The Standard - 2015 September 15 - Tuesday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 215 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 TUESday : SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

no ‘pork’ evidence found on enrile

two more lumad tribesmen slain By Florante S. Solmerin and christine F. herrera

TWO more lumad tribesmen were killed in Valencia City, Bukidnon, Sunday but the Army blamed the communist New People’s Army for the deaths. In a phone interview, Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, public affairs chief of the 4th Infantry Division, identified the victims as brothers Raymond Dayo Likanay, 31, and Roy, of legal age. He said the killers were members of the Guerilla Front 68 allegedly led by a certain Alexander Llesis alias Commander Bagwis. The NPA could not immediately be reached for comment. Earlier, five lumad tribesmen, including two minors, were killed in what the military called an armed encounter in Barangay Mendiz, Pangantucan, Bukidnon. But the human rights group Karapatan said the victims were not rebels, and that one of those slain was a Next page blind man.

Iloilo Township. President Benigno S. Aquino III views a scale model of the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park Township during its ceremonial launch and the inauguration of the 12-story Richmonde Hotel on Megaworld Boulevard, Mandurriao, Iloilo City on Monday. Also in photo are Megaworld Corp. chairman and CEO Dr. Andrew Tan, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor and Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Trenas. MAlAcAÑANg PhoTo

In this file photo from 2010, President Benigno S. Aquino III shakes hands with lumad leader Dato Domaconog Doming Tumaytay of the Ata Manobo tribe during a visit to Sitio Talos in Barangay San Jose, Sto. Tomas, Davao Del Norte. PNA

Soliman blasted over CoA report By Maricel V. cruz and Ronald o. Reyes LEFTIST lawmakers denounced Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman Monday, after a report from the Commission on Audit took her department to task for failing to immediately distribute cash donations

and food packs to survivors of Super Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda.’’ “The DSWD has been repeatedly criticized for mismanagement… The latest COA report only reaffirms such observations,” said Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives. Next page

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Noy: ‘Alternative’ could be false Two

From A1... Citing reports from the lumad community including one Datu Uba Lukbay Bayawon, Martinez said the Likanay brothers were allegedly held Monday morning by the rebels in the forested area where the two were hunting for wild animals.

“Brutal silang pinatay ng NPA [They were brutally slain by the NPA] under the Guerilla Front 68,” he said. Martinez said the bodies of the victims were found at 5 p.m. Quoting a police report, Martinez said the victims were tortured before they were shot dead. Empty AK-47 and M-14 shells were found at the crime scene, he added. He quoted Datu Uba Lukbay Bayawon as saying the NPA killed the brothers—his nephews—after they repeatedly refused to be recruited into the NPA. He added that the two had received threats from the NPA long before they were killed. The killing of the Likanay brothers come on the heels of a request by Karapatan for the United Nations to investigate the spate of lumad killings in the Caraga region as a result of the military’s intensified counterinsurgency program. Most recently, a lumad educator and two other leaders were killed allegedly by militiamen belonging to the Magahat-Bagani Forces that were created by the military to go after suspected communist sympathizers. The military denied the allegations. Aside from the killings at least three soldiers were also involved in the rape of a 14-year-old lumad girl. The Army said the suspects, which it refused to identify, would be subjected to court-martial proceedings. The leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Monday President Benigno Aquino III should invite UN envoys to conduct an independent investigation into the killings for the sake of transparency and accountability. “We seriously doubt that the PNP and the AFP can come up with a credible investigation. All the AFP is doing is clear itself of any liability. Issue the open invitation now, Mr. President. Let the truth come out. Let there be justice and accountability,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said. Bayan issued the challenge after human rights group Karapatan brought the lumad killings to the attention of the UN. For the UN to mount a probe, protocol requires that the envoys be invited by the host country. “The open invitation should enable the UN representatives on indigenous people, internally displaced persons, extrajudicial killings and human rights defenders to conduct an impartial probe on the killings and other violations,” Reyes said. Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay dismissed the Armed Forces suggestion that leftist

Soliman From A1...

In its 2014 audit report, the COA said P382 million in local and foreign cash donations for Yolanda victims, representing a third of the P1.15 billion that the Department of Social Welfare and Development received remained in the agency’s bank accounts. “Those who committed gross inefficiency and criminal neglect—especially the Aquino administration and its line agencies—must be held accountable. We cannot simply let this pass,” Ridon said. The COA report also said the DSWD failed to distribute P141 million worth of family food packs for the typhoon victims, as the agency did not consider the “absorptive capacity and condition of the warehousing facilities and personnel” leading to the spoilage of the perishable goods. Ridon also disputed Soliman’s claim that there was nothing irregular about the COA findings, saying “the lackadaisical deployment of donations constitute criminal negligence.”

groups were besmirching their reputation by internationalizing the issue. “There’s no reputation to besmirch. The AFP’s reputation has long been stained with blood of the Filipino people,” Palabay said. The AFP is obviously irked by the complaints filed by Karapatan before the United Nations Human Rights Council on the killing of two lumad leaders, Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo, and lumad school director Emerito Samarca,” she added. The killings have caused some 3,000 lumad to flee their homes in Surigao del Sur. “The AFP claimed it already did its own investigation and immediately exonerated itself from the killing. Are they trying to be funny? Who, in the right mind, would believe in this kind of investigation?” Palabay said. The AFP is now saying the killing was a result of a tribal war. Palabay said witnesses recognized the killers, brothers Bobby and Loloy Tejero, who are members of the paramilitary group Magahat-Bagani that were with the 36th and the 75th Infantry Battalion and 1st Special Forces of the Philippine Army when they stormed the targeted community. In 2012, several international groups called on the government to disband the paramilitary groups. UN Special Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial Killings and on Human Rights Defenders, Christof Heyns and Margaret Sekaggya pointed out the role of the paramilitary groups in the killing of Fr. Fausto Tentorio. The UN Human Rights Council, during the Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines, also urged the Aquino administration disband these paramilitary groups. A labor group on Monday said an inter-agency investigation organized by the Justice Department should also include lumad killings in other parts of Mindanao. The Partido ng Manggagawa issued the call in reaction to the announcement made by Malacañang that it is willing to conduct an investigation as sought by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and many other organizations here and abroad. “The killings of lumad leaders by alleged paramilitary forces in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, including recorded cases of lumad killings in other parts of Mindanao, should give the government the idea that these killings were rather systematic than isolated in nature as claimed by the military,” the group’s chairman, Renato Magtubo, said. In Surigao del Sur, an Army junior officer faces court-martial proceedings for failing to respond to the shootings and burning of homes where the lumad teacher and members of the Manobo tribe were killed. Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao refused to identify the junior officer, however. The junior officer has been relieved of his duties as platoon leader and is now under the custody of the Army’s 68th Infantry Battalion, Hao said. With Francisco Tuyay and Vito Barcelo

“Any reasonable person will be enraged by the fact that our countrymen in Eastern Visayas suffered hunger in the aftermath of Yolanda, while millions worth of relief goods just spoiled in DSWD’s storehouses,” Ridon said. Gabriela party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan said the COA findings proved the government’s mishandling of Yolanda funds and said Soliman and other government officials involved must be held accountable. Another bloc member, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said it was time Congress exercised its oversight function to compel the government to account for the Yolanda funds down to the last centavo. On Monday, administration ally Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. sought a full-blown congressional inquiry into Soliman and her agency’s handling of relief operations in his district. “I have been receiving numerous individual complaints in my district regarding the alleged incompetence and anomalies by DSWD and other agencies in the implementation of the calamity fund,’’ Tupas said in a

By Sandy Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Francisco Tuyay

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Monday that the “alternative version of events” in the Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre that he raised could prove to be “totally false.” “We are not discounting the possibility it is totally false.... Isn’t it that when a person is lying, he would adhere to the truth as much as possible?” Aquino said during an interview at the Iloilo Convention Center, in Iloilo City. Aquino also said he never said the alternative version of events of the Mamasapano operation in which 44 Special Action Force commandos were killed was the truth. “There is an allegation that the narrative [of the SAF] is wrong. So that is the job, to know the truth. First version, the alternative version, a combination of both versions?” Aquino said. Earlier, Aquino said the alternative version of events was “undergoing very intense scrutiny.” In this version, the Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan was killed, not by the SAF commandos, but by one of his own aides. This was the same version of events narrated by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which also took part in the massacre. The covert Mamasapano operation, sanctioned by the President, aimed at neutralizing Marwan and his understudy, Filipino bomb expert Basit Usman. In his remarks Monday, Aquino also said both the SAF version and the alternative version might both be wrong. “How can we know the real truth? We need testimony and evidence, and these are being gathered,” he said. Aquino also said he cannot discuss all the details of the Mamasapano incident because of an ongoing investigation. A report earlier said that Marwan was killed by his aide, contrary to the claim of the SAF. Aquino refused to comment on the report, however. Aquino also declined to give out details of the operation because this will only put a “bull’s eye” on the witnesses the government is after. The issue on who really killed Marwan became the subject of news after the President said government investigators were looking at an ‘’alternative version’’

statement. ‘’I was informed that DSWD would like to investigate the matter. But I said that the personnel of DSWD are themselves subjects of the complaint and the agency must be investigated,” Tupas added. Tupas denied suggestions that his call for an investigation was to get even at Soliman, who complained about his presence during a distribution of grants in Iloilo. “Of course not. The reason I attended the distribution is... the numerous complaints I received. As representative of the district, I cannot just turn a blind eye on this. It’s my duty to monitor and make sure that the funds allocated by Congress should reach their intended beneficiaries,” he said. Soliman earlier said it was “unethical” for government officials, except elected local officials such as mayors, to show up during the distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance. Soliman said she would bring her complaint to the ruling Liberal Party to which Tupas belongs. In Tacloban City, a coalition of storm victims blasted the Aquino administration for allowing 500

wooden boats donated by the private company DMCI to rot in Palo, Leyte, while fishermen who lost their means of livelihood when Yolanda struck in November 2013. “No kind of excuse can justify the callousness, insensitivity and heartlessness of the government when they failed to distribute these boats that could have helped storm survivors alleviate their economic condition,” said Dean Lacandazo, a convener of the People Surge alliance. The Department of the Interior and Local Government, which was in charge of distributing the boats, said in a statement that it was “exercising due diligence” to ensure that the boats were seaworthy. Pedro Noval Jr., DILG regional director in Eastern Visayas, said his office had sought the help of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office for a list of fishermen-beneficiaries in March 2015, but the agency gave them a list only for Babatngon, Leyte. They also asked to confer with the DILG on the guidelines, schedule of distribution and other specifications such as materials for the keel, measurements, and whether the boats

of the events in Mamasapano. Lawmakers on Monday slammed Aquino’s search for an “alternative truth” even as they lamented the snailpaced justice that should have been served to the families and relatives of the 44 police commandos killed in the operation. The leader of the independent minority bloc in the House, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, said the President would only sow further confusion on what really transpired in the bloody anti-terrorism operation to neutralize Marwan. “The people cannot understand the President’s alternative truth and its objective. The resounding call of the loved ones and supporters is justice for the SAF 44. Where is the compassion for the victims?” he said. “This alleged alternative truth is not helping to bring justice for the victims,” Romualdez added. Reps. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque, Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list, Silvestre Bello III of 1-BAP party-list and Luz Ilagan of Gabriela party-list also said that the President cannot escape accountability for the 44 deaths. But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said whatever version of the truth emerges, the President is not liable. Ilagan slammed the President for being “notorious” in reversing the ‘truth.’ “That is a typical of Aquino who lives in his own world. He has his own reality,” Ilagan said. “What happened in Mamasapano is being edited to suit his own world view. But this is not a video game that can be modified to adjust to his playing capabilities so that the outcome is in his favor,” Ilagan added. Tambunting, member of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, said there can be no “alternative version” of the truth. “Truth has only one version. Otherwise, it will just be a statement of convenience not worthy of any trust or credence, just like a snake’s forked tongue,” Tambunting said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo would be motorized or not. An inspection of the boats was scheduled on April 20, 2015, during which the BFAR cited several problems with the boats and suggested that the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) inspect them for seaworthiness. In July, the DILG asked Marina to inspect the vessels, but the agency said their office could only do so after the beneficiary applies for boat registration. Marina added that it would be all right to distribute the boats, which could be inspected after they were registered by the beneficiaries. Reacting to criticism that the boats were allowed to rot, Noval said they were “of the opinion that the boats are simply of low quality.” He also said the boats were completed in June 2015, not December 2014 as reported by some news outlets. He also said there was no formal turnover of the boats, and that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which has custody and stewardship over the boats in its compound in Palo, Leyte, had asked the DILG for assistance in distributing the vessels.

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No ‘pork’ evidence on Enrile GOVERNMENT prosecutors on Monday admitted they had no evidence that Senator Juan Ponce Enrile received P172.8 million in commissions from the release of his pork barrel to the foundations linked to Janet LimNapoles, the alleged mastermind of the P10billion pork-barrel scam

Protest. Parents led by the women’s group Gabriela gathered in front of the Batasan in Quezon City to protest what they called the continuing attacks on lumad schools. LiNo SaNtoS

Palace still pressing House over BBL MALACAÑANG said Monday it is relying on the leadership of the House of Representatives to muster a quorum to continue the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and eventually to pass it. “We continue to work closely with the leadership of Congress in efforts to enact the BBL,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said. Last week, Malacañang said time was running out to pass the BBL, the centerpiece of the Aquino administration’s peace efforts in Mindanao. “Communication with the leaders of Congress on the timely passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law continues,” Coloma said earlier. “We understand that time is running out to achieve this objective, but we need to acknowledge the importance of upholding the peace process.” President Benigno Aquino III has said he is confident the bill will 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 cur-

rently in passing the BBL, but they both expressed confidence that the BBL will be passed,” Aquino said. “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 so-called peace dividends arising from this agreement. “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.” Aquino also said the government would continue to lobby the members of Congress to pass the law during their watch and pass it at the earliest time possible. Quroum problems have been plaguing the plenary debates on the BBL in Congress, although the House is targeting to pass the BBL in December this year. “We have full trust on the leadership of Speaker [Feliciano] Belmonte,” Coloma had said when asked if Aquino needed to talk to his allies

so they would show up in Congress to muster a quorum. Meanwhile, in Iloilo, Aquino said he was surprised by a paid advertisement by retired generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and other uniformed services who expressed opposition to the BBL. The retired generals said the BBL and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro must not push through, claiming those would violate the Philippine Constitution and would not help achieve lasting peace in Mindanao. “I was surprised by the advertisement. I hope I would be able to talk to those who signed this,” Aquino said. He asked the generals: “Are you really the ones who signed this? What are you opposing here in the proposed law? Have you even read the proposed law? Or did you just listen to the so-called ‘experts’? What is the agenda of these ‘experts’?” Sandy araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

At the oral summation for Napoles’ bail plea before the anti-graft court’s Third Division, the prosecution, represented by Edwin Gomez, told Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang that they lacked evidence that the 91-year-old senator was able to receive kickbacks from Napoles. Associate Justice Samuel Martires questioned Gomez over the prosecution’s failure to show proof that Enrile received commissions from the pork barrel fund scam in over a year of hearing Napoles’ bail petition. “Were you able to present proof that Senator Enrile received a single centavo from the P172.8 million that Napoles allegedly gave him as commissions?” Martires asked. “None as of this moment for the purposes of this bail hearing,” Gomez replied. When asked by Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, chairwoman of the Third Division, if it would be proper to dismiss the plunder and graft charges filed against Enrile and the other accused for lack of evidence, Gomez answered “yes.” Still, Gomez said Enrile was still culpable for plunder

for allocating his pork barrel funds to Napoles’ fake nongovernmental organizations. “Granting even if Attorney [Jessica Lucile “Gigi”] Reyes did not give the money to Enrile, there is still plunder. He must still be held liable because, as a senator, why did he allow his PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] to be used by Napoles?” Gomez said. He said Enrile was still part of the scam. The oral summation was the last chance for the prosecution and the defense to argue on Napoles’ bail petition. Enrile is facing plunder and 11 counts of graft charges for allegedly receiving commissions from the release of his pork barrel to Napoles’ foundations. Napoles has also been charged with plunder and graft raps over the diversion of Enrile’s pork barrel fund to her NGOs. Meanwhile, the Third Division on Monday submitted for resolution Napoles’ bail petition after the conduct of the oral summation. “That ends our bail hearing of accused Napoles. The petition is submitted for resolution,” Cabotaje-Tang said. Rio N. araja

Projects’ delay to worsen Metro traffic THE construction of two key road projects—Skyway Stage 3 and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport elevated expressway—will be delayed and is expected to worsen the traffic especially in the southern part of Metro Manila, an official said Monday. Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino made the announcement following a meeting with officials of D.M. Consunji Inc., the contractor for the two projects. The contractor is supposed to finish the NAIA expressway in November this year in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting. “The NAIA expressway will be delayed for five months, but this project will be completed in April 2016,” Tolentino said. The cause of the delay is the road right-of-way and drainage system problems and the massive flooding in the Sucat and Airport roads.

Tolentino made his statement even as the Light Rail Manila Consortium, led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., expects an improvement in the Light Rail Transit Line 1 in 2017 once a total of 120 new trains are delivered to it. “The real benefit of an improved train system will not be felt by the riding public immediately, but will come in due course particularly when the new trains are delivered by the government as part of its obligations under the Concession Agreement,” LRMC told the Philippine Stock Exchange. The consortium said the trains were scheduled to arrive in 2017. Meanwhile, based on the project status posted by the Department of Public Works and Highways, the right-of-way acquisition reached 94 percent accomplishment as of July 25, while the remaining 2 percent was under expropriation while 4 percent was under negotiation.

Skyway 3 is supposed to be finished by December 2017 but because of the delay, the project will be completed by April 2018. The power lines and water utility problems in the areas caused the delay. “So, while these projects are under construction, there will be road congestion on Osmeña [Highway], Araneta and other areas affected,” Tolentino said. “I asked the contractor to designate spokespersons who will explain to the people the cause of delay and other problems.” The MMDA also put on hold the construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 Extension, another project awarded by the government to DMCI and which is supposed to start on Sept. 17. Tolentino said DMCI officials had agreed to first install a temporary traffic signal along Marcos Highway before they started work on the project on Sept. 28. oel E. Zurbano and Darwin G. amojelar

New number. LTFRB officials led by Chairman Winston Ginez, right, hold up a circular launching the new LTFRB hotline 1342 during a press conference in Quezon City. LiNo SaNtoS

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SC asked to nullify Smartmatic contract By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has been asked to nullify a resolution of the Commission on Elections awarding the Smartmatic-TIM consortium a P6.2-billion contract for the lease of more than 70,000 optical mark readers for next year’s elections. In a 41-page petition, Francisco S. Aguilar Jr. and Guillermo A. Santos urged the SC to issue a temporary restraining order against Comelec Resolution 9980 that was issued last August and approves the lease of 70,977 OMRs from Smartmatic for the amount of P6,286,382,682.72. The petitioners argued that the Comelec acted with grave abuse of discretion when it issued the resolution as they called it “an act of spending splurge” that must be enjoined. It also provides for the issuance of the Notice of Award to Smartmatic, which was declared as the bidder with the lowest calculated responsive bid, “provided that this award pertains solely to the lease of the units of Optical Mark Reader.” The automated election system provider also bagged the contract for the lease of 23,000 OMR, which was awarded last July 31 for P1.7 billion which the government would procure to supplement the 81,896 PCOS machines to be used in the 2019 mid-term elections. According to the petitioners, not only is taxpayers’ money being illegally, irregularly or unnecessarily spent in connection with the lease of 93,977 OMR, existing the 81,896 Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines are allowed to rot in a warehouse rented by the Comelec for P800,000 a month through non-use and lack of maintenance, refurbishment or upgrade. “The Comelec, in leaving the 81,896 PCOS machines in the warehouse unmaintained and not refurbished to the gross disadvantage of the government, constitutes wastage of public resources or property, and thus a transgression of its fiscal responsibility,” the petitioners said. They added that such procurement is against Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, particularly Art. II, Section 7 which provides that “all procurement shall be within the approved budget of the Procuring Entity and should be meticulously and judiciously planned by the procuring entity concerned. The petitioners asserted that the law prohibits procurement without an approved Annual Procurement Plan of the procuring entity. In the case of the 93,977 OMR, petitioner believed that it has no appropriation cover nor included in the Annual Procurement Plan of the Comelec.

Real friends. South Korean Defense Minister Han Minkoo answers journalists’ questions before a portrait of Philippine revolutionary leader and first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo after signing a military information exchange agreement at the Armed Forces headquarters in Quezon City on Monday. JANSEN ROMERO

Binay tops new survey By Vito Barcelo VICE President Jejomar Binay on Monday expressed gratitude for the people’s continued support after topping the nationwide survey of the Radio Mindanao Network ahead of Senator Grace Poe ranked. Binay topped the RMN survey for president with 26.16 percent of the total votes while Poe ranked second with 24.84 percent and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas third with 18.14 percent. The survey was conducted Aug. 11 to 18. The results were published in several newspapers Monday. “The Vice President is fighting an uphill battle against those who are bent on continuing a regime of social inequality. He is grateful for the people’s unbending support,” said Joey Salgado, vice president media affairs spokesperson said. Salgado said despite the barrage of lies and political attacks, the vice president intends to continue to talk directly with the people. “There is only one message from the vice president to the people: Now is the time for real change, and better life.” Salgado said. “The real enemy is hunger, poverty and unemployment under the administration that favors a few,” he added. In the RMN survey, the vice president outshone Poe and Roxas in North Luzon. Poe led in NCR and South Luzon while Roxas topped the Visayas. Binay and Poe were in tight competition for Central Luzon, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal and Mindanao. The survey, with a +/2.5-percent margin of error, was conducted on Aug. 11 to 18 with 4,718 randomly selected radio listeners and registered voters nationwide. RMN Research Department interviewed participants from 17 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, the Calabar provinces, six provinces in Central Luzon, 13 areas in North and South Luzon, 20 areas in Visayas, and 13 areas in Mindanao.

Aquino on Poe: What, me worry? By Sandy Araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III and the ruling Liberal Party is not worried over the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe because the party is moving away from “personality politics.” “Why should we be worried of her announcing her plans? We really would like to hear what she says,” said Aquino, during a media interview at the Iloilo Convention Center, in Iloilo City. “I think the party stands on a particular platform. We are moving away from personality politics to platformbased politics. So whatever her announcement is, we still insist that, or we will still be advocating governance based on a particular or specific platform,” he added.

Aquino declined to say who he wants as a running mate for former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, but he conceded that Roxas should have the final say on whom he wants as a running mate even as the Liberal Party is supposedly choosing from among Senator Alan Cayetano, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Rep. Leni Robredo. Aquino was echoing an earlier statement made by Senate President Franklin Drilon, an LP official, who said a Poe candidacy for president will not change any of their plans for 2016. “No. We are not worried. There is no change in plan. We will continue to build up Secretary [Mar] Roxas,” Drilon, LP vice chairman, told reporters at the same event in Iloilo. Aquino and other LP members

have repeatedly wooed Poe to be their party’s vice presidential candidate, supporting LP’s presumptive presidential bet, resigned Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. Meanwhile, Aquino urged Iloilo residents to vote for Roxas during the 2016 elections. “Next year, we will again face a crossroad. I see this as a referendum of all our victories which we have been enjoying now. What is a referendum? The question is simple: Do you want what we have achieved during our administration to continue? Or do you want us to go back to our old system where a few have taken advantage of opportunities while others are suffering? Do you think we have achieved or even surpassed what we have promised on reforms?,” Aquino said.

