The Standard - 2015 December 16 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 307 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 wedNeSday : deCeMBeR 16, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

No BBL as House rests for holidays

‘WAR’ ESCALATES Roxas proposes fistfight, Duterte favors guns by John Paolo bencito

LIBERAL Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II challenged his opponent Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to a fistfight Tuesday, but the latter suggested using guns instead, marking a sharp escalation in the word war between the two candidates.

“A gun duel. Rich folks are afraid to die. What am I afraid of?” Duterte told Davaobased media in an interview on Tuesday after Roxas challenged him to fisticuffs at his home in Cubao, Quezon City. Duterte insisted that Roxas never finished his degree at the Wharton School of Business, citing the claims of two congressmen who attended the same university. The mayor added that whatever proof Roxas shows now is all “Recto-made,” referring to the fake diplomas that can be bought on C.M. Recto Avenue in Manila. Earlier, Roxas said he would not back

down from a fight with bullies like Duterte. Asked about Duterte’s latest statements that he was ready to go to Roxas’ home for their slapping match, Roxas suggested they fight with fists instead. “Talk, talk, talk. That’s what your’e doing always, Digong,” Roxas said, referring to Duterte by his nickname. “You talk too much. Cubao, Quezon City. I will wait for you,” a fuming Roxas said after a conference of Liberal Party congressmen at the LP National Headquarters in Quezon City. “Do what you want. A slapping contest? Why stick to slapping? That’s for women.

Let’s go at it with fists. This is simple. I’m a mild-mannered person who is looking after the good of our nation.” “I’m mad at bullies, I’m angry at opportunists. I’m mad at those with iron fists. I’m mad at those who think that they are the powerful. If you think that you haven’t met your match, Digong—I’m here, I won’t back out.” Roxas had started the word war with Duterte when he said the notion that Davao was the safest city in the country was a myth. Duterte shot back and said Roxas’ degree from Wharton was a myth. Next page

Let her rip! A resident of Navotas enjoys the waves whipped up by Typhoon ‘Nona’ on the sea wall of the Centennial Park on Tuesday. Andrew rAbuLAn

NPA rebels declare Christmas ceasefire

Comelec: Grace, Rody will stay on ballot by Sara Susanne d. Fabunan and rey e. requejo UNLESS the Supreme Court rules with finality on the disqualification cases, both presidential aspirants Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will still be included in the official ballot for the 2016 polls,

the Commission on Elections chief Andres Bautista said Tuesday. In a press conference, Bautista said that as long as there is pending case before them and the Supreme Court, the poll body will still include Poe and Duterte on the ballot. “We can’t make a decision. If there’s no final decision, technically, we can-

not remove their names from the ballot,” Bautista said in Filipino. Poe has two pending disqualification cases and one motion to exclude her from the official ballot. Durterte has a pending disqualification case before the Comelec’s 1st Division, which must decide if it will Next page

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A2 ‘War’... From A1

Roxas then said Duterte could slap him in the face if he could prove what he said about his education, but said he would slap Duterte instead if he could show that he indeed graduated from Wharton. On Tuesday, Roxas also brought up Duterte’s speech at his proclamation by the PDP-Laban in which he cursed the Pope and admitted killing crime suspects without a trial. Roxas acknowledged that challenging Duterte in this manner was not what he had in mind. “You know, I haven’t held back my feelings and I’m dismayed with myself that I got distracted. I’m running for the presidency because we want to uplift our country,” he said. But he added that there was a need to oppose bullies who want to lead the country. In a forum in Davao City, Duterte hammered at Roxas’ education in Wharton. “Mar graduated from the University of Pennsylvania— that’s correct—but he never graduated from Wharton as he claims,” Duterte said. “A Wharton graduate is a person who finishes his masters degree at Wharton, meaning you are a graduate of MBA at Wharton. In your case, Mar, you are not, so don’t claim to be a man you cannot be, because you are not,” he said. Duterte said Roxas might have attended the Wharton School but did not obtain a degree there. A check with the university’s website shows that the Wharton School awards Bachelor of Science in Economics degrees and Master of Business Administration degrees at the postgraduate level. But Roxas said Wharton itself had released information about his degree. “It’s not my problem that Mayor Digong doesn’t believe the official release of my school. And that is not even the issue—if he doesn’t want to believe, then don’t. Wharton themselves in their website said that I studied and graduated,” Roxas said. “With the many problems in our country, he’s quizzing me about my degree and where I graduated,” Roxas said. He said if Duterte were a gentleman, he would simply admit he was wrong and apologize, instead of insisting on having his way. “If that’s how he thinks, then we’ll let him be,” Roxas said. On Monday night, the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania confirmed that administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas was one of its alumni based on the records of the University of Pennsylvania registrar, a report from GMA News Online said. Duterte, in an interview at Davao City claimed that he wasn’t even serious on his threat to slap Roxas, but

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would instead slap House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte who urged him to reveal the names of those he killed. Roxas’ spokesperson Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez said that while the LP standard bearer may have been provoked of Duterte’s pronouncements, he doesn’t know what will happen next should the slapping actually take place. Senator Sergio Osmeña III likened Roxas and Duterte to high school students. “We expect something more out of those two leaders who want to be president and maybe they can tone down their language and be more statesman-like in their debates,” said Osmeña, adding that the threat of a slapping match was out of line. Although it was Duterte who first threatened to slap Roxas after the latter described the mayor’s crime buster image in Davao as a myth, Osmeña said the LP standard bearer should not have gone down to that level. “We don’t settle our quarrels by fighting with each other,” Osmeña said. Instead, the senator said Roxas could have challenged Duterte to a high-level presidential debate. Osmeña also reminded Duterte that running for president was different from running for mayor. “We’re appealing to both camps to bring the level of debate to statesman-like level,” he said. The Palace distanced itself from the word war and said it was the Liberal Party that should comment on such topics. Also on Tuesday, Duterte told the Commission on Human Rights to do its job well in gathering evidence against him, adding that they must not use his admissions to incriminate him. “You work because that is your work,” he said, adding that the agency must be careful about having him summoned. “You have wasted my time not only once, or twice, but many times in the past.” Duterte, who admitted in an interview on radio dzMM that he has pulled the trigger against erring criminals in his city, adding that he would replicate his anti-criminality campaign all over the country if elected president, said that the CHR should beef up its efforts to find him guilty of the crimes long atributed to him. At the sidelines of a forum in Davao City Tuesday, Duterte said his remarks about killing criminals were so ridiculous that they had to be a joke. “You need to get to know me better,” he told Manilabased journalists. The CHR earlier said it would investigate Duterte’s human rights record, after he made several statements to take responsibility for the killing of criminals in Davao City. “Why investigate me now? Are you investigating me because I am up against Roxas?” Duterte said Tuesday. With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Sandy Araneta

4 killed, millions lose power as ‘Nona’ rages BULAN, Sorsogon—Tattered lanterns, festive lights and tin roofs littered towns in the central Philippines on Tuesday after Typhoon “Nona” (international name Melor) swept through, killing at least four people and leaving millions without power ahead of Christmas. Distraught survivors surveyed their damaged homes on the eve of the traditional nine-day Christmas vigil. “It will be a very sad Christmas and a dark one because we have no power. But the important thing is everyone around me is still moving,” 54-year-old rice farmer Noemi Pesigan said. Nona blew out the windows of Pesigan’s two-story brick and wood house in Bulan, a small farming town, and she survived the storm by sheltering in a nearby shop. The typhoon tore in off the Pacific Ocean on Monday afternoon and hit farming and fishing communities in the eastern Philippines with winds of up to 185 kilometers an hour. Three people were killed in floods in Northern Samar province, which faces the Pacific, municipal disaster officer Jonathan Baldo told radio dzMM. Flying debris also killed a man in Northern Samar, national disaster agency spokeswoman Mina Marasigan said, without being able to confirm the other three fatalities. Nona weakened slightly as it cut across the central islands of the archipelago, but on Tuesday afternoon its wind gusts were still reaching 170 kilometers an hour as it passed over the island of

Comelec: ... From A1

accept his substituting for the standard bearer of the PDP-Laban, Martin Diño, who dropped out of the race in favor of the mayor. Bautista’s remarks came after a petitioner, former Senator Francisco Tatad, asked the Comelec Law Department to exclude Poe from the final list of candidates. “In view of the decisions of the First and Second Divisions of this Commission granting the four petitions against the candidacy of Mrs. Grace Poe Llamanzares for president, of which I am one of the petitioners, and cancelling her Certificate of Candidacy for that same petition, I have the honor to request that her name be excluded or dropped from the list of certified candidates of the May 9, 2016 elections,” Tatad said. With the rulings so far, Tatad said he was certain the Comelec en banc and the Supreme Court would rule against Poe. “We believe that is is highly improbable that the five, out of six commissioners, who found Mrs. Llamanzares ineligible to run

Mindoro. It was due to move out into the South China Sea on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities had yet to make contact with some of the badly hit areas and it was unclear if or by how much the death toll would climb. In Bicol, a vast region in the east often hit by typhoons, authorities credited the early evacuation of 720,000 people for what they believed would be a low death toll. In Albay province, residents carrying bags of clothes and water jugs went onto army trucks in Legazpi City as authorities sounded an evacuation alarm. Huge waves crashed into the city’s deserted boulevard as palm trees swayed from the wind. “The whole province is now a ghost town. We shut all establishments. No school, no work,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda told ABS-CBN television. “We have zero floods, zero deaths, zero casualties.” But he said the entire province of 1.2 million people was without power. “What we are asking for is the early restoration of electricity,” he said. Residents of neighboring Sorsogon, which takes in Bulan town, were also without power on Tuesday, and authorities could give no guarantees if electricity would be restored by Christmas. “Our target is to restore power by Christmas, but it will still depend on many factors,” Mina Marasigan, spokeswoman of the national disaster management agency, said. She said the timing would depend on how badly damaged towns were, and how much cleaning up of roads was required before teams could go in to put up new power poles and lines. President Benigno Aquino III ordered the speedy restoration of power and communications. The Palace said the National Disas-

for President, for not being a natural-born citizen and a resident of the country for the last 10 years immediately preceding the election, will reverse themselves when they sit en banc,” he said. “Any speculation that the Supreme Court might see the case differently is just that, pure speculation, while the rulings of the two divisions, based on a clear reading of the Constitution and the facts of the case, are unequivocal and certain,” Tatad added. Earlier, the Comelec extended its dedline for releasing the final list of candidates for the 2016 national and local polls to Dec. 23. After an en banc meeting, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Bautista and other commissioners begged off again from voting on the petition of Estella Elamparo to strike Poe’s name from the official ballot. “You can imagine... this is the sixth day [that we are having a special en banc meeting] and we have not yet voted on them [the Poe and Duterte cases]. The commissioners are still studying the cases, so we will meet again tomorrow,” Guanzon said. She said the disqualification cases were not simple,

ter Risk Reduction and Management Council would also focus on clearing the debris from roads in typhoon-affected areas. “The Mindoro situation is being closely monitored due to continuous rains,” said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. “The NDRRMC will coordinate with local DRRMCs on when those in evacuation centers may be allowed to return to their homes.” The weather bureau said Nona maintained its strength as it made its fifth landfall over Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. In Oriental Mindoro, most low-lying villages were under waist-deep water, forcing trapped residents in their homes to call for emergency rescue due to rising rain waters. Weather forecaster Robert Badrina said that as of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the eye of the typhoon was 25 kilometers south of Calapan City. It was expected to exit the landmass Tuesday evening. Public storm warning signal No. 3 was raised over the Calamian group of Islands and the provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Island. Storm signal No. 2 was raised over Marinduque, Romblon and Batangas, and signal No. 1 was declared over Metro Manila, as well as in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Burias Island and Northern Palawan, including Cuyo Island in Luzon; and Aklan and Antique and in the Visayas. Catarman Airport sustained structural damage from the typhoon, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said. Damaged in the storm were the fire station; the terminal building, whose roof was blown away by strong winds; and the flight services station. AFP, Francisco Tuyay, Mel Caspe, Sandy Araneta , Eric Apolonio, PNA

which was why the en banc was taking so long. Earlier, Bautista said they would no longer consolidate the two disqualification cases against Poe since Commissioner Robert Lim has decided to inhibit himself from the Elamparo petition. He said they are still waiting for the Poe camp to file a motion for reconsideration against the decision of the 1st Division which favored Tatad, Dela Salle University professor Antonio Contreras; and University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez. The Comelec on Tuesday also cancelled the hearing on the disqualification case against Duterte after the petitioner, broadcaster Ruben Castor, failed to appear before the poll body’s 1st Division. Bautista said shortly after their no-show, Castor and his lawyer Oliver Lozano sent an urgent motion telling the Comelec that their presence was not needed for the proceedings to move forward. “Tomorrow, the 1st Division will deliberate,” Bautista said. The lawyers of Duterte and Diño, Vitaliano Aguirre and Ted Contacto said they were confident they could

beat the disqualification petition. On Nov. 27, Castor filed a petition shortly after Duterte’s lawyer filed his CoC and declaring that he will substitute Diño’s bid for president. Castor argued that Duterte was not qualified as a substitute for Diño, who withdrew his presidential bid after the Comelec Law Department filed a petition to declare Diño as nuisance candidate. The petitioner said that Diño can only withdraw his candidacy for mayor of Pasay City because that was the post that he wrote down in his Certificate of Candidacy. The Comelec’s 2nd Division has dismissed the petition filed by the poll body’s law department to declare Diño a nuisance candidate, saying it was moot and academic. It also granted Diño’s motion to withdraw his CoC and the law department’s subsequent motion to withdraw its petition against him. Duterte then went to the Comelec office on Dec. 8 to ask if he needed to correct his CoC but the Law Department said that there was no need for him to file another CoC.

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No BBL as House adjourns today THE House of Representatives will adjourn session today, Wednesday, without passing the Palace-backed Bangsamoro Basic Law because it will only be able to end the interpellations on the bill today, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Tuesday.

His copy. President Benigno Aquino III receives a copy of the Third State Conference on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in Malacañang on Tuesday. With them are Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. MAlAcAñAng PHoto bureAu

Proposed relief for disabled people OK’d THE bicameral conference committee on Tuesday approved a proposed law of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez exempting people with disability from paying the 12-percent value-added tax on certain goods and services. “We are very grateful to our colleagues in the bicameral conference committee for their concern to people with disability,” Romualdez said. “This will be a good Christmas break to the most neglected sector of society.” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

broke the news to reporters on Romualdez’s proposed law during his Christmas party for House reporters. Belmonte said Romualdez’s law was expected to be ratified by both chambers of Congress before adjournment today, Wednesday. Romualdez’s measure would exempt people with disability from paying the 12-percent VAT on top of the 20-percent discount they are entitled to on goods and services. He is the principal author of House Bill 1039 that seeks to amend Section 32 of Republic Act 7277, otherwise

“The agenda is, we will finish the interpellation stage by Wednesday. I am hopeful it will be done,” Belmonte told reporters. But the House is expected to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 upon adjournment. The Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the budget bill last Tuesday. The bicameral conference committee report on the budget bill will be submitted to the Palace for the signature of President Benigno Aquino III. Congress leaders have said the President is expected to sign the budget bill into law before Christmas. Belmonte said the House will pass the BBL by next year as it still has to work on the amendments to the measure. He said the House would have “to plan very carefully the remaining few days in January and February” of

2016 to enable Congress to pass a Constitution-compliant BBL. The BBL, embodied in substituted House Bill 4994 (An Act Providing Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region), seeks to abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao by creating a new Bangsamoro region that will be given additional autonomy. The BBL’s passage is provided for in the peace agreement signed by the Aquino administration with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March last year. The “opt-in” provision is among the controversial provisions in the proposed BBL that allows neighboring territories to propose their inclusion in the proposed autonomous region through the petition of at least 10 percent of the residents and the approval by a majority of the qualified voters in the city or province in a separate plebiscite. Maricel V. cruz

known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability as amended by Republic Act 9442. Romualdez said his proposal was an equalizing measure because it would accord people with disability exactly the same privilege enjoyed by senior citizens who are exempted from the value-added tax. “Persons with disability effectively enjoy only 12 pesos for every 100 pesos worth of good or service because the law does not exempt them from the VAT,” Romualdez said. Maricel V. cruz

Romualdez vows more benefits to seniors LEYTE Rep. and senatorial aspirant Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday vowed to grant more benefits to all senior citizens throughout the country. “We must acknowledge the contributions of all senior citizens to nationbuilding and their role in strengthening the Filipino family and our society as a whole,” Romualdez said. He said he would propose another amendment to the Senior Citizens Act that will give the elderly more benefits and incentives similar to what Makati City now gives to its senior citizens. The senior citizens in Makati enjoy many benefits, and those include a birthday party that comes with a birthday cake; P1,000 mid-year and year-end al-

lowance; cash incentives ranging from P2,000 to P4,000, depending on their age bracket; 20-percent discount on public transportation, hotels, restaurants and recreation centers; free movies at any theater within Makati; and exemption from parking limits within the Makati central business district. Apart from those, Romualdez said, the senior citizens in Makati could avail themselves of the services of new and modern health and diagnostic centers in almost all villages providing medicine, dental services, laboratory facilities and regular consultation; hospice care that provides physical, psychological, social and spiritual care at home to terminally ill pa-

tients and caregivers; and a daily supply of vitamins. “In essence, giving more benefits to all our senior citizens will demonstrate our compassion or malasakit for them as they are now in their twilight years after retiring from their jobs and looking after the welfare of their families,” Romualdez said. “Senior citizens have done their share in building the foundations of our nation, so it is only proper that we give them the recognition, gratitude and compassion that they rightfully deserve.” Romualdez also said he was now in favor of lowering the age at which senior citizens could receive cash incentives. “Perhaps we can give a

cash incentive of P100,000 to 100-year-old Filipinos and P85,000 to those who have reached 85 years,” Romualdez said. “The average lifespan of Filipinos is 71, so it is already a feat to reach 85.” Romualdez said it didn’t matter if the senior citizen had worked as farmer, worker, vendor, doctor, lawyer, teacher, policeman or soldier. “What is important is that they have served the country and contributed to nation-building by paying taxes,” Romualdez said. “Our responsibility now is to acknowledge their invaluable contributions to Philippine society and attend to their special needs as senior citizens.” Maricel V. cruz

Appeal. Former Senator Francisco Tatad holds up his appeal to the Commission on Elections to exclude presidential aspirant Grace Poe from the final list of candidates in next year’s elections. SArA FAbunAn

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Reds declare Christmas truce By Florante S. Solmerin

THE Communist Party of the Philippines has ordered all units of the New People’s Army, including its militias, to implement a 12-day ceasefire “in solidarity” with the celebrations of Christmas and New Year. “Upon the recommendation of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines hereby declares... a ceasefire order that will take effect from 00:01H of 23 December 2015 to 23:59H of 03 January 2016,” NDFP chairperson Luis G. Jalandoni said in a statement Tuesday. The Armed Forces of the Philippines did not say whether they will also declare a ceasefire with the NPA as they have done in the past, but they

said the communists will follow their own ceasefire declaration. Jalandoni said the ceasefire period is favorable for the revolutionary movement to prepare for the 47th anniversary of the CPP on Dec. 26. Before the anniversary, the NPA usually launch tactical offensives against government forces to show their strength, but Jalandoni also said the declared ceasefire “is also being issued in support of efforts of peace advocates to foster the resumption of GPH-NDFP peace negotiations.”

But again, Jalandoni said the resumption of peace talks depends on the release of the 17 NDFP “consultants” who are in government custody. The NDF claim they are among those covered by the 1996 Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees. “During the ceasefire period, all NPA units and people’s militias shall cease and desist from carrying out offensive military operations against the armed units and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and other paramilitary and armed groups attached to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines,” Jalandoni said. “Personnel of the AFP and PNP who have no serious liabilities other than their membership in their armed units shall not be subjected to arrest or punitive actions. They may be allowed

individually to enter the territory of the people’s democratic government to make personal visits to relatives and friends,” he expaliend. “While all units of the NPA and the people’s militias shall be on defensive mode at both the strategic and tactical levels, they shall nonetheless maintain a high degree of militancy and vigilance against any hostile actions or movements of the enemy armed forces including encroachment on the territory of the people’s democratic government, surveillance and other offensive operations including so-called ‘peace and development’, ‘civil-military’ or ‘peace and order’ operations,” he further explained. He said the CPP further orders the NPA to be vigilant and always on active-defense operations “in the face of clear and imminent danger and actual armed attack by the enemy forces.”

The excluded protest. Agricultural workers picketed the Department of Agriculture office in Quezon City Tuesday to protest the exclusive policies of the

Aquino administration even as the country prepares to accede to international agreements, including those of the World Trade Organization, that will aggravate their situation. AFP

PNoy cites PH gains in graft index polls By Sandy Araneta AFTER almost six years of his leadership, the Philippines has improved its standing in corruption surveys and that shows that his “Tuwid na Daan” [Straight Path] has worked, President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday. “We have improved our ranking in surveys that measure corruption,” Aquino said during the Third United Nations Convention against Corruption State Conference at Malacañan Palace. “Transparency International has bumped us up 49 places in its Corruption Perceptions Index, while the Heritage Foundation has bumped us up 48 places in terms of Freedom from Corruption, which is part of its Economic Freedom Index,” Aquino said. Aquino said the corruption survey results also encouraged even more people to get involved in the drive against corruption. Last week, Aquino said he spoke at an event called the Integrity Summit, where individuals from the private sector gathered to share their ideas on how to fight corruption and how to build systems of integrity. This group has an initiative called the Integrity Pledge, the signatories of which commit to exercise zero tolerance for corruption. To date, they have gathered over 3,000 signatories, and are targeting 10,000 by 2017. “Indeed, it is events like those—as well as the one we are holding today that allow me to be even more optimistic that, moving forward, our countrymen will make certain that like-minded people are voted into office,” he said.

Senate postpones govt pay hike bill By Macon Araneta SENATORS agreed to defer the approval of the controversial Salary Standardization Law IV which has been criticized by government employees because of the disparity in the increases for rank-and-file employees and top government officials. Senate President Franklin Drilon, one of the principal authors of the bill, agreed to the appeal of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile to defer the approval of the bill because it did not include retired military personnel. The bill, called SSL 2015 to differentiate it from similarly named measures, was already passed by the House of Representatives on third

and final reading last week, but several groups have opposed the measure because of the amounts and disparities in pay increases among government employees. The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, with a membership of 30,000 groups, said SSL 2015 was masquerading as a proworker measure, but its true beneficiaries will be the government’s highest officials. TDC said the proposal prepared by the Department of Budget and Management and approved by Malacañang will only provide for a “23-percent increase for the lowest position in government at Salary Grade 1 or an increase of P2,068 from the present P9,000 to P11, 068.”

But the salaries of Cabinet members, senators, congressmen, the vice president and the president “will reach more than 150 percent.” The President, for instance, which is Salary Grade 33 will receive an increase of 223 percent, or an additional P268,096 from its present amount of P120,000. “We were hurt by this proposal,” the group said in a statement. “It’s like we were treated as beggars and not as teachers.” “We were made to wait for five years for this salary increase that would supposedly boost our morale, yet they gave us some kind of an insult. It made us think that this proposal is tailor-made for the legislators, Cabinet secretaries and the president,” the group lamented.

Policewomen in waiting. Female cops of the Manila Police District await

orders at the MPD headquarters on United Nations Avenue after Philippine National Police suspended all leaves as a contingency measure due to Typhoon ‘Nona.’ DANNY PATA

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High court takes up anti-Edca petitions By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court is expected today to decide on whether the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States is constitutional or not. In a special en banc session today, the SC justices will finally vote on the petitions seeking to declare Edca as unconstitutional after deferring its voting on the case twice last month. A court insider revealed that the petitions filed in May last year by former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and militant lawmakers led by Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate have been included in the agenda of the magistrates. The SC earlier set the deliberations on the case last Nov. 10 and 16 before the arrival of American President Barrack Obama for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit last month, but the SC failed to rule on the case because some justices have not yet decided on their position. The Edca case was heard by the magistrates in oral arguments in November last year and had been submitted for decision since December last year. In seeking to strike down the RP-US agreement, the petitioners argued that Edca violates provisions on national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests, freedom from nuclear weapons and autonomy of local government units in the charter.

