The Standard - 2015 April 14 - Tuesday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX  NO. 58  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  TUESDAY : APRIL 14, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

DOH: Milk tea deaths were isolated cases

China reef destruction worth $100m

‘IQBAL VIOLATED BANKING LAWS’ Next page

Senate hearing on the BBL. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is shown in a huddle with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal during the Senate hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law on Monday. EY ACASIO

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‘Iqbal violated banking laws’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE use of aliases by leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is no small matter, because MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal violated the law when he used an alias to open a bank account, Senator Francis Escudero said Monday during the resumption of the hearings on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). But government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer again defended the MILF leadership’s use of aliases and said even former President Joseph Estrada, who was born Jose Marcelo Ejercito, signed officials documents during his tenure under an alias. During the resumption of the hearing of the Senate committee on local government, Escudero asked Iqbal if he has bank accounts under the name Mohagher Iqbal. “The Anti-Money Laundering Law prohibits the use of aliases and you can can only use your real name. So even in bank accounts, you’re using Iqbal?” “Yes,” Iqbal answered. But Ferrer defended Iqbal’s use of an alias saying there had never been any question as to who the “Mister Iqbal” in the peace process was. She also said identity does not only involve the name, but had to do with biomet-

rics—fingerprints and the face. “I don’t think there is a mask that disguises his real face. He can be called by different names but the fact remains that he is the one and the same person who signed this document,” Ferrer said. Marcos replied: “Well, that is perhaps acceptable to those who are familiar with him, but there are millions more who are not. That is why this issue about his true name becomes important,” he said. “You know who he is. You have seen him everyday for a long time, fine. but the rest of us do not. You have to understand that there is this concern. We’re not sure whom we are dealing with. Yes, we are sure that he is the designated chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, but we do not even know his name. That seems to me a very unusual and peculiar situation,” Marcos added. Iqbal had earlier begged senators led by

Marcos not to compel him to reveal his true identity, citing security risks to him and his family. “We use nom de guerre to protect myself, my family, and the struggle. If I was harmed and killed, perhaps I would not be here in this august body,” said Iqbal, adding that the situation behind his using an alias was complicated. But he said the government knows his real identity. He said the government has known everything about him since he was engaging the government for 42 years. “Nothing can be hidden from the government. They know it. I think the government should answer for that,’’ he said. He related that when they started their revolutionary struggle, the situation was very difficult, and that many of his relatives were arrested and incarcerated. “That gave enough reason for anyone, really to adopt measures that would ensure that their security is not compromised,” he said. He has been using his nom de guerre since February 1979 when the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos invited to Malacañang representatives from the Hashim Salamat faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which would later be named the MILF.

‘’Already four presidents, from Ramos to Estrada, Arroyo and Aquino, this nom de guerre has never been questioned. It is part of confidence-building,’’ Iqbal said. But Marcos emphasized that using an alias does not inspire confidence. Iqbal replied that he would divulge his true name when the BBL is passed into law. When the BBL is passed by Congress and hopefully ratified, that will be the time everything will normalize and we can disclose everything, including our identities. But at this point in time, I request this honorable body not to compel me to disclose my identity,’’ he said. Ferrer and presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles came to the defense of Iqbal, saying his use of an alias was part of his right to privacy. “There are privacy and security issues here. There is a right to privacy of any public official,” said Ferrer. Deles on the other hand said Iqbal is a very public person who does have a family and children that carry his name. “We know that the MILF still has enemies,” said Deles who admitted that she didn’t know his true identity. Ferrer said she had known Iqbal’s real name due to her study of the Moro struggle. With Vito Barcelo and Sandy Araneta

Certification. President Benigno Aquino III beams as TESDA Director General Emmanuel Joel Villar receives the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate from TUV SUD Philippines general manager Femelyn Lati in Malacañang. With them is Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. Malacañang Photo Bureau

Senate panel promises to drop controversial provisions of BBL By Macon Ramos-Araneta

JUST like the House of Representatives, the Senate Committee on Local Government will also drop some provisions in the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law to remedy perceived violations of the Constitution, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday. Marcos said the provisions to be deleted in the Senate version of the bill are the ones allowing the creation of Bangsamoro constitutional bodies, like a Commission on Elections, Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission, and another one allowing the crea-

tion of a Bangsamoro Police Force. A third provision, the one on wealthsharing, will be amended so that the right of other local government units to a share of the national income. Marcos said he will also propose the inclusion of a provision requiring Bangsamoro officials to pledge allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and 1987 Constitution, as provided in a provision of the organic law of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “I will introduce it as an amendment. Now we return to BBL the provision in the ARMM organic law that they continue to pledge allegiance to

the Republic of the Philippines and that it will not be used as a first step for secession,” Marcos said. The senator stressed that people should be disabused of the belief that the BBL will be a “magic pill” that will cure all the problems of Mindanao. “I think that is our point that has been already raised, that we have raised many times. We go back and we have said that we have to take another perspective on this, and understand that BBL in and of itself is not that magic bullet, or magic pill that will fix all our problems,” Marcos said. “There are still many other issues that must be discussed,” he added.

Marcos announced the looming changes to the BBL after congressmen revealed that nine provisions in the draft BBL will be dropped from the House version of the law. Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco announced that the controversial provisions should be deleted and if the MILF claims that is unacceptable “then game over.” Cojuangco said congressmen also want to delete the provisions allowing the creation of the Bangsamoro’s own Comelec, COA and CSC plus the provisions allowing the creation of the Bangsamoro’s own Commission on Human Rights and Ombudsman.

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Abus still holding 6 captives for ransom

Resumption. Lawyer Willie Rivera, representing Globe Asiatique’s Delfin Lee, and Pag-IBIG president Darlene Marie Berberabe testify at the resumption of the Senate inquiry on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2 and other alleged anomalies on Monday. Ey AcAsio

Trillanes urges Senate probe of Binay ‘bribes’ By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV asked the Senate Monday to investigate his allegations that Appeals Court Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Francisco Acosta took bribes of P25 million each to stop the Ombudsman from carrying out its suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. over corruption charges. Since “serious allegations have recently surfaced that the Binay camp paid off certain CA justices to rule in their favor,” Trillanes said, the Senate committee on justice and human rights led by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III should investigate the matter. In a statement, the Court of Appeals Sixth Division denied taking any bribes and warned Trillanes against making baseless accusations that were tantamount to harassment.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, the mayor’s father, also denounced Trillanes for making false and malicious allegations. Reacting to Trillanes’ call, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said the Senate does not have the power to investigate the CA justices, and said the senator must file his complaint against the justices before the Supreme Court. “If they have evidence, we will help them. But it should be hard

evidence and not hearsay. If there’s none, then they should stop the insinuation that will destroy the judiciary as an institution,” said Vicente Joyas, the national president of the IBP. Joyas said the national organization of lawyers will initiate its own inquiry into the bribery allegations on April 22 and would invite Trillanes to shed light on his accusations. Trillanes, quoting unnamed sources, said lawyer Arthur Villaraza facilitated the bribe, with Reyes and Acosta receiving an initial P20 million each for issuing a temporary restraining order against the Office of the Ombudsman. When the Ombudsman and the Department of Interior and Local Government did not heed the TRO, Reyes and Acosta were given P5 million each to issue a writ of preliminary injunction,

Trillanes said. Villaraza, whom Trillanes accused of facilitating the bribes, challenged the senator to show proof to support his “libelous claim.” “Villaraza & Angangco vehemently denies the baseless allegations of Senator Trillanes against Pancho Villaraza regarding the decision of the Court of Appeals on the Binay injunction. Mayor Junjun Binay is not a client of the firm, and specifically, the firm does not represent the mayor in the cases filed against him,” said V&A Law managing partner Bienvenido Somera Jr. in a statement. “In the spirit of fairness and in accordance with due process, we challenge Senator Trillanes to reveal who his ‘reliable sources’ are, and more importantly to produce proof to support his libelous statements,” the statement added. With Vito Barcelo

UP TO 80 members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf are guarding at least six people— including three Filipinos—who are being held for ransom, an official said Monday. But Col. Alan Arrojado, head of the Joint Task Group Sulu, declined to comment if there was a seventh person being held for ransom by the group of Abu Sayyaf commander Radullan Sahiron. Police and military authorities have said they are still verifying a report that Mayor Gemma Adana of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay, who was kidnapped recently by the group of Waning Abdusalam, a lost command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, has been delivered to the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu. On Sunday, Armed Forces spokesman Joselito Kakilala said the military and police had impounded three unregistered double-engine boats in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, that were believed to have been used by the group of Abnar Abdusalam, brother of Waning, in Adana’s abduction. Arrojado said Sahiron had at least eight sub-commanders under his command with 250 to 300 men. Six of the sub-leaders have been identified as Hatib Hadjan Sawadjaan, Hairulla Asbang, Toma Idjas, Jamiri Jaong Jawhari, Hassan Agil, and Said Mohammad alias Amah Maas. Arrojado said his troops were being extra careful when hunting the Abu Sayyaf to avoid injuring or even causing the death of the kidnap victims. The Abu Sayyaf are believed to be still holding Ewold Horn, a Dutch national; Yahung Chen, a FilipinoChinese; Joshua Bani, 21, from Tawi-Tawi; Nwi Seong Hong, a Korean national; Emeil Jaid, 7, a Tausug; and Renato Fernadez, a retired Philippine Marine. “The bandits are highly mobile with their kidnap victims in tow. Sometimes they converge, sometimes they move in groups every time our pursuing troops pinpoint their location,” Arrojado said. Florante s. solmerin

VP’s rating drops to all-time low By sandy Araneta and Maricel V. cruz VICE PRESIDENT Jejomar Binay’s public satisfaction rating dropped to an all-time low during the first quarter of 2015, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed Monday. Binay’s net satisfaction rating dropped 13 points from his December 2014 net rating of +44 to March 2015 net rating of +31. This score is still categorized as “good” under the SWS scale, however. This was the fourth straight quarter in which Binay’s ratings dropped

since he obtained a score of +73 in June 2014. This dropped to 67 in June 2014, 52 in September 2014 and 44 in Deceber 2014. Respondents satisfied with Binay fell to 58 percent in the first quarter of 2015, from a previous 65 percent in December 2014. Those dissatisfied with Binay went up to 28 percent during the first quarter of 2015, from 20 percent in December 2014. Senate President Franklin Drilon’s ratings improved during the first quarter of 2015, rising to “good” from a “moderate” rank in December 2014. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. maintained

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a net satisfaction rating at “moderate” with +12 in March 2015, from +11 in December 2014. A total of 38 percent were satisfied with Belmonte, an increase from 36 percent in December 2014. Those dissatisfied increased slightly to 26 percent in March 2015 from 25 percent in December 2014. Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s net satisfaction rating remained “moderate”, dropping to +10 in March 2015 from a previous of +11 in December 2014. Those satisfied with Sereno increased to 38 percent in March 2015, from 36 percent in December 2014.

Turnover. Mrs. Juliette Gomez Romualdez, mother of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, turns over a wheelchair and a bag of goods to 97-year-old Pomposa Musca of Tanauan, Leyte. VER NoVENo

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Ex-reporter shot dead in Batangas By Francisco Tuyay A FORMeR journalists was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding gunman at noon Monday in Batangas City and the police are investigating whether her killing was connected with her earlier reports against illegal gambling in the province. The victim, 41-year-old Melinda Magsino, died from a gunshot wound on the head, Batangas police director Sr. Supt. Jireh Fidel said. Fidel said a caliber .45 slug was recovered from the crime scene. The gunman was reportedly on board a white Honda motorcycle with no license plate. According to Supt. Manuel Castillo, Batangas City police chief, the victim was employed as a therapist at the time she was killed. “We have yet to determined the real motive of the killing of Magsino, including whether it is connected to her previous work as a journalist,” Castillo added. Malacañang, for its part, condemned the killing of the former journalist. “The police are investigating the circumstances behind the murder of Ms. Magsino,” presidential spokesman edwin Lacierda said. In January, journalist Nerlita Ledesma of the newspaper Abante was shot at close range by two motorcycle-riding killers in Bataan. The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines said that if Ledesma’s death was proven to be related to her work as a journalist, the incident would bring to 31 the total number of journalists slain under the Aquino administration.

Between a rock and open space. Tourists try rock climbing at a limestone formation in Sagada, Mountain Province which is becoming a popular destination for outdoor activities. DAVID CHAN

China destroyed $100m in reclamation, DFA says By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Philippines on Monday slammed China’s massive reclamation activities which are causing irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. The construction works have destroyed 300 acres of coral reefs, resulting in an estimated $100 million in annual economic losses to coastal states, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said. “China’s massive reclamation activities are causing

irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea,” Jose said. He also accused China of tolerating environmentally harmful methods among its fishermen in Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing

ground that it has controlled since 2012, following a tense maritime standoff with the Philippines. Satellite photos from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released last week also showed a flotilla of Chinese vessels dredging sand onto Mischief Reef -- which is claimed by Manila. Jose said this highlighted the speed of China’s massive reclamation which threatens to dilute rival claims of smaller governments like the Philippines. On Monday he raised alarm over his Chinese counterpart, Hua Chunying’s, comments last week

saying the reclamation would serve Beijing’s military and defence needs. “Such statements by China only serve to raise the spectre of increasing militarisation and threaten peace and stability in the region,” he said. The Philippines maintains that China’s claim to almost the entire South China Sea, based on its nine-dash-line map, is illegal, he added. “We call on China to stop the reclamation activities and to be mindful of its responsibilities as a claimant state and an important member of the international community.” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin also said Beijing’s massive reclamation

works have huge effects on security in the Asia Pacific region. “That has a big effect on regional security,” Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday. “The region will be affected in terms of freedom of navigation, freedom of air space.” “We are worried and we continue to stick to our initial reaction which is to apply the rule of law,” Gazmin added. Meanwhile, two members of the left-leaning Makabayan Bloc welcomed the growing international support the Philippines is gaining against China’s reclamation activities.

Airlines missing flight schedules

Anniversary visitor. Marikina City Mayor Del De Guzman (right) gives a

pair of Marikina-made shoes to Israeli Ambassador Ephraim Ben-Matityahu during the city’s 385th founding anniversary. MANNY PALMERO

AVIATION officials have asked the various airlines to discuss ways of limiting flight delays that cause traffic congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Officials from the Manila International Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Civil Aeronautics Board met with the representatives of the airline companies on Friday last week to discuss how to minimize the flight delays at the terminals. MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, who initiated the meeting, reiterated his appeal to the airlines to meet their flight schedules to avoid inconveniencing their passengers and clogging the

terminals. He said the delays were mainly caused by the prolonged aircraft servicing on the ground and late arrivals, while air traffic congestion was due mainly to the difficulty of handling too many aircraft at the terminals. He said there was traffic congestion at the airport even in the early morning hours, and what causes the delays was the airlines’ repeated failure to meet their flight schedules. He presented the daily logs of the airline companies to validate his claim. “Should the first wave of flights from 4 am to 7 am be delayed, this will also affect the succeeding flights of the

day,” Honrado said. From a three-day average in January this year, 27 flights were delayed during the first wave, and that caused an average of 103 delayed flights for the rest of the day. Similarly, 10 delayed flights were recorded from a threeday average in February, causing 45 delayed flights throughout the day. Honrado said the NAIA was able to accommodate all f lights, and he appealed to the airline companies to meet their f light schedules. In 2014 a total of 236,442 arriving and departing flights were recorded at the airport, or an average of 648 flights a day. Eric B. Apolonio

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Milk-tea poisoning isolated case, says Health By Macon Araneta HEALTH Secretary Janette Garin on Monday said no toxic substance was found in the milk tea which allegedly poisoned two people in Manila. It was an “isolated case,” Garin said. “Let me emphasize that this is isolated. In fact, this is the third time the couple bought milk tea from the same food establishment. No untoward incident happened during the previous intake,” said Garin. The Health chief said tests showed the samples of milk tea did not contain toxic substances. However, the DOH expanded the tests to include biological samples such as blood, tissues, and gastric contents from the victims as collected during the autopsy. A victime in the milk-tea incident, Arnold Aydalla, 34, has remained in stable condition at the Philippine General Hospital. His girlfriend, Suzaine Dagohoy, 28, vomitted and collapsed after taking a sip of the milk tea bought from Ergo Cha Milk Tea House on Bustos Street last Thursday. The owner of the tea house, William Abrigo, 57, also died when he took a sip after the couple complained that the tea tasted different. Garin said the DOH, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and toxicologists from the UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH), studied the footage from the food store to help them assess the clinical manifestations and course of illness of the victims. She said samples of the milk tea ingested by the victims were also submitted for examination. Garin appealed to the public not to generalize the situation as many small and medium scale enterprises are dependent on the sale of milk tea and similar beverages.

Health Secretary Janette Garin (right along with Dr. Visitacion Antonio of East Avenue Medical Center and Manila City Dr. Benjamin Yson assures the public that the “poisoning” incident in a milk-tea store in Manila is an isolated case even as she says that more tests of samples will be conducted by experts . Inset, policemen inspect the milk-tea store to gather evidence of the alleged poisoning. DANNY PATA

Perjury, graft raps set vs Mindanao guv By Rey Requejo

AN UNDERSECRETARY of the Department of Justice is planning to file perjury and other criminal charges against Maguindanao Gov. Ismael Mangudadatu for allegedly fabricating a bribery case against him and other prosecutors handling the Maguindanao massacre case. Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan said he would meet with the prosecutors who were also falsely accused of bribery to determine the legal options they can take against Mangudadatu and his lawyers, Nena Santos and Gemma Oquendo. “All options are now being carefully studied,” Baraan said. “But, let me say this: I cannot forgive Nena Santos and her cohorts. They will be made to answer for their madness. I will be meeting with Atty. Harry Roque, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor, and the Ampatuan pannel of prosecutors to discuss our legal moves,” he added. The DoJ official also did not rule out the possibility

that Mangudadatu’s brother, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, will be charged as well. The witness against Baraan and the prosecutors, Jerammy Joson, recently recanted her statement, adding that she was only used by the camp of Mangudadatu. In her five-page affidavit submitted to the Justice department, Joson admitted fabricating charges against Baraan and some of the prosecutors upon orders of Santos and Oquendo. Joson said the supposed notebook allegedly bearing the records of the payoffs made to the DOJ official and other prosecutors was merely “concocted.”

“They would often tell me that they had to find a way to destroy Undersecretary Baraan and that I should help them for such purpose,” Joson said in her affidavit. “I also learned that Attorney Nena Santos, Attorney Gemma Oquendo and Governor Toto have an axe to grind against Undersecretary Baraan, that they want him out of the Ampatuan case by taking away the trust of Secretary De Lima on him, so they would use me to destroy the reputation of Baraan and file charges against him,” she added. Joson has already withdrawn the graft and corruption cases she filed against Baraan before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Comelec workers want ‘insider’ as chairman By Sara D. Fabunan WORKERS at the Commission on Elections on Monday urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to consider an “insider” as the new Comelec chief to remove suspicions of partisanship. In a statement, the ComelecEmployees’ Union (ComelecEU) urged the President to appoint commissoners from the ranks of the agency. “We reiterate our appeal for the appointment of insiders to the poll body leadership,” the Comelec-EU said. “If only to cast doubts of

partiality, the President should prioritize the appointment of insiders to vacant Comelec posts,” the statement added. Last Sunday, acting Comelec Chairman Christian Robert Lim called on Aquino to immediately appoint the new poll chairman and two commissioners. Lim said the appointment of new poll officials is already necessary since the remaining commissioners want the incoming appointees to have a say in their decisions related to the 2016 national and local elections. Last February 2, Chairman

Sixto Brillantes, and Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph retired after completing their seven-year terms. This left Lim along with Commissioners Luie Guia and Al Parreno as the remaining members of the Comelec en banc. The union nominated Comelec Region 5 Director Romeo Fortes to become a commissioner. The group noted that the nomination of Fortes has the full support from them, the Provincial Election Supervisors Association of the Philippines

(PESAP) and the Comelec Regional Election Directors Organization (CREDO). The Comelec-EU also said that it was under Fortes’ leadership as Special Action Officer for the Province of Maguindanao, a failure of elections was prevented at South Upi during the 2005 election in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. In 2014, Fortes was cited by the Comelec for his exemplary leadership in Comelec Region V, the region with zero Anti-Red Tape Law complaints filed against any of its personnel.

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A6 QC hall workers get bonus QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Monday announced the release of the mid-year bonus for over 5,000 permanent employees of the city government before school opening. He gave the regular workers the assurance of the release of their benefits not later than May 30. He said he has already signed a memorandum as early as April 6, ordering the city budget, accounting and treasury heads to release all available funds needed for the payment of the benefits. The grant of the benefits in compliance with the circulars of the Department of Budget and Management could be able to help parents send their children to school this school year and to cope with the various school expenses, he said. Bautista said the mid-year bonus is equivalent to onehalf of the employee’s monthly basic salary, plus the onehalf of the P5,000 cash gift. The remaining half will be given to the employees in November, he said. Those covered by the incentive are all elective and appointive regular city-paid personnel who have rendered at least four months of service to the citry government, inclusive of leaves of absence with pay from Jan. 1 to April 30 of this year. Personnel who are employed on a part-time basis are also entitled to said benefits, corresponding to the salary he or she is presently receiving and a prorata amount of the cash gift, provided they have rendered the minimum four-month service requirement. Employees with pending administrative cases who qualify otherwise, shall also be entitled to these benefits provided that they are not on suspension or preventive suspension as of the cut-off date for the submission of names to the city personnel office, which will oversee the payroll preparation. Rio Araja

Sison, 83 AMY dela Cruz Sison, widow of the late Press Secretary Jess Sison, passed away on April 13, 2015. She was born on June 24, 1932. Sison graduated at the University of Santo Tomas in 1955 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. Sison hailed from Lingayen, Pangasinan and was crowned Miss Lingayen in 1952. She lived most of her life in Quezon City, where she lovingly raised four successful children namely Milen S. de Quiros, Dr. Jesus C. Sison Jr., Amyliza S. Bueza, and Jera Sison. Her body lies in state at the Loyola Chapels Commonwealth. Mass will be held every 7 pm during the four-day wake. Interment will be on April 16, Thursday.

