The Standard - 2015 June 27 - Saturday by Manila Standard

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2015 VOL. XXIX  NO. 127  2 Sections 24 Pages P18  SATURDAY : JUNE 27, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

BINAY HITS ROXAS FOR MRT WOES

Boodle ﬁght. Vice President Jejomar Binay, Rep. Toby Tiangco and Mayor John Rey Tiangco join a boodle ﬁght with the residents of Navotas City on Friday. MANNY PALMERO

By Vito Barcelo and Sandy Araneta

VICE President Jejomar Binay lashed out at Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II for the first time on Friday, blaming him for the misery of commuters who ride the Metro Rail Transit, which he said deteriorated under Roxas’ watch when he was Transport secretary. “For the Filipino people, it’s no joke to ride daily the MRT trains that constantly break down,” Binay said, addressing Roxas directly. “And it is certainly not laughable to consider that despite the vaunted economic growth, many of our people are mired in poverty and are starving. This is serious, Mr. Roxas. It’s not a joke,” Binay said. Binay was reacting to Roxas’ remark that it was laughable that Binay would claim the Aquino administration was callous and incompetent. Next page

Don’t pressure House, peace panel warned By Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS blasted the government’s chief negotiator Miriam Ferrer Friday for linking the disarming of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), saying Congress should not be pressured this way. “The peace process is always an issue of trust. Congress should not be threatened,” said Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said, reacting to Ferrer’s statement that there would be no further turnover of weapons by the MILF unless Next page the BBL is passed.

Japan may join US in Spratlys patrols

Senators to probe Philhealth anomalies

SsAT Ud RD AY: j: U JU UN ay NN e E2 2 1 7, , 22001155

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CHINA TOLD TO RESTRAIN SELF ‘Selective justice’ charge Don’t pressure valid, legal experts say By Vito Barcelo and Bloomberg

The Philippines has raised the alarm anew over massive By ReyChina’s E. Requejo reclamation activities in disputedlegal territories SEVERAL experts in the South China agreed Friday withSea, the calling on Beijing to “excriticism of Vice Presiercise self-restraint.” dent Jejomar Binay that “TheAquino Philippinesadministrareiterates its sethe rious concern on China’s massive reclamation activities andin planned tion is engaged “seconstruction of facilities in those lective These justice, ” applying features. activities cause irreparable damage to the marine enthe full force of the law vironment and marine biodiversity intheprosecuting those in of region,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said. the but being Theopposition DFA said China’s reclamation and construction activities “grossly very lenient in going afviolate” the 2002 Asean-China Decter its on allies. laration the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and may serve to escalate the disputes and undermine efforts to promote peace, security, and stability. “The Philippines calls on China anew heed calls from the region Fromto A1... and the international community to exercise in the conduct Roxasself-restraint said Binay, who of activities pursuant to resigned from theParagraph Cabinet 5 of the DOC,”had the department added. Monday, five years to Harry Roque, director of the point out the wrongdoings UP Law Center’s Institute of Interof the Legal administration but national Studies, described did“worrisome” nothing. China’s construcas tion of artificial “Try tellingislands that intoJohnson hunSouth its expansionwho of itsride artidredsReef, of thousands ficial island in Fiery Cross reef, and the MRT trains daily, and its deployment of naval forces to see whether they find it all ward off any opposition. laughable,” Binay told Roxas. The Philippines has already lodged alsocase said he was anBinay arbitration against Chinanot besilent when Nations he wasInternational a memfore the United Tribunal the Law of the Seas, ber of on the Cabinet andwhich he Beijing refused to acknowledge. took up key issues when “These constructions are happennecessary. ing in the face of China’s snub of the “Theproceedings President that saidprecisely I was arbitral silent for five legal years. Maybe impugn China’s rights to do he forgets that“Clearly, on the big so,” Roque said. China’s conduct not only but is also issues, islike the illegal Zamboanga contemptuous proceedings.” siege or theof the Disbursement The United States has described Acceleration Program, we China’s efforts to build military spoke at length and I told facilities on reclaimed disputed ishim what I thought,” Binay lands as “troubling” and plans to said.the issue during annual talks raise recalled that during in He Washington this month. Daniel assistant US secthe 2013Russel, Zamboanga siege, retary of state for East Asian and he found a way to lay the Pacific affairs, was responding to groundwork for a ceasefire. a Chinese statement saying the counfighting was retry“But wouldthe complete island-building lentless, and their decision efforts “in the upcoming days.” could no longer be bent, Construction of military andfirst civilian on the he new[President and expandof facilities all because ed islands would continue, China’s Benigno Aquino III] was so Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. mad at Nur Misuari.” “The recent announcement out Binay also said he gave of Beijing that the Chinese govtimely the DAP, ernment advice intends that to continue and a brainchild of Budget Secexpand the construction of faciliretary andreclaimed LP stalwart Florties on the outposts that it’s beenAbad, constructing in the South encio was unconstituChina tional.Sea is troubling,” Russel said. “Frankly, we’re concerned, and “When the Supreme Court others are concerned,” he added. declared it illegal, I said, we Washington will levy its protest shouldtheheed thetalks, ruling,” during Sino-US whichBiare nay said. slated to start Monday and include Secretary of State Kerry reand “And now, it John has been Chinese Wang Yang. vealed Vice to Premier our people that China’s island-building program, DAP was used for projects which has reclaimed 2,000 acres of that did not help the poor,” land, three-quarters of that amount he added. since December, has upset smaller The Vice President saidterritoconneighbors with competing trary to claims thatPhilippines. the DAP rial claims such as the

Binay hit

From A1...

“All of us here support peace, but we need sincerity to end the armed conflict and ensure that we Integrated Bar of the Philippines dling the investigation on corrup- Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, will pass a constitutional have been implicated. national president Vicente Joyas, tion in government. and not a half-baked “This administration is timid to “I do not agree with her (De San Beda College law graduate BBL,” Romualdez added. school dean Ranhilio Aquino, Uni- prosecute decadent allies, and brave Lima). There is selective justice and House deputy minorversity of the Philippines law pro- to use the entire government appa- that holds true up to this day,” the ity leader and You against fessorT Harry Roque Jr. and lawyer ratus to ram its political opponents,” IBP president said. Corruption party-list Rep. “We are all aware there are many Levito Baligod echoed the Vice Baligod said in a text message. Carol Jayne echoed RoPresident’s position that the Justice “It is selective justice; it is im- people involved and yet only three mualdez’s view, stressing Department under Secretary Leila moral, and its grant is corruption senators were charged,” Joyas added. that Congress would not Aquino said the double standard de Lima is apparently employing in itself,” the lawyer added. pass a BBL that is tailoreda double standard in its investigaJoyas, who heads the has been very glaring. fit to the MILF. “The ‘selection’ is clear. Why tion and prosecution of anomalies, 55,000-strong national organiza“You can’t actually put a particularly in the case of the pork tion of lawyers, pointed to the delay were some hurriedly prosecuted time frame to decommisbarrel scam. in the filing of third batch of pork and why does it take so long to sioning. That is a highly Baligod, who served as coun- barrel cases where several admin- conclude investigations against sensitive issue. However sel of whistle-blowers in the pork istration allies, such as Technical the President’s allies? Has any nobody should apply barrel scam led by Benhur Luy, Education and Skills Development high profile ally like (Budget pressure to Congress to said Binay was correct in criti- Authority (TESDA) director gener- Secretary Florencio) Abad been pass a bill, whether that is cizing the manner by which the al Joel Villanueva, Cagayan De Oro prosecuted?” the law dean said. Macon Ramos-Araneta as big as the BBL or a local Aquino administration is han- Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and former bill,” Lopez said. Opposition and Gabriela party-list Rep. Luz Ilahas been abolished, it remains a public hearing. Deputy presidential spokesgan also assailed Ferrer’s alive under different names. Under Roxas’ term as DOTC woman Abigail Valte denied statement. As housing czar, Binay said secretary, the running MRT Binay’s allegations that the ad“It the is some kindaof presthe honor Philippine National officer-in-charge Espina salutes the colors as he troops line during heTrooping sought to carry outline. sweeptrains wentPolice down from 73 to Leonardo ministration was doing nothtestimonial in hishousing honor at thejust Philippine Military Academy where heing graduated ago. sure on the legislators to ing reformsparade in the 16, Binay said. On Friday, to help 34 theyears poor. pass the BBL as soon as sector, but “the budget for only seven trains ran. “You know this is a very stark possible. The decommishousing agencies was given to conduct “To temporarily solve the turnaround from what the Vice its probe into the matter to panel will submit to the Supreme The congressman said Bantilan sioning is violated a process weladdress and determine he saidto as President Court a copy of been the panel’s report DILG, which has no mandate problems, to have his oath and workerswhathave had saying. So seemed “two important whether the this so thatmarkedly the high court could from look thecomed code of ethics for lawyers by repby many sectors to build homes.” make do withissues: discarded parts different From A1... extortion really happened and his into statements ethical questions against law- resenting Wangthis and is a complainant that insist the best That transfer of funds was because of the lack or ofnot; spare from one aweek whether the purpose of extortion is to yer who represented both Wang Bo in a separate estafa case. way for the MILF to show questioned in budget hearings parts, which was supposed to ago, from two weeks ago, even But Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary buy out support for BBL or not.” and the man who filed a complaint The good government commitsincerity in the peace byAlejano the minority in Congress, be provided by maintenance if you go as far back as 2010, ” backed Nograles’ suggestion. Earlier, several lawmakers said against the Chinese businessman. tee has invited Bantilan, JoseproChua, Unless against and until it is agree withSecretary [Congressman Kar- contractors,” that the House panel conducting the said but “I Budget Abad, “We will send a copy to the Su- thecess. complainant Wang in a he said. Valte. lo Nograles] in this:allies just to erase the probe, Pampanga that the highalways tribu- P3-million estafa some case, andgroups Prosecucompleted, with help from in the Binayheaded said by that it was Rep. the preme ValteCourt saidsothey could doubt that the House Oscar Rodriguez, stop in open nal could into what appears to torbelieve Antoniothe Rivera, whowill conducted BBL not House, pursued it. will just cover common peopleshould whonot ride the thelook government records up the issue or harass the witnesses,” its quest for truth involving the al- be improper conduct on the part of a preliminary investigation on succeed,” Ilagan said. “Politics dictates who should MRT daily, and that poverty on the budget and programs, Alejano, a former mutineer, said. leged payoff. Bryan Bantilan, one of Wang Bo’s Wang’s deportation case on Feb. 11, proposed is get Alejano the bigger funny.meanwhile, said his and see Rodriguez that Binay’s said budget, the Senateespecialmay also in not Rodriguez, lawyers,” said.claim was to itsThe next hearing on JulyBBL 7. among the priority items ly their people who have plans “It is not funny that despite wrong. on the House agenda to run in the elections,” Binay progress, many Filipinos reAlso on Friday, Social Weathlaw School and Philippine Constitu“Lahat po ng anggulo, lahat ng terest is at stake),” Coloma said. when Congress resumes said. main poor and hungry. This er Stations (SWS) said Binay’s tional Assembly (Philconsa). aspeto na patungkol sa pagtalima Last Friday, the Philippine Conits Third Regular and Session Abad, however, said Binay’s is a“The serious matter, satisfaction ratingpinaghad stitution problem was thatMr. whenRoxthey net sa Konstitusyon ay masusing Association three From A1... in July.leaders on Friday asked attack was hypocritical. as. something to it laugh back topa arin“good” or Catholic wereNot crafting it they kept under bounced aralan at patuloy po itong wraps,” the prelate said, that +42 pinag-aaralan,” said.year.A the Supreme Court to failed declare asto unThe House “I find it hypocritical that about.,” Binay said inadding Filipino. since Junehelast mayroon against po tayongDAP sense while measure was being draftHe added that the President has constitutional the two agreements pass the measure by the he “Kaya is ranting Thethe Vice President said he Binay’s rating improved of urgency hinggil diyan at yan ed, it was clear that there were no formed a National Peace Council signed by the government administration’s Junewith11the when two ang housing agencies his Cabinet posts because from in constitutionality March 2015 of to MILF lang naman dahilan kung bakit quit participation from lawmakers. to look +31 into the that envision the establishdeadline because of a lack hedesedido chaired, NHA (National felt were 2015. si Pangulong Aquino na he He alsohis said colleagues that this is why this +42 BBL in andJune found that, through the ment of a Bangsamoro government time.the Autonomous Region Housing and HGC lepper. Earlier, ofhis net satisfaction maisulongAuthority) yung prosesong pan- treating is not thehim rightlike timeafor lawmakers leadership former Chief Justice to of replace gkapayapaan sa loob ng kanyang toBinay follow Aquino’s order to submit Hilario Davide, the BBL consecuis in line in Muslim Mindanao. Speaker Feliciano Bel(Home Guaranty Corporastill thanked the rating had dropped panunungkulan (That’s why there President the BBL thisfor year,letting becausehim the prowith the 1986+73 Constituion. Philconsa,Jr.through president monte, earlier its said the tion), received P11.450 billion be tively from in March 2014; is a sense of urgency regarding that posed law was haunted by “doubts, “Pareho lang po ang kanilang and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin House is now hoping to inmatter DAP funds in October 2011, ” a member of the Cabinet, but to +67 in June 2014; +52 in Sepand that’s the reason why complains and rejections” by several opinyon na sa kanilang pagsusuri Romualdez, also asked the high pass the administration said Abad in a text message to said he returned the favor by tember 2014; +44 in December President Aquino is firmly decided critics and individuals. tumatalima naman ang Bangsam- court to reject the Framework bill by September. reporters Malacanang. serving him, and andLaw +31nainisinubmit March na 2015. to push forinthe peace process within faithfully “Klarong-klaro na maraming con- 2014; oro Basic po Agreement on the Bangsamoro or his term),” Colomathe added. stitutionalhard infirmities na implikasyon natin Kongreso. Ganunpaman, Binay chaired NHA and worked to help Filipino It thensa recovered in June 2015 FAB dated Oct. 12, 2012, and the questioned consti- workers sa pagbagoabroad ng Constitution. Pangal- with kinikilala Agreement on the the Critics HGC,hadwhich weretherecipiand to reform +42.po natin na ang ating mga Comprehensive satisfied minus 22 percent tutionality of the BBL, which seeks awa, parang kapag ginawa ang BBL mambabatas ay mayroong tungku- cet Bangsamoro or CAB dated March ents of DAP funds. political en- the housing sector. had been dissatisfied), up “unconsciona11 points to create a Bangsamoro magiging federalism na, parang cart linBinay’s na tiyakinratings din yung constitution27, 2014, which grant Abad Binay never raised before In the Palace, past from the +31 in March tity thatsaid would replace the Autonothe horse, horse the munaPresiayusin dropping ality ng lahat during ng batas nathe kanilang ble” financial, social, economic2015 and any issue when the two agen- dent’s spokespersons up several after he mous Region in Muslim Mindanao. muna natin yung klase ng kept gobyerno ipinapasa,months, kaya iginagalang po was na- despite political benefits the MILF. by a being todisplaced on Friday urged Aquino natin (It is clear that there are several man natintolahat ng kanilangof pagsisiAside fromsenator Romualdez, themost other ciesBagaforo received and used those the attack on Binay, saying his linked allegations cor- first-term in the to let the next President pass the portrayal constitutional amendkap sa aspetong ito,” Coloma petitioners were former Senator Franfunds. of infirmities himself asin an un- ruption in some Makatiadded. proj- recent quarterly presidential BBL into law. ing and changing the constitution. The BBL has not been passed before cisco Tatad, Archbishops Ramon “Why was itsaid okay then, and in the wasour “a ects when he wasitsstill mayor survey. The prelate he believes that derdog Second, once the Cabinet BBL is passed, Congress adjourned session last SWS Arguelles, Fernando Capalla and Ronot okisnow is outgovof gross misrepresentation.” the ThedeSWS survey said National Senate there a needwhen for thehe national r government will become a federal of June 11.city. Congress will open July 27, mulo la Cruz, and former government? was he one. “The he was given is facing graft President ernment to hold When more consultations Thistruth is like is putting the cart be- theBinay, same daywho that Aquino will deliver Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. Franklin Drilon sufas the BBL allegedly several con- all forethe the horse. Wedue should care of charges his final State of the Nation Address.of fered The FAB negotiated andin signed telling the has truth?,” Abad said. respect thetake second before the Office the was highest drop his stitutional infirmities. the horse first and weinshould the the Coloma said that thehas Aquino ad- by former government peace panel chief Binay said he lasted five highest official the fix land Ombudsman, denied net satisfaction rating, fallig “Sana ang Pangulong Aquino ay kind of government that we have,” ministration is willing to coordinate and now Supreme Court Associate Jusyears the Cabinet because Cabinet meetings,” all +35Leonen, in March to huwaginmagmadali at hayaan niya during Bagaforo said. withthe theallegations. lawmakers and come up from tice Marvic while(“good”) the CAB was heangwanted to help the poor, said presidential spokesman The same SWS survey +29 in June susunod na administrasyon sa Coloma, however, rejected Baga- with a consensus. negotiated and(“moderate”). signed by incumbent but could only so much, Lacierda. that the net satisfacpagsasabatas ng stand panukala (I hope Edwin foro’s claims, saying that ever since showed “Open naman po tayong makip- government peace negotiator MirSpeakerchief Feliciano BelmonPresident Aquino rush to the BBL was to crafted, national agtalakayan pakipag-uniamJr. Coronel Ferrer with MILF peace especially when will he not realized Contrary beingtheleft out, tion ratingsaofkanila, the Senate im- te also incurred a similar passeven the BBL butfive instead let the next Binay government has only long been awaan. Kasi po importante magpanel head Mohagher Iqbal. that after years, povwas the viceexplainpresi- proved slightly, fromrito +31 in drop in his rating, from +12 administration to make this into ing the details and provisions of the karoon tayo ng pagkakaunawaan at Pending the judgment on the unerty was so pervasive. in the historyconto March to +33 in June. ika nga, to only +9. of the FAB and the law),” Bagaforo said in a Church- dent measure andcountry’s even held several pagkakaroon ng consensus, constitutionality BinayRadio slammed the former be given anamong official residence by dahil Theang Supreme experi- CAB, Thethe Palace said sought the bounce owned Veritas interview. sultations involved parties nakataya Court rito ay napakapetitioners a temTransport being the President, Lacierda enced a dip in ng its ating rating, as did in Bagoforosecretary appealed tofor the governand sitting stakeholders. halagang aspeto pambanporary restraining Binay’s ratingorder wasenjoining not a ment to more of consultations The Palace official maintained the sangentire kagalingan o national interest cause Budget Secretary Florencio Abad the and callous to hold the plight millions added. Cabinet. for concern, saying government lawyers, BBL doesalso notgave violate the (We are SWS open tosurvey any talkssaid and unany other official from further releasofwith MRT commuters, who Moro suf- that Thethe President Binay The Bi- survey not cover the peIslamic Liberation Front (MILF) 1987 Constitution, as it even as- derstanding. Because it is important ing fundsdid for any and all activities to fered from the daily glitches portfolios that he sought, satisfaction rating riod Binay resigned legal entities, Congressmen, Sena- the sembled a high-profile study group nay’s here for net us to have an understanding pursuein or which implement the FAB and the and increase fares without Palacethe official rose to a “good” +42national (64 pertheany Cabinet. tors,anformer chiefinjustices, Deans of the to analyze BBL. said. and consensus since our in- from CAB and all acts and issuances.

Tug-of-war

Bishop

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK S at u r d ay : J u n e 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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Chiz wants reports of lost dole looked into SENATOR Francis Escudero on Friday urged The Department of Social Welfare and Development to look into a report by the Asian Development Bank that a third of the government’s P62-billion dole to the poor did not go to the poor. He asked the department to strengthen its screening procedure for the dole’s recipients and to remove the fictitious names from the list of beneficiaries of the government’s poverty alleviation program. He said it was Social Welfare’s job to ensure that the funds earmarked for the poorest of the poor went only to the most vulnerable sectors. “If the funds fail to reach the intended recipients, then it defeats the purpose of the program, which is to provide social protection for the poorest members of society,” Escudero said. He said that ever since the centerpiece poverty reduction program was put in place by the department, only a fraction had been delisted while the weeding out process had been slow. “They have de-listed less than 5 percent since the program began,” Escudero said. “We are throwing away money to those who do not need or deserve it to the exclusion of those who might.” Escudero said it was alarming that about 30 percent, or P19 billion, of the money allocated for the monthly dole did not go to the intended beneficiaries.

Continuation. Whistle blower Benhur Luy testifies at the Sandiganbayan during the continuation of the hearing on the petition for bail by alleged porkbarrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles on Friday. Lino SAntoS

Japan may join US in Spratlys patrols TOKYO—Japan’s military may join US forces on patrol in the South China Sea, the nation’s top uniformed officer said in an interview published Thursday as Tokyo seeks a greater security role. China’s recent moves to build artificial islands had created “very serious potential concerns” for Japan, Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “We don’t have any plans to conduct surveillance in the South China Sea currently but depending on the situation, I think there is a chance we could consider doing so,” the admiral was quoted as saying. Kawano made his statement even as the Philippine government

on Friday hit back at China’s allegations that Manila was trying to “rope in other countries” into the dispute in the South China Sea. “We cannot be faulted if other countries have lauded the approach that we have decided to take in resolving this dispute that we have with our neighbor,” deputy presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte told reporters. Kawano did not specify what actions by China might make the Japanese consider starting patrols, the Journal reported, and any activity by

Japan’s military beyond its borders would likely raise concerns at home. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pushed for what he calls a normalization of the officially pacifist nation’s military posture. But because he was unable to muster public support to amend the pacifist constitution imposed by the United States after World War II, Abe opted instead to reinterpret it. He wants to loosen the restrictions that have bound the Self-Defense Forces to a narrowly defensive role for decades and proposed legislation that would allow the military greater scope to act. This week Japan and the Philippines flew patrol planes near

the disputed South China Sea waters. Beijing is reclaiming land to build islands in the South China Sea with facilities it says will be used for both civilian and military purposes. The sea is a busy shipping lane, where the United States says Beijing has built 800 hectares of artificial islands. China claims almost all the South China Sea. Parts of the sea are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. Kawano said he hoped to see more military cooperation with South Korea, an area that has suffered because of disagreements between Tokyo and Seoul over wartime history, the Journal said. AFP, with Sandy Araneta

DoJ probes cameraman’s slay

Meeting. US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg meets up with Muslim religious leaders at the Golden Mosque on Friday. DAnny PAtA

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THE Justice Department on Friday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the killing of CNN Philippines cameraman Jonathan Oldan in Imus, Cavite, on Thursday. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said she mobilized the NBI’s Death Investigation Division and dispatched a team to Imus a few hours after the incident. “Part of their assignment is to determine whether the killing is work-related,” De Lima said in a text message to reporters.

“If determined to be work-related, hence an extra-judicial killing, then it will be assigned to a Special Investigation Team.” De Lima made her statement even as Malacañang condemned Oldan’s killing. “The Philippine National Police has been directed to pursue those who may have been responsible for his death so that the ends of justice may be served,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement. Initial reports said

Oldan, 29, was shot dead by still unidentified gunmen in Pinagbuklod village around 5:15 am on Thursday. He was on his way to work when he was shot four times in the head shortly after buying cigarettes at a convenience store along Bukaneg street. Imus Police Chief Federico Maranan said witnesses saw Oldan arguing with someone and then running for his life. He is the third journalist to be killed this year and the 27th under the Aquino administration.

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More nurses take US test By Vito Barcelo

THE number of Filipino nurses seeking jobs in the United States has increased by 39 percent for the first quarter of 2015, according to a lawmaker.

Let’s fight HIV. Members of Dangal National Network, a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups in the Philippines,

parades on a street in Manila to urge Congress to enact anti-discrimination law and allocate P2.2 billion a year to help fight HIV. DANNY PATA

DND: Big contracts still on stream By Florante S. Solmerin THE Department of National Defense on Friday said the Commission on Audit has not stopped the implementation of three multi-billion, big-ticket modernization projects. “For the information of the general public, the Commission on Audit has not ‘suspended’ the acquisition projects for the 12 jet aircraft from South Korea, the eight Bell 412EP Helicopters from Canada, and the 21 UH-1 helicopters,” the DND said in a statement. “The COA merely suspended their scheduled audit pending the submission of additional requirements and data from the Department of National Defense. Thus, the acquisition of the Bell 412 helicopters and the FA-50 jets are ongoing,” it added.