Champions. The senatorial candidates endorsed by the Party-List Coalition Foundation are (from left) Coop-Natco Rep. Cresente Paez, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, former Rep. Riza Hontiveros, ACT-CIS Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, Valenzuela City Rep. Win Gatchalian, and Tesda secretary general Joel Villanueva (not in photo). The coalition has selected the six senatorial candidates based on their common agenda that will support their advocacies. VER NOVENO

Party lists vow 15-m votes for Champion 6 By Christine F. Herrera

THE 39-strong party-list coalition will deliver 15.5million votes in bloc voting to bring to the Senate the “Champion 6” candidates that will champion the cause of the marginalized sectors. “Champion 6” refers to senatorial candidates Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Leyte Rep. Martin “Malasakit” Romualdez, former Tesda secretary and former Cibac Rep. Joel Villanueva, ACTCIS Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, Coop Nattco Rep. Criscente Paez and the “lone rose” former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros. Romualdez, leader of the House Independent Minority Bloc, is the only opposition lawmaker carried by the 39 party-list groups that are all members of the majority coali-

tion in the House. In a news conference at the Grand Terrace in Quezon City, Cibac Rep. Sherwin Tugna, spokesman of the Party-List Coalition Foundation, said the chosen six champions would be the only names to be written in the ballots by their constituents nationwide. Tugna conceded that such move deserves to be thought about carefully since throwing the support for the six that they already endorsed and at the same time allowing the party-list coalition members to

select six others to complete the 12-strong Senate lineup based on their own preferences could negate their endorsement in the process. “We want to prove we are a force to reckon with and we hope to bring the six champions to the Senate as they would be our voices in the Senate,” said A Teachers’ Rep. Juliet Cortuna. Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe said they prioritized their incumbent and former party-list colleagues. While Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares was a member of the Makabayan Bloc, Batocabe said Colmenares, who is running under the slate of frontrunner Senator Grace Poe, was not a member of the coalition. Colmenares belongs to the House Minority Bloc. Colmenares is House Senior Deputy Minority Leader, next in line to House

Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora. Batocabe said the coalition had strict vetting process that required the 15.5-million members to vote for 12 nominated senatorial candidates, including those who were leading in the surveys but agreed that only the top six would be endorsed. The results ranked Gatchalian as the top choice, Romualdez ranked second, and the four other senatorial candidates made it to the top six, Batocabe said. Batocabe said the Bicolanos were particularly grateful for Romualdez because the lawmaker was the first to offer help when Ako Bicol was disqualified by the Commission on Elections. Ako Bicol was eventually declared qualified as a party-list group and consistently won three seats in the House.

PCSO branches on typhoon alert

Relief. At the DSWD warehouse in Pasay City, volunteers are busy repacking goods that will be distributed in Typhoon ‘Nona’-hit areas. DANNY PATA CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Tuesday said its branch offices are on standby to assist those affected by Typhoon “Nona” (international name Melor). According to PCSO acting chairman and general manager lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, “The PCSO branch offices in the Visayas and Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region have been placed on alert and are ready to extend any needed assistance.” In line with this, PCSO’s Charity Sector also issued an instruction to

its Special Projects division to “coordinate with the concerned branch offices regarding the appropriate calamity assistance that the [PCSO] can provide to the families.” Under PCSO’s Quick Response Program, PCSO will shoulder the cost of medical treatment in government hospitals for victims directly affected by natural disasters and national emergencies, in line with PCSO’s mandate. PCSO will also be distributing relief goods as needed, in coordination with PCSO branch

offices and local government units. In the past, PCSO has attended to victims directly affected by calamities and natural disasters such as the Compostela Valley landslide, Bohol and Cebu earthquake, and Typhoons “Yolanda,” “Sendong,” and others. Meanwhile, Chairman Emerson Carlos of the Metro Manila Development Authority has ordered the agency’s disaster team to prepare for rescue operations in areas identified by local government units as critical during bad weather. Joel Zurbano

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Task force takes over bullet-planting charges By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice will conduct preliminary investigation on the criminal charges filed against six airport personnel allegedly involved in the tanim-bala or bullet-planting scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, chief of the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service, said the complaint filed by Lane White, the American missionary victimized by the scheme last September, and his stepmother Eloisa Zoleta has been assigned to their Task Force Naia chaired by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva. “The task force will create a panel that will conduct preliminary investigation,” Arellano said in an interview.

Arellano stressed that after the designation of prosecutors in the panel, the respondents would then be summoned and hearings would be set. The complaint was referred to the DoJ last week by the National Bureau of Investigation team that probed the controversial scheme. Named respondents in the bullet-planting extortion racket case were Office for Transportation Security personnel Marvin Garcia and Ma. Elma Cegna; and Philip-

pine National Police–Aviation Security Group operatives Police Inspector Adriano Junio, SPO4 Ramon Bernardo and SPO2 Romy Navarro and Rolando Clarin. The NBI has recommended the conduct of preliminary investigation on Garcia and Cegna for violation of Article 5, Section 3 (B) (Liability for Planting Evidence) under Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act. The police officers were charged with violation of Article 293 (robbery and extortion) of the Revised Penal Code, violation of Republic Act 7438, otherwise known as “An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or under Custodial Investigation and Duties of the Arresting, Detaining or Investigating Officers and Re-

public Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.)” The 20-year-old White was arrested last Sept. 17 and charged with possession of a 22-caliber bullet, which was supposedly detected when his baggage went through the x-ray scanner at the Naia. White said his refusal to cough up P30,000 allegedly demanded by OTS personnel in exchange for his release led to his detention for six days at the ASG detention cell and the filing of charges against him for violation of RA 10591 before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court. He gained temporary liberty after Pasay City regional trial court allowed him to post a P40,000 bail. Last week, the court already dismissed the case against him. He already left the country last Monday night.

Pressing for BBL. Supporters of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law display the thumbs-down sign to protest against a new version of the draft

for being unconstitutional. They demand the immediate passing of the BBL during the ‘People’s Congress’ held at the Quezon City Circle Peace Bell area. LINO SANTOS

PH maid tells S’pore court couple starved her to 29 kg A PHILIPPINE maid has accused a Singaporean couple of starving her for 15 months until her weight dropped to 29 kilos (64 pounds), Singapore media reported Tuesday. Thelma Gawidan, 40, who escaped in April 2014 to a shelter for migrant workers, told a trial court on Monday that she was only fed instant noodles and bread twice a day in a condominium at the posh Orchard Road area. Gawidan testified again on Tuesday and said the couple withheld her salary, watched her every move and did not let her speak to anyone outside, the Straits Times newspaper’s website reported. “They’re watching me when I wake up, what I eat, what I drink and when to take a shower,” she was quoted as saying. After a few months of employment,

Gawidan was disallowed to use the toilet in the family home and accompanied by her female employer to a washroom next to the condominium’s swimming pool whenever she needed to relieve herself, the court was told. On a family trip to Hong Kong, she was also fed instant noodles and bread. On April 18 last year, Gawidan managed to escape to a nearby shopping center and called a fellow countrywoman who fed her before taking her to a shelter. Gawidan, a mother of three, has since regained weight. If convicted, trader Lim Choon Hong and his wife Chong Sui Foon, both 47, face a fine of up to Sg$10,000 ($7,100), imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both, for failing to provide the maid with adequate food. AFP

Manila seeking control of parking operation By Joel E. Zurbano THE city government of Manila is taking over the parking operation deal that former mayor Alfredo Lim signed with two private firms in 2012 after the Commission on Audit found out that the deal was grossly disadvantageous to the City of Manila. The private firms—Tokagawa Global Corp. and Matsuyama Corp.—were ordered to turn over the parking operations to the city’s Traffic Management Bureau. City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz said the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement on Sept. 17, 2012 signed by then mayor Lim, Tokagawa and Matsuyama, called for Matsuyama to provide parking metersand management devices, which will be installed, operated and maintained by Tokagawa. The parking deal is the subject of graft charges filed by journalist Ricardo Santos Cruz before the Office of the Ombudsman against Lim, Tokagawa vice president Rorie Cariaga, and Matsuyama managing officer Napoleon Ibalio. In his complaint affidavit, Cruz alleged that Lim and the other respondents violated Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. He noted that based on the city auditor’s report, the TMOA was grossly disadvantageous and the project itself was damaging to the city because of the disparity in the amount of investment by the respondent contractors as compared to the return of investment. “Considering that the TMOA was entered into by the then incumbent mayor and ratified by the City Council and consistent with the settled doctrine in administrative law of presumption of regularity in public office, Mayor [Joseph] Estrada respected the rights and obligations of the parties in the TMOA when the same was continued upon his assumption to office,” Alcovendaz said.

INC expands worldwide reach A CHURCH that emerged in the Philippines in 1914 that now has a worldwide reach. This was how Iglesia ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala characterized the INC today as he revealed on Tuesday that 64 chapels abroad were dedicated under the leadership of INC Executive Minister Ka Eduardo V. Manalo with the support of INC members from over 100 countries. “Since Ka Eduardo took over the helm of the Church in September 2009, outside the Philippines, the INC has established 64 chapels in a dozen countries in four continents; that’s approximately one chapel for each month he has served as our Executive Minister,” Zabala said. “In the United States alone, 37 chapels were established. For the Church, this is only the begin-

ning,” added the minister. Since September 2009, chapels have been dedicated in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Eight more chapels in Canada, Japan, and the United States will be dedicated in the next few months, in areas such as Bakersfield, California; Lubbock, Texas; Jersey City, New Jersey; Orange Park, Florida; Corona, Southern California; High Point, North Carolina; Regina, Canada; and Ibaraki, Japan. Zabala said that the INC was now one of the fastest-growing religious denominations in the world, fueled by the support of Church districts in the United States and other countries, “whose members have enthu-

siastically supported the Church’s thrust to spread the faith.” “We are happy and humbled, not just as INC members, but as citizens of the different countries where we respectively come from. You see people of various nationalities and disparate backgrounds not just embracing the Christian faith but celebrating it in one language: that of Christian love.” According to Zabala, services in other countries are conducted the same way they are done in the Philippines, but in the language of the listeners. “Non-Filipino ministers have to learn our language, and as a result become very proficient Filipino speakers, while Filipino ministers have to learn the language of the country to which they are assigned. This contributes to the worldwide reach of the INC.”

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Military exhumes body of beheaded hostage By Florante S. Solmerin

Darkness. A girl helps her little sister with homework using a candle as Cotabato City suffers an eight-hour power outage. OMAR MANGORSI

PNP creates group to probe slay try on DILG 4A director THE Philippine National Police has created a task force to probe the assassination try on Calabarzon Regional Director Renato Brion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said Special Investigation Task Force Brion will spearhead the conduct of investigation on the shooting of Brion last Monday in front of the DILG regional office in Calamba City.

The group will be headed by P/Senior Superintendent Romulo E. Sapitula, Deputy Regional Director for Operations of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office. Sarmiento said any informa-

tion leading to the arrest of the suspects in the Brion case may be relayed to P/Sr. Supt. Sapitula at mobile number 09178083333. A bounty of P2 million has been offered by President Benigno S. Aquino III for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators of the ambush. Initial investigation showed that Brion alighted from his service vehicle in front of the

Andenson Building in Barangay Parian, Calamba City when two assailants approached him from behind and shot him several times then fled from the incident. The PNP is now conducting dragnet and manhunt operations for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects. Brion underwent operation in a hospital Monday night and is now under observation.

THE military on Tuesday said a body believed to belong to a Malaysian kidnap victim who was beheaded recently by Abu Sayyaf terrorists has been exhumed in a remote place in Parang, Sulu. But Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla said there is no confirmation yet if the body really belongs to Bernard Then unless confirmed by DNA test. “Not yet, once that is matched and I think we also requested the DNA sample of relatives,” he said. Then and businesswoman Thien Nyuk Fun were kidnapped on May 14 in Sandakan, Malaysia and brought to Sulu for ransom negotiation. Padilla said intelligence operatives were able to locate the exact place where the alleged body of the victim was buried by the bandits. Troops from the 501st Infantry Brigade went to the place and exhumed Monday night the body in Sitio Lungon-Lungon in Barangay Lanao Dakula. They immediately brought the body to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo and transported it to a funeral parlor in Zamboanga City where the supposed head of the kidnap victim was preserved. On Nov. 17, the Malaysian was reported beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf. His head was found later inside a sack littered in Barangay Walled City in Jolo town. The military said those behind the beheading were Alhabsy Misaya and Idang Susukan. The beheading news of Then was released during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in Manila last month. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was among the delegates, condemned the barbarism of the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Cebu governor: No overprice in purchase of dump trucks By Junex Doronio CEBU CITY—Gov. Hilario Davide III has denied that there was overpricing in the purchase of P250 million worth of light and heavy equipment for the capitol. Davide, Cebu provincial chairman of the ruling Liberal Party, also stood by the members of Capitol’s Bids and Awards Committee who appeared to have approved an alleged overpriced heavy equipment. “I already made my statement supporting the decision of the BAC,” Davide said, adding that the allegation that the capitol had a favored bidder, was just invented by his detractors. Davide is running for re-

election against former GSIS chair Winston Garcia of local opposition party One Cebu. The BAC has approved the offered price of Conequip Phil. Inc. despite that it bid the highest, at P250.6 million, while other bidders Civic Merchandising offered P237.17 million and RDAK, P235.05 million. Conequip Phil. Inc. offered the provincial government P5,123,000 for the Singapore/ China-made Dowo dumptruck ZZ316M3811 model. With the purchase of nine units, Capitol would spend P46,107,000. But a document obtained by The Standard showed a price quotation of P2,600,000 per unit.

With this amount, nine units would only cost P23,400,000. The offer was made by a certain Seth Oliver Tio, managing director of Mighty Brothers Heavy Equipment, to a private company in Mandaue City. Based on the quotation, the Capitol would be paying P2.52 million more for every unit of nine dump trucks that Conequip will supply or a total of at least P22.7 million. With this amount, nine units would only cost P23,400,000. Meanwhile, Port of Cebu Customs appraiser Deodata T. Montejo told The Standard that a Howo dump truck costs $32,000 per unit and its customs duties would amount to not less than P400,000.

Brightness. Christmas lights brighten the highway in Makilala, North Cotabato. OMAR MANGORSI

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DASHING THROUGH THE STREETS WE WERE haunted today by the image of a child—probably no older than seven —seated on the running board of a public utility jeepney, banging on a makeshift bongo drum and singing his heart out, his sooty face and tattered T-shirt soaked by the rain brought about by Typhoon “Nona.” At the stoplight, street urchins even younger than he yammered out perfunctory Christmas carols hoping that motorists would favor them with a few coins while waiting for the light to turn. Along with the horrendous traffic jams, the hordes of children begging on the streets are a sure sign that the city is deep into the holiday season. Perhaps it says something about us as a people that we rarely give these underaged panhandlers a second thought. Some motorists give them a few coins out of pity; others do so because they don’t want their cars vandalized. Still others simply dismiss them with a wave. What none of us do, however, is to call out our national and local leaders and pressure them to take these children off the streets, away from a patently dangerous and unhealthy environment. In particular, this is the time to press Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman to do her job. Just last month, Soliman was eagerly “rescuing” street people from Manila, where they might be sighted by world leaders and international delegates who were here to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings. Some of these homeless people were given cash to find temporary lodgings elsewhere, and were told they could return to the streets only after the Apec summit. In January, Soliman waved her magic wand and made entire homeless families disappear from Manila streets, lest they are spotted by the visiting Pope. Some were taken out of town to a fancy resort for days, ostensibly for a workshop to teach them about the government’s conditional cash transfer program. An explanation of the program, a straight dole to poor families, would hardly take an hour, much less the several days that the homeless were kept away from the Pope. In either of these cases, if Soliman were truly serious about protecting the welfare of the homeless, shouldn’t she have simply refused to allow them to return to the streets? Even worse, Secretary Soliman and her department continues to turn a blind eye to women who carry infants as a prop in their panhandling, exposing the children to the elements, pollution and speeding vehicles. It is not enough for Secretary Soliman to say that keeping the homeless off the streets is somebody else’s responsibility—and that it is the local governments or the police that must act. After all, she took the initiative to hide the poor from the Pope and the Apec delegates. Certainly she can do the same when no foreign visitors are around to see them. We do wonder what Secretary Soliman does when underaged carolers stop at her car in the holiday traffic. Perhaps she simply waves them off and looks the other way.

ABSURD ESCALATION LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES MOVE along, now. There’s nothing to see here except two guys acting like children in a schoolyard when they really should know better. The word war between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and former Secretary Mar Roxas has escalated to absurdity, with the latest salvo coming from the tough-talking local executive, who is now challenging the

former US investment banker to a gunfight. This, after Roxas dared the 70-year-old mayor to quit talking about a slapping contest and engage him in fisticuffs instead. But I think nothing violent will come out of this. It’s all for the benefit of the media, as both parties try to win a pissing match that neither of them now know how to get out of. All that remains is an exit program that will be acceptable to both parties, I think. But if you’re hoping for an old-school duel to the death or even a pillow fight, I think you’d be se-

verely disappointed. Oh, there will be a lot of backdoor wrangling over who says what and how, what words should be put in a joint statement of reconciliation and when that will be issued. Either that, or both parties will just decide not to add more fuel to the fire anymore, in effect calling an undeclared truce that will be as icy as the Cold War of decades past. But I’m sure that neither of these supposedly grown men seriously entertains the thought of an actual physical clash that is only going to be counter-productive to both their presidential cam-

It was a nowin situation for Roxas from the very start. And yes, I’m not talking only about his word war with Duterte.

paigns. And I further believe that it is more in Roxas’ interest to just clam up and ignore Duterte, no matter how much that will hurt his fragile macho pride. What, after all, will this new harsher, angrier Roxas do to improve his chances of winning next May? Nothing, really, except reinforce his image as an uppity, short-fused and totally inauthentic kanto-boy wannabe. Duterte, on the other hand, will just twiddle his thumbs in Davao and continue to throw barbs at Roxas every chance he gets. But if Roxas doesn’t feel compelled to reply anymore, people will just wait for more of the same from the mayor, this time directed at his other rivals

like Senator Grace Poe or Vice President Jejomar Binay. It was a no-win situation for Roxas from the very start, anyway. And yes, I’m not talking only about his now-celebrated word war with Duterte. *** It’s important to remember that Roxas, at one point, was courting Duterte to be his running mate, making several offers to the mayor to join him in continuing on the “daang matuwid” as the former secretary’s vice presiden-

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tial candidate. Similar offers, according to people close to the mayor, were made by the other presidential candidates at various times, but all of them were turned down by Duterte. But while Duterte also said no to the overtures of Binay and Poe, he was particularly harsh with Roxas. Outwardly, of course, both camps say that the two are close friends and comrades who cooperated closely—but in reality, they probably never liked each other. At one point, when Roxas visited

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Duterte in Davao, the mayor actually made the administration candidate wait for two hours before meeting him at a hangar in the southern city. According to one source, the meeting had been arranged by a top religious leader who was close to both men. But the mayor didn’t really want to see Roxas and only arrived as President Noynoy Aquino’s candidate was about to board his plane to leave Davao. By that time, Roxas had already been waiting for Duterte for two hours. Continued on A11

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THE 2016 presidential campaign just got nastier with ugly verbal violence taking over. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, PDP-Laban presidential bet, said he would slap rival Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas if their paths cross on the campaign trail. Roxas raised Duterte’s hackles for saying his record as a crime buster is a myth. Assailing the Davao mayor’s reputation as a tough law-and-order enforcer is almost an assault on his manhood, prompting Digong’s outburst. Mar went as far as citing Philippine National Police statistics showing Davao City as fourth nationwide in the number of crimes committed. When Duterte questioned Roxas’ Wharton School of Economics degree, Mar snapped back: “If I cannot prove I have a Wharton degree, Digong can slap me. But if I do, and I have asked Wharton to send my school records, is Duterte ready to be slapped?” The prestigious US school’s website lists Roxas as one of its notable graduates. Duterte cannot continue intimidating other people with his tough-guy talk. Sooner or later, someone will man up to him. As Mar Roxas did. Better double your phalanx of bodyguards, Mar. The Dutertes don’t make empty threats. It will be recalled Rody’s daughter, former Davao City Mayor Sarah, punched a sheriff who was serving an eviction order against informal settlers. The sheriff was talking back to Sarah that he was merely serving a lawful court order. Duterte now finds himself the object of a Commission on Human Rights investigation for boasting he killed 1,700 criminals. While Duterte bragged about it, the CHR will have to produce, literally, the bodies of evidence. In law, there is no crime committed when a corpus delicti (Latin for corpse) cannot be produced. How can they be produced if, as the “myth” goes, the bodies of these summary killings have already been fed as shark meat when they were dumped into the sea? Duterte, himself a lawyer, knows this as he asked his accusers “did anyone see me do it?” Dead men tell no tales, or else CHR Commissioner Etta Rosales would have filed a case against Duterte a long time ago. The allegations on the existence of a Davao death squad have been reported even before Duterte burst into the national consciousness as a presidential contender. 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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It was a nowin situation for Roxas from the very start. And yes, I’m not talking only about his word war with Duterte.

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HOW LOW CAN THEY GET? TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO I ALONG with many others still believe that Mrs. Mary Grace Natividad Kelly Poe Llamanzares is truly the daughter of the former strongman President Ferdinand Marcos with former movie actress Rosemarie Sonora, sister of Jesusa Sonora Poe, wife of the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. This was the rumor then. It has persisted, despite claims that Mrs. Llamanzares, who is now running for president, was a foundling left in a church baptismal font in

Roxas should not have gone down to Duterte’s level.

