The Standard - 2015 December 19 - Saturday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX  NO. 310  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : DECEMBER 19, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Starving of maid angers Poe

NATIONAL CALAMITY Palace says gov’t was prepared for Typhoon ‘Nona’

By Sandy Araneta

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III declared a state of national calamity Friday due to the destruction brought about by Typhoon “Nona,” which left at least 17 people dead and caused more than P900 million in damage to crops and infrastructure.

Off to higher ground. Residents ride on a truck over floodwaters to evacuate to higher ground in Candaba, Pampanga. Vast swathes of farmlands were flooded by rains from Typhoon ‘Nona’ and the flooding could worsen or spread to other areas as a second storm in less than a week threatens the country. AFP

Reds ambush trucks on relief mission By Mel Caspe COMMUNIST rebels ambushed a convoy of Army trucks that had just transported relief goods to typhoonstricken Northern Samar, the military said Friday. The convoy of three trucks led by First Lt. Fritz Perez and two personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development were on

their way back to Office of the Civil Defense-Eastern Visayas in Tacloban City after transporting the relief goods to the typhoon victims when they were waylaid by an undetermined number of NPA rebels around 7:20 a.m. along the Maharlika Highway Pinabacdao, Samar, the military said. Two soldiers were wounded in the ensuing 15-minute firefight. The military has sent reinforce-

ments to the area. That stretch of the national highway was closed Friday morning due to the firefight. The Armed Forces condemned the ambush and accused the communist New People’s Army of being behind the attack. “The NPAs are continuously and deliberately conducting atrocities like ambuscades against our troops who Next page

“President Aquino has signed Proclamation No. 1186 declaring a State of National Calamity in the aftermath of Typhoon Nona (international code name: Melor), which left a trail of destruction, substantial damage and deaths in several areas in the country including the provinces of Albay, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon and Sorsogon,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. “The declaration of the state of national calamity is meant among others to… hasten the rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and private sector and effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas… and to continue to provide basic services to residents of affected communities,” Coloma said. The death toll from Nona rose to 17 Friday morning, but disaster officials said the count would most likely go up because the areas hardest hit by the typhoon were cut off and had not yet been able to report. Three provinces—Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija and Sorsongon, were without power as of Thursday due to damage wrought by Nona. The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Friday it restored power in the provinces of Aurora Next page and Nueva Ecija.

Expect traffic hell this weekend

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe urges agencies to help abused maid By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Grace Poe on Friday condemned the reported maltreatment of a Filipina domestic helper in Singapore, saying no Filipino here or abroad deserves to be treated cruelly by an employer. Poe, who is running for president, called on concerned government agencies, led by the Philippines Overseas Labor Office in Singapore, to assist Thelma Oyasan Gawidan as she goes to court against her abusive employers. “The abuse of our workers is unacceptable. The government must take an active role in making sure distressed overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] get the support and protection they deserve,” Poe said. “By providing all help urgently needed by our OFWs in abusive employment, we send a strong message to all destination countries that we will not tolerate the maltreatment of Filipino workers,” she added. Gawidan, 40, accused her employers of starving her for 15 months, causing

her weight to drop to only 29 kg, or about the weight of an average grade-schooler. In her testimony before a Singaporean court, Gawidan said trader Lim Choon Hong and his wife Chong Sui Foon only fed her instant noodles and bread twice a day. She said her employers watched her every move and prevented her from talking to anyone, even locking her phone in her luggage. The Filipino helper said she was forced to work at night, sometimes for more than 24 hours straight, but was not given her salary or allowed to take any days off. Her employers let her shower only twice a week and would escort her to a public toilet whenever she needed to relieve herself. Lim told the court Wednesday he didn’t intervene with his wife’s man-

agement of the household and said Gawidan “didn’t complain.” If convicted, Lim and his wife Chong, 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 Gawidan with adequate food. “No Filipino should be uprooted from their families only to endure such abuse and become victims of unfair labor practices abroad,” Poe said. “The government must intervene to protect migrant workers’ rights and preserve their welfare and dignity.” Gawidan started working for her employers in January 2013 and escaped in April 2014. She is one of at least 167,000 OFWs in Singapore, many of them employed as domestic helpers. “Every day, we hear about OFWs being abused or in crisis situations. We should be ready to assist them. Upon their arrival, our embassies and consulates abroad must make sure that OFWs know the services available to them so that they won’t feel helpless and deserted,” said Poe.

Courting the overseas workers’ vote. Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe waves to the kin of overseas Filipino workers at a forum organized by the group Migrante in Quezon City on Friday. EY ACASIO

Reds...

From A1 are only doing their job to assist in humanitarian assistance [and] disaster response operations,” said Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commander of the 8th Infantry Division was

quoted in the statement. Velarmino said the attack would not hamper ongoing relief operations for victims of Typhoon “Nona” in the Eastern Visayas. Despite the recent attack, President Benigno Aquino III ordered a unilateral suspension of military operations against the NPA from 12:01

a.m. of Dec. 23 to 11:59 p.m. of Jan. 3, 2016, in observation of Christmas and the New Year. On Dec. 15, the NPA declared a 12-day ceasefire covering the same days “in solidarity with the Filipino people’s traditional celebrations of Christmas and New Year holidays.” With Sandy Araneta

National... From A1 The executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Alexander Pama, said 76,796 families or 222,438 people in six cities, 137 municipalities in 19 provinces had taken shelter in 469 evacuation centers. Pama said the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units have been able to raise P44.95 million worth of relief assistance for the victims. A total of 132,122 houses were destroyed or damaged in four regions. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture was pegged at P935.19 million, Pama added. Oriental Mindoro, Sorsogon, Albay, and Northern Samar were declared in state of calamity due to the damage the provinces sustained. The NDRRMC on Friday warned people in Mindanao and the Visayas to brace themselves against the oncoming Tropical Depression “Onyok,” as it threatened to dump heavy to intense rain within its 100-kilometer radius. The state weather bureau said the whole of Luzon can expect continuous rain due to the convergence of the northeast monsoon and the easterlies. Onyok was expected to make landfall in Davao Oriental Friday night before weakening into a low pressure area, the weather bureau said. Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Onyok, which was 210 kilometers east of Mati City, Davao Oriental as of 4 p.m. Friday, had weakened slightly. Aurelio said that public storm warning signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in 36 hours) remained hoisted over the provinces of Surigao del Sur, including Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Province, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao and North Cotabato. Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with public storm warning signals are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to intense within the 150km diameter of the tropical depression. As the toll from Nona rose, the Palace said all the concerned agencies had made the necessary preparations ahead of the storm. “The government had done everything that was needed in order to prepare the public against dangers from typhoon Nona,” Coloma said. “The DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] and the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] are coordinating with the local government units [LGUs] in order to give help to all residents who needed their homes to be fixed,” said Coloma. “The government is also extending help to all families whose family members died during the calamity,” the Palace spokesman said. “The government is also immediately doing its post-disaster needs assessment once it has extended all the help given to the victims and families affected by the calamity,” Coloma said. Coloma also said all the government agencies concerned are now focusing on preparations for Onyok. PNA

sAT URDAY : D e ce m b e R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

News

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Thanksgiving. Students from Nuro Upi in Maguindanao perform a ‘Meguyaya’ dance, a Teduray term for thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, as part of the Kuyog street dancing competition on Dec. 18 in Cotabato City. Omar mangOrsi

Marcos says BBL can still be saved THE proposed Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is practically dead but there’s a slim chance it could be saved, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday. He told a radio interview that they could run out of time to pass the proposed BLBAR because it was still in the period of interpellation and there were only a few days left to act on it. Marcos made his statement even as the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the creation of an autonomous Bangsamoro region and providing it with meaningful and genuine autonomy was a duty that Congress had to fulfill as mandated by the Constitution. “The substance of the BLBAR is the powers of government and fiscal autonomy,” Rodriguez said. “The

BLBAR provides more political autonomy and financial autonomy to the people of Bangsamoro.” Marcos is the chairman of the Senate committee on local government that is conducting hearings on the Malacañang-proposed BBL. But he said he had not given up trying to save the measure. “In our version, if we finish the period of interpellation, I think we can find a compromise so we no longer have to debate on the proposed amendments in the plenary,” Marcos said. He said the suggestion was for the senators to send him all their proposed amendments, agree on what

they could, and let the committee propose the amendments to speed up the process. “But I don’t know how things will go in the House of Representatives. The House terminated the debates on their own version of the bill before adjourning for the Christmas break,” Marcos said. He said it might be difficult for the House to muster a quorum when they resume sessions in January because most of the congressmen would already be busy on their own campaigns. In the Senate, he said, there was no time limit for senators to ask their questions on a proposed measure. And the Senate had yet to rule whether or not the BLBAR was a bill of local application and thus would need to await the House version before it could be voted on. macon

Binay calls on leaders to work for peace VICE President Jejomar Binay on Friday called on all political parties and government leaders to quit fighting and set aside the divisiveness that he says affects economic growth. Binay made the announcement when asked what would be his wish this coming Christmas when he visited General Santos City in Mindanao. “My wish is to have a long-lasting peace particularly in Mindanao, and for the politicians to desist being the puppet of groups and become political leaders,” Binay said. “Even the communist New People’s Army called for a ceasefire. I hope in politics they will do it in the same manner. Let peace prevail.” Binay said he will visit the areas devastated by Typhoon “Nona” to distribute relief. He said many politicians were jumping ship to join other parties, but that was normal. Vito Barcelo

ramos-araneta and sandy araneta

Order against Capiz governor not valid THE Interior Department said Friday the dismissal order against Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. could no longer be implemented as the Office of the Ombudsman had recently announced that the Aguinaldo Doctrine applied in his case. That doctrine renders moot the administrative cases against reelected officials during their previous term. Earlier, the department sought clarification from the Ombudsman whether or not the Aguinaldo Doctrine applied to Tanco’s case since the acts attributed to

him were committed in 2011, and that he was re-elected to the same post in the May 2013 elections. It has been the department’s practice to seek clarification from the Ombudsman on the possible application of the Aguinaldo doctrine to local officials before taking further action on their cases. In it’s letter dated Nov. 16, 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman informed the department that Tanco’s reelection condoned his misconduct and cut off the right to remove him from office. In the same letter, the Ombuds-

man also informed the department that the recent ruling in Conchita Carpio Morales v. Court of Appeals and Jejomar Erwin S. Binay (G.R. Nos. 217126-27, 10 November 2015) abandoning the condonation doctrine finds no application in the case as the Supreme Court had decreed that the ruling be prospective in application. On June 1, 2015, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal and lifetime disqualification from public service of Tanco and his son, Security Officer III Vladimir Tanco, for grave misconduct.

groundbreaking. Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, San Juan City Mayor Gui Gomez, San Juan City administrator Arnulfo Dacalos, and DIlG-NCr heAD Maria lourdes Agustin lead the groundbreaking at a housing project in San Juan City. linO sanTOs

s at u r D aY : D e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MMDA sees heavier traffic By Joel E. Zurbano

Binay faces third charge

BRACE yourself for worse traffic this weekend, the Metro Manila Development Authority advised commuters on Friday, because people will likely be flocking to shopping malls and attend various events before Christmas Day.

By Rio N. Araja DISMISSED Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. is facing a third plunder charge after lawyer Renato Bondal complained before the Ombudsman of alleged anomalies in P828 million worth of information technology contracts from 2008 to 2014. In his complaint, Bondal claimed Binay committed the Makati City Government into contracts with two IT firms, namely Codeworks.PH and Powerlink.Com, from 2008 to 2014. But the two firms, Bondal claimed, were allegedly dummies of Binay’s father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was Makati mayor when the deal was initiated in 2008 and later continued by the younger Binay when he became mayor in 2010. He said both Codeworks.PH and Powerlink. com were allegedly linked to the elder Binay’s aide Gerardo Limlingan, who has been at large since the start of the Senate probe in August 2014 into the corruption allegations against the vice president and his family. Limlingan, who is reportedly the vice president’s financial adviser and president of the JC Binay Foundation, is one of the top officers of Powerlink.Com while his wife, Marguerite Lichnock is an incorporator in Codeworks.PH.

Lantern tilt. Musician Noel Cabangon assesses one of the entries to the 2015 Juan for Christmas Lantern competition that he was asked to judge at the Metro Rail Transit’s Balintawak station. The winning entry will be displayed at different stations of the MRT from Balintawak to Pasay City. EY ACASIO

“The last Friday or the last weekend before Christmas, what do you think? Of, course traffic,” said lawyer Emerson Carlos after attending the Metro Manila Film Festival— New Wave Gala Night at the Glorietta in Makati City. Carlos said his agency already advised the people that traffic will be heaviest on Friday and Saturday (Dec. 19), and also on Dec. 23, the time people are expected to do last-minute Christmas shopping. Shopping malls and other commercial establishments are traffic generators during the Christmas holidays, he said. “Various events are also happening, especially on a last Friday before Christmas. A lot of people are going out. There are Christmas parties and reunions, mall sales and other promos, the street tiangge and bazaars, and people from provinces going out to do shopping, attend events and visit friends and relatives in Metro Manila,” said Carlos. MMDA officials said traffic volume also rises by 20 percent between November and December. The agency had earlier urged the public to do their Christmas shopping early to avoid the holiday rush and the expected traffic jams especially around shopping malls and other commercial centers. Carlos also suggested that shoppers visit the shopping malls nearest to their residences to avoid contributing to road congestion. Mall and commercial center operators recently agreed with the MMDA proposal to extend business hours to ease road congestion during the peak buying season. At least 15 mall operators signed a manifesto announcing extended shopping hours, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Dec. 1 until Jan. 3. Carlos said it has been an annual agreement the MMDA makes with the mall operators to somehow decongest traffic where these commercial establishments are located during the day time and night time holiday rush. Under the agreement, mall and shopping center owners and operators will coordinate with the MMDA during special events, like promotions and midnight sales, as well as disaster-preparedness exercise such as earthquake drills.

Youth explore agro-tech THE agrochemical and biotechnology firm Monsanto Philippines engaged over 200 students from various high schools in Cagayan Valley to educate them on agricultural sustainability and food security. Michael Pinto, officer in charge of the Cagayan Provincial Learning and Resource Center, said the forum held last Dec. 9 was aimed at providing a venue for knowledge-sharing among students of the Cagayan Valley region. “As an agricuture-based region, learning about sustainable food production as a solution to the pressing issues of climate change is crucial for the future leaders of the local agriculture industry,” Pinto said. Cagayan Provincial Board Member Mila Lauigan also graced the event, commending Monsanto for its educational outreach program to the youth.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reported that corn production in the Cagayan province as of the end of October this year reached 118,086 metric tons, down from the 121,281 metric ton-harvest from the third quarter of last year. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Muslim Mindanao and Davao regions posted significant reductions in production and harvest area during this quarter due to dry spells as well as damage from Typhoons “Ineng” and “Lando.” “Cagayan prides itself as one of the leading corn producing regions in the country, so it is important for its youth to be introduced to innovative agricultural solutions in order to sustain its productivity and reputation,” Dr. Gabriel Romero, Monsanto Philippines Regulatory Affairs Lead, said.

Nationalism and music. Poly East Records owner Dr. James Dy and Bureau of

Immigration Commissioner Siegfried Mison show a copy of the newly released album ‘Bayan at Musika’ which promotes nationalism and love for the country through music. DANNY PATA

s at u r D aY : D e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Courts to get 2 more holidays By Rey E. Requejo ADDITIONAL non-working holidays have been declared for courts nationwide, the Supreme Court announced on Friday. In Circular No. 270-105 issued by the Office of the Court Administrator, court personnel in appellate courts and trial courts were notified that Dec. 23 has been declared a non-working holiday by the high court. Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said they were also informed that the SC also approved the proposed half-day work the following Tuesday, December 29. The additional non-working holiday and half-day work will be on top of the three upcoming regular holidays—Dec. 25, Dec. 30 and Jan. 1, and two special non-working holidays on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. The tribunal approved the additional holidays in its order on Administrative Matter No. 14-10-03. Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno earlier said the high court is ready to act on election cases that could need urgent actions during the holiday break. “In fact, we understand and it is clear to us that this Christmas season will not be a usual season for us. There might be things that we need to set aside because of the urgency of matters that need to be resolved,” Sereno said, in an interview last week. “So we are keenly aware of all of those and you can see that most of the justices will be making themselves available for any eventuality… We need to work hard because this is the only process by which we can ensure that the right, just outcome will result,” the chief justice added. Last Wednesday, the justices held a special session and tackled the petition questioning the Senate Electoral Tribunal ruling upholding the eligibility of Senator Grace Poe in the 2013 senatorial elections.

Christmas tradition. Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Tagle mingles with children who joined the annual Panunuluyan 2015 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Intramuros on Friday. DANNY PATA

Pacquiao no longer top Pinoy taxpayer By Gabrielle H. Binaday BOXING champion Emmanuel Pacquiao is no longer the country’s top Filipino taxpayer after biscuit company and bank owner Jacinto Ng became the top taxpayer for the year 2014, the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Friday. BIR data showed that Ng, owner of Republic Biscuit Corp. and Asia United Bank Corp., paid more than P280 million in taxes for 2014. Ng is the country’s 36th richest man with a net worth of $275 million, according to Forbes magazine. Pacquaio, however, was not far behind with tax payments totaling P210.3 million in 2014. Pacquiao was the top taxpayer in 2014. The chief executive of the

country’s biggest chain of drugstores, Vivian-Que Azcona was the third top three taxpayer with P153.55 million. Azcona was the biggest individual taxpayer in 2012 before dropping to eighth in 2013. Former logging tycoon and now Palawan Gov. Jose Alvarez was the fourth top tax payer after paying P73 million to the BIR in 2014. Alvarez is considered the richest governor and elected offi-

cial in the country. As of 2013, he has a net worth of P4.2 billion. Rebisco company’s heir Jacinto Ng Jr. was also in the list as the fifth highest individual taxpayer (P66.86 million) last year. Ng Jr. is the owner of Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila. Presidential sister and television host Kris Aquino was at the sixth spot with P54.53 income taxes paid in 2014. Aquino topped the list of BIR’s top taxpayers in 2011. Aside from Aquino, other celebrities like Sharon Cuneta and John Lloyd Cruz made it to the top 25 list. Also in the top 10 in the seventh place is property developer Ronaldo Soliman with P43.48 million taxes paid. Coca-Cola Philippines president William Schultz was the top 8 with P51.32 million followed by

San Miguel chief executive Ramon Ang at the ninth spot with P51.05 million taxes paid. Rounding up the top 10 list is Lauro Baja III, son of former Ambassador to the United Nations with P50.45 million regular income taxes paid. The country’s richest man, Henry Sy Sr., was ranked 53rd in the list, with P25.67 million in taxes paid in 2014. The country’s business tycoons were also on the list such as MVP Group of Companies top executive Manuel Pangilinan (P27.09 million), Ayala chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala (P37.46 million) and Megaworld founder Andrew Tan (P29.77 million). The BIR’s list of top 500 individual taxpayers for 2014 was based on regular income tax payments made as of November 10, 2015.

East Timor exec in town By Vito Barcelo THE Philippines reaffirmed its support for Timor Leste’s application to become the 11th member-state of the Association of South East Asian Nations, adding that Timor Leste belongs to Southeast Asia and should have its rightful place within the Asean community. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario welcomed his counterpart, Timor Leste Foreign Affairs Minsiter Coelho Da Silva, who is in the country for an official visit. It is the first time for Coelho to visit the Philippines, Del Rosario said, adding that the visit reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, which was established in May 2002. The two ministers discussed enhancing cooperation in the areas of de-

fense, economic relations, education, health, and technical capacity building, among others. Del Rosario and Coelho also discussed the strong people-to-people linkages between the two countries and agreed to enhance economic cooperation as well as continue efforts to deepen relations through the Philippines-Timor Leste Policy Consultations mechanism, the first meeting of which was held in Manila in 2014. The Philippine official also affirmed that “the Policy Consultations will continue to serve as a vehicle to facilitate matters of mutual interest in the years to come.” Del Rosario encouraged as well his counterpart to continue sending TimorLeste diplomats to the Philippines to participate in training courses offered by the Foreign Service Institute.

Santa’s warning. Santa Claus shows visual warnings against the use of firecrackers during the Ecowaste Coalition’s anti-firecracker drive at the Quirino Elementary School in Quezon City. LINO SANTOS

s at u r d ay : d e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Envi group cautions youth on firecrackers By Joel Zurbano eNvIRONMeNTAL group ecowaste Coalition on Friday urged the people, especially the youth, to welcome the New Year 2016 using safe and non-toxic materials and without the dangerous and polluting firecrackers. “Firecrackers are not your regular toys that you can safely play with. In fact, firecracker accidents are common resulting to physical injuries and even deaths. From 2000 to 2014, the Department of health had recorded over 10,000 cases of firecracker-related injuries from damaged eyesight to severed fingers, as well as some fatalities,” said ecowaste coordinator Aileen Lucero. The group said firecrackers and fireworks are also toxic and made combining different chemicals such as potassium nitrate, sulphur, carbon, barium, copper and lead to produce heat and color. “The firecracker blast yields toxic fumes, including carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is bad for human health and the climate,” Lucero said. “Aside from the toxic smoke and smog, firecracker explosion generates lots of hazardous wastes that cannot be reused nor recycled, adding to the mountains of postNew Year revelry trash that have to be disposed of,” she added. Instead of spending for dangerous, toxic and dirty firecrackers, the group insisted that hard-earned money should be wisely spent to buy food for the Noche Buena and other necessities, as well as for helping poor and needy people in our midst. The group launched its “IwasPaputoxic” campaign at the Qurino elementary School in Quezon City on Friday with about 1,500 students and teachers in attendance. The annual event, now on its 9th year, complements the government’s “Iwas-Paputok” program, and is undertaken to raise public awareness on the risks and hazards posed by firecrackers to life, limb and property, as well as to the ecosystems. During the event, beauty queen Angelia Ong joined the group and Doh officials led by Dr. enrique Tayag and representatives from the National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection in urging the students to shun firecrackers for their safety and well-being.

Inspection. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada looks at assorted high-powered firearms from the various anti-crime operations of the Manila Police District Command. DANNY PATA

Help migrant on Saudi death row, family asks While the rest of the country is counting days to Christmas, the family of overseas Filipino worker Joselito Zapanta is praying hard for the postponement of another day—the execution date of their loved one in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Zapanta worked as a tile-setter in Saudi Arabia in 2007. In June 2009, he was arrested and sentenced to death for the murder of his Sudanese landlord after a heated altercation over rent. In November 2012, the aggrieved Sudanese family, particularly the widow, sought blood money amounting to SR 5 million or the equivalent of P50 million. This amount was later on reduced to P48 million, of which the family with the help of the

Philippine government was able to raise P23 million. “Unfortunately, the Sudanese family has refused any amount lower than their demand of P48 million. This means that the Zapanta family needs to raise P25million in a span of two weeks, or maybe less, considering that a royal decree had already been issued for the implementation of the sentence,” Susan Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center said.

According to Ople, Joselito’s mother, Ramona Zapanta, and his sister, Rosemay, have sought the help of the Center so that they could be able to air their appeal for help through the media. “Joselito called me up yesterday to seek help and gave permission for the family to make the necessary media rounds with the hope that some good Samaritans would be able to help them. The amount is so huge and the family is really cash-strapped and extremely poor,” Ople, who is currently running for the Senate, said. Ople said that she was able to confirm the urgency of Joselito’s request from the Philippine embassy last Monday, while visiting Saudi Arabia to discuss cases in-

volving distressed OFWs. “Last Monday, I was in Riyadh to meet with Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh ezzedin Tago. he confirmed that Joselito’s case has become extremely urgent. We are talking about weeks here, hence the need for the family to go public in order to seek everyone’s help,” Ople said. The Blas F. Ople Policy Center is a non-profit organization helping distressed OFWs and human trafficking victims. It has been in existence for more than 10 years, and is named after former labor secretary and Senate president, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople. Those who wish to help Zapanta may get in touch with the Ople Center at 833-5337.

Naia inaugurates 610-meter taxiway extension By Eric Apolonio

Good friend. Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal thanks Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for the ‘malasakit’ he has shown to Bicolanos affected by Typhoon ‘Nona.’ VER NOVENO

The Manila International Airport Authority today inaugurated the newly constructed 610 meters extension to complete the 1500-meter taxiway fronting the apron of Naia Terminal 3. The P452-million extension project aims to further decongest the taxiway— particularly at the intersection of the runways—and to facilitate ground handling flexibility of international operations. Construction began in

November 2014 and was completed October this year. Those who attended the inauguration were MIAA General Manager Jose Angel honrado, CAAP Director General William K. hotchkiss lll, CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations Rodante Joya and Civil Aviation Board executive Director Carmelo Arcilla. honrado in an interview said that this will greatly lessen congestion at the taxiway considering that aircraft that will be passing

thru taxiway Charlie will instead make only one turn in going in or out of Terminal 3 instead of the usual three turns that is contributory to delay flights queuing for takeoffs. honrado said that in 2014, out of more than 200 thousand flights at Naia, there were only two reported runway incursions. The Naia has two active runways: the primary runway 06/24; and secondary runway 13/31. It has a limitation of 40 runway events in an hour.

s at u r d ay : d e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ombudsman secures 3-yr jail term for erring judge By Rio N. Araja THE office of the ombudsman on Friday said it was able to secure the conviction of former Daet city Regional Trial court Judge owen Amor of camarines Norte for demanding p400,000 from a police officer in exchange for a case dismissal in 2000. The Sandiganbayan said Amor violated Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713 or code of conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and Employees. Amor was sentenced to imprisonment of three years and was disqualified from holding any public office. prosecutors presented witnesses who testified that in January 2000, Amor unlawfully solicited and accepted p400,000 from Supt. Danilo Manzano in exchange for the dismissal of the criminal cases pending before the sala of Amor. Manzano told the court that Amor invited him to go to his residence, and that the judge explained “the gravity of his cases and that his opponent who is very influential offered him p1 million” to convict him. Quoting Amor, Manzano said “that he [Amor] favored the police more and asked Manzano to produce half of his opponent’s offer for his acquittal.” Manzano then sought the assistance of the presidential Antiorganized crime Task Force that conducted surveillance and entrapment operations. on Jan. 24, 2000, Amor was entrapped at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon city caught in the hand of receiving and accepting the boodle money. In a Dec. 1 decision, the Sandiganbayan resolved that “the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution positively show that indeed, Judge Amor solicited and accepted money from p/Supt. Danilo Manzano.” “The accused, who is not a mere court employee but a presiding Judge who is entrusted by the public to render impartial judgment free from influence, should be reminded that the nature and responsibilities of public officers” and that “those involved in the administration of justice must live up to the strictest standards of honesty and integrity in the public service.”