It further said COA Supervising Auditor Lucena D. Gana wrote the DND to say “the existence of the Notice of Suspension does not prevent or hinder management in the performance of its responsibilities under the contract.” “We assure the Filipino public that all transactions in the Department are aboveboard, transparent, and in compliance with the rules and regulations as prescribed by law,” DND said. Particularly on the jets, the project acquisition is for the Philippine Air Force and will get at least 12 leadin jet fighters through governmentto-government negotiated deal with South Korea’s Air Force. The project is worth P18.9 billion from manufacturer Korean Aerospace Inc. The first two jets are expected to be delivered to the PAF early next year.

The full delivery of the aircrafts is scheduled to be completed in 2017. This coming August, two of the 8 Bell 412EP combat utility helicopters are scheduled to be delivered. The project is worth P4.8 billion the government signed in March 2014 with the Canadian Commercial Corporation through the Canadian government in a government-to-government deal. The statement stressed that the contract for 21 second-hand Huey helicopters has already been scrapped by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Whistleblower Rhodora Alvarez, a director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue who publicly admitted to helping the supplier prepare necessary documents, has accused several defense officials of allegedly asking for commissions from the deal, but the officials denied the charge.

Cebu Rep. Gerald Gullas said a total of 1,183 Philippine-educated nurses took the US National Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the first time from January to March this year, hoping to land jobs in America. “The number is up 37.5 percent when compared to the 860 Filipino nurses who took the NCLEX for the first time, excluding repeaters, in the first of 2014,” said Gullas, vice chairman of the House committee on higher and technical education. The number of Filipino nurses taking the NCLEX for the first time is considered a reliable indicator as to how many of them are trying to seek gainful employment in America, Gullas said. Although there has been a drop in the demand for nurses in the US, Gullas said “some of them do not necessarily expect to get hired by US hospitals and nursing homes anytime soon. They just want to pass the NCLEX and add it to their credentials when they can apply for jobs in other foreign labor markets,” Gullas said. “There’s still a sizeable foreign demand for Filipino nurses in Northern Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere,” he said. He cited the case of the United Kingdom and Ireland, which have a combined demand of some 2,800 Filipino nurses every year. America’s demand for foreign nurses has slowed down, partly due an oversupply of USeducated practitioners. Hospitals and nursing homes have been hesitant to restart hiring after aggressively cutting back staff in the aftermath of the 2008 US financial crisis. Gullas said USNCSBN statistics show that among foreign-educated nurses, Filipinos remain the most active job-seekers in America. He said 180 Indians, 107 Puerto Ricans, 95 South Koreans, and 79 Canadian also took the NCLEX for the first time from January to March this year. Since 1995, a total of 158,551 Filipino nurses have taken the NCLEX for the first time. If a Filipino passes the NCLEX, he can use the credential to work in other nations and many have opted to seek employment in Canada, which is credited with a progressive political, responsive national health insurance and have liberal views on most social issues.

No Comelec info fund yet By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Commission on Elections welcomed the suggestion of lawmakers to use its P1-billion savings from the scrapped Sangguniang Kabataan polls to boost the information campaign for the biometric registration of some 4.3-million voters, but the commission has yet to decide on the matter. “That’s a matter of utilization of money and will have to be the decision of the en banc,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told the reporters said after Senate President pro-tempore Ralph Recto said the savings should be used for the information campaign. Jimenez said that when it comes to informing the public about their registration status, the Comelec has been determined and persistent in urging the voters to have their biometrics be taken citing that from 9-million individuals

without biometrics last year, they were able to decrease the figure to 4.3-million. “We have been determined [to inform voters of the consequences] even if they are already annoyed with us. Because we are aware that they will get mad when they fail to have their biometrics taken,” he said. Jimenez also agreed with Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s warning that the Comelec may face legal problems and public anger if the 4.3 million voters will be barred from voting in 2016. He said that that’s why since last year, the Comelec has been urging them to have their biometrics be taken, but they have to abide by and implement the law. “Ultimately, what can we do? We have to follow the law: You don’t have the biometrics, you can’t vote. We can’t just force the people who do not have biometrics, if they don’t want to. We are already doing everything we can do,” he explained.

Cleared for take-off. European charge d’affaires Lubomir Frebort and Civil Aviation

Authority of the Philippines director general William K. Hotchkiss join hands with CAAP officials after they announced on Thursday that all aircraft certified in the Philippines are now cleared for landing in Europe. ERIC APOLONIO

s at u r d ay : j u n e 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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Phivolcs: Bulusan blasts expected LEGAZPI CITY—Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Renato Solidum warned disaster officials and the public to be on guard as Mount Bulusan is expected to exhibit a series of steamdriven explosions due to ongoing hydrothermal process beneath the restive volcano. Solidum said most of the ash deposits along Mount Bulusan’s slopes are old ones and no fresh or juvenile magma build-up has been detected. Explosions from May 1 to this month have added fresh ash deposits. “No fresh or juvenile magma build-up has been detected, so there is no possibility of explosive magma-related eruption. But steam-driven explosions will continue,” Solidum said. Phivolcs geologists had been conducting a thorough study in the past few weeks to look into the chemical composition of the volcano if there were changes that might lead to magmatic eruption. But based on the study, according to Solidum, there were no changes in the chemical composition detected. Phivolcs officials in Bicol have requested the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol and the Tactical Operations Group 5-Philippine Air Force for another round of an aerial survey to study the restive volcano. The Bulusan volcano’s last explosive eruption took place on Friday last week, ejecting a 1.5-kilometer high ash column in the sky. The series of explosions affected water sources, specifically the drinking water of the people of Casiguran, Juban, Irosin and nearby towns. The Bulusan volcano’s seismic monitoring network did not record any volcanic earthquake during the past 24 hours. The precise leveling surveys on May 5-14 indicated very slight inflation of the volcano’s edifice relative to the March survey. Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Bulusan Volcano and this indicates that hydrothermal processes are underway beneath the volcano that may lead to more steam-driven eruptions.

Peace with Reds pushed. Activists march on the streets of Pasig City to press the Aquino administration to release political prisoners and pursue shelved peace talks with the communist National Democratic Front. MANNY PALMERO

Blue Ribbon to probe Philhealth fund scam By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to investigate the alleged scam involving some P2 billion in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. funds paid to accredited hospitals and clinics, the committee’s chairman Senator Teofisto Guingona III said on Friday. Guingona said he filed a resolution for the investigation of the allegations. The resolution has been referred to the Senate Committee which he also chairs. He said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee will begin the probe on July 1, 2015. All parties involved in the issue “will be given the opportunity to present their side.” He considered “alarming” the alleged anomalous transactions and sought for immediate actions

on the part of government and PhilHealth officials. “We must get down to the bottom of these right away to ensure that the funds of PhilHealth are protected from unscrupulous parties,” said Guingona, also chair of the Senate health and demography committee. He is is “angered” by what appears to be “an orchestrated and systematic effort to take advantage of PhilHealth”.

“If the allegations are true, then greed would have taken over a good program,” noted the senator. “At the end of the day, PhilHealth funds are the people’s money,” said Guingona, adding that part of its funds come from members’ contributions and from government. The senator was also concerned private sector hospitals and clinics are being implicated in the alleged scam. “This puts in peril the partnership of the government and the private sector in the bid to provide quality healthcare to our countrymen,” further stated Guingona. He pointed out it is criminal to misappropriate fnds that are actually needed by other patients. “But to endanger the lives of Filipinos as a means to eat

through Philhealth funds is beyond deplorable,” he also said. The Senate probe was due to the disclosures by Health Secretary Janette Garin and PhilHealth President Alex Padilla that they have uncovered “highly suspicious” benefit payments to a number of accredited hospitals and clinics based on questionable claims. The said health officials earlier revealed they are investigating a number of eye centers in the wake of the questionable claims. They noted that one eye center alone had filed claims of close to P170 million last year, a 143 percent increase to what the clinic charged PhilHealth the previous year. The health officials said PhilHealth has ordered that the processing of the questionable claims be stopped pending investigation.

PH dry spell to intensify THE country is facing up to six straight months of drought and a maximum four consecutive months of dry spell during 2015’s second semester after experiencing scorching heat earlier this year, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. “Such forecast will most likely come true,” said senior weather specialist Anthony Lucero, noting that rainfall reduction in some areas can exceed 60 percent. Latest data indicate the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon that’s already in

progress can possibly further intensify this year from “moderate” to “strong” and persist until early 2016, Lucero said. Such intensification will likely approximate the 19971998 El Niño that ravaged the country, he noted. He said El Niño’s development at present is already comparable to its 1997-1998 counterpart. Experts already identified the 1997-1998 El Niño as the strongest of its kind to affect the country during the 20th century. Data from Pagasa this week indicate neither drought nor

dry spell will affect several provinces during the second semester of 2015. Those provinces are Batanes in Luzon and Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur and Lanao del Sur all in Mindanao. Citing results of its rainfall analysis, however, Pagasa said provinces facing six straight months of drought from July to December this year are the Visayas’ Leyte and Southern Leyte as well as Mindanao’s South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu.

Peace initiatives. Lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., chief of staff of the Autonomous

Region in Muslim Mindanao discusses development initiatives on the Bangsamoro transition with the delegates of Democratic Progress Institute in Cotabato City on Friday. OMAR MANGORSI

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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MMDA defers Edsa road-sharing event By Joel E. Zurbano

The Metro Manila Development Authority is postponing Sunday’s “Bayanihan sa Daan,” a road-sharing experiment on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue that will allow pedestrians and bikers on half of the lanes of the highway. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino received a memorandum from MMDA-Traffic Engineer Center chief Neomie Recio and Traffic Discipline Office director Crisanto Saruca Jr. recommending the postponement.

Reasons cited were a previously scheduled fun run at the SM Mall of Asia, road re-blocking and repair on several points on Edsa, administrative difficulties within the MMDA, lack of public information campaign and weekend

sales in malls along Edsa. The recommendations were made to “provide the proponent and other stakeholders with sufficient time and resources in order to ensure the success of the activity if it is to be rescheduled.” Tolentino agreed with the recommendations and deferred the issuance of permit for the event. While he is in favor of the objective of the proponents, Share the Road Movement, to reduce pollution, Tolentino said the proponents should also prepare for the logistical requirements. “I am suggesting that

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

this proof of concept by Atty. Tony Oposa and other proponents be exercised in two weeks, after clarifications of some minute details for the safety of cyclists and motorists,” Tolentino said. “I am in definitely in favor of increasing nonmotorized means of transportation in Metro Manila. But this needs to be studied further,” he said. The Bayanihan sa Daan is being pushed by the Share the Road Movement anchored on the principle that roads are meant to move people, not motor vehicles.

Praying girl. A girl in Mandaue City warms her palm in an act of prayer. MICHELLE ALVAREZ

12. Schedule 4 of the ASPA provides that the applicable maximum hourly rates for the capacity covered by the ASPA are as follows: a. b.

DR: Maximum Hourly Rate of PhP1.25/kW; and RPSR: Maximum Hourly Rate of PhP4.00/kVAR.

13. NGCP submits that the rate represents a reasonable recovery of its opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS; 14. The rate under ASPA was subjected to a simulation by NGCP, as follows: Without Dispatch DR

PhP/kW 17.1218

With Dispatch

PhP/kWh

PhP/kW

0.0418

8.9117

PhP/kWh 0.0217

ERC CASE NO. 2015-113RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC POWER CORPORATION, Applicants. x-----------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on June 11, 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SPC Power Corporation (SPC) filed an application for the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

RPS

Total Scheduled MVar Revenue for the Month

Payment on the Energy and Variables

PhP/kW

1.3345

PhP/kWh 0.0033

5.9749

PhP/kWh 0.0146

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation is attached as Annex “C”; 15. Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Cebu-Negros-Panay (CNP) Sub-Grid;

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NATURE OF THE CASE

16. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2b, EPIRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS;

1. The instant application is for the approval of the ASPA between the NGCP and SPC, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services – Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority”;

17. The current levels of available contracted AS in the CNP has not yet reached the desired levels necessary for the system reliability. Thus, Applicants executed this ASPA. A copy of the relevant actual data showing the required and available levels of DR in the CNP is attached as Annex “D”;

THE PARTIES

18. As the demand for power in the Visayas increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public and particularly key to small and large-scale businesses. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth;

In the said application, NGCP and SPC alleged, among others, the following:

2. NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to R.A. 9136 otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001”1 (EPIRA); 3. NGCP holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95112 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system; 4. SPC is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Philippine laws with principal office address at 7th Floor Cebu Holdings Center, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. 5. SPC is the owner and operator of the Cebu Diesel Power Plant (CDPP) located in Naga City, Cebu Province, which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Dispatchable Reserve (DR) and Reactive Power Support Reserve (RPSR), herein collectively called as Ancillary Services (AS);

ANTECEDENT FACTS 6. The EPIRA provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP, as TRANSCO’s Concessionaire, to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system3; 7. Similarly, the Philippine Grid Code (PGC) provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and Ancillary Service tariffs to the Commission4; 8. Ancillary services (AS) as defined in Section 4b of the EPIRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” Such services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids; 9. In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC; 10. Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP invited and negotiated with all prospective generation companies capable of providing ancillary services, one of which is SPC. Upon conducting several tests on CDPP, NGCP determined that its units are capable of providing DR and RPSR. The copy of the Accreditation Certificate No. 2015-V0022 dated 16 January 2015 is attached as Annex “A”; 11. Consequently, they executed the subject ASPA for the supply of DR and RPSR for a period of five (5) years under a non-firm arrangement. A copy of subject ASPA dated 26 May 2015 is attached as Annex “B”;

19. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission will greatly improve the reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit dated 5 June 2015 executed by Engr. Philip DL. Dasalla, Head of the Net Access and Customer Account Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached as Annex “E”; 20. They pray that for the Commission to: a. Immediately issue a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA; and b. After notice and hearing, approve the subject ASPA. The Commission has set the instant application jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on July 15, 2015 (Wednesday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at the ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and the title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours. WITNESS,the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission,this 15th day of June, 2015 at Pasig City. ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III 1

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for other Purposes”;

An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (d); Section 6.3.1.2;

3 4

NON-FIRM CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE AND IMPACT SIMULATION

(TS-JUNE 27/JULY 4, 2015)

Eleven inhale fogging chemical By Jun David ELEVEN people including a pregnant woman were hospitalized after inhaling an anti-dengue chemical Friday morning in Valenzuela City. Ernesto Laysico, 63; Myleen Siaron, 30; Kaye Ranke, 17; Annlyn Ballesteros, 39; Kate Alex Ballesteros, 3; Gina Liwayway-Perez, 59; Cromuela Orbita, 56; Nerissa Orbita, 22; Crisostomo Digalicha, 59; Kriza Ballesteros, 16; and Crisanta Celestial pregnant, all residents of Simeon Doon Compound, Barangay Karuhatan, were rushed to Valenzuela Medical Center after experiencing breathing difficulty, persistent coughing and nausea. The incident occurred while the city health office was conducting anti-denguefogging operation. The media tried to contact the health office but no one answered the call. A city hall official said health officers were assisting the victims. The city hall official added that the health office is going full blast in its anti-dengue operations with the onset of the rainy season because the city was in the Top 10 most dengueprone city in Metro Manila. A police official said the mixture may be too concentrated.

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Barangay captain shot dead By Dexter A. See

BACNOTAN, La Union—The president of the Association of Barangay Captains in this town was shot dead Wednesday morning by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen inside the hall of Barangay Zaragoza barangay hall.

Swimming and sightseeing. In Cebu City, residents swim or rest along the coastal area as a ship passes by. MICHELLE ALVAREZ

Sect members in Surigao refuse biometrics registration By Alvin T. Guanzon TANDAG CITY—More than 300 voters, all members of the religious sect Body of Christ in the remote village of Hamburger Hills, Barangay Gata, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, have not submitted themselves to biometric registration with the Commission on Elections because their religious belief does not allow them to have their picture taken with their iris in direct contact with the camera. Comelec’s provincial supervisor, lawyer Ernie Palanan, and San Agustin municipal election officer Evelyn Bato said the sect members,

including their leader Nilo Rolloque, refused computer-generated procedures on their iris would mark it with “666.” According to the Book of Revelations “666” is the number, or name of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns that comes out of the sea. This beast is a symbol of the worldwide political system, which rules over “every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” “They fear that if they are marked ‘666,’ this will be the mark of the beast which they also believe is the anti-Christ,” the Comelec officials claimed. Former San Agustin, Surigao del

Sur mayor and now Vice Governor Manuel Alameda said he encountered the same problem with the sect members who also refused to undergo DOH immunization, Phil Health membership, driver’s license and other government and private accreditations that required their photo IDs. Alameda claimed he had been explaining to the people the importance of government documents, but to no avail. “They insist on their faith. Body of Christ members and followers are hardworking, industrious and low profile. They are also religious and law abiding,” he added. Alameda said the group had de-

veloped some sort of a community in the village. Most of the lands they till already belong to them. “They arrived in Hamburger Hills sometime in 1988. According to their leader Nilo Rolloque and their other pastors, the area was God’s chosen area for them in time of Jesus Christ’s second coming. They believe they will be safe there,” Alameda added. He said he would return to Hamburger Hills soon with the Comelec officials to talk to the sect members there. Hamburger Hills is about 50 kilometers away from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur’s provincial capital.

Senior Inspector Fredilex Marron, the town’s police chief, identified the victim as Edwin Cua, 55, incumbent chairman of Barangay Zaragosa. Marron said Cua was drinking beer and watching television with two others when the gunman entered the barangay hall and shot him at close range. Cua suffered six gunshot wounds on different parts of his body and was rushed to the Lorma Hospital in San Fernando City. He was declared dead upon arrival. The gunman fled immediately and boarded a motorcycle, driven by another unidentified man, waiting for him. Police recovered seven empty shells of caliber 45 at the crime scene. Police say the motive of the incident is likely politics. Cua was the second highest official of Bacnotan who was killed. In March last year, councilor Onofre Almojuela was also ambushed while on his way home in Barangay Mabanengbeng. “Politics in Bacnotan has begun,” a resident said.

Pangasinan to plant more ilang-ilang By Johanne Margarette R. Macob BUGALLON, Pangasinan—The most-preferred variety of ilang-ilang (cananga odorata), which will bloom in a far-flung village in this town called Hacienda, will make history. Thus claimed businessman Fred Reyes, owner of the Fragrance Factory, as he urged the planting of more ilang-ilang in the province and even in other parts of the country. There is an existing local and world market, particularly France, for the ilang-ilang oil, he said. In his visit to the ilang-ilang nursery in Brgy. Hacienda with second-district congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) foresters, and the people’s organization concerned, Reyes said: “This is more than reforestation, we are creating history.” He noted that in the 18th century, Manila produced the best ilang-ilang. Eventually, the industry died as foreigners took samples of the product and started to commercially produce ilang-ilang in their respective countries, as in Madagascar and Comoro Islands.

The plant originated in the Philippines but the top ilang-ilang producer in the world is currently the Comoros Island. “We have to bring back to the Philippines what was rightfully ours,” he said, noting that there should be about 1,000 hectares of ilang-ilang plantation. He further disclosed that the best-selling perfume in the world, the Chanel No. 5, is made from ilang-ilang oil. According to Mar Gonzales of the DENR- City Environment and Natural Resources Office, they have identified 180 hectares, 120 hectares for ilang-ilang plantation and their other plants as the G. Melina or paper tree, under the National Greening Program. The nursery in Hacienda is just one of the three nursery areas in the second district identified by the DENR for the project. Other nurseries are in Sitio Mapita , Brgy. Laoag in Aguilar, and in Brgy. Quetegan, Mangatarem. A budget worth P3.42 million for a three-year comprehensive site development agreement with the people’s organizations in the said areas has been allocated for the reject.

Ramadan relief. Children from Mamasapano Central Elementary School

receive packs of school supplies from the military and the local government. MARK NAVALES

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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PoWeR PoInT eLIZabeTH anGSIoCo

‘CandidaTe’ Binay

[ EDI TORI A L ]

To ‘be a man’ VICE President Jejomar Binay, who this week resigned as Cabinet member in charge of housing and of overseas Filipino workers’ concerns, sent a rather loaded letter to Senator Aquilino Pimentel III asking the latter to “be a man.” Pimentel is head of the Senate Blue ribbon sub-committee that conducted a series of hearings on the allegedly anomalous transactions entered into by the Vice President and his family during their years as local executives of Makati City. Binay sent the letter Thursday as he dared Pimentel to push through with his proposal to audit the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council—which the Vice President headed when he was still part of the Aquino Cabinet. Binay’s exhortation was in Tagalog—“magpakalalaki ka”—as he told Pimentel to go ahead and continue what he deemed as a demolition job on him and his family. We expect the rhetoric to heat up in the coming weeks leading to october, when the filing of the certificates of candidacy begins, and onto the campaign period. But some things need to be clarified. The Vice President shows a traditional bent as he associates being a man with staying true to one’s word. Following through on one’s promise, or even threat, is a trait that a “real man” exhibits. Conversely, if one did not keep one’s word, one was lame, or a woman, or, disparagingly, “bakla.” This is what the Vice President is really telling the senator—let’s not pretend otherwise. We cannot hope to anticipate what Pimentel would end up doing even as we have heard his rambling reaction to Binay’s challenge. Unfortunately, the thinking that only real men keep their word, applied strictly to our present crop of officials of whatever political color, would leave us sorely wanting of “men.” We lose count of all the promises made to a people greatly in need of leaders -- of whatever gender—who mean what they say. What ever happened to eradicating poverty when there are more poor and jobless people today than when this administration started? Forget percentages and formulas tweaked for their perverse purposes: we mean warm-bodied Filipinos who want to improve their lot but do not find any opportunities for doing so. What ever happened to the vow of justice for victims of crimes, celebrated cases or not? Why have the victims of the Amapatuan massacre, or the Fallen 44, still not been given justice? Why have extra-judicial killings remained the norm? Why has corruption persisted, and why has there been focus only on the political opponents of the current administration? Why is there even doublespeak and a muddling of acts in service to the poor and pursuance of personal agenda? Why has there been no action on the freedom of information law when pet pieces of legislation breeze through the legislative mill? And why have there been members of the same family serving in various capacities despite the constitutional prohibition on political dynasties? The truth is, staying true to one’s word—also known as integrity—is a human trait, not only a man’s trait. The challenge to do as we say does not only apply to machos in government. It applies to every Filipino, man or woman, of whatever age and background. So when we say that next election, we would be more discerning and intelligent, we have to junk our old standards that depend on personalities or feigned benevolence. We have to do as we say: that is being human, and that is being fair to ourselves.

The son also rises baCK CHanneL aLeJanDRo DeL RoSaRIo SENATor Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in an interview over radio station DZrH, said he might run for president in 2016 because he feels he has enough experience and preparation for the highest post in the land. Starting as Ilocos Norte vice governor at age 23, the only son of the late former

President Ferdinand Marcos moved up to governor, and later as congressman before being elected senator. As chairman of the Senate committee on local government reviewing the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law, he finds himself in a key role to bring peace to Mindanao. “How much preparation could I possibly have? I have the best teacher in my father in the art of politics and governance. My mother as First Lady also taught me

the importance of people relationship,” he pointed out. As governor, Marcos Jr. dotted Ilocos Norte’s landscape with wind turbines augmenting the province’s electricity supply to sustain its tobacco industry, garlic and tomato farming. He also maintained and added to the ribbon of highways his father built. Senator Cynthia Villar, the wife of former Senator Manny Villar who’s the titular head of the Nacionalista Party, said the NP would

marcos feels he has enough experience and preparation for the highest post in the land.

be willing to adopt Senator Grace Poe as its standardbearer but qualified it with “if no member of the party is seeking the presidency.” Senator Marcos is a member of the Nacionalista Party, the country’s oldest political party, and it looks like he’s interested in running for president The Villar offer of a party vehicle to Poe is fraught with uncertainty because Grace Poe has expressed her preference to run as an independent with Senator Chiz Escudero as running mate. Chiz is known as President Aquino’s friend

and ally who torpedoed Mar roxas’ vice presidential bid against Jojo Binay in the 2010 elections. A Marcos-Osmena tandem? Don’t look now but stranger things have happened before in the game of politics. There are now talks of a Marcos-osmena tandem.The two come from political families whose bitter rivalry in the sixties is legendary. But time has a way of healing even the deepest wound. Politics is addition; combining

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Marcos’ solid North (7-8 million ) with Senator Sergio osmena’s 2.5 million Cebu votes would result in a formidable force. Add former First Lady Imelda romualdez’s Leyte roots to the equation and we are looking at a powerful political tandem. Speaking of power, Senator Marcos said he is going to address Mindanao’s recurring electricity shortage by including measures to harness the full potential of Lake Lanao in his substitute bill

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to the legally-flawed proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. A Marcos run for president seen against a tentative Davao Mayor rodrigo Duterte could juggle the rankings of presidential contenders in the next Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia voter preference survey. Meanwhile, Vice President Binay’s press conference last Wednesday on why he resigned from the Aquino cabinet received mixed reactions.

