The Standard - 2015 July 27 - Monday

VOL. XXIX NO. 167 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 mONday: JULy 27, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Mar Roxas anointed this week

by Aquino

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fAding pnoy gives his finAl AddRess

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III makes his final State-of-the Nation Address (SONA) today with his political clout fading and struggling to choose a successor for next year’s elections that would continue with his agenda, analysts said over the weekend.

A peace treaty with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), aimed at ending decades of fighting that has claimed 120,000 lives, is in peril a draft law granting self-rule to the Muslim minority is stalled in Congress.

Economic growth slowed to a three-year low of 5.2 percent in the first quarter.

“He is entering his lameduck phase and he’s losing influence by the day,” said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform.

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SONA preparations. Activists march near the Times Street, Quezon City house of President Benigno Aquino III in front of an effigy depicting him as a monster on Sunday (above), ahead of Aquino’s final State of the Nation Address. On Commonwealth Avenue, the road leading to the Batasang Pambansa (inset), empty container vans have been placed on the roadside to prevent protesters from spilling over to the route expected to be taken by the President and members of Congress, where Aquino will give his sixth and last speech during the formal opening of the national legislature. AFP/ey ACASiO

iglesia backs Manalo at rites

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Palace ‘paranoia’ slammed vans and deploying thousands of policemen and soldiers to keep proLEFTIST groups on Sunday testers away from President Benigslammed the Palace for setting up a no Aquino III when he delivers his fortress of steel and concrete barri- final State-of-the-Nation Address ers, barbed wire and even container (SONA) today.

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By Christine F. Herrera

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“He should use his remaining political capital and tell Congress to pass the BBL,” Casiple said, referring to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law that would create the autonomous Muslim region in the south and is the centerpiece of the peace plan.

The measure has languished in Congress due to outrage over the deaths of 44 police commandos in an encounter with Islamic rebels, including gunmen from the MILF, in January.

Aquino is indeed expected to urge Congress on Monday to quickly pass the law, the main barrier to implementing the peace pact, according to his advisers.

If Aquino does succeed in finalizing peace with the MILF, it would be one of the most important legacies of his presidency, Casiple and other analysts said.

A stronger economy is the potential major legacy for Aquino, although it is more tenuous as it will be dependent on whether his successor will push his anticorruption program, which critics say has been carried out only on the President’s political opponents.

“It’s a fragile legacy, in the sense that it takes longer than a six-year term for anti-corruption measures to stick,” said Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank.

One of the big themes of Aquino’s address to Congress is expected to be a call to the nation to choose the right successor to press on with his anti-graft campaign.

“In less than a year, the Filipino will again be at a crossroads,” Aquino said in a speech last week, while inspecting a new dam project, that he is expected to echo on Monday.

“My only advice: pick a leader who will be true to his promise, not someone with empty promises, not someone who will take advantage of you or steal from you.”

But with 10 months before the election, Aquino cannot yet even choose himself.

Aquino’s preferred choice has long been seen as Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, his longtime ally, family friend and Liberal Party stalwart.

But Roxas is languishing in surveys and there is a strong chance he would be easily beaten by the opposition’s charismatic leader, Jejomar Binay.

At the 2010 elections, Binay crushed Roxas in their contest for the vice presidency.

Another potential presidential candidate is firstterm Senator Grace Poe, who owes her immense popularity to being the daughter of famed, deceased movie star Fernando Poe Jr. Her father lost the 2004 presidential elections in controversial circumstanc-

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es, with his camp insisting Gloria Arroyo stole 1 million votes that cost him victory.

But while popular and widely regarded for her personal honesty, Poe has relatively little political experience and has ruled out joining Aquino’s Liberal Party.

Liberal Party officials said Aquino would prefer Poe to be Roxas’ vice president, a move the neophyte senator seems reluctant to do. Instead, the independent senator may choose to run for president with her close friend, Senator Francis Escudero, as her vice president, a move that could steal votes away from the administration candidate.

“If I had my way, I (would have) announced my choice yesterday,” an exasperated Aquino said last week when asked about who he wanted to succeed him.

Capitalizing on the uncertainty is Binay, a former Aquino ally who has in recent years faced a barrage of corruption allegations that have raised concerns about the nation’s path under his helm.

Either way, Aquino faces a gamble, according to Ateneo de Manila University political science professor Benito Lim. “If Aquino endorses a loser, everything he worked for will go to waste,” Lim said.

As the nation prepared for Aquino’s last SONA, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said two documents submitted to Congress after the SONA— the Technical Report to the SONA and the proposed national budget for next year—would speak louder than the words the President delivers in his speech today.

“SONA is poetry. But if you want to read the prose of where we are, it is in these two documents. I call them ‘day after’ documents but they are very important,” Recto said in a statement.

Recto said the SONA is a “looking back—looking forward” speech, while the source material of the “looking back” part is the Technical Report to the SONA, and “the main basis of the looking forward is the national budget for next year.”

The Technical Report to the SONA is a report card of what has been done since the last SONA, Recto said, while the budget looks ahead.

“A budget is a book of intentions. You may promise many things but the proof that you will do it is in the budget,” he said.

“In governance, funds proposed in the budget speak louder than words in a SONA,” he added.

Next year’s expenditure program is pegged at P3 trillion, up 15 percent from this year’s P2.6 trillion. Like in the previous four years, it is expected to be formally presented to congressional leaders a day after the SONA. – Macon Ramos-Araneta, AFP

Broken promise. A day before the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III, an activist calls for the passage of his promised Freedom of Information law during a protest at Manila’s Mendiola Bridge. DANNY PATA

Rise in poverty belies administration claims THE growing number of poor Filipinos debunks the Aquino administration’s claim that its strategy for fighting poverty works and should be continued by the succeeding administration, the research group IBON said Sunday, one day before President Benigno Aquino III delivers his final State-of-the-Nation Address.

Even with a lower standard of only P52 a day as the official poverty line, the number of poor has gone up to 25.8 percent of the population in the first semester of 2014, up from 24.6 percent in the same period in 2013, IBON said, quoting official government statistics.

In IBON’s own May 2015 nationwide survey of 1,496 individuals, 79.6 percent of respondents said their livelihood did not improve in recent months, and 72.3 percent said that poverty did not go down in recent months. Most respondents also rated themselves poor and said they had

difficulty in spending for basic needs and social services.

IBOn said its survey also showed a larger share of respondents (67.2 percent) who said they see their situation today as poor, compared to those who said the same in January (64.6 percent).

IBON said these figures were more consistent with its estimates using official data that some 55 million to 66 million Filipinos live on only P100 to P125 a day, well below the P181 needed by a person to live decently.

The National Statistics Office, using a lower yardstick of P52 a day, counted only

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Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said thousands of protesters would defy the tight security measures, which showed that President Aquino was “running scared, now that the end of the regime draws near.”

“By these paranoid measures, the Aquino government’s fear of confronting the people’s just demands shows through,” Reyes said.

Citing the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NULP), Reyes denounced the government’s contempt for the people’s basic right to peaceful assembly.

“Through its servile and robotic police, it is without a shadow of doubt that it is the government that actually poses a clear and present danger to the public order, public

23.8 million poor Filipinos in 2012.

IBON said the data showed that the Aquino administration’s centerpiece for alleviating poverty—its conditional cash transfer program that has spent P178 billion in doles to the poor as of 2014—was not the answer to deep and widespread poverty, despite a 526 percent increase in its budget since 2010.

“The conditional cash transfers or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was more than ever proven to be temporary, expensive and shallow,” IBON said, adding that it was riddled with loopholes in its targeting system.

A militant labor group on Sunday said the last five years under Aquino have been “exceptionally taxing on Filipino workers.”

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) said in a statement that they would march toward Congress to protest the administration’s labor polices during

safety and public convenience,” Reyes said.

“The fortress of steel and concrete barriers, concertina wire and container vans along the route to the House where laws by supposed representatives of the people emanate is eloquent proof whose side is this government on. This is not to mention an uninterrupted record of violent and brutal dispersals by an army of so-called law enforcers of otherwise peaceful rallies during past SONAs for good measure,” he added.

Reyes said the failure of the Quezon City government to act on their permit to rally within two days as required by law meant that their application was approved.

“The law is crystal clear. Despite its loopholes, the better part of its letter and spirit are being undermined even further. To coop the people to an arbitrary space to express their grievances is therefore unlawful,” said Edre Olalia,

the SONA. “We have much more enthusiasm than ever before.

Living under the elitist policies of Aquino for five burdensome has armed us with determination,” said Leody de Guzman, chairman of the BMP. “The past five years has been exceptionally taxing on the Filipino workers. Aquino attacked us on two fronts. On one hand, he suppressed wages despite the [rising] cost of living… and also at the same time, he withheld government subsidies on basic services,” De Guzman said.

The BMP also attacked the increase in worker contributions to the Social Security System and PhilHealth, the privatization of the light rail system and public hospitals, and the K-12 program that added two years to the primary education system.

On the eve of the President’s last SONA, the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said Aquino could be proud of no legacy. – Rio N. Araja

NULP secretary general.

“International law is explicit and mandatory. The noble and basic right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly cannot be curtailed arbitrarily especially on contrived if not imaginary grounds. A government that openly and unabashedly tramples this right for its speculative if not dubious reasons is not only a hypocrite but should be ashamed of itself before the community of nations,” Olalia said.

“After all, history has taught us that marching in streets--no matter how inconvenient to some who are yet to be enlightened or to those ensconced in their entitlements--has changed societies for the better, from abolishing slavery to stopping sweatshop practices, from ousting dictatorships to outlawing apartheid, from overturning racial segregation to protesting wars of intervention.”

– With Sandy Araneta

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PNoy to anoint Roxas this week PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will this week anoint Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as the Liberal Party’s standard bearer in the 2016 elections, although he still has no running mate, Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, an LP stalwart, said Sunday.

This means Aquino will not name Roxas, his preferred successor, during Aquino’s last State-of-thenation address today but will lay down the postAquino agenda to be set out by his successor, LP officials said.

The President’s SONA would sound like a “valedictory address,” where he will report his achievements for the past five years and lay down what he expects his successor to do, according to Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo.

Erice said Roxas still had no running mate as the LP was still in talks with its coalition partners.

He said among those in the shortlist for the LP’s vice-presidential bet were Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, and

Senator Alan Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party.

He said the endorsement would happen either on July 29, two days after Aquino delivers his final State of the Nation Address, or on July 31.

The LP, however, had already made reservations at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills for July 29, Erice said.

“It has always been Mar from the start. There was no doubt in our minds that he will be our standard bearer,” he said.

He said previous discussions with Senator Grace Poe, who has been topping the recent surveys among possible presidential bets, were meant to convince the lawmaker to “unite” with Roxas.

“The Liberal Party wants someone with integrity, ca-

ROXAS

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pability and experience. It will not look good if we decide based on the result of surveys alone,” Erice said.

Quimbo and Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo, both LP members, said they would be the first ones to get disappointed if the President would transform his SONA into a political event.

They hinted that the right occasion in naming the President’s successor would be on Tuesday, the day after

his SONA, when the Liberals meet at Club Filipino.

Quimbo, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, told dzBB radio that the President would also report his achievements—including the unpopular decisions he made such as the reproductive health and sin tax laws.

But militant lawmakers said the President’s touted achievements had been canceled out by worsening poverty, landlessness, job-

lessness and the increase in hunger incidences.

“Aquino said that the economy prospered but the majority of our people are as poor as rats, with no sufficient food, housing, jobs or land to till,” a critic said.

Castelo said after he bows down, the President could transform himself into a “moral leader to influence the course of nation building.”

“The President should never say goodbye. The President should also set the agenda after he leaves his office and make sure that the Daang Matuwid should be followed by his successor,” said Castelo, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development.

“I would be disappointed if the SONA becomes a venue to announce who the chosen person is. Only because I think the SONA is about the President as well as his vision for the next six to 12 years,” Quimbo said.

Castelo agreed and said the President should not name his successor because SONA is not an occasion

for political power play.

“The President should find a perfect occasion to name his preferred successor, but certainly not in the SONA, which is strictly a state affair not intended for power play,” Castelo said.

If he made an endorsement, Quimbo said, the President would divert the issues from the actual subject, “which is the President himself.”

“Instead of the scorecard getting highlighted, the endorsement would draw attention from it. I think he would not do that,” Quimbo said.

“But the most he could probably say is to make an appeal that his successor or whoever would be chosen by the public would continue his reforms and for the electorate to choose the right successor. That’s the most he can say politically,” he said.

On the eve of the SONA, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares cited the worsening poverty, joblessness, lawlessness and human rights violations.

Joyce Pangco Pañares and Christine F. Herrera

SONA 2015: A Report To The Bosses SONA 2015: A Report To The Bosses This Monday, July 27, 2015, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, the President of the Philippines, will be making his last State of the Nation Address.

This is a yearly report of what has been achieved, based on a plan set and introduce at the beginning of his term– a means to inform the nation and its people about the country’s present economic, political, and social conditions.

What do we expect?

While we are sure that President Aquino will be discussing up many things in the course of his speech– numbers, executive orders, programs signed into law and the like– they are only important to many in terms of the promises he has previously made.

This is because to many of us Filipinos, the SONA is more than just a status report: it an update of how well and how completely the President has kept the promises made in the last addresses, in the beginning of his term, and during his campaign. If the set of promises are a map, where are we? How close are we to the goal?

It is in this light that this State of the Nation Address is different, maybe. Maybe even special. Because it is the last one, the expectations are higher, and requires looking at the effort of the President and his team as a whole. This time, the scope is broader, and there is more urgency.

The Promises There were two big promises the President made when he first started– two big issues that were to be addressed by the Daang Matuwid plan: poverty and corruption.

There was a third promise: that the Filipino was his boss. That, as every democracy’s leader must, he will serve the people, take their wishes, and more importantly, their welfare into consideration with every act and decision.

What will we be watching out for? Which accomplishments are important to us? Here is a checklist of what the bosses will want updates on.

Poverty and Hunger. In the last SONA, one of the main points he made were on the 4Ps or the conditional cash transfer program. Said to be

an “investment in the country’s greatest resource”, the flagship poverty reduction program– the world’s 4th largest– has increased allocations each year. We, the people, expect reports on how it has exceeded its goals.

More importantly, we are expecting steps on getting us closer to the target: self reliance and sufficiency. It has been said that the CCT was not a dole-out, and that jobs were the

next item on the agenda. How close are we to that goal?

Corruption. From the start, the promise was to hold corrupt politicians accountable, and indeed, we have seen the start. The impeachment of CJ Corona, the arrest of the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the arrest of 3 senators involved in the pork barrel issue. It was a good start, now, the people are

expecting to hear about the follow through.

There are other issues. Peace and order. China and diplomacy. Energy and power. And more.

There is something else that tpeople are expecting to hear. That while it is the last SONA, it is not the last list of achievements this administration will make. That the work does not stop just because the campaigning for the next elections is about to start.

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Expelled minister says bets gave cash

Endorsement. This aerial shot shows members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo gathering at the INC-owned Ciudad de Victoria tourism zone in Bulacan, where members of the church flocked Sunday to celebrate the INC’s 101st founding anniversary. DANNY PATA

Iglesia members support Manalo at big gathering

By Rio N. Araja

Hundreds of thousands of members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo gathered Sunday at the church’s Ciudad de Victoria in to celebrate the INC’s 101st anniversary and to show their support for Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo.

The celebration became a show of support for Manalo, with church members pledging loyalty to the INC and professing their unity behind his leadership.

The members of the two-million-member INC trooped to the 140-hectare tourism zone along the North Luzon Tollway owned by the

church to show they support for Manalo and his leaders, who are being accused by a group of expelled ministers of various anomalies.

Traffic was heavy along the highway leading up the Ciudad de Victoria, which was built on former farmland between the towns of Bocaue and Sta. Maria and which is also the site of the

55,000-seat Philippine Arena.

Meanwhile, House independent bloc leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez congratulated the church on its founding anniversary today.

“I congratulate our brothers in Iglesia ni Cristo for having a solid religious foundation not only in the country, but all over the world. I wish them to gain more numerical strength and recognition,” he said.

He said INC has continued to implement various meaningful activities and programs on job creation, education, health concerns, social work and even environmental protection that even benefit non-members.

Romualdez also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the INC for

its humanitarian projects for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda that flattened Leyte and other provinces in Eastern Visayas.

Rep. Joselito Atienza of Buhay partylist and Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz of Abakada party-list also recognized the significant contributions of INC to the country’s economic growth.

“The Iglesia ni Cristo has gone a long way, from being a small group in the early 1900s and now a big church organization with membership all around the world,” Atienza said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay also greeted leaders and members of the church on their anniversary on Sunday, urging Manalo and other church leaders to stay strong in the midst of adversity.

Probe of pop star Brown to continue

By Rey E. Requejo

Bra display. A woman chooses bras at a makeshift store put up along the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. EY ACASIO

THE Department of Justice will proceed with the preliminary investigation of the estafa case filed against American hip-hop singer Chris Brown by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Sunday.

Brown was allowed to leave the country on Friday last week, but the preliminary investigation on the complaint filed against him and his promoter John Michael Pio Roda will continue, she said.

“The [investigation] will proceed [whether he’s around or not] since there is a complaint,” De Lima said.

Brown was prevented from leaving the airport aboard his private plane on Tuesday last

week because of the $1-million estafa complaint filed by INC lawyer Glicerio Santos IV for Brown’s alleged failure to fulfill his commitment to perform at the Philippine Arena during the New Year countdown celebration on Dec. 31, 2014.

Although Brown eventually was allowed to leave the country, Roda was detained

by Immigration for other immigration law violations.

De Lima said the estafa case had already been assigned to a prosecutor and subpoenas were expected to be issued on Brown and Roda.

Brown could ignore the subpoena, but that would mean a waiver on his right to answer the allegations in the complaint against him, De

Lima said.

“These is a process. If in the [preliminary investigation] probable cause is established, then the case will be filed in court, which cannot proceed without the presence of the accused,” De Lima said.

“There are modes on how to bring the accused here like the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) or extradition.”

De Lima said the cases against Brown and Roda may have criminal and civil aspects.

In the criminal aspect, the intent to defraud by the respondents must be established.

“In estafa cases the main objective is how to recover the money, so there is also a civil aspect that may involve the recovery of money via a civil suit.”

AN expelled Iglesia ni Cristo minister on Sunday alleged that some unscrupulous church leaders were selling the denomination’s vote to politicians.

In a television interview, former minister Roel Rosal denied INC spokesman Edwil Zabala’s claim that he and other critics of the church were just disgruntled because of their removal from the ministry.

Rosal said he has a letter from a defeated mayoralty candidate in Bulacan province who said he gave P200,000 for an endorsement by the INC before the 2010 elections.

He said the defeated candidate was a friend of his and asked him to raise the issue with the INC central office.

“He was asking for an explanation. I brought the matter to our leaders and wrote Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, but there was never any action.”

Because of his efforts to help the defeated candidate, Rosal said he earned the ire of the church’s leaders, prompting them to expel him and evict him from his residence inside the compound of the INC central temple in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, an INC minister who was was arrested for alleged possession of a hand grenade has been released by the Dasmariñas, Cavite police.

Minister Lowell Menorca Jr. had been charged with grave threats and illegal possession of explosives, but the suit has reportedly been withdrawn by the complainant.

INC spokesman Zabala declined to comment on the incident.

“We have been busy with the activities connected to our anniversary,” he told The Standard.

Menorca, a volunteer minister in Sorsogon, was earlier reported missing after he allegedly joined a group of church leaders critical of certain practices of the INC leadership.

The blog “Iglesia Ni Cristo Silent No More” run by a certain Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista claimed that nine ministers, including Menorca, had been abducted and expelled from the group.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation’s probe into the recent controversies involving the INC will not cover the allegations of corruption or the mishandling of church funds.

“In the absence of a proper complaint, there is no basis at this point to look into allegations of corruption or misuse of INC funds,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said in a text message.

De Lima stressed that just like the expulsion from the INC of Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, brother of current INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, and their mother Cristina “Tenny” Manalo, the government considers the allegations of cor ruption “internal” to the church.

“We cannot just intervene without any complaint filed,” De Lima said. Rio N. Araja

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House: Soak the rich, give the poor a break

By Christine F. Herrera

CONGRESS is set to tax the rich more and lower the income tax of wage earners and middle income bracket from 32 percent to 25 percent that would result in government losing P92 billion a year in tax collections after a House study showed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s failure to collect the right taxes.

Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo told dzBB on Sunday that of the 36 million Filipinos working, only 6.8 million taxpayers are taxed by the BIR. Quimbo, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, said only 16 percent of all working Filipinos actually pay income taxes.

“The salary wage earners were 100 percent compliant. Only 40 percent of professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers) are paying the right taxes while only 31 percent of the entrepreneurs—

hardware and store owners—are paying taxes,” Quimbo lamented.

The corporations and those executives who are earning P10 million and above would be taxed 33 percent in individual income and corporate taxes but they would be given tax incentives for safety nets, he said.

“As far as we are concerned, as far as the Speaker is concerned, before the end of this year we will be able to finalize and churn out a new tax proposal for individual as well as corporate income tax,” Quimbo said.

The tax measures were now finished at the level of the Technical Working Group, which would submit its consensus to the mother committee for approval, he said.

“The rich will be taxed bigger or up to 33 percent. But they would also be given tax incentives. The wage earners who earn P180,000 a year would be exempted from being taxed while teachers will have their income taxes reduced from 35 percent to 25 percent,” Quimbo explained.

“There is a reason why these people are not paying. But it doesn’t follow that if others refuse to pay, we have to squeeze those who have no choice like the wage earners,” Quimbo said. “That is not fair.”

Quimbo said the reason those with big salaries were not paying was because the system was “too complex, so complicated.”

“The tax rates are just too high. In fact, we are the highest in the entire Southeast Asia in both the corporate and individual income taxes,” he

Palace disowns plot vs Belmonte

pointed out. “Yet, in terms of tax collection, we are the lowest in ASEAN. What does that say?”

Quimbo explained that when the tax rate was unreasonably high, compliance becomes all the more difficult.

“The higher the tax rate, the higher the tax evasion,” Quimbo told dzBB. Quimbo said the tax collection effort has barely increased from the time the Aquino administration assumed office.

From 4.9 percent in tax collection in 2010, Quimbo said it has barely improved at 13.8 percent at present.

“So napakaliit, compared to Vietnam in 2010 was already at 24 percent. We are far behind. We are lagging behind Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia,” he lamented.

To balance and compensate the P92 billion in losses a year to be brought about by the lowering of tax rates, Quimbo said other tax measures were being discussed such as tax on mining, tax on softdrinks and rationalization of fiscal incentives.

State of the sidewalk. Flea market traders and sidewalk vendors continue to ply their trade despite having been fenced off Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on the eve of President Aquino’s delivery of his final State of the Nation Address. EY ACASIO

By Sandy Araneta MALACAÑANG says it has nothing to do with the alleged plot to unseat House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. “What we are after is a thorough coordination with Congress in the enactment into law of important programs on reforms of the government. We have nothing to do regarding that (plot to unseat Belmonte),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Sunday.

“Our focus is on the constructive process in the enactment of laws,” Coloma stressed.

Lawmakers from Metro Manila meanwhile reaffirmed their support for Belmonte ahead of the opening of the third regular session of the 16th Congress on July 27.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo of the Liberal Party said majority of his colleagues cited Belmonte’s “fair and productive leadership” in the House of Representatives.

Other lawmakers closed ranks for Belmonte, among them Zenaida Angping (Manila), Jorge Banal (Quezon City), Jose Christopher Belmonte (Quezon City), Francisco Calalay (Quezon City), Enrico Echiverri (Caloocan), Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong), Magtanggol Gunigundo (Valenzuela), Sandy Ocampo (Manila), Eric Olivarez (Parañaque), Romero Quimbo (Marikina), Gustavo Tambunting (Parañaque), Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina), Alfred Vargas (Quezon City) and Mark Villar (Las Piñas).

Castelo said party-list representatives who are members of the House committee on Metro Manila development have also reaffirmed their support for Belmonte, including Johnny Revilla (OFW Family) and Samuel Pagdilao (ACT-CIS).

‘Binay can’t wait to face accusers in impartial court’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta VICE President Jejomar Binay is looking forward to placing his accusers including Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano on the witness stand because their “perjured testimonies” will not stand judicial scrutiny, his spokesman Rico Quicho said Sunday.

Quicho said Binay wanted to crossexamine Trillanes, Cayetano, former Makati Vice Mayor Mercado and their cohorts, which could only be done in an impartial court and not in the kangaroo court in the Senate.

He said Binay had maintained that the perjured testimonies of re-

source persons, illegally obtained documents and hasty conclusions were not the kind of evidence that would stand judicial scrutiny.

