The Standard - 2016 June 03 - Friday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX NO. 111 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 FRIDAY : JUNE 3, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Palace: Luisita rulings honored

GOVT PLANS SUIT AGAINST DIGONG

DILG plans to use CHR ruling against Duterte as basis By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY—The government is considering filing charges against President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, in connection with a complaint filed by women’s groups against him before the Commission on Human Rights, after he told a campaign crowd that he should have been first to have sex with an Australian missionary that inmates had raped and killed in a jail riot in 1989.

News of a possible investigation came as Duterte drew more flak for sexual harrassment and disrespecting women, after he wolf whistled a female journalist during a nationally televised press conference. Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said that as soon as his department receives a copy to the CHR resolution citing the complaints that Duterte violated the Magna Carta of Women, they

would conduct a preliminary investigation to find probable cause for disciplinary proceedings against him. But to do so, he said, the department must get an “authority to investigate” from the Office of the President. “Within 20 days from the receipt of the authority from OP, we should be able to determine whether there is probable cause to

warrant the conduct of formal administrative proceedings,” Sarmiento said. If there is no probable cause, the DILG will recommend a dismissal of the case. On the other hand, if probable cause exists, the DILG will set the case for preliminary conference and formal administrative proceedings in which both parties Next page

Fighting harassment. Women from Tondo, Manila display miniature pepper spray canisters distributed to them by militant women’s group Gabriela on Thursday. The group also taught the women how to use the spray against attackers. DANNY PATA

Liberals hold party with Mar, Noynoy

Militants: Aquino, Alcala should face raps By Christine F. Herrera MILITANT groups on Thursday protested the Commission on Human Rights findings absolving President Benigno Aquino III, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman for the bloody dispersal of farmers in Ki-

dapawan that left two protesters dead on April 1. They also took the CHR to task for saying the farmers had been used by the leftist Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas for its own purposes, other than the demand for food in the face of a lingering drought brought about by the El Niño.

“What smacks of hypocrisy and irony is the CHR resolution’s recommendation for Congress to immediately pass the ‘zero hunger bill’ being pushed by Akbayan’s Ibarra Guttierrez, an ally of the Liberal Party where CHR chair Chito Gascon belongs,” said KMP secretary-general Antonio Next page Flores.

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Chinese official welcomes warming of ties with PH OTTAWA, Canada—Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday he welcomes a possible warming of relations with the Philippines, currently strained over China’s claims to most of the South China Sea. Speaking during a visit to Canada after incoming Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte recently heaped praise on Chinese president Xi Jinping, Wang Yi told a news conference in Ottawa that “the door of dialogue between China and the Philippines is always open.” “If the Philippines sincerely wants to come back to the track of dialogue and negotiations, we welcome that,” he said. “China and the Philippines properly handling disputes through direct dialogue and consultations is helpful for breaking a deadlock

in the bilateral relations in recent years,” he added. Wang Yi was in Ottawa for meetings with his counterpart Stephane Dion and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Duterte on Tuesday described Xi as “a great president,” in a hint that frosty relations between the Asian neighbors could soon warm. Their ties soured during the six-year term of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, whose government sued China before a United Nations tribunal over its claims in the South China Sea,

where Beijing is building low-lying ocean features and sandy blips into islands for military bases. With a ruling expected in the coming weeks, the Philippines’ response will probably be left to Duterte, who takes office on June 30. In contrast to Aquino, Duterte has said he is willing to engage China in bilateral talks on the issue. However, he has also played to nationalist sentiments by saying he would ride a jet ski to plant a Philippine flag on disputed islands in the sea. On Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also welcomed remarks by incoming Foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. on bilateral talks. “The Chinese side welcomes the remarks by Mr. Yasay. Over

the 40 odd years of diplomatic relationship, successive leaders of the two countries have affirmed their agreement, both in face-toface meetings and in bilateral political documents released by the two sides, to peacefully resolve the South China Sea dispute through direct and bilateral talks,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Earlier, Yasay said that bilateral talks would be the likely diplomatic track to be followed in the effort to untangle the territorial conflict with China in the disputed waters. He said “the Duterte administration is bent on dealing with China through peaceful dialogue, adding that there’s no other way but to go bilateral.” “We have been pursuing this. I don’t see why we should stop,” he added. Vito Barcelo, AFP

Still congested. A solitary member of the airport ground crew helps pilots taxiing on the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Congestion is still an everyday occurrence at the premiere terminal, with up to 40 commercial aircraft taking off and landing every hour. ERIC APOLONIO

Militants: ... From A1

Flores said Gutierrez’s zero hunger bill deceives the farmers into believing that hunger can be addressed without breaking the monopoly and control of big landlords to vast tracts of lands and other resources. “Now, who is engaged in deception and instrumentalization of farmers’ legitimate demands to advance the CHR chair and his group’s agenda?” Flores said. “Nowhere in the CHR resolution can you find a single mention of the landlord President’s name, Alcala and Soliman who are the most responsible for criminal negligence and outright denial of the people’s right to food,” Flores said. The KMP leader added that “the CHR’s malicious interpretation of the farmers’ demand against militarization and Oplan Bayanihan was an insult to thousands of victims of the Kidapawan carnage.” “The CHR itself is covering up the fact that harassment of farmers and militarization of peasant communities under Oplan Bayanihan were precisely the Aquino

government’s response to the prolonged drought suffered by farmers,” he said. Instead of addressing the drought by extending support to farmers, “the landlord government that the CHR protects in its resolution responded with fascist measures to silence farmers’ demand for food,” he added. “In fact, the Kidapawan carnage is the culmination of Oplan Bayanihan’s implementation against farmers suffering from drought.” “This clearly demonstrates that the CHR is an instrument of big landlords and has lost any remaining credibility in upholding people’s rights,” the peasant leader said. Flores added “the CHR bowed and yielded to Malacañang’s blame-the-victim spin by invoking Batas Pambansa 880, which was a Marcos edict to suppress the freedom of assembly.” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said the CHR was correct in pointing out the responsibility of the government in failing to address the demand for food in a timely manner, and that the police used excessive force, including the unjustified and illegal discharge of firearms.

“The report goes on to say that the PNP fired the first shot,” Reyes said. But Reyes was quick to take exception to the CHR findings that the farmers were “used” by the KMP. Reyes said the CHR report itself admitted that drought and hunger were the reasons for the protest. “There was no ideological agenda. We reject the claim that the farmers were used or in the words of the CHR, ‘instrumentalized’ to further the ideological agenda of the protest leaders. The malicious findings seek to drive a wedge between the organizations and farmers themselves,” Reyes said. “The report goes on to make the recommendation that rally leaders from the KMP be held accountable as well, even if they themselves were also victims of the violent dispersal,” he said. Reyes described as “patently absurd” the finding that rally organizers should also be “held responsible for the abuse of civil and political rights” of the farmers, and places them in the same league as the state in terms of human rights violations. “It has been two months since the

violent Kidapawan dispersal that claimed two lives and injured scores of protesters. Not one official has been made accountable for the violence. There is a pending case filed against 94 national and local officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in Davao. We hope that justice will be achieved under the new Duterte administration,” Reyes said. “What happened in Kidapawan must never be repeated. Government must take decisive steps in addressing the demands for food, relief and support for drought-stricken farmers nationwide,” he added. Flores, for his part, said the CHR resolution was the “height of stupidity, hypocrisy, and callousness on the plight of the starving farmers of North Cotabato.” Flores said it was stupid of the CHR to accuse the farmers of failure to comply with BP 880, a Marcos-era edict used to suppress the people’s right to free assembly, and so-called instrumentalization. “By invoking BP 880, the CHR committed a violation of the peoples’ right and has been instrument in further suppressing the truth behind the lingering poverty and hunger suffered by farmers,” Flores said. With Rio N. Araja

Govt... From A1

will be asked if they prefer a formal investigation or submission of the case for resolution based on the evidence on record. If warranted, Sarmiento said the DILG may recommend to the Office of the President to impose preventive suspension on the respondent. On Tuesday night, Duterte interrupted a question from television reporter Mariz Umali about his Cabinet appointees with a comment about her trying to get his attention, then wolf whistling and breaking into a short serenade. Umali continued trying to ask her question as Duterte smiled and some other reporters laughed. In an interview on her own network on Thursday, Umali described his remarks as “improper.” While Umali said she would not ask for an apology and sought not to inflame the controversy, her journalist husband criticized Duterte on his Facebook page. “Catcalling my wife is wrong in so many levels,” husband Raffy Tima wrote. “Some jokes are funny and should be laughed at but disrespecting women is definitely not one of them.” At the same press conference, Duterte said there was a justification of killing corrupt journalists, and that one “rotten son of a bitch” reporter deserved getting murdered. Duterte, an incendiary politician who won last month’s elections by a landslide on a pledge to end crime by killing tens of thousands of criminals, has previously been criticized for comments about women. On the campaign trail he made a joke about wanting to rape a “beautiful” Australian missionary who had been sexually assaulted and murdered in a 1989 prison riot in his hometown of Davao. When his daughter reacted to those comments by revealing she had been raped, Duterte described her in jest as a “drama queen.” Duterte, whose first marriage was annulled and is in a longterm relationship with another woman, has also openly boasted about having mistresses and using Viagra to have sex with them. Aida Santos, president of local women’s rights groups WeDpro, said Duterte’s wolf whistling was a form of sexual harassment. “Catcalling treats women as sex objects... some say it’s a way of being cute but it’s wrong,” Santos said. Duterte and his aides have repeatedly said such controversial comments and actions should not be taken too seriously: that he is a straight-talker and an authentic character who likes to joke and speak the language of the streets. They also point to his prowomen policies in Davao, which he has ruled as mayor for most of the past two decades. However Duterte’s jokes sent the wrong messages to society, said Elizabeth Angsioco, national chair of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines. “His words and actions reinforce looking at women as second-class citizens,” she said. With AFP

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Liberals party with Noynoy, Mar IT WAS a night filled with fun, laughter, singing and dancing, said the Liberal Party led by its chairman, President Benigno S. Aquino III, said Wednesday night. The LP members celebrated their thanksgiving party at the LP headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City, and at 7 p.m. Aquino arrived at the event, which was attended by the supporters of administration bets Manuel Roxas II and Vice Presi-

dent-elect Leni Robredo. Before the party, a mass was held at 5 p.m. where several LP members and Cabinet officials were present. Meanwhile, Aquino on Thursday continued to defend the Disbursement Acceleration Program even if

Miriam gets moved to private room THE cancer-stricken Senator Miriam Santiago is now out of the intensive Care Unit of the Makati Medical Center and is in a stable condition, her office said Thursday. Her staff said Santiago, whose term expires on June 30, was transferred to a regular private room at midday on |Thursday. Santiago was taken to the MMC in Makati City on Monday after she developed pneumonia due to complications from her lung cancer. She was met by a steady stream of visitors bearing presents, but the hospital’s management forbade the visitors and their gifts. Instead, Santiago’s staff requested the public to express their sympathy and to send prayer cards to her official Facebook page. “Miriam said that she thanks all her family, friends, supporters, fans, and others who helped pray for her recovery and sent their well-wishes on Facebook,” said her husband, former Commissioner Narciso Santiago. Santiago was named the number one choice among the Ten Most Influential Women in the country on social media, which was posted on the Internet right before the campaign period for this year’s elections. Macon Ramos-Araneta

NUP seals alliance with PDP-Laban THE National Unity Party has sealed an alliance with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte. The NUP, led by its chairman Antipolo Rep. Roberto Puno, on Thursday vowed to support the leadership of incoming House Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and the Duterte administration. “We welcome our incoming House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez by signing a coalition agreement as we manifest our undying support for President Duterte and Speaker Alvarez,” Puno, a House deputy speaker, said during the signing of a coalition agreement between the two political parties at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Puno made his statement even as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. assured Duterte of his full support when he assumes office on June 30. Belmonte also said the Liberal Party was not in a position to ask for a Cabinet position for Vice President-elect Leni Robredo. Puno said the 32-member NUP in the Lower House and their members at the local level were in full support of the Duterte administration. Maricel V. Cruz

it has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He told GMA News that the DAP was beneficial to Filipinos. “The bottomline is… it was able to help our countrymen… How can this be wrong?” he said. Roxas and Robredo took the stage and expressed gratitude to the continued support of their supporters. “Alam niyo po noong patapos na ‘yung kampanya, nag-uusap po kami ni Secretary Mar, sabi po namin siguro sawa na kayo sa

amin, palagi niyo po kaming napapanood. Pero ngayong gabi po, matabang-mataba po ang aming puso na kahit po tapos na ang eleksyon, ‘yung pagmamahal niyo po sa amin buong-buo pa din,” Robredo said to cheers and applause from the crowd. “Nakikita po namin ang mga expression ng inyong pagmamahal at suporta sa Facebook, sa Twitter, sa Instagram, maraming-maraming salamat po dahil iyan po ang nagpapalakas ng aming loob.

“Sa ngalan po ng aking pamilya, siyempre po pati ni Secretary Mar, gusto po naming paabutan kayo ng aming buong-pusong pasasalamat at hindi niyo po kami iniwan sa laban mula noon hanggang ngayon at sana, pati na po sa darating na panahon.” Robredo’s three daughters Aika, Tricia and Jillian were present. In his speech, Roxas lauded his supporters for continuously wearing a yellow shirt and flashing the “Laban” sign. Sandy Araneta

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Trillanes is nothing, Joma says as talks readied By Florante S. Solmerin

Post-poll party. Even with scores of Liberal Party members jumping ship to join the PDP-Laban, Vice President-elect Leonor Robredo speaks to supporters at the LP headquarters in Quezon City.

Alert up vs terror attack By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY—Security forces have supposedly monitored jihadists congregating in this city of almost 1.5-million people and are planning to stage a terror attack this weekend. Davao City police spokesperson Inspector Milgrace Driz said the police have received intelligence reports that about 20 terrorists identified with the jihadist Khilafa Islamiya Movement are believed to have arrived in the city and are planning to disrupt the thanksgiving party for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday. Driz asked the public to help apprehend the extremists who were identified as Jannate Bin Hadjassan

alias Jannate; Abu Katab; Abtil Rahman alias Abdurhaman/Reza; Abu Akhmad; Ustadz Pelere; Humamandul Najid alias Nayda; Usman Hapids; a certain Mocca/Usman; a certain Johan/Amin Baco; a certain Abu Bakkar Taib; Ustadz Isah; a certain Kudri; Abu Said; Muawiyah alias Bombay; Muammar Askali; a certain Baran Go; Nurhassan Jamirri; a certain Omar-ma; Mudrimar Sawadjaan; Namjil Ajahari and Mujjapal Sawajaan.

The police released photographs of the suspects so the public could identify the suspects who are believed to be former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters responsible for bombings in Cagayan de Oro and Cotabato citites as well as kidnappings in Samal Island. “We need to bring this out to the public to inform them of these threats. We have information that there are atrocities planned by these groups,” Driz told The Standard in an interview. Intelligence reports point out that most of the group’s members were trained under renowned terrorist bombmaker Julkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman who were both slain by the military. “It’s possible that the party will

be used by terrorists to instill fear but we remain wary on these operations,” Driz said. Meanwhile, at least 24 security units from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be deployed to the Crocodile Park to secure the “One Love, One National Thanksgiving Party #DU31” for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday. Kat Dailisay of the Manic Nightings Production, the organizer of the event, said the forces from 24 security units will be joined by the Philippine Security Group in securing the event. According to Dalisay, 4,500 security personnel will secure the Crocodile park while another 1,000 personnel will secure the periphery areas of the venue.

COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison dismissed critics of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front even as he announced that negotiators are scheduled to meet in Oslo, Norway on June 15 for preliminary discussions. Singling out coup plotter Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Sison warned against people out to sabotage the talks, especially because of the high prospect of concluding a final peace agreement with the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. “The preliminary talks will start mid-June in Oslo and we’re confident it will be a good start as part of confidence building in preparation for a formal peace talks,” Sison told reporters in a tele-conference held at the headquarters of the Ibon Foundation in Quezon City. “The Duterte government and NDF should watch any coup plot. Trillanes is nothing,” Sison said. “When Duterte and the NDF get together for the country, we will be able to quash such plots. Do not be afraid to fight. Let us trod the right path to change.” Criticizing the administration of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III for its “hypocrisy” in pursuing talks with the Reds, Sison said he is confident negotiators will smoothly agree on a substantive agenda without delay. Duterte has designated incoming presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza and incoming labor secretary Silvestre Bello III as government negotiators while NDF leaders Luis Jalandoni and Fidel Agcaoili will represent the communist movement.

Govt: Luisita rulings honored By Sandy Araneta THE government has implemented the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law as well as the Supreme Court decision with regards to the distribution of land in Hacienda Luisita, which is owned by the family of President Benigno Aquino III, Malacañang said on Thursday. “Government has implemented the CARL and all applicable laws without fear or favor. It has also complied with the Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution of land,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to The Standard. “Having observed good governance principles including transparency and accountability, the outgoing admin-

istration believes its actions and decisions will pass public scrutiny,” Coloma told The Standard. Coloma made the remark in reaction to the announcement of incoming Agrarian Reform secretary Rafael Mariano that the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita will be among the first to be subjected to a “no holds barred” review. “We will immediately review the sham land reform implemented by the DAR in Hacienda Luisita,” Mariano said. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the leftist farmers group Mariano headed, said the Cojuangco family “immediately maneuvered to secure their landholdings” after Mariano was mentioned as a possible DAR secretary.

Changing parties again. About 15 Liberal Party members from different regions in the country

take their oath of membership in the PDP-Laban party, which is looming to become the ruling party under the administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. DANNY PATA

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Tax evasion raps filed vs car importer, 2 gas traders By Rey E. Requejo

The Department of Justice has been asked to prosecute an importer of luxury cars, an automotive fuel retailer in Angeles City and a Quezon City-based trading company for failure to pay taxes due to the government. In its first complaint, the Bureau of Internal Revenue accused Rolando Cuevas, who is the sole proprietor of Monacat Trading in Biñan, Laguna, of willful attempt “to evade or defeat the payment of taxes as well as deliberately failed to file his income tax return for taxable year 2015” in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. Monacat Trading is also engaged in the importation of luxury cars. The BIR said the BoC informed its probers that Cuevas through his trading company imported 20 luxury cars last year, but upon verification with the BIR’s Biñan Revenue District Office, they found out that the respondent failed to file his income tax return. The agency added that Cuevas concealed his income for taxable year 2015 amounting to P64.43 million. The BIR also filed a complaint of tax evasion against Arleen San Miguel Lansangan for failure to file any ITRs and willful attempt to defeat the payment of taxes for taxable years 2010, 2011 and 2012 despite certification from PTT Philippines Corp. showing that she purchased fuel amounting to P107.98 million, P70. 14 million and P11.91 million from 2010 to 2012. Lansangan owns and operates the Cutud Fuel Filling Station located at Magalang Road, Brgy. Cutud, Angeles City in Pampanga. Lansangan underdeclared her taxable sales by 9.36 percent or P9.29 million in 2010, 100 percent of P72.63 million in 2011 and P12.06 million in 2012, BIR said.

Courtesy lane. Passport applicants troop to the Department of Foreign Affairs building at Aseana Avenue in Pasay City on Thursday June 2 with the opening of a courtesy lane exclusively for overseas Filipino workers. DANNY PATA

Osmeña: Revisit law on money laundering By Macon Araneta OutgOing Senator Sergio Osmeña iii has filed Senate Bill 3227seeking to amend the anti-money laundering law to include casinos, art dealers and real estate brokers in the list of individuals or entities that can be investigated for money-laundering activities. Osmeña filed the bill in the aftermath of several Senate hearings conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee on the $81-million stolen money from the Bank of Bangladesh that eventually ended up in local casinos and banking sector. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had canceled the licenses of Philrem service Corp., Werquick and Peso Remittance express Inc. as foreign exchange dealer, money-

changer and remittance agent after they were linked to the laundering of the $81 million. “It must be recognized that the casino and gaming industry, under the supervision and regulation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., has been a strong and responsible partner of the government in pursuing its development plans,” said Osmeña who lost in his reelection bid. however, he sa id t he ca-

si no operator is equa l ly exposed to t he t hreats of money-lau nderi ng. “Its vulnerabilities to criminal exploitation can be attributed to the fact that casinos are cash incentive business with higher volumes of large cash transactions taking place very quickly,” he said. he said casinos offer many financial services such as remittance, cash issuance and foreign exchange, and the movement of funds—either internationally or domestically undertaken—associated with gamingrelated tourism which are poorly understood and may pose moneylaundering threats. The senator proposed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council be authorized to issue freeze orders on suspicious transactions. The measure would also allow the AMLC to check compliance

with the AMLA by covered persons not under any supervising authority. “The investigative function of the AMLC is greatly limited by the fact that before a court order allowing inquiry into or examination of bank accounts or deposits is granted, the AMLC needs to establish the existence of probable cause that the money instrument or property is in any way related to unlawful activity,” he said. he likewise recommended the reduction of required quantum of evidence as basis for an authority to inquire into or examine bank accounts or investments. In his bill, Osmeña said he wanted the BSP designated as the supervising authority for foreign exchange dealers, money changers, remittance and money transfer businesses, for the purposes of the AMLA.

Party-list nominees hit a snag By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Watch and learn. Police Senior Supt. Jemar Modequillo, chief of Las Piñas police, demonstrates the proper way to do push-ups in front of men detained for drinking in a public place in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, during the police’s operation called ‘Oplan RODY’ conducted on June 1, 2016. AFP

PeNDING the resolution of cases involving party-list groups, the Commission on elections says it has yet to decide who among the proclaimed party-list nominees can occupy congressional seats. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista admitted that they have not resolved the pending case of Senior Citizens that won two seats in the house of Representative. TUCP, Cibac, and 1-CARe have one seat each. “We have several party-lists with two sets of nominees. We still need to decide on which faction should rightfully occupy the seats,” Bautista said in a radio interview. Two other party-lists Ating Koop, and MTM Phils, that failed to win a seat have also pending cases before the Comelec en banc. Bautista said that they have until June 30 to come up with the decision on party-list cases.

“We still have enough time to resolve these cases because the new lawmakers will not assume office until June 30,” he stressed. Last May 19, the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed 46 winning party-list groups, from which the 59 sitting party-list solons will come. The Comelec, though, has yet to award the Certificate of Proclamation (COPs) to those party-lists with two sets of nominees pending the resolution of their cases. Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10061, there are six party-list groups with two sets of nominees, namely the Trade Union Congress Party; Coalition of Associations of Senior Citizens in the Philippines (Senior Citizens); Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac); 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural energy, Inc. (1-CARe); Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (Ating Koop); and Mamamayan Tungo sa Maunlad na Pilipinas (MTM PhILS).

