The Standard - 2016 June 14 - Tuesday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX NO. 122 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 TUESDAY : JUNE 14, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Gunman kills 50 in Florida gay venue

K-12 WILL FORCE .4M TO DROP OUT

But DepEd’s Luistro says figure ‘lower than usual’ By John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta

BETWEEN 200,000 and 400,000 students who finished Grade 10 are not expected to go on to two more years of senior high school under the K-12 program this year, but Education Secretary Armin Luistro said this is lower than the 50 percent dropout rate in previous years.

“Definitely, the enrollees for Grade 11 will be much, much more than half of the historical numbers that we were seeing when we had fourth year high school,” Luistro said. “For the first time in history we have a national database of enrolled Grade 11 students both public and private,” he added. Luistro’s statements came amid

reports of low enrollee turnout on the first day of school and nationwide protests by youth groups against the K-12 program. As of Monday, the DepEd national server has received over 600,000 enrollment lists from more than half of the 11,000 schools offering SHS, Luistro said. Most of the schools that were not yet able to encode enrollment

data are public schools located in remote areas and private schools that will begin the school year in July or August, he added. Luistro said there are at least 1.1 million Grade 11 students already enrolled in various schools offering SHS nationwide. An estimated 700,000 to 800,000 Grade 11 students are enrolled Next page

First day. Hundreds of students crowd into Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School in Quezon City on the first day of classes on Monday. MANNY PALMERO

Neglect of infra will end, vows Diokno

Trudeau to probe reports of new beheading OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday it was likely that a Canadian kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf bandits nearly nine months ago has been killed. “It is with deep sadness that I have reason to believe that a Canadian citizen, Robert Hall, held hostage in the Philippines since Sept. 21, 2015, has been killed by his captors,” Trudeau

said in a statement. Members of the notorious kidnapfor-ransom Abu Sayyaf gang said they would murder Hall if they did not receive P300-million ransom by Monday. “While Canadian officials are working closely with authorities in the Philippines to formally confirm Mr. Hall’s death, we have compelling reason to believe that reports to this effect are,

unfortunately, true,” Trudeau said. “The vicious and brutal actions of the hostage-takers have led to a needless death. Canada holds the terrorist group who took him hostage fully responsible for this cold-blooded and senseless murder.” Hall was among four people abducted in September last year from aboard Next page

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yachts at a tourist resort in the city of Samal. Another Canadian who was abducted at the same time, John Ridsdel, was beheaded in April after a similar ransom demand of P300 million was not paid. Military officials on Monday could not confirm reports that Abu Sayyaf bandits had beheaded Hall. “I cannot confirm or deny it. We don’t have reports yet coming from our units on the ground,” said Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command. Earlier, the Abu Sayyaf said Hall and Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian, would be tortured if the victims’ relative did not communicate by the deadline they set at 3 p.m. Monday. Just recently, the Abu Sayyaf set a June 13 deadline for relatives of Hall and Sekkingstad to deliver P300 million each for their safe release. Hall, Sekkingstad and Ridsdel together with Hall’s Filipino girlfriend Marites Flor were abducted by armed men in August 2015 at the Ocean View Samal Resort in the city of Samal. The hostages were taken to Sulu. Up to eight battalions or roughly 5,400 soldiers were deployed in Sulu to go after some 200 Abu Sayyaf bandits. AFP, Florante S. Solmerin and Sandy Araneta

K-12... From A1

in public schools, while 300,000-400,000 students will pursue senior high in private schools, state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and technical-vocational institutions. About 1.5 million students completed Grade 10 in school year 2015-2016. Luistro said the expected high turnout of enrollees could be attributed to the wider range of options, in terms of tracks and schools, that SHS students have, offering them programs covering academics, sports, arts and design, and technicalvocational livelihood. Furthermore, access to senior high schools are “better this time,” compared to the almost 2,000 higher education institutions available, Luistro noted. Some 11,000 schools nationwide are SHS-ready. Of this number, 6,002 are public schools operated by DepEd while 5,031 are private schools, private and public universities and colleges, and technical vocational schools. Senior high school is the last mile of the implementation of the K-12 program, which adds two years to the country’s basic education system. Militant groups on Monday dismissed Luistro’s optimis-

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Diokno plans to ramp up ‘neglected’ infra spending

“We have to make up for the past neglect of infrastructure,” Diokno told the ANC news channel on Monday, noting that it took the Aquino government five years to bid out the Daang Hari road project in Las Piñas and Bacoor, Cavite. Diokno also said an 8 percent growth in gross domestic product would be achievable in the last three years of the Duterte administration. Diokno, one of the lead petitioners against pork barrel and the Aquino administration’s Disbursement Accel-

eration Program before the Supreme Court, said there was a need to determine if underspending was caused by an agency’s low absorptive capacity or the ineptness of the department head. “If there’s a huge budget for school buildings, and it’s not moving, why are you going to penalize the kids for this ineptness [or] incompetence of the secretary?” he said. “There are so many projects that are not moving. Why not remove the secretary? Replace him with someone who’s more capable,” he added.

The Aquino administration, he said, underspent in the last six years, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs consistently failed to meet their revenue targets. The BuB, he said, designed as an alternative to the topto-bottom approach to bankrolling infrastructure projects in communities, became politicized and was used to favor the administration’s allies. “That’s a political tool,” he said. He said he planned to limit the BuB to its original mandate of assisting local governments of third-, fourth-, fifth-, and sixthclass municipalities, subject to the approval of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. “I will continue it, but I think it will be... limited to depressed municipalities,” he said.

tic statements as “delusional arguments” to cover up K-12 problems. “It is despicable that our government is trying to hide the fact that K-12 has worsened the decade-old woes of our education system. They insist that this is the best school opening when in reality, around a million students were forced to drop out,” League of Filipino Students (LFS) national spokesperson JP Rosos said. “DepEd has gone delusional when they insisted that this is the best school opening and everything is falling into places. The harsh reality is far from the fictions they conjured. Yes, everything is falling—falling into pieces as they shattered the dreams and future of a million students,” he added. The LFS, the Kabataan party-list and other youth groups staged protests nationwide against the K-12 program during the opening of classes Monday. Noise barrages and signature drives were held in various high schools as well as at the University of the Philippines, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other universities. Students and groups representing teachers, workers and others converged near the DepEd head office in Pasig City in the afternoon to express their opposition to the

K-12 program. Parallel protests were also held in different cities including Baguio, Los Baños, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. Luistro, however, said that problems being reported by the media were those that could be solved in a day. “I am certain there will be challenges on day one. But none of those will be insurmountable, especially since our schools and divisions have prepared for this for the past three years,” he said. He said that while only 30 percent of students began enrolling Monday, they will eventually be able to hit their target of having 80 percent to 90 percent of Grade 10 finishers enrolling in senior high. The government has included a P21.19 billion allotment for an SHS voucher program in the 2016 education budget. Under the program, Grade 10 finishers from public schools who enroll in private schools offering senior high school will get a subsidy. Also on Monday, the Gabriela Women’s Party appealed to the incoming Duterte administration to reconsider its support for the K-12 program. Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, among the petitioners against the K-12 program, echoed apprehensions of various youth groups that the additional two years in basic education would result in mil-

lions of students dropping out. De Jesus said that the government has never been ready for K-12, which she said is an added burden to families, especially the poor, who have a hard time sending their children to school. She also said the voucher program was insufficient. “The P22,500 vouchers that the DepEd promised as financial aid turns out to cover only up to 80 percent of fees, and the balance can eat up to 40 percent of a family’s income for every single senior high school child,” De Jesus said. As of the weekend, she said, only half of the expected enrollees have logged on, fueling fears that more than 600,000 youths will be unable to enroll for senior high school or college. “The enrollment crisis has domino effects. Without students, many schools would be unable to hire teachers, which will worsen the unemployment not only among academic staff but also food vendors, transport workers, and other self-account traders dependent on enrolled students. It is still not too late for DepEd to stop the K-12 program and allow students to graduate and instead enter college courses to avoid the idle year for students who fail to enlist for Grade 11,” she said. Earlier, the militant youth group Anakbayan said only 3,839 of the 7,976 public high

By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY—Incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said he plans to raise infrastructure spending to end the neglect of the last six years, and slammed the Aquino administration for using bottom-up-budgeting (BuB) as a political tool.