“The one-sided conduct of the Senate probe and its failure to establish the culpability of the Vice President after more than 11 months and 23 hearings highlights the glaring truth that the Senate, under this administration, has the tradition of accusing its political enemies first and just hoping to prove the charges later by skirting legal processes,” read the statement issued by Binay’s camp.

Strongly reacting to the assertion of Cayetano that they had fairly in-

vestigated Binay’s case and examined the evidence against him, the Vice President asked, “evidence is Senator Cayetano talking about?

Quicho noted that after making wild accusations against the Vice President, their so-called resource persons were told to present evidence to support their allegations but to no avail.

“In fact, these accusers have been using the processes of the Senate to fish for evidence, which is not allowed. This contradiction of sorts shows that the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee has a different application of its rules and patently flawed interpretation of evidence,”

pointed out Quicho.

Quicho also took a potshot at the spokespersons of President Noynoy Aquino. “We want to tell them that only the blind and those who pretend to be blind do not see ghe collusion between the Ombudsman and the Palace to harass the political enemies of the administration.

Instead of fixating over every reported or misreported remark by the Vice President, the Binay camp urged the Palace to break its vow of silence on two issues-- why poverty and hunger prevails despite economic growth, and why Secretary (Mar)!Roxas, the presumptive LP

bet, replaced the contractor of the MRT with one of dubious capabilities and linked to his party.

“The commuters of MRT are the ones paying the price for his misdeeds,” said Quicho.

Cayetano branded a mere tactic to divert the issue of corruption Binay’s filing of P200-million damage suit against him,Trillanes and other personalities. He considered it a case to intimidate in the defense of a corrupt.

Trillanes said the filing of the damage suit by the Vice President against his alleged detractors was a clear indication that he is on a panic mode.

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BRiOnes Asks

Who’s minding Yolanda rehab?

By Christine F. Herrera

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has shown his indifference and utter neglect toward Yolanda survivors by refusing to designate a central authority to carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation even after Panfilo Lacson Jr. resigned in February, resulting in massive delays in helping the survivors get back on their feet, former national treasurer Leonor Magtolis Briones said Sunday.

“The aquino administration has no sense of urgency. no one was left in charge to coordinate and monitor the supposed rehabilitation and reconstruction after lacson resigned,” said Briones, lead convener of the Social Watch Philippines.

The SWP, funded by an international nongovernment organization christian aid, traced the government funds for the implementation of programs, activities and projects in Yolanda-affected areas under the comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan. as of June 2015, Briones said the Department of Budget and Management claimed that the total fund released has reached P84 billion, 49 percent of the P170.916 billion commitment for the cRRP. The group found out that this amount is not dedicated to Yolanda-affected areas only but includes rehabilitation of areas hit by the Bohol earthquake, and Typhoons Sendong and Pablo areas. according to Briones, delays in the delivery of livelihood and social services projects were aggravated by poor coordination between and among the different agencies caused by lack of competencies and appropriate mechanisms to hasten imple-

mentation.

Social Watch Philippines has called on the President to designate a group or task force with the technical and administrative competence to implement the cRRP with the necessary budget and mandated to steer the recovery process.

Briones questioned the “absorptive capacity” of the national agencies as they only implement projects at their convenience or when their schedule permits.

“It’s still ‘business as usual’ for government and the agencies appear to have no sense of urgency in dealing with a humanitarian crisis. The absence of a clear central and authoritative agency/ body that will implement, oversee, coordinate and have strong mandate to monitor all reconstruction and recovery initiatives is the problem,” Briones said.

“We found out that the budget request of agencies were limited based on their capacity to implement the program, projects and activities under their watch,” Briones added.

Information, data transparency issues were also raised by the group with unclear sources of funds for the P170 billion funding commitment of President aquino for the cRRP.

LTO abides by audit rules, says Palace car plates and stickers and that he still needed to verify such details Malacañang on Sunday of the cause of the delays.

“We always assure the delivcame to the defense of the land Transportation Office, saying ery of public service,” coloma that all government agencies like said.

The license plate standardizalTO have to abide by the rules and policies set by the commis- tion of the land Transportation Office (lTO) will continue desion on audit.

“What we know is that gov- spite a notice of disallowance isernment agencies follow all law- sued by the cOa barring fundful and legal issuances, or the ing for the program. lTO spokesman Jason Salvador cOa findings. What we know is that all agencies at all times fol- said the program would not be low the law. There is no policy suspended because many vehicles in not following the law,” com- would be left with no plates.

“Public interest is involved munications Secretary Herminio coloma Jr said on DZRB, the here… we will continue,” Salvador said. state-run radio.

He said there is no “explicit” “all agencies of the government accept and follow the policies and cOa instruction to stop the recommendations made by the program, adding that they have cOa as an independent consti- yet to receive word from the Detutional body that audits actions partment of Transportation and made by the government,” said communications. cOa disallowed P477,901,329 coloma. coloma said that he was not in procurement transaction beaware of the specific details of the tween the lTO and the Dutchproblems besseting the lTO re- Filipino consortium PPI-JKg garding the late issuances of the Philippines Inc.

By Sandy Araneta

Rally for peace. An activist takes part in a rally at Chino Roces (Mendiola) Bridge to ask President Aquino to give priority to Congress’ approval of a draft law that will bring about peace in Mindanao. DANNY PATA

Poll bets warned not to block BBL a gROuP of Marawi city-based youth leaders that gathered more than half a million signatures of Mindanaoans supporting the passage into law of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic law today warned politicians that they would lose the votes of millions of Mindanaoans who want peace in the South if these politicians would vote against the law.

“We are giving these signatures to our political leaders to remind them that at least 500,000 of their constituents support the BBl. They should think twice before using the Bangsamoro for their political agenda because they could lose the support of half a million people,” coalition of Moro Youth Movement (cMYM) chair Marjanie Macasalong said.

The group, which gathered and verified the 500,000 signatures in three months with no funding, has traveled to Manila to submit to the country’s political leaders copies of the signatures in time for President Benigno S. aquino III’s State of the nation address (SOna). cMYM held a press conference on Friday in greenhills, together with other Bangsamoro law advocates. after the Islamic Friday prayer, the group further opened a signature campaign where hundreds of individuals signed support to the BBl passage, on top of the half-million signatures the group already collected and documented. This happened simultaneously in greenhills mosque and golden

Mosque in Quiapo. afterwards, the group proceeded to the Senate with a pro-BBl caravan of 100 vehicles to show support of Muslim communities in Metro Manila to the Bangsamoro law.

“We understand that both the House of Representatives and the Senate are still in the middle of the BBl legislative process.

We hope that, with the help of these signatures, they will pass a BBl that responds to the genuine aspirations of our people,” Macasalong added.

The cMYM began collecting signatures early in March 2015 in response to declarations from legislators critical of the BBl that it does not have enough support among Filipinos, especially among Mindanaoans.

M O N D AY, J U lY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A7 Bohol adopts Aussie envoy

Their own business. A fisherman checks his fishing net at the Maragondon River in Cavite as students cross a hanging bridge. AVITO C. DALAN

Basilan ‘cocolisap’ should be contained by October ISABELA CITY, Basilan—The government has set the month of October as the deadline to contain coconut scale insects or “cocolisap” infestation of coconut trees in this province.

Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant for food security and agricultural modernization, said this after conducting an aerial inspection of the infested coconuts trees and meeting with stakeholders on Friday.

Pangilinan said cocolisap could be contained through the integrated pest management protocol that was used in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Quezon. The infestation was first reported in Batangas in 2010.

The protocol includes a 30-day massive leaf pruning, 60-day application of systemic insecticides through trunk injection, establishment of quarantine checkpoints, and production and release of bio-control agents.

Pangilinan’s office has allocated P750 million to combat cocolisap.

Pangilinan is optimistic government “will be able to defeat these pests and bring [the infestation] down to manageable level” with an area-wide integrated pest management by mobilizing down to the grassroots.

Pangilinan has ordered the deployment of equipment such as electric drillers and generator sets in preparation for the implementation of the pest management protocol.

Romulo Arancon Jr., administrator of the

Philippine Coconut Authority, said he would assign additional personnel to assist coconut farmers in combating cocolisap in Basilan which began in 2012.

PCA data showed that Basilan province has 69,695 hectares of coconuts owned and cultivated by 23,455 coconut farmers with around 8,097,114 coconut trees spread out in 255 barangays in two cities and 11 towns.

The PCA data showed that 10 percent representing 814,712 coconut trees are infested as of this month this year affecting the livelihood of 6.5 percent representing 1,518 farmers in this province.

“The long dry spell in Basilan since September last year significantly contributed to the increase in number of coconut scale insect-infested trees in the province,” PCA said. PNA

TAGBILARAN CITY— Australian Ambassador to the Philippines William Tweddell was named an e “Adopted Son of Bohol” during the 161st Bohol Foundation Day. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2015-323 cited Tweddell’s contribution in sustaining the support of the Australian government to several projects for Bohol.

Tweddell first came to Bohol before the October 2013 earthquake upon the invitation of Governor Edgar Chatto to tackle update on several projects funded by the Australian Agency for International Development.

The Australian ambassador came back after the earthquake to personally hand over the assistance from the Australian government for the earthquake victims.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan resolution also cited the unforgettable act of Tweddell in strengthening the cooperation between the Australian government and Bohol government.

The government of Australia facilitated the “100-day Rapid Assistance to Earthquake-damaged Roads and Bridges.”

Ambassador Tweddell turned over 14 provincial road sections improved under the Australia-funded Provincial Road Management Facility to Governor Edgar Chatto during the Bohol Day celebration on July 22. PNA

Abra power cooperative seeks loan

By Dexter A. See BANGUED, Abra – Financially strapped Abra Electric Cooperative is still waiting for loan assistance packages from the National Electrification Administration to upgrade its services, reform its human resource management and rehabilitate its financial standing.

The electrification agency’s new charter, signed by President Aquino in May 2013, gives it greater supervision over electric cooperatives, some of which are incurring losses.

“Just like any other electric cooperative in the country, we are still in a situation where it is not within out financial capability to imple-

ment the much needed infrastructure projects for our power distribution network,” Abreco general manager Loreto Seares Jr. said.

He added that their capital expenditure plan would not suffice without the support of agencies like the NEA. One major project of Abreco, Seares said, is the installation of a 5-MVA substation proposed two years ago.

“Its implementation has been long overdue,” he said, explaining that Abreco’s substation is already 94-percent loading as of 2014.

“The installation of the 5-MVA is much needed to support the existing overloaded substation of the cooperative to ensure quality

power to its more than 40,000 consumers...we are seeking a P25-million loan from NEA for the substation installation, Seares Jr. said.

Abreco is also asking NEA for a P20 million loan for the retirement benefits of its downsized employees.

Seares said that reorganizing Abreco’s workforce is expected to lower its cost of operation as projected in its Department of Energy-approved “Rehabilitation Plan.”

Finally, the power cooperative is also asking NEA to grant a P23-million “Prudential Guarantee Loan,” which would enable the cooperative to settle one of its requirements to its power supplier WESM (wholesale electricity spot market).

Divers’ paradise.

Southern Leyte is working hard to promote its dive sites at the Sogod Bay area, which includes the Napantao Fish Sanctuary in San Francisco and Lungsodaan Fish Sanctuary in Padre Burgos.

RIO CAHAMBING

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ADELLE CHUA EDITOR M O N D AY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

OPINION [ EDI TORI A L ]

THINGS WE WILL NOT HEAR

IF there is one thing the last five years have taught us, it is that President Aquino is a creature of habit. At every opportunity to address the Filipino people, he will talk up the achievements of his administration, blame others for his failures, and denigrate his critics and political opponents.

That is exactly what we expect him to do in today’s State-of-the-Nation Address—thankfully, President Aquino’s last before he steps down from office.

Given the nearness of his exit from office, the President will no doubt dedicate a substantial portion of his address talking about his so-called reforms to weed out corruption in the government and choosing a successor who will continue with his “straight-path” policy.

What we will not be hearing from the President is the latest nationwide opinion poll from the Church-based Radio Veritas that shows that five years after he came to power on the promise of eradicating corruption in government, only one in 10 Filipinos (13 percent) believe he has succeeded. Four in 10 are unsure, and five in 10 believe he has failed to keep his promise to curb corruption.

The bishops, as men of faith, believe that the President can still turn things around in his final year in office. Experience tells us, however, that he is unlikely to do so.

Since the very first crisis of his office in 2010, during the Luneta hostage crisis, this President has sheltered his close allies and associates from the consequences of their actions—or their lack of them. This is a pattern of behavior that we have seen him carry through time and again. We saw this with the pork barrel scandal in which only his political opponents have been prosecuted and detained, while a gaggle of his allies who were also implicated remain unencumbered.

We have seen this, too, in the way he has shielded his favored appointees in the Department of Transportation and Communications from any fallout from their gross incompetence and the stench of corruption that pervades their questionable contracts—to the detriment of commuters, motorists and sea and air travelers.

With no way to deny the dismal record in his administration’s efforts to bring relief to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda two years after the killer storm flattened wide swaths of the Visayas, the President is likely to fall back on two tactics, the first of which is to simply ignore the issue and focus on his “achievements.”

The second option that he might take is to fall back on another tried-and-tested tactic—blaming somebody else.

In a forum days before the SONA, international aid organizations and civil society groups called the administration out for its “sluggish” implementation of the reconstruction program.

“The delivery of reconstruction assistance continue to be riddled with infirmities, irregularities and reported misuse of public funds and people’s money—while the majority of the people who bear the brunt of sufferings, not only remain poor, hungry and jobless,” one group said.

Another pointed out the dismal completion of only 2,100 houses by the end of 2014, way below the targeted 205,128 shelters.

Delays in the release of funds meant only P2.4 billion of the targeted P26 billion for social services was funded in 2014, and only P13.6 billion of the required P75 billion for resettlement had been disbursed. Of the P33 billion earmarked for livelihood programs, only P9.8 billion had been released, and of the P35 billion needed for infrastructure, only P21.5 billion was disbursed.

If the President addresses these failings at all, he will almost certainly lay them at the doorstep of the local government units, in effect declaring that it was somebody else’s fault.

We are likely to hear many things from President Aquino in his Sona today —but honesty is not one of them.

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

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PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

LIKE IT REALLY IS! PENSÉES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO TODAY, the President, for the last time in his six-year term, will discharge his constitutional duty of informing Congress of the Philippines on the State of the Nation. This annual ritual highlights one difference between a presidential form of government and one that is parliamentary. There is need for the President to inform Congress of the State of the Nation because he is not part of the Legislature that, by constitutional apportionment of governmental power, plays no role in the execution of law and in the implementation of policy. If we had a parliamentary government, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet would have, at every turn, to render an account to Parliament of which they are members and to suffer censure, including the dreaded vote of no confidence should they fail to perform.

Even before he utters the first line of what we can anticipate will be an address contrived to be memorable, pundits warn against naivete and credulity.

In his very incisive study of the

speech act, Habermas—who figured prominently in international headlines recently for taking German Chancellor Angela Merkel to task for what he thought was her highhandedness towards Greece -- identifies the claims implied in every competent speaker’s utterance: You can understand me; what I say is true; you can trust me on this;

One can always glean the state of the nation from other sources.

and the relation I endeavor to establish with you by this speech act is normatively permitted.

According to the terms of this analysis, PNoy’s problem is the third of the implied claims: sincerity -- especially since its test is consistency between what one says and what one does!

If one considers this an insurmountable problem, one can always listen for the state of the nation from other sources.

One of these is the group convened by retired Chief Justice

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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

Reynato Puno. The assembly’s declaration could very well be a dependable report on the state of the nation. In part, it reads: “We are alarmed by the threats to our sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity, threats emanating from the West Philippine Sea dispute, the unresolved problems in Mindanao, the pockets of terrorism, and the world’s oldest running insurgency and rebellion.

We are worried that despite the impressive growth in our gross domestic product, the economic benefits have not been inclusive, poverty, joblessness, and lack of opportunities continue to stalk our people especially the poor and the powerless. We are disturbed by the thought that when millions of Filipinos dream of a better life, they are either about to board the next plane out of the country or have just set foot on foreign soil.

We are troubled that our political system and institutions are not only weak and often at odds with each other, but have remained the exclusive domain of the few—the elite, the political dynasties, the corrupt, the mediocre and the incompetent—and have excluded the many who are more capable, responsible and trustworthy.

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC THAT MR. ISAIAS “JUN” T. SAMSON JR., WHOSE PHOTOGRAPH APPEARS ABOVE, IS NO LONGER CONNECTED WITH THE

IGLESIA NI CRISTO (CHURCH OF CHRIST) AND HAS BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE CHURCH SINCE JULY 24, 2015.

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE DIVISIVENESS THAT MINING BRINGS OUT OF THE BOX RITA LINDA V. JIMENO ON Monday last week, thousands of residents of Lobo, Batangas staged another huge rally against mining in front of their municipal hall. There, the Sangguniang Bayan was to hold a dialogue with numerous groups seeking the revocation by the Sanggunian of its endorsement of mining in favor of two foreignbased companies. As I walked among the protesters, I felt painfully sorry for this little town whose people have simple needs and simple joys.

Only in September last year, during the municipality’s foundation day, these same people who were now rallying happily participated in all the festivities organized by their local government; joining competitions, including the search for Miss Lobo.

Now, Lobo is divided. The majority of its people now stand against their elected leaders.

In the dialogue, it was pointed out to the Sanggunian members that many residents of Lobo and some barangay leaders executed sworn statements that they did not know that what they were made to sign turned out to be letters of consent to mining. Some barangay officials even made statements that what the Sanggunian used as basis for their resolution endorsing mining were fake because the signatures appearing on some barangay resolutions were not theirs. Environmental advocate Gina Lopez, chairman of ABS CBN Foundation, committed to help lift Lobo out of poverty if mining does not push through, saying that ecotourism and agriculture would bring in tenfold more revenues for the town and for the residents than mining ever will. She emphasized that based on studies, the poorest areas in the country are those which have allowed mining to be done.

After the dialogue, the Sanggunian members held a meeting where they unanimously resolved to recall and revoke the endorsement they issued on 20 April 2015 in favor of Egerton Gold Phils. Inc and MRL Gold to conduct gold mining and processing in Lobo. This new resolution was met with loud cheers of celebration by the people who were still gathered outside. The Sanggunian cited as its ground the social unacceptability of mining and environmental destruction. I was happy in the thought that Lobo would be whole again.

Alas, soon after that meeting, the clergy of Batangas learned that, with the encouragement of certain local leaders, some people went around the communities enticing people to sign pro-mining manifestos and to launch

Neighbors, friends and even relatives in this town have been pitted against each other.

a pro-mining rally today, the 27th of July, with a promise that all who would join would receive cash remuneration.

Lobo, although rich in biodiversity and lying along the coastline of the world-renowned Verde Island Passage, is a fourth-class municipality.

Thus, it has many citizens living in poverty who will not think about tomorrow and not hesitate to accept money in exchange for their pro-mining signatures or cooperation.

This has enraged those fighting against mining.

Neighbors, friends and even relatives have been pitted against each other.

Lobo has never been more divided, thanks to the local authorities who endorsed mining to begin

DAM CONSENT First of two parts ONE year ago, during President Benigno Aquino III’s 2014 State of the Nation Address, he mentioned the construction of the Kaliwa Dam Project in General Nakar, Quezon as among the many projects in this administration’s publicprivate partnership pipeline.

The dam, part of the bigger network of dams called the New Centennial Water Source Project along the Sierra Madre mountain range, aims to supplement what Angat Dam produces to provide the water needs of the country with the increasing population and greater economic activity.

The dam project was touted as an example of how the government, under the Daang Matuwid, now has greater capacity to find solutions to problems—water shortage, for instance—that loom in the horizon.

The announcement took the members of the Dumagat Remontado tribe, an indigenous people, by surprise. They had been opposing the project for years. In 2009, 100 of them from General Nakar marched to Manila to show their opposition to the construction of the dam. They refused to give their free prior and informed consent (FPIC) to it. Soon after, the construction did stop; they thought they had explained their opposition convincingly.

Alas, authorities led by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System were just biding time before resurrecting the project.

And now the surprise.

Merlita Tena, president of the women’s organization Gupad which stands for Grupo ng Kababaihang Katutubong Umuugnay sa Pamayanan, enumerates the numerous negative effects of the construction of the dam to their people and to the environment.

Foremost are the destruction of the environment and the disrupwith, without real consultation, and to those who continue to use deceitful tactics for material gain.

The divisiveness caused upon a population has always been one of mining’s worst consequences which are never factored in by the Environment Department when it considers for approval the environmental compliance certificates applied for by mining companies.

Curiously, what is happening in Lobo now appears to be on all fours with what happened to the Mananwa indigenous communities of Sitio Dinarawan and Barangay Nunga in Agusan del Sur. The mining operations in Agusan del Sur was granted to MRL Gold, Inc.--that same mining

CHASING HAPPY ADELLE CHUA tion of the people’s livelihood. The Dumagats have been occupying the land for generations, and it is here that they are able to educate their young about which resources of the forest may be eaten, and which plants have medicinal purposes.

Constructing the dam would require uprooting large swaths of trees, which does not even make sense because the government is also actively reforesting the area through the National Greening Program, according to Merlita.

Her husband Julianito, president of Samahan ng mga Katutubong Agta/ Dumagat na Ipinagtatanggol at Binabaka ang Lupain Ninuno—Sagibin—says they were told

by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje that no environmental compliance certificate has yet been issued for the project. The department is just doing a feasibility study, the secretary supposedly said. And yet, construction is already under way.

Julianito adds that they were told the Dumagats will be relocated in Antipolo, Rizal. Unfortunately, even people’s organizations there have told them the space was not even enough for the community.

“Any relocation size for us would be like being imprisoned,” he says.

They, as their ancestors, have never known another home.

He is perplexed at how construction could begin even when the indigenous peoples have refused to give their consent. “Perhaps there has been an initial payment made already to the contractors,” he could not help but think.

Merlita says efforts to “consult” the people about the project was but superficial. They were called to a meeting, yes, where they were

company which did mineral exploration in Lobo and was granted a favorable endorsement by the Sangguniang Bayan to do mining operations there-along with Egerton Gold Phils. Inc. of which, by the way, MRL owns 40 per cent. The Mananwa indigenous people complained that there were recurring disregard for environmental aspects by MRL such as the destructive impact to the biodiversity of Lake Mainit. Lake Mainit, according to the Mananwas was “sacred to them and they have been dependent on it for their livelihood even prior to the creation of the Republic of the Philippines,” the Website of the Compliance Advisor/ Ombudsman of the International Finance Corpora-

told that that if the project proceeds, the communities would prosper, they would earn more in a day -- up to P270 and a kilo of rice --and they would have electricity and buildings and increased employment.

What they failed to tell the natives, Merlita said, was that the money would buy so few because the prices of basic goods were so high, and only those with Tesda certification would be eligible for employment in the dams. “How could that happen when most of us did not even finish elementary school?”

The MWSS also showed them a Memorandum of Agreement containing the details of the project, but the text was in English, such that a chieftain declared the paper contained nothing because he could not understand a single word. Only then was a Tagalog version drafted. If people did not understand the language, how can they appreciate what is written, and how could they decide whether or not to give their consent?

The MWSS also provided an unrealistic count of the families and communities that would be affected, the Tenas said. They wanted to show that only a few would be “inconvenienced” for the good of more.

And it is not as if the Dumagats are refusing out of spite or sabotaging government efforts to address the water issue. Julianito says that constructing new dams would be futile because the forests are already practically bare to begin with. A more sustainable solution, the natives believe, is rehabilitating existing/ defective dams, controlling non-revenue water as nearly 30-percent is lost in distribution networks, using water prudently, harvesting rainwater, reforesting, and reusing urban wastewater, among others.

Continued next week

tion stated. The indigenous people asserted that no prior consultations were done with them prior to the MRL operations. They lamented that “MRL Gold exerted undue pressure and influence on community leaders, attempted to create parallel leadership structures, used LGU representatives to pressure the communities, and used illegitimate signatures to demonstrate community consent, among others.” This, according to the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman of the International Finance Corporation—with which the Manawas filed their complaint--caused deep division in the tribal community and even familial relations. The International Finance Cor-

poration was supposed to support the project but because of the complaint, MRL was forced to suspend its operations in Agusan. (www.caoombudsman.org/cases/ casedetail.aspx?id=176) Now MRL, with the apparent cooperation of some of the local officials of Lobo, is on a comeback mode. The DENR should do its job and consider what it failed to consider in the case of the Mananwa communities in Agusan del Sur. This time around, no less than the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity, the Verde Island Passage, is at stake.