Continued on A11

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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

THE Binay camp is changing strategies. Vice President Jejomar Binay is on the offensive. From being the front runner among possible 2016 presidential candidates, VP Binay has slipped to second place with Senator Grace Poe overtaking him with significant margins based on recent surveys by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations. The Binay camp’s first reaction was that this was a wake up call. It is thus not surprising that they are shifting strategies. I believe that the VP is a deliberate tactician as he is an astute politician. His winning the vice presidency came as a surprise to many who were expecting a Mar roxas victory. Who would have expected that Binay had a team within then candidate Noynoy Aquino’s camp running a Noy-Bi campaign alongside the “official” Noy-Mar push? That Binay has begun planning and preparing for his presidential run since his Makati days is an idea that I have been entertaining. In my travels to different provinces for years, I have seen vehicles donated by then-Mayor Binay to local government units. This is just one. I have also heard of other projects he sponsored. People would casually say that they would see the mayor visit their place every now and then. This is Binay politics. He has been planting “seeds” for many years. That he never let go of Makati was another indicator. After being mayor, it was his wife, and then the son. Between them, they have led the premier city for at least 36 years. How can one forget the Binay brand in Makati? We should also not forget his successful name-recall “experiment” when he made his daughter, the then unknown Nancy Binay run for the senate. She won only because of the Binay brand. The VP then proved that his name is not only nationally recognizable. It was winnable. Thus, expect Binay as a force to reckon with in 2016. outside of his long preparation, Binay has some advantages over other possible candidates. It is reasonable to think that because of his long preparation, his machinery may already be in place. Those experienced in running campaigns know that machinery can make or break a candidate. Another Binay advantage is his experience as an executive. The presidency is an executive position and Binay’s stint as mayor of the country’s business capital is a major feat. This is why the VP has been capitalizing on what he claims they did in Makati. Except for Davao City Mayor rodrigo Duterte, none of the other possible candidates can claim this kind of experience. Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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CYan maGenTa YeLLoW bLaCK S AT u R D AY : J u N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDIToR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

PoWeR PoInT eLIZabeTH anGSIoCo

‘CandidaTe’ Binay

[ EDI TORI A L ]

marcos feels he has enough experience and preparation for the highest post in the land.

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Continued on A11

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. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

BOYCOTTING CHINA BACK BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN OUR pro-Japanese President should stop taunting China just to reassure us that we are making headway in our dispute with China. Rather, as we persist in bringing our cause to the international forum, we are only adding humiliation to ourselves, not from the standpoint that we have no right whatsoever to our claim, but in our approach in bringing our cause to the international arena. We have pleaded our case before the Asean summit last April in Kuala Lumpur only to be rebuffed by the host country for inserting the issue which was not in the agenda; brought the case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration which China has ignored; and now wants to bring it before the Asian-Pacific Economic Council meeting without clarifying that the issue will only be discussed by us with those countries interested in listening to us. One must bear in mind that the state that has the capacity to enforce its interest is usually the one that is pushing the issue to develop into a crisis situation. In our case, it is this country that is putting the pressure on China hoping that ultimately it would give in to what we want. But everybody knows that the pressure is instigated by the US which is obviously not parallel to what we want to achieve. This explains why China and many of our neighbors are askance at what we are doing. We are acting like fools. Clearly, we are not behaving like diplomats; we are acting like shameless stooges. All the participating countries shunned the idea of discussing the issue because they had far more important issues they wanted resolved in the conference, and tackling our dispute would not help resolve the thorny issues that confront them and in which China played a key role. Even those countries that also had a dispute over the China Sea chose to avoid the issue because that could spoil their move to improve further their economic ties with China and to them that is far more important. The only one who could not see that situation is our own President. Barely two days ago, the

US and China held their annual Strategic and Economic meeting in Washington. The conference was attended by a huge delegation headed by China’s State Councilor Yang Jiechi. Vice Premier Wang Yang said that. “Decisionmakers of both countries must always remember that confrontation is a negative sum game in which both sides will pay heavy price and the world will suffer too.” US Vice President Joe Biden said for his part that “(China) must be at the table to help set up a new “rules-based system” in a rapidly changing world. There will be intense competition, we will have intense disagreements. That’s the nature of international relations.” To clarify what that means, in its June 8, 2015 issue of Time, Foreign Affairs columnist and author of the book, “The End of the Free Market” Ian Bremmer wrote: “While

It is wrong for us to pick a fight with our neighbor.

the US has made it clear to China that it will intervene in the East China Sea conflict if necessary - where it is treaty–bound to come to Japan’s aid – Washington has made no pledges to its partners in the South China Sea like the Philippines.” This now has placed in an awkward position the war chant of the local lackeys to boycott Chinese-made products. It is like telling them that they do not know what they are talking about, nor understand its implication. Worse, they do not even understand that we need China more than China needs us. It is our own people that will be the first to suffer by our misplaced jingoistic cry. While the pro-US and pro-Japanese operatives will be happy to see our relations deteriorate, statistical data will show that we have more to lose by our continued arrogance in taunting China. Philippine exports to China as of December 2012 hit $746.82 million increasing by over

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

LAUDATO SI’ AND PARIS CLIMATE TALKS

In this third of a series of columns on Laudato Si’, I reflect on the question of what this papal encyclical means for us in the Philippines. Are there imperatives we can derive from the words of Pope Francis, in particular on how we deal with climate change internationally and in our country? I am thinking specially of how Laudato Si’ can guide us as we craft our commitments – technically called Intentional Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) - in the ongoing negotiations on the new climate change agreement that is to be adopted in Paris. Many elements of Laudato Si’ (their paragraph numbers are cited in parenthesis following the initial LS) are relevant to the Philippines’ negotiating strategy in the climate change negotiations.It is also relevant in how we formulate and implement our domestic policies as a climatecountry. In a way, Laudato Si’ sets the stage for the Paris negotiations at the latter part of this year, observing that: “International negotiations cannot make significant progress due to positions taken by countries which place their national interests above the global common good” (LS 169). Pope Francis affirms a controversial principle of the climate change convention, as he writes that “there is a need for common and differentiated responsibilities” (LS 170). He is unapologetic in saying that the burden of emissions reductions lies on the big polluters: “Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility, above all on the part of those countries which are more powerful and pollute the most” (LS 169). At the same time, the Pope recognizes that inequity is not just between countries but within countries as well, thus in poor countries, “they need to acknowledge the scandalous level of consumption in some privileged sectors of their population and to combat corruption more effectively (LS 172). Further: “There are not just winners and losers among countries, but within poorer countries themselves. Hence different responsibilities need to be identified. Questions related to the environment and economic development can no longer be approached only from the standpoint of differences between countries; they also call for greater attention to policies on the national and local levels” (LS 176). Laudato Si’ makes it clear that the responsibility to commit are not just meant for the polluter nations: “A global consensus is essential for confronting the deeper problems, which cannot be resolved by unilateral actions on the part of individual countries” (LS 164). It calls for global action that could lead to “planning a sustainable and diversified agriculture, developing renewable and less polluting forms of energy, encouraging a more efficient use of energy, promoting a better management of marine and forest resources, and ensuring universal access to drinking water” (LS 164). This is what the Pope has called “one world with a common plan” (LS 164), in which all nations should do their part in solving the climate change problem. Despite the Philippines’ minimal greenhouse gas emissions, we want to be on high moral ground in the global discussions on climate change. This makes it imperative for us to do what we can to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In this respect, INDCs on energy and forests for mitigation and water and agriculture for adaptation are needed. The encyclical lays out its support for renewable energy quite clearly: “We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels—especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas—needs to be progressively replaced without delay” (LS 165). The approval of many new coal power plant projects all over the country stands against this call in Laudato Si’, and sets our country on 79 percent, thereby making China the biggest third market for Philippinemade goods next to Japan. Goods imported from China reached $676.12 million in November increasing annually by 14.6 percent, making China the exporter of goods to this country. The residual effect is not so much that we will lose a sizeable market, but on its effect to a great num-

ber of our people. They will lose their employment should this government join the fry by supporting those loonies campaigning to boycott Chinese goods. Notably, many of the goods we import from China are consumer products that mostly affect the poor sector in our society. Even if this government should recklessly decide to boycott Chinese products in a tit-

a coal-dependent path that will ultimately become detrimental to our long-term development. We should consider as an INDC an absolute cap on the use of coal in our energy mix. Laudato Si’ has reinforced the necessity of protecting our forests and its rich biodiversity, borrowing strong words from Patriarch Bartholomew: “For human beings… to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins” (LS 24). With this in mind, I suggest that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources take the lead in proposing an INDC that would guarantee the protection of our forests while contributing to mitigate climate change. We should also move forward on the implementation of a national REDD+ program that reduces emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. In doing so, the Philippines must uphold the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. On this, Laudato Si’ is fully supportive: “The constant and active involvement of local people from within their proper culture” (LS 144) is integral in ensuring that forests and natural ecosystems are protected and preserved. Access to safe and potable drinking water is essential to everyday life, and should be a priority in our adaptation plans. As is written in Laudato Si’: “Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to life consistent with their inalienable dignity” (LS 30). We should develop an adaptation INDC that is focused on protecting our water resources, and that would ensure the right of the poor to have access to water. Adaptation must also induce radical change in the way that we look at food and agriculture. Not only is there a need for the sector to “be improved through investment of rural infrastructures, a better organization of local or national markets, systems of irrigation, and the development of techniques of sustainable agriculture” (LS 180), but it is also necessary to ensure that it is protected against the brunt of climate change impacts. Indeed, an adaptation INDC dedicated to agriculture would be appropriate. Finally, Laudato Si’ suggests that we are right in choosing to champion human rights and climate justice in the Paris negotiations. We must advocate strongly for a loss and damage mechanism that would compensate individuals, families, communities, and peoples for the economic damage and physical displacement resulting from climate change. Pope Francis presents the idea of the climate as a “common good” (LS 23), and such a good “calls for social peace, the stability and security provided by a certain order which cannot be achieved without particular concern for distributive justice” (LS 157), and that “society as a whole, and the state in particular, are obliged to defend and promote the common good” (LS 157). The promotion of the common good is not only a responsibility for the present generation, but for the future generation as well. Pope Francis writes that “we can no longer speak of sustainable development apart from intergenerational solidarity…[which is] not optional, but rather a basic question of injustice, since the world we have received belongs to those who will follow us” (LS 159). Email: Tonylavs@gmail.comFacebook: tlavina@yahoo. comTwitter: tonylavs for-tat retaliation for their re-enforced presence in the China Sea, that vacuum could easily be filled by our neighbors. Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Indonesia and Singapore are just too eager to increase their trade with China. Even if those rabid pro Americans who feel they would die if they are not able to buy US-made products are already buying

US products though made and assembled in China, because they themselves could no longer afford to buy products directly made in the US. As said, the US would not take the risk to recklessly fight for us unless its core interests are threatened. It is only this wayward President of ours and his Secretary of Foreign Continued on A11

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA THE explanation of the Department of Education as to how and why large-scale errors are all over the 508-page Grade 10 textbook it has published, as revealed by book crusader Antonio Calipjo Go, is hollow. Dep Ed officials said that the book evaluated by Go was a “first draft” or a work in progress, and that it was distributed to public school teachers for their comment, with notice that it is just ”a draft.” Why wasn’t a corrected draft submitted to the teachers? Were the teachers expected to do some editing and proofreading as well? Isn’t that the responsibility of the so-called “development team” of the department – consisting of two consultants, ten authors, ten reviewers, one language editor, and four editorial assistants – in the first place? The erroneous title of the textbook (which appears on its cover page in case the department did not notice it) was already a warning. Even as an alleged “first draft,” it is inexcusable that the erroneous title remained uncorrected by the “development team” responsible for the textbook. This is an incriminating indication that nobody from the “development team” bothered to read the title to begin with. Chances are, they did not bother to go through the contents of the textbook, either. With numerous reviewers assigned to the textbook, it is unthinkable how and why the 1,300 errors in the textbook, as exposed by Go, could have gone unnoticed. It’s either the “development team” is incompetent for the collective

WHEN DEPED TEXTBOOKS DON’T MAKE THE GRADE – (PART 2) job given to it, or the group did not do their work – period. Is it possible that the language editor of the “development team” obtained his basic education using the same kind of substandard textbooks published by the department? There is also the possibility that the “development team” simply passed on their duties as writers, editors, and reviewers to the textbook supplier who, to keep expenses to a minimum, hired incompetent personnel to attend to the contents of the textbook. This seems to be the most plausible explanation for the errors. ****** When Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo spoke to the news media last June 10, he was obviously determined to downgrade the damage to the public interest caused by the Grade 10 textbook in question. In the course of the interview, however, Mateo underscored the other shortcomings of their department, and convinced many people that it is no different from other line agencies of the government in terms of incompetence and ineptitude. Mateo said that the errors in the socalled “first draft” of the Grade 10 textbook in question were already corrected by the department. His statement, however, was debunked in an evening TV news program which subsequently reported that the said textbook was no longer in its “draft” stage and was in fact already published, and that copies of the published textbook available at the department still carried many of the errors

Boycotting.. From A10

‘Candidate’.. From A9

Affairs Albert del Rosario that are pushing us into confrontation with China, and who knows, are conspiring with the US to heighten the tension to warrant the need to purchase those costly but second hand armaments that could never alter the balance of power in our favor. For our continued bellicosity, China might just decide to deport our 152,807 overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong that are receiving an average wage of $3,980 a month, and we are not prepared to offer them an alternative employment. As this column has wrote many times before, it is wrong for us to pick a fight with China. We can only discuss our differences with them from the point of view of what is good to our national interest, and not to what is good for the interest of the US and Japan. This column is not even saying we have to abandon our claim, much that China is not telling us to do that. All that I ask is for us to enter into a peaceful dialogue without any precondition as they themselves offered it on a bilateral basis much that it would be illogical for us to bring along a third party which territory is located across the Pacific Ocean. From there, we can explore what the late Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping suggested - that we jointly explore and develop the mineral resources in the China Sea setting aside in the meantime the issue of sovereignty. Should we reach an agreement, it is understood that China is obligated to recognize our rights and status as co-partner and co-owner just as we are under obligation to recognize China as our co-owner and partner in the area entitled to the same benefits that could be extracted there.

Last week I outlined what I hope ‘Candidate’ Poe would do to help our electorate choose well come election time. I also have a list for VP Binay. First and foremost, squarely respond to graft-related allegations. General denials that these are politically-motivated and hurling counter accusations that those against him are just out to get him will not cut it anymore. The decline in the VP’s numbers may be significantly attributed to the many accusations of graft and his continued refusal to adequately respond to these. People are looking for answers and they deserve to get these. Clear, unequivocal, concrete response to corruption allegations from the VP is the single most important thing that people expect from Binay. No one will question his experience but INTEGRITY is as, or even more crucial. This is not

rpkapunan@gmail.comrpkapunan@ gmail.com.

A11

The son.. From A9 Malacañang and the ruling Liberal Party, true to form, belittled the Veep’s scathing attack on the Aquino administration. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, said Binay didn’t say anything in the last five years against the Aquino administration until he realized he couldn’t get the President’s support for his 2016 bid. Ranking LP leader, Calo-

cited by Go. Likewise, Mateo insisted that “a textbook is only one source of knowledge,” and that school children can always consult the Dep Ed on-line portal. What is he talking about? A textbook may be one source of knowledge, but for many public school children who have no access to on-line cyber technology by reason of poverty, it is the main, and often, the only source of knowledge. Finally, in his desire to dismiss the controversy, Mateo said that the department would just send a list of errors to those who have or will have copies of the textbook so that they will be guided, accordingly. That statement constitutes an admission that the textbook in question is really substandard as pointed out by Go. How a list of admitted errors, as contemplated by Mateo, can solve the problem is wishful thinking plain and simple. When will that list be made and distributed? In the meantime that the list is not yet distributed, what preventive measures will be taken to see to it that the errors will not mislead its juvenile readers? What will the department do if the list of errors is misplaced by the juvenile reader? How sure is the department that the list of errors itself will be error-free? Will its “development team” do its work this time? What does Mateo take the taxpayers for? ****** Substandard textbooks distributed to school children have far-reaching prejudicial consequences to the educational system of the country. Their readers will

be misled into believing that the contents of the textbook and the grammar and syntax used in it are true – simply because the textbook was published by the Department of Education. Such disinformation will prejudice their chances of improving their lot, and will haunt them up to their old age. Precisely because it is in published form, a substandard textbook will not simply go away like a bad classroom lecture, or some false or erroneous information written by a child on pad paper. Copies of a substandard textbook are bound to be kept somewhere, somehow, by someone who was tricked into believing that it is a reliable repository of the truth and of what is correct. Subsequent generations of school children who may encounter the textbook accidentally, and without knowing the history of its substandard quality, will end up reading and remembering wrong information and sloppy English. The damage can live on through several generations until and unless that misleading textbook is destroyed. It will be a national nightmare of unimaginable dimensions. Whether this textbook anomaly involves incompetence or corruption, Education Secretary Armin Luistro must take disciplinary action against the misfits involved in this embarrassing scandal. Names must be mentioned to the public. If Luistro does not take decisive action, public interest advocates may not hesitate to file anti-graft charges against those involved in this unforgivable wastage of taxpayers’ money.

negotiable. Why would we vote for someone who is tainted with all sorts of unanswered graft cases? What if the allegations are true? Why leave the welfare of more than 100 million Filipinos to chance? Secondly, like what I ask of Senator Grace Poe (and all other possible candidates), the VP should make public his position on socio-economic-political issues, platform of government, goals and master plan for his six-year presidential term. Our votes should be a vote for the kind of life we desire for ourselves and the future generations. Walang tsambahan. Considering VP Binay’s experience, coming out with positions on issues, platform, goals and plan should not be difficult for him. He can actually showcase his Makati success through his program of government. The VP can show us what he can do for the country simply by connecting his Makati achievements with

his platform, objectives, and plan. Then voters can intelligently consider the VP. Thirdly, it will be best for the VP and his family to stop the arrogance in responding to issues. The country needs a leader who will unify, not further divide us. I said that the VP is shifting strategies and is now on the offensive. After five years of not directly criticizing PNoy and being in his Cabinet, he resigned and immediately started hitting the administration. Notice the statements of the Binay daughters saying that they will not forgive critics? This is not the kind of leadership people are looking for. The VP’s “magpakalalake ka” letter to Senator Koko Pimentel in response to the latter’s call to audit housing-related government agencies did not sit well with many. The Binay family comes out as too arrogant for comfort. It is offensive. If the VP’s new strategy is to market himself as the opposition

to this administration, I dare say that his camp is misreading public pulse. Unlike in 2010 when it was popular to go against the former president, the situation is not the same now. The current administration though criticized is not that unpopular. The people are not looking for an opposition. They want an inspiration, someone clean who can lead and unite our already divided society. Arrogance, mudslinging will further harm the VP’s chances. Positioning himself as the opposition I believe is a mistake. ‘Candidate’ Binay should respond to corruption charges against him and family, use his Makati achievements to showcase his platform of government; and immediately stop the word war against political enemies. ‘Candidate’ Binay needs to be closely watched.

ocan Rep.Edgar Erice, described Binay’s blast as “ampaw” or hollow, and that the VP’s resignation should have been done a long time ago, “All Binay did the last five years was use his office and government resources to campaign as soon he won as Vice President in the 2010 elections,” said Erice, adding the VP kept his close ties with the President hoping to gain his endorsement even behind

the back of Mar Roxas, the presumptive LP candidate for president. Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza, on the other hand, said the Vice President’s resignation from the Aquino cabinet as presidential assistant on housing and overseas Filipino workers concerns now gives the United Nationalist Alliance a voice truly representing the opposition. Atienza called on all Cabi-

net members who are running for public office to follow Binay’s example and quit their posts. He cited Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who’s running for president, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Health Secretary Janet Garin, and Presidential Assistant on Food Security Kiko Panglinan who are running as senators in the LP ticket.

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE ENERGY SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN ZAMBOANGA CITY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ZAMCELCO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), WITH MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

FOM

PhP/kW/mo

239

314

PhP/kWh

0.14864

0.15245

HFCR

L/kWh

0.23580

LOCR

L/kWh

0.00240

9.1

The formula for FC in item 2 (Contract Energy Fee per month) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:1

f. g. h. i. j. k. l.

Where:

ERC CASE NO. 2015-071 RC ZAMBOANGA CITY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ZAMCELCO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), Applicants.

INSy

actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year

INS1

PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

Total BC

Total Billing Capacity for the two barges under the existing energy supply agreements and existing ancillary service procurement agreements

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on April 15, 2015, Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO) and Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) filed a joint application for the approval of their Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement, with motion for provisional authority and motion for confidential treatment of information.

9.2

19. In further compliance with the requirements of the Commission, they considered several scenarios and derived a Rate Impact Simulation based on the said scenarios, which is attached to the joint application as Annex “U” and may be summarized as follows:

Hence, the formula for Contract Energy Fee per Month as provided in the ESA shall be:2

In the said joint application, ZAMCELCO and TMI alleged, among others, the following: 1.

ZAMCELCO is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, with principal address at MCLL Highway, Putik, Zamboanga City. It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission to operate an electric light and power distribution service in Zamboanga City(Franchise Area);

2.1

2.2

TMI owns and operates the 100 MW Power Barge No. 117 (PB 117) in Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte and the 100 MW Power Barge No. 118 (PB 118) in Maco, Compostela Valley, which it acquired from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) upon their privatization in accordance with Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA); and

CEF EF

= =

FC VC CF

= = =

FOM IFf BC INS

= = = =

TMI is joining ZAMCELCO as co-applicant in this case in order to assist it in securing approval of the terms and conditions of the Energy Supply Agreement dated January 12, 2012 (ESA),as amended by the Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement dated March 27, 2015 (Supplement Agreement), entered into by and between ZAMCELCO and TMI;

The instant joint application seeks approval by the Commission of the ESA, as amended by the Supplement Agreement, entered into by and between ZAMCELCO and TMI, pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (ERC Rules).

INSy

INS1

IFv TotalBC

= =

FLR

EDm

STATEMENT OF FACTS ZAMCELCO currently sources its electricity requirements from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC), and TMI. 4.1

On January 12, 2012, ZAMCELCO entered into an ESA with TMI for the supply of 18MW for a term of three (3) years from Effective Date of April 20,2012 to April 19, 2015 (Original Term). The ESA was approved by the Commission in a Decision dated 26 November 2012 in ERC Case No. 2012039RC, with the following applicable rates:

Cost Component 2012

278

2013

296

2014

323

2015

305

Fixed O&M Fee (PhP/kW/month)

Pass thru cost based on fuel consumption rates of 0.2358 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and 0.00242 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Lube Oil (LO)

Details of ZAMCELCO’s other supply contracts are as follows:

CONTRACT CAPACITY

DATE OF EXECUTION OF SUPPLY CONTRACT

TERM

PSALM

49 MW

December 2012

3 years

18 MW

May 2013

ERC APPROVAL

Provisional Authority in ERC Case No. 2013-050 RC

3 years

It is expected that the energy requirements of ZAMCELCO’s customers will significantly increase in the next few years as demonstrated by ZAMCELCO’s Distribution Development Plan (“DDP”), which is hereto attached as Annex “G”;

The expiration of the Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy with PSALM in 2015, as well as the projected increase in the energy requirements of ZAMCELCO’s customers will result in a shortage of the energy available to it and its customers;

On March 27, 2015, ZAMCELCO and TMI executed the Supplement Agreement extending the term of the ESA for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the term (Additional Term) and stipulating the rights and obligations of the Parties during the Additional Term, which shall be under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, subject to the following:

SALIENT PROVISIONS OF THE ESA AS SUPPLEMENTED BY THE SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT 8.