The internal revenue allotments (IRA) of local governments will be strengthened under the Duterte administration, which would take a “formula-based, no-questions asked” approach to disbursing funds to local government units. “They have more than enough. They receive onefourth of the internal taxes of the national government. I think it’s close now to P400 billion. The local governments are getting this in terms of grant-in-aid,” he said. The next administration will also be pushing for a new budget reform act. “There are many improvements [that] I want this embodied in a budget reform act, consistent with the recent Supreme Court decisions on PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] and DAP,” he said. schools nationwide have submitted proposals to implement senior high school next year. Anakbayan said the figure was alarming as “students will be forced to transfer to private schools and pay expensive tuition.” The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) said it has estimated that more than 39 percent of earnings of a lowincome family will be consumed by the costs of a child entering senior high school because of the K-12 program. As classes in public schools started Monday, low enrollment turnouts were reported despite the voucher subsidy. The Palace said Monday the DepEd would address all concerns regarding the K-12 program. “DepEd continues to monitor and address all concerns pertaining to the opening of senior high schools in line with the full implementation of the K-12 program,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., in a statement. “The unified efforts of parents, teachers, and communities and all stakeholders will continue contribute to more effective implementation, which is essential to bringing our educational system to parity with global standards,” said Coloma. With Maricel V. Cruz, PNA

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Lowering tax rates possible DAVAO CITY—The incoming Duterte administration on Monday raised the possibility of lowering the maximum income tax rates being levied by the government and vowed it will study how the pension could be raised for private employees. “The maximum income tax rate should be reduced from 32 percent to 25 percent,” incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a television interview. “[Carlos] Dominguez and I are working on making [the] tax systems efficient and competitive with neighbors.” Citing the transition meetings between the economic teams of Duterte and outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, incoming Finance Department spokesman Paula Alvarez said the incoming administration will review if any implementation of the proposed tax reform package handed over by the Aquino administration and the pension increase proposal for Social Security System members will prevent bankruptcy. “In the tax reform package that they submitted, the stance of Secretary Dominguez is to study things first—because the package being given to us transpired six years in the making but weren’t passed,” Alvarez said. “We will study that carefully because we cannot adjust without back-up data [supporting] it could sustain the government,” Alvarez said. She said the people may be assured of a thorough discussion of a bill increasing the SSS pension that was vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III. “For the SSS, we are studying that very carefully because it sparked a lot of debate. Our goal really is to increase the pension but to avoid any bankruptcy of the SSS as a system,” Alvarez said. The outgoing Aquino administration last May handed over to the incoming government a P77-billion tax reform package for its study, which includes a gradual lowering of the highest personal and corporate income tax levies to 25 percent and restructuring the brackets to four. Currently, the rates are pegged at 32 percent for individuals and 30 percent for companies. There are also seven tax brackets. The lowering of the rates will only be triggered by a rise of the tax effort up to 16.5 percent, Finance data showed. As of the first quarter, the figure was at 13 percent. Those earning P1 million a year will also be exempted from income taxes. The combined revenue losses for the two is pegged at P222 billion in the first year to be offset by an excise tax reform that will bring in P132 billion in the first 12 months. Aquino in January, meanwhile, blocked the proposed P2,000 across-the-board increase of the monthly SSS pension, saying this will eventually drain the agency’s fund reserves. John Paolo Bencito

Protest. Members of the group Bayan protested in front of the US Embassy in Manila on Monday. They warned the US not to intervene in the plan of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte to hold peace talks with the communist National Democratic Front. DANNY PATA

Panelo denies arrogance at parking lot Aguirre to revamp Bureau of Corrections

DAVAO CITY—Incoming presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Monday denied he showed some arrogance by flaunting his association with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte in a no-parking area in Greenhills, San Juan. “There was no such violation of any parking regulation nor was there any exhibition of any form of arrogance,” Panelo said. “Evidently, the person posting such false narration of an incident intended to put my image in a bad light and picture me as abusive.” On Sunday, a Clarisse Oben Evangelista said in a Facebook post that Panelo had allegedly parked his car in a non-parking area in Greenhills and then showed a tarpaulin flaunting his association with Duterte. “Earlier today, Atty. Salvador

Panelo was in his car in Greenhills Shopping Center, outside Mercury and Tropical Hut Shoppesville. He was asked by the guard to move his car. He didn’t budge,” she said in Facebook. “He later stepped out of his car, brought out a Duterte tarp which he placed on the hood, walked away leaving his car in a no-parking area. Oh, may nag pa-selfie pa,” she added, ending the post with the hashtags: “#hay #truth #thelawissomeonesfaceonatarp #yourefiredsana.” But Panelo said he parked his car in front of Mercury Drug and Tropical Hut and sought permission from the security guard if he could leave his car for a while, explaining he wanted to buy a bottle of virgin coconut oil at Mercury Drug. Panelo said the guard granted his request and told him he “could

move the car in front of the Theater Mall parking zone.” When he stepped out of his car, he said, “some Duterte supporters asked for some selfies” with him and he obliged. “One of those requesting a photo with me asked if I could put a Duterte sticker on the hood so that it would come out in the photo,” he said. After posing for the selfies, Panelo said, he bought virgin coconut oil at Mercury Drug and returned to his vehicle “in less than 5 minutes.” He denied parking in the wrong slot, saying “the guards allowed other car drivers to park their cars there.” “Evidently, the person posting such false narration of an incident intended to put my image in a bad light and picture me as abusive,” Panelo said. John Paolo Bencito

Forum. Incoming Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano discusses security of tenure to end contractualization, the illegal premature conversion of agricultural land and some other issues during the weekly forum Tapatan sa Aristocrat in Manila on Monday. PNA

INCOMING Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre on Monday vowed to revamp the Bureau of Corrections to stamp out the corruption in the agency when he assumes office on July 1. “I will implement a reshuffle at BuCor,” Aguirre said in a telephone interview. The Justice secretary supervises the bureau, an attached agency of the Department of Justice. But Aguirre said he had not yet decided who would head the bureau. “We are still looking for the best director. General Danny Lim is one of those being considered,” Aguirre said. Corrections is currently headed by retired Army general Ricardo Rainier Cruz, who had served as a former commander of the Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command before his retirement. Cruz replaced Franklin Jesus Bucayu who resigned in April last year for health reasons. Last week, Aguirre said he would intensify the anti-drug campaign at the New Bilibid Prison. He said the information he received showed that 75 percent of the illegal drug transactions in the country were coming from the NBP. Aguirre said he would do away with the current “Oplan Galugad,” adding that despite the raids, jail authorities continued to recover illegal drugs and other contraband inside the national penitentiary. Rey E. Requejo

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Pinoys barred from Panatag FILIPINO protesters said Monday that Chinese coast guard ships blocked and sprayed them with water as they sailed to a disputed South China Sea shoal to plant a Philippine flag for independence day.

High seas encounter. A Filipino activist prepares to plant a Philippine flag at Panatag Shoal, 230 kilometers (143 miles) off Luzon in the South China Sea but a Chinese coast guard ship blocked, sprayed them with water and drove them away from the dispute shoal. AFP PHOTO

Villar warned over lake project By Christine F. Herrera A LAwMAKeR on Monday warned incoming Public works Secretary Mark Villar of a possible conflict of interest in the reopening and bidding of the P123-billion Laguna Lakeshore expressway Dike Project because one of the bidders is a company owned by his father. Reelected Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said he will seek a congressional inquiry into the LLeDP, noting that one of the bidders is Prime Asset Venture, owned by Villar’s father, former senator Manuel Villar. “LLeDP is shaping up to be a private enterprise than a public utility,” he said. “The possible reopening of the LLeDP project in the next administration may pose a serious conflict of interest situation.”

Aside from Prime Asset Venture, Zarate said the qualified bidders for the mega-project included Team Trident (a consortium of business tycoons Jaime Zobel de Ayala’s Ayala Land Inc., Henry Sy’s SM Prime Holdings, Andrew Tan’s Megaworld and erramon Aboitiz’s Aboitiz equity Ventures), Alloy Pavi Hanshin consortium of the Malaysian-led firm MTD Group, Korean Hanshin Construction and Korea Rural Corporation and San Miguel Holdings Corporation of businessman eduardo eduardo Cojuangco. “The LLeDP poses a huge negative impact on the environment and people surrounding Laguna de Bay and we believe that it is prudent for the next congress to step in through a thorough congressional probe,” Zarate said.

“As with all Public-Private Partnerships under the exiting Aquino administration, the deals are lopsided to the benefit of large businesses than the welfare of Filipinos. we hope to see an end to this kind of deals in the incoming Duterte administration,” Zarate said. Foremost, he said, the megadike would affect 10.8 million people living in the coasts of Laguna Lake. “This a huge number of people that will be dislocated, physically and economically, once the project pushed through. Also, 40 percent of food supply in Metro Manila comes from the Laguna Lake. The economic dislocation of our fisherfolk in Laguna de Bay could also mean a food shortage and surge in food prices in Metro Manila,” Zarate stressed.

China claims most of the strategic and resources-rich sea and has controlled Scarborough Shoal, just 230 kilometers (145 miles) off Luzon, since a 2012 standoff with the Philippine Navy. The Kalayaan Atin Ito (Freedom This is Ours) group said 16 of its members arrived near the shoal early on Sunday, Philippine independence day, and their boat was promptly blocked by two Chinese coastguard vessels. “Five of us attempted to swim to the rock to plant the Philippine flag and the UN flag but they harassed us,” the group’s coordinator Vera Joy Ban-eg, told AFP via text message. “They chased us with their two speed boats and blocked our path, sprayed water on us. Two of the swimmers, however, were able to reach the ring of the shoal and raised the Philippine flag.” The incident comes at a particularly tense time in the long-running dispute between the Philippines and China over Scarborough Shoal and other parts of the sea claimed by both. China insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the shores of its neighbors. Aside from the Philippines, other claimants are Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. President Benigno Aquino’s administration has taken China to a UN-backed arbitration tribunal in a bid to have Beijing’s territorial claims declared illegal. A ruling is widely expected over the next few weeks, although China does not recognize the arbitration and has reacted angrily to the Philippines’ legal efforts. Kalayaan Atin Ito has organized trips to Philippine-claimed or -controlled South China Sea islands in the past, sending 47 Filipino youths by boat to Filipino-garrisoned Thitu Island in the Spratly group in December. The Philippine government has previously said it recognizes the group’s patriotism but has discouraged such trips, owing to safety concerns. The group posted video clips and pictures of its latest trip on its Facebook wall. One clip showed a group of young men and women singing the Philippine national anthem while they stood on the deck of a wooden-hulled boat flying Philippine and United Nations flags. A larger, white-hulled vessel is seen shadowing the Filipino vessel from behind. AFP

‘No more catwalk at SONA’ By Maricel V. Cruz DURING the Duterte administration, the annual State of the Nation Address will no longer be a fashion show with lawmakers sashaying into the session hall in expensive designer gowns in the hope of catching media attention. According to designated labor secretary and incumbent 1-BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello III, change will come to the SONA once Duterte assumes office as the country’s 16th president on June 30. One of Duterte’s first official duties after June 30 is to deliver his first State of the Nation Address at the joint opening session of the 17th Congress of the Philippines at the Batasang Pambansa on July 25. “[But] the SONA fashion show will be a thing of the past under the Duterte administration,” said Bello, a longtime friend of the incumbent Davao City may-

or whom he described as never having been a fan of designer clothing, shoes or wrist watches. In fact, Bello said Duterte favors checkered shirts—which sometimes appear to be wrinkled—denim pants and boots. “[And] those aren’t Ferragamo,” Bello said, advising lawmakers to follow Duterte’s simplicity and modesty if they want to get the president’s attention. “They should take it as a signal. They should not outshine the principal. They will get embarrassed,” Bello stressed. Bello said he wouldn’t be surprised if Duterte delivers his first SONA in barong Tagalog, denim pants and boots.” “That’s how Duterte dressed during his short stint at the House of Representatives years ago,” Bello said, referring to Duterte’s one-term stint as Davao City congressman from 1998 to 2001.