Seal of Good Governance. Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos and wife Menchie shows off the Seal of Good Local Governance that he received in behalf of the city from the Department of Interior and Local Government at the Mandaluyong City Hall on Monday. MANNY PALMERO

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Escudero: Void secrecy of deposits By Macon Araneta SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday asked Malacañang to back his proposed legislation which seeks to lift the bank secrecy law for government officials and employees. In a statement, Escudero said the measure is a crucial step to amending the restrictive regulation the government wants to relax for tax purposes. “The President should certify it as a start. Start first with us who are in the government before the ordinary citizens,” said Escudero, referring to Senate Bill No. 16 that he filed in July 2013. The veteran lawmaker also filed a similar bill in 2007 and 2010. “Public office is a public trust. Government officials and employees are accountable to the public.” Escudero said. To ensure that a civil servant does not use his position to enrich himself, Escudero said it is necessary that we put in place a mechanism that will enable the government to audit the finances of the civil servant. Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares said the government would support income tax cuts if Congress would amend the law to allow the agency to “monitor” bank accounts for “tax purposes.” However, Escudero said Malacañang should also prioritize the bill that would require people in government to submit a written waiver of their rights under the law on the secrecy of bank deposits to “show its sincerity and willingness to consider lowering income tax rates. “We in the government should set an example. We should lead in making public our wealth so that the public will not doubt us,” said Escudero. Macon Ramos-ataneta

Traffic situationer. Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito exchanges views with administration officials represented by Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras and MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino during the Senate investigation into the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila. EY ACASIO

Nuclear plant revival to cost $1b—Napocor By Maricel V. Cruz

REVIVING the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant so as to provide the country with adequate power supply will take at least nine years and $1 billion, Energy officials informed the House energy committee on Monday, At a hearing conducted by the House committee chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, National Power Corp. president Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita provided lawmakers the cost for the rehabilitation of the BNPP. “The BNPP can be successfully rehabilitated at $1 billion for a period of four years; our information now is that having a new nuclear power

would cost $5 to $6 billion and will be completed in 10 years,” Sta. Rita said. This developed as Umali stressed the need for the Aquino administration to come up with a decisive action as to whether or not his administration will push for the use of BNPP. “We need to make a policy decision whether to run this or not; this is not to mention the [rehabilitation]

‘JOLY’ BENITEZ PASSES AWAY, 71 HUMAN settlements advocates lamented the untimely demise of Dr. Jose Conrado “Joly” Benitez, whose outstanding achievements in pushing for housing and urban development programs under the Marco government have served as inspiration to many urban and human settlement planners. Dr. Benitez, who at 28 was the youngest member of the Cabinet and human settlements czar of the Marcos era, died Sunday at the age of 71 due to a lingering illness. A member of the First Batasan Pambansa, Dr. Benitez served as deputy minister of the Ministry of Human Settlements under the Marcos administration. As a legislator, he served the lone district of Pasay City. Dr. Benitez was acknowledged as the architect of various housing agencies in the government that address the human settlement requirements of the country. These are the Human Settlements Development Corp., Home Guaranty Corp. and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the BLISS Development Corp. and the Home Development Mutual Fund. His eldest son, Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo “Albee” B. Benitez, currently serves as chairman of

the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development that is behind the ongoing housing summit. Rep. Benitez is also convenor of the Visayan Bloc of the House of Representatives. A TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) awardee, Dr Benitez was also cited as one of the Outstanding Metro Manila Citizens. Belonging to a family of renowned educators, Dr. Benitez also served as president of the Philippine Women’s University and was credited for introducing several highly effective curriculum innovations such as on-line distance education and continuing education. The Marcos-era technocrat studied development planning and development education in Stanford University. Aside from Rep. Benitez, who is convenor of the Visayan Bloc of the House of Representatives, the deceased is also survived by son, Dr. Francisco Benitez of the PWU; wife, Joanne de Asis-Benitez and daughters, investment banker, Gaia de Asis-Foley and Jana de Asis Benitez, an acclaimed international painter. His remains lie in state at the Capilla del Señor, Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati City. Interment has yet to be finalized. Maricel Cruz

cost but more importantly social acceptance,” Umali said. The government has allocated P50 million yearly to maintain the BNPP. Umali said the cost of rehabilitation would be the determining factor for the Aquino administration whether or not to pursue this plan. “These are matters we consider as a government in determining whether to push for this or not. But, at the same time, I think this is an asset that is already available,” Umali said. “I think it is also imperative for the government, particularly Napocor, to take all alternative uses of BNPP so that when we make presentation and before you make decision we have a fallback. “We have options that many consider other than present it as nuclear power

plant,” Umali added. Umali also urged concerned sectors of the government to come up with “comparative presentations that are more feasible, viable and economical on how the government will use the facility.” Sta. Rita said that the BNPP, once rehabilitated, could provide 620 megawatts of the power supply requirement of the country. Nuclear Regulations Division chief Teofilo Leonin Jr. of the Philippine National Research Institute echoed Sta. Rita’s assessment on efforts to rehabilitate the BNPP. Leonin told lawmakers that the PNRI would need at least five year to assess the four-year rehabilitation made by the government.

Brace for drought–Pagasa By Rio N. Araja METRO Manila must brace for the effects of drought lasting until November with at least 60-percent reduction in the amount of rainfall. Aldczar Aurelio, weather bureau forecaster, said the National Capital Region will be experiencing waybelow-normal rainfall for three consecutive months because of a mature and strong El Niño episode in the Pacific Ocean. “Expect drought in the metro,” he said. But the provinces of Quezon, Aurora and Bicol will be the hardest hit by the drought, he added. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and As-

tronomical Services Administration, the 2015-2016 El Niño event is potentially among the strongest episodes since 1950, 1972-1973, 1982-1983 and 1997-1998. Temperatures will rise slightly warmer than normal, Aurelio said. While Quezon, Aurora and Bicol region will experience drought, dry spell will prevail over Isabela, Sorsogon, Eastern Visayas (except Biliran), Zam boanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Compostella Valley, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Basilan, Maguindanao and Sulu and Tawi-tawi. The drought will affect the supply of water and the agriculture sector, Aurelio said.

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PNoy: Tax cuts may backfire By Sandy Araneta

President Benigno s. Aquino iii on Monday said he was not amenable to the lowering of income tax rates, expressing doubts if the move would bring about benefits to Filipinos even as he insists that tax collection must first improve.

Lethal weapons. Police Chief Supt. Edgar Gonzales Tinio of the Quezon City Police District presents assorted firearms, ammunition and explosives policemen have recovered since his assumption of command during a press conference at Camp Karingal, Quezon City. LINO SANTOS

Trade chief to bow out after APEC gab TrAde and Industry Secretary Gregory domingo will be asked to stay on until the end of the year and finish the AsiaPacific economic Cooperation meetings in the country, President Benigno Aquino III said on Monday. “Well, actually, Secretary domingo has informed me earlier that he wanted to go back to the private sector. We will be talking sometime this week. He has submitted his resignation letter but the date of effectivity is not yet confirmed,” said Aquino during a media interview at the Iloilo Convention

Center in Iloilo City. “He might finish the APeC [meetings] until the end of the year. But, again, we will talk this week. I have asked his recommendation on who will replace him,” said Aquino. Malacañang confirmed only last Saturday domingo’s resignation. “According to executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., Secretary Gregory domingo has submitted his resignation to President Aquino and that this is under consideration,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

said in a statement Saturday. Aquino thanked domingo for all the work he has done for the current administration. “We would like to thank Secretary domingo for all of the work that he has done on behalf of the country. direct investments increased sixfold or 600 percent. The hosting of the APeC. And so many other things that have happened under his watch in dTI [department of Trade and Industry]” Aquino said. Aquino said that all of his cabinet secretaries, including domingo, had done so much sacrifices for the government.

He said that some of them have resigned since they plan to run during the 2016 elections, while others, like domingo, would go back to the private sector. Aquino appointed domingo as dTI secretary on June 30, 2010. domingo had served as managing director and treasurer of Chase Manhattan Bank in Manila, and executive director of SM Investments Corp. before he assumed the dTI post. Malacañang said that domingo’s resignation will not affect the Philippines’ hosting of the APeC.

“The question is, will the lowering of income tax level be beneficial to our countrymen? I am not convinced as of the moment,” said Aquino during a media interview at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City. Aquino said that when he ran for the presidency in 2010, he promised that he would not order an increase in income taxes. The President said that the government would first improve tax collections, but on the current tax rates as based on law. “We would first collect taxes based on the current law. Now that we have managed the deficit, the deficit has been decreasing, as a proportion or as a ratio to the gross domestic product, in turn, was one of the factors why we were given an investment grade status of all these ratings agencies. And we are continuing to be given the upgrades,” said Aquino. However, Aquino explained, that if the income tax is lowered, revenue collections would decrease, and the budget deficit would increase. The bigger the deficit, he said, would be a negative factor when credit rating agencies start to evaluate

the country’s economic performance. One of the possible moves to cushion the effects of lowering income taxes would be to raise the value added tax, which in turn will hit the income of all classes of society. The President said there is a possible increase in the price of oil that may eventually affect cost of services and products, such as transportation, electricity, and others. Aquino said (income tax cuts) could be reconsidered if there was a budget surplus, but given the current financial conditions, the country cannot afford to lower any taxes. The President said lowering income taxes may also go against the progressive taxation for which the constitution requires, which means those who have more should pay more, and those who have less should pay less, but the effects of lower income taxes may even hit the incomes of the smallest income earners in the country. Aquino said his administration promised that there would be no increase in the income taxes. What the government increased was the “sin taxes” since these involved the health of a person.

Top 4 PH schools drop world rankings By John Paolo Bencito THe Philippines’ four leading universities have dropped their ratings in the latest 2015 Quacquarelli Symonds World University rankings released today, Sept. 15, 2015. In the twelfth edition of the QS World University rankings survey, University of the Philippines slid from the 367th spot in 2014 to 401-410th spot this year. Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University followed suit, from the 461-470th spot last year to 501-550th spot in 2015. Catholic universities de La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, shared the same rankings in the 701+ spot, with dLSU faring lower than the 651-700th spot last year.

US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology remains as the world’s top university followed by Harvard (2nd), Cambridge and Stanford (3rd) while eTH Zurich (9th) breaks into the top 10. Asian universities for the first time made it to the Top 15, with the National University of Singapore in the 12th spot and the Nanyang Technological University, also in Singapore in the 13th spot. “These latest results reveal more diversity than ever in the distribution of world-class universities at the highest levels. We’re providing prospective students with the richest picture yet,” said Ben Sowter, QS head of reasearch. Quacquarelli Symonds is a British educational and careers advice company that produced the World University rank-

ings in partnership with the UK magazine Times Higher education from 2004 to 2009, and on its own since 2010. The purpose of the rankings “has been to recognize universities as the multi-faceted organizations they are and to provide a global comparison of their success against their notional mission of becoming or remaining world-class.” The QS World University rankings are based on four key pillars—research, teaching, employability and internationalization and the methodology consists of six indicators: academic reputation (40 percent), employer reputation (10 percent), faculty student ratio (20 percent), citations per faculty (20 percent), international students (5 percent), and international faculty (5 percent).

Printers’ plaints. National Printing Office employees stage a protest against plans to abolish their office and privatize government printing operations during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives. LINO SANTOS

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Policeman poses as journalist, crashes meeting

Day at work. Fishermen in Hundred Islands, Pangasinan head for home after a day of fishing along Lingayen Gulf in their handcrafted bamboo raft.

DAVID CHAN

Abu Sayyaf bandits take 10 construction workers By Francisco Tuyay, PNA

TEN crew members of a construction company undertaking government projects were taken by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group at the outskirts of Sumisip, Basilan on Monday morning. Initial military reports said the incident oc-

curred at Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sum-

isip while the victims were on board a water tank at around 8:45 a.m. Some reports place the abduction much later, at 9:20 a.m. Superintendent Oscar Nantes, provincial police director, identified the workers as Nasser Jallaha, Merhusin Ubbay, Mustapha Gapul, Abukaisir Nasi-

lin, Jaya Abdulla, Johan Sarao, Nadzhar Garbon, Alsibar Jauhari, Margani Alpha and truck driver Munib Sadidul. They were employees of MACE Construction Co. working on roads and bridges for the government. There were reportedly two other crew members

on the truck but they were able to escape, and reported the incident to police and military personnel at a nearby checkpoint. Nantes said the bandits were led by Juhaibel Alamsirul alias Abu Kik, whose group is behind several atrocities in Sumisip town.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—An armed police officer who pretended to be a journalist is facing charges for crashing into a human rights conference in this city, a human rights activist said Monday. Fr. Christopher Ablon, the spokesperson of “Barug Katungod Mindanao” (Mindanao Stand for Human Rights), said that members of his group noticed an armed man, who was eventually revealed to be Senior Police Officer 3 Rolando Gomonit Sr., acting suspiciously during the conference. The group was holding an exclusive conference to assess reports about human rights abuses against indigenous peoples in Mindanao, Ablon said. Gomonit presented himself as a member of the local press and tried to obtain the names of the organizers of and delegates to the conference. Responding police seized the fully loaded .45 Caliber pistols of Gomonit, two loaded magazines, and the cellular phone with camera. Gomonit’s mobile phone also had the names and photos of the participants and the plate numbers of the vehicles they used, Ablon said. Gomonit is detained at the local police headquarters. PNA

Firm sues culture commission for stopping Agoo road project By Dexter A. See AGOO, La Union—A private construction firm has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order against the National Commission for Culture and the Arts which stopped the construction and widening of the national highway here because it would allegedly destroy church-owned structures with historical significance. Russell Bernal, managing officer of Ciara Construction/Berson Construction & Trading, claimed that the cease-and-desist order issued by NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon had caused unnecessary delay in the

government’s project, losses in construction funds, and had deprived the public to enjoy the benefits of the development. “Having exhausted in vain all the available remedies [to continue with the project], the petitioner is now left with no plain, speedy and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law other than recourse to the Special Civil Action,” Bernal said in his petition. The commission had ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to stop the demolition of plant boxes in front of the Agoo Basilica and the concrete fence of the Plaza dela Virgen which were believed to be a treasure of the Catholic Church.

Workers started demolishing the fence on Feb. 20 to pave the way for the construction and widening of the national highway but the Church, led by Bishop Rodolfo Beltran, obtained the CDO the following day. DPWH officials and representatives of the construction firm questioned the issuance of the order because the commission issued it without conducting any inspection. In the assailed cease-anddesist order, De Leon said that based on the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, all structures at least 50 years old are considered important cultural property and is entitled to protection against demolition.

On its side. A Sultan Kudarat-bound cement cargo truck lies on its side after skidding off

the main highway at barangay Malasila in Makilala, Cotabato on Saturday, Sept. 12. OMAR MANGORSI

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Declarations the so-called ghost month ends this week and some of the more circumspect political personalities are expected to declare their plans for 2016 soon. The less unabashed have had a head start and have been able to leave the public little room to guess what their words and actions in the next few weeks would seek to achieve. These early starters have also had the opportunity to blur the line that separates their official functions from their raw ambition. What they may have done may be a legitimate demand of their job but also happily and conveniently showed the people what excellent leaders they would make. On the other hand, some of the hopefuls to this point have been generally undecided or playfully coy. the mayor of a city down south keeps the people speculating, saying he would not run when his actions all point to the opposite direction. And then a senator who finds herself under heavy questions as to her fitness for the job is expected to tell us this week she would be courting our votes as well. In a month, anyway, these declarations would have to be made official with the filing of certificates of candidacy for the top contest. What do all these declarations tell us? A few things. First is that the candidate lives no longer for the present but for the future, specifically 2016. All motivations are colored by the agenda of getting elected. Second, any stark deviation from their usual tone or track record should also not be taken at face value. Finally, we must be wary of grand promises. We’ve fallen for this too many times. Filipinos have the tendency to sympathize with underdogs and other contrived archetypes, confusing projected attributes with actual capability. From the day of declaration, let only the records—past words, action, silence and inaction—point us to how a certain presidency is bound to look like. Declarations signal the start of the race. Let’s make this a grueling one for those who say they want to serve us.

Diversionary theory lowDown jojo a. robles LASt January, President Noynoy Aquino went to Zamboanga City with a full complement of Cabinet and military officials, ostensibly to investigate a car bombing in that southern outpost. Only later were we to learn that Aquino had actually gone to Zamboanga to be closer to Maguindanao, where a large-scale, clandestine police operation to capture or kill the

terrorist bomb-maker known as Marwan was under way. It’s important to recall Aquino’s Zamboanga trip when considering his statement that an “alternative truth” to the incident that would gain infamy as the Mamasapano Massacre could be unearthed, this late in the day. I honestly think that the so-called alternative truth that Aquino is talking about— which is really lifted from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s report on the carnage that was submitted to the government of Malaysia—is a mere diversion.

Like in Zamboanga, the real story is also located in Mindanao. But instead of Maguindanao, the administration is really interested in covering up what is happening in Surigao del Sur. that story is the killing and continued harassment for weeks now of members of the lumad Manobo tribe, allegedly by military men and members of a paramilitary organization used by the military to do its dirty work called the MagahatBagani Forces. And now that human rights organizations have decided to bring the case

the administration is really interested in covering up what is happening in surigao del sur.

of the killing of three of their leaders to the United Nations, it’s perfectly understandable for Aquino to try to divert attention away from the lumad deaths to an alleged new truth that he has only now discovered. If Aquino had not deliberately lied about the getMarwan operation and the massacre of 44 members of the PNP Special Action Force that it brought about, I would not accuse him of trying to distort what happened in Mamasapano nine months after it happened. But a recent incident involving Interior and Local Secretary Mar Roxas, Aquino’s chosen candidate for President in the

next elections, and members of the Manobo tribe who had fled the military operations to a resettlement area in tandag makes his “alternative truth” theory all the more suspicious. In a video taken of Roxas’ visit, the DILG secretary was told about the depredations of the military and the Magahat-Bagani force, which was why the refugees would rather remain in unsanitary and unsafe tents rather than return to their homes. the video was notable for showing

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

Roxas’ surprise and his reaction of shooing away the media men who were covering the event, because he said he was conducting a “briefing” with the Manobos. Of course, Roxas was thinking that he was merely glad-handing some tribesmen to gain campaign “pogi” points—until he realized what he had gotten into. And that is why, I think, only days later, Aquino unveiled his “alternative truth” theory. Now, you tell me Aquino’s

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revisionist Marwan theory is not related to the Surigao lumad killings. I only ask that you remember Zamboanga before you do. *** If the recent sinking of the m/v Kim Nirvana off Ormoc City proved anything, it’s that inter-island sea travel is still a dangerous proposition. And that’s because, as anyone in the shipping industry will tell you, most of the 70 roll-on, roll-off vessels being used by Continued on A11

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the heart-wrenching image of the lifeless little body of Aylan Kurdi, washed up on the turkish shore, facedown on the mud, has spurred the world to do more about the Syrian refugee crisis. In a Rappler article, Cardinal Chito tagle is quoted as saying: “They’re sinking, but many people played deaf, blind, and mute, until the world’s imagination was stirred by the image of the child.” Like the family of Aylan, millions of Syrian refugees, many of whom are children and the elderly, brave starvation, sickness, and even death from drowning or from sniper fire from the warring factions in order to flee their country into an uncertain future. They seek asylum in other countries, many of which are unwilling to extend their helping hand to their desperate plea for help. Since the all-out war erupted four years ago in Syria and over 220,000 casualties— half of whom are believed to be civilians —later, the mass exodus of refugees and asylum seekers has grown exponentially never seen since WWII. It is the worst humanitarian disaster of our time. The United Nations estimates around seven million internally displaced Syrians fleeing the unending fratricidal conflict in their homeland. Many escaped to Iraq only to find themselves in another equally devastating civil war. Others are risking a trip across the Mediterranean towards turkey and Greece. Like Aylan, though, many do not survive the perilous journey. The countries earliest to respond like turkey, Jordan and Lebanon are at a breaking point and can hardly cope with the crisis. Resources are strained beyond tolerable levels and services are minimal. Social tensions are beginning to emerge. Rich Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait have donated billions of financial aid but are unwilling to host the Syrian refugees for fear of social instability. Many nations are also hesitant if not hostile to the idea of giving asylum for ideological, ethnic, social and economic reasons. The refugee crisis has evoked a variety of sentiments ranging from pity shown by Austrians and Germans applauding as busloads of refugees cross their border, to hostility shown by countries of eastern europe, exemplified by a hungarian journalist caught on video kicking and tripping migrants entering hungary across the border with Serbia. Ironically, it is the countries that have in the 20th century 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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the administration is really interested in covering up what is happening in surigao del sur.