Jaro, Iloilo. She was taken in by a family and consequently adopted by Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, who were childless. Somebody showed me photos of Mrs. Llamanzares beside that of Marcos and Rosemarie Sonora, and their similarities were indisputable. No doubt about it, her intelligence and ability to resonate with people could not have come from anybody else but Marcos. In fact, in the Senate, Bongbong Marcos calls her “sis,” and in return, she calls Bongbong “brod.” Why is movie actress Sheryl Cruz, daughter of Rosemarie from an earlier marriage, so reluctant to have a DNA test with Mrs. Llamanzares? And why is Mrs. Llamanzares also reluctant to have a DNA test with Bongbong? Senator Marcos had said that if the DNA test proved positive, he would say: “Welcome to the family!” That would end the issue of the citizenship of Mrs. Llamanzares as a naturalborn Filipino. As for her residency issue, well, that’s another thing. *** In my over 65 years as a journalist, having gone full circle in print and broadcast, I never thought I would see the day when protagonists in the presidential arena would go down the gutter. Administration candidate Mar Roxas has gone down to the level of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

when the latter threatened to slap Mar. Roxas had earlier claimed Davao was not as safe a place as the mayor made it out to be. In turn, Duterte challenged Mar to produce proof that he graduated from Wharton. Mar then said that if he could show proof of his Wharton education, he would go to Davao City to slap the mayor. All these may produce some chuckles, but, to me, it’s not funny at all. Why does Mar have to stoop to Duterte’s level? Mar could win this “slapstick politics,” since he truly was a Wharton graduate. But, for somebody as educated and at times labelled as “Mr. Nice Guy,” to sink into the level of Duterte does not speak well of the administration candidate. My gulay, Mar should take his cue from Mrs. Llamanzares, who is also running for president. Grace even said she wished Duterte would not be disqualified by the Comelec despite attacking her for being an “American President.” This is how low Philippine politics has gone through the years. Imagine presidential candidates threatening to slap each other! Worse, people have a strange fascination with a candidate who is vulgar, profane and obscene. Duterte has admitted to leading an immoral life and killing people! There are those who claim that Duterte’s popularity comes from people’s ability to relate to him. I beg to disagree. Perhaps there are some who are like him, but the majority of our people are more civilized, still holding dear their Filipino and Christian values. Duterte is self-destructing —if he has not done it already. *** In 2016, I will go for the presidential candidate who can unite the country, severely fragmented as it is, and heal political wounds so that we can move the country forward. I have been saying this since after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. Unfortunately, political divisions and wrangling worsened with the presidency of the late Cory Aquino. She wanted the names of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos erased from the memory of the people. My gulay, Cory did not even want the remains of Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, despite the fact that he was president of the country and a hero of Bataan. By law, he deserves that burial. In fact, the Cory Aquino administration divided the country further, making the healing of political wounds impossible.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOU HERE are three things to remember about the Dec. 12, 2015 agreement in Paris on climate change: One, nations of the world are now committed to keep global warming by 2050, to “well below” 2°Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) higher than the preindustrial 1800 temperature. Much better, the rise should be 1.5 °C. Two, the rich countries will provide, beginning 2020, $100 billion a year to the poor countries affected by climate change. The commitment is not legally binding but global public opinion could probably shame the donor countries. The money will help victim- countries become green or greener and cope with floods, droughts, and storms. Three, all countries, rich or poor, must cut carbon emissions dramatically every five years so that overall pollution or emissions could be brought down “as soon as possible.” A meeting will be held every five years to audit each nation’s pledges. The 2°C benchmark is legally binding. The 1.5°C is just an ambition. But the .5°C difference could mean glaciers not melting and about 130 million people not being inundated by rising waters and probably dying. In the last 30 years, the minimum extent of the Arctic sea ice has been reduced by 41 percent, from 7.8 million sq. km. to 4.6 million sq. km. The loss in area is 10 times the size of the United Kingdom disappearing. From the 1800s to today, the average temperature of the world’s surface has risen by just 0.85°C (1.4F)— and look is what’s happening to us now. The sea level has risen by a foot. We have had severe storms, severe floods, severe droughts and each of the last 10 years, including 2015, has been the warmest on record. Countries, once considered developing or poor but which have become wealthy, should also help the poorer countries. They include Singapore, South Korea, China and even India. Before the Dec. 12 Paris agreement, about 146 nations promised as of end-October 2015, to cut carbon emissions by 55 gigatons of carbon dioxide, a reduction per year which could mean a global warming of 2.7°C, instead of 2°C, by year 2100. The cut per year should be 40 gigatons—the equivalent of four huge nuclear bombs detonating with a power enough to obliterate the earth, at 10 gigatons GT per nuclear bomb. That’s why I am inclined to support and possibly vote for Vice President Jojo Binay. He said he would give priority to uniting the country and healing its wounds. This unity and healing became an impossible dream under Benigno Aquino III. Out of his vindictiveness towards his political enemies, he had former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo charged with plunder. She has been in hospital detention for almost three years now. Aquino III also wanted to show the world that he could oust a Supreme Court chief justice that he went to the extent of bribing members of Congress and the Senate with pork barrel funds and that mongrel called Disbursement Acceleration Program to impeach, convict and oust Chief Justice Renato Corona.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ Without the October 2015 pledges, warming will be 2°C, with business as usual. Current carbon emissions per year is 37 gigatons. At this rate, the remaining 825 gigatons of “carbon budget,” assuming 2.4 percent per year linear emissions increase—will be used up in 17 years or 2032, then we hit the 2°C threshold. The world’s energy companies have fuel reserves equivalent to carbon pollution of 725 GT. Add the 780 GT of fuel reserves still to be developed, plus 1,280 GT of “other reserves,” then the total pollution potential is 2,785 GT. From 1850 to today, the world has released 1,475 GT of carbon dioxide, mainly due to human activities. Translating global warming into nuclear bombs may not make much sense because if one 10-gigaton bomb could finish the earth, why bother with the three other 10-gigaton bombs? But it shows you how grave the problem of global warming impact is. Even now, with global temperature at just .85°C above the 1800s, some 400,000 people die every year allegedly because of warming, according to Climate Vulnerability Monitor. Those 400,000 lives are supposed to be worth $3 trillion, using the Value of Statistical Life metrics of the US Environmental Protection Agency. You can imagine the toll in deaths and money with a global warming of 2.7°C. If ask me though, millions more could probably benefit from $3 trillion if you let nature handle the 400,000. What does a 2°C target mean to our daily lives? Profound and plenty. At the dining table, you cannot eat steak because steak comes from cows and it takes huge tracks of grazing land to breed cattle. Those lands will probably come from forests that have to be cut down, not to mention the methane gas from cows. Pork is more carbon-correct although they say chicken is best because it requires little fossil fuel and spoiling of the environment to grow. Probably, we would have no more gasoline-fed cars in 30 years. We will

In five months, we will have a new president. I hope he will be someone who can unite us and move us forward. *** Two weeks ago, international businessman Roberto V. Ongpin inaugurated a wellness center that is the first of its kind, indeed a cut above all other spas and wellness centers. The Aegle Wellness Center opened its doors first at the sixth floor of the City Club Makati Place in Makati, and now at a new facility at the north end of the Mykonos Villas in Balesin Island Club off Quezon province. Ongpin wants to call the wellness center, “Aegle” after the goddess of radiant health in Greek mythology. It has a budget of P350 million for both centers in The City Club and Balesin

have more wind mills in nearly every area where there is strong wind (except in Congress), and more solar panels in place. Electricity coming from coal and crude oil will have to be phased out. That is a very expensive proposition. Furniture made of wood will be very expensive because logging will have to be banned, along with kaingin (slash-and-burn farming of forests). Coal and crude oil remain the cheapest sources of electricity. They cost less than half the power produced from windmills and solar. The richest Filipinos in business brag about investing in windmills. Some of these people are blue-eyed or chinky although they are counted as Filipinos—unlike Grace Poe. These oligarchs are not making money with green energy. They make money because of generous subsidies from the government called feed-in tariffs. If government can subsidize the already very rich in the name of epal green energy, maybe, starting now, the government should start subsidizing the use of solar on our rooftops, so that we, the poor and the pedestrian, can help cut emissions without burning our pockets. The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas is the main contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, the gases responsible for global warming.The burning of forests—which absorb carbon— also adds to the warming. The last time I inquired, it costs P200,000 to have a solar panel on your roof—the equivalent price of a second-hand car running on diesel and is good for 10 more years. Why should an Ayala, an Aboitiz, a Lopez, or a Ty have all the breaks in the world? Globally, the biggest polluters are China (24 percent of total greenhouse gas emitted); United States (12 percent); European Union (9 percent); India (6 percent); Brazil (6 percent); Russia (5 percent); Japan (3 percent); Canada (2 percent); Congo (1.5 percent); and Indonesia (1.5 percent). These ten countries account for 70 percent of total global emissions. For the crime of 10 countries, some 190 other nations have to suffer. But then as Pope Francis says, the Earth is our common home. You have to love your family members no matter how bad they are. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Island. The projects entail major construction work. What makes Bobby’s “magnum opus” a cut above the rest is that both centers have complete medical diagnostic facilities. Ongpin believes that a patient’s vital functions must first be diagnosed—this is true wellness. Ongpin also made sure that each facility is staffed with the best medical doctors, nutritionists and physical therapists. This is what makes The Aegle at par with the world’s leading wellness centers. For this, Ongpin hired Dr. Claude Chauchard, one of the authorities on wellness and anti-aging, and Dr. Ben Valdecanas, a highlyacclaimed Filipino medical wellness doctor. There are also Katherine Veneracion and Jennifer Sanvictores, who joined the team months

ago, to make the staff truly world-class. There have been many establishments in Metro Manila calling themselves wellness centers. In fact, they are nothing but spas and massage clinics. There is one world-class wellness center: in ChivaSom in Hua Hin, Thailand. There, the setting, the facilities and therapeutic offerings are unique. Getting there, however, is quite a challenge. I asked Bobby: why a wellness center when we already have Vicky Belo? He told me that in his researches, he found out that the wellness industry is now worth $2 trillion and still growing worldwide. For Bobby Ongpin, there’s no second best, only the best like all his projects. I’ve never seen my former student so enthused.

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

‘PASKO NA!’

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO OKAY, awat na…for the next 16 days, let’s stop the political noise. Pasko na! Simbang gabi, that lovely Filipino tradition of greeting the birth of Christ with a novena of early dawn masses, starts today. Unfortunately, the weather has not been cooperating, thanks in large part to this phenomenon called climate change. The nights and early mornings are not cold, not even nippy. I used to put off the bedroom airconditioner in years past from December to February. But these days, evening temperatures are in the high 20s, while in the daytime they can go as high as 33-34 degrees Celsius. And if the temperatures are warm, politics is hot—from waiting in suspense for the Comelec to rule on whether or not Grace Poe and Rodrigo Duterte’s names will be printed in the ballots for 2016, or engaging in this nonsense of slapping each other over a Wharton

The campaign... From A9 Saving Grace Poe How does anyone save Grace Poe from herself? Senator Poe admitted she made an “honest mistake” by misunderstanding the question in her Certificate of Candidacy on the number of years since she had returned from the US to reside in the Philippines, and when she also stated she was a natural born Filipino when her citizenship was still in question. The Commission on Elections’ two legal divisions ruled this was

Absurd... From A9 This was right after journalist Philip Lustre wrote a Facebook post claiming that Duterte had cancer. But because he could not refuse the religious leader, the mayor put in an appearance, even if he was intentionally and

degree that taught little common sense. Tama na…sobra na…Pasko naman! *** My daughter frets about not having finished her Christmas shopping, and curses at the traffic situation. Me? Unless there is an important meeting somewhere, I just stay home. For the last six years or so, I have not gone Christmas shopping anyway. It’s for the ladies in the household to bother about. And I ask that meetings be held within a ten-kilometer distance from home. It takes an hour to get to Makati central business district, which is just about five kilometers away, with traffic. Sometimes one experiences a miracle, where traffic flow is smooth, which means cooling your heels for a meeting yet to start. But that’s fine, as long as you are not late. But staying at home means having to watch TV news. And listen to all the banality that Philippine electoral politics brings.

*** Not enough attention is given by media to the results of the climate change summit in Paris. More about DQ here and DQ there, and sampalan blues. Little attention is given to the fact that the El Niño that will visit us soon will be the worst in 60 years. The phenomenon has started. Farms in what used to be the huge Cotabato province before it was divided into five are reeling from the effects of a prolonged drought. Caraga and Davao as well. Many rice and corn farmers in Mindanao will be unable to plant their crops because what used to be December rain will be a prolonged period of dry air. By March, 85 percent of the entire country will be suffering from the effects of this El Niño. And since little improvement has happened in the state of irrigation since Marcos left the country 30 years ago, despite bloated budgets, rain-fed fields will just lie fallow. Food crops will be supply-scarce; prices will increase. Meanwhile, farmers suffer.

Farm-gate prices of palay are down to the P14-15 level, leaving palay farmers very little left to sustain themselves through the season of drought. And government has to resort to massive rice importation, just to keep consumer prices stable, especially with elections right around the corner. It will be déjà vu in the Stateof-the-Nation Address of 2016, when the next president reports to the nation that the rice self-sufficiency promise was just a tall tale concocted by a Department of Agriculture which did not know how to compute data and face up to reality. And that as a result of which, public debt incurred by the National Food Authority, which in 2010 was P178 billion, gone down by 2013 to P150 billion, is back to where it was in 2010—maybe even higher. In 2010, the DA budget was some P30 billion. It increased year after year, so that the PNoy administration gave DA a legacy budget of P67 billion, more than double what GMA gave.

And what shall we show for it? Don’t look at NFA. In 2010, DBM gave it a mere P2.5 billion subsidy to buy palay in 2011; and P4 billion each year thereafter. Compare that to how much they lavished at DA, and compare the rice production budget to the alleged harvest growth figures. The next president, even if he never stepped foot at Wharton upon the University of Pennsylvania, will compute failure. But never mind figures and statistics. The poor can’t eat that, anyway. Just think— beyond rice, how much will your sitaw and talong cost next year, never mind the cabbage and carrots of your chopsuey. And if the El Niño increases sea water temperature higher, wonder how much your bangus will cost. Will you then vote for continuity? *** In any case, visit your church for the Simbang Gabi. Don’t bring your mothballed sweaters, you’d sweat if you wear these. Oh, and by the way, has your balikbayan box arrived?

more than an “honest mistake” but a serious “material misrepresentation.” We are not suggesting it but Senator Poe could withdraw from the race to spare the nation from a divisive situation if her die-hard supporters refuse to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court, to where Poe plans to elevate the case. No one wants to see violent street protests which might be used as reason to postpone the 2016 elections. Sinister forces could seize the opportunity for extending someone’s rule. The case at the Supreme Court is sub judice and we can no lon-

ger comment on it. Composed of 12 wise men and women who are steeped in the law and sworn to uphold the Constitution, the high court is the final arbiter and its ruling should be respected. Ms. Poe is only 47 years old. She could seek the presidency again when she turns 53 in 2022. By then, she would have acquired the required residency to run for the highest post in the land. The Philippines too, by that time, should have signed the United Nations convention on foundlings mandating a child found in the place where he or she is left

abandoned assumes the citizenship of that country in line with the UN’s concern that no one should be a stateless person. Grace’s claim to the presidency could gain her more support and followers if the winner in 2016 turns out to be a failure. Grace will feel vindicated if the people later on say she would have made a better president had she been allowed to run. Meanwhile, Katrina Legarda, a lawyer known for championing women’s and children’s rights, weighed in on the controversy. Legarda expressed the

opinion that Poe is a naturalborn Filipino because “it defies all logic that a foreign woman would come all the way to the Philippines just to abandon her new-born baby.” Grace is a foundling left at a church door in Jaro, Iloilo. She was later adopted by the film couple Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. Her real parents are unknown even as she tried to trace her relatives through DNA testing. So far, she has been unable to find a match which would lay to rest all questions on her citizenship.

terribly late. The meeting was not cordial. “What do you Malacañang people want to do to me?” Duterte demanded from Roxas, who was silent and chastened. According to another source, Duterte saw through Roxas, whom the mayor disliked for his

“teka teka” type of leadership and for his penchant of “using” people to get what he wanted. And even that early, this source added, Duterte had already figured that if he sought the presidency, he would have to fight Roxas for it. Besides, I think it really hurt

Duterte when Roxas described the improvements in the peaceand-order situation in Davao as a “myth,” citing statistics the former interior and local government secretary got from the Philippine National Police. Because Roxas questioned the veracity of a claim that the law-

and-order mayor was proud of, Duterte has now upped the ante, leading to the current exchange of ever-escalating challenges. But I still believe that nothing will come out of this, especially for Roxas. I guess we shall see in the coming days how this particular farce will end.

#FAILOCRACY

CHONG ARDIVILLA

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Griffin powers Clippers past Pistons WASHINGTON—Blake Griffin scored 34 points and set up two crucial baskets that sparked the Los Angeles Clippers to a 105-103 over-time NBA victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The star power forward assisted on JJ Redick’s game-tying 3-pointer with 19.6 remaining in regulation time and flipped the ball to reserve Jamal Crawford ahead of his go-ahead 3-pointer with 12.4 seconds remaining in overtime among seven assists as the visiting Clippers improved to 15-10.

“People look at the power, the speed and the dunks. They miss the best part of his game and that’s his passing,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said of Griffin. Players talked Rivers out of his plans to set up the plays that led to the key 3-pointers. “It was really one of those games

where you listen to them,” Rivers said. “They were so into the game, they had a great feel. Sometimes as a coach you say, ‘No, I’ll go with my stuff.’ Sometimes, you go with theirs.” Detroit couldn’t convert three putback attempts after a missed free throw in the final seconds. Reggie Jackson led Detroit with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Redick had 24 points while Chris Paul had 13 points and 12 assists for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge and Tony

Parker each added 18 points as the San Antonio Spurs ripped Utah 118-81, improving to 13-0 at home this season, their best home-court start since 2007. The Spurs, with the NBA’s secondbest record at 21-5 behind only 24-1 Golden State, led the Jazz by as many as 46 points on the way to a third consecutive blowout romp. In Atlanta, Chris Bosh had 24 points and 10 rebounds to power the Miami Heat over the host Hawks 100-88. The Heat had lost seven games in a row to the Hawks and last won in Atlanta in 2013. AFP

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. AFP

Suarez, Nocos log tennis wins in Naga TOP seed Justin Suarez of PTA Manila bounced back from a second set meltdown with a tough win in the tiebreaker, hacking out a 6-2, 2-6, 10-7 victory over unranked Nilo Ledama to clinch the boys’ 16-andunder crown in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament at the Naga City Tennis Club in Cebu yesterday. Young Tiffany Claire Nocos also lived up to her billing but went through a pair of wringers to win the 10-unisex and girls’ 12-U title in the weeklong Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and held as part of the Dagitab Festival celebrations capped by an Open Championship which gets going today (Wednesday, Dec. 16).

Nocos, from Lapu Lapu City thwarted No. 2 Alain Ocat, 3-5, 5-4(3), 12-10, to snare the 10-unisex crown then repulsed second seed Lyra Mae Repollo, 6-1, 3-6, 10-7, in the 12-U finals of the event presented by Technifibre. “We thank Palawan Pawnshop for staging this tournament which drew the top young players from various cities and towns of the region. We also invite tennis aficionados to watch the national men’s players in the Open Championship,” said Mayor Valdemar Chiong of the NCTC. Local ace Zethley Alferez took the girls’ 18-U title with a 6-1, 6-2 reversal over top seed Kristin Salimbangon, but Carcar, Cebu’s Elizabeth Abarquez foiled Alferez’s two-title bid by taking the 16-U plum with a 6-1, 6-3 shocker.

Growee camp on Dec. 18 at Sta. Lucia Mall AFTER the success of its previous stagings, the Growee Basketball Camp tries to duplicate its significant campaign with another basketball clinic and 3x3 tournament on Dec. 18 at the Sta. Lucia Mall, the biggest mall in the Metro East area. The last two legs of the camp were attended by a hundred children, who were inspired by some of the biggest and brightest names in Philippine Basketball Association. The kids rubbed elbows with their idols, like Barangay Ginebra star Japeth Aguilar and Text ‘N Text shooter Larry Fonacier during the first staging last month. In the succeeding camp last month, organizers brought University Athletic Association of the Philippines MVP Kiefer Ravena and Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao to inspire children and reach their dreams. ``Besides developing more players, one of our main goals is to encourage young people to engage in sports activities,’’ said Growee Basketball Camp

Participants of the Growee Basketball Camp learn the fundamentals from the masters.

director Randy Alcantara. ``Playing basketball will improve their physical and mental abilities rather than spend much of the time tinkering with their gadgets,’’ added the head coach of the Mapua Red Robins in the NCAA. Before the year ends, the Growee Basketball Camp will have its champion in the 3x3 tournament, where kids in the series’ 1 and 2 of the camp will compete for the title.

Alcantara said participants must just bring an empty 250ml bottle of Growee and registration for the camp, open for kids 12 years old and below, is free. For inquiries, contact tel. nos. 0949459 1223 and 0905-4357607. Backed by Growee, the camp is also supported by Sta. Lucia Mall, Sta. Lucia Healthcare, Accel and Jimm’s 5-in-1 coffee.

Yao, Shaq, Iverson could join Hall of Fame

NEW YORK—Expected changes to the Basketball Hall of Fame election process could see Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson and China’s Yao Ming among those inducted in 2016, according to an NBA website report on Monday. Citing unnamed sources, the report said the Basketball Hall of Fame changes will include reducing by one year the wait for eligibility for induction to the sporting shrine. The wait time would be shortened from five seasons in retirement to four, officials wanting to avoid what has become a sixth year of waiting by the time the vote process is completed. The new plan would see eligibility after five calendar years rather than five NBA seasons and that would open the door early for several candidates that could be first ballot selections, notably Yao, O’Neal, Iverson as well as Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Yao and Shaq would not have been on the ballot for another year under prior Hall rules. Some carryover candidates might find themselves squeezed with new stars moving ahead in the Hall picture, notably Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson and Chris Webber. AFP

Referee says he is gay in wake of Rondo insult NEW YORK—Bill Kennedy, an NBA referee for 18 seasons, revealed that he is gay after being the subject of homophobic insults from Sacramento guard Rajon Rondo, Yahoo Sports reported on Monday. Rondo was banned on Friday for one game after repeated insults and a confrontation with Kennedy during a December 3 game between the Kings and Boston at Mexico City. Kennedy ejected Rondo on two technical fouls to arouse the player’s anger. “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man,” Kennedy told Yahoo Sports. “I am following in the footsteps of others who have self-identified in the hopes that will send a message to young men and women in sports that you must allow no-one to make you feel ashamed of who you are.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver made a statement of support for Kennedy to Yahoo Sports. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Tayao Cabera secures podium finish in Macau

Seaoil karter Gabriel “Gabe” Tayao Cabrera bagged a podium finish (third place) at the Asian Karting Open Championships in Macau. Inset show the 15-year-old Makati Hope Christian School student displaying his trophies.

Rio Olympics tightens belt RIO DE JANEIRO—The 2016 Olympics are 80 percent ready, but Brazil’s punishing economic crisis has forced organizers to dramatically tighten their belts, they said Monday. In the six years since Rio de Janeiro was named to host the Games, Brazil has gone from being an emerging market phenom to being mired in recession and political crisis. That has put the pressure on the Rio 2016 Committee to keep a tight lid on expenses, said its chief spokesman, Mario Andrada. He estimated the overall budget had been cut by between five and 20 percent. Athletes will not have TVs in their rooms and will have to share the ones located in the common areas of the apartments in the athletes’ village. The VIP

area will be more modest than at past Olympics. And, in a bid to save paper, “print less” will be the mantra of the day. Organizers even toyed with the idea of making athletes pay for their own air conditioning, but dropped the plan after numerous complaints. “These will be the first Olympic Games to have intelligent cost management, with a balanced budget. We’re going to organize the games with the money we have. We’re not going to leave unsettled bills for the government or society to pay,” Andrada told AFP. The committee has $1.9 bil-

lion to organize the Games, and is trying not to touch a $780 million fund from the federal government for related expenses such as transport infrastructure and security. Andrada vowed no cuts would be made to budgets for venues, competitions, the opening ceremony or “legacy” projects intended to last after the Games. But some construction projects have drawn criticism. The diving pool will not have a roof, despite complaints from the federation responsible for the sport. And construction delays on the velodrome track, which will only be built in January, have raised eyebrows. “Rio is 80 percent ready today. In April it will be 100 percent ready, and throughout the Games it will be at 120 percent. It will be a spectacular Olympiad,” said Andrada. AFP

SEAOIL karter Gabriel “Gabe” Tayao Cabrera ended the 2015 race year with a big bang after bagging a podium finish at the Asian Karting Open Championships in Macau. Also backed by Gold’s Gym, DC and Media Magic, the 15-year-old Makati Hope Christian School student emerged a hero for his dramatic third-place win in the X30 Division, making him the first-ever Filipino to achieve the feat in the class. Tayao Cabrera was the second youngest driver of the series’ largest class with 41 seasoned drivers from Macau, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Initially using engines provided by a foreign supplier, Tayao Cabrera was besieged with mechanical problems from the time trials to the heats that caused him to fall

far back in the grid. Hopes for a podium win was kept alive after AUTS Racing’s Indy Villalon— a former mentor of Tayao Cabrera, came to the rescue by providing a brand-new engine. Escaping elimination by a narrow margin, Tayao Cabrera barely made it to the pre-final grid of 36 drivers. Gaining new fans, the crowd went wild seeing Tayao Cabrera work his way up from 28th to 11th in the prefinals, overtaking 17 drivers in the 18-lap event. The excitement escalated in the 24-lap finals as Tayao Cabrera further weaved his way up to third. The Philippines’ brightest racing star capped an intense battle by clocking the fastest time -- 49.953 in the finals, beating the record previously set by the champion in the pre-finals.

