The Standard - 2016 April 14 - Thursday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX NO. 61 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSDAY : APRIL 14, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

VP vows to thwart ‘hoodlum president’

NAPOLES’ REQUEST FOR BAIL GRANTED By Rio N. Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

THE Sandiganbayan has granted the request for bail of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles and Masbate Gov. Rizalina SeachonLanete in connection with the plunder case filed against them for their alleged involvement in the theft of millions of pesos in congressional project funds. The court’s action drew sharp responses in the Senate, which protested the granting of bail to Napoles even if she will remain in detention because of her conviction on a separate charge of illegal detention. The anti-graft court found that the evidence of guilt presented against the two accused “is not strong” in its 77-page ruling written by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg and concurred with by Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Jose Hernandez, all of the fourth division. Plunder is a non-bailable offense, but the anti-graft court can grant bail plea if the accused proves that the evidence is weak. After posting bail in the amount of P500,000, Lanete can leave Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City, where she is currently detained. But Napoles, who was also asked to post a similar amount for her temporary freedom, would have to remain at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City. This is because of her conviction on the serious illegal detention charge filed by her cousin, whistleblower Benhur Luy, who is also the principal witness in the P10-billion Weak evidence. This file photo shows alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles attending a court hearing prior to her conviction on Next page charges of illegally detaining whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Cebu execs demand head of DILG chief

LP calls emergency meet to shore up Mar’s bid By John Paolo Bencito LEADERS of the administration Liberal Party will hold an emergency meeting with President Benigno Aquino III at the Club Filipino today, Thursday, to discuss ways to improve the rankings in voter preference surveys and the overall chances of LP candidates former Secre-

tary Mar Roxas and Rep. Leni Robredo. Various sources told The Standard that the gathering is also intended as a show of force of local leaders of the ruling party, officials of different political parties allied with the administration coalition and other LP supporters. The LP leaders also intend to dispel long-running reports that key party fig-

ures are planning to join rival camps less than a month before the May 9 elections following the surge of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the most recent surveys. Roxas’ spokesman Rep. Barry Gutierrez, however, downplayed the event as a mere “showing of support for Roxas and Robredo, since the elections are near.” Next page

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Napoles’...

From A1

Presidential visit. President Benigno S. Aquino III talks to a soldier injured in an encounter with Abu Sayyaf militants last Saturday in TipoTipo, Basilan at the Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City on Wednesday. REY S. BANIQUET

Binay vows to thwart ‘hoodlum presidency’ By Christine F. Herrera and Rio N. Araja

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental—Opposition presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday vowed to thwart the bid of his rival, frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, whom he said would lead a “hoodlum presidency” against the poor. Binay, the standard-bearer of the United Na-

tionalist Alliance, described the mayor as a “coward with hoodlum ways.” Hours before Binay faced reporters in a rare news conference, the vice president uploaded on his official Facebook account a two-minute video message explaining that Duterte did not deserve to win due to his “blood debts.” In his news conference, Binay read a prepared statement vowing to end Duterte’s penchant for summary killings, particularly those targeting children, women and poor criminals. “Killing children and the poor is a clear act of cowardice. Duterte is a coward. He is a butcher but he is a coward who kills only the poor. He has

LP calls... From A1

A last-minute advisory sent to LP members described the event as a “very important meeting” which all members are “required” to attend. “There are fears inside LP that the [party] machinery won’t work, there are some who will jump ship,” one source told

never killed anyone rich, only poor people who cannot fight back,” Binay said. “What is wrong is wrong. Killing the poor, including helpless children, can never be justified. It is morally wrong and un-Christian. Killing people who are kneeling down or with their hands tied behind their backs is not courage. It is an act of cowardice,” the vice president said. He said Duterte lacked the moral high ground to challenge him to a debate, citing an admission from the mayor that he will not hesitate to kill minors. Duterte’s challenge, Binay said, was a “cheap gimmick.” “Mister Duterte, we cannot debate because you have admitted that you are the Davao Death Squad. The killings in Davao were perpetrated by the death squad, not the police,” Binay added. Binay cited an article published in 2002 by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism where the Davao City mayor was quoted as saying he will not hesitate to kill minors. “I will not hesitate to kill them. I don’t care about minors,” Duterte said in the article. Binay also cited an Amnesty International report that showed siblings Richard Alia, 18, Christopher Alia, 17, and Bobby Alia, 14, were executed by the DDS in 2001 and 2002, respectively. “According to Amnesty International, all three were viciously knifed to death,” Binay said. The Davao City mayor often brags about his connections to the DDS, claiming in one in-

The Standard. Roxas continues to trail Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay in nearly all presidential surveys. In the vice presidential race, Robredo has improved but is still behind Marcos. The same sources said the ruling party is also concerned with the dwindling attendance of its senatorial candidates dur-

terview “I am the Davao Death Squad,” Binay added. Duterte has also admitted in many past interviews that he has killed 1,700 people, 1,000 more than what was earlier reported by Amnesty International. Binay urged the public to reject Duterte or they would regret it if he became president. Binay compared the killings in Davao to those perpetrated during the Martial Law years, with the difference being that the administrators of military rule did their killing in secret, while Duterte brags about those that happened in his city. “I fought Martial Law,” said Binay, a human rights lawyer at the time. “This is worse than Martial Law.” Binay said he never believed Duterte, whom he claimed is only popular in Mindanao, would win. He said he was worried that Duterte’s supporters were turning out to be like Duterte himself. “Birds of the same feather flock together. We have received reports that in Cebu, cars bearing posters of Duterte were being wrecked. I hope this is not true. Let us do battle in the true spirit of democracy,” Binay said. Meanwhile, the camp of Duterte said on Wednesday that he is expecting black propaganda operations and personal attacks to intensify as the campaign enters the homestretch. “We have been seeing old issues being resurrected with more intensity,” said Maribojoc, Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s national campaign manager.

ing campaign sorties led by Roxas. The last time the LP’s complete 12-person Senate slate showed up was at the very first proclamation rally held in Iloilo at the start of the campaign period for national candidates. Speaking on condition of anonymity, campaign workers for several LP Senate candidates cited the lack of opportunity given to them to speak on stage

during rallies and a supposed lack of campaign funding support from the ruling party, which prevents them from joining provincial sorties. They said the ruling party’s campaign managers, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo are often absent in events that administration candidates are required to attend.

plunder scam involving Napoles and Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. The anti-graft court’s first and fifth divisions earlier denied Napoles’ bail petitions in the plunder case involving Revilla and Estrada. Enrile’s plea for bail, however, was granted by the Supreme Court for humanitarian reasons. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to show how Lanete participated in the theft of Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations and that the total amount she allegedly amassed for the years 2007-2010 reached the threshold of P50 million for the crime of plunder. Other plunder and graft charges have been filed against Napoles and Lanete before the fourth division for alleged misuse of the latter’s pork barrel fund when she was still a congressman. The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Lanete for allegedly pocketing P108.4 million in kickbacks from her PDAF from 2004 to 2010 using fake beneficiary-foundations put up by Napoles. In the Senate, Senator Teofisto Guingona, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee which investigated the alleged theft of P10 billion in pork funds using an elaborate scam involving senators, congressmen and bogus non-government organizations and foundations set up by Napoles, said the court’s ruling could enrage the public. “The people’s frustration and fear are understandable,” said Guingona. Guingona’s panel recommended the filing of plunder charges against Napoles and three of his own colleagues in the Senate— Enrile, Estrada and Revilla. “While we respect the decision of the Sandiganbayan, at this juncture, we strongly urge the prosecution to be diligent in presenting sufficient evidence and the court to exercise due caution in its proceedings. After all, this is the people’s money and the public trust that we are talking about,” Guingona said. Vice presidential candidate Senator Chiz Escudero said he was surprised by the Sandiganbayan’s decision. “We have seen the evidence against Napoles in the Senate. To say the least, I was surprised and I didn’t expect this decision of the Sandiganbayan,” he said. Escudero said it was “sad” that Napoles has been granted bail, while 76 starving farmers who were arrested by policemen in Kidapawan City last April 1 for demanding rice from the government remain in detention and cannot post bail. Malacañang on Wednesday noted that the Sandiganbayan is an independent body under the judiciary and that Napoles will still remain in jail. “The Sandiganbayan [is] a separate branch of government under the judiciary,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. “However, it should be emphasized that Ms. Napoles was convicted in April 2015 by the Makati RTC for serious illegal detention. Accordingly, she cannot be released due to such conviction and the several other cases for plunder pending against her.” In its ruling, the court pointed out that the prosecution admitted during the bail proceedings that Napoles and Lanete never actually met to discuss the latter’s supposed percentage of kickbacks from the projects to be funded by her PDAF. The court also noted the prosecution’s admission that Lanete never visited the office of Napoles nor attended any of the latter’s parties. The court also said that primary state witness Luy, during the bail hearing, admitted he never personally handed money to Lanete. Lastly, the court said the evidence presented by the prosecution indicated that “some projects were not ‘ghost’ projects at all.”

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Agency warned against hacking FORMER Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal on Wednesday warned the agency against possible hacking activities next week to confuse the voters during the May 9 elections. He told a media forum in Manila that the Comelec should not be overconfident about securing its elections database while neglecting their other webbased systems. “If you can hack the website of the Comelec, what stops people from hacking the system and, after elections, post results that are different from the real results to sow confusion?” said Larrazabal, one of the pioneers of the first automated elections in 2010. He made his statement even as the Comelec and the Philippine National Police disapproved the request of the local candidates of the PDP-Laban in Sorsogon to declare the province an election hot spot. The party made the request following the alleged harassment experienced by its candidates, led by gubernatorial candidate Eric Dioneda, son of former Reform the AFP Movement leader and former Sorsogon City mayor Leovic Dioneda. On the night of April 3, Dioneda’s group was having a campaign rally in Buhatan, Sorsogon City, when 20 armed men allegedly came over and told Forum. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista says a broad global network will be used in the May 9 elections during a weekly forum in them to stop their campaign. Manila on Wednesday. With him are former commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal and lawyer Karen Jimeno. DANNY PATA Meanwhile, the Comelec is providing spare ballots to voters in case their ballots are rejected by the vote counting machines on May 9 through no fault of their own. Larrazabal said the Comelec and Smartmatic should also secure the website that they would be usCEBU City Mayor Michael cause they chose to overlook a “not culpable” of the complaint duty to implement a lawful oring on the Election Day. “This has nothing to do with the provider, Smart- Rama and other local officials recommendation by a hearing filed by lawyer Reymelio De- der regardless of political and matic. This has nothing to do with the system. This on Wednesday reiterated their officer of the Interior Depart- lute, a known ally of the Bando personal affiliations. After replacing Liberal Party has something to do with the posting of results that call for Interior Secretary Mel ment, Isidro Barrios III, to drop Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan, a Senen Sarmiento to resign fol- the case against him and his co- local party led by Rama’s politi- standard bearer Manuel Roxas don’t jive,” he said. cal opponent and challenger in II in September last year, SarmJust before midnight on Easter Sunday, the group lowing Malacañang’s alleged accused. Rama said he no longer trust- the Cebu mayoral race on May iento said, that he adopted a Anonymous Philippines defaced the Comelec’s web- order to reverse a decision of a hands-off policy on matters in9, Tomas Osmeña. site (www.comelec.gov.oh) with a message demand- DILG hearing officer dismiss- ed Sarmiento, a family friend. He also questioned the volving elective officials. “I don’t believe in Mel Sarming it make sure that the security features of the vote ing his case over his alleged He said the DILG’s Legal Deanomalous release of calamity iento. He doesn’t deserve to be DILG’s decision to disregard counting machines would be there on Election Day. there. He should step down, Barrios’ alleged recommenda- partment had been given a free Another group, Lulzsec Pilipinas, leaked sensitive funds. But Sarmiento said politics resign,” Rama told Cebu-based tion when the latter came all hand and blanket authority to inpersonal data and files from the Comelec database. the way to Cebu just to conduct vestigate complaints filed against Larrazabal’s warning came after the decision of had nothing to do with the de- reporters. local government officials. “An officer who did the in- exhaustive marathon hearings. Smarmatic International and the Comelec to create cision of the DILG to suspend He claimed he only learned Sarmiento said, however, him, citing his sworn duty to vestigation did an exhaustive a different server and website on Election Day. In response to Larrazabal, Smartmatic Voter’s implement a lawful order “representation but was ignored by that if there was one person about Rama’s case when the LeEducation Chief Karen Jimeno assured him and the gardless of political and person- them. Upon whose investiga- who would resist any attempt gal Department submitted its tion are they basing their deci- to distort the legal process to decision in relation to the compublic that the separate server and website on Elec- al affiliations.” pin down Rama, that would be plaint filed against him and other Rama had ordered the clo- sion?” he said. tion Day would be “very secure.” Rama said he read a memo- him because the Rama family Cebu City officials by Labangon “On the part of Smartmatic, we can guarantee sure of the Cebu City Hall’s side that the whole automated election system will be se- doors for “security reasons,” randum signed by Barrios and had been a very close “family barangay captain Vic Buendia. The department recommended saying his opponents were des- addressed to Sarmiento in De- friend” since the 70’s. cure from hacking,” Jimeno said. Sarmiento, who hails from the suspension of Rama and the cember 2015 that found him ‘‘It is very secure and we guarantee that this will perate to run City Hall. He said Malacañang and the and his Vice Mayor, Edgardo neighboring Samar, said that, as members of the city council. not be accessible to hackers.” Sara Susanne D. DILG were out to get him be- Labella, and the 12 councilors DILG secretary, he had a sworn John Paolo Bencito Fabunan, with PNA

Cebu officials ask Interior secretary to resign

‘Drive against drugs neglected’

Caravan. Supporters in Pavia, Iloilo, welcome vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, the first day of his three-day caravan in Western Visayas.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Grace Poe on Wednesday criticized the administration of President Benigno Aquino III for neglecting the drive against illegal drugs and crime. “I’m sorry to say that this administration has really neglected our drive against drugs and crime,” Poe told bloggers and digital media reporters. “The DILG has been a very weak institution [under] this administration.” Poe made the statement even as she promised to create at least a million jobs a year to ease poverty in the country. Senator Poe, the lone independent presidential candidate, made the promise to supporters in Butuan City and reiterated her position that the problem of peace and order could only be stopped if poverty was addressed. Poe described the Department of Interior and Local Government, formerly led by Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, as a “very weak” institution under the Aquino administration. She said the Aquino administration did not have the likes of anti-drug advocates such as former Philippine National Police chief and senator Panfilo Lacson, former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, and even former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. “If only there was a drive, and if only the people were seeing the government in really going

after criminals and drug pushers, I think that would have been enough to pacify them,” Poe said. “So now they’re going to the extreme—kill them all,” said Poe, this time alluding to another presidential candidate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte has promised to put an end to criminality and illegal drugs within three to six months after assuming office if he gets elected. But unlike Duterte, Poe said, there was no time line for her to solve the big problems if she became president. “What is my plan against drugs and crime? I don’t want to mislead the public and say that three to six months will be enough because whether we like it or not, we have to work through our judicial system,” Poe said. She said she would appoint an incorruptible and capable Philippine National Police chief, put up a war room in Malacañang to monitor drug and crime incidents in every village, and put up a cash reward system for the areas with zero crime incidents. Calling drugs a threat to national security, Poe’s vice presidential bet, Senator Francis Escudero, said their Gobyernong May Puso will use the entire government force to combat narcotics, should they get elected on May 9. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Aquino visits injured soldiers

Justice for the poor. Activist groups Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas picketed the Department of Justice on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all 71 detained Kidapawan farmers. DANNY PATA

Binay blames Aquino for Kidapawan killings By Christine F. Herrera and Macon R. Araneta TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental—Opposition United Nationalist Alliance presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday held President Benigno Aquino III and the ruling Liberal Party liable for the death of two farmers in Kidapawan due to their “neglect and lack of compassion.” Binay said the 6,000 farmers from Kidapawan in North Cotabato were compelled to protest and set up a barricade due to poverty and hunger. “They saw it coming. But they did not prepare for the impact of climate change,” Binay said, adding that the Kidapawan incident was a testimony to the country’s real situation that

“poverty is still a problem.” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said in Manila many of the farmers were deceived by the Philippine National Police into agreeing to lift the barricade on the false promise that they would be accorded a free ride home and food.

“They were promised a ride back to their communities and were even given food. It was only later that they were brought to a gym and a school where they were declared under arrest,” Reyes said. The mass arrest, he said, included three pregnant women and six senior citizens and even minors. The minors have since been released. Seven of the arrested were hospitalized for various injuries including gun shot wounds, Reyes said. Volunteer nurses who were only trying to provide help for the farmers were also arrested, he said. They have since posted bail, according to human rights groups. Bayan and the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and Gabriela demanded the unconditional release of 71 illegally

detained farmers. Bayan and the KMP held a protest outside the Department of Justice Wednesday as they called for the immediate and unconditional release of all 71 detained Kidapawan farmers. The farmers have been detained for 13 days now following the violent dispersal of protesters last April 1, which resulted in two (not three, as earlier reported) people dead. “Each day that they spend in jail is an injustice. They were arrested without any warrant. They were not in the act of committing any crime. They were deceived by the PNP. They are being charged with direct assault and thus blamed for the violence that the police inflicted on protesting farmers. The Aquino government is utterly heartless and has shown no concern for the farmers,” Reyes said.

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday met with relatives of soldiers who died in the battle with Abu Sayyaf extremists in Basilan on April 1 and extended financial assistance to the families of 18 soldiers killed in action. The President planed in around 10 a.m. and immediately proceeded to the wake of Cpl. Rodelio Bangcairin in Barangay Ayala, 16.50 kilometers west of City Hall. From Ayala, President Aquino motored to the Camp Navarro General Hospital of the Western Mindanao Command where 38 wounded soldiers are stil undergoing treatment. Aquino proceeded to the Edwin Andrews Air Base hospital and visited the other six wounded soldiers. The rest of the wounded soldiers were admitted in two private hospitals in this city while six at the Victoriano Luna General Hospital in Quezon City. After the hospital visit, Aquino met with the families of the 18 soldiers who were killed during the clash in Basilan province. “He came here to personally pay respects to the slain soldiers and condole with their families, ” Maj. Gen. Gerardo Barrientos, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said in an interview. Barrientos said the financial assistance included the following: P250,000 from the Office of the President; P180,000 cash remuneration (which is six times of the soldier’s basic pay); P50,000 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Mutual Benefit Association Inc.; P80,000, burial expenses; and, P100,000 from Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative.

LP, UNA named top parties By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Tax time. Taxpayers have begun flocking to the nearest office of the Bureau of Internal

Revenue to file their tax returns just a few days before the deadline. As usual, the BIR has announced there will be no extension of the deadline. MANNY PALMERO

AS IN the last election, the Liberal Party and the United Nationalist Alliance have been declared the dominant parties in the forthcoming May 9 national and local elections. As dominant parties, Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista said the LP and UNA to get the fifth and sixth copies of the election returns to be produced by the vote counting machines. “After using our formula, we were able to come out with the finding that the dominant majority party is the LP while the dominant minority party is UNA,” Bautista said in a forum. Aside from election returns, LP and UNA will also receive electronically transmitted precinct results, the seventh and eight copies of the certificates of canvass, and authorized to assign official watchers in every polling place and canvassing center.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 9984, the criteria used by the commission is based on the established record of the said parties, the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them on the last day of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, their identifiable political organizations, their ability to field a complete slate of candidates and other analogous circumstances. No other details have been made available as of press time, particularly on which parties were designated as major national and local parties. During the 2013 elections, the LP was also declared the dominant majority party while the UNA was ruled the dominant minority party. Four political parties were tagged as major national parties, namely the Nacionalista Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and National Unity Party.

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Pagcor told to give back cyber loot By Macon Araneta Malacañang should approve the request of the Philippine amusement and gaming corp. to return to Bangladesh its earnings from the cyber heist loot gambled away in stateregulated casinos, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said on Wednesday. During the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the electronic theft of $81 million of Bangladesh funds, Pagcor said it was willing to return any income derived from stolen money played in casino tables, provided it got the clearance from the Office of the President. Asked by Recto during the hearing on Pagcor’s share from “winnings and taxes,” its chief operating officer and president Eugene Manalastas said they get gross gaming revenue of 15 percent as a regulator. Pressed by Recto if Pagcor is “thinking about returning money which came from Bangladesh,” Manalastas said “since we are under the Office of the President, we will seek a directive from them if we can return the amount.” After hackers wired the funds in tranches to the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. a huge chunk was funneled to casinos where it was later converted into chips for betting in gaming tables. At present, Pagcor could not determine how much it earned from the laundered chips as earnings from a particular casino “are intermingled,” Manalastas said in reply to Recto’s query. Pagcor, however, has given casinos 10 days to submit the amount. A casino representative told senators that they will have to look into players’ records to determine the amount. “Specifically, you will have to look into the accounts of Gao Shuhua,” Recto said, referring to the Chinese national who got the Bangladesh money and spent part of it in casinos. Representatives of Pagcor-supervised casinos said they’ve been looking at records for weeks in order “to determine which portion of that gross gaming revenue actually pertains to the Gao playing account.” Questioned by Recto on the “ballpark figure” of Pagcor’s share from one junket operator involved in the mess for the month of February when the heist happened, Manalastas said “approximately P48 million.” “So, what is the disposition of Pagcor here?” Recto said. “We are under the Office of the President, a directive from the President will allow us to return the amount,” Manalastas said.

Pro-Life bets. Senatorial candidates Senator Vicente Sotto (right) and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez endorse each other as both Pro-Life candidates during the Pro-Life and Candidates’ Forum held at Aristocrat restaurant in Manila. Ver NoVeNo

Pinoy cops, US soldiers figure in barroom brawl By Francisco Tuyay

ThE Philippine National Police on Wednesday relieved three of its personnel who figured in A scuffle with four American servicemen, who are taking part in the ongoing PhilippineUS Balikatan exercise, inside a nightspot in Puerto Princesa City last Saturday. PNP spokesman Chief Supt Wilben Mayor said the three cops could face summary dismissal proceedings. The policemen were identified as Supt Ariel Celino, deputy police chief of Puerto Princesa City, Senior Insp. Winner Paguia, City police spokesman

and SPO2 Jimmy Dalumpines. A videotape of the incident was posted over social networking sites and became viral showing a Filipino policeman being hit by an American soldier by a bottle of beer after the latter was irked at the cops’ apparent improper acts. The incident sparked tension after another policeman, who was displeased at the acts of the American soldier, stood up drawing other US soldier’s attention. This prompted the policemen to draw their guns and aimed at the foreigners. The bar’s owner and his employees tried to defuse the

tension but failed and the incident escalated into a brawl between American soldiers and Filipino policemen. The Americans left the nightspot after the incident. A US military official, meanwhile said that appropriate action would be imposed on the four US servicemen. “Appropriate actions, which will be at their command’s discretion, will be taken at their home stations. US military personnel appreciate the opportunity to experience the local culture while training in the Philippines and are expected to abide by an established liberty policy

at all times while doing so,” he added. “The US military demands high standards of conduct from service members at all times and takes all incidents involving potential misconduct very seriously,” the US official said. Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson, Balikatan spokesman for the Philippine side, said that those involved in the altercation settled their differences and no complaint was filed. Around 5,000 US servicemen are currently participating in the Balikatan exercise being held in various parts of the country.

SC junks Caltex plea on Doña Paz collision

Health and wealth. Health workers from government hospitals in Metro Manila hold picket in front of the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday, April 13 calling for a P25,000 monthly starting salary for all nurses in both private and public sectors. DANNY PATA

ThE Supreme Court re- around 4,000 people. jected the petition filed The class suit filed by the by Caltex Philippines Inc. 1,689 heirs of the victims of and its allied companies, m/v Doña Paz, named Calwhich sought the reversal tex, Sulpicio Lines, Vector of the Manila Regional Shipping and several others Trial Court’s decision bar- as respondents in the case. ring them from intervening In a 13-page ruling in three other consolidated penned by Associate Juscases concerning the m/v tice Bienvenido Reyes, the Doña Paz collision. Court’s Third Division deCaltex chartered m/t Vec- nied the petition, saying that tor, owned by Vector Shipping the Manila RTC did not err Corp., that collided with m/ in not allowing the comDoña Paz owned by Sulpicio plaint in intervention since Lines on the night of Dec. 20, the case had already been 1987. decided with finality by the The tragic incident, RTC of Catbalogan. dubbed as the “world’s worst “Since the dismissal of the peace time maritime dis- complaint was already final aster,” claimed the lives of and executory, the RTC of

Manila can no longer entertain a similar action from the same parties,” said the Supreme Court decision which was concurred by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Jose Portugal Perez and Francis Jardeleza. “The bone of contention is not regarding the petitioners’ execution of waivers of the defense of prescription, but the effect of finality of an order or judgment on both parties,” noted the high court. In an order issued on July 2, 2002, Manila RTC denied the complainants’ motion for intervention due to lack of merit. Macon Araneta

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Baguio lawmaker in illegal cutting of trees sued By Rio N. Araja

Youth covenant. Congressional candidate for Leyte and former beauty queen Yedda Marie Romualdez, wife of senatorial candidate Ferdinand

Martin Romualdez, signs up for the youth covenant to push for free public education at all levels and vow to promote and protect the rights and welfare of the youth during the signing ceremony held at the Serye restaurant in Quezon City. SONNY ESPIRITU

P154 wage hike sought By Vito Barcelo

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and other labor groups are considering filing separate petitions for a wage increase in Metro Manila and in the provinces. TUCP said it would file today (Thursday) a P154 wage hike before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity BoardNational Capital Region, saying that the real value of the current P492.57 minimum daily wage has been eroded by 24 percent. TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said the real value of the current minimum wage is not enough

to support a family of four. Because of the low salary received by millions of workers, more than 6 million minimum wage workers joined the ranks of the working poor, the labor group said. The labor group said the government should grant a ‘living’ minimum wage so that workers could cope with the rising cost of living in Metro Manila.

The TUCP claimed that it is high time that minimum wage earners be accorded with lost value of the peso and the workers’ lost purchasing power. The Department of Labor and Employment said labor group’s petition to increase workers’ salaries petition will be scheduled for a public hearing and deliberation by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board. The DoLE said that the RTWPB will review the existing wage orders and l assess the socio-economic condition of the region. “The economy is growing and yet the workers are being left behind,” according to the TUCP. Meanwhile, the labor coali-

tion Nagkaisa will conduct a consultation next week with various labor organizations as to how much increase they will be asking for workers in Central Visayas. Dennis Derige, Nagkaisa convenor and Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu spokesperson, said. “We will meet next week and decide how much we will be asking.” Apart from PM, Nagkaisa includes Sentro ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Associated Labor Unions-TUCP, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, KilusanMakabayan, Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization, PS-Link, and Alliance of Progressive LaborCentral Visayas.

THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges against Baguio City Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. for illegal cutting of trees and destruction of forest in Sitio Pongayon, Sto. Tomas, Tuba in Benguet. Also named as Aliping’s co-accused were William Go, Bernard Capuyan and Romeo Aquino. Aliping and the three others are accused of violating Sections 77 and 78 of the Revised Forestry Code. An environmental Ombudsman’s investigation showed that in April 2014, Aliping conducted earth moving activities using heavy equipment that resulted in the uprooting of 293 pine trees. A least 415 Benguet pine tree samplings were damaged, the Ombudsman said. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources estimated the total damage at P10.3 million. “The cause of the turbidity of the water supply [was due] to the massive land development within and around the property of Aliping,” the agency said. As complainant, the DENR said “Mt. Sto. Tomas was declared forest reserve, thus it cannot be converted into private property.” Aliping admitted no permits had been issued for the earthmoving activities and no documents were presented showing ownership over the property. The Ombudsman said the congressman undertook the activities through the construction corporations owned by Go, Capuyan and Aquino. “It is clear as daylight that the cutting of trees and other earthmoving activities were done without authority as Aliping’s use of the three backhoes/heavy equipment in his earth-moving activity is undisputed,” it added. Under the Revised Forestry Code, it is illegal for any person to cut, gather, collect, remove timber or other forest products from forest land without any authority.

‘San Juanization’ of Manila decried A GROUP of Manila city hall employees, known as the Regular Employees Association of City Hall-Manila, has called the attention of mayoral candidates Rep. Amado Bagatsing (Kabaka LABs Manila) coalition and former mayor Alfredo Lim (Liberal Party) to the alleged “San Juanization” of the Manila government by the administration of Mayor Joseph Estrada. Leaders of the group claimed that through the initiative of the Estrada camp, “an undetermined numbers of persons or resi-

dents from nearby San Juan City have been hired as casuals since the incumbent mayor assumed office in July 2013.” The San Juan City’s local government has been under the reign of the Estrada family since 1967. REACH-M cited as examples the appointments of former San Juan Councilor Jojo Alcovendaz as city administrator and ex-San Juan vice mayor Philip Cezar as head of the Manila Sports Council or Masco. “Please, Congressman Bagatsing and Mayor Lim, take up the cudgel for us to

stop this malpractice. We believe that this is highly irregular and improper, and such act by the mayor affects our employment status and promotion,” the REACH-M pleaded the two city officials. The organization said it would notify the Civil Service Commission on the issue. “We will likewise go to other concerned government agencies on this matter.” The same group also tackled the closed city hall complex main gate on Taft Avenue and the closed Concepcion Street. Tony Macapagal

Bilibid graduates. Inmate-graduates of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Bilibid Extension School at Camp Sampaguita’s Medium Security Compound inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City suit up prior to their commencement rites on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 . Six of the graduates were paroled before completion of their sentence because of their good behavior inside penitentiary. DENNIS ABRINA

AIR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION doing business under the name and style of Airphil Express; PAL express; and Philippine Airlines GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE (GCC) (Passenger and Baggage) Article 1 DEFINITIONS

Article 7 REFUSAL AND LIMITATION OF CARRIAGE

“APC” means Air Philippines Corporation doing business under the name and style of Airphil Express; PAL express; and Philippine Airlines. “YOU,” “YOUR,” and “YOURSELF” means any person, except members of the crew, carried or to be carried in an aircraft pursuant to a Ticket. (See also definition of Passenger) “AGREED STOPPING PLACES” means those places, except the place of departure and the place of destination, set forth in the Ticket or shown in APC’s timetables as scheduled stopping places on the your route. “AIRLINE DESIGNATOR CODE” means two or three characters or letters which identify a particular air carrier. “AUTHORIZED AGENT” a passenger sales agent who has been appointed by APC to represent it in the sale of air passengers’ transportation services of APC. “BAGGAGE” means your personal property accompanying you in connection with your travel. Unless otherwise specified, it includes both your Checked and Unchecked Baggage. “BAGGAGE TAG” means a document issued by APC solely for identification of Checked Baggage. “CHECKED BAGGAGE” means your Baggage which APC takes custody of and for which APC has issued a Baggage Tag. “CHECK-IN DEADLINE” means the time limit specified by APC within which you must have completed checkin formalities and received your boarding pass. “CONNECTING FLIGHT” means a subsequent flight providing onward travel on the same Ticket, on a separate Ticket or on a Conjunction Ticket. “CONJUNCTION TICKET” means a Ticket issued to you in conjunction with another Ticket, both of which constitute a single contract of carriage. “CONVENTION” means whichever of the following instruments is or are applicable: • the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, signed at Montreal, 28 May 1999 (referred to as the Montreal Convention the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, signed at Warsaw, 12 October 1929 (referred to as the Warsaw Convention); • the Warsaw Convention as amended at The Hague on 28 September 1955. “DAYS” means calendar days, including all seven days of the week; provided that, for the purpose of notification, the day upon which notice is dispatched shall not be counted; and that for purposes of determining duration of validity of a Ticket, the day upon which the Ticket is issued, or flight is commenced shall not be counted. “DOMESTIC CARRIAGE” means travel between points within the Philippines and there is no transit, transfer or Stopover outside the Philippines. “DOMESTIC TICKETS” means Tickets with purely Philippine domestic itinerary. “ELECTRONIC COUPON” means an electronic Flight Coupon for an Electronic Ticket held in APC’s database. “ELECTRONIC TICKET” means the electronic record of your Ticket made by APC or its Authorized Agent, which is held in APC’s database. “FLIGHT COUPON” means that portion of the Ticket that bears the notation “good for passage,” and indicates the particular places between which you are entitled to be carried. “INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE” means any carriage other than Domestic Carriage, however, when the Convention is applicable, the stated definition of “International Carriage” in the Convention shall prevail. “ITINERARY RECEIPT” means a document or documents issued by APC to Passengers travelling on Electronic Tickets that contains the Passenger’s name, flight information and notices. “PASSENGER” means any person, except members of the crew, carried or to be carried in an aircraft pursuant to a Ticket. “PASSENGER COUPON” means that portion of the Ticket issued by or on behalf of APC, which is so marked and which ultimately is to be retained by the Passenger. “STOPOVER” means a deliberate interruption of the travel by the Passenger at a point between the place of departure and the place of destination, which has been agreed to in advance by APC. “TARIFF” means the published fares, fees or charges and related terms, conditions and restrictions filed, where required, with the appropriate authorities, and approved as such by the same. “TICKET” means the document of carriage issued by APC. “UNCHECKED BAGGAGE” means any Baggage hand-carried by the Passenger and Baggage other than Checked Baggage. ARTICLE 2 APPLICABILITY Section 1. GENERAL Except as provided in Sections 4, 5, and 6 of this Article, these Conditions of Carriage apply to all domestic and international carriage of Passengers and Baggage operated by APC, and in any case where APC may have a legal liability to you in relation to your travel.

Section 1. RIGHT TO REFUSE CARRIAGE APC will not refuse carriage to any person based solely on race, sex, color, nationality or religion. Further, as a matter of policy, APC will not refuse carriage to any person based solely on disability subject to exceptions that may be allowed by applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. APC may refuse to carry you or your Baggage, or may remove you from the aircraft at any time, for any of the following reasons: (a) You fail or refuse to comply with these Conditions of Carriage; (b) (i) The applicable fare or any charges or taxes payable have not been paid, or credit arrangements with APC have not been complied with; (ii) the payment is done through fraudulent means; (iii) when the credit card used for payment could not be authenticated upon booking or is subsequently reported to be lost or stolen; or (iv) when the credit card used for payment is not presented for validation, if required so by APC; (c) The refusal to transport or removal from APC’s aircraft is necessary to comply with any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations of any country to be flown from, to or over; (d) Such action is necessary or advisable by reason of weather or other conditions beyond APC’s control including, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, strikes, civil commotions, embargoes, wars, hostilities, terrorist activities, or disturbances, whether actual, threatened, or reported; (e) (i) You appear to be improperly documented; (ii) you cannot prove, when so required that, you are the person named in the Ticket; (iii) the Ticket has been acquired or reported to have been acquired unlawfully or has been purchased or reported to have been purchased from an entity other than APC or its Authorized Agent; (iv) your Ticket is acquired illegally, (v) if you’re Ticket is a counterfeit Ticket or has been altered, torn, damaged or tampered with; (vi) when the immigration authority of the country you are traveling to, or of a country in which you have a Stopover, informed APC (either verbally or in writing) that it has decided not to allow you to enter that country, even if you have, or appear to have, valid travel documents; (vii) when you destroy your travel documents during the flight; (viii) when you have refused to allow APC to photocopy your travel documents; (ix) when you have refused to give your travel documents to a member of the crew of the aircraft, when APC asked you to do so; or (f) You are a person in the custody of law, unless you are sufficiently escorted. (g) Such refusal or removal is reasonably necessary for the security, safety or comfort of other Passengers or APC’s employees; or to prevent damage to the property of APC or of its Passengers or crew or employees, including, but not limited to the following instances: 1. When you assault, intimidate or threaten, whether physical or verbal, any of APC’s ground staff, crew members or other Passengers; 2. When you create a disturbance which interferes with the duties of the ground staff, flight crew or when the disturbance necessitates the pilot-in-command or any member of the cockpit crew to leave the cockpit to attend to the same; 3. When you refuse to follow a lawful instruction given by the pilot-in-command, or on behalf of the pilot-in-command, or by a crew member for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the aircraft or of any person or property on board or for the purpose of maintaining good order and discipline on board; 4. When you commit an act of physical violence, sexual assault, or child molestation, against other persons; 5. When your conduct results or may result to a risk of harm or damage to the aircraft, or properties belonging to APC, its Passengers, or employees; 6. When you refuse to submit to a security check; 7. When you refuse to follow APC’s policy on smoking and use of alcoholic beverages and drugs; 8. When you tamper with the smoke detector or any other safety-related device on board the aircraft; 9. When you fail to comply with safety regulations, including fastening seatbelts when required; 10. When you use portable electronic device when such is prohibited; 11. When you are not properly clothed; 12. When you have a contagious disease which may be transmitted to others during the fight; 13. When the Passenger who may have been required to present medical clearance in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations, failed to submit said medical certificate and where it appears that he/she cannot complete the flight without requiring medical assistance; 14. When your conduct is disorderly, abusive, offensive or violent; 15. When your conduct results or may result to a risk of annoyance, offense or disturbance to other Passengers; 16. When you have made a hoax bomb or other security threat;

Sec 2. GRATUITOUS CARRIAGE These Conditions of Carriage also apply to gratuitous or reduced fare carriage except to the extent that APC has otherwise provided in its Tariffs, or in relevant contracts, passes, tickets, or policies.

Sec. 2. CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSAL OF CARRIAGE AND OF REMOVAL OF PASSENGER If you commit any of the acts enumerated under Section 1(g) of this Article, and conduct yourself aboard the aircraft so as to endanger the aircraft or any person or property on board, APC may take such measures reasonably necessary to prevent continuation of your conduct, including restraint. You may be disembarked and refused onward carriage at any point.

Sec. 3. CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE APC may change these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs at any time, without prior notice. Your travel shall be governed by these Conditions of Carriage andAPC’s Tariffs in force at the date you purchased your Ticket; provided, however, that APC reserves the right to apply the Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs in effect on the date of your travel where reasonably necessary for operational efficiency.

If, for the reasons enumerated under Section 1 of this Article, APC has refused to carry you, or removed you en route, APC may cancel the remaining unused portion of your Ticket and you will not be entitled to further carriage or to a refund either in respect of the sector subject of the refusal of carriage or removal, or any subsequent sectors covered by the Ticket. APC reserves the right to prosecute offences committed. APC will not be liable for any consequential loss or damage alleged due to any such refusal to carry or removal en route.

Sec. 4. CHARTER OPERATIONS If the carriage is performed pursuant to a charter agreement, these Conditions of Carriage apply only to the extent that they are incorporated by reference or otherwise, in the terms of the charter agreement and the charter ticket. In case of any inconsistency between these Conditions of Carriage and the provisions of said charter agreement and/or charter ticket, the latter shall prevail. Sec. 5. CODESHARES AND COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS On some services,APCmay have commercial agreements with other airlines such as code shares and/or licensing agreements. This means that, even if you have a reservation with APC and you hold a Ticket showing APC’s Airline Designator Code, marks or tradename, another airline may operate the flight. If such a commercial agreement applies to your flight, APC or its Authorized Agents will inform you at the time you make a reservationif APC or another carrier will be operating the flight. If your flight is operated by another carrier, you may be subject to certain conditions of carriage of the operating carrier which may differ from those of APC’s, such as but not limited to: 1. refusal of carriage; 2. check-in deadline; 3. denied boarding compensation; 4. boarding fees; 5. baggage acceptance and liability; 6. flight disruptions; 7. advance seating arrangement; 8. unaccompanied minors; 9. carriage of animals; 10. stretcher assistance; 11. medical oxygen. Sec. 6. OVERRIDING LAW These Conditions of Carriage are applicable unless they are inconsistent with APC’s Tariffs and applicable laws, rules, and government regulations in which event such Tariffs, laws, rules, or government regulations shall prevail. If any provision of these Conditions of Carriage is invalid, under any applicable law, rules, or government regulations, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain valid. Sec. 7. CONSENT OF PASSENGERS Upon your purchase of a Ticket for carriage by air on APC, you shall be deemed to have acknowledged and given consent to these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs. Article 3 TICKETS Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS (a) A person shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless that person presents and is named in a valid Ticket containing all corresponding Flight Coupon or Electronic Coupon duly issued in accordance with these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs. APC may require you to present appropriate identification. (b) You shall not be entitled to be carried if the Ticket presented is mutilated or if it has been altered by a person other than APC or its Authorized Agent. (c) Your Ticket is not transferable. If a Ticket is presented for carriage or for refund by someone other than you, APC shall not be liable to you, if in good faith, it provides carriage or makes a refund to the person presenting the Ticket. (d) The Ticket is and remains at all times property of APC. (e) Changes to the Ticket you requested will be subject to APC’s Tariffs and may require payment of a change fee. Sec. 2. PERIOD OF VALIDITY Except as otherwise provided in the Ticket, these Conditions of Carriage or APC’s Tariffs, an International Ticket is valid for carriage for one (1) year from the date of commencement of travel, or if no portion of the Ticket is used, from the date of issuance of the Ticket. A Ticket issued at other than normal fare or under certain restrictions may have a different period of validity as provided for in the conditions prescribed in the Ticket or APC’s Tariffs. A Domestic Ticket is valid for one (1) year from the date of its issuance. Sec. 3. EXTENSION OF VALIDITY (a) APC may extend the validity of your Ticket in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. (b) If you are unable to commence or continue your travel within the period of validity of the Ticket by reason of illness, APC may extend the period of validity of your Ticket until APC’s first flight after the date when you become fit to travel according to a medical certificate, from the point where the travel is resumed on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid. Provided, however that, when the flight segments remaining in the Ticket involve one or more Stopovers, the validity of such Ticket, subject to APC’s Tariffs, will be extended for three (3) months from the date shown on the medical certificate. (c) In the event of death of the Passenger or his/her immediate family member, APC may likewise extend the validity of their Tickets. Any such change on the Ticket shall be made upon receipt of a proper death certificate and any such extension of Ticket validity shall not be for a period longer than forty-five (45) days from the date of the death. Sec. 4. COUPON SEQUENCE (a) The Ticket you purchased is valid only for the transportation as shown on the Ticket, from the place of departure via any Agreed Stopping Places to the final destination. Electronic and Flight Coupons shall be honored only in sequence. The Ticket will not be honored and will lose its validity if all the coupons are not used in sequence provided in the Ticket. (b) Each Electronic or Flight Coupon will be accepted for carriage in the class of service specified on the Ticket on the date and flight for which space has been reserved. When a Ticket is originally issued without a reservation being specified, space may be later reserved subject to APC’s Tariffs, and the availability of space on the flight requested. (c) If you fail or have failed to use the Electronic or Flight Coupons in sequence, APC is entitled to recompute the fares in accordance with APC’s Tariffs and you are liable to pay APC any fare difference applicable. Article 4 FARES AND CHARGES Section 1. FARES (a) Fares apply only for carriage from the airport at the point of origin to the airport at the point of destination. (b) Your fares are calculated in accordance with APC’s Tariffs. Fares to be paid may change in cases of changes in your itinerary or dates of travel. (c) Where you voluntarily change the schedule of your flight as reflected in the Ticket, and there is a difference between the fare paid and the available fare in the new schedule. You shall pay the applicable fare difference in accordance with APC’s Tariffs. (d) Fares do not include ground transport service between airports and between airports and town terminals, unless provided by APC without additional charge. Sec. 2. TAXES, FEES AND CHARGES Applicable taxes, fees or charges imposed by government authority, or other offices such as airport operators, must be paid by you in full before carriage, except as otherwise provided in APC’s Tariffs. The taxes, fees and charges imposed on air travel are beyond APC’s control and are constantly changing. Taxes, fees and charges may be imposed or increased even after the date of Ticket issuance. APC reserves the right to refuse carriage if the applicable taxes, fees and charges arenot paid. Sec. 3. CURRENCY Fares, taxes, fees and charges are payable in the currency in which the fare is published. APC may, at its discretion, accept payment in another currency subject to applicable rate of exchange. Article 5 RESERVATIONS

Sec. 4. OTHER LIMITATIONS ON CARRIAGE (a) Acceptance for carriage of unaccompanied children, persons with disability, pregnant women or ailing persons may be subject to prior arrangements with APC, in accordance with these Conditions of Carriage and any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. (b) Acceptance for carriage of persons requiring special assistance such as but not limited to medical oxygen for use on-board the aircraft, packaging of wheelchair and wheelchair batteries, stretchers and other similar assistance, may be subject to advance notice and prior arrangements with APC, in accordance with these Conditions of Carriage, APC’s Tariffs and any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. (c) If APC believes that the aircraft weight limitation or seating capacity would otherwise be exceeded, APC will decide in its reasonable discretion which persons or articles shall be carried. Sec. 5. MEDICAL CLEARANCE REQUIRED Subject to applicable laws, rules, and government regulations, APC may require a medical clearance when, in good faith and using its reasonable discretion, APC determines there is reasonable doubt that a Passenger can complete the flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical assistance.

Sec. 2. EXCESS BAGGAGE You will be required to pay a charge for the carriage of Baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance at the rate and in the manner provided in these Conditions of Carriage orAPC’s Tariffs. Baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance will be carried only at APC’s discretion, subject to space availability and weight limitation.Excess baggage includes oversized and overweight baggage. Sec. 3. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS BAGGAGE (a) You shall not include in your Baggage: 1. items which do not constitute Baggage as defined in Article 1 and as stated below; 2. items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, such as those specified in the Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs; 3. items which are prohibited for carriage by any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations; 4. live animals, except as provided in Section 11 of this Article. 5. Items, which in the opinion of APC, are unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous, unsafe or by reason of their weight, size, shape or character, or because they are fragile or perishable. (b)

(e) (f)

Firearms and ammunitions may be accepted as Checked Baggage provided that they are covered by proper authorization, permits, and licenses from the appropriate government authority. Firearms must be unloaded, have the safety catch on, and must be suitably wrapped and packaged, and APC may require them to be delivered to and remain in its custody until your arrival at the airport of destination. Carriage of firearms and ammunitions is subject to ICAO and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. APC may implement restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in compliance with guidelines set by the ICAO, IATA and any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. You shall not include in your Checked Baggage, artwork, cameras, money, jewelry, precious metals, silverware, computers, diving computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples, unless otherwise permitted by APCin accordance with these Conditions of Carriage. Weapons such as swords, knives and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage in accordance with these Conditions of Carriage, but will not be permitted in the cabin. If any item referred to in this Article Sub-sections (a), (b) or (c) above is carried, whether or not it is prohibited from carriage as Baggage, its carriage shall be subject to the charges, limitations of liability and other provisions of these Conditions of Carriage.

Sec. 4. CHECKED BAGGAGE (a) Upon delivery to APC of your Baggage to be checked, APC shall take custody thereof and issue a Baggage Tag. (b) If the Baggage has no name, initials or other personal identification, you shall affix such identification to the Baggage prior to acceptance by APC. (c) Checked Baggage will be carried on the same flight as you, subject to considerations of safety, security, or any other legal and valid cause, in which case, APC will carry the Checked Baggage on APC's next flight on which space is available. (d) APC reserves the right to restrict the weight, size and character of Baggage according to capacity and accommodation of the particular aircraft. (e) You must ensure that the Checked Baggage is sufficiently robust and well secured to withstand the usual and normal rigors of carriage by air without sustaining damage except for ordinary wear and tear. Sec. 5. UNCHECKED BAGGAGE (a) APC may specify maximum dimensions and/or weight for Baggage which you carry in the aircraft. If APC has not done so, Baggage which you carry into the aircraft must fit under the seat in front of you or in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin. Items determined by APC to be of excessive weight or size will not be permitted in the cabin and if suitable shall be transported as Checked Baggage. (b) Objects not suitable, in the opinion of APC, for transport in the cargo compartment, such as but not limited to delicate musical instruments and the like, will only be accepted for transportation in the cabin compartment if due notice has been given in advance and permission granted by APC. The transport of such objects may be subject to separate charges. (c) APC shall not be responsible for loss or damage of Unchecked Baggage not attributable to APC. (d) APC may allow you to carry electronic devices on board, however, for security and safety reasons, and in accordance laws, rules, and government regulations of countries to be flown from, to or, over, APC may limit the use aboard the aircraft of transmitting portable devices, including, but not limited to, cellular phones, laptop computers, E-book reader, personal gaming consoles, and two way radios.

The right of search of APC does not impose an obligation on APC, nor does it constitute an agreement, either express or implied, by APC to allow carriage of items which would otherwise be precluded from carriage under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article.

APC reserves the right to assign or re-assign seats at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft. This may be necessary to comply with laws, rules, and government regulations, or for operational, safety, or security reasons.

Sec. 8. EXCESS VALUE DECLARATION AND CHARGES (a) You may declare a value for Checked Baggage in excess of the applicable limits of liability. If you make such a declaration, you shall pay the applicable charges in accordance with APC’s Tariffs. APC shall have the option to inspect the Checked Baggage to ascertain veracity of the declared value. (b) APC will refuse to accept an excess value declaration on Checked Baggage when a portion of the carriage is to be provided by another carrier which does not offer the facility. (c) Except as otherwise provided in APC's Tariffs, excess value charges shall apply for the entire travel and shall be payable at the point of origin, provided that if at a Stopover en route, you declare a higher excess value than that originally declared, additional excess value charges for the increased declared value from such Stopover to final destination shall be payable.

Sec. 6. CANCELLATION OF RESERVATIONS If you do not use a reservation and fail to advise APC, your reservation, including onward or return reservations, may be cancelled without prior notice. Article 6 CHECK-IN AND BOARDING (a)

(b) (c) (d)

Check-in Deadlines and boarding requirements are different in every airport and you must be aware of these deadlines and requirements prior to your travel. You must arrive at APC's check-in location and assigned boarding gate sufficiently in advance of flight departure to permit completion of all departure procedures, including government formalities, and in any event not later than the time that may be indicated by APC. APC may cancel the space reserved for you if you fail to arrive on time at APC's check-in location or if you fail to arrive at the assigned boarding gate within reasonable time prior to the closing of gates in preparation for departure. APC will not delay departure of the flight by reason of such failure. Persons with disability or Passengers requesting for special assistance may be required to check-in earlier than the regular check-in time. APC will not be liable to you for any loss or expense incurred due to your failure to comply with the required Check-In Deadlines or boarding requirements.

Article 9 SCHEDULES, CANCELLATION OF FLIGHTS Section 1. SCHEDULES The flight times shown in timetables may change between the date of publication and the date you actually travel, as shown in the Ticket. APC does not guarantee these schedules and they do not form part of your Conditions of Carriage. Sec. 2. CANCELLATION, CHANGES OF SCHEDULE, ETC. (a) Subject to applicable laws, rules, or government regulations, APC may, when circumstances so require, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone, delay any flight, alter or omit stopping places shown on the Ticket or in schedules and may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft (b)

If due to circumstances beyond its control, APC cancels or delays a flight, is unable to provide previously confirmed space, fails to stop at a Stopover or point of destination, or causes you to miss a connecting flight on which you hold a confirmed reservation, APC shall not be liable for losses or damages including any indirect, special or consequential loss, expense or damage.

Article 10 REFUNDS Section 1. GENERAL Refund of a Ticket or any of its unused portion is subject to these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs. Sec. 2. PERSON TO WHOM REFUND WILL BE MADE (a) Except as provided in this Article, refund shall be made either to the Passenger, or to the person who has paid for the Ticket upon presentation of satisfactory proof of entitlement to the refund. (b) If a Ticket has been paid for by a person other than the Passenger, and APC, upon instruction of such person, has so indicated on the Ticket that there is a restriction on refund, APC shall make a refund only to that person paying for the Ticket or to that person's order. (c) A refund made to anyone holding himself or herself out as a person to whom refund may be made in terms of (a) above shall be deemed a proper refund and shall discharge APC from liability and any further claim for refund. (d) Refund due to Tickets paid for with credit cards will only be charged back to the credit card accounts originally used for the Ticket purchase. The refundable amount to be charged back to the credit card account of the card owner may vary from the originally debited amount due to differences in the exchange rate. Such variances do not entitle the recipient of the refund to a claim against APC. APC shall not be held liable for any damages that may result from the ticket cancellation. (e) If the credit card used is not under Passenger’s account name, Passenger warrants that the he/she and the credit card holder both agreed that: 1) either the Passenger or credit card holder may apply for online refund; and 2) the refund will automatically be charged back to the credit card account originally used. Sec. 3. INVOLUNTARY REFUNDS If APC cancels a flight, or fails to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule, or fails to stop at a point to which you are destined or ticketed to Stopover, or is unable to provide previously confirmed space, the amount of the refund shall be subject to these Conditions of Carriage, APC’s Tariffs, and applicable laws, rules, and government regulations.

If you are entitled to a refund of your Ticket for reasons other than those set out in Section 3 of this Article, the amount of the refund shall be in accordance with APC’s Tariffs. Sec. 5. RIGHT TO REFUSE REFUND (a) APC may refuse refund when your application is made thirty (30) days after the expiry of the validity of the Ticket. (b) APC may refuse refund on a Ticket which has been presented to APC or other carriers or to government officials of a country as evidence of intention to depart from such country, unless you are able to establish to APC's satisfaction that you have permission from the government to remain in the country or that you will depart such country by another carrier or by another means of transport. (c) APC may refuse refund in the circumstances covered by Article 7, Section 2 of these Conditions of Carriage. Sec. 6. CURRENCY All refunds will be subject to applicable laws, rules, and government regulations of the country in which the Ticket was originally purchased and of the country in which the refund is being made. Subject to the foregoing provision, refunds will normally be made in the currency in which the Ticket was paid but may be made in another currency in accordance with APC's Tariffs. Article 11 ARRANGEMENTS WITH CARRIER

Sec. 2. STOPOVERS Stopovers may be permitted at Agreed Stopping Places only if arranged with APC in advance, subject to these Conditions of Carriage and APC's Tariffs.

Sec. 4. SEATING APC will endeavor to honor your advance seating requests. However, APC does not guarantee to provide any particular seat in the aircraft and you agree to accept any seat that may be allotted on the flight in the class of service for which your Ticket has been issued.

Sec. 5. RECONFIRMATION OF RESERVATIONS Your reservation may be subject to the requirement that it be reconfirmed not later than seventy-two (72) hours before flight departure. Your reservation with other carriers involved in your travel must be reconfirmed with the carrier whose Airline Designator Code appears on the Ticket, and in accordance with their respective reconfirmation requirements.

Sec. 13. ITEMS REMOVED BY AIRPORT SECURITY PERSONNEL APC will not be responsible for, nor have any liability in respect of items removed from you or your Baggage by government authority or airport security personnel.