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Independent bloc moves to suspend K 12 program By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House Independent Bloc will initiate the filing of a measure suspending the implementation of the K to 12 program of the Aquino administration. The Bloc’s leader Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte said the ambitious curriculum of the Education department as prescribed under the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013,” or the “K to 12 Act” would only be good and effective if facilities in public education are prepared to accommodate the millions of students in public schools who are still reeling from perennial

problems, especially overcrowding. Romualdez pointed out that K to 12 program could exacerbate the problems on high student-teacher ratio, lack of classrooms, low salary of teachers, shortage of school materials, among other things. “The K to 12 is a good program to raise our educational standard in public schools, but it is in the best interest of the country now

for Congress to consider suspending its implementation,” Romualdez said. “The K to 12 program is definitely an ambitious program given the existing very poor facilities that we have nowadays,” said Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association. Romualdez lamented that poor families already have financial difficulties sending their children to public schools resulting in a great number of dropouts. “This K to 12 program will increase dropouts as the additional two years of learning inevitably carries additional cost to parents,” Romualdez said as expressed serious concern about the

plight of 85,000 college professors and employees facing threats of retrenchment with the full implementation of the program next year. This 2015-2016 school year will be the fourth year of implementing the K to 12 curriculum and 2016-2017 school year will be the first year of implementing grade 11 or fifth year in high school. Romualdez said that poor quality of public education system would only be addressed by first solving the fundamental problems that we have cited.” This developed as House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. defended the Aquino administration’s K to 12 program and rejected the propos-

al to suspend the program. “We have give them the law and it cannot be suspended anyway just like that we have to go to process. Based on discussions, I think they are on the right track,” Belmonte said. Belmonte also expressed belief that the program under the stewardship of Education Secretary Armin Luistro will “reform” the education system in the country. Luistro had said the department is confident the K to 12 program will forge ahead, adding that prayers are also needed for the successful implementation of 5th Year (Grade 11) and 6th Year (Grade 12).

Cityof Good Samaritans. Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard J. Gordon and PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn T. Pang commend the City of Dreams

Manila for working with the foremost humanitarian organization in ensuring a sufficient supply of blood. The PRC Rizal Chapter Parañaque Branch collected a total of 160 blood units from the employees during the bloodletting held last April 8. Also in the photo are (from left): Anson Ong, PRC RIZAL Chapter Paranaque Branch Chairman; Hon. Edwin L. Olivarez, Parañaque City Mayor; and Wilma Estaura, Vice President for Human Resources, City of Dreams.

4 indicted for AFP clothing scam By Rio Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on Monday indicted four ex-Marine officers for alleged involvement in a combat clothing allowance scam 15 years ago. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan against retired Col. Renato Miranda, Lt. Col. Jeson Cabatbat, Major Adelo Jandayan and Captains Felicisimo Millado and Edmundo Yurong. Miranda and company

were accused of anomalous utilization of the combat clothing allowance and individual equipment allowance of P36,768,028.95 intended for the benefit of the Philippine Marine Corps enlisted personnel. In December 1999, the CCIE allowance of P43.5 million was released by the Philippine Navy and was liquidated through the payroll system, and not as cash advances of the enlisted personnel. Miranda, Cabatbat, Jandayan, Millado and Yurong said that of the P43.5million, P32.9 million was paid to suppliers and P4.2 million was used to defray other expenses. The remaining P6.2 million

was transferred to the custody of the finance officer of CCIE payment, they claimed. Based on the disbursement vouchers signed by Miranda, 19 checks all dated in April 2000 were issued in favor of Millado as the commanding officer. The checks were encashed and the proceeds were turned over to Jandayan. Cabatbat and Yurong, for their part, certified and submitted falsified payrolls of the enlisted personnel. Upon verification and random sampling, 145 enlisted personnel stationed in various provinces denied receiving any allowance and signing in the payroll.

Marines in full-battle gear. DANNY PATA

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Water fun. Children frolic in the water in Tukalinapao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Nearby is the wooden footbridge that witnessed the January 25 encounter. MARK NAVALES

Hagedorn to file perjury raps against Bayron men FORMER PUERTO Princesa City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn will file perjury charges against three known supporters of incumbent Mayor Lucilo Bayron who filed a P65-million plunder complaint against him before the Ombudsman for Luzon last April 7. “The complaint is a desperate dirty tricks operation to prop up the tottering, crumbling electoral bid of the beleaguered city mayor,” Hagedorn said. A recall election challenging the mayorship of Bayron will be held on May 8. The recall is the principal reason for the filing of the questionable, baseless and legally flawed plunder case against him, Hagedorn added. “At the outset, this plunder case is ludicrous and condem-

nable because it is a blatant and desperate attempt to tar and wreck the reputation of possible opponents even before the filing of certificates of candidacy is held on April 22,” Hagedorn said. Hagedorn cited an analysis of the plunder case submitted by lawyer and former city administrator Agustin Rocamora which found that the plunder case is based on false and legally questionable data culled from Commission on Audit report, ignorant of govern-

Bus-van collision kills 5, injures 8 in E. Samar

AT leAsT five persons were killed and eight others seriously injured ment disbursement procedures, Rocamora explained that the when a BlTB bus from Metro Maand an ignominious and atrocious plunder complaint was errone- nila and a Dap tour van from Taclomisinterpretation and misuse of ously anchored on Observations ban City collided sunday night along the Commission on Audit Report and Recommendations in the the national highway in Barangay dated 2011. COA Annual Audit Report for Bagte, Quinapondan, eastern samar. Rocamora debunked the plun- the year ended 2012 which defiChief of Police senior Inspector der complaint by saying the COA nitely are not final judgement elmerson Badilla said four of the report cited and misused by the and therefore are not legally ac- fatalities died on the spot while the complainants does not say “ab- tionable findings at all. fifth casualty, a seven-year-old boy, sence of official receipts, vouchHagedorn pointed out that in died while undergoing treatment at ers or others documents that sup- his more than 20 years as city the General MacArthur Hospital. port or authorize payment.” mayor, these Observations and All the casualties were passengers Rocamora said the incontro- Recommendations in COA Audit of the van, including Police Officer vertible facts show the allegation Reports are clarified and ulti- lea Caores detailed at the eastern of plunder as “the complete op- mately cleared in keeping with samar Provincial Police Office. He said the accident happened posite of the COA Report.” sound and proper fiscal and auat arounf 6:40 p.m. along the sharp Moreover, Rocamora said the dit procedures. COA report used as basis of the Hagedorn expressed confidence curve portion of the highway. Badilla added they were excomplaint is not a final judgment. that the people of Puerto Princ“Hence, it could not be used to esa City would know a blatant big, pecting investigators’ reports in the next 24 hours to determine pursue this flawed and question- black lie when they see one. able legal machination for clearly “They will decide correctly on whose fault the accident was. Florante S. Solmerin political purposes.” May 8,” Hagedorn said.

Mindanao’s royal houses support Bangsamoro law

sOMe 500 members of the Bangsamoro Royal Houses expressed support for the Bangsamoro Basic law during a one-day solidarity conference helt the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao. “We decided to hold this assembly of our elder leaders in the royal houses of Bangsamoro to have our voices be heard by our officials in the national government, as well as by the people in Mindanao,” said sultan Pinandatu Uko Mluk. “We have suffered many years of struggle and we want peace in our home for both Christians and Muslims,”

Prime sultan sayyid added. Members of the Royal Houses of Maguindanao, Buayan, Kabuntalan led by its Prime sultan of Maguindanao Mandanaur Darussalam sayyid Abdulaziz salem Kudarat Mastura V, sultan of Kabuntalan Pinandat Uko Mluk, Buayan sultanate Amil Kusain Camsa and Taviran IV engr. Datu Noldin s. Oyod were present in the conference. The royal house leaders thanked Ghazali Jaafar, 1st vice chairman of the MIlF Central Committee, for his efforts to push the BBl despite the incident in Mama-

sapano, Maguindanao on January 25. Jaafar opened the conference, expressing gratitude to the officials of the royal houses for holding a “timely and significant” conference. “The conference demonstrates the unity of the Muslims whose lives have been in constrant struggle for so many years,” he added. Jaafar stressed that the Bangsamoro goal is to usher Mindanao to a new growth area. The New Mindanao, he said, will become a vital part of the economic, political, and social development of the entire Philippines.

Coffee, anyone? Kalinga coffee, traditionally made, is now available in the market.

DAVID CHAN

T u E S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

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opinion THE controversy surrounding the use of aliases by some of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s top officials and negotiators has blown up in the face of negotiators and representatives of the Philippine government. Professor Miriam coronel Ferrer defended MILF negotiator Mohagher Iqbal’s use of aliases, citing the case of former Philippine President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who was born Jose Marcelo Ejercito. The MILF negotiator has admitted to using “Iqbal” – his nickname, he acknowledged as much – in some bank accounts. He also said that the government has known his real name since 1979, even as he has asked that it not be revealed “for scurity purposes.” All this time, Iqbal said, his identity has never been questioned. “It’s part of confidence-building.” When the BBL is passed, he promised, then everything would “normalize” and he would tell us all what his name is. Ferrer insisted that one’s identity does not only refer to one’s name. It has to do with biometrics, fingerprints, the face. As far as she is concerned, the man calling himself Iqbal is the same person with which she and the government team has been negotiating peace in Mindanao. The use of aliases is “irrelevant to the peace process,” insists Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda.” Increasingly we wonder whether those who are supposed to negotiate on our behalf actually do so. We ask this because they seem to spend most of their time defending the other party instead of standing up for what the people think and believe. For instance, the President created a peace council supposedly to study the provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. This is the Palace’s response to the clamor to slow down on its passage after the January 25 Mamasapano incident brought to fore questions on the sincerity of the MILF in pursuing peace. The peace council, however, is composed of individuals, hand-picked by the President, who have not been known to be critical of the government’s dealing with the MILF. While the council has had only one meeting, we dare guess what it would come up with – something Mr. Aquino would be happy about, or at least not to be too miffed over. In the end, we can only demand that our leaders and negotiators learn to draw the line and stand up to the MILF, or other counterparties for that matter, if need be. Now there is need for such standing up.

lOwDOwn jOjO a. RObles I cAN imagine “President Mayor” Joseph Estrada smirking as he phrases his snappy comeback: “Well, Joseph Estrada was the name I used when I crushed your camp Abubakar.” Or words to that same pithy effect. But that was a real blunder committed by chief government peace negotiator Miriam coronel Ferrer

when she justified the use of an alias by her counterpart on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front side, the rebel also known as, among other names, Mohagher Iqbal. At the resumption of the Senate hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, Ferrer showed a blown-up signature of Estrada’s on a peso bill – obviously issued when Erap was still President – in order to defend Iqbal’s use of an alias in the peace negotiations with the government. If Estrada was allowed to sign legal tender when he

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AliAs iqbAl

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eaGle eYes Dean TOnY la VIÑa

[ EDI TORI A L ]

was President, Ferrer’s argument went, why can’t Iqbal sign a peace agreement with the Philippine government? Wasn’t that one and the same thing? I’m sorry, Professor, but no. No way are the two signatures the same – and I’m certainly not talking about how they appear on paper or on currency. (Strangely, there is something in common in the use by Iqbal and Estrada of aliases. But not in the way Ferrer would want us to believe; more on this later.) I’ve interviewed Ferrer, a political science professor at the University of the Philip-

ADELLE chuA

The difference is that only the MIlf and some people in Malacañang and its peace panel know who Iqbal really is.

pines before she became the government’s chief peace negotiator with the MILF. And as a journalist, I think I know her type – the deliberate, unemotional, not-easily-

swayed academic; she’s the kind of person who never opens her mouth unless she’s absolutely sure about what’s she’s going to say, because she knows she’ll commit to her position whatever happens once she’s decided. So I’m really shocked that Ferrer would present Erap’s signature as “evidence” in favor of Iqbal without first asking – even if it’s just herself – if that was the right thing to do. Because, had Ferrer done the most cursory of research, she would find out that the strategy is wrong in so many ways. First of all, even if Estrada had not legally changed his name from his original Jose

Marcelo Ejercito, Ferrer should have been advised that actors are exempt from the anti-alias law that some people says Iqbal violated when he signed documents representing the MILF. So Joseph Ejercito Estrada the actor could have gone all the way to the presidency and his current post, the mayorship, without the benefit of a legal procedure to change his name. A recent item in Minda News, which could have inspired Ferrer’s

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argument, takes the position that the validity of the documents signed by Iqbal is not in question, unless one is willing to also question the official resolutions, bills, laws and orders that actors-turned-politicians used, all the way back to Senator Rogelio (formerly Regidor) dela Rosa. The article said allowing actors – who are exempt from Republic Act 6085, or the Anti-Alias Law, like athletes, media and other entertainment personalities – the use of their chosen

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screen names to run for office but not revolutionaries like Iqbal smacks of a “double standard.” But there is a key difference here: only the MILF and some people in Malacanang and the government peace panel know who Iqbal really is. Anyone can check who Dela Rosa, Ramon Revilla, pere et fils, and all the Estradas are – what their real names are, where they came from and what they did before they sought Continued on A11 public office.

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The story of the two of disciples walking to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, is a familiar one. The evangelist Luke writes abut how they were talking with each other about everything that had happened in the old city just a few days ago. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. can you imagine being with somebody for three years and walking beside that person without recognizing him? You know why their minds were closed -- lack of faith? That is why we don’t recognize Jesus in our daily lives. And when your mind is closed your heart closes. Along the way Jesus asked: what matters are you discussing? Their faces were downcast. One of them said: You must be the only person down here who does not know what happened the last few days. “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” Just wondering, these men have been with Jesus for three years and yet only considered him a prophet? Here is a mistake. They failed to recognize that he was the Son of God despite having been with him for that long. They saw him walk on water, feed five thousand people, and perform so many miracles – and yet they considered him only a prophet. Jesus must have been disappointed. Yet humans do not think as God does. God could have yelled from heaven in a booming voice and said you are all forgiven, you poor sinners. But instead he sent his only son to suffer the agony of the cross and die for us to in order for us to be redeemed. When we pray to our Lord, are we really asking him for what we think we need? Or are we asking for something different? Does God always answer our prayers? See, we don’t think the way God thinks. Three whole days went by since it all happened and some women went to the tomb. When they did not find the body, they came back and told the others to tell them that they were told by angels that Jesus was alive. Jesus reproached them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Surely these disciples failed to recognize Jesus despite what had been foretold by the prophets about his birth Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor FrancisJoel Lagniton News Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Joyce Pangco-Pañares CityCity Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

T u E S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

opinion lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Our Own rOad tO Emmaus

On whOse behalf?

AliAs iqbAl

eDITOR

eaGle eYes Dean TOnY la VIÑa

[ EDI TORI A L ]

ADELLE chuA

The difference is that only the MIlf and some people in Malacañang and its peace panel know who Iqbal really is.

pines before she became the government’s chief peace negotiator with the MILF. And as a journalist, I think I know her type – the deliberate, unemotional, not-easily-

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MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer

Ma. Editha D. Angeles Advertising Manager Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Violating the rule of law MOVIE and television celebrity Heart Evangelista, now the wife of EmIL p. Senator Chiz EsjuRADO cudero is reportedly being groomed by the Escuderos to run for mayor of Sorsogon City to challenge the wife of Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee. Well, anybody can run for an elective office so long he or she can meet the requirements: at least 25 years old on the day of the election, able to read and write, with residency. I don’t know what else Heart can offer to the people of Sorsogon City except the fact that she is pretty and sexy and now Mrs. Chiz Escudero. What’s Chiz up to? There are reports that he will aim for the vice presidency in 2016. Chiz is a good friend. I say to him, good luck. But is he building a political dynasty? His mother, widow of the late Rep. Sonny Escudero, is now the district’s representative. Another relative, Antonio “Kruni” Escudero, is vice governor. *** When the Baguio City Regional Trial Court affirmed the findings of the Arbitration Tribunal’s final award, there was hope that the Bases Conversion Development Authority would finally abide with the rule of law and stop bullying the 1,631 investors, locators shareholders and sub-lesees by threatening to evict them and render their contracts with the Camp John Hay Development Corp (CJHDevco) invalid. Either the lawyers of BCDA cannot read English, or they are up to something when they continue to threaten the investors with eviction on two grounds; first, that since the Arbitration Tribunal’s final award rendered the developer’s lease of the former American base non-existent, the developer would now have to vacate the Camp. The Arbitration Tribunal also made it a condition that the developer would vacate the Camp only after the BCDA shall have paid CJHDevco P1.42 billion representing its rentals to BCDA. BCDA lawyers led by its president Arnel Casanova would have nothing to do with the rule of law to the extent of claiming that the developer was allowed only to sub-lease properties within the Camp for 25 years, not for 50 years. Thus, Casanova claims that unless the 1,631 investors, locators, shareholders and sub-lesses execute Deeds of Assignment on behalf of BCDA, eviction would follow. Santa Banana, as a lawyer, Casanova forgot that the BCDA has the burden of proof why investors should be evicted from their property. If squatters are protected by law before they are evicted from properties they squat upon, with persons wishing to evict them having to file cases in courts to prove why eviction is warranted, the law is sure to protect third-party buyers and lessees who have lawfully paid in good faith. My gulay, BCDA cannot evict investors by MERE ANNOUNCEMENT (caps mine). Let’s rewind a bit and quote Page 4, Paragraph 3 of the ruling of the Baguio RTC on the confirmation of the Arbitration Tribunal’s final award which states: “As to the list of sub-leases and/or vested right holders, they will be governed by the LAW on OBLIGATIONS and CONTRACTS. (caps mine).” And what does the law on obligations and contracts say in Philippine Civil Code, Article 1385: “AN ORDER FOR MUTUAL RESTITUTION CANNOT INCLUDE PROPERTIES CURRENTLY IN THE POSSESSION OF THIRD PER-

TO THE pOInT

is the BBl Peace Panel really a PriVate entity? LAST week, the panel created by President Benigno Aquino III to review the provisions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was criticized for being useless and illegal – useless because the bulk of its membership have no expertise in Constitutional Law to thoroughly grasp the legal aspects of the BBL, and illegal because the President has no power to create a public office. To repeat, the President himself admitted that the review panel will help him promote the BBL and make it acceptable to the general public. This made the review panel a mere rubber stamp of the president. Over the past several days, however, certain changes regarding the review panel were made by Malacañang. It has been renamed a “Peace Council” and its composition was expanded to include “co-convenors” such as, among others, former Commission on Elections Chairman Christian Monsod and University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Danilo Concepcion. The council will not have a designated chairman, and its members will be divided into several clusters to address the different parts of the draft BBL. The Peace Council held its first meeting at the Hotel InterContinental Manila in Makati. Who paid for the expenses of this meeting has not been identified. Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte announced that the Peace Council will not be a public office but a private entity. If this is true, then why was it convened by the President? If it is a

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA private entity, why are its members personally selected by the president? Does this mean that only those chosen by the President may join the council? Can the panel even publicly identify itself as an adjunct of the Office of the President without creating a legal issue? Since the Peace Panel is supposed to be a private entity and not a public office, taxpayers have the right to expect that no public money shall be spent, and no public property shall be used, for the operations and activities of this supposed private entity. After all, public money and public property cannot be earmarked for the use of and enjoyment by a private entity. The moment the Peace Panel breaches this prohibition, the constitutional validity of the council may be at once questioned in the Supreme Court, and whoever is responsible for the panel’s expenditure of public funds may be charged for violating the antigraft law before the Office of the Ombudsman. Public interests advocates will be monitoring if public money has been spent and will be spent in this unorthodox public-private experiment of Malacañang. Senator Trillanes and the Court of Appeals Senator Antonio Trillanes announced that Makati City Mayor Jun-Jun Binay bought the tem-

SONS WHO ACTED IN GOOD FAITH (caps mine). This simply means that since investors in the Camp John Hay development cannot be deprived of their properties they possess, since they were not parties to the controversy between BCDA and the Sobrepena Group, either Casanova cannot read or simply just refuses to read. As for the 25-year lease originally given by the developer to investors, the Original Lease Agreement between CJHDevco and BCDA plainly provides: “Section 2, Term- Unless terminated for reasons specified in this Agreement, the Agreement shall have a term of twenty five (25) years, renewable for another twenty five (25) years under the same terms and condition of the option of the lessee, effective upon the signing of the Agreement. Within ninety (90) days immediately prior to the expiration of the 25 year period, the lessee shall manifest its desire to renew the lease.” The meaning of the above-mentioned provision

porary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals to stay his suspension as city mayor as ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman. More specifically, Trillanes said that the justices of the appellate court who voted to issue the injunction received a financial consideration in exchange for the judicial reprieve in favor of Binay. If this is true, Trillanes should make his exposé immediately so that crooks in the appellate court can be readily identified and investigated. As a senator, Trillanes owes that to his voters. May the Court of Appeals restrain the Office of the Ombudsman from suspending a city mayor who is undergoing an administrative investigation? Under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 6770, no court may issue an injunction to delay an investigation being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman. The section refers to an “investigation” and not a “suspension” of a public official. This will be the main point of contention between the Solicitor General, who represents the Office of the Ombudsman, and the lawyer of Mayor Binay when they confront each other in the Supreme Court in Baguio City this week. Continued on A11

ARE WE THERE YET? BOnG C. AuSTERO Mr. Austero’s column will resume this week.

is quite plain and clear that for the total lease period granted to CJHDevco is FIFTY (50) YEARS doe to the allowable extension of twenty five years at the sole option of CJHDevco as lessee. (caps mine) For Casanova and his lawyers to claim that they are totally unaware of the lease period proves incompetence and negligence of the BCDA. For one thing, there was a time when no less than four BCDA board members also sat as members of the CJHDevco. But, more importantly the BCDA was issued what was called Limited Warranty Deeds by CJHDevco for properties paid to BCDA through “Dacion En Pago” and the stateowned agency accepted them. LWDs issued to investors plainly states that the LWDs issued to the developer as its leasehold right shall be until October 2046. And the BCDA accepted them without any question. If Casanova cannot understand, he is either negligent or incompetent.