Pagara faces former world champ Sanchez By Ronnie Nathanielsz UNBEATEN 21-year-old WBO Youth Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara will face former world super flyweight champion Juan Carlos Sanchez, the same fighter, who gave Cesar Juarez a furious battle, but lost a close decision. Juarez is remembered for his brutal battle with former fivedivision world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who won the vacant World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title in Puerto Rico last Saturday. ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer announced the eagerly awaited showdown on Feb. 27 in another blockbuster “Pinoy Pride” fight card to be held at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu. The 24-year-old Sanchez has a record of 20-4-1 with 9 knockouts and won the vacant IBF super flyweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Roberto Domingo Sosa

on June 8, 2013 and also scored a rousing ninth-round knockout over former Filipino world champion Rodel Mayol. Pagara is undefeated with a record of 25-0, with 18 knockouts and is coming off an impressive sixth-round knockout win over vaunted southpaw William Gonzalez in ALA Promotions’ first venture in the US at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California last Oct. 17. Prince Albert, who engaged Donaire in a terrific sparring session at the ALA Gym in Cebu when they were both preparing for fights, is expected to face an acid test against the Mexican southpaw. Aldeguer, who marveled at the Donaire-Juarez epic told The Standard/boxingmirror.com that Sanchez had already signed the fight contract and Pagara, who has been on light training, will now step up his preparation for the fight on a terrific card, which will include undefeated featherweight Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and promising youngster KJ Cataraja.

Barcelona’s style has evolved, says Messi YOKOHAMA—Lionel Messi believes the current Barcelona side has more weapons than Pep Guardiola’s 2009 world-beaters and wants to prove it by winning a record third Club World Cup. The Spanish giants, who have captured the Champions League, Spain’s La Liga, the Copa del Rey and European Super Cup this year, take on China’s Guangzhou Evergrande Thursday for a place in the tournament final in Yokohama on December 20. “It’s one of my favorite competitions,” said Messi, favourite to win his fifth Ballon d’Or in January. “It gives you the opportunity to round off the year in the best possible way. These

titles are an indelible legacy in the history of the club. It’s something very important. “It’s been an amazing year,” the Argentina wizard told fifa. com in the build-up to Barca’s clash against Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou. “That time when we won everything under Guardiola looked unrepeatable. We genuinely weren’t sure if we’d get close to that again. (But) here we are. Now what’s left for us to do is end the year in the best possible way and make it unforgettable.” Barring an upset in Wednesday’s first semi-final between Libertadores Cup holders River Plate and

Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Messi will come face to face with the side which almost signed him as a teenager in his native Argentina. Remarkably, Messi has only once previously played against an Argentine club, when Barcelona beat Estudiantes 2-1 in the 2009 Club World Cup final. Two years later, Barca smashed four past Brazil’s Santos, which featured current team-mate Neymar. “I’ve witnessed (Neymar’s) enormous growth, both as a footballer and as a person,” said Messi. “Back then he was already a great player and now he’s much more complete. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to have him alongside us.” AFP

Cheerleaders from the Miami Dolphins perform during the second half of the game against the New York Giants at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Battle royale looms in PH Open EXPECT a battle royale as the men of the tour seek solid finishes in the 98th Philippine Open presented by ICTSI which fires off tomorrow at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac. The players will be jostling for spots in the Top 63 in the Order of Merit to earn a full Asian Tour card for 2016. Among the players fighting to break into the cut-off line are Thai Chinnarat Phadungsil, young Phachara Khongwatmai, also of Thailand, Scott Barr of Australia, Japanese Akinori Tani, Sam Cyr of the US and Korean Giwhan Kim. Three Filipinos are inside the safety zone but Miguel Tabuena (44th), Angelo Que (52nd) and Tony Lascuña (56th) will also be going all-out not only to improve their respective ranking but regain the championship for the Filipinos. Que last won the Open, as an Asian Tour event, in 2008 at Wack Wack with Elmer Salvador and Artemio Murakami ruling the next two editions in all-Filipino Open. American Berry Henson nipped Jay Bayron to snare the 2011 crown, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat dominated the field the next year and Marcus Both winning by two last year. There was no Phl Open in 2013. A total of two Asian Tour OOM winners, including local ace and Japan-based Juvic Pagunsan, and no fewer than 15 Tour winners will slug it out for top honors in the season-

ending $300,000 event, Asia’s oldest national Open which used to be the kickoff leg of the Asian Tour. Six players in the Top 20 of the current Asian Tour OOM are also among the 132-man elite field while Jeunghun Wang of Korea, who will represent Team Asia in next year’s EurAsia Cup, is also in the fold. “I think this is our best chance to reclaim the crown,” said Lascuña, out to cap the season with a win after yielding the local OOM title he held for three years to Tabuena. “But we have to take advantage of our local knowledge of the layout with premium on putting since the local can match the foreign aces’ power,” added Lascuña, one of the pros seeing action in today’s pro-am tournament along with the amateurs and guest players from the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT, Metro Pacific, Amon Trading, Central Azucarera de Tarlac and Ayala Land Inc. The other former Asian Tour OOM winner seeing action in the 72-hole championship backed by hole sponsors San Miguel Corp., Suntrust Properties, Sta. Lucia is Thai Thaworn Wiratchant.

Republic of the Philippines Philippine Rural Development Project Invitation to Bid for the Rehabilitation of NRJ-Palacian–Ramos Road (Formerly Rehab of NRJ Pinaripad Sur-Ramos Road) Identification No. PRDP-IB-R002-QUI-002-000-000-2015 Loan No. 8421-PH December 16, 2015

Bea Tan (second from left) announces the staging of the ‘Beach Volleyball Republic Christmas Open’ at the SM Mall of Asia SM by the Sands during an appearance at the PSA Forum. She is joined here by fellow players (from left) Rupia Inck, Charo Soriano and Alexa Micek. EY ACASIO

Beach volley Christmas Open set A TWO-DAY, 10-team tournament caps off what had been a relatively busy and successful year for beach volleyball. Dubbed ‘Beach Volleyball Republic Christmas Open,’ the Dec. 19 and 20 meet features some of the country’s finest volleybelles competing for pride, honor, and a total cash prize of P100,000 at stake in the meet to be held at the SM By the Sands. “It’s our way of thanking the people who supported beach volleyball this year. It’s a good mix of players from the UAAP, V-League, Super Liga, and the NCAA as well,” said Bea Tan, one of the players seeing action in the event which was featured in Tuesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate. Tan was accompanied in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp.,

Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., by fellow players Alexa Micek, Charo Soriano, Rupia Inck, and technical official Adrian Tabanag. Among the players seeing action are Tan and Inck, Soriano and Micek, Fille Cainglet and Denden Lazaro, April Hingpit and Maica Morada, Julie Ann Tiangco and Mariel Sinamban. Completing the cast are Rica Rivera and Cherry Rondina, Janine Marciano and Bang Pineda, April Romero and Rose Cailing, Judy Caballejo and Camille Abanto, and Arielle Estranero and Vina Alinas. Soriano said the meet will serve as takeoff point for a bigger beach volleyball tournament in 2016 that will tour the country from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “We’re planning to bring it

around the country and play in seven to eight regions,” said Soriano, who is part of the group ‘Beach Volleyball Republic’ that conceptualized the event along with Gretchen Ho, Cainglet, Micek, and Tan. “The group is created by athletes for the athletes in the hope of providing the opportunity to come up with a sustainable platform for beach volleyball in the country,” added the former Ateneo Lady Eagles stalwart. The ‘Open’ will have the 10 teams bracketed into two groups, which plays a round robin elimination in the first day starting at 8 a.m. Top two teams in each group advance in the crossover semis, where the two survivors will play for the title. The semis and finals will be held on the final day and to be aired live over ABS-CBN Sports from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Government of the Philippines (GoP) has received a Loan from the World Bank towards the cost of Philippine Rural Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this Loan to payments under the contract for the Rehabilitation of NRJ Palacian – Ramos Road (Formerly Rehab of NRJ Pinaripad Sur-Ramos Road)/ PRDPIB-R002-QUI-002-000-000-2015.

The Province of Quirino, implementing partner of the Department of Agriculture, now invites bids for the Rehabilitation of NRJ Palacian – Ramos Road (Formerly Rehab of NRJ Pinaripad Sur-Ramos Road). Completion of the Works is required by 252 calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184 (R.A. 9184), with some amendments, as stated in these bidding documents and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the applicable procurement guidelines of the World Bank. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification. The Estimated Project Cost for this project is ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS ONLY (Php 125,447,000.00).

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Bids and Awards Committee of the Province of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from December 16, 2015 to January 19, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

Makati girls barge into softball semis

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the PRDP website (http://www.daprdp.net) provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

MAKATI City overpowered Sta. Rosa, Laguna with its exceptional batting, fashioning out a 15-0 romp to clinch the first semifinal berth in the 2015 National Inter-Secondary Girls Softball Championships at the Barangka Baseball Field in Marikina yesterday. Not even the downpour spawned by Typhoon Nona could slow down the Makati girls, who needed just four innings to dispose of their Sta. Rosa rivals, courtesy of solid hitting from Angelu Gabriel, Charlotte Sales and Tin Bautista, who came through with two homeruns each. Remeli Herrero spiked Makati’s win with a grand slam on her first try at bat in the second inning.

As part of the transparency measures being instituted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) the bidders can virtually visit the site of the above-described subproject at http:// www.daprdp.net where geo-tagged base photographs on 50 meter interval and track are viewable. The DA, however, requires that all potential contractors who will be awarded contract under the project shall have undergone geotagging training provided by the MRDP2 / PRDP Project Support Office. 6.

The Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on nd January 8, 2016 at 10:00AM at the Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2 Floor, Capitol Commercial Bldg, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to all interested parties.

Bids must be delivered on or before January 20, 2016 10:00AM at the Bids and nd Awards Committee Extension Office, Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2 Floor, Capitol Commercial Bldg, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration or bid security in the amount of Php 2,509,000.00 in the form of Cash or Cashier’s / Manager’s check or Bank Guarantee issued by a universal or commercial Bank. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Provincial Government of Quirino reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: (SGD) ENDR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino

( T S - D E C . 16 , 2 015 )

“I had them adjust their batting technique yesterday (Monday) since I wanted them to straighten their arms to get better chances of a homerun. So, this morning (yesterday), I had them do just that and they were able to deliver,” said Makati City coach Yolly Sanchez, who steered her wards to their sixth straight victory in Bracket A for a spot in the next round of the week-long tournament sponsored by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) and Cebuana Lhuillier for the country’s current aces and rising stars. “We’re just in the middle of the tournament and we’re already seeing great potential from this year’s contenders.

I’m glad that we have such a platform to showcase the potential of these young Filipino athletes. They certainly deserve all the support they can get,” said Asaphil president and Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, meanwhile, rebounded from a pair of shutout losses with a 7-0 victory over Baguio City while Manila City also posted a 7-0 rout of Tuguegarao at the Sto. Nino Baseball Field, also in Marikina City. The top two teams from each group after the single round elims advance to the crossover semifinals with the winners disputing the championship worth P25,000.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

Elman 1 grabs solo chess lead By Arman D. Armero Standings after 7 rounds: Elman 1– 13, Team Zamboanga, Team Elman A 12, Team Ilonggo 11, Café Ligbeans B, Aqua Eternal, Team Larry D, San Isidro Makati Chess Club, Aqua Eternal Brilliancy, Tagaytay City Chess Team, Team Kalipay, Bobby Pacquiao A, 10, Knighters Chess Club, LCA-Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, Elman 2 9.0. GENERAL SANTOS CITY—National Masters Joel Pimentel Jr. and Hamed Nouri and untitled Syrell June Coleta turned back their respective opponents to lead Elman 1 to a 3.5-.5 swamping of 14th seed Nica Team Ilonggo and grab the solo lead with 13 match points going into the final two rounds of the 2nd Manny Pacquiao Random Chess Championship at the SM Mall here. The win gave the 32nd seed Elman 1 a one-point edge over Team Zamboanga, which scored a 4-0 shutout against Team Kalipay for a total of 12 MPs. Top board player NM Joey Florendo, Kritz Albelar, Patrick Erle Florendo and Alexander Clavite all won their matches to stay in the hunt for the P400,000 to be given to the winning team after nine rounds. Despite losing to Elman 1, Nica Team Ilonggo, remained in the hunt for the top prize with 11 points, while tied for fifth to 10th place were Café Ligbeans B, Aqua Eternal, Team Larry D, San Isidro Makati Chess Club, Aqua Eternal Brilliancy, Tagaytay City Chess Team, Team Kalipay and Bobby Pacquiao “A”. A point behind are the Nelson Mariano II-led Knighters Chess Club, the LCA-Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, and Elman 2 with nine points apiece. Round 8, which was still being played as of press time, pits Elman 1 against Team Elman “A” at the top board, Team Zamboanga vs Nica Team Ilonggo at Board 2, and the GM Darwin Laylo-led Tagaytay City Chess Team vs San Isidro Makati Chess Club in Board 3.

Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter, shown here making his move against NLEX’s Glenn Khobuntin, preserved the Gin Kings’ thrilling 91-90 win with two blocked shots in the endgame.

Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit alive, says Jaworski By Ronnie Nathanielsz

GINEBRA revived the never-say-die-spirit of the era of playing coach Robert Jaworski in an epic comeback win over the NLEX Warriors, 91-90, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday before wildly cheering fans of the crowd darlings. Down by 22 points going into the final quarter, Ginebra mounted a fierce rally behind the heroics of rookie star Scottie Thompson, seldom-used Dave Marcelo, Chris Ellis and veterans JayJay Helterbrand Joe Devance. Two triples by Ellis, who this conference has concentrated on defense and hardly takes three-point shots, which he has the ability to bury, and masterful back-to-back treys by Scot-

tie Thompson, saw the fans up on their feet erupting in a frenzy, with Jaworski praising Thompson as a really good player. I did nothing. The fans carried Ginebra on their shoulders. They are amazing, multi-titled coach Tim Cone told The Standard after the game. The charismatic Jaworski, who himself benefited from incredible fan support through the years, said the Ginebra spirit

suddenly came alive and the players should be ashamed at the way the people are supporting them, in spite of their inconsistency and lackadaisical attitude at times. There was one point late in the third quarter when Cone pulled out Greg Slaughter after he failed to grab what looked like an easy rebound and team manager Alfrancis Chua berated him for his failure. But when Cone sent him back in during the endgame as Marcelo was visibly exhausted, Slaughter pulled off two spectacular blocks to help preserve the victory. Cone sent in seldom-used Marcelo and veteran Helterbrand, who quickly delivered and when Thompson converted back-to-back triples, the fans

erupted as the deficit was cut to 10 points and the amazing run was on. Jaworski believes that Cone used a tactic of creating confusion in the NLEX ranks by unexpectedly sending in Marcelo and Helterbrand, which Jaworski suggested could be streamlined a little for the future. In praising the fans of Ginebra, Jaworski, who benefited immeasurably from fan support during his time said that with the kind of energy shown by the fans, the players have a responsibility to respond, as they did on Sunday. With the win, Ginebra earned a twice-to-beat advantage, which should once again see the venues filled to capacity whenever they play.

Dixie Gold wins PCSO 43rd Presidential Gold Cup FAR second favorite Dixie Gold scored over the favorite Low Profile in the 43rd Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup at San Lazaro Leisure Park. Dixie Gold (Dixie Chatter x My Gal’s Gold), steered by Patricio R. Dilema, ran at the back of the pack. Low Profile, who won the Nov. 29 PCSO Anniversary race in spectacular fashion, had the lead with Malaya dogging his flank and Kanlaon behind them. Patty stepped on the gas at the far turn and Dixie Gold responded, putting on the burst of speed that took him on the

outside, his legs churning up dust, steadily gaining ground on the fading Low Profile to win by three. Malaya’s rider Jonathan “Unoh” Hernandez, in a show of good sportsmanship, gave Patty a high-five when their horses crossed the finish line. Fans in the stands cheered upon seeing Dixie Gold’s ecstatic owner Joseph Dyhengco raise the heavy Gold Cup handed to him by PCSO General Manager lawyer Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II. Cheers also greeted Patty and the winning trainer, Anthony L. Francisco. Dyhengco also received the breeder’s trophy. With them at the awarding ceremony were Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, Manila Jockey Club President

lawyer King Reyno and Racing Manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo, PCSO Committee on Races chairman Conrado C. Zabella, vice-chairman Desoto Tupas, members lawyer Jose T. Malang (the committee’s former chairman), Arnel Casas, Dr. Orlando Malaca, Rey Empremiado, Dan Valmonte, Gerry Rojas, and myself. 2nd Kanlaon, 3rd Low Profile, 4th Malaya. Time: 2:08 (23.6-23.4-26.4-26.6-28). Visit my Gogirl Racing page on Facebook to get the link to download this year’s Gold Cup souvenir magazine – it’s got photos, articles, the PCSO Silver Cup and Gold Cup rolls of champions, and other interesting information. *** On the same day, Felizardo

Sevilla Jr.’s Guatemala (Kangoo x Western City) won the Philracom Juvenile Championship, trouncing the favorite Sky Dancer. Sent off as the second choice, the 2YO filly trained by Manuel Vicente and ridden by Mark Alvarez ran off the pace for most of the mile race, firing in the backstretch to grab the lead at the far turn to win by several lengths. 2nd Sky Dancer, 3rd Subterranean River, 4th Homonhon Island, 5th Spectrum. Scratched: Gee’s Jewel. Time: 1:44.2 (24.6-24.4-26-29.2). *** The last two Philracom stakes races for the year are: Dec. 20, Santa Ana Park: Chairman’s Cup, 1,600 meters; Dec. 27, Metroturf: Grand

Derby, 2,000 meters. *** My Facebook page ‘Gogirl Racing’ hit 3,000 likes two weeks ago, and to celebrate I will hold the 1st Great Big Gogirl Racing Memorabilia Christmas Raffle this week. Thanks to jockey’s association officer Antonio B. Alcasid Jr.’s coordination, the jockeys responded with enthusiasm. Unoh Hernandez, Hagdang Bato’s regular rider, immediately sent autographed silks, reins, a pair of goggles, a visor, and t-shirts. Jesse B. Guce and John Alvin Guce each gave skull caps (gora); Low Profile’s rider Mark A. Alvarez sent an autographed photo; Kelvin Abobo sent the boots he used with champion Ibarra.

Trainer Ruben S. Tupas and head groom Melvin Villegas donated an ‘egg bar’ shoe of Hagdang Bato’s, and a shoe each from Pugad Lawin, Kid Molave, and Low Profile. All the shoes still have nails and dirt in them! MJC racing manager Ding Magboo sent t-shirts autographed by model “Lucky” Lea Forbes and the Gold Cup jockeys, and Philippine Racing Club resident director Eric Salido sent ball caps and towels. To join the raffle, please like the Gogirl Racing page and wait for the post this week about the mechanics. *** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

A16

W E D N E S D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Big Boat Challenge. US supermaxi yacht Rambler (right) races against Australian supermaxi yacht Perpetual Loyal during the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour on Dec. 15, 2015. The race is a prelude to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race held annualy on Boxing Day. AFP

2 ABAP boxers get awards By Ronnie Nathanielsz TWO promising fighters from the Philippine National Boxing team under the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines won two prestigious awards from the Asian Boxing Confederation, the continental federation for boxing, for their achievements in the year 2015. ASBC Executive Director Bagdaulet Turekhanov announced the good news in an email from the ASBC headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan to ABAP. ABAP executive director Ed Picson said the 22-year-old Rogen Ladon of Bago, Negros Occidental, won silver in the Asian Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand and consequently was a bronze-medal winner in the World Championships in Doha, Qatar the following month. “Unfortunately, he fell one win short of landing a slot in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in that qualifying tournament,” Picson said. Cris Sander Laurente, one of two brothers from General Santos City who were conscripted by ABAP to the national pool in their talent discovery program, won silver in the Asian Junior Boxing Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan last June. “He could have gotten a higher podium finish if not for a bum stomach that hit him early in the tournament. While he fought through it in the quarters and the semis, he was so weak and dehydrated by the time the Finals came around that he had to withdraw from the gold-medal bout,” said Picson of the 15-year-old boxer.

Titans SMB, Alaska clash By Jeric Lopez

ONCE again, the two best teams in the last two seasons of the Philippine Basketball Association are set to cross paths with a lot on the line. A much-awaited rematch of last season’s finale lies ahead as powerhouse teams San Miguel Beer and Alaska clash again at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with a lot at stake in the homestretch of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup elimination round. These teams aren’t the only ones craving for a huge win as Rain or Shine is also set to go all-out against already eliminated cellardweller Meralco (1-9) in their 4:15 p.m. clash to likewise shoot for a better chance of finishing in the top two. The defending champion Beermen (9-1), who are currently the

Griffin powers Clippers past Pistons TURN TO A12

league’s pace-setter, are looking to lock the top seed and clinch a Top 2 finish, while the Aces and the Elasto Painters, currently tied at No. 2 with their similar 7-2 slates, are also in dire need of a win as they also would like to crack the first two slots. The Top 2 finishers after the eliminations will earn an express pass to the semifinals and that’s a privilege the top three teams are aiming at, making their games today crucial. Though San Miguel is comfortably holding the No. 1 rank at the moment, it is still not assured of a Top 2 finish and it can seal the top seed and a semis berth with a win over Alaska.

Beermen coach Leo Rain or Shine holds Games Wednesday Austria is well aware (Smart Araneta Coliseum) the tie-breaker in case 4:15 p.m. • Meralco vs. of this. the eventuality that Rain or Shine “Hindi pa kami autothey end with the same 7 p.m. • Alaska vs. San Miguel matic sa semis kaya we record as the Elasto still need to win against Painters came up with Alaska,’’ said Austria. “Kailangan a huge 111-105 win over the Aces ma-match naming iyong intensity last Friday in their last assignng Alaska. Must-win din sila kaya ment to force a tie at No. 2. ine-expect namin na ibibigay nila “That victory was huge for lahat. We need to keep our focus.’’ us kasi tabla kami ng Alaska San Miguel remains as the for No. 2 and nakuha namin league’s hottest team, coming in ‘yung tie-breaker, pero gusto pa armed with an impressive seven- rin naming manigurado kaya game winning streak with the kailangan maipanalo pa rin last one coming at the expense of ang remaining games namin,’’ rival Talk ‘N Text last Saturday, a said Rain or Shine coach Yeng dominant 97-84 triumph. Guiao. On the other hand, both the The vacation-bound Bolts are Aces and the Elasto Painters are in a disappointing season, but neck-to-neck in their battle for they can still play the role of No. 2 and a victory in their re- spoiler and derail the Painters’ spective games today is essential bid for the second seed. for them to have a good shot at a But Meralco isn’t exactly in its Top 2 conclusion. element this conference as it only There’s more pressure on has one win to show and is on a Alaska to win considering that tail-end of a four-game slide.

Ginebra’s never-say-die spirit alive TURN TO A14

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Fitch: Rating upgrade coming PSe comPoSite index Closing December 15, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,701.35 44.64

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 15, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.340

46.20

47.00

HIGH P47.340 LOW P47.420 AVERAGE P47.380

By Julito G. Rada

LONDON-BASED debt watcher Fitch Ratings said Tuesday it may upgrade the credit rating of the Philippines next year, after it revised the country’s outlook to positive from stable. Fitch gave the Philippines a credit rating of BBB-, the minimum investment grade, with a stable outlook in March 2013 and revised the outlook to positive in September this year. Fitch said in its latest report the recent revision of the country’s outlook meant the Philippines’ rating could possibly be upgraded in the next 12 to 18 months. “The Philippines’ positive outlook is driven by a steady strengthening in the country’s structural fundamentals, improvements

captured in international measures of governance standards and international competitiveness and reflected in [the] Philippines’ strong macroeconomic performance,” Fitch said. It said the election of a new administration supportive of strong growth and improved budget balance would support a credit upgrade. “Strong growth, a structural current account surplus and ongoing fiscal policy discipline are driving a steady improvement in the sovereign’s balance sheet. Increased

confidence that these trends will be sustained under the next administration after the 2016 presidential elections would support the case for an upgrade,” it said. Fitch on Sept. 24 adjusted the country’s rating outlook to positive from stable, saying the governance standards and competitiveness indicators showed a steady improvement under the present administration. It said the country’s global competitiveness, as ranked by the World Economic Forum, rose to a level comparable to ‘BBB’-rated peers. Indicators for corruption, transparency and economic freedom have also improved substantially, it said. Fitch said economic growth continued to outperform ‘BBB’rated peers, and favorable demographics supported the mediumterm growth outlook.

