and booby traps set by retreating jihadists was complicating efforts to return. And since February 25, OCHA said, another 26,000 people fled violence east of Al-Bab, where Syrian government forces have also been waging a fierce offensive against IS. Many of those people sought refuge in areas around Manbij, a town controlled by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. On Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group had said 30,000 people had been displaced by fighting between government forces and IS jihadists. AFP

Police probe shooting of Sikh man LOS ANGELES―Authorities are investigating the suspected hate crime shooting of a Sikh man at his home near Seattle, media reported Saturday, just days after an engineer from India was fatally shot in Kansas. The 39-year-old Sikh was working on his car in his driveway in Kent, Washington just south of Seattle, when a man walked up late Friday wearing a mask and holding a gun. The Seattle Times newspaper reported that the partially-masked gunman, after exchanging words with the victim, said “Go back to your own country” before pulling the trigger, shooting him in the arm. Authorities are investigating the shooting as a suspected hate crime, according to the Seattle Times, which did not provide the nationality of the victim. The daily reported that police are continuing to search for the gunman. Jasmit Singh, a leader of the Sikh community near Seattle, told The Seattle Times that the victim has been released from the hospital. “He is just very shaken up, both him and his family,” Singh said. “We’re all kind of at a loss in terms of what’s going on right now, this is just bringing it home. The climate of hate that has been created doesn’t distinguish between anyone.” The incident follows a shooting at a Kansas bar last month that killed 32-year-old engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, causing shock waves felt around the country. AFP

POSE. Fitness expert Anna Victoria poses for a photo during Beauty & Balance at Westﬁeld Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California. AFP

Independence for HK, Taiwan ruled out BEIJING―China will ﬁrmly oppose Taiwan’s “separatism”, Premier Li Keqiang declared Sunday, following tension with US President Donald Trump over the island, and said Hong Kong independence moves would “lead nowhere”. “We will resolutely oppose and contain separatist activities for Taiwan independence,” Li said in a speech opening the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp National People’s Congress. “We will never tolerate any activity, in any form or name, which attempts to separate Taiwan from the motherland.” Trump raised eyebrows following his November election victory with a protocol-busting telephone conversation with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.

He later threw doubt on the “One China” policy -- a tacit acknowledgement of China’s claim to the self-ruled island -suggesting that the decades-old diplomatic formulation was up for negotiation, which drew protests from China. Li, however, extended the usual cautious olive branch across the Taiwan Strait, saying China would continue efforts to increase linkages with the island, which have included rising cross-strait investment, daily direct ﬂights and increased tourism between the two territories. “People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should keep in mind the greater interests of the nation”, and work towards the “reuniﬁcation of China”. In Hong Kong, fears have grown that

Syrian farmers fear IS to flood villages TUWAYHINA, Syria— Syrian farmers near the Euphrates river are terrified the Islamic State group will literally open the floodgates to defend its stronghold Raqa, drowning their tiny villages in the process. The water levels of the Euphrates, which snakes down through northern Syria and east into Iraq, have shot up over the past month near the jihadist group’s de facto capital, Raqa city. Residents of the modest farming villages scattered on the river’s eastern bank say they are afraid the jihadists will destroy the Tabqa dam, Syria’s largest, to slow advancing anti-IS forces. “If IS goes through with its threat of blowing up the Tabqa dam, then all areas around the southern part of the river could be under water,” said Abu Hussein, 67. He spoke to AFP in Tuwayhina, a small village that was recently recaptured by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces east of the river and around 10 kilometers from the dam. Abu Hussein said “hundreds of villages and fields” could be submerged if IS opens the gates of the dam, which lies around 50 kilometers upstream from

Raqa city. “They don’t even fear God. And if someone doesn’t fear God, then I’m afraid of him.” The Tabqa dam sits 500 meters from the eponymous town, an IS stronghold since 2014 where many of its most senior commanders are based. Tabqa is a key target of the SDF’s months-long drive for Raqa, and its fighters have already advanced to just five kilometers from the town. “We’re hearing that Daesh is planning on blowing up the Tabqa dam,” said Raheel Hassan Mahmoud, 58, in the arid village of Bir Hamad, using an Arabic acronym for IS. “If this happens, it means most of Raqa and Deir Ezzor will drown, while other towns die of thirst and crops and livestock die,” he told AFP. Hassan, a 35-year-old in nearby Bir Hassan, said he expected IS would flood the villages as a last resort. “It could open up the dam’s gates to cover itself as it withdraws, in case it’s no longer able to resist in the area,” he said. The UN’s humanitarian coordination agency (OCHA) says water levels of the Euphrates have risen 10 meters since late January. AFP

Beijing is increasingly interfering in the governance of the semi-autonomous ﬁnancial hub, sparking calls by some activists for self-determination or even independence. Such calls have riled Beijing, and Li shut down any hope of Hong Kong independence. “The notion of Hong Kong independence will lead nowhere,” he said. Li’s annual report to the highly choreographed congress is akin to a state-of-thenation address highlighting key government priorities for the year, which are then typically parroted in subsequent delegate meetings. The 10-day NPC session runs until March 15. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act CY 2017 intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Seventeen Million Four Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP117,436,000.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2017-176 IB No. 2017-177

Procurement of Essential Health Care Package 1 Procurement of Essential Health Care Package 2 Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct of the Harmonized Health Promotion Awards 2017 TOTAL

IB No. 2017-178

4. 5.

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

60,720,000.00

50,000.00

18,216,000.00

25,000.00

38,500,000.00

25,000.00

Single Largest Completed Contract At least Twenty Five Percent (25%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet At least Fifty Percent (50%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

117,436,000.00

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 06 to 28 March 2017 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 042012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184. The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

IB No. 2017-176 IB No. 2017-177 IB No. 2017-178

ABC (PHP)

Name of Contract

Activity (Date & Time) Pre-bidding Conference

Procurement of Essential Health Care Package 1 Procurement of Essential Health Care Package 2 14 March 2017; 10:00 AM Hiring of an Event Organizer for the Conduct of the Harmonized Health Promotion Awards 2017

Submission and Opening of Bids 28 March 2017; 09:00 AM

Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC)

Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank. Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank. Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security. Bid Securing Declaration

8. 9.