BCDA’s lawyers are either negligent or incompetent

T u e S d aY : a P R I l 14 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

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A11

What causes recessions? By Noah Smith OnE time, at a dinner, I asked a famous macroeconomist: “So, what really causes recessions?” His reply came immediately: “Unexplained shocks to investment.” We really just don’t know the answer. Some people —the types who think the market is self-adjusting and wonderful and doesn’t need any government help— believe that recessions are a natural, even healthy process. Maybe recessions are responses to changes in the rate of technological progress, or to news of future progress, or even bursts of creative destruction. Others —the people who tend to think the market needs a little helping hand—believe that there’s something blocking the market from adjusting to the shocks that buffet it. The market adjusts by the price mechanism. If the cost of something goes up, the price goes up to match. If demand falls, the price drops until the market clears. So if you want to show that the market doesn’t naturally self-regulate, the simplest and easiest way is just to show that prices themselves can’t adjust in response to events. This phenomenon is called “sticky prices.” If prices are sticky, then someone -- the Federal Reserve, or perhaps Congress and the Treasury -- needs to nudge markets back into their long-run equilibrium after a big shock. In 1994, economists Greg Mankiw and Lawrence Ball wrote an essay for the national Bureau of Economic Research entitled “A Sticky-Price Manifesto.” Sticky prices might sound like a strange thing to write a manifesto about (did the prices spill Coke all over themselves?), but the essay heralded the beginning of a macroeco-

Is the BBL... From A10 The ex-CJ Corona bank accounts The news media recently reported that the numerous bank accounts in the name of ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona which were subjected to a freeze-order by the Anti-Money Laundering Council all yielded balances of less than five thousand pesos each. How is that possible when banks require depositors to maintain a balance of at least ten thousand pesos? Investigators should take a look at the history of withdrawals made in each account. That is the best way to ascertain if the money of a public official which should have been reported was or was not so reported during a specific period.

Our... From A9 and death because they closed their minds and hearts about the mission of Jesus, the Messiah. They were set into believing that he would free Israel from Roman oppression. They could not imagine that the Messiah would die on the cross and be “subdued” like a lamb to the slaughter. Isn’t that strange? But I bet we do the same thing. Somehow in our lives when our Lord does not give us what we want, we don’t recognize his hand, his will, his goodness. What do we do? We instead go to the opposite direction much like the two disciples who went to Emmaus instead of going to the tomb, which was in the opposite direction like the women. Luke, in his gospel, continues:

nomics mini-revolution. It was a direct threat to the line of research that had been dominant in the 1980s, which tried to explain recessions without sticky prices. The economic establishment reacted harshly to the upstarts. “Why do I have to read this?” fumed Robert Lucas, the dean of macroeconomics. “This paper contributes nothing.” He went on to accuse the sticky-pricers of being opposed to science and progress. But Lucas fumed in vain. During the following decade, the sticky-price models went from strength to strength. new math was developed to make them easier to use. Possible reasons for price stickiness were investigated -- for example, “menu costs,” in which the seemingly trivial costs of changing prices add up to a big problem across the broader economy. Even more telling, sticky-price theorists proved that you didn’t need a lot of price stickiness to mess up the smooth working of the economy. Even the tiniest dash of stickiness would turn all kinds of theories on their heads. Economists Susanto Basu, John Fernald, and my doctoral adviser Miles Kimball, for example, showed that when prices are even a little sticky, bursts of technological progress actually hurt the economy for a short while, by causing a burst of deflation, before eventually boosting growth. Over time, the addition of various other economic mechanisms, like labor search, has further reduced the amount of price stickiness required to cause major recessions. Sticky-price models have become the dominant models used at central banks. The smoothly adjusting, flexible-price models of the 1980s are basically not used anywhere, by anyone, for anything.

Even some of the biggest skeptics of sticky prices are coming around. In 2004, economists Mark Bils and Peter Klenow looked at how businesses changed prices, and found that the changes were too frequent to be consistent with the sticky-price story. But in 2014, they reversed their stance, looking at evidence on the adjustment of markets in recessions and concluding that “sticky prices...deserve a central place in business cycle research.” Meanwhile, economists V.V. Chari, Patrick Kehoe and Ellen McGrattan, long-time opponents of the mainstream sticky-price models, nevertheless wrote a paper in 2010 entitled “Prices are sticky after all.” Sticky-price models still have their dogged opponents here and there throughout the macroeconomics world. Steve Williamson of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis dismisses sticky prices on his blog, saying that the Great Recession went on too long to have been caused by price stickiness, and that sticky-price models have conquered central banks mainly due to slick marketing. Elsewhere, University of California-Berkeley economist Brad DeLong grumbles that the success of the sticky-price models (called “new Keynesian” models even though they have relatively little to do with John Maynard Keynes) could be distracting from the search for deeper reasons for economic dysfunction. But despite these scattered denunciations and grumbles, sticky prices are enjoying a hard-fought place in the sun. The moral of the story is that if you just keep pounding away with theory and evidence, even the toughest orthodoxy in a mean, confrontational field like macroeconomics will eventually have to give you some respect. Bloomberg

MMDA’S Tolentino is campaigning already Prior to the onset of Holy Week, the Land Transportation Office announced that vehicles without license plates will be stopped on the roads and prohibited from travelling. Motorists in Metropolitan Manila who were preparing to go out of town for the Lenten holidays denounced the LTO directive. Their grievance – it took a long time for the LTO to have the plates ready, and now that the plates are available, motorists were given an unreasonable deadline to get the plates. Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) saw this as an opportunity to endear himself to the motorists and quickly announced that MMDA traffic enforcers will not implement the LTO directive because it will be “un-Christian” to do so in

view of the Lenten season. Obviously, Tolentino was hoping that his gesture will translate to votes when he runs for senator in May 2016. Tolentino goofed up again. First, the MMDA has no legal discretion to determine which laws or regulations may be enforced and which ones may not. He may even be sued for this. Second, the separation of church and state mandated by the Constitution forbids him from invoking a sectarian reason to evade a secular duty. He can be sued for this as well. Instead of playing politics, Tolentino should do something about those motorcycle drivers who openly disregard the motorcycle lane rule on EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue. He should also make MMDA personnel present at nighttime when traffic regulations are often violated with impunity.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. It was only when Jesus broke bread with them that they recognized him. How many times have we been told that Jesus is present in the Eucharist,

body, blood, soul and divinity? Failing to recognize Jesus in the Eucharist is much like being the disciples going to Emmaus. How many times has the Lord manifested his presence and his love, and yet like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we closed our eyes to his presence? The Lucan narrative of the disciples on the road to Emmaus tells us an important lesson: That we must always be ready to recognize his presence in every bit of our lives by opening up our minds and hearts to his loving mercy and goodness. And God is ever present in every situation even in the most difficult and dire situations in life. We are indeed all walking on our own road to Emmaus. Facebook page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylav

Alias... From A9 no one except a very select few really know who Iqbal is and that makes his signing of important legal documents questionable, to say the least. As Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (who has no problem with his real name) asked: “Who are you, sir?” *** The funny thing about citing Estrada in a question about the use of aliases is that his supposed use of another fake name, “Jose Velarde,” in several bank accounts eventually helped bring down his presidency in 2001. And after Iqbal admitted yesterday that he has also opened bank accounts using his fake name, the rebel leader may have fallen into the same trap that cost Erap his job as President. As Senator Francis Escudero pointed out, the draconian AntiMoney Laundering Law does not allow anyone to open bank accounts using a name other than the legal one. And those people who still think— like Ferrer, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and others backing the BBL and Malacanang—that the matter of Iqbal’s true identity is a small matter that has no impact whatsoever on the peace negotiations are gravely mistaken. If the law prevents Iqbal from using that name to open a bank account and even punishes him for it (again, like Estrada was as “Velarde”), they why on earth should he not be disqualified from signing a peace agreement that basically cedes a significant part of the country to a revolutionary group? That’s what Ferrer really needs to answer. And what Iqbal, whatever his real name is and whoever he was before, should answer, as well.

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SPORTS

Valdez to carry PH ﬂag?

Bucks stun Nets, seal playoff seat

sports@thestandard.com.ph

By Peter Atencio TWO-TIME collegiate volleyball Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez could hoist the flag for the Philippine delegation in the coming 28th Southeast Asian Games. She is among the candidates for flag-bearer during the opening ceremony of the Games. Her name came up following the completion of the rosters for the national men’s and women’s squad to the SEA Games. “Alyssa will be a very qualified candidate for the role. And this is good for volleyball since a national team has not been in the Games for the last 10 years. They will make a statement with their presence there,” said Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas president Joey Romasanta. The proposal for Valdez to carry the flag will be submitted by the SEA Games management committee to the Philippine Olympic Committee executive council in their meeting next week. The national women’s squad, through coach Roger Gorayeb, started their tryouts last Monday. Aside from Valdez, the list includes Rachel Anne Daquis, Rhea Dimaculangan, Abby Marano, Maika Ortiz, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Gretchell Soltones, Jia Morado, Denden Lazaro and Jaja Santiago.

MILWAUKEE —The Milwaukee Bucks completed a remarkable turnaround on Sunday, clinching an NBA playoff berth a year season after posting the league’s worst record.

OJ Mayo of the Milwaukee Bucks goes for a lay up against the Brooklyn Nets during the game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks won, 96-73, to seal a berth in the playoffs. AFP

Batang Gilas to use break to study foes CAGAYAN DE ORO— Members of the Batang Gilas team will be a keen observer once the SEABA Under-16 tournament gets underway today at the Xavier University here. The Philippine quintet will not see action until Wednesday as the games of the FIBA Asia Under-16 qualifier start with Indonesia and Brunei colliding in the first game at 4 p.m. and Malaysia and Thailand seeing action in the main game at 6 p.m. For the Filipinos, the rest gives them time to freshen up and prepare for Wednesday’s game. It will also give them a chance to see whether Brunei and Malaysia have improved after getting guidance from Filipino coaches. Beaujing Acot, former head coach of D-League

team Cebuana Lhuillier, trained the Malaysian squad for one week and the team also got a taste of Pinoy brand of play following tune-up matches with several local collegiate and amateur squads. Nomar Isla, former head coach of the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, is handling a rebuilding Brunei team, whose main focus is to have a strong fouryear program to get them ready for the 2019 SEA Games, where Brunei will be the host. Batang Gilas coach Michael Oliver, coach of the Far Eastern University junior squad, believes the Pinoy influence would be a big help for these teams, which also means our Philippine squad will also have to be cautious and not take this team lightly even though they’re heavily favored to win.

The Bucks beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-73 to punch their post-season ticket, becoming the first team since the 200809 Miami Heat to make the playoffs a season after finishing with the worst record. Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points, O.J. Mayo added 17 and Khris Middleton chipped in 16 for the Bucks, who secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. “I think it was a team effort,” said Bucks head coach Jason Kidd -- who ditched the Nets in July after his first season as a head coach to take the helm in Milwaukee. “The third quarter we came out like we have in the last couple games and put the ball in the basket and got stops.” Brook Lopez delivered 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Mason Plumlee and Jarrett Jack each netted 11 for the Nets, who fell back into a tie with the Indiana Pacers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with two games remaining. The Boston Celtics strengthened their hold on the seventh spot in the East with a 117-78 win over short-handed Cleveland. Isaiah Thomas scored 17 points to lead seven Boston players in double figures against a Cavs team that rested starters LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith.

The Celtics can clinch a playoff berth by winning either of their last two games. “We’re not in the playoffs yet,” Boston coach Brad Stevens cautioned. “Progress has been made, but we’re not where we’d like to be.” The Pacers stayed in the hunt with a 116-104 victory over Oklahoma City, withstanding a career night from Thunder star Russell Westbrook. Westbrook poured in 54 points on 21-of-43 shooting and also grabbed nine rebounds and passed out eight assists for the Thunder, who remained tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Making the defeat more painful for Oklahoma City, Westbrook received his 16th technical foul of the season in the fourth quarter. Unless it is rescinded upon review by the league, he will be suspended for Monday’s game against Portland. But the Pelicans failed to gain any ground on the Thunder, as they were beaten 121-114 by playoff- bound Houston. James Harden scored 30 points for the Rockets, who are tied with Memphis one half-game behind reigning NBA champions San Antonio for the Southwest Division lead and the second seed in the West. AFP

McIlroy: I’m getting closer at Masters AUGUSTA—Rory McIlroy says his hopes of becoming just the sixth man to win all four major titles this week by taking the Masters were doomed by a slack front nine Friday. The world number one went four over to the turn in the second round, four-putting from the edge of the ninth green for a dreadful double bo-

gey six that left him shaking his head. He then covered the relatively tougher back nine in Augusta National in a tremendous 31 for a 71 that would have given him a better shot at it over the weekend, had it not been for the front-running of eventual winner Jordan Spieth. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman finished in style with a 66, the equal-

best score of the day, and was alone in fourth, his best Masters showing in what was his seventh tournament at Augusta National. His 276 total was six strokes worse than Spieth’s winning margin, having started the day 10 adrift, and that gave McIlroy more cause to regret his Friday lapse. AFP

Cebuana cagefest shifts into high gear. Action in the ongoing Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis series, one of the country’s longest-running grassroots tennis programs aiming to discover and develop young tennis talents for the future national teams, shifts into high gear this summer with ﬁve legs alone this April in Ozamiz, Mambajao; Camiguin; Polomolok, South Cotabato; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, and Marawi in Butuan. Sportsman-businessman Jean Henri Lhuillier, the man behind the program, said his company will continue to support tennis in the Philippines and expressed satisfaction at the turnout in the different legs of the series. Photo shows the age-group champions, led by local boy George Goco in the 18-under and multi-titlists Janelle Llavore from CDO, 16- and 18-under champion, Gennifer Lysandra Pagente and Brent Sigmond Cortes.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

A13 Seaoil karter tops Petron kart 2nd leg

Seaoil karter Gabriel Tayao Cabrera storms to victory in the second leg of the Petron National Karting Series at the Batangas Race Track. Inset shows Tayao Cabera displaying his AAP award.

Tabuena, Que lead PH bid at ICTSI golf MIGUEL Tabuena and Angelo Que, who split the first two legs of the local tour last month, are both primed up for a second victory, ready to slug it out not only with the country’s best but also the leading players in the region in the $60,000 ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational beginning tomorrow. Tabuena nipped Que by one to rule the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour kickoff leg at Splendido but the latter got back at the former by winning the ICTSI Manila Masters crown, ending a three-year title spell for the former three-time Asian Tour winner. That makes the duo the chief contenders for the top $10,500 purse in the 72-hole championship co-organized by ADT and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. along with Charles Hong, who topped the all-local ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic last

year, is also expected to figure in the chase for the top $10,500 purse in the 72-hole championship co-organized by ADT and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. The ICTSI Eagle Ridge tilt is the first of two Asian Development Tour events put up by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. in the country with Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club hosting the other stage, also a $60,000 tournament, next week. But Tabuena and Que, along with the other local aces, among

them reigning three-time PGT Order of Merit champion Tony Lascuna and fellow ADT winners Jay Bayron, Rufino Bayron and Elmer Salvador, will be as much tested as the rest of the field, which includes at least eight ADT leg champions. They include Thai Panuwat Muenlek, Malaysians Wilson Choo and Arie Irawan, Scot James Byrne, Americans Brett Munson and James Bowen, and Masaru Takahashi and Mitsuhiko Hashizume of Japan. Lascuna, Salvador and Rufino Bayron won the three ADT events last year at Riviera (Couples and Langer courses) and Orchard, respectively, with the troika eyeing a repeat in any of the two inaugural tournaments. “It will be tough, given the depth of the field but if I my putting clicks, I’ll be in contention,” said Lascuna, who struggled to finish joint fifth at Splendido and

shared sixth spot at Manila Masters. Other foreign bets tipped to contend in the event, backed by Aboitiz, Srixon, Callaway, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Nike Golf, TaylorMade, Custom Clubmakers, Sharp, Omnisource and Silicon Computer and Telecoms, Inc., are Aussie Sam Burrell, Singapore’s Reagan Ping, Koh Deng Shan, and Choo Tze Huang, England’s Matthew Tweddell, Matt Kang of Canada, Swede Nils Floren, and Thais Annop Tangkamolprasert and Poosit Supupramai. The other local players vying in the event are last year’s PGT winners Mars Pucay, Cassius Casasm Arnold Villacencio, Clyde Mondilla, Zanie Boy Gialon, and Jun Rates along with Frankie Minoza, Marvin Dumandan, Jhonnel Ababa, Orlan Sumcad, Ferdie Aunzo, Benjie Magada, Anthony Fernando and Michael Bibat.

SEAOIL karter Gabriel Tayao Cabrera bagged another win in the second leg of the Petron National Karting Series held at the Batangas Race Track. Backed by DC, Gold’s Gym, R’s Design, Point Zero Project and Media Magic, the 15-year-old Makati Hope Christian School student encountered stiff resistance from the field, as he had to contend with VJ Suba, who clocked fastest in the time trials and Wayne Darvin, who ended up 1st runner-up in the series’ premier Shifter Class. “I have raced with Wayne for several times when we were juniors and he’s actually one of my favorite rivals, because he’s fair and a good driver. On the other hand, this year is my debut year racing against VJ, who keeps me on my toes. It is an honor to race with VJ, who has long been a respected name in Philippine karting,” said Tayao Cabrera. Incidentally, Tayao Cabrera was feted as one of Automobile Association of the Philippines’ motorsports achievers just a few days before his BRC win. The AAP Awards caps off his haul apart from his coveted Philippine Sports Association-Siddayao Award and Golden Wheel Awards, all honoring him as a top junior karting champion for the 2014 race year. Wrapping up his local commitments, Tayao Cabrera is set to fly to Malaysia this week to represent the Philippines in the second leg of the highly-competitive Asia Max Challenge. He will be the only Filipino senior driver of the Tonykart brand under Nizra Motorsports, an international motorsports company with connections with the world’s reputable motorsports partners.

Chiefs clobber PUP Maroons DIONCEE Holts banged in 14 points as the Arellano University Chiefs swamped the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Maroons, 112-77, last Sunday at the start of the 21st the Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament. The Chiefs posted their first win in Group A, and so did the San Beda-B Red Cubs, when action ended at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College campus in Mendiola, Manila. The Red Cubs-B drew crucial baskets from John Baltazar and Luke Sese in beating the San Sebastian Staglets, 84-79, to take charge in Group B of the junior division. The Chiefs stepped on the gas in the fourth period, with Nico Bangga striking hard in the initial minutes with five of his eight-point tally. Bangga’s efforts allowed the Chiefs to move away from a 54-46 third-quarter lead.

Donaire returns to ring on July 18 By Ronnie Nathanielsz FIVE-DIVISON world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is scheduled to return to the ring on July 18 in Macau against a still unknown opponent on a Top Rank fight card. Donaire told the Standard/ boxingmirror.com that he is already undergoing strength and conditioning training and will be back in the gym next week. Having learned his lesson after the crushing sixthround TKO loss to bigger and stronger Nicholas “Axe Man”

Walters in a World Boxing Association featherweight title defense, Donaire has learned his lesson on staying in shape all the time and working hard. “I am training very hard and I’ll be ready even in May,” said Donaire, who added he’d be ready to face anybody, “even in May,” including the undefeated Jessie Magdaleno, who had expressed a desire to fight the Filipino Flash. Magdaleno, who is undefeated with 20 wins, including 15 knockouts, was disappointed after his eight-round main event featured on a Top Rank

card in Laredo, Texas, was canceled when his opponent John Mark Apolinario didn’t get a license from the Texas Boxing Commission to fight. Apolinario claimed his medical test results, which was done in Los Angeles, hadn’t arrived in Texas. Donaire is coming off a second-round TKO of Brazil’s William Prado in the “Pinoy Pride 30” fight card at the Araneta Coliseum last March 28, when he battered the Brazilian, forcing referee Bruce McTavish to call a halt at 2:13 of the round to stop the mismatch.

World Universiade bikefest. Businessman/sportsman Alberto Lina is supporting the hosting of the World Universiade Cycling Championship to be held March, 2016 in Tagaytay City, where around 300 college cyclists from all over the world are expected to participate. With Lina here are Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines president David Ong, his vice president Christian Tan, technical consultant Manding Bautista and coach Johny Tam of the Trillanes Sports Program.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Injured Floyd trains in pain By Ronnie Nathanielsz

UNDEFEATED pound-for-pound No. 1 Floyd Mayweather Jr. has injured hands, in addition to a split lip, but continues to spar unmindful of the pain. This was initially reported last week by the Standard/boxingmirrror.com, which also mentioned the history of the World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association welterweight champion’s brittle knuckles amidst reports that he had to be injected with painkillers before a right. Mayweather’s close friend, journalist David Mayo of Mlive, reported that the welterweight champion, who is preparing for his mega-buck showdown with eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2, has sparred with what he described as “surely excruciating pain of superficial skin marks on his knuckles and then had to cope with the sting of the ointment.” Mayweather bucked the split lip and sparred, although Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who first informed boxingmirror.com about the split lip, said that because of bleeding each time he was hit, he had to stop sparring at times.

