The Standard - 2015 September 09 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 209 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 wedNeSday : SePTeMBeR 9, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Sarmiento to take over from Roxas at DILG

bbL RunnInG out of tIMe, noY SaYS By Sandy araneta and Francisco tuyay

THE Palace said Tuesday time is running out for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, the centerpiece of the Aquino administration’s peace efforts in Mindanao. “Communication with leaders of Congress on the timely passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law continues. We understand that time is running out to achieve this objective, but we need to acknowledge the importance of upholding the peace process,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. As part of the peace process, Aquino recently created a national task force for the disbandment of private armed groups in areas of the proposed Bangsamoro and adjacent regions. The task force included representatives from the military, the Justice Department, the police and various law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and the head of the government negotiating panel with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The task force will be in charge of formulating policy, planning and and implementing a program to disband private armed groups. In an interview on state-run PTV-4, Aquino said he did not believe war would break out if the BBL is not approved. “I don’t submit to the premise that war will break out. I don’t think there is any interest from the major players to re-engage in a bloody conflict.” he said. “Having said that, there will be the spoilers who will want to exploit the current difficulties to show that their avowed aims of gaining what they want through violent means is the only way to go Next page

Question and answer. President Benigno Aquino III expresses his views during an interview at a local newspaper office aired over government television station PTV 4 on Tuesday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

Mar should man up to failure after Yolanda

Now, government considers car pools Tuesday. Speaking at budget hearings at the Senate, Singson said the plan THE government is consider- would cover the peak hours from ing a traffic scheme that would 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. bar all vehicles with fewer than to 8 p.m. three passengers from Edsa dur“To be able to do that, you have ing peak hours, Public Works to open alternative routes for Secretary Rogelio Singson said private vehicles with fewer than

By Macon r. araneta and Joel e. Zurbano

three passengers so they can pass through them,” he said. He said this was just one of many recommendations on how to decongest traffic in Metro Manila. Another proposal was to adjust office hours of government employees as well as workers in the Next page private sector.

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BBL

From A1...

about it. So those of us who are advocating peace should really even redouble our efforts to thwart these groups who would want us to branch again into really a pointless conflict. So, who should be blamed? I think I’ll leave that up to the Filipino people who will have an opportunity in next year’s elections,” Aquino said. Still, the President said he was confident the bill would be passed soon. “I did ask recently both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House and they both laid out, shall we say, some of the difficulties currently in passing the BBL but they both expressed confidence that the BBL will be passed,” said Aquino. “So, on the Executive’s portion, we would want to continue the engagement of our dialogue partners, specifically the MILF… we want the population in general in this region to experience the socalled peace dividends arising from this agreement,” Aquino said. “So even absent the Bangsamoro law, we are hoping that Congress will support the initiatives that will shower these people with the peace dividends and get them further engaged in the process,” he added. Aquino also said the government will continue to lobby members of Congress to pass the law during their watch and pass it at the earliest possible time. The Moro National Liberation Front under Nur Misuari on Tuesday rejected the position of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in favor of the BBL, and accused it of conspiring with the govenrment to pass an illegal law. At the close of the Tripatite Review Process, most of the MNLF delegation privately expressed opposition to OIC Ambassador Sayed Kasem El-Masry over its supposed affirmation to the BBL. “Despite the amendments of some senators we find also that the government and leaders of Congress are optimistic that we are going to have a strong version not a diluted version of the BBL,” Sayed said. The government panel, through Jose Lorena, acknowledged that the BBL is facing some challenges and that many amendments have been introduced. “Nevertheless the government is confident that in the plenary session and bicameral meeting of the two houses, the BBL would reflect the original BBL,” he said. The TRP adjourned with an assurance from the OIC that the three unresolved provisions of the MNLF’s peace agreement with the government in 1996 would be tackled in the ministerial meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in November. Talking to his emissary through a cell phone, Misuari conveyed a message of disgust after Sayed came out with a position insisting that the Philippine government had already fulfilled its obligations to the 1996 final peace agreement and the BBL is a partial implementation of it. “Misuari was terribly mad at the OIC position,” said MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza on the sidelines of the TRP meeting. Misuari also said Cerveza was insulted twice during the two-day meeting after the OIC refused to recognize him as part of the MNLF delegation. Sayed said the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a partial implementation of the MNLF peace agreements, since it covers partial territories embodied in both MNLF agreements. However, Sayed also gave importance to the 1976 Tripoli Agreement, which led to the 1996 final peace agreement, and insisted that both be linked to the BBL. Sayed urged all parties to redouble their efforts to reach a consensus on the convergence of the two peace tracks— the MNLF and MILF peace accords. But Cerveza said the negative outcome of the TRP meeting might trigger a resumption of hostilities in Mindanao.

On the road. National Police Chief Ricardo Marquez checks out the traffic situation on Edsa and Cubao on Tuesday. Jansen ROmeRO

Aquino names Roxas’ replacement at DILG “I offered the job to him,” Aquino said during an interview aired over the state-run PTV-4. “‘The transition is being worked out so that he is not thrown into the deep end right away, and there’s a smooth transition between Secretary Roxas and congressman Sarmiento,” Aquino said. Roxas resigned Aug. 3 after he received Aquino’s endorsement as the LP standard-bearer for 2016. But Aquino asked Roxas to say on and complete some urgent tasks and to ensure a proper transition before he steps down. Lawmakers welcomed the ap-

pointment of Sarmiento, a former mayor of Calbayog City. “He is very qualified. He was formerly a local executive and I am sure he can easily and readily handle the job,” said Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said it was a good appointment, given Barzaga’s experience in local governance. Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said Sarmiento was “the best choice.” Rep. Silvestre Bello III of the 1-BAP party-list group said Sarmiento’s appointment was expected. “Congressman Sarmiento is

a decent person. I hope he will not allow politics to destroy his reputation,” he added. Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said: “It’s good that Secretary Roxas is already replaced because the DILG post is being used for his presidential ambitions. What we need to see is that the funds of the agency won’t be used for the 2016 elections.” Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Trenas said Sarmiento’s long experience in local government would work to his advantage. “Mel Sarmiento is a leading member of the party. He was city mayor for nine years before he became congressman in 2010,” Trenas said. “He was secretary-general of the League of Cities of the Philippines for six years while he was still city mayor. He has the experience and knowledge of local government needed… Mel Sarmiento is highly qualified and will be a solid asset to the administration,” he said. Sarmiento, now on his third

Now

out at least 60,000 vehicles from Edsa every day. “This will connect north to south. This will pass Buendia, Osmeña, Quirino, all the way to Sta. Mesa and then to Araneta to Bonifacio in Quezon City, going to NLEX. [There would be] no need to pass Edsa,” he said. The assistant general manager for operations for the Metro Manila Development Authority said Tuesday the increasing

number of private vehicles remained the major cause of traffic congestion on Edsa. “The volume remains a problem. The actual capacity of Edsa is 6,000 vehicles in one direction per hour but right now we have 6,800 vehicles said the MMDA’s Emerson Carlos. Carlos said 90 percent of the vehicles on Edsa are private. “Maybe, the solution is for the people to use public transport,” Carlos added.

By sandy araneta and John Paolo Bencito

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday he has chosen Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Party, to replace Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who is leaving office to concentrate on his presidential campaign for next year.

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“We also got suggestions that work in government offices should [be from] 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. while in the private sector, it should [be] 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Singson told the Senate hearing. Eventually, Singson said, Skyway 3, which is scheduled for completion in 2018, will take

and last term as representative of Western Samar’s First District, was earlier reported to be running for mayor of his city in 2016. In an earlier interview, Aquino said he screened the candidates for the post extensively, given the sensitivity of the position. “Of course, the remaining 10 months or so—that’s the tail end of the campaign—there will be great pressure for the DILG secretary. I think I need to talk with these two,” Aquino said, referring to Sarmiento and Undersecretary for Local Governments Austere Panadero. Sarmiento will be the third chief of the DILG in the Aquino administration, following Roxas, who replaced Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash in 2012. The Department of the Interior and Local Government holds administrative control over all local governments, the Philippine National Police, and other agencies related to law enforcement. He also reported that traffic flowed smoothly with the police directing traffic along Edsa. “Traffic on the whole stretch of Edsa continued to improve yesterday with fewer accidents on the major thoroughfare,” he said. The MMDA reported that there was improvement on the traffic flow on Edsa’s southbound lane while buses on the designated yellow lanes also moved faster.

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Fire Baladad, group demands Filipinos in the world’s kitchens IF you are holidaying on a Mediterranean cruise ship, celebrating your winnings at an Asian casino or dining with the president of the united States, the chances are a Filipino will be cooking your meal. Since the 1970s, the Philippines has been known for its mass export of workers, particularly poorly paid maids and construction workers who choose an uncertain life abroad above deep poverty at home. But in recent years there has been a trend towards higher-skilled and better-paying jobs, and cooking schools in the Philippines are now churning out tens of thousands of chefs a year for kitchens around the world. “I’ve always been interested in cooking, especially baking, even as a kid,” former bank clerk Rochelle Evaristo told AFP as she took a break from making sandwiches alongside other aspiring cooks at a Manila school. “I also want to work abroad. My cousin is in Canada and he said they need a lot of cooks.” In her late 20s, she is among the oldest of the class of 39 mostly teenaged students at her government-run school in Manila. More than 10 million people from the Philippines work overseas and maids, sailors and laborers are still the most common jobs. However, cooks, bakers, and pastry chefs are becoming the most sought-after professions, with ships, hotels, restaurants and casinos the main employers, the school’s deputy director for operations, Teodoro Pascua, told AFP. Nearly 180,000 Filipinos went to work in ship galleys abroad between 2010-2014, including nearly 72,000 head chefs, with the rest made up of kitchen assistants, waiters and waitresses, according to labour department data. over the same period, about 65,000 Filipinos went to work in similar catering jobs in hotels and restaurants in foreign countries. Filipinos are big assets in the global catering industry because of their English proficiency, the ease with which they adapt to the host countries, and a resilience that belies their easy-going nature, according to Pascua. “These are soft skills that we have that make us a little more distinct than either our neighbors or other workers all over the world,” he said. Pascua also said a graduate of the entry-level six-month course at his school, supervised by the Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, would be able to master the basics in any kitchen. “your employers will know that you won’t drown in the kitchen. you won’t make a mess of anything,” he said. There are about 2,500 cooking schools—mostly private but also government-run—in the Philippines, according to Pascua. The culinary trail was blazed by Pablo Logro, a former dishwasher who rose to become the personal chef of the sultan of oman.

Logro got his start helping prepare soft buns for a Chinese restaurant in Manila, which gave him a ringside view of its chef ’s Asian cooking. He then got a job as a chef’s assistant at a Manila hotel, where he befriended an Arab guest who offered him a sous chef job in oman in the early 1980s. It turned out to be at the Al Bustan Palace, where guests of the sultan would stay. In interviews with Philippine media, Logro said during his decade-long career in oman he regularly cooked lamb for the sultan and served visiting royalty and heads of state. Returning to the Philippines, he became the first Filipino executive chef of a five-star hotel. He eventually left the job to open his own culinary school and establish himself as a celebrity chef with his own successful television cooking show. A more recent success is Cristeta Comerford, who began as assistant chef in Bill Clinton’s White House in 1995 after working at five-star hotels in the united States. She was then appointed executive chef in the presidential kitchen in 2005 by George W. Bush’s wife, Laura, a position she carried into the Barack obama presidency. Visiting the Philippines last year, obama highlighted her introduction to the presidential family of two of the better known Filipino dishes. “Thanks to her, we in the White House enjoy the occasional lumpia and adobo,” he said in his toast at a state dinner, referring to fried spring rolls and meat marinated in salt, garlic and vinegar. Evaristo, the former bank clerk, has far more modest ambitions, hoping to earn more money than her previous career that paid just P14,000 ($300) a month. After on-the-job training at a Philippine hotel or restaurant following her six-month schooling, she hopes to join a cousin in Canada who is the head chef at a Vancouver restaurant. “My cousin doubled his salary from his previous job here [as head chef of a Manila restaurant chain],” Evaristo said. While kitchen salaries vary greatly, virtually all pay more than domestic workers earn. Maids are typically paid about $400 a month in Saudi Arabia and $530 in Hong Kong, two of the most common destinations. Even an entry-level job as a chef’s assistant on a cruise ship pays about $900, according to industry publications. But while earning more money is the main aim for most students, it also allows them to dare to dream of emulating the likes of Logro and Comerford, according to Imeldaughter Vera, one of the trainers at the Manila school. “one of my students has gone on to work in a Middle East palace, cooking for a princess,” Vera said. AFP

THE human rights group Karapatan on Tuesday demanded the relief of Eastern Mindanao Command chief Aurelio Baladad for his “command responsibility” over the spate of killings and terrorist activities by some military units and their militias in the Caraga region. Group head Cristina Palabay said they would also be asking Congress to make Baladad and his command answer “for their crimes” against the Lumad tribe before the Department of National Defense’s proposed budget for 2016 was approved. “The AFP should pay for their crimes against the people. It deserves not a single cent from the people’s money,” Palabay said. “With what is happening especially in the areas under the Eastern Mindanao Command—the massive evacuation, the killings, massacres and threat to Lumad schools, their teachers, staffs and students—it is the Armed Forces of the Philippines and its paramilitary force multipliers who owe the people.” Palabay made her statement even as President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday tried to avoid discussing the reported

killings of members of the Lumad tribe in Surigao del Sur last week. There were allegations the military was abetting the killings as part of its antiinsurgency campaign. “I should talk to [Bayan spokesman] Teddy Casiño after this and ask him for details,” Aquino said in an interview aired over PTV-4. “There is no campaign to kill anybody. There is a campaign to go after everybody committing crimes regardless of who they are.” Aquino made his statement after Casiño asked what the government would do over the reported killings of members of the Lumad tribe. Armed Forces Chief Hernando Iriberri said military personnel, regardless of rank, would be punished if found violating any laws. In the House, the committee on national defense led by Rep. Rodolfo

Business as usual. Transport Secretary Emilio Joseph Abaya undergoes the usual inspection on Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Rudy C. SAntoS

Palace ordered to comment on pork petition THE Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Malacañang and Congress to comment on a petition by anti-pork barrel advocates seeking to stop the government’s disbursement of lump-sum and discretionary funds in this year’s budget. The high court adopted a resolution ordering the Executive and Legislature to answer the petition filed on Sept. 1 by a group led by former national treasurer Leonor Briones of the anti-corruption watchdog Social Watch Philippines. A source said the high court gave the two bodies 10 days to comply with its order. The respondents in the case are Executive Secretary Paquito ochoa, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Senate Presi-

dent Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Briones and other groups had asked the high court to stop the Executive branch from further implementing Sections 70 and 73 of the 2015 General Appropriations Act and the special provisions for special-purpose funds or SPF. Section 70 defines savings as portions or balances of any unreleased appropriations in the GAA that were not obligated. Section 73 contains the Rules in the realignment of allotment classes and re-prioritization of the items of appropriations. The petitioners are urging the high court to declare the two provisions as unconstitutional, citing its earlier decisions

Biazon said it will probe the alleged human rights violations being committed by the Armed Forces, including the rape of a 14-year-old girl in Davao del Norte. Rep. Luz Ilagan also denounced the reported rape. Justice Rep. Leila de Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation was ready to do a parallel probe of the alleged killings of members of the Lumad tribe following the House’s announcement of its investigation. The alleged killings of members of the Lumad tribe have been largely blamed on the military and the paramilitary Magahat and Bagani forces. Baladad has denied the allegations, but Karapatan is convinced the military is behind the the reported killings. “Who could forget the Paquibato Massacre where three civilians were killed, in which two were Lumad leaders and one peasant?” Palabay said. She said when Baladad was Eastmincom commander the Lumad schools became under attack because they were allegedly “NPA schools”. Florante S. Solmerin, Sandy Araneta, PnA, Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

voiding the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the key acts under the Disbursement Acceleration Program. They say there is a need for the high court to act on the government’s continuing disregard of its rulings on the PDAF and DAP. Briones says the Aquino administration has “disregarded the Constitution and the people’s money” with its manner of spending. She filed her petition with barely four months left in the fiscal year. A similar petition was filed in January by former Iloilo representative Augusto Syjuco, but it was dismissed outright due to his lack of legal standing. Rey E. Requejo

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following ranking officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Milton Y. Beset, PA and Desiderio A. Alaba, PA (Reserve) – Colonel The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713. 08 September 2015. ARTURO L. TIU Secretary (TS-SEPT. 9, 2015)

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PH telcos to transmit 2016 poll vote count By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Port call. The Unites States Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Paul Hamilton is berthed at the Manila South Harbor, two days after it arrived for a rest-and-resupply stop in while undergoing patrols and goodwill visits in the Western Pacific. DANNY PATA

Mar urged to be ‘man enough’ over Yolanda By Maricel V. Cruz OPPOSITION lawmakers on Tuesday urged Interior Secretary Mar Roxas “to be man enough” and explain the controversies surrounding the government’s housing program for victims of killer Typhoon Yolanda. House deputy minority leader and 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III said Roxas owed the public an explanation on the government’s slow action on Yolanda, especially in light of the fact that he has taken credit for the distribution of the Emergency Shelter Assistance or ESA to typhoon survivors during his “sorties” in Yolanda-affected areas. “Secretary Mar Roxas took credit for the distribution of ESA. He should man up, too, especially now that the apparent slow action from the government on the problem has started to come out,” Bello said. “He does not have the courage to

accept mistakes.” Bello also stressed the Roxas should have left his post after he has tendered his resignation in preparation for his presidential bid in 2016. “Humility and transparency is not in the character of the secretary. He does even have the decency to leave his office despite his resignation which clearly shows that his resignation was scripted,” Bello added. ESA provides cash assistance of P30,000 and P10,000 to families whose houses were partially or totally damaged, respectively, for the purchase of construction

materials to repair or reconstruct their homes. The local government units, which are under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, schedule and conduct the distribution of the cash assistance to their constituents; while the Department of Social Welfare and Development monitors the release of the funds to the beneficiaries. But there have been complaints from beneficiaries themselves that they only received P10,000 even if their homes were totally damaged, and that some of the funds went to “fake” or “ghost” beneficiaries, based on the list prepared by LGUs. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate noted complaints that some ESA beneficiaries have complained how loan sharks, in cahoots with unscrupulous DSWD employees, took advantage of them. “No amount of evasiveness and media spinning can erase what

our people already knew: the criminal negligence of the Aquino administration in the Yolanda crisis is still continuing,” Zarate said. “Secretary Mar cannot evade responsibility and accountability on this, not only because he was the government’s point man during Yolanda but more especially because as the putative heir of BSAquino he is likewise expected to carry its many baggages,” Zarate added. Anakpawis party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap urged Roxas and the Social Welfare Department to explain reported cases of corruption in the implementation of ESA. The United Nations itself, through special rapporteur Chaloka Beyani, last month reported the Philippines has not done enough to rebuild after Super Typhoon Yolanda with thousands remaining in shanties without power or water for nearly two years.

THE Commission on Elections has chosen to negotiate the P558-million contract for the transmission of the election results of the May 2016 presidential elections. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista noted that they decided to directly negotiate with prospective service providers—Globe Telecom and Smart Communications—after two failed biddings. “We had two failed biddings. And therefore, we thought the prudent recourse of action to take is to directly meet with telcos providers,” he said. “It was actually a blessing in disguise because at least now we can directly contract a local supplier instead of going through a foreign, third party,” Bautista said. The electronic results transmission service or ERTS is the system used in the city/municipal, provincial, and national canvassing centers to send and receive transmitted results of voting. The service provider will be the one to supply the system, equipment, and services of the ERTS. Republic Act No. 9184 provides that the negotiated procurement method, wherein the Procuring Entity directly negotiates a contract with a technically, legally, and financially capable supplier, is allowed in case of two failed biddings. S m a r t m a t i c –To t a l Information Management (TIM) Corp. was the service provider for the election results transmission in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

BoC performance target hit By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Ralph Recto on Tuesday said the Bureau of Customs should include in its performance target “the maximum number of days within which a balikbayan box will be released from the day it arrives in a Philippine port.” “If the BoC has target of seizures, they should have a pledge on how many days should a balikbayan box stays in a port,” Recto said. “I believe they should put there in their performance targets the balikbayan boxes. They should not stay that long in Customs,” he said. Recto noted this is lacking in the BoC’s performance pledges for next year, although the agency has pledged that “the baggage of arriving international passengers and crew will be processed within 30 minutes of their presentation to the Customs.” But Recto explained that “the impression we’re getting is that a very, very small number of incoming passengers and OFWs will be subjected to baggage inspection as a result of the establishment of ‘Nothing to Declare’ lanes in all of the country’s airports.”

“It is now taxation by confession. If one has nothing to declare, he will pass through the green lane,” he said. Despite this, the BoC, he said, is still targeting 6,000 airport inspections next year which will result in “the detection of irregularities.” “But that is small compared to the 18 million passengers entering the country annually. I hope there will be an inspection based on a tip that there’s a drugs or guns being smuggled and not only random inspection of legitimate gifts to their loved ones. Recto said “the probability of irregularities is always high if we do not increase the maximum tax -exempt value of personal belongings that a returning national can bring home.” Present regulations cap at P10,000 the value of goods that a balikbayan can bring home with him. In his Balikbayan Box Bill, Recto wants this raised to $2,000 and which will cover cargo shipped, mailed, or hand-carried. Among other “performance targets” of the BoC for 2016 are the 100-percent customer satisfaction rate and the 100 percent of goods cleared for release within 10 days from filing of import declaration.

Push for peace. Students and teachers of the Marikina Polytechnic College

compress for a groupie with Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who spoke at the school to explain pending proposals, including his own, for the Bangsamoro charter. LINO SANTOS

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Eat, pray, laugh

Cardinal meets with Binay, Poe, Roxas By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Fabunan It was all laughter and prayers that filled the atmosphere when three of the country’s three presidential as aspirants—Interior secretary Manuel Roxas II, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and senator Grace Poe—attended a gathering at the invitation of Manila archbishop Luis antonio Cardinal tagle for a “prayover” at the arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila on Monday night.

DPWH budget. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson stresses a point while Senator Loren Legarda, chairman of the committee on finance, appears unimpressed during the Senate hearing on the 2016 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways held at the Senate office in Pasay City. LINO SANTOS

Apec meet to focus on economy, maritime row takes the back seat THe Philippine government will not bring up territorial issues on the south China sea (West Philippine sea) during the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation meetings in manila. In an interview aired over state-run television station, President Benigno Aquino III said he would wait for the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a case involving China and the Philippines. “I think it will be more prudent for us to await the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal rather than engage them in this dialogue, which I think we have already stated our positions through various fora,” Aquino said. “so, again, we will stress on the economy—economic issues—and, specifically, China’s major role in the world economy and things that are happening in the domestic scene as

it impacts on the rest of the world’s economy,” Aquino said. He cited that China is a major economic player, and as far as the things that are happening in China currently, the President said he is sure all the other member countries, including the observing countries invited, will be curious to know what the plans of China are with regard to issues like the stock market, amongst other things—if there is tension with the so-called property bubble, the valuation of the Yuan, and other issues. Aquino said, since it is an economic conference, economic issues will be at the forefront in the discussion during the APeC meetings. Aquino said that the economic reforms during his administration will endure. “I think all of them will endure because there is an end-result already that is

easily demonstrable. Therefore, there is a truism that says ‘why fix something if it ain’t broke?’ There will be refinements and we welcome that,” said Aquino. “Perhaps there is sense of new conditions that will engender different specifics. But, at the end of the day, this formula has been shown to be a success and I think you do not tamper with things that are successful,” the President also said. malacañang had earlier stressed its adherence to international law and a rules-based resolution to the disputes in the south China sea in spite of China’s call for the Philippines to drop the arbitration case against Beijing. “The Philippines affirms its adherence to international law and preference for rules-based resolution of maritime entitlement issues,” Communications secretary Herminio Coloma said.

The “closed door” gathering, which lasted for hours was organized bythe Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting headed by Henrietta de Villa. “We did not ask anything about politics. What the Cardinal just said is that those who have decided to run, those who are still making up their minds, these are some few sharing in what leadership is all about,” De Villa, PPCRV chairman, said in a chance interview with reporters. “The three and Cardinal Tagle didn’t talked about anything political, they just prayed at the Arzobispado and shared dinner before the Cardinal Tagle read them some few bible verses, that reminded them of the true service of a leader, De Villa added. The three “potential candidates” attended the gathering as a “plain moment of providing them with some kind of spiritual rest,” De Villa said. De Villa described the gathering as a ‘joyous’ one. There was no prayover, she said. Instead, they prayed together the Liturgy of the hour, she said. A deacon led the prayer while Tagle was with the rest of the attendees reading the PsALms. “It was a happy one, the atmosphere was very happy... [We’re there laughter?, a reporter asked] ah yes, yes. Cardinal Tagle is a very relaxed person. You won’t mind what you’re even saying.” De Villa said that the Binay, Roxas and Poe all appeared at ease during the dinner-meeting. The PPCRV chairman said Tagle and the three presidentiables lined up for a photo opportunity. But there was no sharing of campaign platforms, De Villa said.

De Lima: Hands off INC case By Rey E. Requejo JusTICe secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday promised not to interfere with the conduct of the preliminary investigation on the criminal charges against leaders of the Iglesia Ni Cristo because the state prosecutors are mandated to independently and objectively resolve cases assigned to them based on merits. De Lima stressed that the Justice secretary does not meddle with the conduct of PI by state prosecutors, but she would usually monitor high-profile cases. “I don’t dictate on the prosecutors. The secretary of Justice cannot interfere with how a case is disposed of by the prosecutor. But I normally monitor high-profile cases to make sure the prosecutors properly follow the established procedures,” she said. According to her, she considers the criminal complaints filed by expelled minister Isaias samson Jr. and expelled

member Lito Fruto against INC leaders as “high-profile” due to the massive public interest involved. “This is a high-profile, sensitive case so I monitor that. In fact, I consider this as part of my job to monitor this case,” De Lima explained. De Lima said the prosecutors should always adhere to “proper guidance to just follow the rule of the law and just dispose of the case based purely on the merits.” The Justice secretary said she has been monitoring PI even in previous high-profile cases, so there is no such “extraordinary attention” being accorded to the INC cases as alleged by the church’s leadership that led to the edsa rally. De Lima also clarified that she has not ordered the issuance of subpoena against the INC leaders—contrary to a report of another newspaper yesterday. she said during PI proceedings, it is the investigating prosecutor who summons respondents in a criminal complaint.

Just a drill. Red Cross volunteer rushes an earthquake victim to an ambulance during a simultaneous earthquake drill in Laguna on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. DANNY PATA

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More than a hundred face raps over SAF 44 By Sandy Araneta

More than a hundred persons will be criminally charged for the Mamasapano incident where 44 Special Action Force commandos of the Philippine National Police were killed during an encounter with Muslim rebels on Jan. 25, 2015. “There is over a hundred, I think, that will be indicted over this [incident]. We are meeting probably by next week to get all of the specifics,” President Benigno S. Aquino III said during an interview aired over state-run television station PTV-4. Aquino expressed the need for a closure on the issue. “Do I have closure? I still have quite a number of questions, and there are various agencies of government tasked to ferret out the truth of exactly what happened in

its entirety,” said Aquino. After being criticized for not mentioning the Mamasapano incident in his final State of the Nation Address, Aquino admitted that many questions surrounding that fateful day remain unanswered. Aquino said the government is reviewing several accounts that led to the deaths of 44 elite commandos at the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. “However, there is diffi-

culty in getting the witnesses,” said Aquino. Aquino declined to state any specifics of the investigation saying it might hamper efforts to get to the truth of the matter. The Department of Justice earlier recommended the filing of criminal charges against 90 individuals over the bloody Jan. 25 clash. In July, a supposed transmittal letter to the DoJ approving the preliminary investigation for the complex crime of direct assault with murder against 102 individuals, including three Moro Islamic Liberation Front and two Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters commanders, was leaked. The number of respondents in the case was raised from 90 to 102, sources said. Public and legislative support for the Malacañang and MILF proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law suf-

fered following the Jan. 25 clash, even as the elite cops managed to kill their target, Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan. Lawmakers have questioned the sincerity of the MILF in the peace process, vowing to make the proposed law free of provisions that they believe could be exploited by the MILF. Because of the Mamasapano incident, some lawmakers and critics of the BBL feared that the proposed law will be used by the MILF as an instrument for secession. The role of third-party facilitator Malaysia was also questioned because the latter has a longstanding territorial dispute with the Philippines over Sabah. Lawmakers also vowed to make the proposed law compliant with the Constitution, citing the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain experience.