Two percent (2%) Five percent (5%) No percentage required

Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DOH reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (SGD) NESTOR F. SANTIAGO, JR, MD, MPHC, MHSA, CESO III Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC - C Chairperson

(MS-MAR. 6, 2017)

Reporters and media groups are increasingly finding they are part of the story, after Trump’s denunciation of “fake news” and his branding of media groups as “the enemy of the people.” Most news organizations have promised to fulfill their responsibility to report aggressively, without being vindictive. “The goal is to be tough, but to be fair. The fairness part is an important part of the equation,” said Richard Benedetto, an adjunct professor of journalism at American University who was a White House correspondent for USA Today. The White House may have some justification for claiming the press is unfair: an NBC survey last month found 53 percent of Americans believed the media was exaggerating problems in the Trump administration. “There seems to be a lack of concern about being fair,” Benedetto said. “It’s become kind of personal.” Before Trump’s inauguration, Politico writer Jack Shafer said the press “ought to start thinking of covering Trump’s Washington like a war zone, where conflict follows conflict, where the fog prevents the collection of reliable information directly from the combatants, where the assignment is a matter of life or death.” Reuters editor-in-chief Steve Adler said the news agency planned to do its job in Washington as it does in other countries where governments are hostile to the press. The agency responds to difficult conditions “by doing our best to protect our journalists, by recommitting ourselves to reporting fairly and honestly, by doggedly gathering hard-toget information -- and by remaining impartial,” Adler said in a January memo to staff. Karen North, a professor at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, said objectivity had become complicated as more journalists feel a need to connect with readers by offering personal thoughts on social media. North said some reporters feel a need to rebut the president on his favorite platform, Twitter. “We have the president speaking directly to the people through Twitter,” North said. In the fast-paced Twittersphere, she said, reporters are not just churning out facts but “they’re also putting out their opinion through social media.” North noted that news organizations are also struggling for ways to keep the attention of their viewers and readers. “Especially with the internet, with digital media, news has to compete with entertainment,” she said. AFP before this Court sitting at the Second Floor, Rm. 237, Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City at which date, time and place, all interested persons are hereby IN RE: PETITION FOR THE cited to appear and show CORRECTION OF ENTRIES cause, if any, why said petition IN THE REPORT OF BIRTH should not be granted. CHILD BORN ABROAD OF Let this Order be published PHILIPPINE PARENT OR PARENTS PARTICULARLY at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general THE NAME OF THE CHILD circulation in the Philippines FROM MARK ALLAN GOMEZ once a week for three (3) TO MARK ALLAN MENDOZA consecutive weeks, to be VERIÑA, THE FULL NAME OF selected by raffle pursuant to THE MOTHER FROM GEMMA PD 1079. The Office of the F. GOMEZ VERIÑA TO IMELDA Clerk of Court is directed to ALEJANDRA MENDOZA report to the Court the result VERIÑA, NAME BEFORE of the raffle, with notice to MARRIAGE FROM GEMMA petitioner within ten (10) days from receipt thereof. F. GOMEZ TO IMELDA ALEJANDRA MENDOZA AND The Philippine Statistics DATE OF BIRTH OF MOTHER Authority, the Office of the FROM JUNE 3, 1967 TO APRIL Solicitor General and any 23, 1965, AND THE DELETION person who has any opposition OF THE PLACE AND DATE OF hereto may file the same, MARRIAGE TANTAY NEG. OR. within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, or from PHIL. 25 MAY 1995, the last date of publication of such notice. IMELDA ALEJANDRA MENDOZA VERIÑA, Furnish a copy of this Petitioner, Order and petition to the Philippine Statistics Authority versus and the Office of the Solicitor General. R-QZN-16-13951-SP SO ORDERED. ALLAN S. VERIÑA, GEMMA Quezon City, Metro Manila, GOMEZ, THE CIVIL December 21, 2016. REGISTRAR GENERAL, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY AND THE (Sgd.) ALFONSO C. RUIZ II Presiding Judge PHILIPPINE CONSULATE

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 216, Quezon City

GENERAL, HONGKONG, SAR, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Copy furnished: Respondents. Office of the Solicitor General x--------------------------------------x 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi ORDER Village The petitioner, Imelda Makati City Alejandra Mendoza Veriña, filed Atty. Edwin Arreola a verified petition praying for: Concepcion, Jr. a) Correction of entry – Full Counsel for Petitioner name of child from “Mark Allan Santa Maria, 2705 Ilocos Sur Gomez” to “Mark Allan Mendoza Philippine Statistics Authority Veriña’; b) Correction of entry – Name East Avenue, Quezon City of mother from “Gemma F. RTC-OCC, Quezon City Gomez Veriña”, to “Imelda Quezon City Alejandra Mendoza Veriña’; c) Correction of entry – Name Imelda Alejandra Mendoza of Mother before Marriage from Veriña “Gemma F. Gomez” to “Imelda Petitioner Alejandra Mendoza”; Nanguneg East, Narvacan, d) Correction of Date of Birth of Mother from “June 3, 1967” to Ilocos Sur “April 23, 1965”; and e) Cancellation of entry – Place and Date of Marriage, “Tanjy Neg. Or. Phil., 25 May 1995”;

Gemma F. Gomez Respondent Paratong, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur

The Philippine Consulate in the Report of Birth of the General Child Born Abroad of Philippine Hongkong SAR, thru: The Parent or Parents. Department of Foreign Affairs The Court hereby sets the Macapagal Avenue, Petition for hearing on March Parañaque City 29, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning (MS-Feb. 27, Mar. 6 & 13, 2017)

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

World

Malaysia expels envoy over Kim assassination K UALA LUMPUR―Malaysia has expelled North Korea’s ambassador, giving him 48 hours to leave the country in a major break in diplomatic relations over the airport assassination of the half-brother of Pyongyang’s leader. Kim Jong-Nam was poisoned February 13 with the deadly nerve agent VX. North Korea has not acknowledged the dead man’s identity but has repeatedly disparaged the murder investigation, accusing Malaysia of conniving with its enemies. “The ambassador has been declared persona non grata” after Malaysia demanded but did not receive an apology for Pyongyang’s attacks on the investigation, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Anifah Haji Aman said. “Malaysia will react strongly against any insults made against it or any attempt to tarnish its