Meantime, there has been some muted concern over Pacquiao’s failure to spar the past week, which is very unusual for him although in the past, trainer Freddie Roach had insisted he take a day off so as not to over-train and leave the fight in the gym. There was obvious concern by Roach that his prized possession, who had trained relentlessly for longer than in the past, might burn himself out before the clash with Mayweather. Another concern was the cramping up of his calves for which Roach purchased an ointment worth $1,800, which Arum told the Standard was working. Pacquiao’s daily jogging along the Pan Pacific Park with crowds joining him, has put to rest the concern over the cramps in his calves. When Pacquiao didn’t spar last Tuesday, Arum disclosed that he was taped up and ready to begin sparring when the technicians of the US Anti Doping Agency showed up for another random drug test.

Arianna May Angustia of Shopinas is blocked by Cignal’s Lourdes Clemente in a PSL game won by the Lady Clickers, 25-18, 25-17, 32-30. ROMAN PROSPERO

Shopinas seals 3rd win in 5 games SHOPINAS survived a late-game LGR and Healthway Medical. Games Tomorrow scare to book a masterful 25-18, 25Mandapat finished with 10 (The Arena, San Juan) 17, 32-30 victory over Cignal in the 4:15 p.m. • Shopinas vs Philips Gold points, highlighted by the match6:15 p.m. • Petron vs Cignal 2015 Philippine Superliga women’s clinching kill over Lourdes Clemvolleyball tournament All-Filipino ente and Cherry May Vivas, while Conference yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome. Cruz spearheaded the scoring with eight hits, three With Riza Mandapat providing the spunk down service aces and two blocks for a total of 13 points. the crucial stretch, and Cha Cruz dishing a wonStephanie Mercado was also reliable with 11 derful all-around performance, the Lady Clickers points as well as Arianna Angustia, who chipped were steady in the third set as they sealed their in eight markers. third win in five games in this inter-club tourney It was a sweet victory for the Lady Clickers, who organized by Sports Core and backed by Asics, Mi- are still licking the wound of their heart-breaking kasa, Senoh, Mueller Sports Medicine, Via Mare, five-set loss to Petron last week. Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOF ROOF DECK CANTEEN ITB NO. 2015-2-I

SECURITY PLANT COMPLEX BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION TO BID The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Bids and Awards Committee-Security Plant Complex (BAC-SPC), invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder requirement: Requirement/Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract Completion Period

The Contractor shall complete and turn-over the project within one hundred (100) calendar days reckoned from the date stipulated in the Notice to Proceed to be issued by the Department of General Services.

Bidders should have completed from Y2010 to present a contract similar to the requirement. The Eligibility Check/Screening and Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criteria.

The Department of Finance (DOF), through the General Appropriations Act for CY 2015, intends to apply the sum of SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED NINE PESOS (Php 7,557,109.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of DOF Roof Deck Canteen. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the bids for the Construction of DOF Roof Deck Canteen. Completion of the Works is sixty (60) calendar days. Bidders with valid PCAB License: Small B License Category C and D should have completed a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

All particulars and activities relative to Eligibility of Bidders, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bid Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

a. Issuance of Bid Documents

b. Pre-bid Conference

c. Opening of Bids

Schedule/Location

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on April 14, 2015 up to May 4, 2015 8:45 AM from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the DOF website, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The DOF will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 21, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the DFG Conference Room, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila on or before May 4, 2015 at 8:45 a.m. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Starting 14 April 2015 (from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. only) Department of General Services Room 405, 4th Floor, Bldg. A, BSP East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Tel. / Fax Nos. 928-0814; 927-8457 21 April 2015 at 9:00 A.M. Room 401, BAC-SPC Conference Room, 4th Floor, Bldg. A, BSP, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. 05 May 2015 at 2:00 P.M. Room 401, BAC-SPC Conference Room, 4th Floor, Bldg. A, BSP, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

Bid Opening shall be on May 4, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor, DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. “LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.” 8.

The pre-bid conference shall be open to interested parties. However, only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. Technical/administrative representatives should attend the pre-bid conference to ensure completeness and compliance of bids. Attendance of representatives will be limited to two (2) personnel only.

The BSP assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any bidder for expenses incurred in the preparation of bid.

`The BSP reserves the right to reject any bid, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract, annul the bidding process and reject all bids at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to affected bidders. Further, the BSP reserves the right to waive any minor defects or formality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the agency.

The schedule of bidding activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES

The bidding documents are posted at the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the BSP Website (www.bsp.gov.ph). Prospective bidders may download the bidding documents from any of these websites; provided that bidders shall pay a non-refundable fee PhP5,000.00 at the address above prior to, or upon submission of their bids.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorship/partnerships/, or organizations with at least sixty (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 grants similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens.

Activities

One (1) lot Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Furnishing of all Materials, Labor, Tools, Equipment and Technical Supervision for the Replacement of Split Type Air-Conditioning Units at BSP, Quezon City, per BSP Scope of Works and Specifications. PhP2,013,475.00, VAT Inclusive

April 14, 2015

Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents

April 14, 2015

Pre-Bid Conference

April 21, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

Request for Clarification

April 24, 2015 (thru Email)

Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin

April 27, 2015

Deadline for Submission of Bids

May 4, 2015, 8:45 a.m.

Opening of Bids

May 4, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

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

10. For further information, please refer to: Lilia R. Tan, Head- BAC Secretariat Department of Finance BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone N.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: ltan@dof.gov.ph/rudrez928@gmail.com

(Sgd.) NANETTE A. ELLA Chairperson (TS-Apr. 14, 2015)

SCHEDULE

Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid

(TS-Apr. 14, 2015)

(Sgd.) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

PH bet nail gold in KL tilt THE Philippines’ finished with a gold and silver in the 10th Southeast Asian Youth Athletics championships recently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jerry James Belibestre, who graduated as Salutatorian from the Ramonito P. Maravilla National High School in Estefania, Bacolod City last month, cleared 6.93 meters for the gold in the long jump. Alexis Soqueno added a silver after he clocked 54.54 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. He was behind Thai runner Witthawut Thumchu, who took the gold in 53.45 seconds. Soqueno was sixth in the 110-meter hurdles and fifth in the high jump. Thailand took the overall crown with a 17-2-4 gold-silverbronze haul, while Malaysia (6-13-12) was second, followed in third by Vietnam (5-67). Peter Atencio

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Guiao sees Game 1 victory for Painters By Dennis Principe

IN SOME ways, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao may have put a little pressure on the shoulders of his players to win Game 1 of the coming Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup championship series. During the finals’ press conference held at the Sambokojin Restaurant in Eastwood, Guiao admitted they stand a better chance of winning Game 1, owing to the early break they got for sweeping their semifinal series against the Meralco Bolts. “For us, it’s a validation of all

the hard work and the effort that you put in. We got a few days extra rest by beating Meralco, 3-0, so to me that should give us some advantage going into Game 1. We have more games to prepare, more games to rest. So if we don’t win Game 1 that will to set you back in the series,” said Guiao.

However, rival coach Jong Uichico of Talk ‘N Text downplayed any advantages from both teams. “Whether you had a long or short break, the pressure will be the same for both teams. They had more time to prepare, yes, but that does not give us an excuse not to be prepared for this series,” said Uichico. While Guiao welcomes the respite that will give his boys time to recuperate, the fiery Pampanga congressman said this is probably the healthiest Rain or Shine squad in a finals series. “That in itself is a good indication. Before you can make the

finals, it’s so physically taxing, it’s so tiring physically and mentally and by the time you get there, you have some injuries and just can’t pull it through,” said Guiao. The E-Painters have made the finals five times in the past and in almost every series, Guiao’s team had been saddled by injuries to key players. This time, only Jeff Chan is the one hurting because of an injured plantar fasciitis, which he aggravated during the Meralco series. But Guiao revealed that Chan may be able to play Wednesday as the former Gilas spitfire started to join their scrimmage yesterday.

Young sailors scramble to the finish in the dinghies’ competition of the eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta.

So settles for 3rd spot By Peter Atencio GRANDMASTER Wesley So settled for third place at the end of the 11-round 2015 US Open Chess championship in St. Louis, Missouri. So, playing white, pounced on the black-playing Kayden Troff’s sketchy preparations. He was ahead by a pawn when he won in 44 moves of a Grunfeld defense, according to analysis provided by Chess Base.com. He settled for the third place prize of $20,000. GM Hikaru Nakamura and Irina Krush took the men’s and women’s crowns, respectively, with the former ending his campaign with a 31-move win over GM Alexander Onischuk. Onischuk was looking for a draw when he tried to stop Nakamura’s king from invading the backrank. But his knight g4 move made matters look difficult when he quit in their Scotch Gambit game. He tallied eight points and earned his first US championship title. Despite his absence from the last few stagings of the competition. Nakamura has remained the No. 1-ranked American for nearly five years, and with the fourth crown of his career, he got the $45,000 top prize. Krush, who claimed her fourth consecutive title in the women’s tournament, drew with Katerina Nemcova in 28 moves of an English Opening.

Young sailors join Commodore’s Cup SIXTEEN young sailors, ages nine to 15, participated in the dinghies’ competition (optimist class) of the eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club, in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The young sailors, mostly from Cavite and Paranaque City,

were trained in Manila for three months under PSA sailing coach Medy Fidel, who believe that Filipinos have always been considered as one of the best sailors in the world. This summer, the training program will be expanded in Subic Bay wherein prospective sailors will come from Olongapo City and nearby towns of Zambales. Hong Kong’s Frank Pong, Asia’s top sailor and Asian Yacht-

ing Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, is one of the leading supporters of sailing in the Philippines. Pong’s crews are mostly Filipinos coming from Cebu, Bacolod and Manila. They have been sailing and competing for more than 20 years. His donation of new sail for the training boats of the SAGS Sailing School, in partnership with the PSA, has helped jumpstart the sailing program in Subic.

Vergara leads chess team to ASEAN tilt By Arman Armero JOSEPH Raphael Vergara, one of the youngest participants in the 2015 National Schools and Youth Championships Finals held over the weekend, and nine others topped their respective age categories and will represent the country in the ASEAN Youth Chess Championships slated to be held in the first week of June. Only seven years old, Vergara won seven games and drew once after nine rounds to rule the boys’

Under-17 category in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. An incoming Grade 1 student at the Olongapo Wesley School, Vergara, who was accompanied by his parents Joel and Janet to the tournament, said he wants to be a grandmaster like his idol GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway. Others who made it

to the Singapore tournament in the boys’ division were Cebu’s Jerish John Velarde (U-9), Michael Concio Jr. (U11), Stephen Rome Pangilinan (U-13), who won over tiebreak over Emmanuel Van Paler and Istraelito Rilloraza (U-15). The winners in the girls’ division were Florence Gayle Isabedra (U17), Ma. Cristina Samarita (U-9), Princes Louis Oncita (U-1), Kylen Joy Mordido (U-13) and Jia Allaney Doroy (U-15). Mordido, an incoming second-year student

and Board 3 player at University of the East (Morayta) finished with eight points. Doroy, meanwhile, hopes to add another feather on her cap in Singapore after clinching a Fide Master title after topping an agegroup tournament in Thailand in 2013. A native of Agusan del Sur, Doroy and her parents moved to Manila to continue her studies. She enrolled at the National University, where she is part of the school’s chess team.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Martinez 21st in China figure skating IN the recently held World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China, Michael Martinez brought pride to the Philippines by finishing 21st among a pool of 30 skaters from 21 countries. Despite suffering from a hip and ankle injury, and hospital confinement days before the event due to Gastroenteritis, Martinez still displayed courage and determination by valiantly representing the country in the prestigious competition. The World Figure Skating Championships is joined by well-known and seasoned skaters from around the globe. In a 3-day competition, figure skaters competed for the title of World Champion in Men’s Singles, Ladies’ Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dancing divisions. During the short program, Martinez placed 22nd in the Men’s Singles division, defeating Japan’s prominent skater Takahito Mura, who recovered in Freeskate and ended up at 16th place overall. His season’s best score was 213.38, with a total of 192.38 points in Shanghai. Had not been injured and hospitalized, Martinez said he could have placed higher overall. However, Martinez has expressed that he is still happy that he was able to compete in his first senior World Championship. The SM Skating Rink and the whole SM Group is in full support of Michael’s competitions and trainings for the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. SM Skating Rink, with the goal of producing worldclass athletes in the field of ice sports like Michael Martinez, has created programs such as Learn to Skate wherein enrollees will be immersed in skating sessions, learning the basics of the sport and eventually mastering their skating skills which may be advanced to various sports on ice like Ice Hockey, Speed Skating, or a higher level of Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating. To learn more about the SM Skating Rink’s Learn to Skate program, visit www.smskatingrink.com or like SM Skating Rink’s page on Facebook (/smiceskating) for more details.

Martinez

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS Look out Rory, here comes

Spieth

AUGUSTA —Jordan Spieth barely had time to slip his arms into the Masters champion green jacket Sunday when he took aim at his next target—world number one Rory McIlroy.

Jordan Spieth wearing his green jacket. AFP

The 21-year-old American captured his first major title in historic fashion, matching the 72-hole Augusta National record low of 18-under par 270 to defeat Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose by four strokes. “It’s incredible. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt,” Spieth said. “This was arguably the greatest day of my life,” Spieth said. Spieth will jump from fourth in the world rankings to second with the victory, but reigning British Open champion and 2014 PGA Championship winner McIlroy has what the Texan is shooting for next. “The ultimate goal that I have is try to become the number one player in the world,” Spieth said. “I don’t think I am with this. I think that I’m still behind, and so I’m still chasing that goal. It’s going to be very difficult, but to be a large step closer is huge. That figures to bring on a rivalry with McIlroy, a four-time major winner who was hoping for his third consecutive

Bucks stun Nets, claim seat in playoffs TURN TO A12

major title this week to complete a career Grand Slam at age 25. Instead, the Northern Irish star settled for fourth, a final-round 66 only good enough to finish six behind Spieth. “As far as with Rory, he’s got four majors. That’s something I can still only dream about,” Spieth said. “I’ll never hit it as far as he does and I have to make up for that somewhere else. He’s an unbelievably nice guy. Carries that world number one with class. “As far as a rivalry right now, look forward to getting in the heat of the moment with him a couple times in the near future and see if we can battle it out and test our games.” One of those showdowns could come in July at the British Open at St. Andrews, where Spieth is delighted to be going as the Masters champion. “To go to the Home of Golf and what I consider one of the coolest places in the world is going to be really special as the Masters champion,” Spieth said. “I’m sure that it will be a great time, and I look forward to en-

joying the town, the whole experience of playing in an Open Championship at St. Andrews. It’s really cool.” And in case you thought Spieth might be resting on his laurels, think again. “Hopefully at that point, maybe try and go for the third leg of a Grand Slam. Can’t win four unless you win the first, right?” Another date Spieth longs for is his chance to defend the Australian Open crown he won last November, a victory he credits with pushing him along the path that led to his Masters triumph. “That could arguably be one of the best wins that I’ve ever had. I would obviously call this one the greatest win I’ve ever had—no offense,” he said. “But what the Australian Open did is in a period where I had some struggles ... closing out that tournament, it meant a lot. “It was a special week for me and obviously did a lot for my career. Without it, may not be here right now.” AFP

Shopinas seals 3rd win in 5 games TURN TO A14

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

TUESDAY: APRIL 14, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Car sales jumped 22% in Q1 By Othel V. Campos

CAR sales jumped 22 percent to set a new record in the first quarter, extending the automotive industry’s record-breaking streak to a third year, amid the sustained expansion of the economy. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers of the Philippines said in a joint report member-companies sold 62,882 vehicles in the January-March period, up from 51,722 units sold in the same period in 2014. The two groups said it was the first time that combined sales

breached the 60,000 mark in the three-month period. “As projected during the industry planning session conducted for 2015, demand from the BPO market has boosted the sale of the sub-compact segment. Industry continues to respond with the right product mix and very attractive financing package

to meet this demand,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez. Data showed that month-onmonth sales also rose 14 percent in March to 23,557 units from 20,663 units in February. The March sales also increased 23 percent from 19,216 units sold in March 2014. Sales of passenger cars or sedans surged 38 percent in the first quarter to 25,051 units from last year’s first-quarter sales of 18,127 units. The passenger car segment increased sales by an average rate of 38 percent in the last three years and now accounts for almost 40 percent of the total industry sales,

up from only 29-percent share in 2012. The commercial vehicles segment accounted for 60 percent of total sales and closed the first quarter with sales of 37,831 units, up by 13 percent over 33,595 units sold in the same period last year. Within the commercial vehicle category, trucks and buses posted a 69-percent growth with 706 units sold compared to last year’s 419 units. The local automotive industry said it was confident that it would reach its 310,000 sales volume target for 2015, as sales were expected to peak up in the coming months. The industry sold 269,058 vehicles in 2014.

PSe comPoSite index Closing April 13, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

8,073.25 54.23

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing APRIL 13, 2015 46

P44.670

44 43 42

HIGH P44.560 LOW P44.680 AVERAGE P44.633 VOLUME 627.200M

P508.00-P728.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.40-P52.05 Unleaded Gasoline P26.90-P43.80 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

Entrepreneur awards.

The SGV Foundation and the co-presenters of the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015 signed a memorandum of agreement at the Philippine Stock Exchange. Since its launch in 2003, the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines program has become one of the most prestigious awards in the local business community. The search is open to all Filipino entrepreneurs. Shown during the signing ceremony are Trade Department’s Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises officer-in-charge Jerry Clavesillas (seated, third from left), PSE president and chief executive Hans Sicat (fourth from left), SGV chairman and managing partner Cirilo Noel (second from right) and other program sponsors.

World Bank cuts PH growth forecast to 6.5% By Jennifer Ambanta THE World Bank said Monday it reduced its 2015 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.5 percent from the previous estimate of 6.7 percent on weaker global demand. The Washington-based multilateral lender, in its East Asia Pacific Economic Update, retained the country’s growth forecast for 2016 at 6.5 percent. It said gross domestic product growth would decelerate to 6.3 percent in 2017. Its 2015 growth outlook for the Philippines remains one of the fastest in Southeast Asia, ahead of Indonesia’s 5.2 percent, Malaysia’s 4.7 percent, Thailand’s 3.5 percent and Vietnam’s 6 percent. China is seen expanding 7.1 percent in 2015, leading the growth of

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Developing Asia at 6.7 percent and the whole East Asia and the Pacific at 6 percent. Global growth is projected at 2.9 percent this year. “For 2015, 6.5 percent growth is not out of reach if the government fully executes the 2015 budget and the recently approved typhoon Yolanda master plan,” the World Bank said in its outlook for the Philippines. “Moreover, strong remittances, falling oil prices, and upbeat consumer and business sentiments indicate stronger growth in 2015,” it said. The World Bank said for 2016, growth would be supported by election-related spending. “Historically first-half domestic demand growth is around 2.4 percentage points higher in an election year compared to a non-

election year,” it said. It said while there would be upsides to growth this year and the next, the government would face key challenges in the near term, including delays in planned execution of the budget, the delays in investment particularly privatepublic partnership projects and a tepid global economy. It said poverty in the country was

projected to decrease from 15.4 percent in 2012 to 10.9 percent in 2017, using the international poverty line of $1.25/day PPP. “The Philippines needs to accelerate reforms that can translate higher growth into even more inclusive growth—the type that creates more and better jobs—and improve the impact of social sector spending,” it said.