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Turning 88 to the poInt emIl p. jurado

presidents, heroes, nation builders and advocates. The only thing I regret all these years, having gone full circle in print and broadcast media, is that things have not changed. The more people talk about change, the more things remain the same. The only change I have seen in government are faces. Corruption? It seems endemic here. My gulay, even as early as the Elpidio Quirino administration, allegations of corruption persisted onto the Ramon Magsaysay regime with scandals about dollar import quota allocations. During the Carlos P. Garcia administration, things became worse, with reparations scandals making headlines in newspapers. This

I tuRN 88 today, relatively healthy, with my recollection of things past and present still sharp as when I was young. I consider myself blessed by God for reaching this age. Except for aches and pains that come with old age, and the dozen or so maintenance pills my doctors prescribed for me, I can still write this column, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable. There are distinct advantages. Nobody can dispute my senior citizen’s card and deny me its advantages. When I fall in line to pay for something, attendants show me to the fast lane. When I wait to consult my doctor, the young give me I have been in media their seats. Thank heavens there’s for 65 of those 88 still chivalry in years. this world. It’s only when people call me “Lolo” that I protest. “I am not your Lolo,” I tell anyone continued until the time who dares. It must be my of Diosdado “the poor boy from Lubao” Macapagal. white hair. The Martial Law regime The only thing I regret about being old is that of the late strongman when I go to shopping Ferdinand Marcos made malls with my wife, I see everything far worse, with those young things in cronyism and abuse of their short shorts. I say power. While admittedly, to myself, was I born too the early Martial Law early or, that things have regime of Marcos did some good for the country, and really changed. My wife and I marked Imelda brought forth the our 60th diamond renaissance of Philippine anniversary last May 14, culture and the arts, the 2015. But, Santa Banana, latter years of Marcos when we started listing erased all that. We had high whom we could invite, our list was limited to less than expectations with the 10 who were still alive and breakaway group of thenkicking. The rest have gone Defense Minister Juan ahead of us, are wheel- Ponce Enrile, President chair bound, or suffering Fidel V. Ramos, then chief of the PC/Integrated from dementia. Police, and Thus, we canceled National everything, even our long- then- Col. Greg Honasan planned trip to Japan. of the RAM (Reform the Why spend so much for Armed Forces Movement). a trip which is a waste of During the time of the money that we could just late President Corazon save for hospital expenses Aquino, there were also (something my wife and I allegations of abuse by the expect to come suddenly at “Kamaganak Inc.” headed by some of the President’s our age; she is now 82)? I have been a journalist relatives. The worst part of it for 65 of my 88 years. I have had the privilege of all was the closure of the walking the corridors of Bataaan Nuclear Power power, being close to many Plant, supposed to furnish

Two years for emergency assisTance? HoW do we know for a fact that government bungled the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of the “Yolanda’’ supertyphoon? There’s a report released by the government’s own watchdog —the Commission on Audit— which categorically states that the government not only failed to spend a large portion of the money intended for the victims of the strongest typhoon in history, but that tons of food and other relief goods have also gone to waste because government did not release them to the people before their expiration dates. of course we have heard about all these for the longest time now, I have personally lambasted in this space the foot-dragging that characterized government’s response to the urgent appeals for help from the people, but it’s a completely different matter altogether when it’s written up in an official report. It’s the kind of report that makes one’s blood boil, particularly if one saw with his own two eyes the extent of the devastation and the suffering of the victims. I will continue to insist that it is always infinitely better to over-deliver on food and relief goods to victims of calamities; scrimping on relief goods smacks of bad judgment and misplaced humanity particularly when these goods run the risk of spoilage. We’re seeing yet again how overcautiousness, bordering on paranoia and analysis paralysis, can hurt everyone. But we don’t really need an official report to know that something went grievously wrong somewhere with the Yolanda relief and rehabilitation efforts. Let’s just allow a known fact to speak for itself: The release of the government’s much-vaunted Emergency Shelter Assistance program, which was intended to help victims of the supertyphoon rebuild destroyed houses, finally got underway only in the last few weeks. Imagine that—a program that government had the gumption power to Luzon, which resulted in the “Dark Ages.” We experienced power outages lasting almost 12 hours. Some relief came when President Ramos came to power, but the problem was that power and electricity costs hit the ceiling. There were also allegations of corruption because of the construction of the Centennial City at Clark. During the three years of the Joseph Estrada regime came allegations of corruption that gave birth to charges of plunder against Erap for which he was detained for seven years and then

are We there Yet? BonG C. auStero to label “emergency assistance” being made available to the people almost two years after the supertyphoon struck! If all of the tens of thousands of victims relied mainly on the promises made by government and did not take the initiative to rebuild their lives through some other ways, they would still be living in tents, or school buildings, or amid the wreckage. (Actually, some towns with stronger political influence got their ESA much earlier than everyone else, but that’s another story). I was in Leyte two weeks ago where I met with some families who confirmed that they did get their ESA recently. When I asked what they did with their money— most everyone told me they used it to pay off their debts. In many cases, the proceeds directly went to loan sharks who had possession of their so-called green cards as many of them had already pawned their cards as early as last year. The almost two-year delay in the release of the assistance meant that interest rates had piled up and there was virtually nothing left for the families. The delay in the release of relief and rehabilitation funds was supposedly due to efforts to ensure that the process was not hijacked or used by local politicians for partisan politics. Apparently, all that effort was for naught because we know for a fact that local politicians did find a way to insert themselves into the picture. Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman complained last week about the presence of Congressman Niel tupas during the distribution of the ESA in certain towns in Iloilo and we’ve heard stories about how politician members of the tupas clan have been engaged in some kind of a contest over who gets to preside or grab credit for the relief

convicted of plunder. He was pardoned, however, by his successor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and restored his civil and political rights, that gave him the opportunity to run for president in 2010. He lost, but was vindicated when he won as mayor of the City of Manila in 2013. The last five years of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III did not give us the change we expected. In fact, things became worse with the misuse and abuse of the people’s money through the much-hated pork barrel system and that

and rehabilitation efforts in Iloilo. The same happened in other provinces, although the politicians were a bit subtler. But the situation was worst in Leyte where barangay officials directly asked for a cut from the beneficiaries in exchange for elevating their entitlement from partial assistance of P10,000 to full assistance of P30,000. All of these happened because the inordinate delay allowed politicians at the local levels to strategize and marshal their influence and resources in support of their nefarious schemes. Had the assistance been given immediately, the victims could have found more meaningful use for the funds. But then again, all of these is now wishful thinking; as usual, most Filipinos have moved on thankful for whatever little they got. There are, however, valuable lessons that all of us hopefully learned from the Yolanda tragedy, particularly on how best to manage relief and rehabilitation efforts. Based on what we saw, the whole response has been severely hampered by lack of effective leadership and an integrated coordination and response. When we got to tacloban two days after the supertyphoon struck, no one was in charge and everyone was doing programs based on their appreciation of the situation. The situation has remained basically the same—we still don’t know who is in charge and how exactly is the rehabilitation being implemented. As in the first few days and weeks of the tragedy, some towns and individuals have received more than what they needed while others are still waiting for scraps. There remains no visible and palpable mechanism in place to coordinate rehabilitation efforts despite claims that some masterplan has been designed. In fact, people have remained confused as to who is really accountable; the roles Senator Ping Lacson, Secretary Mar Roxas, and Soliman have remained inchoate and in the minds of people, they are all just passing blame to each other.

mongrel called the DAP or Disbursement Acceleration Program. The well-known vindictiveness of the Aquino regime has made his straight-path mantra a joke. It was the Mamasapano slaughter of 44 police commandos that exemplified the character of BS Aquino III. He showed incompetence and insensitivity. How can we forget the Yolanda disaster? Some survivors are still living in tents. In the early 50s, when the country was being reconstructed with American aid, we were next

only to Japan’s economy. But, soon after that the country started its decline. Santa Banana, in my 65 year as a journalist, I have witnessed the steady collapse of the nation’s industries, like textile and garments. Now, every piece of clothing we wear comes from China. The Marikina shoe industry is gone, too. So are our furniture sector. Coconut and copra have steadily declined. Steel? Rice? Now we are importers! Despite these, I remain an optimist. My advice to journalists: There is no substitute for hard work, patience, and prayers.

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Scrutinizing grace Poe and her Set caSe for naturalization as a Filipino citizen. Moreover, adoption is a status between the adopter and the adopted, while citizenship is a status between a person and the state. Under the 1935 Constitution, therefore, Poe is not even a citizen of the Philippines. Since Poe ran for the Senate in May 2013, her qualifications for this public office is governed by the 1987 Constitution. The 1987 Constitution defines naturalborn Philippine citizenship, and requires every senator to be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. Article IV of the 1987 Constitution confers natural-born citizenship on the sole basis of actual birth, and not on the basis of adoption. It says, “naturalborn citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.” Since the circumstances of the birth of Poe are a mystery, and considering that the citizenship of any of Poe’s biological parents has not been ascertained, Poe’s claim to Philippine citizenship is at best speculative. Evidently, Poe does not meet the constitutional definition of naturalborn Philippine citizenship. Documentation so far submitted by Poe to the SET indicates that she had to take an oath to re-acquire Philippine citizenship, which is an act to acquire or perfect her Philippine citizenship. This fact alone confirms that Poe is not a natural-born citizen of the Philippines.

Republic Act no. 9225, or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, suggests that a former Filipino who became an alien and, thereafter, a Filipino once again, shall retain his or her Philippine citizenship upon taking a prescribed oath. Precisely because Republic Act no. 9225 amends or modifies the definition of natural-born citizenship found in the 1987 Constitution, that statute is unconstitutional and, therefore, void. There is likewise nothing in international law which favors Poe. Although the 1961 International Convention on Statelessness provides that a foundling is presumed to possess the nationality of the state where he or she is found, the Philippines is not a signatory to this convention, and cannot be bound by it. The refusal of Manila to sign this convention for the past 54 years is enough indication that the Philippines does not want to be bound by it. other international conventions cited in favor of Poe are inconsequential. At best, the conventions merely frown on statelessness. There is nothing in these conventions which deals with the issue of natural-born citizenship. Besides, when an international convention conflicts with any provision of the 1987 Constitution, the international convention must give way. The 1987 Constitution itself says so. Since the petition for quo warranto filed against Poe in the SET is focused on citizenship, it may be filed even beyond the 10-day period stated in the rules of the SET. The SET itself acknowledges this in its website.

dressing this crisis. He implored every Catholic community across Europe to do as he has, and commit to hosting a refugee family: “Therefore, as we near the Jubilee of Mercy, I wish to address an appeal to the parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines throughout Europe to express the concreteness of the Gospel and to welcome a family of refugees. A concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy year of Mercy. May every parish, every religious community, every monastery and every shrine in Europe host a family, starting with my diocese of Rome.” we cannot but sympathize with the Syrians. our country has its own share of refugees we call “bakwits” who for decades have been internally displaced because of the fighting in many parts of the archipelago as a result of the Moro rebellion and the protracted Communist insurgency. Recently, the lumad (indigenous peoples) in Surigao del Sur, mostly Manobo,

had to flee their communities because of alleged atrocities committed by the Magahat-Bagani paramilitary force. Three tribal leaders have been summarily executed by this para-military group on the suspicion that they are nPA sympathizers. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has been accused of supporting the group. over the years, innumerable killings and human rights violations have been perpetrated as a result of these insurgencies/rebellions victimizing mostly the weak and vulnerable communities. In particular, the lumad are often caught in the middle of these conflicts; often used as pawns and victimized by special interests and warring factions. But on the latest incidents, blame must be out squarely on the government. It is naïve to suppose that on appeal people would just lay down their arms to kiss and make up. Intolerance and injustice propelled by the instinct of self-preserva-

tion and selfishness are the baser proclivities of human nature that will not simply go away. Tragedies are as old as humanity itself, yet it seems that human capacity to inflict suffering upon another is getting more intense and severe with each passing generation. what is needed is a supreme effort on the part of national and international actors to summon their better instincts of love, sense of fairness, respect and tolerance to prevail over these baser impulses. Until then these killings and refugee crises will continue to the utmost detriment of people especially the innocent. This is true in Europe, in the Middle East, as it is in our very own Mindanao. Shame on some Europeans for how they are treating the Syrian refugees; shame also on many of us for allowing the killing of the lumad.

are in the 16-20 and five are in the 2125 brackets. what the local inter-island shipping industry needs is more investors like Starlite Ferries, one of the few ro-ro operators that have newer units, and which launched last Sept. 2 the newest addition to its ro-ro fleet, the brand-new, all-steel Starlite Pioneer. Starlite Ferries chairman Alfonso Cusi, with his daughter Patricia Cusi-Ramos, went to Hiroshima to see Starlite Pioneer leave the Kegoya

Dockyards in Kure to churn sea water for the first time. This was the same shipbuilding facility that built the yamato, the pride of the Japanese navy during world war II. what sets Starlite Pioneer from all other ro-ros operating locally is that it is the first that’s been designed and manufactured to take on the challenge of Philippine maritime conditions. Cusi said that with Starlite Pioneer operating in local seas starting this December, a new era in inter-

island travel in the country—safe, convenient and affordable—will be ushered in. Arben Santos, a leading maritime authority advocating the phasing out of end-of-service ro-ros, sees the Starlite Pioneer as a significant development in the Philippine shipping industry. Santos said Starlite’s example of purchasing a brand-new ro-ro vessel designed from the ground up to meet Philippine needs should prove more cost-effective in the long run.

By now, everybody must be aware of the petition for quo warranto filed by registered voter Rizalito David against Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares before the Senate Electoral Tribunal. The petition seeks to unseat Poe from the Senate on the ground that she is not a natural-born citizen of the Philippines—a requirement of the Constitution. Poe’s residency was also questioned in the petition. Last week, however, the SET dropped the issue of residency upon the agreement of the parties. Actually, residency is a non-issue against Poe in the SET. The SET case is solely about whether or not Poe should be unseated from the Senate, and it has nothing to do with her qualifications for the presidency by May 2016. Under the Constitution, a senator must be a resident of the Philippines for at least two years. As a senator, it appears that Poe meets the residency requirement because she had been a resident of the Philippines for six years and six months at the time she ran for the Senate in May 2013. Dropping of the residency issue was not a victory for Poe. To repeat, it was a nonissue to begin with. The residency issue may still be raised against Poe in the event that she runs for the presidency in May 2016. Under the Constitution, a candidate for the presidency must be a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years prior to election day. From what has been established by Poe’s own documented admissions, she does not meet this residency requirement. In the event that Poe does run for president in May 2016, the residency issue

may be raised against her before the Commission on Elections the moment she files her certificate of candidacy for the presidency. Right now, Poe’s concern should be focused on the citizenship issue raised against her before the SET. Despite Poe’s public protestations that she is a Filipino citizen, the documentation relating to her case warrants her disqualification. Poe claims that she was born on Sept. 3, 1968 in Iloilo City to Ronald Allan Kelly Poe (also known as Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ), a Filipino citizen, and to Jesusa Sonora Poe (also known as Susan Roces), a Filipino citizen. That statement is false because Poe was not born to FPJ and Susan Roces. Poe is a foundling, discovered in a church, and the identity of her biological parents is not known. She was adopted by FPJ and Susan Roces. Assuming that Poe was born prior to January 1973, her citizenship is covered by the 1935 Constitution. Under the 1935 charter, one whose father or mother is a citizen of the Philippines is also a citizen of the Philippines. Poe’s legal problem is that she is a foundling, and that she was adopted by FPJ and Susan Roces. Philippine jurisprudence stresses that the adoption of a foundling only confers the status of a legitimate child on the adopted, and that adoption does not confer citizenship on the adopted. The rationale for this doctrine is that aliens should not be allowed to use adoption as a means of circumventing the strict requirements

In EUROPE... From A9 seen many of their own peoples persecuted for ethnic, religious, or political reasons that have been the most unwelcoming of the refugees. After more than four years, it is only now that the United States, Australia, Britain, Spain and other European countries are easing their borders to allow more refugees into their territories. on the crisis, Pope Francis explained: “Faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees who flee death from war or hunger, on a journey towards the hope of life, the Gospel calls to us and asks us to be close to them, to the smallest and the abandoned; to give them real hope. not merely to say: “Be brave, be patient..Christian hope is assertive, with the tenacity of those who go towards a certain destination.” He then urged immediate action in ad-

DIVERsIOnARy... From A9 local companies are, on average, 30 years old, having been bought second-hand from Japan, where they were designed to ply the relatively calmer inland seas of that country. According to industry statistics, 16 local ro-ros are 41-45 years old, seven are 46-50 years old and 10 are 36-40 years old. Eight ro-ros are aged 26-30, eight more are 31-35, while only seven are in the 0-5 years bracket, while four

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Facebook Page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Ko is youngest major winner EVIAN—New Zealand’s Lydia Ko wrote another chapter of golfing history on Sunday when she became the youngest winner of a women’s major with a stunning final round 63 at the Evian Championship. The flawless eight-birdie round was the lowest score of the week and she finished on 268, 16 under par and six ahead of American Lexi Thompson (70). China’s Feng Shanshan also shot 70 and was third on eight under. Ko is 18 years 142 days – 171 days younger than Morgan Pressel when she won the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship. Back in February, aged 17, Ko became the youngest player to claim the world No. 1 ranking, although the

Evian victory still leaves her at No.2 behind South Korea’s Park In-Bee. She also holds the record as the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour, the first of her nine wins coming as a 15-year-old amateur at the 2012 Canadian Open. Ko, who finished second at Evian two years ago, was thrilled to achieve her dream of a first major title. Overcome with emotion, she came close to tears after holing the last of her eight birdie putts on the 18th.

“It’s pretty amazing,” she said. “This has been an awesome day and an unbelievable experience. Everyone has been asking me when I was going to win my fist major, and now it’s done. It’s so hard to get your hands on the first one. - enjoy the moment With a five shot lead coming down the last, she was able to savour the experience and appreciate the crowd support. “Jason (her caddie) told me to enjoy the moment and that’s when I could feel the tears coming. It was quite overwhelming and also a bit of a relief,” she continued. “Winning a major at any age is special, but to become the youngest is

pretty cool. It’s also nice that it is over – no one will ask me about it again.” Ko started the final round two shots behind South Korea’s Lee Mi-Hyang, who finished joint fourth with a 74, and was three behind Thompson after seven holes. But she birdied four holes between the seventh and 12th to take the lead and edged three ahead when Thompson, over the back and in deep rough from the tee, took a double-bogey five at the short 14th. The final few holes were a victory stroll. An up-and-down birdie at the long 15th stretched the lead to four, then it was five thanks to a 20 foot birdie putt at the 17th and six when she holed another 20-footer at the last. AFP

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko is kissed by French dairy food giant Danone Chairman Franck Riboud (left) and director of the Evian tournament, Jacques Bungert, as she celebrates with her trophy after winning the Evian Championship in the French Alps town of Evian-les-Bains. AFP

Chicano, Abad top duathlon FOR the third consecutive event this year, triathlete John Chicano won again, only this time, he had to overcome cramps as well as a major challenge from Standard Insurance’s prized duathlete Robeno Javier to win the title in the National Duathlon Championships at the Lantaw and Il Corso, South Road Properties in Cebu City recently. During the second loop of the second run leg of the competitive Standard Distance (10 Km run - 40 Km bike – 5 Km run) Elite competition, Chicano let the cramps settle and made his move to overtake Javier en route to finishing with a time of one hour, 56 minutes and 30 seconds. Javier, who had an ankle problem that prevented him going all out in the run, arrived less than a minute later (1:57:26) for the silver. The bronze, meanwhile, went to Joey Delos Reyes of Standard Insurance with a time of 1:59:45. In the distaff side of the event sponsored by Standard Insurance, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Inc., Diamond Suites & Residence, Omega Liniment Pro, Island Souvenirs, RaceDay, Kikay Runner, Magic 92.3 Cebu, SwimBikeRun.ph and PinoyFitness.com, national duathlete Mirasol Abad took advantage of Standard Insurance’s Miscelle Gilbuena’s pedal issues early in the race before cruising away alone to claim the title in 2:24:35.

3-time MVP Moses Malone dead at 60 WASHINGTON—Moses Malone, an American basketball Hall of Famer and three-time NBA Most Valuable Player who played for nine professional teams in a 21-year career, died Sunday at age 60. According to multiple reports, Malone died in his sleep of an apparent heart attack at a hotel in Norfolk, Virginia. Nicknamed “Chairman of the Boards” for his rebounding skills and “Big Mo” for his 6-foot-10 (2.08m) frame, Malone led the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title in his only championship campaign. “We are stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Moses Malone, an NBA legend gone far too soon,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “Known to his legions of fans as the ‘Chairman of the Boards,’ Moses competed with intensity every time he stepped on the court.” Asked how the 76ers would do in the playoffs before they began, Malone replied, “Fo’, Fo’, Fo’,” -- four, four, four -- for the 12 playoff wins over three series it then took to capture the NBA crown. The Sixers went 12-1 in the playoffs, losing only once, to Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference finals, and Malone was named NBA Finals MVP. The inscription “Fo’, Fi’, Fo,’” -- for the four, five and four games it actually took to claim the title -- was put on team championship rings. “It is difficult to express what his contributions to this organization -- both as a friend and player -- have meant to us, the city of Philadelphia and his faithful fans,” 76ers chief executive Scott O’Neil said. “Moses holds a special place in our hearts and will forever be remembered as a genuine icon and pillar of the most storied era in the history of Philadelphia 76ers basketball.”

Former NBA player Moses Malone arrives prior to the 2015 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. AFP

Leyte, Angelicum top girls’ spikefest LEYTE National High School and Angelicum Learning Center hacked out a pair of pulsating four-setters to top their respective regional competitions and earn berths in the national finals of the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League Season 13 recently. The Leyte NHS spikers swept their elimination round matches, trounced Liceo del Verbo Divino, 2513, 25-12, in the semis then bucked New Ormoc City NHS in the finals, 20-25, 26-24, 25-22, 26-24, to snare the Eastern Visayas leg of the event put up Shakey’s for the leading private and public school girls’ volley teams. The Angelicum tossers also dominated their side of the regionals, topping the group stages in emphatic fashion, bounced back from an opening set setback to repulse Quezon NHS, 16-25, 25-16, 25-12, in the Final Four before foiling Iligan City NHS, 20-25, 2520, 25-17, 25-18, to rule the Northern Mindanao leg of the tournament backed by Asics, Mikasa, Iloilo Doctors’ College and My Phone and organized by Metro Sports headed by Freddie Infante. Leyte and Angelicum thus joined Central Philippine U, University of San Jose-Recoletos and National U, which topped their respective regional elims, in the national finals of the annual event slated Nov. 8-14 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan City, Laguna.

3 teams clash for semis seat By Mikey Izumi CEBU City—Three teams -University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Cebu and Cebu Institute of Technology-University figure in an intense clash for the last slot in the Final Four of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI). The University of the Visayas Green Lancers, however, had one foot on the semis following an easy 84-49 win over winless University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, with Rey Suerte, who was later named Best Player of the Game finishing with 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. Lyndon Colina had an excellent overall game for the Panthers as he was the lone player who scored in doublefigures with 21 points. UV improved to solo second with an 8-2 record, while USPF remained winless after ten games. In the second game, the CITU Wildcats came from behind in the second half to turn back the UC Webmasters, 76-69. Viva Sports TV panelists Rico Navarro and Sandi Grumo named Allan Dimco as the Best Player of the Game after finishing with a double-double of 24 points, 19 rebounds and two assists while Jeffrey Taghoy and Joshua dela Cerna scored a combined 25 points as CIT-U improved to 4-6 at solo fifth spot.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Ringia, Velez win net meet

JANUS Ringia and Patricia Velez came away with two victories each in their respective divisions as they led the siege of the fancied bets in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Club in Gen. Santos City yesterday. The top seeded Ringia, one of the rising stars from Koronadal, survived No. 2 Vince Tugade’s gutsy plays and eked out a 6-1, 5-7, 10-7 victory to cop the boys’ 14-and-under crown then overpowered Klyde Lagarde, 6-0, 6-2, to annex the 16-U title in the four-day Group 3 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Technifibre, also the official ball. The top-ranked Velez, on the other hand, trounced Danna Abad, 6-2, 6-3, to pocket the girls’ 16-U plum before the Davaoena ace, as No. 2, scored a 6-3 (ret.) win over top seed Nicole Bautista to nail the premier 18-U diadem in the event held as part of the two-week long tennis festival hosted by the country’s tuna capital. “While the favorites dominated the event, Ringia and Pamplona were dragged into a pair of three-setters and Abad proved her worth in the girls’ side. Palawan Pawnshop will continue to support these young players by providing them year-round ranking tournaments,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Members of the Kaya FC Team, led by Captain Alexander Borromeo and Vice-captain Chris Greatwich.