Russian dissident vows to fight on MOSCOW―It was a few minutes after the prison guards hung him up by his shackled wrists, blindfolded, that Ildar Dadin says he began to crack. The anti-Kremlin activist had already put up with solitary confinement, repeated beatings, and having his head shoved down a toilet by officers at a remote prison in northwest Russia. Then something in him just snapped. “I felt this incredible pain and thought that someone might be coming to rape me,” Dadin told AFP recalling his 15 months behind bars. “I remember I sensed myself starting to break.” Dadin, 34, is the first and only person in Russia to have served time for contravening a tough law clamping down on protests in the country. In December 2015 he was jailed for the supposed crime of holding repeated peaceful demonstrations against President Vladimir Putin’s rule without official permission. Dadin’s case became a cause celebre for those opposed to Russia’s strongman leader. Eventually he managed to get word out about his treatment in jail and the allegations he made of torture exploded into the public eye, shining a spotlight on abuse that forced even the Kremlin to pay attention. Late last month, in a surprise ruling, the Russian supreme court quashed his sentence and ordered him freed. For several days now Dadin has been back at his small flat in a nondescript Moscow neighborhood trying to adjust to a new life with his wife Anastasia, whom he married while in prison. Despite his ordeal in prison and attempts to break him there, the former security guard with closely-cropped hair insisted that he had no intention of giving up his struggle against the Kremlin. “While I was in prison other inmates asked me if I was going to continue, and I always replied firmly: yes,” he said. “Otherwise it would mean that I had started and then got scared.” During his sentence Dadin was shifted between several prisons, but he says the worst came when he was sent to penal colony number seven in the Karelia region on the border with Finland. AFP

reputation,” he said in a statement released late Saturday. Ambassador Kang Chol failed to present himself at the ministry when summoned and “is expected to leave Malaysia within 48 hours,” the statement added. On Sunday morning, reportes besieged Pyongyang’s embassy, from where Kang is expected to depart before the expulsion deadline expires 6pm on Monday. Arch-rival South Korea has blamed the North for the murder, citing what they say was a standing order from leader Kim Jong-Un to kill his exiled half-brother who may have been seen as a potential rival.

The foreign ministry said the expulsion was “part of the process by the Malaysian government to review its relations” with North Korea, which before Kim’s assassination were unusually cozy. “North Korea must learn to respect other countries,” Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Sunday. The expulsion showed “we are serious about solving this problem and we do not want it to be manipulated,” he added. The diplomatic spat erupted last month when Malaysian police rejected North Korean diplomats’ demands to hand over Kim’s body. Kang then claimed the investigation was politically motivated and said Kuala Lumpur was conspiring with “hostile forces”. Malaysia summoned Kang for a dressing-down, with Prime Minister Najib Razak saying the ambassador’s statement was “diplomatically rude”. Malaysia issued a February 28

deadline for an apology, but “no such apology has been made, neither has there been any indication that one is forthcoming.” Malaysia has also recalled its envoy to Pyongyang and canceled a rare visa-free travel deal with North Korea. Police are seeking seven North Korean suspects in their probe but on Friday released the only North Korean arrested for lack of evidence. After Ri Jong-Chol was deported, he claimed police offered him a comfortable life in Malaysia for a false confession, saying the investigation was “a conspiracy to impair the dignity of the Republic [North Korea]”. Two women -- one Vietnamese and one Indonesian -- have been charged with murdering Kim Jong-Nam, with airport CCTV footage showing them approaching the heavyset 45-year-old and apparently smearing his face with a cloth. AFP

AIR SHOW. A US Air Force F-22 Raptor ﬂies during the Australian International Air Show in Melbourne on March 5, 2017. The annual event sees 180,000 visitors over the 3-day public event held at the Avalon Airﬁeld some 80 kilometers south-west of Melbourne. AFP

Russia’s sex workers risk violence and disease SAINT PETERSBURG―Vladimir Putin recently quipped that Russian prostitutes were “the best in the world” as he dismissed unsubstantiated rumors that Moscow had incriminating evidence on Donald Trump. But the reality is that Russian sex workers operate in a hidden world outside the law and out of sight -- making them doubly vulnerable to infection and abuse, as AFP journalists found after being granted rare access to an illegal brothel. In a grand Stalin-era tower block in the northwestern city of Saint Petersburg, a woman in her

30s opens the door of an apartment, introducing herself as Inna, the receptionist of this so-called salon. “Go into the kitchen. Nadya’s working, but Nastya and Madina are in there,” she says. Nastya, 31, and Madina, 20, are wearing Tshirts over ﬂimsy nighties and are drinking tea in the small kitchen. The women only agree to speak to AFP because they trust an accompanying activist from the only NGO in Russia for sex workers called Serebryanaya Roza, or Silver Rose. The activist, Regina Akhmetzyanova, spends her evening going

to such clandestine brothels to give out condoms and to offer sex workers an HIV test. This is particularly important for prostitutes since the infection rates in Russia are currently growing, with more than 103,000 new cases identified in 2016, up five percent on the previous year, while the real total is likely to be significantly higher. Prostitutes admit they come under pressure to have unsafe sex. “They’ve beaten me and threatened me with a knife, forced me to do it without a condom,” said Madina, who is from Uzbekistan and speaks only basic Russian.