BPI bares branch expansion

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, April 13, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.5150

Japan

Yen

0.008318

0.3703

Pound

1.463500

65.1477

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129041

5.7443

Switzerland

Franc

1.021138

45.4560

Canada

Dollar

0.794723

35.3771

Singapore

Dollar

0.731048

32.5426

Australia

Dollar

0.767990

34.1871

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

118.0769

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266631

11.8691

Brunei

Dollar

0.728385

32.4241

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.030733

1.3681

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1195

Euro

1.059900

47.1814

Korea

Won

0.000915

0.0407

China

Yuan

0.161082

7.1706

India

Rupee

0.016073

0.7155

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.272814

12.1443

New Zealand

Dollar

0.753693

33.5506

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032047

1.4266 Source: PDS Bridge

PAL set to borrow $150m for new planes

TUESDAY: APRIL 14, 2015

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Monday, april 13, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 18.48 31.6 9.5 1.01 99.4 1.46 30.5 75 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 12.02 23.55 6.3 0.225 78 0.9 18.02 58 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

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

7 71 119.80 106.00 46.6 2.33 2.17 16.5 24.4 9.80 0.440 99.6 0.98 18.30 31.00 78.00 94.90 336 45.1 176.9 1330.00 69.40 3.08

35.6 1.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 14.6 62.5 10.08 29.15 1.04 10.72 8.44 9.79 5.43 9.54 1.06 18.06 67.9 0.0076 13.24 3.12 168 8.65 34.1 2.3 1.63 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.37 3.87 9 9.94 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 201.6 1.67 0.122 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 1.39

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Jollibee Foods Corp. Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

45 1.65 1.1 1.98 12.36 19.5 200 34.3 59.7 1.81 12.66 18.800 11.48 8.37 9.94 2.11 29.55 99 0.4700 14.30 6.3 217.00 9.26 33.55 2.65 3.61 26.5 26 7.830 262.00 3.88 4.12 9.79 11.66 4.05 2.55 3.15 4.86 203 1.7 0.171 2.23 222.2 4.54 0.7 1.49

0.7 59.2 31.85 2.16 7.39 3.4 800 11.06 84 3.35 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 9.66 0.0670 0.84 2.99 87 934 2.2 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.45 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 1.4 600 7.390 14.18 2.6 4.25 0.144 818 5.3 46.6 4.43 0.59 12 0.580 4.22 4.5 3 0.036 0.450 2.26 66.7 709.5 1.13 0.93 85.2 0.200 0.173 0.310

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

0.470 58.10 27.10 1.39 7.05 0.28 800.5 8.77 15.76 3.15 4.55 0.330 1336 6.15 74.30 8.76 0.79 16.68 0.66 4.72 5.15 3 0.0410 0.780 2.44 67.70 970.00 1.20 0.91 102.00 0.4000 0.2340 0.330

10.5 26.95 1.99 2.07 0.375 40 6.15 5.4 1.54 1.48 0.201 0.98

6.01 12 0.91 1.29 0.192 29.1 4.1 4.96 0.89 0.97 0.083 0.445

8990 HLDG 8.740 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.90 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.90 Araneta Prop À’ 1.310 Arthaland Corp. 0.245 Ayala Land `B’ 40.75 Belle Corp. À’ 4.28 Cebu Holdings 5.24 Century Property 0.94 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.01 Crown Equities Inc. 0.156 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.470

47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 20.6 125 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 31.8 109 0.820 15.3 9.4 241 12.5 79 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5 5.25 13.04 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 253 3.28 0.315 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17

High

Low

HFINANCIAL 7.1 6.99 71 69.1 120.00 117.80 106.00 103.20 46.6 46.5 2.33 2.33 2.18 2.15 16.58 15.4 24.6 24.45 9.80 8.78 0.440 0.430 99.5 98.25 0.99 0.98 18.36 18.36 31.00 31.00 78.95 78.05 94.9 90 336 335 45.85 44.95 178 174 1365.00 1360.00 70.00 69.40 3.12 3.07 INDUSTRIAL 44.65 43.35 1.65 1.65 1.1 1.05 2.01 1.99 12.3 12.02 19.6 19.3 200 200 34.5 33 61.1 59.5 1.81 1.8 12.98 12.5 19.000 18.56 11.60 11.54 8.35 8.25 9.95 9.89 2.11 2 29.8 29.25 99.95 97.1 0.4500 0.4500 14.50 14.30 6.31 6.24 219.00 214.40 9.45 9.26 33.60 33.55 2.64 2.58 4.7 3.35 26.95 26.45 26.1 24.9 7.850 7.830 265.00 262.00 4.18 4.18 4.12 4.04 10.20 9.79 11.68 11.50 4.08 4.02 2.55 2.50 3.24 2.95 4.85 4.78 204 203 1.72 1.65 0.171 0.169 2.23 2.20 222 217.8 4.5 4.5 0.72 0.69 1.52 1.45 HOLDING FIRMS 0.455 0.455 58.20 57.80 27.70 26.65 1.38 1.38 7.04 7.00 0.29 0.28 806 797.5 8.81 8.73 15.76 15.50 3.15 3.15 4.54 4.50 0.330 0.320 1359 1327 6.15 6.13 74.30 73.00 8.97 8.79 0.81 0.78 16.6 16.48 0.65 0.65 4.75 4.62 5.2 5 3.39 3.39 0.0400 0.0400 0.790 0.780 2.45 2.45 71.80 67.50 970.00 945.00 1.21 1.20 0.91 0.90 105.00 102.20 0.4000 0.3900 0.2440 0.2440 0.330 0.315 PROPERTY 9.050 8.780 10.98 10.00 0.90 0.89 1.300 1.300 0.260 0.260 41.40 40.10 4.36 4.3 5.25 5.21 0.95 0.94 1.01 1.00 0.160 0.152 0.460 0.460

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.1 70.8 120.00 105.00 46.5 2.33 2.17 16.4 24.5 8.94 0.440 98.85 0.98 18.36 31.00 78.95 94.9 335 45 174 1361.00 70.00 3.07

1.43 -0.28 0.17 -0.94 -0.21 0.00 0.00 -0.61 0.41 -8.78 0.00 -0.75 0.00 0.33 0.00 1.22 0.00 -0.30 -0.22 -1.64 2.33 0.86 -0.32

11,600 19,230 2,953,670 712,050 61,800 4,000 218,000 129,900 89,900 176,700 260,000 4,636,110 55,000 19,100 2,000 81,170 4,020 250 910,400 1,330,070 265 10,210 17,000

43.8 1.65 1.1 2 12.3 19.5 200 34.45 61.1 1.81 12.9 18.600 11.58 8.30 9.94 2 29.4 97.5 0.4500 14.50 6.28 219.00 9.26 33.60 2.58 3.6 26.95 25 7.840 263.80 4.18 4.04 9.98 11.68 4.08 2.51 3.04 4.85 203 1.72 0.170 2.20 219.4 4.5 0.69 1.46

-2.67 0.00 0.00 1.01 -0.49 0.00 0.00 0.44 2.35 0.00 1.90 -1.06 0.87 -0.84 0.00 -5.21 -0.51 -1.52 -4.26 1.40 -0.32 0.92 0.00 0.15 -2.64 -0.28 1.70 -3.85 0.13 0.69 7.73 -1.94 1.94 0.17 0.74 -1.57 -3.49 -0.21 0.00 1.18 -0.58 -1.35 -1.26 -0.88 -1.43 -2.01

6,014,400 13,000 970,000 1,403,000 9,900 297,700 50 276,400 4,770 77,000 164,400 6,494,500 6,099,400 12,383,400 2,111,800 181,000 6,665,800 238,230 100,000 1,400 215,700 548,560 268,700 500 21,000 440,000 1,418,800 1,064,800 202,600 355,620 1,000 16,435,000 3,816,100 6,100 490,000 817,000 1,121,000 4,790,000 11,940 81,000 1,920,000 2,612,000 2,765,590 24,000 316,000 70,000

0.455 58.10 27.00 1.38 7.00 0.28 800 8.76 15.66 3.15 4.52 0.325 1344 6.13 73.20 8.84 0.78 16.54 0.65 4.63 5 3.39 0.0400 0.780 2.45 71.80 949.00 1.20 0.90 104.80 0.3900 0.2440 0.315

-3.19 0.00 -0.37 -0.72 -0.71 0.00 -0.06 -0.11 -0.63 0.00 -0.66 -1.52 0.60 -0.33 -1.48 0.91 -1.27 -0.84 -1.52 -1.91 -2.91 13.00 -2.44 0.00 0.41 6.06 -2.16 0.00 -1.10 2.75 -2.50 4.27 -4.55

120,000 675,120 10,247,500 10,000 16,900 1,430,000 595,440 6,502,900 2,953,000 11,000 7,000 1,250,000 455,360 27,000 1,504,150 3,634,600 195,000 3,340,300 100,000 9,809,000 30,000 3,000 1,200,000 727,000 35,000 1,326,930 202,150 70,000 196,000 7,120 1,630,000 10,000 420,000

9.000 10.86 0.90 1.300 0.260 40.60 4.35 5.24 0.94 1.01 0.156 0.460

2.97 -0.37 0.00 -0.76 6.12 -0.37 1.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.13

3,375,400 4,400 257,000 6,000 10,000 8,456,400 12,678,000 203,800 1,857,000 116,000 16,860,000 160,000

-6,430.00 -33,762,975.00 5,433,357.00 6,990.00 80,000.00 -1,616,300.00 4,900 75,759,165.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 5.73 0.180 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 7.56 1.96 8.59

0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 4.13 0.090 0.39 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 3.38 1 5.69

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. 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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 2.6 9 1700 2090 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 2.2 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 18 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490 1.6

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 1.6 5.88 830 1600 5.95 1.36 105 3.01 4 8.72 0.012 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 1.1 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 8.8 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305 1.04

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings 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 SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 9.43 0.236 6.5 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

70 553 525 515 8.21 12.28 111 1060

33 490 500 480 5.88 6.5 101 997

1047 76.9 78.95 84.8 1.34

1011 74.2 74.5 75 1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

High

Low

0.880 0.195 1.57 1.93 1.47 5.88 0.134 0.5100 7.86 28.75 1.79 3.24 20.65 0.82 7.6 1.050 8.100

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.880 0.880 0.880 0.193 0.193 0.193 1.61 1.50 1.50 1.97 1.94 1.96 1.46 1.42 1.44 5.92 5.68 5.7 0.135 0.130 0.132 0.5100 0.4900 0.5100 7.88 7.82 7.88 29.85 28.90 29.10 1.79 1.76 1.79 3.16 3.16 3.16 20.70 20.30 20.45 0.84 0.81 0.82 7.7 7.49 7.51 1.080 1.050 1.080 8.100 8.000 8.100 SERVICES 6.8 6.9 6.79 6.82 61.9 63.15 62 63.15 1.02 1.05 1.03 1.03 0.700 7.000 0.690 0.690 14.06 14 14 14 11.80 12.12 11.60 11.80 0.1170 0.1170 0.1140 0.1160 3.7 3.75 3.7 3.7 87.3 87.4 84.4 84.4 10.06 10.06 10.06 10.06 1.68 1.7 1.68 1.7 7.00 7.00 6.90 7.00 990 985 985 985 2200 2240 2200 2220 6.50 6.59 6.45 6.45 1.56 1.58 1.54 1.56 111 111.1 110.3 110.8 7.25 9.60 7.66 8.00 24 30 30 30 11.98 12 11.98 12 0.015 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.233 0.238 0.239 0.233 1.2400 1.2700 1.2400 1.2700 2.86 2.81 2.66 2.66 8.88 8.95 8.80 8.81 2.08 2.02 2.02 2.02 1.35 1.4 1.32 1.32 0.700 0.700 0.690 0.690 1.99 1.98 1.95 1.98 10.4 10.48 10.22 10.46 0.355 0.370 0.360 0.365 0.480 0.475 0.470 0.470 18.3 18.48 18.42 18.48 4.53 4.59 4.44 4.50 3.1 3.39 3.39 3.39 9 9 9 9 108.50 112.00 110.90 110.90 14.08 14.18 14.02 14.18 2972.00 2972.00 2938.00 2940.00 0.600 0.610 0.600 0.600 1.670 1.700 1.660 1.660 40.95 40.95 39.85 39.95 84.25 84.10 82.75 83.10 10.30 10.00 10.00 10.28 0.68 0.69 0.67 0.67 6.68 6.9 6.69 6.88 0.350 0.345 0.340 0.345 1.380 1.440 1.380 1.430 MINING & OIL 0.0057 0.0059 0.0056 0.0058 2.72 2.70 2.61 2.61 8.61 8.61 8.48 8.49 11.00 11.20 10.00 11.20 0.255 0.260 0.255 0.260 6.9000 7.0000 6.9000 7.0000 1.11 1.12 1.1 1.11 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.93 8.24 8.24 7.82 7.82 2.09 2.13 1.95 2.1 0.380 0.470 0.380 0.450 0.244 0.244 0.241 0.244 0.245 0.247 0.242 0.247 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 4.66 4.75 4.62 4.62 23.25 23.75 23.2 23.5 3.72 3.89 3.75 3.82 0.7300 0.7300 0.7200 0.7200 2.070 2.100 2.080 2.100 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 5.70 5.89 5.70 5.88 6.92 7.14 6.89 6.94 2.06 2.3 2.06 2.06 0.016 0.016 0.015 0.016 166.20 168.00 166.20 166.80 4.1 4.1 4.09 4.1 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 PREFERRED 62.9 66 62.9 65 515 515.5 515.5 515.5 523 523 522 523 508 525 525 525 6.39 6.5 6.35 6.35 1.07 1.08 1.07 1.08 108.8 109 109 109 1080 1090 1090 1090 1105 1105 1100 1105 1046 1046 1046 1046 75.95 76.1 75.95 76.1 80.55 83 83 83 84.75 85 84.75 84.75 4.05 4.47 4.05 4.05 WARRANTS & BONDS 4.160 4.260 4.060 4.140 SME 8.56 8.65 8.53 8.56 5.44 5.9 5.44 5.5 9.88 9.97 9.6 9.71 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 132 132.2 130.6 131.5

0.00 -1.03 -4.46 1.55 -2.04 -3.06 -1.49 0.00 0.25 1.22 0.00 -2.47 -0.97 0.00 -1.18 2.86 0.00

6,000 30,000 6,359,000 26,605,000 63,000 30,022,500 4,190,000 2,228,000 153,300 2,992,600 522,000 10,000 11,223,500 4,489,000 14,007,700 328,000 3,240,600

0.29 2.02 0.98 -1.43 -0.43 0.00 -0.85 0.00 -3.32 0.00 1.19 0.00 -0.51 0.91 -0.77 0.00 -0.18 10.34 25.00 0.17 -6.67 -2.10 2.42 -6.99 -0.79 -2.88 -2.22 -1.43 -0.50 0.58 2.82 -2.08 0.98 -0.66 9.35 0.00 2.21 0.71 -1.08 0.00 -0.60 -2.44 -1.36 -2.72 -1.47 2.99 -1.43 3.62

182,000 83,850 3,000 1,755,000 62,200 30,609,500 28,920,000 27,000 1,453,980 1,700 6,000 34,500 1,270 41,155 376,500 141,000 1,130,790 4,700 300 13,500 12,800,000 4,760,000 168,000 84,000 400,000 11,000 67,000 36,000 294,000 25,365,100 410,000 100,000 3,500 29,000 1,000 2,500 160 451,400 225,980 1,101,000 23,724,000 2,632,700 2,803,970 8,434,300 713,000 1,469,400 780,000 9,000

1.75 -4.04 -1.39 1.82 1.96 1.45 0.00 1.09 -5.10 0.48 18.42 0.00 0.82 0.00 -0.86 1.08 2.69 -1.37 1.45 0.00 3.16 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.36 0.00 0.00

990,000,000 155,000 135,000.00 730,600 25,886.00 500 130,000 122,000 266,000 334,000 10,400 26,456,000 10,023,550.00 52,960,000 -22,000.00 3,960,000 4,040,000 20,900,000 1,528,000 962,130.00 3,571,000 23,161,155.00 4,416,000 -466,940.00 842,000 595,000 43,790.00 25,100,000 5,400 1,171,300 -106,400.00 1,448,000 1,279,830.00 56,200,000 15,000.00 442,270 49,737,847.00 17,000 3,800,000

3.34 0.10 0.00 3.35 -0.63 0.93 0.18 0.93 0.00 0.00 0.20 3.04 0.00 0.00

459,820 200 340 420 2,100 1,124,000 145,630 45 1,045 680 177,910 83 63,960 5,000

-0.48

328,000

288,750.00

0.00 1.10 -1.72

413,800 2,300 761,100

-17,110.00

-0.38

3,136,598

-3,312,690.00 29,459,370.00 -57,103,718.00 2,670.00 -744,354.00 11,506,890.00 -19,690.00 34,120,280.00 56,930.00

MST

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

SHARES 11,702,985 83,476,967 82,696,760 149,469,758 153,765,435 1,199,348,280 1,681,661,225

350,676.00 287,542.00 90,000.00

-5,825,710.00 -70,870,248.00 142,815.00 76,052.00 9,360.00 -69,108,590.00

-108,000.00 6,000.00 -2,527,408.00 -2,527,408.00 -6,000.00 172,250.00 89,250.00

-64,524.00 -78,797,542.00 58,441,012.00 -27,798,077.00 8,221,850.00

-42,728,995.00 -8,211,458.00 9,000.00

-630.00 -10,296,940.00 -1,393,998.00

29,339,145.00 -5,079,905.00 0.00 -14,417,664.00

23,073,730.00 -441,192.00

-11,924,130.00 -121,920.00

-768,100.00 -91,999,668.00 90,000.00 90,000.00

8,721,166.00 -96,924,705.00

5,646,480.00 27,230,824.00 -1,538,478.00

-360,284,605.00 165,760.00 -4,538,213.00 -12,261,377.00 -385,076.00

-12,505,380.00

58,500.00

25,460,925.50 -30,410,390.00

46,800.00 -139,496.00 40,000.00

-431,305.00 5,430.00 8,900.00 7,800.00 80,892,135.00 -24,317,070.00 -262,000.00 899,570.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

10.96 15 12.88

2.4 3.5 5.95

-86,850.00

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp. Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,178,484,748.29 1,874,967,105.695 2,733,341,260.41 1,124,773,665.31 2,322,911,247.5825 289,641,997.906 9,538,236,740.1905

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,879.67 (down) 9.13 INDUSTRIAL 12,580.91 (down) 54.91 HOLDING FIRMS 7,206.83 (down) 58.51 PROPERTY 3,290.81 (down) 16.60 SERVICES 2,175.70 (down) 13.64 MINING & OIL 15,333.71 (up) 57.59 PSEI 8,073.25 (down) 54.23 All Shares Index 4,616.76 (down) 18.62 Gainers: 77; Losers: 98; Unchanged: 50; Total: 225

-2,145,750.00

-696,740.00 -240,800.00 49,633,806.00 23,000.00 -94,984,898.00

-228,200.00 -904,920.00

-56,160.00 13,907,980.00 155,952.00

118,100.00

-280,190.00 -14,852,504.00 -47,250.00

10,078.00 767,778.00 -228,308,240.00

-686,730.00 -74,526,460.00 -59,352,429.00 -1,452,776.00 -2,482,703.00

-1,440.00

8,180,012.00 5,220 5,250.00

-806,650.00

-3,839,314.00 1,195,200.00

2,393,147.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Imperial Res. `B'

25.00

Filipino Fund Inc.

8.94

Geograce Res. Phil. Inc.

0.450

18.42

Jackstones

2.66

-8.78 -6.99

MJCI Investments Inc.

3.39

13.00

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.014

-6.67

Imperial Res. `A'

8.00

10.34

Euro-Med Lab

-5.21

Paxys Inc.

3.39

9.35

Dizon

7.82

-5.10

Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

4.18

7.73

Zeus Holdings

0.315

-4.55

Arthaland Corp.

0.260

6.12

Global-Estate

1.50

-4.46

San Miguel Corp `A'

71.80

6.06

Greenergy

0.4500

-4.26

Wellex Industries

0.2440

4.27

Apex `A'

2.61

-4.04

Yehey

1.430

3.62

Maxs Group

-3.85

TUESDAY: APRIL 14, 2015

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

BPI bares branch expansion By Julito G. Rada

BANK of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in the country, will concentrate its branch expansion in the coming months in the Visayas and Mindanao areas in an attempt to seize the growth opportunities in the countryside. Joseph Gotuaco, the bank’s executive vice president and head of enterprise services, told The Standard in an interview the bank planned to put up a significant number of branches in the next 12 to 18 months. “We will have some additions mostly in the VisMin areas… I cannot disclose the number yet because the competition will find out,” Gotuaco said. “But we’ve gotten the approval already from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and in the next 12 to 18 months, you will see us adding a number of branches,” Gotuaco said. Gotuaco said BPI would also invest in the renovation of its existing branches nationwide. He did not cite figures for these investments. He said the cost of expansion in the provinces was lower than in the urban areas because the bank would mostly lease the expansion sites. “So we are spending most on the construction cost...,” he said. He said the bank planned to open approximately 50 branches nationwide but declined to give the timetable for the expansion. Gotuaco said BPI would continue to strengthen its presence in the National Capital Region, especially in the so-called “restricted areas.” The Bangko Sentral earlier prohibited branch expansion in eight cities in the capital region to prevent overbanking and allow lenders to expand in the provinces. These cities are Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig Quezon and San Juan. The regulator lifted the restriction in July 2014. BPI as of end-2014 had 825 branches and 2,575 automated teller machines nationwide. The bank’s net income in 2014 declined 4 percent to P18 billion from P18.8 billion a year ago due mainly to lower trading gains. However, the bank registered a 72-percent increase in net income in the fourth quarter to P5.2 billion from P3 billion a year ago. BPI’s core business in lending to corporate and retail clients continued to drive growth. Net loans reached P800 billion, an increase of 26 percent from the end of 2013. Deposits ended at P1.176 trillion, up 19 percent from a year ago.

Trade partner. San Miguel Foods Inc., through foodservice arm Great Foods Solutions, was named ‘Trade Partner of the Year’ by convenience store chain Ministop. The award serves to recognize SMFI’s exceptional performance in sales, service level, trade support and account service. GFS, a Ministop partner for 14 years, is the chain’s supplier of chicken and processed meats. Shown are (from left) GFS area sales managers Peter Villena, Chito Dela Calzada, vice president and general manager Helene Pontejos, Ministop category manager-steamed Pamela Magbanua, GFS area sales manager Mico Areglado, merchandising manager for RTE July Relator, GFS national sales manager Ramon Vinluan, GFS commissary manager Leah Golez and Ministop category manager-fried Jeffrhee Susi.

Stocks slip on profit-taking; Megaworld sinks THE stock market fell Monday on profit-taking and on World Bank’s lower growth outlook on developing East Asian economies. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 54.23 points, or 0.7 percent, to 8,073.25 on a value turnover of P9.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 98 to 77, with 50 issues unchanged. Developing East Asian economies will grow slightly slower this year, the World Bank said, with China’s moderating

expansion overshadowing the benefits of lower oil prices and a recovery in rich countries. The bank reduced its growth forecast for the Philippines this year to 6.5 percent from the previous 6.7 percent. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications firm, lost 1.1 percent to P2,940, while Aboitiz Power Corp. declined 2.7 percent to P43.80. Security Bank Corp., the eighth

largest lender, slipped 1.6 percent to P174, while SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. fell 2.2 percent to P949. Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, tumbled 3.1 percent to P5.70, while Cebu Air Inc., the largest budget carrier, sank 3.3 percent to P84.40. Most Asia markets, meanwhile, climbed Monday, with Hong Kong advancing for an eighth straight session and Shanghai rallying after more disappointing

Pepsi’s profit dips, net sales increase By Jenniffer B. Austria SOFTDRINK maker Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. said net income in 2014 declined 10.2 percent to P810.9 million from P903.4 million in 2013, mainly due to competitive pricing actions in the first semester as well as the trickle-down effect of super typhoon Yolanda. PCPPI said in a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange net sales rose 12.7 percent in 2014 to P25.32 billion from P22.46 billion in 2013. Operating expanses, however, increased 11 percent to P5.22 billion. Net sales from the carbonated soft drinks business totalled P18.56 billion, up 13.8 percent from P16.3 billion, while net sales from non-carbonated beverages reached P6.7 billion, up 9.9 percent to P6.76 billion from P6.15 billion in 2013.