Signature drive. Members of the Urban Poor Association launch a signature campaign to encourage Rep. Leni Robredo to run for vice president in the 2016 elections during the launching ceremony held at Kabalikat office in Baseco Compound, Tondo, Manila. LINO SANTOS

Labor insists on minimum pay for Pinoy domestics By Vito Barcelo

THe Department of Labor and employment appealed to employers and foreign placement agencies in the Sultanate of Brunei that have employed Filipino household service workers to ensure the welfare and protection of the Filipino workers. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that it’s the decision of the employers to give Filipino domestics a minimum monthly salary of $400, pointing out that what the Philippine government is strictly implementing is to ensure the welfare and protection of Filipinos all over the world, and not only in Brunei. “We have set in place our own rules and regulations for the welfare and protection of our workers. Thus, we require that employers pay them a minimum US$400 a month and we strictly implement the no-placement fee policy, among other requirements before we can allow the deployment of HSWs,” Baldoz said. “The minimum monthly salary is our policy and part of our reform,” she said, adding the minimum monthly salary of $400 has been agreed both by the Philippines and Brunei. The Labor chief is in Brunei for a two-day official visit to monitor the operation of the DoLe’s Philippine Overseas Labor Office. She said talks between the Philippines and Brunei are on track in their bilateral labor agreement negotiations. “The two parties agreed to convene the technical working group and meet in October at the sidelines of the meeting of the Asean Committee on Migrant Workers in Kuala Lumpur,” Baldoz said. During her meeting with the employers and foreign placement agencies, Baldoz reiterated anew the Philippine government’s policy thrust of highly-selective and restrictive deployment of HSWs, emphasizing that this policy is complemented by a package of reforms whose components include skills assessment and certification; mandatory culture and language training; and expanded Preemployment Orientation Seminar, which is now online; Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, and Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar in which foreign employers and placement agencies must participate.

Graft prosecutors ordered to comment on Corona case By Rio N. Araja

Against cockfighting. Residents of Punta Sta. Ana, Manila put up placards denouncing a plan to build a cockpit in the area. DANNY PATA

THe Sandiganbayan on Tuesday gave the prosecution 10 days to comment on the plea of former Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona to reconsider its previous decision finding probable cause to litigate him for perjury. “The prosecution is hereby given 10 days to comment on the motion and the defense five days to reply, after which, the accused’s motion for reconsideration is deemed submitted for resolution,” the anti-graft court’s Third Division’s resolution read. Corona did not show up during yesterday’s hearing. Lawyer Reody Anthony Balisi represented Corona in court. The hearing was suspended. In a 33-page motion for reconsideration, Corona said the court “erred” in its decision that there was sufficient

evidence to indict him for perjury and violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, or Republic Act 6713. The charges arose from the nondeclaration of his actual assets in his Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net worth from 2004 to 2011. “The evidence on record clearly negate the existence of the crimes charged against accused, or of any crime for that matter,” the motion read. In August, in a vote of 4-1, the Special Third Division ruled Corona must be held on trial for the charges. The anti-graft court maintained there was enough evidence to assume that “more likely than not, the charges have been committed by the accused Corona.” In April 2014, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the charges before the Sandiganbayan from Corona’s alleged misdeclaration of assets in his SALNs in 2001 to 2011.

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Agri stops transport of monkeys By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE Agriculture Department yesterday ordered a temporary ban on transporting monkeys nationwide due to a confirmed case of ebola reston virus in Mindoro.

Remembering the dead. Placards and makeshift crosses show the names and faces of the slain Lumad in Surigao del Sur. JANSEN ROMERO

Palawan sets aside P10 million for El Niño onslaught PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has allocated P10 million to prepare for what may possibly be an early onslaught of the “El Niño” phenomenon in the province next month. The announcement was made after a PDRRMO meeting on Sept. 4 led by its head, Gilbert Baaco, and Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez. The amount was allocated for the purchase of rice for residents of Palawan who might be affected when the dry spell comes. Baaco said he estimates that

around 80,000 families in Palawan might experience the effects of El Niño, and the allocated amount can help tide them over until the safe planting season. Sonny Pajarilla of the state weather bureau Pagasa in Palawan said that the El Niño is expected to bring down effects in October until the first quarter of 2016. The first who will be affected are the farmers, he said, and then the residents as there might be a shortage in rice supply. Alvarez directed that the allocation should be used for the purchase of rice supply immediately

before El Niño strikes. Aside from the phenomenon, the PDRRMO meeting also centered on other topics, such as the construction of airports in the towns of Rizal, Quezon, Aborlan, Agutaya and Cagayancillo to make fast responses in times of calamities. The construction of the said airports has a fund of around P40 million, and Baaco said they can help make disaster response quick if roads prove impassable. There is also a plan to create a Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA) that shall help provide response in times of calamities,

and to support the maintenance of peace and order in Palawan. Around P15 million was also allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of evacuation centers, as well as the construction of a few more in several municipalities that were not named. The PDRRMO meeting also discussed the purchase of additional 20 ambulances, speed boats, 4x4 pickup trucks, motorcycles, boats and accident insurance for their volunteers. In all, P141.3 million was identified as the needed fund in preparation for calamities that might strike the province. PNA

“Some monkeys in the area have ebola virus. No movement of monkeys anywhere in the Philippines. Better be proactive,” said Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reano. Reano said that all Regional Field Units of the Bureau of Animal and Industry were ordered to ban the transportation of monkeys specially those coming from Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. “BAI has also put checkpoints and implemented a quarantine to make sure that the ebola reston virus will not spread to the other monkeys in the area,” Reano said. “We are checking and studying together with the Department of Health. According to DoH, the virus is not that strong but we are continuously monitoring and applying strict quarantine,” Reano added. Reano said that the ebola reston virus originally came from bats. “So far, it is unlikely that the virus will be transferred to other livestock animals,” Reano said.

Musical play to highlight Ilocos Norte celebration

Celebrating her birthday. Teachers and students of Notre Dame of Midsayap College in North Cotabato release a hundred doves to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. AMIEL MARK CAGAYAN

THE provincial government of Ilocos Norte will produce, for the first time, a full-length musical play dubbed as ‘RAKENROL’ on Sept. 11, 2015, 7 p.m. at Mariano Marcos State University’s Teatro Ilocandia, Batac. The staging of the play is in celebration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ 98th birth anniversary. Director Jeremy dela Cruz described ‘RAKENROL’ as a story about love and appreciation of the past.

The play will take the audience on a musical journey to the 1970s, a decade when ‘Manila Sound’ flourished and considered to shape the modern music scene in the country. An original song entitled ‘Rakenrol’ composed by acclaimed Filipino novelty composer Dennis Castillo will be highlighted during the play together with hit songs by Hotdog, Juan dela Cruz, Freddie Aguilar, Labuyo, VST, and Rico J. Puno. Dela Cruz said ‘RAK-

ENROL’ is “not purely entertainment.” While the rock and roll genre of music is characterized as hard and strong, the musical represents the strength and perseverance of Ilocanos, he added. Last July, the provincial government conducted a series of role auditions which were attended by several Ilocano youth. John Lennon Simisim and Winchelle Rumbaoa of Mariano Marcos State University were cast to play as the main characters Martin and Yolly, respectively.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

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OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

WHY TOLENTINO MUST GO

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A CALLOUS GOVERNMENT IT is difficult to imagine a government more callous and unfeeling as this one headed by President Benigno Aquino III. The latest example of this utter lack of empathy for ordinary people is the refusal by the Finance Department and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to support a bill in Congress that would cut the income tax rate for low- and middle-income wage earners. The House bill drafted by Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo divides wage earners into four brackets. Those earning P180,000 or less a year will be exempted from paying taxes; those earning from P180,000 to P500,000 would pay 9 percent; those earning P500,000 to P10 million would pay 17 percent; and those earning more than P10 million would pay 30 percent. The bill would be a boon to most middle-income earners, who now must pay the same high rate of 30 percent on their earnings as do those who rake in millions of pesos a year. Reacting to the proposal, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima took the macro-economic view with no consideration to what this would mean to ordinary working men and women. “We cannot put our fiscal sustainability and credit rating at risk by doing piecemeal revenue reducing legislation,” Purisima intoned. Both Purisima and Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares oppose the bill because they say it will result in almost P30 billion in revenue losses for the government. Their argument seems ludicrous, however, in the face of the government’s failure to spend billions of pesos already allocated by Congress in this year’s budget. In fact, the underspending this year is expected to reach as high as P500 billion. Now the question that Purisima, Henares and their boss, President Aquino, must answer is simple: Why quibble about P30 billion in “lost” revenue, if you already have P500 billion that you are not spending? Despite this underspending, the administration continues to ask for more money. Rubbing salt on a wound, the Finance Department even wants to raise the valueadded tax on all goods and services from 12 percent to 14 percent. From 2010 to 2015, the national budget has swollen from P1.54 trillion to P2.606 trillion. In this same time, however, there have been no corresponding improvements in public infrastructure or services. In fact, when we look at the mess that is our public transport system today, we could well argue that this administration reached the point of diminishing returns many years ago. This begs the question of what the government is doing with all the taxes we pay, and whether it is justified in depriving low- and middle-income families some tax relief so that they can actually enjoy the fruits of their labor. The President likes to say he listens to his “bosses”—the Filipino people—but he often does the opposite of what they tell him. If he will not heed us on this gut issue today, the whole callous government he represents must be repudiated and thrown out of office in the election next year.

A PERFECT STORM LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES VEHICULAR volume is the cause of Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic. And if you believe that, you’re more gullible than Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino and his boss, President Noynoy Aquino, combined. And yet, Tolentino decided to go down that stupid way yesterday, blaming the increased volume of vehicles for the grid-

lock that has been our seemingly immutable fate under this administration. It’s significant that the MMDA chairman has finally used the increased number of vehicles as an excuse for his failure, since he has always been of the belief that he could somehow improve the traffic situation so that he could win a seat in the Senate next year. Of course, Aquino has also repeatedly used the volume excuse to justify the monumental gridlock in Metro Manila. But the President has also memorably spun the situation into what he thought was a positive, by declaring once that traffic is a sign of economic progress.

But the fact remains that traffic is not really caused by the ever-increasing number of vehicles. The only time that would be true is if the government did nothing to anticipate increased vehicular sales and volume; and sadly, that’s exactly what happened. What’s beyond argument is that the Aquino government has done nothing by way of infrastructure to accommodate even a fraction of the increased volume. No new roads or bridges were built by this government using its own funds; and the private tollways that were supposed to be built during Aquino’s term are either

That’s what you get when you have a President who never anticipates problems and plans ahead.

hamstrung by delays (like the Balintawak-Buendia Skyway) or terribly inadequate (like the Daang Hari connector road). Meanwhile, the facilities that could have mitigated the traffic mess have been all but abandoned by the government. It was only during this administration’s term that the MRT and LRT train lines have been basically left to deteriorate as they never have before, thus exacerbating the situation instead of taking up the slack caused by the lack of new infrastructure. The plain truth is, the increase in vehicular volume certainly didn’t happen overnight. The car companies didn’t conspire to dump millions of cars, buses and other sorts of vehicles into Metro Manila in a month or even a year.

Vehicular volume grew more or less predictably over the past five years that Aquino has been in office. But there has been no government response except the one suddenly cobbled together this week, to deploy members of the Highway Patrol Group to Edsa. No new roads plus the abandonment of the trains plus the growth of vehicular volume, all happening over a fiveyear period, brought us to where we are right now: to a perfect storm of gridlock that no number of police enforcers can unravel. If the government decided that it had to import the entire Royal

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Canadian Mounted Police to fix traffic in Metro Manila, that would still not ease traffic. *** The enforcement of traffic rules, after all, is only one of the required components in order to ensure smooth traffic flow. Infrastructure, like the overhead highway network built by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Bangkok over a mere five-year period, thus eliminating his capital city’s world-famous traffic jams for good, is still the most basic requirement.

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There’s also the education of motorists and pedestrians, which the MMDA has spectacularly failed to do over the past five years. And then there’s the problem of addressing the economics of the transportation system, like finding ways to end the “boundary” system of bus companies and removing vendors from sidewalks, measures that this government has also neglected over the years. If Aquino, Tolentino and all other government officials who dropped the ball on the traffic situation were Continued on A10

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EVEN before a government workercommuter group asked for Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino’s head at a Senate hearing last Monday, a House committee looking into the traffic mess had already sought his ouster. Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza, as early as a month ago, grilled Tolentino on what he was doing to ease the traffic problem in the metropolis but got no satisfactory answer except the stock reply of “lack of funds.” Atienza found Tolentino’s answer unacceptable considering Tolentino’s costly TV commercials promoting his senatorial bid. “A 30-second TV spot costs at least P250,000 every time Tolentino comes out on your screen. He or MMDA must have already spent millions for these informercials in the guise of public service for earthquake disaster preparedness,” said Atienza, adding “this is the height of insensitivity when Metro Manila commuters have to suffer the daily grind of going to and from work.” Atienza, a three-term Manila mayor, questioned where the billions of pesos in the road-users’ tax had gone. While the fund is supposed to be used for road repair and maintenance, a lot of the money went into buying trees and plants for the constructed islands in the middle of the roads, while road repairs are usually started and then left unfinished impeding the flow of traffic, said Atienza. That President Benigno Aquino III assigned the task of easing traffic along Edsa to the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, Atienza said, only goes to show Tolentino failed in his job in his five years as head of the MMDA. Yet, Palace Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma described Tolentino as a hands-on manager. Coloma must be considering a post-government job as a stand-up comedian for giving this laughable description. Atienza proposed that in managing the myriad problems of Metro Manila, which is not traffic alone, the next MMDA chairman should be elected in a metro-wide poll instead of just being plucked out of somewhere. Tolentino for instance was a former mayor of Tagaytay, a two-lane city. Atienza added that the monstrous traffic problem can be traced to mismanagement of three other work-related government agencies aside from the MMDA—the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation and Communications, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. At the local government level which is under the DILG, barangay captains should be assigned the task of clearing streets of illegally parked vehicles and sidewalk vendors. These streets, sometimes used as neighborhood basketball courts, could be alternate routes to major artery roads, he said. The LTFRB for its part should stop issuing franchises and licenses to provincial buses that allow them to enter Metro Manila. Atienza suggested the Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

WHY TOLENTINO MUST GO

[ EDI TORI A L ]

That’s what you get when you have a President who never anticipates problems and plans ahead.

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QUESTIONABLE DOLE PROGRAM TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO THE Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group claims to have shortened the Edsa traffic gridlock by 10 minutes. Big deal. What the people want is for the HPG to make Edsa traffic run smoothly as it should and prevent the nightmarish experience of spending hours going to and from their destinations. It will take time for the HPG to improve the traffic situation on Edsa. How long must we wait? And for how long will the HPG do the work of the Metro Manila Development Authority? At the Balintawak market chokepoint, for instance, sidewalk vendors have been banned from peddling their goods outside the market. It has been done more than a dozen times before, but the vendors have just kept coming back. I am afraid this is just ningas-cogon mentality, like President Aquino’s mantra for change. Santa Banana, the more they speak of change, the more thing remain the same. *** Malacañang finally admitted that the President Aquino’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program is faulty, so much so that there are many beneficiaries of the dole who should not be there. And then, Palace spokesman Sonny Coloma claims the management of the program by Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman is good. That’s the kind of Palace spokesmen for you. The Asian Development Bank has found in a survey that a big percentage of the CCT beneficiaries, which is supposed to send children of the poor to school and avail themselves of health care, are not poor at all. Government should not just rely on the dole program to solve poverty and joblessness. The best longterm solution is job creation. We must make the country more competitive and open our doors to more foreign investments in industries and agriculture. That would mean amendments in the 1987 Constitution lifting economic restrictions. But then, that would also

mean opening competition to President Aquino’s businessmen friends who now have the monopoly of the economy. Now you know why the President is against lifting economic restrictions. *** Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has asked the Supreme Court to reverse its decision. She claims that the grant of bail to Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile is a mockery of justice. She cites three reasons: partiality to the rich and powerful, violation of the equal protection clause of the Constitution, and the fact that Enrile himself did not raise the lack of flight risk and his frail health. All these parrot the dissenting opinion of Justice Marvic Leonen, who with

This will not solve poverty and joblessness.

four others did not concur with the majority. No doubt, the Ombudsman has the right to petition the Supreme Court to reverse its majority decision on the grant of bail to Enrile on humanitarian considerations. But, as a lawyer myself, I have always been of the belief that “Dura lex sed lex.” (The law is hard, but it is the law.) For the Ombudsman to parrot a lone dissenting opinion raises the question: Should we not respect whatever the Supreme Court rules when it’s the Court of Last Resort? Why rely on the dissenting opinion of one justice? I believe that aside from humanitarian considerations, the lack of evidence in Enrile’s case was also considered in the grant of bail. There’s also the question of presumption of innocence, and the need for proof beyond reasonable doubt to convict anybody of a crime. I cannot predict how the majority of the justices will react to the Ombudsman’s petition, but I believe there’s need to put the issue of grant of bail for Enrile by the Supreme Court to rest.

A perfect... From A9 truthful, they would admit their mistake and stop insulting us with fake causes like increased vehicular volume and proclaiming that gridlock is a

BAD ECONOMIC NEWS THE Philippines does not owe any money from the International Monetary Fund. In fact, it is the IMF that owes the Philippines money, $1 billion, which it promptly lent to the bankrupt banks and bankrupt countries of Europe. So if there is anyone who should explain why its lending or borrowing practices are bad, it is more the IMF, rather than the Philippines. Still, every year an IMF team comes to Manila to check on how the government is managing the government and how the economy is managing itself. That team came in August this year. On Aug. 26, 2015, the IMF reported on its findings about the Philippines. At first blush, the IMF report, summarized in a 769-word press release, sounds positive. “The outlook for the Philippine economy remains favorable despite uneven and generally weaker global growth prospects. Real GDP is projected to grow by 6.2 percent in 2015, as lower commodity prices lift household consumption and improved budget execution raises public spending,” the Fund said. “Lower fuel prices, partly offset by somewhat higher food prices due to assumed moderate El Niño conditions, should help keep inflation in the bottom half of the Bangko Sentral’s target band. The current account surplus is expected to rise in 2015 due to lower oil prices and continued inflows from business process outsourcing and remittances. Fiscal policy is expected to remain prudent,” the Fund added. The IMF report seems to me bad news. This is given the recent economic and financial turmoil in China and its reverberation around the world (what the IMF calls “external headwinds”), and given the incompetence of the Aquino administration in handling taxpayers’ money to: —finance badly needed infrastructure to boost investment; —mitigate the daily suffering of Filipinos, especially those in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, in commuting from their homes to their workplace and back; and —help the poor in a more meaningful way than politically motivated cash dole. An average city worker spends three hours going to work, one way, and another three hours, coming home— that is assuming the weather is good, MMDA traffic mulcters are doing their job, and the so-called Highway Patrol *** It has been more than three decades since the Westinghouse Nuclear Reactor case against Marcos crony Herminio Disini, who died two years ago, came to fore. Unfortunately, peripheral issues on the case remain unresolved. A petition for certiorari by the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Republic of the Philippines is now pending against Jesus P. Disini before the 7th Division of the Sandiganbayan, a case that originated when

good thing. They would accept that they either did nothing or—like in the case of the MRT and the LRT—actually did all they could to cause the traffic situation to worsen. Needless to say, I take a very

word for higher interest rate or tightening credit to certain sectors (like real estate) is: “strengthen resilience.” Translation: Interest rates will rise. Loans to real estate and construction will probably slow down. As to the peso-dollar rate, the IMF wants “continued exchange rate flexGroup, another notorious group, ibility”. Translation: The peso will would really deliver their promised go down some more against the US miracle to sort out metro traffic. dollar, probably, to nearer to, or lower IMF’s 6.2-percent economic growth than, its end-2008 rate of P47.48 per projection for 2015 is lower than pre- dollar. The peso has already deprecivious estimates—of an earlier 6.7 ated, by 5.16 percent, from end-2014 percent by IMF itself, 6.5 percent by rate of P44.617 to yesterday’s P46.9235. the World Bank, 6.4 percent by the The IMF is aghast that the Aquino Manila-based Asian Development administration does not know how to Bank, and by the administration’s spend money, already budgeted. own 7.5 to 8 percent projections. Thus, the IMF directors, says their If the BS Aquino administration is press release, “also encouraged further not careful, the Philippine economy efforts to strengthen public financial could slow down to 6 or 6.1 percent management and budget execution, growth this year—the slowest in and to mobilize revenue to meet the four years, since the 3.7 GDP growth large social and infrastructure needs.” slump in 2011, the first full year of Translation: Government must the administration, from 7.6 percent spend more for infra, steal less for in 2010, the last year of the much-ma- politics, and not give away any more ligned Arroyo administration. tax incentives. This might explain the “Risks to the outlook are tilted to attempt to increase (which thankfulthe downside,” frets the IMF in its up- ly was aborted) the value added tax dated report dated September 2015. (VAT) to 15 percent, from 12 percent The Fund remains gung-ho on at present, and the failure of Congress the administration, however. “The to lower corporate and individual inPhilippine authorities are well come tax rates (which at 32 percent is equipped to respond as needed with among the highest in the world). suitable policies should any risks maFrom 2011 to 2014, according to terialize, particularly given the strong former Budget Secretary Benjamin fundamentals and ample policy space,” Diokno, the Aquino administration it adds rather condescendingly. failed to spend P529 billion of budThe so-called strong fundamentals geted expenditures. The economist refer to nothing more than strong con- calls this failure “mind-boggling” sumer spending boosted by $25 billion and “epic incompetence.” OFW remittances per year, equivalent Says the IMF’s latest report on the to P1.115 trillion—enough to bankroll Philippines: the payroll of two million largely unBoosting the level of investment is productive and often corrupt govern- a major structural challenge. ment personnel, twice over, in a year. “Public and private investment So it is not true that OFW remittances rates in the Philippines are well below do not benefit the government. regional peers, as reflected in its low OFW remittances are one reason capital stock and infrastructure qualwhy the economy keeps growing, at ity. The main impediments to private above 5-6 percent per year, despite all investment are inadequate infrastructhe external turmoil. Household ture, a weak investment climate, and consumption is now 71 percent of restrictions on foreign direct investGDP or economic output. If con- ment. Immediate priorities include sumers spent less, which is unlikely, implementation of the transport syseconomic growth would collapse. tem in Manila [Manila Dream Plan What the IMF refers to “ample approved by Neda] and improvements policy space” seems to refer to the in airports, road connectivity, and practice of the Bangko Sentral to in- seaports across the country.” tervene in the peso-dollar rate, and its So if you cannot get a ride home, proclivity to tighten credit flow when- blame Aquino. By the way, the El ever it pleases the IMF. IMF calls this Niño will be worse. It means a short“vigilance”—“if inflation or credit age of at least 500,000 tons of rice. growth were to accelerate with signs of potential overheating”. IMF’s code biznewsasia@gmail.com

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Disini filed against the government for the payment of attorney’s fees and damages for defendants’ alleged breach of an immunity agreement in return for his testimony in Pittsburg, USA, Geneva, Switzerland and Jersey City, USA. The PCGG and the Republic of the Philippines, however, subpoenaed Disini to appear in the Sandiganbayan criminal case against Herminio Disini et al. Jesus refused to testify invoking his immunity agreement, but the PCGG instead revoked the agree-

dim view of any instant or longterm benefits that the deployment of the HPG to direct traffic on Edsa will bring. It’s just too late for this clueless, noynoying government to do anything about the traffic problem—our

ment, compelling Disini to file a case for Certiorari with the Supreme Court. On June 22, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled: “The Court should not allow the Republic to put it bluntly, to double cross Disini. The Immunity Agreement was a result of a long drawn out process of negotiations with each party trying to get the best concession out of it...” After the promulgation of the Supreme Court decision, Disini was included as one of the accused in the Sandiganbayan criminal case, which involved the corporation of Herminio

only hope is that the next administration will acknowledge this very serious condition and will work unceasingly to find real solutions to it. But that’s what you get when you have a President who never

Disini. A hold-departure order was even issued against Jesus. However, the case was dismissed upon the death of Marcos. The Supreme Court declared that it could be refiled with the Regional Trial Court of Makati because the alleged crime was committed in Makati. The Supreme Court denied a Motion for reconsideration. Thus, the Republic and the PCGG filed for certiorari with the Sandiganbayan where it is now pending. I find all these questionable.

anticipates problems and plans ahead, and who only realizes very late in the day that millions of Filipinos suffer daily what he, with his convoy or outriders and flashing lights, probably never experienced.