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Flood-prone areas pinpointed Iglesia aids tribesmen, pursues war on poverty THE Iglesia ni Cristo continues to intensify its war on poverty across the country, with the inauguration of housing, eco-farming and livelihood projects that seek to improve the lives of indigenous peoples in Mindanao. The church last weekend inaugurated 500 housing units and launched an eco-farming project and Unlad Garment Factory in Barangay Danlag, South Cotabato, with a Special Worship Service officiated by INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, who also led medical and dental missions for members of the B’laan tribe. A total of 15,000 food packs, 15,000 pairs of shoes, 15,000 articles of clothing and 5,000 toys were distributed to the B’laan tribe, who were also beneficiaries of 500 housing units. According to INC general auditor Glicerio B. Santos Jr., the INC is one with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and all other religious denominations in fighting poverty, a common enemy that should be fought in all corners of the country, especially in Mindanao. Santos explained that this was why the church had decided to step up its regular and continuing outreach programs to needy communities all over the country, particularly indigenous peoples. “Our objective in the Lingap projects is twofold: to provide spiritual enrichment and material assistance. For the church, the most effective way to address the prevalent poverty around us is to meet it head on. If greed is one of poverty’s root causes, generosity is one of its cures, and the INC is blessed with the resources and will to provide assistance where it’s needed,” said Santos.

By Joel E. Zurbano

The government on Thursday came up with a list of flood-prone areas in Metro Manila that motorists and commuters should avoid during rush hours and heavy rain. Quezon City topped the list of cities with the most number of major roads and streets identified by the Metro Manila Development Authority as floodprone areas. These are Sgt. Rivera corner A. Bonifacio Avenue, Mauban Street, North Luzon Expressway Cloverleaf, Araneta Avenue, Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, EdsaAurora Boulevard, Tuazon Underpass, Mother Ignacia corner Samar Street, E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon Avenue corner Biak na Bato.

In Manila, motorists must avoid the areas of Blumentritt Street, Maceda Street, Makiling Street, Piy Margal Street, España Boulevard, Antipolo Street, Algeciras Street to Arsenio Lacson Street, Rizal Avenue, Claro M. Recto Avenue, Doroteo Jose Street, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Ampil Street, V. Mapa Street, Gualdal Canal Street, Old Sta. Mesa, Mendoza Street, Mayhaligue Street, Tayuman Street and Alvarez Street. Pasig City: Circumferential Road-5 (C-5 Road)–Bagong Ilog, C-5 Road to E. Rodriguez and Eagle Street.

Makati City: Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue from Bautista Street to Washington, Pasong Tamo Street, Ayala Tunnel, Magallanes Interchange, Kalayaan Street, Arnaiz Street to Don Bosco Street, South Luzon Expressway under Sales Bridge. Pasay City; Edsa-Taft Avenue, Protacio Street, Domestic Road, Mia Road, Aurora Avenue corner Andrews Avenue, Edsa-F.B. Harrison, Taft Avenue Ext.-Baclaran, Roxas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue (Oval). Parañaque City: Redemptorist Street-Taft Avenue Ext., Quirino Avenue corner Kabihasnan Street, La Huerta Market, Sucat Road, Fourth Estate, East Service Road corner Tanyag Street, Coastal Road near Bayview Hotel, San Martin de Porres, Ninoy Aquino Avenue and Daang Batang near Rodriquez Street.

Las Piñas City: Quirino Avenue to Saulog, Fajardo to Aldana, Alabang-Zapote Road to Palace, Tiongquiao Road, Tramo Line to Casimiro Camella Subd. and F. Santos. Muntinlupa City: Montillano Street, National Road in front of City Hall and Pepsi Cola plant, East Service Road, Quezon Road, San Guillermo Road, PNR Open Canal Multi Land, Putatan, JPA Subd., Tunasan and Arandia Street. Malabon City: Letre, P. Aquino Road, Dagat-Dagatan Avenue Ext., Circumferential Road 4 (C-4 Road) Citi Square, General Luna, Dulong Duhat, Women’s Club, Gov. Pascual, M.H. Del Pilar, Tonsuya, Borromeo, Longos, and Lascano. Taguig City: Circumferential Road-5 (C-5 Road)-BCDA, C-5 Road-McKinley and C-5 Road- Bayani Road. Mandaluyong City: Edsa-

Megamall, Maysilo Circle and Shaw Boulevard Tunnel. The other areas are Northbay Boulevard (Agora) in Navotas City; MacArthur Highway near Fatima Medical Center University in Valenzuela City; Rizal Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets in Caloocan City; Blumenttrit corner Valenzuela Street in San Juan City and Almeda corner Bagong Calsada in Pateros. MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos assured the public that the drainage system is cleared of debris in preparation for the onset of the rainy season. Early this year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency turned over to the MMDA the newly restored Effective Flood Control Operation System in Pasig City whose components and remote stations were severely damaged by previous typhoons in the country.

PCSO donation. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II (left) welcomes ambulance recipients Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya (third from left) ; Maj. Gen. Romeo Gan and Dr. Manuel Andres (second from left), municipal health officer, at a turnover ceremony of the PCSO Ambulance Donation program held at the charity agency’s main office in Mandaluyong City. JOSEPH MUEGO

NBI unsure of suspects’ role in Pasay rave party THE National Bureau of Investigation is yet to determine if the five suspects NBI agents arrested in Parañaque City last Tuesday were the ones who manufactured the synthetic drugs found in the body of one of the fatalities in the concert event in Pasay City last month. The suspects were found in possession of marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy and at least two of them admitted having attended the CloseUp Forever Summer party held at the Mall of Asia open parking ground in Pasay City on June 22. NBI forensic expert Rommel Papa said traces of methylenedioxymeth-

amphetamine methyl homolog and methylenedioxy cathinone were found in one of the two victims that they autopsied. “Based on the autopsy report several specimens were taken including blood, liver and the brain, kidney, stomach contents and found in the deceased the presence of MDMA methyline homolog and methylenedioxy cathinone,” he said. The NBI refused to divulge who among the two fatalities it autopsied tested positive for the lethal synthetic drugs. Agents of the NBI AntiIllegal Drugs Division headed by its chief Joel Tovera arrested on Tuesday Sergeoh Villanueva

alias “Gio,” Marc Deen, Martin Dimacali, Thomas Halili and Eric Valbuena during a raid in a condominium in Parañaque City. The NBI also seized “kitchen-type” laboratory equipment used in manufacturing synthetic and party drugs. Tovera said the arrest was made a few days after the apprehension of suspected drug peddler Joshua Habalo in a buy-bust operation inside Remington Hotel in Pasay City two weeks ago. Crime laboratory officials said based on the toxicology test results, there was an inflammation of vital organs es-

pecially in the brains of American Eric Miller and Ken Migawa, who both attended the CloseUp party. Two other fatalities— Lance Garcia, 36, and Bianca Fontejon, 18, died of massive heart attack while the family of another victim Ariel Leal, 22, refused to have his body undergo autopsy examination. Police said during the event, audiences were allowed to buy and drink liquors in the different concessionaires inside the concert area. Several hours later, while the event was still ongoing, the five individuals were found unconscious. Joel E. Zurbano

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Court junks case versus suspect in labor leader, aide slay By Rey E. Requejo

Little sweeper. A little girl helps sweep school grounds during Brigada Eskwela in Barangay Socorro, Catbalogan City. MEL CASPE

9 die, 963 fall ill in Eastern Visayas diarrhea outbreak TACLOBAN CITY—At least nine people, mostly children, have died and 963 others were downed as diarrhea plagued 10 towns in four provinces of Eastern Visayas, the Department of Health reported Thursday. Roderick Boyd Cerro, chief of the DoH regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, said their office rushed to contain the outbreak that has been affecting several areas in the region since third week of May. “Contamination of drinking water sources brought by sudden rainfall is the major cause why we have sporadic cases of diarrhea,” Cerro said in a

mobile phone interview. Catbalogan City, Calbiga, Talalora, and Sta. Rita towns in Samar province have reported two deaths each or a total of eight casualties. The ninth casualty is from Sta. Margarita, Samar. Most victims are children below 10 years old, according to Cerro. Hilongos, Leyte has the most number of victims at 316, followed by Calbiga, Samar at 215.

In Samar, cases were reported in Catbalogan City (172), Sta. Rita (113), Talalora (28), Pinabacdao (19), Sta. Margarita (11), and Basey (five). Other affected areas are Lavezares in Northern Samar (30) and Jipapad in Eastern Samar (54). Elena Villarosa, DoH Eastern Visayas regional information officer, said teams have been deployed to Gamay, Las Navas, and Lavezares in Northern Samar to investigate newly reported diarrhea outbreak. “There is an increasing incidence of diarrhea in some areas due to person-to-person transmission through unsanitary food and water handling.

Other factors are absence of toilets and proximity of open dumpsites to water sources,” Villarosa said. Although the recent diarrhea plague is alarming, the official said that DoH is in control of the situation as they’re able to treat cases through medication and distribution of aquatabs and chlorine to curb contamination. These supplies are also available in health facilities and rural health units. “With the onset of rainy season, we urged our local health workers to regularly check water sources, especially deep wells for possible contamination. They have to warn communities

of potential threats and inform them of ways to purify drinking water,” Cerro explained. To curb diarrhea, the public are advised to wash hands before cooking foods, wash foods before cooking, cover foods, practice personal hygiene, practice proper disposal of waste and use of sanitary toilets, and practice health seeking behavior especially for children who are prone to develop more serious illness and complications. Diarrhea is characterized by stomach pain, headache, body weakness and watery stools. The worst is dehydration that can cause death. PNA

A REGIONAL trial court in Antipolo City has dismissed the double murder case filed against former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Kapunan, effectively acquitting him in the death of labor leader Rolando Olalia and his aide Leonor Alay-ay in 1986. This came after Judge Marie Claire MabutasSorda of Antipolo RTC, Branch 97, granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Kapunan. A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss filed by the accused after the prosecution has finished its presentation of evidence. It is anchored on the ground that the evidence presented is insufficient. Co-accused Sgts. Desiderio Perez, Dennis Jabatan, and newly arrested Fernando Cassanova will remain in prison. The court granted bail for Kapunan a year after he surrendered in 2012. Olalia’s cousin, lawyer Edre Olalia, secretarygeneral of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, said the court’s decision is “distressing and frustrating.” “The message is clear: lowly soldiers should not follow illegal orders from superiors because they will walk free and you take the fall,” Olalia said. NUPL and the Public Interest Law Center are acting as private prosecutors in the case. Olalia and Alay-ay were found dead in Antipolo on Nov. 13, 1986.

‘School officials suspects, not victims in recruitment scam’ By Lance Baconguis

Elderly traders. Women from the Kankanaey tribes of Bontoc in Mt. Province bring their farm’s produce to the market. DAVID CHAN

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Northern Mindanao Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa on Thursday said that the case of Illegal recruitment and large-scale estafa against Philippine School of Science and Technology officials showed the accused are primary suspects and not victims even as its lawyer, Jerome Jarales, played down their role in the case. The case was filed by six students of the school after they were promised by the school officials guaranteed overseas job placement. The officials introduced Jessie Cunahap, head of Jespher Travel Tour and Visa Consultancy, to the students.

Two hundred seventeen students were allegedly duped by Cunahap who carted away P2.2 million. Umpa said that the school officials are primary suspects because they were the ones who brought in Cunahap and allowed him to use the school facilities in the conduct of his illegal recruitment. Jarales earlier claimed that the school officials are innocents of the charges filed against them as he sought the withdrawal of Warrant of Arrest against Amy Bendisula, Pamela Verda, Rubelyn Llovia, Rodrigo Bendisula, Noel Bendisula, Krista Anna Bendisula, Louie Bendisula and Agnes Bendisula. “The officials are the primary suspects of the illegal recruit-

ment and estafa because they entered into an agreement with Cunahap, brought him in and introduced him to the students, they cannot be innocent in this case,” Umpa said. Records from the school presented by Jarales showed that officials entered in to a Memorandum of Agreement with Cunahap and as such were allowed by the school to collect P202,500 from 90 students for document translation into Nihongo, P217,000 from 34 students who applied for work for Korea, P150,000 for 10 students applying for work in Macau, P630,000 for 18 students applying for work in Malaysia, P570,000 for 57 students applying for work in Australia, and P450,000 for 3 students applying for work in Fiji.

F R I D AY: j u n E 3 , 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

baCK CHannEl alEjanDRO DEl ROsaRIO

Xi to DU30: Let’s taLk

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Duterte’s buDget policy The economic team of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is increasing borrowings to fund infrastructure projects and lowering taxes in a major fiscal policy shift to boost the economy further. The plan implies a much-larger budget deficit to pump prime the economy, a policy that outgoing President Benigno Aquino III did not pursue in the last six years. Increased borrowings per se is not bad, as long as the funds are spent on infrastructure projects and major social services like education. Coupled with reduced taxes, notably personal and corporate income taxes, the higher borrowings will increase the purchasing power of the public and stimulate demand. The higher demand, in turn, will prompt the private sector to expand and invest more in production to meet the increased purchasing power of the people. More money will be pumped into the economy, resulting in expanded economic activities. Incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno is aiming for a larger budget gap equivalent to three percent of the gross domestic product. he defended the higher borrowings amid the low interest rate regime and questioned why the past administration did not pursue the tack. The Duterte administration has lined up its immediate priorities that include the faster construction of infrastructure projects, solving Metro Manila’s traffic problems and investing in agriculture. The new government, however, must make sure that the borrowing policy will not backfire on it. higher borrowings and increased spending could be inflationary and could easily erode the increased purchasing power from lower taxes, if the Duterte government fails to build more infrastructure and other projects that it seeks to fund. economic growth, meanwhile, will be in jeopardy if the new budget tack pushes inflation higher than the programmed level. The incoming administration must still keep a fiscal discipline in spite of the looser policy. Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy, the incoming administration, at the end of the day, should weigh increased budget spending against its ability to generate revenues.

Not special lOwDOwn jOjO a. ROblEs

UNSUrprISINgly, the members of the national media are once again in the news these days. Now that president-elect rodrigo Duterte has trained his always-quotable mouth on the press, everyone seems to have a bad experience (or more) in their encounters with the so-called Fourth Estate that they simply must ventilate. This can only be a good thing.

The media should be able to take as good as it can give—and if we must survive as a democracy, we should welcome scrutiny of all our institutions and the people who belong to them. When Duterte, for instance, railed against the Catholic Church, he was even more baselessly accusatory and unrepentantly angry. The media, some of whose members Duterte called “sons of bitches,” actually had it easy. I actually would have let Duterte’s comments on the press pass unnoted, if a friend had not asked an old question about the

relationship of the media with the rest of the citizenry. Does the media, he asked, deserve special treatment, as if its members belonged to a more privileged class of citizen? The underlying issue is the hoary one about entitlement. And like it or not, many people seem to think that journalists are actually whiny, pampered people who think they’re better than almost everybody else simply because they have press cards. Of course, not a lot of people who hold this view would argue that we don’t need the press. But it’s also true that if the press had

I apologize to the rest of the citizenry for the abuses some of our colleagues commit.

a little more humility and injected itself with a big dose of accuracy and fairness, maybe they wouldn’t be perceived as entitled SOBs, not just by people in government like Duterte. On Facebook, this is what I posted in reply to my friend’s question: No, we should not be treated differently. We are not a “special class.” From my own experience, I think most of the problems encountered by media workers start when they buy into the myth that they are different from ordinary citizens. The most effective journalists, in my view, are those who let their work speak for them, without asking that they be treat-

ed differently while they go about their (mostly lowly-paid) work. The media exist on the sufferance of the citizenry, after all. And woe betide the journalist who thinks that he is no longer part of—in the sense of being better than —the public that he serves. As a member of the community of working (and definitely working-class) journalists, I apologize to the rest of the citizenry for the abuses some of our colleagues commit. Most of us are just trying to make an honest living by doing an

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

honest day’s work, even on days when the rest of you don’t work. Also, please understand that many of those who abuse the privileges that working in the media brings are not even legitimate members of the press. I kid you not. That said, I ask, in all humility: Forgive us our press passes. *** Speaking of my work, my first assignment as a reporter was in Quezon City. One day on the beat, I was told

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that an interesting case was being heard in the sala of a regional trial court judge named Miriam Defensor Santiago. So I looked for her court and observed the proceedings. After the case was heard, I approached the clerk of court and asked if I could interview the judge in her chambers. The clerk asked me to write down my name and that of my media outfit on a piece of paper, which she would hand to the judge. After a few minutes, the clerk returned Continued on A11

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Finance Officer

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Maan Ilustre Advertising and Marketing Head Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

ChINESE president Xi Jinping, aside from congratulating president-elect rodrigo Duterte on his victory, slipped in a “let’s talk” message. It’s not known whether or not Xi’s conciliatory tone is related to the ruling to be issued in three months by the permanent Court of Arbitration in The hague on the South China Sea territorial dispute. If Beijing ignores an adverse decision, it would become an international outlaw. China and the philippines are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea which has jurisdiction to settle all maritime boundary disputes. Xi’s softer tone should not be taken seriously. It is, as usual, a case of doublespeak and deception of which the Chinese are masters. his call for talks with the philippines is difficult to reconcile with China’s renewed claim that the Spratlys and the paracels belong to China historically. parts of the Spratlys are under the 200-mile exclusive economic zone of the philippines under UNClOS. The paracels grabbed by China is also within Vietnam’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone under UNClOS’ definition of maritime borders. Kuala lumpur, on the other hand, protested a recent incident off Sarawak when a Chinese vessel tried to ram a Malaysian patrol boat. This happened even as China offers an olive branch to the other claimants to parts of the South China Sea. Malaysia has vowed a tougher response if the incident is repeated in Malaysian waters. Filipino fishermen have also been victims of Chinese gunboat diplomacy when they are shooed away with water cannons when fishing near Scarborough Shoal off the coast of Zambales where they have long been making their livelihood. The United States conducts regular sea patrol and air surveillance flights near the man-made islands where China has built military installations. The US presence is adding to the pressure on China. The US has made clear it would not allow the Chinese to impede the freedom of navigation in international waters. An estimated $5 trillion in commercial cargo pass annually through vital sea lanes in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, is strident in saying that more than safeguarding the freedom of navigation, the US pivot to Asia is aimed to counterbalance a rising China. Xi’s message released through the Chinese foreign ministry mentioned the need to put back on track the good relations between China and the philippines.Who started to strain relations, anyway? China encroached on the West philippine Sea and claimed that Manila escalated tension 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

F R I D AY: j u n E 3 , 2 0 1 6

opinion

ADELLE chuA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

baCK CHannEl alEjanDRO DEl ROsaRIO

Xi to DU30: Let’s taLk

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Not special lOwDOwn jOjO a. ROblEs

I apologize to the rest of the citizenry for the abuses some of our colleagues commit.

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

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MEMBER

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MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Finance Officer

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Maan Ilustre Advertising and Marketing Head Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

F R I D AY: j u n e 3 , 2 0 1 6

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

GoinG federal PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO I am for federalism, and I am for rewriting the Constitution. Transitioning from a unitary state into a federation requires more than an amendment of the fundamental law. It requires nothing short of a revision, a reorienting of the entire organization of the body-politic. and now that we are in earnest about making the Philippines a federal republic, the search for models begins. models are useful, but really, there is no canonical form of a federal state according to which we must hew this novelty in our national life. malaysia’s federation is largely dependent (except for four of the states) on traditional sultanates that held sway over parts of malaysia. That kind of historical antecedent, we did not necessarily have. more unique yet is the indigenous if quaint system of a “revolving kingship”—the symbolic head of state is one of the nine hereditary sultans, each having a turn at the kingship! Spain likewise provides another interesting model: autonomous communities and autonomous cities. Canada is itself a third example—yet markedly different from other federal states, but a practical—and, thus far, working—response to the aspirations of the Quebecois for autonomy. at one time, they cried: “Secession!” It is an example of what is many times called “asymmetrical federalism” where one or the other region enjoys vastly ampler powers and greater autonomy than do others! That alone says a lot about the homework we must be doing, we who advocate the shift to federalism. In this respect, no size fits all! But I have not yet advanced my reasons for supporting federalism. First, our unitary system has created this gangrenous ulceration called “manila.” “Imperial manila” was what it used to be called—in derision, but there is nothing imperial about manila now: the ubiquitous snarl where once there were thoroughfares, open, stinking cesspools where once esteros flowed that provided water and transport for “my manila” about which Nick Joaquin penned many a lyrical line, and the insalubrious squatter areas (I refuse to mask the ugliness of it all by referring to “informal settlers”) that no government has ever had the political will to dismantle, after having safely but resolutely relocated the residents, or sent them back to the provinces. and that is just one more thing: millions crawl around manila and prowl about because, in our unitary republic, that is where the “happenings” will be found. The well-intentioned talks with muslim mindanao led to the

crafting of such tentative documents as the mOa-aD, that the Supreme Court scuttled, and the draft BBL, for which PNoy had hoped to win the Nobel Prize, with the assistance of the DelesFerrer duo but that was afflicted with so many congenital infirmities that, in its case, abortion was perfectly justified! But crafting a solution for muslim mindanao is engaging in patch-work, much like the way we repair our highways. The Cordillera People’s Liberation army might be only a dim memory now, but the aspirations of the Filipinos of our highlands are by no means extinct. and so many parts of the Philippines have had the sore experience of being outside the sweep of manila’s vision and affections. But that is because we have had a State with manila from which all grace and favor flowed! The United Kingdom is a federation of sorts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate legislatures, separate executive structures, distinct judiciaries even, such that a

Now the search for models begins.

transaction between an English entrepreneur and his Scottish counterpart that is perfected in London but performed for the most part in Edinburgh triggers a genuine conflicts case! This is a federal kingdom forged by history, for Scotland and Wales did have separate thrones and Scots and Englishmen have not always been the most congenial of friends. But the crucial chapter in the constitution of a federal state will be the distribution of governmental powers. Which powers will be reserved to the national government? Which powers will be devolved to the regions (or will we call them states—which they never were)? What should transform the Philippines into a truly federal state is real state power exercised by the regions, and only the minimum of necessary power retained by the national government. That tepid version of decentralization that reserves for manila all the same the final determination of matters will not be enough. It will not be worth the trouble of rewriting our Constitution. In fact, I pro-