Authorities raid shabu lair, nab 2 Taiwanese, 4 others By Florante S. Solmerin

Police on Wednesday arrested two Taiwanese and four of their Filipino cohorts in Sta. Ana, cagayan after a kilogram of shabu and shabu precursors were taken from their laboratory, according to the cagayan Provincial Police office based in Tuguegarao city.

In bloom. These Baguio City students spend their school break looking at blooming wild flowers with their friends. DAVID CHAN

cagayan police director Senior Supt. Ronaldo olay confirmed the antiillegal drug operation that was participated by officers and agents of the philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. olay said operation occurred at 8 a.m. at the mini-shabu lab located along Elmar Street in Barangay centro. The place is also known as SamokSamok. “We’ve yet to get an official estimate from the pDEA as to the street value of the confiscated shabu and as well as the precursors and other materials used for the manufacture of shabu,” olay said. He said the raid against the suspects’ lair was prompted by a verified intelligence reports about the operation of the mini-shabu lab. The search warrant (No. 5091-15) was issued by Judge Fernando T. Sagun of the Regional Trial court, Branch 78, Quezon city. In the official afteroperation report, the two arrested Taiwanese were identified as Ke chui Long, 36, and Tsay Jang Yih, 33. Their local cohorts were identified as Sanny cangas y Dican, 28, Mario Umengan y Aruluan, 51, Alberto Dican y Tomas, 46, all residents of Babuyan claro,

calayan, cagayan and Dennis Albino y Icat, 41, of Ammunitan, Gonzaga, cagayan. Seized items during the raid was a Ziploc bag containing more or less a kilogram of shabu, two other bags containing white crystalline substance suspected to be ephedrine weighing more or less 2 kilos; and 15 white sacks labeled with “calcium chloride cA cl2 75% 40 kilos” containing white flakes suspected to be caustic soda. olay said the all the detained suspects were charged for violation of Article II of Republic Act 9165. In February this year, the pDEA and local police had busted a multi-billion shabu laboratory in Lasam town in western cagayan with the arrest of suspected maintainer Filipinochinese Benjamin chua, 61, a former barangay captain in Gattaran, cagayan. Also arrested was lawyer orlino Agatep Sr., 66, former mayor of Lasam and one of the suspected maintainers of the shabu lab; Nelson Mallari, 50; Joey Ancheta alias Jojo, 38; and George cortez, 55, all residents of Lasam. Highpowered firearms were also seized from them. During inquest, chua reportedly died of a heart attack inside the prosecutor’s office in Tuguegarao city.

Bulacan cop falls after second heist

After the storm. Fishermen in Dalahican at the Lucena Fish Port get their boats ready as Typhoon ‘Nona’ exits the country. DIANA B. NOCHE

A cop with a pending robbery case was arrested after he allegedly pulled another heist on Dec. 14 inside a grocery store in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Senior Insp. Lynelle Solomon, public information officer of the Bulacan provincial police office, said Thursday. In 24 hours, follow-up operations of the criminal Investigation and Detection Group led to the arrest of one of the suspects—police officer 3 Nolasco Bernardo Juan, currently assigned at the provincial public Safety company as guard of the camp Alejo Santos based in Malolos city. police are still pursuing Juan’s cohorts. Solomon said the cartographic sketches of Juan and

his two companions came out on Dec. 15 through the description of the victims and the two duty security guards of Savemore Market. “A composite illustration of one of the suspects was drawn based on the descriptions provided by the two duty security guards identified as Dennis Escreza and Macario Bernardo. Thereafter, pictures of persons previously involved in robbery incidents were presented to the witnesses, wherein they positively identified the pictures bearing the name of po3 Nolasco Bernardo Juan. The said suspect was then arrested, already charged for robbery and detained at San Ildefonso police Station,” Solomon said. She said Juan, a resident

of Barangay poblacion, Baliwag, Bulacan and former member of the plaridel police Station, had previously went on absence without official leave after being implicated in a robbery incident in plaridel on Nov. 19. “He returned to pNp control and pending his criminal and administrative cases, he was assigned to ppSc of Bppo as guard of camp Alejo Santos in Malolos city,” Solomon said. police said it was around 11 a.m. when bank teller Joan Gallido, 31, of Banco de oro and her security escort, Ramon Dimalanta, 35, officer-in-charge of Black Mace Security Agency, were attacked by the robber at Savemore. Florante S. Solmerin

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

A DESPERATE AD FOR A DESPERATE GRACE POE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

‘DISENFRANCHISEMENT’ THE Supreme Court has ruled that Filipinos who have not lodged their biometric information with the Commission on Elections will not be eligible to vote in the May 2016 elections. The court dismissed the petition of left-leaning groups, which sought to allow even those without biometric data to exercise their right to vote, for lack of merit. The petitioners, among which is Kabataan Party List headed by Rep. Terry Ridon, said the roughly 2.4-million voters to be left out “can also constitute a swing vote. There’s a particular balance that needs to be struck between [getting rid of] flying voters and whether this (biometrics) is an unconstitutional requirement,” he said in a television interview. Critics of the no bio, no boto policy also said the voters will be disenfranchised if they are not allowed to exercise their sovereign right. But in siding with the Commission on Elections, the court said the poll body’s “No bio, No boto” policy is based on the law—specifically Republic Act 10367, which President Benigno Aquino III signed in February 2013. The Comelec had also cited time constraints that would make it impossible to comply with logistical requirements if it were to allow all voters in its roster to vote. Under the policy, only those with no biometric information altogether will not be allowed to vote. Those with incomplete or outdated information can still participate in the polls. We agree with the commission on this issue. For many months, it has not been remiss in reminding the public to go out and register. Various attempts to bring the registration process to the people have been made. Even malls were used as registration venues. Comelec employees rendered overtime to serve the people beyond the usual workdays and working hours. Despite these, however, more than two million people deemed there were other better uses of their time than lining up and providing their biometric information to the poll body. Towards the last few days of registration, a few had the gall to castigate the Comelec for its inefficiency in handling large volumes of people all registering at the eleventh hour. The Comelec has long established the need for and the merits of the biometrics system. If people took their right—no, their obligation—to vote seriously, they would have found a way to give their biometric information at any point of the long period allotted to it: No ifs, no buts.

INSULTING THE ELECTORATE POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO HAVE you ever imagined that candidates for the highest position of the land would stoop down to the level of challenging each other to sampalan, suntukan, and barilan? Not me. While I know that politics in this country leaves much to be desired, what we witnessed between administration bet Mar Roxas and Davao City’s Mayor Digong Duterte is simply too much. Violence maybe a proven for-

mula for a blockbuster teleserye or film production but can never be acceptable as an electoral campaign tactic. It is not acceptable under any circumstance, period. The recent exchanges between the two presidential aspirants reveal a very disturbing mindset—pa-machohan. As if a physical duel will prove who the better man between them is. Do Roxas and Duterte really think that violent behavior is okay? Are they not aware that one problem we have in this country is the strong culture of violence that results not only on the too many cases of violence and abuse against women but also the high rates of criminal-

ity? To the uncritical mind, the antics of these two candidates reinforce the thinking that violence can be acceptable, that aggression is a desirable macho quality. This is infuriating. For Duterte, this is nothing new. Such is the image he obviously cultivates and which, unfortunately, attracts people to him. I, however, hold Mar Roxas to a higher standard on matters like this. It was shocking to hear him respond with a counter challenge to Duterte. I thought Roxas knew better. I expected him to take the higher moral ground, like his slogan “daang matuwid.” But no, napikon at pumatol si Roxas. Or, perhaps he was think-

These two want to be president, yet their demeanor is very unpresidentiable. It is utterly disgusting.

ing that what works for Duterte might also work for him. Unfortunately for them both, not a few voters got angry. These two want to be president, yet their demeanor is very unpresidentiable. It is utterly disgusting. They mock and insult the electorate. Do they think that the elections are a telenovela? Are they under the impression that what voters want is to be entertained? That we, the people, are so dumb that we will select our president on the basis of winning fist fights? No, sirs. You are gravely mistaken if this is the case. A lot is at stake in the coming elections. The fate of more than 100 million Filipinos for the next six years depends on who our next public servants

will be. The country’s directions will be determined by the next administration. The presidency, being the most powerful position, is most important. Instead of dumbing down the electorate, those who want to lead the country should be first to elevate this electoral campaign to one of discussion on platforms and programs. There is no room for those who want to settle differences through violence. The country faces major challenges. We want to know how candidates will address these challenges and lead the people towards real peace and develop-

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

ment that will redound to the common good. At the end of the day, the success or failure of every administration is how ordinary people’s lives have improved or worsened. We want to know how our human rights will be protected, respected, upheld, and realized. Given the machismo displayed by many of our candidates, how do they regard women’s rights? Do they favor the re-enactment of divorce in the country? What about LGBT rights? We want candidates to outline their economic platform. Will they follow the

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

existing economic direction that makes the poor wait for forever for the gains to trickle down to them because the primary beneficiaries of our so-called economic miracle are those who comprise the top one per centum of our population? Or will they think out of the box and put Juan and Juana at the center of economic growth? Will these candidates pursue the neoliberal model of free trade that places the country’s economy at the mercy of the big international corporations and producers of goods that we need and Continued on A11

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

TWICE, the Commission on Elections ruled that Senator Grace Poe does not satisfy the citizenship and residency requirements for a valid run for the presidency. The three justices of the Supreme Court sitting in the Senate Electoral Tribunal arrived at the same conclusion. Ultimately, the Supreme Court will have to decide Poe’s political fate. A group of Poe supporters called the ALL4GP Movement recently came out with a half-page advertisement in another newspaper calling on the Supreme Court to disobey the Constitution. The advertisement alleges that more than 20 million Filipinos elected Poe to the Senate, and her election was sustained by the SET. It also cites a portion of the opinion of a commissioner of the Comelec who ruled in favor of Poe. The advertisement then cites an observation favorable to Poe made by a retired magistrate of the Supreme Court and published in another newspaper. Finally, the advertisement urges the justices (the advertisement misspelled this word as “jutices”) of the Supreme Court to let the people, not the court, decide who their leader should be. A photograph of Poe standing is at the left of the advertisement. To her right is a faint image of the late film star Fernando Poe Jr. Evidently, the advertisement is composed of half-truths and deceptive references calculated to stir emotion. For starters, FPJ’s inclusion in the advertisement confirms it is an emotional appeal. The advertisement conveniently fails to mention that the SET decision is not unanimous, and that the majority won by a very slim 5-4 margin. Those five votes came from five of the six senators sitting in the SET. One of those senators, Cynthia Villar, admitted to the news media that the majority sided with Poe not on the basis of what the Constitution provides, but solely because of political considerations. In other words, the majority prevailed on grounds other than what the Constitution mandates. Likewise, the advertisement fails to state that all of the three justices of the Supreme Court who were part of the SET voted against Poe. This is important because the justices are experts on what the Constitution provides, and only one of the five senators who sided with Poe is a lawyer. The opinions of the five senators cited international covenants that are not binding on the Philippines or which were misunderstood by the senators, took pity on foundlings, and insisted that the voters have already spoken during the senatorial elections of 2013. On the other hand, the dissenting views of the justices are anchored on firm, unassailable legal doctrines. Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

A DESPERATE AD FOR A DESPERATE GRACE POE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

These two want to be president, yet their demeanor is very unpresidentiable. It is utterly disgusting.

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Jocelyn F. Domingo Ron Ryan S. Buguis Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OUR DETERIORATING POLITICAL SYSTEM BACK BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN WE HAVE truly gone to the dogs. This I say because as people we are easily deceived at the spectacle of seeing our supposed candidates for the highest office clowning around like trained animals, performing tricks to divert our attention from the real issues we face in our daily struggle for survival. Routinely, we are treated by our government to watch a political circus, even at times requiring us to participate as if to authenticate that we have a truly vibrant democracy.

Elections determine our future as a nation.

Such a deteriorated level of political system reflects much on how our presidential candidates assess the issues that have direct bearing to the office they are aspiring. What many of us do not know is that elections are determinative of our future as a nation. The truism to what I am saying is most visible on how our presidential candidates tackle the issues on what our people want to be clarified and resolved. Take the case of Grace Poe. The oligarchy and the mainstream media created an image of her as some kind of a wonder woman who keeps on mouthing the usual motherhood statements that make no sense. She refuses to concede that she has already reached the end of the line in her misplaced ambition. Her irresponsible statement and that of her funders from the oligarchy, a retired justice who ludicrously would prefer to quote the bible than the Constitution, and some lawyers who would rather interpret the law based on what they are being paid, now hark the line of “let-

ting the people decide” on her candidacy. If these people truly understand what the Commission on Elections stated in its ruling disqualifying her—that she made “material misrepresentations” in the documents she submitted, it was the most civil way in telling her that she committed falsification and possibly tampered the documents she presented. The logic of these people is unheard of. She now insists on running, hoping that by being elected, her criminal liability of committing “material misrepresentations” will be forgotten and forgiven, for accordingly the people have already spoken to elect a non-qualified candidate. These people ignore the truth that this present dispensation is under obligation to file criminal charges against her based on the decision of the Comelec for falsification and for usurpation of public office knowing she is not qualified, and for receiving salaries, emoluments, including pork barrel allocations, that run to millions of pesos to which she is not entitled. Lest it be misunderstood, even ordinary persons who falsify their residence certificates can criminally be held liable, and is Poe above the law to be treated otherwise? Another candidate who continues to steer controversy is Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte who sharply reacted to the statement made by Liberal Party candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas who said that the latter’s claim of peace and order in Davao City was a myth. Duterte reacted by saying that should if they meet, he would slap Roxas. Roxas dared him to come to Cubao, and challenged him instead to a fistfight. Duterte responded demanding instead a gun duel to impress the voting public by his bravado. Notably, since Duterte launched his candidacy, he has been making ruffian statements completely unbecoming of a man running for the highest office. He brags about killing more than 1,700 persons. Even Stalin, the man whom the West tagged as the most fearsome and ruthless dictator, never admitted

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

PARIS AGREEMENT: NOT PERFECT BUT GOOD

WHY did the thousands of people in Le Bourget, Paris erupt with joy and jubilation when it was announced that the Paris Agreement had been adopted? Imagine putting hundreds of die-hard Binay, Poe, Roxas, Duterte, and Santiago supporters in one room and telling them they cannot leave unless they are able to agree on one candidate to endorse and vote for. To some extent, that is what it was like in the final days of the Paris climate conference as we continued to debate while the hours ticked to the final showdown, necessitating in fact a one-day extension. The climate change negotiations are even more complex than our parochial politics where the candidate have so far been unable to level up and instead some of them have resorted to challenging each other to slapping contests, fist fights, and even a gun duel. In Le Bourget, 195 governments and one regional organization (the European Union) gathered together to solve a global problem. Climate change is the most serous international development, environment and security challenge. All countries must cooperate to overcome it. Unfortunately, its impact as well as the consequences of the interventions needed to mitigate climate change are different for every country. Some countries will suffer more than others. Some

countries have also contributed to the problem more than others. There is inequality and injustice in the way the problem has come about; there is also inequality in the way its impact is distributed. The saddest part about climate change is that it is the poorest countries, societies, communities, families, and individuals that suffer and will suffer most from. Meanwhile, the richest countries, societies, communities, families, and individuals, while not spared from its impact, will have the most resources to adapt to its impacts. That is why we rejoiced in Le Bourget. We actually did what looked impossible— agree as a world on how to confront and overcome the challenge of climate change. We celebrated not just because we agreed. The Paris Agreement is not a weak agreement. It is not a leastcommon-denominator agreement but it is actually the maximum possible that countries can agree to at this point. It is not perfect, of course, as many things still need to be done. Still, the perfect would have been the enemy of the good. If Paris failed, it would have meant we have wait another 10 years before the world acted on climate change. Failure in Paris was unthinkable. I realized that on Thursday night after another long day and night of nonstop negotiations. It would have been a betrayal of our children

and their children, a forfeiture of the future. While the Paris Agreement is not perfect, it is good. More importantly, within its text and structure, it can be improved over time. That’s the beauty of the agreement. In adopting the Paris Agreement, governments unanimously recognized with certainty that climate change represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies and the planet. This is a big advance as it tells climate deniers they are wrong and irrelevant. The Paris Agreement is a big advance for human rights by requiring governments, when taking action to address climate change, to respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity. The Philippines was the first to proposed this principle a year ago and consistently advocated it up to the end. In Lima, Peru last December 2014, only five countries supported us. In February, in Geneva, the human rights coalition grew to 20 countries. By the last preparatory

meeting in October, we had over 50 countries supporting our position. By Thursday night, the coalition with Mexico and the Philippines had the support of all developed countries and most developing countries. The last to hold out—the Arab countries who wanted an inclusion of the right of people under occupation (this referred to the Palestinian people; personally this was OK to me but unfortunately many developed countries led by the United States could not accept his for political reason) yielded on the last day and history was made. An important development in the Paris Agreement is that for the first time, there was an acknowledgment of the concept of climate justice. I would have thought it would take another 10 years to get this so getting it now early means a lot. The preceding principles are all in the preamble of the Paris Agreement but they are all written in legally binding language. They are now sources of rights and legal obligations. The Paris Agreement is overall a legally binding agreement. The parties who will sign and ratify it will take on obligations that they must comply with. They have to take actions, monitor and measure them, and allow for their review and verification. Continued on A11

killing a person, including the assassination of Leon Trotsky. Duterte who wants to project a macho image of himself is also basking with arrogance after the Comelec ruled by a vote of 6-1 accepting his substitution of a certain Martin Diño who ran for the position of mayor of Pasay under the banner of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption. But the acceptance of his substitution is a ministerial duty for the Comelec, much that if it should refuse to accept such substitution, it would deprive Duterte of his right to due process of law. It was the certificate of substitution, not the substitution itself, that was accepted by the Comelec. Besides, it is not for Duterte to explain it, but Diño. Had Diño expected that Duterte would substitute for him, Comelec should reject his bid for there was no basis to substitute Diño, there being no perfect, valid and

effective Certificate of Candidacy that was filed by Diño. On the matter of substitution itself, it is for Duterte to explain why he wants to substitute for Diño. As the one aspiring to become president, he should be responsible enough to know that his duty is to personally file his Certificate of Candidacy. To allow him to substitute another would result in a situation where candidates could offer their Certificate of Candidacy to anybody who makes a lastminute change of mind to go for the presidency. Duterte fully knows that the Comelec has set the date for the filing of candidacy from Oct. 12 to 16, 2015, and substitution would be allowed up to Dec. 10. Although he filed his certificate of substitution on Dec. 8, he should explain why his prayer to substitute Diño should be allowed. Everybody knows he was in Manila on the supposed

deadline, was not sick or was incapacitated at that time to physically prevent him from filing his own Certificate of Candidacy. Rather, it was his ficklemindedness that created a problem for him. He should not be allowed to make a fun of the law, as if a reserve seat awaits him. On the other hand, Manuel “Mar” Roxas keeps on holding aloft the banner that he is above board. Being the candidate of the administration, he should know that his claim is eroding his credibility. He has become the butt of jokes. His plan to pursue the “tuwid na daan” of the administration is more of an insult to himself, much that he is a party of this administration that has earned the distinction of being the most corrupt, having spent no less than P10.5 trillion with no tangible accomplishment to leave as legacy. Whatever projects that have been accomplished by this administration

were awarded to private contractors that were paid from the budget allocated for that specific purpose. Worse, the people would still be paying them by way of toll fees once made available for public use, which means that the government cannot claim them as public service or welfare in lieu of the tax being collected from them. This government in effect collects from us in exchange for nothing. Worse, Roxas entangled himself to an issue that revolves on the issue of honesty when he claimed to be a graduate of Wharton. According to Duterte, he is merely a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, not Wharton, because the latter is a division of the University that offers a masteral degree in any of its business courses, like economics, business administration or finance, and he did not pursue any of those. rpkapunan@gmail.com

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE PARIS CLIMATE SUMMIT: A USEFUL FAILURE By Mark Buchanan ON THE surface, the outcome of the Paris climate summit falls far short of what is needed to save the planet from global warming. Then again, maybe practical success isn’t the measure by which it should be judged. Many people are thrilled by what happened in Paris. Nations large and small volunteered to make cuts in their carbon emissions, and also to participate in a program of regular assessment and adjustment every five years starting in 2020. It’s possible that further cuts will come, and that, aided by new technologies, humanity will eventually find a solution to climate change. Still, the participants offered little action to back up their words. The meeting didn’t establish a framework for a global carbon tax, or take any concrete steps commensurate to the task of keeping the planetary climate within safe bounds. The voluntary commitments may be enough to hold planetary warming to 3 degrees Celsius—al-

Insulting... From A9 import for our consumption? Or will they protect and support local producers, our micro, small, and medium enterprises? Will they pursue the development of our own industries and invest more in improving our workers’ skills so they become competitive for gainful employment? What about productivity? What are their concrete plans to address this monstrous traffic problem in Metro Manila? Will candidates still rely on our unofficial labor export policy? Are we going to continue to treat our labor force as commodities for export? Or will they now start creating a more conducive employment environment so our professionals will have second thoughts in leaving the country? It is very sad that the national ambition now is to get out of the country at the first opportunity. We need candidates to inform us of their plans on our children’s and our people’s health and well-being. Will they fully implement the reproductive health law? How are they going to arrest the impending HIV and AIDS epidemic? The whole world is seeing a significant decline in maternal mortality rates and HIV and AIDS cases but these remain major problems here. How will our candidates ensure that education is really a right and not a privilege? What plans do they have so the quality of education en-

Paris... From A10 What have not yet agreed upon are the compliance procedures to be resorted to when there is noncompliance. That work will have to be done in the next few years. The Paris Agreement is good in terms of both mitigation and adaptation; its support provisions are, however, inadequate and should be improved over time. The agreement’s principle aim is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 de-

ready beyond the 2-degree limit that scientists have warned not to exceed. That’s an abject failure, given 50 years of warnings and streams of evidence showing temperatures rising, glaciers melting and oceans growing more acidic. So why the widespread enthusiasm? As an exercise in imaginative optimism, here’s one thought: Maybe the Paris framework has a least started the crucial process of establishing our different values concerning the global environment and what we want from the future. In an important new book, “After Nature: A Politics for the Anthropocene,” Duke University law professor Jedediah Purdy explores the history of American thinking about the environment and humans’ relationship to it. As he notes, the word “environment” has meant different things in the US: first, space for free expansion by settlers, then a trove of resources, and later something to be preserved for its spiritual wealth and beauty. These conceptions—and the

legal frameworks supporting them—emerged from difficult confrontations among groups including farmers, ranchers, naturalists and tourists. Values were forged through pitched battles between competing visions. Purdy’s larger point is that this is true for all the most important human problems. They cannot be resolved through simple cost-benefit analysis. They always involve disagreements over how to see the world and what to care most about. This matters now because we’re entering an entirely new phase of history —the Anthropocene—in which human activity dominates Earth processes and the biosphere. Many people don’t even know it’s happening, and they lack any shared vision of how it should proceed. The only way to create or perhaps discover such a vision is through messy global interaction and disagreement. Hence, Purdy suggests, we should be a little more tolerant of practical failures at international sum-

joyed by children of the rich can be approximated by the education provided to the children of ordinary Filipinos? We are tired of hearing candidates say that education is the great equalizer. We want to know how they are going to make this a reality. How will our candidates deal with China’s aggression and incursions in our territory? We need to know our candidates’ proposals in responding to challenges at the international milieu. What about our politics and government system and form? Duterte is an advocate of federalism. How does he propose to go about this massive change? What are the other candidates’ stand on parliamentary system and federal form of government? How about dismantling political dynasties? And, how are our candidates in relation with strengthening political parties? I can go on and on. I have not even touched on graft and corruption. There are a lot of things that need to be discussed by and with our candidates. We do not need you to physically duel each other. We would rather have you fulfill your responsibility of explaining to us your platform of government. Stop insulting the electorate. We are not dumb. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook grees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The 1.5 degrees limit is a big victory for the Philippines and other climate vulnerable countries as it is a significantly safer defense line against the worst impacts of a changing climate. Although the current mitigation commitments can still lead to a 2.7 increase, the Paris Agreement thankfully has a built-in review period that will allow stronger comments every

mits. “We should ask of efforts to address climate change,” he suggests, “not just whether they are likely to ‘succeed’ at solving the problem, but whether they are promising experiments— workable approaches to valuing a world that we have everywhere changed.” In this context, if you’re an optimist, the framework agreed in Paris offers much to like. Regular interaction among nations, especially in a global, public arena, could help to forge new shared understanding or even create institutions able to coordinate movement toward a common future. We might get a clearer picture of where we agree and where we strongly differ. How should we value a stable climate, healthy oceans or ecosystems rich in species? Do these things matter only as resources for production? Or do they—as many people believe— have inherent worth quite separate from any use? What do we want from our societies—just more of an endless variety of consumer goods? Is all econom-