Additional Term. The Supplement to the ESA provides that the ESA shall remain in force for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the Original Term, commencing on April 20, 2015 and shall terminate on April 20 , 2018 unless either Party sends a written notice of pre-termination to the other Party at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of each contract year. The Supplement to the ESA further provides that, in the event ZAMCELCO enters into an energy supply agreement with Therma South, Inc. (TSI) for the supply of power from the latter’s coal-fired power plant, the ESA may be terminated effective on the Effective Operations Date defined in said energy supply agreement. If the Operations Effective Date of the power plant of TSI has not yet occurred by the end of the Additional Term, the ESA shall be automatically renewed on a year-to-year basis, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of the ESA. Upon expiration of the Additional Term, and any extension thereof, the Parties may agree to further extend the term of the ESA under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, as amended by the Supplement Agreement; Electricity Fees. Beginning on the expiration of the Original Term, the Electricity Fees shall be computed based on the following values:

PhP/kW/mo

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

296

323

305

287

268

250

2015

6.3439

5.0650

(1.2789)

2016

6.3041

5.0463

(1.2578)

2017

6.4386

4.6889

(1.7497)

2018

6.3522

5.2185

(1.1337)

The non-delivery days (or fraction thereof) in any Billing Period caused by Allowed Downtime described under Section 8 of the ESA.

11. Contract Energy. Under the ESA, TMI shall make available, on a monthly basis, the capacity of 18MW, to be delivered in accordance with the Schedule of Contract of Energy under the ESA;

16. Application Costs. The Supplement Agreement provides that ZAMCELCO shall bear the costs of all filing fees, costs of publication, legal fees and similar costs arising from the preparation and filing of the instant application; 17. The extension of the Contract Term under the Supplement Agreement and the implementation thereof will redound to the benefit of ZAMCELCO’s consumers which may otherwise be forced to bear the cost of 18MW purchased from the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) or to suffer a corresponding amount of brownouts. In undertaking the extension of the ESA under the Supplement to the ESA, ZAMCELCO seeks to comply with its obligation of providing stable and continuous power supply, pursuant to the Department Circular No. DC 2012-03-004 dated March 19, 2012 of the Department of Energy (DOE); SUBMISSIONS 18. In support of the instant application and in compliance with Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, it submits the following additional documents: a. b.

Board of Investments (BOI) Certificate of Registration of TMI (Annex “H” of the joint application); Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the

Continuing Demand Growth. As illustrated in its DDP, ZAMCELCO is expecting a growth in the total demand of its end-users so that, coupled with reduction of the NPC/PSALM capacity, there is a wide supply gap that urgently needs to be filled. Without the Supplement Agreement, ZAMCELCO will be incapable of satisfying the electricity requirements of its endusers who must be forced to suffer brownouts resulting from its curtailment;

25. They pray that the Commission:

10. Billing Capacity. In the event that TMI is required to reduce its installed capacity in order to remain compliant with Section 45 of the EPIRA, TMI shall have the right to reduce the Billing Capacity of ZAMCELCO to the extent of the reduction required under Section 45 of the EPIRA, provided that, the reduction in the Billing Capacity of ZAMCELCO shall not exceed its pro rata share in the total Billing Capacity of TMI in relation with other offtakers of TMI;4

15. Security Deposit. No later than thirty (30) days before the commencement of the second (2nd) Contract Year and every year thereafter, ZAMCELCO shall provide TMI a Renewal Security Deposit in the form of a Standby Letter of Credit in an amount equivalent to the estimated average one (1) month Invoice projected for the next twelve (12) months as agreed by TMI and ZAMCELCO or, in case of disagreement, in an amount equal to the highest Invoice issued by TMI to ZAMCELCO in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the commencement of such Contract Year;5

Insufficiency of NPC/PSALM Supply. The reduction of the NPC/PSALM CSEE capacity from ZAMCELCO’s portfolio renders imperative a bilateral supply contract to answer for the equivalent capacity, lest ZAMCELCO be compelled to resort to the unpredictable and expectedly higher prices in the IMEM or worse, be curtailed for insufficient contracted capacity; and

24. They submitted one (1) copy of Annexes“M”, “N”, “O”,“P” and “Q”in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential”; and

JCPIb = Japan CPI of 99.9 as of June 2011

14. Replacement Energy. TMI has the option but not the obligation to source replacement or alternative supply from its own back-up facility and/or any third party to supply all or part of the Contract Energy;

23. Under Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, the Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of the existence of conditions which would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential. Pursuant to its undertaking, ZAMCELCO and TMI move that Annexes“M”, “N”, “O”, “P”, and “Q” not be disclosed and be treated as confidential documents in accordance with Rule 4 of the ERC Rules and accordingly, not be disclosed to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, as necessary. These documents contain certain non-public information, data and calculations involving business operations and financial trade secrets reflecting TMI’s investment and business calculations;

ECPIb = EURO CPI of 113.10 as of June 2011

13. Load Curtailment Adjustment.For Contract Energy subject of load curtailment, ZAMCELCO shall pay the Load Curtailment Adjustment in lieu of the Capacity Fee component of the Contract Energy Fee. The same formula for the Load Curtailment Adjustment Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect;

Mindanao Power Crisis. The power shortage in Mindanao has remained a critical problem for ZAMCELCO which continues to suffer rotating brownouts in the grid. A bilateral agreement, such as the Supplement Agreement, will significantly aid ZAMCELCO in minimizing or even eliminating the rotating brownouts in its franchise area which has had a debilitating impact upon the local economy;

22. Under Section 13 of the ESA, each Party undertook to keep in strict confidence and not to disclose to any third party any and all Confidential Information of the other Party;

Finally, the base indices in Item 3 (Inflation Factor) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:3

12. Additional Energy. TMI may, at its option, make available to ZAMCELCO such energy in excess of the contracted energy for which ZAMCELCO shall be liable to pay the Additional Energy Fee consisting of variable and fixed charges pro-rated for the hours of delivery of the additional energy, subject to annual adjustments. The same formula for the Additional Energy Fee Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect;

21. Considering the foregoing, they request the Commission for the provisional approval of the ESA, as amended by the Supplement Agreement to enable ZAMCELCO to draw under the said agreement. This will avoid the power interruptions which have caused irreversible losses upon economic productivity within its franchise area. The Affidavit in support of the prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority is attached to the joint application as Annex “V”;

UCPIb = US CPI of 225.722 as of June 2011

Fuel and Lube Oil Rate

MPC

The Contract Energy Delivery days in a Billing Period are less the total number of days in the Billing Period (to adjust to first and last Billing Periods of the ESA); and

239

SUPPLIER

Inflation factor for Energy Fee Total Billing Capacity for all Energy Supply Agreements entered into by Supplier which have achieved effectivity date and for the duration of such effectivity, as such terms and conditions are defined under the respective Energy Supply Agreements Fuel oil, lube oil and related fuel rate in Php/ kWh The Sum of the hourly volumes of Contract Energy as found in the Contract Energy Schedule (or as revised by the Parties or by MSO/MSO RCC) for the Billing Period primarily associated with calendar month m (for example December 26-January 25 is associated with January) (and adjusted for transmission losses, if any, imputed by the transmission service provider if measured at a meter other than the Generator Metering Point), in kWh

PCPIb = Philippine CPI of 126.4 as of June 2011

0.14864

4.2

actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

9.3

Energy Fee (PhP/kWh)

Increase/ (Decrease) PhP/kWh

20. They move for the issuance of a provisional approval of the ESA, as amended by the Supplement Agreement, pending trial on the merits thereof, upon the following reasons:

Contract Energy Fee in Php Energy Fee (before adding the applicable VAT) for the Billing Period in Php/kWh Fixed charge per month in Pesos Variable charge per month in Pesos the Capacity fee in Php/kW/month for the current Contract Year Fixed O&M fee in Php/kW/month Inflation factor for fixed O&M fee Billing Capacity in kW or 18,000kW INSy‒ INS1

The Fixed Charge (“FC”) shall be proportionately adjusted if:

Approved Rates

Capacity Fee (PhP/kW/month)

Scenario with TMI PhP/kWh

MOTIONS FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

Where:

Copies of the ESA and the Supplement Agreement are attached to the joint application as Annexes “E” and “F”, respectively;

Scenario without TMI* PhP/kWh

Where:

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION 3.

Year

*The calculation assumes that the deficit will be augmented through modular gensets.

For calendar month m = 1, 2, ..., 12

TMI is a generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office address in Mobile 2, Lawis, Sta. Ana, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. Copies of TMI’s Securities and Exchange Commission Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, General Information Sheet and Audited Financial Statements are attached to the joint application as Annexes “A”, “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively;

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to TMI (Annex “I” of the joint application); Certification by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) (Annex “J” of the joint application); Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to TMI (Annex “K” of the joint application); Relevant Technical and Economic Characteristics of TMI’s Power Barges (Annex “L” of the joint application); Sources of Funds/Financial Plans (Annex “M” of the joint application); Purchased Power Rate (Annex “N” of the joint application); Cash Flow (Annex “O” of the joint application); Financial Model (Annex “P”); Fuel Procurement Process of TMI (Annex “Q” of the joint application); Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) between ZAMCELCO and NGCP (Annex “R” of the joint application); Certification from the PSALM of the insufficiency of its supply to meet ZAMCELCO’s requirements (Annex “S”of the joint application); and Procurement Process of ZAMCELCO (Annex “T” of the joint application);

Issue an Order treating Annexes “M”, “N”, “O”, “P” and “Q” and the information contained therein as confidential, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, and prescribing the guidelines for the protection thereof;

Pending trial on the merits, provisionally approve the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, effective April 20, 2015; and

After trial on the merits, approve with finality the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, including the rates, Security Deposit and Application Costs which shall be for the account of ZAMCELCO.

The Commission has set the said application for jurisdictional hearing, pre-trial conference, expository presentation and evidentiary hearing on July 8, 2015 (Wednesday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at the ERC Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Building, Monteverde Avenue corner Sales St., Davao City (in view of the current peace and order situation in Mindanao). All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making a request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 10 th day of June, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III 1 2 3 4 5

Supplement Agreement, Section 2.1 ESA, Schedule III, Item 2, as amended by the Section 2 of the Supplement Agreement. Supplement Agreement, Section 2.3. Supplement Agreement, Clause 2.9 ESA, Clause 6.1.2, as amended by Section 2.4 of the Supplemental Agreement.

(TS-JUNE 20 & 27, 2015)

SAT URDAY : J UN E 2 7 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A13

Wolves make Towns no. 1 pick NEW YORK—Teen big man Karl-Anthony Towns was chosen by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the first pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, while Satnam Singh Bhamara made history as the first India-born selection. Towns averaged 10.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots a game last season for a University of Kentucky squad that went unbeaten until losing to Wisconsin in the national college tournament semifinals. “This is what you live for,” Towns said. “I’m going to go in right away and be as versatile as I can be. I’m coming with a winning attitude. I’m not coming to look for individual success. I’m coming to look for team success.” The Timberwolves, who won last month’s NBA Draft Lottery to claim the top overall pick, have not reached the playoffs since 2004. Bhamara, a 19-year-old center from a small Punjab village, went 52nd overall to the Dallas Mavericks, the same NBA club that in 2001 made Wang Zhizhi the first Chinese player in an NBA game.

Bhamara, a 7-foot-2 (2.18m) big man, became the first player in a decade taken after not playing for a US college or overseas pro team, instead playing for the IMG Academy squad. - India’s big NBA hope Likely bound for a developmental team to hone his skills, he follows in the footsteps of Canadian-born Sim Bhullar, who became the NBA’s first player of Indian descent after playing for the Sacramento Kings last April. Bhamara could open the door to the NBA into cricket-loving India much the way Yao Ming did for the league in China. “I think I can open the door for everyone to come here and play so it’s good for India and all the players, it is good for me and my country,” Bhamara told the Washington Post after a workout with the Washington Wizards earlier this year. AFP

Brook to face Rios WITH chances of a hopedfor dream fight with undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. looking unlikely, Kell Brook looks set to defend his International Boxing Federation welterweight title against Brandon Rios in London this autumn. Sky Sports reported that Brook had been hoping to share a ring with the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization champion in his planned farewell fight in Las Vegas on Sept.

12 after he extended his unbeaten record to 35 straight wins, 24 by knockout, after stopping Frankie Gavin in six rounds in the second defense of his title last month. Brook said he’ll be ready to fight by September despite putting on some obvious weight. However, neither Brook nor domestic rival Amir Khan were in Mayweather’s thoughts when he named Andre Berto and Karim Mayfield as possible opponents for his 49th fight. Ronnie Nathanielsz

Karl-Anthony Towns (right) poses with Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted ﬁrst overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. AFP

Casimero won’t have easy time vs Thai By Ronnie Nathanielsz MANY fight fans and even media people fascinated with the theory that a puncher can most of the time get the better of a skilled boxer, believe that mandatory International Boxing Federation flyweight challenger and former light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero of the Philippines can power his way to a second world title against champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand on Saturday night at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok. But it won’t be that easy against the 35-year-old champion, whose age is unlikely to tell against Casimero despite the fact that the Filipino is 10 years younger. As Casimero’s veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio explained: “It’s not Amnat’s age because he started late as a pro and is fresh.” The Thai actually turned pro in May 2012 and won by a fourth-round TKO over Rino Ukru of Indonesia.

Ruenrong subsequently beat three more Indonesians and six Filipinos, which included overcoming Michael Rodriguez in an IBF Asia title fight by a unanimous 12-round decision on Feb. 15, 2013, and then followed this up with another unanimous 12-round decision over Julius Alcos to win the IBF Pan Pacific flyweight title on April 19, 2013. Matched against OPBF champion Rocky Fuentes of the ALA Gym, Ruenroeng prevailed handily as Fuentes put on a disappointing showing on Jan. 22, 2014. Ruenrong’s story is a fascinating one. He began boxing, while serving a 15-month prison sentence for robbery. Time Magazine picked Ruenroeng as one of the Top 100 athletes competing in the Beijing Olympic Games and wrote that Amnat “signed up for a prison boxing program .Who knew it would turn into his salvation? In 2007, just a year after he first stepped into the prison ring, Amnat had won a national

title in the light flyweight division. The day after his victory, he was released from jail on good behavior.” He became, as Time mentioned, “part of a fearsome Thai Olympic boxing squad that boasts of several medal contenders.” The second grade dropout and former drug addict said: “I can’t believe I am on the Olympic team. I should still be in jail.” Ruenroeng was ultimately beaten in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, losing to eventual silver medalist Serdamba Purevdorg of Mongolia, who in turn lost to China’s Zou Shiming in the battle for gold. In a way, Ruenroeng avenged his fifth-place finish in the Olympics when he faced the over-hyped Zou, who was trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach. Ruenrong fought a smart fight and beat him handily in his last title defense in Macau on March 7 this year, clearly boosting Amnat’s confidence.

Wozniacki storms into Eastbourne semis

Defying controversy. Galen Rupp ﬂashes the thumbsup sign as he runs to victory in the Mens 10,000 Meter in the 2015 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The Olympic silver medallist has endured a tumultuous month since a BBC documentary in collaboration with the ProPublica website accused his coach, Alberto Salazar, of violating anti-doping rules, with claims Salazar doped Rupp with testosterone in 2002 when Rupp was only 16. AFP

EASTBOURNE—Caroline Wozniacki defeated Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-1 on Thursday to set up an Eastbourne International semifinal against Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic. Second seed Wozniacki is bidding for a second trophy at Devonshire Park after winning the pre-Wimbledon tune-up in 2009. The Dane was tested slightly in the opening set but lifted her game in the second to sprint to victory in under 90 minutes, with 10th seed Petkovic broken seven times. “It was a tough match, she gets a lot of balls back,” said former number one Wozniacki. “I returned well today, which was the key to the win. I’ve been playing well all week and I’m happy with my form. I just want to carry it over into

the semis.” Bencic took just under two hours to eliminate the last British challenge of the home week. The number 31, who played a grass-court final this month in the Netherlands, defeated Australianborn Briton Johanna Konta 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. World number 146 Konta came in on a wildcard and turned in the best week of her career as she won three consecutive matches. The last to do that on the English south coast was Jo Durie 32 years ago. Two of Konta’s wins came over WTA number four Ekaterina Makarova and number 20 Garbine Muguruza of Spain. Bencic lost the opening set but changed tactics to get back into the contest.

“It was a very difficult match, she’s a good player and really made me work,” said Bencic, advised by the mother of former Swiss prodigy Martina Hingis. “We had some great rallies. I didn’t play badly in the first set, but I missed on some key points,” said Bencic. “In the second and third I played more aggressively and got in more first serves. “Of course I knew that the crowd was on her side but thanks to the fans who cheered for me. I was fighting on very point.” Bencic survived six aces from Konta and saved 10 of a dozen break points against her serve. In the other half of the draw, former champion Agnieszka Radwanska advanced 6-2, 6-2 over Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova.

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Salvador fires a 66, grabs 3-stroke lead SILANG, Cavite—Elmer Salvador outgunned Frankie Miñoza with an early burst of birdies then held off Clyde Mondilla’s backside rally with a big bounce-back two-shot swing on the 18th to shoot a five-under 66 yesterday and threaten to duplicate his runaway feat in the ICTSI Riviera Classic here last year. Tied with Miñoza midway through the P1.5 million championship, Salvador pulled away with three-straight birdies from No. 2 as Miñoza tumbled with bogeys on Nos. 2 and 3, failed to mount a comeback at the back and wound up with a 74, enabling the defending champion to take full control at 205. The young Mondilla, the third player in the final group, fell five strokes adrift at the turn but showed up his veteran rivals with four birdies in a six-hole stretch from No. 11, including a two-shot swing on No. 16 that pulled him within one off Salvador before play halted due to threat of lightning. But Salvador fought back from a

bogey mishap on No. 16 with a par and a clutch birdie at resumption, putting him back on top by three as Mondilla sputtered and holed out with a bogey for a 68 for a 208. “I’ve been hitting it well, off the tee and to the green and putting has been steady,” said Salvador, who romped to a five-stroke victory over Thai Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Peter Richardson of England in last year’s staging of this event, then a leg on the Asian Development Tour. But Salvador never tasted victory again the rest of the season although he had posted four top 10 finishes after six legs of this year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “I just hope to pull it off. It’s been a while since I last won,” said Salvador, who rebounded from a so-so 72 start with a lead-sharing 67 Thursday and moved 18 holes away from banking the top P270,000 purse. Miñoza’s three-over card dropped him to sixth at 213 in a tie with Mars

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Pucay, who made a 72, while Rufino Bayron rallied with a 69 to wrest solo fourth at 211 and Miguel Tabuena, quiet in the first two rounds, rebounded with a 68 but still stood seven shots behind at 212. Tony Lascuña, who shared the first round lead at 69 but hobbled with a second day 74, missed closing out in style with a missed-green bogey on the 18th. But the reigning three-time Order of Merit winner on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour did join Salvador and Mondilla in the championship flight today with a 67 and a 210. “It’s a big deficit—five strokes and Elmer is playing solid. But I’ll try my best. Anything can happen here anyway at Langer,” said Lascuna, still looking for his first win this season after racking up five victories last year. Focus will also be on Mondilla, the young Del Monte ace seeking a follow-up to his breakthrough fourshot victory at ICTSI Canlubang Invitational last year.

AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOP 1st Level Glorietta 3 Ayala, Makati and its branches in Mejalco Bldg., Buenavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L & R Bldg., Pasay Road, Makati auction sale on July 05, 2015, 2:00 pm Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas, Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave., Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City at 2:30 pm. All items pawned February 1 - 28, 2015. Notary Public (TS-JUNE. 27, 2015)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

Invitation to Bid FOR CONCRETING OF 1km baGbaGEN ROad sECTION, baGbaGEN baRaNGay , laNTawaN muNICIpalITy, basIlaN pROVINCE Under BAC Publication No. 002-2015 The Provincial Government of Basilan, through the 20% DEVELOPMENT FUNDS intends to apply the sum of NINETEEN MILLION and FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P19,400.000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contract for the CONCRETING OF 1 KM BAGBAGEN ROAD SECTION, BAGBAGEN BARANGAY, LANTAWAN BASILAN PROVINCE. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1.

The Provincial Government of Basilan now invites bids for CONCRETING OF 1KM BAGBAGEN ROAD SECTION, BARANGAY BAGBAGEN, LANTAWAN MUNICIPALITY, BASILAN PROVINCE. Measuring 1,000. L.m. of length approach , Completion of the works is required within 201 Calendar days . Bidders should have completed within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 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.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from The Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fees for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,000.00) and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for the letter of intent..

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids.

The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 am, July 14, 2015 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to all interested parties.

Bids must be delivered on Bid Opening to the address below on or before 10:00 am, July 30 , 2015 , at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Provincial Government of Basilan 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: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Ground Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417 (SGD) OMAR L. SUHUD Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee (TS JUNE 27, 2015)

Elmer Salvador shoots a five-under 66 and threatens to duplicate his runaway feat in the ICTSI Riviera Classic last year.

Red Lions start bid for ‘6-peat’ DEFENDING champion San Beda College will have to contend with two backup guards when it meets host Mapua today at the start of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association senior basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Cardinals, who ended dead last the last two seasons, will be coming in this season with a lot of optimism following the return of Josan Nimes and Andretti Stevens and the arrival of Nigerian Allwell Oraeme to backstop a renewed CJ Isit, who was by far the best player who has emerged from last year’s tumultuous season. Talented high school standout Dennel Aguirre will also suit up, along with Cebuano recruits Stephen Que and Darrell Menina. With top guard Baser Amer still recovering Arellano University, last year’s runner-up to from a wrist injury he sustained during the 2015 San Beda, and Jose Rizal University, meanwhile, Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, the Red will clash in the second game set at 3 p.m. Lions, who will clash with the Cardinals in the The Chiefs are expected to rely heavily on opener at 1 p.m., will call on Ryuthe pair of Jio Jalalon, a SEAG Games Today sei Koga and Roldan Sara to do the veteran, and American Dioncee Arena) quarterbacking chores at least for 1 p.m. •(MOA Holts after losing John Pinto, San Beda vs Mapua their first few games. Prince Caperal, Levi Hernandez 3 p.m. • JRU vs Arellano “We have a lot of guards who can and Kieth Agovida. step up. Given a little fine-tuning, we’re ready,” The Bombers, for their part, have retained the said San Beda coach Mike Jarin. core of the same squad that made it to the Final Aside from Koga and Sara, Jarin can also Four a season ago, while adding returnee John throw in more guards in Alfred Sedillo and Ice Pontejos and Cameroonian giant Abdouladif Reyes, who has been elevated from Team B this Aylagnigni Poutouochi. season. “We’re going into that game against Jose RiAgainst the Cardinals, the Red Lions will try zal as an underdog,” said Arellano mentor Jerry to jumpstart their campaign for a record sixth Codinera. straight championships on a bright note. They The matches will come right after the openwill also banner another African import in Da- ing ceremony centered with the theme “NCAA: vid Tankoua, who will serve as main man Ola Engineered for Sports Excellence in the New Adeogun’s partner up front. Decade.”

Lot of catching up for EAC Generals THE Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals will have a lot of catching up to do in Season 91 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament. With the Generals finishing with a 4-14 record last season, new head coach Andy de Guzman finds their campaign challenging. “The coming season is very challenging. Sa tingin ko underdogs kami dito,” said De Guzman, who took over from Gerry Esplana.