Remittance money ﬂat in October REMITTANCES from Filipinos working overseas rose 0.2 percent in October to $2.232 billion from $2.228 billion a year ago, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday. The figure brought cash remittances in the first 10 months to $20.640 billion, or 3.7 percent higher than $19.910 billion a year ago. “Remittance inflows were backed by the steady deployment of skilled manpower, as well as the continued efforts of banks and non-bank remittance providers to expand their international and domestic market coverage through tie-ups abroad,” Bangko Sentral said. Julito G. Rada

VOLUME 497.400M

P487.00-P682.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.15-P42.40 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P25.03-P28.48 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, December 15, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.3390

Japan

Yen

0.008262

0.3911

Pound

1.514100

71.6760

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129021

6.1077

Switzerland

Franc

1.014610

48.0306

Canada

Dollar

0.728385

34.4810

Singapore

Dollar

0.709673

33.5952

Australia

Dollar

0.724323

34.2887

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655690

125.7177

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266560

12.6187

Brunei

Dollar

0.707164

33.4764

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027670

1.3099

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

12.8894

Euro

1.098600

52.0066

Korea

Won

0.000843

0.0399

China

Yuan

0.154820

7.3290

India

Rupee

0.014906

0.7056

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.231267

10.9479

New Zealand

Dollar

0.676315

32.0161

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030326

1.4356 Source: PDS Bridge

Cebuana Lhuillier partner. Cebuana Lhuillier Services managing director Andre Lhuillier (left) signs a partnership agreement with

UAE National Bank of the Ras Al-Khaimah retail banking head Ian Hodges. Following the ofﬁcial launch of its Dubai ofﬁce in April, Cebuana Lhuillier further strengthened its money remittance service in the Middle East by forging new partnerships with six of the most trusted and most reliable exchange houses and banks in the United Arab Emirates. The company has forged alliances Deniba Exchange International, Federal Exchange, Smart Exchange, Lari Exchange and Al Falah Exchange.

ICTSI, Asian Terminal secure go-signal to increase port rates By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said on Tuesday it secured an approval from state-run Philippine Ports Authority to raise tariffs at the Manila International Container Terminal starting on December 28. The country’s biggest port operator said it was informed by PPA that adjustments to the existing schedule tariffs at MICT had been approved under Memoran-

dum Circular No. 14-2015 it issued on November 26. The PPA also approved the increase in charges at South Harbor operated by Asian Terminal Inc. The two port operators are now allowed to increase their vessel and cargo charges and other related handling charges for foreign containerized and non-containerized cages by 8 percent. PPA said it “may increase or decrease rate and charges for the use of port premises and for services

rendered by the Authority or by any private organization within a Port District.” ICTSI earlier reported a net income of $143.7 million in the first nine months of the year from $142.3 million last year, on the back of strong international and domestic trade. The port operator owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. said gross revenues from port operations amounted to $792 million in the January-to-September period, up

2 percent from $779.2 million year-on-year. ICTSI attributed the revenue increase mainly to volume growth at most of the company’s terminals and favorable volume mix and higher ancillary services at Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. in Subic Bay. The port operator handled consolidated volume of 5.77 million twenty-foot equivalent units in the first nine months of the year, 7 percent more than 5.41 million

TEUs handled in the same period in 2014. The higher volume was mainly due to the increased container traffic at Contecon Manzanillo S.A. in Manzanillo, Mexicop; Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana S.A. de C.V. in Puerto Cortez, Honduras; Pakistan International Container Terminal in Karachi, Pakistan; Yantai International Container Terminal in Yantai, China; and the company’s new terminal, ICTSI Iraq in Basra, Iraq.

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Tuesday, december 15, 2015

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.8 2.6 46.15 45.2 100.90 98.30 83.10 82.00 38.5 38 1.30 1.25 15 15 18.1 18 7.50 7.02 1.66 1.66 0.530 0.530 77.5 76.5 0.94 0.93 16.50 16.30 51.00 50.50 290 290 32.05 31.5 137.2 136.9 1440.00 1440.00 56.95 56.80 3 3 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 39.1 40 39 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.77 4.62 4.56 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.76 0.74 0.74 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.4 1.4 1.38 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.48 10.6 10.2 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 95.00 91.10 91.10 15.32 Century Food 16.6 16.6 16.24 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.5 20.75 20.45 29.15 Concepcion 44.5 44.5 44.5 1.5 Crown Asia 2.29 2.36 2.29 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.7 1.73 1.65 10.72 Del Monte 12.42 12.5 11.8 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 8.190 8.7 8.250 9.04 Emperador 9.00 9.10 8.95 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.80 5.88 5.75 8.86 EEI 5.02 5.20 5.05 20.2 First Gen Corp. 22 22.65 22.05 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 66.1 68 66.1 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.26 14.26 14.22 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.75 5.8 5.6 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.160 2.170 2.100 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. 206.00 207.00 203.20 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.75 24.8 24.5 17.3 Maxs Group 20.75 20.5 20.5 5.88 Megawide 5.81 5.8 5.7 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 316.80 316.80 314.00 3.37 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 3.93 3.92 3.91 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.7 3.79 3.61 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.12 7.25 6.99 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.72 3.76 3.72 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.60 1.62 1.59 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.21 2.35 2.21 4.02 RFM Corporation 3.97 4.00 3.95 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.19 2.4 2.4 5.9 Roxas Holdings 5 4.9 4.55 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 126 125.4 124.4 4.1 SPC Power Corp. 3.35 3.78 3.78 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.47 2.45 2.41 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.142 0.146 0.142 1.02 TKC Steel Corp. 1.07 1.12 1.01 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.17 2.17 2.15 152 Universal Robina 179.8 183 176 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.55 4.55 4.54 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.61 0.61 0.61 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.06 1.08 1.06 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.395 0.390 0.380 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.3000 56.2500 55.2500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 15.30 15.68 15.50 6.62 Anscor À’ 6.26 6.20 6.01 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.223 0.221 0.221 0.23 ATN Holdings B 0.228 0.228 0.221 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 735 736.5 732 7.390 Cosco Capital 8.2 8.22 8 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.04 13.60 12.84 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.69 5.95 5.94 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.25 4.34 4.15 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.237 0.235 0.235 837 GT Capital 1299 1289 1250 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 71.80 71.10 69.10 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 6.8 7.05 6.6 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.7 0.71 0.69 12 LT Group 13.9 14 13.76 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.08 5.19 5.06 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 9.79 9.8 9.67 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0310 0.0310 0.0300 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.280 1.250 1.250 0.550 Prime Orion 1.820 1.930 1.830 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 44.50 44.95 44.05 751 SM Investments Inc. 813.50 820.00 805.00 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.72 0.75 0.70 80 Top Frontier 74.900 75.000 71.000 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2800 0.2900 0.2750 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1950 0.2040 0.1950 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 6.700 7.100 6.650 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.82 0.84 0.81 1.2 Araneta Prop À’ 1.060 1.070 1.060 0.192 Arthaland Corp. 0.220 0.216 0.208 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 34.350 35.450 34.050 3.36 Belle Corp. À’ 3.02 3.04 2.99 4.96 Cebu Holdings 5.12 5 4.82 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

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

SHARES 5397169 71619633 83051311 52141228 148616047 212774290 576596898

2.75 46.1 98.00 83.00 38 1.30 15 18.04 7.59 1.8 0.490 77 0.93 16.34 50.50 290 32.6 138 1470.00 56.85 3

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.8 45.6 100.00 82.00 38.5 1.30 15 18.06 7.50 1.66 0.530 76.55 0.94 16.40 51.00 290 31.7 137 1440.00 56.90 3

1.82 -1.08 2.04 -1.20 1.32 0.00 0.00 0.11 -1.19 -7.78 8.16 -0.58 1.08 0.37 0.99 0.00 -2.76 -0.72 -2.04 0.09 0.00

100,000 16,200 1,827,030 1,121,500 21,900 34,000 1,500 122,000 23,600 2,000 170,000 851,410 287,000 81,900 254,830 520 79,700 370,720 100 26,130 5,000

39.3 4.58 0.74 1.38 10.38 91.10 16.24 20.45 44.5 2.3 1.66 12.2 8.560 9.00 5.84 5.07 22.45 68 14.26 5.61 2.170 204.00 24.75 20.5 5.8 316.00 3.91 3.61 7.00 3.76 1.59 2.33 3.98 2.4 4.55 124.4 3.78 2.45 0.146 1.10 2.17 176.3 4.54 0.61 1.08

0.51 -3.98 -2.63 -1.43 -0.95 -4.11 -2.17 -0.24 0.00 0.44 -2.35 -1.77 4.52 0.00 0.69 1.00 2.05 2.87 0.00 -2.43 0.46 -0.97 0.00 -1.20 -0.17 -0.25 -0.51 -2.43 -1.69 1.08 -0.63 5.43 0.25 9.59 -9.00 -1.27 12.84 -0.81 2.82 2.80 0.00 -1.95 -0.22 0.00 1.89

3,094,300 251,000 1,500,000 994,000 500 1,000 410,400 330,300 200 745,000 1,088,000 262,000 9,084,300 192,400 7,491,600 57,200 881,200 137,980 55,100 72,400 383,000 509,950 623,100 211,700 70,900 131,200 8,000 11,000 418,200 61,000 168,000 654,000 11,000 1,000 19,100 8,980 1,000 379,000 1,220,000 309,000 36,529,000 2,519,990 412,000 200,000 106,000

0.390 55.9000 15.58 6.20 0.221 0.221 734.5 8.01 13.00 5.94 4.15 0.235 1251 70.00 6.88 0.69 13.9 5.1 9.8 0.0310 1.250 1.910 44.95 810.00 0.70 72.000 0.2900 0.1950

-1.27 -0.71 1.83 -0.96 -0.90 -3.07 -0.07 -2.32 -0.31 4.39 -2.35 -0.84 -3.70 -2.51 1.18 -1.43 0.00 0.39 0.10 0.00 -2.34 4.95 1.01 -0.43 -2.78 -3.87 3.57 0.00

130,000 814,780 14,121,700 6,900 530,000 920,000 289,740 7,891,900 3,095,400 11,000 6,000 270,000 96,625 588,430 1,148,900 14,000 508,600 8,870,600 926,300 23,100,000 5,000 5,451,000 304,700 154,090 51,000 2,520 400,000 410,000

7.000 0.83 1.060 0.208 34.850 3 4.83

4.48 1.22 0.00 -5.45 1.46 -0.66 -5.66

296,000 1,840,000 31,000 270,000 5,314,400 2,601,000 52,600

247,795.00 33,404,633 -18,477,786.50 -11,400.00 -1,517,352.00

-31,640,583.50 707,420.00 -7,127.50 -352,885 -14,588,294.00 -907,878.00 -29,137,600.00 36,600.00

1,987,544.00 -61,950.00 4,450 2,440,000.00 35,250,697.00 -645,911.00 -6,423,769.00 -147,193.00 -1,066,665.00 -1,348,244.50 784,300.00 -30,857,382.00 -1,231,170.00 852,760.00 130,920.00 -18,653,576.00 -10,830.00 -2,318,046.00 15,700.00 -11,950.00 -72,875.00 -1,109,377.00

20,600.00 195,300.00 -286,641,552.00 1,598,080.00

-31,772,175.00 -59,601,704.00

42,504,650.00 24,781,433.00 -30,109,706.00 20,750.00 18,036,030.00 -23,569,868.00 -3,078,508.00 1,846,694.00 -1,658,827.00

28,650.00 -10,456,940.00 -86,716,600.00 -161,616.00

234,149.00

62,923,190.00 -1,654,120.00 -216,235.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

1.44 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.470 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

0.79 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.290 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

Century Property Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 3.32 3.2 1 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 0.011 0.041 1.200 6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 185 22.9 3486 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2748 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp. Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

70 553 515 8.21 1060 1047 84.8

33 490 480 5.88 997 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant Alterra Capital Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

VALUE 413874135.60 1005567556.45 1141269436.89 669437854.87 794597784.58 67871229.85 4122939457.24

FINANCIAL 1,501.89 (up) 1.12 INDUSTRIAL 10,612.80 (down) 45.48 HOLDING FIRMS 6,307.21 (down) 51.92 PROPERTY 2,910.13 (down) 39.29 SERVICES 1,480.68 (down) 0.58 MINING & OIL 10,356.69 (down) 48.09 PSEI 6,701.35 (down) 44.64 All Shares Index 3,871.67 (down) 22.45 Gainers: 66; Losers: 95; Unchanged: 39; Total: 200

0.55 0.121 0.455 24.35 0.820 1.01 1.83 4.2 0.078 0.2500 8.55 25.90 1.42 22.95 0.73 0.890 5.130

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.56 0.55 0.55 0.120 0.120 0.120 0.460 0.455 0.460 25.25 24.4 24.75 0.820 0.820 0.820 1.03 1.00 1.00 1.82 1.79 1.81 4.29 4.15 4.15 0.078 0.077 0.077 0.2500 0.2480 0.2480 8.65 8.55 8.65 25.90 25.05 25.40 1.4 1.4 1.4 22.20 21.75 21.75 0.74 0.72 0.74 0.870 0.860 0.860 5.130 5.080 5.090 SERVICES 6.94 7 6.84 6.97 62.5 64.35 62.5 62.5 1.12 1.11 1.11 1.11 0.490 0.480 0.480 0.480 22.6 22.6 22.6 22.6 4.41 4.52 4.28 4.38 0.0420 0.0430 0.0410 0.0410 3.25 3.35 3.29 3.29 81.6 81.6 81.3 81.5 10 9.88 9.88 9.88 5.00 5.10 4.96 4.97 970 955 955 955 1750 1797 1750 1750 6.67 7.00 6.68 6.80 1.18 1.26 1.15 1.26 67.95 69.45 68 68.15 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.162 0.158 0.157 0.157 1.4000 1.3900 1.3900 1.3900 8.00 8.00 7.96 7.97 4.12 4.32 4.18 4.21 2.30 2.30 2.15 2.29 0.550 0.530 0.520 0.520 1.98 1.98 1.92 1.98 2.45 2.54 2.3 2.31 3.74 3.75 3.69 3.74 0.270 0.265 0.255 0.265 0.850 0.880 0.850 0.850 18.48 18.46 17.68 18.46 4.51 4.60 4.50 4.60 101.00 102.50 102.50 102.50 20.90 20.95 20.80 20.95 1976.00 2028.00 1980.00 1980.00 0.720 0.760 0.700 0.700 33.40 3.90 33.40 33.45 63.60 65.40 63.00 63.00 5.81 5.94 5.83 5.90 3.57 3.73 3.57 3.72 0.460 0.480 0.460 0.465 3.68 3.63 3.51 3.51 0.320 0.340 0.320 0.330 4.200 4.100 4.100 4.100 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 1.82 1.82 1.80 1.80 4.18 4.20 4.18 4.18 3.5000 5.25 3.91 3.9100 0.58 0.62 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.6 0.55 0.6 7.30 7.55 7.20 7.30 0.7 0.70 0.68 0.68 0.280 0.295 0.280 0.280 0.189 0.186 0.182 0.182 0.200 0.200 0.197 0.197 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.01 2.03 2 2.01 6.2 6.38 6.16 6.24 2.75 2.82 2.61 2.77 0.5600 0.5500 0.5400 0.5400 1.2700 1.3500 1.2700 1.2700 0.0100 0.0100 0.0099 0.0100 4.80 4.800 4.72 4.76 1.29 1.330 1.30 1.31 0.0110 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 133.30 133.20 132.00 132.70 2.15 2.19 2.13 2.13 0.0075 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 PREFERRED 65 65 65 65 520 520 520 520 519 519.5 519 519 6.5 6.9 6.45 6.45 1050 1050 1050 1050 1020 1020 1020 1020 81 81 81 81 79.2 78.4 78 78 78.6 78.9 78.85 78.85 79.1 80.15 79 79.95 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.620 2.620 2.620 2.620 SME 3.47 3.32 3.3 3.3 3.28 3.43 3.24 3.28 14.9 15.28 15 15.16 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 109.9 110.3 109.9 110

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

0.00 -0.83 1.10 1.64 0.00 -0.99 -1.09 -1.19 -1.28 -0.80 1.17 -1.93 -1.41 -5.23 1.37 -3.37 -0.78

778,000 110,000 790,000 2,188,500 8,000 3,232,000 4,906,000 12,346,000 500,000 250,000 138,100 7,719,900 88,000 5,784,300 1,550,000 284,000 318,700

-163,450.00

0.43 0.00 -0.89 -2.04 0.00 -0.68 -2.38 1.23 -0.12 -1.20 -0.60 -1.55 0.00 1.95 6.78 0.29 0.00 -3.09 -0.71 -0.38 2.18 -0.43 -5.45 0.00 -5.71 0.00 -1.85 0.00 -0.11 2.00 1.49 0.24 0.20 -2.78 0.15 -0.94 1.55 4.20 1.09 -4.62 3.13 -2.38

54,300 2,650 1,000 220,000 200 4,652,000 28,600,000 84,000 951,220 500 18,900 160 61,055 38,400 34,000 168,900 7,400,000 2,700,000 40,000 618,000 413,000 30,000 26,000 225,000 6,358,000 3,122,000 170,000 4,483,000 600 7,000 50 9,116,100 88,290 45,538,000 324,000 1,042,840 411,900 5,130,000 25,480,000 211,000 50,000 1,000

0.00 -1.10 0.00 11.71 3.45 1.69 0.00 -2.86 0.00 -3.70 -1.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.65 0.73 -3.57 0.00 0.00 -0.83 1.55 9.09 -0.45 -0.93 -6.67

122,000,000 139,000 92,000 -209,000.00 8,000 165,000 241,000 2,100 2,995,000 148,230.00 20,000 1,380,000 1,720,000 23,200,000 53,700,000 667,000 212,500.00 1,845,500 2,110,941.00 50,000 199,000 161,000 1,100,000 161,000 -233,010.00 118,000 300,000 365,460 -24,083,838.00 39,000 2,000,000 14,000.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.77 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.52 0.32 1.07

37,010 8,190 1,650 21,300 1,000 400 15,180 15,850 14,800 145,620

0.00

13,000

-4.90 0.00 1.74

26,000 1,295,000 1,670,900

3,380.00 20,874,056.00

0.09

5,120

-368,555.00

3,856,925.00 270,670.00 -749,080.00 -11,550,930.00 379,480.00 -94,058,400.00 36,913,180.00 -74,000.00 -1,323,355.00 -34,211.00

-6,495,910.00 -43,837,178.50

5,138,625.00 12,000.00 -6,128,186.00 2,000.00 -329,483.00 -529,100.00

-5,572,280.00 2,199,210.00 -8,840.00 189,384,110.00 -90,529,295.00 -1,889,460.00 95,210.00 -13,673,780.50 4,168,540.00 4,302,000.00 3,610.00 -6,800.00

225,550.00 -137,536.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

SPC Power Corp.

3.78

12.84

Roxas Holdings

4.55

Benguet Corp `A'

3.9100

11.71

I-Remit Inc.

1.66

-9.00 -7.78

Roxas and Co.

2.4

9.59

United Paragon

0.0070

-6.67

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0120

9.09

Melco Crown

2.31

-5.71

MEDCO Holdings

0.530

8.16

Cebu Holdings

4.83

-5.66

Harbor Star

1.26

6.78

Arthaland Corp.

0.208

-5.45

Pryce Corp. `A'

2.33

5.43

Manila Bulletin

0.520

-5.45

Prime Orion

1.910

4.95

SM Prime Holdings

21.75

-5.23

DNL Industries Inc.

8.560

4.52

Alterra Capital

3.3

-4.90

8990 HLDG

7.000

4.48

Travellers

3.51

-4.62

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2015

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

Water firms to cut rates in 2016 By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Private concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. will reduce the water rates in their franchise areas beginning Jan. 1, 2016. Maynilad, which serves the west zone, said its rates would go down by P0.19 per cubic meter, mainly due to a reduction in the so-called foreign currency differential adjustment.

Market retreats; D&L top advancer STOCKS fell amid thin trading Tuesday, as investors await what will probably be the first Federal Reserve interest-rate hike in almost a decade this week. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, lost 44 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 6,701.35, its lowest in 18 months, or since June 19, 2015 when it settled at 6,699.39. The gauge was also down 7.3 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, advanced 22 points, or 0.6 percent, to finish at 3,871.67, on a value turnover of P4.1 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 95 to 66, while 39 issues were unchanged. Chemical producer D&L Industries Inc. bucked the downtrend, when it climbed 4.5 percent to P8.56, the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender, rose 2 percent to P100, while conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc. added 1.8 percent to close at P15.58. Property developer Ayala Land Inc. was up 1.5 percent to P34.85. Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks fell Tuesday, as investors booked profits before a US Federal Reserve meeting at which policymakers will decide whether to announce a long-awaited interest rate rise. The US central bank is expected to give the go-ahead to a small increase in borrowing costs for the first time in nearly a decade, a decision that has kept markets on edge for months. The two-day meeting starts later Tuesday, against the backdrop of falls in global stock markets sparked by the recent decline in oil prices to multi-year lows. “Investors are focusing on the Fed,” Toshihiko Matsuno, chief strategist at SMBC Friend Securities, told Bloomberg News. “They want to see what the Fed will announce on the target interest rate at the end of 2016. There’s market consensus that rates will rise this week, but it is unclear what happens after that,” he said. With Bloomberg, AFP

Manila Water, the east zone concessionaire, said it would reduce the rates by P0.26 per cubic meter, reflecting the lower basic charge ordered by the appeals panel earlier this year. FCDA is a tariff mechanism granted to utility companies to allow it to recover losses or give back gains arising from the fluc-

tuating movements of the peso against other currencies. Maynilad and Manila Water pay foreign-dominated concession fees to state-run Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System as well as loans to fund projects. Maynilad said the reduction was due to the downward movement in the FCDA despite the P0.27 per cubic meter average basic rate adjustment owing to the 0.80 percent increase in consumer price index this year. Maynilad said for residential customers consuming an average of 10 cubic meters a month or less, the adjustment would

translate to a reduction of P0.64 in their monthly water bill. Customers consuming 20 cubic meters a month would see a monthly bill reduction of P2.43, while those consuming 30 cubic meters would pay P5.04 less than their previous monthly bill. “This reduction in Maynilad’s tariff is due to the downward movement in the FCDA despite the P0.27/cu.m. average basic rate adjustment owing to the 0.8 percent increase in consumer price index this year,” Maynilad said. The FCDA adjustment equivalent to P0.07 per cubic meter or 0.21 percent of the newly approved average basic charge of

P33.87 per cubic meter would apply on Jan. 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016. Meanwhile, Manila Water said the new rates would incorporate the reduction ordered by the appeals panel early this year, the adjustment based on inflation and the FCDA. Manila Water said the monthly bill of lifeline costumers consuming 10 cubic meters or less would have a reduction of P1.11. Those consuming 20 cubic meters would have a monthly reduction of P3.06 while those who consume 30 cubic meters a month would see a reduction of P6.36 in their monthly bills.

AUB award. Publicly listed Asia United Bank bags an outstanding achievement award at the first-ever Asean Corporate Governance Awards, which recognizes the best firms in the region in terms of implementing good corporate governance. Shown receiving the award for AUB at the Manila Polo Club is former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna (right), who sits in the bank’s board of directors and chairs its corporate governance committee.