A desperate... From A9 It has been repeatedly emphasized in this column that the disqualification of Poe is not a deliberate or malicious attack on her status as a foundling; rather, it is obedience to what the Constitution mandates. As a senator, Poe took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. She cannot renege on that oath even if it means giving up her presidential ambitions. In addition, the advertisement conceals the fact that the ruling of the SET is not final and executory, and that it has been brought to the Supreme Court. The advertisement also conveniently fails to mention that the opinion of the commissioner of the Comelec cited in its text is a mere dissenting statement, and that the Comelec as a body ruled against Poe. From the way the dissenting opinion was presented (there is no indication that it is a dissenting opinion), it was to give the impression that the Comelec actually ruled in favor of Poe. Although there is legal ground for the observation made by the retired magistrate cited in the advertisement, it must be emphasized, however, that his observation is premised on the actual existence of a doubt on a legal issue concerning the candidacy of one who wishes to run for public office. Therefore, if there is no doubt, the solution suggested by the retired magistrate is, with all due respect, immaterial. Is there a doubt about what the Constitution says regarding who may run for president? There is none. The Constitution categorically reserves the presidency for natural-born citizens of the Philippines only, and the Constitution even provides a definition of that term. That definition is clear enough to eliminate any doubt as to what the Constitution means.

five years until we are in track for a ceiling of 1.5 degrees. The Loss and Damage article is full of possibilities. The Philippines worked hard to shape that article through the last two years. Laurent Fabius, president of the COP 21 UN Climate change conference and French Foreign Minister is correct: “The Paris Agreement allows each delegation and group of countries to go back home with their heads held high. Our collective effort is worth more than the sum of our

ic activity good? Or do we need to separate the useful from the destructive? Purdy argues that framing the approach to climate change in the language of economics may be hindering progress, not helping it. We’re facing an unprecedented challenge to decide what we want from the future in a situation unlike any we’ve faced before. The supposedly “value neutral” approach of cost-benefit analysis fosters the illusion that we don’t have to figure out what really matters, that there is some objective, technical answer that any rational person must recognize. Economics, as Purdy puts it, tends to degrade “the quality of decisions by diminishing the capacity to reflect on and argue over basic values and disagreements.” The practical failure in Paris has exposed fundamental differences in values. Perhaps despair isn’t the right response. If the goal is to recognize and then reconcile conflicting visions of the future, it might be a step in the right direction. Bloomberg

Besides, the Supreme Court has ruled that where no doubt exists, none can be created. The clear definition provided by the charter notwithstanding, the term natural-born obviously contemplates an actual, substantiated birth. Since the circumstances of the birth of a foundling are unknown, a foundling cannot be considered a natural-born citizen. Only an amendment of the Constitution can change that rule. Although the advertisement urges the Supreme Court to let the people decide Poe’s fate through the ballot, it is still a call to disobey the Constitution. Why? The Constitution does not allow Poe to run for president, and the Supreme Court is the guardian of the Constitution. By insisting that Poe be allowed to run and possibly get elected president, the ALL4GP Movement wants the Supreme Court to abandon its constitutional duty to defend the Constitution. The most articulate voice of the people is the Constitution itself. Ratified by the sovereign Filipino people, the Constitution binds both the government and the people. The lessons of history teach that if one exception is allowed now, that may be one exception too many. What is the use of a Constitution if it can be disobeyed at the call of an unknown, obviously partisan group purportedly speaking for the people? Also, the advertisement fails to mention that Poe’s husband is an American citizen, and that her husband will consider becoming a Filipino citizen only if Poe is elected president. Isn’t this important enough to mention in the advertisement, considering that the people may end up with an alien for a first gentleman? The message in Poe’s advertisement is not in what it says, but what it does not say.

individual effort. Our responsibility to history is immense” I agree with French President Francois Hollande who told us: “You’ve done it, reached an ambitious agreement, a binding agreement, a universal agreement. Never will I be able to express more gratitude to a conference. You can be proud to stand before your children and grandchildren.” I give the last word to my friend Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change:

“One planet, one chance to get it right and we did it in Paris. We have made history together. It is an agreement of conviction. It is an agreement of solidarity with the most vulnerable . . . Successive generations will, I am sure, mark the 12 December 2015 as a date when cooperation, vision, responsibility, a shared humanity and a care for our world took center stage.” Facebook: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

A12

SAT URDAY : DE CE M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LeBron, Cavaliers silence Thunder LOS ANGELES—Cleveland superstar LeBron James scored 33 points to lead the short-handed Cavaliers to a 104-100 NBA victory over Oklahoma on Thursday that halted the Thunder’s sixgame winning streak. James scored 33 points and handed out 11 assists, with his nine rebounds leaving him just one shy of his first triple-double of the season. It didn’t matter, as the Cavaliers shook off the absence of injured guards Mo Williams, Iman Shumpert and Kyrie Irving, rallying twice from double-digit deficits for the win on their home floor. Center Tristan Thompson had 12 points and 15 rebounds for Cleveland, with four of his 11 offensive rebounds coming in the fourth quarter. Forward Kevin Love converted a rare four-point play that tied the game at 78-78, and his full-court pass to James led to a three-point play that put the Cavs up 8178. Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook had 27 points and 10 assists, and forward Kevin Durant scored 25 points, but both stars missed potential game-tying three-pointers in the last 10 seconds. The contest included a frightening moment with 3:07 to play, when James, chasing a loose ball, crashed into the wife of Australian golfer Jason Day as she sat courtside with her husband. Ellie Day was taken from the arena on a stretcher and was to be hospitalized overnight, although James said after the game he had heard she was doing fine. “For me, obviously, her health is very important,” James said. The incident overshadowed an entertaining contest. The Thunder led by 12 points in the second quarter before the Cavaliers scored 18 straight to seize the lead. Serge Ibaka’s three-pointer with 5:44 left in the third put the Thunder up 69-58, but they couldn’t maintain the advantage. “We relaxed,” Durant said. “We missed some shots and they came back. It’s frustrating. Of course, we want to win. We always end up being up 10 points, and in the fourth quarter we don’t start off so well. “We dig ourselves a hole and have to fight back. We just have to be better.” - Lin lifts Hornets In Charlotte, guard Jeremy Lin stepped into the starting lineup in place of an ailing Nicolas Batum and scored a seasonhigh 35 points to lead the Hornets to a 109-99 overtime victory over the Toronto Raptors. AFP

Galendez keeps SM Bowling Cup crown By Peter Atencio

LeBron James (23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers crashes into the stands in pursuit of a loose ball during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Ellie Day wife of Golfer Jason Day was injured while sitting courtside on the play. The Cavaliers defeated the Thunder, 104-100. AFP

Day’s wife in scary collision with James LOS ANGELES—NBA superstar LeBron James collided with the wife of Australian golfer Jason Day in a scary sideline incident at a Cleveland Cavaliers home game on Thursday. Ellie Day, sitting courtside with her husband, was stretchered off and taken to hospital after James, chasing a loose ball, crashed into her seat, both of them sprawling backwards to the floor. The game was halted for several minutes as medical personnel attended to Day, with James and his Cavaliers teammates looking on. “It wasn’t anything out of the usual besides the injury,” James said of the incident. “But to me, obviously her health is very important and hopefully she’s doing well.” “The guys told me she’s doing great,” James added, although there was no official word from the Cavaliers on Ellie Day’s condition. “I was going for a loose ball. Just trying to keep

a possession going and I hate that was the end result of it.” Ellie Day was reported to be alert and talking as her husband accompanied her to an ambulance, but was to be hospitalized overnight for observation. She gave birth to the couple’s second child, a daughter, in November. Jason Day, 28, won his first major title at the PGA Championship in August, twice ascended to number one in the world rankings this year and won Australian sport’s prestigious Don Award in October. He and his wife, who have a home in Columbus, Ohio, were sitting courtside when the incident occurred late in the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers’ 104-100 victory. Cavaliers coach David Blatt said he had long been concerned about the danger of players like James, six-foot-eight and 266 pounds, colliding with courtside spectators. AFP

ANGELES City, Pampanga—Dianne Galendez, a bank teller from Davao City, beat Imus native Glenn Geluz, to retain her crown Wednesday in the SM Bowling Millionaire’s Cup at the SM Clark bowling lanes. The 21-year-old Galendez tallied 338 pinfalls, and with her 40 handicap, totaled 418 to claim the P1 million top prize, while the 53-year-old Geluz, who finished with a 314, and with his handicap of 44, finished with an overall score of 402. Geluz, who owns a hardware store in Imus, Cavite, could have overtaken Galendez in the last two frames after he threatened to within 271 when the eventual champ didn’t hit any pin on her second roll in the 18th frame for a 283. But Geluz failed to score strikes in the 19th and 20th frames, allowing Galendez to keep the lead until the close of the match. “Kinakabahan ako kanina. Inisip ko lang na kailangan ko i-defend title ko. Tinanggap ko na lang na ‘pag na-miss ko ang last frame, hindi para sa akin ito,” said Galendez, who was coached by her father, Art. Galendez, who bought a car after she won the top cash prize last year, said she plans to give most of her winnings to her parents. Geluz settled for the second prize of P500,000. Earlier, Hadji Baracal topped the Classic Masters’ category, with a tally of 404 pinfalls, beating Noel Abad (398). With the win, Baracal won the P500,000 top prize, while Abad brought home P250,000 as runnerup. The tournament is considered as the largest in the sport’s history, locally. The competition drew over 733 entries and a total of 60,000 in the last two years.

Protecting boxing’s integrity FILIPINO boxing manager Ryan Gabriel, a decent young man who is new in the business of boxing, had a nasty experience in South Africa when he alleged that International Boxing Organization flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane’s trainer Nick Durandt pulled out a gun in what he claimed was a threatening manner when he insisted on getting his fighter Renz Rusia’s purse at the rules meeting, as stipulated in the fight contract. Regrettably, IBO president Ed Levine, who initially said such action was distressing and had no place in the sport, apparently changed his position after reportedly talking to Durandt and fight commissioner Len Hunt and classified the incident as a mere misunderstanding. Gabriel rejected the claim of Durandt, which was articulated by Levine. Under no circumstances can a boxing official pull out a gun--licensed or not – even if he claimed it was to show the Filipino manager that nobody would dare attempt to steal the

money from him. But that was none of Durandt’s concern. His obligation was to follow the terms of the contract and pay the $8,000 purse to Gabriel who, if he lost it or was robbed, was not his problem. Levine’s position is that they forget the incident and move on, which is quite strange for an IBO president who, in essence, saw nothing wrong with Durandt brandishing a gun, unless Americans, who have been ravaged by shooting incidents believe is par for the course. What is puzzling is that Levine claimed Len Hunt testified that he saw what transpired when Gabriel told us Hunt was not even at the manager’s meeting and got the information from Gabriel himself! We wonder why Levine didn’t question the two Italian judges, who witnessed the incident unless he was engaged in a cover-up because the IBO is considered a fringe organization in the

Philippines, while they do quite a few fights in South Africa. The bottom line as far as we are concerned is that Gabriel is unlikely to fabricate the story since. After all, they did get paid. However, there are quite a few incidents, where Filipino boxers have come home empty handed with promoters simply not paying our fighters and the South African Commission and the IBO and other lesser recognized organizations failing to protect the integrity of the sport. Aside from that, hometown decisions are a regular travesties in South Africa. In fact in his last fight, Moruti Mthalane won the vacant title by a highly questionable split decision. What upsets us about this incident is the miserable failure of the Games and Amusements Board under chairman Ramon “Monju” Guanzon and boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz to protect the interest of our boxers especially when they fight abroad.

How many instances have there been when our fighters have not been paid or are victims of bum decisions? Gabriel, in all his sincerity, has suggested that Filipino managers make sure that when they agree to fight in South Africa, their interests are protected even as he advocates a ban on sending boxers to South Africa. I can almost see chairman Guanzon’s reaction which will be to claim that the GAB cannot deny the fighters’ right to earn a living, which is unmitigated bull considering some don’t get paid, while others are robbed of decisions which, in fairness to some journalists in South Africa, has been condemned. If there is one reason we want a new president elected next May, who will not make political appointments to the GAB since its under the Office of the President, it’s the miserable record of the present GAB leadership. In fact, we’d like the candidates, whoever is left among them, to categorically commit to keep the GAB free of political appointees.

SAT URDAY : DE CE M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

A13

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Perpetual tossers keep hold on lead

Canadian Lindsay Renolds (seated, right panel), the first-day leader with a six-under 66, studies the line of his putt on No. 18, while Filipino Juvic Pagunsan (left) reacts after hitting his drive on No. 1.

PERPETUAL Help survived Lyceum of the Philippines University’s upset try and eked out a gripping 25-17, 23-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9, Friday to remain on top in the men’s division of the 91st NCAA volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Rey Taneo, Jr. unloaded 17 hits, while Ranidean Philippe Abcede and Allan Jay Salaan chipped in 14 points apiece as the Altas booked their sixth straight victory to remain ahead of the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, the defending champions, who are currently at No. 2 with a 6-1 slate. The troika of Taneo,

Abcede and Tanaan came through in the final two sets when the Las Pinas-based school fought back to a one-set-to-two deficit and pulled off the come-from-behind win. “The boys never gave up, that was the most important thing,” said Perpetual Help coach Sammy Acaylar. Lyceum, which dealt EAC a shock 25-23, 1425, 25-22, 18-25, 16-14 win last week, fell to 3-4. In juniors’ action, defending champion Perpetual Help likewise stayed unscathed as it smashed Lyceum, 25-10, 25-19, 25-17, for its fourth straight win, which was good for the solo lead.

Canadian storms ahead with a 66 TARLAC—Canadian Lindsay Renolds, needing no less than a victory to salvage an Asian Tour card next year, launched his title bid in grand fashion – a bogey-free six-under 66 that put him one stroke ahead of a charging Miguel Tabuena, Korean rising star Jeunghun Wang and two others at the start of the weather-shortened Philippine Open presented by ICTSI here yesterday. Despite playing longer than its 7,045-yardage, the

Luisita Golf and Country Club layout took a severe

beating from the men of the tour under the lift, clean and

place rule with 52 breaking par and 15 others turning in even par cards in the $300,000 event serving as the final leg of this year’s Asian Tour. The Phuket-based Canadian gunned down three birdies at the back where he teed off then added three more birdies at the front for a 33-33 he spiked with three scrambling pars on Nos. 1, 2

and 6. Tabuena, who shot a 22-under card in ruling the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open here last September, shrugged off an opening bogey mishap on No. 1 with a cluster of birdies – six in a 12-hole stretch from No. 5 – and put himself in early contention for the championship with a 35-32 card in

the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. The 21-year-old local circuit’s reigning Order of Merit winner, battling slight fever earlier in the week, preserved his spot at joint second by scrambling for pars in the last two holes.

Perez: No Mourinho Madrid for now Makati holds off foes, MADRID—Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out an immediate return to the Santiago Bernabeu for Jose Mourinho, despite holding “good memories” of the Portuguese national’s spell in charge of Madrid. Mourinho left Chelsea “by mutual consent” according to the English champions on Thursday, two years after returning to the Premier League from Madrid, where he won one La Liga title in three years in charge. However, just as in his two spells at Chelsea, Mourinho courted plenty of controversy in the Spanish capital and

left during a dressing room revolt lead by Madrid’s current captain Sergio Ramos, among others. Madrid have failed to win the league since Mourinho left and currently trail leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by five points in the title race. Yet, despite rumours Madrid coach Rafael Benitez could be one more defeat away from the sack after just six months in charge, Perez insisted Benitez and not Mourinho is the man to turn Real’s fortunes around. “No one can predict the future, but right now he will not be coming to

Madrid,” Perez told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. “Benitez is capable of solving the problems we have. We are only contemplating that option. “I have very good memories of Mourinho, he lifted our competitive level a lot. It wasn’t a dark period for the club as with him we returned to where we belong.” Reports in Spain and France have suggested Madrid’s youth team coach and club legend Zinedine Zidane is best placed to take over from Benitez should results not improve in the coming weeks. AFP

Victory party. Recently crowned Philippine Superliga Grand Prix women’s volleyball champion Foton held a Victory Party for its Blue Army, composed mostly of company employees and fans, who came out in droves during the championship series to cheer on the team. The members of the team, led by MVP Lindsay Stalzer, co-import Katie Messing, local superstar Jaja Santiago and setter Ivy Perez, who led the team to a three-set victory over defending champion Petron, expressed their appreciation for the fans’ support. Photo shows the team at the event held at the Foton office in Caloocan.

bags girls’ softball title

MAKATI City pulled through in a fierce final showdown with Sta. Maria, Bulacan and hacked out a 2-1 decision to capture the 2015 National Inter-Secondary Girls Softball Championships crown via sweep at the Sto. Nino baseball field in Marikina yesterday. After trading a series of strike outs in the first three innings, the Makati girls went to hurler Henna Santiago, who came through with a big hit, sending Tin Bautista home then pounced on their rivals’ errors on the top of the sixth to go 2-0. Sta. Maria refused to bow out and fought back behind consecutive hits of Alma Tauli to narrow the gap at 1-2 but Makati toughened up on defense and stranded two runners on the second and third bases to preserve the lead and the victory in the week-long event sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) and sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier headed by sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier. As the proprietor of the competition and an advocate of the sport himself, Lhuillier lauded the brilliant talent of the young athletes he has

witnessed in the 2015 edition of the annual event which lured 22 of the country’s top teams. “I’m so happy with results of the Inter-secondary tournament. The matches have been very competitive and exciting. Congratulations to the winners and we will do our best to sustain the gains we have made through our grassroots development,” said Lhuillier. On their way to the finals, Makati, which swept the elims, toppled Manila, 125, while Sta. Maria crushed Miriam College, 6-0, in the other semis duel. Santiago went on to bag the best pitcher and MVP awards while teammate Angelu Gabriel took the best hitter honors. Other awardees were Tauli (best slugger), Ma. Charlotte Sales, also of Makati, (most number of homeruns), Gabriel (most number of stolen bases), and Trisha Tiozon of Manila (most number of RBIs). Meanwhile, Manila whipped Miriam, 12-0, to clinch third place honors. The Makati lasses thus took the top P25,000 purse with Sta. Maria and Manila receiving P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pacific Center Building San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016 PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE AND DISBURSEMENT OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FUND, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

18. On 02 July 2015, TransCo, in its letter to the ERC, requested for an extension of ninety (90) days within which to file the application for the 2016 FIT-All Rate. 19. The ERC, in its letter dated 20 July 2015, favorably acted upon said request and gave TransCo until the end of October 2015 to file the said Application. 20. On 15 October 2015, TransCo, anticipating some delays in approval process – both internal and external, which will render it unable to file the application by end of October, requested for another fifteen(15)-day period within which to file the same or until 15 November 2015. 21. On 11 November 2015, TransCo again requested an additional fifteen (15) days from 15 November 2015 to file the application or for such longer period which the Honorable Commission deems sufficient for the purpose of completing all the pre-filing requirements.

ERC CASE NO.______ NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION,

22. On 10 December 2015, the ERC, in ERC Case No. 2014-109 RC, issued a Decision approving with finality the amount of Php0.0406/kWh as the 2015 FIT-All rate. 23. Therefore, by and pursuant to the RE Law, Resolution No. 16 Series of 2010 (FIT Rules), as amended by Resolution No. 15 Series of 2012, in connection with the Guidelines and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, the instant Application is submitted to the Honorable Commission for its due consideration of the herein applied for FIT-All Rate for the year 2016.

Applicant. x-------------------------------------x APPLICATION

FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE

Applicant, NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TransCo), by undersigned counsel and unto this Honorable Commission, respectfully states: THE APPLICANT

24. TransCo has computed a FIT-All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.1470 for 2016, determined using the formula provided in Section 1.3 of the Guidelines, as follows:

1. Applicant TransCo is a government instrumentality created pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at TransCo Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, where it may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Commission.

3. On 16 December 2008, R.A. No. 9513 entitled “An Act Promoting the Development, Utilization and Commercialization of Renewable Energy Resources and for other purposes” (RE Law) was enacted to (1) accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources to achieve energy self-reliance by reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and thereby minimize the country’s exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets; (2) increase the utilization of renewable energy by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives; (3) encourage the development and utilization of renewable energy resources as tools to effectively prevent or reduce harmful emissions and thereby balance the goals of economic growth and development with the protection of health and the environment; and (4)establish the necessary infrastructure and mechanism to carry out the mandates specified in the Act and other existing laws: 4. To achieve these state policies, Section 7 of the RE Law mandates the establishment of a Feed-in Tariff System (FIT System) for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river hydropower and biomass. 5. Towards this end, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) was tasked to formulate the FIT System rules, which shall include (a) priority connection to the grid for electricity generated from emerging renewable energy resources within the territory of the Philippines; (b) priority purchase and transmission of, and payment for, such electricity; (c) determination of the fixed tariff to be paid to electricity produced from each type of emerging renewable energy and the mandated number of years for the application of these rates; (d) the FIT to be set shall be applied to the emerging renewable energy to be used in compliance with the renewable portfolio standard. 6. On 25 May 2009, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued the “Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9513” (REIRR) in compliance with Section 33 of the RE Law. Section 5 of the REIRR defines the FIT System as a “scheme that involves the obligation on the part of electric power industry participants to source electricity from RE generation at a guaranteed fixed price applicable for a given period of time, which shall in no case be less than twelve (12) years, to be determined by the ERC.” The same provision directed the promulgation of the FIT Rules by the ERC in consultation with the NREB. 7. Pursuant to Section 7 of the RE Law and Section 5 of the RE-IRR, the ERC issued “Resolution No. 16, Series of 2010” entitled “Resolution Adopting the Feed-in Tariff Rules” (FIT Rules) on 12 July 2010. 8. The FIT Rules established the FIT System and is intended to regulate the method of establishing and approving the FIT and the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All). 9. Under the FIT Rules, the FIT System guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement to the applicable FITs for a period of twenty (20) years.1

12. On 27 July 2012, the ERC issued its “Decision” in ERC Case No. 2011-006 and “Resolution No. 10, Series of 2012” entitled “Resolution Approving the Feed-in Tariff Rates”. In said Decision and Resolution, the ERC approved the following initial FIT Rates: ERC-APPROVED FIT RATES (PhP/kWh)

ERC-APPROVED DEGRESSION RATES

WIND

8.53

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

BIOMASS

6.63

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

SOLAR

9.68

6% after year 1 from effectivity of FIT

HYDRO

5.90

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

TECHNOLOGY

14 . O n 0 6 O c t o b e r 2 015 , t h e E R C l i ke w i s e i s s u e d R e s o l u t i o n 14, series of 2015 also known as “Resolution Adopting the Wind Feed-in Tariff (Wind-FIT2) Rate” setting a new Wind FIT Rate of P7.40/kWh (herein referred to as “Wind FIT 2”). The Wind FIT 2 shall only be applied to three (3) wind power projects namely: San Lorenzo, Nabas and Pililia Power Projects which have already commenced commercial operations as certified by the DOE. 15. On 19 November 2012, the ERC issued “Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012” designating TransCo as the FIT-All Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/ administration and disbursement/settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) of the FIT-All Fund. 16. The imposition, collection and disbursement of the FIT-All is further covered by the “Guidelines on the Collection of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) and the Disbursement of the FIT-All Fund” (Guidelines) issued and approved by the ERC in its Resolution No. 24 dated 16 December 2013. 17. Under the FIT-All Guidelines, TransCo has to make an annual determination of the FIT-All rate and file its application with the ERC not later than end of July of each year for the FIT-All rate that will be implemented for the following year.

37. Where the concerned RE Developers, particularly under Wind projects, provided energy generation forecast that differed from forecast presented by DOE, TransCo generally used the DOE data followed the monthly seasonality culled from the forecast submission of RE Developers. (See Annexes “D” and “D-7” to “D-10”.)

the the but the

38. On the other hand, for some Biomass projects, TransCo noted some very high resulting annual capacity factor in the DOE projection. With the knowledge that most of these biomass plants do not have year round generation capability because of the availability of fuel, TransCo adjusted some of the forecast, more or less pegging the annual capacity factor to around 70%-72% for those that were shown to have very high levels. (See Annexes “D” and “D-15” to “D-19”.) 39. For Solar and Hydro plants, TransCo generally followed the projection of the RE Developers. For those without submission, the annual projection from DOE was used and the same seasonality indices as in the 2014-2015 Application were applied. (See Annexes “D” and “D-1” to “D-6, “D-11” to D-14”.)

FIT-All

is the estimated Total FIT Differential required for Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.1 of the Guidelines.

42. At the same time, the principle of commercial and technical indivisibility of projects was observed, hence, the installation target could be exceeded if the last plant to complete the same renders the total beyond the target. This happened in the case of Solar.

WCA

is the estimated Working Capital Allowance required for Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.2 of the Guidelines.

is the Administration Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines.

is the Disbursement Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines.

FNS

is the Forecast National Sales, in kWh, to be applied for Year t+1 and as further described in Section 1.4.4.2 of the Guidelines.

is the year the application for setting the FIT-All is filed with the ERC.

t+1

is the year following t

25. Whenever Year t+1(implementation year) is used in any formula in the present Application, the same shall refer to the year 2016. Correlatively, the Year t+2 whenever used in any formula in this Application shall refer to the year 2017. COMPONENTS OF THE FIT-ALL I.

Forecast National Sales

26. The Forecast National Sales (FNS) is the denominator in the FITAll formula. The proposed level for 2016 is discussed first since it is best to present the determined value of the other FIT-All components in terms of PhP/ kWh, where this FNS is the kilowatt-hours (kWh) denominator.