“This is a commendable feat, as it overlapped two consecutive years of strong double-digit growth amid a modestly-growing CSD industry and a continuously intensifying competitive landscape,” PCPPI said. Gross sales in the fourth quarter increased 13 percent to P7.9 billion, the second quarter in a row that revenue growth was ahead of volume increase. “These gains were made possible by the company’s relentless focus on expanding distribution, supported by significant investments in manufacturing and marketing and distribution assets amounting to P3.9 billion this year,” PCPPI said. To maintain its position as one of the leading companies in the ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic beverage market, PCPCI said it would pursue its long term strategy of distribution and manufacturing investments, support-

ed by marketing programs to sustain the growth momentum. “For the years to come, the company will continue to expand its beverage offerings leveraging our wide manufacturing platform and extensive distribution reach to meet consumer demands,” PCPPI said. PCPPI is a licensed bottler of PepsiCo Inc. and Pepsi Lipton International Ltd. in the Philippines. It manufactures a range of carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages that include well-known brands Pepsi-Cola, 7-Up, Mountain Dew, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana/Twister, Lipton, Sting, Propel, Milkis and Let’s Be. The company also plans to venture into the snack food business with the establishment of a P650-million manufacturing facility set to be operational by the second half of the year.

Chinese data fueled hopes for fresh easing measures. Wall Street provided another strong lead Friday, boosted by a string of merger announcements last week and a huge asset sale by General Electric. Shanghai surged 2.17 percent, or 87.41 points, to 4,121.71 while Hong Kong climbed 2.73 percent, or 743.95 points, to 28,016.34 on the second highest turnover ever. Seoul gained 0.53 percent, or 11.16 points, to end at 2,098.92. Tokyo ended marginally lower, dipping 2.17 points to 19,905.46, while Sydney eased 0.14 percent, or 8.1 points, to close at 5,960.3. In China the customs administration said imports and exports sank in March, the latest figures to show the world’s number two economy continues to struggle. However, they will also reinforce investors’ expectations that authorities will unveil a new round of growthfuelling policies. Those expectations have powered a rally in Shanghai shares to seven-year highs over the past 12 months, and mainlanders are heading to Hong Kong for what they consider cheap equities. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has now climbed more than 13 percent over the past eight sessions. Turnover on the HSI hit two successive records last week as traders north of the border made the most of a link-up between the index and Shanghai’s exchange. With AFP, Bloomberg

BUSINESS Bangko Sentral set to approve entry of 2 more foreign banks By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is processing the applications of two more foreign banks to expand in the Philippines, after approving the permits of three Asian banks. “We have two applications now under evaluation after CUB [Cathay United Bank of Taiwan],” Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in a text message Monday, referring to the latest bank that received a permit from the regulator. Espenilla said foreign banks’ in-

terest to expand in the Philippines continued to rise, as “four more” banks submitted their intention to enter the country. The Bangko Sentral last week approved the application of Taiwan-based Cathay United Bank to expand here. It earlier approved the applications of Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Shinhan Bank of Korea. Cathay United Bank is one of the largest commercial banks in Taiwan, with a capital value of TW$52 billion ($1.7 billion) and more than 160 branches. CUB was formerly

the United World Chinese Commercial Bank founded in 1975. UWCCB merged with the former Cathay Commercial Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cathay Financial Holding Company in 2003, with UWCCB as the surviving bank. The merged bank was renamed Cathay United Bank. Shinhan Bank is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It was the first bank in Korea, established under the name Hanseong Bank in 1897. Sumitomo Mitsui Bank is company based in Yurakucho, Chiyo-

da, Tokyo. It is the second largest bank in Japan. Espenilla earlier said bank branching was the focus of these foreign banks’ applications, which is easier to set up. The policy-making Monetary Board of Bangko Sentral approved in November last year the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10641, which allows the further entry of foreign banks into the country. With the approval of the IRR, additional foreign banks can now apply to operate in the Philippines

either as a branch or as a whollyowned subsidiary. RA 10641 amended RA 7721, which was passed into law in May 1994. The new law allows foreign banks to acquire up to 100 percent of the voting stock of an existing domestic bank. This was an increase from the 60 percent cap under the previous law (RA 7721). RA 10641 allows foreign banks to control up to a combined 40 percent of the total assets of the banking system. This was 10-percentage points higher than the previous 30-percent limit.

PAL set to borrow $150m for new planes By Darwin G. Amojelar

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines will borrow $150 million from foreign banks to fund the acquisition of new Airbus aircraft. “We are looking at $150-million borrowings from foreign banks to purchase aircraft,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters in a lunch briefing Monday. Bautista did not disclose the name of the foreign banks, but said he expected the transaction to be completed in June this year. “We have taken delivery of three aircraft since January. Then, one [is] coming by end of the month and another one by June,” he said. PAL allocated $250 million this year for the acquisition of five Airbus aircraft. PAL ordered a total of 40 aircraft from Airbus that would be delivered until 2024. Bautista said the airline posted a net profit last year, but the exact numbers were still being finalized. PAL Holdings posted a comprehensive loss of P192.3 million in the July-September last year, down 82.5 percent from P1.09-billion loss in the

same three-month period a year earlier. Revenue amounted to P25.03 billion, up by 38.9 percent from P18.02 billion previously. Passenger revenue climbed to P19.77 billion from P14.51 billion in 2013, while cargo revenue jumped 39 percent year-on-year to P2.22 billion. Bautista said 2015 would be a “very good year” for PAL, as more people were expected to travel on domestic and international routes, if the price of fuel would remain low. The International Air Transport Association said the price of jet fuel stood at $70.3 per barrel as of March 27, down by 42 percent from a year ago. LT Group of tycoon Lucion Tan reacquired a 49-percent stake of San Miguel in PAL for $1 billion in September 2014. San Miguel bought its stake in the flag carrier from Tan for $500 million in 2012.

Chocolate products. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (second from left) looks at chocolate products of Kablon Farms displayed during the National Food Fair on March 25, 2015 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Joining him are (from left) Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion director Rhodora Leaño, Kablon Farms operations director Ernesto Pantua Jr. and DTI South Cotabato provincial director Flora Gabunales.

Clark Water gets P1.1-b loan from RCBC By Anna Leah E. Gonzales CLARK Water Corp., a unit of Manila Water Company Inc., has secured a P1.15-billion loan from Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. “Proceeds of the loan will be used to partially finance Clark Water’s expenditure program,” Manila Water said in a disclosure to the exchange. Clark Water provides water services in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone under a 25-year concession contract. The initial contract, signed in 2000, was supposed to end on Sept. 30, 2025. Clark Water signed a contract with the Clark Freeport last year

to extend the concession agreement by another 15 years or up to 2040. Clark Water earlier said it would invest P3.93 billion in various projects between 2014 and 2040. “The capital investment for the whole concession ending 2040 will be used for various improvements of the company’s water and used water facilities to promote the Freeport zone as an ideal business hub for multinational companies,” Clark Water said. The amount will also be used to build and commission new water sources such as deep wells and infiltration wells. “This also includes the ongoing feasibility study on tapping

surface water as additional supply source in the area. Construction of new water treatment facilities, storage tanks and booster facilities as well as upgrading and refurbishment of existing ones will form part of its business activities,” Clark Water said. Clark Water earlier completed three new deep wells. It also upgraded three major booster pumps and installed generator sets on old water sources to improve and strengthen supply reliability. “The construction, reinforcement and replacement of new sewer lines for used water is among Clark Water’s utmost priority in the succeeding 10 years,” Clark Water said.

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

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

Your digital shadow AN issue that took centerstage at last month’s RightCHIN WONG sCon Southeast Asia summit was digital security, an increasingly important consideration in these times of massive online surveillance—whether carried out by states, companies or hackers. One of the conference sponsors, Access (accessnow.org), operates a Digital Security Helpline that offers direct technical assistance and advice free of charge to activists, independent media and civil society organizations. If you belong to any of these groups, you can send the helpline an e-mail (help@accessnow.org) stating the kind of assistance you need. Services include rapid response on digital security incidents; personalized recommendations on digital security issues; guidance on the use of digital security tools; and support for securing technical infrastructure, websites and social media against attacks. At the conference, I sat down with Abir Ibrahem, a security incident handler with the Tunisia office of Access, who offered some basic and very practical advice on digital security—turn on your firewall, use anti-virus software and encrypt your e-mail. She also gave me some reading material from Me & My Shadow (https://myshadow.org) which illustrates very clearly the digital traces we leave behind when we visit a website, post a message on a social network, share a photograph online, or buy something online. “In some cases, our data is collected without our knowledge or consent—like when our browsing habits and IP address are collected while we visit a website. In other cases, we choose to hand over our data to third parties—when we share photos on Facebook, or book a flight ticket, for example. Through all such activity, we leave digital traces which result in the creation of our digital shadow,” says the site created by the Tactical Technology Collective. On the website, you can learn more about the size of your digital shadow (Trace My Shadow) by checking off what devices and online services you use. Based on my usage, I have a total of 109 traces. “That’s a lot of traces, isn’t it?” the site asked, then offered five tips and five tools to reduce my exposure. Another useful resource, particularly for journalists and media organizations, comes from Safer Journo (https://saferjourno.internews.org/), which is a free and open-source curriculum guide for media trainers who teach students, professionals and peers digital safety and online security. “A clean and protected PC is fundamental to your digital privacy,” Safer Journo says. “If your PC is infected with a virus or if it doesn’t take advantage of some common safety features. Other efforts to protect your data may be undone.” In a Quick Start supplement, Safer Journo offers some common recommendations to make your PC and online accounts more secure: 1) Get an anti-virus application. An anti-virus application protects against malicious software that can damage your PC or give someone access to your files. 2) Update everything. An anti-virus program needs to be updated frequently to keep it current with new viruses and other exploits. Some programs will allow automatic updates while others will need to be updated manually. 3) Enable automatic updates. In Windows on in Mac OS X, turn automatic updating on to get important security updates when they become available. 4) Make sure your PC firewall is on. Both Windows and Mac OS X have built-in firewalls or software that tells your PC to ignore Internet connections you didn’t request. 5) Use strong passwords. Passwords that are short or easy to guess don’t offer much protection for your PC or your online accounts. Make passwords long, don’t make them personal, and avoid using the same password for more than one account. 6) Encrypt everything. Encryption programs let you lock up files on your PC with a password so that someone else can’t read them. If you don’t already encrypt your files, you may want to consider using the free utility called TrueCrypt. If all these precautions sound a bit overboard, it might help to recall what former US National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said: “Even a paranoid can have enemies.”

Digital life

Column archives and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

Budget releases up by 21% in Q1 By Jennifer Ambanta

GOVERNMENT budget released to various agencies and special funds increased 21 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, helping expedite the implementation of public projects and programs, the Budget Department said Monday. The government released P1.295 trillion to various agencies and special purpose funds in the January-March period, up from P1.066 trillion in the same period last year. “With this early release, we can speed up the implementation of projects and programs across agencies and departments, even as we minimize irregularities in fund releases,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. The agency said in line with the General Appropriations Actas-Release-Document regime

implemented at the start of 2014, around 92.5 percent of the 2015 allotments for government departments and agencies were comprehensively released in the first quarter of the year. The General Appropriations Act-as-Release-Document regime means government agencies can start incurring obligation early in the year. Meanwhile, automatic appropriations stood at P799.782 billion in the first quarter, up from P375.190 billion last year. Abad said earlier the depart-

ment would adjust the spending program based on the reduction in tax collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue as a result of newly implemented laws. Abad said despite the lower revenue target, the government was confident it would be able to deliver the services and infrastructure needed by the country. “It will mean adjustments in disbursements, but there is ample space provided in the budget,” he said. The Development Budget Coordination Council revised the revenue targets of the BIR and Bureau of Customs this year because of the recently enacted laws and falling oil prices in the international market. The national government disbursed a total of P1.982 trillion in 2014. Full-year expenditures in 2014 missed the program by 13 percent, but grew by 5 percent or P101.5 billion from a year ago.

First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group, is the lead arranger for the P11-billion project loan facility of Panay Energy Development Corp. First Metro president Roberto Juanchito Dispo (in photo) said during the signing ceremony the project was in response to the looming power shortage in the country, especially in the Visayas area. Panay Energy, a unit of Global Business Power Corp., successfully raised the amount from a consortium of local banks. It will use the proceeds to finance the construction of a 150-megawatt coal power plant in Iloilo City.

Panay Energy bags power supply deal By Alena Mae S. Flores PANAY Energy Development Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Business Power Corp., has signed a 25-year electric power purchase agreement with electric cooperatives belonging to the Panay-Guimaras Power Supply Consortium. The Panay-Guimaras consortium is an alliance of electric cooperatives in the Panay-Guimaras area formed to negotiate more competitive prices through aggregation of power requirements. Iloilo Electric Cooperatives I, II and III, Antique Electric Cooperative and Guimaras Electric

Cooperative signed an agreement with Panay Energy for the supply of 24 megawatts at the rate of P5.05 per kilowatt-hour, the lowest price of electricity in the Visayas. The cooperatives will source power from Panay Energy to address their respective projected power demand in the next two to five years. The purchase agreement will take effect in July 2016 and will be sourced from Panay Energy’s 150-MW expansion project. The Panay-Guimaras consortium adopted the Swiss Challenge procurement process to secure the best offer for its power

supply requirement. Under the Swiss Challenge system, Panay Energy’s proposal went through the competitive bidding process which allowed other power generators to challenge its offer. Global Business Power executive vice president Jaime Azurin said the successful outcome of the Swiss Challenge would be beneficial to the power consumers of Panay in terms of lower energy cost. “Committed to provide adequate, reliable and cost efficient power supply, we support undertakings that serve the best interest of the consumers,” Azurin said.

TUESDAY: APRIL 14, 2015

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

AirAsia’s PH unit to go public China creates a mini-ADB CHINA’S announcement that RUDY ROMERO is was sponsoring the establishment of a regional bank for infrastructure investment shouldn’t have come as a surprise to perceptive observers of the Asia-Pacific geopolitical scene. There are at least two reasons for this, and both relate to China’s view of itself in the wake of its rise to world-power status. The first reason is China’s growing feeling that it has an insufficient say in the running of Asia’s regional development bank, the Asian Development Bank. China is aware of the unwritten understanding, reached by ADB’s organizers in the late 1960s, that Japan would be primus inter pares in the Bank and would be principally responsible for its management. ADB’s president and CEO would be a Japanese, and so would a majority of the Bank’s key officers. Such an arrangement might have been acceptable to China during the years when it was climbing up the world leadership ladder, but once it got to the top, or near-top, of the ladder, that arrangement was no longer tolerable. Having replaced Japan as the world’s No. 2 economy, China believed that its new status should be reflected in the arrangements of the region’s development bank. But that would require a major revision of the ADB Articles of Agreement, and, with the goodwill enjoyed by Japan among the Bank’s developing-country members, such a change would be virtually impossible to achieve. And so, despite its new status in the world, China has remained an ordinary--albeit a very important--member of ADB. The other plausible reason for China’s move to sponsor the establishment of a rival regional development bank--to be called the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank)--is the organization by the US of the TPP(Trans-Pacific Partnership), to which every other major economic power in the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada-have been invited. China feels left out, and logically so. AIIB, then, is China’s answer to what it regards as its being deprived of the status befitting one of the world’s major powers and its No. 2 economy. In an effort, China is telling the US and its allies, “You fellows don’t want, or won’t treat me right, in your pond, I’ll create my own.” China has put the word ‘infrastructure’ in the name of its new financial institution, but there should be no mistaking its real intention. The world’s No. 2 economy intends that its creation will be financing more than infrastructure projects, metamorphosing in due course into a mini-ADB. For economic and operational reasons, it will make little sense for its resources to be employed for the evaluation and financing of infrastructure projects solely. There can be no denying that the infrastructure-deficient countries of the Asia-Pacific region can use all the incremental resources that they can obtain. But, speaking logically, it would have been better for China to increase its contribution to the ordinary capital of the ADB--and urge other countries to do the same--with the capital increase to be drawn upon for infrastructure projects only. That way, China would be able to kill two birds with one stone, namely, provide more funds for Asian infrastructure projects and strengthen the financial position of the ADB, assuming that it was interested in the Bank’s strengthening. Again, let the ADB and its developed-country members make no mistake about it. With the AIIB, China is attempting to create a mini-Asian Development Bank. It is not far-fetched to believe that at some point down the road ‘Infrastructure’ will disappear from the new institution’s name and it will become the Asian Investment Bank. And let there be no mistaking that with the establishment of AIIB, China has gone beyond buying other countries’ bonds and financing projects overseas. It seeks to replace Tokyo with Beijing (or Shanghai) as the financial center of the western side of the Asia-Pacific region.

BUSINESS CLASS

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline, plans to conduct an initial public offering. “We confirm today that AirAsia Indonesia and AirAsia Philippines will be IPO. Subject to respective board approvals,” Tony Fernandes, group chief executive of AirAsia Berhad, said in his twitter account Monday. He did not disclose the time frame for the planned IPO. He said business in both the Philippines and Indonesia “was doing really well, with great support from both governments.” Malaysia’s Air Asia, through AA International, owns 40 percent of Philippines’ AirAsia Inc., while Filipinos Marriane Hontiveros, Michael Romero, Antonio Cojuangco and Alfredo Yao hold

the balance of 60 percent. Alfredo Yao, AirAsia Inc.’s board member, confirmed the planned IPO of the airline, adding the Philippine carrier would use proceeds from the IPO to finance aircraft acquisition and working capital. AirAsia Berhad last month extended a financial assistance amounting to $22.34 million to AirAsia Inc. The fresh loan would be used “to facilitate the ordinary course of business of AirAsia Inc.” In August last year, Southeast Asia’s largest budget carrier provided an $18-million loan to support the operation of its

Philippine unit. It followed the financial assistance with another $55 million in November. AirAsia Inc. recorded a net loss of 19.3 million Malaysian ringgit in the fourth quarter of last year from 24.8 million year-on-year. Despite the losses, AirAsia Berhard said Air Asia Philippines “remains on track with its turnaround plan, which is currently being implemented, to improve both yields and load factors.” The Philippine unit of Malaysia’s AirAsia secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission to acquire 100 percent of Zest Airways Inc. In December last year, the Senate Committee on Public Services approved the sale of Zest Airways to AirAsia Philippines. The House Committee on Franchise also gave its consent in February last year.

AlkanSSSya launching. Social Security System president and chief executive Emilio de Quiros Jr.

(eighth from left) leads the mass launching of the AlkanSSSya Program in Quezon City on March 10 at the Quezon City Hall covered walkway. With him during the launching are (from left) Junior Member Services representative Stephen De La Cruz, senior analysts Marie Ancel Habaluyas and Lita Jimenez, SSS Cubao Branch officer-in-charge Felipe Marcelo, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, senior vice president for NCR Group Jose Bautista, AlkanSSSya Program director Amalia Tolentino and social security officer III Carmelita Rico. Members of the Galas Market Vendors’ Association attended the event.

2nd LRT extension up for bidding THE government plans to auction the contract to build the P64billion LRT Line 1 extension to Dasmariñas from Bacoor, Cavite by June. Public Private Partnership Center executive director Cosette Canilao said the agency expects the board of the National Economic and Development Authority to give the go-signal on the LRT Line 6 project by June. Canilao said the private partner would undertake the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the LRT Line 6. “We hope it will be included in the next Neda Board meeting,” Michael Arthur Sagcal, spokesman of the Transportation Department said. The project is a 19-kilometer railway from Niyog, Bacoor, which is the terminus of the P64.9-billion LRT 1 Cavite Extension to Dasmariñas City.

LRT Line 6 to Dasmariñas, Cavite to cost P64 billion.

The proposed LRT Line 6 would have seven stations, namely Niyog, Tirona, Imus, Daang Hari, Salitran, Congressional Avenue and Governor’s Drive. The joint venture of Ayala Corp and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.--Light Rail Manila Consortium--earlier won the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project. Under the concession, LRMC will assume the operations and maintenance of the existing 20-kilometer LRT1, and construct the 11.7-kilometer extension of the rail line southward from the Baclaran station all the

way to Bacoor, Cavite. The consortium will build eight new stations after Baclaran. These will include Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niyog. The project will increase the span of LRT 1 from 20.7 kilometers to 32.4 kms, and provide commuters from Cavite and other parts of Parañaque and Las Piñas access to central Manila. The project is expected to start by October 15 and should be operational within 54 months, or by May 2019. AC Infra Holdings Corp., the infrastructure unit of Ayala, has invested P9 billion in Philippine rail projects under the government’s public private partnership program. AC Infra’s total equity investment commitment for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project amounted to P8.5 billion at endDecember last year. Darwn G. Amojelar

t u e s d ay : a P r i L 14 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Remote island, rich history JAMESTOWN, United Kingdom—Saint Helena’s major claim to fame is as the place where the fallen French emperor Napoleon died in exile, but now the destiny of the tiny island is about to change with the opening of its first airport next year. Framed by craggy volcanic cliffs soaring 800 metres (2,600 feet) above sea level, the South Atlantic island measures just

122 square kilometers— smaller than central Paris. Uninhabited when it was discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint

Helena was founded under British rule in 1659. It now has 4,200 inhabitants, about 850 living in the small capital of James-

town, the only port, located on the island’s northwestern coast. Despite being close to the equator with a latitude of 15 degrees South, St Helena has a varied climate, with a cactus-studded dry coast and humid interior lush with eucalyptus trees and Irelandlike pastures.