Sec. 7. ATTENDANT’S REQUIRED For reasons of safety, Passengers in the following categories may be required to travel with an attendant: (a) A Passenger with a mobility impairment so severe that the individual is unable to assist in his/her own evacuation. (b) A Passenger with severe hearing and severe vision impairment who is unable to establish some means of communications with APC’s personnel adequate to permit the Passenger to receive APC's safety briefing as may be required by the applicable law, rules, and government regulations; (c) A Passenger who is traveling on a stretcher or in an incubator or who requires administration of certain medical services during the flight (e.g. medical oxygen, respirator, intravenous injections, etc.) which he/ she cannot administer on himself/herself. Article 8 BAGGAGE Section 1. FREE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE You may carry some Baggage, free of charge, subject to the conditions and limitations of these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs.APC also reserves the right to change its free baggage allowance.

Sec. 7. RIGHT OF SEARCH For safety and security reasons, APC may conduct a search on your person and your Baggage, for the purpose of determining whether you are in possession of, or whether your Baggage contains any item described in Section 3, or any firearms, ammunitions, or weapons are not presented to APC in accordance with Section 3 of this Article. If you are unwilling to comply with such request, APC may refuse to carry you and/or your Baggage. In the event a search or scan causes damage to your Baggage, APC shall not be liable for such damage unless due to its fault or negligence.

APC reserves the right to charge for more than one seat in cases where the physical condition of the Passenger require additional seat.

(d)

Sec. 12. PLANTS Plants, flowers, fruits, cuttings or other plant products may be carried subject to these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs, and any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations of any country to be flown from, to or over.

Section 1. NO LIABILITY FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES If in the course of concluding the Conditions of Carriage by air, APC also agrees to make arrangements for the provision of additional services such as hotel accommodations, excursion trips and the like, APC does so only as your agent and shall have no liability to you for any loss, damage or expense of any nature whatsoever you incurred as a result of or in connection with your use of such arrangements or the denial of its use by any other person, company or agency.

Sec. 3. PERSONAL DATA You recognize that personal data have been given to APC for the purposes of: making a reservation, purchasing a Ticket,for obtaining ancillary services, facilitating immigration and entry requirements, complying with regulatory requirements of government authority and making available such data in connection with your travel. For these purposes, you authorize APC to retain and use such data and to transmit them to its own offices, Authorized Agents, government authorities, other carriers or the providers of the above-mentioned services.

(b)

It is entered on the appropriate Flight or Electronic Coupon, by APC or its Authorized Agent; You have paid for your Ticket; and A Ticket has been duly issued to you, or in the case of an Electronic Ticket, when it has been duly created in APC’s database. A reservation that does not comply with any of these requirements may be cancelled by APC at any time without notice. As provided in APC’s Tariffs, certain fares may be subject to conditions which limit or exclude your prerogative to change or cancel reservations.

(c)

Sec. 6. BANNING NOTICE In addition to its right to refuse carriage under any of the grounds in Section 1 of this Article, APC reserves the right to ban any person from all its flights and from availing of any of its services for the following reasons: (a) Such person is a habitual offender under any of the instances enumerated in Section 1; (b) When records support that you habitually and in bad faith, filed unwarranted complaints against APC and its employees tantamount to unjust vexation.

Sec. 2. TICKETING TIME LIMIT If you have not paid or made credit arrangements for the Ticket with APC prior to the specified ticketing time limit as advised by APC or its Authorized Agent, APC will cancel your reservation without prior notice.

1. 2. 3.

(b)

You must ensure that animals, such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, are properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit, failing which, they will not be accepted for carriage. Animals may be accepted for carriage as Checked Baggage, subject to APC's Tariffs. If accepted, the animal, together with its container and food carried, shall not be included in your free baggage allowance, and will constitute excess baggage, for which you will be required to pay the applicable excess baggage rate. Animals shall not be carried in the Passenger cabin. However, APC may issue policies to allow service animals, such as guide dogs, accompanying Passengers with disability, consistent with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. Provided that, containers and food of such animal shall be considered as Checked Baggage and will be carried subject to APC's Tariffs. You shall assume full responsibility for the animal carried. (i) Where carriage is not subject to the liability rules of the Convention, APC shall not be liable for any injury to or loss, sickness or death of such animal. (ii) APC shall have no liability in respect of any such animal not having all the necessary exit, entry, health and other documents with respect to the animal’s entry into or passage through any country.The person transporting the animal must reimburse APC for any fine, costs, losses or liabilities reasonably imposed or incurred by APC as a result. APC shall have no liability to you if you are unable to travel as a result of the refusal of carriage to any animal that you attempt to carry on the aircraft.

Sec. 4. VOLUNTARY REFUNDS Sec. 3. GENERAL INDEMNITY If you conduct yourself in a manner described in Section 1 of this Article, you will indemnify APC for all claims or losses, including, but not limited to, all costs arising from the diversion of the aircraft for the purpose of offloading you and all losses suffered or incurred by APC, its Authorized Agents, employees, independent contractors, Passengers, and any third party in respect of death, injury, loss, damage or delay to other persons or to property, arising from such conduct.

Sec. 6. RIGHT TO REFUSE CARRIAGE OF BAGGAGE (a) APC may refuse to carry as Baggage the items described in Section 3 of this Article and may refuse further carriage of any such items upon discovery. (b) APC may refuse to carry as Baggage any item, reasonably considered by APC to be unsuitable for carriage by reason of its size, shape, weight, content, or character; or for safety or operational reasons; or for the comfort of other Passengers. APC may refuse to accept Baggage as Checked Baggage unless it is properly packed in suitcases or other similar containers to ensure safe carriage with ordinary care in handling. (c) APC may refuse to carry as Baggage any item, due to security, safety or operational reasons, including Baggage which does not belong to you or which you have pooled with your Baggage. APC will not be liable for such Baggage and APC reserves the right to seek indemnity from you in respect of claims or losses incurred as a result of damage caused to it. (d) Subject to laws, rules, or government regulations, APC shall carry passenger wheelchairs or other disability-assistive devices, unless such carriage would be inconsistent with safety requirements. (e) APC shall not check through Baggage for other carriers with whom it does not have an interline agreement with. You are responsible for clearing your Baggage and having it checked-in and re-tagged for your onward flight. In such circumstances, APC shall not be liable for any loss, damage or delay.

Section 1. RESERVATION REQUIREMENTS (a) A reservation is not confirmed until:

(a)

Sec. 9. COLLECTION AND DELIVERY OF BAGGAGE (a) You are required to collect your Baggage as soon as it is available for collection at places of destination or Stopover. Should you not collect it within a reasonable time, APC may charge you a storage fee. (b) Only the bearer of the Baggage Tag is entitled to delivery of Baggage. . (c) If a person claiming the Baggage is unable to produce the Baggage Tag and identify the Baggage by any other means, APC will deliver the Baggage to such person only on the condition that he or she establishes to APC's satisfaction his or her right to the same. APC also reserves the right to require such person to furnish adequate security to indemnify APC for any possible loss, damage or expense which may be incurred by APC as a result of such delivery. (d) Acceptance of Baggage by the bearer of the Baggage Tag without written complaint at the time of delivery is proof that the Baggage has been delivered in good condition and in accordance with these Conditions of Carriage. Sec. 10. UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE Any Baggage which is unclaimed after being in APC’s possession for thirty (30) days shall be disposed of by APC in any manner it deems proper. Sec. 11. ANIMALS Carriage of animals by APC shall be subject to the following conditions:

Sec. 3. ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION Consistent with Section 1 of Article 9 above, APC may arrange for comparable air transportation or for other transportation which, at the time such arrangement is made, is scheduled to arrive at the place of your next Stopover, or place of your destination within the same time or reasonably within the same time frame as the scheduled arrival time of the flight where you hold a confirmed reservation. Article 12 ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES Section 1. GENERAL (a) You are responsible for obtaining and holding all required travel documents and visas and for complying with all applicable laws, rules, or government regulations, and travel requirements of all countries to be flown from, to or through which you transit. APC shall not be liable to you on the following circumstances: 1. for any aid or information given by any agent or employee of APC in connection with obtaining necessary documents or visas or complying with such laws, rules, and government regulations, whether given in writing or otherwise; or 2. for your failure to obtain such documents or visas or to comply with such laws, rules, and government regulations. Sec. 2. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (a) Prior to your travel, you must present all exit, entry, health and other documents required by laws, rules, and government regulations of the countries concerned and permit APC to take and/or retain copies of it. (b) APC reserves the right to require you to present any of these documents at any time during the carriage. APC may also refuse to carry you if you have not complied with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations or when APC has reason to believe that your travel documents are not in order. Sec. 3. PASSENGER RESPONSIBLE FOR FINES, DETENTION COSTS, ETC. (a) You are required to pay the applicable fare whenever APC, on government orders, is required to return you to your point of origin or elsewhere, owing to your inadmissibility into a country, whether of transit or of destination. (b) If APC is required to pay any fine or penalty or it incurred any expenditure by reason of your failure to comply with any applicable laws, rules, and government regulations, and travel requirements of the countries concerned or to produce the required documents, you shall, on demand, reimburse to APC any amount so paid and any expenditure so incurred. (c) APC may use for such expenditure any funds paid to APC for unused carriage, or any of your funds in APC’s possession. (d) In addition to the above, APC reserves the right to hold you liable for any fine and penalty incurred by APC by reason of any fraud or misrepresentation you commit in relation to your travel or immigration documents. Sec. 4. CUSTOMS OR OTHER OFFICIAL INSPECTION (a) If required, you shall attend the inspection of your Baggage, checked or unchecked, by customs or other government officials. (b) APC is not liable to you for any loss or damage you suffered through your failure to comply with this requirement. Sec. 5. SECURITY INSPECTION You shall submit to any security checks by APC, government or airport officials to carry out security screening on your person and your Baggage. Article 13 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS These Conditions of Carriage and applicable laws, rules, and government regulations govern APC’s liability to you. Sec. 2. LIMITS ON LIABILITY ON INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE Unless otherwise stated in these Conditions of Carriage, International Carriage, as defined in the Convention, is subject to the liability rules of the Convention. Sec. 3. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE Where your carriage is not subject to the liability rules of the Convention, our liability provisions are as follows: (a) APC will not be liable to you for any loss or expense incurred due to your failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Conditions of Carriage. (b) APC is not liable if it proves that it or any of its agents have taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage or that it was impossible for it to take such measure. (c) In the carriage of Baggage, APC is not liable if it proves that the damage was occasioned by negligence in the handling of the aircraft or in navigation and that, in all other respects, it has taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage. (d) APC is liable only for damage occurring on its own line or air services. When APC issues a Ticket or Baggage Tag over the lines or air services of another carrier, APC does so only as agent for such other carrier and assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of such other carrier. Nevertheless, with respect to Checked Baggage, you shall have a right of action against the first or last carrier. (e) APC is not liable for damage to Unchecked Baggage unless such damage is caused by the negligence of APC. If there has been contributory negligence on your part, APC's liability shall be subject to the applicable laws, rules, and government regulation relating to contributory negligence. (f) APC is not liable for damage arising from its compliance with any laws, rules, or government regulations, orders or requirements, or from your failure to comply with the same. (g) If in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations, different limits of liability are applicable such different limits shall apply. If the weight of the Baggage is not recorded on the Baggage Tag, it is presumed that the total weight of the Checked Baggage does not exceed the applicable free baggage allowance for the class of service concerned. If in the case of Checked Baggage a higher value is declared pursuant to Article 8, Section 7, the liability of APC shall be limited to such higher declared value. (h) APC's limit of liability shall not exceed the amount of proven damages. APC shall furthermore not be liable for indirect or consequential damages. (i) APC is not liable for injury to you or for damage to your Baggage caused by property contained in your Baggage. In the event that your property causes injury to another person or damage to another person's property or to APC’s property, you shall indemnify APC for all losses and expenses incurred by APC as its result. (j) APC is not liable for loss or damage to fragile or perishable items, money, jewelry, precious metals, silverware, negotiable papers, securities, or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples. Carriage of the foregoing shall be allowed only under special arrangements with APC. (k) APC is not liable for any consequence resulting solely from your state of health. (l) The aggregate amount you may claim from APC, including from Authorized Agents, employees, or representatives shall not exceed the limits of liability as prescribed in these Conditions of Carriage. (m) Unless so expressly provided nothing herein contained shall waive any exclusion or limitation of liability of APC under the Convention or applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. (n) In the Domestic Carriage of persons, the limit of liability for death or injury of personsattributable solely to the act, omission or negligence of APC and not due to any cause beyond its control, shall be governed by the relevant local law or regulation. (o) In the Domestic Carriage of Checked Baggage, the limit of liability for loss, damage or delay of the Checked Baggage or of any object contained in the Baggage, attributable solely to the act, omission or negligence of APC and not by any cause beyond its control, shall be governed by the relevant local law or regulation. Article 14 DENIED BOARDING COMPENSATION Section 1. DENIED BOARDING Subject to the exceptions provided under Section 2 of this Article, APC shall compensate Passengers holding confirmed reservations and who have undergone all the prerequisite formalities for check-in, but were denied boarding due solely to unavailability of space, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and government regulations. Sec. 2. EXCEPTIONS OF ELIGIBILITY You shall not be eligible for denied boarding compensation if: (a) (b) (c)

the flight for which you hold confirmed reservations is unable to accommodate you because of: (1) government requisition of space; or (2) substitution of equipment of lesser capacity when required by operational and/or safety reasons and/or other causes beyond the control of APC; the flight is cancelled due to operational and/or safety reasons, force majeure, weather, strikes, or other causes beyond the control of APC; or APC arranges for comparable air transportation or for other transportation which, at the time such arrangement is made, is scheduled to arrive at the place of your next Stopover, or place of your destination not later than three (3) hours from the scheduled arrival time on the flight where you hold a confirmed reservation.

Article 15 MODIFICATION AND WAIVER No agent, employee or representative of APC, by conduct, in writing or otherwise, has authority to alter, modify or waive any provision of these Conditions of Carriage and APC’s Tariffs Article 16 TOPIC HEADINGS The title of each Article of these Conditions is for convenience only, and is not to be used for interpretation of the text. ( T S - A P R . 14 / 21, 2 016)

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ

THE BINAY MACHINERY IN MOMENTUM

[ EDI TORI A L ]

FEELING THE HEAT IT IS the second week of April and among the headlines daily are the high temperatures felt in many places. On social media, users rant about the heat and how it makes the simplest of routines, especially those done outdoors and without the benefit of air conditioning, unbearable. The heat approximates the pinch being felt by presidential and vice presidential candidates in these last few weeks before the elections. They no longer make any pretensions to courtesy or decency. Instead they openly mock each other, jumping on their rivals at the slightest provocation. They know that the stakes are high and that anything can still happen. So, the gloves are off. The vice presidential debates last Sunday was proof that desperate candidates will throw anything at their opponents even as these do not have basis in fact or logic. It was entertaining to watch, actually—if only governance were a matter of pure entertainment. Unfortunately, it is not. What it takes to move this nation forward is not an assortment of sound bytes and clever, if not malicious, swipes at one’s rival. It is, instead, a boring, sober and steady stream of decisions and actions based on hard evidence. This of course will not appeal to Filipino voters, who eagerly consume the supply of trashy politics that our candidates provide and fuel the cycle by demanding it. Rabid supporters of one candidate for instance are unforgiving about negative comments about their idol, even as they themselves hardly give substantive talking points outside of their controversial statements. Elevating the level of discourse and talking constructively and calmly about how to solve this nation’s ills beyond one’s term appears impossible . In the end it’s about winning, not by being the best candidate, but by being the best at pulling the others down. So much for inspirational leadership.

ANOTHER SAD DAY DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA APRIL 9 was another sad day for our armed services. In a military engagement in Tipo Tipo, Basilan between the kidnap-for-ransom group Abu Sayyaf and elements of 44th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, 18 men were killed and about 53 were wounded. About five of the Abu Sayyaf were also

reported to have been killed including a Moroccan by the name of Mohammad Khattab and Haipa Hapilon, the son of the current head of the Abu Sayyaf. As of this writing, it is not altogether clear whether the military encounter was an ambush staged by the Abu Sayyaf or what we call a meeting engagement. The Armed Forces is up to this time keeping a tight lip as to what exactly happened. But interviews with the wounded personnel indicate that the

Abu Sayyaf was ready for the Army elements and had the upper hand. For one, it was reported that one of the lead soldiers stepped on an improvised explosive device that immediately killed some of the army operating personnel. It was also reported that the enemy occupied the high ground which meant that they were in a better position to inflict more casualties on our soldiers. The number of dead and wounded from the Army is high; we cannot afford to

A review of strategies is in order.

continue suffering this kind of casualty rate. It is not only bad for the reputation of the country that the Abu Sayyaf continues to kidnap foreigners at will. It also affects the morale of our troops and therefore diminishes their ability to fight. This engagement was big, involving a large number of the Abu Sayyaf. Almost always, the members of the group are dispersed to avoid large encounters with the military or police. Marauding bands only get together when it’s time to kidnap. They prefer foreigners because they are

more willing to pay ransom. The Abu Sayyaf is the one criminal group that continues to give the country a black eye and a bad reputation. Yet, for one reason or another, we cannot seem to eliminate it. The big question is why. In the almost 25 years of its existence, the notoriety of the Abu Sayyaf has only increased. We are still digesting what really happened in that Tipo Tipo engagement. In the 10 hours of fighting, no

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helicopters were flown nor artillery fired. These were only used in the follow-up operations. Evacuation of the wounded also took a long time. Control over the fighting elements was difficult and at times confusing. The Abu Sayyaf is a band that has metamorphosed from a jihadist and militant organization to a kidnap-for-ransom gang. Based on intelligence reports, the band has never numbered more than 400. As

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to the Tipo Tipo operation itself, there are questions being raised in some quarters including senior Continued on A11

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume soon.

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

THE campaign season is in full swing and heating up, quite literally, with the Philippine summer sun. What pushed the campaign’s momentum is the onset of the campaigns for local posts, and we expect more of the fiesta to be louder and more intense. How does this momentum relate to the candidates’ momentum based on national survey results? Political pundits have always mentioned this concept of a campaign’s or a candidate’s momentum as if it follows the laws of Newtonian physics. If the surveys get better for a candidate, they say that candidate has momentum; otherwise, it “loses steam” or worse, “comes to a full stop.” If this concept of momentum is to be believed, then there is no other force that would either speed up or slow down than one’s political machinery, the influence of which would be felt by its performance in the local campaigns. Political machinery, at its core of nuts and bolts, is built on grassroots networks, network of alliances, and their ability to get the support of electorate from the ground level. Our own political pundits believe that only two candidates have such machinery—and one of them is Vice President Jejomar Binay. His story in the 2010 elections is proof of his political machinery generating his momentum: He wasn’t leading in the polls in the early phases of the vice presidential race, but he surged in the surveys by the end of March, more by April, and grabbed the lead by May. This momentum coincided with the roll out of the local level campaigns. This was more due to his touch points with the masa in the countryside rather than missteps from his opponents. It was all about getting in touch with the everyday Filipino’s needs. VP Binay’s pro-poor platform is the chassis on which the machinery is built, made robust by comprehensive socio-economic reforms that benefit the business sector and various industries, while keeping in mind the delivery of the basic needs and services for those who need them the most. For instance, only the VP had enough vision to implement a concrete program for our senior citizens

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

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ

THE BINAY MACHINERY IN MOMENTUM

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A review of strategies is in order.

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

to the Tipo Tipo operation itself, there are questions being raised in some quarters including senior Continued on A11

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume soon.

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

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

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

REMAINING IN FOURTH PLACE TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

MY PERSONAL choices for the Senate, not necessarily in this order, are Tito Sotto, Serge Osmeña III, Frank Drilon, and Ralph Recto. Among the “baliksenado” are Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, Dick Gordon and Migz Zubiri. The others are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, Rep. Win Gatchalian, and former Justice secretary Leila de Lima. Why De Lima when on record I have had many disagreements on what she did as secretary of justice? I may have disagreed on the many things De Lima did as an Aquino Cabinet member, but I believe we need a senator like her—a fighter. If 10 of the 12 I mentioned make it, I’ll be happy. *** If there’s something worrisome on the part of BS Aquino, despite the fact that he has been personally campaigning for his anointed candidate Mar Roxas, it’s that Mar appears to be stuck on fourth place in the presidential race. The worst part of it all is that Roxas’ running mate, Leni Robredo, is now, according to poll surveys, no. 2, even ahead of Senator Chiz Escudero and just behind Senator Bongbong Marcos. What then is the reason when Mar, the administration candidate, enjoys a well-funded political machinery? Aside from the many controversies his name has been associated with—the mass transit railway system and the international airport, and the fact that BS Aquino could not even trust him enough to be on top of the “Oplan Exodus” that led to the

massacre of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao —Mar is now perceived to be just a lapdog of BS Aquino. He is not his own man. Santa Banana, all these and the many other controversies hounding BS Aquino have contributed to the people’s perception that Mar is not the leader they would like to have for the next six years. People think that Mar is indecisive, maintaining his “tekateka” behavior in so many ways. It’s a perception difficult to erase. He is seen as a rich man pretending to be pro-poor. And lastly, his image as a loser to Vice President Jojo Binay in 2010 seems to have stuck with him. To many Filipinos, once a loser, always a loser. Mar’s heaviest baggage is BS Aquino himself, the worst President the country ever had. But it is too late for Mar to disassociate himself from Aquino. Why then is Leni Robredo surging in her ratings for Vice President, even if Mar Roxas is stuck trailing as No. 4? People perceive Leni as a fresh face in the political scene. She is not identified with the many controversies hounding the Aquino administration. Unfortunately, that is all she has, not enough to match the younger Marcos for credentials, track record and advocacies. Personally, I like Bongbong advocating healing of political wounds and unifying the country so that we can all move forward. It’s the same advocacy of Binay’s. I can definitely support this. Speaking of the race for vice presidency, somebody asked me why candidates Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes and Gringo Honasan cannot seem to catch up with

FASTFOOD EATERS HAVE MORE INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS IN THEIR BODIES By John Tozzi PEOPLE who reported eating fastfood in the last 24 hours had elevated levels of some industrial chemicals in their bodies, according to a new analysis of data from federal nutrition surveys. The study is the first broad look at how fastfood may expose the public to certain chemicals, called phthalates, that are used to make plastics more flexible and durable. The chemicals, which don’t occur in nature, are common in cosmetics, soap, food packaging, flooring, window blinds, and other consumer products. The Centers for Disease Control says “phthalate exposure is widespread in the US population.” Though the health consequences of encountering these substances aren’t fully known, scientists have increasingly focused on their effects on health and development, particularly for pregnant women and children. Research in rats has shown that they can disrupt the male reproductive system, and there’s evidence for similar effects in humans. The latest research suggests that fastfood is a significant source of the chemicals, which may leach into food from machinery used in processing or packaging, or from gloves worn by workers. “Right now there are few choices for individuals who are interested in reducing their ex-

Mar Roxas’ baggage is just too heavy.

Bongbong Marcos and Robredo. Cayetano, despite the fact that Davao Mayor Rodrigo Du-Dirty is on a roll, remains in fourth place according to surveys. The only explanation I can give for Cayetano’s inability to improve his ratings is that Du-Dirty didn’t want him to be his running mate in the first place. The Davao City mayor’s supporters know this. It was

posure, and there’s also not very much regulation” of phthalates, said Ami Zota, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. In the US, “research happens once they’ve been introduced in commerce, rather than before,” she said. Zota and colleagues from GW analyzed data from almost 9,000 people who participated in federal nutrition surveys between 2003 and 2010. Participants answered detailed questions about what they ate in the last 24 hours and gave urine samples that were analyzed for byproducts that indicated the presence of three chemicals. The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health. For two of the three substances Zota examined—phthalates designated as DEHP and DiNP—there was a significant relationship between fastfood intake and exposure. People who ate more fastfood had more evidence of phthalates in their urine. The third chemical they measured was Bisphenol A, or BPA, which is commonly used to line aluminum cans. That wasn’t significantly correlated with fastfood intake. It’s difficult to determine what the health risks of phthalates are. The American Chemistry Council says that they’ve been thor-

Bongbong Marcos that Du-Dirty wanted. But Cayetano stuck to him like a leech, giving DuDirty no other choice. Thus, the support that Du-Dirty is getting from many sectors, especially from Mindanao, is not necessarily for Cayetano. As for Gringo Honasan and Antonio Trillanes, they are perceived by the electorate as not serious in their vice presidential candidates. Honasan was the Vice President’s last-minute choice, because he was reluctant to join the race. As for Trillanes, he knows he won’t make it but is running just the same only to pursue his demolition job against Binay. How pathetic! While it’s still anybody’s game for the presidency and vice presidency, the politi-

oughly studied and “phthalates used in commercial products do not pose a risk to human health at typical exposure levels.” The Environmental Protection Agency, in a 2012 Phthalates Action Plan, notes that it is “concerned about phthalates because of their toxicity and the evidence of pervasive human and environmental exposure to them.” Japan banned vinyl gloves in food preparation over concerns about DEHP, and the European Union has limited the use of the chemicals in food products and toys. Some phthalates, including DEHP, were restricted in children’s toys in the US by a 2008 law. The latest study is based on snapshot surveys, rather than following people over time. So it can’t establish that eating fastfood caused people to have elevated levels of phthalates, but the association is strong. It also doesn’t tell us anything about the health effects of potential exposure to the chemicals from eating fastfood. The cost of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, a group that includes phthalates, in the EU is estimated to be €163 billion annually, or 1.28 percent of the EU’s gross domestic product, according to a recent paper by Leo Trasande, associate professor of pediatrics, environmental medicine, and population health at NYU School of Medicine. He said the study out today “adds

cal horizon is bound to clear up in the next two weeks. Political analysts may just be able to predict the outcome of the elections by then. ** Another phenomenon that many observers cannot seem to explain is why Mrs. Llamanzares, despite Supreme Court ruling that she is eligible to be president, is now trailing Du-Dirty in poll surveys. People expected her ratings to surge but they did not. One of the reasons I can think of is that people still believe that the Supreme Court did not really make a final decision on her eligibility. After all, her husband is American, having served in the US Air Force, and her children are US citizens. In the case of DuDirty, more than any-

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thing else, the people’s frustration with he inability of the Aquino administration to stop criminality, trafficking of illegal drugs and worsening corruption in government has made him attractive. Still, people who have their brains in the right places know that these are not doable. Santa Banana, DuDirty has to declare Martial Law and become a dictator to do it. First of all, he has to rely on police intelligence and information to find out who are the criminals and illegal drug traffickers. But, we also know that the problem is that the police and politicians are also involved in many of the syndicated crimes and illegal trafficking of illegal drugs—a multibillion industry.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

POP GOES THE WORLD

IN THIS COUNTRY

JENNY ORTUOSTE IN THIS country, a 78-yearold widow is charged with assaulting armed law enforcement officers when all she wanted was rice. Valentina Berlin’s drought-stricken farm in North Cotabato could no longer afford her enough to live on, so when she heard that she could obtain rice assistance from Kidapawan City, she and her neighbors traveled there. Instead of food, they received bullets. The gathering in Kidapawan last April 1 resulted in three deaths. Dozens were injured. Three elderly persons including Berlin and three minors were arrested with 70 others for directly assaulting policemen. Thirty-eight of them are in jail, while 41 others are still detained for being unable to put up P12,000 in bail. Elsewhere in this country, the accused mastermind of a grand plunder operation that siphoned off billions of government funds into the pockets of politicians is granted bail.