43. Based on the foregoing, the applicable Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation of Eligible RE Plants (kWh) for the years 2014-2015 (lumped)7, 2016 and 2017 are as follows: Table 2. Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation, MWh

Technology Biomass

Where:

V(t0) = start value V(tn) = finish value tn-to =number of years

30. TransCo computed the projected 2015 level by increasing the historical 2014 level by the computed CAGR (2011-2014). Then, TransCo again computed for the rolling 3-year CAGR and so on4. TransCo came up with the following Forecast National Electricity Sales for 2015-2016: Table 1. Forecast National Electricity Sales, kWh

2 0 15

2 0 16

65,962,899,825

68,380,633,362

Total FIT Differential

31. The Total FIT Differential represents the difference between: (1) the forecast applicable FIT Rate for Year t+1 that each Eligible RE Plant is forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered, and (2) the forecast applicable cost recovery rate as determined under the Guidelines, multiplied by the projected annual energy generation from Eligible RE Plant for year t+1. In setting the FIT-All for Yeart+1, the FIT Differential is represented by the following formula:

2016 682,407

2017 761,454

108,271 158,580 875,169 1,451,859

187,342 632,686 977,205 2,479,639

492,222 707,963 977,477 2,939,116

II. 2. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate and Forecast FIT Revenue 44. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate refers to the prevailing ERCapproved and published schedule of rates in PhP/kWh for each emerging renewable energy technology, as degressed by the relevant degression rates, if applicable, and adjusted for Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Foreign Exchange (FOREX), in accordance with Section 2.10 of the FIT Rules.8 45. Currently, the prevailing FIT Rates are based on the ERC Decision dated 27 July 2012 in ERC Case No. 2011-006 RM, ERC Resolution No. 6, series of 2016 for Solar FIT 2 and ERC Resolution No. 14, series of 2015 for Wind FIT 2. 46. Following the FIT Rules, the prevailing FIT Rates for 2015 are adjusted for inflation and foreign exchange for the adjusted 2016 rates, as shown in Table 3 below.9 However, inasmuch as the ERC has not issued FIT-eligible Certificate of Compliance under Solar FIT 2 and Wind FIT 2 as of October 2015, TransCo did not consider any adjustment of said rates for 2016. Table 3. 2016 Adjusted FIT Rates, Php/kWh 2015 Base 2016 Adjusted FIT-Rate FIT Rate 2014-2015 Entrant 2016 Entrant Biomass 6.6300 7.0508 7.0508 Hydro 5.9000 6.4601 6.4601 Solar FIT 1 9.6800 9.9067 FIT 2 8.6900 8.6900 8.6900 Wind FIT 1 8.5300 8.9006 FIT 2 7.4000 7.4000 Technology

28. The FNS, in kWh, shall be equal to the latest available Electricity Sales as stated in the Philippine Power Statistics, excluding Utilities Own Use and Power Losses, or as otherwise certified by the DOE, and as adjusted by the historical growth rate published for the immediately preceding three (3) years. 29. From the historical data sourced from the Philippine Power Statistics until 20143, TransCo computed for the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of Electricity Sales for a 3-year period using the formula:

2014-2015 309,839

Hydropower Solar Wind Total

27. The FNS refers to an estimated total kilowatt-hours of electricity billed to consumers who are supplied with electricity in all On-Grid areas in the Philippines for a given year.

II.

13. On 27 March 2015, the ERC issued Resolution No. 06, series of 2015 entitled “Resolution Adopting the New Solar Feed-In Tariff Rate” setting a new Solar FIT Rate of PhP8.69/kWh (herein referred to as “Solar FIT 2”). The Solar FIT 2 was issued as a result of the revised installation target for solar energy generation from 50 MW to 500 MW and shall be applied to new Solar Plants that have been commissioned after the effectivity of said Resolution and until 15 March 2016.

36. Where data were available from RE Developers/PEMC submissions, TransCo already put in the actual generation levels of operational RE plants.6

41. TransCo limited the determination of the FIT-All rate to include only Eligible RE capacities up to the installation targets set by the DOE as follows: 500 MW for Solar up to March 2016, 400 MW for Wind, 250 MW for Hydropower and 250 MW for Biomass.

10. The FIT-All is a uniform charge (in PhP/kWh) billed to all ongrid electricity consumers who are supplied with electricity through the distribution or transmission network. The FIT-All shall be established and set by the ERC on an annual basis and taking into account the following: the forecasted annual required revenue of the Eligible RE Plants; previous year’s over or under recoveries; administration costs; forecasted annual electricity sales and such other relevant factors to ensure that no stakeholder is allocated with additional risks in the implementation of the FITs. 2 11. Further, Section 2.2 of the FIT Rules provides that the ERC shall approve technology-specific FITs based on such FITs to be recommended by the NREB. Accordingly, on 16 May 2011, the NREB filed before the ERC its “Petition to Initiate Rule-Making for the Adoption of Feed-in Tariff” docketed as ERC Case No. 2011-006.

35. The list includes projects that have already gone into Commercial Operation even prior to the January 2015 implementation of the FIT-All and are assumed to be Eligible RE Plants for the purpose of herein computation.

is the Feed-in Tariff Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP/kWh, as provided for in the FIT Rules and the Guidelines.

DESCRIPTION

2. This Application is being filed by Applicant TransCo in its capacity as FIT-All Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/ administration and disbursement/settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) of the FIT-All Fund pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012 issued on 19 November 2012 and on the bases of relevant laws, rules and regulations as will be discussed hereafter.

34. With the list from DOE providing the best estimate of the entry of Eligible RE Plants, TransCo aims to be able to adequately provide for the corresponding payout requirements. However, the list does not in any way give preemptive right to the identified projects to be counted under the final FIT-eligible projects. Neither does it limit the payment of FITs to these projects once implemented.

40. The 2017 projects were also considered, but only in the computation of the WCA, which requires the payout for year t+2, which in this case is 2017.

Where:

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION

projected to be eligible/already eligible under the FIT System in 2014-2017 onwards as provided by the DOE.5

47. In addition, TransCo did not apply any degression for 2016 for all FIT rates. 48. The Total FIT Revenue appearing in the formula in Paragraph 32 is obtained by multiplying the Eligible RE generation per technology as in Table 2 by the corresponding appropriate FIT rates in Table 3. For 2017, which is required only for the computation of the Working Capital Allowance that will be discussed later, the same Adjusted FIT-rates as 2016 were used. The resulting levels are given as: Table 4. Total FIT Revenue by Technology, in Pesos Technology Biomass Hydropower Solar Wind Total

2014-2015 2,047,346,764 636,276,137 1,517,805,602 6,983,753,305 11,185,181,807

2016 4,811,520,857 1,210,251,660 5,685,348,771 7,969,444,430 19,676,565,718

2017 5,368,864,647 3,179,822,244 6,340,512,072 7,971,873,033 22,861,071,996

II.3. Forecast Cost Recovery Rate 49. Simply put, the Forecast Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) is the projected generation rate that the Eligible RE Plant would likely receive had it not been under the FIT System. 50. Under Section 1.4.1.2 of the Guidelines, the manner by which the FCRR is forecasted and applied to a particular Eligible RE Plant shall be based on whether or not the Eligible RE Plant operates in a Grid where the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) is operational or not. 51. Where WESM is operational, the FCRR for the Eligible RE Plant shall be equivalent to the average of the monthly system Ex-Ante Load Weighted Average Price (LWAP) of the WESM for the Luzon and Visayas Grids for the thirty-six (36) months immediately preceding the filing of the application for the setting of the FIT-All. 52. The FCRR to be applied for Eligible RE Plants where WESM is non-operational (Mindanao) shall be the weighted average of the generation cost of the Host Distribution Utility (Host DU) from all its other generation sources, excluding generation from any Eligible RE Plant-Non-WESM with a Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (RESA) with the Host DU, for the nearest twelve (12) months preceding the filing of the application for the setting of the FIT-All. 53. TransCo requested the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) for an update on the Load Weighted Average Price (LWAP) for the period January 2012 to April 201510 which the latter provided on June 1, 2015.

Where: DESCRIPTION Forecast RE Genx,t+1

is the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plantx (in kWh).

Forecast FIT Ratex,t+1

is FIT Rate, as degressed (if applicable) and adjusted for local inflation and foreign exchange (FOREX) as forecasted for year t+1, in PhP/kWh, that Eligible RE Plantx is forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered.

Forecast Cost Recovery

is the applicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rate to be implemented in Yeart+1 for Eligible RE Plantx, in PhP kWh.

FD t-1 (over)/ under

is the variance between the actual FIT Differential for year t-1 (Actual FDt-1) and the FIT Differential collected for year t-1 (Collected FDt-1). There is over recovery if Collected FDt-1> Actual FDt-1 and under recovery if Collected FDt-1 is < Actual FDt-1.

as:

32. Alternatively, the formula in Paragraph 31 can be viewed or rewritten

54. TransCo further updated said submission by appending the May 2015 to August 2015 data sourced from the PEMC website.11 55. Consequently, TransCo came up with the following averages for Luzon and Visayas: Table 5. Average LWAP, PhP/kWh

33. TransCo primarily used the most updated list of RE Projects that are

Visayas 4.5278

56. For Mindanao, additional Host DUs were identified from the lineup of projects: Host DU

Plant Name

RE Developer

DASURECO

Tudaya 2 Hydroelectric Power Project

Hedcor Tudaya, Inc.

DASURECO

Digos Solar PV Power Project Phase 1

Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources, Inc.

DASURECO

Digos Solar PV Power Project Phase 2

Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources, Inc.

ZAMCELCO

Pasonanca Hydroelectric Power Project

Philcarbon, Inc.

MAGELCO

3.5 GEEC MW Biomass Cogeneration System

Green Earth Enersource Corporation

BUSECO

Manolo Fortich 1 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

BUSECO

Manolo Fortich 2 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

BUSECO

II.1. Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation

Luzon 5.5028

Kibawe Solar Power Project

Asian Green Energy Corporation

MORESCO II

Limbatangon Hydroelectric Power Project

Turbines Resources & Development Corp.

SOCOTECO II

Centrala Solar Power Project

NV Vogt Philippines Solar Energy One, Inc.

SOCOTECO II

GenSan Solar Power Project Phase II

Del Sol CGS, Inc.

57. TransCo adopted the Weighted Average Generation Charge of DASURECO in the amount of P4.7592 as determined by the ERC in ERC Case No. 2014-109 RC. 58. For the other Host DUs, on 20 October 2015, TransCo requested the ERC for the weighted average generation cost data. In the meantime that said information has not been received, TransCo used figures from www. kuryente.org (save for DASURECO) as follows12:

the 2016 level of Php 1,054,099.95 from Paragraph 81. 71. Combining the results and assumptions given in Paragraphs 68 to 70, the Forecast Annual Payout for 2017 is as follows: Table 11. 2017 Forecast Annual Payout, in Pesos

Particulars Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue FIT Differential Administration Allowance Disbursement Allowance Total Annual Payout

Table 6. FCRR for Host DUs, PhP/kWh Weighted Average Generation Cost DASURECO 4.7592 ZAMCELCO 3.9706 MAGELCO 2.7801 BUSECO 3.7339 MORESCO II 3.3684 SOCOTECO II 4.7054 Host DU

Table 7. Total Forecast Cost Revenue by Technology, in Pesos 2014-2015 1,547,479,452 556,426,786 844,922,109 3,940,870,272 6,889,698,621

2016 3,548,498,598 927,734,772 3,093,934,257 5,180,613,653 12,750,781,280

2017 3,983,476,564 2,183,491,016 3,454,756,715 5,182,115,181 14,803,839,476

PRAYER

73. Pursuant to the Guidelines, the NREB recommended a formula for the Factor Rate in the 2014-2015 FIT-All Application. Using the same formula for this Application but with updated inputs yielded a factor rate of 5.5145%.14 74. Further, the Guidelines define the WCA Ending Balance to be the balance of the WCA component account for the immediately preceding month prior to the month of filing. Given the deficiency in the fund balance to address even the FD, the WCA in fact has no balance. Truth to tell, the amounts TransCo used to augment the ACRR remittance of PEMC and the Disbursement Allowance it actually paid to LBP as trustee fee, given there was no specified amount in the 2014-2015 Application for the Disbursement Allowance, constitute negative fund balance. Thus, TransCo considered a WCA Ending Balance of –PhP 28,599,294.54, which represents the estimated deficiency for ACRR and DA by the end of 2015. Table 12. Determination of the WCAEnding Balance, in Pesos

Similarly as in the FIT rate, the 2016 Forecast Cost Recovery Rate was used for 2017 since the same is merely intended for the determination of the Working Capital Allowance as discussed below.

Forecast CRR Receivable (Sept 2015-Dec 2015)

3,837,875,248.49

Expected CRR Collection (99.27% Collection Efficiency)

3,810,015,943.94

60. 2015 Under-recoveries. The last term in the formula for FIT Differential is the amount of under-recovery or over-recovery of the FIT Differential.

Add: 2015 Disbursement Allowance

61. By the end of 2015, it is estimated that the FIT-All Fund will have a deficit in terms of collection vis-à-vis payables of Php1,835,907,894.0813 , hence, an under-recovery.

75. From the given information, the combined buffer required for 2016, which is equivalent to the 2017 requirement multiplied by the Factor Rate less the WCA ending balance, is PhP1,289,339,613 derived as: Table 13. Determination of WCA, in Pesos Technology Forecast Annual Payout x Factor Rate Equals: Portion of Annual Payout Less: WCA Ending Balance (Year n) Working Capital Allowance WCA PhP/kWh

Table 8. FIT Differential (without Under-recovery), in Pesos

2014-2015 499,867,312 79,849,350 672,883,492 3,042,883,032 4,295,483,186

2016 1,263,022,259 282,516,888 2,591,414,514 2,788,830,778 6,925,784,439

2017 1,385,388,084 996,331,227 2,885,755,357 2,789,757,852 8,057,232,521

The 2017 levels are shown only for the purpose of computing the WCA which is discussed below. 63. The final FIT Differential for 2016 in P/kWh, inclusive of the underrecovery for 2015, is as follows: Table 9. FIT Differential (with Under-recovery), in Pesos

Particulars 2016 FD 2015 FD over(under) Total III.

Amount 6,925,784,439 1,835,907,894 8,761,692,333

P/kWh 0.1013 0.0268 0.1281

Working Capital Allowance

64. The WCA is part of the FIT-All and serves as buffer to address any default or delay in the collection and/or remittance of the FIT-All and/or Actual Cost Recovery Revenue (ACRR) including, but not limited to, the following: i.

Variations between the actual and forecasted (a) RE Generation from Eligible RE Plants resulting from over- and under- generation, (b) Annual National Sales and (c) applicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rates and Actual Cost Recovery Revenues;

ii.

The timing difference of the collection and billing cycle for the FIT-All and Actual Cost Recovery Revenue; and,

iii.

Any other collection or payment shortfall.

2016 19,677,619,818 5.5145% 1,085,129,553 (28,599,295) 1,289,339,613 0.0189

Is the Working Capital Allowance to be funded during Year t+1

Forecast Annual Payout t+2

WCA Ending Balance t

Factor Rate

Is the projected amount of payables out of the FITAll Fund for year t+2 consisting of forecasted Total FIT Revenues, forecasted Administration Allowance and forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Year t+2. The forecasted Total FIT Revenues for Year t+2 is the sum of the product of the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plant x for Year t+2 multiplied by the appropriate FIT Ratex for Year t+2. The forecasted Administration Allowance for Year t+2is the Administration Allowance for Year t+1, less any non-recurring expenditures such as those relating to the initial filing of the FIT-All, adjusted for forecast CPI for Year t+2. The forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Year t+2 is the projected level of payment to the Trustee Bank in Year t+2. Is the ending balance of the Working Capital Allowance account in Year t including any interest income earned in the WCA account and all other component accounts of the FIT-All Fund; if this is not available at the time of filing, the ending balance for the month immediately preceding the month of filing, subject to updating by the ERC of the actual ending balance of the WCA account in Year t if it shall become available prior to the issuance of its Decision on the FIT-All application. Is the factor rate approved by the ERC, upon recommendation of the NREB, reflective of funding requirements of the FIT-All Fund, adjusted by (i) a period factor based on the billing and collection cycle of the Collection Agents as described in the Guidelines; and (ii) the collection efficiencies of Collection Agents. Data for the initial year shall be sourced from PSALM for its collection of the Universal Charge. Data for succeeding years shall be based on FIT-All historical collection efficiency rate.

66. From the foregoing, it may be gleaned that an initial Forecast Annual Payout for the year 2017 needs to be determined since it is envisioned that buffer requirements for the following year should be collected and built up during the current year. Hence, aside from the 2016 levels for Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue, FD, AA and DA, the 2017 projected levels were also established. 67. For the purpose of computing the WCA, the Forecast Cost Recovery Rates used by TransCo for 2017 are the same level as the 2016. The same holds for the FIT Rates. 68. Summarizing Table7 and Table 8, we have the following inputs in computing the Forecast Annual Payout for 2017: Table 10. 2017 Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue and FIT Differential, in Pesos Technology

Biomass Hydropower Solar Wind Total

FORECAST COST RECOVERY REVENUE

3,983,476,564 2,183,491,016 3,454,756,715 5,182,115,181 14,803,839,476

FIT DIFFERENTIAL

1,385,388,084 996,331,227 2,885,755,357 2,789,757,852 8,057,232,521

69. The projected AA for 2016 in the meantime is set to zero (0) for the purpose of computing the WCA. 70. The proposed trustee fee/ Disbursement Allowance is estimated at

a. Pending hearing on the merits of the present Application, provisional authority to collect the FIT-ALL of PhP/kWh 0.1025 effective January 2016 billing period be issued; b. The Collection Agents – DUs, RES and NGCP be directed to bill, collect and remit the FIT-All to the FIT-All Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidelines; c. PEMC and the Host DUs be directed to remit the CRR to the FIT-All Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidelines; d. The Factor Rate resulting from an updating of inputs in the recommended formula by the NREB under the 2014-2015 FIT-All Application (ERC Case No. 2014-109RC) be approved and applied in the computation of the WCA and the FIT-All Rate for 2016; e. After due notice and hearing, a permanent approval for Applicant TransCo be granted to implement the FIT-All Rate for 2016 of PhP/kWh 0.1025, computed for RE Projects with at least nomination from DOE for eligibility under the FIT system, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, such other amount as may be found by the Commission to be consistent with the FIT-All Guidelines and on the basis of new and updated information not heretofore available to the Applicant at the time of the filing of the present application; f. TransCo be exempt from payment of permit/supervision fees, if any. Other reliefs as may be just and equitable under the premises are likewise most respectfully prayed for. Quezon City for Pasig City, 15 December 2015.

2017 22,862,126,096 5.5145% 1,260,740,318

IV.

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue cor. BIR Road Diliman, 1101 Quezon City Tel No. 902-1500 By: (SGD.) NOEL Z. DE LEON General Counsel IBP No. 925845, 08 January 2014, Quezon City Roll No. 36660 MCLE Compliance No. IV- 0017953 26 April 2013

Administration and Disbursement Allowance

77. As provided for in Section 2.5 of the FIT Rules, the FIT- All shall also take into account the Applicant’s administration costs, to defray expenses of the Administrator in connection with the performance of its functions as FIT All Fund Administrator (Administration Allowance).

(SGD.) LEON T. TAPEL, JR. Deputy Legal Counsel IBP 960164, 24 January 2014, PPLM Roll No. 34555 MCLE Compliance IV-0012123 30 January 2013

78. For the year 2016, TransCo again proposes an Administration Allowance of zero (0). 79. A similar fee may be imposed by the designated Trustee of the FIT All Fund in accordance with the Trust Agreement approved by the ERC, to defray standard administrative costs in establishing and managing the actual collection and disbursements of the FIT-All Fund and all other monetary collections authorized by the FIT Rules (Disbursement Allowance). 80. From the Trust Agreement entered into by Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)-Trust and TransCo on 03 March 201515 and approved by the ERC, TransCo shall pay a fixed fee of P720,000 per annum plus some variable components. 81. Based on TransCo’s estimates of fund balances which will be the major basis of the variable component that is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas supervision fee, the Disbursement Allowance or the service fee of LBP for 2016 is PhP1,054,099.95.16 V.

(SGD.) NYERSON DEXTER TITO Q. TUALLA Legal Counseling Department IBP 07135, Lifetime - Quezon City Roll No. 52294 MCLE Compliance IV-0005200 22 March 2012 Mobile No. 0917-581-3246 nqtualla@transco.ph Copy furnished: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines 1632

FIT-ALL RATE FOR 2016

NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY BOARD Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines 1632

82. Applying the above components to the formula for FIT-All, we have the following, in PhP/kWh:

VERIFICATION

= =

0.1281+0.0189+0+0.0000

0.1470

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) Quezon City ) Sc.

83. In more detail, the components and result of the FIT-All calculation may be summarized in the following table:

WCAt+1

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that:

76. The table provides the corresponding PhP/kWh level of the WCA for 2016, which is PhP/kWh 0.0189.

65. The WCA amount for collection is expressed as:

Where:

739,990.00 28,599,294.54

WCA Deficiency

62. FIT Differential. Following the formula for FD in Paragraph 32 (first two terms), the total FCRR in Table 7 is subtracted from the FIT Revenue in Table 4 and yields the following for 2014-2017:

Technology Biomass Hydropower Solar Wind Total

27,859,304.54

Estimated Uncollected CRR

90. The grant of a Provisional Authority will allow TransCo to perform its duties to make a timely payment of the FIT Rate to RE Developers to which they are entitled thereby allowing their continued operations. 91. In support of the foregoing allegations in this Application, including those for the issuance of the provisional authority, TransCo hereby submits the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Dinna O. Dizon, Manager of Compliance Monitoring Department (CMD)18 .

72. The Guidelines further provide the use of a Factor Rate that will be multiplied to the Forecast Annual Payout for 2016.

59. Multiplying the Forecast Annual Eligible RE Generation in Table 2 by the appropriate Forecast Cost Recovery Rates gives the following total FCRR in pesos: Technology Biomass Hydropower Solar Wind Total

2017 14,803,839,476 8,057,232,521 1,054,100 22,862,126,096

implement the FIT-All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.1025 effective January 2016 without prejudice to the final and actual rate pending the final disposition of its present Application.

Table 14. Summary of 2016 FIT-All Rate Computation COMPONENTS FD WCA AA DA Total FNS, kWh FIT-All, Php/kWh

1. I am the Officer-In-Charge of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo);

Amount (Php) Rate (P/kWh) Share 8,761,692,333 0.1281 87.16% 1,289,339,613 0.0189 12.83% 0.0000 0.00% 1,054,100 0.0000 0.01% 10,052,086,045 68,380,633,362 0.1470

2. I am authorized to file and prosecute all Energy Regulatory Commission cases for and in behalf of TransCo pursuant to Item 12, Subject No. 5.01, Section 5.0 of the Manual of Approvals; A copy of the “Secretary’s Certificate” and pertinent page of the Manual of Approvals are attached as Annexes “T” and “U” to form integral parts hereof; 3. I caused the preparation of the foregoing “Application”;

84. However, TransCo would like to present some additional computations that show the 2016 FIT-All at different categories of FIT-eligible/candidate RE Projects: Table15. Incremental Movement of the 2016 FIT-All for Different RE Plant/Project Categories With FIT COC With Payment As of October Increase/ Total (Decrease) 5, 2015

With COE

With Nomination

I, GENEROSO M. SENAL, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that:

4. I have read the foregoing Application and I attest that the allegations therein are true and correct of my personal knowledge and based on authentic records in TransCo’s possession; IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this _____ day of _______, _____, in Quezon City, Philippines. (SGD.) GENEROSO M. SENAL

DOE List

Increase/ (Decrease)

Total

Increase/ (Decrease)

Total

Increase/ (Decrease)

Total

MW MWH

345.92 807,951

69.64 172,651

415.56 980,602

259.00 626,073

674.56 1,606,675

32.00 153,032

706.56 1,759,707

463.84 719,933

1,170.39 2,479,639

FIT-ALL Rate, P/kWh

0.0566

0.0038

0.0605

0.0373

0.0978

0.0047

0.1025

0.0445

0.1470

FIT COC - Certificate of Compliance Issued by the ERC COE - Certificate of Endorsement issued by the DOE Nomination (for FIT Eligibility) - Issued by the DOE

A more detailed table of the FIT-All calculation above and a listing of RE Plants/Projects per category are provided in Annexes “Q” and “R”, respectively. 8 5 . In view of the Honorable Commission’s Decision in ERC Case No. 2014-109 RC limiting the forecast RE generation included in the computation of the FIT-All to those RE plants with COEs, TransCo opted to recommend and seek the Honorable Commission’s approval of a FIT-All rate lower than the total computed level of PhP/kWh 0.1470. As can be gleaned from Table 15, the computed 2016 FIT-All rate covering RE Projects with at least nomination from DOE as of end of October 2015 for the FIT system is PhP/kWh 0.1025. These projects already have ongoing construction and have reached at least 80% electromechanical completion, thus, are almost sure to operate within the period under consideration, if not already operating to date. It is TransCo’s judgment that the two (2) additional plants on top of RE projects with COE will likely complete the requirement for FIT eligibility within the period, thus, qualify to be counted in the instant Application.

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ___ day of __________________, affiant exhibited to me his Employee ID Number 000-___ issued in _________________. Doc. No. ___; Page No.___; Book No.___; Series of 2015.