Its closest neighbor is Ascension Island, another British territory 1,200 kilometers to the northwest. Angola is nearly 2,000 kilometers to the east, the Brazilian coast 2,900 kilometers to the west. With its steep cliffs and rocky outcrops close to the shore, the island is particularly perilous.

In Japan, nuke power may return TOKYO—Japan’s pro-nuclear lobby pledged Monday that 2015 would be the year reactors are restarted, despite public wariness that has lingered since the Fukushima disaster. Industry officials and supporters said the country desperately needs atomic power to play its part in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure a stable electricity supply. “This year marks the exit from zero nuclear power,” Takashi Imai, chairman of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, told an audience of around 900 people, including industry officials and global policymakers. “It is self-evident that nuclear power plants that have passed safety tests should be restarted as soon as possible,” he said, citing the need for a stable power supply. Japan’s atomic watchdog last year gave the green light to restarts for four reactors—a move welcomed by pro-nuclear Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The push from the nuclear industry comes as the public remains deeply concerned about safety, more than four years after a tsunami sparked meltdowns at Fukushima, spreading radiation over a large area and forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. AFP

Chic in California.

Music fan Makina Owens, wearing a top from Nasty Gal and a hand-dyed cut-off vintage denim shorts, attends the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival - Weekend 1 at The Empire Polo Club on April 12 in Indio, California. AFP

Its isolation and hostile terrain—the fort-like cliffs make defending the island easy— have long made St Helena a prized possession of the British who have sent their most reviled and dangerous enemies to perish there. In 1815, Napoleon was banished to the island until his death in 1821. After him, the Zulu chief Dinizulu kaCetshwayo was sent there in 1890. A decade later, some 6,000 prisoners of the Boer war followed. The colonial policy of island exile continued as recently as 1957, when three Bahraini princes opposing British policy in the Middle East were sent to St Helena. Currently, the only way to get to the island is by boat — usually a five-day journey from Cape Town. But that will change in February 2016, when St Helena starts a weekly flight service to Johannesburg. St Helena, an overseas British territory, has its own pound notes and coins featuring images of the Queen. The currency is fixed at parity with the British pound sterling. The island issues stamps— one of its few sources of income—and is set to introduce cell phone service by the end of 2015. St Helenians, or “Saints” as they are known, enjoy British nationality. That privilege was revoked in 1983 by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher but restored in 2002. The country elects an assembly of 12 members, five of who sit on local government, chaired by a governor sent from London. Living mostly on British grants and expat income, St Helena imports almost everything it needs from Britain and South Africa. Its exports include fish, mostly tuna, and some coffee. Yet many hope the new airport will turn tourism into a major source of revenue. AFP

Lamborghini and Ferrari in ‘Fast and Furious’ crash BEIJING—Online speculation mounted in China Monday as police detained the “unemployed” drivers of a Lamborghini and Ferrari that crashed in Beijing as the seventh stunt-filled “Fast and Furious” movie opened. Pictures of the mangled wreckage of a lime-green Lamborghini, a damaged red Ferrari and other high-performance cars in a tunnel in the Chinese capital emerged online following Saturday’s crash, which police said left one person injured. A 20-year-old surnamed Yu from Changchun in the northeastern province of Jilin drove the Ferrari, while a man sur-

named Tang, aged 21, from Beijing, was in the Lamborghini, police said, adding that both were jobless. “Socialism is so good that it allows unemployed people to drive super cars,” one posting said on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, mocking the country’s authoritarian system of Communist rule. “What are their names? Who are their fathers?” another netizen asked. A high-speed Ferrari crash in the capital in March 2012 killed the son of Ling Jihua, a close ally of then-president Hu Jintao. Two women passengers, one of them naked, were both injured. AFP

Cleaning time. A woman cleans a robot on display at the booth of German car maker Volkswagen at the

Hannover Messe industrial trade fair in Hanover, central Germany, on April 13. India is the partner country of this year’s trade fair running until April 17. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

T u e s d ay : a P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 5

cesaR baRRIoquInTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Children of the Holocaust Fashion Week.

Models parade outfits by the Australian fashion label Bec & Bridge at Fashion Week Australia in Sydney. on April 13. AFP

China limits citizens’ visit to HK to ease tensions HONG KONG—Tension between Hong Kong and visitors from China will not be “tolerated” the financial hub’s leader said Monday as he confirmed a cap on the number of trips mainlanders can make to the southern city. An influx of millions of Chinese visitors to Hong Kong has prompted angry rallies by frustrated residents tired of seeing public transport clogged and shelves periodically wiped clean of daily necessities purchased for resale over the border. Meanwhile, anxiety over China’s increased influence remains high in the former British colony

months after mass protests by city activists demanding greater democracy from Beijing ended in December with no concessions on reform. Mainland authorities have stopped allowing residents from the border city of Shenzhen to make unlimited visits to the semi-autonomous territory, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Monday, restricting them to one visit per week in a bid to ease the pressure. “Anything that increases tension between Hong Kong and mainland society is not tolerated,” Leung said.

He also warned against further protests targeting mainland visitors, describing them as “unruly” and “counter-productive”. Some of the recent protests have led to clashes with police and several arrests. The decision was aimed at curbing the practice of parallel trading, Leung said, in which mainlanders buy up daily necessities such as baby formula in Hong Kong then resell them in China’s border towns to avoid tariffs. “The visa arrangements become one-visit-per-week for Shenzhen residents. This is a policy suggested by the Hong Kong

government and adopted by the Central authorities,” Leung told reporters, confirming reports at the weekend. Admitting that the move will not put an end completely to parallel trading, he added the government will continue to crack down on any illegal activities. Hong Kong opened up to Chinese tourists in 2003 as part of a bid to revive its economy following an outbreak of the respiratory disease SARS, allowing mainland Chinese to visit as individual travelers rather than being part of an organized tour. AFP

JERUSALEM—Zeev Portenoy was nine when the Nazis invaded Tuchin, his Ukrainian hometown, in 1941, forcing his family and the other Jews into a ghetto while he went on the run. For the next four years, he wandered aimlessly around the countryside, pretending to be Ukrainian or Polish just to survive. He knew he was Jewish but just didn’t understand why everyone wanted to kill him, writing down his experiences in a song. “There was this fear that one day they would find me so I kept the song on me,” he said. “I put the song inside one of my long boots so that if they caught me and killed me, somebody would find the song.” Now in his 80s, his voice breaks as he sings the words he wrote as a child: “I was still a small lad / when the Nazi beast / took over my life / And took me away from / My parents forever.” He survived the genocide. But 1.5 million other Jewish children did not. Their stories are the focus of a new exhibition at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, which opened ahead of Israel’s Holocaust memorial day that starts at sunset on Wednesday. Entitled “Stars Without A Heaven,” the exhibit gives expression to the lives of children during the Holocaust through a “symbolic forest” of 33 pillars, with each bearing a different personal story along with pictures and testimonies, but also small sculptures and short animated clips that illustrate lives where no memento remained. “The world of the child, the humanity which is expressed through their creativity, their thoughts, is this forest... a forest of young souls,” said Yad Vashem chairman Avner Shalev. Yehudit Inbar, the exhibition’s curator, said there were very few mementos of the lives of the 1.5 million who perished—about the same as the number of children living in Israel today. AFP

‘Over 6,000 European jihadists in Syria’ PARIS—The number of Europeans fighting with jihadist groups in Syria could exceed 6,000, a top EU official told a French newspaper Monday. “At the European level, we estimate that 5,000-6,000 individuals have left for Syria,” EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jouriva told Le Figaro in an interview, adding the true number was likely to be far higher due to the difficulty of tracking foreign fighters in the conflict. “At the time of the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, we decided not to allow ourselves to be guided by fear,” she said, referring to January’s twin

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Islamist attacks in the French capital and the subsequent deadly shootings on a cultural center in Denmark. Focusing on those seeking to leave for Syria to wage jihad, or those returning from the conflict, meant intervening “too late”, she said. Jouriva said the EU instead wanted to promote prevention as a means of curtailing the steady flow of European nationals, looking at the diverse reasons of why people joined jihadist groups beyond simply religion. British research had identified “a desire for adventure, boredom, dis-

satisfaction with their situation in life or a lack of prospects,” in those who had opted to leave their families behind and head for Syria, the commissioner said. Another focus for the EU was speeding up the exchange of information between the police forces and court systems of member states, she said, with more intelligence sharing required. The Islamic State, which rules a swathe of territory in Syria and Iraq it has deemed an Islamic “caliphate”, has attracted thousands of foreign fighters, many from the West. AFP

Perilous island. A man sits on April 13 on the beach in Les Aigrettes, on the western coast of the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, at the spot where a 13-year-old boy, Elio, was attacked and killed by a shark on April 12. The shark tore off the boy’s limbs and part of his stomach as he was swimming in an off-limits section of the ocean off the west coast of the island. It was the 16th shark attack on the island since 2011 and the seventh loss of life. AFP

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LIFE THE NEW STAYCATION DESTINATION

The City Garden Grand BY TROY BERNARDO FOR THE SOCIAL STANDARD

t’s great to know that Makati still has its surprises, though business travelers have known this new destination since it opened in 2014. The City Garden Grand Hotel, a posh 4-star hotel, is fast becoming the choice of Manila residents for staycation. “A lot of people come here and they’re just surprised to see what we’ve got,” says Amie Villena, marketing director for City Garden Grand Hotel. “And they like what they see.” It’s easy to see why. Their Junior Suite, for example, which is one of four on the 30th floor and one of the hotel’s 311 room and suites, is an elegant conglomeration of wood, glass, and stone. Continued on C2

THE NEW STAYCATION DESTINATION From C1

Though Western in feel, particularly because of floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out into skyscrapers, every room is decidedly Filipino: narra doors and floor, onyx stone on walls and luggage racks, and wooden furniture. It is this combination, seamlessly blending the Western and the Filipino, a modern urban ambience and the comforts of home, that makes this suite memorable. Add in a dropdead view of Makati, and you’ve nailed the style of City Garden Grand. Go up to the 32nd floor, and you get to a swanky rooftop pool, built in with two Jacuzzi-style tubs, one on either end of the view. Alongside the pool, you’ve got the Firefly View Deck Bar, a spacious dining area that boasts a 360-degree view of Manila and a posh Barbecue from 6:30pm to 9:30pm everyday. Dine on sausages, prawns, salmon, lamb, and rib eye; compliment it with a sidings and salad buffet; and, toast to a night sky that seems so near, you could almost reach it. For breakfast, or lunch, head down to the 7th floor for the Spice Café, where the buffet spread is worth every bite as well as value for money. Somewhere along the way, you can go to the gym to burn all that food off, so that you can enjoy them all again. That is, after all, what one does during a vacation: indulge the body in all aspects in order to relax, let go and release. And, if you’re one of those who demand a view of the sunset while on vacation, City Garden Grand Hotel definitely delivers. You get that while vacationing right in the middle of Makati City.

TUESDAY : APRIL 14 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

FOLDABOTS: ROBOT MAKING WORKSHOP

with Jomike Tejido April 19, 26 and May 2, 2015 10:00am to 12:00nn Foldabots is a series of cut-out cardboard robots that turn into cars, robots, and animals. This 4-day workshop will teach participants to invent their own characters, learn to draw 3d robots and build the toys out of cut-out paper. This workshop will help the kids to build their confidence and discover their talents and skills through creating different characters with their imagination. The workshop facilitator Jomike Tejido is currently an Architect of Tejido Architecture and Art. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Architecture in the University of Santo Tomas, and has received thesis of the year award, 2005 and Dean’s Lister for almost 3 times. He started Foldabots or foldermade robots that have alt modes, such as a motor vehicle or a robotic animal. This project was launched in K-Zone magazine and got the attention of young readers.

FOR AGES 7 AND UP

The workshop fee is P 4,800 inclusive of materials, handouts, snacks, a certificate, one day free admission to the museum and one day free access to the library. P 4,320 Ayala Museum Members, Ayala Group Employees For inquiries and reservations: LOOK FOR: Marj Villaflores CALL: 759 82 88 local 25 EMAIL: villaflores.md@ayalafoundation.org

TUESDAY : APRIL 14 : 2015

LIFE glweekend @ gmail.com

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO THE MILLENNIAL TRAVELER? BY ED BIADO

Millennials are changing the way companies do business across industries, from hiring practices to office culture to customer service. As young as they are— the oldest of the group are only in their early 30s— they’re influential enough to make corporations take notice of their needs, wants and whims, and adapt accordingly. In hospitality, the millennial dollar is sought after because members of this generation consider themselves citizens of the world and have high levels of wanderlust. To find out what exactly they seek from travel experiences, online travel agency Hipmunk surveyed “over 1,400 participants about their lifestyle, personal preferences and travel habits.” Here are the main points: Millennials are generally cheap travelers. They’re less likely to stay at hotels than their Gen X counterparts and are more likely to consider themselves as “travel hackers.” As much as nine in 10 millennials would take a cheaper room with a bad view, a tradeoff only eight in 10 Gen Xers are willing to make. When flying, it’s more acceptable for them to sacrifice physical comfort if it’ll save them a few bucks. For example, over 65 percent said that they’d sit next

to the restroom if the seat is discounted. Only 51 percent of Gen Xers will accept the same arrangement. While an overwhelming majority would not consider standing on a flight to save money, 33 percent of millennials said they’re all for it, as opposed to 14 percent of Gen Xers. However, millennials tend to scrimp less when presented with lifestyle-related options. Compared with Gen Xers, they’re more likely to spend more for a plane seat if it came with these perks and add-ons: their own personal electrical outlet, an open bar and a menu from a celebrity chef. They’re also more willing to pay extra if the flight’s punctuality is guaranteed and if the plane is child-free. Hipmunk labels the millennial traveler as “The Experience Junkie,” who plans to travel more with each passing year, sees their travel style as urban, and earns travel points from a credit card. As experience is best shared (at least on social media), tech amenities are sure to satisfy thus generation that “travels light and likes to do everything on their mobile.” Want to see the numbers that support these statements? Go to blog.hipmunk.com/2nd-annual-millennial-travel-habits-survey-data/.

SPECIAL DEALS MAKE IT A ‘HAPPY SUMMER’ AT DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY AND CLUB PARADISE PALAWAN

his summer season promises to be a “Happy Summer” indeed as The Discovery Leisure Company Inc. (TDLCI) invites vacationers to enjoy the special offers from their premiere resort destinations, DISCOVERY SHORES BORACAY and CLUB PARADISE PALAWAN. Book now and avail of great deals on their summer packages. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in the paradise island of Palawan, the perfect island escape awaits at CLUB PARADISE. Get 40% off the best available rates for a Garden Suite. The newly renovated and well-appointed Garden Suites face the island’s lush and verdant gardens. This promo is valid for stays until June 30, 2015. If you’re looking for the ultimate Boracay holiday, DISCOVERY SHORES is offering a Php3,500++ savings per day when you book the “Beach Bliss” or “Lovestruck” package for stays until June 30, 2015. The “Beach Bliss” Package takes you on a threeday and two-night escape inclusive of delightful daily buffet breakfast and a hearty set lunch at Sands Restaurant, your choice of a water sport activity, an invitation to two rounds of cocktails during Happy Hour, and round trip boat and land transfers from and to the Boracay Airport in Caticlan. The package rates start at Php34,500++ (peak season) for a Junior Suite. The “Lovestruck” Package sets the mood for the perfect dreamy romantic holiday, designed just for two, inclusive of delightful daily buffet breakfasts at Sands Restaurant, a romantic set dinner for two at Indigo Restaurant with a complimentary bottle of wine, a relaxing couple’s massage at the Terra Wellness Spa, an exhilarating 30-minute

paraw sailing cruise, a complimentary wine and cheese platter upon your arrival at your suite, and round trip boat and land transfers from and to the Boracay Airport in Caticlan. The package rates start at Php55,200++ (peak season) for a Junior Suite. These “Happy Summer” Specials take you to the world’s best so that you can have it all – the sun, the sea, the sky, the most luxurious suites, and unparalleled “Service that’s all heart.” Advanced booking is required and is subject to room availability at the time of reservation. For inquiries and reservations, contact Club Paradise Palawan at (632) 719.6971 to 74, email at cp.reservations@discovery.com.ph or visit www.clubparadisepalawan.com and contact Discovery Shores Boracay at (+63 2) 720.8888 / (63 36) 288.4500, email dsbrsvn@discovery.com. ph or visit www.discoveryshoresboracay.com. Discovery Suites, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Discovery Primea, and Club Paradise Palawan are managed by The Discovery Leisure Company Inc.

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR KITCHEN Whether it is a minor update or a total overhaul, you’ve got to put some love into your kitchen. Considering this is where members of the household spend time to prepare food, it is of utmost importance to keep it clean, organized, and safe for everyone. You don’t need to call in the designer and contractor now, with little tweaks and touch-ups here and there, you can add flair, style, and function to the heart of your home.

MAKE A SMALL SPACE LARGER

Do away with upper cabinets and install open shelves instead to make a cozy kitchen spacious. You can also make every inch of storage count with door-mounted shelves.

DOT ROLLS OUT VISIT DAVAO FUN SALE

he Department of Tourism Davao Regional Office (DOT-XI) recently launched Visit Davao Fun Sale—the latest summer tourism campaign of the region to mark 2015 as Visit the Philippines Year—35,000 feet via Cebu Pacific’s Fun Games on Board. Cebu Pacific Air is the official air travel partner of Visit Davao Fun Sale, giving a huge number of seat sales from all the budget carrier’s service points to Davao from 3 April to 17 May 2015. Passengers traveling on Cebu Pacific Airbus A320 Flight 5J977 from Manila to Davao last 4 March were also treated for a surprise when the usual Fun Games on board, which the budget carrier has been known for, turned out to be all about Davao. Lucky participants who got the correct answers were given Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) souvenir shirts, tumblers, and loot bags, while the rest of the passengers were not left empty-handed as they also took home VDFS loot bags. An offshoot of The Big Davao Fun Sale, the country’s first-ever citywide shopping festival held last year, Visit Davao Fun Sale promises to be bigger in Adventure, Shopping, Dining, and Fun. From a fourweek long sale in seven participating malls last year, the public can now indulge on a six-week / seven-weekend-shopping-spree and enjoy great premium deals in nine of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers. Visit Davao Fun Sale will run from 3 April until 7 May 2015, with seven of Davao City’s biggest shopping centers offering great premium bargains for as much as 80% discount. Abreeza Ayala Malls, S & R, Robinsons Abreeza, NCCC Mall of Davao, SM Lanang Premiere, SM City Davao Ecoland, Gaisano Mall of Davao in Bajada and Toril, Gaisano Grand Ilustre and Toril, and Victoria Plaza Mall

are all gearing up with the widest range of products at best-value deals from dining, local crafts, fruits, and flowers, health and beauty, electronics and gadgets, home and travel, to fashion and active lifestyle. As additional features on its second year, travel agencies and tour operators have joined hands in organizing ‘Davao FUN Tours and FUN Packages.’ Local and foreign tourists may avail of discounted city and countryside adventure tours and packages on accommodation facilities by booking through the VDFS portal at www. vdfs.discoverdavao.com. Over 700 rooms from different hotels and accommodation facilities in the city will be available every weekend until 17 May. The Restaurant Owners Association of Davao, on the other hand, takes the lead in sprucing up different restaurants and dining clusters all over the city to feature ‘Davao Delicious Dining.’ More than 100 brand restaurants ranging from home-grown and independent restaurants and franchised establishments will offer freebies and discounts as much as 20% on one product per day for six weeks / seven weekends during the Visit Davao Fun Sale. Restaurants are grouped into twelve clusters namely: Matina Town Square, Matina; Damosa Gateway, Lanang; Phoenix Mega Station, Lanang; The Peak (GMall of Davao); Lanang Business Park; Bricklane/ Obrero, Palma Gil, Bajada; Victoria Plaza Carpark, Bajada; Rizal Street; Torres Street; Roxas Street (including Aldevinco Souvenir Center); Eden Nature Park are; Calinan Area (Malagos Mountain Resort and Philippine Eagle Center). To avail of premium bargains, ‘Visit Davao Fun Sale’ passports will be given for free at the airport, partner hotels and designated booths located in all nine participating malls. A VDFS passport mobile app will likewise be available for

ADD TEXTURE AND A POP OF COLOR

download free-of-charge for smart phones and androids. Both VDFS passports and app holders can also avail of discounts and welcome relaxation treats from all spas and massage center members of the Davao Wellness Association. The famous all-black Mabuhay Taxi, which carried the tourism campaign for the region in 2012, has also partnered again with the DOT – Region XI in promoting the shopping festival by dressing up its fleet of 150 units. According to DOT XI Regional Director Roberto Alabado, III, Visit Davao Fun Sale should bolster Davao City’s ever dynamic urban image. “It is characteristic Dabaweño to always outdo oneself. That is to say, Visit Davao Fun Sale is going to be double the excitement, double the adventure, double the FUN. This year, Cebu Pacific will bring us to even greater heights as they join hands with us in making air travel to Davao from any point in the Philippines more convenient and more affordable. This is all part of our relentless efforts in the DOT Region XI to grow Mindanao and to put Davao in the map as the next big thing in shopping and eco-tourism,” the newly-appointed director said. Shopping, or retail tourism, is one of the country’s tourism products being promoted by the DOT aggressively. With the increasing global attention given to the Philippines now as a tourist destination, the DOT anticipates more tourists to visit the country for their shopping holiday. “There is practically something that will strike every shopaholic’s fancy at the Visit Davao Fun Sale. Now on its second year, it promises to be bigger and even more fun in every inch possible, from shopping to adventure and dining! One thing is for sure, one will not leave Davao emptyhanded.