It boggles the mind that in this country this is the kind of justice we have, and this is the treatment that poor people can expect from the authorities sworn to serve them. Wealthier people are treated better, that’s a fact. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was granted bail “for humanitarian reasons;” but what about Berlin and others caught in a fray not of their making? For them, P12,000 might as well be 12 billion —it’s a sum they don’t have, when they don’t even have enough to eat. It defies logic how in this country, we should believe that a weak, famished, nearoctogenarian could have “assaulted” officers with guns and truncheons? As she said, “At our age, do you think we still have enough strength to put up a fight against policemen?” There is one rule for the rich and another for the poor, and for the former, it’s the golden rule—he who has the gold makes the rules. In this country, elite politics rule and the elite make the rules.

Ancient Chinese thought pondered on who should best govern, and while there were philosophers who advocated hereditary rule, another branch—Mohism— favored meritocracy, where the best and fittest persons rule. Writings along the latter line were suppressed by the first Qin emperor—in other words, the ruling class—thus cementing the former as tradition. The Philippines, too, has a form of hereditary rulers— the political dynasties—and a ruling class—the elite, now interpreted as anyone with money. They have been in charge of the country since the Philippine Revolution, but over the past hundred years have done more to sustain their class and way of life than to improve the lives of the 99 percent of the people —folk like Valentina Berlin. In connection with the Kidapawan issue, words like “propaganda” and “disinformation” are surfacing. There might be so, but since we regular folk farm from the area are not all in a

position to know the truth, we can discern it by sifting carefully through news reports and triangulating the data to come up with a reasonable model of what actually happened. But in the end, what is the core concept? People died. People died because they were not given support for their farms in the face of a massive drought that was forecasted and that therefore authorities knew about in advance. People died because they did not receive their rice subsidies. People died because some armed folks were trigger-happy. People died because those who should have and could have helped didn’t care. Kidapawan was nothing less than the slaughter of innocents, and so far, no one is being held accountable. Perhaps North Cotabato Gov. Emmy Mendoza is the only person who has taken responsibility for the bloodbath that was Kidapawan. This is the same person who refused donations of rice saying the donors were

doing it for political reasons. For this reason, she should also be held responsible for any subsequent deaths from hunger and cases of malnutrition stemming from her intransigence. In this country, over a quarter of the population —25.8 percent—remained mired below the poverty line. This figure is as of the first semester of 2014 and is a four-percent increase since 2013. This happened despite the vaunted economic vibrance of the past several years. The truth is that in this country, economic gains did not trickle down to the masses like Valentina Berlin. Kidapawan is a story of climate change, hunger, and help denied. It is a story of deaf ears, hard hearts, selfish natures. It is a story of the elite treating the poor with disdain. In this country, justice is a long time coming.

Another... From A9

lost 44 but got Zulkifli Abdhir, the Malaysian bomb instructor responsible for many bombing atrocities. Was it worth the sacrifice? Some quarters are asking for a congressional inquiry. It is premature at this point because operations are still ongoing but a military board should be created at the soonest possible time to look at the planning and execution of the operation. Was the operation an independent stand-alone operation or part of a bigger operation as a result of the Indonesian and reported Malaysian kidnappings, not to mention the earlier kidnapping of Europeans in Davao? Some questions need to be answered— and answered fast. There is a lot at stake. The Bangsamoro Basic Law, the ISIS connection, the fighting reputation of our armed services, the reliability of the MILF as a peace partner, and others. The question as to whether the MILF gave the Abu Sayyaf advance information as a result of the

coordination made by the AFP is a crucial question that needs to be answered by the Board of Inquiry. It would appear that whether you coordinate or not as in Mamasapano, the result is the same—fighting. As for our armed services, it is about time that this manoa-mano type of operation is reviewed. Since we have a preponderance of resources like planes, armored personnel carriers, artillery and helicopters, it is time that the government use these resources more instead of relying on our foot soldiers to do the bulk of the fighting. We cannot simply go on suffering huge casualty rates. During the first year of this administration, about 19 army soldiers were killed by the MILF for not coordinating. Then we had the Mamasapano operation that resulted in the killing of 44 SAF personnel. Now we just lost 18 and about 53 wounded, many seriously. A review of strategies is in order.

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soon as possible to give due importance to our elders. Platforms such as these are aimed right into the heart of underprivileged Filipinos. Tumatatak sa puso, in the vernacular. How can any campaign claim to have the hearts for the masses when they have not muddied their feet with the impoverished and underprivileged? How can one claim to know the needs of the farmers and laborers when experience alone cannot account for an established and lasting relationship with and knowledge of them? This is why the term political machinery, particularly in the context of VP Binay, is a misnomer: it has the Filipino’s heart at its core. This is why I believe VP Binay’s statement that he will win by four million votes has factual basis. What the surveys do not take into account—at least not yet—is the political capital that VP Binay has invested in during his more than 20 years as a local leader.

it’s still money that counts in our kind of elections. In the end, everything will be local. *** With administration candidate Mar Roxas and BS Aquino’s “Manchurian Candidate” Mrs. Llamanzares now trailing survey frontrunner Du-Dirty, BS Aquino must now be having sleepless nights. His alleged ill-

ness when that Kidapawan violence dispersal last week must have been part of it. With either Mar Roxas and Mrs. Llamanzares out of the presidential race, the President just has to face the inevitable with so many groups preparing to file criminal and civil cases against him. BS Aquino in jail? It sounds likely.

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officers from the AFP. How is it for instance that the 44th Infantry Battalion planned an operation to surprise the enemy but ended up being the one surprised? Did the MILF or some of its elements inform the Abu Sayyaf when the AFP coordinated with them prior to the operations? The latter is an intriguing yet a valid question to ask because based from the accounts of the participating soldiers, it would appear that the Abu Sayaf were well prepared. Was it wise for the Army to have coordinated with the MILF? Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in an interview said that coordination cannot be avoided since that is the rule and the AFP must abide by the rules. He was also reported to have said that the Army sacrificed a lot but got the Moroccan bomb-making instructor. This was the same refrain of the PNP in the Mamasapano encounter. They

Remaining... From A10 As for corruption, only idiots can believe it will stop overnight. Federalism? Du-Dirty will have to amend the Constitution, something very difficult to do. I say this as a journalist for over 66 years. I have seen presidents come and go. Sad to say,

which was clearly shown in his projects for Makati. This cutting edge program was implemented nationwide through sister cities. While candidates with lesser vision would laugh at initiatives like giving birthday cakes to seniors, acts like these have a big sentimental impact. It wasn’t about the cakes. It was about reaching out to them, taking their pulse, and getting down to the heart of the matter: they need care and attention. There are 8.2-million senior citizens in the country who, unlike younger people that proliferate the social media, would most likely have the patience to line up to vote for their preferred presidential candidate. VP Binay’s vision is to provide P20,000 per month for each barangay’s Senior Citizen Association. There being 17,000 barangays in the country, this would translate to a yearly budget of a mere P4 billion. I agree that this sum should be implemented as

further data to support the notion that people should avoid eating highly processed or highly packaged foods.” That doesn’t mean just junk food, he notes. Canned vegetables or organic milk that’s been piped through plastic tubing could carry the same chemical risks. “It’s not

Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember

fair to say, ‘Oh, these exposures only happen if you eat unhealthy foods.’ “ Zota said that for people interested in reducing their exposure, “common-sense approaches will take you a long way. Eat organic when you can. If you can’t still, try to eat fresh vegetables,” she said. “Try to eat low on the food chain.” Bloomberg

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Federer dominant at Monte Carlo

Rodney Stuckey (no. 2) of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Bryant prepares farewell to NBA THE eyes of the basketball world will turn to California on Wednesday as the NBA regular season draws to a close with Kobe Bryant preparing to bid farewell to the sport as the Golden State Warriors chase a place in history. A perfectly scripted finale will see Bryant play his 1,566th and final game as the Lakers host the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center for what is certain to be an emotionally charged occasion. A sell-out 18,000-capacity crowd packed with celebrities will be on hand to salute the last game of the 37-year-old Bryant’s twodecade career. Around 30 of Bryant’s former teammates from different generations led by Shaquille O’Neal will be in attendance to honor the star while Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Flea will play the national anthem. Bryant announced his retirement from basketball in November, and has spent a challenging 16-65 season with the Lakers being feted by rival fans in different cities across the nation.

ROGER Federer made a flawless comeback after two and a half months away, as the Swiss advanced over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday to power into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters. But it was a struggle for number two Andy Murray, who needed to call upon all of his resources to survive his opening match of the season on clay. The Scot scratched out a narrow 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Federer showed no signs of a layoff after undergoing a knee operation on February 3 and delaying his comeback by three weeks due to stomach illness last month before Miami. Federer has never won

the Monte Carlo title, losing in four finals, most recently in 2014 to compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the reigning French Open champion. He said his repaired knee gave him absolutely no trouble: “The knee felt really good, like in practises, it felt like I didn’t have to worry about it. I’m at a point now where I’m looking more forward in the sense that whenever I can dig out a good point, “It’s only building on my confidence now, which is great.” Federer was broken while serving for the win leading 5-2 in the second set; he got the job done on the second time of asking with a winner. Federer called the win “in a way, the perfect match.”

Pacers seal seventh seed, avoid Cleveland THE Indiana Pacers clinched the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 102-90 victory over New York on Tuesday, avoiding a daunting opening postseason with Cleveland.

The Pacers win, coupled with the Miami Heat’s 99-93 victory at Detroit, means Indiana will now play second seeded Toronto in the first round of the playoffs. Detroit, who squeezed into the postseason at the expense of the Chicago Bulls, will face LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Indiana recovered from a first-quarter blitz that saw New York score 36 points. Nineteen points each from Paul George and George Hill anchored the Indiana effort as the Pacers wrapped up a 26-15 record at home during the regular season, 44-37 overall. “Teams hit their stride at different times in the season, and we were hoping to enter the

playoffs with some momentum,” said Indiana coach Frank Vogel, whose team travels to Milwaukee on Wednesday for their final game. “We got a great game tonight from George Hill, who we ask to play his game and be aggressive. He does whatever he is asked.” New York’s Derrick Williams was the top scorer for the Knicks with 21 points, while Jerian Grant chipped in with 18 and Arron Afflalo 13. The Knicks finished the season with a 32-50 record. “The Knicks came out hot and negated what we were trying to do, but then our defensive pressure got better, and we were able to get control of the game defensively,” George said. “In

the second half, we got some stops and got some easy opportunities, a lot of transition plays.” Knicks coach Kurt Rambis bemoaned his team’s failure to blunt the Pacers attack. “They were allowed to penetrate, and that created confusion in our defense and allowed them to get open scoring opportunities,” Rambis said. “Paul George got himself going, and a lot of that had to do with our execution.” Meanwhile in Michigan, the Pistons tumbled to defeat as Miami improved their chances of securing home-court advantage for the opening round of the playoffs. Luol Deng scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds while Goran Dragic finished with 16 points for the Heat (48-33). Hassan Whiteside weighed in with 14 points and nine rebounds while Dwyane Wade chipped in 14 points. Heat rookie forward Justise Winslow was missing after suffering an ankle sprain.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was Detroit’s highest scorer with 17 points. Marcus Morris added 16 points and nine rebounds. Elsewhere Tuesday, San Antonio scored a 102-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 26 points, to snap a three-game losing streak. Leonard drained a jumper with 49 seconds left in the extra period to put the Spurs 100-98 ahead before Tony Parker added two free throws with 12 seconds to go. The win saw the Spurs tie the 1985-86 Boston Celtics for most home victories in a single season in NBA history (40). “We started the game with not much energy and were a little bit sluggish,” Leonard said. “We had some breakdowns on defense, but we got better and got some things going on offense. We had to be more assertive to get back in the game. We would always like to be better, and we just have to continue to improve.”

Hamilton seeks win in China FORMULA One world champion Lewis Hamilton faces a severe test of his mental strength in China this weekend as he tries to halt Nico Rosberg’s blistering start to the season. The Briton, who is chasing a third successive victory in Shanghai, denies his Mercedes team-mate has struck a psychological blow by winning the first two races, insisting the early skirmishes count for little with 19 grands prix left in a championship with more rounds than ever. But Hamilton has failed to win since securing his

third world championship in Texas last October, while German rival Rosberg, who has opened up a 17-point lead over his fierce rival, has now won the past five races dating back to last year. “I couldn’t care less if he’s won the last five,” sniffed Hamilton, who was rammed by the Williams of Valtteri Bottas at the first corner before finishing third behind Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari in Bahrain two weeks ago, despite starting on pole for the second race in a row. “Anything can happen.” The 31-year-old knows, however, that failure to stop

the rot in China could add weight to suggestions that he has lost a little of his edge since winning his third world title, a success he celebrated by partying long and hard. Hamilton is still searching for the swashbuckling form that swept him to victory last year when he dominated in Shanghai, prompting a tantrum from Rosberg. Worryingly also, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned that the clutch problems that have sabotaged Hamilton’s starts, setting him back in the first two races, might not be fixed in time for China.

Stealing base. Norichika Aoki (no. 8) of the Seattle Mariners grounds to second against the Texas Rangers in the third inning at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. Aoki reached first on an error. AFP

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All set for Asian taekwondo meets FOUR prestigious international events organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association will take center stage for five straight days starting on April 16 at the Marriott Convention Center Grand Ballroom in New Port City Complex, Pasay City.

Calma, Suson lead net winners STREAKING Mary Aubrey Calma from Cagayan de Oro and Cebu City’s Marc Nicole Suson led the winners in the recent Maasin City leg in Leyte of the on-going nationwide Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series, the first time that this Southern Philippine city has hosted a leg in the series. Now on its 10th year of discovering and developing young tennis talents in the countryside, the netfest, sponsored by Philippine Tennis Association Regional Vice President Rafael Munoz and supported by Dunlop, the official ball of the tournament, attracted 120 entries coming from adjoining Visayan provinces. “We need to hold legs in new venues so the program can identify new talents. At the same time, we also promote the sport in these new host cities,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/ CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and currently Chairman of Philta, which has sanctioned the series. Calma ruled both the 16-under and 18-under girls’ divisions, plus a share of the 18- under girls’ doubles, where she partnered with Siquijor’s Ellaine Rose Bahonsua, champion in the 14-under girls, to prevail over local bet Janzen Albino and Princess Paler, 8-0. Calma posted an easy 6-3, 6-4 win over Albino, repeating over the same opponent, 5-7, 6-1, 10-6, in the 18-under finals.

International Elevator & Equipment Inc. Golf Tournament. IEE, an affiliate of Mitsubishi Electric Group and the country’s leading supplier of elevators and escalators, held its 10th IEE Mitsubishi Electric Invitational Golf Tournament last March 11 at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club. Gerard V. Cadiz, president of Mt. Carmel Rural Bank Inc. won the overall low gross, while Richard C. Tan, president of Advanced Geotechnical Engineering Services won the overall low net. IEE President Engr. Ramoncito A. Ocampo (left panel, left), PME, hands the trophies of Cadiz, represented by Manolito Magsino, and and Richard Tan (right panel).

Ikeabuchi arrested for probation violation By Ronnie Nathanielsz FORMER heavyweight, 43-yearold Ike Ibeabuchi, who was signed up eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz and was supposed to fight on the third Pacquiao fight against Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley, but fell through for unknown reasons, has been arrested near Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday for what Boxing Scene reported was allegedly

violating conditions of his lifetime probation for a 1998 sexual assault case conviction. The 43-year-old boxer with an impressive record was convicted in 2001 in Las Vegas of attempted sexual assault and battery. Ibeabuchi was unbeaten with a record of 20-0 with 15 knockouts. In November 2015, Ibeabuchi was finally released. Upon his release, Ibeabuchi signed an agreement with Koncz, the longtime adviser of

Manny Pacquiao. He was initially going to make his ring return on last Saturday’s Pacquiao-Bradley undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but those plans never came together. Ibeabuchi has not stepped in the ring since March of 1999, when he knocked out an undefeated Chris Byrd in five rounds. Byrd would not suffer another stoppage loss until his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko in 2006.

These are the Asian qualifying tournament for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on April 16 and 17, the Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championships and Para-Taekwondo Open Championships (Free Sparring) on April 18 and the 22nd Asian Taekwondo Championships (Free Sparring) on April 19 and 20. These competitions are sanctioned by the World Taekwondo Federation and supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, SMART, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, MVPSF and MERALCO. Grand Master Sung Chon Hong is the chairman of the Asian qualifying and Asian taekwondo championships. One hundred and 97 fighters from 35 Asian countries will vie in four male and female weight categories each in the Asian qualifying event for the right to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. The weight categories are under 58 kilograms, under 68kg, under 80kg and over 80kg for male, under 49kg, under 57kg, under 67kg, and over 67kg for female.

De Asis, Legaspi share tennis honors KIANA de Asis and Lorenzo Legaspi of Aklan scored a twin-kill each as they stamped their class in the Mindoro leg of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis circuit at the Pinamalayan Tennis Club yesterday. De Asis recovered from a 3-6, 6-2, 3-10 setback to fellow La Carlota, Negros bet and fancied Tracy Llamas in the girls’ 16-and-under finals by toppling the top-seeded bet in the premier 18-U championship, 7-5, 6-3. The 14-year-old De Asis earlier subdued Amanda Zoleta of Lucena City in another thrilling three-setter, 3-6, 6-3, 10-5, to pocket the 14-U crown in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger. The sixth-ranked Legaspi, on the other hand, dominated No. 2 Rewell Justiniani of La Carlota, 6-1, 6-1, to cop the boys’ 18-U crown then completed his two-title romp by scoring a 1-0 (ret.)

win over Justiniani in the 16-U finals of the five-day event sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball. “De Asis and Legaspi proved they can be ranged with and win over older, more experienced opponents given the proper training and motivation. Palawan Pawnshop has committed itself to provide these youngsters year-round competitions to further toughen up and help raise the level of their respective games,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. Justiniani, however, salvaged a win in the 14-U class, fighting back from an opening set setback to foil Luis Henderin, 4-6, 7-5, 10-7, while Khenz Justiniani and Lucena City bet Julia Ignacio split the 12-U crowns with the former trouncing Marcus Guinoo, 6-1, 6-4, in the boys’ finals and the latter routing Keisha Lopez, 6-0, 6-0.

Kiana de Asis (left) and Lorenzo Legaspi (center) display their trophies and medals as they pose with PPS-PEPP manager Gina Simon after dominating the PPS-PEPP Mindoro leg.

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German, Swiss win cliff diving GERMAN diver Jan Wilko Heinzel, together with Switzerland’s Andreas Hullinger and local diver Zardo Domenios, took home the top slots in the 5th Club Punta Fuego and Rider Cliff Diving International Challenge, at the breathtaking cliffs of Punta del Sol in the world-class Peninsula de Punta Fuego, in Nasugbu, Batangas. Heinzel walked off with his second straight title in the premier High Diving Open division category garnering an impressive 336.3 points, while Hullinger achieved an impressive 314.3 points and Domienos finished with 309.25 points. The participating divers competed in two brackets—Open Class and Juniors Division for bidders in the 8-16 age group—under the scoring system of the Fédération Internationale de Natation, the international governing body for aquatic sports. Each dive was scored from 0 to 10 based on the judge’s impression of the dive and its degree of difficulty—including their initial leap, the number of twists and somersaults, their position during the somersaults, and their entry into the water. For this year, 21 Filipino diver athletes went head to head against divers from Indonesia, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, and the USA.

“We’d like to congratulate all the winning divers and everyone who participated for their impressive showings,” said Cecille Loretizo, Marketing Head of ELRO Retail Corporation. ”We are also proud to support this international event as it is a showcase of Rider’s passion for adventure.” The Club Punta Fuego and Rider Cliff Diving International Challenge is an annual invitational challenge event—an exhilarating display of aerial grace and prowess—that is supported by footwear brand Rider, makers of durable and thoughtfully designed flip flops, sandals and thongs that celebrate the great outdoor lifestyle and spirit of freedom and self-expression. Standing as host, meanwhile, is the picturesque Club Punta Fuego, a perfect spot for cliff diving, an enclave that marries the natural beauty of the land and sea with its majestic cliffs and world-class services and amenities. Rider footwear is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by ELRO Retail Corporation. For more information about Rider and the brand’s initiatives, check out its official Facebook account https://www.facebook. com/RiderPhilippines. You can also visit https:// www.facebook.com/ExperienceFuego.

Donaire expects stifling PH heat to bother Bedak By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FIVE-DIVISION world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire continues to train hard for his World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title defense against world No. 4-ranked former Hungarian Olympian Zsolt Bedak at the Cebu Sports Center on April 23.

World-class drivers from Germany and Switzerland lent prestige to the 5th Club Punta Fuego and Rider Cliff Diving International Challenge.

Cantorna, Nuqui win TBAM titles YOUTHFUL Louis Cantorna and Patrick Nuqui dominated their respective fields to win titles in the recent Tenpin Bowling Affiliation of Makati Inc.Boysen Easter Open Bowling Championship at the Superbowl in Makati Cinema Square in Makati City. Cantorna of TBAM-Prima defeated Kenzo Umali, also of TBAM Prima, 234-224, in the second match of the shootout finals to bag the Mixed Youth Masters crown of the weeklong annual competition. Cantorna came from third place after 10 games, with a total of 2140 pin-falls in the qualifiers, while Umali topped that round with 2194. John Abad of PBAP placed second with 2145 and Xyrra Cabusas of BTA Prima, was in fourth place with 2137. Cantorna started the shootout match on a high note, scoring 234, surpassing Abad (220) and Cabusas (229), to face the top-seed Umali in the Final match. Nuqui of PBA Nobleland, for his part, captured the Mixed Rookie Masters’ title by scoring a total of 1685 in eight games to outplay second placer Ariscel Lobo (1583) of PTBA and third placer Norel Nuevo (1570) of PBA Nobleland. In other events supported

by Boysen Paints, Prima Pasta, Cebuana Pera Padala and Alveo Land, Orlean Batistil of MBA Sarimanoks and JD Campos of TBAM Prima won the Associate Masters and Graded Masters events, respectively. Batistil tallied 1668 to clinch the Associate Masters’ crown, while Enzo Marquez of PBA registered 1586 to settle for 1st runner-up, while

Orly Gan of TBAM Prima came from behind to snatch third place with 1575. Campos bowled 267 on the positioning game to grab the Graded Masters’ title from the leaders with his 2123 total, while Jawo Tarrobal of PBAP Bowlmart settled for first runner-up with 2106 and Collins Jose of TBAM Prima got 2097 for a second runner-up finish.

Youth mixed champion Luis Cantorna (third from left) displays his trophy. He is joined here by organizer and sports patron Alex Lim (second fromleft)

Despite the sweltering heat, Donaire did 10 rounds on the punch-mitts and four rounds of shadow boxing, “moving around in the heat.” The 122-pound champion described it as “great and an amazing day of training.” He said he wondered how Bedak is going to cope with the stifling heat considering he is coming in from Europe on the week of the fight. Donaire, who is leaving for Cebu on Saturday to check out what the weather is like at the sprawling venue, said he won’t spar any more there as he tapers off. “I am ready to put on a show,” Donaire told The Standard, adding this is for the huge crowd of fight fans expected to show up for the title defense, which highlights an exciting card with unbeaten Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo battling highly rated American Chris Avalos in the main supporting bout. Donaire said he was very pleased that ABAP president Ricky Vargas was considering hiring his father/trainer “Dodong” Donaire to train the country’s amateur boxers preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio in August and the fighters set to compete in the remaining two qualifying tournaments in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Vargas said he is hoping that at least two more boxers can qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. The remaining contenders are Eumir Felix Marcial, Carlos Bautista, Mario Fernandez and female star Nesthy Petecio, who appeared to have been robbed of a decision in during the qualifying tournament in Qan’ An, China last month. Donaire helped his trainer/ father in giving the boxers some drills and kept urging the boxers on while they trained in the US. Boxing executive director Ed Picson said it (US training) was “really very productive” as Donaire gave the fighters a motivational/inspirational talk which was set to last 10 minutes, but went on for over 30 minutes “because Nonito spoke from the heart.”

T H U R S DAY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 16

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

PAL flies table tennis champs for preOlympic event. The

Philippine table tennis team, led by Richard Gonzales and Jann Mari Nayre (second and first from left), the country’s No. 1 table tennis players for Men’s and Junior divisions, respectively, recently flew to Hong Kong via PAL flight PR360 to compete in the Asian Table Tennis Olympic Qualification Tournament (singles), a qualifying event for 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil. As PAL celebrates its 75th anniversary, it launched its flagship corporate social responsibility program Rprsnt Pinoy! - in order for PAL to become a source of pride for Filipinos. Rprsent Pinoy! supports exceptional but underprivileged Filipinos, like Gonzales and Nayre who will represent the country in global competitions. With them are Ian Labira, table tennis champion (ladies division) and team coach Kwon Mi Sook.

La Salle swimmer, Region IV runner hog Palaro spotlight By Peter Atencio

LEGAZPI, Albay—Swimmer Maurice Sacho Ilustre broke a meet record twice in a day, joining 12-year-old runner Charlaine de Ocampo in taking centerstage Wednesday in Day 3 of the athletics’ meet in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa here. Ilustre, an incoming 11th grader from La Salle-Zobel, topped secondary boys’ 100-meter freestyle in 54.15 seconds at the poolside of the Bicol University-Albay Sports and Cultural Complex, erasing an 11-year-old record set by Kendrick Uy in 2005. “It was a fast swim. My time was already low this morning. Looks like it’s faster this time. I hope got it (record),” said Ilustre after he outpaced second placer Christian Anor of Region 11 (54.45) and teammate Miguel Barlisan (54.92).

Earlier in the day, Ilustre also surpassed Uy’s time with 54.41 seconds during the preliminaries. So far, Ilustre’s efforts contributed to National Capital Region’s rise to the top of overall medal tally with 22 golds, 12 silvers and 10 bronzes. NCR leads with an 11-7-5 goldsilver-bronze collection in the secondary division, while coming up with an 11-5-5 feat in the elementary side. The Southern Tagalog Region (Region IV-A) trails at second spot (9-6-7), followed

by Region 6 (Western Visayas) with a 6-9-3 tally. Meanwhile, De Ocampo was encouraged by her twin sister Charmaine to be at her best in the elementary girls’ 400-m hurdles as she later on matched an 18-year record in the process. The younger of the twins from General Trias, Cavite overcame nervousness and ran as fast as she could as soon as she heard the blast from the starting gun. She eventually submitted a time of one minute and 8.6 seconds, matching the Palaro mark of Junelon Cabal of Northern Mindanao in 1998. “Mabilis iyung takbo ko. Kinakabahan ako bago magsimula. Pero nu’ng pumutok iyung baril, nawala na,” said De Ocampo, whose twin sister is running in the relays and the 400-meter run. Their coach Suseth Orbon expects them to win medals in their

events for Region IV-A. Meanwhile, John Marvin Rafols collected his second medal for Central Visayas Region after he leapt 14.65 meters in the secondary boys’ triple jump. The 17-year-old bet from the University of Cebu was 36 shy of the meet mark when he bested Region IV-A’s Carl Aquino (14.4) and Region I’s Jay Mark Gascon (13.93). Ed de Lina, a 10th grader from Zambales, took the secondary boys’ discus throw honors in 35.65 meters, with Region II’s Ronnie Baldomerte and Region VII’s John Limpado settling for the silver and bronze, respectively. Marjun Sulleza, coached by former national athlete Henry Dagmil, struck gold in the secondary boys’ 400-meter hurdles for Region XII in 54.5 seconds, while Rizza Jane Vallente of Region VII ruled the distaff side.