Pnoy’s leGacies of budGet and Pension time bombs

WE WErE so engrossed in analyzing every improbable promise and black propaganda accusation by and against every presidential candidate that we failed to examine the details and impact of Executive Orders 201 and 203 that President Benigno aquino III signed on Feb. 19 and mar. 22, 2016. admittedly, my senior citizen friends and I first thought that these EOs were merely about the longawaited pay adjustments for our younger friends in the public sector who had been constantly complaining to us about PNoy’s refusal to grant them any pay raise in the past six years. We would have taken a keener interest if one had been numbered EO 123, or if their titles were not worded so blandly: “modifying the salary schedule for civilian government personnel and authorizing the grant of additional benefits for both civilian and military and uniformed personnel” and “adopting a compensation and position classification system [CPCS] and a general index of occupational services [IOS] for the GOCC sector …” In fact, EO 201 granted, retroactive to Jan. 1, salary increases averaging 27 percent to our 1.5-million civilian and military employees “regardless of appointment status, whether regular, contractual or casual; appointive or elective; and on full-time or part-time basis.” P57.9 billion is required as annual budget, but PNoy’s bright boys have anticipated this huge amount and had it tucked earlier in the 2016 General appropriations act. EO 201 provided only the first part of a four-year salary increase program that will raise the compensation of all government workers to at least 70 percent of the market rate. If fully implemented, it would require an estimated P850 billion in additional taxes—a heavy collection burden for President Digong’s new administration. Yet, the lowest monthly salary—Salary Grade 1—has been increased only by 5.3 percent from P9,000 to P9,478 in 2016, and to

pose that we go all the way even in regard to our laws and to the judiciary. While a civil code— and the other codes we have— may yet serve as a uniform model, each region should still legislate its own codes, particularly so where cultural, ethnic and historical differences make this a solution to long-festering gripes and grievances. It will, I predict, help in no small measure inspeed up the process of the judicial resolution of disputes if our present national courts were confined in their jurisdiction to truly “federal matters.” Quite predictably, that will give rise to thorny jurisdictional issues on national and regional competence—but we have always been experts at weaving our way through knotty problems! as for political dynasties making fiefdoms out of regions, whether you have a federal repub-

FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACIO tEmPLO P11,068 in 2019. This is an increase of 23 percent over four years. President Digong will be receiving P160,924 when he assumes office on July 1, which is 34 percent more than PNoy’s P120,000 salary. It would increase annually until it reaches P388,096 by Jan. 1, 2019— an increase of 223.4 percent in four years. EO 203, on the other hand, allowed significant increases in compensation of executives and employees of government-owned and -controlled corporations amounting to P4.6 billion, according to the Governance Commission for GOCCs which now regulates all GOCCs. In fact, only the particular GOCC would know if it could fully implement these increases. after all, its implementation would depend on the GOCC’s financial capability and how much its charter allows it to spend. GCG drafted the EO for the purpose of raising the performance standards of GOCCs, “especially with respect to their long-term breakthrough results.” These salary increases, despite being announced in the middle of the presidential campaign period, may have never been intended to buy votes for PNoy’s anointed presidential candidate. But for certain, many government workers still remember that after PNoy became president he soon imposed on Sept. 8, 2010 a moratorium on increases in their salaries, allowances, incentives, and other benefits. For them, these EOs only lifted his own moratorium, and it took him six years to undo it. In particular, EO 203 also increased significantly the compensation of those working for the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, and PhilHealth whose executives and employees claim that they deserve the

lic or not, dynasties will importune themselves. But it will certainly help to re-write the constitutional proscription: defining within the fundamental law what a dynasty is, so that we may not await the pleasure of Congress that apparently takes no pleasure in outlawing the informal rule by which it is presently composed! Like all good research, rewriting the provisions of our Constitution to allow for a federal republic should start with scholarly, indepth and exhaustive studies of existing forms of federation, then identifying the historical and cultural particularities of our country with which constitutionwriting must deal, and the openness to entertain different models, look for their faults, and, in Popperian fashion, to replace them with better ones! and the issue of federalism has to be distinguished from the proposal

substantial salary increases because they had no salary raise in the past six years. Their bosses would have the highest increase in basic monthly pay, now set from P804,221 to P1,085,699. Wow, they’re not peanuts and would indeed enable President Digong to appoint with ease honest, hardworking and talented persons to these positions. However, “around 1,000 SSS rank-and-file workers will not receive any salary increase.” This is “immoral, unjust, and indecent,” according to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa. Indeed, the new salary scheme shouldn’t be implemented at SSS – and also at GSIS and PhilHealth— but for other reasons. The executives and employees of SSS, GSIS and PhilHealth are fiduciaries of trust funds that come from workers’ and employers’ contributions, and whose beneficiaries receive very low benefits. In effect, every single peso that they spend to pay for their salaries and operating expenses is taken out from these funds. It could have been used to augment pension and hospital benefits. Certainly, the new salary expenditures would prevent the grant of any feasible benefit enhancement indefinitely. These fiduciaries should demonstrate more prudence, diligence and self-denial especially today when they could not give the demands for a P2,000 pension increase and reasonable hospital support value. Instead, they continue to fool us into believing that any measly benefit increase couldn’t be granted because it would endanger the funds’ actuarial life. Worse, these EOs have created a very explosive pension time bomb for GSIS. GSIS computes pensions based on salaries, and their steep and sudden increases under EOs 201 and 203 would have resulted in huge unfunded pension liabilities. How much are they? Certainly, GSIS’s fund life has been reduced. What is it now? How soon will GSIS go bankrupt?

to go parliamentary—because the two do not necessarily come together. The latter issue involves mayor Digong having to decide whether he wants to be a king, like Bhumibol—morally ascendant but politically neutered, or a ceremonial president—like India’s, whose key function is receiving ceremonial salutes, shaking hands with kings and princes, and having to endure garlands and leis around his neck, or a president like one that France has who can always blame a Prime minister for his faults while he wields real power, or carry on with the american model—with the very possibility that Donald Trump will still set a new, if discordant chord for a powerful presidency! But that is a different issue altogether. rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

F R I D AY: j u n e 3 , 2 0 1 6

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte anD meDia It’s okay to kill soB or corrupt journalists. so declared President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in his early evening press conference on May 31, 2016 in Davao City, after introducing his partial Cabinet. The next president seems to have difficulty filling half of his Cabinet posts, for two reasons: one, the pay is not that good, and two, the requirements of the office are quite stringent. a Cabinet secretary makes only P1.08 million a year or P90,000 a month. From P90,000, you deduct your GsIs premium, your 32 percent income tax, and other deductions. a secretary will be lucky to retain half of the P90,000 a month. With what is left, he must maintain a house—in Metro Manila and Davao because Malacañang has been relocated to the south. He immediately doubles his household expenses. a prospective Cabinet member must declare all his assets and liabilities. He/she must divest from his/her businesses or law firm, unlike senators who are not subject to the same requirement. also, senators can advocate anything without being held responsi-

XI... From A9 when it filed a case against China in The Hague arbitration court. The Chinese statement was ambiguous: Would the talks Xi suggested be on a bilateral basis, or multilateral? The Philippines prefers the latter to include other claimants like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and taiwan. security in southeast asia has become volatile since China claimed 90 percent of the south China sea, raising concern among countries in the region the second superpower in the world seeks to establish hegemony in this part of the world. Good news, bad news authorities at the Ninoy aquino International airport said recently that departing

ble for it or being required to put their money where their mouth is. Finally, senators in the middle of their term can run for vice president and president—for the fun and the fund of it. If they fail, they just go back to being a senator. and in the case of senator alan Cayetano, he ends up being senate president. Meanwhile, a Cabinet member who has divested himself from his businesses but fails to get the nod of the Commission on appointments, obviously cannot go back to his business. The business is gone and going back to it within a year will be a conflict of interest. *** The main point, however, of this column is Duterte’s earthshaking declaration on media men. “Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch. The Constitution can no longer help you kapag binaboy mo ang isang tao,” a rather irritated Duterte responded, asked about the pattern of journalist killings at the beginning of a Q/a portion of his press conference. Journalists are now fair game for assassins—if they are passengers found with bullets in their baggage will no longer be arrested. they will be allowed to board after surrendering the forbidden bullets which some really bring as amulets. a series of arrest and detention of departing passengers who missed their flight raised public uproar forcing Naia transport security officials to back off and rethink their policy. It’s really stupid to think that a single bullet without a gun to fire it from would be used by a terrorist to hijack a plane or blow it to smithereens. another good news came with the announcement that the tax exempt ceiling on balikbayan boxes will be raised to P150,000. this was also the result of overseas Filipino

#failocracy

corrupt and have abused people. This is the Biblical “eyefor-an-eye” doctrine which Wikipedia defines as “the law of retaliation, or the principle that a person who has injured another person is to be penalized to a similar degree.” It is also called “lex talionis,” the Latin term for talion which means retaliation authorized by law. Retaliation is punishment corresponding in kind and degree to the injury. Journalists are fond of mangling people’s reputation. Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable are considered part of our mission. This includes politicians and the corrupt in government. For victims, it is called libel which is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, vice or a defect to defame the memory of a person, living or dead. If you are libeled, you go to court and seek relief. Usually, the courts are kinder to the journalist than workers threatening to stop sending dollar remittances which prop up the Philippine economy. all it needed for government to act was public outrage and citizen action. But the height of insensitivity was President aquino’s veto of the P2,000 increase in the social security system monthly pension of retired workers. yet, what did Bs aquino do, 27 days before he is due to step down from office on June 30? He signed a hefty salary increase for sss officials. Bs aquino’s’s reason for vetoing the pension hike for sss members was that it would bankrupt the system in the long run. Duh? The best news? PNoy is leaving after six years of bumbling along “daang matuwid.”

to the person defamed, especially if the latter is a public official. Malice is a basic requirement for libel. and malice usually evaporates if the journalist apologizes, clarifies the story, or shows no motive for publishing the article. as a general rule, public officials have no reason to sue for libel. Besides, considering the reputation of our public officials, they probably have no reputation to protect or to be defamed. of the more than 132 journalists killed in the Philippines since 1986, one-third have been killed by policemen or men in uniform, one-third by crime syndicates, and the remaining third by politicians. Just because a journalist is corrupt does not give anyone an excuse to kill him. Nothing justifies the murder of journalists, and all people for that matter, without due process. Now, if corruption could be an excuse to kill, then we might have to eliminate nearly the entire government, which Duterte says is very corrupt. If corruption is a license to kill, we would have to eliminate Congress, senate, and

Malacañang—the main breeding ground for the corrupt and the abusive. We would have to eliminate the entire Philippine National Police. We would have burn to the ground the entire National Penitentiary. For his part, Duterte has identified the top agencies where corruption is rampant—Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Customs, Land transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land transportation office, and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Using Duterte’s logic, he should now send his 3,000man special task force to invade these offices and kill anyone standing. But then there is Leni Robredo, the vice president-elect. she says the last man standing is a woman. Women. That’s also one of Duterte’s weaknesses. seeing a beautiful woman journalist asking him a question, instead of making a decent reply, he wolfwhistles and dishes out the first line of a song—about looking forlornly from a distance at a figure of beauty. Was the president-elect being abusive?

Not... From A9

some minutes passed again before the now-smiling clerk returned one more time. “Judge santiago will talk to you now,” she said. I spent a couple of hours talking to Judge Miriam, not only about the case but also about UP, my work and hers and almost anything under the sun. I immediately fell in love with this brilliant judge with the lilting Ilonggo accent and have observed her closely ever since. Three decades later, I’m happy to report that I love and admire Miriam santiago still. Get well soon, senator. From the newspaperman who was the same—a lot worse for the wear— wet-behind-the-ears reporter you met nearly 30 years ago. and who listened, enthralled and entranced, to every word you said. I remain, in my mind, your biggest fan.

to me and said: “Judge santiago doesn’t know you, Mr. Robles, and hasn’t heard of your newspaper, the Manila Standard. she wants to know if you worked for another newspaper before and where you went to school. Then she will decide if she will talk to you.” It was perfectly believable that the judge would not know me, because I was just a couple of weeks on the job. My newspaper was also brandnew, and it was understandable if the judge had never seen it. as it happened, I did come from another, recently defunct newspaper, where I briefly worked as a proofreader before a strike closed it down. so I wrote on the paper again, adding the words “BusinessDay” and “UP.”

biznewsasia@gmail.com

chong ardivilla

A12

F RI DAY : J UN E 3 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Curry calls on Dubs to beat Cavs OAKLAND—Stephen Curry has called on the Golden State Warriors to build on the momentum of their remarkable comeback win over Oklahoma City as they prepare to face LeBron James and Cleveland in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Olympic medalists face more tests LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Olympic medalists from the Beijing and London Games will be targeted as a priority as the reanalysis of old samples is reinforced, the International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday. The IOC also said its budget for anti-doping tests is being doubled to $500,000 (447,000 euros) between now and August’s Olympics in Rio. “The re-analysis program for the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012 will be further extended,” the IOC executive board said in a statement. “Together with WADA, we will target medalists from both Olympic Games for possible re-analysis.” The Board, which said “the fight against doping is a top priority”, is holding a series of meetings in Lausanne until Friday. It said it had established a “zero-tolerance” policy in order to “protect clean athletes” in Rio. More than 50 new doping cases have come to light so far from the reanalysis of samples from the Beijing and London Olympics. The Board said it would “not hesitate to punish anyone” within its reach involved in doping or providing doping products and methods. “The budget for the pre-Olympic testing program is now doubled,” said the IOC statement. “The program comes on top of the extensive program already being carried out by International Federations and National Anti-Doping Organizations. “Special focus will be put on countries where the testing program is non-compliant: Kenya, Russia and Mexico. A special focus will also be put on those sports which WADA has declared most affected.” A meeting will be held in Lausanne on June 21 in order to “coordinate and harmonise the approach” of international federations towards the “eligibility of athletes” at future Games, the IOC said. The meeting will be attended by the IOC, international federations and national Olympic committees. AFP

Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against Serge Ibaka (9) of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. AFP

Ferrer blasts French Open as ‘rip-off’

Spain’s David Ferrer looks on during his men’s fourth round match against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris. AFP

PARIS – Spanish veteran David Ferrer blasted the French Open as a “rip-off ” on Wednesday as the controversy over forcing players to compete in the pouring rain rumbled on. After Monday’s play was washed out, only two hours was possible Tuesday in which just two matches were completed. Ferrer and Tomas Berdych played just three games of their last-16 clash before a halt was called to the soggy affair. “A rip-off ”, thundered Ferrer after losing 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday. “The players are those who mean the least to the organisers. They want to make money, it may look good to some, but I think this is a scam. “The conditions were not suitable. Fortunately nobody was hurt. I find it incredible that in such a historic tournament we have not got one or two indoor courts for when there is heavy rain. This seems ridiculous.”

Top 10 women stars Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep both lost Tuesday in the only ties completed. Second seed Radwanska said she was “pissed and angry” while Halep accused organizers of ignoring player welfare. A men’s last-16 tie which started Tuesday even saw Ernests Gulbis, a former semifinalist, pick up his bag and start to leave the court before he was summoned back by the umpire. He said that his match against David Goffin, which he lost on resumption Wednesday, should not have started. “I don’t understand what I was doing there. If we’re not allowed to play, why should I freeze on the court in the rain? I wanted to go under the roof,” he said. “In Munich, we had to play when it was snowing – we’re not in a winter sport.” Goffin said Tuesday’s conditions were a “nightmare”. AFP

The Warriors begin the defense of their NBA crown at the Oracle Arena on Thursday in a dream repeat of last year’s finals, which saw Golden State win the title against an injury-hit Cavaliers team. The Cavaliers have arrived in California firing on all cylinders, with their big three of James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love all fit and ready as they bid to avenge last year’s 4-2 series defeat. The Warriors meanwhile arrived in the finals after a Houdini act against the Thunder in the Western Conference finals, coming back from 3-1 down to complete a stunning 4-3 win on Monday. Two-time NBA MVP Curry told reporters Wednesday the Warriors were brimming with belief after their win over the Thunder – and urged the Dubs to unleash the same sort of hunger against the Cavs on Thursday. “We have to bring that same mentality that got us out of the hole 3-1 to game one with the score 0-0,” Curry said. “And if we can do that and play with that same hunger and that same fire as if we’re playing in an elimination game, I really, really like our chances. “But that’s going to be the challenge for us to, against a different team with a different game plan – bring that same mindset and take advantage of home court in game one.” Curry agreed the Warriors may benefit from being battle-hardened after their pulsating series against Oklahoma City. “We have a lot of confidence right now and we’ve been through a lot in the last week and we’ve been challenged physically and mentally,” he said. “There’s a lot at stake the last three games, so that’s put us on edge, for sure.” Curry led the scoring for the Warriors with 36 points in Monday’s game seven win over the Thunder, with coach Steve Kerr believing that his star player is approaching his best after a knee injury earlier in postseason. AFP

F RI DAY : J UN E 3 , 2 0 1 6

A13

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Penguins post 2-1 win over San Jose WASHINGTON—Rookie forward Conor Sheary scored in overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in game two of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday. Sheary’s goal gave the Penguins a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Sharks, who managed to scored a late equalizer in the third period to send the contest into overtime. Sidney Crosby started the play on the decisive goal by winning a draw in the Sharks’ zone back to defenceman Kris Letang. The puck ended up in the possession of Sheary, who beat San Jose goalie Martin Jones with a quick wrist shot through traffic. “It just worked out perfectly,” Sheary said of the game winner. “I am just trying to play in the moment and the best I can. It Carl Hagelin (62) of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after Phil Kessel (81) scored a second period goal against Martin Jones (31) of the San Jose Sharks in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 1, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AFP is pretty surreal.” The series shifts to California for game three on Saturday where the Sharks are hoping have better success at home after dropping both games in Pittsburgh. Jones has been the Sharks best player in the first two games of the series, which is expected to be a close one and could go the distance as both games were decided by late goals. But British boxer Amir Khan Proponents of the latest But the Sharks’ defense has also looked nerLAUSANNE, Switzerland—Professional change argue that the admis- on Wednesday hailed the decivous at times. This is the first time in their 25 boxers can compete at the upcoming sion of professional basketball sion and said he wanted to repyear franchise history they have reached the to the Olympics in time for resent the country of his parNHL championship. Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the 1992 Games in Barcelona ents’ birth, Pakistan. “We got to find a way to score some five-on-five the sport’s governing body ruled in a helped make men’s basketball Khan, born and raised in goals. We got to find a way to battle through. There landmark decision on Wednesday. one of the most hotly antici- Bolton, England, won a silis not a lot of room out there,” said Sharks coach Pepated events of the Games. ver medal in the lightweight ter DeBoer. “You got two teams playing tight hockey There is a rich history of fight- category of the 2004 Athens But it is unlikely to see er great leap forward in the and one mistake costs you the game.” boxing’s biggest names enter evolution of boxing,” AIBA ers making their name at the Olympics before turning proPittsburgh has had the edge in speed so far and Olympics before moving on to fessional a year later. the Olympic ring in Rio – for chief Wu Ching-Kuo said. their top players – Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and In an interview with AFP, have groundbreaking profes“If I am permitted as per most professionals, like forPhil Kessel – have outplayed the top players for Wu described Wednesday’s sional careers, including Murules and from my promoter mer heavyweight champion San Jose. Wladimir Klitschko, it is al- vote as “a first step”, adding hammad Ali, who won gold at then I would love to compete Crosby scored 36 goals and had 85 points durready too late to take part in that among the 28 sport- the Rome Games in 1960, when for Pakistan,” he said at a press ing the regular season, and he has 16 points in conference. a qualifying contest. ing disciplines represented still known as Cassius Clay. the playoffs. But the move has not conPakistan Boxing Federation The last tournament is in in Rio, boxing was the only Sheary played the first half of the season in the Venezuela in July. one with restrictions on vinced everyone, including for- secretary Iqbal Hussain told minors. The first year left winger now has four mer gold medalist and world AFP he was thrilled at the prosMeeting at an extraordinary professional athletes. key playoff goals for the Penguins, including a heavyweight title-holder Len- pect of “hero” Khan representcongress in Lausanne, SwitzerWu has aggressively supgoal in their 3-2 win in game one. nox Lewis, who said it was ing the country. land, 95 percent of the AIBA ported the move, just the Phil Kessel also scored for the Penguins, who Philippine legend Manny Pacdelegates voted in favor of the latest in a series of changes “preposterous”. are 4-2 in overtime in the playoffs. Former world heavyweight quiao, who won world titles at controversial move, an AIBA to Olympic boxing in recent “We wanted to hit them with our best game,” statement said. years. Women were allowed champion Mike Tyson last eight different weight categories, said Pittsburgh defenceman Ben Lovejoy. “In “This is a momentous oc- into Olympic competition month judged the move as had also hinted he was interested the first half of the year it was tough. We had casion for AIBA, for Olympic in 2012 and head guards “ridiculous” and “stupid”, con- but said this week he would conto learn how to win. We had to band together boxing, and for our sport as a will no longer be compul- demning the plan as a bid “to centrate on his burgeoning pofrom the third defensive pairing to the top line monetize Olympic boxing”. litical career. AFP whole, and represents anoth- sory from Rio. centre. AFP

Pros may box in Rio

Pele: Zika, politics sadden Brazilians

Former Brazilian footballer Pele talks to the media at a preview for an auction of his memorabilia in London on June 1. The three-time World Cup winner and FIFA Player of the Century is offering to auction his vast memorabilia collection from his entire career. AFP

LONDON—A combination of the Zika virus and political turmoil is making Brazilians “sad”, football legend Pele told AFP Wednesday. The football superstar, 75, was speaking at a preview in London of a huge auction of memorabilia spanning his career. His comments came two months before the start of the Rio Olympics on August 5, the first to be held in South America. “What is happening is very sad for us,” Pele said. “In Brazil, we have the problem of Zika and at the same time we have a political problem. “And that, for a country that lives sport, a country that practices sport, it’s very sad.

“I hope that we’ll have the chance of fixing the problem, because it’s really making all the Brazilians sad.” Brazil currently has an interim president, Michel Temer, who took over from president Dilma Rousseff following her suspension for an impeachment trial last month. The country is also facing fears over the spread of the Zika virus, which can cause birth defects in babies. Some 150 international doctors, scientists and researchers signed an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) last week calling for the Olympics to be moved or delayed.