1 2 3 4 5

86. Finally, TransCo wishes to manifest that while it was directed by the Honorable Commission in ERC Case No. 2014-109 RC to file a separate application for a revised FIT-All to cover the 2015 under-recoveries, the same have been incorporated in the instant Application, consistent with the Guidelines. As discussed in item II. Total FIT Differential above, (over)/under recovery is already incorporated in the formula of the FIT Differential and as such is already captured in the determination of the FIT-All Rate for 2016. Further, the estimated under-recovery for the Actual Cost Recovery Revenue and provision for Disbursement Allowance are made part of the WCA ending balance. Hence, TransCo submits that a separate application would no longer be necessary. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 87. TransCo repleads the foregoing allegations insofar as they may be applicable. 88. It is respectfully submitted that the computation of, as well as the data used by, TransCo are all in accordance with the FIT Rules and the Guidelines issued by the ERC. 89. On this basis, TransCo most respectfully moves for the immediate issuance of a “Provisional Authority” pursuant to Rule 14, Section 317 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures to allow applicant TransCo to timely

7 8 9 10

13 14 15 16 17

(S G D.) N Y E R S O N D E X T E R T I TO Q . T UA L L A N o t a r y P u b l i c f o r Q u e zo n C i t y N o t a r i a l A p p o i nt m e nt N o. 2 9 8 N o t a r i a l C o m m i s s i o n u nt i l D e c e m b e r 31, 2 015 R o l l o f A t t o r n ey s N o. 52 2 9 4 P T R N o. 9 2 7 7 7 70, Q u e zo n C i t y I B P L i f et i m e N o. 0713 5 , Q u e zo n C i t y C h a pte r N a t i o n a l Tr a n s m i s s i o n C o r p o r a t i o n Tr a n s C o B u i l d i n g , B I R R o a d c o r. Q u e zo n Ave., D i l i m a n, Q u e zo n C i t y

Section 4, FIT Rules. Section 2.5, FIT Rules. T h e D O E M e m o r a n d u m d a t e d 21 J u l y 2 015 p r o v i d i n g f o r t h e E l e c t r i c i t y a n d S a l e s C o n s u m p t i o n , i n M W h (2 0 0 3 t o 2 014) i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x “A” t o “A - 1” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. T h e F N S c o m p u t a t i o n f o r 2 015 - 2 016 i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x “ B ” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t hereof T h e D O E l e t t e r d a t e d 2 3 S e p t e m b e r 2 015 p r o v i d i n g “A d d i t i o n a l I n p u t s f o r t h e F i l i n g o f t h e 2 016 F I T- A l l A p p l i c a t i o n ”, i n c l u d i n g i t s a t t a c h m e n t s , a r e a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x e s “ C ” t o “ C - 13 ”, t o f o r m i n t e g r a l p a r t s h e r e o f. The table on the summar y of actual generation, forecast generation and capacity factor per RE developer with heading “ List of FIT Eligible Renewable Energy Developer with Submission on A c t u a l & U p d a t e d G e n e r a t i o n (2 014 t o 2 016) ” (a n d i t s a t t a c h m e n t s) i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x “ D ” t o “ D - 19 ” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. T h e 2 014 a n d 2 015 l e v e l s a r e a m i x o f a c t u a l a n d f o r e c a s t v a l u e s . S e c t i o n 1. 4 .1.1, G u i d e l i n e s . D e t a i l s o f c o m p u t a t i o n o f t h e 2 016 a d j u s t e d F I T r a t e s i s h e r e t o a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ E ” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. T h e P E M C l e t t e r d a t e d 01 J u n e 2 015 o n t h e “ D a t a o n L o a d W e i g h t e d Av e r a g e P r i c e ( LWA P) f o r L u z o n a n d V i s a y a s ”, i n c l u d i n g a c o m p u t e r p r i n t o u t o f t h e d a t a i n t h e C D s u b m i t t e d i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x e s “ F ” t o “ F - 1” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. P r i n t - o u t s o f t h e M o n t h l y S u m m a r y R e p o r t f o r M a y, J u n e , J u l y a n d A u g u s t 2 015 f r o m P E M C w e b s i t e (w w w.w e s m . p h ) a r e h e r e t o a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x e s “ G ” t o “ G - 3 ” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. P r i n t o u t s o f M A G E LC O E f f e c t i v e R a t e f o r R e s i d e n t i a l C u s t o m e r f o r t h e p e r i o d A p r i l 2 013 t o M a r c h 2 014 , Z A M C E LC O E f f e c t i v e R a t e f o r R e s i d e n t i a l C u s t o m e r f o r t h e p e r i o d M a r c h 2 013 t o F e b r u a r y 2 014 , B U S E C O E f f e c t i v e R a t e f o r R e s i d e n t i a l C u s t o m e r f o r t h e p e r i o d M a r c h 2 014 t o F e b r u a r y 2 015 , M O R E S C O I I E f f e c t i v e R a t e f o r R e s i d e n t i a l C u s t o m e r f o r t h e p e r i o d F e b r u a r y 2 012 t o D e c e m b e r 2 013 a n d S O C OT E C O I I E f f e c t i v e R a t e f o r R e s i d e n t i a l C u s t o m e r f o r t h e p e r i o d M a y 2 013 t o J u n e 2 014 f r o m t h e w e b s i t e w w w. k u r y e n t e . o r g a r e a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x e s “ H ” t o “ H - 11”, “ I ” t o “ I - 11”, “J ” t o “J - 11”, “ K ” t o “ K- 11”, a n d “ L” t o “ L - 11”, r e s p e c t i v e l y, t o f o r m i n t e g r a l p a r t s h e r e o f. Ta b l e s h o w i n g t h e d e t a i l s o f c o m p u t a t i o n o f t h e 2 015 F I T D i f f e r e n t i a l d e f i c i e n c y i s h e r e t o a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ M ” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. Fa c t o r R a t e c o m p u t a t i o n u s i n g t h e f o r m u l a r e c o m m e n d e d b y N R E B i n i t s R e s o l u t i o n N o . 3 S e r i e s o f 2 014 i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x “ N ” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. C o p y o f t h e Tr u s t A g r e e m e n t d a t e d 0 3 M a r c h 2 015 i s h e r e t o a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ O ” t o “ O - 2 3 ” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. Details of computation of the proposed DA is hereto at tached as Annex “P” and made an integral p a r t h e r e o f. “Sec tion 3. Ac tion on the Motion. - Motions for provisional authorit y or interim relief may be acted upon with or without hearing. The Commission shall act on the motion on the basis of the a l l e g a t i o n s o f t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o r p e t i t i o n a n d s u p p o r t i n g d o c u m e n t s a n d o t h e r e v i d e n c e s (s i c) that applic ant or petitioner has submit ted and the c omments or opposition f iled by any interested p e r s o n , i f t h e r e b e a n y.” A c o p y o f t h e J u d i c i a l A f f i d a v i t o f M s . D i n n a O. D i z o n i s a t t a c h e d h e r e t o a s A n n e x “ S ” t o “ S - _ _ _ _ ” t o f o r m a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. ( T S - D E C . 19 , 2 015 )

S AT U R DAY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

POC starts search for Olympic bets THE Philippine Olympic Committee begins its search for talented Manilenos, who will be trained to compete with other teams all over the country at the Philippine National Games in 2017. Winning teams and sportsmen from the Games automatically become representatives of the country in the Southeast Asian games and even the Olympics. POC Director Cynthia Carrion says the Committee has partnered with Bless a Life Charities, a NonGovermental Organization, to assist them in finding sports talents especially those residing in District 3 of Manila. The district is composed of 123 barangays from Santa Cruz, Binondo, San Nicolas and Quiapo. Marilou “Ninang” Chua, founder of Bless a Life Charities expressed her elation over the announcement, saying this is a great opportunity for young Manilenos, between the ages of 14 to 16 years old, to show their skills and talents and compete in a national as well as the Asian levels. “We thank the POC for believing in the talents and skills of our young Manilenos. I have always believed that there are rare gems here in our district, and now is the time for our young Manilenos to shine and show our fellow Kababayans, ang galing ng Manileno,” said Chua. Chua, who is an avid practitioner of Mixed Martial arts, is at the forefront of efforts to increase sports awareness and development in Manila. The former Binibining Pilipinas candidate is widely known not just for her beauty and brains but also her enthusiasm in propagating and developing budding sports talents in Manila’s district 3. For this talent search, interested participants are asked to register in the “May Talento sa District 3 ni Ninang” program beginning January 2016. Manilenos residing in District 3 who are avid and active players in basketball, chess and billiards, will be grouped into teams and will undergo a strict program.

Terrence Romero of GlobalPort drives to the basket against two TNT defenders in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Texters, 107-96.

Texters rout Batang Pier, boost bid for quarterfinals By Jeric Lopez

TALK ‘N Text turned in one of its finest performances so far, carving out a crushing 107-96 win against GlobalPort to improve its stand in the final stretch of the elimination round of the 2015-16 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night. Jayson Castro stood his ground in his entertaining battle with fellow Smart Gilas Pilipinas star Terrence Romeo as he paced the Tropang Texters with a game-high 25 points, to go with his four rebounds and six assists. The victory was a huge boost to Talk ‘N Text’s chances of ending up in the Top 6, which offers a twice-tobeat advantage, as it is now tied for fifth and sixth places with Barangay Ginebra on similar 6-4 cards. Ironically, those teams battle tomor-

LeBron collides with Day’s wife TURN TO A12

row, with the winner claiming the No. 5 seed and assuring itself of a twice-tobeat advantage in the quarters. Although GlobalPort had its fourgame winning streak snapped as it ended its elimination-round campaign with a 7-4 mark, it is still assured of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals and will now await the result of the final games to see the seed they will assume in the Top 6. “We needed to win this game, kasi hindi pa namin alam saan

top pick Moala Tautuaa, kami talaga. We also Games Saturday need to win our last game (Smart Araneta Coliseum) who had back spasms. 3 p.m. - Barako Bull Rosario added 19 and then we’ll see,’’ said vs. Alaska Talk ‘N Text coach Jong 5:15 p.m. - Rain or Shine points for Talk ‘N Text. vs. NLEX Romeo and his partUichico. ‘’Ang gusto lang ner Stanley Pringle led namin ay to get a twiceGlobalPort with 24 points each. to-beat advantage.’’ Today, Rain or Shine and Alaska GlobalPort actually got off to a good start, going ahead, 22-15, at the continue their chase for a Top 2 finend of one, but Talk ‘N Text coun- ish as they take on separate oppotered with an even bigger surge of its nents in their final assignments. The Aces meet dangerous Barako Bull at own to steal control of the contest. The Tropang Texters blasted the 3 p.m., while the Elasto Painters clash Batang Pier in a game-turning sec- with the Road Warriors at 5:15 p.m The scores: ond period, 38-22, to seize a 53-44 TNT 107—Castro 25, Rosario 19, advantage at intermission. Talk ‘N Text even held a double- Aban 9, Carey 9, Fonacier 9, Seigle digit lead, 53-39, with more than a 9, Williams 7, Rosser 6, Reyes R. 6, minute left in the first half after Troy Reyes J. 5, Miranda 3, Rodriguez 0. GLOBALPORT 96—Pringle 24, Rosario’s jumper. There was no looking back from Romeo 24, Yeo 14, Semerad 9, Jensen there for the Tropang Texters as they 8, Mamaril 6, Kramer 5, Maierhofer coasted in the second half and took care 4, Washington 2, Isip 0, Paniamogan of their lead before securing the victory. 0, Pena 0, Uyloan 0, Sumang 0. Quarters: 15-22, 53-44, 83-69, 107-96 Talk ‘N Text missed the services of

Renolds storms to to lead with a 66 TURN TO A13

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 19, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS Renewables hike power rates PSe comPoSite index Closing December 18, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,867.07 38.63

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 18, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.340

46.20

47.00

HIGH P47.340 LOW P47.490 AVERAGE P47.435 VOLUME 650.800M

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

oPriceS il P

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER rates will increase by more than P0.10 per kilowatt-hour next year once National Transmission Corp. is allowed to accommodate the feed-in tariff granted to renewable sources of energy. Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Jose Vicente Salazar told reporters it recently made permanent the P0.0406 per kWh feed-in tariff allowance for 2015. The next step is for TransCo to petition for the 2016 feed-in tariff allowance and have it approved by the energy regulator. The feed-in tariff allowance is the per kWh uniform rate charged to consumers as incentive payment to renewable energy projects as required by the Renewable Energy Law of 2008. It is a line item in the bill of power consumers similar to

the universal charge. “We approved finally the P0.04 but we also know that there is subsequent [application]. What we want is for them to update it, forecast it based on the renewable energy capacities coming in,” Salazar said. “We encourage them to file immediately so we can update,” he said. Government sources said TransCo was set to file a feedin tariff allowance of more than P0.10 per kWh, which would be reflected in the bills of consumers starting next year. Another source said TransCo was set to

file for the higher feed-in tariff allowance next week. The ERC provisionally approved in November last year the P0.0406 per kWh FIT-All that was only implemented in January this year. TransCo operated the country’s transmission highway until it was transferred to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in 2010 following the signing of a concession agreement. TransCo now monitors National Grid’s compliance to the concession agreement. TransCo collects the feedin tariff allowance and uses it to pay the feed in tariff rates of the renewable energy projects, specifically run-of-river hydro (P5.90 per kWh); biomass (P6.63 per kWh ); wind (P8.53 per kWh), wind2 (P7.90 per kWh); solar1 (P9.68 per kWh) and solar2 (P8.89 per kWh). The ERC in November approved a feed-in tariff rate of P7.40 per kilowatt-hour for new

wind power projects with a combined capacity of 400 megawatts. The new rate, which will be applied to new wind power projects, is lower by P1.13 per kWh than the P8.53 per kWh enjoyed by the first batch of wind projects and the P7.93 per kWh rate endorsed by the National Renewable Energy Board. “We already approved wind FIT2 of P7.40 [per kWh] during our Oct. 6 commission meeting. It’s still being routed to the members of the commission for our signature,” Salazar earlier said. Salazar said the NREB applied for a feed-in tariff rate of P7.93 per kWh. ERC earlier approved a feedin tariff rate of P8.53 per kWh for the first 200 MW of wind projects that qualified under the first wave of installation targets. The Energy Department then increased the installation target to 400 MW, amid strong investor interest.

today

P25.03-P28.48 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, December 18, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.3050

Japan

Yen

0.008151

0.3856

Pound

1.489400

70.4561

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129002

6.1024

Switzerland

Franc

1.003714

47.4807

Canada

Dollar

0.716640

33.9007

Singapore

Dollar

0.704871

33.3439

Australia

Dollar

0.711491

33.6571

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

125.4775

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

12.6153

Brunei

Dollar

0.702395

33.2268

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027724

1.3115

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.8812

Euro

1.082200

51.1935

Korea

Won

0.000842

0.0398

China

Yuan

0.154233

7.2960

India

Rupee

0.015082

0.7135

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.231750

10.9629

New Zealand

Dollar

0.669882

31.6888

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030322

1.4344

Airline sharing deal. Philippine Airlines president Jaime J. Bautista (seated right) and China Airlines Chairman Sun Huang-hsiang (seated left) sign a codeshare agreement that results to 21 weekly flights between Manila and Taipei. Witnessing the agreement signing at the PAL executive offices in Pasay City are PAL and CAL executives. PAL has teamed up with China Airlines to offer codeshare services between Manila and Taipei. The two carriers will share operating three daily flights between the two cities.

Source: PDS Bridge

Govt delays bidding of P122-b Laguna dike project to March By Darwin G. Amojelar THE government has deferred the schedule of bid submission for the P122.8-billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike Project to March 2015, according to the Public Works Department. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the bid submission was moved to March 14 next year from Jan. 7, 2016 to accommo-

date the request of the bidders. This was the third time the agency extended the bid submission deadline. The last one was deferred to Nov. 6 from July 6. Under the original schedule, pre-qualified bidders had until July 6 to submit their technical and financial proposals. Technical proposals will be evaluated between July 7 and 26, while the financial proposals will be

examined between July 27 and Aug. 10. The Public Works Department planned to award the project on Aug. 21 and sign the concession agreement on Sept. 20. The three prospective bidders were San Miguel Holdings Corp., Alloy Pavi Harshen LLEDP Consortium and Team Trident. Team Trident is composed of Trident Infrastructure and Devel-

opment Corp., Ayala Land Inc., Megaworld Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. The Alloy-Pavi Hanshin LLEDP Consortium consists of Malaysia’s Alloy MTD Capital Berhad, Prime Asset Ventures Inc. and Hanshin Engineering Construction. The LLED Project is the largest PPP venture so far, involving the construction of a flood control

dike, an expressway on top of it, and the reclamation of over 700 hectares of land for commercial development. The LLED concession will last 37 years, including seven years for design and construction and 30 years for operation and maintenance. It will be financed mainly by private capital with no government subsidy, except for right-ofway costs.

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 19, 2015

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, december 18, 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 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 1.99 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.48

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.15 2.81 46.15 45.5 104.50 101.60 83.75 82.90 38 37.1 1.32 1.25 15 14.98 18.4 18.1 7.03 7.02 1.79 1.7 0.550 0.510 80.8 79.15 0.94 0.94 16.70 16.40 50.50 49.90 289 284 32.95 31.9 140.9 136 1450.00 1450.00 57.00 56.00 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 40.5 40.6 40 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.71 4.7 4.57 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.72 0.72 0.72 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.41 1.45 1.4 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.3 10.4 10.3 15.32 Century Food 16.78 16.78 16.6 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.5 20.4 20.3 29.15 Concepcion 44.5 43 43 1.5 Crown Asia 2.29 2.3 2.25 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.65 1.65 1.58 10.72 Del Monte 12.82 13.5 12.84 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 9.400 9.4 8.950 9.04 Emperador 8.90 9.00 8.81 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 6.21 6.21 6.01 8.86 EEI 5.21 5.25 5.18 20.2 First Gen Corp. 22.5 22.7 22.1 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 66 67.8 66.15 13.86 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.52 12.38 12.30 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.50 14.50 14.20 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.8 5.8 5.76 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.350 2.900 2.330 210.60 207.00 211.20 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. LBC Express 12.2 12.2 12.1 34.1 Liberty Flour 30.00 31.00 26.35 2.3 LMG Chemicals 1.8 1.8 1.8 33 Macay Holdings 40.90 41.35 37.00 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.9 24.75 23.95 17.3 Maxs Group 20 20 19.78 5.88 Megawide 5.87 5.99 5.61 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 319.00 319.00 315.20 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.94 3.94 3.92 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.00 7.06 6.97 3 Phil H2O 3 2.59 2.59 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.32 11.60 11.20 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.76 3.80 3.76 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.61 1.59 1.56 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.3 2.29 2.2 4.02 RFM Corporation 3.99 4.00 3.96 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.4 2.5 2.5 5.9 Roxas Holdings 4.55 4.55 4.55 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 121 122 121 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.54 2.53 2.47 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.144 0.146 0.144 1.02 TKC Steel Corp. 1.07 1.07 1.07 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.19 2.18 2.15 152 Universal Robina 180 183.9 179 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.53 4.72 4.53 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.59 0.6 0.59 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.08 1.10 1.08 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.385 0.390 0.380 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.9500 57.2500 56.0000 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 16.40 16.26 16.04 1.6 Anglo Holdings A 1.10 1.17 1.17 6.62 Anscor À’ 6.30 6.40 6.40 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.219 0.220 0.220 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 759 757 739 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.9 7.9 7.83 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.48 13.80 13.26 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.88 5.88 5.51 1.15 F&J Prince ‘B’ 6 5.53 5.53 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.10 4.15 4.15 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.230 0.230 0.228 837 GT Capital 1261 1262 1220 IPM Holdings 9.95 9.96 9.30 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 71.15 72.00 69.00 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 6.8 6.85 6.61 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.72 0.71 0.7 12 LT Group 14.4 14.42 14.26 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings À’ 0.49 0.45 0.45 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.33 5.4 5.28 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0310 0.0310 0.0300 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.290 1.290 1.290 0.550 Prime Orion 1.880 1.880 1.840 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 46.00 47.10 44.60 751 SM Investments Inc. 850.00 845.00 813.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.15 1.14 1.14 80 Top Frontier 69.900 70.000 69.900 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2850 0.2850 0.2750 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1960 0.2150 0.1950 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.250 0.245 0.240 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.000 7.000 6.990 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.84 0.84 0.82 0.192 Arthaland Corp. 0.208 0.208 0.208 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 34.900 34.950 33.850 3.36 Belle Corp. À’ 3.03 3.03 2.94 4.96 Cebu Holdings 5.15 5.15 4.82 0.79 Century Property 0.56 0.56 0.55 0.97 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.08 1.080 1.050 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

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

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

SHARES 14,130,800 86,456,704 95,750,317 122,563,603 119,869,301 407,927,535 848,263,730

2.89 46.15 104.50 84.00 37.9 1.34 14.7 18.4 7.50 1.8 0.530 80.95 0.94 16.70 50.40 289 32.95 138.3 1455.00 56.80

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.95 45.6 103.00 82.95 37.1 1.32 14.98 18.3 7.02 1.7 0.540 79.5 0.94 16.70 49.90 284 32.85 137 1450.00 56.95

2.08 -1.19 -1.44 -1.25 -2.11 -1.49 1.90 -0.54 -6.40 -5.56 1.89 -1.79 0.00 0.00 -0.99 -1.73 -0.30 -0.94 -0.34 0.26

172,000 6,000 2,895,420 1,306,670 74,500 256,000 2,200 221,800 1,700 42,780 366,000 741,520 100,000 33,700 133,330 4,720 181,900 204,010 5 7,155,020

40.5 4.7 0.72 1.4 10.3 16.62 20.3 43 2.28 1.61 12.84 9.150 8.81 6.20 5.23 22.2 66.25 12.30 14.20 5.8 2.740 210.60 12.1 26.35 1.8 41.35 23.95 19.8 5.99 317.00 3.92 7.00 2.59 11.50 3.80 1.56 2.29 3.96 2.5 4.55 122 2.47 0.144 1.07 2.15 183.9 4.72 0.6 1.10

0.00 -0.21 0.00 -0.71 0.00 -0.95 -0.98 -3.37 -0.44 -2.42 0.16 -2.66 -1.01 -0.16 0.38 -1.33 0.38 6.77 -2.07 0.00 16.60 -0.28 -0.82 -12.17 0.00 1.10 -3.82 -1.00 2.04 -0.63 -0.51 0.00 -13.67 1.59 1.06 -3.11 -0.43 -0.75 4.17 0.00 0.83 -2.76 0.00 0.00 -1.83 2.17 4.19 1.69 1.85

2,418,500 722,000 193,000 119,000 200 470,200 77,100 90,500 336,000 872,000 687,900 8,089,700 322,700 21,145,200 236,500 1,828,100 281,330 300 40,200 5,700 34,947,000 471,200 104,200 1,000 15,000 2,000 3,400,500 460,700 110,800 182,970 35,000 1,490,200 1,000 18,500 32,000 223,000 213,000 659,000 1,000 2,000 4,500 482,000 2,340,000 2,000 238,000 1,984,990 86,000 429,000 112,000

0.380 56.8500 16.26 1.17 6.40 0.220 747.5 7.85 13.80 5.75 5.53 4.15 0.230 1262 9.91 72.00 6.61 0.71 14.4 0.45 5.33 0.0310 1.290 1.880 47.10 845.00 1.14 69.900 0.2800 0.1950 0.240

-1.30 -0.18 -0.85 6.36 1.59 0.46 -1.52 -0.63 2.37 -2.21 -7.83 1.22 0.00 0.08 -0.40 1.19 -2.79 -1.39 0.00 -8.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.39 -0.59 -0.87 0.00 -1.75 -0.51 -4.00

70,000 2,397,980 4,499,100 1,000 36,100 130,000 212,080 6,277,200 6,256,800 111,500 1,000 3,000 20,000 153,315 912,700 2,583,450 2,657,300 2,000 1,875,800 10,000 36,778,000 24,800,000 1,000 1,320,000 216,600 278,020 10,000 4,210 3,670,000 30,000 280,000

7.000 0.83 0.208 34.550 2.94 5.15 0.56 1.05

0.00 -1.19 0.00 -1.00 -2.97 0.00 0.00 -2.78

511,300 615,000 10,000 15,329,900 3,035,000 900 423,000 11,000

48,710.00 64,540.00 69,486,763 -13,648,312.00 -1,821,190.00 -5,434.00 1,560.00 -264,896.50 -4,062,425.00 2,648,180 17,374,304.00 -12,277,821.00 -23,784,050.00 -720.00 1,635,304.00 101,750.00 -4,300 456,330.00 1,796,818.00 33,239,314.00 -1,756,511.00 -10,715,430.00 663,389.00 -23,101,490.00 -4,809,555.50 -143,450.00 -8,120.00 -209,170.00 6,164,212.00

-30,424,295.00 -3,052,028.00 598,812.00 -32,182,332.00 62,700.00 6,604,613.00 -6,744.00 93,040.00 31,280.00 -1,714,750.00 -9,100.00 -524,600.00 12,350.00 103,200.00 133,295,510.00 0.00 7,700.00 -32,226,612.50 5,632,414.00

-11,889,750.00 25,682,423.00 1,152,862.00

-5,388,230.00 83,859,729.00 -440,953.00 4,672,354.00 30,218,157.00

-475,480.00 -18,413,750.00 -244,893.00

22,390.00 -2,080.00 -77,390,050.00 -2,928,750.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 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. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

70 553 525 118 120 8.21 12.28

33 490 500 101 101.5 5.88 6.5

1047

1011

84.8

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen F First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

3.5

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

VALUE 944,875,898.42 1,227,492,500.13 1,451,367,335.162 1,698,967,707.54 1,075,563,003.951 142,776,992.44 6,552,167,425.642

FINANCIAL 1,526.64 (DOWN) 21.32 INDUSTRIAL 10,865.49 (UP) 5.50 HOLDING FIRMS 6,493.82 (DOWN) 11.79 PROPERTY 2,925.10 (DOWN) 43.85 SERVICES 1,510.39 (DOWN) 9.43 MINING & OIL 10,240.91 (DOWN) 247.29 PSEI 6,867.07 (DOWN) 38.63 All Shares Index 3,940.88 (DOWN) 23.44 Gainers: 55; Losers: 121; Unchanged: 37; Total: 213