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Electrocuted Palaro athlete out of danger LEGAZPI City, Albay—A special games’ athlete of Mimaropa (Region 4B) is now out of danger after she was electrocuted while going up the metal stairs of a Jollibee food truck stationed at the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex located inside the Bicol University here. The victim, who was identified as Pamela Tabas-Tabas, 17, was preparing for her participation in the standing long jump for the disabled and mentally impaired. Investigators from the police and the fire marshal’s office alleged that exposed electric cable wiring coming from the food truck’s power source may have come in contact with the metal stairs. “Baka may nakasayad na wire sa body ng truck. I’m having this checked by an electrical engineer,” said fire marshal Arturo Alarca in an interview with The Standard. According to the incident report from the police, the Puerto Princesa-based Tabas-Tabas, a visually impaired child, was walking barefoot at around 8 a.m. with her coach when they made their way to the food truck near the entrance of the athletics’ stadium. She suddenly convulsed but rescuers quickly came to the scene. She was then treated at the BU College of Medicine. Tabas-Tabas is now in stable condition and under observation. Authorities have shut down the food truck, pending further investigation. The manager of the fast food company’s Legazpi branch made assurances to shoulder the medical expenses of the victim, according the Legazpi police. Peter Atencio

Giorgino Duboin’s Column (4): The Last Waltz THE Vanderbilt in Reno was the last tournament I played SYLVIA LOPEZ with Zia Mahmood. ALEJANDRO This was our last event as a partnership, since we had already made long-term plans with other partners. This decision stemmed from Lavazza team’s project and not from any issues between us. At the start of the tournament, we knew we had what it took to get a good result: we were the first seed (since we had won the previous edition); Madala and Bianchedi wanted to prove to be a strong pair, and to show there was no reason to miss the partnership with Bocchi; for the same reason Norberto wanted to give his best with his new partner; Diego Brenner; Diego did not want to waste an opportunity to perform well with such a good partner; and lastly Zia and I wanted to have a good last game, to leave a good memory— ‘maybe one day you will miss me’ we thought. After the bye, we faced Rippery. In the third segment, I was north at favorable vulnerability and picked up this hand: ♠AQ983 ♥- ♦987543 ♣74 East opened 1H, Zia overcalled 2C and West bid 3H (mixed raise), I then bid 3♠. After East’s

4S and my partners 4S all passed. They led the KH and dummy tabled: South ♠J106 ♥Q75 ♦A ♣AQ9653 North ♠AQ9653 ♥♦987543 ♣74 I ruffed the lead in hand with the 3S and played a club to the king and dummy’s ace. I ruffed another heart and played my last club. East discarded a diamond. I then played another club which East again refused to overruff. I already had 5 tricks, 2 clubs and 3 ruffs in hand, so I could add the ace of diamonds (6), a heart ruff (7), a diamond ruff (8), a club ruff (9), and one more trump trick from JT (10). The full hand: South ♠J106 ♥Q75 ♦A ♣AQ9653

♠K72 ♥AK964 ♦KJ62 ♣K

♠54 ♥J10832 ♦Q10 ♣J1082

North ♠AQ983 ♥♦987543 ♣74 As you can see, if East ruffed the second club, or overruffed the queen of spades with the king, he could not stop me from setting up the clubs because he has the long spade holding, so I would have made my contract anyway. We played up to the initial expectations and, despite a number of tough matches, we marched on towards the final victory without a glitch, winning almost all matches by a comfortable margin. I am very happy about the result, and surely a pinch of luck contributed to our performance, but I would like to add a little about each pair. Alejandro and Agustin played very well. This result will strengthen their partnership understanding and trust. The hands they played will be useful to build a future together and their few mistakes will be a reminder in future matches.

Norberto and Diego proved that they can play very well together so for them this tournament was a partnership building block. Both pairs ‘played’ for today’s audience and for tomorrow’s too. (The Italian text contains a pun on the meaning of ‘play’ referred to cards and music, Translator’s Note) It was different for Zia and me, as we did not have anything to build. Nonetheless, this was probably our best performance. We ‘played’ for the pleasure of doing it, one last time to leave a good memory to the public and to us. Giorgino Duboin *** [The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group the Band,held on American Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The concert saw the Band joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John Joni Mitchell, Van Morisson, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, Bobby Charles, The Staples, and Eric Clapton. The event was filmed by director Martin Scorsese. Source: Wikipidia] Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

A16

T H U R S DAY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 16 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

Thai Natthapong Niyomchon (right) weighs his options from a stymied lie on No. 12, while Taichi Nabetani (left) of Japan watches his putt roll on No. 13.

Thai, Japanese grab lead CARMONA, Cavite —Thai Natthapong Niyomchon and Taichi Nabetani of Japan led the assault of the foreign aces at the Southwood’s Legends course with superb shotmaking and putting, turning in pair of sixunder 65s to seize the clubhouse lead at the start of the rich ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship ADT here yesterday. The duo took advantage of calm conditions on early morning starts and pounded the hazard-laden layout with their near-flawless rounds with Niyomchon highlighting his 31-34 card with four straight birdies from No. 3 before holing out with back-to-back birdie feats. He actually fumbled with two bogeys on Nos. 11 and 15 but tied with birdies on Nos. 9 and 13. Nabetani also leaned on a fiery start of back-to-back birdies and closed out his frontside stint with two more birdies. He reeled back with an unlikely bogey on No. 10 but strung up three birdies on the next en route to a 32-35. Niyomchon and Nabetani stood a stroke up on another pair of Thais Pijit Petchkasem and Pannakorn Uthaipas and Malaysian Gavin Green, who finished with identical 66s fashiond out in varying fashions. An hour-long delay due to threats of lightning late in the afternoon stranded a number of flights, including Mhark Fernando, who took the cudgels for the local bets when fancied Tony Lascuña struggled with his putting and ended up with an even par 71 despite a morning start and Miguel Tabuena failed to get going on a late tee-off. Fernando, seeking an end to a long title spell, kept a bogey-free five-under card with three holes left in the opener of the $60,000 event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc.

Star routs Mahindra, seals quarterfinal cast By Elmer Manuel

STAR Hotshots handily beat Mahindra, 8473, Wednesday night to formally complete the quarterfinal cast in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Hotshots, sensing the urgency of a victory, made short work of the Enforcers to clinch the final ticket to the next round, ending their elimination campaign with a 5-6 record. Mahindra, on the other hand, failed to make its first-ever playoff stint and capped their elimination with a 4-7 card. The win also gave Star its 15th straight playoff appearance, but this time, it will

Pacers avoid Cavs TURN TO A12

have a twice-to-beat disadvantage against either the top or second seeds. Ricardo Ratliffe once again provided the all-around performance for the Hotshots, finishing with a game-high 24 points and 16 rebounds. But the biggest revelation of the night was rookie Mark Cruz, who stole the show in the second half after Mark Barroca was injured. Cruz chalked up a career-high 18 points, including an impressive 3-of-6 shooting

from the threethat today’s preGames tomorrow point area and (Smart Araneta Coliseum) sent was a gift. p.m. – NLEX vs. Alaska a perfect 5-of-5 4:15 This league is 7 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Talk N Text from the line. so tough that Ian Sanyou’re going to galang and Allein Maliksi need to play your 10th, 11th were the only other Star guy on the floor.” players with double-digit The Hotshots were all performances, finishing business last night, with with 12 and 11 points, re- Ratliffe leading the charge spectively. in offense for a 43-36 Of course, nobody is hap- cushion at the break. pier than Hotshots’ coach But the Enforcers got their Jason Webb, who sees the second wind in the third win as a fresh start after a frame, slowly trimming the shaky elimination run. gap behind the efforts of Karl “Even if we’re in a twice- Dehesa and import Augusto-beat disadvantage, at least tus Gilchrist to threaten to we’re there. We’re fighting, within two, 51-53, at the end buhay pa kami,” said Webb of the third period. after the game. “Let’s not Mahindra was able to forget about the God-given tie the game at 57-all early heart my guys have. Our in the payoff period, but it concern is today, we live was then when Star sudin the present. We’re lucky denly exploded.

Donaire: Heat will bother Bedak TURN TO A14

The Hotshots went on a crippling 14-1 run led by Ratliffe and Cruz, who was fouled shooting a three and made all of his free throws. Sangalang followed that up with a bucket and Cruz struck again before Ratliffe finished with back-to-back buckets to push the difference to double digits, 68-57. Dehesa made 1-for-3 from the stripe before Cruz capped the run with a big triple, 71-58. Mahindra made one last run as they trimmed it down to six, 73-67, on an Aldrech Ramos threepointer but Cruz made two more treys to seal the win. Dehesa, Gilchrist and Ramos contributed 13 points apiece for Mahindra.

THURSDAY: APRIL 14, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Koreans eye PH products. Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado (third from left) and Export Marketing Bureau assistant director Anthony Rivera (second from left) welcome Korean food business delegation led by Lee Dong Co (fourth from left) of the Asean Korean Center at the DTI International Building in Makati City. The delegation, which plans to buy food from the Philippines and help Filipino food exporters understand the Korean market, is composed of seven top Korean food companies represented by Lee Hoyeon of CJ Cheildjedang (second from right) and one of Korea’s top chefs, Kim Jin Rae (left). With them are Son Hee Jung (third from right) of AKC and commercial attache Emmanuel Niño Ang (right).

PAL plans diplomatic protest against Kuwait By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines asked the Foreign Affairs Department to help resolve a dispute with the Kuwaiti government over fifth freedom flights.

“We respectfully request for the support and assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs in taking the appropriate measures and initiatives that would help PAL secure the needed Kuwaiti authorization for our DubaiKuwait fifth freedom rights, including diplomatic protests and special representations with the government of the State of Kuwait, as may be warranted,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said in a letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. Bautista’s letter to the Foreign Affairs Department came after Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation prevented PAL from exercising its right as a Philippine-designated carrier to avail of fifth freedom traffic rights. Fifth freedom is the freedom to pick up passengers and cargo from a foreign country and carry them to a second country, which is the final destination. The rights are granted under the Philippine-Kuwait Bilateral Air Services Agreement of 1977, as amended in April 1995 and February 2009. PAL launched a four-times weekly service between Manila and Kuwait (via Dubai) on Jan. 17 this year to serve the flight needs of Filipinos in that state, using a 414-seater Airbus A330 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The DGCA, however, only authorized PAL to carry passengers and cargo traveling solely between the Philippines and either Kuwait or Dubai. “The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s disapproval undermines the principle of reciprocity in availing the grant of aviation rights and the commitment to ensure a level – playing field among parties in the ASA [air services agreement],” Bautista said. “It is unfortunate that the government of the state of Kuwait, through its Directorate General of Civil Aviation has disallowed PAL from carrying ‘fifth freedom’ passenger and cargo traffic between Dubai and Kuwait. Ironically, Kuwait Airways had been freely availing of fifth freedom traffic rights between Bangkok and Manila for close to 20 years,” he said. The Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board suspended Kuwait Airways’ Bangkok-Manila fifth freedom privileges effective March 27 to address the imbalance. The CAB, however, permitted Kuwait Airways to increase its flights to Manila from six to eight weekly, a move which PAL also vehemently opposed. “We intend to exhaust all available avenues to resolve this issue. We urge the CAB to reconsider any grant of additional rights to Kuwait Airlines, until and unless PAL is granted its basic air rights as allowed under existing agreements,” PAL senior vice [resident and general counsel Siegfried Mison said.

Oil crisis to hurt workers’ earnings By Julito G. Rada LOWER remittances from the Middle East will affect the credit profiles of six recipient countries including the Philippines and hurt economic growth, debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said in a report Wednesday. “Lower remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council economies, which have been hit hard by the slump in oil prices, will reduce the benefits of cheaper oil imports for several Asia-Pacific countries,” Moody’s said. There were reports that hundreds of Filipinos lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia alone, after their companies closed shop amid the oil price slump. “Generally, weaker remittances will immediately impact the recipient countries’ credit profiles via their balance of payment positions. A prolonged fall would also hurt economic growth, given the importance of remittances to household incomes,” Moody’s said. Moody’s, however, said “for India, the Philippines and Vietnam, the diversified locations and vocations of their overseas workers could help reduce the fall in remittances overall.” Moody’s report analyzed the potential credit implications of weaker remittances from their citizens working abroad for six Asian countries including Bangladesh (Ba3 stable), India (Baa3 positive), Pakistan (B3 stable), the Philippines (Baa2 stable), Sri Lanka (B1 stable) and Vietnam (B1 stable).

THURSDAY: APRIL 14, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, april 13, 2016

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 137 80 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 8.7 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 89 20.6 125 85 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

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 40.3 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173

79 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 1450 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.65 2.18 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

34.1 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 801 4.1 1.55 0.138 2.09 1.02 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3

76 6.5 5.29 6.66 9.25 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

49.55 3.43 3 3.52 4.84 12 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 170 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.56 3.3 46.65 45.7 105.00 102.90 90.15 89.95 39.8 39.55 2.98 2.98 1.52 1.41 10 9.5 14.3 14.1 15.88 15.76 7.50 7.10 1.79 1.7 595.00 585.00 0.670 0.630 86.1 84.4 1.04 1 15.00 14.72 26.00 25.00 52.75 52.05 103.9 100 274 274 275 270.4 32.8 31.5 201 188 1370.00 1365.00 57.60 57.55 1.6 1.52 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp. 43.3 43.85 43.35 Agrinurture Inc. 5 5.09 4.87 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.75 0.77 0.72 Alsons Cons. 1.38 1.39 1.36 Bogo Medelin 62 64.9 51.65 Century Food 18.78 18.9 18.78 Chemphil 170 170 165 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 310 329 305 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 19.56 19.5 19.2 Concepcion 47 48 47 Crown Asia 2.4 2.42 2.34 Da Vinci Capital 5.88 6.21 5.78 Del Monte 11.28 11.48 11.1 DNL Industries Inc. 9.580 9.570 9.450 Emperador 7.72 7.87 7.79 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.87 5.95 5.85 EEI 7.47 7.47 7.43 First Gen Corp. 22.3 22.7 22.25 First Holdings ‘A’ 70.9 70.85 70.05 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.50 13.80 12.98 Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.88 13.78 13.76 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.86 5.89 5.78 Ionics Inc 2.620 2.670 2.600 Jollibee Foods Corp. 230.80 233.00 229.80 LBC Express 11 10.98 10.5 Liberty Flour 34.90 34.90 34.90 LMG Chemicals 2.2 2.18 2.18 Mabuhay Vinyl 4 4.33 4 Macay Holdings 41.10 40.50 40.50 Manila Water Co. Inc. 26.7 26.75 26.5 Maxs Group 22 22.1 21.75 Megawide 6.46 6.53 6.4 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 326.40 332.20 326.40 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.27 4.50 4.29 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.8 3.86 3.79 Petron Corporation 10.78 10.92 10.74 Phil H2O 3.25 3.4 3.25 Phinma Corporation 11.50 11.50 11.50 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 4.38 4.40 4.35 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.66 1.69 1.61 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.75 2.95 2.71 RFM Corporation 4.15 4.24 4.07 Roxas and Co. 2.55 2.51 2.51 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 190 196 190 SPC Power Corp. 4.62 4.45 4 Splash Corporation 2.74 3.17 2.66 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.168 0.171 0.162 Trans-Asia Oil 2.78 2.79 2.75 TKC Steel Corp. 1.28 1.30 1.26 Universal Robina 216.2 218 215.4 Victorias Milling 4.7 4.75 4.7 Vitarich Corp. 1.05 1.16 1.04 Vivant Corp. 31.00 32.50 29.05 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.30 1.31 1.28 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. À’ 0.355 0.370 0.360 Aboitiz Equity 64.50 64.50 63.90 Alliance Global Inc. 16.78 16.82 16.62 Anglo Holdings A 1.14 1.16 1.11 Anscor À’ 6.10 6.10 6.10 ATN Holdings A 0.325 0.325 0.290 ATN Holdings B 0.320 0.325 0.285 Ayala Corp À’ 778 780 773 Cosco Capital 8.19 8.23 7.9 DMCI Holdings 12.82 12.90 12.68 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.08 5.14 5.05 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 5.12 5.20 5.13 Forum Pacific 0.224 0.220 0.218 GT Capital 1393 1431 1393 House of Inv. 6.40 6.40 6.40 IPM Holdings 9.75 9.73 9.64 JG Summit Holdings 80.90 82.50 81.00 Jolliville Holdings 4.94 4.94 4.94 Keppel Holdings À’ 6.14 6.14 6.1 Keppel Holdings `B’ 4.51 4.8 4.8 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.21 7.37 7.2 LT Group 15.86 15.94 15.76 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.9 6.1 5.96 MJCI Investments Inc. 3.68 3.44 3.44 Pacifica À’ 0.0360 0.0360 0.0340 Prime Media Hldg 1.330 1.370 1.330 Prime Orion 1.950 1.950 1.920 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.75 2.70 2.7 San Miguel Corp À’ 76.60 76.65 76.00 SM Investments Inc. 960.00 966.50 959.50 Solid Group Inc. 1.20 1.25 1.21 Transgrid 200.00 205.00 195.00 Top Frontier 184.200 188.500 181.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3300 0.3400 0.3100 Wellex Industries 0.2100 0.2160 0.2000 Zeus Holdings 0.280 0.290 0.280 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.800 7.900 7.700 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.45 1.64 1.46 Araneta Prop À’ 1.550 1.520 1.460 Arthaland Corp. 0.229 0.228 0.228 Ayala Land `B’ 35.750 36.000 35.600 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC À’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

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

SHARES 19,160,095 165,073,438 174,741,043 191,620,189 314,401,268 705,460,933 1,574,843,726

3.6 46.45 103.00 89.95 39.55 2.95 1.41 10 14.28 15.88 7.70 1.81 600.00 0.650 85.95 1.04 15.00 25.00 52.60 104 274 275 31.65 193 1370.00 57.55 1.62

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.43 46.65 105.00 90.00 39.7 2.98 1.51 10 14.2 15.8 7.46 1.79 585.00 0.640 84.85 1.01 15.00 25.00 52.40 103.9 274 275 31.95 191.4 1370.00 57.55 1.6

-4.72 0.43 1.94 0.06 0.38 1.02 7.09 0.00 -0.56 -0.50 -3.12 -1.10 -2.50 -1.54 -1.28 -2.88 0.00 0.00 -0.38 -0.10 0.00 0.00 0.95 -0.83 0.00 0.00 -1.23

466,000 25,900 2,529,110 1,239,760 51,300 39,000 2,137,000 2,100 3,700 149,300 14,100 28,000 190 7,194,000 1,874,180 71,000 35,400 102,200 17,400 4,790 20 450 1,179,000 1,143,950 105 13,670 565,000

-159,480.00 879,180.00 -59,990,196 -2,082,291.50 -555,785.00

43.5 4.96 0.75 1.38 51.65 18.82 165 329 19.32 47.95 2.39 6.02 11.26 9.500 7.81 5.90 7.44 22.25 70.1 13.80 13.76 5.79 2.670 230.00 10.64 34.90 2.18 4.01 40.50 26.7 22.1 6.53 328.80 4.29 3.8 10.88 3.25 11.50 4.36 1.66 2.9 4.23 2.51 196 4.18 2.91 0.168 2.78 1.26 215.4 4.75 1.14 32.00 1.30

0.46 -0.80 0.00 0.00 -16.69 0.21 -2.94 6.13 -1.23 2.02 -0.42 2.38 -0.18 -0.84 1.17 0.51 -0.40 -0.22 -1.13 10.40 -0.86 -1.19 1.91 -0.35 -3.27 0.00 -0.91 0.25 -1.46 0.00 0.45 1.08 0.74 0.47 0.00 0.93 0.00 0.00 -0.46 0.00 5.45 1.93 -1.57 3.16 -9.52 6.20 0.00 0.00 -1.56 -0.37 1.06 8.57 3.23 0.00

2,865,700 354,200 128,000 1,571,000 150 3,615,800 540 2,230 51,800 635,700 810,000 5,502,300 27,600 4,288,100 22,353,300 19,915,900 1,680,400 3,218,000 127,310 2,429,800 6,800 240,900 4,372,000 600,510 9,700 900 8,000 29,000 3,400 1,217,000 428,100 123,700 439,270 6,000 3,844,000 4,958,100 27,000 32,100 290,000 611,000 427,000 508,000 6,000 21,310 188,000 7,537,000 10,230,000 3,896,000 135,000 2,134,350 19,000 43,796,000 19,200 199,000

0.365 64.45 16.70 1.16 6.10 0.320 0.320 774 8.04 12.72 5.12 5.20 0.218 1414 6.40 9.73 82.30 4.94 6.1 4.8 7.27 15.78 6.1 3.44 0.0350 1.370 1.950 2.7 76.30 963.00 1.22 205.00 185.000 0.3200 0.2100 0.290

2.82 -0.08 -0.48 1.75 0.00 -1.54 0.00 -0.51 -1.83 -0.78 0.79 1.56 -2.68 1.51 0.00 -0.21 1.73 0.00 -0.65 6.43 0.83 -0.50 3.39 -6.52 -2.78 3.01 0.00 -1.82 -0.39 0.31 1.67 2.50 0.43 -3.03 0.00 3.57

720,000 1,160,860 3,642,300 48,000 38,000 8,110,000 1,570,000 388,050 2,259,600 11,554,500 57,100 67,900 170,000 212,425 100 1,442,300 3,005,950 10,000 1,400 1,000 4,521,700 2,912,800 67,041,100 10,000 47,700,000 2,000 1,642,000 4,000 164,610 502,170 952,000 60 26,760 7,160,000 7,030,000 70,000

7.740 1.52 1.460 0.228 35.700

-0.77 4.83 -5.81 -0.44 -0.14

67,200 46,141,000 -4,026,440.00 159,000 10,000 10,470,400 64,039,670.00

-210,090.00 -712,248.00 -1,700.00 290,600.00 -27,879,546.50

-17,749.00

-10,881,895 -925,213.00 3,453.00 -50,367,465.00

-1,086,950.00

0 26,300.00 10,597,271.00 -1,128.00 -14,052,715.00 -161,586,261.00 -36,758,322.00 -295,115.00 -11,076,655.00 -2,155,562.50 -4,590,000.00 -682,472.00 44,100.00 -32,311,976.00

-16,934,730.00 -22,100.00 -142,049.00 -22,609,796.00 3,780.00 364,014.00 -71,500.00 -8,700.00 -1,312,150.00 1,752,542.00 -98,060.00 8,300.00 2,829,750.00 -133,950,086.00 -719,980.00

19,110,276.00 -2,597,854.00 122,000.00 67,200.00 19,587,000.00 2,075,273.00 -60,756,294.00

156,826,605.00 15,001,973.50

-5,422,801.00 -8,335,682.00 119,926,217.00

3,151,503.50 -174,458,310.00 -36,600.00 18,270.00 -30,150.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.36 4.96 0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Belle Corp. À’ 3.19 Cebu Holdings 5.2 Century Property 0.550 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.040 Crown Equities Inc. 0.129 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.540 Double Dragon 38.25 Empire East Land 0.850 Ever Gotesco 0.156 Global-Estate 1.10 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.89 Interport À’ 1.38 Keppel Properties 4.21 Megaworld 3.97 MRC Allied Ind. 0.091 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2450 Phil. Realty À’ 0.500 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 23.20 Primex Corp. 8.63 Robinson’s Land `B’ 28.70 Rockwell 1.6 Shang Properties Inc. 3.15 SM Prime Holdings 22.65 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.88 Starmalls 6.35 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.170 Vista Land & Lifescapes 4.780

-0.63 -0.38 0.00 -6.73 1.55 1.85 -0.65 0.00 3.21 -0.91 -0.53 -2.17 4.51 2.77 -1.10 8.16 10.00 50.00 -0.93 0.35 -0.63 1.27 1.10 -1.14 0.16 -0.85 0.63

1,617,000 2,500 7,902,000 250,000 600,000 2,597,000 2,334,000 220,000 160,000 5,544,000 31,579,000 50,000 13,000 49,204,000 20,000 1,890,000 549,000 11,200 1,000 1,529,000 283,000 123,000 13,734,000 2,033,000 26,200 6,318,000 6,168,000

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 1 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 0.650 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 3 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. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

-1.78 0.51 3.17 -1.61 0.00 -1.54 -2.52 0.89 0.00 5.56 1.14 0.00 0.86 0.28 -3.45 -0.82 0.82 -3.06 0.00 0.00 1.67 -1.94 0.00 -0.90 1.56 3.39 0.00 4.68 0.98 -1.69 18.65 -1.24 0.00 0.00 0.91 0.00 1.06 0.00 -1.14 -0.76 -0.50 1.10 11.86 0.00 0.55 -2.94 -1.86

171,100 73,480 123,000 3,667,000 4,002,000 -897,490.00 38,930,000 -80,640.00 494,000 1,212,310 -8,032,092.50 400 1,032,000 -31,500.00 244,200 6,000 102,790 -26,425,540.00 399,100 700 50,000 1,013,890 -43,874,333.00 59,800 200 200,000 20,900,000 5,341,000 42,000 138,100 188,000 602,000 23,000 21,123,000 1,309,970.00 15,502,000 15,364,300.00 1,200,000 14,250.00 109,111,000 -231,550.00 100,000 59,300 2,000 -5,480.00 2,970 215,450.00 87,200 -43,800.00 63,475 410,265.00 8,110,000 238,500.00 12,982,000 -6,210,420.00 2,382,900 -31,762,825.00 657,020 11,799,272.00 1,398,800 -32,000.00 54,285,000 64,612,980.00 4,886,000 126,000.00 811,000 -1,952,420.00 1,490,000 415,600

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. À’ Basic Energy Corp. Benguet Corp À’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia 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. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

2.27 3.48 0.71 4.17 3.93 -0.13 -1.32 9.26 2.35 0.00 -1.85 -3.45 -8.33 8.33 3.76 2.70 -1.20 -0.76 2.08 5.26 0.00 -0.72 9.78 0.00 -0.16 6.50 -4.17

401,000,000 88,000.00 56,000 76,380.00 262,000 -82,190.00 3,080,000 10,600 19,500 -38,090.00 4,822,000 -557,690.00 16,886,000 -5,110.00 39,439,000 -896,860.00 190,000 41,910,000 2,050,000 -2,850.00 142,600,000 2,500,000 940,000 -22,300.00 2,828,300 -3,396,324.00 175,000 94,000 10,240.00 5,000,000 2,000,000 20,000 477,700 -396,128.00 7,676,000 -39,580.00 25,500,000 1,070,290 -109,834,018.00 1,495,000 -28,750.00 1,000,000