Pele spoke in London as he presented over 2,000 items from his career ahead of an auction next week which has been billed as one of the biggest in the history of sport. Brazilian football legend Pele showcased over 2,000 items of career memorabilia Wednesday, from trophies to balls and boots, before an auction next week that has been touted as one of biggest in sporting history. The sale, expected to fetch some £3 million (3.9 million euros, $4.3 million), includes a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy given to Pele to mark his World Cup success. The copy is estimated to fetch up to £410,000. AFP

INVITATION TO BID The DepED Region IV-A through the 2016 GAA intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Ninety Eight Million Five Hundred Fifteen Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Eight Pesos & 26/100 (Php198,515,788.26) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to eligible payments under the contract for the Supply and Door-to-Door Delivery of Technical, Vocational and Livelihood Materials, Tools and Equipment for 47 Subject-Specializations to various Public Senior High Schools in DepED Region IV-A (inclusive of installation and testing of such Goods at Delivery Sites). Bids received in excess of the ABC (per LOT) shall be automatically rejected in accordance with Sec, 31 .1 of the Revised IRR of RA 9184 at bid opening: LOT No.

General Description: Materials, Tools and Equipment for the ff. subject-specializations

Approved Budget for the Contract in Php

Agriculture and Fishery

Industrial Arts

56,586,682.68

III

Home Economics

107,795,915.58

TOTAL

198,515,788.26

Php 34,133,190.00

Contract Duration---------------------75 calendar days Delivery Sites ------------------------various public high schools in DepED IV-A enumerated in the Allocation List contained in Section VI of the Bidding Documents (please See attached CD) The DepED IV-A, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites bids for the herein Goods. Delivery of Goods is required to be delivered on the recipient public high schools within 75 calendar days upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders must have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The amount of the similar completed contract must be at least 50% of the ABC to be bid. (The prospective bidder should have completed at least two (2) similar contracts and the aggregate contract amounts should be equivalent to at least 50% of the ABC to be bid); and the largest of these similar contracts must be equivalent to at least 25% of the ABC to be bid. (Sec. 23.5.1.3 IRR). The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, i.e., in Section II, Instruction to Bidders. Bidder may bid for one, more than one or all of the items in one, more than one or all of the lots. Evaluation and award shall be made on a per lot basis. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/ fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnership or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased from the DepED Region IV-A BAC Secretariat, located at DepED IV-A Supply Office, 2nd fir. Located at Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal, upon accomplishing a bidder’s information sheet and payment in cash of a non-refundable fee by interested bidders in the amount· stated below to the DepED Region IV-A Cashier. Only bidders who purchased the Bidding Documents will be allowed to submit bids. Lot I-Agriculture and Fishery Arts Sublot

Amount of Bid Docs

Description

Animal Production Tools & Equipments

Food Processing Equipments (canning)

2,000.00

Food Processing Equipments (cooking)

3,000.00

Plant Production -cultivating equipments

3,000.00

Plant Production-harvesting equipments

3,000.00

Plant Production-nursery equipments

4,000.00

Plant Production-soil preparation equipment

5,000.00

Plant Production-watering equipments

3,000.00

H1 Lot II

Php3,000.00

Consumer Electronics Servicing Equipments

3,000.00

CNC Milling & Machining Machine Operation Tools & Equipments

3,000.00

Carpentry Tools which includes; a) Carpentry equipments b) Masonry & Tile Setting Equipments c) Plumbing & Tile Setting Tools & Equipments

1,000.00

Refrigeration & Airconditioning Tools & Equipments

1,000.00

Broadband Installation (fixed wireless system) Tools & Equipments

500.00

Mechatronics Tools & Equipments

500.00

Transmission Line Installation & Maintenance Tools and Equipments

SMAW, GTAW, GMAW Tools

1,000.00

SMAW Equipment

3,000.00

GMAW,MIG, TIG Equipments

5,000.00

GTAW, TIG Equipments

3,000.00

Oxy-Acetylene Equipments

3,000.00

I-1

Automotive Servicing Tools & Equipments Measuring & Testing Equipments

3,000.00

Workshop Equipments & Instructional Models

3,000.00

Hydraulic & Pneumatic Equipments

3,000.00

Home Economics

Led by ex-PBA players Bonbon Custodio and

Attraction and Theme Parks, Tour Guiding, Tourism Promotion Tools & Equipments

500.00

Hairdressing & Barbering Tools including Hairdressing Salon Essential Equipments

3,000.00

Hairdressing Salon Furnitures Tools & Equipments

3,000.00

Beauty Care Tools and Equipments

2,000.00

Bartending Tools & Equipments

1,000.00

Bread and Pastry Tools

3,000.00

Bread and Pastry Equipments (commercial mixers with complete attachment & mechanical dough roller, dough cutter, electric hand mixer, stainless working table)

5,000.00

Bread & Pastry equipment (deck oven & demonstration table with mirror)

5,000.00

Bread & Pastry Equipment (gas range & electric top oven)

5,000.00

Bread & Pastry equipment (upright freezer and refrigerator)

3,000.00

Caregiving Tools & equipments

3,000.00

Cookery Tools

3,000.00

Cookery Equipments (cleaning & OSH equipments)

3,000.00

Cookery Equipments (kitchen furnitures and machines)

6,000.00

Cookery Equipments (cold storage & cooking equipments)

8,000.00

Cookery Equipments (kitchen furniture and kitchen storage)

6,000.00

Dressmaking Tools Equipments (tools and sewing equipments)

3,000.00

Dressmaking Equipments (single thread sewing machines & 3 thread overlock machines)

3,000.00

I-1

Food and Beverage Services Tools and Equipments

3,000.00

Handicraft Tools and Equipments

Housingkeeping Tools

2,000.00

Housingkeeping Equipments

2,000.00

Wellness and Massage Tools & Equipments

1,000.00

Barista Tools and Equipments

1,000.00

Front Office Tools & Equipments

3,000.00

Nail Care Tools and Equipments

1,000.00

Nino Marquez, Macway brought down for-

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Issuance of Bidding Documents

June 2, 2016 to June 20, 2016 Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Director`s Office Conference Room

Pre-bid Conference

June 8, 2016 at 10:00 am

Director`s Office Conference Room

Submission & Opening of Bids

June 20, 2016 at 10:00 am

Director`s Office Conference Room

( T S - J U N E 3 , 2 016)

(SGD) ANN GERALYN T. PELIAS BAC Chairman

( T S - J U N E 3 ,10 & 17, 2 016)

The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna now invites bids forthe following: QTY 2

UNIT units

DESCRIPTION Mini Dump Truck High Side (remanufactured) Engine: Diesel Engine Displacement: 4,300cc Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 liters Tires: 7.00 x 16r Capacity: 3 Cubic Meter Long Capacity

Delivery of the Goods is required within thirty (30) days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. In addition,bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. 4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from City Government of San Pedro, Laguna and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:30AM to 9:30 AM only. Office of the BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Rm. City Administrator’s Office City Hall Bldg., San Pedro, Laguna A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on thedate, time and address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php 5,000.00. ISSUANCE OF ELIGIBILITY AND BIDDING DOCUMENTS:

June 2 - 22, 2016 8:30AM – 9:30AM BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Rm. City Administrator’s Office City Hall Bldg., San Pedro, Laguna

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before the specified date and time. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND OPENING OF BIDS:

PRE-BID CONFERENCE:

June 22, 2016 10:00 AM BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Rm. City Administrator’s Office City Hall Bldg., San Pedro, Laguna June 6, 2016 BAC Secretariat 4/f Conference Rm. City Administrator’s Office City Hall Bldg., San Pedro, Laguna

Bid opening shall be on the same date and time for deadline of submission of eligibility requirements and submission of bids and shall be conducted at the Office of the BAC Secretariat. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address given above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Venue

Prospective Bidders are strongly encouraged to order or download the electronic copy of the Bidding Documents from the PhilGEPS website: www.philgeps.net. for them to be included in the Document Request List of the project. The pre-bid cpnference is open to all interested parties who may have or have not bought the bidding documents. Bids must be delivered to the address and on the date and time stated herein. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in Section III, Bid Data Sheet ITB Clause 18.1. A valid Bid Securing Declaration must accompany the bid(s) in lieu of a bid security. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend the opening of bids at the address, date and time stated herein. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DepED Region IV-A reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract(s), or annul the bidding process without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidders.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Rene M. Sayo has been extrajudicially settled with Extra-Judicial Settlement of Real Estate with Quitclaim with transfer of rights among his heirs as per Doc. No. 463, Page No. 93; Book No. 264; Series of 2016 before Atty. Primo Percival J. Marcos. Notary Public PTR No: NV 1729549

The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna through the 2016 Budget Approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsodintends to apply the sum of Php 2,000,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Supply and Delivery Mini Dump Truck (Remanufactured). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

It may be viewed or downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhiIGEPS), www.philgeps.net and the website of the procuring entity, depedcalabarzon.ph provided that the bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The schedule and venue of the procurement activities are as follows: Date and Time

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID PR NO. 2016-1475

500.00

Activity

mer NCAA champion Philippine Christian

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF SAN PEDRO Province of Laguna BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

sports@thestandard.com.ph

MACWAY Travel Club fulfilled its date with destiny by winning its first MBL Open basketball championship.

Php 500.00

SPORTS

Macway Travel rules MBL Open

Industrial Arts

Lot III

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

A14

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2 Karangalan Drive Cainta, Rizal

The City Government of San Pedro, Lagunaassumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bid. Further, City Government of San Pedro, Laguna, reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Mr. Merlin B. Paala Office of the BAC Secretariat San Pedro City Hall San Pedro, Laguna Telefax No. 847.1722

(signed) ENGR. FILEMON I. SIBULO Chairman Bids and Awards Committee

(TS-JUNE 3, 2016)

University, 89-83, to capture the 2016 MBL Open basketball championship at the Rizal Coliseum. Custodio, who played for Barako Bull from 2000-11, poured 16 of his game-high 23 points in a brilliant secondhalf performance that enabled Macway to snatch the victory. Marquez, who saw action for Air21, scored all his nine points—five from the free throw line—in the payoff period It was the first-ever MBL title for Macway. Before winning in the MBL, Macway bagged 15 titles in different commercial leagues around the country since its formation in 2013. "It was sweet 16 for Macway. We're very happy to add the MBL trophy to our collection," said Macway team manager Erick Kirong, whose team finished with an 8-1 win-loss record in the eightteam tournament sponsored by Smart Sports, Ironcon Builders, Bread Story, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and Gerry's Grill. Kirong lauded the Macway coaching staff, headed by consultant Braulio Lim and head coach Manny Mendoza, for leading the team to its 16th title. Yves Sazon, Von Tambeling, Mike Ayonayon and Jack Corpuz led the way for PCU, which stayed in the thick of the fight until the closing seconds. The scores: Macway (89)— Custodio 23, Natividad 19, Marquez 9, Nehru 9, Dalanon 8, Reyes 5, Fampulme 4, Mangaran 4, Espinosa 3, Sanders 2, Dedicatoria 2, Santiago 1, Vitug 0. PCU (83)—Sazon 22, Tambeling 16, Ayonayon 15, Corpuz 13, Vasquez 7, Apreku 4, Palattao 4, Castro 2, Mescallado 0, Yasa 0. Quarter scores: 23-26, 41-45, 67-66, 89-83.

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

UAAP adopts changes By Peter Atencio THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines came out with a new ruling that would lower the limit of playing years for student athletes. Under the new rule, student athletes will play only until they are 24 years old, or a year less than the previous rule that allowed varsity athletes to play until they are 25 years old from high school to college, or a total of seven years. The league, under season 79 host University of Santo Tomas, came out with the new ruling as it made made adjustments to the implementation of the K to 12 program. Incoming UAAP president Fr. Ermito de Sagon said this is only one of the many changes that are being done staring the 79th season. “This is a season of change. There would be many changes,” said de Sagon. The new rule will impact on some players, particularly Far Eastern University Tamaraws Mac Belo and Russell Escoto, who both used up four playing years, as varsity players and yet both are still below 24-years old. UST, meanwhile, could lose veteran cagers Louie Vigil and Jamil Sheriff, who will reportedly turn 25 before the season begins this September. The league will also tackle the residency of foreign players, who may be allowed to see action after only a year of residency. At the same time, the league is also mulling to allow only one foreign player instead of two.

In hot pursuit. Edward Argamino (11) of Topstar dribbles past Cafe France defender Carl Cruz. Cafe France outlasted Topstar 89-64 in Philippine Basketball Association D-League action.

Gilas Pilipinas battles Asian powerhouse Iran By Jeric Lopez

FACING a powerhouse team it defeated in the last FIBA Asia Championship will certainly be good for Smart Gilas Pilipinas. That’s how National team coach Tab Baldwin looks at it as he prepares his squad for tune-up games next week that will feature a series of meetings with perennial Asian powerhouse Iran, which Gilas defeated in the elimination round of the Fiba Asia Championship last year. The Nationals will take on Iran twice next week, the first one being a closed-door showdown while the other one will be opened to the public on June 8. Both games will take place

here in Manila. As it is now in the critical stage of its preparations for next month’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Gilas Pilipinas will start having these tune-up games in hopes of reaching peak form by July. Baldwin is positive that the experiences that Smart Gilas will gain from its training and tuneup games will all be vital come the OQT next month. These upcoming tune-up games will serve as a measure for Baldwin to see where ex-

actly does Gilas stand now in terms of its level of play and readiness. “We’ll learn more about ourselves and be able to more or less see how we are when we face other teams than just ourselves in practice,” said Baldwin. He added that these series of games will be a chance for him to see how his wards will respond to the challenge that will be presented in front of them. “It’s about how we’ll look against different defenses, different offenses and different styles of play. I’d like to see that,” added the American-Kiwi mentor. Following these tune-up games, Gilas will then fly to Greece to resume its training

camp there as it will continue polishing its chemistry and play more exhibition outings. Lastly, Baldwin also wants to pinpoint what he and the team needs to work on more for the rest of their training leading up to the Manila-hosted tournament that starts on July 5. “We want to find where our weaknesses are and work on them in our camp. Through these games, we’ll have some quality data to work on rather than just going through things by our selves.” Like Gilas, Iran is also preparing for its own participation in the Turin, Italy leg of the OQT. The three winners of the three legs of the qualifying tournaments will proceed to the Rio Olympics this August.

Pocari Sweat stays unbeaten NO Thai coach, no problem for Pocari Sweat. With two victories to kick off their maiden campaign in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference, the Lady Warriors are hardly missing coach Tai Bundit, who is on an extended vacation in Thailand. “Coach Tai is still in vacation,” Pocari Sweat team manager Eric Ty told The STAR. “He will join and coach us by the end of July while he’ll join Ateneo in midJune.” That would mean Bundit won’t be around for the duration of Pocari Sweat’s stint in the seasonopening conference sponsored

by Shakey’s. But from the looks of things, the Lady Warriors are responding well to Rommel Abella’s calls. They trounced the UP Lady Maroons, 25-18, 25-14, 25-22, in Saturday’s inaugurals then wore down the National U Lady Bulldogs in a thrilling come-frombehind 34-32, 17-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11 triumph late Wednesday. True to her hype, former La Salle star Michele Gumabao has been leading the Lady Warriors’ charge in the early going of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Accel, norming 20 hits, including a solid 27-point output against the Lady Bulldogs that

also saw her unleash eight blocks. Gumabao also flashed her defensive skills to underscore her superb all-around game, coming out with 13 digs. “She is the leader of this team and in the NU game, she showed why,” said Abella. Ty also mentioned the struggles of the power-spiking Myla Pablo and how she recovered in time to help Pocari escape past NU. “What makes our team strong is our faith in each other. Myla (Pablo) had a terrible first two sets but we didn’t gave up on her and she repaid our trust in spades in the crucial fourth and fifth sets,” said Ty.

Flying kick! Jose Contreras (10) of Guatemala narrowly evades a

flying kick by Jose Manuel Velasquez (6) of Venezuela as they fight for the ball during a game at Lockhart Stadium on June 1, in Boca Raton, Florida. AFP

F R I DAY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 16

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Spain’s Garbine Muguruza returns the ball to US player Shelby Rogers during their women’s quarterﬁnal match at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris on June 1. AFP

Blackwater in Penang AN All-Filipino Blackwater side flew to Penang, Malaysia on Thursday with one big mission – win the 2016 Penang Chief Minister International Invitational championship. The five-day tournament kicks off today with the Elite tangling with Taiwan’s Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology in the second game at 6 p.m. at the Han Chiang Indoor Stadium. Clashing in the opening game are Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank-China and Thailand’s Pea Basketball Club will play in the opening game of the annual Penang tournament. A brief opening ceremony will be held at 8:40 p.m., before newlycrowned ASEAN Basketball League champions Malaysia Dragons clash with India’s Karnataka State. Each team is allowed to field in two American imports but Blackwater opted to play all-Filipino in the tournament. Blackwater coach Leo Isaac said he expects competition to be much stronger, given the opponents’ bigger reinforcements. “By joining this tournament, we intend to sharpen the skills of the players na kailangan kapag ang kalaban mo kakaiba. Kagaya niyan, hindi natin kilala ang mga kalaban, kaya gusto natin makadevelop ng team chemistry and ma-improve yung confidence level namin,” said Isaac. Blackwater placed second in the Penang tournament in 2014 behind the Malaysian national squad, before bowing to Nigeri Sembilan Matrix in the championship round of the Seri Mutiara Champions Cup last year in Kuala Lumpur.

Muguruza, Serena reach French Open semifinals PARIS—Garbine Muguruza and Samantha Stosur set up a semifinal clash at the French Open on Wednesday, while defending champion Serena Williams brushed aside concerns about a busy playing schedule in Paris. Muguruza, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, had reached the quarter-finals on her last two visits to Roland Garros but went a step further after ending the surprise run of American Shelby Rogers 7-5, 6-3. Earlier, Serena Williams powered into the last eight for the 10th time after pulverizing 18th seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 6-1 in just over an hour on Court Philippe Chatrier. But the world number one, who next plays Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, faces the challenge of playing four matches in four days in her pursuit of a record-equalling 22nd Open era Grand Slam title.

Curry rallies Dubs vs Cavs TURN TO A12

“Four in a row? I think for us... when we play regular tournaments you play four, five matches in a row. It’s what happens,” said Williams. “In Rome I played four in a row? Five? I don’t know. But, you know, in Miami and Indian Wells you just play every day. It’s something you just get used to. It’s totally fine I think for me and for everyone.” Muguruza will face Stosur for a place in the final after the Australian 21st seed, runner-up six years ago, overcame Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria 6-4, 7-6 (8/6). “I respect all the players, and especially all the players who have made deep runs in the tournament. I respect them. I’m not frightened.

I’m not scared. I’m business, of course, but I wish I could reach a final. Why not?” said Muguruza, who lost to Stosur in three sets in Madrid in their only previous meeting two years ago. Former US Open champion Stosur matched her best run at a Grand Slam since reaching the last four in Paris in 2012. Swiss eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky dumped out Venus Williams 6-2, 6-4 to rule out the prospect of the two American siblings meeting in the semi-finals. Bacsinszky, who reached the semi-finals in Paris a year ago, reeled off nine of 10 games after trailing 0-2 in the first set to lay the foundation for her victory. “If I could play here every day of my life, I would do it,” said Bacsinszky, who will meet unseeded Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens next. “Being in a quarter-final in a slam is like every player’s dream. Like some have achieved it way

Penguins post 2-1 win over San Jose TURN TO A13

more times than others, but for me it’s my third. “I still sometimes cannot believe it, especially if you have a great win over such a good player.” Bertens reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final after defeating American 15th seed Madison Keys 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. The world number 58, conqueror of Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the first round, has now won 11 straight matches after arriving in Paris fresh from lifting the Nuremberg clay-court title as a qualifier. Putintseva, 21, the youngest player left in the draw, extended her best run at a major with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Spanish 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro. “I think I have been always playing well. It’s just in last few years I had some troubles with like sometimes fitness, sometimes my game that I have to change a little bit in the more aggressive way. AFP

FRIDAY: JUNE 3, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Cemex’s P40-b IPO approved By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it approved the P39.7-billion initial public offering of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., the local unit of Cemex of Mexico, one of the world’s largest cement manufacturers. SEC said it also approved Golden Haven Memorial Park Inc.’s IPO worth P787 million. Golden Haven, the memorial park business of the Villar group, plans to sell 74.117 million common shares at an offer price

of up to P10.62 per share. “We are glad that more companies are tapping the capital market to fund their expansion. We will continue to assist newcomers in complying with the regulatory requirements to

ease their entry into the capital markets,” SEC commissioner secretary Armando Pan Jr. said. Documents filed with the SEC showed that Cemex Holdings planned to sell 2.032 billion common shares at an offer price of up to P17 per share to raise P34.56 billion in proceeds. Another 304.94 million shares were alloted in case of oversubscription, which could increase total proceeds to P39.74 billion, making it among the largest IPOs in the country. Documents showed Cemex Holdings aimed to use the proceeds to repay up to $504

million worth of short-term loans from related third party New Sunward Holdings B.V. which was used to acquire operating subsidiaries Apo Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp. Documents also showed that of the 2.337 billion shares, up to 1.423 billion worth P24.2 billion would be sold to overseas investors while the remaining 609.89 million shares worth P10.36 billion would be set aside to domestic investors. Citigroup Global Markets Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., Singapore Branch and J.P. Morgan Securities Plc

are the joint global coordinators and book runners while BDO Capital & Investment Corp. is the domestic lead underwriter. Cemex Holdings said it planned to spend P2.4 billion for 2016 capital expenditures, including P600 million for maintenance of existing cement facilities. Cemex Holdings is a newly formed subsidiary of Cemex Asian South East Corp., which is wholly-owned by Cemex España, S.A., which in turn is indirectly owned by Cemex, one of the largest cement companies in the world based on annual installed cement production capacity.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 2, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,464.59 36.20

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing June 2, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.530

44.00

43.00

HIGH P46.530 LOW P46.600 AVERAGE P46.563 VOLUME 556.500M

BDO Remit in Japan. BDO Remit, the remittance service brand of BDO Unibank Inc. opens a remittance ofﬁce in Japan to widen its reach and make its service available to overseas Filipinos working and residing there. Shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the BDO Remit Japan ofﬁce in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo are (from left) BDO Remit Japan general manager Koichi Kayumi, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, Maria Teresa Lopez, BDO chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and former Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.