Email: ritalindaj@ gmail.com Visit: www. jimenolaw.com.ph

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE LAST ADDRESS

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Like..From A8

We are tired of an electoral system where thunderous applause. haps for some leftist fac- age should focus on the con- can be roused to fight any votes are counted but PLUMBLINE A fairly recent addition tions, parties here are not an- tents of the President’s speech backsliding to the old ways. do not really count, is the audio-visual backdrop, chored on an ideology. This and not on the couturiers of Despite its title, the Sona is where every vote and PASTOR voter and every counthe better to highlight a point. is a land where a political his perfumed listeners. not the sole gauge of how APOLLO ter of the vote have to In the past, human props party has a sole

utilitarian If attention is focused on

we are and where we are now.

QUIBOLOY be watched because were employed, like the kids value – so a candidate can what they wore and not on It is one man’s take on nobody can be trusted, EVERY fourth Monday of whose bangkang papel in- field precinct watchers and what he said, then we have things. There are other bawhere candidates are July, those who run – and credulously sailed through be entitled to one copy of Kardashianized a very im- rometers like media’s indeselected and elected on the flotsam and the water lilthe election return. portant occasion. pendent reviews which could ruin – the nation cram themthe basis of popularity The political class is so If the reportage centers on temper the partisan optimism selves in all their finery in a ies of the Pasig River where and winnability, not on building the size of six bas- it docked beside a Palace pliant that its members plunging backsides while ig- of the official narrative.

Also, some of us might merit or aptitude, and ketball courts to hear the window with the scribbled could support a cannibal one noring what economic numwhere they either win moment and turn vegan the bers have plummeted, then be bored by the numbers leader report if the prom- words still legible. or are cheated.

On the floor of the Batasan next. we deny ourselves the

imhe will recite like a horserace ises made a year ago have We are bothered are the new gen faces of old And that elasticity is on portant things the Sona is announcer, but we should by the concentration been redeemed. in fact take note of them , It will all be about achieve- names occupying heirloom full display during the Sona. trying to say. of power in a central In his sixth and last verify them even , because in ments, for no line will be seats, which are passed on from The camera pans to a lawgovernment that has maker who has joined his SONA, the President has a government, reality is not wasted on programs an- one generation to another. not done enough in Many of them are the 4th party in a decade. mouthful to say. I don’t see in the rhetoric but in the nulled. A a State-of-the-Nathe pursuit of national tion Address has never been perpetually “politically ins” And seated among con- it as his Mi- Ultimo-Adios numbers . development, leaving and would clap the loudest gressmen is one who did moment where he looks back The Sona must be leava self-criticism exercise. most of our regions, ened with other views, provinces and towns The Philippines has no every time the new leader loudspeaker duties for the at the past 1,825 days.

He is not closing a chap- contrarian even, for only in a chronic state of opera house where the hits the old order, when they old regime and is now poverty and underdeonce rabid supporters. doing rah-rah work for ter; he’s not walking down through an injection of crème de la crème gather were

new. memory lane, and summing healthy skepticism that velopment and their for the opening of the And when the leader the constituents perpetuBatasan denizens change up his labors to solicit a the unvarnished truth, the theater season. In its stead steps down and is replaced by ally in want of even the real state of the nation, could is the cavernous Batasan someone who opposed him, party uniforms as often as their kinder judgment of history. most basic needs and hall where the president expect his once loyal sup- spouses sport new dresses I’d rather view his spiel come out.

By delivering his last Sona, services. gives a powerful rendition of porters to switch allegiance for the annual fashion walk. this afternoon as his We are scandalized what he has done to multiple and come SONA time would Even the carpet in the Lower memo to the future, in the President is not off the by the magnitude and clap till their fingerprints House is colored red. which he will detail the pro- hook, work-wise. He has one standing ovation. deep-rootedness of corBut if the SONA is not a grams that must be contin- more year to go. He will have The speech is strung with are gone each time the ruption that for decades new leader lambasts the old . fashion runway

of

those ued, and probably warn that, new

Sona promises to keep. carefully placed clap-baits, has robbed our people This could be explained who are constantly running a year from now, though he And miles to go before he the more to cue the assembled of food on their table, faithful on when to roar in by the fact that, except per- for office, then media cover- will ride into the sunset, he sleeps. roof over their heads, blankets to warm their cold nights, a dose of medicine to save their SO lives, a bridge to cross I SEE the river to town, water to irrigate their farms, LITO Martial law changed that. born Eduardo Cojuangco’s wise viewed as “owned” by electricity to light their wrought by the Japanese BANAYO invaders and the American Not only did Ferdinand splinter Nationalist People’s the Villars, there is a reign homes, a classroom A LONG time ago, I heard a liberators, internal rivalries Marcos virtually own the Coalition. Cory’s brother, of consensus-seeking and their children can go to famous musical band leader wracked the NP, as the “lib- country, he fashioned the Peping Cojuangco, along liberality within, unlike the or books they could get say that he “owned” his rock erators” had decided to leave Kilusang Bagong Lipunan with Speaker Monching Mi- NPC where everyone waits knowledge from.

We fear that, if we band. I thought it strange us be, “independent”, as the (KBL) from the NP which tra, revived the martial law for the “boss”.

Which is why the sudden continue with business that he used the word likes of Quezon and the NP made him win as president flag of Laban, and renamed in 1965, and the LP. Very it Laban ng Demokratikong press conference where its as usual, we may regress demanded a decade back. “owned”. few nursed the remnants of Pilipino (LDP). Nene Pi- president, Georgidi Agga- from a fragile to failed Of course, not after deLater I would learn that state.” indeed, using the claim manding their pounds, nay the grand old parties, and mentel nursed his Partido bao of Santiago City, by afTo be fair to the “owned” in referring to a tons of flesh, such as Par- refused to join the KBL. ng Demokratikong Pilipino finity related to the Cojuang- present administration, group was more the com- ity Rights and some ninety Instead, they meekly co- (PDP) and later coalesced cos, declared party support this has been the state mon practice than a fatu- American bases “owned and alesced, until Ninoy Aquino it for 1992 with Jovito Sa- to a Grace-Chiz tandem for of the nation for some ous claim. Someone would controlled’ as territory by was murdered in the tarmac longa’s Liberal Party. Imelda, 2016 was met with quizzi- time now. But what “own” the New York Knicks, the “liberators”. In form at of the international airport fresh from New York, ral- cal eyebrows. Was it with is powerfully declaraor the Dodgers, or whatever. least, the Filipinos will now in the hot and humid after- lied the KBL remnants and the blessings of the “boss”, or tive of this administralaunched her own presiden- was it a Chiz-initiated trial tion’s failure to deliver Just like a franchise. So Don- “own” the Philippines. And noon of August 21, 1983.

These NP and LP rem- tial attempt in 1992. And balloon, or better yet, an at- is the contrast between ald Trump can claim to own because it was “created” in “Miss Universe”, and that the image and likeness of nants eventually forged an Fidel Ramos, smarting from tempt to steal the thunder its avowals of pursuMorley woman from Britain America, we needed “demo- alliance and called it the defeat in the LDP conven- from PNoy’s end-July politi- ing honesty, treadUnited Nationalist Demo- tion he joined, formed Lakas cal anointing of Mar Roxas? ing the narrow path owns “Miss World”. Here in cratic” elections.

The political rivalry with- cratic Organization (UNI- with a core group of just a Or to invoke the metaphysi- of righteousness, and the Philippines, though she never used the word “own”, in the Nacionalista Party be- DO), and elected Salvador handful of elected congress- cal—just to pre-empt the sending the corrupt Chinese ghosts of August, and corrupters to the Stella Marquez Araneta con- tween the taciturn and quiet “Doy” Laurel to head the men and governors. which incidentally, begins slammer. So if Chief Lakas won, and is still opposition against Marcos.

Osmena and the fiery orator trols the Binibining PilipiJustice Puno and his nas, atbp. annual parade of Roxas split the party. Thus, In 1984, less than a year af- around after its defeat in on the 12th, not the first.

The NPs led by Senadora company are “scandalbeauties, once exclusively from NP ribs was born the ter the murder at the tarmac, 2010. Mercifully, nobody ized by the magnitude Filipina, now Filipina-plus Liberal Party, led by Roxas, Marcos called for elections claims to “own” the party, not Cynthia cried foul over a and deep-rootedness of other bloodlines. And so Jose Avelino Sr. of the singu- to the Batasang Pambansa, FVR, not GMA, neither the tabloid-ish banner by a ma- corruption” until today lar Samar, Elpidio Quirino then the unicameral par- self-effacing Martin Romual- jor broadsheet, claiming the (in fact, until only two on, and so forth.

Now let’s go to the politi- of Ilocos, the Atienzas of liament. Of 180 seats, the dez, its current CEO. The NP and the NPC had gone weeks ago!), then one Manila, the Lucmans of La- UNIDO won 59—a third LDP used to be “owned” by overboard to a Grace-Chiz has reason to be skeptical scene.

—despite the authoritar- Senator Edgardo Angara Sr., tandem. “We haven’t even cal about claims to sinBefore martial law and the nao and others.

Left with Osmena in ian hold of Marcos. (It was but it has seen better times consulted with our mem- cerity! proclamation of one-man to support ARDIVILLA rule, we had a two-party sys- the NP were the Laurels of actually 60, based on their after the defeat of Mitra in bers yet on whoCHONG It certainly does tem. There was the Grand Batangas, Amang Rodri- certificates of candidacy, but 1992, and the ouster of Erap in 2016”, the lady fumed. At not help that we will Old Party, the Nacionalista guez of Rizal, the Alontos of one swiftly returned to the with which it had coalesced least the NP is not “owned”. be treated tomorAs for the NPC, “anony- row to the shameless Party, founded by Manuel Lanao, the Romualdezes of KBL right after his procla- in 2001.

But the NPC is otra cosa. mous” congressmen and spectacle of legislaLuis Quezon of Baler, Sergio Leyte, the Aquinos of Tarlac. mation).

Of course Marcos “owned” It has always been viewed as leaders disclaimed Agga- tors and their spouses In the elections preceding Osmena Sr. of Cebu, Jose P. Laurel of Batangas, Manuel the birth of the Third Re- the KBL. And although Ambassador Danding’s polit- bao’s declarations on radio. as if making their way A. Roxas Sr. of Capiz, Jose public on July 4, 1946, Rox- Cory Aquino was “elected” ical hacienda. It is viewed as So the real “boss” has not yet to the Oscar or Emmy Awards, or to some Yulo of Negros and Can- as beat Osmena, who then in the snap elections under an “owned” party by political decided.

And the Liberals? Because glitzy, classy gala -lubang, and many others. It quietly retired in his native the UNIDO, with Doy Lau- observers. These days, with was the most powerful polit- Cebu. The Liberals assumed rel as her vice-president, she the ambassador in semi-re- he is president, PNoy is seen and not to the serious ical party which controlled power and the Nacionalistas junked all political party tirement, his business CEO, as the “owner”. There will be business of listening affiliations after Edsa Uno, Ramon Ang, is likewise ac- no conventions, no consen- to the Chief Execuour politics, and subject to became the opposition.

But nobody then claimed and declared a revolution- tive (albeit sub-rosa) in party sus-taking even. Not even a tive’s report. That is the policy imprimatur of “secret” survey of its now hu- one reason I am not “ownership” of the political ary government (much like affairs. our American pro-consuls, going to flatter Their What about the Naciona- mongous membership base. Insensitive Honors by the Commonwealth govern- parties. Roxas was referred what Rodrigo Duterte keeps to as the “founder” of the LP. warning the porkers in Con- lista Party, which business It will just be the president’s watching them on telement at the time. tycoon Manny Villar res- anointing. And Mar Roxas, vision tomorrow!

After the end of the Pacific Years later, Magsaysay and gress about).

‘OWNERSHIP’

#FAILOCRACY

War, when Sergio Osmena Sr. was busy at reconstructing lives, limb and the little that was left of our economy after the devastation

Garcia’s Senate President, the colorful Amang Rodriguez, was referred to as “Mr. Nacionalista”, but never did he “own” the party.

The UNIDO fell into hard times, and eventually, Laurel resurrected the NP. But even that was wracked with dissension, and from it was

urrected after Doy Laurel’s death in 2004, and built into the strong vehicle he used for the 2010 presidential elections? While it is like-

grandson of the founder of the party, sits nervously while waiting the final word.

What a system. What a country.

rannie_aquino@sanbeda. edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Nadal tries to salvage season HAMBURG—Rafael Nadal heads back to the comfort of clay next week as the struggling Spaniard attempts to resolve the crisis that has gripped his game.

The 29-year-old is top seed at the Hamburg Open but his decision to play a European clay tournament with the US hardcourt season just around the

corner has baffled many.

“It’s obvious that the situation is different,” said Nadal on Saturday.

“I have lost more (this year) than

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in the last 10 or 11 years.”

In a testing 2015, Nadal has seen his world ranking slump to 10—his lowest in a decade—and lose his French Open title where he had been champion nine times.

He has already been defeated 12 times this

year, including just a second career loss at Roland Garros and a second round exit to German journeyman Dustin Brown at Wimbledon.

In 2014, Nadal was beaten just 11 times. He was defeated only seven times in 2013 and lost a mere six matches in the

whole of 2012.

“I need to accept that it is a new situation and face it with a good attitude and keep working hard to return to a good level,” added Nadal.

“I feel good. I don’t have any injuries and that is the important thing.”

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 August 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 March 1-31. Notary Public

Advertising Department

521-8507 (DL); 521-8340 (Fax); 521-4887 loc. 303

(TS-JULY. 27, 2015)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Infra -052- 2015 The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Special Educational Fund52 intends to apply the below listed project w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom School Building =P=5,849,999.13 (I-Hub & Tech-Voc Lab) Limay National High School Brgy. Duale, Limay, Bataan 2. Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom School Building (I-Hub & Tech-Voc Lab) J.C Payumo National High School Brgy. Naparing, Dinalupihan, Bataan =P=5,849,999.13 3. Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom School Building =P=5,849,999.13 (I-Hub & Tech-Voc Lab) Lamao National High School Brgy. Lamao, Limay, Bataan

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Projects. Completion of works is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. 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 non-discretionary 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 open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on July 31, 2015 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered on or before August 13, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule July 24 – July 30, 2015 Refer to date of Opening of Bids July 24 – August 13, 2015 August 03, 2015 August 13, 2015

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

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman (TS-JULY 27, 2015)

Hot-air balloons are seen near Chambley-Bussieres airbase, eastern France on the first day of the international air-balloon meeting “Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons”. AFP

Padiz Jr. sweeps Batang Pinoy U-15 in Malolos City YOUNG badminton sensation Solomon Padiz Jr. reigned supreme in the recent Batang Pinoy 2015 Luzon elimination Under-15 boys’ singles’ badminton championship at the City Walk in Malolos City, Bulacan.

The 14-year-old pride of Santa Rosa City in Laguna and protege of Mayor Arlene Arcillas swept all his seven assignments from the elimination round to finals in dominant fashion, including the drubbing of rival Jason Valenzuela of Team Quezon City in straight sets, 21-8, 21-14, for the gold.

The left-handed Padiz Jr. uncorked his awesome smashing power to catch his rival flatfooted, en route to an easy sailing all the way to the championship via sweep.

“My training camp at the New Vision Badminton Academy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia shouldered by our badminton patron, Mr. Conrado Co of Allied Marikina, proved to be a big factor in uplifting my present level of play. There are still a lot room for improvement, but I’m all set to face the challenges in the game,” said the young Padiz, a student of De La Salle University Integrated School, where his father Solomon Padiz Sr. is the athletic director.

The victory assured the young Padiz a slot in the next edition of the Malaysia Junior Open Purple Badminton League on Aug. 15 to 18, along with country’s topranked player Mark Shielly Alcala.

The stint of Padiz in Santa Rosa was also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Santa Rosa head delegation Mario Zantua.

Olivarez Cup roster swells THE Olivarez Cup Open 2015 roster continues to swell one week before the blueribbon tennis championship is held with hundreds of players from other regions confirming participation in the event firing off July 31 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Four hundred eighty players have so far entered in the juniors category while the centerpiece Open division has lured 300 aces all primed up for a battle royale with the best in the fold for top honors, ranking points and prize money.

“We are humbled and inspired by the response of the players, especially those coming from the far-flung provinces who are all raring to pit their talent and skills against the best in the Big City,” said Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Registration is ongoing with deadline set tomorrow (Monday, July 26). For details, call tournament-in-charge/director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

With Palawan Pawnshop as chief backer and the Dunlop AllClay Court as the official ball, the Olivarez Cup also features the juniors age-group, inter-collegiate, interclub and the centerpiece men’s and women’s Open singles and doubles events.

“Through the years, it has been the commitment of Palawan Pawnshop to develop our players by providing top-notch tournaments like this,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

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Philracom to closely monitor 3 race tracks THE Philippine Racing Commission is closely monitoring the country’s three horseracing tracks for their compliance with established protocols in a strict enforcement of rules and policies on facility maintenance.

The Commission, led by Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, asked Manila Jockey Club, Philippine Racing Club, and Metro Manila Turf Club to submit their manuals of racetrack and totalizator maintenance.

A horseracing pari-mutuel totalizator system computes and shows the total number and amounts of bets and corresponding payouts. Racetrack maintenance methods include watering, harrowing, ripping and grading, and using an iron float to seal the track surface to minimize the seepage of water especially during the rainy season.

In two separate letters to the clubs, Philracom said the manuals will be used as references “for the technical evaluation of [their] system maintenance procedures” and, with regard to track composition and specifications, to “possibly come up with accepted industry standards.”

“We need to be vigilant and firm in monitoring proper maintenance,” said Sanchez, “to address the issues of excessive delays in the start of races and low betting turnover caused by technical and trackrelated problems.”

Philracom’s PR (Philippine racing rule) 3 requires racing clubs to provide “(a) [an] adequate and well-maintained racetrack and grandstand…”, (e) a totalizator system with linked computers and adequate betting terminals…” and other facilities including a starting gate, photo-finish devices, and other equipment necessary for the proper and safe conduct of races.

Breakaway. Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (right), wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, Spain’s Alejandro Valverde (center), and Colombia’s Nairo Quintana, wearing the best young’s white jersey, ride in a breakaway during the 110,5 km twentieth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Modane Valfrejus and Alpe d’Huez, French Alps. Froome said he felt like he was “dying a thousand deaths” on the final climb to Alpe d’Huez as he all but secured a second Tour de France victory on Saturday. AFP

Viloria destroys Soto in 1 round; eyes Gonzalez next st

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER two-division world champion Brian Viloria crushed Omar “Lobito” Soto right in the first round at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California on Sunday (Manila time).

Viloria erased any doubts that marked their first encounter when he escaped with a 10-round split decision at the Ynares Center in Manila on July 10, 2010, as he ripped into Soto and sent him crashing to the canvas three times in the very first round, in one of his most devastating performances in recent years.

“Soto didn’t touch me,” Viloria said. “I’ve been on a roll and want to continue.”

Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn, who treats the Fil-Hawaiian like a son, was ecstatic.

In an overseas telephone conversation with The Standard/boxingmirror.com, he said: “The old Brian is back. He looked sensational!”

He recalled that celebrated trainer Freddie Roach, who was in his corner, told him Viloria was very intense when warming up on the punch-mitts in the dressing room.

“His punches were really crisp.

There’s something special,” Gittelsohn said.

It was surely special according to Filipino trainer Marvin Somodio, who returned to Los Angeles from

the Philippines a couple of days before the fight.

“Brian showed very good movement and was very active from the opening bell. He set up Soto with his left jab and then followed up with left hooks to the body,” said Somodio.

After the third knockdown, caused by a vicious left hook, referee Zac Young decided he had seen enough and called a halt at 2:02 in the very first round, pushing Viloria’s record to 36-4, with 21 knockouts, while Soto dropped to 23-12-2, with 7 knockouts.

With the smashing win, Viloria grabbed the World Boxing Council Fecarbox flyweight title.

Gittlesohn told The Standard he is going to do everything in his power to get a fight against undefeated pound for pound No. 2-ranked Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua in a

ABS-CBN brings Duel in Dubai 2 WITH the major success of the first “Duel in Dubai” last September, 2014, and with the overwhelming support from overseas Filipinos in the Middle East, The Filipino Channel, together with ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports + Action are set to bring another historical boxing match via “Pinoy Pride XXXII: Duel in Dubai 2” on Aug. 7 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

ABS-CBN Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Kai Rodriguez shares the excitement with the all the kabayans in the Middle East as they support Filipino great-

ness in boxing. “TFC and ABS-CBN Sports + Action continue to provide our OFs with only the best in content, including the biggest sporting events. ‘Duel in Dubai 2’ is our answer for all our kababayans in the Middle Eastm who have been waiting for another run of the series,” Rodriguez said. “I believe that ‘Duel in Dubai 2’ will gain twice the support from last year’s successful line-up because kabayans continue to believe in the fighting spirit and the greatness or the ‘galing ng Filipino.’”

ALA Promotions International president and Chief

Executive Officer Michael Aldeguer said that the decision in bringing another epic boxing event in Dubai is based on the tremendous support that they received during the first run of “Duel in Dubai” last September.

The surefire hit and historical “Duel in Dubai 2” will feature no less than the best Filipino boxers in a poundfor-pound epic battle to defend their belts against fighters from different regions in the world. The Filipino fighters who are set to give their all in the boxed ring include Jason “El Niño” Pagara (with a record of 35 wins and two losses), Jimrex “Executioner”

Jaca (39-8-4), and Jason’s younger brother and undefeated fighter “Prince” Albert Pagara (23-0).

Headlining the main event match against the Pinoys is Jesus “Chito” Rios of Mexico for the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental Jr. Featherweight championship bout.

For ticket reservations, visit www.tickets.virginmegastore.me and www.ticketmaster.ae or call +971 55 602 5509 or +971 4 390 2180.

Boxing fans can also catch the match via TFC Pay-PerView worldwide. For more updates, visit www.facebook. com/TFCMiddleEast.

co-feature on an HBO pay-per-view card at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17.

The manager said he would talk to HBO and initiate conversations with Gonzalez’s handlers including Japan’s businessman-sports Akihiko Honda on Monday.

“I’d like to make that fight happen. Gonzalez has been avoiding us for two years. He cannot any longer,” said Gittelsohn.

Viloria himself discussed a Gonzalez fight with Roach.

“If we train right, I can take him,” said Viloria, who won the World Boxing Organization/World Boxing Association flyweight titles on Nov. 17, 2012, when he scored a 10thround TKO over Mexico’s Hernan “Tyson” Marquez, but lost the belts when he dropped a split decision to Juan Franciso Estrada on April 6, 2013 in Macau.

Fuentes wins comeback fight FORMER world champion Moises Fuentes, who lost by a crushing ninth-round technical knockout to World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 10, 2014, has made a strong comeback against another former world champion Oswaldo Novoa.

Fuentes won by a sixth-round knockout to grab the vacant WBO North American Boxing Organization flyweight crown.

He dropped Novoa in the opening round, but was penalized a point for a low blow in Round 6, which appeared to anger him as Fuentes retaliated with a vicious a body shot that dropped Novoa, who failed to beat the count.

The time was 2:02 of the round.

With the win, Fuentes improved to 22-2-1, with 12 knockouts, while Novoa dropped to 14-6-2 with 9 knockouts. Ronnie Nathanielsz

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Lady Maroons boost bid for quarterfinals UNIVERSITY of the Philippines bounced back strong from an opening set setback and peppered University of Batangas’ defense with a barrage of hits, scoring a 24-26, 25-19, 25-19, 25-20 victory and shoring up its quarterfinal drive in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Cha Cruz (lef t) hugs teammate mic l abor te af ter they won over Foton . Roman PRoSPERo

Adjusting to the Lady Brahmans’ style of play, the Lady Maroons rammed in kills on quick sets and combination plays behind playmaker Hannah

Lai—spikes that either pierced through the UB blockers or landed on unguarded spots in the middle and back row.

The Lady Maroons finished with 68 attacks,

nearly doubling their rivals’ 37-spike effort, and their one-hour, 28-minute victory kept them in step with the National U Lady Bulldogs and the Arellano Lady Chiefs at 2-1 in the race to the quarters in the midseason offering of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and presented

by PLDT Home Ultera.

Far Eastern U shows the way in Group A with a 3-0 mark, capped by its 25-16, 25-14, 25-14 demolition of Polytechnic University of the Philippines last Saturday.

Gilligan’s pulls off 3-set win over Petron Sprint

By Peter Atencio GILLIGAN’S Danika Gendrauli and Jane Diaz fought off Petron Sprint 4T’s Fille Cainglet and Alexa Micek, 18-21, 21-17, 15-9, in a thrilling three-setter to catch the last ticket to the quarterfinal round of the the PLDT Home Ultera-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup 2015 on Sat-

urday night at the Sands By the Bay in SM Mall of Asia.

The two former collegiate standouts came up with six straight points in the final set. This gave them the upperhand, and an opportunity to join early Pool D qualifier, Bea Tan and Pau Soriano of Foton Hurricane.

Diaz, a former collegiate spiker for University of Perpetual Help,

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION SAN MIGUEL AVENUE, PASIG CITY

led the attack with a drop shot, before Gendrauli dished out three aces, with her serves sailing past Micek’s right side.