Philstocks Financial to launch new trading platform By Jenniffer B. Austria PHILSTOCKS Financial Inc., a stock brokerage company that plans to conduct an initial public offering, said Tuesday it will launch a new online trading platform called V5. Philstocks, formerly known as Accord Capital Equities Corp., said the launching of the new trading platform was in line with the company’s aim to attract “millennials” and tech-savvy investors to engage in online stock trading. V5 is loaded with new features that will significantly improve online investors’ trading experience,

the company said. “V5 is designed for trades to be made swiftly and hassle-free. Traders have the option to trade from their desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. With the advent of social media, V5 has a feature which enables the user to link to his social media accounts so he can easily share his trading experience on Facebook and Twitter,” Philstocks said. V5 offers traders the power to customize their accounts. “They now have the option to monitor their choice of stocks with a customizable ticker and create their

own team of stocks with Watchpack. The new and improved charts can also be customized based on the trader’s preference,” the brokerage company said. Philstocks said V5 was supported by servers hosted in a worldclass data center which could scale to serve up to 2 million users. Its infrastructure can handle up to 100,000 simultaneous logins and process up to 9,500 transactions per second. The brokerage firm said it would continue to offer the best stock trading experience to clients that would make them the most

satisfied and delighted traders. Philstocks Financial said it would strive to bring its share value for future investors. The company is looking to raise as much as P185 million through an IPO early next year. It plans to sell 98.88 million primary shares at an offer price of P1.88 apiece. The offer shares will comprise 26.4 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock and will be listed with the small and medium enterprise board of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Unicapital Inc. is the underwriter for the maiden share sale.

B4 Gaisano retail unit ups profit to P344m By Jenniffer B. Austria NEWLY-LISTED Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. said Tuesday net income in the first nine months of the year rose 24 percent to P344 million from P278 million year-on-year on higher sales and lower operating expenses. Metro Retail said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net sales from January to September this year improved 15 percent to P22.5 billion from P19.6 billion booked in the same period in 2014, as same store sales posted a growth of 9.5 percent, led by the hypermarket segment. The company said the opening of two new supermarkets and four new hypermarkets also contributed to the overall sales increase. Income before income tax jumped 24 percent to P492 million in the first nine months of 2015 from P397 million generated during the same period last year. “Our third quarter results reflect our customers and partners’ unwavering support for MRSGI,” Metro Gaisano chairman and chief executive Frank Gaisano said. “It also underscores our confidence in the company’s capacity for expansion and widening its customer base, as the market continues to believe in the MRSGI retail experience. We are particularly encouraged by the performance of our stores in the Visayas region,” he added. The group as of November 24, 2015 had 46 stores nationwide, comprising of 24 supermarkets, 12 hypermarkets and 10 department stores. The company also disclosed that its bank debt level remained low at P950 million. Metro Gaisano last month made its debut at the the Philippine Stock Exchange despite volatile market conditions, raising as much as P3.6 billion in proceeds. The company plans to use proceeds from the IPO to finance store expansion and the enhancement of its distribution and logistics facilities.

Outstanding entrepreneur. Aficionado Germany Perfume president and chief executive Joel Cruz (center) is cited as an ‘Outstanding Entrepreneur’ at the 2015 Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (Philippines) by Enterprise Asia, a non-governmental think-tank in pursuit of entrepreneurship development across the region. Joel was joined by Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, who was hailed as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year,’ and Mercury Drug Corp. president Vivian Que-Azcona, who was named as ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.’ Joel’s home-grown perfume brand has grown by leaps and bounds. He is flanked by Enterprise Asia president William Ng (left) and advisor Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia at the awards night held at the Intercontinental Manila.

National Grid seeks capex of P8b in 2016 By Alena Mae S. Flores

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines is spending P8 billion in 2016 to improve, expand, rehabilitate and repair the nationwide transmission system and the power grid. National Grid said in an application to the Energy Regulatory Commission the company was required to seek prior approval of any plan for expansion or improvement of facilities in relation to its responsibility to operate the nationwide transmission system and the grid. “Along with its authority and responsibility for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of its high voltage transmission facilities, it is indispensable for NGCP

to ensure a reliable and high-performance operation of the transmission system,” it said. National Grid said the budget was needed to avoid disruption of operation and non-compliance of its mandate under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 as the country’s transmission operator. “It is imperative that the implementation of the proposed capex projects be immediately approved,” it said. NGCP plans to spend the

amount to finance the upgrade of the Tiwi and Naga substations, Clark-Mabiga 69 kV transmission line, Bataan 230 KV grid reinforcement, Hermosa-San Jose 500 KV transmission line, maintenance of equipment, revenue metering expansion and maintenance, telecommunications and SCADA maintenance and expansion, corporate and security infrastructure and assets for acquisition. Assets up for acquisition include the CEDC-VECO’s Colon 138 kV line, Calung-Calung 138 kV line, New SAlong 230 kV substation and Salong Calaca 230 kV li e, CIP II substation. National Grid is a privatelyowned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage

electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations and related assets. The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy Jr., Calaca High Power Corp. of businessman Robert Coyiuto Jr., and State Grid Corporation of China as technical partner. National Grid earlier sought approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission to collect a maximum allowable revenue of P45.287 billion in 2016. National Grid also asked ERC to approve an interim net performance incentive of P1.029 billion for 2015.

Official development assistance loans to PH hit $9.79b in 6 months By Gabrielle H. Binaday OFFICIAL development assistance loans to the Philippines reached $9.79 billion as of the end of the first semester this year, the National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday. “The official development assistance loans’ financial performance for the second quarter of 2015 continues to indicate favorable management of resources,” Neda said. Total ODA loans approved as of end-June this year consisted of 11 program loans worth $3.63

billion and 53 project loans amounting to $6.16 billion. The Neda monitoring and evaluation staff said except for the disbursement rate, absorptive capacity indicators like the disbursement level, availment rate and disbursement ratio improved in the second quarter of 2015 from the same period last year. The disbursement level increased to $1.51 billion in the second quarter of 2015 from $1.09 billion year-on-year. Neda said the disbursement from World Bank loans more than

tripled to $789.80 million from the $204.26 million on year. The disbursement level is the amount of actual ODA loan drawdowns during the year, as registered with the development partners. The availment rate increased from 80 percent in second quarter of 2014 to 84 percent in the same period this year. Availment rate is the cumulative actual disbursements as a percentage of cumulative scheduled release, both reckoned from the start of implementation up to the reporting period. The disbursement ratio also

improved to 22 percent this year from 15 percent in the comparable period of last year. More than half or 53 percent of the available loan balance was disbursed as of second quarter of the year. The disbursement ratio refers to the proportion of actual loan drawdowns for the year against the available loan balance at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the disbursement rate, though still above the 70 percent threshold, decreased to 89 percent in the second quarter this year from 107 percent in

2014. The disbursement rate is the amount of actual disbursements made during the year as of the reporting period, as a percentage of target disbursements for the same period. In terms of ODA loan sources, the World Bank was the biggest in the second quarter of 2015, with a 35-percent share amounting to $3.44 billion. The Japan International Cooperation Agency was in second with $3.13 billion (32 percent), followed by the Asian Development Bank with $2.58 billion (26 percent).

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

Slaphappy Rody THEY may not be vocal about it, but a lot of Mindanao-based businessmen are quietly rooting for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte. If our history does not fail us, there has never been any president whose roots is from Mindanao. It’s mostly been people from Ilocos, the Tagalog region, Cebu and the Visayas who have had the pride and distinction of having produced a president. And now that there is that looming possibility that finally, someone from Mindanao could become president, ordinary locals and certainly business people want to make sure their candidate wins. It’s a well known fact that Mindanao residents have a healthy “dislike” for Imperial Manila, with many of them convinced that they have only been getting token promises of help, and that when it comes to the affairs of this nation, they are at the bottom rung of the ladder as far as prioritization is concerned. But of course, big businessmen are hedging all their bets. They figure it will be less costly if they just contributed to all the winnable candidates instead of putting all their apples in just one basket, so to speak. After all, it never hurts to get a bit of insurance in case their real candidate loses for some reason. While Duterte emerged as a survey frontrunner in Metro Manila (folks here are just plain tired of the continuing proliferation of crimes), he will be going through a rough patch. For one, there is the disqualification case filed by a radio broadcaster, with Senate President Franklin Drilon urging the Commission on Elections to decide on the disqualification case against him (as well as Senator Grace Poe) ASAP. Opinion is divided and suspicions continue to be strong that Filipino voters’ choices has been made for them—what with all the strong contenders like Duterte and Poe being slowly but surely edged out of the presidential race, says one of our buddies. We don’t also know if there is a deliberate effort to delay the disclosure of the final list of candidates that will be included in the ballots, as printing seems to have been postponed to January—timed so that the names of Duterte and Poe will no longer be included? We’re sure many will agree if we say that Duterte makes the election season even more interesting since he’s not the type who holds his punches and will speak his mind. Even his interview with Karen Davila and Vic de Leon Lima had the former blushing and protesting “walang ganyanan Mayor” (roughly translated as, “let’s not get into that”) when, in a word association game, he uttered the word “delicious” when asked what he thought of Davila. And now, the slaphappy Duterte has just started the ball rolling for a slapping challenge between him and Liberal Party bet Mar Roxas who successfully raised the hackles of the mayor when Roxas described the peace and order situation in Davao as a “myth”— an insult as far as Duterte is concerned because a major part of the mayor’s popularity is his ability to impose peace and order in his turf. The verbal warfare is escalating to the personal level, with Duterte alleging that Roxas lied about graduating from Wharton. An obviously miffed (though he managed to control his anger) Roxas retaliated by saying he will agree to be slapped if Duterte could prove it. If not—the LP bet will do the slapping. Oh well, boys will be boys. At least they didn’t challenge each other into a slapping contest. Lazada’s Online Revolution campaign nets $40 million Online shopping is increasingly becoming popular, with more people preferring to shop in the comfort of their homes rather than to spend hours on traffic getting to the malls and standing in line to pay for their purchase. The recent Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales in the US for example posted a 10 percent decline for in store purchases, in contrast to the 18 percent upsurge posted for online sales. And now, the Online Revolution campaign of Lazada—Southeast Asia’s bigest online shopping site—had record sales for its 3-day sale from December 10-12. Traffic spiked to an all-time high of 36 million visits with hordes of consumers happy with the online experience on Lazada sites and apps. The volume of orders reached one million—a 300 percent jump over the same period last year—as the annual event continues to spur the online shopping frenzy. With approximately 1.7 million items ordered, the campaign chalked up $40 million in Gross Merchandize Value (GMV) or overall sales in its three-day finale. Mobile is king as it accounted for 60 percent of the GMV with more customers preferring to thumb through the deals and offers from their mobile gadgets. More than 30,000 sellers including over 600 global and local brands across different categories supported the campaign with exclusive launches and promotions. In the last three days, more than 300 flash sales and hundreds of thousands of deals were rolled out across the six countries. Maximilian Bittner, CEO of Lazada Group, is certainly happy with the outcome, thanking the customers and sellers for the enthusiastic response to the Online Revolution campaign which has become “the biggest retail event of the year in Southeast Asia since its initial launch on 12 December 2012 as more consumers embrace online shopping. We will continue to enhance the customer experience and bring the best of online shopping through unbeatable assortment, great value and convenience,” Bittner said. ••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

PTT firms up local expansion program By Alena Mae S. Flores

PTT Philippines, a unit of PTT Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, plans to invest P3 billion in the next five years to expand the company’s network here. The capital expenditure program includes investments in retail stations, oil depots and terminals in Luzon and Visayas. “In the next five years, PTT appropriated P3 billion for expansion plan, for laying down on infra,” general manager Danilo Alabado told reporters. PTT Philippines currently has 94 stations and plans to put up a total of 300 by 2020. “Right now we have the trading areas in Luzon and Cebu. In order for us to achieve our goal to be one of the top five oil companies in the next five

years, we will expand into other trading areas, other islands,” Alabado said. He said the company needed the support of a stronger infrastructure network for its expansion program. “We need depot, fuel terminal that could come in in Visayas and Mindanao which we have been looking at,” the official said. PTT president and chief executive Sukanya Seriyothin cited a strong growth projected growth in Luzon for the company’s planned expansion. “Visayas and Mindanao we

still have to further expand. We’re still moving forward in Luzon, but aside from that, we move further in Visayas, Mindanao,” Sukanya said. Alabado, meanwhile, said the company performed “fairly well” in 2015 with sales volume likely to increase 5 percent to 6 percent. “We are confident we are going to meet our target,” Alabado said, adding revenues may reach P1.1 billion this year. “We are looking at 5 to 6 percent growth next year until 2017 because we are going to lay down our infra support for expansion for 2018 going into 2020, we are looking at growth of 60 percent compared to what we had in 2015,” he said. PTT Thailand is Thailand’s biggest oil player and ranked number 81 under Fortune 500’s List of world’s largest companies.

Bell Award.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. receives a Bell Award from the Philippine Stock Exchange, its second since 2013, for implementing good corporate governance practices. Launched in 2011, the Bell Awards are given to the top five listed company awardees. In line with its advocacy for higher levels of corporate governance standards, the PSE conferred this year’s Bell Award to deserving trading participants and listed companies from among 80 shortlisted nominees. Receiving the Award are PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan (center) and PLDT Group chief financial officer Annabelle Chua (right). With them is PSE chairman Jose Pardo.

Ostuka’s Filipino exec facing perjury AN EXECUTIVE of Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceutical Inc., the local unit of Japanese conglomerate Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., has been indicted for the crime of perjury after allegedly making “falsehood” statements against Maryland Distributors Inc., a Filipino-owned company. MDI is the former exclusive distributor in the Philippines of ‘Pocari Sweat,’ a health drink imported and supplied in the country by Otsuka. MDI filed a perjury case against Jose Jacinto Aquino, associate finance director of Otsuka (Philippines) for claiming that MDI stopped paying for the goods delivered by Otsuka and that it refused to cooperate and communicate with Otsuka for the settlement of MDI’s outstanding balance.

Aquino’s affidavit, made before Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 57, prompted the court to issue a writ of preliminary attachment against the assets of MDI in May this year. Assistant City Prosecutor Edna Conde said “the sweeping statements of respondent [Aquino] in his affidavits, which include the said falsities, undoubtedly created an impression before the trial court that Maryland deceitfully avoided its obligation with Otsuka.” Conde recommended that Aquino be indicted for the crime of perjury with a bail of P6,000. Her recommendation was supported by Deputy City Prosecutor Edgardo Hirang and approved by City Prosecutor Jorge Catalan Jr. on December 8, 2015. Otsuka signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Mary-

land on May 28, 2012 for the distribution of “Pocari Sweat” for two years from January 16, 2013 to January 15, 2015, subject to renewal. After the lapse of the agreement, the deal was not renewed, with Otsuka appointing another distributor. Otsuka, in the process of winding up their respective obligations under the agreement, claimed MDI had outstanding payables, a claim that was strongly opposed by MDI. Otsuka then filed a case before the Makati RTC to collect from MDI, where Aquino executed a judicial affidavit claiming that MDI stopped paying for the goods after the agreement had expired, that MDI ignored all requests of Otsuka and that MDI refused to cooperate or even communication with Otsuka.

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2015

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

Telstra’s entry in PH risky to shareholders By Darwin G. Amojelar

A FOREIGN think tank said Tuesday the planned telecom joint venture between Telstra Corp. and San Miguel Corp. will be a “big risk” on the part of the Australian company. Steve Mackay, principal of Australian consulting firm Creator Tech Pty Ltd., warned Telstra’s shareholders of many risks that could impact on the cost of the company’s plan to invest in the Philippines through a wireless joint venture with San Miguel. Among the risks faced by Telstra in the Philippines were the reallocation of the powerful frequency held by San Miguel and the incoming national elections. “Shareholders have every right to be nervous about Telstra’s latest attempt to take its business offshore,” Mackay said. Telstra’s new chief executive Andy Penn ear-

lier said it would invest $1 billion in the Philippines to roll out a telecom network with San Miguel. The planned joint venture between San Miguel and Telstra would see the local conglomerate holding a majority stake, in compliance with the 1987 Constitution, which limits the foreign ownership of utilities to a maximum of 40 percent “The possible joint venture, announced earlier this year by Telstra’s new CEO Andy Penn doesn’t appear to be underpinned by sound analysis of the huge costs and logistical and cultural hurdles that expatriate companies face in these emerging South-East Asian markets,” Mackay said. “This could be due to the lack of detail which has been given to ordinary shareholders by Telstra. Nevertheless, on the evidence available, it’s a big risk,” he said. Mackay said previous attempts by Telstra to move into offshore markets had resulted in costly failure, allegations of corrupt payments and ignorance of endemic business practices in target countries. “The Philippines move, based on our pre-

liminary study, looks like it could suffer the same fate,” he said. Mackay said Telstra would face two barriers that could impact on its planned entry to Philippine market in partnership with San Miguel. Mackay cited the threat of legal actions by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc. against NTC, in a bid to compel the regulator to order San Miguel to relinquish ownership of critical 700 megahertz spectrum and put it to public auction. He said the foreshadowed legal actions would be lengthy and costly and “is likely to overlap the national elections in May next year.” “Telstra could be facing a whole new set of case law and government regulations covering telecommunications in the country after the court case and the national election,” Mackay said. “Our analysis, which is ongoing, suggests that Telstra’s management may need to do a lot more detailed work on the costs associated with the proposed Philippines joint venture,” he said.

Dynamited assorted fish

BSP clears Manulife’s deal with CB Savings By Gabrielle H. Binaday BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas has approved the selling of Manulife Philippines’ insurance products at China Bank Savings’ branches nationwide. The Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp., the joint venture between Manulife Philippines and China Banking Corp., said it received a license from Bangko Sentral to cross-sell bancassurance products with China Bank Savings, the thrift bank arm of China Bank. The grant will allow China Bank Savings to offer low premium-protection products that covers insurance, savings and investment plans. “With MCBL as our bancassurance partner, world-class life insurance products are easily within our client’s reach,” said CBS president Alberto Emilio Ramos. “This supports our goal of providing them with a comprehensive range of financial products and services to suit their evolving savings and investment needs,” Ramos said. The strategic alliance between Manulife Philippines and China Bank began in 2007, through Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. MCBL provides China Bank clients with exclusive insurance and investment solutions to address their needs. Manulife and China Bank renewed the partnership in 2014, with China Bank increasing their stake in the bancassurance company. China Bank Savings is a fully owned subsidiary of China Bank. “The extension of the ManulifeChina Bank relationship to CBS further strengthens our partnership across multiple fronts. It provides Chinabank Savings with a broader set of financial solutions to meet the needs of CBS customers, while providing MCBL with additional channels for growth,” said MCBL chief executive Robert Wyld. “It is a win-win partnership that will benefit both companies and, more importantly, extend to clients as well,” he said.

Cebu task force scores victory against dynamite fishing LOCAL authorities in Cebu have scored victories in apprehending the transport and trade of fish illegally caught with dynamite. Marcelo Go, Cebu environmental operation officer and concurrent head of Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force, said from July to December this year, the task force made eight apprehensions of traders transporting dynamited fish, including stingray and dried star fish. He said the offenders were caught transporting 36 boxes of dynamited sardinella fish species, locally called as ‘tuloy’, 16 boxes of

dynamited assorted fish species, 49 pieces of stingray and 35 sacks of dried star fish. Appropriate cases were filed against the offenders for violating Cebu provincial fishery ordinances and the amended Fisheries Code or Republic Act No. 10654. Go, who assumed as head of the CPAIFTF on Oct. 1, 2015, said the illegally caught fish had combined value of P322,740. The involved transport vehicles apprehended from July to September were released to the respective owners by the Cebu Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Adjudication Board, upon payment of prescribed penalties, ranging from a measly P8,400 to P10,800, according to Go. He said the cases of those apprehended from Nov. 18 to Dec. 10—involving four offenses on the transport of 16 boxes of dynamited assorted fish species and stingray and selling of stingray at Mandaue public market—were still pending at FARAB. “While we laud the efforts of Mar Go and his team, we find the fine imposed as too small, and the LGU is still not implementing the higher penalties under

RA 10654,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines. “We will urge the provincial government Cebu to consider imposing stiffer penalties as called for under the amended Fisheries Code or RA 10654,” said Ramos. The rules and regulations of RA 10654 were signed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Sept. 22, 2015. The law prohibits shipping, commercially transporting, offering for sale, selling, importing, exporting, or having custody, control, or possession of illegallycaught fish with the use of explo-

sives or noxious/poisonous substances. The apprehended shipment will be confiscated, and the violators will pay an administrative fine of P50,000 to P200,000 or five times the value of the fish or species caught, whichever is higher. Upon conviction by a court of law, offenders will be imprisoned from six months to two years, and fined eight times the value of the species, or P100,000 to P500,000, whichever is higher. Their fish shipment will be confiscated, and their registration or license will be suspended or revoked.

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

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Survivors still haunted by massacre PESHAWAR—Mubashir Subhan was in the school auditorium, surrounded by friends, when the Taliban gunmen came crashing in. The first bullet grazed the back of his head, the second passed through his shoulder, and the third struck his left hand. More than 150 lives were lost in the Peshawar school massacre of December 16, 2014, the deadliest extremist attack in Pakistan’s history. One year on, those who survived now study in the same rooms where they huddled in terror as their classmates fell around them. The majority of them were children, many of whom were in the auditorium with Subhan when nine attackers armed with guns and explosives went on a cold-blooded killing spree. Many are still gripped by a sense of paralysis when they enter the Army Public School in the northwestern city. “I feel unable to function. I keep remembering everything,” Subhan, a bearded, soft-spoken 16-year-old says. When he is alone, memories of the friends who died alongside him that day come crowding in, and he says he cannot fathom how quickly his life was shattered. “I think about how I used to be with my friends,” he says. His parents also remember how he used to be, saying their confident, outgoing son was transformed by the hours-long siege. “The slightest of things he takes as though a bullet hit him,” says his father Subhan Uddin. “When he comes home he just locks himself in his room. He doesn’t meet us or his brothers or sisters or friends. He just sits and thinks.” The auditorium is now a sports hall and soldiers stand atop recently fortified walls as children play on the green, expansive grounds below. But the trauma has lingered, says Andaleeb Aftab, a chemistry teacher at the school who fled into a bathroom with other staff after gunmen opened fire on them in a hallway. Aftab’s son, 16-yearold Huzaifa, was among those who died in the auditorium. In their last exchange, she said, he came to the staff room and asked her for pocket money. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Kalinga City of Tabuk BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Date Posted: December 16, 2015

INVITATION TO BID ITB No. CW-2015-031

N O T I C E NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ESTATE OF THE LATE RIZALINA T. GERVACIO WAS E X T R A J U D I C I A L LY SETTLED BY HEIRS AS PER DOC. 468, PAGE 95; BOOK NO. I; SERIES OF 2015 BEFORE NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. SHERWIN DWIGHT O. EBALO OF MAKATI CITY.