Insurance companies ask Duterte to clean LTO By Gabrielle H. Binaday A GROUP of non-life insurance companies on Thursday asked President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and incoming Transportation Secretary Art Tugade to “clean” the Land Transportation Office of corrupt officials. The Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association urged Duterte and Tugade to search and destroy the minority of corrupt officials in the LTO victimizing the motorists. Pira said in a statement millions of motorists would benefit if Duterte and Tugade would fire the minority of errant officials at LTO who were behind the overpricing of the third-party liability insurance. Pira chairman Augusto Hidalgo

said the cleanup would encourage the honest and hardworking majority of LTO officials. “Overpriced CTPLs simply cannot exist without the cooperation of errant LTO officials. To stop overpriced TPLs, the incoming administration must clean up the LTO,” Hidalgo said. TPL is the minimum insurance required in the registration of motor vehicles. It protects vehicle owners from liabilities to third parties and provides compensation of up to P100,000 to motor accident victims. Pira, which is composed of 65 non-life insurance companies, set up an authentication system called certificate of cover authentication facility in 2010 to make sure all CTPLs were genuine. The association said it would

now print CTPL policies that would contain the correct rates. It would also come up with posters to advise the motoring public not to pay more for their CTPLs. “We challenge the LTO leadership to display such posters in all LTO branches for the education of the public,” Hidalgo said. It said the correct prices of CTPLs were P300 for motorcyles and tricycles; P610 for cars and SUVs; and P1,200 for trucks. Some motorists were paying 50 percent more than these amounts. LTO came up recently with a reformed CTPL project that would put the entire CTPL business under one insurance provider. According to the LTO, it was the solution to the problems that hounded the CTPL for years.

The Makati regional trial court declared the RCTPL project illegal, saying the LTO was intruding into the domain of the Insurance Commission in regulating insurance companies. Hidalgo said Pira was not losing hope for a permanent solution acceptable to the LTO, the IC and the country’s insurers on the problems related to CTPL. “We know that there are many honest officials in the LTO who just want to serve the motoring public. Pira would like to work with them. Together with the Insurance Commission, we hope we can come up with an education campaign to make the motoring public know the importance of being insured and how they can better make use of insurance in managing their everyday risks,” it said.

P427.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, June 2, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.6880

Japan

Yen

0.009131

0.4263

Pound

1.441800

67.3148

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128697

6.0086

Switzerland

Franc

1.012556

47.2742

Canada

Dollar

0.764818

35.7078

Singapore

Dollar

0.726480

33.9179

Australia

Dollar

0.725800

33.8862

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

123.8409

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.4498

Brunei

Dollar

0.723851

33.7952

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.028050

1.3096

UAE

Dirham

0.272264

12.7115

Euro

1.119100

52.2485

Korea

Won

0.000839

0.0392

China

Yuan

0.151964

7.0949

India

Rupee

0.014832

0.6925

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241371

11.2691

New Zealand

Dollar

0.681500

31.8179

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030669

1.4319 Source: PDS Bridge

FRIDAY: JUNE 3, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Thursday, June 2, 2016

52 Weeks

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

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

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.75 3.65 45.5 44.8 105.30 102.50 94.00 93.70 38.2 38 3.00 2.94 1.46 1.44 14.2 14.1 17.08 16.78 1.9 1.9 0.550 0.540 87.2 86 0.94 0.94 15.08 14.90 50.45 49.30 101.9 98.05 264 260 31.25 30.2 202.4 199 1362.00 1362.00 64.95 64.40 1.54 1.54 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp. 46.1 46.8 45.8 Agrinurture Inc. 3.59 3.75 3.61 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.86 0.88 0.84 Alsons Cons. 1.95 1.98 1.95 Asiabest Group 11.96 12 11.98 C. Azuc De Tarlac 190.00 189.00 171.50 Century Food 21.35 21.5 21.25 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 197.2 202 198 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 18 18.5 17.5 Concepcion 46.5 46.95 46.5 Crown Asia 2.1 2.19 2.12 Da Vinci Capital 5.45 5.75 5.2 Del Monte 11.06 11.2 11.06 DNL Industries Inc. 9.750 9.750 9.670 Emperador 7.40 7.40 7.19 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.60 5.63 5.55 EEI 7.50 7.50 7.40 Euro-Med Lab 1.71 1.82 1.74 First Gen Corp. 23 23.1 22.75 First Holdings ‘A’ 67.9 68.45 67.2 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.24 12.26 12.26 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.14 15.30 15.10 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.72 5.75 5.72 Ionics Inc 2.240 2.260 2.200 Jollibee Foods Corp. 235.00 236.00 230.00 Liberty Flour 43.00 40.00 40.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.2 3.21 3.21 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.1 27.5 27.1 Maxs Group 27 27.6 26.6 Megawide 6.53 6.55 6.51 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 315.00 317.40 311.00 MG Holdings 0.270 0.265 0.265 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.6 3.6 3.5 Petron Corporation 11.88 11.94 11.50 Phil H2O 3.06 3.06 3.06 Phinma Corporation 11.54 11.64 11.54 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.17 5.30 5.10 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.63 1.70 1.63 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.74 2.78 2.73 RFM Corporation 4.24 4.29 4.21 Roxas Holdings 4.3 4.3 4.29 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 217 218 210 Splash Corporation 2.53 2.55 2.53 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.151 0.153 0.150 TKC Steel Corp. 1.77 1.77 1.70 Trans-Asia Oil 2.49 2.50 2.47 Universal Robina 198.8 201 196 Vitarich Corp. 0.89 0.9 0.88 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.25 1.26 1.24 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. À’ 0.400 0.400 0.380 Aboitiz Equity 77.85 78.25 75.00 Alliance Global Inc. 15.40 15.54 15.40 Anglo Holdings A 1.17 1.15 1.11 Anscor À’ 6.01 6.10 5.95 ATN Holdings A 0.385 0.405 0.375 ATN Holdings B 0.380 0.400 0.380 Ayala Corp À’ 845 850 840 Cosco Capital 7.78 7.91 7.79 DMCI Holdings 12.74 12.76 12.56 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 6.21 6.21 6.21 Forum Pacific 0.240 0.240 0.230 GT Capital 1415 1411 1400 House of Inv. 6.20 6.30 6.30 JG Summit Holdings 83.10 84.00 82.80 Jolliville Holdings 4.38 4.34 4.34 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.8 5.85 5.79 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.7 7.9 7.7 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.7 0.69 LT Group 14.54 14.98 14.48 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.07 6.19 6.07 Pacifica À’ 0.0330 0.0330 0.0320 Prime Orion 1.830 1.830 1.800 San Miguel Corp À’ 79.75 79.75 76.35 SM Investments Inc. 975.00 980.00 955.50 Solid Group Inc. 1.19 1.19 1.17 South China Res. Inc. 0.81 0.81 0.81 Top Frontier 180.000 179.700 173.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3050 0.3100 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.2000 0.2100 0.1960 Zeus Holdings 0.335 0.355 0.320 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.840 7.980 7.840 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.18 1.23 1.18 Araneta Prop À’ 2.520 2.540 2.470 Arthaland Corp. 0.255 0.285 0.270 Ayala Land `B’ 36.700 37.400 36.450 Belle Corp. À’ 3.11 3.13 3.06 Cebu Holdings 5.13 5.15 5.15 Century Property 0.510 0.51 0.500 City & Land Dev. 0.98 0.98 0.98 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.000 1.000 1.000 Crown Equities Inc. 0.131 0.133 0.131 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.520 0.550 0.530 Double Dragon 55.5 56.75 54.4 Empire East Land 0.780 0.780 0.780 Ever Gotesco 0.150 0.155 0.142 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank 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 8,901,200 46,019,867 131,311,239 152,045,505 306,950,092 811,135,557 1,463,378,043

3.73 45 103.90 93.50 38 2.92 1.35 14.1 17.08 1.87 0.540 87 0.94 15.08 49.00 101.6 262.4 31.15 200.2 1356.00 64.40 1.53

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.74 45.5 102.50 93.70 38 3.00 1.44 14.2 16.78 1.9 0.550 86 0.94 15.02 50.00 101.9 264 31.25 202.4 1362.00 64.50 1.54

0.27 1.11 -1.35 0.21 0.00 2.74 6.67 0.71 -1.76 1.60 1.85 -1.15 0.00 -0.40 2.04 0.30 0.61 0.32 1.10 0.44 0.16 0.65

79,000 59,100 1,989,080 1,254,060 126,200 32,000 21,000 1,200 520,900 7,000 104,000 2,451,990 174,000 88,300 332,300 70 710 94,900 1,529,560 10 24,890 10,000

45.8 3.72 0.87 1.97 11.98 189.00 21.25 198 18.48 46.8 2.17 5.25 11.18 9.670 7.19 5.55 7.41 1.8 22.75 67.8 12.26 15.10 5.75 2.220 230.00 40.00 3.21 27.5 27.5 6.53 311.00 0.265 3.5 11.80 3.06 11.54 5.27 1.67 2.75 4.27 4.3 210 2.53 0.150 1.75 2.47 196 0.89 1.25

-0.65 3.62 1.16 1.03 0.17 -0.53 -0.47 0.41 2.67 0.65 3.33 -3.67 1.08 -0.82 -2.84 -0.89 -1.20 5.26 -1.09 -0.15 0.16 -0.26 0.52 -0.89 -2.13 -6.98 0.31 1.48 1.85 0.00 -1.27 -1.85 -2.78 -0.67 0.00 0.00 1.93 2.45 0.36 0.71 0.00 -3.23 0.00 -0.66 -1.13 -0.80 -1.41 0.00 0.00

1,881,200 1,750,000 52,000 2,118,000 400 110 50,800 780 358,900 46,300 491,000 529,000 17,300 685,000 1,180,000 14,372,300 83,300 41,000 3,623,900 147,010 32,300 14,900 234,200 892,000 760,710 200 1,000 477,300 487,600 392,500 154,820 200,000 24,000 4,205,200 30,000 440,300 737,000 194,000 286,000 1,709,000 30,000 1,210 83,000 1,140,000 1,352,000 1,841,000 1,555,420 1,053,000 128,000

0.400 76.45 15.50 1.15 6.05 0.380 0.380 844 7.89 12.72 6.21 0.240 1405 6.30 83.35 4.34 5.85 7.9 0.69 14.96 6.09 0.0320 1.810 76.50 955.50 1.19 0.81 175.000 0.3050 0.2010 0.340

0.00 -1.80 0.65 -1.71 0.67 -1.30 0.00 -0.12 1.41 -0.16 0.00 0.00 -0.71 1.61 0.30 -0.91 0.86 2.60 0.00 2.89 0.33 -3.03 -1.09 -4.08 -2.00 0.00 0.00 -2.78 0.00 0.50 1.49

1,020,000 1,930,520 4,072,500 96,000 107,300 17,570,000 1,390,000 206,850 3,316,900 1,821,800 31,200 110,000 88,055 40,000 10,066,710 10,000 13,700 1,056,500 2,000 2,939,000 31,767,900 22,000,000 1,587,000 993,300 137,310 443,000 10,000 3,180 560,000 2,520,000 24,850,000

7.860 1.22 2.490 0.270 36.900 3.12 5.15 0.510 0.98 1.000 0.131 0.540 55.35 0.780 0.155

0.26 3.39 -1.19 5.88 0.54 0.32 0.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.85 -0.27 0.00 3.33

77,800 2,305,000 896,000 1,870,000 5,842,900 2,143,000 3,200 3,407,000 10,000 3,000 900,000 5,831,000 1,238,040 5,000 6,960,000

550,535.00 70,738,159 9,266,682.00

-4,620,770.00 -11,553,282.00 11,897,625.00 -21,120.00 920,690 114,139,781.00

-20,686,155.00 167,450.00 98,000.00 -540,905.00 -92,400.00 -1,781,910

3,219,244.00 -39,775.00 -26,129,655.00 147,460.00 17,581,580.00 -3,609,644.00 870,303.00 -111,500.00 10,491,356.00 2,650,280.00 2,986,070.00 -279,604.00 3,511,650.00 -20,102,246.00 -914,229.00 530,440.00 491,910.00 -17,200.00

1,482,000.00 6,965,968.00

38,932,519.00 -3,564,048.00

-233,500.00 17,721,325.00 -600,285.00 975,158.00 43,470.00 -53,395,760.00 5,040.00 -225,255,418.50 -2,007,293.00 23,880,232.00 38,164,241.00 505,600.00 -295,240.00 -31,712,526.00 44,942,460.00

88,150.00 -406,055.00 23,450.00 -198,700.00 -64,800.00 12,860,710.00 140,070.00

-470,880.00 8,059,947.50

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

Global-Estate 0.97 Filinvest Land,Inc. 2.05 Interport `A’ 1.29 Keppel Properties 4.23 Megaworld 4.4 MRC Allied Ind. 0.090 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2750 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.450 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 44.50 Primex Corp. 8.5 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.00 Rockwell 1.6 SM Prime Holdings 24.30 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.91 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.010 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.100

-1.03 -0.98 -0.78 -0.71 0.00 0.00 1.82 8.89 0.67 1.41 -0.69 0.00 2.06 -2.20 -0.99 1.96

1,258,000 34,363,000 24,000 6,000 47,063,000 3,430,000 30,000 370,000 4,100 2,000 1,391,500 34,000 16,305,500 732,000 649,000 14,863,900

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 1700 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 0.017

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 830 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 3.2 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

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

0.41 -0.39 -2.33 1.72 0.00 4.17 0.00 0.67 1.69 0.00 -1.05 0.00 -30.11 5.44 -2.04 0.77 9.91 0.00 -0.77 6.21 9.44 0.00 -0.10 1.54 7.14 -0.86 -0.67 -2.47 4.04 -1.11 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 2.51 0.11 0.00 1.46 0.26 0.00 1.09 0.24 -2.90 0.48 -0.73 -1.67 -0.60 1.47 0.15

28,200 158,640 86,000 447,000 2,900 -82,360.00 18,563,000 30,944,860.00 39,760,000 79,020.00 188,000 -21,110.00 1,039,440 48,514,521.00 1,500 25,000 346,200 2,040,000.00 2,000 1,880 86,955 -8,260,210.00 47,400 139,600 25,000 1,443,370 -26,000,041.00 50,700 100 -1,740.00 3,000,000 715,000 4,800,500.00 65,430,000 -79,300.00 4,036,000 65,000.00 14,000 8,500 49,400 7,500.00 1,297,000 29,290.00 7,000 17,000 66,000 -102,030.00 3,818,000 -985,980.00 167,000 135,200.00 6,921,000 25,880.00 10,500 1,010 124,400.00 384,100 -9,585.00 289,095 83,342,165.00 145,470,000 -1,077,600.00 7,788,000 -163,600.00 891,800 30,265,585.00 127,250 2,837,682.50 46,600 1,262,000 -775,380.00 445,000 258,000 -56,750.00 270,000 27,100

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 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 5.99 1.17 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 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 Dizon Ferronickel Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

-2.33 1.80 1.16 -1.25 2.56 -2.09 0.00 3.16 0.24 0.00 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.58 -0.47 1.16 0.00 -2.99 0.00 -1.00 0.28 2.48 0.00 1.33 0.00 -8.33

551,000,000 68,000 56,000 -12,900.00 1,360,000 1,900 16,900 -127,406.00 128,000 350,000 5,700 7,988,000 -227,750.00 36,590,000 4,980,000 -201,750.00 13,600,000 5,800,000 188,000 5,640.00 9,961,000 -29,826,570.00 3,523,000 154,000 23,000 85,200,000 10,200,000 718,800 -271,374.00 4,237,000 2,797,230.00 47,300,000 647,580 42,720,551.00 548,000 12,000.00 26,400,000

70 553 120 515 12.28

33 490 101.5 480 6.5

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

1.34

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

-0.10 2.76 0.00 2.59 0.00 -0.09 0.37 -0.63 0.00 -1.31 1.57 0.00 -0.64 0.13 0.00 6.12

328,140 4,350 2,500 5,630 1,278,000 60 3,020 20,520 2,030 71,400 20,000 74,200 18,800 199,200 35,250 1,000

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-0.34

14,000

3.5

12.88

5.95

0.25 -0.56 -0.33 -4.90

1,562,000 5,000 63,000 5,350,700

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

0.00

26,810

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,689.02 (DOWN) 4.71 INDUSTRIAL 11,604.99 (DOWN) 126.08 HOLDING FIRMS 7,444.25 (DOWN) 53.22 PROPERTY 3,216.58 (UP) 26.94 SERVICES 1,546.86 (DOWN) 4.60 MINING & OIL 11,072.46 (UP) 78.06 PSEI 7,464.59 (DOWN) 36.20 All Shares Index 4,464.74 (DOWN) 14.43 Gainers: 100; Losers: 80; Unchanged: 51; Total: 231

2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

0.97 0.96 0.96 2.08 2.00 2.03 1.28 1.23 1.28 4.21 4.20 4.20 4.55 4.35 4.4 0.093 0.088 0.090 0.2800 0.2800 0.2800 0.490 0.450 0.490 46.00 41.55 44.80 8.62 8.62 8.62 29.90 28.80 28.80 1.6 1.54 1.6 25.20 24.30 24.80 0.91 0.88 0.89 1.020 1.000 1.000 5.340 5.150 5.200 SERVICES 7.35 7.45 7.3 7.38 50.7 51.1 50.5 50.5 1.29 1.3 1.26 1.26 0.580 0.590 0.580 0.590 28.4 28.4 28.4 28.4 4.08 4.29 4.04 4.25 0.0580 0.0590 0.0570 0.0580 2.99 3.03 2.95 3.01 94.9 97.3 94.9 96.5 9.55 9.55 9.55 9.55 1.9 1.9 1.88 1.88 6.93 6.95 6.76 6.93 4.45 3.36 3.11 3.11 910.5 960 950 960 2450 2448 2398 2400 6.48 6.55 6.48 6.53 21.20 23.30 21.20 23.30 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 58.45 59.4 58 58 14.50 15.50 14.04 15.40 180 199 189 197 0.0100 0.0100 0.0099 0.0100 9.61 9.61 9.50 9.60 0.325 0.350 0.320 0.330 1.5400 1.6900 1.5400 1.6500 2.32 2.3 2.3 2.3 11.98 11.98 11.9 11.9 7.70 7.73 7.50 7.51 3.22 3.42 3.31 3.35 2.71 2.68 2.60 2.68 0.570 0.570 0.570 0.570 2.02 2.03 2 2.03 2.32 2.4 2.32 2.32 3.98 4.00 3.95 3.98 2.790 2.890 2.780 2.860 17.96 18 17.96 17.98 124.40 124.40 124.40 124.40 23.90 24.25 23.85 24.25 1945.00 1997.00 1926.00 1950.00 0.470 0.550 0.470 0.470 0.920 0.930 0.900 0.930 41.90 42.10 41.90 42.00 80.90 80.00 78.55 78.55 6.21 6.35 6.22 6.24 2.75 2.77 2.71 2.73 0.600 0.600 0.590 0.590 3.36 3.38 3.34 3.34 0.340 0.355 0.345 0.345 6.690 6.700 6.620 6.700 MINING & OIL 0.0043 0.0043 0.0042 0.0042 2.22 2.34 2.15 2.26 4.30 4.40 4.30 4.35 0.240 0.237 0.230 0.237 7.8000 8 7.75 8.0000 7.6500 7.6500 7.4000 7.4900 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.66 0.475 0.490 0.480 0.490 8.51 9.00 8.52 8.53 0.890 0.910 0.890 0.890 0.246 0.248 0.245 0.248 0.265 0.275 0.265 0.265 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 1.94 1.91 1.88 1.89 4.22 4.3 4.08 4.2 2.59 2.62 2.53 2.62 0.6000 0.0600 0.5700 0.6000 1.3400 1.3000 1.3000 1.3000 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0099 0.0099 7.08 7.15 7.05 7.10 4.20 4.00 4.14 4.04 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 128.00 131.00 128.00 129.70 3.93 4.03 3.91 3.93 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 PREFERRED 50.05 51 50 50 525 540 538 539.5 119.5 119.5 119.5 119.5 521 534.5 533 534.5 1.11 1.12 1.11 1.11 1075 1074 1074 1074 107 111 107 107.4 79 79 78.5 78.5 81.4 81.4 81.1 81.4 76.5 77.5 75.5 75.5 76.3 77.5 77.3 77.5 76.6 77 76.6 76.6 78 77.9 77.5 77.5 76.9 77 76.9 77 77 77 77 77 2.45 2.6 2.6 2.6 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.900 2.900 2.850 2.890 SME 4 4.3 3.94 4.01 3.55 3.55 3.53 3.53 3.07 3.07 3.01 3.06 17.54 17.6 16.66 16.68 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123 123.3 122.9 123

T op g ainerS VALUE 885,352,323.73 967,762,961.499 2,005,689,159.494 1,113,549,652.85 1,363,362,653.611 183,139,121.246 6,618,816,202.527

Low

-16,994,650.00 12,800.00 -54,583,290.00 -21,600.00

472,530.00 14,320.00 114,858,690.00 -63,700.00 1,788,825.00

-3,103,310.00 -298,750.00

-1,571,000.00 -16,220.00

-631,400.00

544,840.00 -21,895,168.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Grand Plaza Hotel

23.30

9.91

Easy Call "Common"

3.11

-30.11

Imperial Res. `B'

197

9.44

United Paragon

0.0110

-8.33

Phil. Realty `A'

0.490

8.89

Liberty Flour

40.00

-6.98

ISM Communications

1.6500

7.14

Xurpas

16.68

-4.90

Bright Kindle Resources

1.44

6.67

San Miguel Corp `A'

76.50

-4.08

Imperial Res. `A'

15.40

6.21

Da Vinci Capital

5.25

-3.67

Swift Pref

2.6

6.12

San Miguel 'Pure Foods `A'

210

-3.23

Arthaland Corp.

0.270

5.88

Pacifica `A'

0.0320

-3.03

FEUI

960

5.44

Oriental Peninsula Res.

1.3000

-2.99

Euro-Med Lab

1.8

5.26

Robinsons RTL

78.55

-2.90

FRIDAY: JUNE 3, 2016

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

Rockwell readies resort, hotel These projects are expected to boost the company’s recurring income over the next few years. Rockwell Land is also expanding its residential portfolio with the launching of its first residen-

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROCKWELL Land Inc., the property unit of the Lopez Group, will spend P7 billion to develop hotel and leisure projects as it remains upbeat about the growth of OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR the tourism inCircular No. 912 dustry in the Series of 2016 country. Rockwell Land president and chief executive Nestor Padilla during the annual stockholders’ meeting announced the company’s first resort development called Punta Engano in Mactan, Cebu. Punta Engano is 300-room resort with private villas and a mix of retail developments. Capital spending is estimated to reach between P3 billion and P4 billion. “The strong interest from our roster of investors and partners to roll out new ventures outside Metro Manila is evidence of not only the strength of Rockwell’s hotel and leisure business but also reflects our collective vision to develop prime tourist locations like Mactan Island as the country’s experiences a tourism renaissance,” Padilla said. Construction is slated by the third quarter of 2017, with completion set by 2021. Rockwell Land is also spending another P3 billion to build the 280-room Aruga Hotel in Makati. Aruga Hotel, which will be built on top of the expansion phase of the Rockwell Power Plant mall, is the company’s first urban themed-hotel. It is scheduled for completion by 2019. Rockwell Land is managing over 300 hotel keys under the Aruga and Edades ser viced-apartment brands. On the office development business, Rockwell Land plans to add 54,000 square meters of leasable space by the end of 2017 from the current 100,000 sq. m. The new office spaces will come from two projects that the company is building in Santolan, San Juan City and Sheridan St. in Mandaluyong.