W E D N E S D AY: S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

SNAPSHOTS

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO THE lunar “ghost month” ends this week. As of today, the two publicly known pollsters, Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations, shall have finished their field research, and are tabulating their findings. Next week, could be even in the next few days, the findings will be out. One should normally expect the Liberal’s Mar Roxas to have a “bump” after his public anointing followed by political hyperactivity, on the air with all those ads with PNoy, as well as in the hustings. How big a bump is worth the suspense, never mind Edgar Erice’s “in-house” blather. And what about Binay, who has been doing retail campaigning, scooping rice with his hands in public “lamon” shows called “boodle fights”, shaking every hand and kissing every lola and tiya along the way? Did this stave off a further decline in his ratings, as the Liberals wish? Or is his “solid” 20-25 percent, as the UNA claims, still loyal to him? What about Senadora Grace? Did her much criticized reaction to the INC rally shave off some points from her popularity index? (One survey did not capture that moment in their snapshot. As for the other, Poe’s “pandering” to the religious sect may not have gained enough traction yet in the respondents’ minds). Did her FPJ-inspired ads inspire? Did the Rizalito David charges before the SET resonate enough, or was the Poe camp’s deflection of the

Why.. From A9 construction of bus terminals in the outskirts of every city in Metro Manila as a solution to the traffic congestion. The DOTC under Secretary Jun (“traffic is not fatal”) Abaya bears the blame for the inefficient public transport railway system. Taking over from Mar Roxas who assumed the DILG post, Abaya has not done anything to address the daily breakdown of the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Rail Transit in the four years he has been in charge. The arrival of several new train carriages from China is a case of too little, too late. The MRT under Abaya’s watch has been embroiled in an extortion attempt of a Czech company bidding to upgrade and supply equipment for the ailing rail system. Although Abaya was not indicted in the case, former MRT manager Albert Vitangcol is facing graft

citizenship cum residency issue into the “awa”-inducing foundling tale generate even greater sympathy? In fact, I hear from some quarters close to her that our common friend, Bibeth Orteza and her husband, the acclaimed director Carlitos Siguion Reyna, are filming a new ad revolving around the child found in a baptismal font at the Jaro Cathedral. Clearly trying to awaken, and hopefully reinforce sympathetic emotions. What upon the other hand, is the effect on the random respondents of Duterte’s hemming and hawing? “Pabebe”, some netizens commented. Has his novelty worn off from so much denial? Last Monday afternoon, Duterte, in his native Davao, called a press conference to announce that he would not run for the presidency in 2016. It was a statement that caught his supporters and friends by complete surprise. Somewhere in Makati, a group was preparing campaign plans, discussing budgets, organization, and staffing patterns. Suddenly, at a quarter before five, the news from Davao adjourned the meeting abruptly. So what will the snapshot of the last few days of August and the first September morn days state? Since Duterte’s startling announcement is not yet captured by the field research, my sense is: Grace will still be on top, with her numbers in the mid-30s. Binay will still be second in the low 20s, but his decreasing numbers would be so close to Duterte and Roxas. In fine, the three major presidentiables will be closely

bunched together, almost 20, but not quite. Erap would be in the higher single digits, seven points or so. And the rest would be in the very low single digits. The question after the September morn snapshots will be: Can Grace sustain her numbers? What will happen at the SET? Questions of her qualifications will continue to hound her, courtesy of both the Mar and Jojo camps, and independent citizens like Rizalito. Just remember that periodic surveys are snapshots of a particular time frame. They change, not with the seasons, as our El Nino will mean hot days from now until after the elections of 2016, punctuated by a strong typhoon or two in the last four months of this year. They change depending on whether the contender’s message attracts, resonates and becomes a reason to believe. Or whether his or her political narrative becomes, well … “panis”, “bumenta na”, “trapo ang dating”, “ay, mali!”, “gimmick lang ‘yan”, “nambobola”, “walang pagbabago”… whatever. Recall that in 2009, following the death of President Cory and the outpouring of public sympathy towards her family, PNoy felt the pressure among his Liberal party-mates to run for president, in place of the single-digit rating Mar Roxas. By September, the Makati Business Club, which had joined the hallelujah chorus, commissioned a Lingayento-Lucena-corridor quick turnaround survey. The result? An astounding 54 percent for PNoy. But as political fortunes would have it, PNoy’s nationwide num-

bers tumbled down to 36 percent by end-January 2010, days before the official campaign period began. Meanwhile, on the back of a catchy jingle and very good advertising campaign, Manny Villar’s numbers inched up to 34 percent, placing him in a statistical tie with PNoy. What does this tell us? That it’s too early to predict “winners” and dump “losers”. Voters will cast their ballots on May 9 next year. That’s 243 days from now, and a lot of twists and turns can yet happen along the way to D-Day. Remember how in 2004, everyone and his mother swooned over the certainty of an FPJ victory, and how little by little, the sitting president, Gloria ate into the movie idol’s numbers inch after inch? And how a confused campaign and a difficult-to-handle principal agonizingly caused the late FPJ’s “sure win” to become a tight race. Gloria won with a little help from Garci. And the legendary FPJ resigned himself to a bitter loss, which could have led to his early demise. Quite sad. The 1992 presidential elections was one of the most hotly contested in contemporary Philippine history. Monching Mitra had virtually every local politician and congressman in his pocket at the start of the game. Fidel Valdez Ramos had only seven congressmen and a gaggle of local officials when he bolted the LDP and formed his Lakas-NUCD. But the Cory Aquino endorsement became a potent weapon that ate into Mitra’s machinery advantage. It likewise helped that FVR, one of the leaders of the Edsa Uno upris-

ing, had quietly organized his own personal political machine while he was Cory’s defense secretary. And he himself was a good strategist, having been a military tactician throughout his career. The real surprise of that season was Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the fiery Ilongga who parlayed a mere bureau director’s position into a launching pad for the presidency, capturing the imagination of the nation’s youth, and almost made it. Not until the last two weeks of the 1992 campaign did it become clear that Mitra would lose, and that the contest was widely thought to be a toss-up between FVR and Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, who got the INC endorsement. Little did pundits expect that it would be a cliffhanger between FVR and Miriam. Even closer in time, nobody gave Binay a Chinaman’s chance as vice president when the campaign started. The INC went for an Aquino-Roxas ticket. Yet Binay squeaked to victory with a 700,000 vote margin. Imagine if the INC had endorsed him, that lead over Mar would have been some two million. So relax. The Third Quarter readings are just that—readings of a particular point in time. September morn’s front-runner may be a goner by December eve. Next week’s tail-ender may yet spring a surprise come January. And there’s 90 days of an official campaign starting Feb. 8, 2016. Anything can happen in the topsy-turvy world of Philippine politics. Don’t even discount the possibility of No-El.

charges for attempted extortion including the awarding of a lucrative contract to a local company without any track record in railroad maintenance. “An efficient public transport system defines great cities and we do not even have a semblance of it,” rued Atienza, as he cited nearby Hong Kong and Singapore’s underground railways which give residents a hassle-free commute. *** The continuing saga of migrants in Europe As someone who had spent a total of 16 years of diplomatic postings in London, Brussels, Budapest and Warsaw, I cannot help but feel empathy for the plight of hundreds of thousands of refugees streaming into Europe to flee the conflicts in Syria and Iraq made unbearable by the terror group ISIS. This was not the Europe I know whose culture of liberalism and tol-

erance was renowned. Today, we are witnessing a Europe fearing a threat to its way of life by the human tide that is sweeping the continent. The migrant crisis has opened a deep divide among European Union members. Germany and Austria agreed to take in their share of migrants but there are EU members like Greece and Hungary who are hesitant to host the migrants because of their fragile economies. Prime Minister David Cameron, bowing to public pressure and international outcry, announced that the UK would take in some migrants without giving a specific number. France, already hosting thousands from its former colonies in Africa, has yet to announce whether it still has room for the newcomers. The migrants who refused to be herded to a Hungarian detention camp just outside Budapest for processing traveled on foot to the Austrian border. Some 6,000 mi-

grants—their families including pregnant women and young children—were euphoric upon setting foot on Austrian soil after completing the nine-hour trek or 215-kilometer journey to Vienna. Some of them might settle there while others are determined to continue their quest for a better life in Germany. Other migrants were not as fortunate like the Kurdi family from Syria whose boat capsized while crossing the Mediterranean to Turkey. The mother and her two young boys perished when huge waves swept their boat. The photo of one of the boys, three-year-old Aylan Kurdi, who was washed ashore and found lying face down on a Turkish beach, went viral on the Internet moving millions in Europe to demand their governments give the migrants refuge. Aylan’s lifeless image was published on the front pages of every major European newspaper. It is the great tragedy of our time that the death of

Aylan has made him an iconic poster boy of the humanitarian crisis engulfing Europe. Unless I missed it, I have yet to hear the Vatican express grief and compassion for the migrants. While Saudi Arabia, Kuwait the United Arab Emirates and Qatar donated millions of dollars, they did not offer to resettle the migrants. The US, while not offering asylum to the refugees, has taken the lead in the fight against ISIS, hitting them with air strikes in the terrorists strongholds in Syria and Iraq. The saga of the migrants into Europe will probably continue to the end of the year. It might even spill over to 2016 unless the United Nations and governments take decisive action against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. At the rate Syrians are fleeing from the four-year civil war, the tyrant Basshar al Assad might not have anybody left to rule except a handful of loyal praetorian guards.

#FAILOCRACY

CHONG ARDIVILLA

WE DN E S DAY : S E P T E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Bagatsing Cup earns nearly P41m RACKING up nearly P41 million in Sunday betting handle, the 7th Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Sr. Racing Festival is once again among the year’s top-grossing horseracing events. The event, held annually to commemorate the late Manila mayor and avid horseman, was held last weekend (Aug. 29-30) at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park and attracted some of the sport’s premier runners. Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos’s filly Gentle Strength won the Philracom-Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Sr. Cup (Div. 1) via photo finish over 1,750 meters. Top choice Cat’s Diamond

owned by Marlon Cunanan prevailed in the 1,500-meter Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Cup (Div. I). In the Resorts World Manila Challenge to Champions Cup, favorite Low Profile crafted an easy victory over five others and won pulling away down the stretch. Event co-founders Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing and Philippine Racing Commissioner Ramon S. Bagatsing Jr., sons of the

late mayor, thanked all the sponsors participants, and spectators for making the festival a success. “We conceived this event,” said Rep. Bagatsing, “as our way to give back to racing in a tangible way, by providing a prestigious venue for competition and generous purses as incentives for the participants.” This is the richest edition of the festival, with P8.5 million in prizes for 18 out of 25 races for the weekend. Sponsored trophy races with additional prizes were also held on Saturday (Aug. 29). The event was the first to give recognition to the grooms, an often-overlooked sector of the

racing community. This year, the Bagatsings gave P3,000 cash to the winning grooms of the five Saturday trophy races and P6,500 to the winning grooms of the 13 Sunday races, plus product gift packages. The event’s other backers were Solaire Resort and Casino, San Miguel Corporation, Midas Hotel and Casino, Genting Club, City of Dreams, (Premiere Leisure and Amusement Co.), Stradcom, Pasay City Mayor Eduardo Calixto, Smart Communication, MARHO, DLTB Co., Philtobo, EEG Development Corp., Fundador, Red Bull, Bingson Tecson, Al Tengco, and Nukaza Trading.

Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing hands a trophy to Pedro “Maton” Sanchez, representative of horseowner Ruben Dimacuha, whose colt Low Profile won the Resorts World Manila Challenge of Champions Cup held last Aug. 30 at San Lazaro Leisure Park. With them are (L-R) Manila Jockey Club President & CEO lawyer King Reyno and Resorts World Manila COO Steve Reilly, as well as Resorts World personnel and event muses.

SMART Best of the Best Taekwondo set THE country’s finest fighters will take the spotlight on Saturday, September 12 when they vie in the 2015 SMART MVP Best of the Best Taekwondo Championships at Robinsons Place, Manila. Elite blackbelters from 12 regions including ARMM, CAR, CARAGA and the NCR will see action in the prestigious event, according to Tournament Director Jesus Morales III. The field is also limited to gold medal winners in national events such as the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao tournaments, UAAP, NCAA, AFP-PNP Olympics and all Philippine Taekwondo Associa- Pangilinan tion competitions in Metro Manila and the different regions including high-level blackbelt organizations such as the Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherhood, Taekwondo Blackbelt Sorority and all national taekwondo members. The event will utilize the various taekwondo

systems—PSS (Protective Scoring System), the ESS (Electronic Scoring System), electronic armors and socks and the IVR (Instant Video Replay) system to score points which are reflected on the monitor. The procedures will eliminate human error and produce accurate, fair scoring and spectatorfriendly matches. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of SMART Communications and PLDT and a solid patron of Philippine Taekwondo, is fully backing the SMART MVP Best of the Best championships in addition to his vigorous support to the country’s top and upcoming jins over the past decade. Martial arts enthusiasts and sports diehards, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the competition starting at 8 a.m. The event is also sponsored by PLDT, Meralco and TV5.

Lady Bulldogs open bid in style NATIONAL University routed De La Salle, 90-78, to open its bid for a second straight championship on a high note yesterday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 78 women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena. Reigning MVP Afril Bernardino and Shelley Gupilan, vital cogs in the Philippines’ promotion to Level 1 in the FIBA Asia Women’s Championship, combined for 26 points as the Lady Bulldogs extended their winning run to 17, which dates back from last season. “Even when I was away for one and a half months, I keep monitoring the team. I’m happy that the girls really wanted to win,” said NU coach Patrick Aquino, who also handles the national team. “We are taking things one game at a time.” The Lady Bulldogs also drew big games from Ria Nabalan, who had 12 points, and Congo’s Rheana Itesi, who pulled down 11 rebounds. NU joined Adamson University, University of the East and University of Santo Tomas for the early lead in the young tournament.

Tamaraws want to use ‘strengths’ vs Tigers Games Today (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m.—La Salle vs UP 4 p.m.—UST vs FEU

By Peter Atencio THE Far Eastern University Tamaraws have retained their pass-first mentality that had helped them reach the finals last year, which they hope would keep them in contention in the 78th UniversityAthletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball this year. Playing unselfish basketball, the Tamaraws issued 17 assists in an emphatic 88-64 victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles last week to start their bid on a bright note. “Winning by scoring 88 points in 40 minutes is good enough. We carried one of our strengths from last year. Today, we had 17 assists. That’s always been the emphasis for the team to keep on sharing the ball,” said coach Nash Racela. Racela hopes to carry their “strengths” when they battle another tough team in University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 4 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum. Like the Tamaraws, the Growling Tigers are coming off a win, a hardearned 70-64 squeaker over the Adamson Falcons in the opener to share the lead with the Tams and the De La Salle Archers, who turned back defending champion National University Bulldogs last Saturday, 67-63. The Tigers are hoping to match the Tams’ offensive weapons with their own artillery, led by veterans like Kevin Ferrer, Karim Abdul, Ed Daquioag, and Louie Vigil, who are all in their finalk playing year. Against the Falcons, it was Daquioag, who shone the brightest for the Tigers, as he finished with a game-high 28 points, with Ferrer adding 24. The Green Archers, meanwhile, are eyeing a second straight victory when they clash against the University of the Philippines Maroons in the other seniors’ match slated at 2 p.m. The Maroons, who only had a win to show last season, were off to a good start, as they disposed of the University of the East Warriors in the season’s first-ever match at the Araneta Coliseum, 62-55.

S LK A R S NGAPORE PR VATE L M TED COND T ONS OF CARR AGE ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS. Para. 1. In these Conditions, except where the context otherwise requires or where it is otherwise expressly provided, the following expressions have the meanings respectively assigned to them, that is to say: Agreed Stopping Places, for the purposes of the Convention and of these Conditions, (which may be altered by Carrier in accordance with Article 10) means those places, except the place of departure and the place of destination, set forth in the ticket or as shown in Carrier’s timetables as scheduled stopping places on the passenger’s route. Authorised Agent means a passenger sales agent who has been appointed by Carrier to represent the Carrier in the sale of air passengers transportation over the services of the Carrier and, when authorised, over the services of other air carriers. Baggage means such articles, effects and other personal property of a passenger as are necessary or appropriate for his wear, use, comfort or convenience in connection with the trip. Unless otherwise specified, it shall include both checked and unchecked baggage of the passenger. Baggage Check means those portions of the ticket which relate to the carriage of passenger’s checked baggage. Baggage Identification Tag means a document issued by Carrier solely for identification of checked baggage. Banning Notice means a written notice given to a person by Carrier informing him that he is banned from travelling on all of Carrier’s flights. Carrier includes the air carrier issuing the ticket and all air carriers that carry or undertake to carry the passenger and/or his baggage thereunder or perform or undertake to perform any other services related to such air carriage. Carrier’s Regulations means rules, other than these Conditions, published by Carrier and in effect on date of commencement of carriage or issuance of ticket depending on the applicability, governing carriage of passengers and/or baggage and shall include applicable tariffs in force. Checked Baggage means baggage of which Carrier takes sole custody and for which Carrier has issued a baggage check. Conjunction Ticket means a ticket issued to a passenger in conjunction with another ticket which together constitute a single contract of carriage. Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays means a plan developed by an air carrier that meets the requirements set out in U.S. Department of Transportation regulations at 14 C.F.R. 259.4 and contains assurances that govern how the carrier will respond to tarmac delays that occur at U.S. airports. Convention means whichever of the following instruments are applicable: the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, signed at Warsaw, 12 October 1929 (Warsaw Convention); or the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague on 28 September 1955; or the Warsaw Convention as amended by Additional Protocol No.1 of Montreal (1975); or the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague and by Additional Protocol No.2 of Montreal (1975); or the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague and by Additional Protocol No.4 of Montreal (1975); or the Guadalajara Supplementary Convention, signed at Guadalajara, 19 September 1961; or the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, signed at Montreal, 28 May 1999 (Montreal Convention). Damage includes death, injury, delay, loss, partial loss or other damage of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with carriage or other services performed by Carrier incidental thereto. Days means calendar days, including all seven days of the week; provided that, for the purpose of notification, the day upon which notice is despatched shall not be counted; and that for purposes of determining duration of validity the day upon which the ticket is issued, or flight commenced, shall not be counted. Electronic Coupon means an electronic Flight Coupon or other value document held in Carrier’s database. Electronic Ticket means the Itinerary/Receipt issued by or on behalf of Carrier, the Electronic Coupons and, if applicable, a boarding document. Flight Coupon means that portion of the ticket that bears the notation “good for passage”, or in the case of an electronic ticket, the electronic coupon, and indicates the particular places between which passenger is entitled to be carried. French Gold Francs means francs consisting of 65½ milligrams of gold with a fineness of nine hundred thousandths. Itinerary/Receipt means a document or documents forming part of the electronic ticket which includes the information and notices required under the Convention and as otherwise required. Normal Fare means the highest fare established for a first, intermediate or economy/tourist class service during the period of applicability. Tarmac Delay means the holding of an aircraft on the ground either before taking off or after landing with no opportunity for its passengers to deplane. Passenger means any person, except members of the crew, carried or to be carried in an aircraft with the consent of Carrier. Passenger Coupon or Passenger Receipt means that portion of the ticket issued by or on behalf of Carrier, which is so marked and which ultimately is to be retained by the passenger. Special Fare means a fare other than the normal fare. SDRs means Special Drawing Rights as defined by the International Monetary Fund. Stopover means a deliberate interruption of the journey by the passenger, at a point between the place of departure and the place of destination, which has been agreed to in advance by Carrier. Ticket means either the document entitled ”Passenger Ticket and Baggage Check”, or the Electronic Ticket, in each case issued by or on behalf of Carrier, and including Conditions of Contract, notices and the Coupons contained in it. Unchecked Baggage means any baggage of the passenger other than checked baggage. Para. 2. References to the pronoun “he” and its derivatives shall be construed as references to any person, whether male or female. ARTICLE 2. APPLICABILITY Para. 1. General. (a) These Conditions are the Carrier’s Conditions of Carriage referred to in the ticket and, except as provided in Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article, apply to all carriage by air of passengers and baggage, including services incidental thereto, performed by Carrier for reward. (b) These Conditions also apply to gratuitous and reduced fare carriage except to the extent that Carrier has provided otherwise in its Regulations or in the relevant contracts, passes or tickets. (c) These Conditions and Carrier’s Regulations, fares and charges are subject to change without notice; provided that no such change shall apply after the carriage hereunder has commenced. The fares and charges applicable to the carriage are those in effect at the date of commencement of carriage covered by the first flight coupon of the ticket, or in the case of an electronic ticket, as indicated for the first flight segment in the itinerary/ receipt, except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 2. Charters. If Carriage is performed pursuant to a charter agreement, the Charter Regulations (if any) of Carrier shall be applicable thereto and these Conditions apply only to the extent provided in the said Charter Regulations. Where there are no Charter Regulations applicable, these Conditions shall apply to such Carriage in so far as they are not excluded by or inconsistent with the terms of the charter agreement and the charter ticket. The passenger, by accepting the Carriage pursuant to the said charter agreement, whether or not concluded with the passenger, agrees to be bound by the applicable provisions of such agreement. Para. 3. Code Shares On some services, Carrier has arrangements with other carriers known as “Code Shares”. This means that even if the passenger has a reservation with Carrier and holds a ticket where Carrier’s name or airline designator code is indicated as the carrier, another carrier may operate the aircraft. If such arrangements apply, Carrier will advise the passenger of the carrier operating the aircraft at the time the passenger makes a reservation. Please refer to www.silkair.com for further information. Para. 4. Overriding Law. To the extent that any provision contained or referred to herein is contrary to anything contained in the Convention where applicable and in any applicable laws, government regulations, orders or requirements that cannot be waived by agreement of the parties, such provision shall not apply. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity of any other provision. Para. 5. Conditions Prevail Over Regulations. Save as provided herein, in the event of inconsistency between these Conditions and Carrier’s Regulations, these Conditions shall prevail, except where tariffs in force in the United States or Canada apply, in which case the tariffs shall prevail. ARTICLE 3. TICKETS. Para. 1. (a) Ticket Prima Facie Evidence of Contract. The ticket constitutes prima facie evidence of the contract of carriage between Carrier and the passenger named on the ticket. Carrier will provide carriage only to the passenger holding such ticket, or holding, as proof of payment or part payment, any other Carrier document issued by Carrier or its Authorized Agent. The ticket is and remains at all times the property of the issuing Carrier. The Conditions of Contract contained in the ticket are a summary of some of the provisions of these Conditions of Carriage. (b) Requirement for Ticket. Except in the case of an electronic ticket, a person shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless that person presents a ticket valid and duly issued in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations and containing the flight coupon for that flight and all other unused flight coupons and the passenger coupon. A passenger shall furthermore not be entitled to be carried if the ticket presented is mutilated or if it has been altered otherwise than by Carrier or its Authorized Agent. In the case of an electronic ticket, a person shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless that person provides positive identification and has a ticket valid and duly issued in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations and contained in Carrier’s database. (c)Loss, etc. of Ticket. In case of loss or mutilation of a ticket, or part thereof, or non-presentation of a ticket containing the passenger coupon and all unused flight coupons, the issuing Carrier may at the passenger’s request and subject to Carrier’s Regulations replace such ticket or part thereof by issuing a new ticket on receipt of proof satisfactory to Carrier that a ticket valid for the flights in question was duly issued, provided that the passenger undertakes in such form as may be prescribed by Carrier to pay to Carrier the fare applicable to the new ticket in the event, and to the extent, that the lost or missing ticket or the missing flight coupons are used by any person, or that refund in respect thereof is made to any person. (d) Ticket not Transferable. A ticket is not transferable. If someone other than the person entitled to be carried on a ticket travels pursuant to that ticket or is given a refund in connection therewith, Carrier shall not be liable to the person so entitled if in good faith it provides carriage, or makes a refund. If a ticket is presented by someone other than the person entitled to be carried thereunder or to a refund in connection therewith, Carrier shall not be liable to the person so entitled if in good faith it provides carriage or makes a refund to the person presenting the ticket. Further, if a ticket were to be used by any person other than the person entitled to be carried, with or without the knowledge and/or consent of the person entitled to be carried, Carrier is not liable for the death or injury to or delay in the carriage of such person or for the destruction, loss or damage to or delay in the carriage of such person’s baggage or other personal property arising from or in connection with such use (e) Changes Requested by Passenger. Changes to the ticket requested by the passenger will be subject to Carrier’s Regulations and may require payment of a change fee.. Para. 2. (a) Period of Validity. A ticket is valid for carriage for one year from the date of commencement of travel or if no portion of the ticket is used, from the date of issue thereof, except as otherwise provided in the ticket, these Conditions or Carrier’s Regulations. (b) Extension of Validity. If a passenger is prevented from travelling within the period of validity of the ticket because Carrier: cancels the flight on which the passenger holds a reservation; or omits a scheduled stop, being the passenger’s place of departure, place of destination or a stopover; or fails to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule; or causes the passenger to miss a connection; or substitutes a different class of service; or0is unable to provide previously confirmed space; The validity of such passenger’s ticket will be extended until Carrier’s first flight on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid. (c) When a passenger with a normal fare ticket, or a special fare ticket which has the same validity as a normal fare ticket, is prevented from travelling within the period of validity of his ticket because at the time such passenger requests reservations Carrier is unable to provide space on the flight, the validity of such passenger’s ticket will be extended until Carrier’s first flight on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid, but for not more than seven days after such request for reservations. (d) When a passenger after having commenced his journey is prevented from travelling within the period of validity of his ticket by reason of illness,