0.121 0.450 25.35 0.820 0.156 1.03 1.82 4.33 0.077 0.4050 8.6 27.25 1.41 3.14 22.50 0.74 7 0.870 5.130

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.122 0.121 0.122 0.450 0.445 0.445 25.3 24.25 24.25 0.820 0.820 0.820 0.157 0.157 0.157 1.05 1.00 1.05 1.85 1.82 1.84 4.3 4.24 4.29 0.078 0.077 0.077 0.4500 0.4350 0.4500 8.63 8.55 8.55 27.85 26.15 27.50 1.41 1.4 1.4 3.21 3.21 3.21 22.45 21.75 21.80 0.74 0.72 0.74 6.8 6.8 6.8 0.900 0.860 0.900 5.170 4.950 5.090 SERVICES 7 7.14 7 7.1 63.4 63.9 62.5 63.5 1.15 1.14 1.14 1.14 0.490 0.490 0.485 0.490 11.78 11.76 11.76 11.76 25.5 24.75 24.75 24.75 4.57 4.54 4.44 4.44 0.0430 0.0420 0.0410 0.0410 3.3 3.47 3.21 3.21 81.5 82 79.5 80 4.95 5.12 4.95 5.05 956 956 956 956 1870 1890 1824 1890 6.97 7.00 6.80 6.84 1.21 1.25 1.22 1.22 68.95 69.85 68.05 68.95 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.156 0.155 0.154 0.154 1.3700 1.3900 1.3800 1.3800 1.95 2.5 2.1 2.37 7.99 7.97 7.95 7.95 4.34 4.37 4.28 4.35 2.45 2.41 2.29 2.32 3.78 3.78 3.73 3.73 0.275 0.270 0.265 0.265 0.860 0.900 0.840 0.840 18.48 18.46 18 18.46 2.65 2.7 2.7 2.7 102.50 101.10 101.10 101.10 21.15 21.15 21.05 21.15 2042.00 2038.00 2000.00 2024.00 0.480 0.480 0.465 0.475 0.700 0.700 0.670 0.680 34.25 34.40 34.00 34.20 62.70 64.00 61.20 62.00 6.10 6.10 5.88 5.92 3.66 3.67 3.52 3.52 0.455 0.450 0.440 0.440 3.55 3.6 3.51 3.59 0.320 0.330 0.310 0.310 4.200 4.200 4.110 4.110 MINING & OIL 0.0049 0.0049 0.0048 0.0048 1.80 1.95 1.83 1.83 4.15 4.16 4.08 4.08 5.7000 5.7 5.5 5.5000 0.64 0.63 0.6 0.61 0.58 0.59 0.55 0.58 7.20 7.52 7.10 7.18 0.7 0.72 0.69 0.69 0.285 0.285 0.280 0.280 0.179 0.179 0.168 0.168 0.197 0.197 0.187 0.187 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 2.09 2.13 2.1 2.1 6.34 6.3 6.23 6.24 2.79 2.82 2.79 2.8 1.2700 1.2700 1.2700 1.2700 3.52 3.55 3.50 3.50 4.65 4.650 4.44 4.44 1.32 1.330 1.29 1.29 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 135.50 134.90 133.00 133.40 2.15 2.18 2.09 2.09 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 0.0070 PREFERRED 64.5 66.5 64.85 65.05 516 525 525 525 510.5 511.5 511 511 119.8 117.2 117.2 117.2 119 118 108 118 7 6.46 6.46 6.46 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 1065 1067 1065 1065 1025 1028 1016 1028 100 104.5 103 103.9 100 106.9 103.5 105.7 83 82.95 81.65 81.65 78 78.4 78 78.4 78.6 78.55 78.55 78.55 80 79.1 78.5 78.6 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.620 2.600 2.500 2.530 SME 3.2 3.19 3.16 3.16 2.57 2.58 2.57 2.57 3.17 3.22 3.07 3.1 15.78 15.82 15.2 15.48 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112.7 112.7 111.4 112.3

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

0.83 -1.11 -4.34 0.00 0.64 1.94 1.10 -0.92 0.00 11.11 -0.58 0.92 -0.71 2.23 -3.11 0.00 -2.86 3.45 -0.78

500,000 2,840,000 2,772,500 89,000 170,000 660,000 18,685,000 23,351,000 2,960,000 280,000 47,800 4,311,500 26,000 1,000 31,229,100 411,000 300 383,000 10,633,400

1.43 0.16 -0.87 0.00 -0.17 -2.94 -2.84 -4.65 -2.73 -1.84 2.02 0.00 1.07 -1.87 0.83 0.00 0.00 -1.28 0.73 21.54 -0.50 0.23 -5.31 -1.32 -3.64 -2.33 -0.11 1.89 -1.37 0.00 -0.88 -1.04 -2.86 -0.15 -1.12 -2.95 -3.83 -3.30 1.13 -3.13 -2.14

14,400 5,590 1,000 120,000 1,110,900 4,150,000 1,295,000 -467,980.00 9,900,000 8,400.00 2,133,000 1,325,460 -37,494,438.50 92,000 30 -9,560.00 125,085,860 51,500 100,000 67,100.00 1,489,370 -4,985,511.50 3,600,000 530,000 -26,200.00 43,000 967,000 31,000 15,934.00 330,000 30,230.00 8,829,000 1,649,940.00 3,227,000 3,762,100.00 490,000 18,868,000 293,000.00 500 1,000 1,030 56,616.00 52,000 535,095.00 181,795 16,474,740.00 480,000 49,346,000 1,060,450.00 813,100 16,797,515.00 1,477,220 -29,108,456.50 800,500 121,200.00 4,027,000 -3,619,340.00 2,650,000 44,500.00 602,000 -659,190.00 310,000 37,000

-2.04 1.67 -1.69 -3.51 -4.69 0.00 -0.28 -1.43 -1.75 -6.15 -5.08 -9.09 0.00 0.48 -1.58 0.36 0.00 -0.57 -4.52 -2.27 -8.33 -1.55 -2.79 0.00

227,000,000 329,000 605,000 11,000 1,792,000 1,300,000 600 71,717,000 20,000 9,190,000 3,020,000 72,000,000 9,000,000 3,500 1,808,300 263,000 10,000 14,000 916,000 134,000 5,100,000 494,530 152,000 3,000,000

0.85 1.74 0.10 -2.17 -0.84 -7.71 0.00 0.00 0.29 3.90 5.70 -1.63 0.51 -0.06 -1.75

184,170 2,000 400 50 43,410 1,000 19,000 500 8,305 8,305 8,305 4,000 1,490 30 67,700

-3.44

16,000

-1.25 0.00 -2.21 -1.90

30,000 10,000 1,131,000 380,200

-22,352.00

-0.35

14,270

-113,304.00

4,450.00 27,352,065.00 1,010.00 8,748,630.00 -19,300,020.00

18,023,390.00 -47,269,400.00 1,360.00 3,480.00 -16,198,411.00

-1,689,100.00 -55,120.00

-576,660.00 120,170.00

-297,352.00

-3,267,780.00 -37,228,851.00 4,280.00 21,000.00 4,918,034.50

21,470.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Jackstones

2.37

21.54

Phil H2O

2.59

Ionics Inc

2.740

16.60

Liberty Flour

26.35

-13.67 -12.17

Phil. Realty `A'

0.4500

11.11

Manila Mining `A'

0.0100

-9.09

Ginebra San Miguel Inc.

12.30

6.77

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0110

-8.33

Anglo Holdings A

1.17

6.36

Mabuhay Holdings `A'

0.45

-8.16

PNX PREF 3A

105.7

5.70

F&J Prince 'B'

5.53

-7.83

Victorias Milling

4.72

4.19

GMA Holdings Inc.

6.46

-7.71

Roxas and Co.

2.5

4.17

Filipino Fund Inc.

7.02

-6.40

PNX PREF 3A

103.9

3.90

Lepanto `A'

0.168

-6.15

Suntrust Home Dev. Inc.

0.900

3.45

I-Remit Inc.

1.7

-5.56

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 19, 2015

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

SEC approves P3.5-b offering of Phoenix By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the application of independent oil player Phoenix Petroleum Corp. to sell P3.5 billion worth of short-term commercial papers. Documents filed with the SEC showed that Phoenix would use the proceeds from the fund raising activity to finance the importation of fuels and lubricants in the first quarter of 2016. This is the company’s third fund raising activity this year. The oil company raised P1.5 billion from the issuance of STPC, which was listed with

Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. in March. The company also generated P2 billion in fresh funds from the issuance of preferred shares this week. The 20 million perpetual preferred shares were offered in two series, of which 12.5 million were under Series A and 7.5 million under Series B. The oil company was able to raise P2 billion from the follow-on offering. “I would like to congratulate Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. on its follow-on offering. The proceeds of this fund raising activity will support Phoenix Petroleum in its aggressive expansion program that includes the construction of additional retail stations nationwide and storage facilities in Cebu and General Santos,” said PSE chairman Jose Pardo during the bellringing ceremony. Phoenix Petroleum is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and

storage facilities , shipping, logistics and allied activities. It mainly sells refined petroleum products through its network of 443 operating retail service stations as of end June 2015, carrying the “Phoenix Fuels Life” brand name. The company also provides storage space for the Jet A-1 fuel supply of Cebu Pacific Airline for its Cebu, Kalibo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, General Santos, Zamboanga City, Pagadian City, Butuan and Ozamis City flights. Phoenix registered a net income of P727.4 million in the first nine months, up 53 percent from P474.8 million recorded in the same period a year ago. Nine-month revenues, however, declined by 16.7 percent to P22.4 billion from P26.8 billion a year earlier. The company managed to reduce its expenses to P21.7 billion, down 17.8 percent from P26.4 billion in 2014.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. holds a bell ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange to mark the listing of its Series 3A and 3B preferred shares. The oil company raised P2 billion from the follow-on offering. Shown are (from left) Phoenix Petroleum chairman Domingo Uy, Phoenix Petroleum president and chief executive Dennis Uy, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, PSE director Ma. Vivian Yuchengco, PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran and PSE director Alejandro Yu.

Market retreats; Globe, URC rise STOCKS retreated Friday, after a two-day rally boosted by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike, as the rout in oil prices returned to center stage. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, lost 38 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 6,867.07, bringing its total drop to 5 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 23 points, or 0.6 percent, to settle at 3,940.88, on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Six of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by food manufacturer Universal Robina Corp., which climbed 2.2 percent to P183.90. Parent company JG Summit Holdings Inc. rose 1.2 percent to P72. Globe Telecom Inc. gained 1.1 percent to P1,890, while developer Robinsons Land Corp. added 0.9 percent to close at P27.50. Union Bank of the Philippines rose 0.3 percent to P56.95. Conglomerate GT Capital Holdings Inc. inched up 0.1 percent to P1,262. Exchanges from New York and Sao Paolo to London and Tokyo cheered the Fed’s widely-expected decision Wednesday to lift borrowing costs for the first time in almost a decade, which was taken as a sign of its confidence in the world’s top economy. However, while European equities extended their advance on Thursday, Wall Street’s three main markets were dragged down by energy firms as oil prices tanked again on weak demand, a torpid global economy and a strengthening dollar. Some of the names in the energy sector tumbled in US trade, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, copper and gold producer FreeportMcMoRan, and mining equipment maker Caterpillar. Those losses were mirrored in Asia, with Sydney-listed Rio Tinto down three percent and BHP Billiton falling 2.4 percent, while Hong Kong-listed PetroChina shed 2.3 percent and CNOOC gave up two percent. Inpex sank 1.7 percent in Tokyo. With AFP, Bloomberg

IBM teaming up with Ionics to develop cloud-based apps By Jenniffer B. Austria TECHNOLOGY giant IBM has teamed up with local electronics manufacturing service provider Ionics Inc. to build a platform for various cloud-based apps. Ionics Inc. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange unit IonicsEMS sealed a partnership with IBM to develop Internet of thingsbased ‘smart factory’ capability. Under the partnership, Ionics EMS will work with IBM to build

a platform for the development of cloud-based apps for clients on Bluemix via the IBM Internet of Things Foundation. “The renewed collaboration between Ionics-EMS and IBM on cloud, mobile and big data analytics marks the next generation of long standing relationship between the two companies. Together, we will bring IoT solutions to mutual customers. The Smart Factory would be a game- changer,” said

Lawrence Qua, chairman and chief executive of Ionics-EMS. With access to services and APIs or ‘application program interface’ from across the tech industry – such as services for medical, social, mobile, security and the IoT – Bluemix can easily extend an Internet-connected device such as a sensor or controller into the cloud, build an application alongside the device to collect the data and send real-time insights. “The dramatic increase of

connected devices provides organizations the ability to gather near real-time data and extract new insights that weren’t possible until now,” IBM Philippines president and country general manager Luis Pineda said. “This is driving a major shift in the electronics industry allowing manufacturers to focus on delivering a more compelling experience to the consumer. Our relationship with Ionics-EMS is a significant step in this direction as we help bring innovation

to the manufacturing industry,” Pineda said. With Ionics-EMS’ strong expertise in hardware design and rapid scalable manufacturing of four decades, the partnership will enable manufacturing clients to develop applications for predictive analytics and draw on data from the IoT to enhance various areas such as asset performance management, operational risk management, and predictive maintenance.

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 19, 2015

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

IN BRIEF Helios power line HELIOS Solar Energy Corp., formerly known as Phil-Power Solar Energy Corp., has sought the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission to develop a point-to-point transmission line for its 132.5-megawatt solar power plant in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental province. Helios Solar, in a petition with the Energy Regulatory Commission, said the company decided to pursue the solar project, set to be operational next month, to boost power supplly in the Visayas grid. The company said it received the conﬁrmation of commerciality for the project from the Energy Department on June 11, 2015. “To test, commission and dispatch its generating facility soon after completion, PPSEC [now Helios] proposes to connect the project to the transmission system of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines through a dedicated pointto-point limited interconnection facility,” it said. The company has secured relevant permits on the project and the transmission line including a resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental. Alena Mae S. Flores

More Etihad flights ETIHAD Airways said on Friday it will expand its operation in the Philippines by adding three new weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Manila starting May next year. “The Abu Dhabi-Manila route is one of our strongest in terms of demand and has been capacity-constrained over the past few years,” Etihad Airways president and chief executive James Hogan said. “The new services will increase capacity between the two cities by almost 2,500 seats per week enabling Etihad Airways to better serve the market in the UAE and the Philippines for pointto-point travel,” he said. The enhanced flight schedule also provides seamless connectivity over the Abu Dhabi hub and 1,085 weekly connections to 58 destinations on the airline’s global network. It includes connections to Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh which are in the top 10 destinations for travelers to and from the Philippines. Hogan said the extra capacity would enable Etihad Airways and partner airlines in Europe to expand the business and leisure travel market. Darwin G. Amojelar

Montero controversy MITSUBISHI Motor Philippines Corp. said Friday it is looking forward to an expeditious and speedy resolution of the complaints of alleged “sudden unintended acceleration” filed against Montero Sport A/T units. “We want it done really fast. The earlier it is resolved, the better for everyone so that each party can move on and focus on what’s ahead for the new year,” first vice president and corporate secretary Dante Santos said Friday. He reiterated the company had been suggesting to hire a third party expert since the issue has come out in the open. “We firmly believe that a technical finding is the best reference. It is given already that the Trade Department will hire the third party expert, but if they want us to recommend one, we will recommend,” said Santos. The company expects sales of Montero units to drop significantly due to the consumer complaints but plans to reverse the trend with the introduction of the new Montero model in 2016. Santos said the ongoing case would not stop the company from introducing the new Montero. Othel V. Campos

$2-b BoP surplus THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept the balance of payments surplus assumption of $2 billion made in May this year due to an expected lower current account surplus. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a brieﬁng Friday current account—one of the major components of the balance of payments—would remain in surplus but lower at $8.9 billion, a far cry from the earlier assumption of $14.2 billion. “Export growth is seen to contract by 4 percent in 2015, instead of growing by 5 percent according to the earlier assumption made in May,” Guinigundo said. Guinigundo also cited the impact of El Niño dry spell to the agricultural sector, decline in metal prices in the world market and the less optimistic outlook in the export industry. The gross international reserves at the end of the year are anticipated to be at around $80.7 billion, an improvement from $79.5 billion in 2014. Julito G. Rada

Tech startups. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (center) leads a roundtable discussion with tech startups on December 9, 2015 at the Industry and Investments Building in Makati City during a roundtable discussion with tech startups on December 9, 2015 at the Industry and Investments Building in Makati City. With him are (from left) Sector Planning Bureau director Maria Lourdes Yaptinchay, Ideaspace Foundation executive director Diane Angela Eustaquio, Board of Investments supervising director Ma. Corazon Dichosa, Trade consultant Joan Cybil Yao, Ideaspace Foundation associate director for growth and strategy Katrina Rausa Chan, Kalibrr president Paul Rivera, FutureNow Ventures managing partner John Orrock, FutureNow Ventures head of strategic operations Arvin Rafol, Kickstart Ventures co-founder Christian Besler, Uber Philippines country manager Laurence Cua, AVA.ph president Wilfred Oliver Segovia and Xurpas, Inc. president Nico Jose Nolledo

Vehicle sales to grow at slower pace in ’16 By Othel V. Campos

VEHICLE sales in the Philippines will likely grow at a slower pace of 10 percent to 352,000 units in 2016 after expanding 18 percent to an estimated 320,000 units in 2015. “That is our initial target. It is possible we will revise that by mid-year,” said Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. president Rommel Gutierrez told reporters in an interview Friday. Truck Manufacturers Association president Dante Santos said “other markets that have been growing in the past eight years have already plateaued, ours is just starting.” Major car companies in the Philippines will introduce new models in 2016 to drive sales and reach the industry target.

“10 percent [growth] is okay, then when start to review figures in June to determine either we underestimate or overestimate our growth forecast,” said Santos. Both associations said sales would rise steeply in the first two quarters, as since the election season required more transportation logistics, and stabilize in the last two quarters. The automotive industry will have to contend with a new government as the nation elects a new president in May 2016. Each new president is expected come up with a mid-year development plan that will be matched with different industry roadmap. Automotive sales in 2014 totaled 270,000. The groups are optimistic the industry will reach the revised forecast sales of 320,000 units in 2015. Sales of micro or small cars are expected to contribute heavily to the growth for the current year and until 2016.

Both groups said the niche for small cars was growing fast more of the youth and women opt for the kind of vehicle. Vehicle sales jumped 29 percent to a record 28,667 units in October from 22,278 units sold a year ago. Campi and TMA earlier reported in a joint report sales in October also topped September’s record sales of 27,045 units by 5.9 percent. The latest figure brought total vehicle sales in the first 10 months to 234,951 units, or 22 percent higher than 192,005 units sold in the same period in 2014. “The progress of the economy bodes well for the auto industry. More people can now purchase cars and with relative ease,” said Gutierrez earlier. “With attractive financing options coupled with new model introductions to match customer needs, cars are definitely appealing to new buyers. We are confident to meet our forecast for 2015,” he said.

Katigbak is new ABS-CBN president as Concio retires By Darwin G. Amojelar A FORMER executive of SkyCable Corp. was appointed as the new president of ABS-CBN Corp. effective January 2016. ABS-CBN said it appointed Carlo L. Katigbak as new president and chief executive starting next year, replacing Charo-Santos Concio. Concio, who will retire effective at the end of December will continue to serve the company as chief content officer, president of ABS-CBN University and executive adviser to the chairman. Eugenio Lopez III remains the chairman of the board of ABS-CBN. Katigbak has 20 years of com-

bined experience in financial management and business operations, corporate planning and general management. Prior to his appointment as chief operating officer of ABSCBN in March 2015, Katigbak was the head of Access. He helped pave the company’s forays into promising technologies and ventures and managed the operations of Sky Cable, ABS-CBNmobile and ABS-CBN TVplus. He began his career at Sky in 1994, handling various key positions which culminated with his appointment as VP for provincial operations of Sky in 1998. Katigbak was then assigned to establish the Internet busi-

ness of ABS-CBN in 1999. He served as mkanaging director of ABS-CBN Interactive, which ventured into online and mobile

businesses. He returned to Sky Cable and served as its COO from 2005 to 2012, and then its president in 2013. Under his leadership, Sky launched the Digibox, which eventually reduced the number of illegal connections and allowed customers greater flexibility in customizing their subscriptions. Sky also re-launched its broadband products, which are now the fastest growing segment of its business. Katigbak completed an Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School in 2009. He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Management.

S at u r d ay : d e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

ceSar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Opening night. Rob Barger (center) poses with coplayers from The Twin Suns Star Wars Club (from left) Dan Glitch, Tiffany Dykstra, James Nocie and Mary Nocie with BB-8 (front left) and R2-D2 robots on the opening night of Walt Disney Pictures And Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at the Brenden Theaters inside Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

US brings Syria plan to UN Pakistan’s war on terror is failing, activists claim

NEW YORK—Senior international envoys began gathering in New York on Thursday to seek UN backing for an ambitious US and Russian plan to seek a negotiated ceasefire in Syria’s brutal civil war.

ISLAMABAD—Worshipers at the infamous Red Mosque in the Pakistani capital Islamabad still gather in their hundreds for Friday prayers, but the fiery sermons calling for Sharia law led by hard-line cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz are now a thing of the past. The preacher, who once led a week-long armed conflict against Pakistan’s army and has repeatedly called for the overthrow of the government, has now been muzzled by authorities -- though technically he remains a free man and a revered figure among the Taliban. It is this duality where hardened resolve against groups such as the Taliban is blunted by a willingness to tolerate and even fan the flames of extremism still bubbling beneath society’s sur-

US Secretary of State John Kerry has already traveled to Moscow this week to assure Bashar al-Assad’s key Russian ally that Washington is not seeking “regime change” in Syria. On Thursday, Kerry met Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir at a New York hotel to reassure Assad’s most implacable foe that the United States is not going soft on the Syrian strongman. Kerry’s high-stakes diplomatic balancing act aims to keep both Moscow and Riyadh on board as the 17-nation International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) struggles to cobble together peace talks. Washington and UN Syrian envoy Staffan de Mistura want Assad’s regime and the armed groups ranged against him to send delegates to peace talks

face that activists say sums up the country’s more than decadelong battle against a homegrown Islamist insurgency. Official and public opinion was galvanised against the Pakistani Taliban in the wake of a massacre at a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in December 2014 that left more than 150 dead mainly children. It was at the dun-colored mosque at the center of Pakistan’s leafy capital that Muhammad Jibran Nasir, a 28-year-old lawyer, organized a demonstration in the wake of Aziz’s refusal to condemn the attack. That protest, which called for the cleric’s arrest for inciting hate speech, snowballed into a nationwide movement among marginalized urban liberals who rallied to “Reclaim Pakistan” from the clutches of Islamist violence. AFP

some time on or after January 1. If a ceasefire can be reached in Syria’s four-and-a-half-yearold civil war, then Syrian troops, Russia and a US-led coalition can focus their fire on the hard-line jihadist Islamic State group. Under a deal struck last month in Vienna, government and rebel negotiators would have six months to form a transitional government and 18 months to organize national elections. But several questions still hang over the process. Will Assad and his foreign backers Russia and Iran agree to sit down with rebel groups they routinely denounce as “terrorists”? And, will the rebels and their foreign backers countenance talks with a regime that has slaughtered thousands of its own citizens with barrel bombs and

poison gas? On Friday, international envoys including in particular Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov want to hear from Saudi Arabia how its efforts to mediate a rebel coalition are progressing. US State Department spokesman John Kirby said Jordan would give an update on its role in the process drawing up a list of which “terrorist” groups should be blacklisted from talks. Even if a ceasefire is possible, who would monitor it? And who would lead the fight against the IS group and others, such as AlQaeda’s Al-Nusra Front, left outside the peace process? To address these and other questions, the International Syrian Support Group will meet at US invitation on Friday morning at a New York hotel to try to narrow their disagreements. Diplomats will then travel the short distance to the United Nations to seek, and likely obtain, approval of the UN Security Council for the process. AFP

Ivory haul seized in Vietnam, Thailand HANOI—Nearly three tons of ivory have been seized in Vietnam and Thailand, officials said Friday, highlighting the still thriving black market trade for illegal animal parts in southeast Asia. Vietnamese officials said 2.2 tonnes of tusks, originating from Mozambique, had been discovered on Thursday buried among sacks of beans, a customs official from northern Hai Phong port told AFP, asking not to be named. In Thailand, wildlife officials displayed more than 700 kilograms of ivory items that were

seized last week on the island of Koh Samui. A customs official told AFP the tusks were found in a cargo container that was marked as carrying hair wigs, adding the shipment had been sent from Singapore and was on its way to Laos. Tusks and other body parts of elephants are prized for decoration as talismans and for use in traditional medicine across parts of Asia, with China being a major market for such products. The international trade in ivory, with rare exceptions, has

been outlawed since 1989 following the drop in the population of African elephants from millions in the mid-20th century to just 600,000 by the end of the 1980s. But that has not stopped criminal gangs seeking to exploit the continued demand for the material in Asia. Vietnam outlawed the ivory trade in 1992, but shops can still sell ivory dating from before the ban. Police have made frequent, hefty seizures of dozens of tonnes of tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales this year. AFP

Trevi in colors. People look at the the 18th-century Baroque-style

fountain of Trevi lighted with colors as part of Rome’s candidacy for the 2024 Olympic Games. AFP

s at u r d ay : d e c e m b e r 1 9, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Global coal consumption falls SINGAPORE—Global coal consumption has declined for the first time in this century thanks largely to China’s economic restructuring, but usage will continue to grow in India and Southeast Asia, the IEA said Friday. The Paris-based International Energy Agency said in a report issued in Singapore that the growth in world coal demand halted in 2014 for the first time since the 1990s. China accounts for half of the global coal usage. “Given the economic re-balancing in China and ongoing structural decline in OECD countries, even with the continuation of growth in India and ASEAN countries, a downward trend in global coal consumption in 2015 is likely,” it said.