With the Petron duo keeping the scores close, the Sisig Queens were able to take a 12-5 advantage in the ensuing play in their windswept, 4-team Pool D encounter.

“Tiyaga lang. Target namin iyung

right side ni Micek, dahil si Fille ay may laro,” said Gendrauli, a former varsity player from Southwestern University.

They finished with the same 2-1 win-loss card with Tan and Soriano, who took the top spot in their bracket on a winner-over-the-other record following a 21-18, 18-21, 12-15 which Gendrauli and Diaz absorbed.

Honorable Commission’s Guidelines and TRANSCO’s Guidelines on the Sale of Subtransmission Assets.

18.

The approval by this Honorable Commission of the instant Joint Application shall pave the way for the attainment of a reformed electricity industry under the EPIRA, which would ultimately best serve the interest of the consuming public.

PRAYER

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF VARIOUS SUB-TRANSMISSION LINES/ ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) TO ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO II), AS COVERED BY AN AMENDED LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (LPA) DATED 20 MAY 2015

WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that the instant application for the approval of the sale of TRANSCO’s sub-transmission assets in favor of Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc. under the terms provided in the Amended Lease Purchase Agreement dated 20 May 2015, be APPROVED. Applicants also pray for other just and equitable relief.

Quezon City and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, for Pasig City, 05 June 2015.

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) AND ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO II), Applicants. x--------------------------------------------------------------------x

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City ERC CASE No. 2015- ____ RC

By: (SGD.) NOEL Z. DE LEON General Counsel IBP No. 0982761, 01-09-15, Quezon City Roll No. 36660 MCLE Compliance IV- 0017953, 26 April 2013

JOINT APPLICATION Applicants, NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) and ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO II), through their respective counsels, and to this Honorable Commission respectfully aver that: 1.

TRANSCO is a government-owned and controlled corporation created and existing by virtue of R.A. No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at the TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

(SGD.) LEON T. TAPEL, JR. Deputy Legal Counsel IBP 0995329, 02-02-15, Pasig City Roll No. 34555 MCLE Compliance IV-0012123, 30 January 2013

2.

ISELCO II is an electric cooperative (EC) duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at the Government Center, Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines.

(SGD.) NYERSON DEXTER TITO Q. TUALLA Manager, Legal Counseling Department IBP 07135 (Lifetime), Quezon City Roll No. 52294 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0005200, 22 March 2012

3. By virtue of Section 8 of the EPIRA, TRANSCO assumed the electrical transmission functions of the National Power Corporation, and the responsibility of the latter for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnections and ancillary services.

4.

Section 8 of the EPIRA and Rule 6, Section 8 (e) of the EPIRA’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) also mandate the segregation of the transmission and sub-transmission functions and assets for transparency and disposal, and authorize TRANSCO to negotiate for, and to transfer such sub-transmission assets (STAs) and facilities to qualified distribution utilities (DUs).

(SGD.) SOLEDAD T. DE LA VEGA-CABANGIS Corporate Attorney III Roll of Attorneys No. 45797, 05.24.01 IBP No. 825514 (Lifetime), 04.23.10, Bulacan MCLE Compliance No. V-0004031, effective until 14 April 2019.

5.

Pursuant thereto, this Honorable Commission promulgated the “Guidelines on the Sale and Transfer of the TRANSCO’s Subtransmission Assets and the Franchising of Qualified Consortiums” (ERC Guidelines) dated 17 October 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 3, Series of 2005 dated 17 March 2005 which set forth among others, the standards to distinguish TRANSCO’s transmission assets from its sub-transmission assets and establish the approval process prior to the final sale and transfer of STAs to DUs.

VERIFICATION and CERTIFICATION of NON-FORUM SHOPPING

6.

Consistent with the ERC Guidelines, TRANSCO adopted its own Guidelines on the Sale of Subtransmission Assets (“TRANSCO Guidelines”) [Annex “A”] as approved by TRANSCO Board Resolution No. TC-2003-067 dated 28 November 2003 [Annex “A-1”], as further amended by TRANSCO Board Resolution No.TC-2004-009 dated 16 March 2004 [Annex “A-2”].

I, ROLANDO T. BACANI, of legal age, married, and with principal office address at the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO), TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state, that:

7.

On 16 July 2011, this Honorable Commission issued Resolution No. 15, Series of 2011 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Amended Rules for the Approval of the Sale and Transfer of TRANSCO’s Subtransmission Assets and the Acquisition by Qualified Consortiums.”

1.

I am TRANSCO’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is authorized to represent it in this Joint Application as per the attached relevant section of TRANSCO’s Manual of Approvals (Annex “N”);

8.

In accordance with the aforesaid ERC Guidelines, and based on a thorough evaluation conducted by TRANSCO, it was determined that the following are sub-transmission assets: a. b. c. d.

Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line; Tuguegarao-Cabagan 69 kV line; Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line; and, Ilagan substation.

Copies of the Report regarding the nature of the assets, List of STAs for sale to ISELCO II and the Single line diagram are attached as Annexes “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively.

9.

TRANSCO has clearly established that ISELCO II meets the financial capability criteria under Article IV of the ERC Guidelines in acquiring, operating, maintaining, upgrading and expanding the said STAs. Attached are copies of the Financial Qualification Evaluation [Annex “E”] and Audited Financial Statements of ISELCO II as of 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013 [Annex “F”].

10.

TRANSCO has likewise established that ISELCO II meets the minimum technical qualifications of an EC as set for under the ERC and TRANSCO Guidelines. Attached is a copy of the Technical Qualification Evaluation of ISELCO II [Annex “G”].

11.

ISELCO II is the only qualified EC that is directly connected to the subject assets, as evidenced by the attached List of Connected Distribution Utilities [Annex “H”].

12. On 15 February 2013, the ISELCO II Board of Directors issued Resolution No. 2013-016 [Annex “I”] relative to the desired acquisition.

13.

On 29 March 2011, TRANSCO and ISELCO II concluded a Lease Purchase Agreement [Annex “J”] covering the subject sub-transmission assets amounting to Ninety Eight Million Six Hundred Forty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Two and Seventy Five Centavos, Philippine Currency (PhP98,646,752.75), plus interest thereon, which ISELCO II shall pay in two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments.

14.

On 20 May 2015, TRANSCO and ISELCO II executed an Amended Lease Purchase Agreement [Annex “J-1”], as follows: a.

The Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line is priced at Nine Million One Hundred Thirty Four Thousand One Hundred Ninety Four and 73/100, Philippine currency (PhP9,134,194.73) owing to the NGCP-verified decrease of the line segment from that of 31.83 kilometers to that of 18.58 kilometers;

b.

The Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line segment shall amount to Three Million Five Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy One and 22/100, Philippine currency (PhP3,557,971.22), owing to the NGCP-verified increase of the line segment from that of 9.69 kilometers to that of 14.85 kilometers; and,

c.

There shall be an imposition of a twelve percent value-added tax (12%) on the cost of sub-transmission assets and on the interest thereon, pursuant to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Memorandum Circular No. 66-2013 dated 30 September 2013, and Revenue Regulation No. 04-2007 dated 07 February 2007, respectively.

15.

With the above changes, the subject sub-transmission assets are presently valued at Ninety Three Million Seventy Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Nine and 25/100, Philippine currency (PhP93,070,529.25), net of adjustments and deductions, as per the Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) valuation (Annex “K”) pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 01, Series of 2009, as amended.

2.

I have caused the preparation of the instant Joint Application and read the contents thereof, and I attest that the allegations herein contained are true and correct based on my personal knowledge and on authentic records; 3.

TRANSCO has not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein; and 4.

Should I hereinafter learn that the same or a similar action or claim has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency, I shall report said fact within five (5) days from discovery thereof to this Honorable Commission.

(SGD.) ROLANDO T. BACANI Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 16th day of June, 2015 at Quezon City. Affiant who is personally known to me, exhibited to me his TRANSCO I.D. No. 00011-9 issued at Quezon City on ________________ as competent evidence of identity.

Doc. No. 113; Page No. 24; Book No. II; Series of 2015.

17.

Draft of the Deed of Absolute Sale [Annex “L”]; and, Franchise Description [Annex “M”].

The proposed sale has satisfied all of the requirements and criteria set by the EPIRA and its IRR, as well as this

VERIFICATION and CERTIFICATION of NON-FORUM SHOPPING

I, WALFRIDO G. BINAG, of legal age, Filipino, and with office address at ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO II), Government Center, Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines, after having been duly sworn in accordance with law, do hereby depose and state that: 1.

I am the Board President of ISELCO II who is duly authorized to represent it in the above-entitled case, as evidenced by the attached ISELCO II Board Resolution (Annex “O”);.

2.

I have caused the preparation of the instant Joint Application and read the contents thereof, and I attest that the allegations herein contained are true and correct based on my personal knowledge and on authentic records of ISELCO II. 3.

ISELCO II has not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency and, to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or claim is pending therein; and, 4.

Should I hereinafter learn that the same or a similar action or claim has been filed or is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any court, tribunal, or quasi-judicial agency, I shall report said fact within five (5) days from discovery thereof to this Honorable Commission.

(SGD.) WALFRIDO G. BINAG Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 9 day of July, 2015 at Quezon City. Affiant who is personally known to me, exhibited to me her valid I.D. No. 811-95-001669 issued at Isabela on ____________________, as competent evidence of identity. th

16.

Finally, applicants also respectfully submit the following documents in compliance with the Honorable Commission’s requirements: a. b.

NOTARY PUBLIC NYERSON DEXTER TITO Q. TUALLA

Doc. No. 155; Page No.32; Book No.II; Series of 2015.

NOTARY PUBLIC NYERSON DEXTER TITO Q. TUALLA

(TS-JUL. 27, 2015)

“After we dropped the first set, coach (Jerry Yee) told us to relax, We were a bit tight and they (Lady Brahmans) were loading up their serves,” said Isabel Molde, who spearheaded the Lady Maroons’ fightback with a cluster of kills en route to a 21-hit game.

Justine Dorog, a product of the Shakey’s Girls Volley League, delivered 18 attacks while Marian Buitre added 10 and Maristela Layug chipped in six markers for the Diliman-based squad priming up for the UAAP wars.

Ateneo, UP eye ‘Turf’ lead Games today 1 p.m. – EAC vs Mapua 3 p.m. – FEU vs UE 5 p.m. – UP vs Ateneo

UNIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Ateneo tests University of the Philippines’ mettle as they clash for the Group B lead today, while National Collegiate Athletic Association titlist Emilio Aguinaldo College seeks to move on top of Group A against winless Mapua in the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Eagles toppled the two La Salle teams in the first two weeks of the first-ever men’s inter-collegiate tournament presented by PLDT Home Ultera, beating the Taft-based squad in four last July 15 and then sweeping the other squad from Dasmariñas, Cavite to seize control of their division.

But the Maroons matched that 2-0 start with a pair of 3-1 romps over Arellano and St. Benilde, making the 5 p.m. clash of the Katipunan-based squads a match to watch.

But Ateneo seems to have the edge – in manpower and experience – with coach Oliver Almadro boasting of talents in reigning UAAP MVP Marck Espejo. Ishmael Rivera, Rex Intal, Ysrael Marasigan, Ron Medalla, Paul Koyfman, Joshua Villanueva and setter Joner Polvorosa and liberos Dan Posadas and Manuel Sumanguid III. But UP mentor Melchor Santos and his Maroons are out to spring a surprise the way they did against the Chiefs and the Blazers. Skipper Alfred Valbuena spearheads the gritty UP side that also includes the crisp-hitting Julius Raymundo, John Millete, Wendel Medel, Gian San Pascualm, John Madrigalejos, playmaker Charles Acuna, liberos Victor Luna and John Nasol.

M O N DAY : J ULY 2 7 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

MVP and his take on PH-China ‘war’ W H E N I first heard the question that was thrown at basketball head Manny V. Pangilinan and had something to do with the China-Philippines islands dispute, I instantly wanted to frown at the query.

True, Thursday’s roundtable discussion was about a specific ‘war’ involving China and the Philippines, but it was not something that can potentially force both nations to obliterate each other.

Both China and the Philippines are in a hotly contested battle to get FIBA’s blessing when it comes to hosting the 2019 FIBA World Cup. But, in looking back at what transpired during Pangilinan’s tete-a-tete with sports media Thursday morning at his Meralco office, there was actually a need to throw in the question and get a crucial answer.

After all, Pangilinan himself revealed that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country’s governing body, which he heads, had a meeting with government officials to discuss the bid to host basketball’s biggest international event.

“A number of people there are basketball fans. It was not a difficult presentation. The message of being able to host such a great event here on our shores really resonated well on the officials. That’s also important from the bid prospective,” said Pangilinan. “I must say we in the basketball community, through the SBP, is grateful for the support of the government.

They stand behind the effort.”

On his way out of the room, Pangilinan took one last time to answer one more question and this was about the how the ongoing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China could affect FIBA’s decision to choose the winning bidder.

It helped me to easily understand the direction of the query when it was Gerry Ramos, a respected and adept sportswriter, who is now with Spin.ph, who asked the focal question.

Pangilinan’s answer was very simple and is probably needed to make everyone focus on the sports aspect of this issue.

“FIBA is not a political organization. It’s something that we should not raise. Whether it’s Philippines or China, this is a sporting event,” said Pangilinan.

It was an answer that everyone must comprehend, especially to those social mediasavvy people who find time in talking about the FIBA bid issue online.

It is an important issue that must not affect our hosting bid, noting that most Filipinos on social media tend to incorporate the subject on the disputed islands whenever there are issues between the two countries, be it in sports or entertainment.

Social media’s influence on this matter was actually the main reason why Pangilinan’s group gathered the media last week.

Also meeting the press were international consultants Sean Nicholls and Ian Rumsby, both considered by Pangilinan as “very experienced in handling bids of international dimensions”.

Rumsby underscored the power of social media and how Filipinos, using that tool, could persuade FIBA in seriously considering the Philippines as a potential host.

“It’s important for the FIBA World Cup. Yes, the Philippines is acknowledged and recognized as the social media capital of the world. We’re bringing a very powerful means of telling basketball story globally, not just in the nation,” said Rumsby.

Nicholls, as expected, agreed with Rumsby and is hopeful that Filipinos’ social media time will be spent well by joining the effort to win the bid.

“A FIBA World Cup in the Philippines will create noise, energy, buzz, attention that will flow out and create ripples around the world,” said Nicholls “It will bring a unique experience. Something that will touch the heart of everybody who will be here.”

The Philippines and China will face the 23-man FIBA Central Board next month and make their respective final presentations to convince the sport’s world governing body about their ability to host the event.

The presentation as well as the announcement of the winning bidder will happen on the same day, Aug. 7, in Tokyo, Japan.

SMB’s Reid, Alaska’s Travis want another tour of duty

By Jeric Lopez

THE Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup and 40th season had just concluded, but two of the league’s best imports already expressed their desire to come back next season.

Governors’ Cup Best Import Romeo Travis and two-time former Best Import Arizona Reid, who faced each other in the season finale, are both keen on returning next year to their respective squads to further enhance their legacies in the league.

Initially, Reid, who finally got his first championship after four years and five campaigns after leading San Miguel Beer to the season-ending conference crown, said that the past Governors’ Cup will be his last.

He said he will retire to spend more time with his family.

But after the clamor of the Beermen management, players and fans for him to come back next year to try and win it all again, the prolific long-haired reinforcement didn’t hesitate to reconsider his initial decision. He is singing a different tune now and wants to return for another tour of duty for San Miguel.

Even San Miguel Corporation big boss Ramon S. Ang (RSA)

personally requested for Reid to reconsider his retirement plan. ‘’Boss RSA talked to me. He said he wanted me back, so I’ll be back. He made the decision for me and of course, I’ll follow that.

That means I’ll be back next season. I’m so thankful for all these opportunities given to me,’’ said Reid. ‘’A lot of fans also want me to come back. I felt like my teammates want me to come back.’’

He then went on by sharing that winning really changes everything and make things even better. That’s one of the reasons why he opted to continue with his career in the PBA. ‘’Everybody’s happy. When you’re winning, everything is good.

Hopefully, when I come back, we can continue to win. I won’t mind

having another championship,’’ said the resident import, who’s been with the PBA since 2011.

While Reid wants another crown with San Miguel, Travis wants to steal it from him next year after he and his Aces ended the season in disappointment.

For Travis, he would love to come back and help Alaska win next year. He felt that he played sub-par in the finals of the Governors’ Cup against San Miguel and simply wants redemption. ‘’I could’ve given and contributed more to our team in the Finals.

It was tough that we didn’t win it (championship). I definitely want to come back next year if I’ll get invited. Hopefully, we can finish the job,’’ said Travis, who was a perfect fit for Alaska’s system.

Pro league MVP. San Miguel Beer superstar June Mar Fajardo raises his plaque after being named Philippine Basketball Association

Press Corps-Holcim Finals Most Valuable Player in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup title series won by the Beermen via a sweep of the Alaska Aces. The league’s back-to-back MVP is shown here with (from left) Holcim Commercial Committee representatives Benjie de Guzman and Evangeline Yu and PBA Press Corps treasurer Richard Dy of Philstar.com and vice president Gerry Ramos of Spin.ph.

Panique, Raterta find little trouble winning Milo race

By Peter Atencio THERE was little challenge for Eric Panique and the come-backing Luisa Raterta when they took the men’s and women’s crowns of the 39th National Milo Marathon’s Metro Manila eliminations.

They waited patiently before conquering the minor obstacles that came their way in reaching the finish line at the Seaside Drive of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The 32-year-old Panique, seventh-place overall in the national finals last year, picked up the pace in the last eight kilometers, and finally overtook a struggling Mario Maglinao in the last two kilometers to top the men’s action in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 44 seconds.

Raterta, who missed last year’s edition after going down with the flu on the week of the race, led from start to finish to dominate the women’s side in 3:10.36.

Panique, a bronze medallist in the 2013 Southeast Asian

Games, said the absence of strong runners like Eduardo Buenavista and Rafael Poliquit, allowed him to keep a relaxed pacing and enjoy the race for his second National Capital Region Milo title since 2013.

“Run to win lang ako. Alam kong walang malakas kagaya ni Buenavista at Poliquit. Hinayaan ko na muna si Maglinao,” said Panique, who was more than seven minutes slower than his clocking in the Myanmar SEA Games.

Maglinao, who works as a sales assistant, slowed down upon reaching the last three kilometers in Macapagal Ave. when he felt pain because of stomach cramps. He just let Panique, who won the top purse of P50,000 with Raterta, pass him by. Maglinao, however, still had enough strength to take second spot in 2:39.47.

Rene Desuyo and Eugene Postrado were third and fourth in 2:45.57 and in 2:48.09, respectively, while Carlito Fantilaga, Joseph

Somera and Argel Mendoza took sixth to the seventh places, and still made it to the national finals on Dec. 6 in Angeles, Pampanga.

The qualifiers for the national finals will not only get a chance to win the top prize of P300,000 and P150,000 in the men’s and women’s division, respectively, they will also have a chance to represent the country in an allexpense paid stint to the 2016 Boston Marathon.

Raterta, who was second in the local category in the nationals two years ago, said she got confused with the U-turns used along the Buendia because of ongoing road repairs and had to slow down.

“All the way leading ako. Ang challenge lang dun iyung mga pasikut-sikot sa ruta. Maraming paliko. Last year, dalawang balikan lang,” said the Sta. Rosa, Laguna-based Raterta.

Criselyn Jaro settled for second behind Raterta (3:25.03), followed by April Rose Diaz

(3:34.02), Rowena Ba-A(3:39.43) and Gella Mayang (3:50.86).

Gregg Vincent Osorio ruled the men’s 21km action in 1:14.13, while lawyer Victorina Calma claimed the women’s honors (1:46.47).

Kenyan Eliud Kipsang topped the men’s 10km event, while Jhnanine Mansueto prevailed in the distaff side.

Organizers, led by Milo sports exec Andrew Neri, said they are happy with the turnout, which reached 34,115, with a big number of 25,890 showing up for the 5-km competition, and 2,580 signing up for the 42-km event.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-0

P16M

3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

MONDAY: JULY 27, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

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Cebuana-Pioneer partnership. Two of the country’s leaders in micro-insurance, Cebuana Lhuillier and Pioneer Insurance, formed a partnership in a bid to expand the number of the Filipinos covered by insurance. Shown during the ceremonial toast at Makati Shangri-La Hotel on July 24 are (from left) Pioneer first vice president and micro-insurance head Geric Laude, Pioneer Life president and retail organization head Lorenzo Chan Jr., Pioneer Insurance president and chief executive David Coyukiat, Cebuana Lhuillier chairman and Ambassador Philippe Jones Lhuillier, PJ Lhuillier Inc. president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions general manager Jonathan Batangan.

MANNY PALMERO

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 24, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,665.52 12.30

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JULY 24, 2015 42

P45.490

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P45.405 LOW P45.500 AVERAGE P45.466 VOLUME 644.700M

P475.00-P675.00 LPG/11-kg tank P40.55-P46.70 Unleaded Gasoline P27.90-P31.15 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, July 24, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.3490

Japan

Yen

0.008074

0.3661

UK

Pound

1.551700

70.3680

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129021

5.8510

Switzerland

Franc

1.041233

47.2189

Canada

Dollar

0.766989

34.7822

Singapore

Dollar

0.730887

33.1450

Australia

Dollar

0.738007

33.4679

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652238

120.2763

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.0924

Brunei

Dollar

0.728226

33.0243

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.028780

1.3051

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.3466

Euro

Euro

1.099100

49.8431

Korea

Won

0.000862

0.0391

China

Yuan

0.161044

7.3032

India

Rupee

0.015663

0.7103

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.262812

11.9183

New Zealand

Dollar

0.664319

30.1262

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032013

1.4518 Source: PDS Bridge

Govt may extend toll road contracts

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Toll Regulatory Board is studying the possibility of extending the contracts of toll road operators, following the government’s failure to approve their petition for higher charges.

TRB executive director Edmund Reyes said extending the concession period was an option being considered as a compromise with

the operators of North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Cavite Expressway and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road.

“There are options available, so we have to study. The most important is the legal basis. We’ll wait for the decision of the board. It’s relatively a novel way of approaching it under our circumstances,” TRB executive director Edmund Reyes told reporters.

“Hopefully, we’ll decide how to move forward and provide as many options as possible,” Reyes said, adding that toll hike was a contractual obligation of

Electronics firms reduce export goal

By Othel V. Campos THE electronics and semiconductor industry expects a slower exports growth of 3 percent to five percent in 2015 due to the softening global demand from the world’s biggest electronics consumers.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc. said the expansion target was lower than the initial forecast of 5 percent to 7 percent growth in the earlier part of 2015.

“There is demand softening driven by events on China, Japan and the European Union association president Dan Lachica said over the weekend.

Electronic exports grew 8 percent to $23.54 billion in 2014 from $21.8 billion in 2013 and $22.7 billion in 2012.

Lachica said the expanded

B3

agreement on Information Technology Agreement (ITA)-2 of the World Trade Organization would help boost the country’s electronics exports.

“The WTO ITA would lower trade barriers among the signatory countries, lower cost, and enhance competitiveness. The ITA impact on electronics is not as big compared to other goods,” Lachica said.

In July 24, 2015, about 80 economies that are signatories to ITA-2 finalized the agreement that relaxed and lifted tariff restrictions on $1 trillion worth of electronic parts and products being traded globally.

The agreement expanded the scope of products that will benefit from the lifting of tariffs, ranging from educational electronic toys for children to advanced medical

SMDC launches 8,000 condo units

equipment like optical and ultrasonic apparatuses to mono-component integrated circuits.

Starting September 2015, signatories to the agreement will gather to consult on tariff concessions.

The Philippines is a major exporter in Southeast Asia.

The biggest electronics exporters in the Philippines are Texas Instruments (Philippine) Inc. and Phoenix Semiconductors Philippines Corp., a unit of Korea’s Samsung Electronics.

Philippine exporters expect that once the agreement comes to full force, it will bring about a turnaround in the electronics sector and buoy up the country’s total merchandise shipments.

Philippine exports are largely hinged on the growth of the electronics industry that comprise about 40 percent.

B5

the government.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said one option was to pay the company whatever it used to improve the road.

“So it will not have an impact on the tariff. In effect, it will be handled by the national government,” he said.

Manila North Tollways Corp. president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said there was no specific proposal yet from the government.

“We prefer toll rate increase since we need cash now to fund repair and maintenance work,” Franco said.

MNTC, the operator of North Luzon Expressway in September last year filed a petition with TRB for the bi-annual toll adjustment that was supposed to fall due on Jan. 1, 2015 as provided for under its concession.

Its new petition is in addition to the pending petition the company filed in 2012 for the toll hike scheduled in January 2013. This would bring the cumulative toll adjustment to 15 percent, of which 12 percent is long overdue.

Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. also proposed a toll hike for Class 1 vehicles to P27 from P22; Class 2 vehicles to P54 from P44; and Class 3 vehicles to P81 from P66.

The company said the periodic toll rate adjustment was a contractual right to which the toll operator was entitled under the toll operation agreement.

Customs to mark all crude products

MONDAY: JULY 27, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

JULY 20-24, 2015 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

4.7 72.3 104.90 96.55 45.7 2.52 1.55 10.08 16.16 20.25 6.50 0.68 1.80 815.00 0.415 90.35 0.98 18.54 26.00 63.15 89.8 315.4 38.4 149.7 1465.00 61.00 3.26

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medellin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp.

Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

45 1.38 1.03 1.92 10.3 50.6 91.40 18.38 26.2 56.5 2.61 1.55 12.24 20.500 8.90 7.70 9.80 1.78 14.56 27.3 81.3 13.32 13.90 6.14 0.500 192.00 10.74 30.00 2.06 2.57 24.9 25.4 5.86 294.80 3.90 4.65 8.10 11.90 3.38 2.41 3.49 4.35 1.93 5.75 163 1.76 0.148 1.29 2.10 191.5 4.35 0.69 23.50 1.16

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Transgrid Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.475 57.7500 23.50 1.22 6.84 0.260 0.255 787 7.81 12.60 3.1 3.1 4.30 0.202 1410 6.48 73.00 3.98 4.99 7.23 0.67 14.98 0.6 4.8 7.8 3.15 0.0300 1.300 2.070 2.74 58.85 2.55 910.00 1.20 0.71 170.00 77.000 0.3200 0.2000 0.275

8990 HLDG Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `B’ Centennial City City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

7.790 7.77 0.72 1.220 0.240 38.90 3.7 5.06 6.48 0.84 1.06 1.06 0.134 0.430

Value

FINANCIAL 2,698,234.00 5,372,203.50 8,318,988,632.00 497,701,177.00 12,670,695.00 78,190.00 637,460.00 3,024.00 5,094,714.00 36,525,205.00 32,756 2,497,160 148,360.00 1,850,100.00 219,000.00 678,158,657.50 844,170.00 17,563,766.00 346,430.00 22,919,062.50 2,073,634.50 16,619,108.00 65,051,255.00 491,736,569.00 365,550.00 13,734,415.50 481,620.00 INDUSTRIAL 7,320,500 325,653,810.00 90,000 122,890.00 1,412,000 1,451,930.00 2,909,000 5,578,500.00 62,700 629,852.00 120 6,022.00 10 914.00 865,300 15,829,724.00 1,187,900 31,150,175.00 365,340 20,855,403.00 24,645,000 64,337,910.00 2,035,000 3,156,500.00 486,700 6,030,806.00 13,833,800 288,730,620.00 17,507,300 156,852,358.00 43,333,200 329,593,470.00 1,824,100 17,908,698.00 92,000 157,030.00 218,700 3,076,516.00 19,677,700 532,856,905.00 1,012,520 82,406,483.50 48,000 639,406.00 840,900 11,274,460.00 1,858,200 11,220,774.00 51,000 25,500.00 4,550,030 864,346,682.00 2,634,400 28,150,090.00 600 18,000.00 12,000 24,800.00 70,000 202,860.00 3,029,300 75,539,200.00 397,700 10,089,045.00 990,300 5,750,212.00 1,147,840 337,180,048.00 30,000 117,010.00 3,417,000 16,348,000.00 12,272,900 100,504,563.00 10,200 121,380.00 2,061,000 6,843,630.00 8,346,000 20,416,370.00 19,350,000 62,638,330.00 31,981,000 133,625,110.00 70,000 129,300.00 91,900 534,549.00 13,530 2,231,836.00 488,000 849,270.00 19,090,000 2,868,330.00 30,000 38,800.00 11,207,000 23,753,650.00 11,603,450 2,147,435,542.00 20,000 85,500.00 4,432,000 3,090,850.00 2,000 47,000.00 860,000 1,015,340.00 HOLDING FIRMS 3,400,000 1,592,250.00 3,585,130 209,410,212.00 40,206,100 936,269,600.00 26,000 31,950.00 335,900 2,308,007.00 6,450,000 1,637,530.00 550,000 138,400.00 1,856,110 1,439,519,595.00 11,067,200 84,922,852.00 77,456,600 972,339,954.00 33,000 102,860.00 20,000 62,000.00 128,000 551,000.00 970,000 197,450.00 807,445 1,128,889,075.00 146,800 518,653.00 11,400,800 831,644,403.50 2,000 7,620.00 2,000 9,990.00 12,412,800 90,644,855.00 115,000 75,200.00 32,431,800 465,348,478.00 1,837,000 1,051,620.00 83,601,000 401,538,350.00 3,164,000 24,451,731.00 10,000 31,500.00 19,200,000 578,200.00 51,000 66,280.00 58,591,000 122,420,170.00 130,000 352,730.00 812,600 47,621,970.00 288,000 726,050.00 950,490 861,230,580.00 401,000 483,290.00 346,000 240,590.00 180 31,900.00 19,230 1,417,364.50 2,910,000 914,300.00 3,320,000 640,980.00 3,940,000 1,100,800.00 PROPERTY 3,816,700 29,836,537.00 10,400 81,308.00 1,302,000 929,500.00 145,000 178,950.00 50,000 11,500.00 30,821,100 1,182,125,110.00 22,551,000 82,250,580.00 447,300 2,274,362.00 8,000 51,840.00 12,808,000 10,823,280.00 27,000 29,460.00 185,000 186,650.00 28,620,000 3,685,500.00 640,000 276,750.00 3,249,415 73,730 80,479,180 5,212,070 277,700 31,000 417,000 300 315,100 1,782,000 5,000 3,376,000 83,000 2,280 510,000 7,450,100 866,000 953,500 13,200 361,220 23,180 53,940 1,699,800 3,270,690 250 229,010 149,000

Close

JULY 13-16, 2015 Volume Value

4.6 73 105.00 95.00 45.6 2.53 1.53 10.1 16 20.5 6.73 0.72 1.83 815.00 0.420 91.5

308,000 89,570 18,166,250 3,033,200 296,100 75,000 105,000 100 646,200 768,400 2,900 35,000 48,000 380 130,000 10,159,010

1,437,400.00 6,531,061.00 1,895,689,233.00 286,531,782.50 13,496,925.00 187,150.00 157,260.00 1,010.00 10,347,314.00 15,659,875.00 19,495 23,850 84,190.00 306,345.00 54,100.00 924,850,147.50

17.90 26.20 63.70 95 307 37.55 152.7 1470.00 60.00 3.24

858,100 700 575,600 580 52,890 1,275,900 6,146,740 2,055 168,520 32,000

15,365,602.00 18,340.00 33,742,590.00 53,239.50 16,029,514.00 47,916,270.00 936,956,792.00 3,020,850.00 10,092,378.50 102,530.00

44.65 1.36 1.04 1.95 10.18 54.3 91.40 18.36 26.75 57 2.45 1.47 12.28 21.250 9.00 7.45 9.77 1.76 13.78 25.45 79.6 13.50 14.00 5.9 0.530 192.60 10.8 28.00 2.16 2.52 24.2 25.9 5.8 295.00 3.90 4.93 8.25 11.90 3.32 2.35 2.76 4.05 1.85 6.24 167 1.8 0.150 1.37 2.14 186.1 4.57 0.71 24.70 1.24

7,439,500 140,000 1,494,000 1,167,000 4,200 760 1,120 856,100 792,400 12,610 7,432,000 165,000 206,000 25,916,800 11,636,800 37,602,500 21,600,500 16,000 38,300 18,147,400 790,440 22,200 2,062,100 1,408,300 10,000 2,880,180 6,051,600 1,200 2,000 3,000 3,615,400 270,200 9,882,100 1,418,060 21,000 2,905,000 14,331,500 128,800 689,000 10,539,000 9,197,000 23,964,000 16,000 300 35,790 2,973,000 12,670,000 1,000 1,348,000 6,212,020 45,000 4,306,000 1,500 113,000

327,466,500.00 191,100.00 1,541,050.00 2,270,740.00 43,080.00 38,288.00 102,368.00 15,518,058.00 21,181,745.00 714,701.00 17,951,520.00 236,290.00 2,482,232.00 536,419,027.00 104,340,579.00 281,365,663.00 210,824,282.00 27,440.00 511,766.00 456,897,085.00 63,470,865.50 310,598.00 28,694,968.00 8,160,465.00 5,150.00 553,030,611.00 64,734,204.00 33,600.00 4,330.00 7,560.00 86,838,455.00 6,934,535.00 54,698,712.00 415,619,372.00 82,050.00 14,340,830.00 117,870,174.00 1,508,820.00 2,247,350.00 24,064,480.00 24,773,590.00 97,043,610.00 29,600.00 1,872.00 5,935,929.00 5,288,720.00 1,880,360.00 1,370.00 2,894,330.00 1,173,738,169.00 202,570.00 3,100,880.00 36,300.00 135,880.00

0.480 58.5000 22.90 1.22 6.88 0.240 0.240 763 7.61 13.50 3.4

19,565,000 6,447,120 46,086,000 45,000 109,800 4,510,000 1,030,000 1,226,230 10,285,200 38,331,300 2,000

9,419,450.00 370,964,203.50 1,022,711,140.00 54,900.00 757,153.00 1,087,260.00 247,250.00 936,387,045.00 77,782,098.00 513,543,438.00 6,870.00

4.30 0.220 1380 6.66 72.00 3.85 5 7.3 0.68 13.34 0.6 4.78 7.6 3.15 0.0330

53,000 410,000 394,865 17,707 5,851,720 107,000 2,000 3,934,800 150,000 11,638,400 1,349,000 107,495,000 3,431,100 11,000 100,000

229,300.00 84,920.00 539,933,225.00 124,706.00 417,739,735.00 409,960.00 10,000.00 28,011,633.00 99,330.00 148,772,708.00 784,220.00 519,078,740.00 25,122,873.00 24,150.00 3,300.00

2.020 2.7 60.00 2.80 915.00 1.20 0.70 190.00 76.500 0.3200 0.1980 0.285

41,518,000 184,000 1,312,570 546,000 729,180 206,000 78,000 780 81,930 3,680,000 1,030,000 610,000

82,770,080.00 497,000.00 78,876,494.00 1,403,020.00 659,190,085.00 249,490.00 55,220.00 133,272.00 6,363,681.00 1,132,150.00 202,520.00 167,100.00

7.300 8.35 0.73 1.260 0.235 38.30 3.38 5.15

2,791,500 1,000 4,566,000 394,000 95,000 28,619,800 4,699,000 138,800

20,317,554.00 8,350.00 3,456,820.00 467,090.00 51,800.00 1,090,639,525.00 15,593,580.00 718,325.00

0.85 1.13 1.04 0.130 0.445

6,089,000 9,000 87,000 5,960,000 920,000

5,149,190.00 9,650.00 88,080.00 768,880.00 403,650.00

STOCKS

JULY 20-24, 2015 Close Volume

Double Dragon 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’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 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

13.04 0.890 0.179 1.35 1.95 1.32 3.30 4.84 0.106 0.2900 0.3850 22.00 7.38 28.40 1.65 3.31 21.30 0.73 7.2 0.810 7.050

2GO Group ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Discovery World DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons Retail SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

7.89 62.4 1.15 0.630 13 9.94 0.0810 3.45 92.25 10.32 1.68 5.25 989 2526 6.44 17.04 1.31 110.1 3.31 11.52 0.011 0.213 1.4400 2.4 10.38 2.33 1.27 2.35 44.00 0.670 2.01 7.85 0.320 0.460 20.2 4.50 3.2 107.00 18.76 2948.00 0.700 1.600 37.50 79.05 9.03 0.65 5.63 0.335 2.610

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum

0.0068 2.60 5.60 0.219 7.0000 6.8800 0.77 0.8 6.65 1.4 0.300 0.212 0.224 0.013 0.014 3.09 10.74 3.85 0.6400 2.0000 0.0100 0.0130 4.23 5.54 1.73 0.012 120.00 9.88

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref.

MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C

61.5 527.5 547.5 118.2 526 6.39 1.09 112 1080 1148 1040 75.5 82.6 87

Leisure & Resort Warr.

4.240

Makati Fin. Corp.

Ripple E-Business Intl Xurpas

6.85 67.95 12

First Metro ETF

124.5

Value

Close

37,177,100 1,273,000 3,400,000 26,636,000 86,001,000 403,000 5,000 57,514,000 3,370,000 730,000 230,000 100 48,400 8,946,300 2,686,000 101,000 69,099,200 2,500,000 62,100 512,000 24,573,500

432,884,976.00 1,132,370.00 582,140.00 35,486,230.00 171,004,020.00 518,260.00 16,500.00 280,464,810.00 362,350.00 215,650.00 88,750.00 2,200.00 353,970.00 252,810,425.00 4,435,260.00 328,540.00 1,470,048,130.00 1,806,520.00 443,301.00 419,640.00 170,663,187.00 SERVICES 4,244,300 31,088,810.00 68,680 4,272,738.00 358,000 413,250.00 5,886,000 3,702,510.00 700 9,100.00 68,457,100 681,956,072.00 53,770,000 4,325,980.00 934,000 3,206,980.00 5,199,400 471,886,179.50 3,200 33,050.00 226,000 379,730 694,600 3,707,690.00 2,110 2,086,790.00 586,090 1,482,811,920 333,600 2,128,987.00 100 1,704 2,802,000 3,644,730.00 3,185,930 351,468,054.00 1,000 3,310 2,100 24,360.00 39,400,000 457,600.00 66,610,000 14,158,530.00 10,942,000 16,023,150.00 135,000 317,540.00 9,141,500 91,452,367.00 7,628,000 18,785,240.00 97,000 123,610.00 346,000 819,530.00 4,500 191,020.00 287,000 189,630.00 42,000 84,580.00 80,034,800 553,954,065.00 1,060,000 326,350.00 610,000 284,100.00 81,500 1,611,840.00 85,000 385,370 1,000 3,200.00 376,720 43,203,692.00 437,300 8,193,156.00 419,585 1,234,137,370.00 36,341,000 24,776,560.00 206,026,000 316,010,190.00 8,873,200 324,392,725.00 5,963,020 465,776,784.00 16,431,500 147,434,043.00 21,329,000 13,836,480.00 41,447,500 225,550,347.00 1,150,000 377,150.00 23,203,000 62,993,460.00 MINING & OIL 9,544,000,000 62,253,000.00 252,000 669,780.00 1,167,600 6,575,155.00 1,360,000 298,980.00 3,100 21,707.00 1,500 10,320.00 17,074,000 13,379,810.00 22,515,000 18,223,260.00 22,100 146,004.00 30,092,000 43,081,590.00 3,275,000 1,054,450.00 24,410,000 5,246,840.00 3,880,000 873,360.00 234,900,000 2,968,800.00 100,300,000 1,444,200.00 1,505,000 4,678,250.00 13,434,000 147,857,102.00 3,747,000 14,184,500.00 526,000 293,580.00 297,000 594,450.00 215,700,000 2,171,060.00 9,000,000 102,200.00 213,000 903,590.00 3,377,500 19,194,311.00 5,208,000 8,896,540.00 951,800,000 10,979,400.00 16,880,550 2,004,393,385.00 2,518,600 26,459,860.00 PREFERRED 2,398,480 150,575,309.00 13,280 7,000,705.00 18,680 10,236,410 73,200 8,836,056.00 4,630 2,430,780.00 409,400 2,599,209.00 2,365,000 2,597,770 36,570 4,075,170.00 60 64,800.00 15,515 17,811,220.00 15,960 16,598,910.00 406,620 30,669,597.00 126,000 10,519,241.00 278,940 24,204,394.50 WARRANTS & BONDS 4,205,000 17,546,000.00 SME 2,600 17,480.00 2,130 139,162.50 8,034,200 97,430,532.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 167,720 20,738,438.00

JULY 13-16, 2015 Volume Value

10.5 0.910 0.177 1.21 1.96 1.32

11,106,500 2,471,000 4,230,000 2,033,000 92,173,000 531,000

115,437,579.00 2,170,440.00 744,640.00 2,462,330.00 177,348,830.00 681,830.00

4.88 0.106 0.2900 0.4000

94,981,000 2,930,000 350,000 40,000

461,101,030.00 309,950.00 102,700.00 15,750.00

7.37 28.50 1.7 3.34 21.00 0.74 7.15 0.830 6.980

99,100 11,109,300 2,500,000 195,000 64,541,400 2,469,000 18,800 151,000 22,409,000

726,324.00 316,317,420.00 4,179,470.00 634,770.00 1,332,503,845.00 1,787,350.00 133,107.00 125,240.00 153,669,839.00

6.46 62.75 1.15 0.650 13 9.50 0.0800 3.49 88.25 10.4

860,900 85,060 15,000 1,302,000 20,000 80,648,600 29,783,530 578,000 1,721,260 412,500

5,638,233.00 5,254,419.50 17,240.00 816,450.00 260,000.00 740,413,087.00 2,721,350.00 2,006,740.00 151,632,917.50 4,121,460.00

6.00 990 2526 6.38

240,800 450 629,865 332,400

1,462,195.00 445,455.00 1,551,207,930 2,100,758.00

1.27 112

456,000 3,107,610

587,050.00 345,127,524.00

12 0.011 0.228 1.3900 2.35 9.60 2.88 1.26 2.00 41.00 0.670 2.07 5.9 0.325 0.475 18.88 4.64 3.25 114.00 18.90 2936.00 0.650 1.500 35.80 72.75 8.55 0.63 5.2 0.325 2.350

7,600 47,700,000 87,700,000 27,899,000 96,000 1,364,800 7,702,000 185,000 187,000 8,200 92,000 202,000 44,894,100 1,280,000 210,000 112,800 300 22,000 178,890 211,600 526,475 5,195,000 325,229,000 10,795,300 603,410 36,356,900 2,886,000 15,012,400 490,000 9,308,000

91,528.00 525,000.00 19,199,310.00 41,147,680.00 221,750.00 13,027,593.00 23,379,740.00 232,720.00 374,090.00 340,755.00 62,240.00 410,540.00 248,424,328.00 398,250.00 99,100.00 2,119,288.00 14,040 26,500.00 20,310,622.00 3,971,386.00 1,509,797,230.00 3,289,080.00 460,297,270.00 389,127,015.00 42,860,813.50 310,139,182.00 1,845,380.00 78,091,550.00 157,700.00 21,084,780.00

0.0062 2.61 5.72 0.225 6.9000 7.5000 0.85 0.79 6.59 1.51 0.310 0.218 0.232 0.013 0.014 3.23 11.5 3.69 0.6600 1.9900 0.0110 0.0110 4.24 5.90 1.72 0.013 143.00 10

12,473,000,000 36,000 854,300 1,620,000 54,000 6,000 9,058,000 879,000 29,100 38,907,000 1,660,000 9,220,000 1,300,000 334,700,000 52,800,000 1,499,000 15,206,200 1,627,000 462,000 395,000 21,900,000 71,900,000 451,000 2,018,800 3,808,000 301,800,000 1,115,370 1,298,400

79,901,900.00 94,050.00 4,977,077.00 4,196,000.00 370,980.00 41,751.00 7,827,020.00 673,490.00 194,189.00 56,072,870.00 516,700.00 2,001,030.00 293,190.00 4,400,200.00 782,100.00 4,790,370.00 164,570,016.00 5,949,150.00 275,920.00 779,780.00 220,200.00 824,600.00 1,966,610.00 11,789,075.00 6,554,590.00 3,774,300.00 158,016,971.00 12,054,853.00

62.5 529 547.5 120 525 6.35 1.09 112 1080 1149 1050 75.4 84.5 88

526,710 24,330 5,480 26,000 550 599,200 109,000 17,010 20,055 4,430 11,460 110,940 7,000 36,650

32,714,169.00 12,852,275.00 3,001,550 3,115,000.00 286,250.00 3,777,004.00 119,090 1,916,500.00 22,493,885.00 5,088,645.00 12,033,405.00 8,366,826.50 591,500.00 3,221,204.00

3.920

1,974,000

7,507,970.00

6 65.4 11.88

21,700 1,600 10,415,900

133,993.00 98,237.50 123,413,202.00

123.8

46,440

5,680,125.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Philodrill Corp. `A’ Manila Mining `A’ Oriental Pet. `A’ Premium Leisure Manila Mining `B’ Filinvest Land,Inc. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Melco Crown

VOLUME 9,544,000,000 951,800,000 234,900,000 215,700,000 206,026,000 100,300,000 86,001,000 83,601,000 80,479,180 80,034,800

STOCKS Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Universal Robina Semirara Corp.

Globe Telecom SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ PLDT Common Ayala Land `B’ GT Capital DMCI Holdings

VALUE 8,318,988,632.00 2,147,435,542.00 2,004,393,385.00 1,482,811,920.00 1,470,048,130.00 1,439,519,595.00 1,234,137,370.00 1,182,125,110.00 1,128,889,075.00 972,339,954.00

MONDAY: JULY 27, 2015

B3

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

Okada’s first hotel nears completion JAPANESE billionaire Kazuo Okada is now ready to give the public a glimpse of his $2-billion integrated casino and entertainment complex called Manila Bay Resorts within Pagcor Entertainment City in Parañaque.

Invitations have been sent for the topping-off ceremony of Okadaled Tiger Resorts, Leisure and Entertainment Inc.’s first hotel development on July 30.

The casino development had faced some delays, which forced stateowned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to threaten the confiscation of the P100-million guarantee to ensure that the project is progressing well.

The invitation didn’t say if Mr. Okada or local partner Antonio Cojuangco would grace the event. Okada has been frequently visiting the country to get first-hand update on his casino venture in the Philippines.

The 44-hectare Manila Bay Resorts is envisioned to be a world-class casino resort complex boasting of luxurious hotels, classy restaurants, commercial facilities, hotels, residences, Vegas-style water fountains and an enormous indoor pool with real sand beach covered by a huge glass dome.

The casino project will have three hotels with a total of 2,000 rooms.

The gaming component of the project involves 30,000 square meters of space offering 3,000 slot machines and 500 gaming tables.

Jenniffer B. Austria

LRT 1 trains require full rehabilitation

Car bodies of first-generation light rail vehicles of Light Rail Transit Line 1 require full rehabilitation to ensure the safety of passengers, especially during the rainy season, a source said. This came to light after a passenger posted a video of water seeping through the roof of one of the light rail vehicles during a downpour on July 9, 2015.

Of the 139 railway cars grouped into 40 trains running along the 20.7-kilometer, 20-station LRT Line 1 (Green Line) that serves about half a million passengers a day, about half are still first-generation (BN) cars.

A source said the bodies of BN railway cars have been suffering from corrosion for several years now because of constant exposure to rain and sunlight. Some vehicles experience water dripping due to holes caused by rust formation. The problem becomes more serious during monsoon rain, as in the recent case captured on video by a curious passenger.

An inspection of the affected vehicle showed that rain seeped through the roof holes. The pantograph and ACU high-tension cables were also found damaged, affected by the water seepage, the source said.

LRT authorities usually unload passengers and remove the train from revenue service and apply water stop sealant as stop-gap solutions. However, this becomes inconvenient on the part of the passengers and translates into lost trips, lower revenue, less train availability, damage to company assets and bad reputation to Light Rail Transit Authority and the current maintenance provider.

The source said even the current maintenance provider is convinced that a full rehabilitation of the light rail vehicles is needed to address the problem to avert the condition of “already depleted trains” from aggravating. Doing the permanent solution would yield positive results, the source said. Roderick T. dela Cruz

PLDT reaches out to ‘unbanked’ population

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. is pushing for electronic payments in the country as a way of reaching out to “unbanked” Filipinos.

“With all our combined forces, having the biggest customer franchise in the country and our wide reach and depth of engagement with consumers and stakeholders, we can all make a big push in promoting digital payments in many forms, from person to person to enterprise levels,” said PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan.

Orlando Vea, Voyager and Smart eMoney president and chief executive, said with the increasing adoption of smartphones and data usage, the Philippines was making a breakthrough in digital services, including the area of financial inclusion.

“Instead of just looking at the gaps in the financial inclusion index, we see all these as a huge opportunity for us and our partners to create more relevant digital financial services that can impact on lives,” Vea said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, in its first baseline report published this July, cited the lack of funds and access as among the gaps contributing to the still large number of uncarded and unbanked in the country. For example, the average length of time to reach the nearest bank and automated teller machine is 26 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively. It also costs an average of P52 and P47, respectively for a two-way trip to the nearest bank and ATM. Darwin G. Amojelar

CSR month. Philippine Business for Social Progress executive director Rafael Lopa (second from right)

encourages the business sector to come together and identify common grounds to make CSR programs more responsive and generate greater impact to society, as the country observes the celebration of CSR month in July. With Lopa during the League of Corporate Foundations Expo at the SMX Convention Center of SM Aura, Taguig are (from left) Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, LCF founding chairperson Victoria Garchitorena and Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

SMDC launches 8,000 condo units

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM DEVELOPMENT Corp., the residential unit of property giant SM Prime Holdings Inc., said it has launched 8,000 residential units from five new projects in the first half of the year amid strong demand for housing.