The time is right. Former Bayan Muna congressman Satur Ocampo explains the

National Democratic Front’s position on the resumption of peace talks with the government as panels from both the government and the communist movement prepare to meet in Oslo this week. EY ACASIO

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Cops step up campaign vs ‘sextortion’ With the opening of regular classes in the country on Monday, the Philippine National Police has intensified its campaign against online ‘sextortion’ and activated its ‘Operation Strikeback 3’ for this purpose. ‘Operation Strikeback 3’ targets criminals who extort women, children, and men, said the PNP’s AntiCybercrime Group. Sextortion is an online modus operandi wherein the victim after being befriended and having online romantic relationship with the suspect will be lured to do sexual acts in front of a webcam. taking advantage of the trust built over a short period of time, the suspect will record the victim’s sexual acts and threaten the victim of uploading it if he will not send money in exchange of deleting or giving the soft copy of the nude photographs or videos. “We are very much aware of the possibility that young students may end up victims of ‘sextortion’ in the country with the opening of regular classes this month since during the summer period, we made at least three sextortion-related arrests with students as victims,” said PNP-ACG director, Senior Superintendent Guillermo Lorenzo t. Eleazar. two weeks ago, police smashed a global ‘sextortion’ ring based in Olongapo City following a raid which resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects. Eleazar said the suspects were found ‘selling pornographic materials’ or pornographic website links to their clients abroad and later duping them into exposing themselves in front of webcams. “the suspects are known for blackmailing their victims and demanding money from them or they will upload their video footage showing them naked and engaging in sexual acts via internet,” said the PNP-ACG director. Eleazar cited three PNP ACG operations since last month, which led to the arrest of three ‘‘sextortion’’ suspects. in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, PNP-ACG operatives arrested a 22-year-old college student who secretly filmed his two classmates while they were having a sexual tryst inside a Batangas resort and threatened to upload the sex video in Facebook if the couple will not give him P30,000. Last May 4, PNP ACG operatives also arrested a Grade 6 teacher in Davao City who forced his young student to have sex with him and threatened to expose her nude photographs on social media when she tried to end their immoral relationship. two weeks ago, PNP ACG agents arrested another college student for “sextortion’’ in Quezon City, the latest to be arrested for enticing individuals to pose naked in front of webcams before threatening to upload their naked pictures on the internet if they will fail to heed their extortion demand. the arrest of Lonny Lou Beltran alias ‘Carlo Cruz,’ a student of the holy trinity University in Q.C. Came on the heels of a complaint from a 21-year-old female victim. the victim identified only as ‘Monalisa’ said the suspect demanded P60,000 from her or her naked photographs will be uploaded on the internet. PNA

Belmonte junks LP for ‘super majority’ By Maricel V. Cruz OutgOing Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday confirmed that he will be part of the “super majority” coalition of the 17th Congress, leaving out an option for him to be the House Minority Leader. “[i am] very likely [to join the super majority],” Belmonte, a vice chair of the ruling Liberal Party, said in a text message and confirmed a plan of his and some of his allies to join the super majority to be formed by incoming Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the personal choice of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to lead the house of Representatives and stalwart of Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Belmonte also said that he would opt for the administration

coalition in the house to secure juicy posts for his allies and not for himself being a former speaker. he said that he wanted positions for his allies in the LP that will join the super majority, even as he denied being offered by Duterte allies to head the house committee on accounts under Alvarez. “Never entered my mind to seek any position for myself. Always for the others,” Belmonte stressed. But a house official who declined to be named, said that more than 100 of almost 120 LP member-congressmen who won

in the last presidential polls will join the PDP-Laban. “the camp of President-elect Duterte will not allow a coalition; the LP members will join the PDPLaban if they want to be part of the super majority,” the source said. this was confirmed by Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, LP committee chair for electoral and political affairs, admitting that as many as 10 LP members will choose to be part of the minority and stay as LP “minority,” which includes him. “i would prefer to be in the minority,” Erice, a close ally of former interior Secretary Mar Roxas ii, said. While Erice did not name names, the source said that lawmakers who will stick with the LP in the 17th Congress include Deputy Speaker and Batanes Rep. henedina Abad, wife of outgoing Budget Secretary Florencio Abad

Jr.; Edcel Lagman of Albay, teddy Baguilat of ifugao, Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat islands and others LP lawmakers who are “very much” identified with outgoing President Benigno Aquino iii. Erice said his commitment to remain with the LP will ensure checks and balances in the Duterte administration. “in the interest of checks and balances, it is very important that a responsible minority emerges instead of a cooperative minority,” Erice said. But he said he could not tell yet if the remaining LP members will join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) led by its president, Navotas Rep. toby tiangco, who is aspiring for the house Minority Leader’s post. the 17th Congress will convene on July 25 where Alvarez is expected to be elected as speaker.

PR blitz. Public Community Relations Personnel of the Caloocan City Police with mascot PO1 Monumento engage students in an animated

discussion during the ‘Oplan Balik Eskwela 2016’ at the Central Elementary School and Gregoria Elementary School in Caloocan City on Monday. Policemen also gave the schoolchildren anti-criminality safety tips. ANDREW RABULAN

Council told to explain laundering raps last May 31 denying the criminal charges filed by the council. thE Anti-Money Laundering Pacamarra gave the council unCouncil has been ordered to com- til thursday, June 16, to comply ment on the pleading filed by with the order. businessman Kam Sin Wong alias Wong, a casino junket operator, Kim Wong seeking the dismissal insisted that he did not violate the of money laundering charges Anti-Money Laundering Act, addagainst him in connection with ing that he has already returned the $80.9 million stolen by hack- to the government P38.28 million ers from the Bangladesh Bank and and $4.63 million he got from the laundered to the country. laundered money. Assistant State Prosecutor Gilhe reiterated his statements marie Fe Pacamarra, the handling in the Senate inquiry that it was prosecutor of the case, has directed former RCBC branch manager AMLC to file its reply to the coun- Maia Santos-Deguito who faciliter-affidavit submitted by Wong tated the transactions.

By Rey E. Requejo

the other casino junket operator named respondent in the AMLC complaint, Weikang Xu, has not appeared before Department of Justice for the preliminary investigation hearings. Deguito denied the charges and filed with the prosecutor her counter-affidavit also last month. She asked the DOJ to dismiss the charges for lack of probable cause. She refuted allegation that she facilitated the laundering of the stolen money, insisting that it was former RCBC president Lorenzo tan who ordered her to open the four fictitious accounts where the

$80,884,641.63 stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank went. the former manager of the bank’s branch in Jupiter Street in Makati City stressed all the transactions in her branch had the approval of tan, claiming that she is only being used as scapegoat by the bank officials to avoid criminal liabilities. AMLC has already submitted its reply to Deguito’s answers last week. Pacamarra then ordered Deguito to submit her rejoinder in a hearing on June 20 before concluding the hearing and submitting the case for resolution.

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Phased out. A convoy of school service operators makes its way to the LTFRB office in Quezon City to protest against the government order to phase out school service vehicles that are more than 15 years old. MANNY PALMERO

Rody urged: Save the ‘baby factory’ By Macon Araneta

A NATIONAL organization of health workers on Monday called on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte to help them save Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital from being abolished as it lambasted Health Secretary Janette Garin for issuing conflicting statements on the hospital’s status. Robert Mendoza, president of the Alliance of Health Workers, said Duterte should intervene on the case of the hospital so it can continue to function as the country’s national maternity center. They also called on the government to modernize the hospital at its present site using public funds and prevent employees from losing their tenure and for patients not to be disenfranchised from accessing health services. “We also call on the government to work on the awarding of the lot to Fabella Hospital. This is what was done at Philippine children’s Medical Center,” said Mendoza. Although the Aquino administration and Department of Health have been insisting that Fabella Hospital will not be privatized, Mendoza, however, said they believe the current projects are definitely under the general framework of privatization policy in the guise of modernization. “This means more expensive or unaffordable health services for the people,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza took Garin to task for giving the public inconsistent statements about the impending abolition of the Fabella Hospital, which is also called as “baby factory.” He stressed that last week, Garin told the press the issue is not the structural integrity of the four buildings but the real issue is the land of the Old Bilibid Compound including where Fabella Hospital stands. The group quoted Garin as saying the land has been mortgaged twice. “But now, she is ranting again that the real problem why the Fabella Hospital is to be transferred is because of structural integrity,” said Mendoza. He said the people cannot be deceived and are not fooled by this administration’s blatant lies. What else will they call this if not an abolition? The safety of the buildings and the transfer are alibi of the DOH and Home Guaranty Corporation to cover the impending sale of of the Old Bilibid Compound where the Fabella Hospital