Global coal demand fell 0.9 percent from 7,991 million tons in 2013 to 7,920 million tonnes in 2014, the IEA said. Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, said that apart from the economic restructuring in China, the government’s policies to “address environmental challenges” will have an effect on coal consumption in the world’s second largest economy. “The Chinese economy is going through a restructuring from a heavy industry based economy

such as iron, steel, cement and manufacturing to [a] lighter one,” he said in Singapore. “Efficiency measures put in by the Chinese government [are] now bearing fruit.” The Chinese capital Beijing was hit this month by bouts of severe smog. The chronic pollution is blamed in large measure on the burning of coal for electricity and heating, particularly when demand peaks in winter. The IEA, lowering its world demand forecast through 2020 by over 500 million tons of coal-equivalent, said that that “the golden age of coal in China seems to be over”. But India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are “remaining centers of significant coal growth,” the report said. Those markets saw demand in-

crease by 112 million tonnes in 2014 —which compares with a falloff in coal demand in the highly-developed Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development area of 47 million tonnes. “The Indian government has ambitious plans to provide full electricity access to the 240 million people still without it and to expand the manufacturing sector, where coal is the lowest-cost base load option,” the report said. Key Asean countries Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are in a similar position, with coal investments driven by the need for energy access and poverty reduction, it said. The IEA report was completed before the post-2020 Paris agreement to fight global warming was forged on December 13. AFP

Demonstration. Drivers working for the car service company Uber, known as VTC drivers in France, take part in a demonstration at the Roissy-Charlesde-Gaulle airport in Roissy-en-France outside Paris. AFP

Stiff fines introduced to tame the streets MEXICO CITY—An ID, proof of address and $40 is all you need to get a driver’s license and navigate the concrete jungle of Mexico City. Who needs a road test anyway? It can take as little as half an hour to walk out of a city government office with a license and join the mess of seven million drivers in the metropolis of 21 million people. Residents of the megacapital have not needed to pass a driver’s exam since 2003, but that is about to change as the city government, fed up with the rampant traffic accidents, is cracking down on bad driving. New traffic rules with heavier fines came into force on Tuesday, and officials plan to restore the driver’s test next year. The rules seek to protect pedestrians and cyclists in a city where the mayhem has prompted citizens to take to the streets dressed as superheroes or wrestlers to teach drivers to be more civil. Between two to three people die each day in traffic accidents, according to figures from Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera’s office. “Whoever drives in Mexico City can drive anywhere in the world,” claims a local saying, though pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers who face near accidents and annoying honking each day would beg to differ. “Most of us learn as we go, some more than others,” said Maria Teresa Ramirez, a 67-year-old government worker who stood in line this week to renew her license. AFP

French, Hungarian films Oscar favorites LOS ANGELES—France’s “Mustang” and Hungary’s “Son of Saul” are among nine films that have made it onto a shortlist in the contest for the foreign-language Oscar, Academy Awards organizers said late Thursday. The nine films seven of them from Europe, one from Colombia and one from Jordan were selected from 81 submissions. “Mustang” is the first feature film by FrancoTurkish director Deniz Gamze Erguven. Focused on five sisters living in a village in northern Turkey who are kept at home by their family when they are deemed too rebellious, it was screened at the Director’s Fortnight at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and has received international critical acclaim. It is the first time in decades that France is being represented by a non French-language film. The last time was in 1960, when its Portuguese-language submission, “Black Orpheus,” won the Oscar. France last won

an Oscar in 1993 with “Indochine,” starring Catherine Deneuve. The harrowing Holocaust drama “Son of Saul”, which offers unflinching depictions of the gas chambers of Auschwitz, claimed the runner-up Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Hungarian director Laszlo Nemes has been widely acclaimed for taking audiences into a Nazi concentration camp and showing the Holocaust in a different way. Others in the running are Belgium’s “The Brand New Testament,” Colombia’s “Embrace of the Serpent” and Denmark’s “A War.” Finland’s “The Fencer” also made the cut, as well as Germany’s “Labyrinth of Lies,” Ireland’s “Viva” and Jordan’s “Theeb.” The shortlist will now be whittled down to five finalists who will be announced together with all other Oscar nominations on January 14. The 88th Academy Awards will take place in Hollywood on February 28. AFP

Launch. Indian Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor poses during the launch of the trailer of the forthcoming biopic ‘Neerja’ in Mumbai on December 17, 2015. The film tells the story of stewardess Neerja Bhanot who was killed while protecting passengers on the hijacked aircraft Pan Am 73 in 1986. AFP

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

PROPERTY jdlacsamana@gmail.com

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

Hotel branded residences market tops p158 b

outheast Asia’s hotel residences real estate market topped the P749 billion level in 2015, and is still rising. Contributing to the regional push is the marriage between international hospitality brands and Filipino property developers, which has P158 billion in properties for sale. C9 Hotelworks, an Asia-based hospitality consulting group, said there are currently over 28,000 hotel branded residential units for sale across seven SEA nations represented by nearly 120 projects. In the Philippines the market-size is reflected in a supply of over 11,000 residential units. The top two locations in the country for hotel residences are Metro Manila, followed by Boracay.

more mixed use projects A key catalyst for the rising tide has been an increasing number of mixed use projects that contain hotel and real estate components. Recognized hotel brands are being tapped to help engineer-pricing premiums for property sales, which in market-wide terms has equated to an upside of 26% in resort locations and 14% for urban products compared to independent projects. In Metro Manila the Shangri-La Group has a long history of quality real estate driven developments, new projects such as the Raffles Residences and more recently Grand Hyatt Residences have demonstrated strong sale pace and high-pricing points. Broader upscale and midscale offerings are now creating

blue sky real estate. Philippine property cycles have typically seen investment-driven projects like hotel-branded residences shoot to the top of markets in the mid 1990’s, and again in the mid-millennium. History is now repeating itself, but at a higher scale.

a wider presence such as the Citadines tie-up at CDD Millennium Ortigas and the investment-driven yields from hotel rentals at Hotel 101, and Lancaster the Atrium. “The historic pattern of hotel and real estate marriages has moved away from the beach and leisure destinations and is gaining traction in urban city offerings.” observed C9’s managing director Bill Barnett. Rapidly escalating land prices are driving developers to embrace mixed-use projects in increasing numbers, and often add in commercial, sporting and tourism

looking for breaktHrougHs. The Ascott Limited, which manages Citadines Salcedo Makati, is an advocate of green living, adopting a global campaign “Go Green @Ascott.” The company is constantly on the lookout for breakthroughs in green technology and practices.

Citadines salCedo Makati snags green CertifiCation

he Ascott Limited’s Citadines Salcedo Makati was recently awarded the Green Mark award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA). The property underwent BCA’s assessment, which is focused on the building’s sustainable design, construction, and operational practices aimed at reducing the impacts of the building on the environment over the entire building life cycle. Citadines Salcedo Makati is the first serviced residence in the Philippines to be BCA Green Mark certified. The BCA Green Mark evaluates buildings to shape a more environmentally friendly and sustainable built environment. The buildings are assessed based on energy and water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality, and green & innovative features that contribute to enhanced building performance.

The Ascott Limited has been a strong advocate of green living, adopting a global campaign “Go Green @Ascott.” With the vision of being the leading Green serviced residence company, Ascott is constantly on the lookout for breakthroughs in green technology and practices. Citadines Salcedo Makati incorporated energy-and water-saving features throughout the property to help reduce carbon footprint. The building was built to conform to global environmental specifications by using energy-efficient lighting, which makes use of LED lights that burn less energy. Apartment toilets feature water-saving fittings such as dual flush toilet cisterns to cut down on water consumption. Citadines Salcedo Makati is managed by The Ascott Limited, a member of CapitaLand.

attractions as part of broader lifestyle offerings. Century Properties has been a large proponent of this trend embracing not only hotel brands with their recent Novotel Suites affiliation with the French hospitality group ACCOR but also tapping into designer and celebrity brands ranging from Trump, to Philippe Starck, Armani and even Paris Hilton. interesting partnersHip Global hotel chains, according to the report, are partnering with property developers in hotel residence offerings to spur further growth. Key

groups in the sector include Louvre, Singapore’s Banyan Tree, Starwood, Shangri-La and Ritz-Carlton. Boutique chains such as Alila have also successfully gained profile with high value partnerships. A growing number of new projects coming into the Philippines will include hotel brand alliances. One key project of this type is AppleOne Properties signing with global Starwood group for a new Sheraton in Cebu. The report forecasted that a large push into resort properties will occur in the next two to three years in the sector.

Hubs for communities. Vista Land is moving into mall development in Luzon and Mindanao, and is targeting 20 malls to be built nationwide in 2016. Vista Malls can go trendy, laid-back, be an entertainment hub, a backyard community center, be sports and activity-centered, or a creativity haven. All are carefully designed complexes that are tailor-fit for the communities in the various Vista Land developments. “We focus on the communities we cater to,” said Camille Villar, managing director of Vista Land. “We don’t aim to offer everything, but we take great effort to understand our communities and give them what they need. Vista Land has built over 30 master-planned communities all over the Philippines in the past 40 years. Currently being built or redeveloped are community retail centers of six Vista Group projects in Pampanga, Antipolo, Cagayan de Oro, Makati, Sucat, and Vista City.

Homeowners’ Haven. Rockwell Primaries recently launched its first high-rise development at the heart of Pasig City, The Vantage at Kapitolyo. Set to open in 2020, the Vantage allows residents to enjoy the comforts of their personal space with the added benefit of accessibility to key leisure and retail establishments in and around the area. The development is located in the middle of major CBDs and business centers. “Kapitolyo is a very promising location and we know that we can provide a safe haven for those who want to live in a secure and safe home,” said Malou Pineda, senior vice president, Rockwell Primaries Development Corporation. Rockwell Primaries is the newest subsidiary of Rockwell Land.

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9, 2 0 1 5

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

Big ticket developments kicked off in 2015, sparking a burgeoning construction boom that is expected to spill over the next three years.

toP Real estate news in 2015

hilippine real estate reached the top of the business news totem pole in 2015. A smooth ride it was not, as the industry went through bouts of optimistic growth, and a smattering of not-so-positive issues that sent everyone involved in the real estate business in a tizzy. But these happenings helped shape the local real estate scene to what it is now, and gives us an indication of what’s in store for 2016. To refresh your memory, MyProperty.ph offers a look back at ten of the biggest real estate-related news of the year.

with the launch of several bigticket developments this year. The San Fernando township project by Megaworld, will incorporate a cyberpark to accommodate the city’s growing BPO sector. Century Properties’ Azure North is the brand’s addition to their line of resort-inspired developments. Filinvest Land will be working alongside the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to develop the 288-hectare Clark Green City, designed to be the country’s first-ever smart, green, and disaster-resilient metropolis.

Real estate monitoRing The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is preparing to launch a residential real estate price index (RRPI) that aims to track property prices in Metro Manila, as well as nearby provinces. According to the BSP, the RRPI, which will include information on costs of construction materials and types of houses being built, will help determine the formation of a housing bubble so that preventive actions can be taken.

sm gRouP wins big at PhiliPPines PRoPeRty awaRds 2015 This year’s Philippines Property Award saw the SM Group bring home several recognitions, including the most-coveted “Best Developer” for SM Prime Holdings. SM Prime was also awarded “Best Retail Development” and “Best Retal Architecture” for SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall. SM Development Corporation (SMDC) bagged the “Best Landscape Architectural Design” for Shell Residences, “Best Affordable Condo Development (Metro Manila) award for Mezza II Residences, and several “Highly Commended” certificates for various categories.

townshiPs on the Rise The year 2015 saw the rise of townships all over the country by different property giants. Megaworld Corp. alone launched five townships this year: Sta. Barbara Heights (Sta. Barbara, Iloilo), The Upper East and Northill Gateway (both in Bacolod, Negros Occidental), Westside City (Bay City, Parañaque), and a still-unnamed township in San Fernando, Pampanga. Ayala Land added two townships to their growing portfolio: Cloverleaf in Balintawak, Quezon City; and Capitol Central in Bacolod. Meanwhile, Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. is ramping up the development of Vista City, a 1,500-hectare “communicity” located at the boundaries of Cavite, Laguna, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa; and SM Prime is continuing to expand the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay. PamPanga boom Pampanga is experiencing a gradual rise in real estate activity

muntinluPa–Cavite exPRessway (mCx) oPens The viability of southern Luzon as an investment destination was boosted recently with the launch of the Muntinlupa–Cavite Expressway (MCX), a 4-kilometer, 4-lane toll road that connects Bacoor, Cavite, to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). According to the Department of Public Works and Highways, the MCX will cut travel time between southern Metro Manila and Cavite by an average of 45 minutes, providing quick and easy access to the major real estate developments in the Cavite, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa area. loweR Pag-ibig housing Rates Aspiring homeowners received good news when the Pag-IBIG Fund announced that they will be charging lower interest rates for

housing loans. On June 1, 2015, Pag-IBIG began implementing a 6.5% interest for loans with a 3-year fixed period. The following rates were implemented alongside their corresponding fixed-term periods: 7.270% for 5 years, 8.035% for 10 years, 8.585% for 15 years, 8.8% for 20 years, 9.05% for 25 years, and 10% for 30 years. tighteR standaRds in bank loans In the second quarter of 2015, banks continued to implement stricter lending standards in terms of loans granted to property developers. According to the results of the second quarter 2015 Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey, there was a net tightening of overall credit standards for commercial real estate loans that was attributed to “perceived stricter oversight of banks’ real estate exposure along with banks’ reduced tolerance for risk.” seCond stab at bRokeR exam For aspiring real estate brokers, the May 24, 2015, licensure exam would have been their last chance to earn their license even without earning a real estate management degree, which meant bad news for non-passers. But the Professional Regulation Commission – Board of Real Estate Service (PRBRES) announced that it will give non-passers a second chance by offering another brokers’ exam on February 28, 2016. The move was done “to show that our industry and the real estate service profession is a very robust profession, that we want everybody to be on board,” said PRBRES Chairman Eduardo G. Ong, disasteRs that Call foR Change As news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal back in April resonated across the world, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) revealed that a greatly damaging 7.2-magnitude earthquake caused by the West Valley Fault can potentially occur in Metro Manila

Townships were the order of the day, not just in Metro Manila, but in key regional hubs as well.

in our lifetime. PHIVOLCS warned homeowners of the importance of choosing a home built away from fault lines, and one that’s disasterresilient at that. Meanwhile, worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila seem to have hit an all-time high this year, leading netizens to choose the area as the city with the worst traffic conditions in a survey conducted by navigation app Waze. As the Metro Manila Development Authority asks the public to brace itself for another 15 years of road gridlock, several possible solutions are raised, such as moving to homes closer to work to eliminate the need for commuting or driving and better project planning to avoid adding to traffic in highly congested areas. the toRRe de manila Case No condominium made more headlines this year (albeit, for adverse reasons) than DMCI Homes’ Torre de Manila, a residential condo rising 49 stories along Taft Avenue. In 2014, a petition was filed by the Order of the Knights of Rizal asking the Supreme Court to halt the construction of Torre de Manila as it is said to taint the iconic sightline of Luneta Park’s Rizal Monument. A temporary restraining order was issued by the Supreme Court in June 2015 to halt the project’s construction, although a final decision on whether to demolish the tower or allow DMCI Homes to complete it has yet to be reached.

leak solutions. Living in the Philippines, which goes through months of monsoon every year, means long days of rain. The smartest way to protect your house is to apply sealants to repair cracks and leaks. But most consumers have different standards of quality when it comes to sealants. Since they discover leaks only when they’ve started already, they think the quick drying variant is the most effective. It is not. The sealant that easily dries up and hardens like cement has a tendency to crack because it becomes brittle. Sure Seal’s “iwas crack” comes in handy. It is an all purpose “elastomeric sealant”, which has “iwas crack” technology. This slow-curing sealant is transformed into a tough, rubber-like gasket which offers reasonable motion, contraction and expansion, without cracking, or losing adhesion.

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9 : 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

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

The cool but cozy interiors of Planet Grapes at EDSA Shangri-La is the perfect backdrop for friends to enjoy 'wine without the drama'

ENJOY A WINE CHRISTMAS AT PLANET GRAPES

dmit it – whether with family, friends or colleagues, a party will not be as lively or merry without good wine to wash down all those delectable Filipino food with. Since the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate, Millennials will enjoy “wine without the drama” at Planet Grapes, a bar and restaurant that showcases enjoyable, affordable wines and street food pairings in a cool and cozy setting. Planets Grapes’ no-nonsense approach to wine enjoyment provides a refreshing twist for budding wine drinkers for the young and not-so-young. This December, you and your friends deserve to treat yourselves well without having to break the bank. That’s why Planet Grapes is pulling out all the stops to make the season memorable with Christmas buffet offerings, special gifts, deals on enomatic machines for tasting and awesome holiday food pairings. If you’re the type who enjoys red wines, get a bottle and try it with the Planet Grapes super sisig, which has the perfect amount of spice to set off the flavors in wine. Or perhaps the chicken inasal, expertly marinated in delicious homemade sauce, and tenderloin salpicao that’s cooked to perfection. For those who prefer white wine, Filipino classics on the appetizer menu are perfect – siu mai, squid balls and chicharon with tinapa dip

The longganisa paella with a twist

Featured wines for the special Christmas package offerings include Napa Cellars Zinfandel from Napa Valley, California; Intrepid Pinot Gris from Malborough, New Zealand; Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa; and Jean Baptiste Riesling from Germany

that make for great finger food and small bites. Those who wish to bring back flavors from their childhood can also go for stir-fried pancit while the shrimp gambas provide a touch of class with a delightful burst of flavor. Dishes exclusively offered in Planet Grapes’ Christmas package include the longganisa paella, the arroz negra paella, kilawin spoons and crispy pork tofu with sour glaze. A meal will not really be complete without that sweet treat. Try the turon trilogy with three different flavors (it would be fun guessing which ingredients have been used), a choco collision that will leave your lips messy but with cravings satisfied, or a crème brulee sampler that has something for everyone. Since it is Christmas, Planet Grapes is happy to provide complimentary appetizers of choice when you order a bottle of any of the featured wines. The wide selection of wines also make for great gift ideas – but it wouldn’t hurt to try out a bottle yourself first before deciding on what to give your family or friends. Wines, after all, are perfect gifts for people who already have everything. Better yet, let them have a great wine tasting experience!

While some of your friends may already have expansive wine cellars, they will still appreciate their very own wine tasting card and all the privileges that go with it. A P1,000 pre-loaded wine tasting card (which may be had for only P900) entitles card holders to select any of the wines from the enomatic machines that allow wine to be dispensed at whatever size preferred – whether a sip, half glass or full glass. The pre-loaded wine tasting card is the perfect gift for wine beginners, for anyone who wants to explore the world of wine more extensively, or for the adventurous sort who is always ready to try new things. Here are a few things your friends and family could do with the P1,000 card and have a free reign of Planet Grape’s wine by the glass selection: • Have a few glasses and catch up with old school friends. • Enjoy a glass or two over dinner with a special someone. • Treat themselves to a relaxing evening and enjoy their own company with their favorite wine. • Try all of the wines in the wine dispensing machine and decide which one they like best.

Gift your friends with their very own Wine Tasting Card that will allow them to explore the world of wine more extensively

• Take a mid-day break with a glass of wine before returning to shopping, exploring, or whatever else they have planned that day.

If you plan on throwing a small party, the mezzanine would be perfect – especially since Planet Grapes will give three bottles of wine for free to keep the celebration going. For those who wish to give all their friends and colleagues a great “wine Christmas” experience, they can reserve the entire Planet Grapes store for their revelry – and get an entire case of wine (12 bottles) completely free. Remember: You have until January 15, 2016 to make your reservations and claim your gift. Find the wines you love, one grape at a time with flexible options to different serving sizes of wine. For more information, email info@planetgrapes.com.ph or visit www.planetgrapes.com.ph.

Planet Grapes wine offerings are perfect for classic street food favorites

Planet Grapes is located at Tuscany in McKinley Hill (551-3713), the New Wing of Ayala Center Cebu (032-2660526 or 032-262-0515), Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong (531-8207 or 532-2950) and River Park, Alabang (831-9438 or 831-9439).

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Swimming and Water Sports

@LIFEatStandard

Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Lounging at Ibiza Beach Club

PLAN A WELL-DESERVED HOLIDAY AT MÖVENPICK HOTEL MACTAN ISLAND CEBU

raffic has gone worse due to the Christmas season and the thought of vacation is very comforting. Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is giving you that much needed R&R this season. Book all throughout December and on select dates until February 2016 and get special deals for your getaway. Get dining and wellness privileges with your overnight accommodation for as low as P6,500. “Our five-star destination in Cebu welcomes visitors to a picturesque view of the beach and lush greenery,” shares Harold Rainfroy, the hotel’s general manager. “Here, one can experience barefoot elegance, whilst relaxing with a drink in hand and toes in the sand. Fresh, trendy and inviting, the hotel offers a myriad of choices from accommodation, leisure activities, entertainment and culinary delights.” From water adventures to outdoor activities, there’s a lot of fun moments awaiting your stay. For visitors with kids, the hotel prepared arts and crafts activities and group exercises for the little ones by the beach garden. For indoor activities, the game area might be the perfect boredom buster complete with a pool table, chess board, an Xbox and foosball set. From 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the hotel added a special treat for guests – get free chocolate treats at the lobby lounge during Chocolate Hour. “We’re down to the last stretch this year and friends and families are most likely planning their holidays now,” says Casey Faylona, director of Sales and Marketing. “For this season, we’ve come up with a discounted room package with more value add-ons, so guests can make the most of their Cebu sojourn.”

Churrasco

Welcome Drinks

Guests Enjoying Tapas at Ibiza Beach Club Indoor

Kids Activity

The room special is packaged with breakfast for two adults and two children from 11 years old and below, and it comes with it a slew of complimentary add ons that is the best part of the rate as it includes a complimentary 30-minute facial care and a 30 percent discount on all treatments, including hand and foot relaxation packages at Spa del Mar, a 15

Outdoor activities for family and kids

percent discount on all water sporting activities (except for the jet ski), a 10 percent discount at The Lobby and The Forum, and a complimentary glass of red or white Manny O. wine for each diner during lunch or dinner buffet at The Sails restaurant or Ibiza Beach Club. So, still stuck in traffic now? Think about this deal and talk it over with your loved ones.

A vacay away from the city might be the best Christmas gift you can give yourself and your family. Booking period is from today until 25 October 2016. Schedule your next holiday now through hotel.cebu@moevenpick.com or call +63 32 492 7777. For updates follow Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu, or hit them up at @movenpickcebu on Instagram and @moevenpickcebu on Twitter.

FEED THE DREAMS OF FILIPINO YOUTH WITH KFC

ccording to World Food Programme (WFP), the Philippines still has a food deficit and is made worse by the combined effects of natural and manmade disasters that our country is faced with almost every month – earthquakes, typhoons and armed conflict. At the request of the Philippine government, WFP established its presence in our country in 2006 with focus on increasing long-

term food and nutrition security as well as preparing communities for calamities and manmade disasters. WFP has partnered with KFC Philippines for the ongoing Add Hope project, a fund-raising initiative to help combat hunger and undernutrition. Since 2007, the partnership has fed 100,000 children to date. Your purchase at KFC will support the program by simply telling the cashier that you wish to Add

Hope of P1 or more to your meal. You may also check this when you call for delivery or when you place your order at kfcdelivery.com.ph. KFC Philippines and WFP are inviting you to join them in rebuilding the lives of those in conflict-affected communities through WFP’s school- feeding programs in various public elementary schools. To learn more about the program, visit AddHope.com.ph today.