Update ceiling tiles, ceilings, countertops, and cabinets with matching or complementing color schemes and textures. For example, ceiling tiles that mimic the look of antique tin tiles combine well with laminated floor surfaces. When it comes to kitchens, shades of red, yellow, white, and gray help create a warm and welcoming space. Blue, purple and green are not popular choices for these curb appetite.

PERSONALIZE

Have fun remodeling your kitchen by adding decorative adhesive-back labels to canisters and jars for sugar, spices and other ingredients. You can also paint a chalkboard on the inside of the pantry door for recipes or inspiring words. Try to make the kitchen cozy by placing pretty pillows on a window seat.

FIND A FOCAL POINT

Diminish kitchen’s cluttered look by picking one focal point—something visually interesting that attracts the eyes. This can be an accent wall, sleek stainless steel range hood, an apron front sink in front of a window with a great view. When you have your focal point, complement that area with a few eye-pleasing, quieter details.

MAKE IT KID-FRIENDLY

Consider the safety of children when you are remodeling your kitchen. Place their favorite dishes and snack foods in drawers or on shelves they can reach to avoid accidents. A bar with stools can also serve as an afterschool spot for kids. Keep the stove out of traffic areas so children can’t cause spills when running through.

PLACE YOUR LPG CYLINDER IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA

According to Isla LPG chief executive officer Ruben Domingo, choose a secure and well-ventilated space, preferably outdoors and away from sunlight and other sources of ignition, where you can store your LPG tank. “When you buy Solane LPG, do check the appearance of the cylinder, etc. free from corrosion, cracks, etc.”

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

TV5

LAUNCHES SUMMER STATION ID T

The new station ID of TV5 features talents like Derek Ramsay

Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae

Jun Sabayton and AA Girls

Vin Abrenica, Malak So, Nicole Estrada ,Chanel Morales, Brent Manzano, Martin Escudero

Ogie Alcasid

he Philippines’ Happy Network, is making waves among audience and netizens after the launch of its much-awaited Summer Station ID on April 12. Dubbed as “Happy Ka Dito This Summer”, TV5’s Summer Station ID encapsulates what TV5 stands for as a network -- creating happy meaningful connections among its audience through a different kind of viewing experience central to the lives of Filipinos. TV5 President and CEO Noel C. Lorenzana shares, “The Station ID is carried over from our Happy Ka Dito campaign launched last year which signalled our decision to veer away from the norm and focus on producing a mix of light and meaningful entertainment programs, world-class and action-packed sports programs that bring Filipinos together as one nation, and news and information programs that not only deliver news but also contribute to nation-building.” The “Happy Ka Dito This Summer” Station ID features Kapatid stars and prominent TV5 personalities who have come together to further intensify TV5’s mission to spread cheer and happiness to every Filipino in time for the summer season. The Station ID is accompanied by TV5’s Network Anthem “Sama-Sama Sa Ligaya” performed by Urbandub’s Gab Alipe and multi-awarded Filipino-American hip-hop duo Q-York. The same song became the anthem of TV5’s Happy Sa 2015: Philippine New Year Countdown, the world-renowned Philippine New Year celebration that caught the attention of various international media organizations around the world. Countless red balls literally become catalysts of happiness as it magically turns the hot summer day into a big summer party. The Station ID also features various iconic locations where Filipinos usually celebrate and nurture happiness during the summer season – from the historic parks of Luneta and Quezon Memorial Circle to the pristine beaches of Subic. TV5 is also going all out to make sure that every Filipino will experience the fun and happiness brought about by their Station ID. In fact, the launch of the Station ID is only the beginning of an extensive summer campaign of the Network. Also starting April 12, the theme “Sama-Sama Sa Ligaya” will be heard on Radyo5 and various radio stations nationwide. Giant red balloons will also be scattered around the metro to literally bring forth the summer fun. The whole campaign is spearheaded by Media5, the sales and marketing arm of TV5, with TV5 Creative Services Department, TV5 Entertainment Group, TV5 Talent Center, Sports5, News5 and the Alagang Kapatid Foundation. The Station ID is produced and directed by UNITEL. The Network Anthem “Sama-Sama Sa Ligaya” is written by the OPM icon Jungee Marcelo (Composer and Musical Director). The three-minute Station ID signs -on and –off TV5’s programming beginning April 12 and is also available online via tv5.com.ph and facebook.com/tv5manila.

TV5 is also going all out to make sure that every Filipino will experience the fun and happiness brought about by their Station ID. In fact, the launch of the Station ID is only the beginning of an extensive summer campaign of the network

Earth Day celebrations at the CCP features Regine Tolentino RJ Ledesma Wanlu and his puppets

EARTH DAY 2015 AT CCP The Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates Earth Day April 19 at the CCP Liwasang Kalikasan, with the theme “Luntiang Lungsod, Luntiang Sining” (Green City, Green Arts). Liwasang Kalikasan will be transformed into an “Eco-Village”, a theme park that offers fun and educational activities, performances, exhibits, and interactive activities in the entire park. Earth Day starts with an early morning fitness entitled Zayaw sa Kalikasan (twohour Zumba Fitness) led by TV-event host-dance star and performing artist Regine Tolentino at the CCP’s Vicente Sotto grounds at 5:30 a.m., followed by other activities until 1 p.m. Other performers include Wanlu and his puppets, and event speaker-TV host RJ Ledesma. Also featured at the Liwasang Kalikasan are zones on Health and Wellness, Music, Children, Farm, Selfie, Science, Food and Demo. Earth Day at the CCP is held in cooperation with the Metro Manila Development Authority, Manila Broadcasting Company, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Foundation, Bureau of Plant Industry, D’Creative Adventures, Inc., Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, The Mind Museum, 4.0 Events Management, Slimmers World, Philippine Navy, Food Caterers Association of the Philippines, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP), Aquabest, Search and Rescue Unit Foundation (SARUF), Haribon Foundation, Harbour Square, Land Bank of the Philippines, City of Pasay, JVC Advertising Inc., Skedsearch, Art in Island, Lunch Box Diet, and Manila Water Company. For more information, call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3704, 8323706 and 832-1125 local 1803.

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

ONLINE AUCTION FOR A CAUSE

Malou Tiquia hosts Agenda on CNN Philippines

MALOU TIQUIA ON CNN PHILIPPINES ‘AGENDA’ They say that politics is a dirty game, not because of the job but because of how some people play it. CNN Philippines’ Current Affairs program Agenda discusses today’s most pressing issues by presenting opposing sides and opinions. Host Malou Tiquia has been in politics for years. After earning a degree in Political Science and a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines, she then pursued her Masters in Political Management at George Washington University in the US. Her educational background helped her land a job in the government and private sectors. Her work experience included lecturer in Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) on the processes and procedures, advocacy and lobbying on Philippine Congress. She was also a speech writer, political consultant and campaign manager for top government officials. Armed with knowledge and experience, Tiquia now hosts Agenda to give the aucience an opportunity to understand further the most controversial issues that our nation is facing today. Tiquia acts as mediator among guests who present the pros and cons of a debatable topic from which the audience can derive their own stand on the matter. Agenda airs every Monday at 9:30PM on CNN Philippines.

orld Vision, in partnership with Zonrox GentleClean, announced the launch of White Event - a much awaited online auction of white personal items of celebrities and fashion icons to the public. The unveiling of the White Event online auction website – www.whiteevent.ph – held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, supports the collaboration’s educational development efforts in Malabon City. Jun Godornes, National Resource Development director of World Vision, expressed, “Last year, with the help of our celebrity ambassadors, we were able to achieve our fundraising initiatives, and carry our various relief efforts, particularly in the typhoon-hit areas of Visayas.” “This 2015 marks the start of a clean slate and fresh beginning with our partners in Green Cross, Inc., makers of Zonrox GentleClean. We have invited our generous celebrity friends to share their white, pre-loved pieces of clothing and be part of a unique way of brightening our children’s future,” Godornes added. “I want to share my item (white pants) because the proceeds from this donation can help children. Also, we know that when we

JACK CITY IS NOW CT

olar Entertainment’s Jack City is now known as CT—City Television. According to Mitos Borromeo, Chief Operating Officer of Solar Entertainment, they decided to re-brand Jack TV to give it its own “personality” and make it the ultimate destination for Filipino audiences that crave for urban culture. Its programming offers a diverse mix of buzz-worthy and thought- provoking Hollywood shows, and locally-produced content that reflect the eclectic metropolitan lifestyle.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 47 48 50 54 58 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Wingding 5 Fiesta dip 10 Gamblers’ mecca 14 Food for Fido 15 The — suspects 16 Sign over a door 17 Chowder morsel 18 Insect stage 19 Start of a famous boast 20 Ferocious bear 22 Snowy overhangs

24 25 26 28 32 35 37 38 39 41 42 45 46

Mountainous Couplets Weeps loudly Shorten, maybe Voucher Broad st. The “M” of LEM Koan discipline Devote, as time Grande or Bravo Shopping gallery “— Girls” Crack

Eager and willing Whiskery animal Plush fabric Outspoken Ruling Large lizard Rara — Wind catchers Chime Plant parasite Ms. Verdugo Huron neighbor Answered a judge Mr. Spock’s father Go-getter

DOWN 1 Provides capital 2 Dispense 3 Garden tool 4 Coziest 5 Moody silence 6 Sharp — — tack 7 Rock and roll 8 “Stompin’ at the —” 9 Beeper 10 Amended 11 Board mem. 12 Number of Muses 13 Elevator guy

25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 40 43 44 46 49 51 52 53 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64

Julie Ann San Jose

let go of something important, something better comes along.” Aljur Abrenica, one of the donors and World Vision Ambassador, shares his thoughts on one of the items he is donating for the online auction. Another donor and World Vision ambassador, Julie Anne San Jose, speaks on why

she wants to be part of the White Event, “I want to share this item because a jacket symbolizes comfort. By giving this jacket, it’s as if I am giving them (fans and beneficiaries) comfort as well, like I’m hugging them.” The White Event aims to rehabilitate select classrooms at the Catmon Integrated School in Malabon City in time for the resumption of classes in June. Generated funds will be able to sponsor the manpower and materials needed for the proposed repair of at least 12 classrooms. Nicole Postrado, brand manager of Zonrox GentleClean, expressed the brand’s excitement on this joint effort, saying, “Zonrox fully supports World Vision on this noble endeavor. The White Event is such a unique way of sharing and giving back to communities such as Catmon.” “The auction gives celebrities and ordinary people a chance to share their comfort for the benefit of others. Through the White Event, everyone can participate in helping provide the youth of Catmon Integrated School a clean and hopeful beginning this coming school year,” she added. Fans can go online and bid on their favorite celebrities’ white garments by logging on to www.whiteevent.ph until May 8.

Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon CT features shows like Best Bars in America

Headlining CT’s line-up of shows is The Tonight Show withJimmy Fallon, which airs live via satellite at 2 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. on primetime. With the biggest names in entertainment visiting him every Tuesday to Saturday, Fallon delights audiences with his welcoming interview style, hilarious impersonations, innovative sketches, and fun games. Airing exclusively on CT, this Grammy and Emmy award-winning comedian brings a contemporary energy to late night TV. Appealing to the taste of ur-

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

21 23

Among the donors in World Vision’s White Even at showbiz personalities Aljur Abrenica

GI mail drop Emperor before Galba Host’s plea Kind of camp Fling He directed Marlon Tom’s cry Industry magnate Present Quechua speaker Underwater shocker Inventory wd. Twig shelter Recommended Applies henna Prepared the cake pans Dow Jones fig. Is fond of Monsieur’s shout Gain admission View from Giza Actress — Potts Pub order Clammy Worse than bad Give a ticket Meryl, in “Out of Africa” Hydrocarbon suffix

Carmatchmaker

banites are citified unscripted shows Car Matchmaker, which features sweet wheels, and Best Bars in America, which tours the U.S. to find the best drinks in town. Adding local flavor to the channel is the TV magazine segment CT Square that will premiere in May. Hosted by Carla Dunareanu, the 10-minute capsule series takes the audience on an urban trip together with the who’s who in the hood. In each episode, Carla and her guest will be in the newest restaurants, tell the audience

what’s cool in urban style, and dive into crazy city adventures around Metro Manila. Airing first rate entertainment close to its U.S. telecast, CT is the first in the country to air crime thriller Person Of Interest starring Jim Caviezel; the psychological thriller The Following starring Kevin Bacon; the amusing procedural drama Bones; and Elementary, the classic tale of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Joan Watson with a modern twist. Follow https://www.facebook.com/CTchannelph for more details

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

JULLIE ANN’S DAY OFF

Julie Ann San Jose is the new host of Day Off on GMA News TV

From C8

ulti-platinum Kapuso recording artist Julie Anne San Jose may be working day in and day out but is also enjoying the fruits of her labor as her latest project—GMA News TV’s Day Off – makes waves on social media shortly after she was launched as the new host. On March 7, Julie Anne’s debut episode required her to take over a day’s work of the first female rescue divers of the Philippine Coast Guard together with co-host Maey Bautista. Both underwent PCG training for water survival and rescue techniques, earning for the program a spot in the worldwide trending topics on the microblogging site Twitter during its broadcast. Day Off ’s succeeding episodes aired on March 14, 21, and 28 in which Julie Anne played an Englishspeaking banana cue vendor, a roving ad truck driver/ sticker ad installer, and a collector of leftover food for hogs had the same reception on Twitterverse. Social media accounts of GMA News TV’s long-running public affairs reality wish-granting program also experienced a boost in terms of following. Upon the announcement that Asia’s Pop Sweetheart would be Day Off ’s new host, there was a surge in the daily net likes of its Facebook page, registering an average of 100 to 150 likes per day from its previous average of only 20 to 30 per day. For the period of Feb. 15 to March 16, Day Off’s Twitter account recorded 615 new followers versus 39 from the same timeframe in the previous month thereby representing more than 1,500 percent increase of followers. Julie Anne’s strong presence on both television and social media cannot be denied. Day Off welcomes this rewarding increase in both viewership and following and aims to keep the audience not only entertained but interested and informed as well in its future episodes with Julie Anne, Pekto, Maey, and Boobay.

THE HOMEY ALLURE OF VIGAN HERITAGE MANSION

HHHHH Broadcast journalist Anthony Taberna met the “Anne Curtis” of the Aetas on April 10 in Tapatan ni Tunying when he went to Subic, Zambales and Capas, Tarlac to check in on the plight of the Aeta community. Inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Tunying tried Matam-Ih, a restaurant serving authentic Aeta and Kapampangan cuisines. Apart from its menu, the restaurant’s interior design is also inspired by the Aeta culture. Its more than 50 staff members are of Aeta descent. In Matam-Ih, every the food servers have celebrity names. Jenery Victoria, or “Anne Curtis,” admits that working as a waitress, and eventually as a supervisor, in the restaurant took some getting used to. “It just so happened that she’s my idol and I picked the name by drawing lots. At first, I was hesistant to use it. Guests would say, ‘You’re Anne Curtis, but Anne Curtis is fair and beautiful. Why are you dark-skinned? I’d tell them, ‘I’m the Anne Curtis who bathed in the sun and went swimming,’” she adds. Jenery, a licensed teacher, has experienced discrimination all her life due to her skin color and ethnicity, a challenge that she continues to endure while working in the restaurant. Despite the difficulties, Jenery is happy that she is able to help her family through her work in the restaurant. Employment doesn’t come easy for people like her, even with a diploma, Jenery says. Even with a stable job in the city, Jenery still wishes to go back to their community in Sitio Kalangitan in Capas, Tarlac and teach young Aetas. “Education is important to indigenous people like us. Being an Aeta does not mean we should just farm in the mountains. We should show that we can also grow and become successful just like our fellow kababayans,” Jenery says.

Jenery Victoria, a member of the indignous Aeta tribe is known as the Anne Curtis in Matam -Ih

The Vigan heritage mansion is now one of the attractions in Vigan City

igan City’s inclusion as one of the world’s Wonder Cities accentuated its high reputation that makes staying at hotels with Spanish colonial design and structure more inviting, especially this summer when Ilocos Sur’s famed city celebrates its annual fiesta. Such is best offered by Vigan Heritage Mansion, which boasts the look and feel of being brought back to the country’s visually stunning past,

whether or not you opt to bring along your 21st century gadgets. The Mansion, located at the corner of Crisologo St. and Liberation Boulevard, is a Vigan native’s effort to keep her city’s allure, with its successful restoration made possible a decade back. Her family used to have the place as ancestral home. “When you stay here, you’ll get to taste the authentic Vigan food, the enthralling view of the heritage

homes, and the gracious staff that allow early check-ins and late checkouts,” shares the Mansion’s owner Julie Singson-Manahan, daughter of late Ilocos Sur Governor Pedro Singson. President Elpidio Quirino used to visit the place. Now in its homey hotel state, it is still showcasing the original capiz windows and brick walls that warmly connect the enlivening present to the wonderful past.

FROM MOVIES TO PUBLIC SERVICE Former movie producer Col. Alejandro “Alex” Teves Escano produced the war film The Trident Force with the late Anthony Alonzo and some international artists in the 1980s under his movie company, Anna Films. The film was shot entirely in the Philippines and was screened internationally and locally. But right now, Col. Escano has put his efforts in public service by heading the Private Sector Disaster Management Network (PSDMN), a non-government organization that brings together the disaster-related efforts of its members, volunteer organizations and individuals among others. Recently, PSDMN teamed-up with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in sending a Rapid Team in Baler, Aurora to cushion the impact of the recent typhoon, “Chedeng.” Col. Escano promised to look for more resources to enhance the team’s logistics by adding more ambulances to respond in case more disasters take place.

T U E S D AY : A P R I L 14 : 2 0 1 5

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

ANOTHER SHOWBIZ TALK SHOW ON TV The audience who craves for showbiz news, rumors, and intrigues on weekends can now get the latest everyday, five times a week

SIMPLY RED ISAH V. RED With The Buzz off the air (albeit temporarily, so wait for its revivification as another show soon), TV5 has launched its own breed of showbuzz daily on an early morning timeslot. The network’s spinmeisters say that weekday mornings are definitely getting even hotter, and not just because of summer heat, but because TV5 is giving its audience a front row seat to the hottest intrigues and the most breaking news in the entire entertainment industry. And this is because of Showbiz Konek na Konek, which premiered 11 a.m. on April 6. The audience who craves for showbiz news, rumors, and intrigues on weekends can now get the latest everyday, five times a week. To assure viewers that this new program is the first to deliver the most up-to-date scoops each morning, TV5 has brought together some of the country’s youngest yet busiest personalities, like Bianca King, IC Mendoza, and MJ Marfori . With the trio of Bianca, IC and MJ, the audience is gven their daily fix of showbiz happenings discussed in the show’s egular segments that include “Eksena Round-Up,” the opening segment that gives a rundown of the hottest headlines in tabloids and social media; “Trending5,” with the latest stories of public interest in the program as the hosts give their candid opinions; and “Guess Who?,” a fun segment that puts a unique twist on

every viewer’s ultimate guilty pleasure – juicy blind items. The audience should also look forward to the program’s special weekly segments that include “I.C.U.” (every Monday) with the program’s resident rampadora IC bringing viewers closer to the hottest events all over the metro; “Konek D’ Stars” (every Tuesday) with Bianca showing how everyone in the world of showbiz is, in one way or another, connected to each other; “T.K.O.” (Trending Ka O!) (every Wednesday), in which the celebrity of the moment sits on the program’s hot seat for a tell-all interview with the hosts; “Throwback is You” (every Thursday), with the hottest issues and most controversial stars of the past in the spotlight once again; and “TGIF” (Thank God It’s Fashion!) (every Friday), in which the hosts sit down with a guest stylist to discuss the fashion hits and misses of your favorite celebrities. On top of these, TV5 likewise gives viewers more ways to enjoy and connect 24/7 with Showbiz Konek na Konek with the program’s active presence in different online portals such as Viber Public Chat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where netizens can see and join in on extended discussions regarding the hottest showbiz issues ★★★★★ GMA Kapuso Foundation, GMA Network’s socio-civic arm, recently rolled out Operation Bayanihan program in Maguindanao, serving 5,000 families affected by the ongoing armed conflict. In partnership with Solid Shipping Lines, ARMM Heart, Department of Health-ARMM, and Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM, the Kapuso

Foundation team handed out relief goods consisting of rice, noodles and canned goods. GMAKF was among the first to provide relief operations in Maguindanao. In Mamasapano, relief goods were distributed to 3,320 families. Meanwhile, 621 families in Sharif Saydona and 1,059 families in Sharif Aguak also received support from the foundation. GMAKF’s team had to travel for seven hours from General Santos City to Cotabato just to reach the communities affected by the conflict in Maguindanao. Didith Nucum, GMAKF relief operations project staff, said they were stopped several times by armed men. “We talked to them and explained our intentions. We had to rush every now and then for our safety. It wasn’t easy but what pushed us to keep moving were the people waiting for us who needed our help,” says Nucum. When the team finally reached the evacuation center, all of the fear they experienced on the road banished. “The people greeted us with a smile and it was priceless. We could never imagine how they can still manage to smile knowing that a few kilometers from them, a war is going on,” recalls Nucum. “While we continue praying for the stability of our country and the safety of its people, the Foundation is also working to create a concrete and positive impact in the lives of our fellowmen,” says GMA Kapuso Foundation EVP and COO Mel C. Tiangco. “They can rest assured knowing that, wherever there is a Filipino in need, the Foundation will also be there, because that’s what bayanihan and being a Kapuso is all about.” Continued on C7

GMA Kapuso Foundation rolled its Operation Bayanihan in Mindanao to serve some 5,000 families in areas affected by the ongoing armed conflict between government and rebel forces

Konek na Konek, a new showbiz talk show on TV5, delivers gossip on a daily basis with Bianca King, IC Mendoza, MJMarfori