sits, Mendoza said. By Rio Araja “Why does the DOH hastily want to transfer the services of the 700 bed maternity hospital temporarily to a 50-bed THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Monday ruled out any shortage hospital at the Lung Center compound? “ of school bus units despite the phaseout of units 15 asked Mendoza. years old and above. He expressed apprehensions about the In an interview, Ariel Enrile Inton, one of the maternal and child services if not all the two LTFRB board members, allayed fears of the employees and facilities will not be accomstudents and their parents of inadequate number modated at the 50-bed Lung Center. Because of this, Mendoza asked where of school service vehicles. “There can be no shortage. Of the 7,000 school will the July 2016 babies and onward be bus units, only 1,000 of them have been phased born if Fabella hospital is abolished? out,” he told The Standard. He said the DOH always cites the Apart from the compliance of many of the regDPWH report as the basis for transferistered school bus operators, Enrile Inton said the ring the maternity hospital temporarily to application and issuance for a new franchise for the the Lung Center Compound. The report operation of such units is “open.” says that 4 out of the 8 buildings of Fabel“There are other people [operators] who can fill la Hospital have structural weakness in in the vacuum,” he added. case a high intensity earthquake comes. Operators and drivers of school service units, It recommended retrofitting or transferled by Alliance of Concerned Transport Organiring to other structures. zation president Efren de Luna, earlier claimed “Why not use the other four structures only 25 percent of the 7,000 school service units while fixing the unsound four structures have complied with the phaseout of units 15 in preparation for a strong earthquake? This years old and above. was what Philippine Children’s Medical “We have obeyed the modernization program Center did so there was no disruption of of the LTFRB to upgrade school bus units,” he told services,” Mendoza said. The Standard. DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Yesterday, the group hit out LTFRB chairperson Suy said that there have been no talks Winston Ginez for imposing the phaseout policy. on approving the closure of the materWhile their other members have already purnity hospital. He does not know the Save chased brand-new L300 Mitsubishi units to comply Fabella Movement and other militant with the phaseout, Ginez wanted the European 4 groups obtained the information the hosemission standards. pital will be abolished. Acto called on Ginez to grant another one-year moratorium. “Here comes the summer [March], still the program has not yet been implemented,” Enrile Inton said. In 2015, the LTFRB granted the school bus operaJulio, Alan, Roberto “Bong” and Mario tors a 10-month moratorium until March 2016. “Mai”. “The chairman fielded inspectors to differWake is at Paz Memorial Chapels, Maent schools in Metro Manila to see if there is a nila Memorial Park, Sucat, Parañaque. shortage of school buses,” he said. “But there was Interment will be on Thursday, June none.” 16, 10 a.m. at Manila Memorial Park.

Manon Baranda-Dizon passes away at 73 MANON Baranda-Dizon passed away last Saturday. She was 73. She left behind husband Andres Dizon, children Sharon and Emmanuel Escueta, Haniel and Antonette; grandchildren Shanuel and Nehemiah and

brothers Antonio “Tony B” and Carlos Baranda Jr. She was a daughter of public relations pioneer Carlos “Charlie” Baranda Sr., and Lumen Gentilezo and sister to deceased siblings Lynn B. Erba, Pamela B. Floresca,

Shortage of school service vehicles clarified

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Gunmen kill two suspected pushers By Ferdie G. Domingo TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija —A 31-year-old suspected drug pusher and her brother-in-law were killed by gunmen here, Friday afternoon. Supt. Leandro Viernes Novilla, Talavera police chief, reported to Senior Supt. Manuel Cornel, provincial police director that the fatalities were Sheryl Paraiso-Santos and Pedro Santos, 45, tricycle driver, both of Purok 4, Barangay Marcos District, Talavera. The two were shot in front of Paraiso-Santos’ three children. Paraiso-Santos died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head while Santos was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deadon-arrival. PO3 Marvin Verde, investigator of the Talavera police, said Paraiso-Santos had been in the drug watch list of the Talavera police. Verde said the gun attack was carried out at around 3:30 p.m. Friday along the municipal road in the barangay. Verde said Santos was driving a tricycle with license plate 8541RL with Paraiso-Santos and her three children on board when their path was blocked by an unlicensed red car traveling in the opposite direction. The suspects were in the car. The suspects, who were all heavily armed, alighted from the car and told the tricycle occupants to alight and drop face down. The suspects then fired at ParaisoSantos and Santos in the head then fled.

School-bound. Children in Kapangan, Benguet cross a bridge on their way to school. DAVID CHAN

44 die in E. Visayas diarrhea outbreak PALO, Leyte—The death toll from the diarrhea outbreak in Eastern Visayas has reached 44 this week with 3,496 sickened by contaminated water and poor sanitation, the Department of Health regional office here reported on Monday. DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon said the number of casualties continues to rise even as local health officials have stepped up monitoring efforts in the bid to contain the illness. Diarrhea outbreak has been declared in three areas of Samar province. These are in Calbiga (260 cases with two deaths), Cat-

balogan City (215 cases with eight deaths) and Sta. Rita (329 cases with three deaths). Other seriously affected areas in Samar are Pinabacdao (73 cases with four deaths), Sta. Margarita (53 cases with one death), Talalora (43 cases with two deaths), Daram (29 cases with one death), Basey (203 cases with three deaths),

Zumarraga (86 cases with two deaths), Gandara (13 cases with one death), Jiabong (25 cases with one death), San Jorge (53 cases with two deaths), Tarangan (193 cases with one death), and Motiong (one case with one death). Cases have been reported in Northern Samar towns as well. These are in Lavezares (227 cases with two deaths), Las Navas (202 cases with two deaths), Catarman (83 cases with two deaths), and San Roque (15 cases with one death). Other affected areas in Northern Samar (with respective cases) are Silvino Lobos (90), Gamay (69), Biri (61), Laoang (28), Lope

de Vega (45), Pambujan (17), Rosario (12), San Jose (11), Mondragon (2), and Bobon (1). Diarrhea cases also surged in Eastern Samar with confirmed cases have been reported in towns of Guiuan (114), Balangiga (96), and Jipapad (54). Each area has recorded one casualty. The first outbreak was noted in Hilongos, Leyte with 316 cases, but no single death were reported. In Tacloban City, the regional capital, the DOH said that a child from the city’s northern village died last week. The city recorded 38 confirmed cases as of Sunday.

Canada to provide P43-m aid to Zamboanga, Maguindanao

Post-it map. Volunteers from various groups pose beside a large map of the Philippines made of post-it notes at a mall in Baliwag, Bulacan. DANNY PATA

THE government of Canada announced it is providing approximately P43 million in humanitarian assistance to support those living in conflict areas in Mindanao. This funding will be provided to Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and will contribute to improve food security, health, living conditions, livelihoods and emergency-preparedness in Zamboanga and Maguindanao.

The funding forms part of the Canadian government’s commitment of CAD 331.5 million in humanitarian support to the world’s most vulnerable, recently announced by Canada’s Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. “Canada’s support will help meet immediate life-saving needs and address unprecedented humanitarian challenges, including those in the

Philippines,” Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said. This new funding will help the most vulnerable in more than 32 countries, including the Philippines. Support will be provided to 25 experienced humanitarian partners, including a variety of United Nations humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations, as well as Canadian organizations, that are addressing complex humanitarian situations. PNA

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

SWEET TIME

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is worried that he might be accused of entering into a midnight deal in these last few days of his term. This is why he is reportedly hesitating on the plan to move the National Bilibid Prison from Muntinlupa City to Nueva Ecija. Mr. Aquino said he just found out that the documentation for the construction of the P50-billion prison facility would be finalized on June 29, his last full day in office. He steps down midday of June 30. The planned facility will have a maximum capacity of 26,000 inmates. Twenty-thousand prisoners from the NBP and 2,000 from the Correctional Institute for Women will be transferred to the new site. Officials say the new facility will be up to par with international standards. Construction is supposed to take three years. The present NBP, opened in 1940, was built to house 8,400 inmates but now has more than twice that number. Conditions have been described as deplorable and degrading, defeating the purpose of the justice system to reform the criminals and restore their human dignity. The overcrowded state penitentiary has also been notorious for the luxury and comfort enjoyed by selected inmates whatever the crime they have been convicted of. Systemic corruption in the correctional system has bred a culture of privilege among convicts who bribe prison officials into looking the other way so that they could continue their illegal activities from “behind bars.” Given these glaring issues in the prison system, the Aquino administration did the nation a disservice by waiting until the last minute to implement a plan that had been in the works for the past 12 years—a time when Mr. Aquino was just an unremarkable lawmaker. Then again, this is not something new to the outgoing President, who has been known to be overly careful about being accused of misspending public funds. Recall that the public-private partnership projects promised at the beginning of his term did not materialize. The glacial pace at which these projects moved did little to boost infrastructure that would have provided sustainable job opportunities to Filipinos. What a convenient justification for a classic act of noynoying. Nobody would have accused the President of going into midnight deals had he not allowed this project—and many others—to idle away until midnight.

THE REAL REASON LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES THE big-shot Manila-based businessman known for backing national politicians has gone to Davao City three times already, seeking an audience with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. Three times he waited for hours, only to be told that Duterte cannot meet him for one reason or another. Message received. Unless, of course, the aging tycoon decides at some future date that the new

president has had a change of heart and will now meet him— a change of heart that, people close to Duterte tell me, is just not going to happen, ever. I’m reminded of the recent travails of the big-time businessman after another highflying entrepreneur explained why Mar Roxas and his nowmoribund Liberal Party are having a lot of trouble filing their statements of contributions and expenditures, as the law requires. And the reason is simple: No businessman worth his billions wants to be put in the crosshairs of the new Duterte administration.