“I’ve had difﬁcult situations with clients many times, for sure,” added Nastya, who came to the city from the Urals region. “I’ve learnt not to show my fear.” “Russian prostitutes are absolute pariahs who have no real way of defending themselves,” says Silver Rose’s founder, Irina Maslova. Maslova knows what she is talking about. The slim blonde in her 40s says she spent six years selling sex in the city before becoming an activist in 2003 and one of the few public advocates for prostitutes’ rights. While prostitution is illegal in

Russia, it is punishable by a fine of just 1,500 rubles ($26, 24 euros). Pimps theoretically face up to three years in jail but are harder to convict since this requires police to track financial flows. Activists say this legal ban is often used by police as an excuse not to investigate crimes against sex workers. “We’re told our profession doesn’t exist, that means, we don’t exist for the government on the one hand, but on the other hand, since (prostitution) is an administrative offense, sex workers are totally defenseless and without rights,” complains Maslova. AFP

RALLY. Go Live Founder and CEO Promise Tangeman, center, and guest attend the inaugural Girlboss Rally on March 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Pakistan’s financial capital transformed ‘into rubbish bin’ KARACHI―Neighbors forced their way into Mohammad Umair’s home battling smoke and flames in a desperate bid to rescue his young family -- he and his wife survived, their children did not. The fire began in a heap of garbage which blocked the narrow alley outside the five-story building and quickly spread inside, engulfing the family as they slept that night. The tragic case has angered citi-

zens of Karachi already frustrated by a failing waste management system, who are calling for more to be done. Umair, a 31-year-old cloth merchant, breaks down as he explains that two of his children died before they even reached the hospital. “The third one, Abdul Aziz, died while the doctors were trying to save his life,” Umair adds, recalling the cluster of doctors working frantically but futilely around the

tiny body of his infant son. Police have yet to find out what caused the rubbish to catch fire but it spread quickly to their first floor apartment, filling the lone bedroom they shared where the family were all sleeping together. Umair’s wife Shameen blames the city and its citizens for her children’s deaths. “Those who dump trash and those who do not fulfill their duties to clean up are responsible,”

she says flatly, eyes dry as she stands with her husband among the cinders of their former home. “Who else?” Shameen is perhaps the most tragic figure to point fingers at waste management authorities accused of corruption and ineptitude, but she is not the first or the only one. “The present capacity and resources of (the city) cannot cater to the quantum of garbage being

generated daily,” AD Sajnani, chief of the provincial Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) set up in 2015 to deal with the garbage disposal, told AFP bluntly. Karachi, a megacity of towering high rises and sprawling illegal settlements on the Arabian Sea, saw its growth explode in recent decades after waves of migration, largely refugees ﬂeeing the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal areas. AFP

Fried pork chop with classic Vietnamese meat loaf

Life

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

FOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

For the love of rice THE JOYCE OF EATING JOYCE BABE PAÑARES

ILIPINOS have a long-standing love affair with rice. Based on a 2015 survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the yearly average per-capita consumption of rice of Filipinos stood at 114.27 kilos, or 2.2 kilos per person per week.

Rice also has cultural and historical significance to the Philippines, even as other alternative staples such as bread and noodles are equally readily available. Indeed, for most Filipinos, rice is life. It came as no surprise, then, that a foreign restaurant brand such as Annam, which offers authentic Vietnamese noodles and banh mi sandwiches, would expand its menu to include rice toppings. Seven months after its successful debut in Eastwood, Annam launched its second branch at Resorts World Manila with a revamped menu. “I went to Chef Nam (Quoc Nguyen) in Singapore. I practically begged him to allow us to offer rice meals,” recalled top restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo, who was responsible for bringing Annam to the country. While the sale of Annam’s noodles remained brisk, customers would repeatedly ask if the restaurant would offer rice meals, Magdaluyo said. “Chef Nam asked us for a sampler of possible rice meals. I think, in the end, he was inspired by the ‘silog’ concept while making sure the dishes retained their authentic Asian flavors,” he added. While the Vietnamese, especially those from Ho Chi Minh, are more familiar with the broken rice or com tam – rice that has been fragmented or damaged from the milling process – Annam uses a long-grain variety for its new dishes. “We want to understand the taste buds of Filipinos. There is no denying it – Filipinos want rice,” said Rachel Aw, the Singapore-based franchise operations manager of Les Amis Group behind the Annam brand. The new rice dishes include crispy fried pork chop with classic Vietnamese steamed egg meatloaf (P340); twicecooked Australian beef brisket with imperial meat roll (P390); fried fish fillet in tomato- turmeric sauce with prawn marinated in sugarcane (P320); and sautéed pork belly with prawns and fried egg (P390). Aw said the rice dishes were introduced simultaneously in Annam’s four branches in Jakarta. In fact, the dishes

Annam has opened its second branch at Resorts World Manila, with a revamped menu that now includes rice dishes. Vietnamese pho with sliced chicken, soft boiled egg, liver, and gizzard

call to mind Indonesia’s nasi goreng where fried rice is paired with either dried fish or chicken or prawns with a serving of egg and slices of vegetables such as cucumber. Annam has also introduced a unique Vietnamese classic, the shaking beef in pepper hoisin sauce (P450), or bo lu lac. Its tongue-in-cheek name was derived from the way the wok is “shaken” to sear the meat. The dish is served with thick cut fries, a reflection of the French influence of the Vietnamese cuisine during the colonial period. Famed for its banh mi—the classic French-inspired Vietnamese stuffed baguettes—Annam likewise created three new flavors: twice-cooked Australian beef brisket (P250); crispy fried turmeric chicken (P230); and smoked salmon with tofu and cream cheese

(P250), all topped with traditional pickles, chicken pate, and fresh herbs. Paired with Annam’s signature Vietnamese coffee made from premium robusta coffee beans, the sandwiches are heavy enough for breakfast. Annam has come a long way from the dreams of then seven-year-old Chef Nam who had to flee Saigon in 1979, and whose culinary journey began in Scandinavia where he learned the art of

Annam’s rice dishes were inspired by the Filipino ‘silog’ concept.

fine dining cuisine at the Copenhagen Culinary Institute. He spent almost two decades serving Western cuisine at premier hotels and restaurants across New York and London, before retracing his roots and starting his own Vietnamese noodle bar in Singapore in 2012. Annam’s kitchens in Singapore and Jakarta, where at least 700 bowls of

noodles are served every day to patrons in snake-like queues, and in the Philippines where rice dishes are poised to make a killing, have become busier than ever. But as Chef Nam once said: “This is a good problem to have.” For feedback, send comments to joyce.panares@gmail.com

Best surf and turf in Metro CHOOSE from a wide selection of the finest seafood and meat combo ranging from best-selling shrimp specials to other fun favorites like fish and chips, salads, salmon, baby back ribs, burgers, and so much more. Satisfy your cravings and enjoy your dining experience at the comfort of a fun, vibrant and friendly environment. The restaurant takes inspiration from the movie Forrest Gump. Customers will instantly feel nostalgia with Forrest

Gump references surrounding the area. The space is exactly the way Forrest and Bubba envisioned their restaurant to be: fun, relaxing, friendly and open to everyone who wants to enjoy their shrimps the right way. Bubba Gump’s shrimp specials are instant best-sellers and spread out across the menu. Order your favorite shrimp dish—appetizer, poppers, pasta, tacos, and more. It has enough shrimp to satisfy all kinds of cravings.