Jason gets tough rival in US debut By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD Boxing Organization No. 2-ranked light welterweight Jason “El Nino” Pagara faces former World Boxing Association super featherweight Interim title challenger Santos Benavidez in “Pinoy Pride 33,” which marks ALA Promotions’ breakthrough offering at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on Oct. 17. It’s been a tough few weeks for ALA president Michael Aldeguer to sign up worthy opponents for Jason and his younger brother and undefeated IBF super bantamweight International champion Prince Albert Pagara, together with undefeated IBF Youth featherweight champion Mark Magsayo. But in the end, he got the job done. The 33-year-old Santos Benavidez has a record of 25-7-2 with 19 knockouts and is com-

ing off back-to-back wins over Jay Krupp, whom he knocked out in the eighth round on June 20 this year after scoring a firstround TKO over Cody Richard on May 8. Benavidez previously lost five fights in a row following his 12-round unanimous decision loss to Costa Rica’s Bryan Vazquez in a battle for the WBA super featherweight interim title on Nov. 3, 2011. The remarkable aspect of the losses of Benavidez was

that they were all against undefeated, top-class opponents, including current WBO No. 5 Jose Felix Jr., No. 10 Maurice Hooker, No. 11 Amir Imam and Denis Shavikov, who is scheduled to fight undefeated Rances Barthelemy for the vacant IBF lightweight title in November. After burning the wires for days, Aldeguer was able to sign up Nicaragua’s 34-year-old William “Chirizo” Gonzalez , a southpaw with an impressive record of 23 knockouts in 27 wins with 5 defeats to face Prince Albert Pagara. Aldeguer also got undefeated Yardley Suarez of Sinaloa, Mexico, who has 8 knockouts in 13 wins, to battle unbeaten Magsayo in a featherweight bout. Suarez is coming off a 9th round TKO in a scheduled ten round bout with Juan Beltran last August 14 after beating Adalberto Paredes on June 26.

Isuzu PH partners with Kaya in UFL ONE of the world leaders in diesel engine, Isuzu, with its local arm, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, will be venturing into a new sport through its recently cemented partnership with the 2015 UFL Cup Champion, Kaya Football Club. Kaya FC, a local football club established in 1996 competes with other teams in the United Football League, the premier football league in the Philippines. The club is one of the top contenders in the league, having been first runner-up in two seasons, 2010 and 2012. Recently, the club emerged as the champions in the 2015 UFL Cup held last month. Leading Kaya FC are Team Captain Alexander Borromeo and Vicecaptain Chris Greatwich, who have played for the Philippine national team football team (Azkals). Joining them is a pool of professional football players, OJ Porteria, Kenshiro Daniels and Louis Clark to name a few. Local football fans know Kaya FC as the team with the “Never say die” attitude, thus the name Kaya, which means “We can”. “Kaya FC is considered as one of

the strongest teams in local football. The club has a winning attitude combined with determination and perseverance – very much like an Isuzu vehicle which can withstand even the toughest terrain” said IPC President Hajime Koso. For the 2016 UFL, Isuzu will debut as the official vehicle partner for Kaya FC - making sure that the team will be able to transport their players and their equipment to and from stadiums in comfort and style. “When we thought of having a vehicle partner, we thought of something durable and reliable. Isuzu, with its proven performance, really fits the criteria” said Kaya FC General Manager Paul Tolentino. For the upcoming season, Kaya FC will be using the Isuzu D-MAX as their official transporter - Isuzu’s reliable pick-up that has always been associated with the sporty lifestyle. The D-MAX is versatile, adapted for both for utility and sports/recreational activities. With its large pick-up box and spacious cabin, this model is a good choice for football players and their crew, especially in carrying all their equipment.

Marquez rules San Marino GP; Rossi blows it SAN MARINO—Honda’s world champion Marc Marquez of Spain won an enthralling San Marino MotoGP on Sunday as Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi blew his chances with tactical errors and teammate Jorge Lorenzo crashed out. Marquez’s move to switch to slick tyres on a drying Misano circuit after rain led to his fourth win of the season in front of British duo Bradley Smith (Yamaha) and Scott Redding (Honda). “The bike was moving about and I thought it was time to change as the track was drying out and it was new asphalt,” said Marquez. “It’s nice to be here again on the podium and victory was our

target so I’m very happy,” added the Spaniard who becomes the first Honda rider to win at San Marino since compatriot Dani Pedrosa in 2010. Championship leader Rossi’s army of home fans looked on in bewilderment as the nine-time world champion failed to make the switch from wet tyres to slicks with seven laps to go, when he was in the lead, handing the race to Marquez. The ‘Doctor’ eventually settled for fifth place but it was still a successful day as Lorenzo’s crash meant Rossi extended his championship lead to 23 points over his Yamaha teammate with Mar-

quez now 63pts back with five races to go. “It‘s true that the championship is a lot more important than winning this race, it‘s the main target,” said Rossi. “Unfortunately Jorge crashed and I was able to gain another 11points. This is good for the championship, but it‘s a shame to miss out on the podium, because I wanted to arrive in the top three in front of all the spectators.” Redding rode a remarkable race after dumping his bike in the dirt only to get back up and finish third, the first time two British riders had finished on the podium since 1979.

Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides ahead of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi and Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa during the Moto GP race of the San Marino MotoGP, in Misano Adriatico. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Is Mayweather the best ever? LAS VEGAS—It was in the 11th round that it happened: Floyd Mayweather so brilliantly bamboozled Andre Berto that it was possible to buy into his claim of being “TBE”—The Best Ever. Certainly dozens in the crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday thought so, chanting “TBE! TBE!” as Mayweather earned a unanimous decision over the limited Berto. The widely expected victory gave the American, 38, a perfect 49-0 record to equal the feat of heavyweight legend Rocky Marciano. Mayweather said before the bout that he had achieved all he could from the fight game and Berto was to be his final victim -- and he repeated that assertion afterwards. But then it is not the first time the welterweight world champion has quit: he also did so in 2008. Whether he stays retired this time only time will tell, but fans, pundits and fighters are already evaluating

his glittering career and trying to work out what his legacy might be. The man himself was in reflective mood. “I’ve been in the sport 19 years and I don’t know anybody who’s been in the sport and made upwards of $800 million,” he said, handing more ammunition to critics who say Mayweather has been the best ever only in terms of knowing how to make more money from boxing than anyone else in history. “It’s crazy. I’ve been in the sport my whole life and they say I’m the best,” he added. “Every champion -- Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard -- there’s so many champions... Larry Holmes... the list goes on and on. “They opened the doors

to pave the way for me to be what I am today. I’m appreciative.” Dividing opinion Mayweather is a deeply polarizing figure. His fans rightly defend him as a deeply hard-working and magnificently gifted boxer who has perfected the art of avoiding getting hit. They also admire his undoubted business acumen that has made him the highest-earning sportsman in the world and say he has introduced a financial savvy never seen before in boxing. His critics dismiss him as an arrogant, moneyobsessed man and boring boxer who has dodged some of the best in the business simply to maintain his unbeaten record. Many cannot look beyond the incidents of domestic violence that saw him spend time behind bars. Evander Holyfield is in as good a position as anyone to judge where in the pantheon of boxing greats Mayweather ranks. AFP

Orcollo scores easy win in World 9-Ball By Ronnie Nathanielsz THE Philippines’ top player Dennis Orcollo scored an easy win in the second round of the World 9-Ball Championships at the Al Arabi Sports Club in Doha, Qatar and as reported by Ted Lerner on site, “looked very strong against Spain’s capable Francisco Diaz Pizarro,” winning easily, 9-4. Lerner reported that Filipino Antonio Gabica, who lives in Qatar and coaches the Qatar national pool team, “always seems to perform well in this event, and today he showed he is going to be a stingy opponent as he easily beat one of the Middle East’s best players, Kuwait’s Omar Alsheen, 9–3, while one of the Philippines’ rising young players, Jeffry Ignacio, who gained entry into the event

Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks during a post-fight news conference at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino after he retained his WBC/WBA welterweight titles in a unanimous-decision victory over Andre Berto in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Tigresses brace for big Ateneo fightback

by winning a qualifier, looked solid in a 9-7 win over Sweden’s Andreas Gerwen.” Lerner said with all matches on the losers’ side a do-or-die case, the tension began to rise, but most of the name players pulled through to give themselves one more chance to make the Final 64 singleelimination stage. Among them were Japan’s Kuribayashi Tohru, Qatar’s Waleed Majid, the Philippines’ Lee Van Corteza, Tawain’s Chang Jun Lin, the Netherlands’ Nick Van den Berg, England’s Karl Boyes, China’s Liu Haitao and Kuwait’s Al Shaheen, who all won their second matches to stay alive. The winner of the tournament will receive $30,000, while the runner-up will pocket $15,000.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas expects Ateneo to unleash its full might in tomorrow’s decider but the Tigresses remain confident of their chances for a repeat and a steal of the other finals berth in the Shakey’s VLeague Season 12-Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan City. The Tigresses came through with a gem of game and stunned the highly touted, erstwhile unbeaten Lady Eagles, 18-25, 25-16, 25-23, 2522, last Sunday to force a deciding Game Three in their semifinal playoff. The match is set at 4 p.m. tomorrow, also at The Arena.

Second seed National U booked the first championship berth in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s by sweeping Far Eastern U in their side of the Final Four, capped by a 2025, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16 romp, also last Sunday. Ennajie Laure, Carmela Tunay, Marivic Meneses, skipper Pam Lastimosa and Jessey de Leon took turns in the delivering the hits and made things tougher for Ateneo and league’s scoring leader Alyssa Valdez with their solid triple blocking and superb court coverage. “I always tell them that as long as they believe in themselves, they will always have

a chance even against top teams like Ateneo,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes in Filipino after steering the Tigresses to the big win. “If we could only play as tough as we did on Wednesday, we have a chance to beat them (Lady Eagles,” said Reyes. Ateneo coach Tai Bundit is expected to come up with key adjustments although emphasis will still be on Valdez, who still finished with 24 hits and drew a combined 23-point output from Bea de Leon and Kim Gequillana. But the Tigresses outhustled the Lady Eagles from the second set on, then showed grace un-

Pennetta barges into Top 10 of WTA world rankings PARIS—US Open champion Flavia Pennetta is up to eighth in the world rankings which are still headed by Serena Williams. The 33-year-old defeated fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in Saturday’s surprise final in New York for the first Grand Slam title of her career. She promptly then announced that she had already decided to retire

from competition at the end of the year. Vinci, who upset favourite and calendar-year Grand Slam seeker Williams in the semi-finals, moves up 24 places to 19th. The top four remain the same with Williams well clear of second-best Simona Halep, who lost to Pennetta in the semi-finals in New York. The WTA world rank-

ings at the conclusion of the US Open in New York: 1. Serena Williams (USA) 11,501 pts 2. Simona Halep (ROM) 6,780 3. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 5,795 4. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,295 5. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 3,570 (+1) 6. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,510 (-1)

7. Ana Ivanovic (SER) 3,440 8. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 3,317 (+18) 9. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3,305 10. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 3,215 (-2) 11. Angelique Kerber (GER) 3,150 12. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 3,070 (-2) 13. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2,836 (+1)

14. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 2,820 (+1) 15. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 2,735 (-3) 16. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2,650 (+1) 17. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 2,450 (+1) 18. Madison Keys (USA) 2,445 (+1) 19. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 2,430 (+24) 20. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 2,380 (-7) AFP Pennetta

Game tomorrow 4 p.m. • UST vs Ateneo

der pressure after blowing away big leads in the third and fourth frames. “This is volleyball,” was all Bundit could say as he stormed out of the playing venue after Tunay came through with kill off a combination play to wrap up the surprise win. The Thai mentor is expected to bounce back along with his Lady Eagles in tomorrow’s decider but the Tigresses are ready and raring to prove their worth again. After all, they’re the league’s winningest squad with six championships.

T UE S DAY : S E P T E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Gilas coach Baldwin: We’re still not at level we want By Jeric Lopez

DESPITE finishing second in the Jones Cup and winning the MVP Cup, Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin does not want the nationals to be complacent as the team heads to the 2015 FIBA-Asia Championship in eight days. The Kiwi-American coach said while he is happy with the progress that the nationals had shown after the two tune-up tournaments, he said he is far from being contented. Baldwin said there were a lot of positives that the team attained both in the Jones Cup and the recent MVP Cup, but

Knights take on Cardinals Games today( San Juan Arena) 10 a.m. • College of St. Benilde vs Jose Rizal (jrs) 12 nn. •Letran vs Mapua (jrs) 2 p.m. • CSB vs Jose Rizal (srs) 4 p.m. • Letran vs Mapua (srs)

added that his wards still need to sharpen up and get into tiptop form for the FIBA-Asia tilt. “We’ve had some good progress and improvement but we’re still not yet at the level that we want,’’ said Baldwin of his team’s status. “I’m not comfortable and I don’t want to be comfortable.’’ After going winless (0-3) in

Estonia for its first set of tuneup games, the Smart Gilas had improved considerably in the last two tournaments. Baldwin said that the nationals certainly benefitted from the tough competition that they got in the last three weeks. “For us, there’s really a lot of benefit coming out of those tournaments that we participated in,’’ said Baldwin. “We’re thrilled that we were able to achieve what we’ve achieved but the more important work still lies ahead and we know that these experiences we’ve had in our previous tournaments will help us a lot.’’ Even without naturalized star Andray Blatche, Smart Gilas

University of the Philippines’ Henry Asilum leaves University of Santo Tomas’ Sheak Sheriff behind, but is met by another UST defender in Kent Lao (19) as he soars for a basket in a UAAP game won by the Tigers, 67-59. PETER ATENCIO

By Peter Atencio THE Letran Knights may be on top of the heap, but coach Aldin Ayo said the team still has a lot of fine-tuning to do, especially on defense. Ayo emphasized this facet of the Knights’ game as Letran takes on neighboring school Mapua in today’s main offering at 4 p.m. in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena. Ayo said there were still kinks that the Knights need to iron out after the team scraped past a pesky College of St. Benilde Blazers side, 76-69, last Thursday. “Chain reaction ‘yun. Everytime na hindi maganda ang defense. Napu-frutrate kami, nadi-disappoint kami, naapektuhan ang offense namin,” Ayo said, who added that the Knights need to be in total control of their coming games as the tournament goes down the stretch. Enjoying the solo lead with an 11-2 card, the Knights will stretch their lead over the second-running San Beda Red Lions (10-3) with a win over the Cardinals (8-5), who will be playing without suspended coach Atoy Co. Co was suspended for two games by league commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal for his actions against the referees in a 70-66 victory over Lyceum last Friday. It was the second time Co was suspended after he was also banned for a game when he was ejected in an earlier game against the same team in the first round.

did quite well in the Jones Cup two weeks ago in Taipei, where it captured the country’s first silver medal after finishing with a 6-2 mark while last weekend, the nationals won the MVP Cup in front of their hometown crowd behind a 3-0 sweep. The MVP Cup is the last tune-up tournament the Philippine Team will head to Cebu City for further training before it plunges to action in Changsa, China for the big Asian tournament, which will be held from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3. The Philippine Team is looking to capture the gold medal in the FIBA-Asia tournament and earn the only ticket available for the continent in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

NU Lady Bulldogs, 2 others in contention WHILE the men’s team is struggling in its title-retention bid, the women’s squad of National University is doing just fine. The Lady Bulldogs routed Ateneo, 70-36 for their second straight victory Sunday in the UAAP Season 78 women’s basketball tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym. NU is currently tied with University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University in first place in the young season. The Tigresses shrugged off a poor first half to beat University of the Philippines, 58-52, while the Lady Falcons nipped Far Eastern University in overtime, 69-64. Reigning MVP Afril Bernardino shot 17 points, while her fellow national squad teammate Shelley Gupilan tossed in 14 markers as the Lady Bulldogs dominated right from the get go. Candice Magdaluyo had 12 points and five assists, while Maica Cortes and Shanda Anies added 10 markers for UST, which recovered from a dismal four-point second quarter output to prevail. Joy Cochico had a near tripledouble output of 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Myra Osano chipped in 15 markers for Adamson. In the other match, Snow Peñaranda had 15 points and 13 rebounds as last year’s runner-up De La Salle tripped a vastly improved University of the East side, 63-59, to tie its victims at 1-1. The Lady Eagles, the Lady Maroons and the Lady Tamaraws dropped to 0-2.

Tabuena-Lascuna duel looms at Tarlac Open golf MIGUEL Tabuena sets out for a follow-up to his come-from-behind victory at Wack Wack while Tony Lascuña seeks a payback as they brace for another spirited battle in the inaugural Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac beginning tomorrow. Tabuena rallied from four strokes down in the final round to beat a faltering Lascuña, snatch the ICTSI Open crown last Saturday and surge past the reigning three-time Order of Merit winner in the money race heading to the final two legs of the 15-stage ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour. The duo banners the elite field in

the 72-hole championship, which stakes a total prize fund of P2.5 million, including the top P450,000 purse, from the sponsoring Central Azucarera de Tarlac. It will mark the second time in 26 years that the Luisita layout will play host to big-time golf after its new owners, led by Martin Lorenzo, made some improvements to keep its mystique and make it more challenging. It hosted the ICTSI Luisita Championship last May with Cebuano Charles Hong besting a tough field to claim the victory. “I’ll try to redeem myself and strike back at Luisita,” said Lascuña, after turning in his worst final round of 79 at Wack Wack and

blowing away a four-stroke lead. But the veteran campaigner is upbeat of his chances at Luisita where he finished joint second with Orlan Sumcad and Marvin Dumandan to Hong the last time out. Hong is also in the fold, hoping to re-display the form that netted him his second pro championship, along with Jay Bayron, Rufino Bayron, Cassius Casas, Zanieboy Gialon, Mars Pucay, Elmer Salvador, Marvin Dumandan, Orlan Sumcad, Ferdie Aunzo, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Clyde Mondilla, Arnold Villacencio along with the comebacking Frankie Miñoza, who ruled the 1989 President’s Cup at Luisita.

American tenner Micah Shin has also signed up for the event, leading a crack roster of foreign challengers, who include Koreans Hong Soon Hyup, Lee Hyun Woo, Anthony Kim, Lyu Hyung Suk and Park Jun Song. But focus will be on Tabuena and Lascuña with the former, with P2,601,917 in winnings, also out to preserve his hold of the OOM lead against the latter, who dropped to second with earnings of P2,334,960. Third-running Angelo Que, who finished joined second with Lascuña at Wack Wack, has begged off to honor a previous commitment to compete in the Japan PGA Tour also slated this week.

T U E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS Djokovic aiming higher Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with his winning trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland during of their 2015 US Open Men’s singles ﬁnal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. AFP

NEW YORK—Only six men in tennis history have won more Grand Slam titles than Novak Djokovic, who captured his 10th major crown Sunday by defeating Roger Federer in the US Open final. World number one Djokovic downed the Swiss world number two 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to win his third Grand Slam title of the year and put himself among the sport’s elite, with a chance to take aim at the record 17 Grand slam singles crowns Federer has won. “We got to double digits now, and I’m flattered and honored to be a part of elite group of players, legends of our sports to manage to win this many Grand Slam trophies in their lives and careers,” Djokovic said. “To be just mentioned alongside them is truly something special.” Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras share second on 14 with Roy Emerson having taken 12 and Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg the next within reach of Djokovic on 11. “I’m 28. I have always valued the care for my body, and my mind,” Djokovic said. “I will continue on with the same kind of lifestyle. Hopefully this same kind of ap-

NZ teener Lydia Ko makes golf history TURN TO A12

proach will give me longevity and I can have many more years to come and many more opportunities to fight for these trophies.” Winning three Grand Slams in the same year was harder for Djokovic the second time around, but the Serbian star finds his success more fulfilling as well. Together with his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic matched his 2011 season by winning the same three Slams. “It’s definitely more difficult to repeat something like that than actually doing it for the first time,” Djokovic said. “I’m a different player, a different person today than I was 2011. As a father and a husband, experiencing different variety of things in my life, it’s completely different approach to tennis. “I feel more fulfilled. I feel more complete as a player than I was in 2011. Physically stronger, mentally more experienced and tougher, as well.” Djokovic won his second US Open title after 2011, but he has lost four other times in the championship match at Arthur Ashe Stadium -- in 2007 to Federer, 2010 and 2013 to Nadal and 2012 to Britain’s Andy Murray. But it was lessons learned in those defeats that taught him things vital to outlasting Federer on Sunday in a match delayed three hours by rain. “I think being in the situation before helped me to understand particular obsta-

cles that are on the way and how I need to overcome them,” Djokovic said. “I can’t really find a particular reason why I have not been so successful in the finals here as I am maybe in Melbourne, for example, or Wimbledon. But I’m glad that this tradition of losing in finals is broke now. Hopefully I can have more chances to fight for a trophy.” Djokovic did himself no favors with a slip and fall early in the match on a slick spot but escaped with only scrapes, bloodied but unbowed. “I slipped and hurt myself, but it was luckily nothing that was major,” he said. “The scratches I have all over the body, it’s just they are wounds basically. I didn’t twist anything. I didn’t hurt anything.” Djokovic would have had a calendar Grand Slam had he not lost to Stan Wawrinka in June’s French Open final, but he refuses to look at his glass as empty in any way. “It has been an incredible season. I’m very fortunate to experience a great success this year,” he said. “I won three out of four. It’s more than I could ask for. “Of course I do have lots of expectations and high ambitions...but sitting down here with this trophy and reflecting on what I have achieved, it’s quite incredible. So I’m definitely very satisfied and proud of that. “Tonight is a night that I’ll definitely remember for a long time.” AFP

Is Floyd the best ever? TURN TO A14

Aussie fighting for life after KO loss to PH boxer By Ronnie Nathanielsz AUSTRALIAN boxer Davey Browne Jr. is fighting for life after he was knocked out by Filipino Carlo Magali in a fight card in Ingleburn RSL Club last Friday night. The 28-year-old Browne, who has a record of 22-2-1 with 8 knockouts, was dropped in the 12th round of an International Boxing Federation regional/ World Boxing Council Eruasia Pacific super featherweight title bout. Australian Boxing Federation president Jihn McDougall, who was at ringside, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the scene was “horrific.” He said the Filipino fighter hit him with “a crashing punch and he was out cold before he hit the floor.” Boxing writer Ray Wheatley said Browne was in control early in the fight before being hurt by Magali in the sixth round. He was knocked down in Round 11, before a right hand ended the fight in the final round. Browne was ahead on points when he was knocked out. Multi-titled Australian boxing promoter Peter Maniatis told The Standard/ boxingmirror.com that Browne had been taken off a life-support system, but was breathing on his own. Browne was rocked by a punch to the head and briefly regained consciousness before being conveyed to Liverpool Hospital intensive care unit where he is in a critical condition with brain injuries. Former Browne Jr. trainer Paul Toweel was devastated but hopeful.