According to the businessman, he did give money to Roxas during the recent campaign. Most deep-pocketed individuals, after all, contribute to the campaigns of candidates for high national office, many of whom come calling in the runup to an election seeking their “blessing.” But while this election investor gave to Roxas, he refuses to sign any document declaring that he did. “Why would I, when that would mean that I could be pursued by Duterte, his people or even my competitors for the next six years?” the businessman said.

There are many businessmen who contributed to Roxas who will not sign the required form saying so.

This businessman explained that there are probably many more like him who contributed to Roxas who will not sign the form given out by the Commission on Elections for the purpose of identifying contributors and campaign expenses. “It’s just that they will never reveal that they did so, for fear of political retribution,” he said. And it’s not even about avoiding taxes. After all, the Bureau of Internal Revenue has long ruled that political contributions are tax-exempt, so long as they are properly declared and used for the intended purpose of funding a candidate’s campaign. Of course, what Mar and his party could have done was to

secure not only the donations of businessmen but also their signatures on the forms declaring their generosity. Then again, planning for such eventualities and doing the paperwork beforehand probably never occurred to Roxas and his party, which is headed by—no surprise there—the super-efficient outgoing Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. You could argue that perhaps people shouldn’t be too hard on Roxas, who already lost in his two consecutive bids for high office in two straight presidential

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-

elections. But I still don’t understand how Duterte and everyone else who lost in the elections with Mar were able to comply with the law—unless Roxas and the LP are really having a lot of trouble declaring who gave how much and how all that moolah was spent. But maybe it’s not just the legitimate contributions that Roxas and the LP are having problems with. As a friend told me, “you can’t really expect to include the government of the Republic of the Philippines in your list of campaign donors.”

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

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*** Now it can be told: Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is not going to get the Senate presidency because his colleagues objected to how he was acting like the head of the chamber long before the voting. The senators, I’m told, were told by Cayetano upon the resumption of sessions recently that the Taguig lawmaker was already handing out committee chairmanships. It’s like he had been appointed “Senate dictator” when he was Continued on A11

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

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

LAST week, I asked my polyglot son Emanuel La Viña, an AB History graduate of Ateneo de Manila and about to commence masteral studies in the same field, to do a contemporary translation of our 1898 declaration of independence. I wanted a millennial’s perspective of this seminal text to see if a contemporary reading would yield insights for our country’s challenges today. Eman, as expected, did not disappoint. I share excerpts of his translation and highlight what is most relevant today. First, our declaration of dependence (full title: “Act of the Declaration of Independence of the Filipino People”) clearly establishes the reason for this act and the revolution which preceded it. It was done “taking into consideration that their inhabitants are already tired of suffering under the ominous yoke of Spanish domination, and also taking into account the arbitrary arrests and cruel treatment by the Guardia Civil to the point of death with the complicity of, and even under the orders of their chiefs, who would occasionally go as far as ordering the execution of prisoners under the pretext that they attempted to escape, in violation of their rules and regulations . . .” The declaration narrates a version of Philippine history, thus the 1896 revolution of the people was “for the purpose of regaining their independence and sovereignty which Spain took away from them through Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, following the footsteps of his predecessor, Ferdinand Magellan.” Legazpi “also signed a treaty of friendship, the famous Blood Pact, with King Sikatuna, so that he would later conquer Cebu through the use of arms, and because Tupas’ successor did not let him occupy it, he came to Manila, also winning the friendship of its kings Soliman and Lacandula, and later, taking possession of it, and with that, all of the Archipelago for Spain, in virtue of a decree by King Philip II.” The declaration justifies the Philippine revolution: “In view of all these historical events and because, in international law, the prescription established by the laws legalizing the fraudulent acquisition of individual property is not recognized, the legality of a revolution like this cannot be doubted . . . “ The end game of the revolution is anticipated: “This revolution spread like an electrical spark to all the other towns, not only in this province, but also in Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Morong, some of which had ports. Such was the triumph of our armies, truly incredible and unparalleled in the history of colonial revolutions . . . The City of Manila will soon be completely besieged by our forces, as will the detachments in the provinces of Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

DECLARATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

SWEET TIME

There are many businessmen who contributed to Roxas who will not sign the required form saying so.

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

TALKING TOO MUCH TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

THE problem of Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte, as I see it, is not that he does not mean what he says. It is that he talks too much. So do his minions. For example, Mr. Duterte took on the Catholic Church as an institution and called it hypocritical because he said he knew that some ranking members were lecherous scoundrels. Being a lawyer, Du30 committed the cardinal sin of confusing the institution with the hierarchy. The premise was wrong. Next, he took on media. He said members of the media were extortionists and that corrupt journalists deserved to be killed. He forgot that media, both print and broadcast, are his greatest allies in conveying his message of change to the people. Yes, there are rotten eggs in media, just as there are rotten eggs in public office or any other institution. But he should not take media as his enemy. Whether he likes it or not, media will always write about the presidency. The president can never be ignored. Now he has taken on the United Nations, telling UN members who reacted to his statement on media killings to “go home and sleep.” This prompted UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon to say he was extremely disturbed by the suggestion that corrupt members of media who destroy reputations and get killed had it coming. The President-elect’s minions have had to make an effort to minimize the impact of this statement. His spokesman lawyer Salvador Panelo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay have said everything they could to exonerate Duterte from blame. Echoing Panelo’s claim that Du30 was misquoted by media despite the existence of videos proving the indeed apparently endorsed the extra-judicial killing of corrupt members of media, now comes Yasay coming out with that ludicrous cop-out that what Du30 said about media should not be taken as policy. After all, he added, Duterte was still

only mayor of Davao City. My gulay, is Yasay now telling us that whatever Du30 intends to do as president should not be taken seriously? Does he think we are all idiots? In a way, the public is getting used to the loquacious incoming president, a crude, foulmouthed, self-confessed killer and womanizer who has no compunction about cursing. I am horrified at the thought of him continuing to behave this way when he is already president. Imagine him uttering these words before an international audience. I cannot believe he will metamorphose as he said he would. He is already 71. Can a zebra change its stripes? Somebody close to Duterte should tell him that silence is golden. He should be the one more circumspect because as president, whatever he says and does will be news.

I am horrified at the thought of him continuing to behave this way.

*** Let me quote Section 5, Rule 10 of Comelec Resolution No. 9991, on the failure of persons elected to public office to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures. For the May 2016 elections, the deadline was on June 8. “Effect of failure to File Statements—Persons elected to any public office shall not enter upon their duties of their office until they have filed their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures with the relevant Schedules and supporting documents in accordance with the formal requirements set by these rules. “The same prohibition shall apply to the party which nominated

DUTERTE’S MEDIA ISSUES WHEN President-elect Rodrigo Duterte made his controversial statement about corrupt journalists and media personalities, he was simply being frank. In fine, Duterte said that corrupt journalists, like drug lords, have their share of enemies, and it will not come as a surprise if their enemies kill them. Although Duterte’s critics consider that remark as an endorsement of the extra-judicial killing of journalists, it was also a wake-up call for media personalities who have not been living up to the ethical standards of the profession. Duterte didn’t actually endorse the extra-judicial killings, and he never said anything about letting killers of journalists go unpunished. Under ideal circumstances, of course, Duterte’s message could have been expressed in less sweeping or antagonistic language, but then Duterte is not known for vague, equivocal statements when it comes to his disdain for crime and corruption. During the presidential campaign, the electorate knew of Duterte’s penchant for tough, menacing, or even profane language. This penchant notwithstanding, millions of Filipinos still gave Duterte their nod at the ballot box and, ultimately, a victory which even the Smartmatic computer wizards (who were billeted at the same hotel at the Araneta Center in Quezon City where the Liberal Party national headquarters was also located) were unable to dilute without inviting suspicion and public anger. Duterte’s remark about corrupt journalists was not well-taken by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), a group of foreign news correspondents. RWB urged the local news media to boycott all of Duterte’s future press conferences, and to stop covering him altogether. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also criticized Duterte by branding the presidentelect’s remarks as a justification the winning candidate who had failed to file its Statement of Contributions and Expenditures as required herein within 30 days from the conduct of elections.” Clear enough, right? Will the Comelec now relent with the appeal of the Liberal Party and to extend the filing of their SOCE up to two more weeks? To do so, would violate the Comelec resolution which explicitly says the deadlines are final and non-extendible. The silence of the Comelec led by Chairman Andres Bautista on this matter is deafening. Now if Bautista and the Comelec en banc extend the deadline for the filing of the SOCEs of the LP and its candidates, this would only show that the poll body is truly an ad-