The menu is not just limited to shrimp specials. Pair it with meat or other seafood and enjoy surf and turf meals perfect for family gatherings, food trips or random night outs with friends. Choose from appetizers, salads, sandwiches, sides, desserts and Forrest’s favorites. Top-of-mind choices? Try the Grilled Dory Jambalaya, Mama’s Southern Fried Chicken, Backyard BBQ Combo, and Rib Eye and Shrimp Combo. The bartenders are ready to serve

Mama’s Southern Charmed Fried Shrimp is one of Bubba Gump’s best-sellers

End your meal on a sweet note with Hook, Line and Sinker

Try Dixie Style Baby Back Ribs with a glass of draft beer

you with the most vibrant and playful drinks that will either tickle your taste buds or leave you with a light buzz. Try the smoothies like Alabama Sweet Smoothie, Jenny’s Favorite, and Cookie Crumb Magic; juices Mango Sparkler, Lemon-Ups and Fizzy Fun; or something alcoholic like draft beers, Frozen Margaritas, and Coronaritas. The restaurant is the perfect venue to hold company events, family gath-

erings, birthdays and other milestone events. The whole area can be enclosed to give you the privacy you need to celebrate with friends and family. Run, Forrest, Run! You’ll need it after a loaded meal at Bubba Gump. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a meal full of fun, laughter and shrimps. Bubba Gump is on the 2/F Greenbelt 3. Open daily. Call 757-5154for inquiries and reservations.

Life

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Eat green for a healthier you

EALTHY eating is not about strict dietary restrictions, staying thin, or depriving yourself of the food you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and improving your health. Say goodbye to the old you and start eating healthy. If you’re overwhelmed with all the conflicting nutrition and diet advice out there, you’re not alone. By using simple tips, you can cut through the confusion and learn how to create a tasty, varied, and healthy diet that is as good for your mind as it is for your body. Start your day the healthy way with some oatmeal, a great source of fiber, which helps reduce blood pressure if taken daily. Feel free to add flavor with slices of fresh fruits, like bananas, apples and strawberries, or if you want it to be more savory, top it with poached egg and add a pinch of salt or pepper instead of sugar. Eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. Focus on eating the recommended daily minimum of five servings of fruit and vegetables and it will naturally fill you up and help you cut back on unhealthy food. A serving is half a cup of raw fruit or veg or a small apple or banana, for example. Most of us need to double the amount we currently eat. To increase your intake, eat fruit for dessert, swap your usual side dish for a salad, and snack on vegetables such as carrots or cherry tomatoes instead of processed snacks. To ensure you always have a supply of fresh vegetables and fruits, opt for refrigerators designed to help prevent quick food spoilage such as Electrolux NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerators. This refrigerator is perfect if you can’t spare time to visit the market every day because it keeps food market-fresh for up to seven days Its FreshShield Crisper keeps vegetables great-tasting and market-fresh for up to seven days by tightly sealing the shelves, therefore minimizing water

loss, and providing higher humidity. The Electrolux NutriFresh Inverter Refrigerators comes in a variety of models and sizes. The Top Freezer refrigerator is perfect for families of all sizes, allowing maximum fridge storage; whilst the Bottom Freezer is designed to give easy eye level access to the fresh food compartment. The threedoor refrigerators give you even more flexible space with adjustable shelves and bins to store food your way. If you are looking for more ways to incorporate veggies in your lunch or dinner without necessarily preparing a separate veggie dish, here is the common trick you may want to try: add beans and vegetables to bulk up meatbased dishes. Put chopped tomatoes with minced beef on your pasta, or add potatoes, onions and beans to your chunky seafood chowder. Or how about preparing a pizza with vegetable toppings? Make it even healthier by using quinoa flour, olive oil then add kale, tomatoes, baby broccoli and whatever veggies suits your fancy. Preparing food using fresh herbs and spices also helps add flavor and depth to dishes, reducing the need to add more salt and sugar which have bad effects on body if taken too much. And don’t forget to look into healthier cooking oils as well. Avocado oil adds an added taste dimension to salad dressings and can be used for grilling, stir-frying, and sautéing for stronger flavors. Coconut oil, on the other hand, can be used in high-heat cooking or as an alternative for butter when baking. For more ideas on home care and healthy living, visit electrolux.com. ph, and follow instagram.com/electroluxph, and facebook.com/ElectroluxPhilippines.

Love pizza? Eating a slice or two doesn’t have to make you feel guilty by opting for healthy toppings such as broccoli and tomatoes

Be healthy by making simple changes to your diet such as snacking on fruits and adding more vegetables to your meals

New global currency SKD Academy, one of the leading Culinary schools in the Philippines, recently held “Power up! Skills is the new global currency,” the 1st Culinary Summit in Amoranto Theater in Quezon City. The event discussed the different facets of becoming a chef filled with celebration of empowerment. The culinary school believes that being empowered to have skills is the new global currency. To help students acquire new set of skills or enhance their existing culinary skills turning them into a competitive

and the best workforce in the country was the aim of the event. “Passion and hardwork is what drives having a valued skill set. Together, we want you to have as an edge when we conquer the culinary world,” SKD Academy chairman Jefferson Camba said during his opening speech during the summit. The event was a tribute to all of the talents and skills of its students as they raise it to a level that has a potential to go global. For inquiries about SKD Academy, you may contact 0917-5171118 or log