Carrier will extend (provided such extension is not precluded by Carrier’s Regulations applicable to the fare paid by the passenger) the period of validity of such passenger’s ticket until the date when he becomes fit to travel according to a medical certificate, or until Carrier’s first flight after such date from the point where the journey is resumed on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid. When the flight coupons remaining in the ticket, or in the case of an electronic ticket, the electronic coupon, involve one or more stopovers, the validity of such ticket, subject to Carrier’s Regulations, will be extended for not more than three months from the date shown on such certificate in the case of a normal fare ticket or a special fare ticket having the same validity as a normal fare ticket, and for not more than seven days in any other case. In such circumstances, Carrier will extend similarly the period of validity of tickets of other members of his immediate family accompanying an incapacitated passenger. Para. 3. Coupon Sequence. (a) Carrier will honour flight coupons, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, only in sequence from the place of departure as shown on the ticket. (b) The ticket may not be valid and Carrier may not honour the passenger’s ticket if the first flight coupon, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, for international travel has not been used and the passenger commences his journey at any stopover or agreed stopping place. (c) Each flight coupon, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, will be accepted for carriage in the class of service specified therein on the date and flight for which accommodation has been reserved. When flight coupons, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, are issued without a reservation being specified thereon, space will be reserved on application subject to the conditions for the relevant fare and the availability of space on the flight applied for. (d) Where applicable, the passenger coupon and all unused flight coupons not previously surrendered to Carrier shall be retained by the passenger throughout his journey and shall be produced and the applicable flight coupons surrendered to Carrier at Carrier’s request. (e) If the passenger fails or has failed to use the flight coupons, or in the case of an electronic ticket, the electronic coupon, in sequence, Carrier is entitled to recompute the fares in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations for the use of said coupons and the passenger is liable to pay to Carrier any difference between the recomputed fares and the fares already paid by or due from the passenger. Para. 4. Name and Address of Carrier. Carrier’s name may be abbreviated in the ticket. Carrier’s address shall be deemed to be the airport of departure shown opposite the first abbreviation of Carrier’s name in the “CARRIER” box in the ticket, or in the case of an electronic ticket, as indicated for the first flight segment in the itinerary/receipt. ARTICLE 4. STOPOVERS. Stopovers may be permitted at agreed stopping places only if arranged with Carrier in advance and provided for in the ticket, and are subject to government requirements, Carrier’s Regulations and Carrier’s timetables. Additional charges for stopovers will be payable as provided in Carrier’s Regulations. ARTICLE 5. FARES AND CHARGES. Para .1. General. (a) Fares apply only for carriage from the airport at the point of origin to the airport at the point of destination. Fares do not include ground transport service between airports and between airports and town centres, unless Carrier’s Regulations provide such ground transport will be furnished without additional charge. (b) Carrier does not provide any ground transport services between airports or between airports and town centres, except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations. Carrier is not liable for the acts or omissions of any operator of such ground transport services and shall not be liable therefore by reason of anything done by an employee or agent of Carrier in assisting the passenger to avail of such services. In cases where Carrier itself provides ground transport services, these Conditions and Carrier’s Regulations shall be deemed applicable to such services and any additional charges payable for the use of such services in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations shall not be refundable if such services are not used by the passenger. (c) Meals served in the aircraft will be free of charge except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations. Liquor and the provision of inflight entertainment may be charged for in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. Meals other than meals served in the aircraft are not included in the fare and are payable by the passenger except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 2. Applicable Fares. Applicable fares for carriage governed by these Conditions are those published by or on behalf of Carrier or, if not so published, constructed in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. Subject to government requirements and Carrier’s Regulations, the applicable fare is the fare for the flight or flights in effect on the date of commencement of the carriage covered by the first flight coupon of the ticket, or in the case of an electronic ticket, as indicated for the first flight segment in the itinerary/receipt. When the amount that has been collected is not the applicable fare the difference shall be paid by the passenger, or, as the case may be, refunded by Carrier, in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 3. Precedence of Fares. Unless otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations, a published fare takes precedence over the combination of intermediate fares applicable to the same class of service between the same points via the same routing. Para. 4. Routing. Unless otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations, fares apply only to routings published in connection therewith. If there is more than one routing at the same fare, the passenger may specify the routing prior to issue of the ticket. If no routing is specified, Carrier may determine the routing. Para. 5. Taxes and Charges. Any tax or charge imposed by government or by municipal or other authority, or by the operator of an airport, in respect of a passenger or the use by a passenger of any services or facilities will be in addition to the published fares and charges and shall be payable by the passenger, except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations. For fares marketed to U.S. consumers, all taxes and fees are included in the published fares. Para. 6. Currency. Subject to applicable law, fares and charges are payable in any currency acceptable to Carrier. When payment is made in a currency other than the currency in which the fare is published, such payment will be made at the rate of exchange established in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. ARTICLE 6. RESERVATIONS. Para. 1. Reservation Requirements. (a) A reservation is not confirmed until (1) it is entered on the appropriate flight coupon, or in the case of an electronic ticket, the electronic coupon, by Carrier or its Authorized Agent; (2) a ticket has been duly issued to the passenger, or in the case of an electronic ticket, when it has been duly created in Carrier’s database; and (3) the passenger has paid for his ticket (or made credit arrangements with Carrier) within the ticketing time limit prescribed in Carrier’s Regulations. A reservation that does not comply with any of these requirements may be cancelled by Carrier at any time without notice. (b) As provided in Carrier’s Regulations, certain fares may have conditions which limit or exclude the passenger’s right to change or cancel reservations. Para. 2. Personal Data. The passenger recognizes that personal data has been given to Carrier for the purposes of making a reservation for carriage, obtaining ancillary services, facilitating immigration and entry requirements, and making available such data to government agencies who may share such personal data with other government agencies which is beyond the control of the Carrier. For these purposes the passenger authorizes Carrier to retain such data and to transmit it to its own offices, other carriers or the providers of such services, in whatever country they may be located. The collection of such data will be in accordance with the Carrier’s Privacy Policy, a copy of which may be obtained from any of the Carrier’s offices or from www.silkair.com. However, please note that government regulations may require that we provide information on or permit access to passenger/customer data. Para. 3. Seating. Carrier does not guarantee to provide any particular seat in the aircraft and the passenger agrees to accept any seat that may be allotted on the flight in the class of service for which the ticket has been issued. In the case of a passenger who self-identifies as having a disability, Carrier will provide seating accomodation in accordance with applicable law. Para. 4. Service charge when space not occupied. A service charge, in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations, may be payable by a passenger who fails to use space for which a reservation has been made or to cancel the reservation within the cancellation time limit prescribed in Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 5. Communications Expenses. The passenger will be charged for communications expenses made in connection with his reservation or journey and incurred by Carrier as a result of the passenger’s request, other than communication expenses incurred in securing the original reservation on a flight. Para. 6. Cancellation of Onward Reservations made by Carrier. If a passenger does not use a reservation and fails to advise Carrier, Carrier will cancel or request cancellation of any onward or return reservations. ARTICLE 7. CHECK-IN. The passenger shall arrive at the Carrier’s check-in location and boarding gate sufficiently in advance of flight departure to permit completion of any government formalities and departure procedures and in any event not later than the time that may be indicated by Carrier. If the passenger fails so to arrive in time at Carrier’s check-in location or boarding gate or appears improperly documented and not ready to travel, Carrier may cancel the space reserved for him and will not delay the flight. Carrier is not liable to the passenger for loss or expense due to the passenger’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Article. ARTICLE 8. REFUSAL OF AND LIMITATION ON CARRIAGE. Para. 1. Right to Refuse Carriage. Carrier may refuse carriage of any passenger or passenger’s baggage for reasons of safety or if, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, Carrier decides that: (a) such action is necessary in order to comply with any applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state or country to be flown from, into or over; or (b) the conduct, age, or mental or physical state of the passenger is such as to:01) require special assistance of Carrier, or02) cause discomfort or make himself objectionable to other passengers, or03) involve any hazard or risk to himself or to other persons or to property; or (c) such action is necessary because the passenger has failed to observe the instructions of Carrier; or (d) the passenger has refused to submit to a security check; or (e) the applicable fare or any charges or taxes payable have not been paid, or credit arrangements agreed between Carrier and the passenger (or the person paying for the ticket) have not been complied with; or (f) the passenger: does not appear to be properly documented, or may seek to enter a country through which he is in transit, or may destroy his documentation during flight, or will not surrender travel documents to be held by the flight crew, against receipt, when so requested by the Carrier; or (g) the ticket: has been acquired unlawfully or has been purchased from an entity other than the issuing Carrier or its Authorized Agent, or has been reported as being lost or stolen, or is a counterfeit ticket, or any flight or electronic coupon has been altered by anyone other than Carrier or its Authorized Agent, or in the case of a flight coupon, has been mutilated, and Carrier reserves the right to retain such ticket; or (h) the person presenting the ticket cannot prove that he is the person named in the ticket. Carrier reserves the right to retain such paper ticket; or (i) the person has been issued a Banning Notice and the person has bought the ticket while the ban applies. Once the Banning Notice has been issued to the person, he is not to buy a ticket or ask or allow anyone to buy a ticket for him. Carrier will refuse to carry the person if he tries to travel while a Banning Notice is in force against him and he will be entitled to a voluntary refund. The Banning Notice will state the date when the ban comes into effect. Para. 2. Recourse when Carriage Refused. The sole recourse of any passenger refused carriage pursuant to Paragraph 1 for reasons of safety or for any of the reasons specified in Subparagraphs 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), 1(e) or 1(f) shall be recovery of the refund value of the unused ticket or portion thereof, in accordance with Article 11 Paragraph 3, subject to deduction of any applicable service charge for Subparagraphs 1(b)(2) or 1(c). Except as provided in this Paragraph, Carrier is not liable to any person for any refund or loss or expense whatsoever arising from or in connection with a refusal of carriage pursuant to Paragraph 1, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise howsoever. Para. 3. Limitation on Carriage. Acceptance for carriage of children, incapacitated persons, pregnant women or persons with illness may be subject to prior arrangement with Carrier, in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. ARTICLE 9. BAGGAGE. Para. 1. Items Unacceptable as Baggage. (a) The passenger shall not include in his baggage: 1. items which do not constitute baggage as defined in Article 1 Paragraph 1 hereof; 2. items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, such as explosives, compressed gases, corrosives, oxidizing radio-active or magnetized materials, materials that are easily ignited, poisonous, offensive or irritating substances, liquids (other than liquids in the passenger’s unchecked baggage for his use in the course of the journey ), or those specified in the Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and in Carrier’s Regulations; 3. items the carriage of which is prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from, to or over; 4. items which in the opinion of Carrier are unsuitable for carriage by reason of their weight, size or character, such as fragile or perishable items; 5. live animals, except as provided for in Paragraph 10 of this Article.00

(b) If the passenger is in possession of, or if his baggage includes any arms and/or munitions, he shall present them to Carrier for inspection prior to commencement of carriage. If Carrier accepts such items for carriage it may require them to be delivered to and remain in its custody until the passenger’s arrival at the airport building at the place of destination. (c) The passenger shall not include in checked baggage fragile or perishable items, money, jewellery, precious metals, silverware, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents, samples, medicines or drugs. (d) Various countries have implemented restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in compliance with new guidelines set by the ICAO. For further information on the restrictions imposed by the list of countries, please refer to www.silkair.com. (e) If any items referred to in Subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Paragraph are carried, whether or not they are prohibited from carriage as baggage, the carriage thereof shall be subject to the charges, limitations of liability and other provisions of these Conditions applicable to the carriage of baggage. Para. 2. Right to Refuse Carriage. (a) Carrier may refuse carriage as baggage of such items described in Paragraph 1 of this Article as are prohibited from carriage as baggage and may refuse further carriage of any such items on discovery thereof. (b) Carrier may refuse to carry as baggage any item because of its size, shape, weight or character. (c) Unless advance arrangements for its carriage have been made with Carrier, Carrier may carry on later flights baggage which is in excess of the applicable free allowance. (d) Carrier may refuse to accept baggage as checked baggage unless it is properly packed in suitcases or other similar containers to ensure safe carriage with ordinary care in handling. Para. 3. Right of Search. For reasons of safety and security, Carrier may request the passenger to permit a search to be made of his person and his baggage, and may search or have searched the passenger’s baggage in his absence if the passenger is not available, for the purpose of determining whether he is in possession of or whether his baggage contains any item described in Paragraph 1(a) above or any arms or munitions which have not been presented to Carrier in accordance with Paragraph 1(b) above. If the passenger is unwilling to comply with such request Carrier may refuse to carry the passenger or baggage and the sole recourse against Carrier for the passenger so refused shall be a refund calculated in accordance with Article 11 Paragraph 3. Para. 4. Checked Baggage. (a) Upon delivery to Carrier of baggage to be checked Carrier shall take custody thereof and issue a baggage identification tag for each piece of checked baggage. (b) If baggage has no name, initials or other personal identification, the passenger shall affix such identification to the baggage prior to acceptance. (c) Checked baggage will be carried on the same aircraft as the passenger, unless Carrier decides that this is impracticable, in which case Carrier will carry the checked baggage on Carrier’s next flight on which space is available. Para. 5. Free Baggage Allowance. Passengers may carry free of charge baggage as specified and subject to the conditions and limitations in Carrier’s Regulations. Where two or more passengers, travelling as one party to a common destination or point of stopover by the same flight, present themselves and their baggage for travelling at the same time and place, they may be permitted to total free baggage allowance equal to the combination of their individual free baggage allowances. Para. 6. Excess Baggage. The passenger shall pay a charge for the carriage of baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance at the rate and in the manner provided in Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 7. Excess Value Declaration and Charge. (a) A passenger may declare a value for checked baggage in excess of the applicable liability limits. If the passenger makes such a declaration the passenger shall pay the applicable charges. (b) Except as otherwise provided in Carrier’s Regulations, excess value charges shall be payable at the point of origin for the entire journey to final destination; provided that if at a stop-over en route a passenger declares a higher excess value than that originally declared, additional excess value charges for the increased value from such stopover to final destination shall be payable. (c)Carrier will refuse to accept an excess value declaration on checked baggage when a portion of the carriage is to be provided by another Carrier which does not offer the facility. Para. 8. Unchecked baggage. (a) Baggage which the passenger carries on to the aircraft must fit under the seat in front of the passenger or in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin. Items determined by Carrier to be of excessive weight or size will not be permitted in the cabin. (b) Objects not suitable for transport in the cargo compartment (such as delicate musical instruments and the like) will only be accepted for transportation in the cabin compartment if due notice has been given in advance and permission granted by Carrier. The transport of such objects may be charged for separately. Para. 9. Collection and Delivery of Baggage. (a) The passenger shall collect his baggage as soon as it is available for collection at places of destination or stopover. (b) Carrier shall deliver checked baggage to the bearer of the baggage check upon payment of all unpaid sums due to Carrier under the contract of carriage. Carrier is under no obligation to ascertain that the bearer of the baggage check is entitled to delivery of the baggage and Carrier is not liable for any loss, damage, or expense arising out of or in connection with its failure so to ascertain. Delivery of baggage will be made at the destination shown in the baggage check. (c) If a person claiming the baggage is unable to produce the baggage check and identify the baggage by means of a baggage (identification) tag, Carrier will deliver the baggage to such person only on condition that he establishes to Carrier’s satisfaction his right thereto, and if required by Carrier, such person shall furnish adequate security to indemnify Carrier for any loss, damage or expense which may be incurred by Carrier as a result of such delivery. (d) Acceptance of baggage by the bearer of the baggage check without complaint at the time of delivery is prima facie evidence that the baggage has been delivered in good condition and in accordance with the contract of carriage. Para. 10. Animals. (a) Guide dogs accompanying sight/hearing impaired passengers together with containers and food, will be carried free of charge in addition to the normal free baggage allowance, subject to Carrier’s Regulations. (b)Acceptance for carriage of animals is subject to the condition that passenger assumes full responsibility for such animal. Carrier shall not be liable for injury to or loss, delay, sickness or death of such animal or in the event that it is refused entry into or passage through any country, state or territory. ARTICLE 10. SCHEDULES, CANCELLATION OF FLIGHTS. Para. 1. Times and Schedules not Guaranteed. (a) Carrier undertakes to use its best efforts to carry the passenger and his baggage with reasonable dispatch. Times shown in the ticket, timetables or elsewhere are not guaranteed and do not form part of the contract of carriage and Carrier assumes no responsibility for making connections. (b) Schedules are subject to change without notice. Carrier may when circumstances so require alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket or in schedules and may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft. (c) Carrier will not be liable for errors or omissions in timetables or other publications of schedules or in statements or representations made by employees, agents or representatives of Carrier as to the dates or times of departure or arrival or as to the operation of any flight. Para. 2. Cancellation, Changes of Schedule, etc. (a) If Carrier cancels, terminates, diverts or fails to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule, is unable to provide previously confirmed space, fails to stop at a passenger’s stopover or destination point, or causes the passenger to miss a connecting flight on which he holds a reservation, Carrier may elect one of the following options, with due consideration to the passenger’s reasonable interests, either: 1. carry the passenger as soon as it can on its scheduled service or 2. re-route the passenger to the destination indicated on the ticket or applicable portion thereof by its own scheduled services or the scheduled services of another carrier, or by means of surface transportation. If the sum of the fare, excess baggage charge and any applicable service charge for the revised routing is higher than the refund value of the ticket or applicable portion thereof, Carrier shall require no additional fare or charge from the passenger, and shall refund the difference if the fare and charges for the revised routing are lower; or 3. make a refund in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 Paragraph 3. (b) When circumstances so require, Carrier may without notice cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any flight, substitute a different type of aircraft, or omit a stopover or destination point. In any of these events, Carrier shall carry, re-route or make a refund in accordance with the preceding Subparagraph (a) and shall be under no further liability to the passenger. (c) If circumstances are such that the aircraft’s weight limitations or seating capacity would otherwise be exceeded, Carrier shall decide in its reasonable discretion which passengers or items shall not be carried. In such event, Carrier shall carry, re-route or make a refund to the affected passengers in accordance with Subparagraph (a) above and shall be under no further liability to the passenger. Para. 3. Tarmac Delays at United States Airports In the event of a tarmac delay at a U.S. airport, the operating carrier’s Contingency Plan for Lengthy Tarmac Delays shall apply. If Carrier cancels, terminates, diverts or fails to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule, is unable to provide previously confirmed space, fails to stop at a passenger’s stopover or destination point, or causes the passenger to miss a connecting flight on which he holds a reservation, Carrier may elect one of the following options, with due consideration to the passenger’s reasonable interests, either:0- carry the passenger as soon as it can on its scheduled service0- make a refund Changes to the ticket requested by the passenger will be subject to Carrier’s Regulations and may require payment of a change fee. For fares marketed to U.S. consumers, all taxes and fees are included in the published fares. In the case of a passenger who self-identifies as having a disability, Carrier will provide seating accommodation in accordance with applicable law. ARTICLE 11. REFUNDS. Para. 1. General. On failure by Carrier to provide carriage in accordance with the contract of carriage, or where a passenger requests a voluntary change of his arrangements, refund for an unused ticket or portion thereof shall be made by Carrier in accordance with this Article and with Carrier’s Regulations. Para. 2. Person to Whom Refund Will Be Made. (a) Except as hereinafter provided in this Article, Carrier shall be entitled to make refund either to the person named in the ticket, or to the person who has paid for the ticket upon presentation of satisfactory proof. (b) If a ticket has been paid for by a person other than the passenger named in the ticket, and Carrier has indicated on the ticket that there is a restriction on refund, Carrier shall make a refund only to the person paying for the ticket or to that person’s order. (c) Except in the case of lost tickets, refunds will only be made on surrender to Carrier of the passenger coupon or passenger receipt and surrender of all unused flight coupons. (d) A refund made to anyone presenting the passenger coupon or passenger receipt and all unused flight coupons and holding himself out as a person to whom refund may be made in terms of Subparagraph (a) or (b) of this Paragraph shall be deemed a proper refund and shall discharge Carrier from liability and any further claim for refund from any person. Para. 3. Involuntary Refunds. If Carrier refuses carriage in accordance with Article 8 Paragraph 1 (subject to Article 8 Paragraph 2) or in accordance with Article 9 Paragraph 3, or in any of the events set out in Article 10 Paragraph 2, the amount of the refund shall be calculated in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations relating to refunds described therein as “Involuntary Refunds”. Carrier will furthermore refund to the passenger any communications expenses paid by the passenger in accordance with Article 6 Paragraph 5. Para. 4. Voluntary Refunds. If the passenger wishes a refund of his ticket for reasons other than those set out in Paragraph 3, the amount of refund shall be calculated in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations relating to refunds described therein as “Voluntary Refunds”. Para. 5. Refund on Lost Ticket. If a ticket or portion thereof is lost, refund will be made on proof of loss satisfactory to Carrier and upon payment of any applicable service charge, on condition (a) that the lost ticket, or portion thereof, has not been used, previously refunded or replaced, and (b) that the person to whom the refund is made undertakes, in such form as may be prescribed by Carrier, to repay to Carrier the amount refunded in the event and to the extent that the lost ticket or portion thereof is used by any person or that refund thereof is made to any person in possession of the ticket. Para. 6. Right to Refuse Refund. (a) Carrier may refuse refund when application therefore is made later than thirty days after the expiry of the validity of the ticket. (b) Carrier may refuse refund on a ticket which has been presented to Carrier or to government officials of a country as evidence of intention to depart therefrom, unless the passenger establishes to Carrier’s satisfaction that he has permission to remain in the country or that he will depart therefrom by another carrier or another means of transport. Para. 7. Currency. All refunds will be subject to government laws, rules and regulations or orders of the country in which the ticket was originally purchased and of the country in which the refund is being made. Subject to the foregoing provision, refunds will

be made in the currency in which the ticket was paid for, or, at the option of Carrier, in Singapore currency or in the currency of the country where the ticket was purchased or where the refund is being made, in an amount equivalent to the amount due in the currency originally collected. Para. 8. By Whom Ticket Refundable. Refunds will be made only by the Carrier which originally issued the ticket, or by its Agent, if so authorized, in accordance with Carrier’s Regulations. ARTICLE 12. CONDUCT ABOARD AIRCRAFT. Para. 1. If the passenger conducts himself aboard the aircraft so as to endanger the aircraft or any person or property on board, or obstructs the crew in the performance of their duties, or fails to comply with any instruction of the crew, or behaves in a manner to which other passengers may reasonably object, Carrier may take such measures as it deems necessary to prevent continuation of such conduct, including restraint of the passenger. Para. 2. The passenger may not operate aboard the aircraft portable radios, electronic games or transmitting devices including radio controlled toys and walkie-talkies. The passenger shall not operate any other electronic devices on board without Carrier’s permission, except that hearing aids and heart pacemakers may be used. ARTICLE 13. ARRANGEMENTS BY CARRIER. If in the course of concluding the contract of carriage by air, Carrier also agrees to make arrangements for the provision of additional services (such as hotel accommodation and excursions trips on the ground), whether or not the cost of such arrangements is for the account of Carrier, Carrier acts only as agent for the passenger and is not liable to the passenger for any damage, loss or expense whatsoever arising from or in connection with such arrangements. ARTICLE 14. ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES. Para. 1. General. The passenger shall be solely responsible for complying with all laws, regulations, orders, demands and travel requirements of countries to be flown from, into or over, and with Carrier’s Regulations and instructions. Carrier shall not be liable for any aid or information given by any agent or employee of Carrier to any passenger in connection with obtaining necessary documents or visas or complying with such laws, regulations, orders, demands, and requirements, whether given in writing or otherwise; or for the consequences to any passenger resulting from his failure to obtain such documents or visas or to comply with such laws, regulations, orders, demands, requirements, rules or instructions. Para. 2. Travel Documents. The passenger shall present all exit, entry, health and other documents required by laws, regulations, orders, demands or requirements of the countries concerned, and permit Carrier to take and retain copies thereof. Carrier reserves the right to refuse carriage of any passenger who has not complied with applicable laws, regulations, orders, demands or requirements or whose documents do not appear to be in order, or who does not permit Carrier to take and retain copies thereof. Para. 3. Refusal of Entry. The passenger agrees to pay the applicable fare whenever Carrier, on government order, is required to return a passenger to his point of origin or elsewhere owing to the passenger’s inadmissibility into a country, whether of transit or of destination. Carrier may apply to the payment of such fare any funds paid to Carrier for unused carriage, or any funds of the passenger in the possession of Carrier. The fare collected for carriage to the point of refusal of entry or deportation will not be refunded by Carrier. Para. 4. Passenger Responsible for Fines, Detention Costs, etc. If Carrier is required to pay or deposit any fine or penalty or to incur any expenditure by reason of the passenger’s failure to comply with laws, regulations, orders, demands and travel requirements of the countries concerned or to produce the required documents, the passenger shall on demand reimburse to Carrier any amount so paid or deposited and any expenditure so incurred. Carrier may use towards such expenditure any funds paid to Carrier for unused carriage, or any funds of the passenger in the possession of Carrier. Para. 5. Customs Inspection. If required, the passenger shall attend inspection of his baggage, checked or unchecked, by customs or other government officials. Carrier is not liable to the passenger for any loss or damage suffered by the passenger through failure to comply with this requirement. Para. 6. Security Inspection. The passenger shall submit to any security checks by government or airport officials or by Carrier. Para. 7. Carrier is not liable if it determines that what it understands to be applicable law, government regulation, demand, order or requirement requires that it refuse and it does refuse to carry a passenger. ARTICLE 15. SUCCESSIVE CARRIERS. Carriage to be performed by several successive Carriers under one ticket, or under a ticket and any conjunction ticket issued in connection therewith, is regarded as a single operation. ARTICLE 16. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE. Para. 1. Our liability for the carriage of passengers and baggage is governed by the Convention in the case of international carriage by air, and by applicable national law in the case of domestic carriage by air. If and to the extent that any of the provisions of these Conditions of Carriage are inconsistent with mandatory and applicable provisions of the Convention or national law, the latter will prevail. However, by special contract as permitted by Article 22(1) of the Warsaw Convention, SilkAir Private Limited agrees that in respect of all international carriage of passengers to which the Convention applies performed on an MI service: (a) it will not invoke the limitation of liability under the Warsaw Convention as to any claim for recoverable compensatory damages in respect of death, wounding or other bodily injury suffered by a passenger; (b) with respect to that portion of such claim which does not exceed 100,000 SDRs, it will not avail itself of the defence under the Warsaw Convention which provides that a carrier is not liable if it proves that it or its agents have taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage or that it was impossible for it or its agents to take such measures; (c) except as provided in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, it reserves all defences available under the Convention to any such claim and with respect to third parties, it also reserves all rights of recourse against any other person, including without limitation, rights of contribution and indemnity; and (d)neither the waiver of limits under Subparagraph (a) above nor the waiver of defences under Subparagraph (b) above shall be applicable in respect of claims made by public social insurance or similar bodies (except with respect to any such bodies of the United States) however asserted. Such claims shall be subject to the liability limit and defences under the Warsaw Convention. Para. 2. In carriage which is not international carriage to which the Convention applies: (a) Carrier shall be liable for damage to a passenger or his checked baggage only if such damage has been caused by the negligence of Carrier. If there has been contributory negligence on the part of the passenger Carrier’s liability shall be subject to the applicable law relating to contributory negligence. (b) With respect to delay, Carrier shall be under no liability except as provided in these Conditions of Carriage. Para. 3. To the extent not in conflict with the foregoing and whether or not the Convention applies: (a) When Carrier is a successive carrier, Carrier is not liable for those parts of the journey performed by other carriers. Where Carrier is the actual carrier, Carrier is liable for an accident which causes bodily injury or death that occurs on board the aircraft, or in the process of embarking or disembarking. Where Carrier is the contracting carrier but does not perform any part of the operations of carriage, Carrier is liable for an accident which causes bodily injury or death that occurs during any part of the transportation, while on board the aircraft or in the process of embarking or disembarking. (b) Carrier is not liable for damage to unchecked baggage unless such damage is caused by the negligence of Carrier. If there has been contributory negligence on the part of the passenger, Carrier’s liability shall be subject t w C m m m w w m m m m w m C m m US m m m US m w W w C SDR w M C w w m m C w m w w C R A

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W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Fans shy away from Floyd-Berto By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Texters to replace Lebanon in 4-team pocket tilt

DESPITE undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s efforts to hype his fight against former champion Andre Berto, claiming his foe is a dangerous opponent, the public is not buying the hype.

By Jeric Lopez TALK ‘N Text has agreed to join and complete the fourteam MVP Cup, which will unfold this weekend at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City after Lebanon decided to pull out at the last minute. The Tropang Texters thus join Smart Gilas Pilpinas, Chinese Taipei and the Wellington Saints from New Zealand in the three-day, fourteam pocket tournament, which would serve as a final tune-up event for the national team seeing action in the Fiba Asia tournament two weeks from now in China. Organized by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, the tournament is slated on Sept. 11 to 13 (Friday and Saturday), wherein the four squads play in a single-round robin format with the team with the best record to be crowned the champion. Former Gilas coach and lead organizer Chot Reyes, confirmed Talk ‘N Text’s entry to the tournament. “Thank you Coach Jong & TNT mgt for agreeing to be the 4th team in the MVP Cup after Lebanon’s late withdrawal. New sked to be released soon,’’ said Reyes on his Twitter account. Coming off a silver-medal finish in the recent 37th William Jones Cup in Taipei, Smart Gilas has been installed as the favorite to win the tournament. Smart Gilas is also expected to have naturalized star Andray Blatche on its lineup back in time for the tournament.

Tony Lascuna: It’s pressure right in the opening hole. There’s hardly room for mistakes here since all the OOM contenders are bunched together.

As a matter of fact, tickets to the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sept. 13 (Manila time) are not selling. Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail reported: “There are tickets in all parts with less than a week to go for what Mayweather is selling as his last fight.” Last May 2, in the so-called “Fight of the Century” between Mayweather and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, tickets were sold out within two hours. By comparison, Powell reported the demand for Mayweather versus Berto is “underwhelming to say the least, even though seat prices are barely a tenth as expensive.” Tickets for the Mayweather-Pacquiao ranged from $1,500 to $10,000 at face value and skyrocketed on the black market to between $3,300 and $350,000 at inner ringside at an average of $6,820. Now, the top price is $1,500, with only the $150 seats in the rafters approaching a sell-out. The Daily Mail claimed that hopes for a full house seem to depend on a few thousand British fans making the trans-Atlantic trip to support George Groves in his world title bid on the undercard. The Mail also reported that if not, they may resort to giving away complimentary tickets for friends Pay-per-view sales, which registered 400 million buys for the Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown, aren’t even approaching one-third of that number even though the price has been slashed from $100 to $74.95.

Fowler claims Deutsche title Key duels seen as ICTSI Open starts TONY Lascuña slugs it out with Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador while Angele Que faces off with young turks Miguel Tabuena and Clyde Mondilla in early clashes of the fancied bets in the P3.5 million ICTSI Open Championship unfolding today at Wack Wack’s fabled East layout. The six occupy the top seven places in the current Order of Merit ranking with money leader Lascuña leading Tabuena by just P28,000 and Que an-

other P14,000 back, guaranteeing a spirited chase for the top P650,000 purse right in the first round of the 72-hole championship sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. “It’s pressure right in the opening hole. There’s hardly room for mistakes here since all the OOM contenders are bunched together,” said Lascuña, who surged past Que with a runner-up finish in the last ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour leg at Summit won by Bayron.

The reigning three-time OOM champion underscored his readiness for the tournament by piloting his team composed of Terry Capistrano, Marlon Villanueva and Justin Limjap to the pro-am victory with a 16-under 56, two strokes ahead of Cassius Casas and partners Nemi Pagtakhan, Nestor Gimenez and JA Coching, who had a 58. Rey Pagunsan, with Hubert Lim, Oliver Gan and Liberato Tan, placed third with a 59.