The composition of the team has changed following the departure of Jan Jamon, Noube Happi, John Tayongtong and Jack Arquero, veterans who have graduated. The squad will have returnees like forward Sidney Onwubere and guard Remy Morada and there are three promising newbies in Cameroonian imports Hamadou Laminou and Adoum Mbang and a rookie with potential in Emmanuel Bonleon. Team skipper Francis Mun-

sayac, back after the 5’5” guard missed season 90 due to a knee injury, is expected to provide leadership for the Generals, who are out to better their performance last season after they finished tied with the Mapua Cardinals. De Guzman said he has adopted the system Esplana put in place, while making some improvements as well. He said Mapua junior recruit Raymund Pascua could also make a difference in the coming season. Peter Atencio

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Hotshots force death duel with Batang Pier By Jeric Lopez

THE Star made sure that its title defense stays on track. The Hotshots erupted for 73 points in a perfect first half and led by 59 twice to mercilessly demolish higher-ranked GlobalPort by 53 points, 126-73, and clinch their fourth straight victory that forced a suddendeath with their foes in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. Despite two early fouls, Marqus Blakely continued to roll, tallying all-around numbers of 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists while six of his

teammates scored eight points or more as everyone contributed for the Hotshots’ cause. Mark Barroca had 16 points on 7-of-9 sniping, while Alex Mallari and James Yap each had 15 markers for Star. With its back against the wall, the defending champion flexed its championship muscles to ensure that it forces a winner-take-all clash against the Batang Pier tomorrow. But despite the huge win, Star coach Tim Cone won’t celebrate just yet. ‘’We’re playing a 96-minute

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum): 3 p.m. - Rain or Shine vs. Barako Bull 5 p.m. - San Miguel vs. Meralco

game, not a 48-minute game,’’ said Cone. ‘’The real battle starts on Sunday.’’ Faced against a GlobalPort team ranked no. 4 and armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Hotshots, despite coming in as the no. 5 team, played like the champions that they are, going into full attack mode right from the start. Now, the semifinal ticket at stake will be up for grabs in a knockout game. The Hotshots didn’t waste anytime as they willed their way right from the get-go, swiftly establishing a huge 19-point cushion right at the end of the first quarter, 37-

18, with everyone contributing and all cylinders clicking. They also capitalized on nine early GlobalPort turnovers. That was just actually the beginning for the Hotshots’ huge outburst as they upped their game even more in the second, where they built a whopping 38-point spread, 73-35, at the half after winning the quarter by 19 points as well, 36-17, to break the game wide open. The edge for Star in fastbreak points in the first half was an amazing 20-0 as the Batang Pier just couldn’t take care of the ball with their turnover total in the first half of 17. Overall, the Hotshots shot astoundingly well, making 29 out of their 50 shots in the first 24 minutes of action.

PJ Simon (left) of Star drives against Terrence Romeo of GlobalPort in a PBA Govenors’ Cup game won by the Hotshots, 126-73.

Pacquiao quickly recovering from injury TWO months after undergoing surgery to his shoulder in an injury that was aggravated during his losing fight against undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr., eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is quickly recovering under a rehabilitation program designed by his doctors. Pacquiao himself has helped speed up the process by engaging in sports and religious

activities and by promoting peace and unity among his Christian and Muslim constituents. For almost a month now, Pacquiao has been hosting and engaging in friendly competitions participated by both Christian and Muslims in the town of Tinonto in Sarangani from Monday to Friday at the Pacman Beach Resort under the “Bring Me” program.

LOTTO RESULTS 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

Pacquiao was recently operated for a torn rotator cuff by known bone and muscle specialist Dr. Neil ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles days following his defeat to Mayweather on May 2 in Las Vegas. He suffered the injury weeks before the fight while training at gym of his trainer Freddie Roach. “It’s healing, slowly and sure-

ly,” Pacquiao said after coaching Kia to an 88-85 win over Meralco, ending the Carnival’s first season stint in the Philippine Basketball Association. “I have already removed the sling in my right arm three weeks ago and I can lift it na ng pakonti-konti. I think mga two months pa, fully recovered na at puwede nang mag-ensayo uli,” Pacquiao said. Eddie Alinea

PH soccerbelles bow to Malaysians MALAYSIA played the Philippines to a 2-2 draw that denied the Filipinas a semifinal slot in the Asian Football Confederation U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship Thursday in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Filipinas, who were looking for a win, went all out and opened scoring through

Catherine Pardilla in the 16th minute, but could not sustain the momentum after the Malaysians quickly returned fire and leveled the count via Nor Athirah Mamat, who netted the go-ahead goal in the 35th. The Filipinas and the Malaysians both finished Group B action with four points, but the latter took

the semis berth by a onepoint goal differential. Vietnam, which routed Singapore, 6-1, topped Group B with nine points and will face Group A second placer Myanmar in the Last-4. Malaysia will meet Group A topnotcher and defending champion Thailand in the semis. Peter Atencio

A disaster THE overall performance of the Philippines in the recently RONNIE concluded Southeast NATHANIELSZ Asian Games in Singapore was, to say the least, an unmitigated disaster. There’s no way any rational human being can claim that just because we finished sixth overall compared to a lowly seventh-place finish in Myanmar, it was an improvement since the number of gold medals we won were the same—29—both in Myanmar and Singapore. What is even more telling is that the size of our delegation to Singapore was almost twice as big as the number of athletes we sent to Myanmar. One would have expected a corresponding increase in the number of gold medals, but it was not to be although we had more silver and bronze medals this time around. What does that tell us? That we are not good enough to finish on the top in many sports disciplines and have to be content in playing second or third fiddle! Thank God for dual citizenship. Otherwise, the Philippines would have been in the gutter without the stars in athletics, our Rugby sevens squad and our tennis players to name a few. We have absolutely nothing, but praise for the Filforeigners, who have the courage to accept the land of their mother’s birth and to represent the country with commitment and passion. They also set a compelling example of dedication and hard work, which probably is best exemplified by the rugby players who trained relentlessly in their quest for gold and were rewarded with a scintillating sweep. There are lessons to be learned from these young men and women. The athletic stars may be black and the rugby players fair, but there was never any doubt that their hearts didn’t reflect the color of their skin, but rather the indomitable spirit of the Filipino. There were, of course, our reliable batters and pitchers in men’s and women’s softball, while our sometimes cocky basketball players, young as they are, were indeed lucky to get past Thailand and Singapore. They didn’t resort to the individual style of the Filipinos so enamored with pro basketball but lived up to the fundamental philosophy that basketball is a team game. Our women’s team lost a golden opportunity to duplicate the feat of the men but end-game errors cost us dearly aside from what we heard was the debilitating politics in the sport. Our boxers were a beacon for all to see and to hopefully learn from in terms of the leadership of the ABAP national sports association under president Ricky Vargas and a friend of almost a lifetime, Ed Picson, whose dedication on a daily basis to ensure the best for our boxers and an excellent coaching staff was unbelievable. Picson’s unwavering faith in the skill and courage of the young men and women who represented the country in glorious fashion winning five gold, three silver and 2 bronze medals and the inspiring leadership of Vargas who fended off uncalled for attempts by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia and to a lesser extent Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco to take the ABAP to task for not fielding Mark Anthony Barriga and Charly Suarez, who they felt were sure gold medal winners, drove home in unerring fashion the reality that quality NSA leaders know what they are doing and don’t need to be told what to do. If we are blessed with the same kind of leadership in the other key NSAs and more importantly the POC and the PSC, then and only then will there be any hope for us to achieve the success the Philippines enjoyed under Gintong Alay executive director and POC president Michael Keon, who raised us from the lowest level in the Asean and SEA Games competitions, through the Asian Games and onto the fringes of the Olympics. If there was one blatant example of incompetence and a callous disregard for our country’s good name was in aquatics, where two male divers put on a pathetic performance that was ridiculed around the world. Turns out they trained for only four days which raises the question how in the name of sanity were they included in the team. The head of the NSA, Mark Joseph claimed it was a lack of funding and training facilities, conveniently forgetting the P40 million he received directly from former PAGCOR head Ephraim Genuino in violation of the law, which requires all funds to be coursed through the PSC. To compound the felony, the allegation that has hung around for years is that part of the P40 million was put back into the Trace Swimming facility in Laguna, raising the question, why the claim that there were no proper training facilities. Joseph has clung to his position courtesy of Cojuangco when any other self-respecting NSA head would have resigned or been kicked out by the POC president. But Cojuangco too has been clinging to his position, with the latest word that he plans on seeking another term after the 2016 Brazil Olympics. All we can say is God, please help our country.

INSIDE SPORTS

Opening Ceremony celebrating the 30th Anniversary of PSME Makati with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr.

Guest Speakers Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during the Green Breakthrough at the 30th Anniversary of PSME Makati

Ribbon cutting to open the Green Breakthroughs Exhibit with Under Secretary Maria Cabral of DPWH, Motoo Konishi of the World Bank, Pres. Eduardo Cabanatan of PSME Makati, Assistant Secretary Gilbert Reyes, and Architect Amada de Jesus of PGBI

Golf and BowlingTournament to kick oﬀ the 30th Anniversary Celebration

TECHNICAL SEMINARS (WITH 13 CPD POINTS) INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGNS • NET ZERO BUILDING CONCEPT • A PRIMER ON ISO 50001:2011 ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM • GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS AND THE PHILIPPINE GREEN BUILDING CODE • EDGE (EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN FOR GREATER EFFICIENCIES) • BUILDING ENVELOPE STUDY USING ENERGY MODELING SOFTWARE • ABSORPTION COOLING FOR BUILDINGS • CASE STUDIES OF HIGH EFFICIENCY CHILLER SYSTEM • CFD (COMPUTERIZED FLUID DYNAMICS) ANALYSIS FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS • GEOTHERMAL COOLING FOR BUILDINGS • RENEWABLE POWER FOR BUILDINGS • RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM THE GRID

PSME MAKATI THANKS THE FOLLOWING FOR SUPPORTING THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY MAJOR SPONSOR: SUPREME STEEL PIPES CORP.

EXHIBITORS CROWN PIPES • OTHMAN INCORPORATED • CONCEPTION CARRIER AIRCONDITIONING • DAIKIN AIRCONDITIONING PHIL. INC. • YOZEN PHILS • TRIPLETECH INT’L CORP. • KRUGER M & E CORP. • IGROS MARKETING CORP. • VICTAULIC • FIRE SOLUTIONS, INC. • PRIME PRODUCT CONCEPT SPECIALIST • VALVETEK TRADING • HAIER PHILS. • MIT-AIR INC. • BRY-AIR (ASIA) PVT. LTD. • DPY MERCANTILE INC. • NELTEX DEV’T CO. INC. • ISOLER/NOUVAC • BIG LEAP TECHNOLOGIES, INC. • IFE ELEVATORS PHILS INC. • NIAGARA INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT CORP. • DELSA • RISE ASIA TRADING AND AIRCONDITIONING • JEC PHILS • FLOWMETRIC INDUSTRIAL SALES, INC. • PHIL. GREEN BUILDING INTIATIVES • EDWARD MARCS PHILS. • WILCON PHILS. • KOPPEL INC. • BRIXTON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIAL CORP. • TRANE PHILS. • MEGAWORLD CORP • EMERALD VINYL CORP.

SATURDAY: JUNE 27, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

GMA-7 terminated deal abruptly—Ang

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 26, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,622.05 40.14

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JUNE 26, 2015 42

P45.085

By Darwin G, Amojelar

BUSINESSMAN Ramon Ang on Friday accused the owners of GMA Network Inc. of abruptly terminating the plan to sell a minority stake in the broadcast company while talks were ongoing.

Ang was responding to the statement of GMA Network blaming him for the failed negotiations. “That’s not true. As late as May 9. GMA was still sending revised drafts of transaction documents. On May 18, I replied on among others unresolved issues raised by their May 9 transmittal. On June 22 at 5 p.m., GMA sent their own views on the unresolved matters without saying that they would no longer proceed with the transaction,” Ang said in a statement. “Then first thing the following day, GMA disclosed to the PSE [Philippine Stock Exchange] that they are terminating. If that is not abrupt, I don’t know what it is,” Ang said. GMA Network vice presi-

dent for corporate communications Angela Javier Cruz said the Jimenez, Duavit and Gozon groups, which own a combined 79 percent of GMA Network had not “abruptly terminated the negotiations for the purchase by Mr. Ramon S. Ang of part of their shares in the network.” Cruz said the owners of the network were constrained to terminate the negotiations only after more than one year of negotiations. Majority shareholders of the broadcaster agreed 12 months ago to sell about 30 percent of the company to Ang. The agreement was announced after Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. ended a third round of talks with the broadcaster. Ang, who had planed to invest

HIGH P45.085 LOW P45.080 AVERAGE P45.142 VOLUME 509.400M

P480.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.20-P47.85 Unleaded Gasoline

GOZON

ANG

in GMA Network in a personal capacity, offered to acquire at least 30 percent of the network for P10.809 per share. Ang’s offer was higher than the P9 offered by the PLDT Group. Cruz said Ang continued to make “new/additional proposals and or/make new requirements after the sellers had already accepted all of the proposals of Mr. Ang on March 21, 2015.” GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon earlier said “the ball is now in RSA’s court,” and that there was no deadline given, but decision should be made within a

“reasonable time.” Ang said he was consulting his lawyer about the decision of GMA Network. PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said his company might revive talks with the owners of GMA-7, as content was “quite important” to the company. Pangilinan said while he was open to revive talks with the owners of GMA Network, he said, “well, we’re not yet really ready.” Globe Telecom Inc. also hinted it was open to other forms of collaboration with GMA Network aside from content partnership.

Europe lifts safety ban on all Philippine airlines PHILIPPINE airlines will no longer be banned from flying into Europe, aviation authorities said Thursday, after the European Union removed all remaining Philippine carriers from its safety blacklist. The EU list, which has included Philippine airlines since 2010, bars from operating in European airspace any airlines it deems unable to meet international safety standards, or whose civil aviation authorities cannot provide the necessary safety oversight. “All airlines from the Philippines, banned since 2010, have been released from the [air safety] list and are therefore allowed to operate in the European airspace,” a statement from the EU office in Brussels said. The decision dismantles the final part of an EU flight ban against the Philippines imposed five years ago. The EU eased the prohibition in 2013 by authorizing Philippine Airlines Inc. to fly in Europe and scaled back the curbs again last year by permitting Cebu Air Inc. to operate in the 28-nation bloc. “After five years of hard work, we are finally able to clear the airlines certified in the Philippines,” EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said in a statement in Brussels. The EU put all Philippine carriers on its blacklist in March 2010, citing shortcomings in the Asian country’s regulation of the industry. The blacklist was first drawn up by the European Commission, the EU’s regulatory arm, in March 2006 with more than 90 airlines, mainly from Africa. The ban covers passenger and cargo carriers from nations including the

Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Liberia, Sudan and Zambia. The EU lifted the safety ban on flag carrier Philippine Airlines in July 2013, and last year also released Cebu Pacific, the country’s largest airline.

The latest decision lifts restrictions on the seven remaining Philippine carriers, said Eric Apolonio, a spokesman for the Philippine civil aviation authority, now allowing budget and smaller airlines to fly to Europe. AFP, Bloomberg

P28.85-P32.20 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, June 26, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.1430

Japan

Yen

0.008091

0.3653

Pound

1.574500

71.0777

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129007

5.8238

Switzerland

Franc

1.067806

48.2040

Canada

Dollar

0.811557

36.6361

Singapore

Dollar

0.744879

33.6261

Australia

Dollar

0.775074

34.9892

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

119.7363

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

12.0385

Brunei

Dollar

0.742115

33.5013

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029616

1.3370

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

12.2912

Euro

1.120500

50.5827

Korea

Won

0.000900

0.0406

China

Yuan

0.161046

7.2701

India

Rupee

0.015748

0.7109

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.266304

12.0218

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691181

31.2020

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032326

1.4593 Source: PDS Bridge

SATURDAY: JUNE 27, 2015

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Friday, June 26, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 0.92 2.6 890 100 1.46 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 3.95 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 238 3.28 0.315 2.65 234 5.28 1.3

High

Low

FINANCIAL 8.9 8.25 73.75 73 110.50 107.80 97.95 95.80 45.8 45 2.53 2.41 1.88 1.86 15.98 15.96 20.2 19.86 6.46 6.42 0.44 0.44 1.80 1.80 845.00 845.00 93.5 92.7 1.02 0.98 28.40 27.50 69.00 68.50 93.95 93 306 305 42.5 41.5 165 161.5 1530.00 1515.00 60.95 59.95 3.15 3.15 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 44 45 44.65 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 1.44 1.46 1.44 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.05 1.05 1.03 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.95 1.98 1.95 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.56 10.6 10.38 15.32 Century Food 18.9 18.96 18.7 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 27.5 28.5 27.5 29.15 Concepcion 56.5 57 55 1.5 Crown Asia 2.46 2.5 2.37 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.55 1.53 1.52 10.72 Del Monte 11.52 11.8 11.48 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 19.220 19.360 19 9.04 Emperador 9.01 9.10 8.88 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 7.68 7.67 7.53 8.86 EEI 9.96 10.00 9.95 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.73 1.7 1.7 8.61 Federal Res. Inv. Group 11.78 11.98 11.9 20.2 First Gen Corp. 25.5 25.6 25 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 83.6 84 82.8 13.86 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 13.52 13.52 13.30 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.80 13.90 13.40 6.04 5.9 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6 0.395 Ionics Inc 0.520 0.530 0.530 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. 198.00 200.00 199.10 8.65 Lafarge Rep 10.16 10.1 10.06 2.3 LMG Chemicals 2.02 2.28 2.01 33 Macay Holdings 58.00 56.00 56.00 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.2 24.95 24.95 17.3 Maxs Group 24.5 25.75 24.8 5.88 Megawide 6.37 6.3 6 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 289.00 291.00 287.00 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.76 4.88 4.8 8.45 Petron Corporation 9.06 9.09 8.90 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.72 12.00 11.30 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.88 3.82 3.73 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 2.02 2.05 2.01 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.68 3.43 2.72 4.02 RFM Corporation 4.21 4.21 4.18 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.02 2 2 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 169.9 179 170 1.55 Splash Corporation 1.64 1.65 1.56 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.142 0.148 0.144 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.17 2.20 2.17 152 Universal Robina 197 198 192.8 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.5 4.5 4.1 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.79 0.8 0.78 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.485 0.480 0.480 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.8000 58.0000 57.8500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 22.80 23.00 22.65 6.62 Anscor À’ 6.80 6.79 6.75 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.246 0.246 0.244 0.23 ATN Holdings B 0.240 0.240 0.231 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 790 790.5 785 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.85 7.94 7.8 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.16 13.30 12.98 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.52 4.52 4.50 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.212 0.214 0.211 837 GT Capital 1372 1384 1357 5.3 House of Inv. 6.88 6.95 6.56 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 70.40 71.95 71.00 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.28 7.38 7.21 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.68 0.68 0.67 12 LT Group 14.28 14.3 13.5 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings À’ 0.61 0.63 0.63 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 4.89 4.87 4.65 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 6 6.04 6 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0360 0.0350 0.0320 1.280 1.280 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.280 0.550 Prime Orion 1.790 1.840 1.740 2.26 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.65 2.5 2.5 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 61.05 61.40 60.55 751 SM Investments Inc. 871.50 896.00 876.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.21 1.22 1.22 80 Top Frontier 81.300 81.350 81.300 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3400 0.3600 0.3400 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.2040 0.2040 0.1990 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.250 0.250 0.245 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.400 7.500 7.360 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 8.42 8.42 8.40 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.72 0.73 0.70 1.2 Araneta Prop À’ 1.200 1.210 1.200 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 37.90 38.10 37.80 3.36 Belle Corp. À’ 3.38 3.42 3.37 4.96 Cebu Holdings 5.35 5.35 5.24 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 0.74 1.02 625 78 0.9 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 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. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

8.25 73.7 107.80 96.05 46 2.49 1.78 15.92 19.94 7.00 0.7 1.81 845.00 92.7 1 27.00 68.00 93.95 306 41.9 161.5 1515.00 60.25 3.15

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

8.7 73.75 108.90 96.00 45 2.53 1.86 15.96 19.9 6.55 0.44 1.8 845.00 93.25 0.98 28.40 68.60 93 305 41.8 164.2 1520.00 59.95 3.15

5.45 0.07 1.02 -0.05 -2.17 1.61 4.49 0.25 -0.20 -6.43 -37.14 -0.55 0.00 0.59 -2.00 5.19 0.88 -1.01 -0.33 -0.24 1.67 0.33 -0.50 0.00

356,700 17,270 1,930,530 567,620 56,300 38,000 22,000 700 1,256,100 1,900 2,200 18,000 390 2,823,910 151,000 1,400 52,340 3,410 1,540 53,300 131,710 115 32,330 80,000

44.8 1.46 1.05 1.95 10.6 18.7 28.45 56.5 2.42 1.52 11.8 19.200 9.03 7.65 10.00 1.7 11.98 25 82.8 13.30 13.40 5.92 0.530 200.00 10.08 2.01 56.00 24.95 25.65 6.2 291.00 4.88 9.00 12.00 3.73 2.03 3.39 4.20 2 179 1.64 0.146 2.18 197.5 4.5 0.79

1.82 1.39 0.00 0.00 0.38 -1.06 3.45 0.00 -1.63 -1.94 2.43 -0.10 0.22 -0.39 0.40 -1.73 1.70 -1.96 -0.96 -1.63 -2.90 -1.33 1.92 1.01 -0.79 -0.50 -3.45 3.10 4.69 -2.67 0.69 2.52 -0.66 2.39 -3.87 0.50 26.49 -0.24 -0.99 5.36 0.00 2.82 0.46 0.25 0.00 0.00

1,925,800 82,000 351,000 358,000 10,600 15,800 118,100 275,200 6,162,000 45,000 59,100 1,274,200 3,786,200 12,670,400 284,300 8,000 4,600 1,598,900 775,200 5,400 6,000 800,700 56,000 842,640 157,300 70,000 60 642,400 263,800 3,042,000 453,680 2,389,000 710,900 8,700 898,000 207,000 9,957,000 138,000 5,000 14,850 147,000 2,210,000 63,000 1,097,600 35,000 367,000

0.480 57.9000 23.00 6.79 0.244 0.231 789.5 7.89 13.30 4.52 0.214 1371 6.56 71.85 7.22 0.67 13.5 0.63 4.82 6.01 0.0350 1.280 1.790 2.5 60.55 896.00 1.22 81.350 0.3450 0.2040 0.245

-1.03 1.94 0.88 -0.15 -0.81 -3.75 -0.06 0.51 1.06 0.00 0.94 -0.07 -4.65 2.06 -0.82 -1.47 -5.46 3.28 -1.43 0.17 -2.78 0.00 0.00 -5.66 -0.82 2.81 0.83 0.06 1.47 0.00 -2.00

490,000 734,820 1,025,400 28,200 70,000 200,000 202,710 150,500 11,628,300 32,000 230,000 173,610 8,700 1,574,990 7,644,100 29,000 2,757,500 2,000 30,735,000 453,200 200,000 6,000 12,614,000 6,000 179,230 409,670 96,000 170 4,890,000 500,000 350,000

7.380 8.40 0.70 1.200 37.95 3.38 5.25

-0.27 -0.24 -2.78 0.00 0.13 0.00 -1.87

154,300 700 425,000 125,000 5,108,700 1,552,000 199,900

89,654.00 1,205,667.50 8,328,666.00 -39,562,981.00 -420,440.00

-326,232.00

261,950.00 -74,087,171.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

1.44 1.97 0.201 0.69 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 4.88 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.79 1.1 0.083 0.415 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 2.75 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Century Property City & Land Dev. Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 3.32 2.53 1 2.46 15.2 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1 11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

1.97 35.2 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 6.5 1.91 1.01 0.650 1.8 6 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. 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 0.330 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

70 553 525 120 8.21 12.28 1060 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 500 101.5 5.88 6.5 997 1011 74.2 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

Low

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.89 1.24 0.131 0.460 0.870 0.180 1.25 1.85 1.31 5.00 5.01 0.115 0.3100 0.4450 7.2 28.15 1.71 3.35 20.00 0.75 7.2 0.850 6.480