Subject:

Mandatory Implementation Date and Closure of Early Adoption Window of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards 9 Financial Instruments

The Monetary Board, in its Resolution No. 814 dated 5 May 2016, approved the following amendments to the guidelines on the mandatory implementation date and closure of the early adoption window of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) 9 Financial Instruments. Section 1. Subsection X191.3 of the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB) and Subsection 4191Q.3 of the Manual of Regulations for NonBank Financial Institutions (MORNBFI) are hereby amended to set the mandatory implementation date and close the early adoption window of PFRS 9 Financial Instruments for banks/quasi-banks, including their trust entities. “Subsection X191.3/4191Q.3 (2008 - X161.2/2008 - 4161Q.2) Philippine Financial Reporting Standards/Philippine Accounting Standards “xx

tial township development in Lipa, Batangas. Phase one of this project involves offering 300 to 400 housing units targeting the affordable and middle income markets.

“Guidelines Governing the Implementation/Early Adoption of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS 9) Financial Instruments as of 31 December 2015 (Appendix to Subsec. X191.3/ Subsec. 4191Q.3) xx Section 3. Early Adoption of PFRS 9 The guidance provided in this Section shall apply to FIs that have early-adopted PFRS 9 as of 31 December 2015. The date of initial application of PFRS 9 is the date when the FI first applies the requirements of PFRS 9. If the date of initial application is prior to 01 January 2011, the date of initial application can be any date between 01 January 2010 up to 31 December 2010. If the date of early application is on or after 01 January 2011 up to 31 December 2015, the date of initial application must be the first day of the calendar year or fiscal year adopted by the FI (e.g., 01 January). An FI that has early-adopted PFRS 9 (2009 and 2010) as of 31 December 2015 shall observe the requirements of PFRS 9 as provided in this Appendix. FIs shall, likewise, observe the following guidelines: 1. xx 7. Report on initial application of PFRS 9. A bank/QB and each of its subsidiary banks/QBs, that opt to early adopt PFRS 9 shall submit a one-time solo Report on Initial Application of PFRS 9 to the Bangko Sentral through the SDC. The report which shall be considered a Category A-1 report shall be submitted to the Bangko Sentral in accordance with the following timelines: a. xx

Notwithstanding the exceptions in Items “a”, “b” and “c”, the audited financial statements required to be submitted to the Bangko Sentral in accordance with the provisions of Subsection X190.1/4190Q shall in all respect be PFRS/PAS compliant: Provided, That FIs shall submit to the Bangko Sentral adjusting entries reconciling the balances in the financial statements for prudential reporting with that in the audited financial statements. Guidelines on the adoption of PFRS 9 Financial Instruments Banks/Quasi-banks, including their trust entities, shall adopt the full provisions of PFRS 9 Financial Instruments only upon its mandatory effectivity date of 01 January 2018. Prior to said mandatory effectivity date, financial instruments of banks/quasi-banks, including their trust entities, shall continue to be accounted for in accordance with the provisions of PAS 39 under Appendix 33 of the MORB/Appendix Q-20 of the MORNBFI. As an exception, banks/quasi-banks, including their trust entities, which have early-adopted PFRS 9 (2009 and 2010) as of 31 December 2015, shall continue to account for their financial instruments in accordance with the provisions of Appendix 97 of the MORB/Appendix Q-56 of the MORNBFI until 31 December 2017. Penalties and sanctions. x x x” Section 2. Subsections/Section 4161S.2/4161P.2/4161N of the MORNBFI are hereby amended to set the mandatory implementation date and close the early adoption window of full PFRS 9 Financial Instruments for BSP-supervised financial institutions, including trust entities. “Subsections/ Section 4161S.2/4161P.2/4161N Philippine Financial Reporting Standards/Philippine Accounting Standards “xx Notwithstanding the exceptions in Items “a”, “b”, and “c”, the audited financial statements required to be submitted to the Bangko Sentral in accordance with the provisions of Appendix S-2/Appendix P-2/Section 4172N shall in all respect be PFRS/PAS compliant: Provided, That FIs shall submit to the Bangko Sentral adjusting entries reconciling the balances in the financial statements for prudential reporting with that in the audited financial statements. Non-stock savings and loan associations/Pawnshops/NBFIs, shall adopt the full provisions of PFRS 9 Financial Instruments only upon its mandatory effectivity date of 01 January 2018. Prior to said mandatory effectivity date, financial instruments of non-stock savings and loan associations/pawnshops/NBFIs shall continue to be accounted for in accordance with the provisions of PAS 39.”

Two other residential projects are slated for launching this month, Rockwell Land plans to increase its net income and revenues by double digits this year.

xx c. For FIs which initially apply PFRS 9 on 01 January 2012 up to 31 December 2015 – not later than fifteen (15) banking/ business days from the end of the calendar or fiscal year of initial application of PFRS 9. xx Section 4. Transition Rules FIs shall observe the transition rules provided under PFRS 9 as well as the following: 1. xx 4. An FI may choose to adopt the provisions of PFRS 9 issued in 2009 or the provisions of PFRS 9 issued in 2010 on or before 31 December 2015. 5. An FI that has adopted PFRS 9 on financial assets in 2010 need not submit revised FRCP/CSOC reports that conform with Section 2 of this Appendix for periods prior to 31 December 2010. It may adopt the provisions of PFRS 9 on financial liabilities on or before 31 December 2015: Provided, That it does not re-apply the transitional provisions of the said standard on its financial assets: Provided, further, That the FI complies with the submission guidelines set forth under Item Nos. “6”, “7”, and “8” below, as applicable: Provided, finally, That the FI limits the information that it shall report in the one-time solo Report on Initial Application of PFRS 9 to that arising from its adoption of the provisions of PFRS 9 on financial liabilities. 6. xx 7. An FI that has early-adopted PFRS 9 on 01 January 2012 up to 31 December 2015 shall reflect the requirements of the said standard in its FRP/CSOC report as of the end of the calendar or fiscal year of initial application of PFRS 9. 8. An FI is expected to comply with the reportorial and disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission on the adoption of PFRS 9. Section 5. Sanction xx” This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days following its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. For the Monetary Board:

Section 3. Appendix 97/Q-56 of the MORB/MORNBFI are hereby re-named to Guidelines Governing the Implementation/Early Adoption of Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS 9) Financial Instruments as of 31 December 2015 and further amended as follows:

(Sgd.) AMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR. Governor 27 May 2016

FRIDAY: JUNE 3, 2016

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

IN BRIEF Meralco seeks TRO MANILA Electric Co. filed a petition with the Pasig regional trial court to declare null and void the issuances of the Energy Department and the Energy Regulatory Commission that prohibits distribution companies from participating in the competitive retail electricity market. Meralco, in a 91-page petition filed on May 27, asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order and subsequently a writ of preliminary injunction, enjoining the department from enforcing DOE Circular DC 2015-060010 and the ERC from implementing Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of ERC Resolution No. 05, Resolution No. 10 and Resolution No. 11, all Series 2016. Meralco said the issuances impaired the company and other distribution firms under Section 29 of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2009 which provides that distribution firms “have the right to engage in the business of suppling electricity to the contestable market.” Contestable market refers to those electricity end-users who have a choice of a supplier of electricity. Alena Mae S. Flores

Max’s goes to Indonesia MAX’S Group Inc. said Thursday it will expand its casual dining restaurant business in Indonesia and Malaysia as a part of the target to open 200 stores overseas by 2020. “We only have Pancake House in Malaysia. In Indonesia, we don’t have a store yet. But we are looking at that country. Hopefully we should ﬁnd a franchisee next year,” Max’s Group president and chief executive Roberto Trota told reporters during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting. The company targets to establish 1,000 stores globally, including 200 outside the Philippines by 2020. “Right now, we have a commitment of 131 [stores abroad] already. As of today that will be opening in the next few years, so we believe at a pace we are going for international. We will deﬁnitely hit our 200 stores,” Trota said. Darwin G. Amojelar

BDO forms new company BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s biggest lender controlled by

tycoon Henry Sy, said Thursday it secured an approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish and register a car financing entity it formed earlier with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and two other firms. “Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the incorporation and registration of MMPC Auto Financial Services Corp. [MAFSC] as a financing company,” BDO said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., a subsidiary of BDO, owns a 40-percent equity interest in the newly-formed company. MAFSC is a joint venture of BDO Leasing, MMPC, Sojitz Corp. and JACCS Co. Ltd. that aims to provide financing services to individual and corporate buyers of Mitsubishi vehicles. A joint-venture agreement between the four companies was signed in January this year. Julito G. Rada

Steel group files graft case vs 2 DTI officials By Othel V. Campos

A GROUP of iron and steel manufacturers said Thursday it filed graft charges against two Trade officials for allowing the shipment of P95 million worth of Chinese steel bars despite the lack of permit. The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute said it ﬁled a case before the Ofﬁce of the

Ombudsman to prevent the release of the shipment to the local steel market and protect consumers from buying unsafe and substandard steel. Pisi president Roberto Cola said in a statement there was ground to hold Bureau of Product Standards director-in-charge Ann Claire Cabochan and the Trade Department’s Zambales provincial director Leonila Baluyut “criminally liable.” Cola said Cabochan and Baluyut issued an unauthorized provisional import clearance certiﬁcate that abetted the release of some 5,000 metric tons of deformed steel bars imported in mid-

April by Mannage Resources Trading Corp. without ﬁrst subjecting the shipment to thorough tests and industryaccepted safety standards. Cola said at least 250 pieces of steel bars should have been used for sampling, yet only three were tested. Testing was also done without experts from the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Bureau of Customs, he said. Cola said the issuance of provisional ICCs with just cursory safety tests “pose a grave danger to the safety of the public”. It further “creates heightened and increased risk in opening the market to

the entry of substandard products which endanger lives even before they are subjected to inspection and testing,” he said. He said Mannage’s shipment, being steel bars, were “indispensable structural components of buildings, houses and other infrastructure projects. If substandard steel bars are used for construction, there is extreme and grave danger to many lives.” Cola also said Cabochan and Baluyut “bestowed undue advantage to importers such as Mannage,” which did not have to comply with the same stringent rules that local producers had to comply with. Baluyut and Cabochan “manifested conscious indifference to the consequences of their actions to the government, the public, the safety of the end user and consumers, and even to local producers or manufacturers,” according to Cola. Pisi earlier claimed that Mannage lacked the authority to bring in steel bars, as it was an importer and seller of “mostly food delicacies”.

SAL eyes more flights SINGAPORE Airlines Ltd. plans to expand its operations in the Philippines amid strong domestic demand, an executive said Thursday. “If there’s an opportunity, we want to grow our services in the Philippines. We are trying to increase our frequency from four daily flights to five daily flights for a number of years but there are no more slots at NAIA [Ninoy Aquino International Airport],” Singapore Airlines regional vice president South East Asia Philip Goh told reporters. The airline flies to Singapore from Cebu, Davao, Kalibo and Manila. Goh said the airline was “very optimistic” about its prospects in the Philippines due to strong domestic economy. “We have seen the market grow and continue to be one of the fastest economies in the region and there’s no reason why we wouldn’t be optimistic,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Davao real estate to grow THE property and real estate sector sees a big shift of development going to secondary cities led by Davao in the next six years, according to consultancy company CBRE Philippines. CBRE Philippines said much of the focus now was on Mindanao especially Davao City where landowners with vast landholdings on growth areas recently expressed interest to develop their properties. “Developments in the secondary sites were initially limited to local developers. Over the past several years, the national developers started to enter these sites on a growing scale. This can be seen as a positive situation as this encourages local developers to step up in terms of putting up better quality buildings and structures,” CBRE chairman and chief executive Rick Santos said in a news brieﬁng Thursday in Makati City. CBRE identiﬁed other top secondary sites such as Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. Othel V. Campos

BSP readies second auction BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will offer another P30 billion worth of term deposits in the second auction under the term deposit auction facility scheduled on June 15. Bangko Sentral said in a notice posted on its Web site that of the total volume, seven-day tenor deposits would account for P10 billion, while 28-day tenors would cover P20 billion. Bangko Sentral set every Wednesday the auction day for the term deposit auction facility under the interest rate corridor system. The ﬁrst auction under the facility was set on June 8 when P30 billion worth of term deposits would also be offered to the public. Bangko Sentral set the interest rates for the formal shift of its monetary operations to an interest rate corridor starting June 3. The rate on the current overnight lending facility of 6 percent was reduced to 3.5 percent while the borrowing rate was adjusted to 3 percent from 4 percent. Julito G. Rada

TV ﬁrms claim higher ratings BROADCAST companies ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. on Thursday claimed higher program ratings in May 2016. ABS-CBN said it enjoyed a 12-percentage point-advantage over GMA Network with a 44-percent audience share in May compared to its rival network’s 32 percent, based on data from Kantar Media. ABS-CBN said it remained in a league of its own at the primetime block with a commanding 49-percent average audience share or 18 percentage points higher than GMA’s 31 percent. Meanwhile, GMA Network said it continued to maintain dominance in television ratings across all time blocks in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in May, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement. GMA led competition in total day ratings in Urban Luzon with a household audience share of 38.9 percent in May, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 30.3 percent and TV5’s 7.7 percent. Darwin G. Amojelar

Airbus A350 in Manila.

Cathay Pacific’s first Airbus A350-900 arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. A350 is the latest generation of Airbus extra wide-body aircraft that sets new standards in operational performance. Shown are Cathay Pacific officials and crew headed by airport service manager Jojo Aganinta and personnel of Manila International Airport Authority. ERIC APOLONIO

Meralco expects no power rate increase in June By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. said Thursday power generation charges will not likely increase in June, given the stable prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. Meralco spokesman and assistant vice president Joe Zaldarriaga said lower natural gas prices would also have an impact on generation cost this month. “Generation charge for June is expected to be flat. Factors likely to drive the final figure are the lower average WESM price and indications of lower natural gas price for the May supply month,” he said. WESM acts as the country’s trading floor of electricity. Major natural gas plants including Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo power plants of First Gas and Ilijan of South Premiere in Batangas province supply power to

Meralco. Natural gas prices from the Malampaya gas ﬁelds are adjusted quarterly and are indexed to world crude oil prices. The three natural gas plants supply more than half, or 54 percent percent of Meralco’s requirements. Zaldarriaga said the higher availability of power plants would also help reduce generation charges. “A number of large power plants likewise registered higher dispatch. We will need to however wait for the actual bills from our suppliers,” he said. Meralco also sources its power requirements from power supply agreements or PSAs and independent power producers. Meralco’s residential power rates went down by P0.41 per kilowatt-hour in May, following the downward movement in all power rate components,

The rate of residential consumers went down to P8.444 per kWh as the cost of generation, transmission, taxes and other charges also eased. Meralco attributed the decrease in the overall rate to lower generation charge. The generation charge decreased by P0.21 per kWh in May to P3.88 per kWh from a month ago. It was also P0.93 per kWh lower compared to May 2015’s P4.81 per kWh. May’s generation charge is the lowest since October 2004. Charges from IPPs decreased by P0.19 per kWh, led by lower rates at First Gas plants. Meanwhile, plants under the power supply agreements registered a reduction of P0.25 per kWh, driven by the higher dispatch of Calaca coal-ﬁred power plant. The Masinloc coal plant also registered lower rates due to lower instances of outages.

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD Hotel attack kills at least 10 MOGADISHU—Gunmen holed up in a central Mogadishu hotel for more than 12 hours killed at least 10 people in the latest attack in Somalia by the Al-Qaeda group, the Shabaab.

Evening gown competition. Miss Florida USA Brie Gabrielle competes in the evening gown

competition during the 2016 Miss USA pageant preliminary competition at T-Mobile Arena on June 1, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2016 Miss USA will be crowned on June 5 in Las Vegas. AFP

A car bomb that tore the front off the six-story Ambassador Hotel in the heart of the capital signaled the start of the assault on Wednesday night, with shooting continuing until Thursday morning when Somalia’s security minister declared the attack over. “All the gunmen were killed by the security forces,” said security minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed. “More than 10 people are so far confirmed dead and many others are wounded,” he told reporters, adding that rescuers were searching the badly-damaged building for survivors and bodies. Medical and security sources said late Wednesday that around 40 people were so far known to be injured. As Mohamed spoke, the bodies of three suspected attackers were displayed in the dirt outside the hotel. The Shabaab was quick to claim responsibility for the attack. It has regularly targeted

Chinese official berates reporter over rights OT TAWA—China’s foreign minister berated a Canadian journalist on Wednesday for questioning Beijing’s human rights record, saying she had “no right to speak” about the issue. The remarks by Wang Yi came after the reporter asked Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion about what was being done to push China on human rights and its holding of a Canadian man on espionage charges. “Your question is full of prejudice and arrogance,” Wang told a press briefing in Ottawa where he stood beside Dion. “This is

totally unacceptable”. “The people that know the most about human rights in China is not you, it’s only the Chinese people. You don’t have the right to speak,” he added, according to a video posted online by Canadian broadcaster CBC. “Don’t ask these kinds of irresponsible questions again”. China often condemns other countries for criticizing its record on human rights, but usually refrains from doing so in such direct terms at press conferences overseas. In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping last year admitted the

country had “room for improvement” on human rights after being asked a similar question by a British journalist while on a visit to London. Wang’s Canadian visit—where he also met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—was portrayed in local media as an attempt to improve relations as Ottawa presses for a free-trade deal with the world’s secondlargest economy. Ties have been strained by the detention of Canadian citizen Kevin Garratt in 2014 on espionage charges. He previously ran a Christian-

themed coffee shop near the North Korean border. Beijing announced in January he had been formally charged, after his wife who was also detained was released on bail. Aside from the outburst, Wang reiterated China’s standard line on the South China Sea, where it has overlapping claims with several Southeast Asian neighbors. Speaking after incoming Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte recently heaped praise on Xi, Wang said that “the door of dialogue between China and the Philippines is always open.”

Ties soured under outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, whose government sued Beijing before a UN-backed tribunal over its claims in the South China Sea. With a ruling expected in the coming weeks, the Philippines’ response will probably be left to Duterte, who takes office on June 30. In contrast to Aquino, Duterte has said he is willing to engage China in bilateral talks on the issue. However, he has also played to nationalist sentiments by saying he would ride a jet ski to plant a Philippine flag on the disputed islands in the sea. AFP

hotels popular with government officials and wealthy Somalis. The African Union Mission in Somalia, which protects the internationally-backed government and fights the Shabaab, said two parliamentarians were among the dead. Witnesses said the initial explosion, believed to be the result of a suicide car bomber ramming a vehicle into the hotel, was large by Mogadishu standards. Smoke rose from burning cars and debris was strewn across Maka al-Mukarama, the capital’s usually busy main street. Mohamed Elmi, who was nearby at the time, said the blast “destroyed the whole area.” An unknown number of gunmen then entered the hotel. Gunfire continued throughout the night and could still be heard by dawn on Thursday. The Shabaab, an AlQaeda group, lost its foothold in the capital in 2011 but continues its battle to overthrow

the Somali government and launches regular attacks on military, government and civilian targets in Mogadishu and elsewhere. Violence is expected to increase with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan next week, a time when Shabaab traditionally increases the tempo of its attacks. Also on Wednesday, Somali special forces claimed to have killed Mohamed Mohamud Ali—also known as Dulyadin and Kuno— the suspected organizer of an attack on a university in Garissa, Kenya, in April 2015 that killed 148 people, mostly students. “Sixteen armed men, four of them senior commanders including Mohamed Mohamud Ali known as Dulyadin... were killed by the Somali commandos and the special forces of Jubaland,” said Abdirashid Janan, minister of state security for Jubaland, a federal state in southern Somalia. The Garissa attack was the deadliest since the Al-Qaeda bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998 and was carried out by four gunmen, all of whom died. AFP

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Mainlanders hacking Taiwan party’ TAIPEI—Mainland hackers were likely to be behind an attack on the website of Taiwan’s ruling party, a US-based security firm said Thursday as the island warned of growing cyber threats. Cross-strait relations have turned increasingly frosty since Taiwan’s new president Tsai Ing-wen of the China-skeptic Democratic Progressive Party won the elections in January and took office last month, with Beijing wary the new government may seek independence. Taiwan has been self-ruling since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war, but China still sees it as part of its territory. The party’s website came under attack in early April, redirecting visitors to a fake website, California-based FireEye said in a

statement Thursday. The tactic is one often used by Chinese hackers, it said. Administrators fixed the problem the next day but the website was compromised again a few days later, suggesting the site is being monitored, according to the statement. “FireEye believes this operation likely reflects the continuing efforts by the China-based cyber espionage operators to collect intelligence related to the DPP as it moves Taiwan away from promainland China policies,” it said. The government has raised concerns that its websites frequently fall prey to Chinese hackers. Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication said in a report to a legislative committee last month that the scale of the cyber attacks on

Germany risks fury of Turkey with vote

Syria offensive aimed at isolating IS fighters

BERLIN—German lawmakers prepared to pass a resolution Thursday recognizing the World War I massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide, as Turkey warned the vote would test the “friendship” between Berlin and Ankara. Put forward by the ruling leftright coalition and the opposition Greens, the resolution, entitled “Remembrance and commemoration of the genocide of Armenians and other Christian minorities in 1915 and 1916”, also carries the contentious word throughout the text. The Bundestag vote comes at a particularly awkward time as Germany and the European Union are relying on Turkey to help stem a record influx of migrants, even as the tensions are rising between both sides over human rights and other issues. Yerevan has long sought international recognition of the “genocide”, but Ankara rejects the use of the term to describe the killings more than a century ago and argues that it was a collective tragedy in which equal numbers of Turks and Armenians died. Turkish leaders have stepped up the pressure to warn that the resolution could hurt relations. Hours before the Bundestag vote, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said it “will amount to a real test of the friendship” between the two nations. “Some nations that we consider friends, when they are experiencing trouble in domestic policy, attempt to divert attention from it,” he said at a party meeting. “This resolution is an example of that.” The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee also issued a statement overnight calling it “utterly unacceptable”. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier warned that passing the resolution “would harm our future ties—the diplomatic, economic, political, commercial and military ties between the two countries.” AFP

Taiwan was “near warfare.” It added the most active hackers were from the mainland and had infiltrated the island’s systems including defense, air traffic and communication. The defense ministry says it will establish a “cyber army”, one of the policies put forward by Tsai during her presidential campaign. A “Fourth Service” should be formed along with the army, navy and air force to protect “national digital territory,” according to the DPP’s proposal. However, the DPP played down the findings of the new FireEye report and said it was not currently seeing “unusual hacking activities”. “The DPP has always put great importance on cyber safety,” spokesman Wang Min-sheng told AFP. AFP

After the fighting. People pass by damaged buildings following

heavy fighting between Turkish government troops and Kurdish fighters after the curfew in the majority Kurdish city town of Yuksekova, southeastern Turkey, near the border with Iraq and Iran, on May 30, 2016. AFP

WASHINGTON—The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria is trying to strangle it by cutting off a key supply route from Turkey.