NORTON—Rickie Fowler came from behind to win a thrilling final-round duel against Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and claim victory in the $8.25 million Deutsche Bank Championship here Monday. Fowler overturned a three-shot deficit with eight holes to play at TPC Boston to pip Stenson, carding a three-under-par 68 to finish on 15 under, one shot clear of the Swede. Fowler’s round contained an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys, but it was an error-free performance on the back nine which enhanced the 26-year-old Californian’s growing reputation as a nerveless finisher. Stenson meanwhile was left ruing a double-bogey on the 16th which ultimately cost him victory. The Swede, who had started the day one shot clear of Fowler, carded a one-under-par 70 to finish on 14 under. AFP

Local aces to take on Chinese shuttlers

Bingo Bonanza vice president for operations and marketing Al Alonte (center) discusses the mechanics of the upcoming Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament as national team manager Atty. Ponciano Cruz and tournament director Nelson Asuncion look on. The P1.5 million event will be held Oct. 11 to 18 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center and Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. LINO SANTOS

THE country’s finest players and a slew of rising stars gear up for a fierce showdown for badminton supremacy with a crack team from China when the Bingo Bonanza National Badminton Open unwraps on Oct. 11 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Center in Manila and Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati City. Mark Alcala and Gelita Castilo completed Allied Victor’s sweep of the singles Open crowns last year but the duo faces a formidable cast of challengers in their respective title-retention drives this time, guaranteeing a wideopen chase for top honors in the week-long event sponsored by the country’s premier gaming and amusement center. But the local bets will have their hands full against a host of top players from Guangdong out to

steal the show in the blue-ribbon event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and staking a total prize fund of P1.5 million. “The tournament will showcase the talents of Filipino players and they will have the chance to see how they will fare against foreign rivals,” said Bingo Bonanza vice president for operations and marketing Al Alonte.during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate. Registration is ongoing and will end on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m., according to the organizing EventKing Corp. Entry fee is pegged at P800. For details and online listup, visit wwww.bingob.com/nationalopentournament or email or fax to EKC at info@eventkingcorp.com.ph. The qualifiers will be held in the first four days at the RMSC Badminton Hall before action shifts to Glorietta 5 Atrium for

the quarterfinals from Oct. 15 all to the way to the finals starting at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18. “We also want to bring the sport closer to the people that’s why we’re staging the semis and the finals at Glorietta,” added Alonte, joined in the podium by national team manager Jackie Cruz and tournament director Nelson Asuncion. “This year’s Bingo Bonanza Badminton Open is geared towards discovering the very best of our country’s shuttlers. We hope that our own players will be able to showcase their skills when they go against international players and hopefully they will emerge victorious,” said Rep. Albee Benitez, secretary-general of the Philippine Badminton Association and founder of Bingo Bonanza Corp., which revived the National Open last year.

W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A15 LOTTO RESULTS

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Court of Honour wins Philracom Lakambini Kevin Anderson of South Africa returns a shot to Andy Murray (inset) of Great Britain, shown breaking his raquet, during their Men’s Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Anderson ousts Murray; Federer in quarterfinals NEW YORK—Andy Murray crashed out of the US Open in the fourth round Monday, his earliest Grand Slam exit in five years, while 17time major winner Roger Federer advanced to the quarter-finals. South African 15th seed Kevin Anderson stunned British third seed Murray 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/0) to end his run of 18 consecutive major quarter-finals since the 2010 US Open. “That’s something that is disappointing to lose because of that. That’s many years’ work that’s gone into building that sort of consistency. To lose that is tough,” said Murray. “Also to lose a match like that, that was over four hours, tough after a couple of tough matches earlier in the tournament as well, it’s a hard one to lose, for sure.” Anderson reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final after seven prior fourth-round defeats. “It was the match of my life,”

Anderson said. “This is a great accomplishment for me.” Anderson, who won his third career title two weeks ago at Winston-Salem, is the first South African in New York’s last-eight since Wayne Ferreira in 1992. “I’m just so excited to be through,” said Anderson. “Beating a guy like Andy, I really feel like I’ve taken a step forward. It’s amazing. I feel like it’s a great accomplishment.” Anderson, 1-5 in prior matches against Murray, fired 25 aces in ending an 0-15 career hoodoo against top-10 opponents to book a last-eight date with Swiss fifth seed Stan Wawrinka. Reigning French Open champion Wawrinka defeated US left-hander

Donald Young 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Swiss dropped his first set of the tournament but reached an eighth quarter-final in his past nine Grand Slams, denying 68th-ranked Young his first Slam quarter-final. With New York City FC and former England midfielder Frank Lampard watching from the player’s box, Murray fell behind two sets and a break, roared back, but ultimately could not win the tension-packed encounter at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Murray, the 2012 champion, had 49 winners and 20 unforced errors, but did not make a forehand winner until the last game of the second set. Anderson blasted 81 winners to 57 unforced errors. Swiss second seed Federer, seeking his sixth US Open title, dispatched US 13th seed John Isner 7-6 (7/0), 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 to reach a quarter-final against French 12th seed Richard Gasquet, who ousted Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.

“Of course Roger will be the favorite of the match but I will have nothing to lose,” said Gasquet, who is 2-14 lifetime against the Swiss star. Federer, trying to become at 34 the oldest US Open champion since Ken Rosewall in 1970, stretched his US Open win streak over Americans to 12 since losing to Andre Agassi in 2001. Isner had held in 110 consecutive US Open service games since broken by Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round in 2013, but Federer ended that streak on match point to close out the victory in two hours and 39 minutes. “John has one of the best serves in the game,” Federer said. “You have just got to hang around and win your service games.” Federer also inflicted the first shutout tie-break loss upon Isner. “I served very well, picked up his second serves,” Federer said. “You’ve got to get a little lucky.” AFP

PBA Press Corps to honor pro league’s best THE best and brightest professional stars gather under one roof on Sept. 16 as the Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps honors the league’s top individual performers in the last 40th season during its Annual Awards Night at the Century Park Hotel in Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz), Manila. The celebration, a tradition held annually since 1993, starts at 7 p.m. Headlining the list of awards are the Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year held in honor of legendary mentor Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan and

the late team manager Danny Floro of two-time Grand Slam champion Crispa, respectively. Other awards to be given are the Defensive Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes (Sixth Man Award), Comeback Player, Order of Merit (given to the player with the most number of Best Player of the Week nods), Scoring Champion, and the All-Rookie Team. Last year, Tim Cone was named PBAPC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career after steering San Mig Super Coffee (now Star Hotshots) to a Grand Slam title.

It was Cone’s first Coach of the Year plum in 19 years or since 1996 – the year he also powered Alaska to a Grand Slam feat. The first PBAPC Coach of the Year award for Cone—the leader in league titles with 18— came in 1994. San Miguel Corporation top honcho Ramon S. Ang meanwhile, was the recipient of last year’s Executive of the Year. The other awardees last season include Marc Pingris (Defensive Player), PJ Simon (Mr. Quality Minutes), Asi Taulava (Comeback Player), Mark Barroca (Order of Merrit), Jayson

Castro (Scoring Champion), along with the All-Rookie team of Greg Slaughter, Ian Sangalang, Justin Melton, Terrence Romeo, and Raymond Almazan. PBAPC President Barry Pascua of Bandera will lead the celebration, together with top league officials led by new PBA President and CEO Chito Salud, Commissioner Chito Narvasa, Chairman Robert Non of San Miguel Beer and the board representatives of Alaska, Ginebra, Barako Bull, Blackwater, Globalport, Mahindra, Meralco, NLEX, Rain or Shine, Star and Talk ’N Text.

UNDER the guidance of jockey JA Guce aboard, Honorato Neri’s filly Court of Honour crafted a 1.5 lengths victory in the Philippine Racing Commission Lakambini Stakes race held last Sep. 6 at Santa Ana Park. The placers were Gentle Strength, Princess Ella, and Burbank. The time for the mile race was 1:38.8 (25.623.4-23.4-26.4). Court of Honour (Sir Cherokee x Twelve or Never) was the longshot winner of the 1,800-meter Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Silver Cup last June 14 also at Santa Ana Park. Fans of elite horses can look forward to Sep. 27 at the same track, when Philracom holds invitational races for horses in special race groups. ***** Seven 2YO runners will be competing in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Special Maiden Race on Sept. 12 at Metroturf racecourse in Malvar, Batangas. Declared to run in the 1,200-meter race are Wilbert Tan’s filly Subterranean River with jockey JPA Guce, Mark Anthony Calixto’s filly Most Trusted with JB Hernandez, SC Stockfarm’s colt Cats Incredible with JA Guce, Juan Miguel D. Yulo’s colt Lucky Ray with EP Nahilat, Vernadette Mercado’s filly Katniss with JB Guce, Jose L. Santos’s filly Palatandaan with EL Blancaflor, and Ferdinand T. Eusebio’s filly He He He with MA Alvarez. The winner of the trial race for this event was Cats Incredible, followed by Subterranean River, Most Trusted, Hehehe, Katniss, Tito Gene (not declared for the actual race), Lucky Ray, and Palantandaan last. This should give racing fans a handle on who to watch out for in this race. The time for the 1,200-meter trial was 1:11.8 (23’-22’-25’). Meanwhile, the trial race for the Sep. 26 PCSO 2YO Open at the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park will be held on Friday, Sept. 11, featuring Constantinople, Fighter in the Wind, Rocking Hill, Bowties and Charms, Sky Dancer, Gintong Yaman, Hotdog, Bainbridge, and Sharp Return. ***** Other events this month: the Mowelfund Racing Festival on Sep. 13 at Malvar, the Philippines-Japan Friendship Race on Sep. 20 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park, and the second leg of the Philracom Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes on Sep. 27 at Santa Ana Park. *** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

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W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Jordan Spieth walks of the 18th green after round two of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachuetts. AFP

Spieth set to reclaim no. 1 spot NORTON—Jordan Spieth will regain his number one spot when the next world golf rankings are released despite missing the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The US Open and Masters champion was assured of returning to the top of the rankings after Rory McIlroy failed to finish in the top 10 while Australia’s Jason Day failed to win the tournament. The complex mathematical formula used to determine the rankings means Spieth will be back as world number one when the next rankings list is released. Northern Ireland star McIlroy finished his Deutsche Bank campaign with a five-under-par 66 on Monday, and said he was unconcerned by the nip-andtuck world ranking battle. McIlroy told the Golf Channel he was more concerned with his form and moving up in the FedEx Cup playoffs standings. “My focus the next few weeks is the FedEx Cup and to try to do well on that,” McIlroy said. “I’d love to play the next [event] well and get myself into the top five going to Atlanta. That’s still the goal. “I’ll probably need a win.” “At the end of the day it’s just about playing and playing well,” added McIlroy, who finished tied 29th on three under. AFP

Brana bails Cardinals out with his freebies

MARK Brana scored two pressure-packed free throws in the dying seconds to bail out Mapua, which survived Jose Rizal University, 68-67, in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena yesterday. Brana was fouled by John Pontejos as he was going up to tip in a missed three-point try by CJ Isit. The 5’4” Brana completed his free throws as the Cardinals escaped with their seventh win against five defeats, good for fifth place. The win kept the Cardinals

Local aces to take on Chinese shuttlers TURN TO A14

within sight of a possible Final Four berth. Mapua also stretched its streak to three, its longest this year. “He was at the right place, at the right time. He bailed us out,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co of Brana, who finished with 12 points and

eight rebounds more than a week after a 10-point, 10-board effort in a 70-65 win over Perpetual Help. The Cardinals also avenged their 87-90 loss to the Bombers last Aug. 11, when Mapua led by 18 points before self-destructing in the end. Co said they played minus their top three playmakers back then-Isit, Josan Nimes and Andrettie Stevens. Isit and Nimes have since returned to the Mapua roster. “People forget that we played minus our three ball carriers,” said Co. Isit missed four games after dis-

Anderson ousts Murray in US Open TURN TO A15

locating an elbow in a 76-64 victory over St. Benilde a little over a month ago. “His timing is still off, but he’s getting there,” said Co of Isit. In juniors’ action, Mapua slammed Jose Rizal, 83-62, to improve to 11-1, while Arellano trounced Lyceum of the Philippines University, 100-77, to remain in the magic four with a 9-4 mark. Games tomorrow (San Juan Arena) 10 a.m. • St. Benilde vs Letran (jrs) 12 nn. • Perpetual Help vs San Beda (jrs) 2 p.m. • St. Benilde vs Letran (srs) 4 p.m. • Perpetual vs San Beda (srs)

WEDNESDAY: SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

PSe comPoSite index Closing September 8, 2015

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BUSINESS

Moody’s reduces PH growth forecast to 5.7% By Julito G. Rada

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P435.00-P640.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.40-P41.00 Unleaded Gasoline P23.10-P26.77 Diesel

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P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, September 8, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

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Peso

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Dollar

1.000000

46.9130

Japan

Yen

0.008382

0.3932

Pound

1.527600

71.6643

Hong Kong

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0.129039

6.0536

Switzerland

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1.026062

48.1356

Canada

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0.751654

35.2623

Singapore

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0.700574

32.8660

Australia

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0.691611

32.4455

Bahrain

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2.652520

124.4377

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.5094

Brunei

Dollar

0.698129

32.7513

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

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1.2992

UAE

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0.272279

12.7734

Euro

1.117000

52.4018

Korea

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0.0390

China

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0.157087

7.3694

India

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0.014950

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Malaysia

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0.231080

10.8407

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1.4334 Source: PDS Bridge

GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday cut by 1 percentage point its 2015 growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.7 percent from the previous estimate of 6.7 percent, on sluggish exports, anemic government spending and threat of the El Niño dry spell. Moody’s also slashed its 2016 growth forecast to 6 percent from the earlier assumption of 6.5 percent. “In the Philippines, slowing export growth and fiscal underspending weighed on output in the first half of the year. On the supply side, the El Niño-related dry spell hurt agricultural production, contributing to our lower GDP growth

forecast of 5.7 percent for 2015,” Moody’s said in a report. Lower fiscal spending was one of the reasons for the slower-thanexpected first-quarter growth of 5 percent. The gross domestic product grew by 5.6 percent in the second quarter, bringing the firsthalf average to 5.3 percent, below the government’s target of 7 percent to 8 percent for 2015.

The economy grew 6.1 percent in 2014, slower than 7.2-percent expansion registered in 2013. Economists blamed the government’s lower fiscal spending as the culprit for the sluggish 2014 performance. Moody’s said despite the reduced growth forecast, the Philippines was expected to outperform other economies in the region, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, whose growth forecasts this year and next were also lowered. Growth forecast for Indonesia in 2015 was reduced to 4.7 percent from 5 percent; Malaysia, retained at 4.8 percent ; Singapore, cut to 1.7 percent from 3 percent; and Thailand, revised to 2.5 percent from 3 percent. Moody’s, however, upgraded Vietnam’s growth forecast to 6.3

percent from 6 percent this year due to the country’s accelerating industrialization and falling reliance on commodities, as well as “nascent signs of a recovery in domestic demand.” Vietnam’s 2016 growth forecast was also increased to 6.2 percent from 6 percent previously. Moody’s said it expected fiscal disbursements in the Philippines to accelerate in the second half, and “to see further progress on infrastructure development related to the government’s public private partnership program.” Moody’s said weak demand from China had dampened overall export outlook for the region, while softer commodity prices would weigh on some sovereigns’ export revenues, external positions and fiscal balances.

WEDNESDAY: SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Tuesday, sepTember 8, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 17 30.45 10.4 890 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 12.02 19.6 6.12 625 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

2.89 67 93.50 85.10 42 2.41 15.6 19.8 7.32 700.00 81.9 0.96 18.64 24.00 57.50 298 34.25 134.7 1400.00 53.00 2.91

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 17 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 8.65 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 161 4.1 1.55 0.138 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group 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 Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Lafarge Rep Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp. Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

43.5 1.53 0.97 1.58 9.6 95.90 16.6 27 42 2.58 1.29 10.06 10.840 8.15 5.64 7.76 13.8 23 69.45 13.44 5.62 0.550 185.00 9.05 51.10 21.95 20.75 5.5 278.00 4.03 7.45 11.00 3.20 1.99 2.3 4.00 1.93 150 4.24 1.9 0.133 1.74 188 4.56 0.65 22.50 1.10

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 0.030 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

0.430 57.9000 20.10 1.18 0.235 725 6.7 11.20 2.82 4.30 1237 5.95 67.30 6.55 0.55 12.68 0.54 4.9 7.29 0.0400 1.700 49.00 2.48 862.00 1.20 69.100 0.2700 0.1800 0.216

10.5 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 0.201

6.74 0.65 1.2 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 0.083

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property Crown Equities Inc.

6.790 0.62 1.160 34.65 3.02 4.76 0.63 0.100

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

SHARES 9,821,604 49,244,212 197,743,426 85,282,074 62,531,063 240,609,362 645,615,871

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3 2.82 67.75 65.95 94.00 90.50 85.10 84.00 42.25 41.5 2.40 2.40 15.8 15.6 20.1 19.9 7.32 7.32 715.00 715.00 81.9 79.2 0.93 0.93 18.62 18.56 24.00 24.00 57.50 56.90 298 297 34.25 32.7 134.5 133 1475.00 1405.00 52.05 51.00 2.91 2.88 INDUSTRIAL 43.5 43.15 1.5 1.35 0.95 0.9 1.58 1.53 9.6 9.36 95.95 92.45 17 16.5 27 26.5 42.35 42 2.62 2.52 1.32 1.24 10.4 10.04 11.080 10.86 8.23 8.15 5.75 5.45 7.97 7.74 14.4 13.7 23 22.8 70.1 68.6 13.48 13.44 5.79 5.59 0.650 0.550 188.10 184.10 9.8 9 50.45 46.35 21.95 20.7 20.75 19.64 5.6 5.5 280.00 276.60 4.1 4 7.58 7.39 11.00 10.52 3.25 3.20 2.03 1.92 2.38 2.28 4.02 4.00 1.8 1.57 149 145 3.81 3.81 2.11 1.85 0.132 0.132 1.73 1.66 189.5 187 4.78 4.52 0.65 0.63 23.00 23.00 1.10 1.01 HOLDING FIRMS 0.435 0.435 58.5000 57.1500 20.10 19.52 1.18 1.01 0.225 0.225 735 720 6.8 6.62 11.42 11.20 3.75 2.92 4.12 4.12 1250 1234 6.00 5.95 68.95 67.20 6.5 6.36 0.56 0.53 12.68 12.26 0.54 0.54 4.92 4.7 7.28 7 0.0140 0.0370 1.760 1.700 49.50 48.55 2.50 2.50 862.00 837.00 1.18 1.18 71.000 69.100 0.2700 0.2700 0.1910 0.1910 0.216 0.216 PROPERTY 6.800 6.500 0.63 0.56 1.190 1.130 34.85 34.05 3.06 3.03 4.83 4.8 0.65 0.62 0.105 0.100

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.82 67.75 93.50 84.00 42.25 2.40 15.6 20.05 7.32 715.00 79.95 0.93 18.60 24.00 56.90 297 32.75 133 1450.00 52.00 2.88

-2.42 1.12 0.00 -1.29 0.60 -0.41 0.00 1.26 0.00 2.14 -2.38 -3.13 -0.21 0.00 -1.04 -0.34 -4.38 -1.26 3.57 -1.89 -1.03

115,000 12,710 2,893,470 903,030 179,800 33,000 2,700 95,000 2,300 120 1,755,300 40,000 157,400 87,800 553,320 410 1,206,200 1,139,510 145 34,700 608,000

43.35 1.5 0.95 1.56 9.5 95.95 16.58 27 42.05 2.62 1.28 10.04 10.860 8.21 5.62 7.76 13.9 22.9 68.6 13.48 5.67 0.640 185.90 9.1 50.15 21.25 19.68 5.5 277.00 4.03 7.40 11.00 3.20 1.98 2.3 4.00 1.8 149 3.81 1.93 0.132 1.69 188 4.77 0.65 23.00 1.01

-0.34 -1.96 -2.06 -1.27 -1.04 0.05 -0.12 0.00 0.12 1.55 -0.78 -0.20 0.18 0.74 -0.35 0.00 0.72 -0.43 -1.22 0.30 0.89 16.36 0.49 0.55 -1.86 -3.19 -5.16 0.00 -0.36 0.00 -0.67 0.00 0.00 -0.50 0.00 0.00 -6.74 -0.67 -10.14 1.58 -0.75 -2.87 0.00 4.61 0.00 2.22 -8.18

2,532,100 50,000 82,000 447,000 300 1,900 74,700 369,700 59,000 737,000 85,000 303,900 1,753,300 239,300 15,976,600 63,200 19,700 1,950,100 342,510 15,700 38,700 3,092,000 483,910 21,700 27,210 2,359,500 1,050,800 229,300 258,490 375,000 1,611,600 6,500 875,000 353,000 288,000 4,660,000 6,000 200 1,000 4,494,000 500,000 1,792,000 842,410 55,000 584,000 5,200 50,000

0.435 57.6500 19.98 1.18 0.225 727.5 6.68 11.42 3.35 4.12 1238 5.95 67.50 6.48 0.54 12.28 0.54 4.9 7.08 0.0380 1.740 48.65 2.50 850.00 1.18 71.000 0.2700 0.1910 0.216

1.16 -0.43 -0.60 0.00 -4.26 0.34 -0.30 1.96 18.79 -4.19 0.08 0.00 0.30 -1.07 -1.82 -3.15 0.00 0.00 -2.88 -5.00 2.35 -0.71 0.81 -1.39 -1.67 2.75 0.00 6.11 0.00

30,000 871,070 -7,925,380.00 2,586,000 -13,861,242.00 413,000 100,000 340,040 72,601,775.00 1,015,200 -946,863.00 1,986,800 -15,897,956.00 199,000 20,000 75,875 -3,708,550.00 889,100 5,064,825.00 1,745,590 -33,997,212.50 705,900 -539,157.00 196,000 14,765,900 -116,960,374.00 80,000 37,750,000 -42,736,510.00 312,200 131,600,000 -3,900.00 1,170,000 103,800 -2,978,605.00 2,000 367,580 -203,741,610.00 78,000 550 -4,254.00 10,000 10,000 100,000

6.500 0.56 1.140 34.35 3.04 4.83 0.64 0.100

-4.27 -9.68 -1.72 -0.87 0.66 1.47 1.59 0.00

469,800 2,805,000 64,000 7,584,800 534,000 42,000 2,313,000 9,570,000

499,926.50 -37,763,362 -32,532,479.00 5,354,875.00 9,468.00 1,472,473.00 -77,623,481.50 -1,332,534.00 112,800.00 29,857,196.00 -89,202.00 -31,508,654 -31,508,654.00 -487,240.00 33,767,090.00

486,202.00 560,125 472,688.00 3,791,064.00 359,011.00 -25,238,005.00 39,998.00 -3,593,580.00 -409,056.00 141,204.00 -5,509,612.00 -18,353,730.00 1,259,323.00 1,114,850.00 -5,030,650.00 1,229,810.00 578,517.00 -2,330,600.00 23,500.00 -1,760,190.00

137,080.00 -40,793,712.00

-542,481.00 -81,081,645.00 323,890.00 -72,450.00 -228,750.00

52 Weeks

High Low 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 2720 8.41 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 1600 5.95 102.6 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 0.37 14.54 3 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

High

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. 7.59 SSI Group 0.63 STI Holdings 5 Travellers 0.315 Waterfront Phils. 1.14 Yehey

0.0098 17.24 0.330 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 6.47 0.236 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

70 553 118 120 515 8.21 12.28 1060 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 101 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 997 1011 74.2 74.5 75

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

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15 88 12.88

3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Makati Fin. Corp. IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,507.66 (down) 16.18 INDUSTRIAL 10,627.19 (down) 19.19 HOLDING FIRMS 6,379.90 (down) 26.95 PROPERTY 2,810.99 (down) 13.58 SERVICES 1,790.74 (down) 8.87 MINING & OIL 11,048.83 (down) 123.84 PSEI 6,891.30 (down) 35.52 All Shares Index 3,949.51 (down) 15.50 Gainers: 63 Losers: 100; Unchanged: 44; Total: 207

Cyber Bay Corp. 0.400 Double Dragon 14.68 Empire East Land 0.760 Ever Gotesco 0.161 Global-Estate 1.03 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.73 Interport `A’ 1.48 Megaworld 4.22 MRC Allied Ind. 0.084 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2550 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 21.00 Primex Corp. 7.41 Robinson’s Land `B’ 28.40 Rockwell 1.59 Shang Properties Inc. 3.27 SM Prime Holdings 19.04 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.72 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.700 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.800

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.410 0.410 0.410 15.3 14.6 15.2 0.770 0.770 0.770 0.162 0.162 0.162 1.09 1.04 1.04 1.76 1.71 1.71 1.45 1.38 1.38 4.3 4.19 4.2 0.084 0.078 0.078 0.2600 0.2550 0.2550 21.00 21.00 21.00 7.44 7.33 7.44 28.80 28.00 28.40 1.59 1.59 1.59 3.20 3.20 3.20 19.18 18.84 19.10 0.72 0.7 0.72 0.670 0.660 0.660 5.800 5.610 5.700 SERVICES 8.6 8.78 8.4 8.6 60.8 60.8 60.1 60.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 0.520 0.540 0.510 0.510 11.7 11.24 11.24 11.24 6.60 6.65 6.43 6.62 0.0570 0.0600 0.0570 0.0590 4 3.96 3.73 3.73 85.9 87.95 85.8 86.15 10.26 10.3 10.28 10.28 5.12 5.45 4.98 5.09 2550 2540 2500 2512 6.15 6.20 6.15 6.19 89 90 87 88.05 11.8 11.78 11.42 11.42 0.011 0.011 0.010 0.011 0.163 0.160 0.155 0.158 1.3400 1.4600 1.3500 1.4000 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.21 8.00 8.15 7.90 8.12 2.49 2.55 2.44 2.52 1.14 1.24 1.24 1.24 0.630 0.640 0.560 0.560 2 2 2 2 5.3 5.3 5.02 5.06 0.285 0.285 0.285 0.285 0.410 0.410 0.400 0.410 19.48 19 18.98 19 4.50 4.80 4.45 4.78 8.65 8.66 8.66 8.66 101.50 106.90 105.00 106.90 18.34 18.34 17.70 18.06 2392.00 2400.00 2378.00 2384.00 0.600 0.600 0.580 0.600 1.050 1.090 1.040 1.040 32.00 32.90 32.30 32.60 66.00 67.00 66.00 66.10 5.10 5.24 5.09 5.24 6.24 6.55 6.09 6.12 0.51 0.53 0.51 0.51 3.8 3.88 3.76 3.78 0.325 0.315 0.305 0.315 2.410 2.400 2.310 2.390 MINING & OIL 0.0047 0.0048 0.0047 0.0047 4.50 4.77 4.42 4.42 0.185 0.185 0.185 0.185 6.2000 5.9000 5.6200 5.9000 0.71 0.74 0.7 0.7 0.65 0.65 0.64 0.64 5.91 6.00 5.91 5.92 1.1 1.11 1.08 1.1 0.295 0.295 0.290 0.290 0.180 0.184 0.178 0.183 0.202 0.201 0.190 0.201 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.16 2.13 2.11 2.13 7.8 7.91 7.71 7.82 3.17 3.18 3.06 3.1 1.2600 1.2800 1.2700 1.2700 3.89 3.85 3.80 3.80 5.07 5.150 5.050 5.06 1.50 1.580 1.490 1.53 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 132.90 132.70 126.70 130.00 2.57 2.6 2.45 2.51 0.0080 0.0072 0.0072 0.0072 PREFERRED 60.7 60.3 60 60.25 525 530 528 530 118.1 118.1 118.1 118.1 115.5 118 115.5 118 520 530 520 528 6 6.25 6 6.25 1.08 1.09 1.07 1.07 1045 1045 1045 1045 1025 1025 1015 1015 75.9 74.25 74 74 81.5 80 80 80 82.5 81 80.15 81 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.200 3.280 3.050 3.200 SME 4.6 4.61 4.55 4.6 60 61 55 55 11.2 11.26 11.02 11.04 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114.1 114.2 113 113.4

T op g ainerS VALUE 727,583,046.75 765,635,884.86 1,426,203,320.642 973,456,714.14 776,909,260.92 58,692,962.4585 4,734,764,911.272

Low

2.50 3.54 1.32 0.62 0.97 -1.16 -6.76 -0.47 -7.14 0.00 0.00 0.40 0.00 0.00 -2.14 0.32 0.00 -5.71 -1.72

10,000 5,334,900 1,000 230,000 625,000 3,802,000 1,130,000 19,570,000 3,150,000 410,000 200 199,900 2,074,600 22,000 7,000 10,821,100 171,000 141,000 4,112,500

0.00 -0.99 0.00 -1.92 -3.93 0.30 3.51 -6.75 0.29 0.19 -0.59 -1.49 0.65 -1.07 -3.22 0.00 -3.07 4.48 0.00 1.50 1.20 8.77 -11.11 0.00 -4.53 0.00 0.00 -2.46 6.22 0.12 5.32 -1.53 -0.33 0.00 -0.95 1.88 0.15 2.75 -1.92 0.00 -0.53 -3.08 -0.83

224,400 30,450 18,000 46,000 1,000 3,581,500 25,130,000 221,000 240,280 400 396,800 31,435 51,600 1,115,670 3,700 400,000 2,200,000 1,821,000 1,000 160,700 217,000 14,000 203,000 15,000 1,862,400 450,000 150,000 700 10,000 200 20 165,200 139,925 63,000 7,927,000 3,713,400 135,530 4,758,200 3,621,000 1,416,000 832,000 230,000 212,000

0.00 -1.78 0.00 -4.84 -1.41 -1.54 0.17 0.00 -1.69 1.67 -0.50 0.00 -1.39 0.26 -2.21 0.79 -2.31 -0.20 2.00 0.00 -2.18 -2.33 -10.00

192,000,000 969,000 122,370.00 30,000 21,400 95,000 637,000 150,500 1,760,000 114,490.00 280,000 5,760,000 210,000 700,000 322,000 -205,970.00 1,767,800 3,547,473.00 277,000 -93,000.00 214,000 39,000 367,000 279,549.00 236,000 -15,090.00 32,700,000 12,200.00 222,590 -15,954,363.00 594,000 12,350.00 1,000,000

-0.74 0.95 0.00 2.16 1.54 4.17 -0.93 0.00 -0.98 -2.50 -1.84 -1.82

26,090 10,070 100 70,280 5,690 200 491,000 130 3,025 20,000 20 20,040

0.00

192,000

0.00 -8.33 -1.43

5,000 1,730 358,300

-0.61

19,100

-7,600,210.00

-1,553,740.00 -5,498,070.00

332,100.00 37,175,760.00 -89,332,504.00 -16,242,832.00 8,400.00

-302,269.00 295,000.00 -4,172,807.00 -14,924,290.00 34,413,893.00 1,100.00 55,390.00 269,639.00

671,399.00

-206,252.00 -122,774,240.00 -677,960.00 51,667,620.00 6,632,182.00 131,000.00 -4,304,054.00 -140,510.00 -1,535,690.00

-239,025.50

25.00

1,047,150.00

89,542.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

F&J Prince 'A'

3.35

18.79

Manila Bulletin

0.560

Ionics Inc

0.640

16.36

SPC Power Corp.