70 553 515 8.21 1047 84.8

33 490 480 5.88 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

0.00 0.96 0.00 -1.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

393,170 500 8,000 92,900 2,500 32,430 1,000 15,900 45,430 254,810 110,960 12,000

-1.47

180,000

-0.97 0.00 0.00 2.74

86,000 14,000 400,000 3,881,300

0.42

5,460

1.34

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,658.56 (UP) 2.47 INDUSTRIAL 11,915.05 (UP) 11.02 HOLDING FIRMS 7,231.09 (UP) 37.07 PROPERTY 3,022.71 (UP) 10.77 SERVICES 1,541.12 (UP) 10.57 MINING & OIL 10,818.64 (UP) 4.32 PSEI 7,341.00 (UP) 34.44 All Shares Index 4,318.26 (UP) 15.45 Gainers: 94; Losers: 95; Unchanged: 52; Total: 241

5.6 5.59 1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

3.2 3.12 3.17 5.18 5.18 5.18 0.57 0.550 0.550 1.020 0.960 0.970 0.131 0.129 0.131 0.560 0.530 0.550 39.3 37.9 38 0.870 0.850 0.850 0.161 0.153 0.161 1.11 1.08 1.09 1.92 1.86 1.88 1.35 1.35 1.35 4.40 4.22 4.40 4.13 3.99 4.08 0.092 0.090 0.090 0.2800 0.2450 0.2650 0.570 0.530 0.550 34.80 28.00 34.80 8.55 8.55 8.55 28.85 28.60 28.80 1.61 1.59 1.59 3.19 3.19 3.11 23.35 22.70 22.90 0.88 0.86 0.87 6.85 6.35 6.36 1.180 1.150 1.160 4.860 4.780 4.810 SERVICES 7.3 7.39 7.15 7.17 58.3 58.95 58.5 58.6 1.26 1.37 1.27 1.3 0.620 0.650 0.600 0.610 4.70 4.77 4.70 4.70 0.0650 0.0660 0.0630 0.0640 3.17 3.19 3.07 3.09 90 92.1 90 90.8 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 1.8 2.3 1.7 1.9 7.00 7.09 6.98 7.08 3.05 3.05 3.05 3.05 2086 2114 2070 2104 7.25 7.28 7.25 7.27 29.00 28.00 28.00 28.00 1.22 1.21 1.21 1.21 66.8 68.4 66.5 67.35 17.00 17.80 15.80 16.48 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.300 0.305 0.290 0.305 1.5500 1.5700 1.4800 1.5200 2.25 2.3 2.23 2.25 7.75 7.70 7.66 7.68 3.84 3.90 3.84 3.90 0.590 0.610 0.590 0.610 2 2 1.97 2 2.35 2.48 2.24 2.46 4.10 4.25 4.14 4.14 0.295 0.290 0.280 0.290 1.930 2.400 2.000 2.290 17.8 17.8 17.58 17.58 5.00 5.05 4.98 5.00 2.74 2.74 2.74 2.74 110.00 111.00 110.00 111.00 21.95 22.00 21.80 21.95 1880.00 1900.00 1850.00 1900.00 0.480 0.495 0.470 0.480 0.880 0.880 0.860 0.870 39.70 39.75 38.80 39.40 78.40 78.70 77.50 78.00 6.34 6.53 6.25 6.41 3.71 4.15 3.73 4.15 0.620 0.630 0.610 0.620 3.62 3.67 3.63 3.64 0.340 0.345 0.330 0.330 5.380 5.500 5.100 5.280 MINING & OIL 0.0044 0.0045 0.0044 0.0045 2.01 2.08 2.01 2.08 4.23 4.42 4.23 4.26 0.240 0.255 0.241 0.250 7.1300 7.44 7.41 7.4100 7.8000 7.8000 7.3500 7.7900 0.76 0.77 0.72 0.75 0.540 0.630 0.550 0.590 0.850 0.900 0.860 0.870 0.280 0.285 0.280 0.280 0.270 0.270 0.260 0.265 0.290 0.290 0.280 0.280 0.0120 0.0130 0.0110 0.0110 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 2.13 2.24 2.18 2.21 5.19 5.45 5.3 5.33 2.5 2.53 2.47 2.47 1.3100 1.3100 1.2800 1.3000 0.0096 0.0098 0.0098 0.0098 0.0095 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 3.79 3.79 3.79 3.79 5.52 5.59 5.47 5.48 2.25 2.47 2.30 2.47 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 127.70 127.80 126.60 127.50 2.46 2.69 2.52 2.62 0.0096 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 PREFERRED 59.45 59.5 57.6 59.45 520 525 525 525 520 520 520 520 7.2 7.1 7.05 7.1 1014 1014 1014 1014 80 80.5 80 80 75.5 75.5 75.5 75.5 77 76.95 76.9 76.95 77.5 77.5 77.1 77.5 75 75 74.95 75 75 75 75 75 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.400 3.580 3.300 3.350 SME 4.12 4.34 3.96 4.08 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.19 3.3 3.16 3.19 18.98 19.86 18.98 19.5 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120 120.5 119.7 120.5

T op g ainerS VALUE 865,661,889.596 1,744,505,286.61 2,197,163,686.77 1,215,164,993.36 1,357,905,813.495 245,501,839.826 7,703,643,266.656

Low

2,429,210.00 -1,635,140.00 16,540.00 21,600.00 -51,711,555.00 17,700.00 -956,050.00 -3,481,590.00 -92,522,420.00

13,920.00 8,550.00 -4,080,875.00 139,980.00 44,337,540.00 382,420.00 3,014,980.00

4,957,088.50

-1,238,800.00 3,000,000.00

3,980.00 10,213,626.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

34.80

50.00

Bogo Medelin

51.65

NOW Corp.

2.290

18.65

SPC Power Corp.

4.18

-16.69 -9.52

SSI Group

4.15

11.86

Manila Mining `A'

0.0110

-8.33

Ginebra San Miguel Inc.

13.80

10.40

Cityland Dev. `A'

0.970

-6.73

Phil. Realty `A'

0.550

10.00

MJCI Investments Inc.

3.44

-6.52

PhilexPetroleum

2.47

9.78

Araneta Prop `A'

1.460

-5.81

Coal Asia

0.590

9.26

AG Finance

3.43

-4.72

Vitarich Corp.

1.14

8.57

United Paragon

0.0092

-4.17

Manila Mining `B'

0.0130

8.33

Grand Plaza Hotel

28.00

-3.45

Phil. Estates Corp.

0.2650

8.16

Lepanto `B'

0.280

-3.45

THURSDAY: APRIL 14, 2016

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

Market advances; MetroPac, BDO gain

Philex award. Philex Mining Corp. wins the Gold Anvil Award for its entry ‘Philex Mining Corporation Annual Report 2014’ during the 51st Anvil Awards Competition of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. The report won under the Publications category for Public Relations Tools. At the awards night are (from left) Design Systemat creative director Stefano Paolo Buñag, Design Systemat account manager Jo-anne Evangelista, Philex senior vice president for finance and chief finance officer Danny Yu, Philex comptroller and division manager for corporate finance Paraluman Navarro and Philex division manager for investor relations Rolando Bondoy.

Trans-Asia to invest in oil assets overseas By Alena Mae S. Flores

TRANS-ASIA Petroleum Corp., the oil and gas unit of Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., is interested in oil and gas explorations in Australia and Indonesia. “Recent developments affecting global prices of oil have emboldened your company to look into overseas investment opportunities for possible partnerships and exploration ventures,” a Trans-Asia Petroleum official said. The company has engaged the services of an Australian consulting group to scan upstream investment opportunities in the region. It did not pursue a shortlisted farm-in deal in the northwest shelf of Australia. Trans-Asia Petroleum, however, is still looking at another

opportunity in west Australia and started evaluating an asset in Sumatra, Indonesia. “We engaged a consultant, we shortlisted assets and this is what we came up with. There were a lot of criteria. It’s either producing or near production phase because we want to have recurring income. Also included is the country risk, fiscal regime, other economics,” Trans-Asia Petroleum executive vice president Raymundo Reyes Jr. The company is acquiring interests in selected petroleum service contracts covering areas

usually in the exploration stage. The company usually takes a minority interest due to the high risk and capital extensive nature of the business. “We are not looking at exploration assets, it should be in development or production stage. Exploration takes time, you have to drill and it may still be negative. If there’s discovery already, in two to three years, there will be production,” Reyes said. He said the company had started evaluating the assets and that a farm-in agreement might be signed within the year. “The significant drop in global oil prices has tapered exploration activity, with site specific projects being reviewed by your company on the basis of prospectivity and economic potential,” Tapet said. Reyes said oil prices would not likely hit $100 per barrel anytime

soon due to a supply glut. “If we hit $50 to $60 this year, we’re lucky,” Reyes said. He said the company saw an opportunity in the prevailing low oil price regime. Trans-Asia Petroleum is actively scouting for possible acquisitions amid depressed market values. “Such assets could generate near-term recurring revenues,” it said. The company, which has stakes in several service contracts, suffered a net loss of P10.69 million in 2015, lower than the loss of P13.569 million it incurred in 2014. Trans-Asia Petroleum has stakes service contract 6 Block A (offshore northwest Palawan), SC 6 Block B (offshore northwest Palawan), SC 51 (East Visayas), SC 55 (deepwater West Palawan), SC 69 (Central Visayas) and SC 50 (North Palawan).

THE stock market climbed Wednesday as strong trade data from China and news of a deal between Russia and Saudi Arabia to limit oil output injected muchneeded optimism. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 34.44 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,341 on a value turnover of P7.7 billion. Losers edged gainers, 95 to 94, with 52 issues unchanged. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. of the Salim Group, which is into water and electricity distribution, toll roads and hospital businesses, advanced 3.4 percent to P6.10, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, gained 1.9 percent to P105. Technology stock Now Corp. junped 18.6 percent to P2.29, while SSI Group Inc. of the Tantoco Group surged 11.9 percent to P4.15. Megaworld Corp., the thirdlargest builder, rose 2.8 percent to P4.08. The renewed confidence also saw the safe-haven yen retreat against the dollar, having soared more than five percent since the start of the month. Energy firms were the main gainers in Asia. Hong Kong-listed CNOOC rallied 6.2 percent and PetroChina rocketed 7.2 percent. In Sydney Woodside Petroleum was three percent higher and Rio Tinto up 4.5 percent. Japan’s Inpex added 3.9 percent. The gains fed through to the wider stock markets, with Tokyo soaring 2.8 percent by the close. Hong Kong surged 3.2 percent and Sydney ended 1.3 percent higher. European markets, which rallied Tuesday, extended gains soon after the open with London 0.9 percent up, while Frankfurt and Paris each added 1.4 percent. US and European equities provided a perfect lead with healthy gains, after Russian news agency Interfax said Moscow and Riyadh had reached “consensus” on freezing oil output before a key producers’ meeting. While most market-watchers say nations must actually cut production to have any lasting impact, the news raised hopes that at least a global glut—which saw prices plunge 75 percent from mid-2014 to February—can be addressed. With AFP

Splash says profit surged to P160m in 2015 on increased sales By Jenniffer B. Austria LOCAL personal care manufacturer Splash Corp. said net income in 2015 surged 13 times to P160 million from just P11.6 million in 2014 on higher sales and marginal increases in costs. Splash said in a statement sales grew eight percent to P3.78 billion from P3.49 billion in 2014, with the increase coming mostly from the personal care business for both here and abroad. Sales from domestic operations

rose 12 percent while those of the international business increased 13 percent. “The growth of the personal care business in international operations was mostly through its focus on naturals, capitalizing on the growing trend of consumers toward organic and natural-based products. It continues to build its distribution base, focusing on markets where the retail landscape is still developing, like Nigeria in Africa and Indonesia in Asean,” Splash said.

The group’s food business under Barrio Fiest Manufacturing Corp. also posted a three percent growth in sales to P36 million. Net income stood at P10 million. “It improved all aspects of operations in the Philippines, particularly its ability to service and deliver customer orders. It also decreased selling expenses by 14 percent by concentrating on accounts that have long term value, and negotiating better terms,” Splash said. Splash introduced new products

in the US market, consistent with a strategy of expanding the portfolio of products under the Barrio Fiesta brand. Splash commercialized products including cooking vinegar, dried fish and dried taro leaves in North America and the Middle East. Revenues from direct sales declined 31 percent as Splash continued to transform its business model for long term viability. Splash is primarily engaged in the manufacturing and

distribution of beauty and pharmaceutical products in the Philippines and abroad. The company in 2009 created a new revenue stream by going into the direct selling business. It also marked its entry into the food business with the purchase of an 80 percent equity in Barrio Fiesta and the acquisition of Moondish Foods Corp. in September 2012. Share price of Splash on Wednesday jumped 6.2 percent to close at P2.91.

Manila Doctors tieup. Manila Doctors Hospital signs a memorandum of agreement with Vis-Min Merchants Amity Association Inc., a group consisting of traders. Under the two-year agreement, MDH will provide out-patient services and medical and surgical in-patient services to all Vis-Min Merchants Amity Association officers, members, employees and their qualified dependents. Shown are (seated from left) MDH deputy administrative director Terrence Cham, MDH director Hian Ho Kua, VMMAAI president Danny So and VMMAAI executive vice president Alicoln Uy.

PH poised to become upper middle economy By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Philippines is poised to become an upper middle-income economy by 2020, the Asian Development Bank said in a report Wednesday.

The Manila-based multilateral lender said in its 2016 annual evaluation review the Philippines, its host country, along with other Asian countries, were on course to become upper middle-income economies amid improvement in infrastructure, public sector and social welfare programs. “By 2020, ADB expects that Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka to reach upper middle-income status,” the bank said. “The increased demand for better public services and social welfare programs from the many countries across the region that have transitioned to middle-income status over the past decades will continue to shape ADB’s agenda,” it said. ADB’s projection was even faster than

the National Economic and Development Authority’s goal for the Philippines to achieve an upper-middle income status and eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2040. “The Philippines shall be a country where all citizens are free from hunger and poverty, have equal opportunities, enabled by fair and just society that is governed with order and unity. A nation where families live together, thriving in vibrant, culturally diverse and resilient communities,” Neda said, quoting the ‘Ambisyon Natin’ 2040 report, which contains the country’s aspirations over the next 25 years. The country was a lower-middle income economy with $3,500 per capita in 2014. Neda said to become an upper middle-income economy, the country should have a per capita income level of $11,000, similar to Malaysia’s today. ADB said Asian economies should build resilience as emerging risks and destabilizers such as widening income inequality, slower growth and climate change were reshaping Asia’s economic landscape.

“The urgency for countries to adapt to the new environment is growing,” ADB said. ADB said Asia was more exposed to external shocks through the closer integration of global markets. The region’s economic prospects are also increasingly linked to the ability of China and India to address their economic, environmental and climate challenges, it said. “External shocks—irrespective of their origin—quickly push the vulnerable below the poverty line and the poor deeper into poverty,” said Vinod Thomas, director general of ADB’s Independent Evaluation. The review found that for 60 percent of ADB’s private sector investment projects, both development results and ADB profitability were high, highlighting that development impact and profitability were not at odds with each other. “Strengthening how new infrastructure can reduce the opportunity gaps between income groups is particularly important in Asia, where most of the world’s poor live,” said Jiro Tominaga, the report’s lead author.

Group asks Energy to approve all solar projects By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Solar Power Solar Alliance on Wednesday asked the Energy Department to exercise prudence in disqualifying completed solar projects from the feed-in tariff system. PSPA president Tetchie Capellan said the government should recognize the role of solar energy in adding capacity to the national grid and in averting possible blackout. “The alliance asks the DoE for prudence in disqualifying completed solar projects. These companies poured billions of pesos into solar projects and their pos-

sible disqualification from the RE [renewable energy] incentives not only denies the investors the opportunity to recover their capital. More importantly, it kills the momentum created by the DoE and erodes investors’ confidence,” Capellan said. The department is now evaluating the projects that can avail of the P8.69-per-kilowatt-hour FIT rate for the second batch of solar projects that were able to meet the March 15, 2016 deadline. Capellan said as the government achieved overwhelming success with the 750-megawatt solar installation, it should encourage policy-makers in finding

a common ground to recognize solar companies that reached 80-percent electro-mechanical completion and delivered electricity to the grid. “There is already an admission from national authorities and utility distribution companies on the tightness of supply. Undeniably, the contribution of 750-MW solar energy in the daytime when demand is at its peak, cannot be ignored. The 750 MW solar provided more security to the grid, averted a possible supply shortage as well as delivered economic benefits to the consumers and the rural economy,” she said.

Capellan, a former Agriculture undersecretary, said “that longterm planning and immediate action forestall possible crises in the future.” She said an independent study conducted by The Lantau Group projected a gradual increase in oil prices to $60 per barrel by 2018 and $100 per barrel by 2020. According to the study, building solar power plants with as much as 2,000-MW capacity in Luzon and the Visayas by 2018 would reduce fuel costs, generate savings of as much as 8 percent and effectively cut consumers’ burden from high electricity rates in the medium term.

Foreign lender to open PH branch By Julito G. Rada ANOTHER foreign bank plans to expand in the Philippines, despite the $81-million money laundering scam that rocked the domestic banking industry in February, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. told reporters another Asian bank submitted an application to set up shop in the country, bringing to two the number of pending applications the policy-setting Monetary Board was currently evaluating. “We have a new applicant. It’s another Asian bank,” Espenilla said, but he did not identify the lender. Bangko Sentral said it would reveal the name of the foreign bank only after the applicant had disclosed the approval in its home country. Most foreign bank applicants were publicly listed companies. Espenilla said the application of the other Asian bank, which was submitted late last year, was still pending because “they have issues that they need to iron out.” Bangko Sentral approved six applications in 2015, including those by United Overseas Bank Ltd. of Singapore, Yuanta Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. of Taiwan, Industrial Bank of Korea, Shinhan Bank of Korea, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. of Japan and Cathay United Bank of Taiwan. Bangko Sentral officials assured that the domestic banking industry remained sound and strong despite the $81-million money laundering issue. The illegal funds reportedly entered the country’s financial system through a branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

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FEU ﬁnalizes Roosevelt sale By Jenniffer B. Austria

FAR Eastern University Inc. of the Montinola family said Wednesday it finalized a deal to acquire up to 99.42 percent of Roosevelt College Inc. for P1 billion. FEU said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a share purchase agreement with certain shareholders of Roosevelt College to initially acquire an 80-percent interest for P808 million. The agreement came with an option for FEU to make further acquisitions to own up to 99.42 percent of the issued and outstanding capital of Roosevelt

College, which would increase the value of the deal to P1 billion. Roosevelt College is a nonsectarian educational institution formed in March 1949. It offers primary, secondary and tertiary education services. The school currently operates five campuses in Cainta, Rodriquez and San Mateo in Rizal province and in Marikina and Cubao, Quezon

City in Metro Manila. These campuses have a total student population of 5,000. FEU said the acquisition price was reduced to P1 billion from the earlier value of P1.25 billion, after the company conducted due diligence. Under the SPA, the corporation and more than 140 selling shareholders with a combined 80-percent stake in Roosevelt College agreed to sell their shares at P3,422.14 per share. Half of the price will be paid within 30 days from signing, subject to completion of the various conditions. The remaining 50 percent will be placed in escrow with a bank for a period of three years to cover potential liabilities of Roosevelt College.

BDO Group acted as financial advisor and funder to the corporation on the transaction. Meanwhile, heirs of certain shareholders, with 18.98 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the company also signed the SPA and agreed to sell their inherited shares at the same purchase price within one year from signing of the agreement. FEU is a co-educational, nondenominational institution providing quality education in the fields of engineering and information technology. It has four campuses in Manila, Diliman, Cavite and Makati. FEU recently broke ground for the future FEU-Alabang campus in Muntinlupa City.

GRI opens Manila ofﬁce. The Global Reporting Initiative or GRI, pioneer of global corporate sustainability reporting, announces plans to

increase its presence and activities in the Asean region with a new ofﬁce in Manila. Shown are (from left) GRI chairman of the board of directors Christianna Wood, GRI Board member and Philippine Veterans Bank chairman Roberto de Ocampo and GRI chief executive Michael Meehan.

Globe unfazed by Smart’s rollout of 4.5G service By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Wednesday shrugged off rival Smart Communications Inc.’s deployment of 4.5G mobile service, the latest technology in mobile communications with better speed. “We don’t want to launch something that is a promise or if it’s a promise, we actually give a timeline as to when to deliver that promise. The problem is that we don’t have the timeline from handset suppliers in terms of pricing,” Globe acting chief finance officer Rosemarie Maniego-Eala told reporters after the company’s annual stockholders meeting. Eala’s statement came after Smart announced the rollout of

the country’s first long-term evolution-advanced or 4.5G service, which could provide significantly higher data speed than existing LTE services using a capability called “carrier aggregation.” Initially deployed in the resort island of Boracay, Smart’s LTE-A service posted speeds of up to 260 megabits per second. Eala said only one or two mobile phone brands could currently support LTE-Advanced from a customer point of view. Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge and LG G3 LTE-A support LTE Advanced band. “When we introduce the technology, but there’s not handsets to support [it], then how can the customers benefit from it?,” she said. “Being able to announce and

look at new technology is easy, but executing and making sure it is relevant and actually generates revenue is the harder problem,” Eala said. Eala said the company’s plan was to expand its network by building more cell sites nationwide. “Our budget for this year is $750 million and will continue to enhance our mobile, supporting the data growth. As you know 40 percent of our revenue are already in data. Globe’s market share for mobile data stood at 70 percent,” she said. Globe saw its net income jump 23 percent in 2015 to P16.5 billion from P13.4 billion it booked in 2014. The growth in profit was supported by one-time gains com-

ing from the sale of a 51-percent equity stake in Yondu Inc. and the acquisition of a 98.6-percent stake in Bayan Telecommunications Inc. Globe’s core net income, which excludes the impact of non-recurring charges, including onetime gains and accelerated depreciation charges, foreign exchange and mark-to-market charges, also grew 4 percent to P15.1 billion from P14.5 billion in 2014. Excluding Bayan’s results, Globe’s net income and core net income jumped 22 percent and 5 percent, respectively from 2014, the company said. Globe said it recorded consolidated service revenues of P113.7 billion last year, or 15 percent higher than the previous record of P99 billion in 2014.

LGUs get P234-m share in mining By Gabrielle Binaday THE Budget Department said Wednesday it released P234 million to local government units as a part of their share from taxes collected by the government from the mining sector. It said the amount represented the 40-percent share of LGUs from excise taxes collected from the mining industry between December 2011 and the fourth quarter of 2014. “We have issued the allotment and corresponding cash allocation for the release of the lawful share of LGUs in the proceeds from the utilization and development of minerals in their respective areas,” Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said. Proceeds from the share of LGUs shall be appropriated by their respective councils to finance local government and livelihood projects, he said. “The funds are now released based on the joint certification of mining tax collections issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Treasury, as well as the schedule of the corresponding shares of recipient LGUs,” Abad said. Abad said the funds released were charged against the P1.5 billion appropriated for the purpose in the current year’s national budget. Total collection from December 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2014 reached P585 million. Abad said the funds would be directly credited to the accounts of the recipient provinces, municipalities and barangays. Caraga region received the largest share of P100.5 million. Caraga hosts several mining projects producing various mineral commodities including gold, copper, chrome, nickel, iron and limestone. The other regions with large shares were Region VII with P29.2 million, Region II with P27.3 million, Region IV-B with P22.2 million and Cordillera Administrative Region with P21.7 million. The regions with the lowest shares are Regions XI and VI with P52,440 and P95,300.76, respectively. The Local Government Code mandates that in addition to the internal revenue allotment, LGUs have a 40-percent share in the gross collection derived by the national government in the preceding fiscal year from the utilization and development of the national wealth within their territorial jurisdiction. These include mining taxes, royalties, forestry and fishery charges.

THURSDAY: APRIL 14, 2016

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

Chevron selling PH assets SOVEREIGN fund China Investment Corp., Malakoff Corp. and Ormat Technologies Inc. are among companies weighing bids for Chevron Corp.’s Asian geothermal assets, which could fetch as much as $3 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said. Philippine geothermal energy producers Energy Development Corp. and Aboitiz Power Corp. and Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp. are also weighing offers for the assets, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. Mitsubishi Corp. and Jakarta-based PT Medco Power Indonesia are separately studying potential bids, according to company officials. Chevron, the largest US oil producer after Exxon Mobil Corp., has slashed headcount and canceled drilling projects to slow the exodus of cash as prices in

the world energy markets spiral downward. The company is also seeking buyers for its stake in an Indonesian oil and natural gas field and for a 75-percent stake in its South African unit, people with knowledge of the matter have said. The San Ramon, Californiabased company joins ConocoPhillips and Apache Corp. in selling assets as oil prices hover near the lowest level in more than a decade. Brent, the global benchmark, dropped 35 percent last year for a third annual loss. Earth’s Heat

Citigroup Inc., which is advising Chevron on the geothermal asset sale, will call for indicative bids by the end of next month, the people said. Deliberations are at an early stage, and there’s no certainty the suitors will submit bids, according to the people. Some potential buyers are considering partnering for joint offers, they said. A spokesman for Mitsubishi, who asked not to be named citing company policy, said by phone the Japanese company is “studying whether or not to bid.” Medco Power president Director Fazil Alfitri said by phone the company was interested in acquiring Chevron’s geothermal assets and would seek a partner for a joint bid. The Indonesian company is jointly owned by local investment firm PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya and oil and gas producer PT Medco Energi Internasional. A spokesman for Chevron said

the company does not comment on mergers, acquisitions or divestitures of its assets. CIC and Malakoff didn’t immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment, while a spokesman for Ormat said he couldn’t immediately comment. Representatives for Citigroup, EDC and Marubeni declined to comment. Aboitiz Power president Erramon Aboitiz didn’t return mobile-phone messages seeking comment. Chevron’s main Asian geothermal holdings, which generate energy from the earth’s heat, are in Indonesia and the Philippines. It owns Indonesia’s Salak fields, which are one of the world’s largest geothermal operations and supply a power plant with 377 megawatts of total capacity, according to its Web site. Chevron also has a 40 percent interest in Philippine Geothermal Production Co. Bloomberg

Electric vehicles summit. Top electric

vehicle industry players in the Philippines, along with some players in the region, will once again converge at the Meralco Multipurpose Hall at Pasig City for the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit 2016 on April 14 and 15, 2016. The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines is the leadorganizer of the event. EVAP president Rommel Juan said the theme for this year is ‘Investing in the EV industry towards a sustainable transport and closer regional economic integration.’ The summit will highlight models of synergetic business collaborations in the EV Industry that has the investment potential in generating both profit and positive social impact. Member companies will also put on exhibit their latest products and technological advancements.

SM Prime set to raise P70b from bond sale By Jenniffer B. Austria SM PRIME Holdings Inc., the country’s largest integrated property developer, plans to raise up to P70 billion in fresh capital over the next three years from the issuance of retail bonds. SM Prime executive vice president Jeffrey Lim said in an interview at the sidelines of the annual stockholders’ meeting Tuesday the company was finalizing plans to file a shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of between P50 billion and P70 billion worth of retail bonds over three years. Several companies that earlier availed of the shelf registration program of the SEC were Ayala Land Inc., DMCI Homes and San Miguel Corp. Lim said the company would initially issue P10 billion in the third quarter of 2016. The company is looking at a 10-year tenor for the fund raising activity. SM Prime plans to use proceeds from the planned bond offering to finance the aggressive expansion projects to help achieve a target to double the net income to P32 billion by 2018. “We are committed to earmark P60 billion annually over the next there years to achieve our development roadmap and income targets by 2018,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said. Under a five-year plan, SM Prime aims to build 85 malls by 2018, including 74 in the Philippines and 11 in China.