B ITES

‘Tres Leches’ Cake Enjoy not two, but three rich creamy variants of milk with Andrew Café’s Tres Leches Cake. This light dessert is filled and frosted with a blend of caramelized condensed milk, ambrosial evaporated milk, and heavy full cream, making it the perfect partner for an afternoon cup of coffee. Andrew Café has a selection of cakes and pastries from original creation of resident chefs Timothy Robert Gonzalez and Erna Canatoy. For inquiries, orders and reservations, call 230-5100 local 1888. Andrew Café is located at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Taft Campus, corner of Estrada and Leon Guinto Streets, Malate, Manila. It is open Mondays to Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

on to its Facebook page, FB.com/SKD Academy for Culinary Arts. This event was supported by Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc., Universal Robina Corporation, Hunts Tomato Sauce, Tramontina and Asia Brewery (Creamy Delight), among others. Jefferson Camba, Chairman of SKD Academy and Chef Ronel Britania, Executive Chef of Malacañan Palace (fourth and fifth from left) with chef instructors of SKD Academy

Drink healthy, drink grape juice REGULAR exercise and eating the right types of food are the keys to a healthy heart. When it comes to choosing fruits that are good for your heart, go beyond the usual red and opt for the dark purple variety. Research has shown that berries like Concord grapes can help promote heart health because it contains polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants not found in other fruits. These plant nutrients stimulate blood circulation and keeps energy flowing throughout the body. A simple yet effective way of getting your dose of heart-healthy antioxidants is by drinking grape juice. Welch’s has been known as the best choice for grape juice for generations, serving goodness to families for over 140 years. A product of the USA, each bottle of Welch’s is made of 100 percent Concord grapes grown and harvested by about 1,000 family-farmer owners in vine-

yards found across the United States. More than 40 Concord grapes go into an eightounce glass of Welch’s so you can be sure of getting the natural freshness of grapes with each sip. Welch’s 100 percent Grape Juice is also available in other variants: Welch’s 100 percent Grape Juice with Calcium and Welch’s 100 percent Grape Juice with Fiber. Staying healthy with Welch’s is also convenient because it comes in a variety of sizes (64oz, 46oz, 16oz and 10oz) that makes it easier to share with friends and family. Welch’s is distributed by Fly Ace Corporation and is available in all major supermarkets nationwide, Mercury Drug, Watson’s and convenience stores. For more information, email welchsph@ gmail.com and follow Welch’s PH on Facebook.

Savory snack solution THERE are some fast food favorites that come and go from the menu boards since they’re available for a limited time only. Much like Jollibee’s Tuna Pie, its fans have been craving for the return of the country’s no. 1 fast food chain’s cheesy, creamy tuna filling in a crispy, golden brown pie crust making it perfect for a delicious and irresistible treat! The much-awaited Tuna Pie is back. A certified favorite since 2009, the Tuna Pie is the perfect snack to take on-the-go because of its generous filling of chunky tuna flakes, thick, peppery and cheesy sauce with vegetables, encased in a crunchy, crispy golden pie crust that’s sure to leave Tuna Pie fanatics crave for more than just one. The Lenten season here and you can enjoy this savory snack once again for P45 solo. Care to share or have more than one? Tuna Pie is also available in a Trio Pack for P130. Jollibee also offers the Tuna Pie Value Meal, which comes with either a

regular drink at P55 or enjoy it paired with a regular Jolly Crispy Fries and a refreshing drink at P85. The Jollibee Tuna Pie is available for dine-in, take out and delivery for a limited time only. For more updates, follow Jollibee Philippines on Facebook and @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

John Legend and Belvedere (RED) join forces to beat Aids

ITH 600 years of authentic Polish vodka-making tradition, the luxury vodka house, Belvedere, has been passionate about producing only the most premium vodka in the world. This year, the brand gives more meaning to this passion by partnering with RED, an organization co-founded by U2’s Bono that aims to raise awareness and funds to ﬁght HIV/Aids.

Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu lends her talent in an effort to ﬁght Aids

Belvedere has been a proud partner of the non-profit organization since 2011 and it already generated enough money to provide over 30,000 women with access to life-saving treatment that helps stop the transmission of HIV to their babies— but the battle isn’t over and there’s still so much work left to do. Filled with hope, the vodka brand recently launched a campaign called #MakeTheDifference as they pledge to donate 50 percent of the profits from every limited-edition bottle sold to the Global Fund to fight the spread of HIV/ AIDS in Africa. To make this possible, Belvedere brings together two talented artists, musician John Legend and celebrated South African artist Esther Mahlangu. Legend, also chosen to be the Global Ambassador this year, brings his soulful artistic style to the (BELVEDERE) RED campaign, curating a unique program to Make The Difference. Together with Belvedere, he established the values that serve as the foundation of the campaign: unity, security, support and change. These four values embody the collective sentiment for all those joining the fight against HIV/AIDS. He also dedicated his new song “Love Me Now” to the campaign. The beautiful song encourages people to love now and give now in the face of uncertainty of tomorrow. On the limitededition bottle, an inspiring message from Legend reads, “This is no ordinary mission and this is no ordinary bottle. It is filled with hope and an unstoppable spirit for change. Working together, our efforts with (BELVEDERE) RED can make a real difference.” The bottle is decorated with vibrant art and colorful symbols created by Mahlangu who was inspired by the traditional painting style of Ndebele tribe. “I was very excited when I saw Esther’s design for the bottle for the first time. I think it is beautiful and very appealing and combines Esther’s and Belvederes aesthetics. It combines both cultures and the people we are

trying to help,” says Legend. The limited edition bottle costs the same as the regular Belvedere bottle but aside from the beautiful art and Legend’s signature, Belvedere (RED) is special as it gives everyone the power to give back. The special edition Belvedere (RED) bottle is available for purchase at leading supermarkets Belvedere Vodka has partnered with John Legend for its campaign to raise awareness and funds to ﬁght HIV/ Aids

Howie Mandel hosts new game show HOST and executive producer Howie Mandel provides a modern twist to the popular holiday tradition of exchanging gifts in the exciting new game show Take It All on Sony Channel. In the show, each contestant selects and opens a package from an assortment of wrapped gifts containing hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes, such as luxury cars, exotic trips, jewelry, and more. The next player then has to decide if he should steal the prize that’s already been opened or go for a mystery prize, hoping it could be worth more. At the end of each round, the contestant with the least valuable prize is eliminated. In the ﬁnal round, things get even

more interesting when the two remaining contestants ﬁnd out if chance favors any of them as they are faced with the toughest decisions they will ever make. Feel the pressure as contestants think about whether to keep what they have or steal what they don’t. Find out who goes home with what and who goes home asking why as contestants ponder on life-changing choices that could cost them nothing, something, or everything. Take It All airs 7 p.m. weeknights. Sony Channel is available on Sky Cable Channel 35, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cignal Channel 120, and Cablelink Channel 39.