Present. Actress Eva Longoria attends the after-party at the Beso for Peroni at 2016 LAFF Opening Night on June 1, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

The Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led alliance, has just launched an offensive to capture the strategic northern town of Manbij with the help of coalition air strikes, 18 of them in the past 24 hours. Manbij is on the north-south axis between Jarablus, a town on the border with Turkey and controlled by IS fighters, and Raqa, the Islamic State group’s self proclaimed capital in Syria. That axis is the main supply route to Raqa, said Jennifer Cafarella, Syria analyst for the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank. If anti-IS fighters take Manbij and then Jarablus, that would sever this axis and leave the jihadist group with just a few rural areas further to the west as a way to maintain a link with Turkey, Cafarella said “Recapturing Manbij and ultimately advancing to Jarablus would disrupt but not eliminate ISIS’s ability to resupply,” she said. The US-led coalition has long had its eye on the socalled Manbij pocket. But an offensive on this mainly Arab region has run into opposition from Turkey, a key partner in the alliance. Washington sees the Syrian Democratic Forces— which is dominated by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG)—as the most effective ground force against IS in Syria. But Ankara regards the YPG as a branch of the rebel Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), which has fought a three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkey does not want to see the YPG, which already controls much of the Turkish-Syrian border, take over the last bit of the frontier that it did not already hold. On Wednesday Pentagon officials stressed that the attack on Manbij was being led by the Arab component of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Kurds represent less than 20 percent of the forces on the ground, a US official said. And they will leave after the battle and cede control to their Arab partners, the official said. But some are skeptical of the Pentagon’s assurances. They suspect that despite Washington’s touting the role of the Arabs, it is the Kurds who will ultimately retain control. “I doubt that they are in command and they are going to have control over this territory once Kurds will have spent their blood,” said Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. The Pentagon has deployed more than 200 special forces troops alongside the Syrian Democratic Forces. AFP

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Partners for the French Film Festival: (From left) Peugeot Philippines President Glen Dasig, French Deputy Head of Mission Laurent Legodec, French Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Yves Zoberman and Special Assistant to the CEO of the SSI Group, Inc. Michael Tantoco Huang

Peugeot is official transport of French Film Festival FILM enthusiasts and patrons of the French culture, language and particularly its motion pictures, will get a chance to experience the best of France by way of a film festival that runs up to June 14 at the Bonifacio High Street and Greenbelt 3 Cinemas. Now on its 21st year, this annual cultural event is hosted by the French Embassy in Manila. As one of the most high pro-

file French business unit in the country, Peugeot Philippines has been actively lending its support to the film festival since it began operations in 2013. “The French Film Festival is a salute to the arts. Over 21 years, the French Embassy in Manila has been giving Filipinos a glimpse of French artistry via these beautiful works of modern art. Peugeot, which has a deeply rooted history in

premium design, also churns out works of modern art. In essence, we at Peugeot Philippines also aim to give Filipinos a taste of French artistry. Our goals are one and the same – to offer the best of France to the Filipino. We feel that we share a bond with the Embassy of France in this effort,” said Glen Dasig, Peugeot Philippines President. As the festival’s official trans-

portation, Peugeot will display its vehicle line-up at the gala night on June 8. Guests will be driven from Three Parkade and on to the venue proper at the Central Square in BGC where the premiere of French director Maïwenn, Mon Roi, will be held. For her role in the film, French actress Emmanuelle Bercot was given the Best Actress Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival.

As a fitting tribute to the recent award received by noted film director Brilliante Mendoza and “Best Actress” awardee Jaclyn Jose at the Cannes Film Festival for the movie Ma’Rosa, a red carpet affair will highlight the start of the Festival on June 8. All VIP’s, invited guests, embassy officials and foreign dignitaries will be shuttled using Peugeot vehicles. Dino Ray V. Directo III

Ford leads the charge toward emission cuts CALL it recycling with a twist. Ford Motor Company has formulated and tested new foam and plastic components using carbon dioxide as feedstock. Ford researchers expect to see the new biomaterials in Ford production vehicles within five years and gain the bragging rights for this feat. Formulated with up to 50 percent CO2-based polyols, the foam is showing promise as it meets rigorous automotive test standards. It could be employed in seating and underhood applications, potentially reducing petroleum use by more than 600 million pounds annually – enough to fill nearly 35,000 American homes. CO2-derived foam will further reduce the use of fossil fuels in Ford vehicles and increase the presence of sustainable foam in the automaker’s global lineup. “Ford is working aggressively to lower its environmental impact by reducing its use of petroleum-based plastic and foam,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader of sustainability. “This technology is exciting because it is contributing to solving a seemingly insurmountable problem – climate change. We are thrilled to be leading the

charge toward reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change.” Carbon emissions and climate change are of growing concern to world leaders as a staggering 2.4 million pounds of CO2 are released into the atmosphere globally per second. Plastic manufacturing accounts for nearly 4 percent of the world’s oil use, according to British Plastic Federation. Ford researchers are hopeful the company’s early steps to use captured carbon in innovative ways will help achieve the long-term goals to reduce global warming recently set in the UN Paris Agreement. For nearly two decades, researchers have worked successfully to develop sustainable materials for Ford products. In North America, soy foam is in every Ford vehicle. Coconut fiber backs trunk liners; recycled tires and soy are in mirror gaskets; re-

cycled T-shirts and denim go into carpeting; and recycled plastic bottles become REPREVE fabric used in the 2016 F-150. Ford began working with several companies, suppliers and universities in 2013 to find applications for captured CO2. Among them is Novomer – a New York-based company that utilizes carbon dioxide captured from manufacturing plants to produce innovative materials. Through a system of conversions, Novomer produces a polymer than can be formulated into a variety of materials including foam and plastic that are easily recyclable. “Novomer is excited by the pioneering work Ford has completed with our Converge CO2-based polyols,” said Peter Shepard, Novomer chief business officer. “It takes bold, innovative companies such as Ford to enable new technologies to become mainstream products.” Ford is pleased to be in the vanguard – the first automaker – to embark on a course toward reducing carbon emissions. “At Ford, we’re aggressively developing new, more sustainable ways to produce high-quality products, with an eye toward preserving and improving our world,” said Mielewski.

Premium look and ultimate protection PROTECT your investment and give it that premium look with Foilacar. Known as the innovator in paint protection technology and colored film wraps, one can change the color of your car in a snap, without the hassles of going through a tedious paint makeover process. “It is the ultimate in car protection and aesthetics, initially developed for industrial use. We have different color hues to choose from and a professionally trained service crew. Imagine lesser maintenance and change of color anytime at a practical price. We also offer clear film protection to protect your valuable investment,” says Lester Codog, managing partner of Foilacar Industries. “My guideline is that Foilacar guarantees the paint job of the car to be preserved. We can guarantee it to be scratch and weather proof and can last for at least five years. After five years and you decide to sell the car, we simply remove the foil and your car’s paint job is still shiny from the day it left the showroom floor,” adds Codog. For details, visit the Foilacar showroom at #10 Brixton Street, Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig City or log on to the Facebook Page at Foilacar Industries.

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING

Ssangyong makes a stand at historic Mt. Samat

SSANGYONG STAGES A COMEBACK Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A MONTH after its re-launch, Korea’s fourth largest automaker organized a ride and drive with the motoring media to highlight the capabilities of its vehicle line-up and to jumpstart its domestic operations. With the event being led by automotive industry veteran and SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines (SBMP) Managing Director David Macasadia, lead footed motoring pen pushers got behind the wheel of the Tivoli crossover SUV, AWD Korando and the 2.0 liter AWD Rodius MPV. “SsangYong has been known for its resiliency over the years,” says Macasadia. “With over sixty years of manufacturing vehicles, SsangYong has evolved into a brand that dares to be different as the vehicles you will drive today and tomorrow will attest,” adds Macasadia, before the convoy drove off for Mariveles, Bataan, a historic part of Northern Luzon where the combined armed forces of the United States and the Philippines took a stand against the onslaught of the Japanese Imperial Army during WW2. The drive to Bataan seemed symbolic for Ssangyong, who is staging a comeback in a small, yet highly competitive local automotive market. “It reflects our firm resolve to make our presence felt and to let everybody know that we are committed to see this through no matter the costs,” says Macasadia. A footnote to SsangYong’s history started early morning as the convoy set off to its journey of discovery from its spanking new showroom and service center

along Quezon Avenue, in Quezon City. Participating mediamen were grouped into sets and spread evenly among the test units prepared by the hosts. Strategic stops along the way provided driver changes so everyone can experience the fleet of Ssangyong variants such as the 1.6-liter gasoline and diesel engine variants of the Tivoli crossover SUV, the 2.0-liter diesel Korando all-wheel drive compact SUV, and the 2.0-liter all-wheel drive Rodius MPV. The driving component was a 420-kilometer round-trip drive to Bataan via San Fernando, Pampanga, the Pampanga Megadike Access Road, and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. The convoy stopped over at the Dambana ng Kagitingan Monument at Mt. Samat in Bataan before proceeding to its final scenic stop at the FAB Dam in Mariveles. “From our hardworking but luxurious people carrier, the Rodius; to our dependable and capable SUV, the Korando; and of course, our newest and most eye-catching compact crossover, the Tivoli - all of our models cater to the immediate needs of the Filipino family, the hippie, the millennial and even the practical everyday driver,” reveals Macasadia, who also intimated that three more full service dealerships are scheduled to be opened in Cebu, Visayas and Davao.

BMW M3 TURNS 30

M as in must-have M3 MAY not have the catchiest of names, but anyone lucky enough to get their hands on one will be too busy marveling at its performance to give its moniker a second thought. The standard M3 is no slouch so for this special edition BMW's engineers have retuned the engine to deliver an extra 19hp, which in turn shaves a whole 0.1 seconds off its 0-100km/h time. It can now do the sprint in just four seconds flat. To make the most of this extra power, the Adaptive M Suspension (which is an optional extra on the standard M3) has also been reworked significantly with new dampers and springs and differential. BMW says that the changes give the car even more clearly defined ‘comfort', ‘sport' and ‘sport+' settings. Changes to the cabin include special sports seats that are equally adept at offering support while cornering at speed and offering comfort when grand touring. The dashboard is finished in carbon fiber, the seat belts have been embroidered with the BMW ‘M' stripes and seats and arm rests

are wrapped in a two-color full leather Merino trim. From the outside, the new model distinguishes itself via unique forged alloy 20-inch wheels, black chrome tailpipe and front grille trim, and exclusive Macao Blue metallic paint. Standard-setting model When it debuted in 1986, the original M3 rewrote the rules regarding sports sedans and set in motion a performance arms race between BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar that continues to this day. And while this competition has led to some wonderful AMG-tuned Mercedes and some ludicrously potent RS Audis, over the past three decades the BMW M3 and its M4 coupe cousin still set the benchmark. The BMW M3 30 Years M3 follows hot on the heels of another special edition M car, the M4 GTS, also built to mark the model's 30th anniversary. However, while the GTS is the most track-focused yet road legal car in the company's history, the anniversary M3 is all about every day, every situation automotive enjoyment. And, despite being less potent, the M3 is set to be more exotic. The GTS is capped at 700 examples whereas the anniversary M3 is limited to just 500 examples globally when it goes on sale this summer. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

ST Y L E & BE AU T Y

LIFE

LOvE AnD bEAuTy In ThE DETAILS hAnnAh KOng unvEILS PARIS-InSPIRED DEbuT COLLECTIOn by bERnADETTE LunAS Hannah Kong launches her 15-piece debut collection inspired by her love for vintage dresses and her time in Paris, France. PHOTO BY RAMON TAN MANGILA OF PIX REPUBLIK STUDIOS

t took Hannah Kong two and a half years to realize that taking up Economics in college wasn’t actually for her; several “side jobs” in apparel brands to finally decide to pursue fashion; and six months to officially launch her debut collection. The 29-year-old Filipina designer always knew fashion was something she wanted to do. “My dad’s work before was in the garments industry, so I basically grew up in a factory,” Hannah shares with The Standard Life. While living in the penthouse – watching jeans being made and sewn together – the young Hannah also became an avid reader of Vogue magazine. “I was exposed to fashion as a kid. I’ve always loved anything to do with fashion but I was actually confused about what I wanted to do.” She then took up Economics in De La Salle University, but it only took her a few failed subjects to realize that it wasn’t the right fit. It was after taking introductory classes at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco that she got the jumpstart she needed to finally pursue fashion. The former online retail shop stock girl who was paid in designer jeans is now one of the up-and-coming bridal and formalwear designers in the country. And Hannah’s star shines bright, as her name is slowly becoming synonymous to intricate, elegant dresses much like what a princess would wear. “It’s such a privilege to work on a bride’s dress,” she muses. “[For a woman] it’s the most important dress she’ll ever wear in her life, so [being asked to design it is] as if someone is giving you so much trust which is something that I really honor and appreciate.” With silk organza as her canvas and beads and paillettes as her paint, Hannah’s pieces can be likened to works of art – wearable works of art, at that. Each is made through meticulous stitching, beadwork and embroidery known as Lunéville or Tambour – a skill she learned during her time at the Ecole Lesage in Paris, France. Hannah is one of few Filipinos so far who has learned the craft at the storied Maison

The Florence dress features thread work embroidery on tulle with leaves patterns made with cut beads, paillettes, rhinestones and ostrich feathers Hannah is one of the few Filipino designers who knows the labor-intensive embroidery technique known as Lunéville or Tambour taught at the prestigious Ecole Lesage in Paris

Lesage that worked with the likes of Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, Louis Vuitton, Valentino Garavani, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld. The said technique is undeniably timeconsuming and labor-intensive, but the passion and hard work that goes in every piece resonated well with the young designer. “I really like detail-work and working with my hands. So when I went to Paris to study embroidery, I was really wowed by the craft and the labor that goes into it. I saw how my teachers worked because they were the ones that did couture gowns for big brands like Valentino, and I saw how the process was thought of and labor-intensive. But when I looked at them, I saw that they really loved what they do,” relates Hannah. She adds, “It’s like giving so much of your time. It’s such an investment to make each piece.”

For her debut collection, the Ecole Lesage-educated designer unveils 15 pieces of broderie d’art occasion wear inspired by her love for vintage gowns and her time in Paris. “[The collection] evokes an afternoon kind of stroll in the garden of Versailles, hence a lot of florals. It’s very feminine and very opulent, but I toned it down to make it wearable in today’s time,” explains Hannah. Each piece is handmade with the help of Hannah’s artisans and staff, and features her handiwork with pearls, beads and rhinestones. “I put so much of myself in the collection,” she enthuses, adding that she also incorporates the ideas of her staff into the designs. The dresses are dreamy in colors that go beyond white, ivory and cream, as some of the pieces come in muted pastels like, powder blue, light pink and old rose. The Continued on C4

Hannah Kong poses with a gown whose detailed pattern is made of layered beads

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Aia de Leon of Imago performed during the Ipanema Perfect Pair event

@LIFEatStandard

Gerald Anderson performed a live song number during

FIND YOUR PERFECT PAIR WITH IPANEMA’S NEWEST COLLECTION

Ipanema Aloe Flower Fem

ummer would definitely not be complete if you still haven’t found your perfect pair of footwear yet. In a romance-themed event that took place at Trinoma Activity Center last May 25, Ipanema presented its newest collection – the fun, chic and colorful Brazil-made sandals and flip flops. Gracing the event were cool ukulele artists led by Theobromine Band and Mang Pedring as well as Aia de Leon of Imago whose performance during the Ipanema Perfect Pair event added to the summer romance feel. Three ladies who posted their best “selfeets” on Facebook for the Ipanema the Perfect Pair contest were chosen as finalists and modeled the three new styles – Weet & Dainty, Sexy Chic and Bold & Artsy – picked at random, their faces hidden in a mask to cover their identities as they walked down the runway. Making the event even more exciting was Gerald Anderson, one of the hottest young actors today, who gets to pick who will be his Perfect Pair –

and the lucky contest winner was Niña S. Cañares who will go on an exciting and unforgettable date with the actor. Cañares, who modeled a pair of Sweeet & Dainty flip flops, also won an all-expense paid trip to Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu. “I can’t explain it; it’s indescribable. It just happened so quickly – I feel so happy and blessed,” the winner said, sharing her expectations on her date with Gerald Anderson. “I expect to get to know him, just have fun, have a conversation, casual lang.” According to Cecille Loretizo, ELRO Retail Corp. head of Marketing, Ipanema knows that every wearer is unique that is why for their newest collection, the three cool and individual styles are designed to match different, free spirited personalities and identities. Adding to the fun during the event were various booths tailored for each Ipanema flip flop style: Nail art and foot spa; D-I-Y flower crown and foot sticker tattoo, and makeup and hair styling. – Marjaleen Ramos

Ipanema Fashion Kirey III Fem

Ipanema Class Trends VII Fem

Various booths during the event included Nail art and foot spa stations, and D-I-Y flower crown, foot sticker tattoo, makeup and hair styling booths

Ipanema Brazil BiColor Unisex

Gerald Anderson picked one lucky winner who will win an exciting and unforgettable date with the actor

F R I D AY : J U N E 3 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Sample Room is the country’s first beauty and lifestyle sampling website which allows users to acquire products for free

ThE bIg INFLUENcE oF SmALL, SAmpLE-SIzE pRoDUcTS

t has happened to many of us before: Bought a skin care or a hair care product, thought it would work because a goodlooking endorser or a popular actor or a close friend said so, used it for a few days and later on regretted spending money on something that would just end up half used because it did not deliver the result that it was expected to deliver. For beauty junkies, this kind of unfortunate experience happens twice as much. “Sometimes I end up brokenhearted whenever I invest in a moisturizer, say, for a thousand bucks, then I go home excited and the next day my skin breaks out. But then I continue to buy full-size products for myself and try and try,” relates former beauty blogger-turned-beauty entrepreneur Sophie Uy. It was until her mother pointed out how much the products were already cluttering her vanity table that she realized the amount of money she was throwing down the drain on items she was not using. “I wasted a lot of money when I bought so many products just to get it right,” she admits.

The true power to choose

Like a eureka moment, Uy and her three other friends thought of creating an avenue where they and other consumers can sample products first to find out if they would truly work. “What we seek to do is to empower the Filipino consumers and give them the choice to be able to try it first without cost or at the most minimal cost possible, so that when they buy the product they will be sure of it and they will be confident to buy its full size,” she shares. Hence in 2012, Sample Room was born. Sample Room is the country’s first beauty and lifestyle sampling website which allows users to acquire products in deluxe-size samples, sometimes in full-size, for free with the goal of educating the consumers before they decide to purchase in stores.

By BeRNadeTTe LuNas

The website features nearly 400 products from over 100 partner brands

But unlike other subscription boxes offering random items, Sample Room gives the power of choice to users to pick the samples they truly want to try or are interested in.

No gambling, just sampling

Understanding that earning money is no easy feat, Sample Room ensures that users are not gambling their finances on products they are not sure about. Therefore, points are used as currency. To try the over 390 featured products available on the website, one needs to create an account on Sample Room. Upon registration, the user will get free 100 points which can be used to buy samples. “You can only grab at most three unique products at a time and you can only grab that particular sample once in your account life,” explains Uy. After checking out, the user is only required to shell out money for the courier fee which costs P100 for Metro Manila and P150 for those in the provinces. But should they want to get more samples, especially luxury products which can be obtained for 200 points and up, Sample Room offers VIP membership. With the VIP membership, users can transform their P649 to 1,000 points that can be used and reused on the website for two months.

Sample Room co-founder Sophie Uy recounts how the website started with its mission of educating and empowering consumers

These points can be earned again when the user sends a review on the sample she tried within 10 days. “When it gets approved, you can get your points back,” says Uy. Points can also be earned through referrals. One referred friend equals one point. From the 3,000 members Sample Room had during its first month of operation in 2012, its community has grown to 46,000, most of whom, according to Uy, are women ages 25 to 35. “People do come back after their first try to build their points here. Some users have 100-plus points,” shares Uy.

Relatable reviews from real users

The model of the website is anchored on what they call the “zero moment of truth.” It refers to the time when someone researches or asks around first before buying a particular product – which is the “first moment of truth” – after being triggered by a stimulus, which could be a commercial or a recommendation of a friend. “Before when we started it was only blogs offering the ‘zero moment of truth’ when it comes to beauty products. But right now, we have more resources such as Sample Room,” says Uy. Apart from offering free products to try, Sample Room further empowers consumers by providing localized reviews

of the items available courtesy of the users who have tried them. “Our reviews are local so you can be able to relate to them because the reviewers live in the same country as you,” enthuses Uy. “We also have descriptions of the reviewer such as skin type, color, etc.” In a bid to make it as transparent as possible, Sample Room allows all kinds of reviews – positive or negative – provided that they are not merely bashing a product or a brand. “When the review is about allergic reaction to a certain product, we approve it on the site. We then ask the brand involved to comment as well and coordinate with the user,” says Uy. Sample Room’s review component also comes in handy especially when they run out of a particular sample product. According to Uy, the website is usually able to offer “regular products” from 100 to 1,000 samples. Luxury brands, however, only come in limited quantities –around 10 to 20 pieces. “When the products run out, what users can do is check out the reviews made by Sample Room members who were able to snag a sample.” Don’t wait for a product to run out without trying it. Visit www.sampleroom.ph to get started.