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA of the murder of journalists in the Philippines. In a style typical of UN officials, Ban condemned Duterte for his “apparent endorsement of extra-judicial killings.” In response, Duterte declared that he would no longer speak to the news media personally, and any public announcements from his office will be made through the government television channel, PTV-4. According to Duterte’s camp, this move will effectively reduce the likelihood of his getting “misquoted” or “misunderstood” by the local and international media. There is no provision in the Constitution or in any statute which requires the President of the Philippines to conduct regular press conferences, or which prohibits the president from conveying his public announcements exclusively through the government-operated media. What happens now? The RWB suggestion that the local media should boycott Duterte is impractical and absurd. While the president can run the government without the news media, the latter do not enjoy the same independence. The news media depend much on the coverage of the president. What will the local news be without stories about the president? It’s no big deal for a foreign group like RWB to boycott Duterte because it has other international stories to report. The situation for the local news media is different. The Filipino people always want and need to know what the highest elected officer in the land has done or is up to, and they expect the local news media to provide that information. Evidently, the local news media will be at the losing end if it boy-

junct of the BS Aquino administration. Another question that comes up is why the Liberal Party did not submit on time even as the other parties and their candidates did. Obviously, the LP and its candidates, winning or losing, knew that the Comelec won’t apply its resolution to the administration candidates. Didn’t somebody say in the past: What are we in power for? But why was the Liberal Party delayed in its filing? Was it because the BS Aquino administration funded most of its expenses with government funds? It would seem so since the LP candidates, winning or losing, filed their statements on time. It would now seem that

cotts the president. Fortunately, local media organizations have decided against the boycott urged by the RWB. UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon’s criticism of Duterte is uncalled for. Since Duterte is not yet the president, Ban should respect the incumbency of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III. Consular protocol likewise requires Ban to course his sentiments against Duterte to the Philippine delegation at the UN, since his remarks are critical of the incoming president of a sovereign state. Ban himself tacitly acknowledges that his criticism of Duterte is a speculative remark. This is confirmed by Ban’s use of the phrase “apparent endorsement” in his statement against Duterte. Ban may be the UN chief but his post does not authorize him to make irresponsible remarks against Duterte before international fora. Instead of hitting the Philippine president-elect, Ban should engage in some introspection about what the UN has done under his watch. Ban has yet to explain to the international community the UN’s miserable failure to solve the problem of refugees fleeing the fighting in the Middle East and the refusal of Eastern European countries to accept them; the destruction of world heritage sites in Iraq in the hands of terrorists; the rampant piracy off the southeast coast of Africa; the violence against civilians in Zimbabwe; the food shortage in Venezuela; and the drug cartel in Colombia which threatens the safety of the world. As a South Korean, Ban should use his office as UN head to address North Korea’s obvious plan to develop a nuclear arsenal. Ban’s inability to check the North Korean menace only underscores that the UN under Ban’s watch is inutile. PTV-4 is a white elephant of the government. PTV-4 suffers from a serious credibility problem because it is owned by the government, and Continued on A11

indeed, public funds were used by BS Aquino for his candidates. Take the case of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, spending P423 million in her campaign, even more than her rivals did. We all know that to become a national candidate, one should be prepared to spend at least P1 billion. BS Aquino only managed to have his sister, Kris, contribute P31 million, and another sister, Viel, P1 million for Leni. Where did the rest of her contributions come from? *** I almost fell out of my chair when I heard BS Aquino tell Maria Ressa of Rappler, in a television interview: “I am an agent of change.” How is he an agent of change when he leaves a

legacy of ineptitude, lack of empathy, and selective justice all in the name of “Daang Matuwid”? This was precisely why Duterte was elected by more than 16 million voters. Duterte exemplified change that the BS Aquino administration could not give to the people. Oh, well...at least BS Aquino would no longer be with us come July 1. Whatever he says now should be taken with a grain of salt. BS Aquino is history. But, honestly, I will miss him. In the past six years, I have had so many things to write about: his mistakes, shortcomings and lies. I have been a journalist for over 66 years and I consider him the worst president this country has ever had.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

A11

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

ONE CHINESE CITY HAS FIGURED OUT THE FUTURE By Christopher Balding CHINA’S Xi Jinping recently declared that he wants China to rank as one of the world’s most innovative countries by 2020 and to top the list by midcentury. Going by past practice, this probably means a lot more money being poured into dodgy startups and ill-conceived hightech schemes. There’s a better model to be found, however, one that’s surprisingly close to home: the southern boomtown of Shenzhen. The city’s Nanshan district, home to a huge High-Tech Industrial Park, is now China’s richest, with a higher per capita GDP than even capitalist Hong Kong, just across the border. Indeed, Shenzhen’s rapid success could well be more remarkable than the latter’s: Little more than a fishing village in 1979, when Deng Xiaoping decided to launch China’s reforms in a special-economic zone there, Shenzhen has since grown into a megacity of more than 11 million people with a GDP five times Macau’s. At an average of $727 per square foot, real estate prices are higher than anywhere

in the US; the city will soon be home to the world’s fourth-largest skyscraper. It’s little wonder that in 1992, when support for his reform agenda was flagging, Deng returned to the city to remind Chinese of the virtues of entrepreneurship and private enterprise. Today some 8,000 tech companies have set up shop in the city, including Internet giant Tencent and telecommunications company Huawei Technologies, as well as the world’s largest drone maker; the $3-trillion Shenzhen exchange is devoted to high-growth tech startups. Beijing Genomics International, a public-private partnership, provides rapid DNA data downloadable anywhere in the world via Amazon cloud services. Lighting company LEDSFilm is manufacturing the smallest and brightest studio and entertainment lights in the world. Not every city in China can become Silicon Valley, of course. And Shenzhen had a particularly good base upon which to build, given that the surrounding Pearl River Delta is home to the thousands of nimble manufacturers that assemble most of

Declarations... From A9 Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, and several others in the Visayas Islands, where the revolution broke out in several towns at the same time as the aforementioned pacification, and others even before, whence the independence of our country and regaining our sovereignty are assured.” There is recognition of our alliance with the United States of America, describing the country that is soon to be an enemy as “the powerful and humanitarian nation.” For the first time, I have found out that the colors blue, red, and white in our flag “commemorate those of the flag of the United States of North America, as a manifestation of our deepest gratitude to this great nation, for the generous protection that they give us and will continue to give us.” Finally, the sole foreigner officially witnessing the ceremony was Mr. L. M. Johnson, a Colonel of Artillery of the USA. The heart of the declaration of course is the assertion of our rights as Filipinos: “That they are, and have the right to be, free and independent; that they are free from complete allegiance to the Spanish Crown; that any political ties between them have been and should be completely cut and terminated; and that, likewise, like any free and independent state, they have complete authority to declare war, form alliances, regulate commerce, and execute all other actions and responsibilities reserved for independent states. With strong confidence in the protection of Divine

the world’s consumer appliances. But the city itself has gotten some key fundamentals right. First and foremost, it’s a true melting pot. To a far greater extent than other Chinese megacities, Shenzhen has eased the path for migrant workers to become full citizens: Anyone who buys an apartment is entitled to full residency rights. Ambitious risk-takers from around the country flock to the city to make their fortunes, unencumbered by history. By contrast, Beijing remains the preserve of party elites, while Shanghai is notorious for shunning outsiders. In both cities, bureaucratic infighting and middle-class resistance continue to hamper efforts to liberalize the “hukou” system of household registration. That condemns low-skilled migrants to black-market status in areas like education and restricts the flow of labor to where it can most effectively help businesses grow. If China’s cities want to develop ambitious, hard-working and entrepreneurial work forces, they need to do better at welcoming newcomers who embody those traits.

Providence, we shall stand by this declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and what is most sacred for us, honor.” All over the 1898 declaration of independence is text deferring to the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo, explicitly recognized as dictator and “Supreme Chief of this nation, which will start today and will have a life of its own, in the belief that he is the instrument chosen by God, despite his humble origins, to pursue the redemption of this unfortunate country, as foretold by Dr. Jose Rizal in the magnificent verses that he composed moments before his execution, freeing it from the yoke of Spanish domination.” The Act also confers “upon our famous Dictator Emilio Aguinaldo, all the powers necessary to run his government, including the prerogatives of pardon and amnesty.” As Eman pointed out to me, our declaration has similarities with the American Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man (promulgated in 1789 after the French Revolution). For example, all these texts makes reference to Divine Providence (Philippines), Creator (USA) or Supreme Being (France) from whom the power to declare independence by oppressed peoples emanate. They describe the reasons for independence or liberation (in the case of the French revolution) and the abuses suffered under their previous masters. What are missing in the Philippine declaration are the lofty words you find in other texts that assert the equality of all citizens. For the

Second, Shenzhen has created the most business-friendly environment in China. It’s relatively easy to set up a company and to transfer funds overseas. The World Bank generously estimates it takes more than 31 days and 11 different procedures to start a business in China. Officials in Shenzhen’s Qianhai Enterprise Zone boast they can register a foreign-invested firm in eight days. Thriving venture capital and private equity firms now fill the city, which helps foster risk-taking. Given its lack of natural resources, Shenzhen has focused instead on freeing people to innovate: Together the government and local companies invested more than $3 billion in R&D last year, nearly 6 percent of GDP; the nationwide average is only 2.3 percent. All across the city, posters declare that “innovation [is] encouraged and failure tolerated.” City officials actively promote more open financial markets, so that entrepreneurs have an easier time tapping funding. Most importantly, rather than heeding government diktats about what and how much companies should produce, the

USA, it is the belief that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The French declarations asserts that “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” It goes on to say: “The purpose of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” I end with this observation that this lack of a common purpose, other than independence from a colonial power, was fatal to the short-lived first Philippine republic. Independence, as I learned from my history professor Vicente Rafael, was not equivalent to freedom and liberation, the latter two being more important for most Filipinos (especially the poor). To this day, for a country of many islands and peoples, we continue to be challenged to find that common purpose (the question of whether we should celebrate independence on June 12 continues to be resisted by those who saw Aguinaldo as a traitor). While elections, in a democracy, is supposed to help us decide as a society which direction to go. But they have not functioned that way in our country, including the aftermath of our latest electoral exercise. On this independence day, is it too much to hope that our leaders and all of us citizens step up and work together for a better country? Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

city’s thriving private-sector competes fiercely to develop products that can survive in a cutthroat market. Elsewhere in China, the government still coddles state-owned incumbents despite their excessive indebtedness, poor record at creating new jobs and overall inefficiency. Finally, in order to thrive, new businesses need a solid regulatory structure that consistently enforces clear rules. Many local lawyers are licensed in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, making cross-border agreements easier. A local free-trade zone now offers Hong Kong legal adjudication for companies fearful of more capricious mainland courts and regulators. Deng’s reforms in 1979 were rooted in a single thought: They empowered individuals and promoted entrepreneurialism, rather than reinforcing the state-dominated status quo. If China truly wants to build a 21st-century economy—a must, given its shrinking population and rising labor costs—it’s going to have to do the same. Shenzhen is proof the formula works. Bloomberg