0.89 0.86 0.87 1.24 1.22 1.22 0.133 0.131 0.133 0.455 0.450 0.455 0.880 0.870 0.880 0.180 0.176 0.176 1.26 1.24 1.24 1.88 1.83 1.85 1.32 1.30 1.30 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.01 4.92 4.92 0.116 0.111 0.112 0.3000 0.3000 0.3000 0.4400 0.4400 0.4400 7.17 7.17 7.17 28.50 27.85 28.50 1.72 1.7 1.72 3.35 3.32 3.35 20.00 19.80 19.96 0.75 0.72 0.75 7.19 6.68 7.19 0.850 0.820 0.820 6.540 6.250 6.300 SERVICES 6.25 6.25 6.22 6.25 62.2 63 61.9 62.4 0.640 0.630 0.630 0.630 13 13 13 13 8.85 9.03 8.78 8.78 0.0920 0.0920 0.0920 0.0920 3.99 4 3.9 3.98 86.3 86.4 85.7 86.1 10 10 9.53 10 886 960 934.5 960 2564 2590 1564 2574 6.40 6.69 6.40 6.59 1.36 1.36 1.28 1.34 110.7 113 110.9 111 11.88 11.88 11.88 11.88 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.205 0.221 0.209 0.210 1.3000 1.3300 1.3000 1.3100 9.30 9.30 9.19 9.20 2.80 2.87 2.69 2.80 1.23 1.29 1.24 1.24 0.650 0.660 0.660 0.650 2.01 2 2 2 5.86 6 5.62 5.64 0.460 0.480 0.480 0.480 18.2 18.1 18.08 18.08 4.60 4.90 4.60 4.88 3 3 3 3 116.90 130.00 110.00 124.00 18.70 18.94 18.20 18.90 2840.00 2860.00 2838.00 2842.00 0.700 0.710 0.680 0.690 1.230 1.270 1.220 1.240 36.50 37.15 36.60 37.15 73.85 74.50 73.80 74.00 9.65 9.71 9.56 9.56 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.66 5.27 5.3 5.25 5.29 0.320 0.335 0.330 0.330 1.500 1.700 1.510 1.600 MINING & OIL 0.0055 0.0055 0.0053 0.0054 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.55 6.76 6.77 6.50 6.58 0.240 0.245 0.240 0.245 6.5000 6.8 6.8 6.8000 0.95 0.95 0.94 0.94 0.83 0.84 0.79 0.8 6.93 7.10 6.90 6.98 1.63 1.66 1.61 1.63 0.315 0.320 0.315 0.315 0.229 0.229 0.223 0.227 0.236 0.237 0.232 0.237 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 3.46 3.5 3.45 3.49 24.05 25 23.9 24.45 3.86 3.9 3.83 3.87 2.0300 2.0900 2.0300 2.0900 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 4.31 4.31 4.31 4.31 6.1 6.16 6.09 6.09 1.98 2.000 1.980 1.98 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 143.20 143.00 141.80 142.50 10.66 10.82 10.66 10.8 PREFERRED 61.5 62.95 62.2 62.75 525 525 525 525 530 532 531 532 124.5 120 115.1 120 6.5 6.45 6.3 6.45 1.1 1.1 1.09 1.1 1056 1057 1057 1057 1055 1058 1050 1058 75.3 75.35 75.25 75.25 85.1 84 84 84 89 89 88.9 89 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.840 3.880 3.710 3.750 SME 10.42 10.6 10.32 10.32 6.38 5.51 5.5 5.51 66.75 67 58.2 67 10.82 11.1 10.74 10.92 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.7 124 123.7 123.7

-2.25 -1.61 1.53 -1.09 1.15 -2.22 -0.80 0.00 -0.76 0.00 -1.80 -2.61 -3.23 -1.12 -0.42 1.24 0.58 0.00 -0.20 0.00 -0.14 -3.53 -2.78

3,711,000 29,000 160,000 440,000 185,000 340,000 906,000 4,688,000 153,000 8,000 28,589,700 650,000 100,000 90,000 1,000 1,988,800 58,000 30,000 30,246,700 589,000 5,800 201,000 18,400,000

2,298,800.00 19,820.00

0.00 0.32 -1.56 0.00 -0.79 0.00 -0.25 -0.23 0.00 8.35 0.39 2.97 -1.47 0.27 0.00 -8.33 2.44 0.77 -1.08 0.00 0.81 -1.52 -0.50 -3.75 4.35 -0.66 6.09 0.00 6.07 1.07 0.07 -1.43 0.81 1.78 0.20 -0.93 1.54 0.38 3.13 6.67

36,900 16,860 200,000 5,500 8,157,000 10,000 252,000 281,460 3,200 2,640 54,445 829,500 128,000 1,077,580 1,000 61,700,000 12,020,000 303,000 477,000 361,000 6,000 136,000 10,000 4,888,600 10,000 5,500 16,000 3,000 165,590 201,000 115,490 2,376,000 65,306,000 1,276,100 4,232,010 306,600 619,000 5,399,400 220,000 938,000

-1.82 0.00 -2.66 2.08 4.62 -1.05 -3.61 0.72 0.00 0.00 -0.87 0.42 0.00 0.00 0.87 1.66 0.26 2.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.16 0.00 0.00 -0.49 1.31

340,000,000 50,000 474,900 -870,767.00 60,000 2,600 -17,680.00 503,000 1,833,000 1,700 27,468,000 -962,480.00 1,160,000 10,620,000 420,000 6,100,000 32,800,000 -295,400.00 91,000 -62,760.00 4,355,500 35,881,865.00 2,957,000 571,000 -51,950.00 17,500,000 100,000 2,000 3,255,500 -13,339,134.00 1,021,000 396,000.00 3,700,000 369,820 -36,262,159.00 203,600 53,900.00

2.03 0.00 0.38 -3.61 -0.77 0.00 0.09 0.28 -0.07 -1.29 0.00

223,740 10 10,500 11,820 6,600 11,000 50 520 113,190 500 120,250

-2.34

159,000

-0.96 -13.64 0.37 0.92

1,268,600 4,500 620 328,000

0.00

1,130

-50,400.00 4,704,920.00 -65,000.00 -14,641,971.00

MST

0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59

STOCKS

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

SHARES 9,000,994 54,515,753 92,331,806 103,569,416 172,562,841 455,876,940 889,460,600

-215,667.50

-300,985.00 -5,545,127.00

-273,130.00

22,839,050.00

-51,500.00 58,800.00

-39,270.00 28,100.00 -15,504,062.50 -98,110.00

407,300.00 -1,711,096.00 -23,938,758.00 -60,824,057.00 2,705,980.00 8,500.00 -18,372,070.00 -6,763,142.00

242,740.00

16,153,232.00 183,898.00 1,777,615.00

-6,850.00 -1,302,518.00 3,151,840.00 -2,622,202.00

1,028,820.00 95,450.00 -518,810.00 407,220.00 2,475,663.00

13,918,111.00 127,100.00 15,800.00 -4,056,956.50 2,031,585.00 -67,900.00

-66,326,845.00 1,037,061.00 4,436,524.00 99,040.00 -7,031,890.00

39,175,205.50 -9,960,861.00 -9,280,788.00

29,003,400.00 -16,200.00

-823,640.00

-5,490,205.50 20,821,765.00 90,280.00

-891,710.00

-27,356,695.00 129,360.00 -36,750.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp. IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 733,589,836.386 1,027,656,628.37 1,686,847,018.868 1,188,262,994.45 1,249,004,212.29 252,576,312.7492 6,155,014,768.114

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,735.57 (UP) 7.00 INDUSTRIAL 11,664.46 (UP) 39.90 HOLDING FIRMS 6,842.96 (UP) 72.48 PROPERTY 3,053.28 (DOWN) 6.16 SERVICES 2,089.89 (UP) 3.60 MINING & OIL 13,822.89 (DOWN) 4.37 PSEI 7,622.05 (UP) 40.14 All Shares Index 4,358.66 (UP) 19.52 Gainers: 84 Losers: 91; Unchanged: 39; Total: 214

442,990.00 354,423,172.00

-62,786,009.00

-9,100.00 2,294,194.00 39,330.00 -20,044,439.50 -51,594,660.00 28,572,481.00

-9,100.00 -189,800.00 2,024,686.00 -436,020.00

-12,390,955.00 4,800.00

287,152.00 -159,494.00 -15,035,560.00 307,980.00 45,081,390.00 -34,267,830.00 -88,242,653.50 -1,823,018.00 -330,930.00 22,078,012.00

-12,944,774.50

-22,680.00

-578,688.00

1,025,062.00 -457,144.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Pryce Corp. `A'

3.39

26.49

First Abacus

0.44

FEUI

960

8.35

Makati Fin. Corp.

5.51

-37.14 -13.64

Yehey

1.600

6.67

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.011

-8.33

PAL Holdings Inc.

4.88

6.09

Filipino Fund Inc.

6.55

-6.43

Phil. Seven Corp.

124.00

6.07

Republic Glass 'A'

2.5

-5.66

AG Finance

8.7

5.45

LT Group

13.5

-5.46

San Miguel'Pure Foods `B'

179

5.36

House of Inv.

6.56

-4.65

Phil Bank of Comm

28.40

5.19

Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

3.73

-3.87

Maxs Group

25.65

4.69

Melco Crown

5.64

-3.75

Benguet Corp `B'

6.8000

4.62

ATN Holdings B

0.231

-3.75

SATURDAY: JUNE 27, 2015

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

Meralco expects higher profit By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Friday it expects first-half net income to top last year’s P9.64 billion. “[First half is] good, ahead of last year,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said, attributing the better financial performance to higher demand and increased customer count. Meralco posted a consolidated net income of P9.64 billion in the first half of 2014, up 2 percent from P9.44 billion year-on-year. Consolidated core income, which excluded one-time exceptional gains and charges, amounted to P9.9 billion, up 8 percent

from P9.2 billion a year ago. Pangilinan, however, said second-half results would be “poorer” than the first-half results. “[It will be] lower, because the new tariffs [are] subject to approval. We will bring it down by approximately 10 percent. Applicable for the second half and onwards, so it’s likely the second-half profits will be lower than the first half,” he said. He said the distribution rate would be lower by 10 percent in the second half , which would af-

fect the company’s bottomline. Meralco has a pending application for a 10.4-percent reduction in distribution charges, which would translate into lower monthly power bills of its more than five million customers. Meralco asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to implement an interim distribution rate of P1.39 per kilowatt-hour, representing a 10.4-percent reduction from the current distribution, supply and metering charges. “Well, principally the tariffs will be lower by 10 percent. I think that will be mitigated by customer count growth which is moving to 4 percent and volume growth by about 2 percent to 3 percent this year,” Pangilinan said.

He said the economy will also influence demand in the second hand. “We’re quite optimistic because we’re approaching elections. Usually there’s a bit of election spending,” he said. Pangilinan expressed optimism full-year 2015 financial results would be better than the 2014 figures. “I would like to think so, we have to wait for the second half. Because we need approval for the implementation of the lower tariffs,” he said. Meralco posted a net income of P18.1 billion in 2014, up 5 percent from 2013, driven by the increase in electricity sales volume due to stronger commercial and industrial sales.

Crops on tramline.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (right) witnesses the unloading of bananas and other agri produce from the bicable tramline unit installed by the Agriculture Department oand the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. The tramline system, with total project cost of P3.3 million, serves around 400 farmers producing upland rice, banana, ginger, corn, vegetables, coconut and livestock.

Market advances; SMIC tops gainers STOCKS rose Friday, a day after Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept interest rates unchanged and reduced its inflation forecast amid optimistic outlook on the economy. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 40 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 7,622.05. The gauge was also up 5.4 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, gained 19 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,358.66, on a value turnover of P6.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 91 to 84, while 39 issues were unchanged. SM Investments Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, led gainers, as it climbed 2.8 percent to P896. JG Summit Holdings Inc., the investment company of industrialist John Gokongwei, rose 2.1 percent to P71.85. Nickel Asia Corp., one of the country’s largest mining companies, advanced 1.7 percent to P24.45, while DMCI Holdings Inc. added 1.1 percent to close at P13.30. BPI Securities Corp. chief executive Mike Oyson said “the recent market pull back should offer a good buying opportunity for investors to pick up well-run companies trading at attractive valuations.” Oyson said that the recent pullback has been driven by investor concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates at the end of the year and that such rate hike would trigger massive foreign portfolio outflows from emerging markets as foreign funds search for higher yields. With AFP

SSS denies plan to hike Puregold adding 125 stores in 5 years members’ contribution By Jenniffer B. Austria By Gabrielle H. Binaday STATE-RUN Social Security System said Friday it has no plan to increase current contribution rate of members. SSS said in a statement it would not increase monthly contribution rate to prolong its fund life. It said recent reports about an alleged plan to hike contribution of members could have stemmed from the results of a recent study, which looked into the impact of P2,000 across-theboard- pension increase as provided in House Bill 5842. “Although a contribution hike is much needed to improve the actuarial soundness of SSS funds, we would like to assure the public, especially our members that we are not seeking for another increase in their contributions at this time,” SSS president and chief executive Emilio De Quiros, Jr. said. Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colemenares recently filed House Bill 5842 aiming to increase the pension benefit to P2,000. The SSS study said while the increase appeared beneficial to pensioners, this would be detrimental to SSS’s fund life from 2042 to 2029. The SSS study revealed that adding P2,000 to existing pension payments would require corresponding adjustments in the contribution rate or a government subsidy, otherwise it would shorten the SSS’ fund life by 13 years or until 2029.

SUPERMARKET chain operator Puregold Price Club Inc. said Friday it plans to expand its grocery chain by 50 percent by adding 125 stores over the next five years. Leonardo Dayao, president of Cosco Capital Inc., the investment company of tycoon Lucio Co and parent of Puregold, said in an interview at the sidelines of the annual shareholders’ meeting at Acacia Hotel in Alabang the group aimed to build 25 Puregold stores this year, with half of the number in the Visayas and Mindanao. It is also in the final negotiations to acquire a grocery chain for about P800 million to P1.4 billion, depending on the final valuation.

“This acquisition will give us presence where we are not yet heavily represented,” Dayao said. “We hope to close the deal within the year,” he said. Dayao said the soon-to-beacquired grocery chain, which currently operates eight stores, would boost Puregold’s revenues annually by 4 percent. This will be the second acquisition of Puregold this year after it recently acquired NE Pacific Shopping Centers Corp., the largest mall operator in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija that owns nine supermarkets. Puregold has acquired more than 40 stores in the past two years, which helped accelerate the company’s store expansion. As of end 2014, company operated 232 Puregold stores and

nine S&R Membership Shopping stores. Dayao said the company had also secured 20 sites for the recently launched convenience store chain Lawson in line with the target to open 30 stores this year. Puregold earlier teamed up with Japan’s Lawson Asia Pacific Inc. to build a total of 500 stores over the next five years. After launching its first Lawson store in Sta. Ana, Makati in March, three more outlets opened in Baclaran, Cubao and Pasig. One Lawson store costs at least P5 million. Cosco Capital is also building two community malls, one in Laguna and the other in Pangasinan and is renovating newly acquired community malls in San Jose City and Baler, Aurora.

SATURDAY: JUNE 27, 2015

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

IN BRIEF

Financial inclusion advocate. Queen Máxima

(left), United Nations SecretaryGeneral’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, joins Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. in a Global Policy Forum on Financial Inclusion in this file photo. She will visit the Philippines from June 29 to July 1, 2015 and to meet with leaders from the public and private sectors and with clients, and participate in the launch of the country’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion. The Philippines is a leader in the financial inclusion movement, which aims to enhance cooperation between ministries, government agencies and the private sector to improve the population’s access to financial services.

Wind farm stopped THE Energy department has put the planned 40-megawatt Abra de Ilog wind power project of Alternergy Philippine Holdings Corp. in Occidental Mindoro on hold due to excess supply. Energy director Mario Marasigan conﬁrmed that some projects, including the Abra de Ilog wind project led by former energy secretary Vince Perez, were covered by a moratorium. “The lifting of the moratorium will be based not only on the availability of the electricity market in Mindoro but also on the economics of the project… By the time there is electricity market, what will be the economics of the project?” Marasigan asked. Marasigan said a feed-in tariff rate would not be viable in Mindoro. He said the electric cooperatives of Mindoro were in a better position to determine the availability of the electricity market in Mindoro that would make projects more viable. Alena Mae S. Flores

Red tide in Bohol THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Friday raised the red tide alarm in the coastal waters of Dauis in Bohol and Irong-Irong Bay and Cambatutay Bay in Western Samar. BFAR said in latest shellfish bulletin that based on the latest laboratory results of the agency and local government units, shellfish collected on Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental province and the coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate, were still positive for paralytic shellfish poison beyond the regulatory limit. “Fish, squids, shrimps and crabs are safe for consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and the internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking,” said BFAR director Asis Perez. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Mercosur trade THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the country’s largest business group, is organizing a business forum on Monday at the PCCI office in Taguig City as a venue for the Mercosur-Asean Chamber of Commerce to present trade and investments opportunities to the Philippine business community. Mercosur is a sub-regional free-trade bloc comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. PCCI president Alfredo Yao cited the areas of interests of the five-man delegation of the MACC as meat, chicken and fish, soya and soybean meal, motorcycles, textiles, wines and ciders, pharmaceutical products, telecommunications, milk and cheese, leather products and olive oil. Othel V. Campos

June inflation likely sank to 1.1%—BSP By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflation in June likely decelerated further to as low as 1.1 percent from 1.6 percent in May due mainly to the decline in fuel prices and power rates.

“June inflation is seen to remain low and settle within 1.1 to 2.0 percent range,” Tetangco said in a text message to reporters Friday. “Lower diesel, kerosene, LPG prices and [a] decline in Meralco [Manila Electric Co.] electricity rates provide downside inflation pressures for the month,” Tetangco said. However, he said these might be offset by slightly higher rice and gasoline prices and tuition in June. Earlier this week, at least six oil companies announced price rollbacks of petroleum

products starting June 23. Seaoil, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., PTT Philippines, Petron Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum cut diesel prices by P0.25 per liter. Flying V, meanwhile, announceda bigger rollback of P0.30 and P0.10, respectively, on diesel and gasoline products. Local oil companies said the price cuts reflected the movements in the global market. Meralco on June 8 announced a P0.58 rate cut per kilowatt hour due to a reduction in generation charge. Despite these positive developments, Tetangco said the Bangko Sentral would remain on its toes “to help ensure price and financial stability.” “Moving forward, the BSP will remain watchful of developments in price pressures and stands ready to undertake policy action…,” Tetangco said. Earlier, Tetangco said inflation expectations remained well anchored after inflation in May further slowed to 1.6 percent from 2.2 percent in April, the slowest in 20 years. This brought inflation average in the first five months to 2.2 percent, well within the inflation target range of 2 percent to 4 percent

this year. The favorable inflation environment, coupled with the strength of domestic demand conditions convinced monetary authorities to maintain the benchmark interest rates at 4 percent for overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending in its meeting on Thursday. The rates were kept for the sixth time since October last year. The interest rates on term RRPs, RPs, special deposit accounts and reserve requirement ratios were also left unchanged. Despite the lower-than-expected economic growth of 5.2 percent in the first quarter, Tetangco said domestic demand conditions remained firm, backed by solid private household and capital spending as well as buoyant business confidence. As a result, the board lowered its inflation average forecast this year to 2.1 percent from the 2.3-percent estimate made on May 14 this year. It also revised the 2016 inflation forecast downward to 2.5 percent from 2.6 percent. The Bangko Sentral had set an inflation rate target of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015 to 2018. These targets were lower than the 2014 goal of 3 percent to 5 percent.

Jollibee wants to be one of the world’s top 5 restaurant chains By Jenniffer B. Austria JOLLIBEE Foods Corp., the Philippines’ biggest fastfood chain, wants to become one of the top five quick service restaurants in the world in terms of market capitalization in the next seven years by accelerating store openings in Philippines, China and US, and through acquisitions. Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said in an interview at the sidelines of the annual stockholders’ meeting the company was looking for US acquisitions

and planned to “do something over the next 12 months.” “We have been defining as our major markets will be Philippines, China and United States. In the Philippines, we are still growing all the different brands and building more stores. In China, we have three brands and all three brands are dong well and so we are also doing more stores. In US, we are looking on an acquisition,” Tan Caktiong said. Tan Caktiong said the company was in discussions with several potential partners.

Among the criteria that Jollibee is looking for is that the company should already be doing well with a store size of about 50 to 200 outlets. “We are still talking to a few. But are looking for a chain that is doing well. We don’t want a brand that needs turnaround. We want to take over a brand that is already doing well,” Tan Caktiong said. Meanwhile, Jollibee chief finance officer Ysmael Baysa said during the same interview the company would also focus on organic growth by speeding up th4

opening of new stores in the Philippines, China and US. Baysa said the company was expected to spend P6 billion to P7 billion annually primarily for store expansion. The faster rollout of stores will enable the company to achieve its target of double-digit annual growth in terms of sales and net profit. “We want to grow our sales by double digit every year and we have done that over the last 20 years,” Baysa said. Jollibee plans to expand in new markets, including Malaysia and

Canada and other US states, especially Florida and Chicago. The company as of end end March was operating 2,335 restaurants in the Philippines and 616 stores overseas. Net profit of the fastfood company in 2014 rose 14.8 percent to P5.36 billion from P4.67 billion year-on-year System-wide retail sales, a measure of all sales to consumers both from company-owned and franchised stores, grew 13.3 percent in 2014 to P117.89 billion from P104.09 billion in 2013.

S at u r D aY : J u N E 2 7, 2 0 1 5

cESar barrioquiNto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Sardinia’s poor give everything to refugees CARBONIA, Italy—Italy’s wealthy north may have tired of asylum seekers, but in one of the poorest regions of Sardinia locals are giving everything to clothe and feed refugee families. Standing amid piles of shoes, t-shirts, pajamas and baby bibs, Susanna Steri describes how she had to ask the inhabitants of Carbonia to stop bringing donations for the 90odd men, women and children from Sierra Leone and Nigeria. “We only had a few hours notice to prepare,” Steri told AFP, describing the weekend of May 30, after distress calls made from 22 boats in the Mediterranean led to the rescue of 4,200 migrants, and the discovery of 17 bodies. Steri was told that of the 900 people being brought to the island, the ENAP center once used to teach youngsters traditional trades would be receiving 90 in need of emergency housing, including a four month-old baby. Just a few kilometers inland from golden beaches where tourists dock their yachts to paddle in crystal waters, the unemployed rolled up their sleeves. “It’s difficult to describe what happened. The real difficulty was finding place for all the volunteers, not the migrants,” Steri said, as another local couple arrived bearing boxes full of biscuits, baby food, fruit and milk. The collapse of the area’s coal mining industry, followed in 2012 by the closure of the Alcoa aluminum smelter, has driven youth unemployment in the CarboniaIglesias province in southwest Sardinia to a towering 73.9 percent. But while Lombardy, Veneto and Liguria in the country’s wealthy north refuse to take in any more migrants with rich Val d’Aosta accepting just 62 the locals here are buying the refugees cigarettes and phone cards out of their own pockets. The center expects to receive 35 euros ($39) a day per migrant from the state, including two euros for pocket money, but pensioner Giulio Cadeddu, ex-financial policeman turned volunteer, says red tape means they won’t see a cent for months. AFP

world EU leaders say Greece must reach debt deal BRUSSELS—The leaders of Germany and France warned Greece that it must reach a debt deal with its creditors at “decisive” talks on Saturday to avert default and a possible euro exit.