Canadian comedian Howie Mandel hosts Sonny Channel's newest game show, "Take It All"

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, March 6, 2017

ACROSS 1 Sir — Guinness 5 Furnishings 10 Calendar abbr. 14 Go it alone 15 In reserve 16 Stand up 17 Lose interest 18 Acted up 20 Refine, as copper 22 French article 23 States positively 24 Freeway cloggers 26 Bronze or Iron 27 Passive restraint device 29 Different 33 Sewing kit item 34 — Khayyam 35 PBS funder 36 Weeded 37 Of the Arctic 39 Baby seals 40 Charged particle 41 Fashion 42 Pierre’s sweetheart 44 Hospital-clean 46 Reprimands 47 Lime cooler 48 Fiddled idly 49 Threw 52 — you sure?

53 Marble blocks 57 “Murder in the Cathedral” setting 60 Shah’s land 61 Candy striper 62 Sibling’s daughter 63 Ricci of fashion 64 Marched along 65 Sprinkle 66 Breathe hard DOWN 1 Copperhead’s relatives 2 Garden soil 3 “Vogue” rival 4 Nabbed 5 Equine mother 6 Play wrap-up (var.) 7 Packing crates 8 Poet’s eyes 9 Hwy. 10 Globetrot 11 Honey factory 12 Software purchaser 13 Ohio baseball team 19 Snert’s master 21 Brass instrument 25 Young frog

26 Mayhem 27 Not give — — 28 Papas or Dunne 29 Ms. Thurman 30 Toughen up 31 French Legion headgear 32 Relieve tension 33 Not that 34 Pamplona shout 38 Kind of poem 39 Selling 41 Gnat 43 Gets a move on 45 Carried on

46 Force 48 Straighter 49 Chase-away word 50 Bear’s pad 51 Loosen 52 Somewhat (2 wds.) 54 Libretto feature 55 Outlaws 56 Break 58 HMO staffers 59 Somber evergreen

PIOLO, TONI in a new movie INSTEAD of starring in the soap Written in Our Stars, Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga will be featured in a movie. “Remember, we were supposed to do said soap last year, only, I got pregnant so it had to be shelved. But based on the latest development, we are to make a film to be directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal. In fact, we recently had a story conference and it’s cool!” Were she and PJ given a hint that they’d be in a new movie? “On the contrary, this project came out as a surprise. Out of nowhere, it just landed onto (sic) our laps. Actually, I was supposed to do a different film then all of a sudden, the direction changed and everything fell into its proper place. I’m really happy about it.” Perhaps, this project was destined to be than the soap. “Well, maybe. First of all, our schedules fitted perfectly. We’re looking at smooth-sailing taping sessions once the cameras start to grind. In addition to that, I like the story line. The script is so beautiful, the type that I wouldn’t want to miss.” This early, the talented singer-host-actress is very excited with the project. “Who wouldn’t be? When Piolo got on board, wow! Then Direk Joyce. Inang Olive (Lamasan) is also involved with the movie. She’s hands-on with it actually. Considering all these, I feel that it’s a nice replacement to the soap Piolo and I were originally supposed to do.” Many ask what the difference in her shooting schedule will be now that she’s a homemaker already. “Yes, I was asked about that especially that I’m breast-feeding my baby. Actually, it’s still light at this point because the play date of the movie is still far. We’ll be shooting twice a week since I still have my hosting assignment for Pinoy Big Brother so, I don’t see any hassle in the coming days,” ends Toni. ******** Daiana Menezes is happy and proud to be chosen as the host of GMA News TV’s latest offering, the reality show titled The Fiercest of Them All, which has models as contestants. “I’m really excited because it’s a groundbreaking show. It has a fresh concept, which is uniquely Filipino. For sure, the viewers will be treated to a grand presentation with production values that resemble a motion picture. It’s simply cool,” she avers. How would the movie-like aspect come in? “Actually, in the fictional story within the realm of reality TV, I play the role of a queen who’s searching for the fiercest of them all. The story happens in my world, which has the fantasy element. When I do the challenges with the contestants, I’m in the real world. So you see, I cross worlds which makes the show intriguing.” There are seven alluring models vying for the title of being “The Fiercest of Them All.” “Yes! They are Betsy, Krisha, Christine, Peru, Candice, Aya and Tanya. They will go through the challenges and you will get excited, laugh and cry with their journey. But if you’re thinking that they are all the ones competing for the prize, viewers are in for lots of twists and surprises as the show goes along. You better watch each episode!” Shot in its entirety in Camp Kanawan in Morong, Bataan, the new reality show has a distinct composition of judges. “Yes, we have Matthias Rhoads, the new showbiz hottie who made waves after appearing as the groom in a popular Valentine commercial for a fast food chain. Apart from being a model, he’s a fitness trainer as well. Bea Jocom, a fashion writer and stylist is also part of the squad. Then, we have fashion designer Manu Respal also known as Doggficher whose creations made it to the pages of Vogue Italia.’They will provide the thrills as they critique each contestant,” says Daiana.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2017

What HOLLYWOOD’S BRIGHTEST STARS

wore at the Oscars

American actress Kate Bosworth stuns in teal gown at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Dashing "Hidden Figures" star Glen Powell suits up for the red carpet event

HAT did Terrence Howard, Glen Powell, and Kate Bosworth wear when they attended the Academy Awards in Hollywood?