Truman, FVR and Mar Roxas WITH the election barely a month away and his poll-survey numbers placing him consistently in third place, Presidential candidate Mar Roxas and his supporters undoubtedly are wondering whether the former Secretary of Interior and Local Government can catch up with the No. 1 (Rodrigo Duterte, per the latest poll results). The answer is, it can be done, and there are historical antecedents to support such a positive view. The classic example of a dramatic turnaround in a Presidential candidate’s electoral fortunes is, of course, the 1948 contest in the US between Vice-President Harry S. Truman and the popular Republican governor and former prosecutor of New York, Thomas Dewey. The contrast between former Senator Truman, who had succeeded to the Presidency upon President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s death, and Governor Dewey was clear. Truman was colorless (like Roxas?) and unflamboyant, whereas Governor Dewey

was very charming and exceedingly popular with the press. So strong did the popular tide appear to be running in favor of the Republican challenger that much of the political chatter was about the changes and rearrangements that would take place in Washington after the November 1948 election. It all seemed like a foregone conclusion. Indeed, one of the US’s leading newspapers, the Chicago Tribune, had already prepared an Election Day first edition bearing the headline “Dewey Defeats Truman.” But as Election Day came to an end it increasingly became apparent that Harry Truman had beaten Thomas Dewey comfortably. One of the iconic photographs of that time was of a very pleased Harry Truman displaying the “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline of the Chicago newspaper. It goes without saying that a lot of socalled political experts and election analysts became red-faced as a result of Governor Dewey’s defeat. (In contrast with Philippine culture, the governor lost no time calling the White House to congratulate the victorious Vice-President). Obviously, they failed to

give enough weight to the other factors in the contest, including the courageous decisions that President Truman had made during his three-year Presidency. The Truman-Dewey episode has remained the classic exemplar of the expression, popular in sports, that “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Another electoral event that Mar Roxas and his supporters need to keep in mind as they ponder the whys and the hows of his weak survey ratings is the 1992 contest between former Secretary of National Defense and EDSA hero Fidel V. Ramos and former Secretary of Agrarian Reform, Miriam Defensor-Santiago. The 1992 election was a seven-candidate affair, but it was clear that the contest was really between FVR and the colorful, feisty Miriam Santiago. The former judge was undoubtedly popular—especially with the young voters—and she had powerful backers. In contrast, FVR only had President Cory Aquino’s personal backing to count on. (I know this first-hand because I was one of the handful of FVR admirers who organized the Lakas Tao Party for him).

Considering the strength of the other candidates—Speaker of the post-EDSA House of Representatives Ramon V. Mitra, the revered Jovito Salonga, Vice-President Salvador Laurel, tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and Imelda Marcos—Ramos’s candidacy seemed forlorn and doomed. Miriam Santiago was scoring a lot of electoral points, and Mitra had the powerful LDP (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) at his beck and call. But FVR and his supporters kept the faith and hung in there. Their tenacity and fortitude were rewarded. As the results trickled in during the first 72 hours following Election Day, it became increasingly clear that FVR was the man of the hour and he would win the election by the skin of his teeth. FVR became the first plurality President in Philippine political history; his share of the total votes cast was just under 24 percent. To Mar and his supporters I say this: Keep the faith and hang in there till Election Day. Remember Harry Truman and remember FVR. It ain’t over till it’s over. E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

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Woes shadow South Korea vote SEOUL—South Koreans voted Wednesday in legislative elections clouded by North Korean nuclear threats and the multiple challenges facing Asia’s fourth-largest economy, as President Park Geun-Hye enters the final stretch of her term in office. Political power in South Korea is firmly concentrated in the presidency and elections to the single-chamber national assembly are traditionally dominated by local issues. Rising unemployment, plunging exports and worryingly high levels of household debt have led to criticisms of Park’s handling of the economy and, by extension, of her

ruling conservative Saenuri Party. Dissatisfaction is especially high among young people, with the jobless rate among those aged 15-29 at record levels. “If the ruling party is given a majority, the country would have an economic crisis worse than 1997,” opposition Minjoo Party head Kim ChongIn told supporters at a recent rally.

The nationwide vote kicked off at 6 am (2100 GMT Tuesday) with 42 million voters eligible to cast their ballots. Results were expected later Wednesday. About 17.8 million people, or 42 percent, had cast their votes by 2 pm, according to the state election committee, compared to 37 percent in the last general election in 2012. The left-wing opposition has sought to frame the vote as a referendum on Park’s economic policies, but has suffered from factional infighting and breakaways that threaten to split the liberal vote to Saenuri’s advantage.

Kate Kim, an unemployed 25-year-old college graduate, said that crippling levels of joblessness had persuaded her and many of her previously apathetic friends to vote. “This is the first time I have voted... our country desperately needs change, especially for young and jobless people like me,” Kim said. All 300 seats in the legislature are up for grabs, with 253 chosen in first-past-the-post constituency elections, and the remaining 47 elected on a separate ballot via proportional representation. In the last election in 2012, the Saenuri Party won a simple majority of 152 and believes it can LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Isidro Clar Dorilag of Dumangas, Iloilo, who died intestate on October 26, 2007 was extra-judicially settled among his heirs by means of a public instrument executed on March 31, 2016 and ratified before Atty. Rex C. Muzones, Notary Public in and for Iloilo City as per Doc. No. 79, Page No. 16, Book No. IV, Series of 2016 of his Notarial Register. ( T S - A P R . 7,14 , 21, 2 016)

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improve on that showing this time around. Analysts say Saenuri’s chances have received an extra boost from surging military tensions on the divided peninsula. National security—a strong polling point for Park and the conservatives—is normally more of an issue for presidential elections, but recent provocations by North Korea have made it a talking point for the assembly vote. The North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test. AFP

HOUSING AND L AND USE REGUL ATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Of f ice 2 n d F l o o r, H LU R B B u i l d i n g , K a l ay a a n Av e n u e , Diliman, Quezon City

N O T I C E Notice is hereby given that HITESH RAVI DEVELOPMENT CORP. (Owner)/ALPINA HEIGHTS PROPERTIES CORP. (Developer) has filed with this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of Condominium Unit/s at ALPINA HEIGHTS located at Champaca St., UPS 4 West, Barangay Marcelo Green, Parañaque City specifically described as Lot 2-C of the Subd. Plan Psd-00-044229, (TCT No. 010-2014000862), having an area of 1,490 square meters. All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate in evidence thereof shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication. Quezon City, Metro Manila, (SGD) ALFREDO GIL M. TAN II Regional Director

(T S-A P R . 7, 14 , 2016)

Republic of the Philippines Mariano Marcos State University Batac City 2906, Ilocos Norte BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID: GOODS/SERVICES 16-003 Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), with offices at Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, invites suppliers/ manufacturers/distributors to apply for eligibility and/or to bid for the hereunder projects: PROJECT

VERONA—As he swirls a glass of yellowy green wine made from the trendy pecorino grape, Fabio Centini purrs with enthusiasm. “I hadn’t even heard of this grape 15 years ago,” the Italianborn chef-restaurateur from Calgary, Canada, tells AFP between slurps at a tasting of top pecorinos from the Offida area of the Marche region. “But it is exactly what my customers want. People are looking for new varietals, new experiences.” Centini is one of 55,000 industry professionals from 141 countries gathered in Verona this week for VinItaly, a giant showcase for the best the country has to offer the world’s wine lovers. The 50th edition is the biggest yet and crammed aisles speak volumes about the buoyant state of a sector that employs 1.25 million people and produces more wine than any other country. Led by a boom in sales of prosecco, which has surpassed champagne to become the

world’s favorite bubbly, exports of all forms of Italian wine hit a record 5.4 billion euros ($6.2 billion) last year, up more than five percent on 2014. The trend looks like continuing. A Mediobanca survey found 92 percent of producers anticipating higher sales in 2016, underpinned by investment that grew 18 percent overall last year and by 37 percent in the surging sparkling sector. It is all a far cry from the days when Italian wine was synonymous internationally with strawwrapped bottles of chianti of variable quality and sometimes questionable provenance. “They have taken out a bit of the monkey business,” says Centini, a VinItaly regular since 1990. “There was a time when you didn’t always know what was in the bottle.” Although recent growth has been led by sparkling wine and strong sales of easy-drinking pinot grigio and other competitively priced varietals, there has also been an awakening of interest in

Italy’s indigenous red grapes. These include aglianico, negroamaro, nero d’avola and primitivo (which shares its DNA with zinfandel) from the south and Sicily, and montepulciano from the central region of Abruzzo, where producers have been quietly picking up international awards in recent years. The sheer variety can be baffling for consumers and a shortage of strong producer brands is seen as a weakness on global markets. But Italian wine expert Andrea Grignaffini says diversity is becoming a strength. “Often the same grape gets made in a different style in different parts of the country, even in the same zone. It is complicated even for us Italians to understand. “But that’s Italy. And the industry is moving so fast now, fashions change. When the moment of one wine passes, it is good to have others to take their place.” AFP

Pre-bid Conference

Opening of Bids

BID DOCS FEE

R e h a b i l i t a t i o n / P3,781,440.00 Replacement of Laboratory Furniture and Equipment for College of Arts and Sciences

April 22, 2016; 2:00 PM

May 6, 2016; 2:00 PM

P4,000.00

IT Equipment and Supplies for the establishment of the State-of-theArt Information Te c h n o l o g y Facilities of the University

P6,632,150.00

April 22, 2016; 2:00 PM

May 6, 2016; 2:00 PM

P7,000.00

Supplies, materials P2,364,859.67 and office devices for general use, 1st quarter 2016

April 22, 2016; 2:00 PM

May 6, 2016; 2:00 PM

P2,500.00

Lunch. Drew Barrymore attends a luncheon at The Pierre Hotel on April 12 in New York City. AFP

Italy toasts a booming wine trade

ABC

Bidding will be conducted via open and public competitive bidding using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion in accordance with Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act,” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), particularly, but not limited to the following:

a) b) c) d) e)

A bidder must be a Filipino citizen; for corporations, partnerships, or organizations, at least seventy five percent (75%) interest, or outstanding capital stock, must be owned by Filipino citizens. All bids must be accompanied by a valid bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the prescribed amount. A bidder must have been awarded a contract similar to the Project, the cost of which is at least fifty percent (50%) of thereof, completed and accepted within the last two (2) years, reckoned from the date of the opening of bidsas herein above indicated, Bids must be delivered/submitted to the Conference Room, FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University, Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte on or before. Bids received in excess of the ABC will be automatically rejected.

Public bidding is an invitation to make an offer. It is therefore understood that any bid may be accepted or rejected orthe bid process invalidated, at any time prior to contract award, without liability to anyone. Complete set of bid documents may be secured from the MMSU BAC Secretariat at the address below or downloaded from the MMSU website or from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) website. A bidder must pay a non-refundable fee as above indicated, due and payable upon issuance of the set of bid document or if secured via any of the websites, prior to submission of the bid documents. For further information please contact the MMSU BAC Secretariat at the address indicated below, Monday thru Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM: AGNES L. GABRIEL Office of the MMSU BAC Secretariat FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University Quiling Sur, Batac City 077-600-0461 aslgabriel@yahoo.com (TS-APR. 14, 2016)

(SGD) RAMON A LEAÑO BAC Chairman

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

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WORLD

Official visit. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands arrive in front of the Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich, southern Germany, on April 13, 2016. The Dutch Royal couple is on a two-day official visit in the southern German federal state of Bavaria. AFP

Police raid Panama law firm PANAMA CITY—Police on Tuesday raided the headquarters of the Panama law firm whose leaked documents have unleashed a global scandal over how the world’s elite use offshore companies to hide their wealth. Organized crime police surrounded Mossack Fonseca’s headquarters in Panama City as the offices were being searched, along with several other branches. Prosecutors said the raids had taken place “with no incident or interference,” but gave no details on the results of the searches. The fallout from the so-called Panama Papers, which law firm Mossack Fonseca claims were stolen when hackers from abroad breached its system, has spread around the world. A year-long probe by a consortium of investigative journalists examined the papers, which come from around 214,000 offshore entities and cover almost 40 years. The world’s business, political

and even sports elite have been thrown onto the defensive. Iceland’s prime minister was forced to resign after it emerged he owned shares in the country’s banks through an offshore company during the financial crisis. Leaders in Britain and Ukraine have faced questions over their taxes, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to divert attention from his entourage by claiming it is all a US plot against him. China has been censoring online forums and media to stifle discussion of the papers, which showed relatives of eight of its political top brass also owned offshore companies. And wealthy citizens in

Australia, France, India, Mexico, Peru, Spain and elsewhere face probes over suspected tax avoidance after their names figured in some of the 11.5 leaked million documents. Panama has hit back at the apparent blemish on its image as an important financial crossroads. It warned France earlier Tuesday, before the raid on the law firm, of unspecified diplomatic measures if France does not remove it from a blacklist of tax havens. Paris put Panama back on its national list of uncooperative jurisdictions, after removing it in 2012, in the wake of the leaks. France is also urging the European Union and all member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to follow suit. Such an international designation would deal a heavy blow to Panama’s vital financial services sector, which the government has been trying to make more transparent. AFP

Dutch officials probe airport security scare THE HAGUE—Dutch military police were Wednesday investigating a major security alert triggered overnight at Amsterdam’s busy international airport, with one man still in custody. Dozens of heavily-armed military police had swooped on Schiphol airport, evacuating hundreds of people late Tuesday from public areas after receiving a tipoff about a “suspicious situation.” The scare at one of Europe’s busiest travel hubs with flight links around the world came exactly three weeks after the March 22 attacks on the Brussels airport and metro which left 32 people dead. But it remained unclear exactly what was behind the late-night security sweep, after the Dutch bomb squad found nothing sus-

picious in the luggage of the arrested man. “The man arrested in the suspicious situation in #Schiphol still in custody,” the military police, said on their Twitter account. They added they were “investigating” and would provide an update later in the day. The man’s identity has not been revealed. No flights were disrupted during the operation, and the airport authorities confirmed no disruptions were expected on Wednesday. Tensions have been high since last month’s attacks in neighboring Belgium, which like the November attacks in Paris, were claimed by the so-called Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. AFP

Rousseff calls vice president a traitor

Homeless. Refugee children are seen at a makeshift camp along the

Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni, on April 13, 2016. More than 152,000 people have arrived in Greece by sea from Turkey since January 1, nearly three-quarters of whom were Syrians. AFP

BRASILIA—Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff took off the gloves Tuesday, branding her vice president a traitor and coup-plotter ahead of an impeachment vote in Congress, with a party once in the ruling coalition set to cast a ballot against her. In a blistering speech, Rousseff, 68, charged: “If there were any doubts about my reporting that a coup is under way, there can’t be now.” Referring to Monday’s leak of an audio recording in which Vice President Michel Temer practices the speech he would make if Rousseff is impeached, the president said: “The conspirators’ mask

has slipped. “We are living in strange and worrying times, times of a coup, and of pretending, and betrayal of trust,” she said in the capital Brasilia. “Yesterday, they used the pretense of a leak to give the order for the conspiracy.” Rousseff is in the final stretch of a bruising attempt to save her presidency from impeachment on charges that she illegally manipulated government accounts to mask the effects of recession during her 2014 re-election. Temer, who will take over if Rousseff is impeached, countered

that a war was being waged against him on both a personal and professional level. “I’m not waging war, I’m defending myself,” he told Globo News. But making it clear he was ready to step in Rousseff ’s shoes, Temer, 75, added: “Without being pretentious, but with much modesty, I must say that I have a lot of experience in public life.” After a congressional committee voted to recommend Rousseff ’s ouster in chaotic and bad-tempered scenes late Monday, the stage was set for a weekend showdown in the full lower house. AFP

T H U R S D AY : A p R i l 14 , 2 0 1 6

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BiNG pAREl

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

BERNADETTE lUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@liFEatStandard

w El l BEiNG

LIFE

The Larryasana - a pose dedicated to the founder of rocket yoga

ROCKET YOGA

FINE FEttlE

BY BuBBlES pARAISO

“i

t’s called rocket yoga because you ‘fly’ a lot… and, it gets you there faster.” Where, exactly? The first time I came across the name “rocket yoga” was a year ago, when I found the perfect school to undergo my yoga teacher training course. When other yoga teachers found out I was going to be trained under “rocket,” they all oohed and aahed like it was such a big deal that I was going to undergo that training. Fast forward to teacher training, I understood why. Let me get this straight though – I am NOT a rocket yoga teacher. I am a rocket-trained, ashtanga vinyasa certified one. There is a huge difference. There are currently three certified rocket yoga teachers here in the Philippines, Bri Manglapus being the first one of them all; and at the end of this month, what with rocket yoga’s official school for Southeast Asia, It’s Yoga Satellite flying here to lead a teacher training course, I can only assume there would be tons others after. Now what is rocket yoga? Why do people keep insisting that “you get there faster”? Last July, as I started training, I couldn’t even lift my bum up for a proper inversion. Sure I was strong, but that wasn’t enough. After less than a week of rocket yoga training in the middle of my ashtanga course, I was doing inversions as if I were born for them. Ah, one week. I did get “there” faster than usual. Rocket yoga is a practice based on the ashtanga primary series that was created by Larry Schulz in the 1980s. Larry was a direct student of Pathabi Jois and had been practicing ashtanga yoga for about a decade before he created his own system that is

With Beth Ong, Bek Soriano and Bri Manglapus - the three teachers certified to lead rocket yoga in the Philippines. That number is about to multiply!

deeply rooted and based in the ashtanga primary and intermediate series. Rocket is divided into a series of three. Rocket 1 is an inversion-heavy practice as there are about 15 handstands, numerous pincha mayurasanas and ekapada koundinyasanas – all as transition poses. Everything happens so fast that you won’t really have time to think about it. You do a crow pose right after your sun salutations, then jump to an inversion and back to a chaturangga right away. It gets you stronger, faster. If you’re familiar with the primary series, Rocket 1 is based on that but with countless pinchas and ekapadas in-between. Rocket 2, on the other hand, is heavy on backbends – from wheels, to camel to drop backs – similar to the intermediate series, poses and transitions that will aid in your strength and flexibility. Rocket 3 practice days are called “barbecue days.” The reason? You fry/grill your muscles

Bri leading a rocket yoga workshop. Full and modified versions of ekapada koundinyasana

in your whole body as Rocket 3 is a mix of Rocket 1 and 2 – which means that in your practice (which lasts a little more than two hours), you are either inverted or bent backwards. Sounds crazy, but it works. It is such an efficient practice that it will just make you want more. The pain is something that you would even look forward to – heck, I didn’t mind anymore that I was covered in medicated pain patches to rid me of sore muscles! Rocket yoga is a very dynamic and fast paced, or a yang type of yoga that will make you sweat buckets as you practice it. Whether you have been practicing yoga for two years or two days, rocket yoga is suitable for you. Why? One of the best qualities of rocket yoga is that the “art of modification” encourages students to modify the poses to their limits. If you can’t do a certain pose yet, you can modify it – micro-bend your knee, use a block, and so on. You don’t have to go onto the full expression of the pose

all the time. And with its fast pace, you wouldn’t really have time to, anyway. In Southeast Asia, there are only two teachers who are certified to teach the Rocket Course and train new teachers – they are Ricardo Martin and Kunkanit “Joy” Prohbut of It’s Yoga Satellite. These two trained and apprenticed under Larry himself and brought the practice to Asia. They’re also married to each other, but their cute love story is another article. Manila is lucky that this lovely couple is flying here to hold a 5-day Rocket Yoga Teacher Training course before the end of this month, a first in the Philippines. Whether you are already a teacher or not, if you want to “get there faster,” you simply love inversions and/or backbends, or you just really love yoga and want to deepen your practice, then this is for you. I know for sure I’m enrolling! For questions, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram @bubblesparaiso.

T H U R S D AY : A p R i l 14 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@liFEatStandard

The NBA Store at TriNoma will carry a comprehensive selection of authentic NBA products such as official jerseys, footwear, performance gear, lifestyle apparel, basketballs, toys and collectibles

NBA SToRE opENS THiRD pHilippiNE oUTlET AT TRiNomA

eads up, NBA fans in the northern metro! The National Basketball Association has recently opened the third NBA Store in the Philippines at TriNoma in Quezon City. The opening is a strategic move to locate the sports and lifestyle apparel brand in key areas across Metro Manila. The NBA flagship store opened at Glorietta in Makati in 2014 and at SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong last year. “With the opening of the NBA Store at TriNoma, we are bringing the NBA experience closer to the communities in the north,”

said IATC president and chief executive Melvin Lloyd Lim. “We now have three stores that are strategically located across Metro Manila to provide NBA fans with better access to an extensive range of authentic NBA merchandise,” he added. The NBA Store at TriNoma, also managed by International Athletic Trading Company, Inc., will offer a comprehensive selection of authentic NBA products from all 30 teams, including official jerseys, footwear, performance gear, lifestyle apparel, basketballs, toys and collectibles. Autographed NBA memorabilia and a personalized jersey service are

also available in the 280-squaremeter space. According to NBA Philippines managing director Carlo Singson, the opening of the third NBA Store further cements the country as a premier shopping destination for NBA fans across Southeast Asia. The NBA Store will carry products from brands such as 2K Sports, adidas, Mitchell & Ness, New Era, Nike, Panini, Spalding, Stance and Under Armour, among many others. NBA-branded lifestyle apparel will also be exclusively available in the store. “We are proud to have opened three NBA Stores in the country in less than three years,” enthused Singson.

Check out NBA goods and apparel at the NBA Store TriNoma every Monday to Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For latest news and updates on the NBA Store and the NBA, visit www.nba.com. Photos by star sabroso

The foul truth about deodorants and antiperspirants

Informative features such as the possible harmful effects of antiperspirants are featured in Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest

Summer is a welcome season, because it means some downtime from school for students and parents as well who don’t have to force themselves to get up early and fight the fog of sleepiness. Summer makes everything seem light, and for many, the season augurs fun and adventure. In a country like the Philippines, however, summer also means feverishly hot temperatures. Imagine, you’ve just hit the shower but the minute you step out of the bath, you start sweating, and in profuse proportions at that. While sweating is the body’s natural reaction to cool down, excessive sweating

can cause embarrassing situations since the buildup of bacteria in sweat can cause unpleasant odor especially in the underarms, which is why people resort to antiperspirants and deodorants. However, some disturbing reports have been coming out on the “stinky truth” about antiperspirants and deodorants. In the March/April issue of Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest – the official publication of Healthy Options that features a variety of articles and interesting reports as well as trends and updates on health and wellness – an article titled “The Stinky Truth on Antiperspirants” cites a report by real Clear Science that antiperspirants may lead to an even more foul-smelling sweat problem. Bacteria live in the armpits, and the reason sweat smells is because the bacteria break down the lipids and amino acids found in sweat into substances that have a distinct odor. Antiperspirants are used to kill bacteria with the use of antimicrobial agents and ingredients such as aluminum that block the sweat glands and prevent the flow of sweat. However, several studies suggest that the use of antiperspirants (and

deodorants) could do more harm than good, as it could increase the growth of Actinobacteria – the kind responsible for that foul-smelling armpit odor. In some of the studies, subjects who did not use antiperspirants saw their Actinobacteria eventually becoming virtually non-existent, which suggests that long-term use of antiperspirants may eventually cause the smell to become more pronounced, while quitting antiperspirants may eventually make the odor go mellow. One other cause of concern is that aluminum-based antiperspirants may put the user at risk of cancer. “Aluminum salts can mimic estrogen, and previous research has shown that aluminum is absorbed and deposited into breast tissue,” the article noted. Estrogen promotes the growth of cancer cells, and frequent application of aluminum-based deodorants puts one under more risk of breast cancer. The same is also true with parabens, another common ingredient in antiperspirants and deodorants, which have been implicated in breast cancer. Parabens are chemicals that act as preservatives in cosmetics and other

beauty products, and previous studies have shown that parabens have estrogenic activity in human breast cancer, the article said. Scientific studies have shown that the body’s microbiome – meaning the organisms that live in a particular environment including the body or certain parts of the body – plays a major role in one’s health, by promoting or warding off skin diseases or preventing body odor. In the end, it is in our best interest to work with our body’s microbiome than against it, to avoid the absorption of chemical toxins found in cosmetics and other products that people use on their bodies. But if the use of deodorants or antiperspirants is something that people think they can do without, then they should examine the chemical contents of products and stay away from those that are suspected of being harmful, like aluminum or parabens. For more features and articles on health and wellness, check out the latest copy of Healthy Options Lifestyle News Digest, available in Healthy Options stores, or log on to healthyoptions.com.ph.

T H U R S D AY : A p R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Nestea Love the Beach campaign kicked off at the Palace Pool Club

CHILLAx THIS SUmmER

Nestea partNers with Boracay FouNdatioN to promote respoNsiBle tourism

t’s almost LaBoracay, and more and more partygoers and vacationers will surely hit the powdery sands of Boracay. And where there are tourists, for sure there will be a lot of trash and waste everywhere. On its 19th year, Nestea Love the Beach takes a stand and leads a campaign to preserve Boracay’s shores through responsible tourism and various activities aimed at keeping the island clean. Yes, it’s about time to promote responsible tourism, for how else can future generations see the beach everyone grew up partying in if we don’t take care of it as early as now? Nestea is partnering with Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) – a non-profit organization composed of over 150 members representing Boracay’s leading establishments, residents, and expatriates – for the purpose of bolstering the island’s environmental, business, and social needs. Nestea brand ambassadors Jessy Mendiola, Tom Taus, Joyce Pring, Sam YG and Arisse de Santos are in full support of the campaign, and the brand is encouraging the public to join the movement and take part in coral rescue and replanting as well as shore and underwater cleanups. According to Sherilla Bayona, Nestea’s business executive manager for the beverages business unit, the brand aims to encourage everyone to “chillax responsibly.” Accountability and stewardship are utmost requirements for visitors especially partygoers. Volunteers

Photos by star sabroso can sign up for the threepart shore cleanup sessions together with the celebrity brand ambassadors of Nestea. To add to the cause, merchandise will be sold during the festivities and proceeds will help fund a beachcleaning machine that will be donated to Boracay Foundation Inc. Also on hand during the event were Nestle Philippines’ chairman and CEO Jacques Reber and Nestea consumer marketing manager Leanne Jacinto. Before the most anticipated LaBoracay parties will commence, the most anticipated 19th NESTEA Beach Volleyball Tournament will hold a twoday volleyball clinic for the local youth in Boracay hosted by Nestea starting on April 26. This is the first time that Nestea Love the Beach will conduct a beach volleyball clinic two days before the competition starts. The clinic aims to encourage the local youth of Boracay to play beach volleyball and ignite their passion for the sports. On the 28th will be the intercollegiate beach volleyball competition that is sure to excite Boracay tourists, while the 2nd Nestea Fantasy Volleyball Match with all star cast volleyball belles Abigail Marano, Ella De Jesus, Melissa Gohing, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, Michelle Gumabao, Cha Cruz, and Sheila Pineda will happen on April 29-30. “I had so much fun last year, so I am very excited to repeat

Nestea brand ambassadors Tom Taus, Arisse de Santos, and Sam YG

Nestlé executives Sherilla Bayona, Jacques Reber, Leanne Jacinto toast to Nestea's Love the Beach campaign during the kick off party at the Palace Pool Club

everything now especially that Nestea will do something else this year. It’s going to be much more fulfilling since there will be a lot more activities to watch out for not only for us to be part of but also for the consumers who will be there with us as well,” shares Michelle Gumabao, cocaptain of De La Salle University

Lady Spikers in 2012-2013 and now part of the Philips Gold Slammer team. After the weeklong volleyball tournament and beach cleanup, the party goes on as Nestea partners with ZoukOut to bring international DJ Kaskade, electronic duo DVBBS, and the country’s hottest DJs to this year’s

epic beach party on April 30 and May 1. – Karla Mae Manalo Interested volunteers for the beach cleanup can log on to www. nestealovethebeach.com.ph. For those interested in the April 30 and May 1 parties, tickets are available at SM Tickets, Valkyrie, and The Palace Pool Club.