3.81

-11.11 -10.14

Lorenzo Shipping

1.24

8.77

United Paragon

0.0072

-10.00

PAL Holdings Inc.

4.78

6.22

A. Brown Co., Inc.

0.56

-9.68

Wellex Industries

0.1910

6.11

IRipple E-Business Intl

-8.33

Phil. Seven Corp.

106.90

5.32

Vulcan Ind'l.

1.01

-8.18

Victorias Milling

4.77

4.61

MRC Allied Ind.

0.078

-7.14

ISM Communications

1.4000

4.48

Interport `A'

1.38

-6.76

GMA Holdings Inc.

6.25

4.17

Calata Corp.

3.73

-6.75

Sun Life Financial

1450.00

3.57

Roxas and Co.

1.8

-6.74

WEDNESDAY: SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

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

Market falls again; Puregold, Jollibee up

Century, Mitsubishi to build $100-m tower

STOCKS fell for the third day, pulling down the benchmark index below 6,900 points for the first time in two weeks, as Chinese data showed imports and exports sank in August, adding to concerns over the health of global economy. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 35 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 6,891.30 on Tuesday. The gauge was also down 4.7 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 15 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 3,949.51 on a value turnover of just P4.7 billion, or about half of the daily average in previous weeks. Losers outnumbered gainers, 100 to 63, while 44 issues were unchanged. Six of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, 11 issues were in the red while three companies closed unchanged. Grocery chain operator Puregold Price Club Inc. rose 1.9 percent to P32.60 to become the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks. Jollibee Foods Corp. added 0.5 percent to close at P185.90 while conglomerate Ayala Corp. gained 0.3 percent to P727.50. Meanwhile, most Asian stocks traded lower Tuesday. News that Japan’s economy had contracted less than expected was unable to prevent a sharp fall in Tokyo, despite speculation the country’s central bank will likely have to unveil fresh monetary easing measures, which usually supports stocks. The figures out of China and Japan are the latest to highlight the battle facing the world’s second and third biggest economies as Washington considers tightening monetary policy with US growth rattling along. Analysts said the recent international market turmoil caused by worries over China -- and uncertainty over US interest rates -had left investors nervous. In Beijing, the customs bureau said exports fell 5.5 percent yearon-year while imports plunged 13.8 percent. While the export data was better than forecast and the import figure was affected by plunging commodity prices, the news is a concern owing to China’s role as the world’s biggest trader in goods and a crucial driver of global growth. On Monday, Beijing revised down its original reading for growth in 2014 to 7.3 percent, its slowest rate in a quarter of a century. Tuesday’s result also comes despite a series of measures unveiled by authorities to halt a sharp slowdown in the economy, including five interest rate cuts since November and several reductions in the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve—each aimed at boosting lending. With AFP

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Century Properties Group Inc. has formed a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corp. of Japan to build the $100-million (P4.5 billion) Forbes Media Tower at Century City in Makati. Century Properties said in a disclosure to the stock exchange unit Century City Development Corp. and Mitsubishi signed a joint venture agreement to develop the 35-story premium office building. Under the agreement, both parties will develop, lease out and maintain Forbes Media Tower through Century City Development II Corp. CCDC will have 60-percent interest in the joint venture while Mitsubishi will have 60 percent.

The project will be financed through a $51-million (P2.3 billion) equity from CCDC and Mitsubishi, and a 10-year $49-million (P2.2 billion) senior loan granted by Bank of Philippine Islands. BPI approved the loan on the basis of the project’s strong financial viability amid the rapidly growing office space sector and its confidence in the combined strength and experience of Century and Mitsubishi. “We are privileged to part-

ner with Mitsubishi Corp., one of Japan’s most respected business conglomerates, in developing Forbes Media Tower. We are grateful for their trust and confidence, as these are testament to our sound business strategy of developing projects with determined demand,” said Century Properties chairman and president Jose Antonio. Antonio said Forbes Media Tower, which is scheduled for completion by 2019, would be a stellar addition to the office market in the country’s premiere financial district. Mitsubishi senior vice president Nobuya Ichiki said the Forbes Media Tower would be the third real estate development and first office project of the Japanese conglomerate in the Philippines. “Mitsubishi executes real estate development projects in Japan, China, United States

and the countries in Southeast Asian region. Among all countries, Mitsubishi believes Philippines has the promising market due to its continuous high economic growth. We hope to continue and further strengthen our partnership with CPGI to expand real estate investment business in the Philippines,” Ichiki said. Forbes Media Tower will have a gross floor area including parking of 95,000 square meters. Net leasable area will be over 50,000 square meters. As the world’s first Forbesbranded commercial building, it is designed to serve the world’s business leaders by providing an environment to conduct business with premium amenities. Forbes Media Tower is the last parcel of land to be developed within Century City, the 3.4 hectare integrated mixed-use complex in Makati.

China Bank online.

China Banking Corp. tapped Solutions Exchange Inc. and SecureMetric Technology Inc. to upgrade its corporate Internet banking platform to offer a seamless blend of enhanced security, convenience, functionality to China Bank Online-Corporate customers. Shown during the signing of the agreements are (from left) SecureMetric vice president and country manager Aimee Asanza, China Bank vice president and head of cash management services division Domingo Dayro Jr., SecureMetric business development officer Chin Wan Lim, China Bank executive vice president and head of lending business segment William Whang, SXI president Medi Camerino and executive vice president and chief operating officer Edwin Lopez-Vito.

Govt debt increased by P160b to P5.84t in July By Gabrielle H. Binaday GOVERNMENT debt increased P160 billion or 2.9 percent over a 12-month period to a record P5.84 trillion in July, as the Treasury issued more securities and the weak peso inflated the value of foreign currency debt. Data from the Treasury showed outstanding government debt jumped P160 billion from P5.68 trillion in July 2014. Both domestic and foreign debt climbed, as borrowings continued to outpace debt payments. Domestic debt rose 2.7

percent in July to P3.86 trillion from a year ago. It also increased by P19.56 billion from the endJune figure due to the net issuance of government securities amounting to P19.36 billion and upward adjustment of P200 million in the peso value of onshore dollar bonds. Foreign debt escalated 3.2 percent year-on-year to P1.99 trillion, on the back of weaker peso which inflated the value of dollar debt by P17.49 billion, the Treasury said. “This was tempered by the downward revaluation of third

currency debt against peso equivalent to P6.73 billion. Net availment for the month though not significant contributed to P0.68 billion increase in external debt,” The Treasury said. Meanwhile, national guaranteed debt declined P11.9 percent year-on-year to P402.64 billion. The figure, however, was 0.2 percent higher than the end-June figure on a monthly basis as the combined effect of currency adjustments raised the peso value of debt by P2.62 billion. “This more than offset the net repayment of domestic

guarantees amounting to P0.05 billion [P50 million] and the P1.84 billion reduction in value of external guarantees due to third currency depreciation against the US dollar,” the Treasury said. “Further consolidation of debt created a sustainable fiscal environment and improving the debt metrics resulted in lower reliance on foreign debt,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said in a recent budget hearing. He said only a third of the national government debt was foreign-currency denominated.

B4 SM Prime awards.

Property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings Inc. receives a prestigious gold award for SM City Xiamen, Fujian Province, its first mall in China. SM City Xiamen/ SM Lifestyle Center won the Mall China Golden Mall Awards 2015 Commercial Asset Management Company Gold Award. Only eight companies received the prestigious gold award during the 13th Annual Conference of Mall China International Symposium hosted by China Shopping Center Development Association. SM Supermalls senior vice president (fourth from right) Steven Tan receives the Mall China Golden Mall Award on behalf of SM. Shown are the other winners and presenter Michael Lloyd (extreme right), chairman of The Tomlik Group.

Energy completes probe on Semirara By Alena Mae S. Flores AN INVESTIGATING panel of the Energy Department has completed its report on the accident at the open-pit mine of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. in Caluya, Antique that claimed the lives of nine miners in July. “The probe is almost finished. We have submitted our recommendation along with the report. It is up for review by the [Energy officer-in-charge]. The report on the social impact will be submitted within the week,” Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos said. He said the Energy chief would review the report for final approval. “We have conducted a thorough investigation with regards to the technical and social impact regarding the incident. It is up to the DoE-OIC to approve or make the necessary changes in our recommendation,” Marcos said. Energy officer-in-charge Zenaida Monsada earlier ordered the immediate suspension of the operations of Semirara’s coal operating contract no. 5 due to the incident. The Environmental Management Bureau of the Environment and Natural Resources Department later lifted the suspension order on Semirara’s environmental compliance certificate for the East Panian expansion project. Semirara on August 10 received the order from the DENR main office “on the basis of its findings that there is no adverse effect or damage to the environment in relation to the landslide that occurred at the North edge of the Panian Mine and same is due to fortuitous event.” The order said Semirara agreed to conduct a comprehensive program to monitor slope movements and ground water conditions to ensure stability. Semirara also agreed to submit a detailed assessment on the cause of the slope failure and the performance of monitoring.

Investors snap up San Miguel’s issue By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. has successfully raised P33.5 billion from the issuance of preferred shares after generating a strong interest from institutional and retail investors, one of the underwriters handling the transaction said Tuesday. BDO Capital and Investments Corp. president Eduardo Francisco said in an interview at the sidelines of the 14th Management Association of the Philippines International CEO Forum the preferred shares offering was oversubscribed despite volatile market conditions. “It was oversubscribed many times,” Francisco said. He noted a strong demand for

the offering due to fewer fundraising activities in the stock market this year. “A lot customers are looking for investment outlets because there are less of things this year. So it was many times oversubscribed,” Francisco said. Analysts said many investors were lured into investing into San Miguel’s share offering because of the = attractive dividend rates.

The dividend rate for the preferred shares, which will be issued in three subseries, are 5.9431 percent per annum for the subseries 2-D, 6.3255 percent for the subseries 2-E and 6.8072 percent for the subseries 2-F. The preferred shares offer a step-up rate in which the dividend rate will be adjusted if they are not redeemed on the optional redemption dates. If the subseries 2-D is not redeemed on the fifth year, the rate will be adjusted to 10-year PDST-R2 rate plus 3 percent per annum. If the subseries 2-E is not redeemed on the seventh year, meanwhile, the dividend rate will be adjusted to 15-year PDSTR2 plus 3 percent per annum The dividend rate on the subseries 2-F will will be adjusted to 20-year PDST-R2 plus 3 percent a year if not

redeemed on the 10th year. San Miguel issued 446.447 million Series “2” preferred shares at an issue price of P75 apiece. San Miguel was able to obtain commitment from the entire P33.5-billion issue even before the end of the offering period. The offering period on the San Miguel preferred shares started Aug. 29 and will end on Sept. 11. the listing date has been set on Sept. 21. San Miguel plans to issue the proceeds from the offering to partially fund the early redemption of the company’s outstanding sub series 2-A amounting to P54.08 billion. Eight other underwriters were hired to handle transaction. They were BPI Capital, China Bank, HSBC, ING, PNB Capital, RCBC Capital, SB Capital and Standard Chartered Bank.

No penalty claims filed vs. govt, says LRT 1 operator By Darwin G. Amojelar LIGHT Rail Manila Consortium, led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp. said Tuesday it has not made penalty claims on the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project as it is just set to take over the system on September 12. “The concession agreement outlines the obligations of the grantors [government] and the concessionaire [LRMC]. If there is any shortfall, the extent and magnitude of such shortfalls will be determined after effective date,” LRMC said. “We have not made any claims to the government at this time,” it added. LRMC issued the statement after the Transportation Depart-

ment requested to the Department of Budget and Management the release of P7.52 billion as penalty payments to LRMC. LRMC said it was focused on taking over the existing system on September 12. It added any funds from the government to LRMC would be used to improve the efficiency, safety and overall riding experience of the Filipino public. “LRMC remains committed to expand the capacity of the trains to lessen waiting time. We will refurbish existing trains and purchase new ones for the comfort of the passengers,” the company said. “To further improve the safety of the riding public, we will replace the entire track system,” it said. LRMC will also rehabilitate all

the stations to improve the overall ridership experience and extend the track by 11 kilometers from Baclaran to Niyog, Cavite to increase the reach of the transportation mode to a larger population. “LRMC is taking over a 30-year old train system. Improvements will not happen overnight but we and our 1,400-strong team of Filipino engineers, train drivers and tellers will work rigorously to alleviate the pain points of the riding public,” the company said. Under the concession, LRMC will assume the operation and management of the existing 20-kilometer LRT 1, and build the 11.7-kilometer extension of the rail line southward from the Baclaran station to Bacoor, Cavite. The extension entails the con-

struction of eight new stations, including three with intermodal facilities. The eight new stations after Baclaran include Aseana, MIA, Asia World city, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niyog. The intermodal facilities will be located at Dr. Santos, Zapote, and Niyog. The project will increase the span of LRT1 from 20.7 kilometers to 32.4, and provide commuters from Cavite and other parts of Parañaque and Las Piñas access to central Manila. The government will acquire the right-of-way for the project and the satellite depot and procure 120 light rail vehicles that will be financed through a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

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

Do-nothings in Edsa WE AGREE with new traffic czar Secretary Rene Almendras that there should be better integration between the different agencies that have been tasked to solve the traffic mess in Metro Manila, starting with the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or Edsa where several choke points make life miserable for commuters and motorists day in and day out—well, almost. It’s early days yet to see if this latest experiment to deploy the Highway Patrol Group will work and decongest Edsa, but motorists have reported the worsening of traffic in certain areas like C5-Libis as well as the areas along P. Tuazon and Bonny Serrano/Santolan where vehicles were crawling slower than a snail’s pace. We got a feedback from one of our stoolies who passed by B. Serrano (Santolan) going to Edsa and he reported seeing a dozen men and women in what looked like MMDA uniforms who were sitting under the shade provided by the Edsa flyover—at around 9 a.m., doing nothing while everything was going helter-skelter both northbound and southbound, with vehicles from the Santolan-Edsa junction taking almost half an hour just to cross over towards Crame. A couple of these traffic personnel had pen and paper and it looked like they were doodling. But let’s cut them a little slack and give them the benefit of the doubt—they were probably making “assessments” on how the HPG was managing the traffic situation. But did they all have to cluster under the shade of the flyover? Had they bothered to get their assess up to see why the gridlock was happening, they would have seen that a primary cause were the cars coming from the APFSLAI gate at Camp Aguinaldo who were making a U-turn going towards Edsa, or heading to the 15th Avenue area to Cubao. As a result, traffic is affected as far as Blueridge all the way to Riverbanks, Marcos Highway and most probably even C5-Libis. Once our stoolie got past Camp Crame, traffic became more manageable from Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard and Guadalupe, and there was only one HPG guy at the foot of the Ortigas flyover who was directing the flow of vehicles. ABB to deliver 200 MW solar order to PH According to the Department of Energy’s Supply-Demand Outlook, the demand for electricity is projected to increase by 22 percent at 15,228 MW by 2020, (from the current 12,433 MW demand), which makes solar power an attractive option because of the short construction timeline. Solar can play an important role in helping alleviate power supply shortages especially during daytime when demand is at its peak. This situation has prompted the DOE to raise the installation cap for solar technology to 500 MW by 2016. Leading power and automation technology group ABB has won an order from Solar Philippines to provide complete electrical balance of plant (eBoP) solutions to three solar power plants in key provinces in the Philippines. According to ABB, the company will be responsible for the supply, testing, and commissioning of photovoltaic (PV) power plants in Batangas, Misamis Oriental and Tarlac, which will result in a collective output of 200 MW. Once operational, the Batangas and Tarlac plants will be two of the largest solar farms in the Philippines, while the Misamis Oriental plant will help address the long-term electricity shortage in the Mindanao region. “ABB technologies are playing a key role in the fast growing solar landscape of the Philippines, facilitating both the generation and integration of renewable energies into its power grids,” said John Fyfe, country managing director of ABB in the Philippines. “Our in-depth knowledge of renewable power generation technologies, together with our experience with grid codes and utility practices used around the world, enables us to provide complete solar PV solutions that are efficient, reliable and clean to people, and truly decouple economic growth from environmental impact in this fast-growing economy,” he added. Construction is now underway for all three plants that are expected to be fully operational in early 2016. “Solar is becoming increasingly competitive with fossil fuel, enabling it to supply a growing share of our country’s energy needs,” said Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste, adding that the projects mark a turning point for the solar industry in the Philippines. The partnership with ABB will turn the projects into reality considering the latter’s advanced technology and expertise, Leviste also noted. ABB is known as a provider of the most comprehensive portfolio of products, systems, solutions and services along the solar PV value chain that enable the generation, transmission and distribution of solar power for grid-connected and microgrid applications. Just recently, ABB also won a $20 million contract from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to expand the 200 MW substation at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park. ••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

PH readies rollout of free wi-fi service By Siegfrid Alegado and Cecilia Yap

THE Philippines is planning free wi-fi services to half of its towns and cities this year and nationwide coverage by end-2016, limiting the data revenue prospects for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc. The free Internet service will cost the government about P1.5 billion a year and will be available in areas such as public schools, hospitals, airports and parks, said Monchito Ibrahim, deputy executive director of the Information and Communications Technology Office. “If subscribers move to using free public Wi-Fi, telecoms may need to lure them into getting higher-end services,” Ibrahim said in a Sept. 4 interview in Makati City, referring to the country’s two main phone companies. The government’s “focus

is on areas that absolutely don’t have access.” The new service is expected to push data charges lower in the Philippines. Access to the Internet costs about $18 a megabit per second in the country, more than three times the global average of $5, according to research firm International Data Corp. or IDC. For the country’s two biggest phone companies, that means more expenses to boost their network for services offering higher speeds. “The free Wi-Fi service would compel improvement of service of both telecoms,” said Lexter

Azurin, research head at Unicapital Securities Inc. “Definitely, they might need more capex for that, which would impact earnings at the end of the day.” The government’s free Wi-Fi service has its limitations. Speed is capped at 256 kilobits per second, enough for basic Internet searches or access to Facebook, Ibrahim said. The government’s initiative comes as lawmakers investigate slow and expensive Internet connection in the Philippines, where broadband connectivity is only ahead of Afghanistan in Asia, according to IDC. By contrast, Singapore started a free wireless service in 2006 that now offers speeds of as much as 2 megabits per second--eight times faster than the one planned in the Philippines. That’s enough for phone calls on the data network or video streaming, with the access offered at public places such as the airport, malls, hospitals and schools. Bloomberg

Metrobank advocacy. Metrobank Foundation Inc. president Aniceto Sobrepeña (center) is joined by Bikes for the Philippines Foundation’s Margaret Buot and Joel Uichico, MBFI executive director Nicanor Torres and Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation’s Mark Bansay during the signing of an agreement granting P1 million to the ‘Pedals and Paddles Project: Bayanihang Bangka at Bisikleta’ project if the Education Depaetment. The foundation granted awarded P15 million worth of grants to 40 social development partners to support its programs and projects that benefit the marginalized and underprivileged sectors.

ALI spends P5.4b in Alabang project By Jenniffer B. Austria AYALA Land Inc said it has already spent nearly half of the P12-billion capital expenditure earmarked for the development of the 6.6-hectare South Park District in former Nestle coffee factory in Alabang, Muntinlupa. Avida Land corporate planning group head Raquel Cruz said in a press briefing it spent P5.4 billion to develop the first phase of the South Park District, including a 49,000 square-meter regional shopping mall, two residential condominiums offering over 1,000 units, a six-story office tower and an 8,000 sq. m. park. Cruz said the construction of

Ayala Malls South Park was in full swing and slated for completion in 2016. South Park Corporate Center, which will be completed by 2017, will have 12,000 sq. m. of gross leasable space that can accommodate 2,400 call center seats and generate some 4,900 jobs. Meanwhile, Avida Towers Altura is currently in the middle of construction. The first tower will be completed by 2016 and is substantially sold out. The second tower will be ready by 2018. Cruz said total sales from both the residential towers were projected to hit P2.9 billion. Unit sizes range from 22 sq. m. to 66 sq. m. costing P1.9 billion to P5.9 billion.

Aside from targeting end-users such as young entrepreneurs, start-up families and migrant Filipino workers, Cruz said the residential projects were attracting investors because of their proximity to commercial and business establishments. The first phase of the South Park District covers 3.7 hectares. Cruz said the second phase if the project would include future residential developments set to be launched by 2017. The residential components will constructed over the next seven years until 2023. South Park District is a masterplanned, pocket mixed-use development of Ayala Land that was launched in 2013.

WEDNESDAY: SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

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

SMC unit eyes Pangasinan dam By Alena Mae S. Flores

STRATEGIC Power Development Corp., a company controlled by conglomerate San Miguel Corp., plans to build a 400-megawatt pumped storage hydro project in Pangasinan province. Energy Department records showed Strategic Power, the current independent power producer administrator of the 345-MW San Roque hydro project in San Manuel, Pangasinan, had “ongoing study and permitting [application]” for the 400-

MW San Roque west pump storage hydro project. SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. president Alan Ortiz said the San Miguel group was “studying various options,” when asked about the San Roque West project.

Ortiz also said the company was “studying the possibility” of expanding the San Roque hydro project, but he did not elaborate. Strategic Power trades the power electricity output of the San Roque hydro facility while San Roque Power Corp., the joint venture of Marubeni Corp. and Kansai Electric Power Co. Ltd., is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the power-generating facility. The San Roque hydro plant was designed as a build-operatetransfer project under a 25-year power purchase agreement with

National Power Corp. Napocor president Gladys Sta. Maria earlier said San Miguel wanted to maximize the present installed capacity of the San Roque hydro plant. The hydro plant provides the Luzon grid with an additional dependable capacity of 110 MW even during periods of extreme drought. San Miguel won the right to manage the supply contract of the San Roque plant in 2009 with a $450-million bid. The company has been expanding its portfolio of hydro power projects.

San Miguel also holds a 60-percent stake in the 218-MW Angat hydro power plant in Bulacan. San Miguel, through Strategic Power, also plans a 200-MW pumped storage hydro project in Aklan and is pursuing a 500-MW pumped storage hydro power project in Aurora province. Meanwhile, San Miguel president Ramon Ang said the company would likely bid for the 728 -MW Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydro power plants and the 140-MW Casecnan hydro plant once government finalized the privatization schedule of the power facilities.

Treasury accepts P237b for debt swap By Gabrielle H. Binaday

Bags of hope.

Business process outsourcing company Convergys, the country’s largest private employer, concludes its project ‘Give A Bag of Hope,’ a nationwide employee-driven program which donated bags filled with school supplies to elementary students of selected partner schools across the country. Shown are Convergys country manager Ivic Mueco (front row, second from left) and the Clark site leadership team joining the Give A Bag of Hope closing celebrations.

Economists see inflation below 1% in 3rd quarter By Julito G. Rada INFLATION rate is expected to average below 1 percent in the third quarter this year because of lower food and oil prices, economists from the First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific said in a joint report Tuesday. “Inflation is likely to continue its downward trek as food and especially oil prices remain soft. We expect headline inflation to average below 1 percent in the third quarter, and then rising a bit in the fourth quarter,” the economists said in the August issue of Market Call capital markets research. The economists said this should provide an added impulse to more consumer spending in the

second half. They also said money growth would continue to be muted, averaging just above 10 percent in the third quarter and adding a negative pull on inflation. Latest data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that domestic liquidity or money supply in the financial system grew 8.5 percent yearon-year in July to reach P7.7 trillion due largely to sustained demand for credit. The July figure was slower than the 9.3 percent growth in June. “Despite this and the belowtarget inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas continues to put monetary policy stance at neutral perhaps because the economy needs no push from the monetary sector to raise

growth and create more jobs,” economists said. Inflation further slowed to 0.6 percent in August from 0.8 percent in July due to annual decreases in utilities and transport fares, which were traceable to lower oil prices. The August print was also significantly slower than the 4.9 percent inflation registered a year ago. This brought the average inflation in the first eight months of 2015 to 1.7 percent, below the lower end of the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. earlier said that despite the decelerating inflation, monetary authorities would continue to monitor developments in global oil prices, track

El Niño dry spell and coordinate with relevant government agencies on mitigants to the drought’s adverse impact. Bangko Sentral set an inflation target of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015 and 2016. Bangko Sentral’s Monetary Board, in its meeting on Aug. 13, kept the benchmark interest rates steady for the seventh time since October last year on manageable inflation environment. Policy rates were kept at 4 percent for the overnight borrowing and 6 percent for overnight lending. The board also reduced the average inflation forecast this year to 1.8 percent from the previous estimate of 2.1 percent. For 2016, the inflation forecast was retained at 2.5 percent.