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Troye Sivan is a reflection of the zeitgeist THE GIST

BY ED BIADO Can we talk about Troye Sivan for just a little while? If you are not familiar with that name, you’re not alone. Troye is a 20-yearold singer from Australia who released his debut album, Blue Neighbourhood, just this month. You might recognize him as the young Wolverine in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie from 2009. Or maybe not. He’s not exactly famous yet – so you’re excused for not knowing who he is – but he’s quite popular with the young crowd. With 3.75 million subscribers to his personal YouTube channel and almost 900,000 to his Vevo channel, Troye is an Internet celebrity who publishes video blogs. He released his first major-label extended play (third overall), TRXYE, in 2014. The set’s single, the electropop

gem “Happy Little Pill,” introduced Troye to an international audience. Early-adopting youth all over the world, including here at home, fell in love with him in no time. The clip for the song has since been viewed more than 21 million times on YouTube. Troye is an inspiration, not only because he is a brilliant singer and songwriter, but also because he’s gay. Reportedly, he came out to his family in 2010 and three years later, publicly through YouTube. In his own words, as quoted by guardian. com, “I came into the professional music industry as an out person.” He didn’t enter the industry masquerading as straight, nor did he ever evade the topic, answer questions in riddles and resort to mere allusions. Like Sam Smith, who has never shied away from conversations or interviews about his sexuality, Troye comes from the new school of self-branding: that of honesty and staying true to oneself. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that the likes of Lance Bass and Clay Aiken, who both came out later on in their respective careers, have been initially deceptive. It was a different time back then and they had to act out the role of straight

heartthrobs (or at least, remain ambiguous) in order to survive in the cutthroat entertainment business (at least, according to their managers and record labels). What’s inspiring about Troye is that, at age 20, he is intelligently using his celebrity to talk about LGBT issues. In a recent YouTube post sponsored by condommaker Durex, he discussed HIV/ AIDS and cleared up many of the misconceptions about the virus and condition, including the one about AIDS being the “gay cancer,” for the benefit of his viewers, most of whom are presumably young and in need of guidance on such topics. He also released a music video trilogy – for the songs “Wild,” “Fools” and “Talk Me Down” – telling the story of two boys who progress from being childhood friends to teenage lovers, only to be tragically broken up by family issues and hiding one’s sexuality. It’s the exact same situation that a lot of LGBT youth went through in decades past, and probably not too different from what today’s LGBT teens are experiencing. To see this kind of narrative in music videos by a young artist is telling – that someone has the balls to do it; that in some places in the world, like Australia, music executives are progressive enough to gamble on such a divisive concept; but most importantly, that there are artists who are willing and eager to send a clear message this early in their careers. But what’s more telling is the success of the effort. As of this writing, the three-month-old clip for “Wild” has just a little under 10 million views on YouTube. “Fools,”

Talk Me Down music video

uploaded two months ago, has 6.8 million and last month’s “Talk Me Down” has so far accumulated close to 5.7 million plays. These are huge numbers for a new artist. And it goes to show how Troye’s songs and music videos resonate with his large and still growing audience. There’s a certain “relatablility” and “believability” when you see such a story on the music video of a hot new young star and not on, say, someone like Elton John or on a movie. It makes the story more intimate, more personal, more honest and a lot less manufactured. Then, juxtapose the images with singalong-worthy lines like “You make my heart shake, bend and break / But I can’t turn away” (“Wild”); “Only fools fall for you / Only fools do what I do” (“Fools”);

and “I wanna sleep next to you / But that’s all I wanna do right now” (“Talk Me Down”), and you’ve got the perfect pop formula. No wonder that in its feature on the Blue Neighbourhood album, vice. com’s Nick Levine leads with the headline, “Troye Sivan Writes Hit Songs About Boys That Make Girls Scream,” calling him “an exciting and important new pop artist, one whose success completely decimates the theory that teenage girls don’t listen to music by gay – and therefore ‘unattainable’ – pop idols.” That loops us back to the fact that we’re clearly entering a new era – and it’s a glorious one. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @EdBiado

Make a child’s face light up this Christmas with SM’s Share a Toy campaign

C SM shoppers can play Santa to less fortunate kids by donating old or new toys at Share a Toy booths found at all SM Stores and Toy Kingdom until December 31, 2015

hristmas is the season of giving, when we share our blessings with our loved ones and our fellowmen, especially those who have less in life. Christmas is also a time of joy and celebration, and nowhere else can we see this in children whose eyes light up at receiving gifts – and it is this same spirit of giving that has moved The SM Store and Toy Kingdom, in partnership with SM Foundation and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to launch the Share a Toy campaign. A continuing initiative from the country’s biggest mall developer, the campaign encourages shoppers to spread the Christmas cheer by simply donating toys, old or new, for children in less fortunate communities. NGOs also collaborate in this campaign by identifying recipients of the donated toys.

The children of the EVRC Memorial School in Baliwag Bulacan were among the recipients of last year’s Share a Toy project

The Laura Vicuña Foundation was one of the first Share a Toy beneficiaries

SM shoppers can experience the spirit of gift giving by making Share a Toy a part of their Holiday activity every year

The warm smiles on these kids’ faces say it all

Lots of love from a kid recipient of the Laura Vicuña Foundation

Spreading the holiday cheer to less fortunate children through the Share a Toy campaign

Those who wish to take part in this noteworthy activity may visit any of the Share a Toy booths found at all SM Stores and Toy Kingdom branches to donate old or new toys until December 31, 2015. SM and Toy Kingdom are likewise sharing the joys of Christmas with big-hearted

shoppers, where every P500 single receipt purchase on regular priced toys for donation entitles them to a P50 off coupon valid until January 31, 2016. A maximum of 10 coupons will be given per transaction. This Christmas, make a child happy and support the Share a Toy campaign of SM.

S AT U R D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 9 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Ayala Malls Solenad offers 200 more retail and dining options with the opening of its largest wing, Solenad 3

NUVALI IS THE ‘PLACE TO BE’

Ayala Land’s eco-city unwraps more surprises this holiday season

uvali further proves its potential to be the country’s leading ecocommunity that meshes work, life and play as it recently opened the third wing of Ayala Malls Solenad. The latest addition to Ayala Land’s largest estate development brings with it a bigger retail and dining space and more brands to cater to Nuvali residents and visitors. “Solenad 3 is the biggest [among the three wings] and is a very big lead for Nuvali,” states Ayala Land, Inc. marketing manager Jennifer Chua. True enough, Solenad 3 is a spacious complex with five interconnected buildings spanning 40,000 sqm, bringing the total retail and dining space of Ayala Malls Solenad to over 50,000 sqm. The third wing will house around 200 additional shops and restaurants, an activity center and the first cinema in the area. Taking after the first two wings, Solenad 3 features a non-traditional mall architecture. “It’s very open and has a lot of greeneries because we made sure that we will not remove the whole landscape. We have a lot of trees, plants in place and two to three panels facing the mall which we call the green wall,” shares Ayala Malls Solenad general manager Angelita Eñanosa. Three of the five buildings utilizes open air—a move that follows the “open and fresh” advocacy Nuvali espouses. Together with the open areas, Eñanosa estimates that the whole Solenad takes about two hectares. Each building has its own concept and houses both international and local labels as well as other brands native to Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where part of the Nuvali estate is located. “Building A is where the department store will be,” begins Eñanosa. Standing threestory high, the air-conditioned building will be home to the Landmark Group. The ground floor will be the supermarket and the rest is the department store. Since Nuvali and the nearby Sta. Rosa area are popular for running and biking, Solenad allotted its Building B as the outdoor sports section. Together in the building are R.O.X., Bikes Per Minute, Gran Trail Cycles and other bike shops. On the second floor is Anytime Fitness Gym, a 24/7 fitness center. And taking half of the wing is Ansons by the Landmark Group. Sports and lifestyle brands Adidas, Nike and World Balance, among others, are located in Building E or the active lifestyle zone. The main children’s attraction of the

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

Nuvali provides bikes for rent and shuttle services for its residents, employees and visitors

The iconic 4-hectare lake of Nuvali provides a refreshing view for tired urban dwellers

complex, Kidzoona, takes up a big chunk of about 400-500 sqm of the building. The second level, on the other hand, will house a couple of gadgets and accessories retailers. Building D is dubbed as the family zone “because this is where our basic necessities are.” National Bookstore, Toys R Us, and popular dining establishments including Bon Chon, Classic Savory and Kenny Rogers are gathered in the building. Furniture Republic and Red Tag by Rustans, an outlet offering Rustans fashion and home items in discounted prices, are also located here. The most recently opened Building C houses global brands such as Uniqlo, Cotton On, Vans, Penguin, as well as local brands Bayo and Plains and Prints. The three-level building also features salons, barbershops, nail spas and body spas. On the top floor are the four cinemas—three of which are regular while the other one uses Dolby Atmos. Being the first mall to open a cinema in the area, Eñanosa proudly reports that in

the first two weeks of their opening, they have exceeded ticket sales of other cinemas in Metro Manila. Injecting local flavors, Solenad 3 also has House of Bawaii, Lucina Home (Sta. Rosa’s furniture and homeware shop), Rowena’s and Cafe Arabelle, among others. Other restaurants which were not available in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, such as Banapple, Mama Lou’s and Noona’s found their home at Solenad 3. According to Chua, as of now, only 69 percent of the total outlets are in full operation, but they are expecting all retailers and dining establishments to be opened in the 2nd quarter next year.

HOLIDAY AT NUVALI

With many attractions, Nuvali is a promising staycation destination this holiday season. And since it’s only a few minutes away (sans heavy traffic) from Metro Manila, it’s a perfect alternative for tired urban dwellers longing for fresh air.

Don’t forget your running shoes or bicycle as Nuvali has a wide space for runners and bikers. But if you prefer to go wet but not so wild, try the water taxi ride cruising around the eco-community’s iconic 4-hectare lake. For the more adventurous, head over to Republ1c Wakepark. Or enjoy quality time with Mother Nature at Nuvali’s Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. Christmas markets are held every weekend in Solenad. For those who are not yet done shopping, or prefer purchasing gifts and noche buena fares in bulk, there’s S&R Membership Shopping which opened in November. Young fans of Peppa Pig and her pals will be treated to a Peppa’s Christmas Surprise from December 18 to 20. For an educational day, discover the country’s diverse marine life through the traveling exhibit of Mind Museum at the Evoliving Center. After all the activities, recharge at the 150room Seda Nuvali located in the business district, a few steps away from office spaces and other attractions in the area. For the holidays, Seda offers a special promo dubbed “12 Days of Christmas” which combines a regular set menu and buffet. Chua says Nuvali receives an average of 55,000 visitors every weekend. And with the opening of Solenad 3, the cinemas and S&R, “we expect a spike of visitor volume as compared to the previous months.” But Ayala Land says they’re on top of this inevitable situation. “We have addressed it (visitor volume) by expanding our parking areas. We also provide bikes for rent and transportation options for residents, employees and visitors,” says Chua. Seda Hotel expansion, according to her, is also in the pipeline. For transients planning to visit Nuvali, Chua suggests to take the Silangan Exit which provides a more pleasant driving experience than going through Sta. Rosa Exit, which gets clogged by those going to Tagaytay.

COMPLETE LIVING

Aside from business and recreation developments, Nuvali is also home to 4,000 residents in four Ayala Land residential brands (Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida and Amaia). For parents looking for accessible schools, there are Xavier School and Miriam College. By the second quarter of 2016, Nuvali will see the opening of Qualimed Hospital. Moreover, in the coming years, more middensity developments are expected to rise. “With all of these in place, we can say Nuvali was once a place with promise and it’s now the place to be in the south,” enthuses Chua.

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 19, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Emory Cohen and Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn

SaoirSe ronan winS beSt actreSS H er first name is pronounced SIR-sha. Saoirse Ronan is currently making headlines after winning Best Actress in two of the recently concluded prestigious award giving bodies - the British Independent Film Awards and the New York Critics Film Awards for her starring role in the profoundly stirring movie Brooklyn. Currently a frontrunner in the upcoming 2016 Golden Globes for Best Actress in aMotion Picture, Drama for her role in the same film, Ronan, in her acceptance speech at the British Independent Film Awards, said, “I got an amazing role to play. I was given the opportunity to honor a journey and a story that’s very close to me.” Brooklyn is the story of Eilis Lacey (Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. Directed by John Crowley from a screenplay by Nick Hornby based

on the novel by Colm Tóibín, Brookly, at its heart, is an immigrant’s tale told in a voice that has rarely been heard. While there have been numerous stories of ambitious or desperate young men driven to seek their fortunes in America, the novel tells a different tale – one of a quiet, unassuming but luminous young woman called Eilis. Brooklyn required an actress who could authentically embody Eilis with her quietly biting humor, keen intelligence and unfolding desire. Like so many unsung American immigrants, Eilis arrives as a modest, if highly capable, lonely girl about to undergo a profound personal transformation. The filmmakers searched for an actress who would allow the audience into the world of a young woman coming into her own, with gentle wit and determination, as well as one who could understand Eilis’ longing for Ireland. That perfect fit was Saoirse Ronan. Born in New York to Irish parents and raised outside Dublin, Ronan first found acclaim in Joe Wright’s Atonment, garnering a Best Supporting Actress Oscar® nomination for her performance as Briony. She went on to starring roles in The Lovely Bones, Hanna, and most recently Wes Anderson’s Oscar winning The Grand Budapest Hotel, all by age 20.

Domnhall Gleesen and Ronan in a scene from Brooklyn

Ronan says she felt an immediate, almost uncanny, affinity for Eilis as soon as she read the script. “Nick Hornby isn’t from Ireland, yet he managed to completely capture the spirit of the country. The writing was so beautiful, and so beautifully subtle,” she comments. “It felt close to my heart because it was about my people. It was the journey that my parents went on back in the ‘80s; they moved to New York and went through all these same things, even though it was a different era. The biggest hurdle anyone goes through in life is leaving the security of your family and your friends behind for something new.” Eilis’ dizzying feeling of being split between two worlds hits especially close to home for Ronan. She continues, “I’m very Irish in some ways but I have an American sensibility as well, as I was born in New York. I think that made the story even more emotional for me, because I have such a strong connection to both of these places, much like Eilis. Everything that Eilis goes through was exactly what I was going though at that point in my life, and I’m still going through now. So emotionally, it was extremely close to me.” Brooklyn opens in cinemas in February 2016 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

TV5-QC CounTdown To 2016 iPHoto Quezon City will once again host the country’s biggest New Year countdown to welcome 2016. A line-up of TV5 celebrities will lead the celebrations starting 10:30 p.m. at the historic Quezon Memorial Circle. It culminates in a countdown and a grand

fireworks display. The show will be telecast live on TV5. Photo shows Mediaquest President and Chief Executive Officer Noel Lorenzana sealing the agreement with Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista to produce and air the 2016 New Year Countdown. Joining them are Mediaquest Chief Finance Officer Anna Bengzon (left) and Media5 President Jane Basas.

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 19, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

TV5’S “BiLang PiLiPinO” REaChES OUT

ilang Pilipino, TV5’s election coverage campaign, reaches out to thousands of young Filipinos via Bilang Pilipino Campus Series and its data driven, dynamic and very informative website bilangpilipino.com. Since today’s generation of voters are always mobile, one of the main highlights of TV5’s Bilang Pilipino election campaign is bilangpilipino. com – a go-to site for voters who want to know significant facts about the candidates which will not only assist them in making a wise and informed decision but will also give them a platform to be highly engaged in the 2016 national elections. With just a click away, bilangpilipino.com provides netizens a plethora of election content from credible sources such as leading newspapers, News5, Interaksyon and News5 Everywhere. The web-

site also contains detailed profile and background of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates called Candidata that highlights their personal information, political experience, advocacies, issues, accomplishments, net worth, family tree and even their benefactors. The website also has a feature called Hometown Votes, which contains data of how each city or province participated in the previous elections to see if the political landscape has changed or not in your hometown. With TV5’s thrust to inform, engage and empower the Filipino voters, providing credible and quality content is not limited with the website but it expands through Bilang Pilipino Campus Series that reaches out to the young voters by teaching them how to make an enlightened decision this

Christmas with ‘Disney On iCe’

Also, for the first time, watch your favorite Disney characters Anna and Elsa from the Academy Award® winning feature film Frozen, along with Disney princesses Ariel, Rapunzel and Belle. “This year’s Disney On Ice is truly magical with Disney properties that are packed with heart and personality. We have princesses that are exuberant and strong-willed, but we’ve also expanded the roles of spirited supporting characters, so that they’re more prominent in the show,” says producer Nicole Feld. Director Patty Vincent shares how everyone will be in awe as Ariel dangles 35-feet over the ice showing off her brand new legs.

A show filled with music, fun and adventure – Disney On Ice is back to give another riveting skating production this Christmas season! Sure to delight kids and young at heart, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival features a superstar cast with adventurous and comical segments from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Tangled, and Beauty and the Beast.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 41 42 43 45

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Type of interest 5 Peak 9 Ugh! 13 Kind of tradition 14 Sorrel or bay 15 Square 17 Lectern 18 Hot rum drink 19 Lying flat 20 Delinquent (2 wds.)

22 24 25 26 29 31 32 33 36 37 40

Major meals Watermelon leftover Most mellow A string of pearls Jaunty lid Hindu sage Type of dollar Layer Moppet Advisers Pooh’s pal

47 48 51 52 54 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Weathervane dir. Beavers’ young Select with a mouse Words to the audience Submarine Tarzan’s moniker Goes to the left Hodgepodge Spartan Stood petrified Much like Latin hymn word Is gloomy Young horse Shaving mishap Treetop refuge Whisper loudly Mild expletives

DOWN 1 Grease cutter 2 Funny Bombeck 3 Test tube locales 4 Freighter wreckage 5 Bickered 6 Prepared apples 7 — Zedong 8 MIT grad 9 Affluent one 10 Starry-eyed 11 Opted for 12 Small clues

Atty. Mel Sta. Maria (center) with Lia Cruz, TV5 officers and students of Emilio Aguinaldo College

coming elections. The campus tour kicked off on Nov.28 at Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) and was spearheaded by award-winning anchor, host of Politics for Beginners and dean of Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law Atty. Mel Sta. Maria and TV5 news correspondent Renzo Ongkiko. The two Kapatid personalities shared with the young voters “This is the first time that we’ve captured her transformation like this in a production. That’s what makes Magical Ice Festival different, we selected scenes we’ve never done before and then took our time on the details to make them truly special.” Also watch the grand flag routine and lantern launch as Maximus of Tangled trots front and center along with other cast members to greet Rapunzel and Flynn. Every aspect of Beauty and the Beast is exaggerated and over the top, enticing the crowd to follow along on the adventure. Gaston leads a giant mob of villagers with real fire torches to track down and “Kill the Beast,” the

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2015

16 21 23 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 34 35 38 39 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 55 56 57 60

Dennis, to Mr. Wilson Sturdy material Wrong move Droop-nosed fliers Pairs Give an evaluation Flat-topped hill Winged god Camelot lady Stuffed shirt Focal points Blouse part Barely scraping by Garbage haulers Durable Stuns Least loco Regular hangouts Kind of radio Madonna role Split to join Rains ice Per person Great Lake Road rally Cartoon shrieks Garden-pond fish

their knowledge and expertise on legal aspects of the elections and the peculiar setting of Philippine politics. The activity was well attended by highly involved students and faculty members of EAC who were very grateful for TV5’s visit to their campus. Certainly, Bilang Pilipino 2016 serves as an avenue to help every Filipino how to vote wisely and iconic red rose is oversized with petals that actually fall, and the castle set is whimsically shaped, giving it an animated feel. These set elements and more, including the stunning chandelier that lights up as it drops down in “Be Our Guest,” were created by scenic designer Walt Spangler who designed multiple pieces that sit on the ice to create a three dimensional set. “We were able to do this by designing an Austrian curtain that masks the background and can rise in sections by gathering fabric up from the bottom,” says Spangler. Also a highlight of the show is the grand flag routine and

to take the lead in fighting for a brighter tomorrow. Be wiser and know more about today’s candidates through Bilang Pilipino Campus Series and website bilangpilipino.com. Visit http://bilangpilipino.com/ or follow TV5’s Bilang Pilipino on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ BilangPilipino and Twitter https:// twitter.com/BilangPilipino. lantern launch as Maximus of Tangled trots front and center along with other cast members to greet Rapunzel and Flynn. The combination of the curtain and lighting design adds depth to the scene by multiplying the lanterns and making them appear off in the distance of the night sky. With so much talent, dazzling production pieces, and creative storytelling devices, Disney On Ice presents Magical Ice Festival will surely be a memorable event for everybody’s amusement! Watch it LIVE from Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, 2016 at the Big Dome. Order your tickets now via TicketNet online or call 9115555 for more details.

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 19, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

DonDon goes to great lengths for his Daughter from c8

Charo giving her opening address

Piolo and Karla Mosley presenting the Best Telenovela Category

Jana Agoncillo

ingning (Jana Agoncillo) admits being afraid to go blind. She tells her father Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio) after being diagnosed with aggressive corneal dystrophy by her doctor in the top-rating morning weekday Kapamilya teleserye. In a heart-to-heart father and daughter talk, Ningning tells Dondon she doesn’t want to go blind and lose her eyesight forever. Ningning’s admission of fear provokes a devastated Dondon to go above and beyond to find a cornea donor for his only child. But will Dondon’s efforts be successful? Will the spark in Ningning’s eyes eventually fade or will the threat of blindness be prevented? Don’t miss the exciting twists in Ningning, Monday to Friday before It’s Showtime on ABS-CBN. Ningning aims to teach Filipinos that life is beautiful despite of dark and difficult circumstances. HHHHH speeDing truck hits antonio in Doble kara. Antonio’s (Allan Dizon) life is in danger as his car collides with a truck in the afternoon teleserye Doble Kara. With the impact of the collision, Antonio’s head hits the dashboard after which he loses consciousness. Meanwhile, as Kara and Sara (Julia Montes) rush to the hospital, Lucille (Carmina Villaroel) immediately stops them and forces them to leave. Their confrontation intensifies with Lucille pushing Sara to the floor as she attempts to enter the room to see her father. What will Kara and Sara do to get Lucille out of their way? Can Antonio survive the impact of the accident? Don’t miss the thrilling episodes of Doble Kara, weekdays on ABS-CBN. For more information, visit Dreamscape Entertainment Television’s official social networking sites atFacebook.com/DreamscapePH, Twitter.com/DreamscapePH, and Instagram.com/DreamscapePH.

Jana Agoncillo and Ketchup Eusebio Julia Montes

Allan Dizon Carmina Villaroel

Charo, Piolo make FiliPinos Proud ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos - Concio said the Philippines may not yet be a major player in the world content market but many ABS-CBN shows have already been warmly welcomed in several territories, a proof that Filipino content is now thriving in a globalized environment. “We are grateful that through our content, we can show the world the real wealth of our country. These are our strong family values and our resilience as a people. We see no better way of achieving it than through television,” said Santos-Concio, who spoke as the Gala Chair of the 43rd International Emmy Awards held at Hilton Hotel New York last Monday. Santos-Concio, who delivered her speech before the world’s best producers, creative people, and talents, is the first Filipino Gala Chair invited to participate in the prestigious event, which she referred to as the “world’s most important annual television event.” According to the Kapamilya top executive, the International Emmy Awards does not only celebrate television excellence all over the globe, but also demonstrates the power of television as a medium of empathy, connection, and understanding among all peoples of the world. “The more we care, the less we fight. During dark days of terror, we come together in prayer. So, the world, far from falling part, is even inspired to unite,” she said. Santos-Concio, the first Filipino Gala Chair in the iEmmys, said when content producers begin to know and care about people and things, “we begin to care about other people’s quest for love, pursuit of dreams, cry for justice, celebration of triumph, and struggle for survival. Meanwhile, award-winning actor Piolo Pascual also had his shining moment when he presented the award for Best Telenovela alongside Karla Mosley of The Bold and the Beautiful. Before the awards proper, SantosConcio and Pascual graced the red carpet and granted media interviews.

Piolo and Charo

She looked elegant in her Cary Santiago terno gown, while Pascual looked dashing in a black suit. Santos-Concio’s and Pascual’s participation in the International Emmy Awards marks a new milestone in Philippine broadcasting history. It serves as an acknowledgment of how Filipino content can be at par with global standards. The International Emmy Awards recognize excellence in global television programming. This year, Special Awards were presented to Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of Downton Abbey (Founders Award) and Richard Plepler, Chairman and CEO of HBO (Directorate Award). Attending the event were actors Michael Douglas, Elizabeth McGovern of Downton Abbey, Tovah Feldshuh of The Walking Dead, Patina Miller of The Hunger Games, and Lea DeLaria of Orange is the New Black, who were among this year’s presenters. Over the years, ABS-CBN has also earned several International Emmy nominations for its shows and actors such as MMK (Best Drama Series, 2013), Jane Oineza for MMK (Best Actress, 2013), Precious Hearts Romances presents Impostor (Best Telenovela, 2011), Dahil May Isang Ikaw (Best Telenovela, 2010), Sid Lucero for Dahil May Isang Ikaw (Best Actor, 2010), “Kahit Isang Saglit” (Best Telenovela, 2009), and Angel Locsin for Lobo (Best Actress, 2009).

SAT URDAY : DECEMBER 19, 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Denise is the grand winner of Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 2

Denise and son

Denise Laurel as Beyonce Michael Pangilinan as Adam Levine

Sam Concepcion as Justin Bieber

Denise LaureL tops ‘Your Face sounDs FamiLiar’ season 2 ISAH V. RED

Melai Cantiveros

KZ as Lady Gaga

Actress Denise Laurel emerged as the grand winner of the second season of the top-rating competition on TV Your Face Sounds Familiar. She bested fellow finalists after scoring the highest percentage of text votes in the show’s final showdown on Dec 13. Denise, who garnered 27.51 percent of the text votes, transformed into pop diva Beyonce and sang “Love on Top” and “Crazy in Love” for her final performances. She took home P2 million, half

of which will be donated to her chosen charity, Caritas Manila. Dubbed the program’s Sultry Heiress, Denise beat cofinalists Kean Cipriano, KZ, Sam Concepcion, and Michael Pangilinan despite not having won any of the weekly competitions. “I never won, and every week my son would cry. But I wanted to show him hard work and perseverance, and that whatever happens, try and try until you die,” she said. Michael Pangilinan, meanwhile, copied rocker Adam Levine and came in second. Sam Concepcion, who donned his best impersonation of Justin Bieber, placed third. KZ, who impersonated Lady Gaga, and Kean Cipriano, who turned into

Sam as Justin Bieber, KZ as Lady Gaga, Denise as Beyonce, Kean as Ricky Martin, and Michael as Adam Levine

Ricky Martin, ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. The four got P200,000 each, half of which will also be given to their chosen charity. Meanwhile, on Sunday’s finale show, other celebrity performers Kakai Bautista, Eric Nicolas, and Myrtle Sarrosa took the stage for the last time for their impersonation of Bee Gees. Jurors Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and Sharon Cuneta sang a medley of Christmas songs as the show’s opening number. Billy Crawford and Melai Cantiveros were the hosts of the two-night Your Face Sounds Familiar: The Grand Showdown. ➜ continued on c7

Kean Cipriano as Ricky Martin

Myrtle, Eric, and Kakai impersonating Bee Gees

Billy with Michael, KZ, Kean, Denise, and Sam

Your Face Sounds Familiar Final 5 Sam, Denise, Kean, KZ, and Michael with jurors Jed, Sharon, Gary, and host Billy