T H U R S D AY : A p R I L 14 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Run365 Marathon Special

@LIFEatStandard

Gluten-free Chocolate Waffles

RunneR’s Kitchen seRves healthieR plates

unner s Kitchen was born from Xander Angeles and Bianca King s love for running and healthy yet delectable eating. Like anyone who found their way tracing the road to better health when they got into an active lifestyle, Bianca and Xander developed their affinity for clean food when they got into running. It is a well known truth by nutritionists that about 70 percent of what you eat determines whether you fit into a size two and just roughly only 30 percent is defined by your kind of workout, sleeping patterns as well as emotional wellbeing. That said, what we put on our plate after training like a beast in the gym matters more than the kind of program we sign up to. Bianca has always been fond of cooking at home as a way of treating her guests. When she found out the significant role diet played on her grandparents’ health problems, she took up fitness nutrition and culinary to up her food game. Xander especially saw the lack of options for people who want to eat healthy food in Quezon City where the entertainment hub is situated, so he convinced fellow celebrities Bianca King, Glaiza de Castro and Abby Asistio to put up Runner s Kitchen and address this hole in the market. Food is literally the body s fuel. What you eat can either make you feel energized or sleepy and sluggish, and Runner s Kitchen’s carefully thought out menu makes sure that you are always served food that is good for your body without falling short on the taste index. Simply put, great food that is worth every calorie! The healthy restaurant promises meat that is free from antibiotics and nasty injected hormones, and greens that have not been sprayed with pesticide. Their mantra is to always create renditions of current cult foodie favorites and twist them into a healthier dish such as crowd favorite Spicy Tuna Quinoa Roll where they substitute rice with quinoa and use

By Weizel Gulfan photos By staR saBRoso

the good fat in coconut cream instead of dairy. Their Tahini Quinoa Super Bowl can even be called a protein bowl with clean protein sources like quinoa, chickpeas, and mushrooms with its green veggies. Runner s Kitchen also offers a delicious selection of power boosting smoothies like the spinachoats banana-cashew combination called “Malusog” and the banana-peanut buttercacao nibs and cashew milk smoothie called the “Matipuno,” among others. A popular trick to make any serving become low-calorie and high protein is to substitute white rice with cauliflower rice. Runner’s Kitchen created this popular option with Paprika Prawns and Cauliflower Rice. A feast for the Vikings is offered with the Run 365 Marathon Special as it is a buffet breakfast rice plate that has organic chicken tocino, grass-fed beef tapa and native boar sausage with black rice and a side salad. If you re in a hurry, it’s always safe and satisfying to go Mexican; in this case the Chili Beans and Beef Wrap offers a healthier alternative to the carb-heavy favorite as Runner’s Kitchen uses black rice instead of the sugary white staple. All that talk about gluten being bad for you? Well, it s true, which is why Runner s Kitchen tempts us with the Gluten-Free Chocolate Waffles topped with low-glycemic coco syrup, and a healthy fat source that is cashew nuts and potassium-rich bananas. It is believed that dairy inflames mucous and triggers acne, not to mention that it is perceived as a major culprit in unwanted weight gain, which is why many are thrilled that Runner’s Kitchen offers cashew milk as an option to their brews instead of the usual soy alternatives offered in other coffee shops.

Adobo whole wheat nachos

Tahini Quinoa Super Bowl

Coco Sugar Cheese Cake

Chili Beans and Beef Wrap

Cashew Flat White

Bianca King, one of the owners of Runner's Kitchen

Spicy Tuna Quinoa Roll

Runner’s Kitchen is located in Creekside along Tomas Morato in Quezon City, and is perfect for those who want a hip and trendy place to hang out in and binge sans the guilt. You may also check it out on Facebook.

Runner’s Kitchen's carefully thought-out menu makes sure that you are always served food that is good for your body without falling short on the taste index

t HuR S DAy : A pRIl 14, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Familiar territory. American ballerina Keenan Kampa is also a classical ballet dancer in the film

young londoner nicholas Galitzine plays hip hop violinist in the high-energy dance movie directed by Michael Damian

ADREnAlInE Rush In InspIRIng REvOluTIOnARy DAncE mOvIE

hip hop violinist meets a ballerina in the high-energy dance movie High Strung where two misfits didn’t belong until they believed in each other and go head to head against the best of the best in the Manhattan Conservatory of Arts Peterson Dance contest. Ruby (Keenan Kampa), a lovely ballet dancer on scholarship who doesn’t seem to fit and Johnnie (Nicholas Galitzine), a British musician playing for money in the subway tunnels finally meet and find harmony to achieve their dreams. Ruby’s world is classical and disciplined; Johnnie’s is improvisational and street smart. When a hip-hop battle gone wrong throws these two artists together, they immediately clash but can’t deny it when sparks begin to fly. Their lives quickly get entangled in the pitfalls that come with competing in New York City. With the help of a dynamic dance crew called The SwitchSteps, Ruby and Johnnie must find a way to save Ruby’s scholarship and keep Johnnie from being deported. In an action-packed extravaganza combining cutting edge hip-hop with contemporary and classical dance, the two must navigate their opposing worlds and prepare for a competition

where winning or losing will change their lives forever. Starring two of the most promising actors, the breathtakingly talented and world class dancer Keenan Kampa (Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet’s first American dancer) and Nicholas Galitzine alongside 62 of some of the world’s most exciting

and original dancers from London, Paris, L.A. and New York, High Strung is a powerful movie that celebrates dance, music and the boundless optimism and energy of youth, hits all of the right notes and makes all of the right moves. Top-notch choreographer Dave Scott supervised High Strung’s moves into a perfect fruition. Scott managed to meet the demands of the numerous dance genres required in High Strung from which he draws his inspiration from the highly-successful dance movie’s he’s also choreographed such as Step Up 2: The Streets, Stomp the Yard, So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. Dave, director Michael Damian with his wife Janeen went on to hold auditions in Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris and Bucharest. “We wanted to make a dance film that would represent multiple genres of dance: not just hip hop, but also ballet, contemporary, tango, and even Irish step dance,” Michael adds. In all, they found 62 dancers to complete their cast. “Everywhere we went, the hip hop talent was so strong we had a tough time choosing,” Janeen adds. “But it was also very important to us to get the ballet right, which proved

much more challenging.” In a decade when the public appetite for dance and dance programming has enjoyed great resurgence, the timing was right to make to High Strung. “Dance has become huge worldwide,” Michael observes, adding, “It’s an international language that crosses all the borders and boundaries.” However, by bringing together music, classical ballet and hard hitting hip hop in a story of both romance and struggle that reaches a heart-stopping crescendo, the Damians have achieved even more than they’d dreamed. “We hope that the film will inspire young people to work hard, do their best, and believe in themselves,” they conclude. “Even if you don’t succeed as a dancer or musician, what you learn through the arts can be carried with you in whatever you do in life.” High Strung is elevated by standout supporting performances from veteran actors Jane Seymour, Paul Freeman and Maia Morgenstern and features an original soundtrack of boundary-breaking commercial tracks blending various styles of music. High Strung opens in cinemas on April 20 from Pioneer Films. Trailer link: https:// youtu.be/o4UNNDsDGe

‘WHEElS’ RollS ARounD MIAS 2016 Today The Philippine Star’s premier motoring show, Wheels, is all about the biggest summer motoring event of the year — the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2016. The show’s renowned and formidable team of motoring journalists, composed of Manny Delos Reyes, Angel Rivero and Ulysses Ang, were at the event at World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. They give the audience the lowdown on the different cars and other motoring finds in this year’s MIAS. Ulysses scoured the venue to count down the 10 most significant new cars that made

its debut at the premier international auto show. Find out what brands showcased their refined and upgraded models this year. Meanwhile, Manny walked down memory lane to check out the hottest custom and classic cars at the show. You’ll be surprised at how different custom car builders gave life to some of the oldest and iconic drives of the 20th century. And finally, Angel hanged out with members of the country’s Jeep Club. She also chatted with some of the hottest car show babes that moonlighted in this year’s MIAS. It’s all these and more on the third sea-

new automobiles on display at the Manila International Auto Show Manny Delos Reyes interviews one of the exhibitors at the car show

“Wheels” host Kap Maceda Aguila

son of Wheels, your guide to life on the fast lane. Catch it every Thursdays, 10:30 p.m., on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel. For

firsthand info on the latest happenings in motoring, like and follow Wheels on facebook.com/PhilStarWheels.

t HuR S DAy : A pRIl 14, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

BB. pIlIpInAS 2016’S BESt FIlIpIno-DESIgnED nAtIonAl coStumES

ocal designers showcased their creativity in traditional and indigenous national costumes as the 40 candidates of Bb. Pilipinas 2016 lit up the stage of the new Kia Theater during the Bb. Pilipinas Fashion Show held recently. Original Filipiniana ternos, T-boli, Atiatihan, Manobo and Ifugao-inspired costumes were the most applauded in the collection from Filipino designers, among whom included Frederick Peralta, Edwin Uy, Pablo Mendez, Rajo Laurel, Jonti Martinez, Mak Tumang, Obet Urajay and Joel Acebuche, proof that the Bb. Pilipinas Organization recognizes local talents. Pia Wurtzbach shone at the Miss Universe National Costume Show in an Albert Andrada creation, a fully beaded and embroidered ecru terno with tiered hemline and traditional panuelo. Six national costumes were adjudged the best of the crop by the Bb. Pilipinas committee which included Angelica Alita in Bessie Besana’s classic Traje de Mestiza,

Dindi Joy Pajares in Cherry Veric’s Manobo-inspired original, Angela Fernando in a Frederick Peralta black terno, Jennyline Carla Malpaya in a Jonti Martinez peach terno, Paula Rich Bartolome in a Joel Acebuche’s handpainted white terno and Maria Lina Prongoso in a Polly Lagyap and Madeline Gazmen-collaboration embroidered cream terno. Others who shone were Kimberle Mae Penchon in an Ifugao-inspired native costume by Louis Pangilinan, Alexandra Faith Garcia in a colorful Denise Crisostomo Sarimanok-inspired costume, Kristine Angeli Estoque in a John Cliff Pintados-inspired, Angelique Celine de Leon in a T-boli native, Jennifer Ruth Hammond in a Jonti Martinez’ peacock-designed terno, Nicole Marie Manalo in a Roland Lirio yellow terno, Maxine Medina in a Rhett Eala pink terno and Kylie Verzosa in a Rajo Laurel gold-Pintados costume. Hosted by Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina, Bb Pilipinas Suprana-

the top 6 in the Bb. pilipinas 2016 national costume competition

tional 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, and Miss Intercontinental 1st runner-up Christi McGarry, the Fashion Show opened with the candidates parading in latest Jag jeans and casual wear collection. The girls also showed their grace and catwalk skills in evening gowns from well-known designers like Rhett Eala, Francis Libiran, Jun Escario and Edwin Tan.

Screaming fans made known who their favorites when they walked the runway. The public will get their last chance to see the candidates during the Parade of Beauties at the Araneta Center on Saturday afternoon before the grand coronation night on April 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. – Eton B. Concepcion/ Photos: Don Mcgyver L. Cochico

‘Echorsis’ an intelligent comedy

“Echorsis” is the most-awaited comedy flick of the year. (From left: Director lem lorca, actor Alex medina, veteran comedian John lapus, actor-singer Kean cipriano and film producer chris cahilig)

cROsswORD puzzlE

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Can’t stand 6 Hecklers’ chorus 10 Chicken feed 14 Kind of drum 15 Whodunit terrier 16 Catch a glimpse of 17 Bossa nova kin 18 Ad award 19 Fishtail 20 Bite 21 Frightens a fly

23 24 26 27

Then and — Bill and coo Elvis’ shoes? Close by (2 wds.) 29 Banana skins 31 Exceed 212 degrees 32 Basketball fives 33 NASA counterpart 36 Mysterious region (2 wds.)

40 Compass dir. 41 Ceremonies 42 Junket 43 Helga’s husband 44 Nightclub 46 Conceals 48 Torah reciter 49 Pottery ovens 50 Seeming 52 Mule of old song 55 Secondhand 56 Underwrite 57 Erik the composer 59 Painter — Magritte 60 Chic beach resort 61 Ogling 62 Industrial giant 63 On top of 64 Splinter groups DOWN 1 Club, briefly 2 — B’rith 3 “New” state name 4 Spherical body 5 Figure out 6 Breakfast sizzler 7 Fjord port 8 Mr. Redding 9 — Paulo 10 Nets 11 Grilled 12 Skyline feature 13 Jekyll’s alter ego 22 Coal scuttle 23 Oklahoma town

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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It may be read Truck stop sight French cleric Sock tips Dwindle, with “out” Teacup handles Bye, in Bristol (hyph.) Hardly humble Disparaging remark Space lead-in Europe-Asia divider Archaeological sites U.S. travel watchdogs Slow down — -relief Hieroglyphics birds Clamps Helen, in Spanish Toxic gas Mr. Vonnegut Wisecrack Reverse “— Too Proud to Beg” Journey parts Winter ailment Yes, to Rob Roy

Days before it opened yesterday in cinemas nationwide, Echorsis has been the subject of favorable reviews from movie critics and bloggers. They lauded the movie’s sensitive theme and out-of-the-box and intelligent brand of comedy. The Cinema Evaluation Board has also given the much-awaited independent comedy flick of the year a “B” grade for its good quality, which entitles it to a 60-percent amusement tax rebate. “Echorsis reflects on gender issues while still being funny. Lovely to see Kean Cipriano, Alex Medina, and John Lapus together in one crazy film,” says Jonell Estillore of cinemabravo.com. Echorsis, a comical homage to the iconic horror film The Exorcist, revolves around a sweet-tongued gigolo Carlo, played by Medina, who is possessed by a gay demon after he deceived his closeted gay lover Kristoff (Lapus). The task of exorcising the devil out of Medina’s character then falls on the lap of

Father Nick, who is portrayed by Cipriano. The film premiered on April 3 at Cinema 11 of SM City North Edsa in Quezon City and it was well-received by critics and was particularly praised for its bold and creative choices and great performances from the three leads and the entire cast. “At turns bitingly hilarious and incisive, the movie Echorsis is a must watch. We need more comedies like this in Philippine Cinema!” says Von Cuerpo, lawyer and award-winning blogger. Aside from the film’s intelligent humor, its good intention to represent the LGBT— and how some of its scenes evoke real-life situations—were noted by the critics. The makers of Echorsis—critically acclaimed filmmaker Lemuel Lorca, writer Jerry Gracio, and producer Chris Cahilig of Insight 360—are happy with the positive reviews. Cahilig asserts that Filipino moviegoers are eady for a black comedy like Echorsis.

t HuR S DAy : A pRIl 14, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Dinamulag Festival Street Dancing

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Mango-themed gowns

CElEBRItIES ADD COlOR tO ZAMBAlES DINAMulAG FESt

he Province of Zambales welcomed summer with the recent holding of the Dinamulag Festival to celebrate the harvest of its sweettasting mango variety and the formal opening of the travel season. And what better way to have a sizzling summer is to bring forward a bevy of home-grown charmers and a grand assemblage beauty titlists and celebrities with the Renee Salud-organized Binibining Zambales which crowned the province’s ambassadresses of goodwill and tourism The stars seem to have descended on earth and converged at Zambales Sports Center. Some acted as celebrity judges, while others were performers. Beauty queens were also among the glittery guests like Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2002 Karen Loren Agustin, Binibining Pilipinas-Supranatural 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, International Beauty & Model Festival 2009 grand winner April Love Jordan, Binibining Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina, Marco Poli, interna-

the pageant’s celebity judges led by fashion designer Renee Salud (first from left)

tional makeup artist and beauty expert James Cooper, Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 3 winner Bryan Termulo, The Voice of the Philippines sensations Jem Cubil and Daryl Ong, Cerenados and Chcickser. Topping the pageant emceed by Fil-Norwegian Markki Stroem is Christine Juliane Opiaza of Castillejos town. Other contestants that shined in the prestigious quest were runner-ups Elaiza Dee Alzona of Botolan, Natasha Galo of San Felipe, Joanna Marie Rabe of Iba, and

CNN’s Richard Quest takes low-cost airlines This month, Richard Quest flies to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore In CNN Business Traveller, Quest embarks on an epic adventure - 10 airlines, nine countries in eight days – all on low cost carriers. The aim is to show how far people can go on the world’s expanding range of low-cost carriers, and which airlines offer the best services for those on business and on a budget. Quest shows how the low-cost experience varies from airline to airline and from city to city. He begins the journey in London, and travels to Belgium, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Hawaii, Los Angeles,

New York, and finally back to London. In the April episode, Quest takes a look at easyJet, Ryanair, flydubai, Air Arabia, and interviews AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes. He also completes viewer challenges such as trying local seafood on the beaches of Colombo and taking a selfie with the Merlion in Singapore. The journey to show how low-cost carriers are changing the game for the airline industry continues next month in this special two-part series. Business Traveller airs today, 4:30 p.m. with replays tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., April 16 at 12:30 and 11:30 p.m., April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and at 12”30 p.m. on May 1.

English journalist and CNN International anchor Richard Quest in a photo op with an airline crew

From left: Outgoing Bb. Zambales Nichole Dichoso, Bb. Zambales 2016 Christine Juliane Opiaza with Gov. Hermogenes and Mrs. Alma Ebdane

Mharyel Tapia of Subic. Governor Hermogenes Ebdane said that the festival is training the spotlight on the “dinamulag” mango, a sweet variety of the mango fruit the province is known for. He also spelled out the gains of the local tourism industry, one of the cornerstones of his administration in his annual Ulat sa Bayan. Zambales has been named by the Department of Tourism as one of the country’s top domestic destinations for tourists and excursionists.

The municipal governments also showcased their tourist spots and One Town, One Product goods composed native delicacies, mango-based processed food stuff, home and fashion accessories, and other cottage industries. The centerpiece of the festivity was the float parade and street dancing competition with contingents of revelers dressed in mango-inspired costumes and floats depicting the people’s rural way of life.

Zambales is popular for its fine sand beaches, idyllic islands such as Capones, Magalawa, San Salvador, Hermana Menor and Potipot. It also takes pride in its charming coves such as the pine tree-dotted Anawangin Cove, Uacon, Nagsasa and Silangin spread across the West Philippine Sea. Adrenaline junkies can ride the waves at the famed San Narciso and San Antonio surfing spots, or skimboard in Iba’s seven-kilometer beachfront, dubbed as Luzon’s “beach capital”. For a dash of indigenous culture, visitors can immerse with Aeta communities to get a taste of their way of life and tantalizing tribal music. Zambales is also dotted by historic spots such as the Iba Cathedral Ecclesiastical Museum, Museo de Iba-Roque del Fiero Heritage House, and century-old churches, most notably Sta. Monica in Botolan, and Holy Cross in Sta. Cruz, and San Andres Church in Masinloc, which was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum.

‘Bilang pilipino’ partners with SWS Bilang Pilipino, the comprehensive and multi-platform election coverage of TV5, has partnered with Social Weather Stations (SWS), the country’s top public opinion research organization, to ensure an in-depth, accurate and data driven coverage of the 2016 national elections. In what the first initiative of its kind by a major network after the Cebu Debate last March 20, TV5 came up with a nationwide assessment of the public’s perceptions of the leading presidential candidates: Vice President Jojo Binay, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe and former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, on March 22, two days after the COMELEC-sponsored debate held at the University of the Philippines campus in Cebu City, by reporting a pioneering panel mobile survey designed by SWS. The Bilang Pilipino SWS Mobile Survey used a nationally representative sample of 1,200 validated voters, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The sample was drawn using standard

SWS sampling procedures, and was interviewed face-to-face on March 8 to 11. This statistically representative national sample formed a panel surveyed 5 days a week, starting March 14, by means of mobile smartphones provided for free. According to Emmanuel C. Lorenzana, TV5 President and CEO, “Bilang Pilipino is our modest contribution in the formation of an enlightened Filipino citizenry able to decide for themselves the future and destiny of our country in the coming May 2016 presidential elections. We are committed to using every resource in our disposal, to avail of the latest scientific techniques and information technologies to provide the Filipino electorate with the information and analysis that they would need to make their decisions come Election Day.” Lorenzana further stressed that “We in TV5 and the MVP Group where our company belongs and whose support for Bilang Pilipino remains strong, are committed to seeing to it that the Filipino people become not only passive viewers but more

deeply involved and participative in the coming May 2016 polls. This election has been dubbed as the ‘millennial elections’ because those born at the turn of the 21st century would be voting for the first time. It is for them and the youth of this country in whose hands the nation’s future is now passed on, that we in the Kapatid Network dedicate our efforts, our passions and our hopes as well.” SWS President Mahar K. Mangahas added, “As a Philippine survey research leader, we want to show our support with TV5’s call for a better political system by being its partner in this innovative and national endeavor. We hope to provide the Filipino electorate with dynamic data about the election race derived from the mobile surveys.’’ Bilang Pilipino SWS Mobile Survey is also made possible by TV5 and SWS’s collaboration with other industry leaders including Starmobile, the official handset provider; Voyager Innovations, the creator of web-based voting platform and app; and Smart Communications, the free internet service provider.

t HuR S DAy : A pRIl 14, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ ISAH V. RED

ie-hard GMA 7 audience anticipates the debut of new shows this summer and this includes a talk show hosted by Marian Rivera, a soap opera with Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trillo, the return of Aljur Abrenica on the soap front, and the political satire in time for the elections on May 9. Premiering on April 25, two weeks before what is expected to be a hotly contested election on May 9, is the political satire titled Naku! Boss Ko!. This politically themed romcom stars emerging love team Ruru Madri and Gabbi Garcia. According to the network, this will only run for two weeks and end will end as the elections are underway. A week later, three new shows will fade in on the GMA screen. Premiering on the same day are the shows Yan Ang Morning! with the network’s anointed primetime Queen easing into the daytime block (her second after the Sunday variety show Sunday Pinasaya!) Yan is Marian’s nickname, so the title is sort of a pun and she will talk about being a new mother. Also debuting on the same day are three new drama shows – Once Again with Janine Gutierrez and Aljur Abrenica. The two worked in a morning show prior to this – Dangwa – and it seems their team up brought about a new set of followers, hence the Kapuso network has given them another project for its afternoon drama block. Juancho Triviño’s popularity seems to have surged after appearing in the toprating Little Nanay playing the protective Bruce Wayne Batong Buhay in the delicate existence of the intellectually challenged Tinay. He is now playing a dwarf in Magkaibang Mundo with Louise delos Reyes. Naturally, the centerpiece of the network’s summer shows in Juan Happy Love Story with Heart Evangelista and Dennis Trilllo. The soap takes the slot of Because of You which will end in the second week of May. A teaser of these shows has been playing on the network. It is also Kapuso’s summer station ID, making the loyal Kapuso giddy as they await the debut of the shows. We will see how they will fare in the never-ending-ratings-battle among the networks. Kapuso wins big again GMA Network remains the top choice of students and academicians as its programs and personalities dominated this year’s Gawad Tanglaw and Kagitingan Awards. At the 4th Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) Kagitingan Awards for Television held on April 8 at the Plaza Mayor de Ciudad in Bataan, the Kapuso Network brought home a total of 19 awards, including the Pinakamagiting na Himpilang Pantelebisyon. Nine out of the 10 best TV shows or Sampung Pinakamagiting na Programang Pantelebisyon were from GMA and GMA News TV. Leading the awardees were GMA News and Public Affairs programs. GMA’s flagship news program 24 Oras was recognized as Pinakamagiting na Programang Pambalitaan. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) was cited as Pinakamagiting na Programang Pang-Magasin, while Imbestigador won Pinakamagiting na Programang Pang-Imbestigasyon. The Pinakamagiting na Programang

KapusO nETWORK unRavEls summER shOWs

GMA 7 primetime Queen hosts “yan Ang Morning!”

“Once Again” stars Janine Gutierrez and Aljur Abrenica

Kapuso actress and host Camille prats received the “Best Entertainment talk Show” award for GMA News tV’s MARS at the 14th Gawad tANGlAW Awards

Reunited. Dennis trillo and Heart Evangelista are together again in a new soap

Pang-Dokumentaryo award went to IWitness, while the Pinakamagiting na Programang Pang-Serbisyo Publiko award went to Wish Ko Lang. GMA News TV’s Tonight with Arnold Clavio (TWAC) took home the Pinakamagiting na Programang Pantalakayan honors. BPSU also recognized GMA Entertainment TV programs Pepito Manaloto as Pinakamagiting na Programang PangKomedyaand Magpakailanman as Pinakamagiting na Dulang Antolohiya. Eat Bulaga was named Pinakamagiting na Programang Samu’t-Saring Pagtatanghal. Similarly, GMA personalities dominated the Sampung Pinakamagiting na Personalidad ng Telebisyon. Jessica Soho was awarded Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pang-Magasin for KMJS. She also won Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pambalitaan for GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho. Meanwhile, Mike Enriquez was named Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pang-Imbestigasyon for Imbestigador. Vicky Morales is this year’s Pinaka-

One of “I Juander” hosts, Cesar Apolinario, receives the award for “Best Magazine Show”

Rising loveteam Gabbi Garcia and Ruru Madrid louise delos Reyes and Juancho triviño

magiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pang-Serbisyo Publiko for Wish Ko Lang. The Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pantalakayan was given to Arnold Clavio for TWAC while Kara David won Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pang-Dokumentaryo for IWitness. Alessandra de Rossi was awarded Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Dulang Antolohiya for her performance in GMA News TV’s Wagas (Michael and Imelda Story). Pepito Manaloto lead star Michael V. was recognized as Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Pang-Komedya, while Eat Bulaga’s Vic Sotto took home Pinakamagiting na Personalidad sa Programang Samu’t-Saring Pagtatanghal. The BPSU-Kagitingan Awards for Television recognizes programs and personalities that promote bravery (kagitingan) in maintaining social and personal values. On the same night, GMA also won big at the Gawad Tanglaw (Tagapuring mga Akademisyan ng Aninong Gumagalaw) at De

La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa. Unang Hirit was named Best Morning Program, while Magpakailanman was awarded Best Drama Anthology. Alden Richards was recognized for his role in the said show, winning Best Performance by an Actor for The Alden Richards Story. Together with Maine Mendoza, the Pambansang Bae has been conferred the Natatanging Tanglaw ng Kabataan sa Sining ng Telebisyon for Eat Bulaga’s “Kalyeserye.” Television and Production Exponents (TAPE) President and CEO Antonio Tuviera was recognized with the Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw sa Sining ng Telebisyon. Various GMA News TV shows were also recognized. State of the Nation was cited as Best News Program, while Investigative Documentaries won Best Documentary Program. MARS also took home the Best Entertainment Talk Show award, while I Juander won Best Magazine Show. Now on its 14th year, Gawad Tanglaw gives credit to the best programs and individuals in print, radio, television, and film.