The Local Government Unit of Tabuk through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites Contractors registered with and classified by the Philippines Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract/project:

Fo r a ny a d ve r t i s i n g inquiries, please call us @ 8 3 2- 5 5 47

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION TO BID The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna through the 2015 LSB Budget Approved by Sangguniang Panlunsod intends to apply the sum of Php25,331.32 and Php2,834,355.20, respectively being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the hereunder project:

Location

ABC

Channel Improvement & Embankment (Phase 1)

Chico River, Dagupan Waste

12,000,000.00

LOCATION ABC SOURCE OF FUND CONTRACT DURATION

: : : :

NAME OF PROJECT

LOCATION

ABC SOURCE OF FUND CONTRACT DURATION

: : :

THREE (3) STOREY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SPRCNHS BGY. LANGGAM, CITY OF SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA Php 25,331 ,565.32 LSB Budget Approved by the Sangguniang Panlunsod 210 calendar days REHAB OF SCHOOL FENCE AND SIDEWALK CLEARING PROPOSED COMFORT ROOM & SEPTIC TANK; REHAB. OF & REPAINTING OF SCHOOL COVERED COURT & STAGE; REPAIRING OF ROOF SAMPAGUITA ELEM. SCHOOULRCS UNITED BAYANIHAN/SPRCHNS CUYAB ANNEX Php 2,834,355.29 LSB Budget Approved by the Sangguniang Panlunsod 150 calendar days

The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna now invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to apply for eligibility and if found eligible, to bid for the above - mentioned projects. Completion of the Works is required on or before the contract duration. Bidders should have completed, two (2) years calendar days from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted, unless otherwise stated, to Filipino Citizens/Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, or organization with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino Citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA138). Only bids from eligible bidders will be opened. In accordance with the IRR-A or R.A. 9184, the contract/project shall only be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and responsive Bidder who was determined as such during post-qualification. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the City Government of San Pedro Laguna and inspect the Bidding Documents at the given below from 8:30 AM to 9:30AM only. Office of the BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Room City Administrator’s Office City Hall of San Pedro A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of PESOS: (Php 25,000.00 and Php 5,000.00 ) ISSUANCE OF ELIGIBILITY AND BIDDING DOCUMENT

DECEMBER 15, 2015 TO DECEMBER 29, 2015 8:30AM - 9:30AM BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Room City Administator’s Office City Hall of San Pedro

The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 18, 2015 10:00 am at the Office of the BAC Secretariat, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the address below on December 29, 2015 Opening of Bids at 10:00AM Office of the BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Room City Administrator’s Office City Hall of San Pedro All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Awards of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna reserves the right to accept or reject any bid to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Mr. Merlin B. Paala Office of the BAC Secretariat City Administrator Office City of San Pedro, Laguna Telefax No. 847-1722

Contract Duration 150 CD

Brief Description of the Project Excavation, embankment

Bid Documents are available during office hours starting December 22, 2015 at the BAC-Secretariat, City Engineering Office and upon payment of a non-refundable amount for bid documents as shown above to the LGU Cashier, Office of the Treasurer. All sealed bid proposals should be received by the BAC Chairman/Secretariat on or before January 6, 2016, Wednesday, 9:00AM at the BAC Meeting Room, City Engineering Office, Tabuk City Hall, Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City. The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids or part thereof, or to waive formality therein and/or to accept the bids as may be considered most advantageous to the Local Government Unit of Tabuk. Very truly yours,

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(SGD) CONSTANTE C. DOCTOR BAC Chairman

Republic of the Philippines Province of Aurora Municipality of San Luis -ooOooBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE/JOINT VENTURE-SELECTION COMMITTEE Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals Public notice is hereby given that the Bids and Awards Committee/Joint Venture-Selection Committee of the Municipality of San Luis, Aurora (BAC/ JV-SC) and E Power Technologies Corp., the original proponent of the Joint Venture agreement for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of San Luis Mini Hydro Power Plant Project (Project),have completed successful negotiations on December 01, 2015 under Stage 2 of the Competitive Challenge process pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-012, Series of 2015.The total project cost is estimated to be EIGHTY FIVE MILLION PESOS (PhP 85,000,000.00). Final notice is hereby given to eligible private sector proponents (PSPs) to submit their comparative proposals. Interested PSPs must submit their notarized Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to submit comparative proposals on or before 5:00 in the afternoon of [date which is ten (10) days from publication of this notice]. EOIs must and can only be submitted by the PSP that will apply for eligibility and submit comparative proposals. The EOI must also contain an undertaking that ithas completed a similar project, that it can secure the necessary governmental approvals to implement all the components of the project, and that it can pursue the project. Further, the EOI must contain a commitment by the PSP that it, and its associates, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates and assignees will adhere to the Municipal Ordinance, policies, pronouncements of and qualification criteria set by the BAC/JV-SC, and that it will not seek and obtain a writ of injunction or prohibition or restraining order against the BAC/JV-SC, the Municipality and its officials to prevent or restrain the Competitive Challenge process, the award of the Project and carrying out the Project, and that it will not institute any criminal, civil and/or administrative cases against the officials of the BAC/ JV-SC and the Municipality. If no notarized EOI from a proper entity is received within the above-prescribed period, the Project will be awarded to the OP and Stage 3 of the Competitive Challenge process is deemed terminated. PSPs which have filed their EOIs may obtain the forms for pre-qualification and eligibility, and tender documents from the Office of the BAC/JV-SC c/o the Office of the Municipal Budget Officer at Municipal Building, San Luis, Auroraupon payment of a non-refundable fee of Philippine Pesos: Fifty Thousand (PhP50,000.00). The PSPs must submit their comparative proposals from [day after last day of 10th day set above] to [30th day after], during office hours. If no PSP procures the tender documents and/or submits compliant comparative proposals, the Project will be awarded to the OP and Stage 3 of the Competitive Challenge process is deemed terminated. The BAC/JV-SC reserves the right to reject any and all application for qualification and eligibility found not in conformity with the aforesaid Municipal Ordinance, relevant issuances, and this Notice. (SGD.) ANATALIO Q. HERNANDEZ, JR. BAC Chairman Approved:

(SGD) ENGR. FILEMON I. SIBULO Chairman Bids and Awards Committee (TS-DEC. 16, 2015)

Amount of Bid Documents 25,000.00

Pre-Bid conference will be on December 23, 2015, 9:00AM at the BAC Meeting Room, City Engineering Office, Tabuk City Hall, Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF SAN PEDRO Province of Laguna

NAME OF PROJECT

Name of Project

Prospective bidders should possess a valid PCAB license applicable to the contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of at least 50% of the ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check/screening as well as the preliminary examination of bids. The BAC will conduct post-qualification to the lowest calculated bid.

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Lot

(TS-DEC. 10 & 16, 2015)

(SGD.) ANNABELLE C. TANGSON, CPA, MGM Municipal Mayor

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD N O T I C E

‘Star Wars’ back on the big screen LOS ANGELES—Fans turned out in force Monday for the highly anticipated Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” with excitement at fever pitch and security tight as the space epic resumes. Police cordoned off the area around the famed Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard hosting the premiere along with other nearby theaters, setting up metal detectors and deploying scores of officers and sniffer dogs. As the stars of the latest installment of the epic walked the red carpet, fans—some had camped out for days in their “Star Wars” costumes—went into a frenzy seeking autographs and pictures of the beloved movie characters. “This is like the Academy Awards or something,” said Harrison Ford, who plays Han Solo. Jeff Bock, an analyst at box office tracker Exhibitor Relations, said “this is probably the biggest opening in decades.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger hailed what “could be the biggest premiere we have ever done.” Ever since 1977, when “Star Wars” introduced the world to the Force, Jedi knights, Darth Vader, Wookiees and clever droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, the sci-fi saga has built a devoted global fan base that spans generations. “I’ve been here since 3:00 am because I wanted to get a good spot,” said James Salazar, 19, outside the Chinese Theater. “I’ve been a fan all my life, it’s my favorite movie and my dad’s also.” The premiere on Monday will be followed by a global rollout taking in a dozen countries beginning Wednesday before the film officially reaches US theaters Friday. The intergalactic tale of good versus evil, friendship, loyalty and love created a defining moment in the history of popular culture and launched one of the biggest movie franchises ever. AFP

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( T S - D E C . 2 , 9 & 16 , 2 015 )

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( T S - D E C . 16 , 2 015 )

REHAB OF SCHOOL FENCE AND SIDEWALK CLEARING PROPOSED COMFORT ROOM & SEPTIC TANK; REHAB. OF & REPAINTING OF SCHOOL COVERED COURT & STAGE; REPAIRING OF ROOF SAMPAGUITA ELEM. SCHOOULRCS UNITED BAYANIHAN/SPRCHNS CUYAB ANNEX Php 2,834,355.29 LSB Budget Approved by the Sangguniang Panlunsod 150 calendar days

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bid for the above - mentioned projects. Completion of the Works is required on or before the contract seen on December 14, 2015, in the Hollywood section Los Angeles, California. AFP(2) years calendar days from the date of submission duration.ofBidders should have completed, two

and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

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Saudi forms military coalition RIYADH—Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday the formation of a military coalition of 34 countries including Gulf states, Egypt and Turkey to fight “terrorism” in the Islamic world. The Saudi-led alliance does not include the kingdom’s Shiite regional rival Iran, or Syria and Iraq. It will be based in Riyadh “to coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism”, with participation from Middle Eastern, African and Asian states, the SPA state news agency said. The coalition will tackle “the Islamic world’s problem with terrorism and will be a partner in the worldwide fight against this scourge” said Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed

bin Salman at a press conference in Riyadh. Arrangements would be made for “coordination with friendly peace-loving nations and international bodies for the sake of supporting international efforts to combat terrorism and to save international peace and security”, SPA added. The 34 members all belong to the Jeddahbased Organization of Islamic Cooperation. More than 10 other “Islamic countries” had expressed support for the coalition, including Indonesia, it said. “These countries have procedures to go through before joining the coalition, but out of keenness to achieve this coalition as soon as possible, (this alliance of) 34 countries has been announced,” said the Saudi minister. The United States has called for broader international participation in the fight against the Islamic State group of jihadists in

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (lRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted, unless otherwise stated, to Filipino Citizens/Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, or organization with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino Citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA138). Only bids from eligible bidders will be opened. In accordance Final notice the IRR-A or R.A. 9184, the contract/project only be awarded to the Lowest Calculated the coalition and the rebels and over civilian andwith Syria, saying Turkey needed to doshallboth responsive Bidder who was determined as such during post-qualification. submit their

Iraq more to control its borders with Syria, and casualties in Yemen. notarized Ex Interested bidders further information City Arabia Government San Pedro Laguna Saudi hasof also played a prominent Saudi Arabia and the may Gulfobtain states had been from the or before 5:0 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the given below from 8:30 AM to 9:30AM only. role in efforts to find a political solution of to this notice distracted by the conflict in Yemen. for eligibility Office of the BAC Secretariat war in Syria. The coalition will fight “any terrorist or- the 4/f Conference Room an undertaki City Administrator’sLast Office week, the kingdom hosted unprecganization that appears,” said Mohammed necessary g City Hall of San Pedro project, and when asked if the alliance would concentrate edented talks between opposition Syrian A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address political and military factions, which agreed on fighting IS only. Further, the above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of associates, p PESOS: (Php 25,000.00 Php 5,000.00 ) to negotiate with President Bashar al-Assad’s The announcement is theandlatest in a more Municipal O regime but insisted he step down at the start assertiveISSUANCE Saudi foreign policy since King OF ELIGIBILITY AND DECEMBER 15, 2015 TO set by the BA BIDDING DOCUMENT DECEMBER 2015political transition. Salman ascended the throne in January and of29,any or prohibition 8:30AM - 9:30AM and its officia named Mohammed, who is his son, as BACdeSecretariatThe meeting follows an agreement last award of the 4/f Conference Room month in Vienna between diplomats from fense minister. any criminal, City Administator’s Office Hall of San 17 Pedro countries, including Saudi Arabia, forJV-SC a In March the kingdom formed anCity Arab and th political transition and end to the Syrian war. coalitionThe of City about a dozen countries to supGovernment of San Pedro, Laguna will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 18, 2015 If no notarize am at the Office of the BAC Secretariat, which shall only to all interested parties who Thbee open Vienna plan set a January 1 target for port the 10:00 government of Yemen against Iranperiod, the P have purchased the Bidding Documents. Challenge pr backed Huthi rebels and their allies, who peace talks and would see a transitional govBids must be delivered to the address below on December 29, 2015 Opening of Bids at 10:00AM ernment set up in six months and elections seized much of the country. PSPs which of the BAC in Secretariat 18 months. Saudi Arabia and the UnitedOffice Arab and eligibilit 4/f Conference Room Saudi in the Offic Emirates have, however, assumed theCitymain Administrator’s Office Arabia supports some rebels c/o Luis, Aurora City Hall of San Pedro Syria, and last year joined a United States-led roles in that coalition. Fifty Thousa particularshave relativerepeatedly to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre coalition bombing IS in Syria. AFP RightsAllgroups criticized proposals fro Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Awards of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Merkel wins respite on refugees The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna reserves the right to accept or reject any bid to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to:

shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur on December 15, 2015. Every year, as Christmas approaches, shopping malls across Malaysia are decorated with beautiful light displays and offer year-end discounts to lure shoppers. AFP

The BAC/JV qualification Ordinance, r

KARLSRUHE, Germany— go quiet, at least for a time. “Merkel’s speech sent the right Mr. Merlin B. Paala German ChancellorOfficeAngela “There was a lot of criticism message of unity and confidence of the BAC Secretariat (SGD.) ANA Citythe Administrator Merkel won a respite on refu- Office in the run-up to the event but to the party and the rest of the City of San Pedro, Laguna BA Telefax No. 847-1722 gee question with a strong show with a clever, feisty appearance, country,” he told AFP. of unity at a party congress but Merkel managed to (SGD) suddenly “ButI. SIBULO of course party members ENGR. FILEMON Chairman must deliver results ahead of key make this criticism lookBids quite are more loyal than voters -- they and Awards Committee elections next year, analysts said. petty,” news website Spiegel are still anxious and will need to Merkel turned in a decisive Online said. be convinced.” performance at the Christian “The twilight of Merkel has Barbara Klepsch, social affair Democrats’ gathering in the been called off for now.” minister in Saxony, home to the southwestern city of Karlsruhe The top-selling Bild called it anti-Muslim movement Pegida on Monday, uniting delegates be- her “strongest hour”. and the state with the highest hind a centrist line of humanitarChristian Haardt, a member number of attacks against refuian commitment coupled with a of the legislature in North Rhine- gee shelters, admitted local polipromise to reduce refugee num- Westphalia, Germany’s most ticians now had their work cut bers. populous state, said Merkel’s out for them. Commentators said that pre- “inspiring” address would give “We’re facing a situation in vildictions of Merkel’s political de- the CDU momentum ahead of lages and towns that we haven’t mise after 10 years in office, ram- three important state elections in seen since World War II,” she told pant just weeks ago, would now March. AFP. AFP (TS-DEC. 16, 2015)

Christmas in Malaysia. Shoppers walk under Christmas decorations at a

during office compliant co Stage 3 of th

(TS-DEC. 10 & 16, 2015

W E D N E S D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 6 : 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 WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

H OME & L I V ING

LIFE

CURIOUS CURIOS

AT THE WARESHOP CALEIDOSCOPE WORLD BY CAL TAVERA

ould you ever consider giving anyone plates this Christmas? I can’t imagine anyone ever buying them as gifts unless they were registered for a couple’s wedding or as a housewarming gift. They would usually be part of a 12-piece entertaining collection, often trimmed with gold or some other fancy detail around the edges. In no other occasion would I find them at the top of anyone’s list, that is, until I was introduced to The Wareshop. The first time I got a glimpse of one of their accessory plates, it was imprinted with a black skull against the white ceramic plate. It was unconventional, something you would not normally find in the home department. Don’t get me wrong, I love my share of girly, floral things as well but these housewares managed to insert some quirk to the delicate designs, instantly infusing more personality to your personal space. The team consisting of Melissa Orozco, Kaity Chua and Chino Jayme are responsible for this brainchild. A couple of years ago, the group recognized the demand for bespoke home decorations

which was limited in the local market. Homeowners were developing an appreciation for designed products and the trio decided to create a company inspired by their love and passion for vintage and detailed art. Kaity shares, “We try to create a visual narrative for every product. They go beyond a pretty pattern and express a specific mood and individuality.” Driven by their passion, the owners were hands-on for every stage of the process from the initial concepts, to sourcing materials and final production. Each product was sourced, designed and created locally. In less than a year, their hard work paid off and the brand was launched in July 2014. They focused mostly on art imprinted on plates and glasses made out of ceramic, porcelain and glass which the entrepreneurs saw as blank canvasses. However, after a short time, the brand grew beyond plates, offering a variety of objets d’art such as placemats, glasses, paper products and flasks. The Wareshop offers mostly household wares. You can add a bit of edge into various spaces in your home. These one-of-a-kind accessories add charm to several rooms in the home from the kitchen, bar area, dining room, bathrooms and bedrooms. Kaity shares, “Most of our collections are influenced by the old world, or vintage imagery. Our latest Accessoires Collection is inspired by daily life before the turn of the century. Other times, we are inspired by fantasy and old tales, which can be seen in our Atlantis collection.” They also grab ideas from random, odd pegs. Continued on C4

Atlantis Collection

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

UNICEF AUCTION FOR ACTION: 2015 APEC Yoda chairs to be auctioned off for UNICEF’s 1,000 Days campaign

he historical six limitededition Yoda chairs used by state leaders during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner is up for auction today, December 16, 7:00 p.m. at Cobonpue’s Greenbelt showroom. Organized by UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña-Paez in partnership with world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, the auction proceeds will benefit UNICEF’s 1,000 Days campaign. “After the APEC dinner, I received a lot of inquiries about the chairs the world leaders used,” says Cobonpue. “But I think they are so much more than just pieces of furniture to be sold at face value. They’re now a part of our history that can serve a better purpose,”

he adds. Inspired from blades of grass, the iconic chairs are made from high-quality rattan reeds and manufactured in Cebu. For APEC, the chairs were rendered wider and taller with armrests and a swivel mechanism that enables one to turn effortlessly in both directions. US President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III used the chairs that are up for auction. This will be the 4th installment of UNICEF’s Auction for Action, with the first three auctions having raised P8.2 million for children’s programs as initiated by Daphne since 2011.

The limited-edition Yoda chairs

UNICEF Philippines Country Representative Lotta Sylwander, world-renowned designer and creative director for the APEC 2015 Economic Leaders’ Welcome Dinner Kenneth Cobonpue, and UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Oseña-Paez.

“Giving children the best start in life is one cause that I staunchly advocate. Having such historic design pieces contribute to that cause embodies the perfect marriage of creativity and social consciousness that Auction for Action was founded upon,” says Daphne. UNICEF’s 1,000 Days campaign seeks to increase awareness about the importance of the first 1,000 days in a child’s life. The campaign aims to reduce the mother and child mortality within

the 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday. If given proper execution and funding, the campaign can have a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn, and rise out of poverty and shape a prosperous society especially in impoverished areas. “We’re very thankful for Kenneth’s generosity,” says Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Country Representative. “This auction will go a long way in ensuring more children can

benefit from this life-changing UNICEF initiative.” Support UNICEF’s 1,000 Days campaign and register for the auction, it is open worldwide and will be streamed live on the UNICEF website. Bidders must pre-register by visiting unicef.ph. or call 02 758-1000 for details. Interested participants can bid at the live auction or through SMS after a pre-registration process outlined on the website. Get updates on social media and follow the hashtag #UNICEFAuctionForAction.

A BLOOMING NEW KITCHEN IDEA

Cookware concept wins Electrolux Design Lab 2015

kitchen gizmo that teaches children practical ways to cook and save energy has been announced the grand winner of Electrolux Design Lab 2015 held in Helsinki, Finland. The designer of the winning design, Jordan Lee Martin of the United Kingdom, calls the concept Bloom, which according to him was borne out of the idea to make children aware of good kitchen habits. Bloom bridges the gap between digital and practical education. In a nutshell, it captures steam in three separate pods, it then recycles the steam which children can use to cook, purify air and sterilize products. Martin’s design fits very well into this year’s Electrolux Design Lab theme of “Healthy Happy Kids.” The competition looked for innovative ideas for products, accessories, consumables and services in three focus areas: Cooking, Fabric Care and Air Purification. The UK student bagged 10,000 euros. “Based on real needs and clever use of existing technology, this aesthetically pleasing concept has potential for multiple use, which will inspire, teach and interact with kids,” said Electrolux senior vice president for Design and head of jury Lars Erikson.

Bloom is a concept that teaches children practical ways to cook and save energy

Aside from Erikson, the finalist jury included Helsinki Design Week programme director Hanna Harris and Roder Innovation design entrepreneur and chief executive officer Fredrik Magnusson. Electrolux received over 1,500 submissions from over 56 countries around the world this year. The entries went through three selection processes: top 100, top 35 and top 6, which were evaluated by Electrolux experts. The second prize was awarded to Airshield, a baby stroller that creates a pure and clean

microclimate, devised by Dominykas Budinas of Lithuania. Third prize went to QH, an air purifier and hula-hoop in one, by Jeongbeen Seo of South Korea. The Ride and Wash concept by Luisa Veronica Salazar Ilustre, an Industrial Design student from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, made it to the top 100. The Ride and Wash is a bicyclelooking washing machine that allows kids to play outdoors while taking part in doing the laundry. “Luisa’s concept exemplifies the creativity and inspiring ability of the Filipino youth

Jordan Lee Martin

to step up, innovate, and pave the way for future generations. We are very proud of her for representing our country in the top 100 of the competition,” said Andrea Pionilla, marketing manager of Electrolux Philippines. Watch the winning concepts come to life in video at www.electroluxdesignlab.com and www.youtube.com/electrolux. To know more about Electrolux, visit www.electrolux.com.ph or follow @ElectroluxPH on Twitter and Instagram.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

FOSHAN:

A City Representing Evolving China Part 2

URBAN MATTERS

BY KARIMA PALAFOX The City of Foshan is one of China’s 16 super cities that is responsible for more than 1 percent of the whole country’s economic output. Foshan has been producing with an annual growth rate of 17 percent in the last 35 years, particularly because of its strong manufacturing base and related surge in real estate development. However, this GDP growth rate has been decreasing in the last 10 years, because of less demand for traditional manufactured goods from the West, and the transfer of factories to other cities with lower labor costs. Its population growth rate is less than one percent, and there is massive outmigration of young people. I have visited China several times before, but it was only on this particular visit that I understood the concept of hukou, or the family registration record. Some say that this can be likened to a caste system, with migrant workers not gaining access to a city’s social services such as education, healthcare and housing. One can imagine that this discrimination would be a concern for a city with half of its seven million people as migrants. The biggest challenge facing Foshan is how to move up in the value chain, and how to strengthen its labor force. T he a dv is or y p anel’s recommendations centered on four themes: promoting livability, strengthening the Foshan brand and tourism, education, and entrepreneurship.