The real... From A9 just one of the candidates for the top post, some senators grumbled. And just where did Cayetano get his supposed authority to hand out committee chairmanships in the Senate? “This is what Duterte wants,” Cayetano reportedly told his colleagues. Well, a bunch of senators decided that if Duterte really wanted Cayetano to be their leader and to distribute chairmanships, maybe he should tell them himself. So they went to Davao City and asked the president-elect. The incoming president told the visiting senators that he gave Cayetano no such authority. And when they returned from Davao, they declared that they, almost to a man, were voting for PDP-Laban Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as the next Senate president. Of course, the Senate hasn’t actually voted in a new leadership yet, so Cayetano technically still has a chance of being elected. But the fact that no senator is disputing Pimentel’s prospective election speaks volumes about how Cayetano’s bid is now as dead as Ferdinand Marcos Sr., whose remains the Taguig senator doesn’t want interred in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. Duterte has time and again said that he wants Marcos buried in the cemetery. But he never demanded that the Senate elect Cayetano as its president.

Duterte’s... From A10 as such, it is expected to side with the government. This explains why PTV-4 programs, except for the daily lotto draws, have no viewers. This column recommended PTV-4’s abolition a long time ago. With Duterte’s plan to utilize PTV-4 as the exclusive outlet for his public announcements, an extension on the life of this useless government television channel may be justified in the meantime. *** Last week, this writer attended the unofficial opening of Uma Uma Ramen, a new Japanese noodle house at the Maison Marina Way across the SM Mall of Asia area. Guests enjoyed samples of ramen made from the rich, thick broth of Tonkotsu pork bones cooked over a slow fire under the watchful eyes of a Japanese chef. The roasted meat dishes have a distinct, robust flavor unlike those served in other Japanese eateries. No monosodium glutamate is used on the food. Uma Uma Proprietor Russell Yu is inviting food lovers to its formal opening on June 15.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Penguins win 4th Stanley Cup title LOS ANGELES—Sidney Crosby collected two assists Sunday and was named MVP of the Stanley Cup finals as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat San Jose 3-1 in game six to claim their fourth NHL championship. The Penguins have won all four of their championships on the road as they beat the Sharks four games to two to earn their first Stanley Cup title since 2009. They also won back-toback championships on the road in 1991 and 1992. “Everyone has a part in this and it feels really good to win the last game of the season,” said Crosby, who was the first to touch the trophy before passing it on to teammate Trevor Daley. The victory is another feather in the cap of Crosby’s brilliant career which includes two Olympic gold medals and now two Stanley Cup titles.

Sidney Crosby (center) lifts the Stanley Cup in celebration after their 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final. AFP

Murray, Lendl reunite LONDON—Andy Murray believes his decision to reunite with former coach Ivan Lendl will play a key role in the battle to end Novak Djokovic’s reign as world number one. Murray announced on Sunday he has agreed to resume his relationship with Lendl two years after they parted ways and the world number two immediately set his sights on unseating Djokovic. The Serb holds all four Grand Slam crowns after beating Murray in the French Open final earlier this month and has won 24 of their 34 encounters, including 13 of the last 15. Murray enjoyed a golden period during his previous two-year spell with Lendl, becoming the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title for 77 years in 2013 after landing the 2012 US Open crown and a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. AFP

The 28-year-old Canadian Crosby assisted on Kris Letang’s second period goal and Patric Hornqvist’s empty netter with 62 seconds left on the clock in front of a crowd of 17,500 at the SAP Center arena in San Jose. It was Hornqvist’s ninth goal of the postseason. Brian Dumoulin scored a powerplay goal for the Penguins. Logan Couture, scored the only goal for the Sharks, who were competing in their first Stanley Cup final in their 25year franchise history. This was one of the most unlikely NHL championship teams in recent times as they struggled mightily to find their game in the first half of the season, taking a back seat to Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals in the competitive Eastern Conference standings. AFP

Hamilton dedicates win to Ali MONTREAL, Canada—Lewis Hamilton secured his second straight victory of the season and his fifth on his favorite circuit on Sunday when he revived his title defense with a memorable triumph at the Canadian Grand Prix. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. That was for Muhammad” said the Englishman in tribute to the late Muhammad Ali as he drove his slowing down victory lap. The 31-year-old Briton, who ended seven winless months with his victory in Monaco last month, delivered a gutsy and well-judged drive in his Mercedes to recover from a poor start and finish ahead of Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari. Finn Valtteri Bottas repeated his success of 2015 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when he claimed the Williams team’s first podium finish of the season in third place. Hamilton has now cut teammate Nico Rosberg’s lead from

43 points to nine in the last two races to set himself up for a tilt at his fourth title. Record breaking Dutch teenager Max Verstappen was fourth for Red Bull, finishing ahead of championship leader Rosberg who was fifth in the second Mercedes after a last lap spin. Kimi Raikkonen finished sixth in the second Ferrari, ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull and Nico Hulkenberg of Force India. Spaniard Carlos Sainz came home ninth for Toro Rosso and Sergio Perez was 10th in the second Force India. Rain swirled as the drivers prepared for the start on a ‘cold’

track measured at 24 degrees Celsius. The air temperature was barely 12. When the lights went out, Vettel switched on with a vengeance and, from third on the grid, found the speed in his Ferrari to swerve left and pass both Mercedes as they started together off the front row. It was a stunning move. Hamilton did his best to hang on to the Ferrari and, in the process, squeezed Rosberg inside him and the German went off, rejoining in the pack and falling to 10th by the end of the opening lap. It stayed that way for the opening six laps with Hamilton moving within a second of Vettel at the front and Verstappen third, five seconds adrift, ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Ricciardo. Hamilton, however, was unable to find the pure power to catch and pass Vettel, clear proof that Ferrari’s updated turbo had given them an engine to match the Mercedes. The position changed on lap 12 when, as a Virtual Safety Car spell

– used because of a blazing Honda engine failure for Jenson Button’s McLaren – came to an end, Vettel pitted for ‘super-soft’ tires and Hamilton took the lead. Vettel rejoined in fourth place, behind the Red Bulls and 11 seconds down on Hamilton. The German was clearly relishing his car’s potential and, after a furious attack, passed his former teammate Ricciardo in the hairpin and then Verstappen to take second. By lap 22, Hamilton’s lead was down to eight seconds, but he knew Vettel had to make a further pit-stop for the mandatory yellowwalled ‘soft’ tires, as he did. Hamilton pitted at the end of lap 24, his lead trimmed to five seconds. He emerged in second place, 12 seconds behind Vettel, but knowing the German still had to pit again. For Hamilton, with 45 laps remaining, it was all about preserving his tires for the anticipated final scrap. For Rosberg, it was a battle for position as he chased Bottas for sixth. AFP

Artemis wins America’s Cup Chicago leg CHICAGO—Artemis Racing clinched victory in the America’s Cup World Series event in Chicago on Sunday as Emirates Team New Zealand retained their overall lead in the prestigious yachting event. The Swedish team put together its most consistent performance of the series to clinch the event with 61 points, ahead of Land Rover BAR, second with 58. Another day of racing in front of packed grandstands on the shores of Lake Michigan -- the first time America’s Cup racing has been held on freshwater -- saw Land Rover BAR take the first race of the day. Artemis Racing then notched their second victory of the weekend in race two, holding off a

fierce challenge from Oracle Team USA. The final race of the day was won by SoftBank Team Japan after a slew of penalties to their rivals after the first mark. “I’m a bit relieved,” said Artemis Racing skipper Nathan Outteridge. “We finally had a very good day of weather and our team rose to the occasion. “We recorded nothing worse than a fourth all week, and we said at the start of the week that finishing top three in every race would be good enough to win, and we did just that.” Land Rover BAR skipper Ben Ainslie, the four-time Olympic champion yachtsman from Britain, said he was satisfied with second. “As a team we are happy with

second place,” Ainslie said. “We would have liked to have the win, but Artemis Racing sailed very well today.” Team New Zealand meanwhile held onto the lead in the overall standings after a fourth place finish. The Kiwis lead with 295 points, ahead of Land Rover BAR on 285 and Artemis on 262. “It was sensational racing today and to come away with our overall lead still intact is fantastic,” said skipper Glenn Ashby. Overall ranking position in the America’s Cup World Series, which features the spectacular AC45 foiled catamarans, will determine the starting points score of the teams in the America’s Cup qualifiers in 2017. AFP

Artemis Racing glides through the water as it sails during Day 2 of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Race on June 12, in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

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FWD, pro league ink pact

FWD Life Philippines inked a three-year partnership with the PBA to become the official insurer of Asia’s first pay-for-play league. Photo shows (left) FWD Philippines President and CEO, Peter Grimes, and PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa (right) following the announcement of the partnership between the two esteemed organizations.