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Agua brazilian swimwear

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Ablaze by Jun-Jun Ablaza

IllumInate

Top fashion designers walked with their designs at the grand launch of Lumina Events Management

maria isabel lopez in the Albert Andrada emerald dress she wore in Cannes Film Festival 2016

Albert Andrada creations

umina Events Management showcased what its talented teams can offer through a fashion show that featured top names in the fashion industry. Some of the country’s most sought after models walked the runway in an event meant to showcase the company’s extensive roster of capabilities and to mark it as one of the game changers in the industry today. The collections of Albert Andrada, Herbert Custodio, Bessie Besana, Rocky Gathercole, Estiene Quijano, Michelle Baldemor, Dino Bancoro and Jaggy Clarinio graced the runway together with the shoe designs of Nere Ku and Jojo Bragais, and the accessory designs of Ablaze by Jun-Jun Ablaza and Christopher E Munar. Agua Brazilian Swimwear also showcased its summer beauties on the runway. Beauty queens paraded as muses for the collections. Title holders who graced the staged included Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao, Mutya ng Pilipinas Leren Mae Bautista and Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong. But the one who stole the show is the beauty who flaunted her “kabogera” look during the Cannes Film Festival 2016 – Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1982 Maria Isabel Lopez in her Albert Andrada emerald dress. Lumina Events Management creates stunning events for beauty pageants, fashion and lifestyle shows, corporate shows, art and cultural shows and music festivals. For more information about the company, visit luminaeventsmanagement.com. Get updates on their latest events on Facebook at Lumina Events Management, luminaevents.ph on Instagram and @lumina_eventsph.

herbert Custodio and Jaggy Glarino designs

rocky Gathercole

Jaggy Glarino

Photos by Kim bAriK

LovE AND bEAUtY... From C1

cuts range from A-line to princess tulle to serpentine. From a designer working at home, and whose first client was her mom, Hannah moves on to further grow her career with the launching of her first collection. The dresses start at P65,000 to P250,000 depending on the design. She says she is now looking into prêt-à-porter but wants to focus on custom bridal design “because I love being able to do a lot with a wedding dress.” Hannah may be known for her detailed pieces, but she admits that when the time comes for her to wear a bridal gown, she says she’d want it to be simple. “Probably something with simple silhouette but with detailed sleeves.” Hannah Kong’s atelier is located at 6063 R. Palma Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City. For more information, visit her website at www.hannahkong.com or her Instagram account @hannahkong. Photos by AC brizuelA

the edith bridal dress is an A-line tulle gown with a bustier and sheer top embellished with embossed embroidery and beaded Japanese cut beads

f RIDAy : J UNE 3, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

from left: Brillante Mendoza, SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon and Samsung Mobile Sales Head Annaise fagrante award “Ang Guro” and “Idolo” directors Vanju Alvaira (3rd from right) and Daniel Palacio (2nd from rigth) the Best film plum

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Brillante Mendoza presents the trailer of his latest masterpiece “Ma’Rosa” during the event before it went on to compete at Cannes film festival

Raymund Ribay Guiterrez is the director of the short film “Imago,” which is a finalist in the Short film Competition of the Cannes film festival

Best Actor winner Elijah filamor, lead star of the feaure film “Idolo”

Best Actress winner Rona Mae Lallana of “Strawberry Girl”

BRIllanTE MEnDOza FIlM WORkshOp 2016 aT sM auRa pREMIER

hortly before he left for the 69th Cannes Film Festival where he brought honors to the nation, multi-awarded director Brillante Mendoza held the Awards Night of his third Film Workshop at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier. Vanju Alvaira’s Ang Guro, a story of a senior citizen teacher about to retire, and Daniel Palacio’s Idolo, the story of a new salesman who gets inspired by a colleague’s achievements, only to realize the true meaning of success shared honors for the Best Picture Award. Palacio was also

named Best Director for Idolo. Rona Mae Lallana who played the mysterious Igorota in Strawberry Girl was named Best Actress, while Elijah Filamor from Idolo won the Best Actor award. Special Awards were given to two other films: Nimrod John B. Sarmiento’s Repleksyon, which was named the Samsung Noteworthy Film Award and Vanju Alvaira of Ang Guro for the SM People’s Choice Award. The event was also highlighted by the showing of the trailers of Brillante Mendoza’s Ma Rosa, which competed in the

Main Competition, and Imago, a short film by Raymund Gutierrez, which competed in the Short Film Category of the 69th Cannes Film Festival. Now on its third year, The Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop is a joint project of Centerstage Productions and SM Aura Premier, with support from Samsung, Goldilocks and Max’s Restaurant. It is an intensive seven-day workshop for Directing with introduction to Cinematography, Production Design and Editing, and Acting facilitated by Mendoza himself. This years’ batch showcased a total of seven films:

Balitok, Ang Guro, Repleksyon, Idolo, Sarah, Channel 8, and Strawberry Girl, which highlighted new film ideas and engaging cinematic techniques. The Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop is part of Director Mendoza’s advocacy to rethink and redefine cinema by sharing his knowledge and experience in filmmaking with a new generation. “This is also my way of giving back and training new generations of film makers and storytellers,” said the director, who is known for his advocacies and groundbreaking films that tackle social issues.

Cinema One Originals wins award of excellence Halfway through the year and Philippine cinema proves to be flourishing vigorously with Pinoy actors and films gaining recognition from around the world. Just recently, Cinema One Originals Film Festival was lauded at the 2016 Quill Awards for the “Cinema One Originals 2014: Intense” promo campaign on its 10th anniversary celebration. Cinema One Originals has been spearheading the production of films that fully showcase the artistry, creativity, and talent of Pinoy filmmakers. Alongside the full-length films made by today’s most creative Filipino directors, the film festival also features innovative short films, restored Pinoy classics, and new works by globally renowned masters. Cinema One Channel Head Ronald Arguelles said the 10th edition of the Cinema One Originals was bigger, bolder and better compared to the previous film festivals, hence the theme, “Intense.” The festival started in 2005 but the 10th year was the most memorable of the bunch, as That Thing Called Tadhana by Antoinette Jadaone made it to theaters nationwide, with P133 million in ticket sales in four weeks – making it the most successful independent film release in 2014. Cinema One Originals 2014: InTENse

Team Kapamilya wins the most number of awards among media and entertainment organizations at the recently concluded Quill Awards

won an Award of Excellence under Division 1: Communication Management, Category 7: Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Communication for its overall Marketing and Promotions campaign at the 2015 Philippine Quill Awards held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. ABS-CBN Corporation bagged a total of

12 recognitions including the Cinema One entry, making it the most awarded media and entertainment company at the 14th Philippine Quill Awards held at Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The Philippine Quill Awards is the country’s most prestigious awards program in

the field of business communications given every year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Cinema One, the no. 1 cable channel in the Philippines, is a Filipino cable television network owned and operated by ABSCBN Cable Channels, a subsidiary of the media and entertainment company ABSCBN Corporation. The programming of the network includes a line-up of mainstream and independent local and foreign films, film related programming, and original content for television. Its tagline, “Ang Buhay Natin, Parang Sine” (“Our Life Is Like the Movies”) reinforces its affinity with the movie-loving audience who tune in to experience larger than life entertainment on the small screen. The channel also includes programming of Original Productions like Cinemanews, Inside The Cinema Circle, Numero Uno, awards specials and Single/Single series, now on its second season. Its annual film event is the Cinema One Originals Festival. Cinema One is on Skycable channel 56, Destiny Cable Analog 37 and Digital 57. For more information and updates, like Cinema1channel on Facebook ( facebook. com/Cinema1channel) and follow on Instagram (@cinemaonechannel).

f RIDAy : J UNE 3, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

pEOplE ¼

are talking about

are not talking about

Julie Anne san Jose

charice

Days before her graduation, the multiplatinum singer posted her graduation photo. She said in the caption, “Juggled work and studies, yet managed to survive. I definitely have to say that it’s all worth it.” A true role model, Julie Anne shows how one can achieve numerous feats at a young age. And amid earning big bucks both as an actor and music artist, she bears in mind that none of these is permanent.

At first glance, with a defined nose line and thick eyebrows, anyone would instantly think that the featured artist on the cover of Mega Man is a young actor. But giving it a second look and actually reading the text, you would realize it was Charice. While we celebrate equality and individuality, the singer landing on the cover of the widely read magazine is such a striking statement. But same thing cannot be said when the magazine calls her an international singing sensation. She’s a singer and “WAS” a YouTube singing sensation. That’s more appropriate.

Baron Geisler

Jose Manalo

The beleaguered actor has a new best friend and it goes by the name “trouble.” And trouble finds him everywhere he goes. This raises a question: Did he have a troubled childhood? Because if he did, that’s the only way we see why as an adult he’s trying to find an outlet to release all those anxiety he has? Or he’s just getting into character in preparation for another indie role? Either way, Baron, we think, needs professional help.

Sunday Pinasaya has a new attraction. It’s none other than the comedian who’s able to imitate President-elect Rody Duterte’s tone and manner of speaking. Jose has appeared already on the show for three times wearing Duterte’s signature plaid shirt. Each appearance caused riot among the audience and viewers love what they see and hear - a clear indication that Jose is doing a great job. When AlDub and his character “Lola Nidora” finally fade, Jose would still be relevant in the next six years as “Rodney Juterte.”

liza soberano

‘Tatay Kong sexy’

She’s absolutely on a roll. With countless endorsements and a successful TV series, Liza shows that her star is here to stay. And what’s even more admirable about the young actress is how she treats her fans especially on social media. Obviously, they felt her sincerity when she extended her condolences and inspiring words to the family of one of her supporters who died because of cancer. You see, Liza utilizes social media so her fans could feel that she’s also a human being.

Some people might be wondering how on Earth detained actor-politician Jinggoy Estrada was able to shoot this comedy that premiered on Wednesday. Well, the senator did not violate any rules (as far as we know) because the movie was shot two years ago. He was also able to see the entire film even before he was incarcerated. Hence, he’s very proud of his work and he highly recommends it. Now, if you’re a fan of the senator, and believe in his integrity (as an actor, of course), we’re sure you’d watch it.

cROsswORD puzzlE

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Mist 5 Somber evergreens 9 Addlepated 13 Like good cheddar 14 Sun, in combos 15 Sheik colleague 16 Rajah’s consort 17 Last box to check 18 Golf warning

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Benefit from Devotee’s suffix Luau strummers Troubles, to Hamlet 25 Summer job seeker 27 Unseen winter hazard (2 wds.) 31 Falsify 35 Take on cargo

36 Catches some Z’s 38 Prolonged gaze 39 Tina Turner’s ex 40 Charlton Heston epic (2 wds.) 42 Outlaw 43 Kind of toast 46 Corn bread 47 Tree trunk 48 Struts with pride 50 Fragrant flower 52 Applied henna 54 Wine served warm 55 Circus prop 58 Place (abbr.) 60 Sauna woods 64 Alice’s chronicler 65 Inbox filler 67 Cosmetics brand 68 Mild brews 69 Pluck 70 Apollo’s mother by Zeus 71 Pastel 72 Dust devil 73 Barge DOWN 1 Dwell on 2 Culture dish goo 3 Stoic founder 4 Imposing building 5 To date 6 K-12 7 Actress

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2016

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Dianne — Did a laundry chore No longer extant On a rampage Dragon’s breath Very, for Pierre Direct link Type Cut too close Aurora, to Plato Zeppelin Los Angeles cager Fashion’s — Simpson Orlando attraction Forbidden Dreaded exams Ms. Zellweger Kind of cavity Fiasco Canopy support Whichever Altar affairs Moon goddess Use sparingly Rainout-proof Checkroom items Two-color cookie Viking name Witty person With, in Cannes — -Rooter Glacier, once Wall climber

f RIDAy : J UNE 3, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SARAH LAHBAtI wREAkS HAVoC IN ‘My SUPER D’

uper D’s (Dominic Ochoa) adventures get even more exciting and action-packed as he faces the show’s newest villain Tiradora, played by Kapamilya star Sarah Lahbati, in the primetime fantasy series My Super D. Ulah (Lahbati) was raised in a simple yet happy family. And to

help make ends meet, she joined several beauty contests and provided for her family’s needs. But an unfortunate incident happened when her face accidentally got burned after Super D detonated a bomb in a battle, deforming her once stunning look. Because of her deformed features, people have called her

Sarah Lahbati

folk singer and composer Noel Cabangon brings his brand of music at Shangri-La Plaza

Pre-Independence Day show with Noel Cabangon The popular singer-songwriter and folk artist Noel Cabangon is featured in the Shangri-La Plaza Concert Series. The Pre-Independence Day performance is slated at 7 p.m. at the mall’s Grand Atrium, Level 2, Main Wing, tomorrow. Best known for his evocative and poignant discography that presents narratives on love and respect for country, and commentaries tackling socio-cultural issues including the lives and aspirations of Filipinos and environmental preservation, Noel Cabangon has elevated music to

serve greater causes. Noel has toured overseas with Buklod, and was invited to perform at the 2002 World Social Forum in Brazil with artists from Africa and South America. He also attended the 2004 World Social Forum in Mumbai, India both as a performer and participant in a workshop on the relevance of music on the theme “another world is possible.” Catch Noel as he serenades mall guests with his repertoire of classic songs that are relevant to the nation, and close to every Filipino’s heart.

In character. Sarah Lahbati as tiradora, the newest villain in “My Super D”

names and even accused her of being a monster. But with the help of Zulueta (Ronaldo Valdez), Super D’s archenemy, she will transform into Tiradora and bring chaos using her powerful slingshot to seek revenge against Super D. How will Super D prepare for the imminent danger that Tiradora is set to bring? Will he be able to protect the people’s lives from her? Will he prevent his family from being harmed? Aside from Sarah, also watch out for Niño Muhlach and twins Fourth and Fifth Solomon as they join the cast of the fantasy series as Negatron and Bilbilly, respectively, and side with Zulueta to bring harm against people. Don’t miss the drama fantasy that tells everyone that they can be superheroes through the power of love, My Super D, weeknights before TV Patrol on ABS-CBN or on ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch up via iWant TV and skyondemand. com.ph for Sky subscribers.

Celebrity travelers dish expert tips for Cebu Pacific Juan for fun backpackers Awesome adventures await in the fifth installment of the Juan for Fun Backpacking Challenge, as Cebu Pacific takes another set of university teams on an epic, all-expenses-paid adventure of some of their most exhilarating destinations. Adding excitement to this oneof-a-kind exploration are five celebrity thrill-seekers who have signed up as this year’s Adventure Coaches. The list includes firsttime coaches—actress, singer and blogger Saab Magalona, and TV host and VJ Robi Domingo. They will be joined by returning coaches—musician Champ Lui Pio, Internet star Bogart the Explorer, and travel writer Jude Bacalso. Serving as mentors of the university challengers, these celebrities will stay in touch and cheer for their respective teams through social media.

Travel tips from the pros

First-time adventure coaches Robi and Saab shared that they can’t wait to be a part of the Juan for Fun teams’ adventures, armed and ready to share tips and pointers to help participants make the most out of the experience. “I got to know about this fun challenge because Gretchen (Ho) was previously a part of it,” Robi said. “I’m looking forward to a

Building friendships, collecting memories

Celebrity thrill-seekers and adventure coaches Robi Domingo, Bogart the Explorer, Champ Lui Pio, Jude Bacalso and Saab Magalona

crazy learning experience.” Robi shared his excitement for the Juan for Fun teams, saying that they should prepare for one amazing experience. “They will be traveling to different areas, immersing in various cultures and eating lots of great food,” he said. Robi added he hopes his “hustle attitude” would help his own team bag the Ultimate Backpacker crown. “I may look like I’m playing it cool but I will do everything to get the gold.” As a first-time adventure coach, Saab looks forward to seeing how the teams are going to prepare for their trips. “I remember my first plane ride as a

grown-up was after college, so I am curious to see how much the kids know about travelling.” Saab thinks that for Juan for Fun teams to win in the backpacking challenge, they should learn how to read maps and develop navigation skills. “The members should also be physically fit. They also need to know each other’s strengths and know when to lead or follow,” she said. In coaching her Juan for Fun adventure team, the celebrity blogger hopes to cheer her team better than the other coaches. “I’m really noisy online and I’m competitive,” said Saab who confesses to being a “fan of adventure.”

Back as adventure coaches are Bogart the Explorer, Champ Lui Pio, and Jude Bacalso, who recounted that guiding the Juan for Fun teams has given them the privilege of seeing young adventurers foster and strengthen friendships, discover not only fascinating places but also themselves, and reignite their passions for exploration. “I had an all-girl team last year. Not only that, but they were one of the youngest teams I’ve ever coached. Seeing them finish the challenge with happy and full hearts, their friendship ever stronger, and a new fiery passion to explore reignited my own passions and has reminded me why I do what I do,” shared funny man Bogart the Explorer, or Marco Ho in real life. Champ recalled how the Juan for Fun experience brought him closer to his team. “My first time as a coach was really memorable. My team didn’t win the first prize, but they had an incredible time,” he shared. “What made it unforgettable is that I became really close to my team. We actually stayed in contact even after the competition and hang out occasionally.” “Every year, at the end of the whirlwind that is Juan for Fun, we gather at the awarding ceremony

and get goosebumps. Last year, my team has never been on an airplane before landing in Manila for the start of the competition. And their second flight was an international one, straight to Bangkok, Thailand!” said Jude, who is back on her third coaching stint. “They came home winners, placing third. Where else can you see the transformative powers of travel turn ingénues into citizens of the world? Yes, we cry at every closing ceremony. But these are tears of pride, never regret,” added Jude. This year, the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Challenge is encouraging thrill-seeking trios from different universities across the country to take on the once-in-a-lifetime escapade to some of the airline’s most exciting destinations. The winning team will be named the Ultimate Backpackers, and will win Travel-All-You-Can passes to any domestic or international (short-haul) destination, valid for one whole year, plus exciting premium travel gear. Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure and join the Cebu Pacific Juan for Fun Backpacker Challenge now! Find out how by visiting www.juanforfun.com. For more details, follow Cebu Pacific’s official Facebook and Twitter (@ CebuPacificAir) pages.

f riday : J UNE 3, 2016

iSaH V. rEd EDITOR NiCKiE WaNG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

PhIlPOP annOuncEs 2016 InTERPRETERs; launchEs DIgITal albuM Keeping OPM alive. PhilPop head ryan Cayabyab (leftmost) with this year’s composers and celebrity interpreters

ISAH V. RED

he country’s premier songwriting competition, PhilPop, announced the exciting line up of celebrity interpreters in this year’s competition. Also, it launched the 2016 digital album, now available on Spotify while unveiling the PhilPop 2016 Commemorative Special Edition Book at a press conference held on May 27 at Hive Hotel in Quezon City. The interpreters, specifically handpicked to lend their voice and performance for specific songs in the competition, along with the 12 songwriters, are vying for the much-coveted PhilPop 2016 Grand Prize on Finals Night at the Kia Theater in Quezon City on July 23. PhilPop Head, Ryan Cayabyab, said this year’s interpreters are a good mix of veterans and newcomers with diverse styles and music influences guaranteed to give PhilPop’s audience a wonderful celebration of music. The finalists and their interpreters are: Jeroel Maranan – “Sintunado,” (Nyoy Volante); JC Jose – “Stars Are Aligned,” (Acapellago and Jimmy Marquez); Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola – “Di na Muli,” (Itchyworms featuring Jazz Nicolas); Karl Gaurano and Daryl Reyes – “Friday Night,” (Kenjhons); Miguel and Paolo Guico – “Tinatangi,” (Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, and The Benjamins); Johann Garcia - “Binibini sa MRT,” (The Juans); Ramiru Mataro - “Kahon,” (Ramiru Mataro); Joan Da - “Baliw Sa Ex-boyfriend Ko,” (Sugar and Spice featuring Joan Da); Keiko Necesario – “Nobody But You,” (Monica Cuenco); Aikee Aplacador – “Pabili Po,” (Banda ni Kleggy, and Aikee); Mike Villegas and Brian Cua – “Dumadagundong,” (Yassi Pressman); Soc Villanueva – “Lahat,” (Jason Dy). Now on its 5th year, PhilPop continues to march on brimming with musical zeal like how it was on the day it was conceptualized and founded in 2012. The vision remains to be its singular mission. “To renew life and focus on the local music industry.” PhilPop Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan says, “We want to encourage songwriters to churn out original Filipino

VJ and singer yassi Pressman

OPM singer Nyoy Volante

Composer ryan Cayabyab

sound – to remind the world that Filipinos are not just great singers and performers, but also great songwriters; that Pinoy Pop deserves a spot on the world stage.” Today, over 60 original songs and more than 100 million hits on YouTube later, PhilPop on its fifth year has taken great strides toward achieving that vision. A new breed of songwriters were given their break and veteran composers were provided yet another avenue to showcase their immense talent.

Viewers nationwide tuned in to the return of the top singing competition in the country, The Voice Kids, as the debut of its third season on ABS-CBN scored whopping national TV ratings last weekend

and even placed atop the list of the most watched programs nationwide. Based on data from Kantar Media, it garnered a national TV rating of 35.6 percent last Saturday, or almost double than that of its rival program on GMA, Pepito Manaloto, which only got 17.9 percent. Last Sunday, The Voice Kids also registered 36.6 percent, a solid 22-point lead over Ismol Family’s 14.1 percent. The program also generated buzz online, as netizens went on Twitter to post their thoughts about the blind auditions. The program not only topped, but also dominated the list of trending topics in the Philippines and worldwide on Twitter, as more than 10 out of the 20 trending topics were about the show, the coaches, and artists. The top-rating singing competition is off

to an exciting start as coaches Lea Salonga, Bamboo, and Sharon Cuneta exchanged sharp remarks as they tried to recruit artists on their respective teams. Team Lea or Familea has so far acquired Eleana, rapper-singer Peter, three-chair turner Yessha, and musical theater artist Noel. Coach Sharon, meanwhile, has secured three artists, namely Iya, the youngest artist this season, devoted son Timoty, and kiddie folk dancer JP. Kamp Kawayan headed by Coach Bamboo is standing strong with Xylein, who comes from Boracay. Don’t miss the “The Voice Kids” every Saturday, 7:15 p.m. and Sunday, 7 p.m. on ABSCBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). Catch its latest episodes on iwantv.com.ph or skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

Coach Sharon Cuneta cuddles her new recruit JP

Coach Bamboo with “The Voice Kids” hopeful Xylein

young singer yessha joins Coach Lea Salonga’s “familea”

Most watched weekend program nationwide