TUESDAY: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Peso fall increases water rates By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE two water concessionaires in Metro Manila said Monday they will increase the water rates next month, following the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar. Maynilad Water Services Inc. said the water tariff in the west zone would rise by P0.53 per cubic meter with the upward adjustment in the foreign currency differential in the fourth quarter. The adjustment, equivalent to 1.58 percent of the average basic charge of P33.60 per cubic meter, will take effect on Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015. Maynilad said there would be a minimal increase in the monthly bill of customers consuming 30 cubic meters and below. Those consuming an average of 10 cubic meters per month or less would see their monthly bill rise

by only P0.36, it said. Those consuming 20 cubic meters a month will see a monthly bill increase of P1.37, while those consuming 30 cubic meters would have an additional P2.80 in their monthly bill, the west zone concessionaire said. The peso lost 4.5 percent of its value against the US dollar since the start of the year, amid the volatilities in the financial markets. This forced the water firms to tap the FCDA mechanism under the agreement with state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. The peso closed Monday at

46.735 against the US dollar. FCDA is a tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to allow it to recover losses or give back gains arising from the fluctuating movements of the peso against other currencies. “This is because Maynilad pays foreign-dominated concession fees to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, as well as loans to fund projects that will improve service for its customers,” Maynilad said. East zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc. said it would also implement an FCDA of P0.05 per cubic meter, equivalent to 0.21 percent of the 2015 average basic charge of P25.25 per cubic meter effective next month. It said this would translate into an increase of P0.17 per month for residential customers consuming 10 cubic meters or less. Those consuming 20 cubic me-

ters will have an increase of P0.39 per month while customers who consume 30 cubic meters will have an increase of P 0.79 a month, it said. Maynilad provides water services in most of Manila, parts of Quezon and Makati cities, as well as the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila. Maynilad also provides water services to the cities of Bacoor and Imus and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite. Manila Water serves the east zone, including the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig and Marikina. It is also in charge for the southeastern parts of Quezon City and Sta. Ana and San Andres in Manila. In Rizal province, the Manila Water services the municipalities of San Mateo, Rodriguez, Cainta, Taytay, Angono, Baras, Binangonan, Jalajala, as well as City of Antipolo.

PSe comPoSite index Closing September 14, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

7,069.18 157.80

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing SEPTEMBER 14, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P46.735

46.20

47.00

HIGH P46.730 LOW P46.810 AVERAGE P46.771 VOLUME 507.900M

P435.00-P640.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.00-P43.95 Unleaded Gasoline P25.05-P28.40 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, September 14, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate

Brother’s commitment. Brother Industries Ltd. of Japan signs an agreement to cooperate with the Philippine government in expand-

ing its business, while positively contributing to the country’s economic growth. Brother opened a manufacturing plant for printing and media products in Batangas province in August 2013. Shown during the signing of the cooperation pact are (from left) Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima, President Benigno Aquino III, Brother Industries president Terry Koike and Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.8210

Japan

Yen

0.008295

0.3884

Pound

1.543700

72.2776

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129039

6.0417

Switzerland

Franc

1.033058

48.3688

Canada

Dollar

0.754489

35.3259

Singapore

Dollar

0.707914

33.1452

Australia

Dollar

0.706714

33.0891

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656254

124.3685

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266809

12.4923

Brunei

Dollar

0.705418

33.0284

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0033

Thailand

Baht

0.027722

1.2980

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.7494

Euro

1.133700

53.0810

Korea

Won

0.000846

0.0396

China

Yuan

0.156863

7.3445

India

Rupee

0.015057

0.7050

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.231750

10.8508

New Zealand

Dollar

0.629683

29.4824

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030736

1.4391 Source: PDS Bridge

Weather triggered Semirara mine collapse—Energy panel By Alena Mae S. Flores AN INVESTIGATION panel formed by the Energy Department has completed its report on the collapse of a coal mine in Antique province, saying weather was a critical factor that triggered the accident. The panel, however, required Semirara Mining and Power Corp., operator of the mine, to comply with several safety requirements before the government would lift the suspension of the company’s coal operating contract. The accident claimed the lives of nine miners on July 17.

“The investigation committee has already submitted and I wrote Semirara informing them of the findings [of the investigating panel],” Energy officer-in-charge Zenaida Monsada told reporters. Monsada said weather was a critical factor that triggered the accident in Semirara, as heavy rains caused the backfill of the north edge of the Semirara mine to collapse. Monsada said the investigating committee had recommended that Semirara undertake certain safety compliance such as hiring a technical consultant and submission of plan of operations for up

to three years. Monsada said Semirara had expressed its intention to comply with the safety recommendation but a team from the department would still visit the site to confirm the company’s compliance. “If we find sufficient compliance, the team will have to go back and check. If they want the suspension lifted, they have have to immediately comply with the requirements. There is no time frame, they just have to comply,” she said. The energy official said while it would be for the interest of the service contractors to operate

project at the soonest time, they “should follow the regulations.” “We cannot sacrifice safety,” she said. Monsada earlier ordered the immediate suspension of the operation of Semirara’s coal operating contract no. 5 following the accident. The Environmental Management Bureau of the Environment Department had lifted the suspension order on Semirara.’s environmental compliance certificate for its East Panian expansion project. Semirara received on Aug.10 an order from the Environment Department, lifting the suspension of the ECC “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 has agreed to implement comprehensive monitoring program to monitor slope movements and ground water conditions to ensure that slope stability is always with the prescribed standard. Semirara also agreed to submit a detailed assessment on the cause of slope failure, probable mechanism of slope failure and performance of monitoring.

TUESDAY: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Monday, SepteMber 14, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 17 30.45 10.4 890 1.01 100 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 12.02 19.6 6.12 625 0.225 78 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

2.89 68.6 96.10 83.50 42.5 15.7 20.45 7.21 715.00 0.420 81 16.50 56.85 93.95 298.2 32.15 136.2 1445.00 53.80

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 17 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 79 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 8.65 34.1 2.3 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

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

42.9 1.41 0.94 1.64 9.3 17.04 25.9 41.6 2.61 1.21 10.1 10.760 8.05 5.20 7.63 1.6 13.98 21.9 67.2 13.78 5.67 0.740 183.10 9.2 28.00 1.92 1.75 20.7 21 5.55 285.40 4.05 7.15 3.20 2.03 2.3 4.01 2.3 5 145 1.99 0.134 0.90 1.71 190 4.6 0.63 23.00 1.09

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.68 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 1.15 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 4.5 0.030 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179

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

0.425 57.9500 19.90 1.18 6.60 0.225 728 6.7 12.16 2.87 0.193 1257 5.95 69.00 3.5 4.81 6.4 0.55 12.5 5.04 7.55 0.0340 1.720 2.6 48.05 2.15 842.00 1.15 0.75 67.550 0.2800 0.1850

10.5 1.99

6.74 0.65

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc.

6.800 0.55

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

SHARES 5,885,312 426,533,173 120,070,015 98,393,616 111,986,339 2,057,033,898 2,820,497,843

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.8 2.65 68.95 67.2 97.90 96.25 85.50 83.55 42.6 42 15.5 15.12 20.45 20.2 7.27 7.27 700.00 700.00 0.430 0.425 83 81 17.98 16.80 58.00 56.75 95.5 93.95 300 297 32.2 32 139 136 1450.00 1445.00 54.00 53.40 INDUSTRIAL 43.4 42.9 1.5 1.36 0.96 0.91 1.64 1.6 9.3 9.25 16.98 16.84 27 25.9 42.05 41.6 2.6 2.57 1.26 1.2 10.14 10.08 11.080 10.86 8.05 7.95 5.70 5.22 7.88 7.59 1.6 1.6 14.48 14.02 22.4 21.55 69.5 66 13.78 13.78 5.7 5.6 1.010 0.730 189.00 184.00 9 8.8 31.00 30.00 1.91 1.86 2.09 1.78 21.3 21 21.5 21.2 5.65 5.5 294.20 285.60 4.05 4.03 7.25 7.15 3.25 3.14 2.03 1.99 2.3 2.26 4.03 4.01 2.35 2.1 5.59 5.1 145 144.8 2.02 1.94 0.137 0.136 0.90 0.88 1.82 1.70 192 189 4.74 4.5 0.64 0.63 22.60 22.50 1.08 1.05 HOLDING FIRMS 0.425 0.425 58.0000 56.5000 20.10 19.90 1.17 1.15 6.70 6.60 0.225 0.225 749.5 730 6.84 6.65 12.88 12.18 3.1 3.1 0.193 0.191 1262 1256 6.20 6.19 71.00 68.00 3.5 3.5 4.7 3.6 6.41 6.22 0.59 0.55 12.52 12.42 5.04 4.92 7.79 7.56 0.0380 0.0340 1.800 1.720 2.61 2.61 49.00 46.95 2.50 2.50 894.50 843.00 1.16 1.15 0.73 0.73 67.600 67.050 0.2750 0.2700 0.1850 0.1800 PROPERTY 6.800 6.770 0.58 0.55

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.75 68.95 97.20 85.00 42.6 15.5 20.2 7.27 700.00 0.425 82.5 16.80 56.95 95.5 297 32.05 138 1445.00 53.40

-4.84 0.51 1.14 1.80 0.24 -1.27 -1.22 0.83 -2.10 1.19 1.85 1.82 0.18 1.65 -0.40 -0.31 1.32 0.00 -0.74

107,000 10,590 2,578,320 943,970 261,600 49,500 7,600 1,400 90 250,000 1,127,360 143,000 4,530 3,200 28,070 132,100 228,500 720 6,570

43.3 1.5 0.96 1.62 9.25 16.98 26.25 42 2.57 1.25 10.1 11.080 7.95 5.49 7.61 1.6 14.08 22 66.5 13.78 5.69 1.000 188.20 8.8 31.00 1.86 1.9 21.3 21.5 5.5 286.80 4.05 7.20 3.25 1.99 2.27 4.02 2.35 5.59 144.8 1.94 0.136 0.88 1.82 192 4.6 0.63 22.60 1.07

0.93 6.38 2.13 -1.22 -0.54 -0.35 1.35 0.96 -1.53 3.31 0.00 2.97 -1.24 5.58 -0.26 0.00 0.72 0.46 -1.04 0.00 0.35 35.14 2.79 -4.35 10.71 -3.13 8.57 2.90 2.38 -0.90 0.49 0.00 0.70 1.56 -1.97 -1.30 0.25 2.17 11.80 -0.14 -2.51 1.49 -2.22 6.43 1.05 0.00 0.00 -1.74 -1.83

955,700 20,000 40,000 264,000 200 11,400 516,200 637,100 499,000 1,104,000 15,800 5,619,800 2,128,800 12,611,900 225,400 6,000 12,600 3,746,100 705,210 2,900 34,800 46,309,000 105,140 37,700 17,700 25,000 67,000 228,300 83,800 15,245,900 664,030 2,227,000 311,900 177,000 59,000 359,000 6,786,000 186,000 2,300 260 852,000 530,000 30,000 3,154,000 1,123,780 561,000 185,000 24,200 239,000

0.425 58.0000 20.00 1.17 6.70 0.225 749.5 6.73 12.60 3.1 0.193 1257 6.19 71.00 3.5 4.68 6.4 0.56 12.46 5.03 7.79 0.0370 1.760 2.61 46.95 2.50 894.50 1.16 0.73 67.050 0.2700 0.1800

0.00 0.09 0.50 -0.85 1.52 0.00 2.95 0.45 3.62 8.01 0.00 0.00 4.03 2.90 0.00 -2.70 0.00 1.82 -0.32 -0.20 3.18 8.82 2.33 0.38 -2.29 16.28 6.24 0.87 -2.67 -0.74 -3.57 -2.70

20,000 955,500 2,882,000 30,000 10,400 50,000 301,440 3,422,700 10,641,000 11,000 60,000 144,690 1,100 705,670 1,000 104,000 13,051,000 25,000 2,025,400 14,310,400 864,000 58,400,000 2,463,000 10,000 275,700 3,000 116,030 7,000 8,000 4,140 2,060,000 210,000

6.800 0.55

0.00 0.00

563,400 175,000

580,798.00 15,765,032 -30,666,396.50 9,582,915.00 -540,840.00 40,400.00 -63,000.00 -36,275,703.00 -11,928.00 -142,545.00 8,167,500.00 -1,990,250 18,237,464.00 536,250.00 6,887,765.00 -48,600.00 -50,856.00 -57,750.00 -17,243,645 -144,476.00 16,590,658.00 -11,084,148.00 -15,461,090.00 -927,088.00 -51,856,345.00 -31,100,171.50 -22,350.00 -353,360.00 5,188,989.00

873,080.00 15,394,110.00 57,765,370.00 7,051,760.00 716,525.00

91,810.00 -7,250.00 -3,060.00

45,332,664.00 -1,984,640.00 531,000.00

12,319,699.50 -10,891,119.00

52,140,350.00 11,722,536.00 -23,215,060.00 -60,183,495.00 19,702,075.50 -2,253,671.00 -3,908,972.00 -11,155,527.00 603,420.00 144,000.00 25,850.00 -10,102,120.00 67,027,165.00 -256,352.00 1,800.00 -1,324,932.00

52 Weeks

High Low 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

1.2 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 3.32 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 6.41 185 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 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 0.011 0.041 1.200 6.5 1.91 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Araneta Prop À’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport À’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

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) Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings PAL Holdings Inc. 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 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

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

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

70 525 8.21 12.28 111 1047 84.8

33 500 5.88 6.5 101 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PF Pref 2 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

High

VALUE 485,221,249.88 1,519,597,810.07 1,071,990,649.56 956,835,555.83 882,981,820.86 254,544,758.192 5,178,183,660.39

FINANCIAL 1,545.31 (UP) 19.46 INDUSTRIAL 10,681.55 (UP) 152.79 HOLDING FIRMS 6,588.64 (UP) 168.91 PROPERTY 2,900.93 (UP) 74.81 SERVICES 1,805.09 (UP) 27.61 MINING & OIL 11,247.25 (UP) 122.58 PSEI 7,069.18 (UP) 157.80 All Shares Index 4,025.61 (UP) 61.96 Gainers: 101 Losers: 64; Unchanged: 37; Total: 202

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.140 34.30 3.04 4.85 0.63 1.03 0.100 0.410 16.6 0.760 1.03 1.69 1.40 4.23 0.082 0.2500 7.5 28.80 1.55 3.2 19.60 0.7 7.6 0.650 5.200

1.140 1.140 1.140 35.95 34.15 35.95 3.05 3.02 3.03 4.8 4.77 4.77 0.65 0.63 0.63 0.97 0.96 0.97 0.103 0.099 0.102 0.410 0.410 0.410 17.3 16.68 16.96 0.780 0.760 0.760 1.03 1.01 1.01 1.71 1.69 1.69 1.43 1.40 1.42 4.32 4.25 4.25 0.084 0.078 0.078 0.2500 0.2440 0.2450 7.59 7.38 7.58 29.00 28.85 29.00 1.56 1.55 1.56 3.3 3.27 3.3 19.96 19.34 19.90 0.71 0.68 0.71 7.6 7.6 7.6 0.650 0.650 0.650 5.300 5.120 5.200 SERVICES 8.5 8.6 8.31 8.31 60.1 60.5 60.15 60.25 1.12 1.08 1.08 1.08 0.520 0.530 0.520 0.530 11.7 11.74 11.74 11.74 6.60 6.76 6.59 6.63 0.0610 0.0660 0.0590 0.0620 3.72 3.8 3.55 3.8 87 89.6 87.3 88.35 1.81 1.7 1.61 1.7 5.10 5.00 4.52 5.00 2520 2568 2500 2568 6.15 6.25 6.15 6.25 1.15 1.23 1.15 1.23 87.4 88.95 87.8 87.9 4.10 4.31 4.31 4.31 0.010 0.011 0.010 0.011 0.156 0.161 0.156 0.157 1.4300 1.4400 1.3900 1.4400 8.23 8.28 8.19 8.26 2.56 2.68 2.48 2.68 0.600 0.610 0.580 0.600 2 2.06 2 2.06 5 5.02 4.91 4.92 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 106.90 105.00 104.90 105.00 18.48 18.54 18.50 18.54 2346.00 2402.00 2350.00 2402.00 0.600 0.600 0.590 0.590 1.110 1.160 1.110 1.150 31.30 32.00 31.30 32.00 67.35 68.90 67.30 68.00 5.61 5.84 5.55 5.65 6.24 6.42 6.21 6.27 0.51 0.52 0.49 0.49 3.75 3.81 3.5 3.5 0.330 0.330 0.315 0.330 2.360 2.510 2.370 2.500 MINING & OIL 0.0058 0.0059 0.0056 0.0058 2.30 2.25 2.25 2.25 4.55 4.90 4.51 4.90 0.190 0.181 0.180 0.180 5.7800 6 6 6.0000 0.73 0.73 0.68 0.73 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.63 5.90 5.91 5.86 5.90 1.14 1.15 1.11 1.13 0.295 0.295 0.280 0.290 0.184 0.184 0.181 0.184 0.011 0.011 0.010 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 2.04 2.03 1.94 1.94 7.48 7.49 7.31 7.38 3.03 3.05 2.96 3.01 1.3100 1.2800 1.2700 1.2700 0.0088 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 3.76 3.78 3.76 3.78 5.09 5.100 4.910 4.97 1.46 1.460 1.380 1.38 0.0099 0.0100 0.0100 0.0099 133.30 1.39 133.50 137.50 2.5 2.51 2.4 2.4 PREFERRED 60 60 59.9 60 526.5 526.5 526.5 526.5 6 6.11 6 6.11 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.07 108 110 108 108 1016 1016 1016 1016 80.5 80.75 80.5 80.75 WARRANTS 3.110 3.160 3.080 3.160 SME 3.6 3.6 3.21 3.3 58 56 56 56 11.06 11.14 11 11.1 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113.4 115 113.7 115

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

0.00 4.81 -0.33 -1.65 0.00 -5.83 2.00 0.00 2.17 0.00 -1.94 0.00 1.43 0.47 -4.88 -2.00 1.07 0.69 0.65 3.12 1.53 1.43 0.00 0.00 0.00

1,000 8,648,000 6,329,000 260,000 2,799,000 26,000 2,580,000 40,000 4,691,300 15,000 2,011,000 11,993,000 786,000 29,235,000 400,000 270,000 104,500 1,372,500 17,000 30,000 13,052,900 52,000 90,400 40,000 10,704,600

-2.24 0.25 -3.57 1.92 0.34 0.45 1.64 2.15 1.55 -6.08 -1.96 1.90 1.63 6.96 0.57 5.12 10.00 0.64 0.70 0.36 4.69 0.00 3.00 -1.60 0.00 0.00 -1.78 0.32 2.39 -1.67 3.60 2.24 0.97 0.71 0.48 -3.92 -6.67 0.00 5.93

341,700 13,630 1,000 12,000 28,900 3,459,100 47,150,000 168,000 1,036,440 3,000 21,100 79,560 66,800 237,000 1,169,450 1,000 7,500,000 1,340,000 684,000 394,200 231,000 36,000 11,000 2,279,000 10,000 1,000 130 92,600 70,015 705,000 14,202,000 2,029,300 836,840 14,518,900 2,058,700 2,796,000 7,063,000 80,000 893,000

0.00 -2.17 7.69 -5.26 3.81 0.00 1.61 0.00 -0.88 -1.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 -4.90 -1.34 -0.66 -3.05 -3.41 0.53 -2.36 -5.48 -1.00 3.15 -4.00

1,828,000,000 174,000.00 9,000 858,000 156,020.00 90,000 200 2,228,000 205,000 317,000 -58,700.00 3,172,000 941,120.00 320,000 3,350,000 -36,600.00 83,300,000 116,600,000 -1,100.00 486,000 -311,220.00 4,273,000 -7,153,741.00 745,000 -26,590.00 130,000 12,800.00 6,000,000 6,000 1,339,300 -339,943.00 1,091,000 -213,350.00 2,600,000 1,347,720 -968,820.00 468,000 -48,800.00

0.00 0.00 1.83 0.94 0.00 0.00 0.31

103,710 50 106,700 74,000 1,600 2,900 19,000

1.61

68,000

-8.33 -3.45 0.36

36,000 8,910 547,900

-341,636.00

1.41

2,680

-34,110.00

26,528,150.00 -6,493,650.00 -1,211,730.00 -386,260.00 -23,280.00 -14,679,574.00 -264,170.00 -754,320.00 -569,000.00 -11,708,010.00 -5,000.00 1,508.00 23,415,880.00 -2,695,522.00 687,040.00 -29,278,872.00

-2,094,555.00 -10,918,788.50 -13,870,440.00 -10,081,527.50 100,790.00 18,580.00 1,260,321.00

-4,763,752.00 4,198.00 -226,832.00 -35,230,540.00 35,065,660.00 37,597,137.00 -517,180.00 -9,227,410.00 -1,327,890.00 -6,754,100.00

-1,793,021.50 -616,622.00

80,750.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Ionics Inc

1.000

35.14

Makati Fin. Corp.

3.3

-8.33

Seafront `A'

2.50

16.28

Travellers

3.5

-6.67

Roxas Holdings

5.59

11.80

Discovery World

1.7

-6.08

Liberty Flour

31.00

10.71

City & Land Dev.

0.97

-5.83

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.011

10.00

PhilexPetroleum

1.38

-5.48

Pacifica `A'

0.0370

8.82

Basic Energy Corp.

0.180

-5.26

Mabuhay Vinyl

1.9

8.57

Marcventures Hldgs., Inc.

1.94

-4.90

F&J Prince 'B'

3.1

8.01

MRC Allied Ind.

0.078

-4.88

Atlas Cons. `A'

4.90

7.69

AG Finance

2.75

-4.84

Harbor Star

1.23

6.96

Lafarge Rep

8.8

-4.35

TUESDAY: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

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

SMC says status quo to prevent rate hike By Alena Mae S. Flores

Ilocos products. Agriculture Undersecretary Emerson Palad (left) shows Samik Sundar Das (second from left), World Bank task team leader for the Philippine Rural Development Project, products on display from the Ilocos region during the Luzon A Cluster leg of the First World Bank Implementation Support Mission to the Agriculture-led PRDP. Through the PRDP’s enterprise development and rural infrastructure development components, a number of Ilocano products will get support from production to marketing. With them during the exhibit tour are PRDP Luzon A Cluster project director Andrew Villacorta (second from right) and Regional Project Coordination Office 1 director Valentino Perdido.

Bloomberry re-opens Jeju casino this month By Jenniffer B. Austria

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., the casino and resort operator owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr., is set to re-open its newly-acquired casino in Jeju Island in South Korea this month. Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the casino would be under new management of Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, which is 96.23-percent owned by Bloomberry unit Solaire Korea Co. Ltd. “We are very excited to introduce Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino starting out with the re-opening

of this world-class casino after only less than four months. This is our first operating overseas property, and we exerted much effort to put in place the ambiance and amenities that would enrich the gaming experience,” Razon, chairman and chief executive of Bloomberry, said. The re-opening of Jeju Sun Hotel

& Casino would enable Bloomberry to start generating income from its first overseas investments. Bloomberry said re-opening the casino this month was the first phase of a multi-stage refurbishment plan initiated in May. After the ongoing renovation schedule, the second phase is expected to be completed by December 2015. The refurbishment of the casino facilities will cover the main lobby and new dining options. Under the new management of Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, the newly-renovated casino boasts of the latest state-of-the-art table games and electronic gaming equipment

open to foreign guests only. “The Jeju Sun Casino, with its professional dealers, entertaining atmosphere and new Players Club reward system, is seen to enhance the travel experience while in Jeju,” Bloomberry said. The newly-branded Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino will offer energetic entertainment and premium gaming facilities and South Korea’s premier selection of the latest electronic games and slot machines. The Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino, boasting Jeju’s newest casino, is located just five minutes away from the Jeju International Airport.