Inspection. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II inspects an honor guard with German President

Joachim Gauck at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin on June 24. The queen is in Germany for a three-day visit, and her agenda includes a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and a visit to the former Nazi concentration camp in Bergen-Belsen. AFP

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande sang from the same hymn sheet after yet another meeting of eurozone finance ministers broke down Thursday without an agreement to free vital bailout funds. Athens needs the money to cover a huge 1.5-billion euro ($1.7- billion) IMF debt bill that falls due on June 30, failing which its position in the single currency and even the European Union could be at risk. “We have to keep working because time is pressing and the Eurogroup (eurozone finance ministers) on Saturday will have a decisive importance,” Chancellor Merkel said early Friday after an EU summit in Brussels. “All the leaders supported the idea that everything must be done to find a solution on Saturday.” The French president said he would help work for a “durable” deal for Greece, whose leftist government has haggled over reform demands from its EU-IMF creditors since its election in January. “I consider that the meeting on Saturday is crucial because time is up on June 30, when the Greeks must meet their payment obligations, there are national parliaments that have to meet,” he said. The talks between the finance ministers of the 19-country currency union had been meant to produce a deal that EU leaders could rubber stamp at their summit. But they broke down acrimoniously, with Greece and its creditors even producing rival plans for the ministers amid differences on pensions, value added tax and spending cuts. The EU leaders held two hours of unscheduled talks on Greece at their summit on Thursday. EU President Donald Tusk ruled out the possibility of a special summit of eurozone leaders like the one he called on Monday in a futile bid to resolve the crisis. “Another Eurosummit is not foreseen. Leaders expect the Eurogroup to conclude this process at their meeting on Saturday,” he tweeted. In a sign of the passions involved, dozens of anti-austerity protesters waving Greek flags gathered at the police barricades around the summit and chanted slogans against the “Troika”, as the three creditor institutions used to be known, an AFP reporter said. AFP

Japanese attracted to ‘hunky’ gorilla TOKYO—A giant gorilla with brooding good looks and rippling muscles is causing a stir at a Japanese zoo, with women flocking to check out the hunky pin-up. Shabani, an 18-year-old silverback who tips the scales at around 400 pounds, has become the star attraction at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya, striking smoldering poses the movie model in “Zoolander” would be proud of. “He often rests his chin on his hands and looks intently at you,” zoo spokesman Takayuki Ishikawa told AFP on Friday.

“He is more buff than most gorillas and he’s at his peak physically. We’ve seen a rise in the number of female visitors women say he’s very good-looking.” Shabani, who has been at the zoo since 2007, shot to fame after being made the campaign model for the zoo’s spring festival earlier this year, Ishikawa said, adding that the ape’s paternal skills are also a big hit with women. “He’s a father and he always protects and looks over his children,” he said. “Zoo-goers think his kindness is attractive too.” Women have taken to social

media to swoon over Shabani’s rugged looks, describing him as “ikemen” or a hunk and likening him to a male model. A recent flurry of tweets has made Shabani a national celebrity, with Japan’s broadcasters NHK and NTV featuring the gorilla on popular shows. “He will look you in the eye and sometimes if you’re taking photos it will look like he’s posing for you like a model,” said Ishikawa. “But he’s the head of a group of five gorillas, so it’s likely he’s just watching out for them and keeping an eye on you.” AFP

Graduation ceremony. An Israeli F-16 fighter jet is refueled by a Boeing 707 during an air show as part of a graduation ceremony of Israeli pilots at the Hatzerim air force base in the southern Negev desert, near the city of Beersheva, on June 25. AFP

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE 5.1.

Introduction “Condition of carriage” means the terms and conditions established by an air carrier in respect of its carriage, and are filed as applicable tariff rules. The condition of carriage spell out the various benefits and limitation associated with the air transportation being provided. These benefits and limitations, along with price, constitute a “ contract for carriage “ between the air carrier and the user.

5.2. Definition - "AGREED STOPPING PLACES" means those places, except the place of departure and the place of destination, set out in the Ticket or shown in our timetables as scheduled stopping places on your r\oute. - "AIRLINE DESIGNATOR CODE" means the two characters or three letters which identify particular air carriers. - "AUTHORISED AGENT" means a passenger sales agent who has been appointed by us to represent us in the sale of air transportation on our services. - "BAGGAGE" means your personal property accompanying you in connection with your trip. Unless otherwise specified, it consists of both your Checked and Unchecked Baggage. - "BAGGAGE CHECK" means those portions of the Ticket which relate to the carriage of your Checked Baggage. - "BAGGAGE IDENTIFICATION TAG" means a document issued solely for identification of Checked Baggage. - "CARRIER" means an air carrier other than ourselves, whose airline designator code appears on your Ticket or on a Conjunction Ticket. - "CHECKED BAGGAGE" means Baggage of which we take custody and for which we have issued a Baggage Check. - “CHECK-IN DEADLINE" means the time limit specified by the airline by which you must have completed check-in formalities and received your boarding pass, or if no time is indicated, not later than 1 hour before the published departure time. - "CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT" means those statements contained in or delivered with your Ticket or Itinerary/Receipt, identified as such and which incorporate, by reference, these Conditions of Carriage and notices. - “FORCE MAJEURE" means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond your control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised. - "ITINERARY/RECEIPT" means a document or documents we issue to Passengers travelling on Electronic Tickets that contains the Passenger’s name, flight information and notices. - "PASSENGER" means any person, except members of the crew, carried or to be carried in an aircraft pursuant to a Ticket being issued. (See also definition for "you", "your" and "yourself"). - "PASSENGER COUPON" or "PASSENGER RECEIPT" means that portion of the Ticket issued by us or on our behalf, which is so marked and which ultimately is to be retained by you. - “SPECIAL DRAWING RIGHTS" are an international unit of account, defined by the International Monetary Fund, based upon the values of several leading currencies. The currency values of the Special Drawing Right fluctuate and are re-calculated each banking day. These values are known to most commercial bankers and are reported regularly in leading financial journals. - "STOPOVER" means a scheduled stop on your journey, at a point between the place of departure and the place of destination. - "TARIFF" means the published fares, charges and/or related Conditions of Carriage of an airline filed, where required, with the appropriate authorities. - "TICKET" means either the document entitled "Passenger Ticket and Baggage Check" or the Electronic Ticket, in each case issued by us or on our behalf, and includes the Conditions of Contract, notices and Coupons. - "UNCHECKED BAGGAGE" means any of your Baggage other than Checked Baggage. 5.3.

5.4.

5.5.

5.6.

authorize us to retain and use such data and to transmit it to our own offices, Authorized Agents, government agencies, other Carriers or the providers of the above-mentioned services. 5.6.4 Seating - We will endeavor to honour advance seating requests. However, we cannot guarantee any particular seat. We reserve the right to assign or reassign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft. This may be necessary for operational, safety or security reasons. 5.6.5 Reconfirmation Of Reservations - Onward or return reservations may be subject to the requirement to reconfirm the reservations within specified time limits. We will advise you when we require reconfirmation, and how and where it should be done. If it is required and you fail to reconfirm, we may cancel your onward or return reservations. However, if you advise us you still wish to travel, and there is space on the flight, we will reinstate your reservations and transport you. If there is no space on the flight we will use reasonable efforts to transport you to your next or final destination. - You should check the reconfirmation requirements of any other Carriers involved in your journey with them. Where it is required, you must reconfirm with the Carrier whose code appears for the flight in question on the Ticket.

Applicability 5.3.1. General - Except as provided in Articles 5.2.4 and 5.2.5, our Conditions of Carriage apply to all flights, or flight segments, in respect of which we have a legal liability to you. 5.3.2. Charter Operations - If carriage is performed pursuant to a charter agreement, these Conditions of Carriage apply only to the extent they are incorporated, by reference or otherwise, in the charter agreement or the Ticket. 5.3.3. Code-shares - On some services we may have arrangements with other carriers known as "Code shares". This means that even if you have a reservation with us and hold a ticket where our name or airline designator code is indicated as the carrier, another carrier may operate the aircraft. If such arrangements apply we will advise you of the carrier operating the aircraft at the time you make a reservation. 5.3.4. Overriding Law - These Conditions of Carriage are applicable unless they are inconsistent with our Tariffs or applicable law in which event such Tariffs or laws shall prevail. If any provision of these Conditions of Carriage is invalid under any applicable law, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain valid. 5.3.5. Conditions Prevail Over Regulations - Except as provided in these Conditions of Carriage, in the event of inconsistency between these Conditions of Carriage and any other regulations we may have, dealing with particular subjects, these Conditions of Carriage shall prevail. Tickets 5.4.1. General Provisions - We will provide carriage only to the Passenger named in the Ticket, and you may be required to produce appropriate identification. -A Ticket is not transferable, except as required by any locally applicable laws. - Some Tickets are sold at discounted fares which may be partially or completely nonrefundable. You should choose the fare best suited to your needs. You may also wish to ensure that you have appropriate insurance to cover instances where you have to cancel your Ticket. - If you have a Ticket, as described in 3.1.3 above, which is completely unused, and you are prevented from travelling due to Force Majeure, provided that you promptly advise us and furnish evidence of such Force Majeure, we will provide you with a credit of the non-refundable amount of the fare, for future travel on us, subject to deduction of a reasonable administration fee. - The Ticket is and remains at all times the property of the issuing carrier. Except in the case of an Electronic Ticket, you shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless you present a valid Ticket containing the Flight Coupon for that flight and all other unused Flight Coupons and the Passenger Coupon. In addition, you shall not be entitled to be carried if the Ticket presented is mutilated or if it has been altered otherwise than by us or our Authorized Agent. In the case of an Electronic Ticket, you shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless you provide positive identification and a valid Electronic Ticket has been duly issued in your name. - In case of loss or mutilation of a Ticket (or part of it) by you or non-presentation of a Ticket containing the Passenger Coupon and all unused Flight Coupons, upon your request we will replace such Ticket (or part of it) by issuing a new Ticket, provided there is evidence, readily ascertainable at the time, that a Ticket valid for the flight(s) in question was duly issued and you sign an agreement to reimburse us for any costs and losses, up to the value of the original ticket, which are necessarily and reasonably incurred by us or another carrier for misuse of the Ticket. We will not claim reimbursement from you for any such losses which result from our own negligence. The issuing carrier may charge a reasonable administration fee for this service, unless the loss or mutilation was due to the negligence of the issuing carrier, or its agent. - Where such evidence is not available or you do not sign such an agreement, the carrier issuing the new Ticket may require you to pay up to the full Ticket price for a replacement Ticket, subject to refund if and when the original issuing carrier is satisfied that the lost or mutilated Ticket has not been used before the expiry of its validity. If, upon finding the original Ticket before the expiry of its validity, you surrender it to the carrier issuing the new Ticket, the foregoing refund will be processed at that time. - ticket is valuable and you should take appropriate measures to safeguard it and ensure it is not lost or stolen. 5.4.2. Period of Validity - Except as otherwise provided in the Ticket, these Conditions, or in applicable Tariffs (which may limit the validity of a ticket, in which case the limitation will be shown on the Ticket) a Ticket is valid for: - one year from the date of issue; or - subject to the first travel occurring within one year from the date of issue, one year from the date of first travel under the Ticket. - When you are prevented from travelling within the period of validity of the Ticket because at the time you request reservations we are unable to confirm a reservation, the validity of such Ticket will be extended until we are able to confirm a reservation, or you may be entitled to a refund in accordance with Article 10. - If after having commenced your journey, you are prevented from travelling within the period of validity of the Ticket by reason of illness, we may extend the period of validity of your Ticket until the date when you become fit to travel or until our first flight after such date, from the point where the journey is resumed on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid. Such illness must be attested to by a medical certificate. When the flight coupons remaining in the Ticket, or in the case of an Electronic Ticket, the electronic coupon, involve one or more Stopovers, the validity of such Ticket may be extended for not more than three months from the date shown on such certificate. In such circumstances, we will similarly extend the period of validity of Tickets of other members of your immediate family accompanying you. - In the event of death of a Passenger in the course of a contract of carriage, the Tickets of persons accompanying the Passenger may be modified by waiving the minimum stay or extending the validity. In the event of a death in the immediate family of a Passenger who has commenced travel, the validity of the Passenger's Tickets and those of his or her immediate family who are accompanying the Passenger may likewise be modified. Any such modification shall be made upon receipt of a valid death certificate and any such extension of validity shall not be for a period longer than forty-five (45) Days from the date of the death. 5.4.3. Coupon Sequence and Use - The Ticket you have purchased is valid only for the transportation as shown on the Ticket, from the place of departure via any Agreed Stopping Places to the final destination. The fare you have paid is based upon our Tariff and is for the transportation as shown on the Ticket. It forms an essential part of our contract with you. The Ticket will not be honoured and will lose its validity if all the Coupons are not used in the sequence provided in the Ticket. - Should you wish to change any aspect of your transportation you must contact us in advance. The fare for your new transportation will be calculated and you will be given the option of accepting the new price or maintaining your original transportation as ticketed. Should you be required to change any aspect of your transportation due to Force Majeure, you must contact us as soon as practicable and we will use reasonable efforts to transport you to your next Stopover or final destination, without recalculation of the fare. - Should you change your transportation without our agreement, we will assess the correct price for your actual travel. You will have to pay any difference between the price you have paid and the total price applicable for your revised transportation. We will refund you the difference if the new price is lower but otherwise, your unused Coupons have no value. - Please be aware that while some types of changes will not result in a change of fare, others, such as changing the place of departure (for example, if you do not fly the first segment) or reversing the direction you travel, can result in an increase in price. Many special fares are valid only on the dates and for the flights shown on the Ticket and may not be changed at all, or only upon payment of an additional fee. - Each Flight Coupon contained in your Ticket will be accepted for carriage in the class of service on the date and flight for which space has been reserved. When a Ticket is originally issued without a reservation being specified, space may be later reserved subject to our Tariff and the availability of space on the flight requested. - Please be advised that in the event you do not show up for any flight without advising us in advance, we may cancel your return or onward reservations. However, if you do advise us in advance, we will not cancel your subsequent flight reservations. 5.4.4. Name and Address of Carrier - Saudia's name may be abbreviated in the ticket. Saudia's address shall be deemed to be the airport of departure shown opposite the first abbreviation of Saudia's name in the "Carrier" box in the ticket. Fares, Taxes, Fees and Charges 5.5.1. Fares - Fares apply only for carriage from the airport at the point of origin to the airport at the point of destination, unless otherwise expressly stated. Fares do not include ground transport service between airports and between airports and town terminals. Your fare will be calculated in accordance with our Tariff in effect on the date of payment of your ticket for travel on the specific dates and itinerary shown on it. Should you change your itinerary or dates of travel, this may change the fare to be paid. 5.5.2. Taxes, Fees and Charges - Applicable taxes, fees and charges imposed by government or other authority, or by the operator of an airport, shall be payable by you. At the time you purchase your Ticket, you will be advised of taxes, fees and charges not included in the fare, most of which will normally be shown separately on the Ticket. The taxes, fees and charges imposed on air travel are constantly changing and can be imposed after the date of Ticket issuance. If there is an increase in a tax, fee or charge shown on the Ticket, you will be obliged to pay it. Likewise, if a new tax, fee or charge is imposed even after Ticket issuance, you will be obliged to pay it. Similarly, in the event any taxes, fees or charges which you have paid to us at the time of Ticket issuance are abolished or reduced such that they no longer apply to you, or a lesser amount is due, you will be entitled to claim a refund. 5.5.3. Currency - Fares, taxes, fees and charges are payable in the currency of the country in which the Ticket is issued, unless another currency is indicated by us or our Authorized Agent at or before the time payment is made (for example, because of the non-convertibility of the local currency). We may at our discretion, accept payment in another currency. Reservations 5.6.1 Reservation Requirements - We or our Authorized Agent will record your reservation(s). Upon request we will provide you with written confirmation of your reservation(s). - Certain fares have conditions which limit or exclude your right to change or cancel reservations. 5.6.2 Ticketing Time Limits - If you have not paid for the Ticket prior to the specified ticketing time limit, as advised by us or our Authorized Agent, we may cancel your reservation. 5.6.3 Personal Data - You recognize that personal data has been given to us for the purposes of: making a reservation, purchasing a Ticket, obtaining ancillary services, developing and providing services, facilitating immigration and entry procedures, and making available such data to government agencies, in connection with your travel. For these purposes, you

5.7.

Check-in and boarding - Check-in Deadlines are different at every airport and we recommend that you inform yourself about these Check-in Deadlines and honour them. Your journey will be smoother if you allow yourself ample time to comply with the Check-in Deadlines. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation if you do not comply with the Check-in Deadlines indicated. We or our Authorized Agents will advise you of the Check-in Deadline for your first flight on us. For any subsequent flights in your journey, you should inform yourself of the Check-in Deadlines. Check-in Deadlines for our flights may be obtained from us or our Authorized Agents. If no time is indicated, Check-in Deadline is 1 hour before the published departure time. - You must be present at the boarding gate not later than the time specified by us when you check in. - We may cancel the space reserved for you if you fail to arrive at the boarding gate in time. - We will not be liable to you for any loss or expense incurred due to your failure to comply with the provisions of this Article.

5.8.

Refusal and limitation of carriage 5.8.1 Right to Refuse Carriage - In the reasonable exercise of our discretion, we may refuse to carry you or your Baggage if we have notified you in writing that we would not at any time after the date of such notice carry you on our flights. In this circumstance you will be entitled to a refund. We may also refuse to carry you or your Baggage if one or more of the following have occurred or we reasonably believe may occur: • such action is necessary in order to comply with any applicable government laws, regulations, or orders; • the carriage of you or your Baggage may endanger or affect the safety, health, or materially affect the comfort of other passengers or crew; • your mental or physical state, including your impairment from alcohol or drugs, presents a hazard or risk to yourself, to passengers, to crew, or to property; • you have refused to submit to a security check; • you have not paid the applicable fare, taxes, fees or charges; • you do not appear to have valid travel documents, may seek to enter a country through which you may be in transit, or for which you do not have valid travel documents, destroy your travel documents during flight or refuse to surrender your travel documents to the flight crew, against receipt, when so requested; • you present a Ticket that has been acquired unlawfully, has been purchased from an entity other than us or our Authorized Agent, or has been reported as being lost or stolen, is a counterfeit, or you cannot prove that you are the person named in the Ticket; • you have failed to comply with the requirements set forth in Article 3.3 above concerning coupon sequence and use, or you present a Ticket which has been issued or altered in any way, other than by us or our Authorized Agent, or the Ticket is mutilated; • you fail to observe our instructions with respect to safety or security; • you have previously committed one of the acts or omissions referred to above. 5.8.2 Special Assistance. • Acceptance for carriage of unaccompanied minors, incapacitated persons, pregnant women, persons with illness or other people requiring special assistance is subject to prior arrangement with us. Passengers with disabilities who have advised us of any special requirements they may have at the time of ticketing, and been accepted by us, shall not subsequently be refused carriage on the basis of such disability or special requirements.

5.9.

Baggage 5.9.1 Free Baggage Allowance. - You may carry some Baggage, free of charge, subject to our conditions and limitations, which are available upon request from us or our Authorized Agents. 5.9.2 Excess Baggage. - You will be required to pay a charge for carriage of Baggage in excess of the free Baggage allowance. These rates are available from us upon request. 5.9.3 Items Unacceptable As Baggage - You must not include in your Baggage: 5.9.3.1. items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, such as those specified in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, and in our regulations (further information is available from us on request); 5.9.3.2. items the carriage of which is prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from or to; 5.9.3.3. items which are reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous or unsafe, or because of their weight, size, shape or character, or because they are fragile or perishable having regard to, among other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request. 5.9.3.4. Firearms and ammunition other than for hunting and sporting purposes are prohibited from carriage as Baggage. Firearms and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes may be accepted as Checked Baggage. Firearms must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed. Carriage of ammunition is subject to ICAO and IATA regulations as specified in 5.8.3.1.1. 5.9.3.5. You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewellery, precious metals, silverware, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples. 5.9.3.6. If, despite being prohibited, any items referred to in 5.8.3.1, 8.3.2 and 5.8.3.4 are included in your Baggage, we shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to such items. 5.9.4 Right to Refuse Carriage - Subject to paragraphs 5.8.3.2 and 5.8.3.3, we will refuse to carry as Baggage the items described in 8.3, and we may refuse further carriage of any such items upon discovery. - We may refuse to carry as Baggage any item reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because of its size, shape, weight, content, character, or for safety or operational reasons, or the comfort of other passengers. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request. - We may refuse to accept Baggage for carriage unless it is in our reasonable opinion properly and securely packed in suitable containers. Information about packing and containers unacceptable to us is available upon request. 5.9.5 Right Of Search - For reasons of safety and security we may request that you permit a search and scan of your person and a search, scan or x-ray of your Baggage. If you are not available, your Baggage may be searched in your absence for the purpose of determining whether you are in possession of or whether your Baggage contains any item described in 5.8.3.1 or any firearms, ammunition or weapons, which have not been presented to us in accordance with 5.8.3.2 or 5.8.3.3. If you are unwilling to comply with such request we may refuse to carry you and your Baggage. In the event a search or scan causes Damage to you, or an x-ray or scan causes damage to your Baggage, we shall not be liable for such Damage unless due to our fault or negligence. 5.9.6 Checked Baggage - Upon delivery to us of your Baggage which you wish to check, we will take custody of, and issue a Baggage Identification Tag for, each piece of your Checked Baggage. - Checked Baggage must have your name or other personal identification affixed to it. -Checked Baggage will, whenever possible, be carried on the same aircraft as you, unless we decide for safety, security or operational reasons to carry it on an alternative flight. If your Checked Baggage is carried on a subsequent flight we will deliver it to you, unless applicable law requires you to be present for customs clearance. 5.9.7 Unchecked Baggage - We may specify maximum dimensions and/or weight for Baggage which you carry on to the aircraft. If we have not done so, Baggage which you carry onto the aircraft must fit under the seat in front of you or in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin of the aircraft. If your Baggage cannot be stored in this manner, or is of excessive weight, or is considered unsafe for any reason, it must be carried as Checked Baggage. - Objects not suitable for carriage in the cargo compartment (for example, without limitation, delicate musical instruments), and which do not meet the requirements in 8.7 above, will only be accepted for carriage in the cabin compartment if you have given us notice in advance and permission has been granted by us. You may be required to pay a separate charge for this service. 5.9.8 Collection and Delivery of Checked Baggage - Subject to Article 8.6.3, you are required to collect your Checked Baggage as soon as it is made available at your destination or Stopover. Should you not collect it within a reasonable time, we may charge you a storage fee. Should your Checked Baggage not be claimed within three (3) months of the time it is made available, we may dispose of it without any liability to you. - Only the bearer of the Baggage Check and Baggage Identification Tag is entitled to delivery of the Checked Baggage. - If a person claiming Checked Baggage is unable to produce the Baggage Check and identify the Baggage by means of a Baggage Identification Tag, we will deliver the Baggage to such person only on condition that he or she establishes to our satisfaction his or her right to the Baggage. 5.9.9 Animals - We reserve the right, at our absolute discretion, to refuse to carry any animals (which, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, shall include birds). If we agree to carry any animals they will be carried subject to the following conditions: • You must ensure that the animal is properly crated or carried in a container complying with any applicable legal requirements and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit failing which, it will not be accepted for carriage. Such carriage may be subject to additional conditions specified by us, which are available on request. • If accepted as Baggage, the animal, together with its container and food, shall not be included in your free Baggage allowance, but shall constitute excess baggage, for which you will be obliged to pay the applicable rate. • Guide dogs accompanying Passengers with disabilities will be carried free of charge in addition to the normal free baggage allowance, subject to conditions specified by us, which are available on request. • Where carriage is not subject to the liability rules of the Convention, we are not responsible for injury to or loss, sickness or death of an animal which we have agreed to carry unless we have been negligent. • We will have no liability in respect of any such animal not having all the necessary exit, entry, health and other documents with respect to the animal's entry into or passage through any country, state or territory and the person carrying the animal must reimburse us for any fines, costs, losses or liabilities reasonably imposed or incurred by us as a result. 5.9.10 Items Removed By Airport Security Personnel - We will not be responsible for, or have any liability in respect of, articles removed from your Baggage by airport security personnel acting in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations, whether or not such items are subsequently retained or destroyed by such airport security personnel or are passed by them to us.