Piaget timepieces, naturally. They were a favorite once again among Hollywood’s leading men at the 89th annual Academy Awards. Longtime friend of the Maison, Terrence Howard, chose the Piaget Dancer Skeleton 38mm timepiece in 18-carat white gold set with diamonds, while his wife, Mira Pak, accompanied him wearing a Piaget Secrets and Lights necklace in 18-carat white gold set with 195 diamonds. The dashing Glen Powell, known for his role as John Glenn in Hidden Figures, was the picture of understated elegance in the Piaget Altiplano 38mm Platinum timepiece. Arriving at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, Kate Bosworth looked every bit the princess in an Extremely Piaget high jewelry necklace and bracelet, Piaget Rose earrings and matching ring, all in 18-carat white gold set with diamonds. Also in attendance was Sam Heughan, wearing the Piaget Altiplano Skeleton in white gold. Model Shanina Shaik sparkled at the 25th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards party in Limelight Garden Party necklace in 18-carat white gold and emeralds and Gem of Roses emerald ring to match her chic green gown. *** ABS-CBN announced its latest acquisition of Asia’s biggest hit series – Love in the Moonlight, Legend of the Blue Sea, Hwoarang, Weightlifting Fairy, Goblin,W, and Doctors. Evelyn Raymundo, head of ABS-CBN integrated acquisitions and international sales and distribution, shared the news before hundreds of communications students from different schools at the recently concluded 11th Pinoy Media Congress. The auditorium was ﬁlled with loud cheers as Raymundo showed trailers of these Asianovela hits. Love in the Moonlight airs very soon with Korea’s breakout love team Park Bo Gum and Kim Joo Yung in a funny and romantic story of a crown prince who falls in love with a young woman disguised as a eunuch. It is one of the most anticipated Korean dramas by Filipino Asianovela fans. The clamor is so high that lead star Bo Gum’s supposedly private and personal visit to Cebu recently was welcomed by screaming fans and even trended on Twitter Philippines. International superstar Lee Min Ho, meanwhile, is back with one of Korea’s top leading ladies, Jun Ji Hyun in a

"Love in the Moonlight" is a coming-of-age story and youth romance set during 19th-century Korea

different love story about a mermaid in love with a human in Legend of the Blue Sea. Fans of Train to Busan lead star Gong Yoo will see him again this time as an immortal protector of souls in hit series Goblin. ISAH V. RED The Asianovela craze continues with the coming of age sports drama Weightlifting Fairy, and a kilig-ﬁlled series that features an elite group of young, handsome men devoted to defend the king in Hwarang. Fantasy drama W starring Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyojoo is also coming as well as Doctors starring Park Shin Hye and Kim Rae Won. It tells the story of a woman pulled inside the parallel world of a webtoon his father created, where she meets the lead character Kang Cheol. Meanwhile, medical drama Doctors features the romantic story between a reckless rebel turned neurosurgery fellow and her mentor. For more updates on upcoming Asianovelas on ABS-CBN, follow @Kapamilanovela on Twitter or like the ofﬁcial Kapamilyanovela Facebook page at http://www.facebook. com/ABSCBNKapamilyanovelas.

‘‘Doctors’’ is a South Korean medical drama starring Kim Rae-won and Park Shin-hye

"Goblin" which features a stellar cast is the second highest rated drama in Korean cable television history

"Weightlifting Fairy" is a sports drama inspired by the life of a South Korean Olympic gold-medalist

Terrence Howard and wife Mira arrive at the 89th Academy Awards

Why celebrities prefer the Fibr experience DO YOU know what is common in the huge and sprawling mansions of the country’s rich and famous celebrities and their friends? Apart from the posh furnishings, designer bric-a-bracs, high-end decors, state of the art gadgets and contraptions, there is a super-fast Wiﬁ connection that gives them an enviable Internet experience. After all, what’s a posh home nowadays, without powerful Internet connection? Make no mistake. The Internet power is due mainly to their PLDT HOME Fibr connection, truly the best the country has to offer. Ask big celebrities like Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, fashion icon Tweetie de Leon Gonzales, TV actress Denise Laurel, and singer-turned media consultant Franco Laurel, among many others. They will attest to the power that is PLDT HOME Fibr. And while all of them are at it, in comes the latest, most powerful wireless router called D-Link TriBand Gigabit in their midst. Simply put, their ultra-fast Fibr can now “cut through the walls” of their homes, eliminating signal barriers for a seamless, uninterrupted and enjoyable connection anywhere they are in their mansions all throughout the day. It is fast gaining popularity in high-end neighborhoods because it is simply the ideal router for homes with multiple and demanding connection requirements. Every member of the family can now do lag-free gaming, seamless HD streaming of their favorite Netﬂix and iFlix shows, high-speed browsing of multiple websites at once, or watch HD Cignal digital channels as they move around their home without any connection interruption.

No wonder PLDT HOME, the country’s leading telco, has once again put the competition in a catch-up position. Celebrity mommies out there also get a kick out of the easy-access, easy-to-manipulate feature and how it can give them peace of mind by running Home security devices such as the Fam Cam and the Fam Zone, even while they are away from the home. The network settings can just as easily be controlled — enable parental controls, block unwanted devices and create Wi-Fi guest networks — with an easy-tomanage interface. Users can even remotely manage interface from a smart phone or tablet. PLDT VP and Head of Marketing Gary Dujali said during the recent launch at Shang-rila The Fort, “we remain true to our commitment to our subscribers. Our track record will show that indeed, PLDT HOME provides only the best, strongest and fastest Wi-Fi connections at home through world-class broadband services. But more than that, we want them to know that there is no let-up on our end to give them convenient access to technologies and devices so they can make the most out of their Fibr-fast internet experience. The D-Link Router is an easy-to-install and easy-to-use device that will definitely level up the Internet experience of our Fibr subscribers.” PLDT Home Fibr has the widest fiber coverage in the Philippines, now reaching over 2.7 million homes from Luzon to as far as Mindanao. By end of the year, PLDT HOME would be marking a record of staggering 4.4 million homes connected through Fibr. A powerful feat indeed from the country’s most powerful broadband. For more information, log on to pldthome.com/fibr.