THE government accepted P237 billion worth of old domestic debt that will be swapped for 10-year and 25-year bonds, the Treasury said Tuesday. National Treasurer Roberto Tan said of the P388 billion tendered in the recently launched domestic debt swap facility, the agency accepted P237 billion in exchange for 10- and 25-year debt papers. The agency said the domestic bond exchange transaction was a part of the government’s liability management program to establish liquid benchmarks to promote liquidity and generate interest expense savings. “The transaction saw a tremendous response from the market with total tenders of eligible bonds amounting to P388 billion – about P134 billion for the benchmark bonds due 2025 and over P254 billion for the benchmark bonds due 2040,” the agency said. “Submissions for new subscription offers for the 2025 bonds reached approximately P21 billion. This represents an oversubscription of at least 3.88 times for the total transaction over the indicated minimum issue size of P50 billion per tranche,” it said. It said the strong response also allowed the government to price the 2025 bonds and 2040 bonds at the minimum coupon rates of 3.625 percent and 4.625 percent, respectively. “The Republic accepted total exchange offers of eligible bonds of around P237 billion and new subscription offers of about P9.6 billion in the 2025 bonds. As a result, the Republic has established new benchmark bonds in the amount of P121 billion of 2025 bonds and over P142 billion of 2040 bonds,” the Treasury said.

W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Aussie policy under pressure SYDNEY—Australia’s hard-line policy on asylum-seekers, who have been pushed back by the boatload and incarcerated in offshore camps, is under pressure as public sympathy for the Syrians escaping conflict swells in a nation built on migration. While Europe opens its doors, at least temporarily, in the face of its worst refugee crisis since World War II, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has successfully closed Australia’s borders to refugee boats, with no arrivals in more than a year. From a handful that made it in 2008, boatloads of people from war-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East were coming almost daily by 2013, with hundreds of people drowning in the treacherous northern waters. Refugees still come to Australia, via an orderly resettlement program. But turning back the boats, strict secrecy about operations on the high seas, and banishing asylum-seekers who do make it to two remote Pacific islands are the hallmarks of the policy that ended the crisis. Although the policy stopped the drownings, human rights organizations have slammed the prolonged detention of asylum-seekers, including children, in wretched camps as cruel and in breach of Australia’s legal obligations. The controversy, including reports of suicide and child molestation in the centers, has played out far from the public eye. But the image of a drowned Syrian toddler that moved Europeans has also shifted the debate in Australia. Thousands gathered across the country Monday for “Light the Dark” rallies in memory of Aylan Kurdi, calling for more refugees to be welcomed into a country that over the decades has ushered in waves of migrants and created a vibrant multicultural society. Abbott admitted in parliament that “all of us were moved to tears by that poignant image of the drowned child” and said that Australia would “play our part”. “It is the government’s firm intention to take a significant

number of people from Syria this year,” he said, without specifying how many. There will be no budging on the policy of “pushing back” the boats, but one option may be an emergency intake similar to the evacuation of Kosovo refugees in 1999. Australia could also lift its current annual humanitarian refugee intake from 13,500 people, with aid agencies urging this be raised to 30,000 places in response to the global crisis. Pamela Curr from the Asylum Seeker Resource Center told the rally in Melbourne that advocates would continue to raise the issue “until our government opens its heart, opens its mind and opens the doors of Australia”. Even within Abbott’s conservative Liberal Party, which has been in lockstep behind the asylum-seeker policy, there are now calls for a greater humanitarian response, with one lawmaker calling for up to 50,000 Syrian refugees to be accepted. Mike Baird, the premier of Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, acknowledged Saturday that “stopping the boats can’t be where this ends”. “We cannot see the images we have seen, and feel the things we have felt, and then go back to business as usual,” he said in comments that represent a new tone in the debate. Despite the outpouring of sympathy, there is no indication that Australia will dismantle the policies for “stopping the boats”, with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton last week defending them as crucial to preventing more disasters at sea. “Our policies are lawful. They are safe. And they work. They save lives,” he said. But critics say the policy of turning back boats and the offshore

detention of asylumseekers, while effective in preventing flows to Australia, simply shifts the problem elsewhere. Refugee law expert Michelle Foster from the University of Melbourne said that asylum-seekers coming to Australia on unauthorized vessels

were overwhelmingly found to be genuine refugees. “If a government chooses to turn back boats it does nothing to solve the global refugee problem... you are simply requiring them to seek protection elsewhere,” she said. Sarah Joseph, direc-

tor of the Castan Center for Human Rights Law at Monash University, said that while the government has applauded its policies as effective ”whether we’ve actually saved lives... that’s actually impossible to know”. She noted that the detention centers on

the Pacific islands of Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus island, where some 1,500 people are held, are by all accounts “appalling places for people to actually live”. Joseph said Australia’s method of regulating flows of asylum-seekers could

never be applied to Europe, which is much closer to the conflict zones and faces an unmanageable number of people and boats. “And where are you going to send them back to? Are you telling people, ‘Look, don’t worry, just stay in Syria?’” AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 138 CITY OF MAKATI IN RE: PETITION FOR RECONSTITUTION OF SECOND OWNNER`S DUPLICATE OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE LRC CASE NO. M-6059 No. 219609 OF THE REGISTRY DEEDS OF MAKATI CITY

3/F, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, Phillippines 1226

INVITATION TO BID The Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) invites all interested PhilGEPSregistered member to submit bids for the project below: Purchase Request No. 15-070113RB

Project Consultancy Services (firm) for the Development of the GCG Whistleblowing Program - Rebid

Approved Budget for the Contract (Php)

Bid

Submission of Eligibility Documents

Pre-Bid Conference Schedule

Opening of Bids Schedule

P12,000,000

P25,000

15 Sept.2015 at 11:00 am

23 Sept.2015 at 10:00 am

05 Oct.2015 at 10:00 am (Technical Proposal) 07 Oct. 2015 at 10:00 am (Financial Proposal)

Interested consultants must submit their eligibility documents on or before 15 September 2015 at GCG Library, 3rd Floor, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

CRISTITA CANTA PANGILINAN, Petitioner. x------------------------------------------------x ORDER A verified petition was filed by the petitioners praying that the Second Owner`s Duplicate copy of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 219609 under the name of the petitioner be reconstituted in accordance with law. Petitioner likewise prays for such other reliefs and remedies, legal, just and proper in the premises. Finding the petition sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing on September 29, 2015 at 8:30 o`clock in the morning at the 33rd Floor, Makati City Hall Building, Makati City. This Court hereby DIRECTS all interested parties to appear on said date, time and place and show cause why the petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published at the expense of the petitoners in a newspaper of general circulation nationwide once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, the publication of which shall be assigned after the raffle conducted by the Executive Judge of this Court. The Register of Deeds of Makati City, the Office of the Solicitor General are furnished with a copy of this Order and the Petition for comment, the same to be filed with this Court on or before the hearing date. SO ORDERED. City of Makati, July 31, 2015. (SGD) JOSEFINO A. SUBIA Presiding Judge

(TS-SEPT. 9,16,23, 2015)

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Eligibility Documents/Expressions of Interest and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of five (5) prospective bidders who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: a) Applicable Experience 30% b) Qualification of principal and key staff 50% c) Current workload to capacity 20% “Applicable Experience” pertains to the firm/consultant’s overall experiences and the individual experiences of its principal and key staff including the times when employed by other firms. “Qualification of Personnel” pertains to the personnel who may be assigned to the job and their expertise vis-à-vis the extent and complexity of the undertaking; “Job Capacity” means the absorptive capacity of the Applicant to do additional works other than those currently undertaken. The “Rating” multiplied by their respective “Weights” gives the weighted “Scores”. These are added to determine the total points for the Applicant. The Applicants shall then be ranked according to their “Total Points” which will qualify them for the short listing and to bid for contract. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184.

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Manila EN BANC IN RE: MANIFESTATION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION IN THE MAY 9, 2016 ELECTIONS. BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG EMPOWERMENT AND NATION BUILDING THROUGH EASING POVERTY INC., represented by its President, Melquiades A. Robles, Petitioner.

x------------------------------------------------x ORDER Acting on the Manifestation of Intent to Participate1 filed on May 7, 2015, the Commission en banc hereby directs BUHAY HAYAAN YUMABONG (BUHAY) to publish at its own expense in two (2) newspapers of general circulation the said manifestation together with the instant Order of the Commission within three days from receipt hereof. Any interested party may file with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission a verified petition seeking to deny due course to the manifestation of intent to participate within five (5) days from the date of publication pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 93662, Rule 3, Sec. 7, par. 13. SO ORDERED. Given this 26th day of August, 2015, in the City of Manila, Philippines FOR THE COMMISSION (Sgd.) ANDRES D. BAUTISTA Chairman 1 2

(i)

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184.

Records, Office of the Clerk of the Commission Case Folder, pages 1 to 2. Rules and Regulations Governing the: 1) Filing of Petitions for Registration; 2) Filing of Manifestation of Intent to Participate; 3) Submission of Names of Nominees; and 4) Filing of Disqualification Cases Against Nominees or Party-list Groups or Organizations Participating under the Party-list System of Representation in Connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, and Subsequent Elections Thereafter. “SEC 7. Petition to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to participate. - A verified petition seeking to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to participate.”

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Cost Based Evaluation/ Selection (QCBE/QCBS). The Procuring Entity shall indicate the weights to be allocated for the Technical and Financial Proposals. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders. The Pre-Bid Conference for the above two projects will be held on 23 September 2015 at the GCG Library, 3rd Floor, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. All prospective bidders are encouraged to attend. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the GCG Office at the address given upon payment of the nonrefundable Bid Document Fees. Opening of Bids and Deadline for the submission of the Bid/Tender Documents/ Forms are on 05 October 2015 at 10:00 amfor the (Technical Proposal) and 07 October 2015 at 10:00 amfor the (Financial Proposal)at the GCG Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding, using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184, the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) shall be automatically rejected at the Opening of Bids. Bidders will be subjected to eligibility criteria to determine completeness of bid and post qualification.

(TS-SEPT. 9, 2015)

DIR. IR. NOEL P. LUNA BAC Chairman

SPP Case No. 15-126 (PLM)

TS(SEPT. 9, 2015)

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B8 Koreas set next family reunion in October SEOUL—North and South Korea agreed Tuesday to hold a reunion for families separated by the Korean War—the fruit of a deal struck last month after cross-border tensions came close to boiling over into outright conflict. The reunion would be only the second to be held in five years in North Korea’s Mount Kumgang resort, with 100 participants from each side. The two Koreas had committed themselves to organizing the event—from October 20 to the 26th—two weeks ago in an accord that ended a dangerous military standoff and pulled both sides back from the brink of an armed conflict. The fact that they have followed through by agreeing a date and venue will be seen as a further positive sign, although the North has agreed to reunions in the past—only to cancel at the last minute. Seoul was understood to have been pushing for an earlier date— before North Korea celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Worker’s Party on October 10. Pyongyang is planning a massive military parade and there has been speculation it might also launch a long-range rocket—a move that would trigger fresh UN sanctions and threaten the holding of the reunion. The final dates were agreed at all-night talks between North and South Korean Red Cross officials in the border truce village of Panmunjom. The chief South Korean delegate, Lee Duk-Haeng, confirmed that his side had requested a reunion at the “earliest possible date”, but the North side demurred, citing preparations for the October 10 celebrations. Millions of people were separated during the 1950-53 Korean conflict that sealed the division between the two Koreas. Most died without having a chance to see or hear from their families on the other side of the border, across which all civilian communication is banned. AFP

cESAR BARRioquiNTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world Refugee ‘exodus’ could last for years—EU chief MYTILENE, Greece—Fresh clashes erupted between police and migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos Tuesday, the latest flash point of the crisis shaking Europe as EU president Donald Tusk warned the refugee “exodus” could last for years.

‘Thank you.’ A young girl of a refugee family thanks a man for a present he gave to her as

they arrived at the train station in Munich, southern Germany, on Sept. 7, 2015. The numbers of migrants have spiked since Sept. 4, 2015, when Austria and Germany threw open their borders and eased travel restrictions to allow in thousands who had made it to Hungary, which has balked at the influx. AFP

With authorities warning Lesbos was “on the verge of explosion”, a dozen or so coastguards and riot police armed with batons struggled overnight to control some 2,500 migrants on the island’s main port, screaming “keep back” as the crowds surged towards a government-chartered ferry bound for Athens. The scenes of chaos underscored the difficulty authorities across Europe face as they struggle with a surge of people making a hazardous trek through the continent as they flee war and misery in their home countries. With other Greek islands close to Turkey also overwhelmed, Tusk insisted “the wave of migration is not a one-time incident but the beginning of a real exodus, which only means that we will have to deal with this problem for many years to come.” With several EU land borders already at breaking point, Lesbos, home to some 85,000 people, is now also hosting more than 15,000 mainly Syrian migrants arriving on its shores. As the desperate plight of migrants touches hearts around the world, Britain, France and even South American countries have pledged to accept tens of thousands of refugees crossing the EU’s frontiers almost every day. Venezuela said it would accept 20,000—the same number that Britain has promised to take over five years—while Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff declared migrants would be welcomed there with “open arms”, and Chile’s leader Michelle Bachelet said it “was working to take a large number”. Canada’s Quebec province also said it will take 3,650 this year. Germany, Europe’s top economy, has said it can take some 500,000 refugees annually for a few years, with Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the influx would result in profound change in the country. “I stayed here eight, nine days—oh my God, I can’t even remember,” said Aleddin, an engineering student hoping to join his brother in Germany, as he languished in Lesbos. AFP

Sam Smith to sing next Bond song LONDON—British soul singer Sam Smith on Tuesday said he will sing the theme song for the next James Bond film, “Spectre,” following in the footsteps of the top artists selected for the prestigious spot. Title songs for the popular British spy films typically open the movie to a backdrop of flash graphics and sultry silhouettes, and usually guarantee the artist major airplay. “Spectre,” the next installment in the Bond franchise, stars Daniel Craig and is due to be released on Oct. 26 in Britain and Ireland before being rolled out elsewhere. “This is one of the highlights of my career. I am honored to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme

song,” Smith posted on his Instagram account. “I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible lineup of some of my biggest musical inspirations.” Smith, who until a few years ago was a bartender in London, amassed a global fan base with his soulful ballad about a one-night stand, “Stay With Me.” He was the big winner at the latest Grammy Awards, taking home three of the four most prestigious prizes. Other artists who have provided vocals for Bond film title tracks include Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney &amp; Wings, Lulu, Carly Simon and Adele. AFP

Marking 50 years. Balloons are released as thousands of people gather in front of the iconic Potala Palace in the regional capital Lhasa on Sept. 8, 2015, for an event billed as marking 50 years since the founding of the administrative area of Tibet. AFP

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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

H OME & L I V ING

LIFE

Photo by Sonny Espiritu

MANILA TRAFFIC: What We Can Do URBAN MATTERS

BY KARIMA PALAFOX

etro Manila has been declared as having the fifth worst traffic in the world. We look forward to the day when the heavy traffic is not something we just have to live with. It truly has caused a lot of anxiety, inconvenience and missed opportunities. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has declared that the economic cost of traffic per day totals P2.4 billion. Two billion, four hundred million pesos! That excludes the other costs to our family and social lives, physical and mental health, and to our environment, no thanks to the emissions from vehicles that are practically parked on highways during rush hour. What is making people furious is that there seems to be no urgency from authorities to solve the problem. No one from government is taking responsibility. It’s not stated in the mandate of MMDA that they’re in charge, and there is no integration in the decision making among the 17 local mayors. The national head for transport is ineffectively multitasking, and attention is seemingly focused on politicking instead of on this urgent matter. Expect an absence of real action in at least the next eight months leading to the May 2016 elections. Because we cannot rely on this government to solve traffic, there needs to be a willingness in each of us to contribute to the solution (or at least help lessen this nightmare).

If we make our streets walkable and bikeable, and provide efficient public transport, travelling by car will just be an option for all. Photo from tobinbennett.com

It is worth noting that these issues are a combination of factors beyond just vehicle traffic. These can be resolved not only by considering the movement of vehicles (i.e. traffic) and mobility (movement of people and goods), but also by prioritizing accessibility (ability to gain access to goods, services, and opportunities). Ultimately, the goal is to be able to efficiently move people so that they may be able to gain access to opportunities without losing as much time and money in transit.

ADDRESSING VEHICLE VOLUME

It’s clear that the undisciplined drivers of buses, jeepneys and taxis constrict the smooth movement of vehicles when they swerve in and out of their lanes and stop anywhere to load and unload passengers. However, congestion is caused primarily by the high volume of vehicles on the road. It is inconvenient and uncomfortable to take public transport, such that those who can afford to travel by car will in fact buy a car. Between 2008 and 2012, the registered vehicles with the Land Transportation Office increased annually by an average

of six percent. President Aquino announced in his last SONA that within a year car, sales increased by 27 percent. In some of the most livable cities around the world, policies are in place to limit the growth of the number of vehicles on the road. Penalties, such as congestion charges, peak road use, and market-based parking rates exist to make car ownership more expensive. The fees collected are then put towards investment for public infrastructure and transportation systems so that these become more attractive alternatives. London practices congestion charging for vehicles entering the central zone. This is beneficial since most of London’s streets still follow its original plan, and has helped preserve its beautiful streets designed more for people than cars. The charge amounts to £11.50 (approximately P830) a day for most vehicles entering the zone between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Singapore has a similar system through the Electronic Road Pricing, which charges motorists that use priced roads during peak hours. In my opinion, controls in car ownership are more long-term solutions than limiting car use. In

We need to mobilize more people, instead of more cars. Image by Copenhagenize Design Co

Denmark, registration of a new car costs an average of 180 percent of its open market value. Singapore car owners must bid for the right to vehicle ownership and permission to use road space for 10 years. In the latest round for bidding last August 2015, this certificate cost SG $57,498 (around P1.9 million). The Vehicle Quota System limits the annual growth of vehicles to only 0.25 percent until January 2018. Before you are allowed to buy a vehicle in Japan, you must first show proof that you have available parking space. Additionally, Japanese cities ban overnight parking on streets to enforce the rule.

INFLUENCING LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Organizations such as companies and residential associations play a major influence on travel habits. For example, companies can consider flexible work hours to allow employees to bypass peak hour travel times. Instead of giving cars as a benefit, companies can instead give public transport allowances. More online transactions should be encouraged to lessen car trips. In the future, I hope that simple government transactions such

as renewal of driver’s and PRC license and NBI clearance, can also be processed online. In doing so, employees need not take time off work. Residential associations, especially those in the suburbs such as Alabang, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan, should encourage carpooling and provide ridesharing to the major trip magnets such as Ortigas, Makati, BGC and NAIA.

COURTESY AND DISCIPLINE

My foreign friends who visit Manila all remark that Filipinos are the gentlest, friendliest and most respectful people in the world, until we get behind the wheel. We should follow traffic regulations and be courteous to fellow motorists and pedestrians, and not have to wait to be reprimanded. We should also cluster our trips, and opt to walk, or share a ride for short distances. (Part 2 of this article will be published on September 23.) Follow me on Instagram @karmipalafox

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Mason jar wall decor, P1,456.31 on Etsy

@LIFEatStandard

Coca-Cola 1914 Paper poster

Decorate with kitsch THE GIST

BY ED BIADO

s a lowbrow form of art, kitsch uses icons from pop culture and further devalues said icons by mass production. Without a doubt, this style of design is characterized by tackiness. But when done right – meaning no to garden gnomes, mallard ducks and other animal figurines – kitsch is quirky and has a lot of personality. It can be a great theme for interiors and you won’t be judged for being tacky. Maybe a bit campy, but not tacky. As I am hugely influenced by the things I see on TV and in movies, the kitsch that I love are drawn from those media. One of my most absolute favorite items is the big poster on

60s Beer light-up sign, P1,456.31 on Etsy

the wall behind the TV in storage tins, I find that Monica’s apartment in illustrations of scenes Friends. It’s a French and situations are more poster called Jouets visually appealing and I think that it and more on-theme makes for a wonderful with the type of conversation piece in kitsch we’re going any space. for than, say, floral Cat print retro In fact, posters are designs and patterns. cushion, P1,360.54 a great kitschy starting Of course, kitsch is also on Etsy point. They simply have to defined as “fake art.” And if be of a certain era, are designed in it’s fake, it imitates something real. such a way that is ironic or pokes fun How about a really cheap bust of at fine art, and of course, is somehow an Egyptian queen? You know that related to pop culture. Vintage print there’s one like it in some museum advertisements of iconic products, like and it’s priceless because it was Coca-Cola, would definitely fall under created thousands of years ago. this category. Now you can have a gaudy replica Mason jars are kitschy – you can use that looks nothing like the original those for floral arrangements, small because – why not? plants, candles and trinkets. You can Finally, nothing screams kitsch even hang them on a wall. Throw more than a light-up sign in your pillow cases with pseudo-artistic living room, as if you’re in an oldprints make the cut as well, and these timey saloon. It really completes the are best mixed and matched with solid look and it’s just so damn cool, don’t colors, or used as an accent, so as not you think? to overwhelm the senses. When it comes to items with Follow me on Twitter and Instagram drawings or prints on them, like @EdBiado

Jouets poster as seen on Friends, $9.99 on Amazon

Nefertiti bust chalkware, P1,699.03 on Etsy

English Fruiterer Shop tin, P946.60 on Etsy

Avida showroom livens up with Nippon Paint

he next generation of Filipino designers were given an opportunity to display their talent through an open house design tilt that had them partnering with a seasoned professional to style a particular section in the showroom of Avida Land’s Avita Towers Vita at Vertis North. Fun, artistic and beyond the norm characterized the concepts of the young

designers who paired up with a seasoned professional, and together they jazzed up certain sections of the showroom with a budget of P100,000 and we’re given access to a wide range of coating solutions from Nippon Paint Philippines during the Avida x Real Living RL Open House design contest. “Nippon has always been committed in providing consumers with colors that can help them create a home that reflects their

Upon entering the model unit at the Avida Towers Vita at Vertis North showroom, one can easily notice the light, hip and cozy feel of the interiors designed by the young designers together with their mentors.

personality and lifestyle. We’re happy that we’re able to demonstrate this through this event and at the same time support the talents of upcoming designers,” said Michael Chung, Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines’ General Manager. The model unit at the Avida Towers Vita at Vertis North showroom is noticeable for the light, hip and cozy feel of the interiors. The unique designs of each team worked in a cohesive way, creating a unit that has all the elements and hues of a home. Nippon Paint’s Trend Beyond Colors were used in different ways. Hanging right next the doorstep is a DIY frame, painted with indigo, jade, plum and emerald. According to the designers Hannah Acab Faustino (mentor) and Jane Karla Samson who styled the kitchen/dining room, they played with these hues to encourage peaceful thinking and at the same time inspire creative ideas. The design concept is similar to the Northern Lights, through the combination of undulating movement and soothing colors with aesthetics and functionality. For the living room, John Virgilia (mentor) and Joevie Andrew Tuquib opted for a more modern and functional style, combining the wood element with various fabrics and textures that evoke both masculine and feminine elements. Wood was combined with subdued colors like heather, gray, copper and eggshell to keep the look organic.

The concepts of today’s young designers are very fun, artistic and beyond the norm as portrayed in their designs during The Avida x Real Living RL Open House design contest.

It was however the design of Kristine Neri-Magturo (mentor) and Gino Eraña that captured the hearts of the judges. The winning tandem’s style was modern, chic and fresh, featuring clean lines characteristic of an overall Scandinavian theme. Beachinspired touches were instilled through surf-themed decorative pieces matched with trendy copper accents. For the color palette, the designers went for relaxing and airy tones, making the bedroom an ideal haven after a long, stressful day. To set an appointment for viewing, visit www. realliving.com.ph/avidashowroom. For more information about Nippon Paint’s wide range of products, go to www.nipponpaint.ph.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HOW MIELE HERITAGE CHANGED THE WORLD WITH A BUTTER CHURN Miele's first factory in Herzebrock

Miele Generation 6000 appliances

eritage is important in any brand or company as it shapes the future of their businesses and brings forth expertise and uniqueness to their products and services. The Miele is one of those brands with a rich heritage dating back since 1899 and is still one of the largest German-based manufacturers of high-end domestic appliances

Miele founders Carl Miele (left) and Reinhard Zinkann (right)

and culinary equipment to date. Founded by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann in Herzebrock, Germany near Gütersloh, it continues to be family-owned and run until today. Miele’s deep regard for family values has held the company together through the years, having gone through two world wars, several changes in government, and financial crises. Today, Miele has over 17,000 employees and is represented in almost 100 countries around the world. The company started with the “butter churn,” the first product Miele invented more than a century ago. A butter churn is a mechanical device that turns cream into butter. Back in the old days, butter was a highly prized commodity treasured for its versatile uses including as

main ingredient in many dishes. But it was also painstaking to make, which is why it was not surprising that a butter churn was the first product Miele invented. In 1901, a Meteor butter churn was added to the range and it changed the lives of many farmers and their wives by making their work a lot easier. It was also this same contraption that provided the German company the framework for one of the world’s first washing machines in 1901, a manually operated tub that featured the design and mechanism of a butter churn. The success of the Model A washing machine was followed by equally ingenious inventions and pioneering technologies including an automated version of the tub released in 1911 and the water-powered washing machine in 1914, as well as the world’s first automatic dishwasher in 1929. The company solved ever yday problems by looking around and figuring out how to do things that would bring efficiency and improve user experience. It s

for Life” which means principle all Miele appliances of “Immer are tested to last 20 B esser” years and that each which means appliance flawlessly “Forever Better” in German encapsulates complements another the kind of products in form, function and that came out of materials to elevate the its factories – culinary experience. unsurpassed quality and Miele is distributed performance. It exclusively by Focus has been a favorite Global, Inc. Visit its Miele's water powered among discerning showrooms at Twentywashing machine (1914) customers and it Four Seven McKinley, even got the attention of Apple 24th Street cor. 7th Avenue McKinley founder and innovator Steve Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Jobs. “They ended up getting a Taguig, Tel +632 705.9999 (open Miele washer and dryer, made Tuesday to Saturday 10:00amin Germany. ‘I got more thrill 7:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm to 6:00pm); out of them than I have Pioneer corner Reliance Sts, out of any piece of high Mandaluyong, Tel. +632 634.8587 tech in years,” goes an (open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00amexcerpt from from 7:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm to 6:00pm); the book Steve Jobs The Residences at Greenbelt San by Walter Isaacson. Lorenzo Tower, Esperanza Street, Fast forward to the Makati City, Tel. +632 794.2095 20th century. Its latest to 96, T/F +632 794.2097 (open innovation, the Miele Monday to Saturday 10:00am Generation 6000 to 8:00pm, Sunday 11:00am to appliances, sets 7:00pm); Design Center of Cebu, new benchmarks in P. Remedios corner A.S. Fortuna design, technology and Streets, Mandaue City, Cebu, Tel. innovation. This series +6332 520.9888 / 238.7605; F was designed on the +6332 239.2844 (open Monday to principle of “Design Saturday 9:00am to 7:00pm).

Miele's first washing machine, the Meteor washing machine (1901)

THE PERKS OF CONDO LIVING

ondo buyers are becoming more and more discriminating, and for many of them, the usual amenities that go with a purchase – such as swimming pools, basketball courts or limited gym facilities – are no longer enough as incentive. If you are on the lookout for a condo unit but would like more than the standard amenities, here are some over-the-top amenities listed by MyProperty.ph that are offered in some Philippine condos that can make you feel pampered (spoiled even).

will have a beauty salon within the premises to help the ladies get ready for a party.

BUTLERS

We’ve seen them in movies, TV shows, and probably the homes very well-off people: butlers. They are the ultimate providers of personal services, which makes having one at your beck and call almost a status symbol. Raffles Residences in Makati and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences in Taguig are two condos that offer butler services to residents who are willing to pay more to have their particular needs met.