5.10. Schedules, Delays, Cancellation of Flights 5.10.1. Schedules - The flight times shown in timetables may change between the date of publication and the date you actually travel. We do not guarantee them to you and they do not form part of your contract with us. - Before we accept your booking, we will notify you of the scheduled flight time in effect as of that time, and it will be shown on your Ticket. It is possible we may need to change the scheduled flight time subsequent to issuance of your Ticket. If you provide us with contact information, we will endeavour to notify you of any such changes. If, after you purchase your Ticket, we make a significant change to the scheduled flight time, which is not acceptable to you, and we are unable to book you on an alternate flight which is acceptable to you, you will be entitled to a refund in accordance with Article 5.10.2. 5.10.2. Cancellation, Rerouting, Delays, Etc 5.10.2.1. We will take all necessary measures to avoid delay in carrying you and your Baggage. In the exercise of these measures and in order to prevent a flight cancellation, in exceptional circumstances we may arrange for a flight to be operated on our behalf by an alternative carrier and/or aircraft. 5.10.2.2. Except as otherwise provided by the Convention or applicable local law, including in particular EC Regulation 261/2004 on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, if we cancel a flight, fail to operate a flight reasonably according to the schedule, fail to stop at your destination or Stopover destination, or cause you to miss a connecting flight on which you hold a confirmed reservation, we shall, at your option, either: 5.10.2.3. carry you at the earliest opportunity on another of our scheduled services on which space is available without additional charge and, where necessary, extend the validity of your Ticket; or 5.10.2.4. within a reasonable period of time re-route you to the destination shown on your Ticket by our own services or those of another carrier, or by other mutually agreed means and class of transportation without additional charge. If the fare and charges for the revised routing are lower than what you have paid, we shall refund the difference; or 5.10.2.5. make a refund in accordance with the provisions of Article 5.10.2. 5.10.2.6. Upon the occurrence of any of the matters set out in Article 5.9.2.2, except as otherwise provided by the Convention, or applicable local law, including in particular EC Regulation 261/2004 on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights, the options outlined in Article 5.9.2.2.1 to 5.9.2.2.3 are the sole and exclusive remedies available to you and we shall have no further liability to you. 5.10.2.7. If we are unable to provide previously confirmed space, we shall provide compensation to those Passengers denied boarding in accordance with applicable law and our denied boarding compensation policy. A copy of our denied boarding compensation policy is available upon request. 5.11. Refunds We will refund a Ticket or any unused portion, in accordance with the applicable fare rules or Tariff, as follows: • Except as otherwise provided in this Article, we shall be entitled to make a refund either to the person named in the Ticket or to the person who has paid for the Ticket, upon presentation of satisfactory proof of such payment. • If a Ticket has been paid for by a person other than the Passenger named in the Ticket, and the Ticket indicates that there is a restriction on refund, we shall make a refund only to the person who paid for the Ticket, or to that person's order. • Except in the case of a lost Ticket, refunds will only be made on surrender to us of the Ticket and all unused Flight Coupons. 5.11.1. Involuntary Refunds - If we cancel a flight, fail to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule, fail to stop at your destination or Stopover, or cause you to miss a connecting flight on which you hold a reservation, the amount of the refund shall be:

• If no portion of the Ticket has been used, an amount equal to the fare paid; • If a portion of the Ticket has been used, not less than the difference between the fare paid and the applicable fare for travel between the points for which the Ticket has been used. 5.11.2. Voluntary Refunds • If you are entitled to a refund of your Ticket for reasons other than those set out in 5.10.2, the amount of the refund shall be: • If no portion of the Ticket has been used, an amount equal to the fare paid, less any reasonable service charges or cancellation fees; • If a portion of the Ticket has been used, an amount equal to the difference between the fare paid and the applicable fare for travel between the points for which the Ticket has been used, less any reasonable service charges or cancellation fees. 5.11.3. Refund on Lost Ticket 5.11.3.1. If you lose your Ticket or portion of it, upon furnishing us with satisfactory proof of the loss, and payment of a reasonable administration charge, refund will be made as soon as practicable after the expiry of the validity period of the Ticket, on condition: • that the lost Ticket, or portion of it, has not been used, previously refunded or replaced (except where the use, refund or replacement by or to a third party resulted from our own negligence). •• that the person to whom the refund is made undertakes, in such form as may be prescribed by us, to repay to us the amount refunded in the event of fraud and/or to the extent that the lost Ticket or portion of it is used by a third party (except where any fraud or use by a third party resulted from our own negligence). 5.11.3.2. If we or our Authorized Agent lose the Ticket or a portion of it, the loss shall be our responsibility.\ 5.11.4. Right to Refuse Refund - We may refuse a refund where application is made after the expiry of the validity of the Ticket. --We may refuse a refund on a Ticket which has been presented to us, or to Government officials, as evidence of intention to depart from that country, unless you establish to our satisfaction that you have permission to remain in the country or that you will depart from that country by another carrier or another means of transport. 5.11.5. Currency - We reserve the right to make a refund in the same manner and the same currency used to pay for the Ticket. 5.11.6. By Whom Ticket Refundable - Voluntary refunds will be made only by the carrier which originally issued the Ticket or by its agent if so authorized. 5.12. Conduct aboard Aircraft 5.12.1. General - If, in our reasonable opinion, you conduct yourself aboard the aircraft so as to endanger the aircraft or any person or property on board, or obstruct the crew in the performance of their duties, or fail to comply with any instructions of the crew including but not limited to those with respect to smoking, alcohol or drug consumption, or behave in a manner which causes discomfort, inconvenience, damage or injury to other passengers or the crew, we may take such measures as we deem reasonably necessary to prevent continuation of such conduct, including restraint. You may be disembarked and refused onward carriage at any point, and may be prosecuted for offences committed on board the aircraft. 5.12.2. Payment of Diversion Costs - If, as a result of conduct by you of the sort mentioned in Article 5.11.1 we decide, in the exercise of our reasonable discretion, to divert the aircraft for the purpose of offloading you, you must pay all costs resulting from that diversion. 5.12.3. Electronic Devices - For safety reasons, we may forbid or limit operation aboard the aircraft of electronic equipment, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, laptop computers, portable recorders, portable radios, CD players, electronic games or transmitting devices, including radio controlled toys and walkie-talkies. Operation of hearing aids and heart pacemakers is permitted. 5.13. Arrangements for additional services - If we make arrangements for you with any third party to provide any services other than carriage by air, or if we issue a ticket or voucher relating to transportation or services (other than carriage by air) provided by a third party such as hotel reservations or car rental, in doing so we act only as your agent. The terms and conditions of the third party service provider will apply. - If we are also providing surface transportation to you, other conditions may apply to such surface transportation. Such conditions are available from us upon request. 5.14. Administrative formalities 5.14.1. General - You are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents and visas and for complying with all laws, regulations,orders,demandsandtravelrequirementsofcountriestobeflownfrom,intoorthroughwhichyoutransit. -- We shall not be liable for the consequences to any Passenger resulting from his or her failure to obtain such documents or visas or to comply with such laws, regulations, orders, demands, requirements, rules or instructions. 5.14.2. Travel Documents - Prior to travel, you must present all exit, entry, health and other documents required by law, regulation, order, demand or other requirement of the countries concerned, and permit us to take and retain copies thereof. We reserve the right to refuse carriage if you have not complied with these requirements, or your travel documents do not appear to be in order. 5.14.3. Refusal of Entry - If you are denied entry into any country, you will be responsible to pay any fine or charge assessed against us by the Government concerned and for the cost of transporting you from that country. The fare collected for carriage to the point of refusal or denied entry will not be refunded by us. 5.14.4. Passenger Responsible for Fines, Detention Costs, etc. - If we are required to pay any fine or penalty or to incur any expenditure by reason of your failure to comply with laws, regulations, orders, demands or other travel requirements of the countries concerned or to produce the required documents, you shall reimburse us on demand, any amount so paid or expenditure so incurred. We may apply towards such payment or expenditure the value of any unused carriage on your ticket, or any of your funds in our possession. 5.14.5. Customs Inspection - If required, you shall attend inspection of your Baggage, by customs or other Government officials. We are not liable to you for any loss or damage suffered by you in the course of such inspection or through your failure to comply with this requirement. 5.14.6. SECURITY INSPECTION - You shall submit to any security checks by Governments, airport officials, Carriers or by us. 5.15. Successive carriers - Carriage to be performed by us and other Carriers under one Ticket or a Conjunction Ticket is regarded as a single operation for the purposes of the Convention. However, your attention is drawn to Article 5.15.5.1. 5.16. Liability for Damage 5.16.1.1. Carriage hereunder is subject to the rules and limitations relating to liability established by the convention unless such carriage is not international carriage to which the convention applies. 5.16.1.2. In carriage which is not international carriage to which the convention applies: 5.16.1.3. Saudia shall be liable for damage to a passenger or his checked baggage only if such damage has been caused by the negligence of Saudia. If there has been contributory negligence on the part of the passenger, Saudia's liability shall be subject to the applicable law relating to contributory negligence. 5.16.1.4. Except in the case of acts or omissions done with intent to cause damage or recklessly, and with knowledge that damage would probably result: • The liability of audia with respect to each passenger for death, wounding or other bodily injury shall be limited according to applicable laws. •• With respect to delay, Saudia shall be under no liability except as provided in these conditions of carriage. 5.16.1.5. To the extent not in conflict with the foregoing and whether or not the convention applies. 5.16.1.6. Saudia is liable only for damage occurring on its own line. A carrier issuing a ticket or checking baggage over the lines of another carrier does so only as agent for such other carrier. Nevertheless, with respect to checked baggage the passenger shall also have a right of action against the first or last carrier. 5.16.1.7. Saudia is not liable for damage to unchecked baggage unless such damage is caused by the negligence of Saudia. If there has been contributory negligence on the part of the passenger, Saudia's liability shall be subject to the applicable law relating to contributory negligence. 5.16.1.8. Saudia is not liable for any damage arising from its compliance with any laws or government regulations, orders or requirements, or from failure of the passenger to comply with the same. 5.16.1.9. Except in the case of acts or omissions done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result, the liability of Saudia in the case of damage to checked baggage shall be limited to SR1700 per passenger and in the case of damage to unchecked baggage shall be limited to SR1485 per passenger (for Domestic journey) and International Journey the maximum liability should not exceed XDR 1000 (Special Drawing Right) or it’s equivalent in local currency as per Montreal convention 1999, provided that if in accordance with applicable law different limits of liability are applicable such different limits shall apply. If the weight of the baggage is not recorded on the baggage check, it is presumed that the total weight of the checked baggage does not exceed the applicable free baggage allowance for the class of service concerned, as provided in Saudia's regulations. If in the case of checked baggage a higher value is declared pursuant to 11.7, the liability of Saudia shall be limited to such higher declared value. 5.16.1.10. Saudia's liability shall not exceed the amount of proven damages. Saudia shall furthermore not be liable for indirect or consequential damages. 5.16.1.11. Saudia is not liable for injury to a passenger or for damage to a passenger's baggage caused by property contained in such passenger's baggage. Any passenger whose property causes injury to another person or damage to another person's property or to the property of Saudia shall indemnify Saudia for all losses and expenses incurred by Saudia as a result thereof. 5.16.1.12. Saudia is not liable for damage to fragile or perishable items, money, jewellery, precious metals, silverware, negotiable papers, securities, or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents, or samples, which are included in the passenger's checked baggage. 5.16.1.13. If a passenger is carried whose age or mental or physical condition is such as to involve any hazard or risk to himself or herself, Saudia shall not be liable for any illness, injury or disability, including death, attributable to such condition or for the aggravation of such condition. 5.16.1.14. Any exclusion or limitation of liability of Saudia shall apply to and be for the benefit of agents, employees and representatives of Saudia and any person whose aircraft is used by Saudia and such person's agents, employees and representatives. The aggregate amount recoverable from Saudia and from such agents, employees, representatives and person shall not exceed the amount of Saudia's limit of liability. 5.16.1.15. Unless so expressly provided nothing herein contained shall waive any exclusion or limitation of liability of Saudia under the convention or applicable laws. 5.16.1.16. For carriers who are Parties to the Montreal Agreement: Special Agreement applicable to carriage to, from or with an agreed stopping place in the United States of America (see applicable US tariffs). Special Agreement - Saudia shall avail itself of the limitation of liability provided in the convention. However, in accordance with Article 22(1) of the Convention (name of issuing carrier) and certain other carriers agree that as to all international carriage by such carriers to which the convention applies and which according to the contract of carriage includes a point in the United States of America as a point of origin, a point of destination or agreed stopping place. - The limit of liability for each passenger for death, wounding or other bodily injury shall be the sum of US$75,000 inclusive of legal fees and costs except that, in the case of a claim brought in a State where provision is made for a separate award of legal fees and costs, the limit shall be the sum of US$58,000 exclusive of legal fees and costs. - Such carriers shall not, with respect to any claim arising out of the death, wounding or other bodily injury of a passenger, avail themselves of any defence under Article 20(1) of the Convention. - Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect the rights and liabilities of such carriers with regard to any claim brought by, on behalf of, or in respect of, any person who has wilfully caused damage which resulted in death, wounding, or other bodily injury of a passenger. The names of carrier’s party to the agreement referred to in this paragraph are available at all ticket offices of such carriers and may be examined on request. Each of such carriers has entered into the said agreement solely on its own behalf and with respect to carriage performed by it and has not thereby imposed any liability on any other carrier with respect to the portion of the carriage performed by such other carrier or assumed any liability with respect to the portion of the carriage performed by such other carrier. - (If the carrier is a party to other special contracts pursuant to Article 22(1) convention, apart from the Montreal Agreement, the limitations of liability and related conditions provided for under such special contracts should be stated here.) 5.17. Time limitation on claims and actions 5.17.1. Notice of Claims - No action shall lie in the case of damage to checked baggage unless the person entitled to delivery complains to carrier forthwith after the discovery of the damage, and, at the latest, within seven days from the date of receipt; and in case of delay, unless the complaint is made at the latest within twenty-one days (21) from the date on which the baggage has been placed at his disposal. Every complaint must be made in writing and dispatched within the times aforesaid. 5.17.2. Limitation of Actions - Any right to damages shall be extinguished if an action is not brought within two (2) years of the date of arrival at destination, or the date on which the aircraft was scheduled to arrive, or the date on which the carriage stopped. The method of calculating the period of limitation shall be determined by the law of the court where the case is heard. 5.18. Other conditions - Carriage of you and your Baggage is also provided in accordance with certain other regulations and conditions applying to or adopted by us. These regulations and conditions as varied from time to time are important. They concern among other things: the carriage of unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, and sick passengers, restrictions on use of electronic devices and items, the on board consumption of alcoholic beverages. 5.19. Interpretation - The title of each Article of these Conditions of Carriage is for convenience only, and is not to be used for interpretation of the text. (TS-JUNE 20/27, 2015)

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

PROPERTY

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

jdlacsamana@gmail.com

‘satellite City hall’ at entertainment City? Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez recently batted for a ‘specialized investment district’ inside the Entertainment City to make it convenient and easy for investors and businessmen to conduct transactions and process documents that are usually done at the main city hall. Entertainment City is the fast-growing hub in Olivarez’ bailiwick where world-class luxury hotels and prime entertainment destinations have been mushrooming over the last few years. The mayor’s idea is ostensibly in anticipation of other big ticket projects that some of the biggest foreign investors and their local partners are planning as the city gears toward becoming one of the major tourist and business hubs in the country. As of latest count, business locators that have moved to the city have already reached at least 20,000 with an estimated annual gross sales of over P300 billion.This windfall has fattened Paranaque’s coffers considerably: the city posted record tax collections for fiscal years 2013 and 2014

by JOel laCsamana

Sheraton, Hilton and Westin Hotel, casino and shops, and a more than 3,000-seater Grand Opera House, among others. Ayala Land, Inc. will develop a 500,000-square-meter shopping mall, bigger than the 406,000 square meter Mall of Asia and hotel complex project. In an interview, Olivarez, said there is a need for a specialized investment district to make it convenient and easy for investors and businessmen to conduct transactions and process documents that are usually done at the main city hall.

fanning that little bit of flutter. Paranaque wants to buff up the goose that lays the the golden eggs.

amounting to P1.041 billion and P1.342 billion, respectively. GaminG is biG business One of the top companies and world-class hotels that have set up shop in Parañaque City is Solaire Resorts and Casino by Bloomberry Resorts Company, which is the first casino-hotel to open at the Entertainment City that sprawls across 8.3 hectares. It is envisioned as the ultimate leisure and gaming

destination in the Philippines. Another is the 6.2-hectare City of Dreams Manila Resort that has a total of six hotel towers as well as family entertainment amenities being developed by Melco Crown Philippines and Sy’s Premium Leisure Corp. Also hanging their shingles are Aseana City by Aseana Holdings, Inc. with a 204-hectare area of sustainable living and booming business community, as well as

the Manila Bay Resorts by the Okada’s Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment (TRLE). The latter is a 44-hectare integrated casinoresort project composed of an indoor beach club, entertainment facilities, retail, and restaurants. The Resorts World Bayshore City, meanwhile, is a joint venture between Andrew Tan and Malaysia’s Genting Group. It is a 31-hectare project that will house four new hotel brands namely, the Marriott,

One-stOp shOp fOr investOrs Olivarez said that under the proposal, a satellite city hall office will be set-up in the area where it will perform the functions that the regular offices in the main city hall will do. “The office can issue permits and provide national and local government services even as a police station and fire department will also be in that area, so that they can respond immediately during emergency situations,” he said.

Century ProPerties launChes novotel suites Manila OWnership sCheme fOr hOtel units up fOr Grabs

entury Properties Group, through its subsidiary Century Limitless Corporation (CLC), launched this week the Novotel Suites Manila, in partnership with international hotel group, AccorHotels. The development is targeted for completion in 2019. “This project plays a significant part in the company’s thrust to push towards the allied sectors of real estate development, which are leisure and hospitality,”, said Tim Hallett, chief operating officer of Century Hospitality and Leisure, Inc. “We made sure to do this right by partnering with a globally Vacations will never be the same at Novotel.

trusted name in hotel management. “We are confident about the project’s quality and competitive edge, as well as its ability to serve the country’s fast growing tourism sector,” added Patrick Basset, chief operating officer for AccorHotels Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. “We are excited to join hands with Century Properties to develop a Novotel Suites hotel in the Philippines. Once complete, this all-suite hotel will combine the latest design and innovation to create a perfect hotel for leisure, business and long stay guests looking

to stay in the proximity of Makati.” Novotel is a 4-star international brand for business and leisure travelers, with 414 hotels and 79,220 rooms located in major international cities, business districts, and tourist destinations in 61 countries worldwide. The tower will rise 41 storeys high and will be the 6th tower of Acqua Private Residences in Mandaluyong City. It will be located right across Makati City via the Estrella-Panteleon Bridge. The 41-storey tower will be divided into 2 areas. There are approximately 149 units of residences available for full residential ownership in the tower ,and 310 Novotel Suites. Century revealed that fractions of hotel units will be sold as preferred shares under the Century Fractional Ownership Program by Century Acqua Lifestyle Corporation (CALC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CLC. The remaining hotel units will be retained by CLC. “We are introducing to the country the concept of fractional ownership for a hotel real estate property,” said Hallet.. “This gives the subscribers of the preferred shares a number of usage nights in the hotel in a year, with the remainder of the fractional being leased out. Owners will then be able to enjoy the benefit of a financial return on the lease.”

Fitting ambience for a nightcap.

Where art and business merge. Belton Place along Malugay St. in Makati, a prime development by Eton Properties, offers the best location for artists and executives alike. Just steps away from Ayala and Gil Puyat Avenue, Belton Place boasts an address where denizens with a creative bent, as well as artists, professionals in the BPO trade, converge in what is called West of Makati. This side of town has remained true to its soul. Another good reason to check out Belton Place is its high rental yield. Annual income for an unfurnished, semi-furnished and fully-furnished studio type range from P156, 000-P240, 000; for one-bedroom, P216,000P360,000 while for the two-bedroom it could go from P384,000 -P480,000. Now who said art doesn’t pay?

S AT U R D AY : J U N E 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

Make mine the Asia Pacific. Luxury, mid-range and business fashion retailers are casting covetous eyes on this part of the globe.

InternAtIonAl retAIlers eye AsIA

sia’s top cities are on the hot list of of international retail brands looking to expand into new markets. A recent CBRE study put 50 countries and 164 cities from across the world under a microscope, and saw that international retail brands looking to enter new markets had increased by 14% in 2014, with six Asian countries jockeying for position on the list.

The study, “How Global is the Business of Retail?,” identified the target cities, which included Tokyo with 63 new entrants, Singapore with 58, Abu Dhabi with 55, Taipei with 49, Dubai and Hong Kong with 45, Moscow with 41, Paris with 40, Beijing with 34, Doha with 30, Berlin with 29, Toronto with 25, Manila with 24, and Stuttgart and Istanbul with 21. Retailers from the Americas and

Asia Pacific are the main regions eyeing the Asia Pacific market. The study also saw that the inclusion of new entrants in the list – Doha, Toronto, Manila, Stuttgart, and Istanbul – suggests that retailers are looking into new markets for retail expansion and investment. “The Asia Pacific retail market is gaining more ground as a top spot for expansion of international brands,” said Rick Santos,

chairman of CBRE Philippines. “In the Philippines alone, the demand from the local retail market and the affordable rates drive more investors into the country. When this trend continues, Asia Pacific can even compete with the bigger American markets.” The study identified globalization, technology, and demographic change as core elements pricking the interest of retail business. It not-

ed that the recognition of international brands in different countries, the use of technology in assessing a market, and the growing consumer appetite and spending power of the retail markets across the globe continue to fuel the interest of retailers. As long as consumers continue to flock the malls and shopping centers for leisure, the expansion of more brands will likewise continue to increase, the study said.

Mandaluyong is perking up Among the exclusive residential enclaves of Metro Manila, few property specialists can put a price tag on lots in Wack Wack subdivision in Mandaluyong City. Estimates range broadly from P55,000 per sqm. to P140,000 per sqm. simply because few lot owners in this 41 hectare subdivision with only 270 lots, are willing to part with their properties. Barangay residents appreciate bucolic surroundings along the treelined fairways of the 36-hole Wack Wack Country Club golf course right next to them. From the higher floors of the residential condominiums , the tranquil views of the greens are calming. Yet, residents are only about 30 minutes away from at least five major business districts, including Makati and Eastwood City. “The real center of Metro Manila is Mandaluyong, where Wack-Wack is located,” said to Paco T. Bayot, a resident of the barangay and vice-president of the Madrigal-Bayot Development Corporation which owns one of the newest residential condominium projects in the vicinity, the 32-storey The Address at Wack Wack. Key buyers of The Address include homeowners from Wack Wack subdivision who have down-scaled and prefer to live in more manageable residences. Bayot said many of these clients took a look at the development with the original intent of leasing out the premises.

home for good. The Address is just what the doctor ordered for families who want to live in more manageable residences.

“But many of them decided to move into the unit themselves so they could continue living in Wack Wack, while satisfying their desire for surroundings requiring lower maintenance.” “Our units are ready to be moved in upon turnover,” says Bayot, who with his father Francsico Jr., personally supervised the construction of the project. He pointed to the walls between residences which are made of concrete, and contribute to fostering privacy and exclusivity, two key values of the Madrigal-Bayot development team. When

residents want fresh air, they hie to the top floor of The Address with an infinity-edge lap pool, pool bar, function hall and outdoor garden with play facilities. From the al fresco areas, views of the Ortigas business district, Cubao , Eastwood City and Makati emphasize the metro-centric location of the project. Former New York City resident Mike Gaviola said he is moving from an older condominium development nearby to live at The Address because of the great values it offers. “We have all the conveniences at our fingertips,” he said.

southern lIvIng. Independent real estate companies Stonebridge Corp. and GeoEstate Development Corp are on track to deliver Sonria’s promise of gracious condo living south of Metro Manila. Sonria is a high-end residential condominium that will rise within the Ayala Alabang and Madrigal Business Park area. Set to begin unit turnover by December 2015, the 21-story, 88-unit vertical community targets traditional Alabang residents, empty nesters and young couples who want to live near their original homes. Sonria is beside Molito, a quick walk from Alabang Town Center, while Alabang Country Club is a short drive away. At Sonria’s topping-off ceremony were Francisco Licuanan III, GeoEstate Development Corp. CEO (3rd from right); Miriam Katigbak, GeoEstate’s president (3rd from left); and representatives from Stonebridge and GeoEstate Development Corporation.