SMDC executive vice president Jose Mari Banzon said in a recent interview the company was on track to launch 12,000 to 14,000 units in the entire 2015.

“Our first half has been very strong. We expect it to accelerate in full year,” Banzon said.

“We’ve already launched about five projects in the first half. We still have five projects in the pipeline that we will launch, depending on the take-

up because we want to manage our inventory level,” he said.

Banzon said the company’s reservation sales increased from the previous year’s level, which indicated that the residential market remained strong.

The company said at an average price of P2.5 million per unit, the launching of 8,000 condominium units would generate P20 billion in reservation sales.

“Our [reservation] sales for the last six months have been considerably bigger than the same period last year. The market is strong,” Banzon said.

SMDC said the recent venture into the medium to high-end market under the SMDC Premier brand was also strongly received by the market as it posted strong reservation sales.

Banzon said Air, which is located in Makati and Fame in Mandaluyong were top-selling projects of the company, next to Shore Residences at Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Banzon said SMDC was also in the process of acquiring tracks of land in Pampanga and Cavite for its venture into the house and lot projects.

Stock investors to watch Sona for guidance SHARE prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange are expected to move sideways this week, with an upward bias as investors await President Benigno Aquino’s final state-of-the-nation address.

Analysts said investors would be interested to hear the president’s action plan to accelerate fiscal spending to boost the domestic economy and his endorsement for a successor.

“These will be crucial for investors to prudently weigh associated political risk weighting for the Philippines, in view of an impending leadership change in 2016,” F. Yap Securities investment analyst Jason Escartin said.

Analysts, however, said the release of several US economic data could dampen investors’ optimism and could bolster US Federal Reserve’s plan on hiking interest which was widely seen to

happen this September.

“While a status quo is seen, investors will be waiting for Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s assessment on the US economy, particularly on inflation and employment. Any deviation from the Fed’s earlier ‘wait-and-see’ stance will be checked, given the latest earnings data from index-based firms,” Escartin said.

The PSEi, the 30-company benchmark index of the Philippine Stock Exchange, gained 0.64 percent last week to close at 7,665.52 on July 24, while the allshare index jumped 0.68 percent to 4,375.15.

Except for the mining and oil index which declined 9.31 percent, all major sub-indices ended in the greed led by services (up 1.62 percent), industrial (1.41 percent) and property (1.35 percent).

Foreign investors were net sellers by P1.79 billion last week, as total foreign selling hit P17.7 billion while foreign buying amounted to P15.9 billion.

Average daily turnover rose to P8 billion from last week’s average of P6.4 billion.

Top gainers last week were gaming firm Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp., which jumped 33 percent to P7.85; Pryce Corp., which went up 26.4 percent to P3.49; and DoubleDragon Properties Corp., which advanced 24.2 percent to P13.04.

Heavy losers were San Miguelowned telecommunications firm Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc., which declined 19.1 percent to P2.33; Imperial Resources Inc. “A” shares, which fell 17.2 percent to P3.31; and Semirara Mining and Power Corp., which dropped 16 percent to P120.

Jenniffer B. Austria

B4

Banks tighten on property loans

By Julito G. Rada MOST banks tightened their overall credit standards on commercial real estate loans in the second quarter this year due to stricter regulations, according to the latest Senior Bank Loan Officers Survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The bank regulator said it was the 12th consecutive quarter that banks reported net tightening of credit standards on commercial real estate loans.

“Most of the respondent banks [86.4 percent] in Q2 2015 indicated unchanged overall credit standards for commercial real estate

loans using the modal approach.

However, based on the DI [diffusion index] approach, a net tightening of overall credit standards was noted for commercial real estate loans...,” the Bangko Sentral said.

“The net tightening of overall credit standards for com-

mercial real estate loans was attributed by respondent banks to perceived stricter oversight of banks’ real estate exposure along with banks’ reduced tolerance for risk,” it said.

Respondent banks reported stricter collateral requirements and loan covenants along with wider loan margins, shorter loan maturities and increased use of interest rate floors on commercial real estate loans.

For the next quarter, most of the respondent banks expect to maintain their credit standards for commercial real estate loans.

However, banks that anticipate a tightening of their credit stan-

dards outnumbered those expecting the opposite.

“Demand for commercial real estate loans was also unchanged in Q2 2015 based on the modal approach. A number of banks, however, indicated increased demand for the said type of loan on the back of clients’ improved economic outlook and banks’ more attractive financing terms,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Although most of the respondent banks anticipate generally steady loan demand, a number of banks expect demand for commercial real estate loans to continue increasing in the following quarter.

Credit standards for housing loans extended to households showed net tightening in Q2 2015 based on the DI approach.

The tighter credit standards for housing loans were attributed by respondent banks to perceived stricter financial system regulations along with banks’ reduced tolerance for risk and deterioration in the profile of borrowers.

For the next quarter, respondent banks expect unchanged credit standards for housing loans.

The survey included 35 universal and commercial banks after one lender asked for exclusion it is not engaged in corporate and retail lending.

Elanvital sees sales hitting P2b in 3 years

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Vista Land awards. The housing brands of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. reaped numerous awards in the 2015 Philippines Property Awards

held at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati. Shown receiving the awards are (fron left) Martin John Lim, head of marketing department, Brittany Corp.; Lemuel Branal, events and marketing manager, Vista Malls; Leny Damasco-Luya, head, Vista Malls; Mari-Karr Cachuela, BPO division ead, Vista Land; Natanette Pardito, area manager, Camella; Michelle Balmadrid-Barrientos, head of brand management department, Brittany Corp.; Ma. Cristina Lleva, investors relations group, Vista Land; and Roy Fernandez, General Manager, Brittany.

SBS Philippines pegs IPO price at P2.75 apiece

By Jenniffer B. Austria CHEMICALS distributor SBS Philippines Corp. has set the final price for its planned maiden share offering at a maximum of P2.75 apiece.

In relation to the planned initial public offering of SBS Philippines Corp., we would like to inform the Philippine Stock Exchange that the final offer price is P2.75 per share,” said SBS Philippines president Necisto Sytengco.

SBS Philippines will raise as much as P1.15 billion in gross proceeds from the IPO at P2.75 per share.

It pegged the final offering price through a book-building

process and discussions between the company and BDO Capital & Investments Corp., the sole issue manager and lead underwrite ofthe IPO. SBS Philippines will sell 420 million common shares during the offering period from July 28 to August 3.

Up to 70 percent of the shares of 294 million shares will be sold to qualified institutional buyers and the general public, and 20 percent to trading participants of the exchange.

SBS Philippines will allot 10 percent of the shares to small local investors.

It set the listing date on August 10.

The company will have a pub-

lic float of 35 percent after the initial public offering.

SBS Philippines, according to the IPO prospectus posted on its Web site, said it would allot approximately 60 percent, or P654.6 million, of the net proceeds from the offering for investments in the growth of the business.

“The company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds to fund the introduction of additional new products to enhance its product offerings,” SBS Philippines said.

The new product lines may include innovative sulfate-free chemical ingredients for cosmetic and personal care to ad-

dress health and wellness trends in the beauty industry and natural flavors and ingredients and natural-based preservatives for food products, which are the largest and fastest growing trend in the food and beverage industry.

SBS Philippines plans to use the balance of the IPO proceeds to repay P285 million worth of loans to BDO Unibank Inc. and finance general working capital expenditure requirements.

SBS Philippines will be the second company to conduct an IPO this year. The first was Crown Asia Chemical Corp., which was listed with the PSE in March.

Elanvital Enclaves Inc. controlled by the family of businessman Jacinto Ng Sr., expects sales revenues to reach around P2 billion in the next three years from the development of property projects.

Elanvital president Jacinto Ng Jr. told reporters the company planned to put up several property projects from its over 1,000 hectares of land bank.

Elanvital is part of a conglomerate that includes Asia United Bank, Republic Biscuit Corp., Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostag and Crystal Jade.

“We have the land... It’s easy for us to expand. Hopefully, we reach close to around P2 billion in sales in the next three years,” Ng said.

The company last year launched the 13-hectare flagship project Nostalji Enclave in Dasmariñas, Cavite valued at around P1.8 billion. Elanvital has sold out around 50 percent of the Nostalji Enclave project.

Ng said Nostalj Enclave was designed as center of the family’s needs, catering to the middle-income market.

“We want to focus on the traditional dream of Filipinos of owning a home,” he said.

One hundred percent of the Nostalji Enclave property is developed and all roads are in place.

The property offers home designs ranging from P1.5 million to P7 million each.

The development boasts of one hectare of green space composed of active, social and relaxation zones.

The Nostalji enclave offers houses from a two-bedroom duplex set on a 50-square meter lot to a fourbedroom single attached unit on a 162 sq. meter land.

“Our edge is that the buyers can immediately see the [land] title.

That’s our edge. It will give the buyers a lot of comfort and confidence,” Ng said.

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

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

B5

NACT: A partner in transformation ON AUGUST 6, the members of the NAPOLCOM Advisory Council for Transformation(NACT) will hold a special meeting to develop an action plan to determine the Advisory Council’s priorities which in turn would enable it to would help advance the strategic goals and objectives of the National Police Commission’s reform program.

Members of the council come from various sectors, and their experience as well as expertise in their respective fieldsgive them valuable insights that would enable the police commission to effectively implement its goals and aspirations, primary of which is to achieve real and genuine transformation through the Performance Governance System.

As Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Atty. Eduardo Escueta noted, the commission’s “successful initiation into the PGS will eventually bring about a closer coordination and cooperation among the NAPOLCOM, the PNP and the local chief executives for the realization of a truly community- and service-oriented policing in our country.”

Atty. Ed, who was also the head of the Philippine Coconut Authority, was a colleague in AccraLaw who is known for being a good litigator. Both of us served during the Estrada administration where I was Press Secretary and spokesperson.

Certainly, it is a great privilege and honor to be a member of the NACT headed by Dr. Jesus Estanislao, chairman of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia and former Finance Secretary who was already at the forefront of good governance and transparency.

I actually had the opportunity to work with him on several projects. Another member of the advisory council is Hapee toothpaste founder Cecilio Pedro who is known not only for his managerial and entrepreneurial skills butfor being one of the first to employ people with disabilities in his company.

We have high hopes that the NACT will work very well with the forward thinking and no-nonsense new Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez who has already vowed to work on the mechanics of a competency-based selection, placement and promotion system that is fair, sustainable and reliable —in short, based on merit which will go a long way in addressing local peace and order as well as public safety concerns.

Wilcon’s 34th store. Wilcon Depot opened its 34th branch in San Pablo City, Laguna. Laguna public officials and Wilcon business partners congratulated the country leading construction and homebuilding supply store on its newest milestone as it nears its 40 years in the business. Three more Wilcon stores are set to open outside Metro Manila this year--Villasis, Pangasinan; Molino, Cavite; and Sta. Rosa. At the opening rites are (from left) Wilcon executive financial audit manager Careen Belo and president and chief executive William Belo, San Pablo City Mayor Loreto Amben Amante, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Laguna vice governor Katherine Adapay, Wilcon senior executive vice president and chief operating officer Rosemarie Ong, and San Pablo City vice mayor Angie Yang.

BoC set to mark all fuel products

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Bureau of Customs expects to generate $300 million in new revenues from new proposed markings on all petroleum products, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said over the weekend.

(From left) Napolcom Commissioner LuisitoPalmera, Vice Chairperson Eduardo Escueta, Dr. Jesus Estanislao and Commissioner Constancia de Guzman.

Together with a technical working group, NACT will help evaluate and revise strategies for the implementation of the Performance Governance System.

Lina said the agency wanted to end smuggling of fuel products through the broader fuel markings.

Lina told reporters in a round table discussion last week he wanted to curb smuggling by putting markings on all items, including those exempted from paying duties, with no exemptions on imported and locally refined products.

“If the fuel product is not marked, it means its is smuggled,” he said.

Lina said local refineries would not be exempted in the proposed fuel-marking system.

The BoC is expected to spend $25 million for the markings against projected additional revenues of $300 million.

Oil companies said the government

was losing around $500 million, or P20 billion to P30 billion annually, due to smuggling.

“So if one gives us statistics on the volume of liters sold compared with data on consumption, we will be surprised with the discrepancy. Is our duty to detect smuggled products,” Lina said.

Customs collection sank 8.5 percent year-on-year in April, the first drop this year, following the leadership changes at the bureau and the double-digit decline in prices of imported petroleum products.

Customs earlier said it collected P28.141 billion in import duties in April, down from P30.764 billion in the same month last year.

The April collection also fell P9.2 billion or 24.7 percent short of the P37.35-billion target for the month, data from the agency showed.

The drop was traced to the 68-percent slump in collection from oil imports to P5.441 billion in April from P9.141 billion a year ago, as the weighted average of crude oil and petroleum prices fell 45 percent during the period.

The agency said while the volume of oil imports continued to rise, this was offset by the sharp drop in oil prices.

Environmental agenda pushed With Police Senior Superintendent Noel Baraceros, director of Napolcom’s Center for Police Strategy Management.

Members and other participants listen intently to the discussions during the first NACT meeting.

Members of the Napolcom National Advisory Council for Transformation take their oath before Atty. Ed Escueta and members of the National Police Commission.

A MULTI-SECTORAL group has proposed to the next administration the need for a new environmental agenda and nationwide cooperation to manage the country’s dwindling natural resources for the sustainable economic benefit of the people.

“It is high time that genuine stakeholders push for an environmental agenda as we look forward to the next administration--an agenda that is truly responsible to the needs of our people without compromising sustainability for the sake of future generations,” said professor Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute.

The Stratbase ADRi forum’s theme was “Advancing Sustainable Resource Management” drew the participation of the country’s experts from the academe, mining industry and the private sector where various issues contributing to the

mismanagement of natural resources were discussed.

Prof. Carlos Primo David, Stratbase ADRi trustee, said cited several issues and legal loopholes that the next government should address, such as the scientific evaluation of biodiversity based on accurate base line data to ascertain the scientific basis for no-go zones, as in the case of extractive industries such as mining.

David said the government allowed local executives to give small-scale mining permits even if there was no capacity at the local level to monitor the impact and compliance to environmental regulations.

Professor Marlo Mendoza, associate professor of the University of the Philippines for forestry and natural resources, said the alarming degradation of natural resources had been unabated for decades.

MONDAY: JULY 27, 2015

B6

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

Presidential inaugural speech (Part 3)

Service for our church and country, especially the poor THE Holy Father spoke to us in his visit, that 2015 has been set aside as the Year of the Poor. He said “ I hope that this will challenge everyone at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption which diverts resources from the poor, and to make concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and woman and child in the life of the community.”

How can we respond to this challenge in our curricular and extra-curricular programs, and as a community of learners and mentors? Can we be more effective in educating future leaders who will have real contact with the poor and will dedicate their time and talents to the eradication of poverty? In the coming elections, how can we advocate the choice of leaders who will pursue the fight against corruption and promote inclusive economic growth?

DLSU has reached the goal set by all Lasallian schools in the Philippines that 20 percent of her students are on full-scholarship. Can we go beyond 20 percent? What additional affirmative action can we take towards helping more disadvantaged individuals and communities, especially our indigenous brothers and sisters? How can we assist them to maximize their resources and achieve sustainable development?

We will continue to deepen our partnerships with the local Church, especially the

Archdiocese of Manila, and the underserved communities especially those near us. How can we continue working with them in basic and catechetical education, poverty eradication, urban renewal and community building?

Authority for service Some have been asking me what type of leadership I will exercise as the new President. I learned from Br. Lucian Belanger FSC many years ago that leadership is for service. To lead others is to orient and motivate them to passionately pursue the common mission and shared goals of the group.

I see the authority of my office, as emanating from the tremendous resources of the University community: her faculty and staff, students and alumni, legacy and traditions.

I see this authority reinforced by the academic freedom enjoyed by the University in her mission of discovering, promoting and transmitting knowledge, and facilitating the internalization of values and skills by the young people entrusted to her care.

The responsibility of leadership, authority and governance is to tap, unleash, guide, harness and harmonize the talents and efforts of leaders and colleagues towards the achievement of the goals of our academic community. Leadership is not necessarily having the right answers. More often, it is asking the right questions. Today, I’ve dared to ask a lot of questions. The answers we will discern and pursue together and by association.

Conclusion In closing, I return to our Parable. Our Founder too, reflected on the Parable of

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE – HEAD OFFICE INVITATION TO BID 1.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Bids and Awards Committee BAC), invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder requirement: Name of Requirement/ Brief Description

“One (1) Lot Three Hundred Fifty (350) Man-days for SAP Application Management Services for the Maintenance of the Existing SAP Applications, as per BSP Terms of Reference”

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Php4,900,000.00, VAT Inclusive

Contract Duration

One (1) Year to commence on the date stipulated in the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to be issued by the Application Systems Management Department (ASMD)

2.

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

3.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country, the laws or regulations of which grant similar right or privileges to Filipino citizens.

4.

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

Schedule

Venue

a.

Procurement Office, Room Issuance of Bid Starting 27 July 2015 (from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. only) 212, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Documents Main Complex, Malate, Manila Tel./ Fax Nos. 306-2229; 7087115

b.

P r e - b i d 12 August 2015; 9:30 A.M. conference

c.

Opening of Bids

24 August 2015; 2:00 P.M.

MR2A Conference Room, 2nd Floor, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate Manila

5.

The bidding documents are posted at the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the BSP Website (www.bsp.gov.ph).

Prospective bidders may download the bidding documents from any of these websites; provided that bidders shall pay a non-refundable fee in the amount of Php5,000.00, at the address above prior to, or upon submission of their bids.

6.

The pre-bid conference shall be open to interested parties. However, only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. To ensure completeness and compliance of bids, bidders are advised to send not more than two (2) technical and/or administrative representatives who will prepare the bidding documents.

7.

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

8.

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

(SGD) ANTONIO A. GRAGEDA Vice-Chairman

( T S - J U LY 2 7, 2 015 )

the Talents. And in his Med. 207 he pointed out that the Parable assures us that if we commit ourselves untiringly to our mission, “God gives us an abundance of grace [more talents] to carry out this mission.” Rather than considering these talents as burdens, we should consider them as the grace God gives us to carry out our mission.

St. La Salle also highlighted the fact that to the ones who multiplied their talents, the Master gave more cities to serve. Thus our Founder added: “to those who commit themselves untiringly to the work of the salvation of souls”, God rewards “with a more extended ministry and a greater ability to procure the salvation of souls.” (That means - “more work”!)

But St. La Salle ends with these very encouraging words: “Oh, how fortunate you ought to consider yourselves, to be working in the field of the Lord, since Our Lord says that the reaper will infallibly receive his reward.”

Domine, Opus Tuum. Lord, the work is yours. The mace is heavy. DLSU faces many questions, challenges and opportunities.

But, as I look around this Chapel, I see many hands already passionately sharing the mission, and many more, eager to pursue it. Indeed, the Master gifts us with an abundance of grace, talents and resources.

Deo Gratias. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you, friends and colleagues.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

RCBC to hike business loans

By Julito G. Rada

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., one of the country’s largest lenders, said it expects to expand its lending business to small and medium enterprises to about 20 percent of the bank’s total loan portfolio within the next 10 years.

RCBC commercial and small and medium enterprises banking segment head Maria Angela Tinio said in a news briefing over the weekend this would be achieved by expanding coverage nationwide and reaching out to more clients.

“There is a lot of room to grow because there are still many unbanked [people in the country]… Right now, lending to small and medium enterprises accounts for 12 percent of RCBC’s total loan portfolio. We want to account for 20 percent of the bank’s TLP in the next 10 years,” Tinio said.

Tinio said another way to reach out to more clients would Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC is Presi- be to put up additional lending dent of De La Salle University. He can be centers and satellite offices nationwide. Currently, the bank reached at opc@dlsu.edu.ph. has 14 lending centers that cater to small and Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources medium enterprises.

MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU Tinio said these are Regional Office No. V located also within R e g i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t C e n t e r , DENR Annex Bldg., Rawis, Legazpi City Telefax No: (052)482-1056, Tel. No: (052)482-1156 / 480-1084 the premises of RCBC E - m a i l A d d r e s s : m g b r 5 @ y a h o o . c o m , W e b s i t e : w w w. r e g i o n 5 . m g b . g o v. p h branches.

She said of these 14 invitation to bid lending centers, four As is, Where is, For are located in Metro Confiscated Processed Iron Ore inParacale, Camarines Norte Manila and 10 in the provinces.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. V (MGB RO V), by virtue of confiscation Orders dated September 1, 2014 and March 10, 2015 intends to sell 47,196 metric She said the bulk of totons of iron ore containing gold for a total amount of $1,682,553.52 being the Approved Sales Value (ASV) for the payment under the contract for the sale of Confiscated Iron Ore in tal loans to SME segment, Paracale, Camarines Norte numbered MGB ROV-SOG-2015-01. Bids received less than the or around 60 percent, are ASV shall be automatically rejected at the bid opening. released in the provinces.

1. The MGB RO V now invites bids for 47,196 metric tons of processed iron ore with average grade of 60.03% Feand 1.53% Au. Full payment for the goods is required by 2:00 PM “It is a very competiof the 3 working day from the date of the award. Failure to pay in full shall render the tive market because award null and void and the bid security forfeited in favor of the DENR. Bidders should be at the time of bidding, be an MPSA, FTAA contractor/Permittee or a Mineral Processing other banks also cater Permit holder, or duly Accredited Mineral Trader/Dealer/Retailer of mineral products and to the SMEs, particuby-products. larly. But we are plan2. Bidding shall be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion. ning to also rely on 3. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations/ technology so that clicorporations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. ents can just go online 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the MGB RO V, and inspect the and avoid over-theBidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. counter transactions,” A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on July 27, Tinio said.

2015 to August 25, 2015 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00).

Tinio said total loans 5. It may also be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic for the small and meProcurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the MGB RO V, provided that Bidders dium enterprises as of shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

June this year stood at The MGB RO V will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 11, 2015, 2:00 PM at the Office P25 billion. She said of Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), Daet, Camarines Norte, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding loan amounts ranged Documents. from hundreds of 6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 12:00 noon on August 25, 2015. thousands to more All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in the form of a Manager’s Check payable to the DENR Secretary in the amount equivalent to 10% of the ASV. The bid security than P1 million. Collatshall be returned to the losing bidder after the bid is announced. In case of the awardee, erals include real estate, the deposit will serve as a partial payment. housing and others.

Bid opening shall be on August 25, 2015 at 2:00PM at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. V, Rawis, Legazpi City. Bids will be opened in the presence The RCBC commerof the Bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. cial and small and medi7. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. Vreserves the right to accept um enterprises banking or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to segment was formed in contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

2002. RCBC posted an 8. For further information, please refer to: unaudited consolidated DANIEL S. SOMBANON CBACMP Secretariat net income of P2.53 bilMines and Geosciences Bureau R.O. No. V lion in the first half, up Regional Government Center, Rawis, Legazpi City Tel No. (052) 482-1056/482-1156 by 25.29 percent from Email Address: mgbr5@yahoo.com Website: www.region5.mgb.gov.ph P2.02 billion recorded in the same period last (SGD) RICARDO P. NACIONAL CBACMP Chairman year. rd

(TS-JUL. 27, AUG. 3 & 10, 2015)

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Black economy Spain’s problem MADRID—Many of Spain’s five million unemployed dream of finding a steady job in the economic recovery vaunted by the government—but a legion of undeclared workers still scrape by cash-in-hand.

a job in a Madrid toyshop in December 2013. She worked there for a year before stopping in order to look after her sick mother.

“I had a contract to work 30 hours a week, but I worked 35 and they paid me the difference cash-inhand,” she said—a salary of 700 euros plus an undeclared supplement of 120 euros.

The tax collectors’ union Gestha says the vast black economy has for decades undermined Spain, the eurozone’s fourth-biggest economy.

It estimates the black economy equals about a quarter of Spain’s gross domestic product—or roughly a quarter of a trillion euros.

For Gestha, that makes Spain one of the fiscal bad boys of Europe, along with Greece, Italy, Portugal and Poland.

Economists say the cash-in-hand habit is strongest in agriculture, building, domestic work, trade and tourism. AFP

“Nowadays the phrase ‘steady job’ means nothing in Spain,” said Paloma Sotillo, 43.

She is one of 1.7 million people in Spain who admit to earning at least part of their pay in the “black economy”, without tax or social security contributions.

Spain’s economy returned to growth in 2013 after five years of economic crisis, but its unemployment rate is still the second-highest in the eurozone after Greece.