SAN Miguel Global Power Corp. asked Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. to respect the 17-day temporary restraining order issued by a local court against the termination of the independent power producer contract of South Premiere Power Corp. San Miguel also asked PSALM to refrain from issuing “misleading statements” about the case, saying they were based on erroneous computation of claims. The conglomerate noted that the “status quo” should be observed to stem public perception the case could result to a disruption in supply or an escalation of prices. Souuth Premiere is the IPP contractor for the output of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan power plant in Batangas province. SMC Global Power expressed concern that the termination would lead to higher electricity prices, as PSALM could trade the output of the power plant in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. The WESM acts as the trading floor of electricity where prices are more volatile based on demand and supply. SMC Global Power said power prices would remain stable as long as the status quo remained in place. The company said by “illegally terminating” the IPPA agreement for the Ilijan power plant, PSALM was going against its mandate and reversing the privatization of the power generation asset. PSALM claimed that the TRO ran counter to the provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, or Epira, directing the agency to manage the orderly sale and privatization of the generation assets of National Power Corp., including independent power producer contracts. Global Power said PSALM met its mandate to privatize the assets when it awarded the IPPA agreement over the Ilijan plant. “In illegally terminating the IPPA agreement, however, PSALM is reversing the privatization of an NPC asset, in violation of its mandate under the EPIRA,” South Premiere said.

Stock market surges; SM Investments, Ayala issues advance THE stock market surged Monday as investors assessed the prospects for an increase in US interest rates. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 157.80 points, or 2.3 percent, to 7,069.18 on a value turnover of P5.18 billion. Gainers swamped losers, 101 to 64, with 37 issues unchanged. “Some investors are speculating that the Fed may have to delay its decision to raise interest rates due to the slowdown in some economies,” Agus Yanuar, president director and head of investment at PT Samuel Aset Manajemen in

Jakarta, said by phone. “The Fed announcement will remove a lot of uncertainties from the market and investors can move on. I might buy some stocks if their valuations get depressed significantly.” Ayala Land Inc. advanced 4.8 percent to P35.95, while parent Ayala Corp. climbed 3 percent to P749.50. SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. surged 6.2 percent to P894.50. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. rose 3.2 percent to P137.50 after the Energy Department virtually absolved the coal mining

and power company from a landslide that killed nine workers in July this year. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications firm, gained 2.4 percent to P2,402, while DMCI Holdings Inc. rose 3.6 percent to P12.60. Shanghai, meanwhile, tumbled at the end of a volatile day of trade Monday following another round of disappointing Chinese data, while regional investors were moving cautiously ahead of a crucial US interest rate decision at the end of the week.

There was little reaction to news that Beijing intends to overhaul its vast state-owned firms in a bid to give a boost to the world’s number two economy, while an earlier rally in some riskier assets petered out. China on Sunday released a fresh round of figures that underline weakness in its huge economy--the main driver of global growth--following soft reports last week. The government said growth in industrial production increased below expectations in August while retail sales accelerated a little more

than forecast. And fixed asset investment grew in January-August at its slowest pace in 15 years. “The flood of August data shows that the Chinese economy is still struggling, despite efforts to provide policy support,” Richard Jerram, chief economist at Bank of Singapore, said in a report. Most regional markets were lower at one point but some late buying helped some into positive territory by the end. Shanghai ended 2.67 percent down and Seoul shed 0.51 percent. Hong Kong closed up 0.27 percent. With Bloomberg, AFP

New financial center.

The Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, Landbank of the Philippines Leasing Corp., and Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. sign a memorandum of agreement as part of their plan to build and develop the Financial Center in Fort Bonifacio, which will house the SEC, IC and PDIC national offices. Shown during the signing ceremony are (from left) IC commissioner Emmanuel Dooc, SEC chairman Teresita Herbosa, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran, PDIC president Cristina Orbeta and LBC Leasing president and chief executive Manuel Lopez.

4 govt agencies moving to Fort By Gabrielle H. Binaday

FOUR government agencies will soon relocate their offices at the Financial Center in Fort Bonifacio City to improve their services to the public. The Finance Department said four government agencies signed an agreement Monday finalizing the guidelines on the construction of a financial center in the business district of Taguig City . The four agency heads who signed agreement were Securities and Exchange Commission chairwoman Teresita Herbosa, Insurance Commissioner

Emmnuel Dooc, Land Bank of the Philippines-Leasing Corp. president Manuel Lopez and Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. president Cristina Orbeta. The financial center under the agreement will be called Financial Regulator’s Center, a 5,000 square-meter property along Lawton Avenue in Taguig City. Land Bank Leasing and the IC obtained the property from the

Bases Conversion and Development Authority in September last year. Heads of the SEC, IC, Land Bank Leasing and parent Land Bank of the Philippines and PDIC will serve as the steering committee of the project with the Finance secretary acting as as chairman to decide on matters related to the financial center. Land Bank Leasing will handle the funding and construction of the center, according to the agreement. The SEC, IC and PDIC will be responsible for the budget required in the acquisition of their respective office units in the financial center.

They will enter into a leaseto-own arrangement with Land Bank Leasing in the building and may make advanced payment to reduce costs subject to existing government rules and regulations. The agreement will serve as the agencies’ legal obligation in the project. The Philippine Stock Exchange will move its headquarters from Makati City to Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City by the end of 2016. The Philippine Stock Exchange, meanwhile, said in May it also signed a deal with Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. to acquire office units in Bonifacio Global City for P805.37 million.

FBDC broke ground on the new PSE headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in 2012. The new PSE offices, which will be housed in a P3.5-billion, grade AAA multi-tower complex, will rise in the planned One Bonifacio High Street district, a 3.2-hectare, premium mixed-use block west of the existing Bonifacio High Street commercial strip. The office space was in exchange for the 2,000-square meter parcel of land originally donated to the PSE by FBDC as the site for future headquarters more than a decade ago. Aside from the PSE, the new office building will be home to at least 100 active brokers.

Monetary Board OKs another foreign bank By Julito G. Rada THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the application of another foreign lender planning to enter the domestic banking industry. The latest approval brought to six the number of foreign banks whose applications were approved by the board this year. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. declined to reveal the identity of the bank. “There was an approval. But the bank did not make a disclosure yet, so I can’t say,” Espenilla said in a text message. The Bangko Sentral refrains from disclosing the names of approved foreign banks because they are listed firms in the country where they are based. The bank regulator only does so after these banks already made a disclosure. The Bangko Sentral in July approved the application of Taiwanbased Yuanta Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., which was taking full control of the Makati-based thrift bank Tongyang Savings Bank from its affiliate Yuanta Securities Korea. Yuanta’s application became the fifth approved this year by the Bangko Sentral since the domestic banking industry was further liberalized in 2014 to lure more foreign direct investors. The Bangko Sentral earlier this year approved the applications of Industrial Bank of Korea, Shinhan Bank of Korea, the Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., and Taiwan-based Cathay United Bank.

New Starbucks store. Starbucks Reserve, which offers world’s rarest, most exotic and flavorful coffees, recently opened at The Sapphire Bloc, Ortigas Center’s newest lifestyle destination. Other Starbucks Reserve stores include Starbucks Eight Forbes Town and Starbucks Central Square in Bonifacio Global City, Starbucks Keyland Centre and Starbucks Signa Residences in Makati City and Starbucks Tomas Morato in Quezon City.

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

Isuzu investing P1b in Laguna Politicos and social media THE late Senator Genaro M a g s ay s ay, who served two terms in the Senate in the 1960s, was well known for his philosophy: “No talk, no mistake.” His dictum, expressed at a time when the Internet was still being built on the back of an obscure US Defense Department program, seems even more salient today, when social media and online commentary play an increasingly important role in politics. The Liberal Party candidate for president, Manuel Roxas II, was made acutely aware of this last week, when he drew heavy fire for a post on his Facebook page recalling the Sept. 9, 2013 siege of Zamboanga City where more than 200 people died and 100,000 people were displaced in three weeks of urban warfare between government forces and rebels belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front. “Hi, fellow veterans of the Zamboanga siege, Happy anniversary!” Roxas said in the original post. “Just wanted to take a moment and reflect and thank you for your leadership and commitment to welfare of our people and country. Maraming salamat. Being with you all those 21 days has touched me indelibly. Know that our country stands strong and our flag flies high because of you and the men and women like you. We battle on! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.” When it became apparent that the flippant greeting angered many Zamboanga residents who felt it was insensitive and disrespectful, the words “happy anniversary” were edited out minutes later. Trying to do damage control, Roxas later said he only wished to greet Zamboanga residents and government forces for their unity and determination to keep peace and order in the city during the siege. “It was in this sense that I greeted our compatriots and comrades. To those who may have taken offense, none was intended,” he said. In the United States, presidential aspirant Donald Trump has been generally unapologetic for his instances of online foot-in-mouth disease. But last week, a two-year-old tweet from his Twitter account vanished on the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The deleted 2013 tweet read: I would like to extend my best wishes to all, even the haters and losers, on this special date, September 11th.” Taking note of the deletion, the international human rights group Access criticized Twitter for disabling Plitwoops, a tool to keep track of politicians’ deleted tweets. “Every day, politicians make decisions that affect all of us,” said Deji Olukotun of Access. “We need to know what’s in their heads yesterday, today, and beyond. We can’t depend on how they spin it later….That’s why we need Politwoops. We can’t let public officials delete their past.” On the Plitwoops website (http://politwoops.sunlightfoundation.com/), Christopher Gates, president of the Sunlight Foundation, related how Twitter reversed its decision to allow the group to curate deleted tweets from US lawmakers and those seeking public office in June. “When we launched Politwoops three years ago, our goal was to create accountability and a public record for the messages elected officials and candidates for president, vice president, Congress and governor published on social media, particularly those public statements they delete,” Gates wrote. “What our elected officials say is a matter of public record, and Twitter is an increasingly important part of how our elected officials communicate with the public… “Unfortunately, Twitter’s decision to pull the plug on Politwoops is a reminder of how the Internet isn’t truly a public square. Our shared conversations are increasingly taking place in privately owned and managed walled gardens, which means that the politics that occur in such conversations are subject to private rules.” In August, Twitter announced that it was suspending API access to all remaining Politwoops sites in 30 countries around the world. The Open State Foundation, which promotes digital transparency, decried Twitter’s decision. “Politwoops began in the Netherlands in 2010 at a hackathon. Since then it has been further developed by Open State Foundation, turning it into a useful tool for journalists and spreading it to 30 countries, from Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, the UK and France to the Vatican and the European Parliament. In 30 countries, it automatically monitored politicians’ profiles (elected members of national parliaments) for deleted tweets and made them visible,” the organization said in a statement. Its director, Arjan El Fassed, added: “What elected politicians publicly say is a matter of public record. Even when tweets are deleted, it’s part of parliamentary history... What politicians say in public should be available to anyone. This is not about typos but it is a unique insight on how messages from elected politicians can change without notice.” Here in the Philippines, monitoring what politicians say and later delete online is no less important to the democratic process. This is particularly true as more politicians take their messages online. Already, more than half of the 290 active legislators in the House of Representatives and all of the 24 senators have Facebook pages—even though most of them just upload photos when they do update those pages. Column archives and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

By Othel V. Campos

A UNIT of Isuzu Philippines Corp., the authorized distributor of Isuzu vehicles in the country, is investing P1 billion in a facility that will manufacture two auto components at Laguna Technopark in Biñan, Laguna, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said Monday. Isuzu Autoparts Manufacturing Corp. will spend P765 million for the production of MVL transmission units and P235 million for the production of trunk case cover. “There has been a lot of expansion lately even for automotive parts manufacturers. It’s good that they are maximizing the value of their investments in the Philippines. We hope to hear more of this kind of good news,” said Peza director general Lilia de Lima said.

Isuzu Autoparts said the investment would generate 45 new jobs and add $200 million to its annual export revenues. The company currently manufactures and assembles transmission units of Isuzu vehicles. Meanwhile, Isuzu Philippines emerged as third biggest car company in terms of sales this year, next to Toyota Motor Philippines and Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp.

Industry sales report showed the company sold 14,213 vehicles in the first eight months of 2015, or 69 percent higher than a year ago. The figure also exceeded its fullyear sales of 14,134 units in 2014. “While the automotive industry in the country has experienced an 11-percent drop on the commercial vehicle segment last month, Isuzu remained strong and showed a positive outcome in terms of sales,” said Isuzu Philippines president Hajime Koso. Isuzu sold 1,896 units in August, with the flagship vehicle Isuzu mu-X leading the models with 880 units. Isuzu Crosswind AUV and DMax pick-up truck also showed steady growth, selling 330 and 291 units respectively, in August. Isuzu also maintained its top position in the Category III lightduty trucks last month, with total sales of 261 units.

US preference. American Apparel and Footwear Association chairman Rick Helfenbein (third from left) pays a courtesy call on Trade Gregory Domingo (second from left). Helfenbein shared with Secretary Domingo his association’s initiatives on the United States’ Generalized System of Preferences, which provides duty-free access to eligible products from GSP beneficiary countries, including the Philippines. With them are Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. (left) and Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines executive director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo (right).

AEV-CRH hikes Lafarge stake to 99% By Jenniffer B. Austria AEV-CRH Holdings Inc., a 60:40 joint venture if conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and CRH International of Ireland, has raised its stake in listed cement maker Lafarge Republic Inc. to 99.09 percent, after conducting a tender offer. AEV said in a disclosure to the stock exchange AEV-CRH accepted from the public a total of 596,494,186 shares, representing 10.24 percent of the outstanding shares of LRI at the end of the tender offer on Sept. 9. The tendered shares will be crossed through the Philippine Stock Exchange on Sept. 15. AEV-CRH conducted a tender offer after it acquired a 88.54-percent interest in LRI for roughly P53.1 billion from the

major shareholders . AEV-CRH said it planned to delist LRI from the PSE. “After it acquires control of LRI, AEV-CRH intends to cause LRI’s newly-elected board of directors to approve the filing of an application for voluntarily delisting of the LRI shares with the PSE,” AEV said. PSE said it would impose a trading suspension of LRI shares, after the completion of the cross of the tendered shares, as LRI’s public float would fall below the 10-percent minimum public ownership requirement of the exchange. “The exchange will implement a trading suspension on the shares of LRI after completion of the cross of the tendered shares, which is scheduled Sept. 15, 2015. The exchange will apprise the investing public of further develop-

ments on the matter,” PSE said. Share price of LRI closed lower by P0.40 to P8.80 per share on Monday. AEV gained P0.50 on Monday to close at P58. AEV earlier said that it planned to invest P24 billion to fund its cement venture. It also recently signed a $400-million loan agreement with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. to partially finance the company’s cement venture. AEV said its move to invest in the cement business would support the group’s thrust to develop infrastructure as one of its core businesses and to create a more diversified income source for the conglomerate. AEV earlier said it expected full implementation and completion of the LRI transaction in the second half of the year.

TUESDAY: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

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Aboitiz, Uy Gongco join forces By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. teamed up with flour producer La Filipina Uy Gongco Corp. to bid for the right to manage the 210-megawatt output of the Mindanao coal fired power plant in November. Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said the company agreed to join La Filipina Uy Gongco in bidding for the selection and appointment of the independent power producer administrator of the coal plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. “We’re definitely going for it and we will be very aggressive. We’re partnering with La Filipina. As a matter of fact, they have the majority… The bidder is La Filipina [and] we’re partnering with them,” Moraza said. Iloilo-based La Filipina Uy Gongco Group, a conglomerate headed by businessman Alfonso Uy that produces flour and bakery products, has a 15-percent interest in Steag State Power Inc., which operates the coal facility.

Steag GmbH of Germany owns a 51-percent stake while Aboitiz has 34 percent. Mindanao coal plant was constructed in 2006 under a 25-year build-operate-transfer-power purchase agreement that would last until 2031. It supplies a fifth of the power requirement of Mindanao. The IPPA contract involves the procurement of the power plant’s fuel requirements and the management of the contracted energy output of the facilities, including the sale of power and offering of ancillary services. Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. earlier said around six companies were expected to participate in the bidding to manage the output of the

Mindanao coal plant. PSALM president Lourdes Alzona said from the original 12 interested parties, around 10 to 11 companies bought bid documents in preparation for the bidding. Some of the companies forged joint ventures, which effectively trimmed the number of interested parties. PSALM set the bidding on Nov. 25. Alzona said the bidders were informed of the proposed threeyear lock-in period, which meant the winning bidder could not increase its supply cost to the electric cooperative for three years. PSALM and the Energy Department previously came up with a compromise that paved the way for an IPP to administer and manage the contract of the Mindanao coal plant. Former Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla wanted to suspend the bidding of the Mindanao coal contracts to protect Mindanao customers against higher electricity prices. Petilla said electric cooperatives would be forced to take the price of the winning IPP administrator.

‘Hotel Personality of the Year.’ InterContinental Hotels Group Philippines area general manager Christian Pirodon (second from left) is named Hotel Personality of the Year during the 25th SKAL Tourism Personality Award by the SKAL Club of Makati City, Philippines. The award is given in recognition of Pirodon’s role as general manager of the three-year old hotel Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. The awards committee cited Pirodon’s unblemished 40-year record in the hotel industry and how his contribution reshaped the hotel business style in the Philippines. The SKAL is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world that promotes global tourism and friendship.

Qantas adding more Manila-Sydney flights QANTAS Airways will add more flights between Manila and Sydney, Australia as a result of increasing demand from travelers. Services from Manila to Sydney will increase from four to five a week between early December 2015 and late March 2016 to offer more capacity during the peak holiday season. Qantas International chief executive Gareth Evans said the airline was pleased to offer customers in Manila more choice to Sydney, on a route that is experiencing strong demand from customers. “We’re pleased to add to the seasonal services we’re set to operate

from Asia later this year, with the fifth weekly Manila flight again representing the dynamic nature of our network, which has the flexibility to offer our customers more flights during peak seasons,” said Evans. The fifth weekly Manila-Sydney service will operate on Sundays from December 6, 2015 and March 20, 2016, a peak day for business travelers to arrive in Sydney as the working week begins. Timing differs from Qantas’ year-round services to Manila, which operate four days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

No First World Status for PH Anytime Soon—2 THIS is a follow-up to my recent column, titled “No First World Status for PH Anytime Soon,” regarding the recent statements by President Aquino that the Philippines could graduate to First World status by the year 2030. It has been prompted by the Edsa traffic crisis and the publication of the findings of the Second Quarter 2015 Survey on Poverty of the polling organization SWS (Social Weather Stations). The survey’s main finding was that 51 percent of the 1,200 respondents nationwide, answering the question “Where would you place your family in this card--not poor, on the line, or poor?”, stated that they were poor. The by-region figures were 70 percent for Mindanao, 58 percent for the Visayas, 43 percent for Luzon outside of Metro Manila and 33 percent for Metro Manila. The 51 percent selfrated poverty figure translated into 11.2 million families. The survey’s other major finding related to food-poverty. The survey found that 37 percent of the self-rated poor families believe that they were food-poor and that 18.1 percent of the families that rated themselves poor experienced hunger at least once in the three-month period immediately preceding the survey, 15.6 percent experienced moderate hunger-- i.e., hunger “only once” or “a few times”--and 2.4 percent experienced severe hunger, i.e., hunger “often” or “always.” Overall, 8.1 million families rated themselves as food-poor. The by-region figures for food-poverty were 58 percent for Mindanao, 40 percent for the Visayas, 29 percent for Luzon outside Metro Manila and 23 percent for Metro Manila. The continuing gridlock that characterizes the traffic situation in this country’s premier metropolis is the most vivid manifestation of one of the greatest obstacles to rapid and sustained Philippine development. I refer to what can succinctly be described as its infrastructure deficit. There are simply not enough first-class highways, seaports, highways, airports, transportation facilities, communication systems and power sources. The Edsa crisis symbolizes everything that the government of this country has not been able to deliver after almost seven decades of post-colonial administration. Indeed, in survey after survey, domestic and foreign investors place the infrastructure deficit at or near the top of their lists of disincentives to investment in the Philippines. Fifteen years is not a long time in the life of an economy, and 2030 is not very far away from 2015. A country that lays claim to being 15 years away from First World status should by now be close to being free of widespread poverty and to possessing all, or at least most of the first-rate facilities demanded by would-be investors. That is not the case with the Philippines. When the First World countries of today--the members of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)--were on the verge of achieving developed-country status, they already had a stable middle class, an income distribution structure devoid of gross unevenness, a thriving agriculture, a strong export trade, and, above all else, well-developed transportation, communication and power systems. When this country is close to having an economy with these features--it will someday--there can be talk of the Philippines’ achieving First World status in the not-distant future. Until that point is reached, it is not only unrealistic to speak of attainment of First World status anytime soon. It is absurd. E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Boulevard to sell 30% stake in Friday’s By Jenniffer B. Austria RESORT operator Boulevard Holdings Inc. plans to sell its 30-percent stake in the company that owns and operates Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort in Boracay Island in Aklan, one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. Boulevard said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it named Jones Lang LaSalle as the market advisory agent that would seek interested investors on the 30 percent equity it owns in Friday’s Holdings Inc. Boulevard Proceeds said it planned to use the proceeds from the sale to finance the expansion of the Boracay resort costing an

estimated P600 million. “The strategic change in equity structure is in connection with the planned expansion and development of its beach resort to improve its facilities by constructing up to 100 keys to 120 keys to service the increasing 30,000 repeat guests from all over the world who have enjoyed their stay at Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort,” Boulevard said. Boulevard,owned by the Panlilio Group, was established in 1994 as a holding company with primary interests in the development of hotels and resorts, tourism-related businesses and investments in strategic land locations and rentable real estate properties.

Its subsidiaries cater to premiere and elite clients, with an ambition to expand its Friday’s hotel brand to at least nine different idyllic locations throughout Asia in the following 10 years. The company plans to create long-term value by increasing its capitalization, entering into joint ventures for tourist destination development and commanding a significant share in the primary resort home market outside Metro Manila. Aside from Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort, the company also owns the Puerto Azul property in Ternate, Cavite, Crown One Land Inc. and Friday’s Puerto Galera Inc.

t u e s D aY : s e P t e M b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

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Mexican tourists killed in Egypt CAIRO—Egyptian security forces have mistakenly killed 12 people, including Mexican tourists, while chasing jihadists in the country’s vast Western Desert, drawing condemnation and calls for an investigation from Mexico. A joint police and military operation Sunday “chasing terrorist elements” had “mistakenly” targeted four pick-up trucks carrying Mexican tourists, the interior ministry said in a statement. The ministry did not give a breakdown of the casualties but said “the incident led to the death of 12 Mexicans and Egyptians and the wounding of 10 others”. “The area they were in was off-limits to foreign tourists,” it added. The Mexican foreign ministry said at least two Mexican tourists were killed. “Mexico condemns these incidents against our citizens and has demanded an exhaustive investigation about what happened from the government of Egypt,” President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Twitter. The Mexican ambassador had visited five other nationals being treated at the Dar alFouad Hospital in a western Cairo suburb, where they were listed in stable condition, according to the Mexican foreign ministry. The ministry gave few details about what happened, saying an “undetermined” number of Mexican tourists were attacked “in circumstances that are still not clear”. Mexico’s foreign minister was scheduled to give a press conference later Monday. The incident was likely to raise further concerns for Egypt’s vital tourism industry, which has been struggling to recover from years of political and economic chaos. The Western Desert, a popular destination for tour groups, extends from the suburbs of Cairo to the Libyan border. It was not immediately clear where exactly the incident had taken place in the desert. The interior ministry statement identified the area as “Wahat” but the word means oasis and could designate any of several areas in the desert. AFP

Obama being tested by the catastrophe in Syria WASHINGTON—US presidents are just as likely to be remembered for their foreign policy failures as their successes. Jimmy Carter sealed the Camp David accords, bringing peace between Israel and Egypt, but his presidency wilted with every passing day of the Iran hostage crisis. Bill Clinton failed to stop the horrors of Rwanda’s genocide and George W. Bush will forever be remembered as the president who took the United States to a

costly war in Iraq. Barack Obama, the 44th president, has strived for a legacygilding nuclear deal with Iran, unfrozen relations with Cuba, pivoted to Asia and hunted down Osama bin Laden. But he may ultimately be remembered for his failure to stop a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria.