UNIQUE SPORTS FACILITIES

Athletic types will look for more than comfort and safety in a condo. They will want to see facilities that will help them train in their sport of choice. Victoria Sports Towers in Quezon City offers has raised the bar with its four-level sports complex that has a bowling alley, rock-climbing and rappelling facilities and a shooting range on top of the usual basketball and tennis courts.

LUXURIOUS POOLS

Swimming pools are a staple in condos, but a few have made the effort to provide more than just a place where residents can do a few laps. Azure Urban Resort Residences in Parañaque is popularly known for having a man-made beach complete with powdery white sand, waterfalls, beach coves, artificial waves, a beach volleyball court, and a beach bar. For a more relaxing dip, Essensa Private Residences in Taguig has an indoor heated swimming pool.

HELIPADS

ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS

These days, game rooms and playgrounds are almost expected of a condo, so those who want to set themselves apart really go all out in presenting recreational options. The Lerato and Fortune Hill will have music rooms where residents can practice and play musical instruments at their leisure. At developments like Solemare Parksuites in Parañaque and One Rockwell in Makati, a mini theater is available whenever a resident feels like watching a movie.

WELLNESS SERVICES

It’s one thing to have access to health and wellness businesses that are renting in a condo’s commercial complex; it’s another to have these readily available because they’re actually within the development. Residents of Knightsbridge Residences in Makati can spend their spa day right in the condo’s very own relaxing facility. The Beacon, also in Makati, has its own personal clinic open to residents for emergencies, while a dental clinic can cater to the oral care needs of Victoria Sports Towers’ occupants. Makati’s The Stratford Residences

For the ultimate business tycoon, traveling via helicopter is probably a regular thing, which means a helipad is needed for a quick and grand getaway. Only a handful of developments carry such a lavish feature, among them Two Roxas Triangle in Makati, Pacific Plaza Towers in Taguig, and 1322 Golden Empire Tower in Manila. Established in September 2010, MyProperty.ph is a leading Philippine real estate online and print brand that brings property buyers and sellers together. The website’s main offerings are listings of pre-selling properties and properties for sale and for rent. Both website and magazine also provide relevant and updated industry news and information for its clients and consumers. Visit MyProperty.ph on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram.

W E D N E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

A few blocks away from the Sofitel Hotel,the Ly Club restaurant treats guests to a memorable dining in this three storey French colonial establishment.

Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was built in 1901 and received important guests such as ambassadors, writers and entertainers.

HANOI: Visiting a Bygone Era Part 1 of 2

Every year, I try to carve out time to visit a new place in the Philippines or abroad. For 2015, two cities CALEIDOSCOPE that have been on my bucket WORLD list for the BY CAL TAVERA longest time finally got checked. During the first half of the year, I traveled to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto. We’ll talk more about that next time. For the second half, I picked Hanoi. I’ve been told it is the Paris of the East and that got me curious. Aside from my fondness for coffee and French bread, I heard Hanoi’s buildings were heavily influenced by French architecture. While my sister visited the real Paris the same time I left, I settled for something closer… and cheaper. Haha! I stayed for five days and five nights. For the first three days, I stayed at the Old Quarter which showcased, in my humble opinion, the true spirit of Hanoi’s people. It was crammed with small but tall buildings, street vendors selling banh mi, doughnuts and vegetables. These people are hardworking and make the most out of their resources. It was a busy but interesting experience. For fun, I even tried sitting on one of those really low plastic stools to try their local culinary specialties. For the remaining couple of days, I transferred to the French Quarter. My friends know I normally opt for boutique hotels but the Sofitel Legend Metropole was a special establishment built in 1901 with strong historical roots. Since then, it has thrived under different hotel chains and has undergone renovations in recent years, yet managed to stay loyal to its original style. Before entering the hotel, I was greeted by green colonial shutters and Neoclassical details in the form of swags of laurel leaves and patterns of twisting bands. I had to dust off my mental Rolodex and recall my History of Art and Architecture lessons. My favorite memory during my stay there would have to be breakfast in Le Club, encased by French windows. Notable figures like the Prince of Monaco and Fidel Castro as well as celebrities Angelina Jolie and Mick

The Hanoi Opera House was built from 1901 to 1911 by Architects Broyer, V. Harley and Francois Lagisquet

The Le Club Bar at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel greets guests in their traditional Gallic flair of French Interiors of Le Club at Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi inspired architecture.

The lions decorating the Government Guest House is a common Neoclassical design motif.

Jagger have spent some time there. Seconds after stepping out of the Metropole wing of the hotel, one gets a glimpse of the iconic landmarks and stately government buildings erected by the French colonizers. Each area has its own charm but after a hectic schedule of touring, sightseeing and shopping, I happily embraced the quiet ambiance of this neighborhood. One of the significant monuments I planned to visit was the century-old Hanoi

Opera House which was patterned after Palais Garnier, a Paris opera house. Fortunately for me, my destination was only a few minutes away from the hotel. It was built in the early 20th century and needed a decade to finish. For many nights, the French elite was treated to touring artists performing French and Italian repertoire. Currently, both foreign and local artists perform there. Today, with much help and attention from the government, the Hanoi Opera House continues to be a

Neoclassicism is represented through the presence of architectural decorations such as swags and guilloche shapes in the hotel's facade.

prominent figure with its rows of columns and ionic capitals in true European style. Right in front of the hotel and almost across the La Terrase Cafe in Sofitel is the impressive Government Guest House. Previously known as Dinh thong su Bac Ky, it was built in 1919 and was designed with elements taken from the Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau periods. The lion heads, which is another popular Neoclassical motif, symbolizes majesty and power. It will also be remembered in history as the venue where President Ho Chi Minh declared Independence for Vietnam in 1945. Even after the departure of the French colonizers, it is undeniable that the French architecture in Hanoi was instrumental in creating the city’s beauty. For those who had the fortune of visiting Hanoi and get acquainted with its history, the city will forever leave an impression in their memories, present company included. Next week, I will talk some more about my travel to Hanoi and the designs of the restaurants I visited. Follow me on Instagram @cal_tavera

W EDNES DAY : S EPT EMBER 9 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SM and diSney parTnerShip Chirs Tiu and Freego's Marty Tio and Erwan Heussaff launch #SuperShapeMe Fitness Challenge

Erwan HEussaff and CHris Tiu for #supErsHapEME fiTnEss CHallEngE

S From left, Rob Gilby of The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia managing director and Hans Sy along with his family pose with the Disney characters

Hans Sy and Rob Gilby makes a compact using the Star Wars sabres

he SM Group announced a collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia to bring the Disney brand of stories closer to Filipinos through mall, retail, entertainment and amusement opportunities. The two companies aim to bring Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars brands to life through unique Disney experiences at SM’s many leisure and entertainment properties. Fans can look forward to a host of innovative offerings including Disney branded events, promotions and other unique experiences themed around fan-favorite Disney brands and characters. “We are thrilled to be associated with the iconic Walt Disney Company. Mr. Henry Sy Sr. envisioned and purposed a second home for Filipinos across the nation where they can create memorable bonding activities with their families through amusement facilities, retail centers, and food establishments, all found in one mall,” says Edgar Tejerero, president of SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. “Sixty five years later, and with 52 malls across the Philippines, it had just been high time that SM forged an official collaboration with the

phoToS by Teddy pelaez

Kids favorite Disney characters make a special appearance at the launch of SM and Walt Disney partnership

best family entertainment company in the world.” “Every day, we make millions of Filipinos laugh and smile with our stories and characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars. We have worked with the various arms of SM group over the years and today we are delighted to announce our collaboration on a comprehensive plan to create magical moments and memories that will last a lifetime for fans across the Philippines,” said Rob Gilby, managing director, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. Both SM and Disney have given, and continue to give, customers happy lifetime memories across all generations. Both brands offer a legacy, a tradition, a way of life—a world that customers identify with and find attachment to. Through this partnership, SM will continue to create these experiences and bring the Disney magic closer to Filipinos. SM has synergized the efforts of all its subsidiaries -- including SM Supermalls, SM Markets, The SM Store, Toy Kingdom, and its lifestyle and entertainment arm, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. – to produce a complete and one-

of-a-kind Disney experience for its patrons: from the moment they enter the mall to watch a movie, to the time they purchase their favourite snack and Disney merchandise. Patrons can also take their SM Cinema and Disney experience with them home, or wherever they go, through the newly launched Blink app. As a precursor to an already successful association, Disney and SM have worked hand in hand to bring multiple experiential events to the Filipino families such as the recent Avengers Experience in SM North Edsa, wherein guests were treated to life-size characters, avenger-themed games, and a meet and greet with Captain America, Thor, and Black Widow. To officially jumpstart its formal bond as allies, SM and Disney will be launching a “Star Wars Galactic Christmas” to welcome the latest instalment of the movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The exhibit will include life-size figurines of characters from the movie, interactive games, and official merchandise from the SM Store and Toy Kingdom. Watch out for the “Star Wars Galactic Christmas” event in Select SM Supermalls near you.

exy denim brand FREEGO’s #SuperShapeMe Fitness Challenge is on a new season and is definitely bigger and better as it takes the search for the country’s next “fitspiration” on a nationwide scale. With 20 contestants, 10 male and 10 female, all set to take on healthier lifestyles, FREEGO is bringing the big guns to mentor the participants with Erwan Heussaff and Chris Tiu coming on board for the competition. Gunning for a trim physique grounded on a healthy lifestyle is no easy task, and Erwan and Chris are keen on guiding and helping the contestants achieve their fitness goals as nutrition and fitness specialists, respectively. Sixty days of grueling workout routines and disciplined diet practices are already geared to be showcased through the help of social media and the two clearly can’t wait to help pave Filipinos’ path to fitness. Chris is thrilled with his partnership with FREEGO. “I’ve always been an advocate of sports and fitness and it’s wonderful to find a partner who is also very passionate in promoting the same cause. And I’ve always been on the other side, I’m the one being trained as an athlete but this time I’ll be the one to train a group of individuals so I’m eager to see how that turns out,” Chris shares. The Fat Kid Inside’s Erwan Heussaff, who was part of the challenge’s first edition, is again on a mission to encourage contestants to eat cleaner, healthier. Coming from the last season, the restaurateur cum crusader of health says, “It’s going to be interesting to see how this year’s challenge works with men and if we can have the same amount of discipline we instilled last year. It will also be interesting to see, especially with more contestants this year, if we can still keep the personal touch which made the first edition very successful.” By partnering with two of

country’s leading figures in nutrition and fitness, FREEGO aims to send the message #SuperShapeMe is more than just about looking good so people can wear whatever they want, like the brand’s esteemed denim line-up. According to FREEGO Vice President for Marketing Marty Tio, “The challenge is also about choosing to be healthier so the body can reap the benefits now and in the long run. It’s about switching lifestyles to not just look great on the outside but to feel great inside as well.” Chris adds, “Sometimes, it’s just a lack of education and awareness that hinders people from jumpstarting a healthy lifestyle. The #SuperShapeMe challenge is actually a good awareness campaign for the general public to make them see how being healthy can bring out confidence in a person and propel him to achieve bigger things.” Erwan also notes how the contest’s social media-centric format is crucial to its success especially in this age. “The challenge is very social, which is a very important key nowadays. Everything we do has a massive social media and online aspect to it. So it’s important that this format has been created by FREEGO to fit the generation of those who are largely into Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.” It is clear that the two challenge coaches are ready to harness their expertise and bring the #SuperShapeMe contestants to shape as the competition approaches. Both Erwan and Chris remark that what they ultimately aim is not just for the contestants to discipline themselves during the duration of the contest but for them to carry out the practice of living healthy and well beyond. As Chris quips, “We want them to implement the lifestyle change even after the 60 days because we want this to be sustainable, for this practice to be intertwined with their life and become second nature to each person.”

W EDNES DAY : S EPT EMBER 9 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

melaI after ‘Your face sounds famIlIar’ nIcKIe wang We all laughed when Melai Cantiveros graced the Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1 stage. Her undeniable stage presence, her comic timing and her being a natural entertainer endeared fans hence it was not surprising she won the celebrity singing competition, amid not being a legitimate singer. And she admitted that up until now she couldn’t believe people saw her potential and patronized her “shower singing style.” “Since I won Your Face Sounds Familiar a lot of doors have opened for me. Dumami raket ko, here and abroad. Imagine magkaka-concert pa nga ako. Who would have thought, di ba?,” Melai quips. The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate acknowledged the fact that she can’t really sing but she is glad that her not being a singer was

the reason why she is getting projects including her inclusion in Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2. “I was given another chance to be part of the show. Every week I’ll transform into different characters,” the mother of one says. This time, Melai will not imitate any pop stars anymore. She will dress and impersonate different celebrities and will join the judges, Billy Crawford (who still hosting the show), the contestants and even the audience as the special “KatroFamilar.” She will join them onstage and backstage adding more fun and laughter to each episode. IntroducIng new famIlIar faces Eight celebrities have been named as contestants in the new season of Your Face Sounds Familiar, viewers will get to see their performances beginning Sept. 12. The new batch of celebrity performers are: Sam Concepcion, KZ Tandingan, Kakai Bautista, Michael Pangilinan, Myrtle Sarrosa, Eric Nicolas, Kean

Cipriano and Denise Laurel. “It’s a big challenge to be part of this show. All of us are pressured because being a celebrity performer entails a lot of hard work. As a singer, I’ve always wanted to come up with an all original album but this time I’m going to copy someone,” says Concepcion. The 22-year-old singer/actor admits that it helps he has extensive background in theater like the previous celebrity performers who did well in the first season. But he does not consider it as an advantage. “Each of us something to contribute for the show. When we go out and perform, we transform and endeavor to look like and sound like the pop icon assigned to us. At the end of the day, it’s all about how we prepared for it and how we channel our artistry through our performances,” Concepcion added. Just like in the first season, there will be no weekly elimination in the program and the performers will undergo acting, dance, and vocal training plus a complete make-up transformation to close-

The new season of Your Face Sounds Familiar's celebrity performers Myrtle, Eric, KZ, Sam, Denise, Kean, Kakai, Michael

Sam Concepcion

ly match the look and moves of their assigned music icons. For each episode, the performer who receives the highest score will be awarded a cash prize, half of which will go to his

Your Face Sounds Familiar first grand winner and the new season's KatroFamiliar Melai Cantiveros

or her chosen charity. Aside from Billy and Melai, jurors Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and Sharon Cuneta also return to the show to weigh in on the performances of the celebrity performers.

Grill and Chill Cookout

hat makes a great burger? What elements do one look for to determine the best on their radar? By spending an afternoon with Burger King, we’ll find out why their burgers are definitely #MARKSBETTER. On Sept. 1, Burger King highlighted Whopper with a Grill and Chill Cookout. On this day, The Choice 2015 winner for Favorite Fast Food Burger, reintroduced the Whopper by celebrating the importance of grill marks in searing and sealing the flavor of

Burger King’s signature burger. By locking in that delicious, authentic beef flavor, they come to a characteristic that sets them apart from other burger chains. Just as Tom Rodriguez looks for marks that distinguish real first-rate quality from the rest, be it with friends, good art, love, he also looks for marks when it comes to his burger. This is because these marks are assurance that he gets the best: true beef taste in every bite. As the only chain that makes flame-grilled burgers—burgers with the marks of superb quality,

crossword PuZZle

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Spot 7 Early hrs. 10 Hindu prince 14 Cry of warning 15 Mid-Atlantic st. 16 Jet, to a poet 17 Rubicon crosser 18 Ms. Hagen of films 19 Toe woe 20 Large butterflies 23 Windy day fliers

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 37 38 39

Prefix meaning “ear” Kegler’s locale Carol Deli units Here, to Pierre Cries of pain Fishing float Safe to drink Checkbook amt. Gladiator’s hello Numerical prefix

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015

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Burger King assures its guests that they only taste top-notch. Through this intimate backyard barbeque transformation of Burger King’s Tiendesitas Branch, guests enjoyed an afternoon of grillin’ and chillin’ to get to know the secrets behind the flamegrilled burger. It was also a great way to catch up with Tom, his latest projects, and why he took on this newest venture. “I like authenticity—staying true to your self, being honest,” he says. And that is what the Whopper is all about: an honest-to-goodness flame-grilled

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10,000,000 ergs Champing at the bit Tossed slowly Plan for achieving a desired end Radio features Keokuk native Physicist Nikola — “Dream —” (Bobby Darin tune) Column order Where bear claws are sold Kind of government Safari leader Wears well World fairs Most refreshing Traffic no-no’s (hyph.) Nightmare Libel Hippie greeting Camel halts Laughs heartily “Uncle Miltie” Wry face Cabby Touch of frost Jackie’s tycoon Date regularly

burger that is made of 100percent beef, is juicy, satisfying and will leave you wanting more! There’s definitely no other burger like the Whopper with its savory flame-grilled beef patty topped with juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, crunchy pickles, and sliced white onions on a soft sesame seed bun. Enjoy a #MARKSBETTER burger at Burger King, grab a Whopper, savor that true beef taste and scream, “#MARKSBETTER and #MARKSMASARAP nga!”

Tom Rodriguez inspires guests at Burger King Grill and Chill cookout

W EDNES DAY : S EPT EMBER 9 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Trufa de queso The cast of My Fair Lady, TV5's newest Koreanovela adaptation

Flan de ajo

Brian Llamanzares surprises Jasmine Curtis-Smith at the press conference for My Fair Lady

Brian LLamanzares surprises Jasmine CurTis smiTh

he star of TV5’s new drama series, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, was clueless someone who has wanted to meet her in person was just outside The Conservatory of the Peninsula Manila where the press conference for My Fair Lady was being held last week. And towards the end of the gathering, MJ Marfori of the network’s news and public affairs who was hosting the conference, called the name Brian Llamanzares, son of the presumptive presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares. It was a jaw-dropping five seconds for the TV5 star. Llamanzares came in with a bouquet that he handed over to Curtis-Smith and said, “I’ve seen your billboard along Katipunan and I heard you were going to Ateneo and hoped I could meet you.” He never did. Curtis-Smith didn’t matriculate at the university along Katipunan (now C5) road. Flabbergasted, she could only muster a smile and thanked Llamanzares for taking time out to visit her at the press conference. It was Grace Poe’s birthday but Llamanzares asked his mom if he could be away for a couple of hours but promised he would be back. My Fair Lady, the Filipino adaptation of the 2009 hit Koreanovela, stars Curtis-Smith as Audrey Tiuseco, the richest “it” girl in the Philippines. Audrey is the heiress of Tiuseco Land, a continuously growing corporation with a diverse business profile that includes farming, agricultural technology, and now venturing into shopping and lifestyle malls. As expected of anyone coming from a prominent family, Audrey is blessed with beauty, intelligence and a very regal demeanor. But because she lost both of her parents at a very young age, Audrey also grew up to be a major pain in the neck to everyone from her grandfather, Lolo Matteo (Eddie Gutierrez) to her personal assistants who are constantly at her beck and call. That was until she finally meets her match in Hero (Vin Abrenica), her new all-in-one assistant who is just as temperamental as she is and is probably the only one who is not afraid of her. The plot further thickens when Audrey meets Benjie (Luis Alandy), a kind-hearted environmentalist who bears a striking resem-

From C8

blance to her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her and who she is not totally over with. But that’s not all. Audrey will soon find herself in a situation where she will need Hero in order to solve a very important mystery. Her very own future depends on that mystery’s solution. The series is schedule to succeed Baker King starring breakout actor Mark Neumann. My Fair Lady will air weekdays at 9:30 p.m. for 30-minutes. “The local version stayed faithful to the original materials save for very few tweaks which the Philippine producers felt was important in order to make the series more relatable for Pinoy viewers,” says Noel C. Lorenzana, TV5 president and CEO. With its perfect balance of comedy, drama and mystery, the series is an ideal vehicle that will allow Curtis-Smith to show a wide range of emotions and allow her to showcase her depth as an actress. Also in the cast are Joross Gamboa, Chanel Morales, Yayo Aguila, DJ Durano, Jenny Miller, Katrina Legaspi and Marjorie Barretto The show will premiere Sept.14.

The LG OLED TV

HHHHH LG expands OLed TV Lineup At the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin 2015—simply recognized as “IFA” internationally—global leader and technology innovator LG Electronics, unveiled four new OLED TVs. A pioneer in most technological innovations such as the world’s first and world’s largest Curved Super UHD TV, it is also the first to manufacture and develop the first OLED TV technology enhanced with 4K resolution. IFA is the world’s leading trade show for consumer electronics and home appliance and would be the perfect venue for LG Electronics to unveil the newest addition to their OLED TV lineup. Among these are the 65- and 55inch 4K HD OLED TV sets (models 65/55EF9500 and 55EG9200) and a curved OLED TV (model 55EG9100). The EF9500 units fea-

ture the industry’s first flat 4K resolution OLED displays while the 55EG9200 and 55EG9100 measure an incredibly slim 4.8mm. These ground-breaking additions to the OLED TV lineup for 2015 prove LG’s commitment to providing unparalleled viewing experience in OLED format. LG reinvents TV resolution with their industry-leading OLED display technology. The self-lighting pixel technology of LG ensures to display perfect black on TV screens and in turn displays brighter colors making OLED technology an ideal match for high-definition content. Improvements in LG’s newest sets don’t stop there; even the design has been upgraded. LG goes beyond boundaries of aesthetics and delivers both the EG9200 and EG9100 units in its thinnest design—even thinner than any smartphone to date. The shimmering transparent stands enhance the viewing experience by reducing visual clutter and maintain focus on the display screen. And the razor-thin bezels are nearly invisible, with images seeming to drop off the edges of the display. With both curved and flat options, there’s an OLED TV suitable for all types of rooms and environments. All of LG’s 4K OLED TVs feature webOS 2.0, the latest version of LG’s smart TV platform. With its enhanced user interface and advanced features, webOS 2.0 makes navigating a smart TV simpler, easier, and more intuitive. webOS 2.0 also reduces boot time and allows users to personalize the Launch Bar menus making it easier than ever for users to access their favorite content. In addition, LG’s 4K OLED TVs feature speakers were developed in partnership with audio leader Harman/Kardon to ensure that the flawless 4K OLED images will have sound quality second to none. “Anyone who sees our newest TVs at this year’s IFA will walk away without a shred of doubt that HDR and OLED complement each other perfectly,” said Lee In-kyu, senior vice president and head of the TV and monitor division at the LG Home Entertainment Company. “Our expanded 4K OLED TV lineup will demonstrate to consumers that OLED is here to stay and that LG is committed to leading the next generation TV market.”

Duelos y quebrantos

GastronomiC journey to the time of Don Quijote

his year, marks the 400th of the publication of the second volume of Don Quixote de La Mancha. In April, among the events organized by Instituto Cervantes, the cultural arm of the Embassy of Spain, to commemorate the date, presented, in collaboration with Terry´s, La Cocina del Quijote, an exceptional seven-course menu prepared by chef Juan Carlos de Terry, based on some of the dishes and wines mentioned in the novel. Due to demand, Instituto Cervantes and Terry’s are rep-

licating this unique gastronomic journey, 7p.m. tomorrow, at Terry’s Pasong Tamo, Ground Floor, BCS Prime Bldg., 2297 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. If you want to experience this exceptional menu prepared by Chef Juan Carlos de Terry, reserve at 0916-5912481, or e mail: marketing@terryselection.com. Menu price is at P2,500.00. Limited seats only. For further information please log on to: Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook page: www. facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or call 526-1482.

W EDNES DAY : S EPT EMBER 9 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Original spirit OF 67 in cOncert FOr a cause ISAH V. RED The spirit lives on and on Oct. 2, the music of the Original Spirit of ’67 becomes an instrument of an awakening that will greatly impact communities and the economy. The band will be at the Pavillion AB of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm. Dubbed “Imagine”, the show aims to generate awareness of the farm’s ongoing development programs and to introduce the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development otherwise known as SEED Philippines. Touted as the first farm village university in the world, SEED Philippines is the first school for social entrepreneurship in the country to provide an innovative, education-based solution to rural development through education and hands-on learning. The event also aims to encourage individuals and/ or companies to donate a classroom, a dormitory, or sponsor a scholarship to deserving students. “The show is about building a Filipino dream,” says Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. (GK), a Philippine-based movement that aims to end poverty for five million families by first restoring the dignity of the poor, at the press conference for the concert at Shangri-la Makati. He adds, “Can you imagine

the Philippines as the hub for social entrepreneurs in Asia? Can you imagine the country rising from poverty by creating inclusive wealth? Can you imagine the country with no social divide because the best educated Filipinos are using their genius to bring out the genius of the poor? Can you imagine a Philippines without poverty simply because its citizens would no longer allow it? That’s what this whole concert is all about. Not just imagining it’s actually doing, making it happen.” At a roundtable discussion later, he introduces a 20-year old French guy whom he calls Louis, saying he used to be a model for the French edition of Cosmopilitan. He came to the Philippines for an internship program with GK and is now one of several volunteers from other countries imparting their knowledge to the students of SEED. Louis is a student at Paris’ top business school HEC, and now completely devotes his time and talent to helping two promising but underprivileged Filipino youths to begin a poultry business. “Louis was attracted to the Philippines not because of Boracay or Palawan, but because of the character of the Filipino,” Meloto explains. “He learned about GK’s work through partnerships we have established with 32 European universities, 22 of which are French, which now attracts an average of 250 interns every year. “The platform aims to promote social entrepreneurship for inclusive growth, bridging Europe through internships and humanitarian service with the Asian mar-

ket to discover the vast opportunities in the emerging economies, with the Philippines as the hub. “Louis, whose villa outside Paris I had a chance to visit, wakes up everyday now with his two Filipino business partners to feed and clean 500 chickens. He is also building the business plan for the venture with the aim of making it world class using the knowledge he brings from his country. Now do you see how the brightest of our poor and the brightest of the rich from outside the Philippines makes a perfect partnership?” Farm village university A first of its kind, GK Enchanted Farm is part of the organization’s new phase in innovation that integrates sustainability in the rural communities through agriculture and the emerging field of social businesses. Its first prototype is found in Angat, Bulacan. “Our ambition is simple: in 10 years time, many children of the poor will become successful business owners, not laborers. The basic problem of education is we are educated not to become producers but as consumers. We are educated to be job seekers, not job givers. GK Enchanted Farm addresses the root of the problem which is the lack of development in the rural countryside in partnership with the Philippine government and the private sector, and with strong linkages with universities in the country and abroad. The organization intends to raise 500,000 social entrepreneurs by the year 2024 to create inclusive businesses with a big social relevance and a focus on agri-business.

Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc, or simply GK

One of Seed's scholars

Young and happy students at Gawad Enchated Farm, where Seed is located

The volunteers at Gawad Farm with Louis (extreme left, standing)

an enchanting evening Joining the Original Spirit of 67 at the benefit concert are the GK Enchanted Farm student choir and the former street children of Tatalon, a slum area along Araneta Avenue, Quezon City where a GK Village is also present. These kids are now college students and graduates, and have formed a chorale group that has toured Singapore twice. Other activities lined up for the show are exhibit installations for the different advocacies of GK with tour guides explaining details of the different sections. There will also be product booths to drive sales for the GK artisans. Finally, Meloto concludes,

“This concert is about Filipinos dreaming together. It’s about miracles of solidarity. Our generation join today’s generation in building a society where no one is left behind to remain poor. I imagine a country where the streets will be safe for our children because there will be less slums, there will be less informal settlers, there will be less homeless people.” For more information on ticket sales, please call (02) 886 4950 or email adcentralevents@gmail. com. For inquiries on donations to Gawad Kalinga, you may contact Angela Monique Angelo at ambangelo@gawadkalinga.com. ➜ continued on c7