The rate dipped to 22.37 percent in the secRepublic of the Philippines ond quarter of this year, Department of Agriculture according to official data Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization published this week.

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines A study by Catalan www.philmech.gov.ph business school Esade ` indicated, however, that INVITATION TO BID one in 10 employees and Supply, Delivery, Testing and Commissioning of 10 units one in five unemployed PHilMech- Design Compact Corn Mill people in Spain did (PHilMech Goods 15-07-08) work for earnings that they did not declare to 1. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization the taxman.

(PHilMech) through its Regular Fund intends to apply the sum of PhP Sotillo said she had 3,300,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) as indicated herein to payments under the contract for the Supply, Delivery, Testing and been unemployed for Commissioning of 10 units PHilMech- Design Compact Corn Mill. Bids a year when she found received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid opening.

German opera fest a success B AY R E U T H , Germany—The Bayreuth Festival, one of the hottest tickets in the world of opera, opened with a well-received new production of Richard Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde” on Saturday, which also won praise from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The dark and pessimistic new reading of one of Wagner’s bestloved works by the composer’s 37-year-old great-granddaughter, Katharina Wagner, was greeted with cheers and generous applause at the end of the six-hour performance.

Merkel said she had “liked it very much”.

However, the masscirculation daily Bild alleged in its online edition that the German leader, a long-time regular in Bayreuth with her husband Joachim Sauer, had suffered a dizzy spell and fainted briefly during the first of the evening’s two intervals. AFP

2. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization now invites Bids from all PHilMech Licensed Manufacturers of PHilMechDesign Compact Corn Mill for the following items: ITEMS Supply, Delivery, Testing and Commissioning of 10 units PHilMech- Design Compact Corn Mill Total

PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (PALECO) Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan INVITATION TO SUBMIT COMPARATIVE PROPOSALS PALAWAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (“PALECO”), is a non-stock, non-profit, service-oriented electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Degree No. 269, as amended, and duly registered with the Cooperative Development Authority (“CDA”) by virtue of Republic Act No. 6938, as amended,received from Emerging Power, Inc. an Unsolicited Proposal for new hybrid power supply agreementsand for the construction and installation of sub-transmission line to connect the Municipalities of El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas, Northern Palawan. The proponent proposed to install brand new hybrid (solar-bunker) generation system with a total net capacity of 25MW and its sub-transmission delivery service system for PALECO energy requirements.

PALECO,through its Bids and Awards Committee (“BAC”), intends to subject the Unsolicited Proposal, as negotiated with the proponent, to a Swiss Challenge in accordance with its rules on competitive selection (“Competitive Selection Rules”) based on the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 6957, as amended by R.A. No. 7718, or the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, and in accordance with the Energy Regulatory Commission’s rulings in ERC Case No. 2009-025 RC and ERC Case No. 2012-018 RC. A complete set of the Competitive SelectionRules and related documents (“Competitive Selection Package”) is available from the BAC during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) starting 28 July 2015 to 30 July 2015at the Main Office of PALECO at Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Interested parties may obtain the Competitive Selection Package upon submission to the BAC of the following: 

Letter of Intent. It must state the party’s intent to purchase the Competitive SelectionPackage for purposes of submitting a comparative proposal in response to this invitation.It must be signed by the party’s duly authorized representative and be accompanied by proof (i.e., original Board Resolution or Secretary’s Certificate) that the signatory is authorized to represent and bind the party, sign the Letter of Intent and execute the Acceptance Agreement stated below.



Non-refundable fee of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00) in cash or manager’s check payable to Palawan Electric Cooperative



Execution of an Acceptance Agreement by the authorized signatory in the form provided by the BAC.

PALECOhereby invites interested parties to submit comparative proposals to the said Unsolicited Proposal.

Only interested parties that were issued the Competitive SelectionPackage shall be allowed to submit comparative proposals. The comparative proposal must be submitted stricitly in accordance with the said Competitive Selection Rules with the following Terms of Reference: NetCapacity of the Power Station/s:

25 MW Hybrid (Solar-Bunker), brand new equipment consisting of 15MW bunker-fired and 10MW Solar PV plus 5MW reserve capacity bunker-fired Build 69kV three phase sub-transmission line with associated components (e.g. substations) according to the following specifications:

Delivery line:

12 months from Effective Date

69 kV sub-transmission line from the Municipality of Taytay to the Municipality of Roxas

76 km

15 months from Effective Date

69 kV sub-transmission line from Barangay Itabiak, San Vicente to the town proper of the Municipality of San Vicente

19 km

15 months from Effective Date

LENGTH

TARGET COMPLETION DATE

5 MVA

6 months from Effective Date

Taytay substation

5 MVA

9 months from Effective Date

San Vicente substation

5 MVA

12 months from Effective Date

For the sub-transmissionline,fee of P14,985,220/month for 20 years.

Connection Point:

13.2kV three phase

Type of Supply:

Hybrid Solar-Bunker, full service (base load, regulating and N-1 reserve power)

Target Commercial Operation Date:

12 months after approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission of the relevant Power Supply Agreement.

Term:

20 years from commencement of commercial operations Bunker Rate Structure

R a t e S t r u c t u r e:

Ye ar s of C o nt r ac t

B unke r CCR P/ k W M o nt h

B unke r FO M F P/ k W - M o nt h

B unke r VO M F P/ k W

B unke r Fu e l Fe e P/ k W h

1- 4

1,9 07.74

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

5 -10

9 6 4 . 61

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

11-15

650.23

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

16 -20

335.85

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

P a r a m e t e r s f o r t h e B u n ke r P o w e r S t a t i o n: 1.

Bunker 15 MW Guaranteed Dependable Capacit y plus 5 MW reser ve; 2.

8 0 % Ava i l a b i l i t y ; 3.

5% A u x i l i a r y ; 4.

0 . 2424 L / k W h Fu e l C o n s u m p t i o n R a t e a t 74 . 5% L o a d Fa c t o r ; 5.

0 . 0 0 24 L / k W h L u b e s C o n s u m p t i o n R a t e 6.

H FO P r i c e i s P 3 2 . 5 2 07/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n 7.

L FO P r i c e i s P 3 6 . 5 2 07/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n 8.

L u b e O i l P r i c e i s P 9 5 . 517 7/ l i t e r a s o f J u l y 2 014 d e l i ve r e d p r i c e a t N P C Po w e r P l a n t i n Tay t ay, Pa l a w a n

PhP 3,300,000.00

Delivery of the GOODS is required within Sixty (60) calendar days from receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a similar contract equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible Bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents.

5MW Bunker Reserved Rate Structure:

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

Year s of C ont rac t

Bunker CC R P/ k W - M onth

Bunker FO M F P/ k W - M onth

Bunker VO M F P/ k W

Bunker Fuel Fee P/ k W h

1- 4

1,9 07.74

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

5 -10

9 6 4 . 61

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

11-15

650.23

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

16 -20

335.85

286

0 .717 9

8 .16 0 7

4. Interested Bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of PhP 5,000.00. The method of payment will be in cash. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his authorized representative.

Solar Rate Structure:

Year s of C ont rac t

6. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested parties on August 3, 2015, 10:00am at PHilMech Liaison Office, 3rd Floor ATI Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

7. Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before August 17, 2015. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid security in the form and amount stated in the Bid Data Sheet or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR POSTHARVEST DEVELOPMENT AND MECHANIZATION (Formerly BUREAU OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION) Main Office :CLSU Cmpd., Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija Tel. No. (044) 4560287 / 4560213 FAX No. (044) 4560110 Liaison Office : 3F ATI Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City Tel. No. 9274019 / 9274029 FAX No. 9268159

TARGET COMPLETION DATE

63 km

DESCRIPTION

PhP 3,300,000.00

9. The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization 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.

LENGTH

El Nido substation

ABC

8. Bid opening shall be on August 17, 2015, 10:00am at PHilMech Liaison Office, 3rd Floor ATI Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

DESCRIPTION 69 kV sub-transmission line from the Municipality of El Nido to the Municipality of Taytay

S o l a r Fo M F P/ k W h

1- 4

12 .7 7

0.86

5 -10

6.85

0.86

11-15

4.87

0.86

16 -20

2.90

0.86

1.

2.

O t h e r c o n d i t i o n s:

S o l a r Cr r P/ k W h

3.

4.

Proposal shall be able to service the four Municipalities: El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas.

Proposal shall include the comprehensive plan forconstruction of Subtransmission lineto connect four Municipalities of El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and Roxas The interested Private Sector Participants must have, at the time of the submission of its challenge, a minimum authorized capital stock of PhP6,853,486,323.00 to match or exceed the collective authorized capital stock of the entities comprasing the project original proponent consortium.

Proposal for an option to supply 25 MW bunker plus 5 MW reserve capacity, subject to the above-stated rate structure.

A p r e l i m i n a r y c o n f e r e n c e s h a l l b e c o n d u c t e d o n 1 S e p t e m b e r 2 015 a t 8 : 3 0 a . m o n w a r d s a t t h e PA L E C O M a i n O f f i c e . A l l c o m p a r a t i v e p r o p o n e n t s ’ p r o p o s a l s m u s t b e r e c e i v e d i n s e a l e d e n v e l o p e s b y t h e B A C n o t l a t e r t h a n 5 : 0 0 p . m . o f 2 8 S e p t e m b e r 2 015 a t t h e PA L E C O M a i n O f f ic e. A ll c omparative proponents’ proposals must be acc ompanied by a bid securit y in the a m o u n t o f F i f t e e n M i l l i o n P e s o s ( P h P 15 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0) i n t h e f o r m o f c a s h o r m a n a g e r ’s c h e c k p a y a b l e t o PA L E C O. PA L E C O a n d t h e B A C r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o a c c e p t o r r e j e c t a n y r e q u e s t t o o b t a i n t h e C o m p e t i t i v e SelectionPackage, to ac c ept or reject any proposal, to annul the selection proc ess, and to r e j e c t a l l p r o p o s a l s a t a n y t i m e p r i o r t o c o n t r a c t a w a r d ,w i t h o u t i n c u r r i n g a n y l i a b i l i t y t o a n y p a r t y. PA L E C O a n d t h e B A C a s s u m e n o r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w h a t s o e v e r t o c o m p e n s a t e o r i n d e m n i f y any par t y for any expense or liabilit y incur red in its par ticipation in the proc ess, and in the p r e p a r a t i o n a n d s u b m i s s i o n o f a n o f f e r.

F o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t N a p o l e o n M . C o r t e s J r. , B A C S e c r e t a r i a t , o r t h e d e s i g n a t e d o f f i c e r- i n - c h a r g e d u r i n g o f f i c e h o u r s a t t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n t a c t n u m b e r s : t e l e p h o n e n o . ( 0 4 8) 4 3 3 9 14 4 l o c 8 6 3 o r f a x n o .: ( 0 4 8) 4 3 4 4 4 01.

A pproved:

(SGD) RAUL R. PAZ BAC Chairman

RIC B. Z AMBALES General Manager and CEO

( T S - J U L . 17, 2 0 , 2 7, 2 015 )

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 5

B8

cesAr bArriOqUiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Performance. Members of Spain’s DelReves Company perform the vertical dance show “Guateque” at the Reggia of Venaria in Venaria Reale, near Turin, on July 25. DelReves is a vertical dance company based in Barcelona since 2007. AFP

Tackling Greece’s headache ATHENS—It is just the headache Greece’s government does not need right now: how can it loosen the capital controls that are shielding its banks, but strangling the rest of the economy?

For the past month, Greece has been financially cut off from the rest of the world.

It is almost impossible for most Greeks to take money out of the country, thanks to a raft of capital control measures put in place on June 29 amid fears of a catastrophic bank run.

For companies, the capital controls have meant waiting for a government commis-

sion to sign off on large bills owed to foreign firms—a process that has slowed payments so much that distrustful suppliers started asking to be paid in advance.

Bank of Greece chief Yannis Stournaras on Friday loosened the restrictions to allow banks to approve companies’ foreign payments up to 100,000 euros ($110,000).

But people remain unable to open new foreign bank accounts, buy shares, or transfer large sums of money. Athens is tolerating two main exceptions to the rules: Greek students abroad can receive 5,000 euros per quarter, while citizens having medical treatment in other countries can receive up to 2,000 euros.

Cash withdrawals were limited to 60 euros ($65) per day after Greeks emptied ATMs, worried for the safety

of their savings.

Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Stathakis warned on July 12 that it could be “several months” before it is deemed safe to lift the measures completely.

Announced in the throes of the crisis, when Greece appeared to be teetering on the brink of a chaotic eurozone exit, the capital controls were brought in with just one immediate concern in mind: protect the banks.

Some 40 billion euros have left the banks’ coffers since December. As the world waits to see whether Greece and its creditors can hammer out a bailout worth up to 86 billion euros ($96 billion), staving off a panicked outpouring of the country’s cash remains a paramount concern.

According to Diego Iscaro, an economist at consultancy IHS, the problem with capi-

tal controls is that they are “easy to implement but very difficult to lift”.

Or as Moody’s analyst Dietmar Hornung put it: “Confidence (in the banks) is lost quickly, but it takes time to restore it.”

Elsewhere in Europe, Iceland is a perfect example of this: the country is only now beginning to lift capital controls that have been in place since 2008.

Cyprus, too, has only just lifted the restrictions introduced in 2013 when, nearly bankrupt, it was forced to impose a socalled “bail-in”, which saw people with large bank deposits lose a hefty chunk of their savings.

“Even Cyprus—with a government resolutely engaged in the reforms, a process which has gone well—took two years to come out of them,” said Frederik Ducrozet, an economist at Credit Agricole. AFP

Floods kill at least 10 in Myanmar YANGON—Floods triggered by torrential monsoon rain have killed at least 10 people in Myanmar in the last 48 hours, state media and officials reported Sunday.

Six people were killed by flash floods on Saturday in Thabeikkyin, central Mandalay Region, the Ministry of Information said, while another three perished the same day in Thibaw, northern Shan State.

A 19-year-old boy also died in Muse, Shan State, on Friday, the ministry said.

State media Sunday said those killed in Thibaw were swept to their deaths as they stood watching rising floodwaters from a 100-year-old bridge that collapsed.

The Global New Light of Myanmar ran pictures of a picturesque stone bridge sliced in half by a raging brown torrent, and said rescue workers were dispatched to try and find the victims’ bodies.

Western and northern parts of Myanmar have been hit by heavy rainfall in recent days with some areas of Shan State,

a mountainous and particularly impoverished region, seeing as much as 170mm of rain in the last 24 hours.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said up to 12,000 houses have also been damaged in Sagaing Region and Kachin State during recent rain.

Myanmar is struck by annual monsoon rains that are a lifeline for farmers but can also prove deadly, with landslides and flash floods a common occurrence.

AFP

Arrival. Singer/songwriter Mariah Carey is interviewed as she arrives at 1 OAK Nightclub at the Mirage Hotel & Casino on July 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

E AT, DRINK , T R AV EL

LIFE

LONG LIVE BURGER, HOTDOG AND BACON!

C1

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

W

hen you check the hashtag #lazybastard on Instagram you will be treated with photos after photos of “lazy bastards” (or basically people and pets having a sluggish day), a couple of burgers, hotdogs and all things meat, and this red neon sign scribbled on a red brick wall that proudly declares, “Long live bacon.”

If you’ve been at the restaurant where this relatable motto is located, one of those bright red images is presumably yours. If it’s the first time you saw and heard about this, you’re probably curious; if you share the same sentiment, you’re most likely eager to check this place out.

Lazy Bastard is a fast-casual restaurant that offers “ridiculous” comfort food. And for many, comfort food means burgers, hotdogs, and other meat-filled sandwiches: carnivorous treats that are all being served up by this four-month-old burger joint so awesomely and proudly ridiculous.

All this awesomeness and ridiculousness are the brainchild of World Yoyo Champion and Groupon Philippines chief executive officer Patrick Cuartero. “[Long live bacon is] our battlecry. It’s our mantra. Bacon is flavor and bacon makes everything better. We relate to it, and I think a lot of our guests and friends can relate to it as well,” says Cuartero, explaining the distinguished neon sign.

The fun that is all things bacon and grease can be found down in the basement in a secluded corner of one of Makati’s busy thoroughfares.

If not for its eye-catching sign outside that says, “Bacon & Burgers This Way,” locating this food outlet would be quite a challenge.

But all hard work will be paid off once you arrive at the place.

Lazy Bastard evokes a natural New York vibe, and no wonder since Cuartero grew up in the Big Apple. How I Met Your Mother fans will be reminded of Ted Mosby and the gang’s favorite hangout MacLaren’s Pub while going down the stairs. The hole-in-a-wall burger joint, whose modest size might underwhelm some, is inspired by Cuartero’s favorite pubs and restaurants in New York – from the mood lighting, red brick walls, modern customized stools and tables, and snazzy fixtures and other details that are kept to a minimum.

“It’s tiny, but packs a big punch in flavor and awesomeness. We offer a vibe like no other, with no pretense and no frills. Just a chill place to have good comfort food,” says Cuartero.

Its straightforward and playful menu, written on a chalkboard, reveals that this joint is definitely not for the faint of heart (literally and otherwise), or anyone who has shunned meat. “Lazy Bastard is for people who love to eat or NEED to eat (for various reasons related to ‘going out’),” stresses Cuartero. In short, its doors are open to people who are hungry and looking for fast, filling and delicious food,

Lazy Bastard is a burger joint inspired by New York pubs and restaurants that offers all things bacon and beef for the hungry, tired and hung-over customers.

Bacon Cheeseburger

For Lazy Bastard and ABV owner Patrick Cuartero, who grew up in New York, bacon makes everything better so he adds it to all the food he offers in his restaurant.

Build-Your-Own Breakfast Sandwich and Kimchi Dog (served with Tater Bombs and Onion Rings on the side)

the inebriated and hung-over crowd who had spent the whole night partying or the tired customers who had a long and exhausting workday, and anyone who is curious and wants to grab a bite, New York-style.

According to Cuartero, the name of the restaurant occurred to him while watching a video of one of his favorite New York-based restaurateurs, Keith McNally, who talked about his furniture purchases and blurted out, “lazy bastards.” Also, “It’s named Lazy Bastard as we really think it’s the kind of food that will either turn you into a lazy bastard or when you are feeling lazy and want to feel better.”

And lazy is truly what you will be after a round of their burgers and hotdogs offered in big and juicy servings. “We offer the best, biggest, juiciest, 100 percent beef (no extenders) burgers cooked over a charcoal grill for a very different flavor that people are used to in a burger,” says Cuartero. “Honestly speaking though, we believe burgers should always be cooked over charcoal.

“Our hotdogs are also the best, (made of) 100 percent beef,” he adds. They also serve build-your-own breakfast sandwiches all day that you can stack as high as you want. And the cherry on top? Almost everything on the menu comes with a sinful serving of bacon, in its wrapped and sandwiched glory.

In this day and age when you can get burgers and hotdogs anywhere, Lazy Bastard is making a stand by doing away with all the unnecessary add-ons and sticking to the basics. To prove that they are a no-fuss, no frills, unpretentious restaurant, all food are served quite simply, no fancy presentation or whatnots. “Our food is not supposed to be fancy. We focus only on the core product and we like it that way. We serve unpretentious good food that is done well,” Cuartero stresses.

In the following year, Lazy Bastard is looking into adding more branches. Cuartero reveals that the public should expect six more Lazy Bastards opening soon. “We are hoping

Inside Lazy Bastard is a door that opens up to ABV bar

we can find the right locations that can maintain the chill hole-in-a-wall vibe.”

Diners are also in for a surprise as inside this burger joint a door leads to its more refined and classic bar cousin, ABV (Alcohol

By Volume), also owned by Cuartero in partnership with mixologist Lee Watson.

So if you’re looking for a place to grab a bite before heading out for drinks (or the other way around), you can find them in one place, down in the basement.

M ONDAY : J ULY 27 : 2015

C2

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

SUMPTUOUS HOTEL DINING UP NORTH

Mini Teriyaki Burgers, P400

Kickin Shrimp Cocktail Salad, P400

Dining at hotel restaurants is becoming a favorite activity among Metro Manila folks. And there are just so many options to choose from, each competing for our time and attention. There THE GIST are also a lot of new

BY ED BIADO hospitality establishments with compelling foodand-beverage offerings opening all over the city, making the competition even stiffer.

Arguably one of the best hotel dining experiences up north (read: Quezon City) can be had at the Luxent Hotel. The South Triangle property has two restaurants: the Garden Cafe, where they serve an impressive buffet of “innovative fusion cuisine,” and the Lush Bar lobby lounge, where diners can enjoy am extensive menu of modern international dishes.

The latter is apparently quite a well-known destination in the area – a bustling commercial neighborhood teeming with nightlife hotspots and a diverse selection of food choices. When we visited the hotel, the Lush Bar was at capacity, which goes to show just how popular it is. But not

Grilled Cheese and Turkey Ham Sandwich, P600

Crab Meat Salad, P350

one to rest on its laurels, the Luxent Hotel is shaking up its a la carte menu just in time for a momentous occasion.

“In celebration of our third anniversary, Luxent Hotel will roll out a new, value for money a la carte menu featuring the world’s greatest cuisines as an upgrade on our existing F&B offering,” says sales and marketing director Mayette Sagales-Delfin. “Our chef ’s specialty is on international cuisine presented with a modern twist and we are thrilled that we are becoming popular among epicure guests for our choicest and delectable seafood dishes, pastries, and buffet offerings.”

We were able to sample all (yes, all!) the new menu offerings in advance and we’re happy to report that everything is a winner. It’s difficult to choose a single favorite, but a few dishes did stand out as absolute must-try’s. The ossobuco, for example, has that melt-inyour-mouth goodness while the shrimp cocktail salad is light and balanced. We also loved the sinfully indulgent grilled cheese and turkey ham sandwich, and the fresh Pan-Asian flavors of the crabmeat salad. These and more are available at the Lush Bar right now.

The Luxent Hotel is located at 51 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City.

Check them out online at www.luxenthotel.com.

The Lush Bar lobby lounge

The Goat Man of Piedmont Wines I met Marco C a p r a , the very cheerful, young and brilliant winemakerSIP BY SIP owner of his own

BY SHERWIN A. LAO eponymous winery and vineyards, Marco Capra Azienda Agricola, in a dinner event in Alba, Italy. Marco’s ebullient persona includes his trademark bushy beard. “Capra” in Italian also means goat, and male goats are known for their beard, too. With his given last name, Marco sported his beard proudly to distinguish himself from the zillions of wineries and winemakers in Piedmont.

MARCO CAPRA WINERY IN SANTO STEFANO BELBO

In one of my free times during my Nebbiolo Prima stint, I decided to take the invitation of Marco Capra to visit his winery in Santo Stefano Belbo. Santo Stefano Belbo is a commune in the Province of Cuneo in the Piedmont region, located southeast of Turin and northeast of Cuneo – just 20 kilometers away from my hotel in Alba. It is one of the over 50 communes that can be classified as an Asti Spumante DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita).

According to Marco, 90 percent of all vineyards in Santo Stefano Belbo produces Moscato wines, of which 80 percent in his estimate could easily be Spumante, while the rest are non-sparkling still wines, under

The 10-year-old San Marco Moscato d'Asti still has some life in the glass during tasting.

Moscato d’Asti DOCG. As in the case of most families in the Piedmont wine country, Marco also has wine lineage in him that started with his grandfather, Capra Luciano, who went into the wine business in 1945.

Marco’s father, Capra Tommaso, was also involved in the wine business, before young Marco came in and took over the winery named by his father after him in 1996.

While Marco Capra also does Moscato d’Asti like most of the local winemakers in the commune, Marco prefers to do more serious wines, and these include the methode Champagneois (metodo classico in Italian) extra brut sparkling wine, the Nebbiolo d’Alba, and the Barbera d’Asti Superiore. Marco is a firm believer that Piedmont wines can be far more than just Barolos and Barbarescos.

Marco Capra at his eponymous winery in Santo Stefano Belbo.

His Seitremenda extra brut sparkling wine is even confidently priced at close parity with French champagnes, and selling extremely well in the domestic market. Marco was also very pleased to pioneer the use of screw cap closures in the region. In 2009, Marco Capra was the first winery in the area to buy a screw cap machine in line with their export to North America.

CREATIVE MARKETING OF THE WINES

Marco Capra is a loving dad, and his two children, Elisabetta aged four-and-a-half, and Riccardo aged two-and-a-half, are his inspirations. So when it came to labeling his newer wines, the Seitremenda metodo classico extra brut sparkling wine and the

first vintage of his Testanvisca Nebbiolo d’Alba wine, Marco went for an animated rendition of a girl and a boy in these labels, in reference to his kids. One of his marketing gimmicks is to create a Snakes and Ladder type board game containing the winemaking process. This board game, Il giuoco di seitremenda, comes free in every case of his Seitremenda metodo classico bubbly. Then the cap of the bubbly can be used as the token piece to be moved in the board game. On a personal note, I love the whole “kid” label and game board thing, but I find the concept a bit ironic given that kids are not allowed to drink alcohol, and yet they are the main feature in the label.