In just over four years, the conflict has killed more than 240,000 people and prompted the most serious refugee crisis since World War II. From the bloodstained rock and sand has seeped a miasma of jihadist groups—from Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State. In many ways, the Syrian problem has been the perfect foreign policy storm for Obama. He came to office determined to end the perceived hubris of his predecessor.

Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan led to lengthy occupations, draining US resources and poisoning another generation of Muslims against the United States. “What we’ve seen from the very beginning,” said a senior European diplomat, “is a White House that looks at the problem and looks at the options and solutions and wants to be pretty sure that what is being proposed would make things better rather than worse before embarking on any fresh policy initiative.”

Far from the idealism of his presidential campaign, Obama has taken a hyper-rationalist approach to foreign policy. “He doesn’t believe that another ground war in the Middle East is in our interest,” said spokesman Josh Earnest in the latest defense of White House policy. “It’s not in the best interest of our national security, and doesn’t logically explain how that would prevent a refugee crisis.” But that only partly explains Obama’s reti-

cence. Syria has been at the confluence of a trend running deep through Obama’s presidency. The key figures in his White House have long been irritated that the Middle East perennially dominates presidential agendas. In their view, populous and fast-growing Asia has, as a result, not always received the attention it deserves—the continent is home to the vast majority of humanity and is likely to lead the global economy in decades to come. AFP

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2015 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contract: Ref. No. 2015 -09144

ABC/ Source of Duration Work Funds (P) (c.d.) Description Supply, Delivery and 2,373,000.00 60 Supply, Delivery Installation of One (1) Corporate and Installation Unit Standby 275 KVA Receipts of One (1) Unit Generator Set at NHA Generator Set Main Office Project

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Eruption. This picture taken by local resident Shoji Wakamiya on Sept. 14,

2015, shows an eruption of Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan’s southwestern island of Kyushu. Japan evacuated the popular tourist site after the volcano began belching smoke and ash into the air, the latest eruption in one of the world’s most volcanically active countries. AFP Re publ i c of the P hi l i ppi nes PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIENTAL MINDORO Ca m ilm il, Ca lapan C i ty 5200. Ori ental Mi ndoro

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID IB No. GS-2015-150 and CW-2015 -151-152 T h e P ro v in c ia l G o v e rn me n t o f O rie nt a l M i n d o r o i n v i t e s P h i l G e p s r e g i s t e r e d s u p p l i e r s ( D e a l e r s / Distr ibutors /Impor ters and C ontractor s ) to A pply for Eligibility and to Bid for the hereunder list o f it e ms / p r o j e c t s . Item/Description

1. Supply & delivery of Construction Materials and Supplies for use in the Construction of PSWDO with stockroom and PWD Ramp at Capitol Complex, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

Approved Bid Document Source of Budget for Fee Funding the Contract (ABC) 7, 4 4 6 , 975 . 0 0 Php 10,000.00 G e n e r a l Fund 2 015

Special Local Road Fund ( Tr u s t Fu n d)

Completion Date

2. Construction of Slope Protection a t B ay u i n , S o c c o r o, O r i n t a l Mindoro

8,436,092.00

Php 10,000.00

W i t h i n 16 7 C a l e n d a r D ay s

3. Constr uction of Gabion at San A ndres, Naujan, Or iental Mindoro

9, 4 8 4 , 2 6 8 .7 3

Php 10,000.00 P r ov i n c i a l D i s a s t e r Within 68 R i s k Re d u c t i o n a n d C a l e n d a r D ay s M a n a g e m e n t Fu n d ( T R U S T F U N D)

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows: 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Advertisement/Posting of ITB Ø Bulletin Board of the PGOM Ø PGOM Website Ø PhilGEPS Website Ø Newspaper of General Nationwide Circulation Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Submission of Bids Opening of Bid in sealed envelope a). Eligibility Requirements and Technical Proposal b). Financial Proposal

: : : : : : :

September 15, 2015 September 15, 2015 September 15, 2015 September 15, 2015 September 21- O c tober 6, 2015 September 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Office O c tober 0 6, 2015 at 1:3 0 p.m. at BAC Office

: O c tober 0 6, 2015 at 2:0 0 p.m. at BAC Office : O c tober 0 6, 2015 at 2:0 0 p.m. at BAC Office

B id d in g will b e c o n d u c t e d t h ro u g h op e n c o m p e t i t i v e b i d d i n g p r o c e d u r e s u s i n g n o n - d i s c r e t i o n a r y p a s s / f a il c rit e rio n a s s p e c if ie d in R . A . 9 1 8 4 a n d i t s I R R o t h e r w i s e k n o w n a s t h e G o v e r n m e n t P ro c u re me n t Re f o rm A c t . T h e c o mp le t e s e t o f b id d in g d o c u men t s m a y b e p u r c h a s e d a t t h e B A C S e c r e t a r i a t u p o n p a y m e n t o f n o n -re f u n d a b le p ric e o f b id d o c u m e n t s i n d i c a t e d a b o v e . P re -B id Co n f e re n c e s h a ll b e o p e n e d t o a l l i n t e r e s t e d p a r t i e s , h o w e v e r o n l y t h o s e w h o p u r c h a s e d t h e B id d in g Do c u me n t s ma y p a rt ic ipa t e i n t h e d i s c u s s i o n a t s a i d c o n f e r e n c e . A ll p a rt ic u la rs re la t iv e t o e lig ib ilit y r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d s c r e e n i n g , b i d s e c u r i t y , p e r f o r m a n c e s e c u rit y , p re -b id c o n f e re n c e , e v a lu a t i o n o f b i d s , p o s t q u a l i f i c a t i o n a n d a w a r d o f c o n t r a c t s h a l l b e g o v e rn e d b y t h e p ro v is io n o f R. A . 9 1 8 4 a n d i t s I R R . The PGOM reserves the right to accept or reject bid to annul bidding process, and to reject all bids at anytime prior to contract award without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited contract. Delivery of the Goods is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five years from the date of submission of bids, a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/ authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P2,500.00 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City starting on September 15, 2015. For further information, the NHA BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX. No. 928-8272. The NHA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 1, 2015, 9:00 a.m. at the NCR Conference Room, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on October 13, 2015, not later than 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount as stated in BDS. Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted. The NHA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

F o r f u rt h e r in f o rma t io n , p le a s e re f e r t o : MR. J UL I O R. I CAL He a d , B A C S e c re t a ria t P ro v in c ia l Ca p it o l, Ca milmil, Ca la p an C i t y T e l. (0 4 3 ) 2 8 6 -7 1 2 0 (0 4 3 ) 2 8 6 -7 4 4 7

( T S - S E P T. 15 , 2 0 1 5 )

( S g d .) E N G R . E L M E R V . D I L A Y Provincial Engineer BAC Chairman

(SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (TS-SEPT. 15, 2015)

T U E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 5

cESAR BARRioqUinTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Taliban free hundreds of Afghan inmates GHAZNI, Afghanistan—Taliban insurgents in military uniform set off a car bomb and stormed an Afghan prison Monday, freeing hundreds of inmates and killing four policemen in the country’s largest jailbreak in years. The brazen attack in the eastern city of Ghazni comes as the Taliban ramp up attacks on government and foreign targets despite being embroiled in a bitter leadership transition. The raid is the Taliban’s third mass prison break since 2008 and marks a major blow to Afghan forces facing their first fighting season without full NATO support. “Around 2:30 am six Taliban insurgents wearing military uniforms attacked Ghazni prison. First they detonated a car bomb in front of the gate, fired an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) and then raided the prison,” deputy provincial governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi told AFP. The interior ministry said 355 of the prison’s 436 inmates escaped. Most were Taliban and other militants. It added that four Afghan police officers were killed and seven wounded in the raid which left bullet-riddled bodies at the entrance of the prison. The Taliban, who launched a countrywide summer offensive in late April, claimed responsibility. “This successful operation was carried out at 2:00 am and continued for several hours. The jail was under Taliban control,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. “In this operation, 400 of our innocent countrymen were freed... and were taken to mujahideencontrolled areas,” it added. The Taliban are known to exaggerate and distort their public statements. In the last major Afghan jailbreak in 2011 nearly 500 Taliban inmates escaped from a prison in the southern province of Kandahar. The Taliban at the time said they sprang the inmates through a onekilometer tunnel that took five months to dig. The government described that incident as a security “disaster”. AFP

Destruction. Burned-out vehicles are surrounded by smoldering rubble while firefighters continue to battle the Valley fire in Middletown,

California, on Sept. 13, 2015. The governor of California declared a state of emergency Sunday as raging wildfires spread in the northern part of the drought-ridden US state, forcing thousands to flee the flames. The town of Middletown, population 1,300, was particularly devastated by the Valley Fire, according to local daily Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, which said the fire grew from 50 acres to 10,000 over just five hours Saturday—before quadrupling in size overnight. AFP

Wildfires spreading in northern California LOS ANGELES—A state of emergency has been declared as raging wildfires spread in the northern part of drought-ridden California, possibly killing one person and forcing thousands to flee the flames. More than 5,500 firefighters are struggling to contain the monster blazes that have charred more than 100,000 acres (40,470 hectares), authorities said, destroying hundreds of homes and commercial structures. “There is a report of a fatality on the #ValleyFire,” CAL FIRE spokesman Daniel Berlant said on Twitter, adding that the information was being confirmed with the sheriff ’s office. Four firefighters suffered seconddegree burns while battling the blaze, and are being treated in hospital.

Eight major fires are currently burning but two—the Valley Fire about 160 kilometers west of the state capital Sacramento and the Butte Fire about 100 miles to the east—have been particularly damaging over the last week, with little let-up in sight. Driven by dry conditions, high winds and soaring temperatures, the Butte Fire has burned 65,300 acres and was just 25 percent contained, while the Valley Fire had grown to 50,000 acres and was zero percent contained, state fire agency CAL FIRE said late Sunday.

The Valley Fire has destroyed about 400 homes and other structures and the Butte Fire some 135 homes, 79 outbuildings and four other structures. They have also destroyed or forced the closure of highways. “My heart goes out to all those who lost homes and businesses in the devastating fires in California,” Senator Barbara Boxer said in a tweet. “Praying for the safety of all.” Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation for Lake and Napa counties—wineproducing regions north of San Francisco—due to the massive Valley Fire. Schools in the counties were scheduled to be closed Monday. About 6,400 homes are still threatened by these monster fires, according to Berlant, though some

evacuation orders linked to the Butte fire have been lifted. Three other fires are scorching the earth in neighboring Oregon state and 10 further north in Washington state. Nearly 70 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are assisting fire services in the western United States. A record drought that began four years ago is worsening the situation. Berlant said that CAL FIRE has so far spent more than $212 million since July 1 to fight fires under its jurisdiction and that approximately 5,000 firefighters were currently assigned to major blazes. The costs of containing other fires, such as those blazing in Sierra Nevada forests, are largely covered by federal agencies and not included in those figures. AFP

Migrant pressure growing in Austria

Open again. A woman takes a selfie in front of the lions’ open-air

cage at the Tbilisi zoo on Sept. 13, 2015. The zoo has reopened after being destroyed by fire last June. AFP

VIENNA—Tensions rose in Austria Monday as thousands of migrants entered from Hungary, unable to travel onwards to Germany after Berlin reimposed border controls. Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said that unless Austria copied Germany and reintroduced border checks itself, the country would be “completely overwhelmed within a few days. “We have to be aware that if we leave open (the borders), every day we will get 10,000 people who would then stay in Austria. Our geographical situation is that we are

the last country, the last attractive target country, in the chain before Germany,” Kurz said late Sunday. There appeared to be a split in the Austrian government with Chancellor Werner Faymann—from a different party to Kurz—saying Sunday that there would be no systematic controls, only spot checks. Faymann is due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday, Faymann’s office said. Overnight around 4,500 migrants entered Austria at the main border crossing point at Nickelsdorf with police saying they expected thou-

sands more during Monday. A further 3,000 also crossed at Heiligenkreuz near Graz, where police said around 500 more were arriving every hour. In recent weeks, tens of thousands of migrants have traveled up the western Balkans from Greece into Hungary and then Austria, all but a handful continuing to Germany—which has relaxed asylum rules for Syrians—and also Sweden. A record 5,809 entered Hungary on Sunday, police said Monday, smashing the previous day’s record of 4,330. AFP

T U E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 5 : 2 0 1 5

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

A RTS, CU LT U RE & T ECH

LIFE

‘CONCERT IN THE DARK’ German violinist Mirijam Contzen to perform in Manila

magine yourself in utter darkness, listening to the sweet, magical and haunting strains of beautiful violin music wafting in the air. The experience, to say the least, will be memorable. Thanks to the Goethe-Institut, concertgoers will have this one-ofa-kind experience when renowned German violinist and chamber musician Mirijam Contzen comes to Manila on September 26 to perform classical pieces – in complete darkness – at the historic Fort Santiago Theater in Intramuros, Manila. Dubbed as “Concert in the Dark,” the Goethe-Institut has pulled out all stops to make this one-time event truly unforgettable, starting with a troupe of blind ushers (courtesy of the non-government organization Resources for the Blind) who will lead audience members inside the dark chambers to their seats. A child prodigy, Contzen has become one of the most outstanding violinists today, described as a “multifaceted artist whose versatility and curiosity express themselves in her concerto work.” It was legendary Hungarian violinist Tibor Varga who discovered the young violinist’s prodigious talent when he heard her perform a Mozart violin concerto for her orchestral debut – at the very tender age of seven. Varga would become one of the most important influences in the young violinist’s life – acting as her teacher and mentor, eventually preparing her for an international professional career that began when she was 16. In the hands of a master, the violin – described by American novelist Louisa May Alcott as “that most human of all instruments” – can transport listeners to a magical world where a swirl of emotions – poignant, joyful, moving – are experienced.

Contzen is acknowledged as one such artist, but then again, it should come as no surprise if one were to recall the awards, the accolade and the praises that have been heaped on her. In 2001, Contzen won the ECHO Klassik Prize in the category “Rising Stars“ and has since performed with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, Radio Symphony Orchestra Frankfurt, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, Sydney Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with conductors Gerd Albrecht, Dennis Russell Davies, Raphael Frühbeck de Burgos, Christopher Hogwood, Eliahu Inbal, Bobby McFerrin, Tomas Netopil, Michael Sanderling, Leif Segerstam and Lothar Zagrosek. She founded the chamber music festival Schloss Cappenberg in 2005, with the festival taking place annually in northwest Germany in late May or early June and where

German musician Mirijam Contzen and her 1733 Carlo Bergonzi violin.

Cappenberg. In 2011, she founded the Serafino Quartet and has performed in various formations with Pierre-Laurent Aimard,

Salzburg Festival, the Rheingau Music Festival, the Athens Festival, the Pianofestival Ruhr (with pianist Adrian Brendel), the Taipei

In the hands of a master, the violin – described by American novelist Louisa May Alcott as “that most human of all instruments” – can transport listeners to a magical world where a swirl of emotions – poignant, joyful, moving – are experienced. a broad range of chamber music repertoire performed by leading European musicians and soloists are presented. For Mirijam Contzen, chamber music plays an important role in her life outside of Schloss

Emmanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Natalia Gutman, Clemens Hagen, Janine Jansen, Leonidas Kavakos, Stephen Kovacevich, Mischa Maisky and Herbert Schuch, among others. A frequent guest at festivals around the globe including the

Festival and the Verbier Festival, Contzen is touring the region with her 1733 Carlo Bergonzi violin (Bergonzi was an Italian luthier or maker of string instruments and was the most noted among the Bergonzi family of luthiers

from Cremona, Italy). She will be making stops in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Hanoi and Yangon. Concert in the Dark is the first of a series of musical events that the Goethe-Institut in Southeast Asia is starting this year. The series is called “Listen differently” (or Anders hören in German) and aims to expose Filipinos to unconventional ways of experiencing music. The concert with Mirijam Contzen will be held on September 26 and the program will start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to all on a first-come, firstserved basis. For inquiries, please visit the Goethe-Institut website: www.goethe.de/manila or send an e-mail to program@manila. goethe.org. For more on Mirijam Contzen, check out her website: mirijamcontzen.com

TUESDAY : SEPTEM B ER 15 : 2015

C2 THE GIST BY ED BIADO

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SMARTPHONE

had this bright-slash-stupid idea of documenting my daily phone use for the purpose of finding out how much time I actually am spending tinkering on that screen. It’s a bright idea because there’s so many things I can do with that data. But it’s also stupid because I really think that I’m on my phone more than the average person and monitoring my own usage would be timeand energy-consuming. So here’s my attempt to track a day in the life of my smartphone: 7:35 a.m. – Upon waking up: Check notifications. Reply to new messages on social networking apps and traditional text messages. (3 minutes) 7:55 a.m. – While having coffee: Scroll though Twitter and click on interesting links. Google a new/confusing/interesting tidbit found on one of the clicked links. Scan for new messages. (17 minutes) 8:40 a.m. – After showering, while getting dressed: Play music. Scroll through Instagram, like and comment on interesting posts. Take #aftershower selfies. (3 minutes, excluding the 20-something minutes that music is playing in the background) 9:30 a.m. – Before leaving the house: Refresh Twitter and Instagram. Reply to new messages. Book a GrabCar. Switch from home Wi-Fi to cellular data. (7 minutes)

Note 5

10:10 a.m. – In the middle of the commute: Take a call (“Yes, I’m on my way!”). Reply to a couple of important texts. (2 minutes) That’s when I decided to stop tracking and timing my phone use. First of all, I haven’t been able to record every moment that I touched my phone. Picking a phone up to tap and swipe is just such a natural and spontaneous action that I figured that this is an experiment I cannot do alone. From 7:35 to 10:10 a.m., I probably was on my phone about a couple of dozen times. But the unrecorded instances were actually not memorable because those are

the times I spent a minute or less on the phone – to check the time, to just look at the screen for notifications and to look at how much battery power I still had. All told, I think it’s a safe assumption that I spent over 30 minutes of the first three hours of my day on my phone. So just making more assumptions (that my phone use pattern is pretty consistent throughout the day) and doing a bit of math, let’s say that I’m on my phone for two hours and 30 minutes a day. This is how I got there: My phone use is probably 30 minutes every three hours, as suggested by the data above.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

Globe Platinum offers premium mobile experience for Samsung Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge+ with new Platinum Lifestyle Plans

een wanting to get your hands on the sexy Samsungs S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 since their release? With the new Platinum Lifestyle Plans, Globe Platinum is setting the bar and providing its signature premium customers the coveted mobile phones. For Platinum Lifestyle Plans 3799, 4999, and 7999, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or S6 Edge+ is available for free. Enjoy unlimited calls and texts to all networks, consumable roaming with unlimited data roaming service on the highest Platinum Lifestyle Plan, worry-free mobile data (up to 20GB every month), a built-in productivity pack for free use of Facebook, Viber, Gmail, Yahoo Mail and Evernote without using up one’s data allocation, and a choice of access to Spotify Premium, HOOQ or NBA that’s already built in the plan.

S6 Edge+

I’m awake for about 15 hours a day. That amount of time is five times three hours. So we also have to multiply the 30 minutes by five. Two and a half hours. Using the same formula, I believe that I check my phone at least 120 times a day. Is that normal? With social media, messaging and all the click baits out there, and the fact that I use my phone for work – calling, texting, emailing, researching, etc. – I think it kind of is. What do you think?

“With the Platinum Lifestyle Plans, customers get access to superior and firstclass servicing as well as enhanced lifestyle plan options that can’t be found anywhere else. The Platinum Lifestyle Plans are specifically designed to address customer needs and passions for a richer and more relevant digital mobile experience,” shares Globe Platinum director Kaisie del Carmen. Aside from the phones, get the VIP treatment you deserve with the Platinum experience and enjoy the exclusive access to Personal Relationship Managers, first priority access in Globe stores, and be at ease with a 24/7 Worldwide concierge and a dedicated Platinum hotline. For more information visit the nearest Globe store, or log on to www.globe.com.ph/platinum or call Globe hotline at (02) 730-1888.