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

The panel members had expected to be welcomed by a polluted town, with not much to see except for factories. However, the central district of Chancheng, which was the focus of our study, had a very vibrant street life that is absent in most modern Chinese cities. We recommended that they continue improving the quality of the environment with stricter regulations for pollutive

Leadership of Shui on Land and the ULI Advisory Panel (from left): Professor Zongbo Tan, Albert Chan, Dixon Man, Matthew Guo, Jane Lloyd, Professor In Keun Lee, Tom Eitler, Mayor Tom Murphy, Karima Palafox, Allen Folks, Vincent Lo, Ken Rhee, David Wong, Abel Xu, Phil Kim

The Shui on Land development restored heritage houses into shops and museums, and the organic street patterns were maintained

Foshan National Torch Innovation Pioneering Park

Guangdong Industrial Design City in Shunde

Thousand Lantern Lake Park in the Guangdong High Tech Park for Financial Institutions

industries, and a strengthened urban core. This can be achieved by integrating the heritage center of Zumiao, Lingnan Tiandi and the rest of downtown – its markets, schools, parks, temples, and rivers – with well-connected walkways and the proposed light rail. We also recommended affordable housing and SOHO (small office home office) in the city center to cater to young people. The panel recommended strengthening this urban core that is difficult to replicate and has been absent in many places in modern China. This authenticity will be the main selling point of Foshan as a livable city.

destinations such as a convention center in the city center, soft programming is essential. A calendar of events can be curated to showcase the temples, Cantonese food and opera, the 50 martial arts clubs of Foshan, and kung fu films through events in the city center. Sydney, for example, has benefited from events such as Vivid Sydney and Moonlight Cinema, which did not require much of additional infrastructure. We also recommend a Center for Excellence for Herbal Medicine.

panel recommended an urban campus within the city’s core, with a world-class university to attract top talent. Young and innovative migrants can be incentivized through a Foshan Promise, wherein good performers are given subsidies to stay on during and after their university education.

business people who will likewise be encouraged to visit an attractive city. An entrepreneurial culture needs infrastructure such as early stage financing and incubator spaces within an urban core. Examples of cities that have been successful in similar initiatives include Stockholm, Berlin, Tokyo, and Barcelona.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SHIFT

THE FOSHAN BRAND

Foshan has been playing a key role in China’s economy for thousands of years. However, it is relatively unknown. Lingnan culture can be highlighted to encourage tourism. While they can build landmark

EDUCATION

Providing cradle-to-grave education will play a key role in attracting talent in the knowledge economy. It is ironic that Foshan is in the top tier income category by the World Bank, however it has one of the lowest graduate rates in China. It has only one university, which faces the threat of relocation to a suburban area. The advisory

Lingnan Tiandi is a low carbon development that encourages Sino-German Industrial Services Zone, established with efforts to promote activity through generous walkways and bikelanes. robotics in smart manufacturing. PHOTO CREDITS: CHINA DAILY CHINADAILY.COM.CN

The government invested on hightechnology zones and innovation hubs in suburban locations that are far from the city center. This is part of the provincial government’s thrust of boosting employment by startups. They are very impressive structures, but have not been able to attract much talent. Innovation usually takes place in thriving cities, and cannot be orchestrated in secluded areas that are inaccessible to investors and educational institutions. Even tech companies that traditionally occupied suburban campuses in the US are moving back to city centers. In relation to this, we recommended a Center for Entrepreneurship and Mentoring, possibly named after Shui on Group’s chairman Vincent Lo, a highly-regarded Hong Kongbased businessman who owns a multibillion dollar property and construction empire. Young entrepreneurs will be given opportunities to be mentored – and financed – by successful

Foshan’s experience is a validation that a city’s success is not anymore measured by economic progress alone. The growth of Foshan’s economy, particularly in trade, manufacturing and real estate is truly remarkable. Despite the high income and the presence of firstclass infrastructures, the city has been threatened by outmigration of its people. Previously, people went to where the jobs were. In the knowledge economy, businesses will follow the talent. The cities that will win the fight for talent will be those that provide the highest quality of life. This article is based on the inputs of the entire team of the ULI Advisory Panel to Foshan, and not just the author’s. For more information on Foshan, refer to www.asiaglobalinstitute.hku. hk/en/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ Foshan-Report-2015-05-06-final. compressed.pdf . Follow me on Instagram @karmipalafox

W E D N E S D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 6 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE C4 JAZZ UP YOUR HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING WITH THE POTTERY BARN COLLECTION life @ thestandard.com .ph

he holidays will bring on a lot of entertaining, and homemakers can add a touch of elegance and beauty to their dining room with barware, dinnerware, serveware, and table linens in various holiday designs from the Pottery Barn 2015 holiday collection. “We thoughtfully designed each glass, perfecting every curve and detail, to create a collection that is anything but standard. We hope our customers love this collection as much as we do and make it a part of their celebrations with friends and family this holiday season,” said Sandra Stangl, president of Pottery Barn. The brand’s Library and Premiere Glassware add sophistication to parties or festive gatherings, and these can be paired with the Brady Bar Cart which doubles as a bar or side table. Holiday table decor include the Painted Santa Claus Dinnerware and the vintage-inspired Nostalgic Santa Collection, which adds whimsy to the dining table. The brand also carries velvet and embroidered accessories like velvet stockings which make for delightful holiday keepsakes, or pillow covers with fine crewel embroidery that highlights the winter scene, with tiny jingle bells on the antlers and other fun details.

@LIFEatStandard

HOLIDAY DECOR

For those who want wintry light and shadows, the silver mercury-glass trees with mottled antiqued surfaces beautifully reflect lights, while red berry trees add a cheery accent to the home. You may also add some festive glitter with the champagne glitter trees and faceted jewel trees for a burst of sparkle among your ornaments. To give any room a warm glow, light up flameless candles that are just as beautiful when unlit. For the bedroom, add a little holiday luxe with the Pottery Barn’s cozy fur collection with faux-fur lining in caramel ombre, gray ombre, sunbear ivory, and chinchilla gray added to robes and slippers. Faux-fur throws and pillow covers also offer the soft feel of genuine fur in assorted natural colors made of acrylic, polyster with a velvet reverse. Achieve an extra dash of style with a faux fur stool on pecan-finished legs. The holidays is also a time for gift giving, and the refined elegance of Callie glass boxes in various shapes and sizes are perfect for keepsake items. The large jewelry boxes from the McKenna Leather Collection in sophisticated textures (from grey lizard to gold and porcelain blue) are lockable and feature a mirror, lift-out tray, and sections for rings and earrings. The jewelry roll has a faux suede lining with polished nickel snap closure, perfectlysized for a weekend trip.

Brady Bar Cart Woody Car Crewel Embroidered Lumbar Pillow Cover

Faux Fur Stools Painted Santa Claus Dinnerware

In the Philippines, Pottery Barn is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., a member of SSI Group, Inc., and is located at Central Square and Estancia, Capitol Commons. Follow Pottery Barn on Facebook or Instagram @potterybarnPH, and visit www.ssilife.com.ph for more information. Calie Glass Box

Mckenna Leather Collapsible Catchall

Velvet Stockings

CURIOUS CURIOS AT THE WARESHOP From C1

This is evident in the Les Fleurs du Mal Collection, which also happens to include some of their bestselling items, curios that managed to merge the dainty floral designs with the more idiosyncratic skulls and bones. For the holidays, they suggested gifting loved ones with wares from the Les

Fleurs du Mal Collection which they have restocked recently due to its popularity. Another collection to consider is the Atlantis theme where they collaborated with local artist Lance Yumul. For family and loved ones, they recommend these specific items:

For your dad: Blaireau Accessory Plate

For your bff: Dark Bloom Set Accessory Plate

Poison Fruit

For your mom: Harvest Jar Set For your brother: Blackbeard Rock Glass Set For your sister: Princesse Accessory Plate Dark Bloom Set that you can gift your bff

For your boss: Midnight Wine Carafe For your drinking buddy: Lemon Flask For your workmate: Paper products

Accessoires Collection. Bottom left is the Princesse Accessory plate that you can gift your sister.

Les Fleurs Du Mal Collection

For your aunt: Picnic Placemat Set For your sister-in-law: Honey Rectangular Plate

Should you wish to customize, they accept bulk or special orders. It takes two to three months to complete. The brand will be showcasing its designs in several bazaars and pop ups but the items can be viewed and purchased anytime on the online store TheWareshop.com. If you think they are pricey, think again. The products start at P200. You can also check out the brand’s creations on Instagram and Facebook. The Wareshop is perfect for anyone who wishes to add something original into her home. Follow me on Instagram @cal_tavera

W EDNES DAY : DECEMBER 16, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Comedian Michael V. gladly presents the book he worked on for three months, it features funny anecdotes, stories and more

A collection of Michael V's most famous characters on the long-running gag show, Bubble Gang

The many faceS of michael V.

“S

omeone told me that the ultimate goal of a person is to have a child, plant a tree, and then finally write a book. I took it seriously that’s why I’m doing this.” This was Michael V.’s answer when we asked him why he came up with a book. Bitoy, as he’s fondly called by his fans and colleagues, collaborated with Summit Books and recently launched The Bubble Bible by Bitoy, a collection of 12 of his most famous characters in the longrunning gag show, Bubble Gang. The illustrations of the Bubble Gang characters in the book are also by Bitoy. The book features

By nickie Wang

a foreword by another comedian/ host Joey de Leon. The book, which took him roughly three months to finish, features unforgettable personalities that Bitoy has breathed life into, such as Junie Lee, Madam Rocha, Mr. Assimo, Mr. Matapobre, Bonggang Bonggang Bongbong, DJ Bumbay, and Doña Yna Moran. These characters he chose to highlight in The Bubble Bible based on a survey conducted among his peers and Bubble Gang fans. Asked which of these characters is his personal favorite, the Bubble Gang pioneer said Junie Lee because he considers the character as “the other side of me.”

“Nahihiya ako when I meet other celebrities most especially when I am tasked to interview them. I am thinking sana iba na lang ang mag-interview sa kanila. That’s how Junie Lee started. He doesn’t need to prepare for any interview,” he shared. The beauty of Junie Lee being prepared to be unprepared is Bitoy’s response to the image known by the public – someone who endeavors to be always ready and make his brand of comedy tasteful if not perfect. Just like any successful humorists, it helps that Bitoy is surrounded by people who constructively critique his work.

In that way, he’s able to change and improve his way of impersonating famous personalities and the characters he created. He takes any feedback seriously because comedy, as we said time and time again, is a serious business. “They are the ones who can tell if my work still okay. Playing different characters is tough most especially when people can no longer see the difference between the two characters I’m playing. I’m not the one who sees it, it’s the audience that’s why listening to feedback really helps,” the Bubble Gang creative director asserted. For over 20 years now, Bitoy has been entertaining audiences with

his well-crafted skits and parodies. He has also launched a successful music career as a rapper, singer and composer. Hence, it came as no surprise from an experienced man, not to mention a multi awarded comedian, to come up with a book that promises nothing but pure good laughter. “Actually I wanted to write an autobiography but some of the people close to me said I’m too young to write a book about myself. They said, a lot of things will still happen in my life. So in the meantime, to satisfy my eagerness to come up with my own book, I came up with Bubble Bible,” the 45-year-old comedian ended.

New Vita-E ambassador Carla Abellana with Ace Health CEO Derrick Wong

Abellana signed a contract with Ace Health as Vita- E ambassador with Wong and Marketing Manager Louie Albert

Abella answers questions from the media on how she maintains her beauty

Be effortlessly Beautiful

how business is an industry ruled by good-looking and talented individuals. All achieved fame differently – few were hailed from chance encounters with managers then some came from a showbiz clan. Carla Abellana belongs to the latter. Being the daughter of former celebrities, Rey “PJ” Abellana and Rea Reyes, she was

able to step out of her parents’ shadows. With her knack for acting and captivating beauty, she proved that she is more than just a face from a prominent clan. As Carla Abellana makes waves in the industry, a calendar filled with appointments is set upon her. Travelling to shooting locations, rehearsing and wearing makeup all day, “me time” is suddenly hard to

find and sleep occurs on rare occasions. Despite this lifestyle, how do you think Carla Abellana manages to maintain her skin’s youthful and radiant glow? ATC Healthcare together with Carla Abellana launched Vita-E with the theme Naturally Beautiful, to highlight how a healthy skin helps in attaining a beauty without too much effort. Vita-E is also the latest product

Radiant in her fushcia dress, Abellana is the new face of Vita- E

in their antiaging and skin enhancing supplements line. ATC Healthcare CEO Derick Wong, President Albert Chua and Marketing Manager Louie Albert along with guests were at the celebration on Dec. 10, at Novotel Manila Araneta Center, General Aguinaldo Ave, Araneta Center, Quezon City. DJ Chikki of 101.9 MOR hosted the event. As the event

progressed, guests were also surprised with cash and special prizes (10 won P5,000, one P10,000, another won P20,000 and two iPhone 6). The launch also paved way for brand ambassadress Carla A to announce Vita-E’s BUY ONE, TAKE ONE Promo which is available for a limited time offer only. Go E for effortless beauty, with Vita-E.

W EDNES DAY : DECEMBER 16, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ChRiStmaS On CaRtOOn nEtWORk Fitting in can be a difficult thing… especially when you’re a bear. More misadventures await Grizzly, Panda and Ice in this month’s We Bare Bears as they do everything to adapt to normal (human) life. But these bears are no idiots – they are fairly tech savvy and are masters of the selfie, fans of the food truck and chasers of Internet fame. Yet, they have a lot to learn about the trendy residents that surround their humble San Francisco Bay Area cave. Created by Annie Award-winner Daniel Chong (Toy Story of Terror!), We Bare Bears was conceived as part of Cartoon Network Studios’ thriving and prolific shorts development program which also created the network’s latest hit animated series Steven Universe, Uncle Grandpa, Clarence, and the Emmy®-winning Regular Show. Grizzly, Panda and Ice’s endearing adventures in new episodes of We Bare Bears on Cartoon Network telecast 6:15 p.m. weekdays. Cartoon Network is available on SKYCable Channel 43, SKYCable HD Channel 178, Cignal Channel 35, Cignal HD Channel 110, Destiny Cable (Digital) Channel 43, Destiny Cable (Analog) Channel 51 and Cable Link Channel 26, Dream Satellite Channel 15.

kiD tV

TwiTTer and neSCaFe blend TogeTher For real-Time CoFFee experienCe Twitter announced a partnership with Nescafé to unveil a whole new drinking experience with the Nescafé Red Mug Machine live via Periscope, the best way to share and watch live video broadcasts from your mobile phone. This is part of a larger digital video campaign, which includes the debut of Niche creators Marc

Morgan and Gwri Pennar in Asia to develop original Vine content for Nescafé Philippines that will launch on @NESCAFEPH. This is the first time a brand in Asia Pacific is using Niche, a network of over 20,000 social media creators. As part of Twitter’s Brand Strategy team, Niche executes marketing campaigns across the creator network alongside hundreds of leading brands and advertisers. For this campaign, the creative duo will create a series of Vines in the Nescafé theme of #StartCreating launched this month. The multifaceted video campaign from Nescafé Philippines is geared towards the launch of the new Nescafé Red Mug Machine, a convenient and easy-touse appliance that prepares café-like concoctions for coffee aficionados in the comfort of their own homes. With Periscope, people can participate

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 45 46 48 50 51 52 54 58 62 63 65 66

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Browser’s delight 5 Distress acutely 9 Built-up 14 Feverish chill 15 All, in combos 16 Brain surgeon’s prefix 17 Farm structure 18 Beethoven was born there 19 Majestic wader 20 Advice

22 24 26 27 30 35 36 37 38 39 42 43

Of various sorts Up — — (stumped) Pa Cartwright Red wine Puts out the fire Ibsen’s — Gabler Luncheon salad “She Loves You” refrain Left Bank pal Sage, in India Hail, to Caesar Energize

67 68 69 70 71

Timber wolf Rented a U-Haul Worth it Affectionate gesture On the — vive Spiral-horned antelope Woke up By oneself Pelts Cyrus’ realm, today Point the finger at Run — (go against) Rake Indigo dye — Haute, Ind. Warm greeting Past the deadline

DOWN 1 Not fem. 2 Exchange premium 3 Humdinger 4 Nimoy or Bernstein 5 Mr. Redford 6 Soap plant 7 TV news source 8 Gentle 9 Odd 10 Furniture style 11 Laird’s accent

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015

12 13 21 23 25 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 40 41 44 47 49 50 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 64

“Iliad” deity Memo Prepare clams Steel girder (hyph.) Even-tempered Grain husks Monkey’s cousin Toodle-oo! Golden Rule word Fling Icicle sites Loses one’s coat You, once Michael Caine role Fridge maker Cordial Sort of number Fracas Film festival city Maui feasts At the drop of — — Crawling with Nose stimulus Quaint weapon Elcar or Wynter Be like uranium Remove from text Vive le —!

in the live broadcast of coffee moments with local celebrity and newly appointed Nescafé Red Mug brand ambassador, Raymond Gutierrez, leaving him comments and hearts as he introduces the new machine. Using the state-of-the-art coffee maker, Periscope viewers can learn a new coffee recipe from Raymond in real-time as he prepares his own version of the Vanilla Chilled Coffee at the event, as well as join Raymond and his friends in their holiday season games and celebrations. “Digital video engagement is growing exponentially in the region and live video is a huge draw for today’s mobile consumers,” Steve Kalifowitz, head of Brand Strategy, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, said. “It’s great that Nescafé is willing to innovate and provide a differentiated customer experience through videos with the launch of the Red Mug Machine.”

“We are pleased to partner with Twitter for the launch of the new Nescafé Red Mug machine to drive innovative experience,” said Donald Howat, business executive manager for Coffee and Creamer Creations at Nestle Philippines. “The Nescafé Red Mug Machine is a key innovation to level up the coffee experience at home using Nescafé Classic and Nestlé Coffee-Mate. Twitter is an excellent partner to bring to life exciting moments to consumers. Periscope’s real-time broadcast amplified via Twitter will bring coffee enthusiasts much closer to experiencing the new Nescafé Red Mug Machine so that, just like Raymond, they too can #StartCreating.” For updates on the launch of the Nescafé Red Mug Machine on Periscope and Vine, as well as more details about the product, follow @NESCAFEPH on Twitter and search for the hashtag #StartCreating.

W EDNES DAY : DECEMBER 16, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

KApuso progrAms dominATe megA mAnilA rATings From C8

g Ismol Family cast

Jessica Soho

MA Network asserts its leadership as its programs continue to dominate Mega Manila ratings. Based on household data from the industry’s most-trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, 22 out of the 30 highestrating programs in Mega Manila from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6 are from GMA. Leading the list is the consistent toprater Magpakailanman, which was the no.1 program in Mega Manila in November. Eat Bulaga, driven by the continued success of its kalyeserye segment, followed closely at no. 2, while multi-awarded news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho landed at no.3. Meanwhile, the well-loved family sitcom Pepito Manaloto remains one of the highest-rating Kapuso programs entering the list at no. 4. Undeniably the viewers’ preferred program every Saturday night, it has always been consistent in bringing fun and laughter in each episode. Also occupying the top spots on the

list are Ismol Family, MariMar, 24 Oras, Little Nanay, and 24 Oras Weekend. Imbestigador, Sunday PinaSaya, Because of You, Vampire ang Daddy Ko, Karelasyon, and The Half Sisters also delivered strong ratings performances and made it to the top programs list. Not to be outdone are Celebrity Bluff, Destiny Rose, IMBG 20 I am Bubble Gang, Buena Familia, Wowowin, The Ryzza Mae Show presents: Princess in the Palace and Kapuso Primetime Cinema. With more twists and new surprises coming their way, viewers can expect only the best from the Kapuso Network as it promises to deliver quality news and entertainment content. HHHHH erAp reCAlls dA King As pressure mounTs on grACe poe The former President now Mayor of Manila Joseph “Erap” Estrada can’t help but be dismayed at how some people can mount enormous pressure on Senator Grace Poe and her bid to be

the next President of the Republic. Estrada is Poe-Llamanzares’s godfather. According to Erap, he can’t just turn his back on his goddaughter being FPJ’s best friend. In an interview in a radio program recently, Erap said attempts to disqualify Grace from running in next year’s elections are but machinations of her political opponents. “Sa aking pananaw, kung hindi siya kandidatong presidente, hindi naman malalabas yan... Pero ngayong kandidato nang presidente, hinahanapan na ng butas,” Erap said. Is it with certainty that Grace is Erap’s bet as the presidential candidate? Why not? After all she is the daughter of his best friend that he considers more than a brother. “As far as I am concerned, she is a Filipina because she was born in the Philippines. She was elected as senator. Vox populi, vox Dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Let the people decide,” Erap insisted.

AsiAn Food ChAnnel premieres ‘The AmAzing Food ChAllenge 3’ Asian Food Channel (AFC) original production, The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun In The Philippines, will return for a third season. The new 13-episode series will premiere on Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. on Starhub Ch. 435. Produced in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB), The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun In The Philippines 3 is an action-packed culinary competition showcasing the vibrant and delicious dishes of the Philippines. Hosted by renowned celebrity Chef Aaron Craze, this season’s 12 new contestants get the chance of a lifetime to travel across the Philippines, from a UNESCO Heritage Site in Banaue to the rural towns of Quezon – all in an effort to win $30,000 and an all-expense paid trip around the Philippines. Each episode pits contestants against each other in a series of rigorous cooking and physical challenges that include racing on traditional wooden bikes, crab fishing, harvesting ingredients for a cooking challenge and recreating fiesta dishes for up to 50 hungry townspeople. Overseeing the competition with Aaron are the program’s resident judges Chef Rob Pengson and Chef Fernando Aracama, two of the most recognizable names on the Filipino culinary scene today. In each region, Pengson and Aracama will also be joined by an expert guest judge who will help assess the contestants’ performance. After the airing of each episode, viewers can log on to the

Jennifer Lawrence is Raven

From left, Resident judges Chefs Fernando Aracama and Rob Pengson with Scripps Network Interactive, Asia-Pacific Managing Director Derek Chang and host Chef Aaron Craze

AFC website and answer a question based on the content of that week’s episode. One viewer will be chosen as the contest winner each week. The grand prize of a three-day-two-night vacation in the Philippines (flights and hotel included) will go to one lucky viewer after answering a question based on the content of the entire series. Derek Change, managing director of Scripps Networks Interactive, Asia-Pacific said, “The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun In The Philippines is a unique concept that combines the exhilarating world of food and travel with competition and reality. We believe this season to be the most entertaining season yet as we deliver exciting new personalities competing fiercely to demonstrate their culinary skills while testing their limits for adventure against the backdrop of the physical beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. We would like to thank the Phil-

ippine Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines again for their hospitality, and we are pleased to be partnering with them for their Visit Philippines 2016 campaign.” Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III, chief operating officer of Tourism Promotions Board Philippines says, “Once again, we are delighted to be working with Asian Food Channel and eagerly await the third season premiere. This season showcases six new regions of the Philippines from a UNESCO heritage site to the seafood capital of the Philippines and beautiful unspoiled lagoons. The contestants will experience a vast array of what the Philippines has to offer and we are happy to share the great wonders of the Philippines with all of AFC’s viewers.” For more information on the program, please visit www. asianfoodchannel.com/afcfoodchallenge3.

Michael Fassbender is Magneto in X Men: Apocalypse

‘X-Men: ApoCAlypse’ first full trAiler

ollowing the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-Men: Apocalypse. Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer

Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. X-Men: Apocalypse stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, and Ben Hardy. X-Men: Apocalypse opens in Philippine cinemas May 18, 2016 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros. Watch the full trailer of “X-Men: Apocalypse” here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=EJfeIw7VAjI

W EDNES DAY : DECEMBER 16, 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Phytos Ramirez, Janella Salvador and Jerome Ponce

Regal’s ‘ shake Rattle & Roll’ gives way to

‘Haunted Mansion’ ISAH V. RED REGAL Entertainment’s highly successful Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) horror trilogy franchise, Shake, Rattle & Roll, gives way this year to an even hairraising, spine-chilling, bloodier, horrifying theater experience as the mother and daughter tandem of Lily and Roselle Monteverde field Haunted Mansion right on Christmas Day. Directed by multi-awarded Jun Lana, Haunted Mansion features three of today’s freshest and hottest young faces Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce, together with stellar casts

Janice de Belen, Iza Calzado and talented actors Joem Bascon, LJ Reyes, Dominic Ochoa with uprising showcase of the teenage actors and actresses Sharlene San Pedro, Ingrid de la Paz, Devon Seron, Eliza Pineda, Phytos Ramirez, and Paulo Gumabao. In the movie, Janella is gifted girl Ella, who sees dead people around her. The last time she used her gift to communicated with spirits, though, resulted in her father’s death. Her schoolmates who often bully Janella, initiated a prank and insidiously awakened the evil spirits, Amara (Iza Calzado) and Veronika (LJ Reyes) from the past. In the midst of the students’ adventure, dormant ghosts in the retreat house are disturbed and so, they wreak havoc on Ella and her friends.

Marlo Mortel and Janella Salvador

Ella (Janella Salvador) and her friends accidentally discovers the mystery surrounding the twin deaths, and so, Amara’s vengeful spirit returns to try to stop them from spilling the truth.

In this movie, the audience will experience the evil wrath of the vicious ghost Amara. “Haunted Mansion stands to be one of Regal’s biggest MMFF offerings,” says Direk Jun, “and I’m excited for everyone to see it. Not everyone knows that we have been developing this project for Regal for years.” He adds, “Binusisi talaga namin ang kuwento. We also made sure to start the shoot earlier para mapaganda lalo ang mga eksena, siguruhing nakakatakot at mapapasigaw ang audiences ‘pag naanood sila. This is the kind of film you want to watch together with your family and barkada.” Haunted Mansion, this year’s only ultimate horror screamfest, opens in cinemas nationwide on Dec. 25. The whole cast has been touring

Dominic Ochoa

different malls that kicked off Nov. 19. You can still catch the whole cast live on the following mall tours on Dec. 19 at Gaisano Cebu and Dec. 20 at SM Novaliches. Watch the full trailer of Haunted Mansion on Regal Films Official Youtube Channel, follow their official social media accounts Facebook www.facebook.com/ RegalEntertainmentInc twitter @regalfllms Instagram @ regalfilms50 for more updates about the movie. ➜ Continued on C7