But then again – this is after all Italy where kids traditionally get an early taste of wine.

Continued on C3

M ONDAY : J ULY 27 : 2015

C3

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

BALI WHY?

THE GOATMAN OF PIEDMONT WINES From C2

(Part 2)

TIPPLE TALES

BY ICY MARIÑAS

A case of the Seitremenda sparkling wine comes with a game board, die and customized caps as tokens.

CUSTOMARY TASTING NOTES:

Marco Capra produces several wines, but given my time constraint I only got to try a handful, including a cellar stashed 10-yearold Moscato d’Asti.

• Marco Capra Seitremenda Extra Brut NV – made from traditional champagne grapes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; tropical fruit nose, very clean, yeasty, almonds, bread crumbs, crisp and dry, nice delicate fizz, with lingering cinnamon finish.

• Marco Capra Chardonnay 2014 Langhe DOC – peach, green apple, racy citrus, neat, clean and dry on a very fresh finish.

• Marco Capra Conna Nascetta 2014 Langhe DOC – an indigenous white varietal resurfacing more and more in the region lately as local vignerons are starting to take this grape more seriously; aromatic, grapefruit, lychee, herbaceous, supple and rich on the texture, yet quite quaffable and delectable on the finish.

• Marco Capra Testanvisca 2012 Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC – fruit forward, cherries, vanilla, medium-bodied, easy to drink style of a Nebbiolo – as compared to the much heartier Barolos and Barbarescos.

• San Marco Moscato d’Asti 2005 DOCG – this is the oldest Moscato (10 years old) I have ever drunk, as Moscato normally does not have high acidity to sustain aging. Under San Marco brand, instead of present Marco Capra label, this Moscato still has the Moscato nose, but less intense; grapey, plastic resin, longan, but on the taste, it appeared slightly watered down, though the natural sweetness surprisingly lingered and was present till finish.

Marco Capra is looking for an importer in the Philippines and other parts of Asia.

The wines are reasonably priced with lovely packaging, and more importantly, the owner-winemaker has the charisma, talent and unforgettable goat beard to sell and promote his wines.

For interested parties, please contact Marco Capra directly at marco@marcocapravini.it, or visit their website at www.marcocapravini.it.

For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, wine consultancy and other wine related concerns, please e-mail me at protegeinc@ yahoo.com. I am a proud member of the Federation Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV since 2010. You can also follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/sherwinlao.

L

et’s pick up where we left off.

I wanted Tabby (my daughter, in case you missed last week’s column) to experience different kinds of drinking environments, so the next day, we visited Ku De Ta. This is one of my all-time favorite beach bars in the world. As you enter, you get this sophisticated, for-adults-only vibe. The space exudes a polished, sexy feel that sets the tone for the libations that they offer: refined, exciting, engaging cocktails purrrrfect for the beach. We arrived late in the afternoon and took a spot right on the beachfront.

I ordered a cocktail to sip, and enjoyed the famed sunset. People actually applauded the setting sun. That’s how beautiful it is.

It’s been several years since my last visit and I’m impressed by the fact that they have been able to maintain the high quality of their service, ambiance, food and beverages. Their cocktails are fresh, new and vibrant. The music they play is sexy beach house (thank god they don’t play EDM!!!), which adds to the very relaxed and chill atmosphere. This is definitely a place where you taste and savor every sip. Where you feel you have the luxury of time, as if someone pressed the slow-mo button. (Naks!)

I got the Berry Bellini from KDT. It was strawberry overload without it being overkill.

There were different layers of flavors and textures that prevented it from being cloying and one note. It was one of those drinks that tastes exactly as it looks: yummy.

Potato Head Beach Club is the grander, successor of KDT; equally as chic and exciting for the cool set. Like they used to be the KDT regulars, but now with kids in tow. There are areas where kids can play, a large lawn spread in the middle of the property with a pool fronting the beach, and the air is more casual, with several dining and bar concepts housed in one roof. Their menu was executed well. I was so blown away by the selection of inspired cocktails and the creative illustrations of the cocktail menu (a more modern way to present cocktail menus); it’s inspired me to redesign our menus in my bar.

We’ve talked about the “where” of the drinking experience; it was time to explain the “what.” I believe (I am very sure a lot of you will agree) where and with whom you drink with is as important as what you drink. The place sets the tempo, the company provides the gusto, the drinks provide a full sensory experience. It’s a package deal. Appearance or presentation creates anticipation and the taste seals the deal. This, to me, creates pure joy; like a child set loose in a toy store.

The presentation of the drink matters because it sets the tone for the rest of the experience. In a way, your eyes taste it before your mouth does. Your sense of taste is actually the last to be involved.

After your sight, your sense of smell is

Cocktail menu illustrations

My daughter Tabby and I with Potato Head in the background.

the next one at bat, followed by touch (the glass where the drink is placed, the temperature of the drink on your lips and tongue). The only sense that doesn’t really get any action in the drinking ritual is hearing (unless it’s a drink that whistles, sizzles, crackles, or pops. Which takes the experience to another level).

Tabby got the Calypso while I sampled several drinks at Potato Head. Got the Queen of Bahia, Atomic Punch, KupuKupu Batik and my favorite of the lot, the Kookaburra. The Kookaburra is an inspired creation. Six layers consisting of lemongrass infused gin, fresh mint, lime juice, vanilla sugar, and passion fruit and vanilla foam threw a party in my mouth. The foam gave subtle bursts that washed the drink down and left a wonderful aftertaste. If you listen to it closely, you can hear it pop as well. It is definitely one of those drinks that gave me that last satisfactory gulp and (I know this is a cliché) but it made me say “Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh.” You know what I mean. *wink* As my daughter raised her drink to her lips, she closed her eyes to savor it, just like I taught her. She did this almost instinctively, like she feels the groove, the next step of the dance. She’s starting to get the hang of it; the flow of the drinking experience. My heart swelled.

Tabby looked around the beach club as she set her drink down. She had this look about her, nodded to herself, and then

Kookaburra cocktail

gave me the nod of understanding. Like she finally got it. That this is why we like to drink.

I was able to share one of my favorite activities with my daughter. Not boozing or getting wasted, mind you (though getting at least a buzz can also feel good, that is not my goal; It’s just a bonus), but enjoying quality alcoholic beverages, the actual ritual of drinking (look, smell, sip, and savor), experiencing different kinds of moods that comes from the places where we drink, and engagement of the senses (among a host of other things).

But by far, the most important aspect of drinking is whom you’re drinking with.

You can be drinking warm Red Horse in a shithole, but if you’re with your best buds, it can still turn out to be one of the best nights of your life. On the other hand, the finest, most glammed up bar/club/ whatever-hipster-thing-they-want-tocall-now serving the current, innovative drinks would do nothing for you if you were surrounded by conceited, selfimportant as$#0!3&!

I’m one of the lucky ones, getting to drink great cocktails on the beach with a breathtaking view. The best part was that I was in excellent company.

C4

M O N D AY : J U LY 2 7 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

BORACAY¼ SAND, SEA, SKY? Boracay in the early ‘70s had pristine and unpopulated beaches.

C h o s e n by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2012 as the best island in the world, MERCURY RISING Boracay is

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO still the most popular beach destination in the country. The island is blessed with powdery white sand beaches that can equal those of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. For the sun lovers who always crave for that golden tan, this little island, two kilometers off the northwest tip of Panay, is still their favorite destination, especially because the beaches are lined with dozens of bars and entertainment places that foster all night long parties.

The island is also a favorite venue for elaborate launches of products and services that cater to the youth. Especially during the summer, there are always these events every day, much to the delight of the students and young professionals who take time out from school and work to fly or sail to this beach party capital.

However, while Boracay’s progress continues to grow by leaps and bounds, there is now a growing sentiment against this sand-sea-and-sky destination. In fact, I have a close friend who avoids it like the plague, even if she is given complimentary air tickets and luxury accommodations. She and a host of others no longer find it fun and relaxing to enjoy the glorious rays of the sun at the beach. They say the beach is littered with too many tourists, especially during peak hours in the morning and in the afternoon. They no longer enjoy the soothing sound of waves rushing to the shore.

Some say that going into town has become too hazardous and frustrating because there are just too many vehicles going in all directions, one has to be very careful crossing the road. Tricycle drivers display anarchy in the streets, much like how jeepney drivers rule the streets of Manila.

Some even comment about the town’s layout – there is no zoning and houses are practically on top of each other, as proven by a recent fire which gobbled up, in no time at all, many residences made up of light material.

But the biggest concern a lot of people have is the town’s faulty (some even say, nonexistent) waste disposal system which, many years ago, caused the hospitalization of several tourists who suffered diarrhea and

ILOCOS TOURISM

The very wide beachfront of the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa.

Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

A popular sand castle for tourists’ photo-op.

A typical beach scene in Boracay.

severe vomiting. This was due to ingestion of seawater with high concentration of coliform bacteria, which is found in human waste.

According to a May 2015 Report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas, the island’s coliform bacteria levels exceed safe standards. They reach 47,460 most probable number (mpn) per 100 millimeter (ml).

The safe level in waters for swimming and other human contact activities is established at 1000 mpn/100ml. The island’s coral reef and marine life, which are also some of its attractions, are affected, too, by these elevated levels of coliform bacteria.

Although my friends at the Department of Tourism have assured me that this urgent problem is now being addressed by both the DENR and the Department of Health, there are still a good number of holiday seekers who are worried about their safety.

But I have to admit that I still enjoy Boracay because when I go there, I limit my water activities to the hotel’s swimming pool, and I don’t stray into town, unless the hotel driver takes me around in a rented air-conditioned car. I usually stay at the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Spa because it has the widest beachfront among all the hotels and I enjoy walking along the beach at sunset and at nighttime, when it’s almost deserted.

That’s when I get to enjoy the sound of waves clashing on the shore, a most relaxing auditory stimulus for mature individuals like me.

Most of all, I still think that the party scene in Boracay is the best for any beach destination here in the country. There’s something about the island’s club scene that makes you want to be a part of it the whole evening. It could be the throbbing sounds dished out by the young DJs, or the fun party people having a great time, or the scantily clad denizens that come in droves to show what “the good life” is all about.

I would still hop over to Boracay any chance I’d get. After all, it’s not every day that I get to pretend I’m in my favorite Caribbean or Mediterranean destination, and not have to pay an arm and a leg for it. So, are you coming with me… for some sand, sea and sky?

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

My friends and I had lunch recently with Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. who, even after the meal, kept us guessing whether he would join next year’s race for the highest position in the land. He also kept everybody in stitches when asked why his mother’s SALN showed a drop in her income by P5 million. “She probably bought more shoes,” was his reply.

What I found interesting during our conversation was his comment that he is pleasantly surprised that the Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, which has 20 windmills arranged on a single row along a 9-kilometer shoreline, has become a favorite tourist destination of many locals. He put up these wind turbines to help with the required supply of electricity for Northern Luzon, with tourism farthest from his mind. As it turned out, tourists from other provinces and from as far as Mindanao include Bangui in their itinerary just to have their photos taken with these windmills in the background. Families residing nearby have benefitted from the tourists’ local expenditures, certainly a welcome treat for any town in our archipelago.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: MOTHER AND SON CONVERSING THROUGH TEXT: Mom: Your grandmother just passed away. LOL. Son: Why is that funny?

Mom: It’s not funny, David! What do you mean?

Son: Mom, LOL means Laughing Out Loud.

Mom: I thought it meant Lots of Love. I have to call everyone back.

M ONDAY : J ULY 27 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Aljur Abrenica welcomes Padilla as friends

Past beComes Present Kylie Padilla says she's friends with former flame Aljur Abrenica again

Jake Vargas says he lacks time for girls so he and Bea Binene broke up

JakE VaRGaS LaCkS timE fOR LOVE JOSEPh PEtER GOnZaLES Lack of time for each other is the main reason Jake Vargas and Bea Binene broke up.

“Yes, during the latter stage of our relationship, we hardly found time to, at least, go out on a date, talk and have a good time together. Admittedly, I lacked the time for her. That’s why it resulted to our parting of ways,” he reveals.

He rules out a third party to be the cause of their break-up.

“Definitely, there’s nothing like that! I heard that rumor at the height of all these and I just laughed it off. For one, I loved Bea that much so having another girl is a far-fetched thought. It’s really about me not able to give her time.

That’s the primary issue.”

This development is heart-breaking for their supporters, who still hope for a possible reconciliation between

them in the coming days.

“I know, but honestly, I want Bea and me to remain okay despite the change in our personal state,” reveals Jake. “I still consider her a dear friend.

I just hate to receive flaks from bashers as if we’re enemies because for me, we’re not.”

Are they communicating after their break-up?

“Actually, it’s been a while since we last texted each other.

But I went out of my way to continue our communication right after we called it quits. I really exerted effort to text her during that initial stage. She used to reply to my messages although lately, she doesn’t anymore. Yes, until now, I still text her.”

Getting a reply or not from his former lady love doesn’t really matter for Jake.

“As long as she is able to read my messages, it’s fine with me.

At least, I’m able to say what I want to tell her. If I get hurt if she doesn’t answer back? No, because I know my messages reach her. That’s good enough for me.”

And now, the $64 question: does he still love Bea?

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43 44 45 48 49 50 52 57 58 60 61

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Wade’s teammate 5 Orange pekoe 8 — -eyed 12 Delicate fabrics 14 Pull down 15 Excuse me!

16 Windy City airport 17 Narrow valley 18 Country-club fees 19 Reach an agreement (3 wds.)

21 Lily maid of Astolat

23 24 25 26 30 32 33 37 38 39 40 42

Say more Opposite of postTax-form ID Beauty parlors Dispense with Alternate name Jonquil Feel like Prove false Enameled metal The dark enchants them (2 wds.)

Redhead’s tint

62 63 64 65 66

All — Day (Nov. 2) Rubicon crosser Go-aheads Kind of humor 1040 org.

Brunette to blonde switch (2 wds.)

Squirms Old ruler of Venice Safety agcy.

Take, as a course Footnote abbr.

(2 wds.)

Refusals Bete — Cinnamon goody Underhanded Oil barrel

DOWN 1 Cartel 2 Molokai neighbor 3 A word to kitty 4 Juno, in Athens 5 Statuesque 6 Before, in verse 7 Vampire writer (2 wds.)

8 Float ingredient 9 “Satchmo” Armstrong 10 Unwraps 11 Ruhr Valley city

“I’ll be a hypocrite if I’d say I don’t since it doesn’t fade away that fast or that easy. Of course, it’s still intact. Nothing has changed.”

It appears that the Sunday All Stars mainstay is actually not closing his doors for an eventual reconciliation.

“Of course! As I’ve said earlier, all I want is for the two of us to become okay. So, let’s see what’s in store for us in the future.”

In his latest show titled Buena Familia, he is paired with Julie Ann San Jose. Kibitzers are curious if he will get developed with her eventually.

“I don’t know! Ha-ha-ha!

Don’t you think it’s too early to think about that? As I see it, Julie’s a kind and fun girl to be with. She has sense of humor as well. I feel we’ll jibe easily.

One thing more, my focus at this point is my job. I believe that love can wait,” ends Jake.

HHHHH It’s no big deal for Kylie Padilla being friends with former flame Aljur Abrenica.

“It doesn’t mean that because you’re no longer a cou-

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015

13 14 20 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 41 42 44 45 46 47 49 51 52 53 54 55 56 59

Family cars Hoople’s word MS readers Name in jeans European capital Cut, as logs Jai — Ding-a- — Vows Barriers Helena rival “Gunsmoke” deputy O’Brien All boys Arm bone Char a steak Kentucky whiskeys Commotion (hyph.)

Expedite Dernier — More weird Temple city of Japan George of “Blume in Love” — — only kidding!

Thicken People in general Clump of dirt Next in line Pantyhose shade Flower holder Sun, in Baja

ple, there’s already bad blood between the two of you. That’s OA (over-acting). Aljur and I, we still text and call each other until now. We ask how we’re doing respectively. That’s what’s important: we managed to become friends despite what happened,” she avers.

Will she be ready if ever the Kapuso hunk will court her once again?

“Oh, please! Ha-ha-ha! I cannot say something about that. At this point, work is my priority. I’m not saying that it’s a remote thing to happen since I don’t have the principle that if I left a boyfriend, I won’t reconcile with him again. I don’t believe in that. But as I’ve said, I don’t want to get distracted as of now when it comes to my career…not even by Aljur!”

Working with her ex on a project is also not an issue for the lovely lass.

“Of course, I’m open to that, especially now that I see Aljur enjoying acting better. He is more relaxed and has improved a lot. He is more passionate with his craft now,” Kylie states.

Joel Edgerton, known for his unforgettable inhabitation of various characters such as the jealous pharaoh in Exodus, the beleaguered mixed martial arts fighter in Warrior and the philandering husband in The Great Gatsby, star anew in the upcoming drama thriller The Gift opposite Jason Bateman and Rebecca Hall.

From the producers of Insidious, The Gift follows Simon (Bateman) and Robyn (Hall) as a young married couple whose life is going just as planned until a chance encounter with an acquaintance from Simon’s high school sends their world into a harrowing tailspin. Simon doesn’t recognize Gordo (Edgerton) at first, but after a series of uninvited encounters and mysterious gifts prove troubling, a horrifying secret from the past is uncovered after more than 20 years.

As Robyn learns the unsettling truth about what happened between Simon and Gordo, she starts to question: how well do we really know the people closest to us, and are past bygones ever really bygones?

The Gift opens on Aug. 19 in cinemas from OctoArts Films.

Find out what’s inside the box on https:// w w w.youtub e.com/watch?v=RDcTOONMkU8&feature=youtu.be

Beware of gifts

M ONDAY : J ULY 27 : 2015

C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ABs-CBN tvplus ACtivAtes emergeNCy wArNiNg BroAdCAst system

A MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino and ABS-CBN COO Carlo Katigbak Jana Agoncillo plays Ningning in new series on ABS-CBN

Kye Cal's song is now on heavy rotation on various radio stations

BS-CBN TVplus does not only provide Filipinos a richer TV viewing experience. It can also aid them during disasters by providing them important information that will help save lives.

With the mahiwagang black box’s emergency broadcast warning system (EBWS), ABS-CBN TVplus will serve a bigger role by issuing emergency warning messages to viewers and telling them what they should do when an impending earthquake hits.

To help the public get prepared for the possibility of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, ABS-CBN TVplus has partnered with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30.

During the drill, subscribers of ABS-CBN TVplus will receive a warning message flashed on their TV screens and will deliver more information about the activity.

The EWBS is a feature readily installed in the Japanese standard for digital television. It is used in Japan, which is vulnerable to geohazards but has undertaken measures to mitigate their potential impact.

“We believe ABS-CBN can make a difference in helping the public become more informed and prepare for emergencies and disasters. We hope that our early warning broadcast system can become an integral part of all government efforts to ensure the safety of the general public,” said ABSCBN COO Carlo Katigbak.

“This is huge. Four hundred thousand black box holders will have necessary awareness of what will happen on July 30. This will be a great help to the general public, especially to those who are uninformed, untrained, and unaware of the significance of what will happen. We assure you that even after a real quake occurs, the significance of this partnership will last,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

The warning message will only flash when the TV is tuned in to ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, as well as CineMo, Yey!, Knowledge Channel, and DZMM TeleRadyo, the four free premium channels offered by ABS-CBN TVplus.

ABS-CBN TVplus is the first and only brand to offer EWBS, a premium public service feature that is only available on ABS-CBN TVplus boxes.

ABS-CBN commercially rolled out ABS-CBN TVplus in February to prepare for the country’s switch to digital TV. It is the first TV network to offer the digital TV box in the country after having invested heavily in infrastructure and test broadcast activities in the past seven years.

HHHHH NiNgNiNg to shiNe ANd give iNspirAtioN to viewers ABS-CBN’s newest drama series Ningning is all set to brighten and show the beauty of life to TV viewers as the upcoming show inspires everybody to hope, dream, believe and love starting today.

Kapamilya child actress Jana Agoncillo will portray the character in the series, which is from the makers of the hit daytime series Be Careful With My Heart and Oh My G. From her remarkable portrayal in the charming drama series Dream Dad, Jana will now give life to the character of Ningning a cheerful little girl who is full of hope, dreams, and love for her parents Lovely (Beauty Gonzales) and Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio).

How will Ningning’s colorful world change when fate tests her family’s strength?

Will they still be able to see the bright side amid all the problems they are facing?

According to the director of the program Jeffrey Jeturian, he is amazed with the kind of talent and intelligence that Jana possesses.

“Jana is a one of a kind star.

The likes of her only come once in a blue moon. Because aside from being talented, she is very smart for her age. She knows what she’s doing and she always comes to the set prepared,” said Direk Jeffrey, who also directed Dream Dad and Be Careful With My Heart.

Meanwhile, aside from the feel-good story of Jana’s character, Ningning will also feature the beautiful town of San Vicente, Palawan where some of the scenes of the series were taken. The program will also present the beautiful and jaw-dropping view of the

island, and the happy community residing in it.

Also joining Beauty, Ketchup, and Jana in the series are some of the most talented artists in the industry such as Sylvia Sanchez, Vandolph Quizon, Nyoy Volante, Rommel Padilla, Mercedes Cabral, Pooh, and John Steven de Guzman. Nonie Buencamino and Franco Daza will also appear for their special participation.

HHHHH KAye CAl Now rAdio listeNers’ fAvorite Singer-songwriter and Star Music artist Kaye Cal is finally breaking through as a solo music artist, now that her original composition “Isang Araw” has topped MOR 101.9 Biga10 for four weeks now.

“I want to give myself a tight hug and say ‘good job!’ I am really happy about it and at the same time grateful to those who have been constantly requesting and voting for my song, especially my dear teamKAYECAL for showing their love and support in all ways possible,” she said.

Before that, the song had been on the chart for two months before steadily climbing to the top spot. From no.

10, it moved up to no. 9, then leaped to the second spot before reaching first place.

Kaye is the former vocalist of Ezra Band, which received nationwide recognition when it joined the first season of Pilipinas Got Talent and became a grand finalist.

Kaye, a proud lesbian and member of the LGBT community, also performed at the recently held MOR Pinoy Music Awards.

“Isang Araw” is one of songs in Star Music’s first OPM Fresh compilation album, which features up-and coming solo and group acts. It is still available at all record and video stores nationwide for only P199. Digital tracks can also be downloaded via leading record stores all over the country and in online music stores such as iTunes,Mymusicstore.com.ph, and Starmusic.ph.

For more information, visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/ starrecordsphil, Twitter.com/ starrecordsph and Instagram. com/Starmusicph.

M ONDAY : J ULY 27 : 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Jake Vargas

Julie Anne San Jose

Kylie Padilla

Martin del Rosario

‘BuEnA FAmIlIA’ pREmIERES tHIS AFtERnoon ISAH V. RED Another gripping drama is set to captivate the viewers of all ages as GMA Network presents the Afternoon Prime series Buena Familia, premiering this afternoon.

The show aims to reflect every person’s struggle to provide for his or her family’s welfare and how good fortune is attained through one’s endeavor to live nobly.

Mayton Eugenio

Witness stellar performances as Buena Familia gathers a powerhouse cast among which includes the reunion of the hottest love team of the 90s—Bobby Andrews and Angelu de Leon. They will breathe life to the characters of Arthur and Bettina, which people see them as a perfect couple until Arthur gets involved in a pyramiding scheme which turned their affluence into a misfortune.

Very much affected with this are their four children—Celine, Darling, Edwin, and Faye—who are unaccustomed to hardships.

These interesting characters are

Mona Louise Rey

given life by Kylie Padilla, Julie Anne San Jose, Julian Trono, and Mona Louise Rey. Bringing their family into a deeper dilemma is Josephine, the former assistant who used to be the mistress of Arthur. Because of her hatred towards Arthur, she will plan a retribution that will lead Arthur’s family to far-reaching consequences. Portraying this challenging role is Sheryl Cruz.

To add more twists in the story are the characters played by Jake Vargas and Martin del Rosario.

Jake plays Kevin, a songwriter who

Angelu de Leon

will get close to Darling as she tries her luck in the music industry.

Meanwhile, portraying the role of Harry is the award-winning actor Martin. Harry is a young businessman who has an ax to grind against the family of Buena who caused him pain in the past.

Completing the cast are Jackie Rice, Ryza Cenon, Aicelle Santos, Mayton Eugenio, Mel Kimura, Lou Sison, and Ms. Tessie Tomas.

Buena Familia airs weekdays after The Half Sisters on GMA Afternoon Prime.

the show aims to reflect every person’s struggle to provide for his or her family’s welfare and how good fortune is attained through one’s endeavor to live nobly

➜ Continued on C7

Bobby Andrews

Tessie Tomas