TUESDAY : SEPTEM B ER 15 : 2015

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

ARTS AND CULTURE ROUNDUP What’s on in theaters and galleries this week

EXHIBITS THE PLAZAS OF MANILA: Connecting the Present with the Past Through Public Space and Landmark Heritage Yuchengco Museum, Makati City Ongoing until September 18 The plazas, for the past four centuries, have been a symbolic place for many festivities and historical events. Today however, they are threatened by the loss of architectural heritage and street life as they are being replaced by modern communal spaces such as malls. In a bid to connect us to our culture and inspire us to create a bright urban future, this exhibit presents the major plazas of Manila. This ongoing exhibit showcases 11 panels of existing plazas in Manila in digital images, aerial panoramas, videos, interactive maps and graphics. Each piece tells a story of our past that sparks rediscovery in our present and hopes to inspire the vision of future generations. For more information, visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org FLOODLINE: Kris Abrigo 1/F Artery Portal, Artery Art Space, Quezon City Ongoing until September 23 For this week, contemporary visual artist Kris Abrigo takes over the Artery Portal of the Razzle Dazzle group exhibition to showcase his artwork focused on geometric abstraction. With geometry as his foundation, the University of the Philippines-educated artist touches upon a variety of interests on the built environment and merges them into his mural painting, sculpture and design. Abrigo, who has done street art and illustrations featured in magazines, murals for residential spaces, and sculptures for furniture shops, showcases art and design whose expressions encompass social concerns and become complex representations of our modern aspiration for progress. For more details about Abrigo’s installation and Razzle Dazzle group exhibition, dial (02) 725-2837 or visit www. arteryartspace.com

JARED YOKTE: At the Rear There is Something Contrary Gallery 1, Blanc Gallery, Quezon City Ongoing until September 26

In his latest exhibition, Jared Yokte picks up from where he left off – where in the past he mostly featured striated human forms and dark palette – primarily showcasing boneless Chagall-like human and animal figures, stripped of their skin and which appear as though they are rainbow-colored noodles floating and tumbling in space. This time, Yokte applied the gouged-cut effect, which is typical of linocut prints, to his oil paintings. The artwork on exhibit, surreal in nature, questions beliefs and traditions and are symbolic of the world that we live in. The title itself refers to the doubt in the back of one’s head and the little voice that gets louder in the dead of the night. For more details, visit www.blanc.ph Ambrosia Gallery 2, Blanc Gallery, Quezon City Ongoing until September 26

HAMILTON SULIT: Constant Encounter Gallery 3, Blanc Gallery, Quezon City Ongoing until September 26

In Hamilton Sulit’s fourth solo exhibition, he puts the spotlight on his latest series that uses a black and brown palette and other new materials to explore the deep and bare meanings of his subjects. Paint, wood and light – the barest essentials – dominate his current works on display. Each painted piece features only two or three colors with only two subjects: boy and tree, tree and sky, sky and crow, crow and woman, woman and boy. Wood is used extensively: as blank slate for image transfers and as textured layers for silhouettes of human and animal figures. And the dark palette makes each canvas look like a perilous forest where the subjects find themselves lost and alone. For more details, visit www.blanc.ph

CONCERTS Cellofest! Ground Floor Lobby, Ayala Museum, Makati City September 17

Finders Keepers Upstairs Gallery, Finale Art File, Makati City Ongoing until September 26 In this group exhibition of recent Fine Arts graduates from the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, the young artists showcase artwork that highlight the idea of home – both physical space and connected ecology, and both launching the site and repository of discreet objects and memories. The works of Nathalie Dagmang, Marge de Jesus, Ayka Go, Kitty Kaburo, Isha Naguiat and Henrielle Pagkaliwangan on exhibit generally take off from their respective undergraduate thesis works, incubated in art schools and connected by parallel practices and interests. The pieces on display range from installation to photography to paper folding to large-scale ink illustration, which collectively conjure notions of home worth holding on to and going home to. For more information, visit www.finaleartfile.com

Inspired by the local rites and rituals such as the Santacruzan, Todos Los Santos, Simbang Gabi and fiestas which marked his childhood in his hometown in Angono, Isidro Santos’ latest series features contemporary artwork illustrating transformations from the physical to transcendental – such as how people follow ritual practices to appease the gods. Santos, also known as Manong Jon, documents and memorializes the very moment of transfiguration of objects and personas from profane to sacred in each piece of his current series. In general, his latest exhibit represents the food (in the form of sacrifices) we offer the gods to elude or postpone death. For more information, visit www.blanc.ph

For one night of spectacular musical performance, 12 cellists from the Manila Symphony Orchestra will stage a unique concert featuring special arrangements of pieces from Bach and Beethoven to Metallica. This concert will also offer the audience a once-in-alifetime experience of hearing the symphony of 12 cellos blending with the brilliant coloratura voice of soprano Rachelle Gerodias. Tickets are now for sale at Ayala Museum. Limited seats are available. Prices range from P300 to P500. For inquiries and more details, call (02) 759-8288 loc 31 or 35 or email concerts@ayalamuseum.org

T U E S D AY : S E P T E M B E R 1 5 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Museo Orlina roof deck

TAGAYTAY ART BEAT: Redefining a cultural experience

hose “mature” enough would remember the Woodstock Festival in 1969 in a farm (hay field, actually) in Bethel, New York where such acts as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Band, Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, Ten Years After, Joan Baez, Santana, Joe Cocker, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young performed before a mammoth audience composed of over 400,000 people. It was, indisputably, an event that reshaped American pop culture and history. The upcoming Tagaytay Art Beat may not have the magnitude or proportion of Woodstock, but the much-anticipated mini festival promises to be an electrifying event with a unique smorgasbord of emerging independent music acts plus an art exhibit featuring young and upcoming artists. To be held this September 19 at the Museo Orlina that is nestled in the lush, green district of Tagaytay City, this event features an eclectic lineup of performers that range from headline-ready favorites (Autotelic, Bullet Dumas, Farewell Fair Weather, The Ransom Collective) to sensual jazz-soul crooners (Jensen and the Flips, Sud, Miles Experience and BannaHarbera), from accomplished young singer-songwriters

Globally renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina

Museo Orlina bird's eye view

Tagaytay Art Beat poster

The Ransom Collective

Fools and Foes band

(Anj Florendo, Paolo Mallari, Niki Colet and Reese Lansangan) to indie upstarts (Austin, Dayaw, Fools and Foes, Tom’s Story). DocDef Productions – whose stated advocacy is to make sure that the music of local independent bands are “heard one chord at a time” – collaborated with Museo Orlina to bring an entirely new cultural experience to the public. The four-story Museo Orlina is home to an art gallery, a museum, an amphitheater, an interactive display system, a sculpture garden, and a rooftop deck with a picturesque, overlooking view of Taal Volcano. The countryside scenery and the museum’s state-of-the-art facilities will certainly make a perfect backdrop – a fun-filled nest actually – for festival aficionados, art and music

Pas de deux by Ballet Philippines

geeks, travel buffs, foodies, and partygoers who are tired of the bustling urban noise of Metropolitan Manila. Art lovers will find the accompanying art exhibit interesting, with the work of young and talented artists from various local schools and universities featured, among them Archie Geotina, Ayka Go, Erica ng, Jessica De Leon, Ku Romillo, Jason Sto. Domingo, Lee Caces, Ivana Tyler, Lyka Orhel, Miggy Antonio, Monica Castillo, Rae Toledo and Tammy dela Fuente. Alongside the music performances would be live mural paintings by DocDef resident artists Cinos and Mr. S. Definitely, Tagaytay Art Beat will provide a full-fledged quality music experience that goes beyond form and style.

So put your warm coat on, and be ready to experience the fuzzy festival feel that Tagaytay Art Beat is sure to bring. Tagaytay Art Beat starts at 4 p.m. P250 gets you in with one free drink! Festival attendees who want access to the art space vicinity showcasing Ramon Orlina’s globally acclaimed masterpieces will only need to pay an additional P100. His masterful collection of glass sculptures combined with pieces made from bronze, wood, and jewelry not only warrants attention, but a well-deserved tribute. TICKETS ARE LIMITED so everyone is highly encouraged to buy tickets in advance to ensure entrance to the event, although concert goers may also buy them at the event itself. For ticket inquiries, contact Ning Orlina at 09178285108 or visit this link: bit.ly/tagaytayartbeat.

T UES DAY : S EPT EMBER 15 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

UnforgettAble moments At ‘Disney live! mickey’s mUsic festivAl’

“W

ill this be part of their core memory?” This is what long-time Sun subscriber Joel Saludares asked himself when he first bought the tickets to Disney Live: Mickey’s Music Festival for his children Zia, Lia and Jorelle. His children are avid Disney fans who are always glued to the screen, tirelessly watching their favorite Disney characters. But he thought that his children seeing their favorite characters “in the flesh” is something that will trump their usual on-screen Disney experience. Disney Live: Mickey’s Music Festival is the recently-concluded and Sun-supported highly-anticipated show featuring a high-energy, family-style rock concert with more than 25 beloved Disney characters from classic films like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story to the classics like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. And if we are to ask the audience, the show did live up to the hype. “It was a fun family experience, especially for the kids,” said Saludares, a long-time SUN subscriber. “My children have long wanted to see an event like this and since their birthdays fall on the same month, which happens to be September, we thought this was going to be a great treat for them.” He also added that the children are highly familiar with the characters of the show so when they saw the characters come to life, the kids were excited and enjoyed the entire show. “They were even dancing up and down particularly towards the end of the show.” What made the event even more memorable is the fact that they got to enjoy the show all because they are Sun subscribers. “Because of Sun, we were able to get our pictures taken with Mickey and Minnie at the meetand-greet so sabi nga namin—in reference to Inside Out that we previously watched— this Sun-Disney experience will definitely be part of the children’s ‘core memory,’ something

they will cherish until they grow up,” he explained. Like the rest of all the subscribers, the Saludares family is grateful to Sun for giving them this chance to realize their Disney dreams. “We will most likely put our picture with Mickey and Minnie in a frame so when the kids grow up, they would see it, ‘Oh that’s our 3rd and 5th birthday! That was fun because we were with Mickey and Minnie!’” This is what Sun envisioned when it collaborated with Disney to give a one-of-a-kind experience to Filipinos by bringing the much-awaited Disney Live: Mickey’s Music Festival to the Philippines. “Disney Live: Mickey’s Music Festival allows everybody watching to relive their childhood Disney memories and experience the magic of Disney in a brand new light,” says Sun vice president for postpaid marketing Joel Lumanlan. “And we’re making this experience much more memorable as Sun brings this magical event closer to our subscribers through special promos and exclusive perks.” In fact, lucky Sun subscribers and their families were given free tickets to the show through an online raffle. Applicants of Sun Best-Value Postpaid Plans were also given the chance to watch the show, while audience members were given special treats at the Sun booth in the KIA theater. Selected Sun subscribers were also given a chance to meet and greet their favourite Disney characters after the show. But the magic from Sun and Disney doesn’t stop there. Sun is also geared to make another Disney event much brighter via Disney on Ice: Disney Magical Ice Festival in December. Sun prepaid, postpaid and broadband subscribers will once again be given the chance to experience the magic of Disney in-person. So be on the watch for future announcements and relive your childhood memories through a larger-than-life experience with Sun and Disney.

The popular Disney characters in a number the children in the crowd enjoyed

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

The Little Mermaid segment in Disney Live

‘Jersey Boys’ in Manila

tlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) announced recently that the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier award winning musical Jersey Boys would be staged in Manila in 2016. “too good to be true!” raves the New York Post for the 2006 Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and

sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -- a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. Jersey Boys features the hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “The Crowd Goes Wild!” cheers The New York Times. Jersey Boys opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway

The Toy Story segment

to critical acclaim on November 6, 2005. The first national tour opened to rave reviews in San Francisco on December 1, 2006, played a record-breaking run in Los Angeles and is still breaking house records in cities across North America. It is currently playing in New York; London; Las Vegas; Utrecht, The Netherlands, and across North America on tour. Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is currently represented with the hit new International Production of Saturday Night Fever, which continues the first leg of it’s Asian Tour and the upcoming first international production of the two-time Tony Award winning musical The Bridg-

Poster for Jersey Boys

es Of Madison County starring Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa. Jersey Boys is recommended for ages 12 and up. Children under five will not be admitted to

the theatre. Auditions will be announced soon. For more information email info@ategasia.com or follow ATEGasia on Facebook.

T UES DAY : S EPT EMBER 15 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

CELEbS RaLLy NaTiON vERSUS NERvE DamagE

eurobion®, the World’s number 1 B-Vitamins (according to IMS Health), partners with actress, singer and mother ZsaZsa Padilla and director - producer Paul Soriano to raise awareness on Neuropathy or nerve damage. The two brand ambassadors will help reach a wider audience for the advocacy campaign and influence Filipinos to take care of their nerves early to prevent serious nerve damage in the future. In this day and age, many people’s lifestyles––considering the active role computers, mobile phones and tablets play—have never been busier, and in turn, nerves undergo stress day in and day out. Symptoms of Neuropathy include numbness, tingling and sharp pain in the hands and feet, burning sensations, and muscle weakness. “Because the symptoms of Neuropathy are all too common, people tend to brush them off lightly or misdiagnosed them,” explained Dr. Chrysanthus Herrera, Merck Inc. Philippines Medical Science Manager. “However, what we don’t know is that a lot of people are already suffering from Neuropathy and their health cases remain unreported or undiagnosed.” For Padilla and Soriano, it takes a lot of nerves––literally–– to make it through a day in their busy lives. Both have jam-packed schedules with countless appointments and meetings with different people from the industry.

In 2014, Neurobion® launched a nationwide campaign called Neuropathy Awareness Movement to make more information on nerve damage available to Filipinos. This year, the advocacy remains but the reach and depth of the campaign will be bigger to encourage more Filipinos to be proactive in early detection and prevention of Neuropathy. “Neuropathy is a serious condition that needs to be addressed. Contrary to popular belief, even young people can be prone and be exposed to this condition, not just old people. We took this advocacy because we want to empower Filipinos with information about the importance of nerve health. It’s time that people give the same level of care to their nerves as they do for the rest of their body,” said Neurobion® Brand Manager Eloisa DyBuncio. Neurobion®is trusted by doctors for over 40 years. With its optimum balanced formula of Vitamins B1, B6 and B12,Neurobion® is clinically proven to nourish and regenerate the nerves. As part of the Neuropathy Awareness Movement, information on nerve health will be released in print and digital outlets. In addition, consumers can avail of free nerve screenings in select clinics and hospitals. For more information on Neurobion® and the Neuropathy Awareness Movement, visit www.facebook.com/NeurobionPhilippines

Zsa Zsa Padilla and Paul Soriano are faces of Neurobion

FilmFest highlights depth oF human relationships

he Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will open the annual Korean Film Festival this month. It will end in October and its theme is “Strings of Affinity.” In cooperation with the Film Development Council of the

Philippines (FDCP), the Film Cultural Exchange Program, Korean Film Council, Korea Copyright Commission, Korea Tourism Organization, SM Cinema and SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc., the film festival will be featuring seven films that showcase the depths of human relationships in different scenarios.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 44 45 48 49 50 52 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 For the guys 5 Stanley Cup org. 8 Convinced 12 Prince Val’s wife 14 Willing to try 15 Libretto feature 16 Fossil resin 17 — facto 18 Rajah’s consort 19 Borrow on 21 More orderly

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— — creek “Lettuce pray” Ben & Jerry rival Straw hat Wassailers’ tune Ran in neutral Full of suspense From memory Borders on Largest continent One-humped camel Pint-sized Disdain

They come in a flurry Make inquiry PM units “Grand — Opry” Rocky’s last name More caked with dirt What never to tell (2 wds.) Host’s request Orchard Eur. or Afr. Superman’s girl Down the hatch — -jerk reaction Mongkut portrayer Paddock occupant

DOWN 1 Polite address 2 St. —’s fire 3 Wyo. neighbor 4 Dele canceler 5 Collar site 6 “— Pinafore” 7 “Exodus” author (2 wds.) 8 Ms. Teasdale 9 Give a speech 10 Like tablets 11 Grocery section 13 Bickered 14 Billion, in combos 20 Spring mo.

The film festival will kick off at SM Lanang Premiere in Davao from Sept. 17 to 20 and then at SM City Iloilo from Sept. 24 to 27. From Oct. 1 to 4, the film festival will move to SM City Cebu and will have its final run at SM Megamall in Manila from Oct. 8 to 11. The seven films featured are

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

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Organic compound Celebration Goose or loon Fragrance Low voice Bristles with Butter maker Nash’s two-L subject Ski lifts (hyph.) Baroness Karen Cairo’s river Rodeo misses In a charming way Mike problem Big hammer Kind of vaccine Taken — (startled) Beauty parlor “Soapdish” actor Planets, to poets — noire Spring Wee drink Pinch Continuously Painter — Magritte Golden Rule pronoun

The Thieves(도둑들), about a group of South Korean thieves commissioned to steal the diamond “Tear of the Sun”; Miss Granny (수상한그녀 ),about a 74-year-old widow transformed back to her 20-year-old self after having her photo taken at a mysterious photo studio; Cold Eyes ( 감시자들); Front Line (고지전),

Hope (소원); Marriage Blue (결 혼들들); and Duresori: Voice of the East (두레들들). All films are with English subtitles. Admission is free to all. For more details, contact the Korean Cultural Center at 5551711, or email events@koreanculture.ph. You may also log on to koreanculture.ph.

T UES DAY : S EPT EMBER 15 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

C7 Tom Rodriguez holds Celebrity Ukay-ukay for the second year

Chiz Escudero talks freely about his and Heart Evangelista's love story

Chiz ShAreS hiS love STory wiTh STUdenTS

tupid may be forever, but it’s not the only lasting thing Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has written, apparently. Santiago, known for her acerbic wit more than romantic streak, was instrumental in the love story of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista, the senator told students of Colegio De Dagupan at a recent campus visit. Pressed to “tell (his) love story” by one of the students, Escudero told the giddy audience that it was, in fact, Santiago who gave him Evangelista’s phone number and asked him to immediately ask the actress out on a date. He said Santiago, at first, merely told him she wanted him to go out with a friend, without naming the friend. “Eh, akala ko ho ang friend niya ay ka-edad niya. Sabi ko may uncle po akong single pa hanggang ngayon,” he said jokingly. “Sabi niya, ‘Oh please, no. I’m sure you know her,’ Tapos binanggit niya ang pangalan ni Heart.” The senator also narrated how he was advised by a friend not to immediately call Evangelista after

from C8

getting her number, even though Santiago already told him that the actress was already expecting his call. “Huwag muna, magmumukha kang atat na atat at gigil na gigil,” Escudero quoted his friend as saying. “So, naghintay kami ng 10 minutes. Finally nang natapos ang 10 minutes, tinawagan ko siya. Hindi ako sinagot. Inaway ko ang kaibigan ko,” Escudero recalled. What he did not know was that Evangelista, who later admitted that she was with her friend Lovi Poe at the time she got the call from Escudero, was also told by her friend not to answer the call so she, too, would not seem atat. “Anyway, iyong hindi nakuha sa tawag, nakuha sa text. Nag-text ako, sumagot siya sa text. At nagkita kami sa unang pagkakataon, isang linggo matapos noon. Hanggang doon na lang, pagbalik ko na lang ang susunod. Kaya iyon, ganoon kami nagkakilala ni Heart,” Escudero said as he ended his story. However, it seems like Evangelista is more open about their romance, sharing a picture of the first time she saw Escudero on her Instagram.

In one of her posts, she uploaded a photo of Escudero speaking behind a lectern, with the caption: “The very first time I saw him. Cute, he found the picture. I married my dream guy. That’s pretty amazing.” In another post, Evangelista posted a photo of her and the senator in one of their trips, with the caption: “So much love for you, my darling! I miss you!” Escudero said he and Evangelista had been very busy the past months—he with his duties in the Senate and she with her new TV show Beautiful Strangers. He said he was proud of his wife for working so hard. “Akala ninyo maganda ang buhay ng artista? Sikat, malaki yung bayad pero yung buhay, mahirap din. Monday, Wednesday and Friday ang taping niya para sa teleserye. Aalis siya ng bahay ng mga 5:30-6:00 a.m.. Matatapos yung taping niya ng 1:00 a.m. ng susunod na araw. Yung Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday para naman sa ibang mga trabaho niya yon. Startalk, modeling, advertisement, shooting sa pelikula…” he said in an earlier interview. Escudero said he makes sure

whAT’S on Tv

CNN PhiliPPiNes lifestyle’s ‘Real talk’

show by women, for women, Real Talk with Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Giselle Sanchez engages you with interesting women and lets you take part in enlightening conversations every day of the week. Start the week right and tune in to Real Talk with Rita Avila sharing how she overcame the loss of her child. She recounts how she coped with grief and how this propelled her to write inspiring books. Samantha Sotto, author of internationally published novel Before Ever After, graces the show on Wednesday. Along with literary agent Andre Pasion-Flores, they

discuss Filipino women writers in the global literary scene. Sisters Saab and Maxene Magalona are Thursday’s guests. The multi-hyphenates share insights on growing up, sisterhood, and their fight to raise awareness for cancer. Embrace the weekend with Friday’s guests, Andi Manzano-Reyes and Delamar Arias. The DJs talk about their experience as first time moms, how they overcame their motherhood fears, and why it’s okay to admit that not all babies are cute. Make Real Talk a regular part of your afternoon. Join Christine, Shamcey, and Giselle every weekday at 4 PM on CNN Philippines.

that they spend weekends together, and that his wife gets enough rest. HHHHH Tom And CArlA’S CelebriTy UkAy-UkAy now on yeAr 2 Kapuso stars Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana are back for their second year as the ambassadors of GMA Kapuso Foundation’s (GMAKF) Celebrity Ukay-Ukay. After the remarkable success of last year’s Tom and Carla’s Celebrity Ukay-Ukay, the two renewed their partnership with GMAKF on Sept. 9. The annual GMAKF Christmas project in cooperation with Cut Unlimited, Inc., has the support of various Kapuso celebrities since it started five years ago. It is making a significant impact continuously on the lives of many underprivileged Filipinos. Brand new and pre-loved items from Tom, Carla and various Kapuso artists will be sold at the Noel Bazaar at the World Trade Center on Nov. 26-30 and at SMX, Mall of Asia on Dec. 18-20. Proceeds raised by the Celebrity Ukay-Ukay will go directly to GMAKF’s various year-round

socio civic programs such as the Kapuso School Development, Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan and Give A Gift Alay sa Batang Pinoy Christmas projects. HHHHH GrowinG Up SUCCeSSfUl When we were young we’ve been bombarded with the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” And though it practically changed every year, as we grew older, one thing’s for sure, we all wanted to be successful. Times has changed, modern women now has control over different aspects of our daily lives. You see women government leaders, CEO’s, and creators. Women pave paths for themselves now, we see women making rules instead of just blindly following rules made for them. ATC Evening Primrose relieves premenstrual syndrome and breast pain associated with menstrual cycle. It also helps alleviate hot flashes caused by menopause and reduces symptoms of eczema and dermatitis. Be a strong modern day woman, don’t let anything get in the way of doing what you love and do well in it.

Real Talk hosts: Shamcey Supsup-Lee, Geselle Sancez, and Christine Jacob Sandejas

T UES DAY : S EPT EMBER 15 : 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

AnoThER ScREAM fEST fRoM REgAl AnD REAliTY Isabelle Daza, Paulo Avelino and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

ISAH V. RED THE Monteverdes – Mother Lily, daughter Roselle and son Dondon – together with director Erik Matti dabble in their first-ever joint venture for Regal Entertainment, Inc. and Reality Entertainment to bring to theaters the horror-suspense movie, Resureksyon. The film’s trailer alone is proof of the Monteverdes’ expertise in delivering the kind of horror projects movie audience love. Resureksyon boasts state-of-theart special effects and sound made even more exciting by the unique execution of thrilling scenes that are sure to send chills down the audience’s spine. Regal is top when it comes to producing horror movies. The company holds the distinction of producing the longest-running and most successful horror film franchise, Shake, Rattle & Roll, in local film history. In addition to this, they have released other horror blockbusters

like Tiyanak, Manananggal In The City and more. Regal is also responsible for introducing various images of vampires, tikbalangs, dwarves and more. As for Reality Entertainment, they brought the quality of horror movies to a notch higher via its maiden offering, Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles. Since then, it has established itself as a new force to reckon with on the local film scene. Prior to that, it produced the much talked about action film, On The Job, here and abroad. And now, the two companies have joined forces and bankrolled Resureksyon.” Isabelle Daza, as Mara, and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, as Aila, are sisters in the movie. Orphaned at a young age. Mara decides to try her luck and work abroad. Aila frowns at the thought of her sister leaving the country but is later convinced that it’s Mara’s way to give her only son (played by Raikko Matteo as Migs) a better future. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes and Mara is brought back home in a coffin.

Terror grips the entire town when Mara comes back from the dead and vampires begin to roam and pry on the townsfolk. It was then that Aila realizes her sister wants to be reunited with her son Migs. With the help of police officer Javier (played by Paulo Avelino), authorities deal with Mara and her band of vampires to save Aila and Migs from harm. Resureksyon hits local screens nationwide on Sept. 23 from the direction of Alfonso “Borgy” Torre III who also directed the movie Kabisera. Aside from Isabelle, Jasmine, Raikko and Paulo, the cast also include John Lapus, Alex Castro, and Nino Muhlach. Log on to Regal Entertainment’s Facebook www.facebook. com/RegalEntertainmentInc, Regal Films’ Twitter account www.twitter.com/RegalFilms and Regal Films Instagram: regalfilms50 for more updates about #RESUREKS YON. Watch the full trailer on Regal Films’ Official Youtube Channel w3vw,youtube.com/RegalCinema ➜ Continued on C7

Isabelle Daza

Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Paulo Avelino and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Paulo Avelino