THE fastest-growing insurance firm in the Philippines, FWD Life Philippines, is empowering Filipino cagers to compete with confidence and play to win, secure in the knowledge they are covered by the insurer in a new three-year partnership the Philippine Basketball Association announced on Monday. FWD Life Philippines signed a threeyear partnership with the PBA to become the official insurer of Asia’s first pay-for-play league. Through the partnership, FWD underlines its position as a game-changer in the local insurance sector and its desire to support Filipinos and their passions and their lifestyles, in this instance aligning the company with the national love of basketball. “We are delighted to be partnering with PBA, a prestigious Filipino sporting organization,” said FWD Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Grimes. “At FWD, we have always embraced sports, a passion for many of our customers. Joining hands with the PBA is important for us as we want to show our support and encourage our home-grown Filipino athletes to perform to their full potential.” The PBA welcomes the new partnership with like-minded FWD with a mutual passion for sports in the Philippines. “It is with great pride that we welcome

RC Cola-Army team to beat in Superliga A HEATED, wide-open derby is expected when the Philippine Superliga fires off its All-Filipino Conference this Saturday, at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan. With three-time champion RC Cola-Army eager to clinch yet another title, all seven other teams also aim to bring down what has emerged as a dynasty in this top-level women’s interclub volleyball tournament that will be aired live over TV5 and Aksyon TV. The Lady Troopers didn’t shake their roster and they remain a strong force with the

fluid chemistry developed by the battle-scarred veterans in Rachel Anne Daquis, Honey Royse Tubino, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Nerissa Bautista, Michelle Carolino and Tina Salak. RC Cola-Army reigned supreme in the PSL Invitational Conference over a solid Est Cola club, a young squad composed of Thailand’s National Team B earlier this year.

Few weeks later, RC Cola-Army A of Gonzaga and Bautista outfought Cherry Rondina and Patty Jane Orendain of Foton to rule the PSL Challenge Cup beach volleyball tournament. But the Lady Troopers will no longer be alone at the top. F2 Logistics, Petron, Cignal and Foton all vowed to knock the crown off the Lady Troopers’ heads while Generika,

Standard Insurance-Navy and Amy’s Kitchen-Perpetual are also capable of pulling off upset. The Cargo Movers are tipped as emerging heavy contenders after hiring the nucleus of the La Salle team that crushed mighty Ateneo de Manila in the recent UAAP finals showdown. They also drafted Ara Galang as top overall pick in the PSL Annual Rookie Draft and retained the services of Aby Marano, Cha Cruz, Paneng Mercado and Danika Gendrauli.

FWD to our growing PBA family. We’re looking to strengthen our ties with FWD in the coming years,” shares PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa. “Because of this collaboration, we feel protected knowing that we have partnered with a trusted insurance brand that urges Filipinos to pursue their passions and live life without hesitation.” Sports as a passionate way of life Basketball, considered by many as the national pastime of Filipino men, women, and children alike is at the center of a sports culture that is deep rooted throughout the country. From street basketball courts in nearly every corner of every barangay, to families and friends huddled together watching their favorite PBA teams’ face-off against each other on national television, basketball has always occupied a large part of our being as Filipinos. “It really makes sense for us to tap into sports as a passion point, especially one that is seen as a trademark Filipino activity,” Grimes added. FWD’s partnership with the PBA commenced last year with the brand appearing on courtside roll-tech banners. With the recent deepening of the partnership, FWD now has a number of innovative marketing initiatives in the pipeline, all focused on ensuring an entirely unique and engaging experience for everyone involved.

Promoter lauds PH pug MULTI-AWARDED Australian promoter Peter Maniatis praised the performance of young Filipino prospect Neil John Tabanao, who scored what Maniatis described as “a massive upset” when he won by a spectacular third-round technical knockout over unbeaten former Olympian Ibrahim Balla to win the vacant World Boxing Organization Oriental featherweight crown Saturday night at the Bendigo Stadium in Victoria, Australia. Maniatis, a frequent visitor to Manila and co-manager of flyweight contender Randy “Razor” Petalcorin, said Tabano put on “an excellent performance against Balla, who was considered one of the next stars of Australian boxing. Tabano is very strong and a very good boxer.” The Filipino nailed Balla with a vicious left hook to drop him for the first time in Round 3 and then followed up with a terrific uppercut to send the Aussie to the canvas for a second time and although Balla beat the count, he was on wobbly legs forcing the referee to call a halt at 1:47 of the round. Ronnie Nathanielsz

Gonzales, Bacojo share chess honors JULIUS Gonzales racked up three victories in the last four rounds, including the last over Noel Geronimo to emerge as solo champion in the juniors’ division, while Mark Bacojo topped the kiddies’ play in the National Capital Region leg of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships at SM Megamall Event Center in Mandaluyong last Sunday. Gonzales, who shared the lead with three others after five rounds Saturday, ended the giant-killing spree of Philip Oncita at resumption, crushed Marie Lagrio then bounced back strong from an eighth-round setback to Istraelito Rilloraza with a victory over Geronimo as the La Salle-

Greenhills bet pooled an eightpoint total in the nine-round Swiss system tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell. Rilloraza scored 3.5 points in the last four rounds and wound up with 7.5 points, nipping Lee Palma and Jester Sistoza in the tiebreak to clinch runner-up honors. Palma also closed out with 3.5 points to edge Sistoza, who had 2.5 points in the last four, for third place and the last berth in the grand finals slated in October. Francois Marie Magpily, made 2.5 points in the last four rounds to finish with 6.5 points and clinch the lone female berth in the grand finals along with kiddies top female player Rheam Arah de Guzman and

Rowelyn Joy Acedo from the seniors’ category. On hand during awards rites were Melanie Bularan, Social Performance and Social Investment manager of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, one of the top products of the longest-running talent search in the country. Bacojo, a mainstay of Escuela de Sto. Rosario, won two and drew twice in the last four rounds to assemble eight points and bag the crown in the 7-12 division, towing Chester Reyes and Cedrick Gaddi to the national finals along with the other winners of the four other regional qualifiers of the annual circuit sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Manila swim tournament. Manila Sports Council chairman and Philippine Basketball Association great Philip Cezar (left) and MASCO vice chairman Norby Rivera (right) award medals to the winners of the 1st Mayor Erap Inter-Pool Swimming Competition at the Dapitan Sports Complex last Sunday. The swimming tournament kicks off a series of sporting events lined up by MASCO for Manila’s youth for the rest of the year.

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Green banned for Game 5

OAKLAND—Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was issued a one-game suspension by the NBA on Sunday, sidelining him for the Monday’s potential title-clinching fifth game of the NBA Finals.

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

P0 M+ P0 M

0-0

The defending champion Warriors, who seized a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 108-97 victory over Cleveland on Friday, vowed to win the crown at home for Green. “It sucks now that he’s not going to be on the floor,” Warriors star guard Stephen Curry said. “He gives us that fire and that attitude GREEN we need. We love that about him and now we have to go out and get a win for him.” Green struck Cavaliers star LeBron James in the groin with a flailing hand with 2:48 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday after the two had tangled bodies and James stepped over Green as he was on the court. “I felt like at that point in time it was a little bit outside of basketball,” James said of Green’s foul. Green, who was nearly done with Sunday’s practice when told of the ban by Warriors coach Steve Kerr, had told NBA TV he felt insulted by James’ step-over move. “He stepped over me,” Green said.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

This is to inform the public that Ma. Angelica Natan is no longer connected with Cirrus Global, Inc. effective June 10, 2016.

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.

All transactions entered into by above-mentioned person for and on behalf of the Company after the said date shall no longer be honored by the Company.

( T S - J U N E 14 , 2 016)

Republic of the Philippines Provincial Government of Aurora Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) BAC Office, Provincial Capitol Building, Baler, Aurora 3200, Philippines Standard Form Number: SF---GOODS-05 Revised on: July 28, 2004

The PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AURORA, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites all eligible suppliers/manufacturers/distributors/contractors to bid for the hereunder project: Name Of Project

Location

Approved Budget for the Contract

Procurement of Lowbed Truck (Self Loading) Reconditioned • Diesel Engine, 360 HP • Double Differential, Double •I-Beam • Standard Size tires with outrigger legs/hydraulic • Jack loading arm • Loading Capacity 28-30 tons (28,000 kg – 30,000 kg) • Bed Length 27-32a ft./standard width • 12 wheeler

Baler, Aurora

3,500,000.00

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted. All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Awards of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities

Schedule

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

June 14, 2016-July 4, 2016 until 12:00 NN

2. Pre-bid Conference

June 21, 2016 @ 2:00 PM

3. Submission of Eligibility and Bids

July 4, 2016 until 12:00 NN

4. Opening of Bids

July 4, 2016 @ 2:00 PM

5. Bids Evaluation

July 5,2016

6. Post-Qualification

July 6, 2016

7. Notice of Award

July 7,2016

* Pre-Bid Conference/ Opening of Bids’ date is automatically re- scheduled to the next working day whenever such date is declared a holiday. The BAC will issue to prospective bidders Eligibility Forms upon payment to the Provincial Treasurer’s Office of the PGA of a non-refundable amount for the following approved budget for the contract. 500,000.00 500,001.00 1,000,001.00 5,000,001.00 10,000,001.00 50,000,001.00

below 1,000,000.00 5,000,000.00 10,000,000.00 50,000,000.00 500,000,000.00

= = = = = =

500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00

The Provincial Government of Aurora assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. Only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. The PGA also reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to declare the bidding a failure or waive any defect or informality and to accept bids as may be considered most advantageous to the PGA without thereby incurring any of the following: (a) liability whatsoever to offset expenses or losses the bidder may incur in the preparation of the bids and (b) obligation to inform the affected bidder/s of the grounds for the basis of BAC’s action. SGD. SIMEON A. DE CASTRO BAC Chairman

By Jeric Lopez

Masbate Office Receipts Building in Lot12, City Hall C o m p o u n d , Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City

2016 C o n s t r u c t i o n 6,799,662.93 - 0 6 - of One (1) C o r p o r a t e 179 Unit Covered Receipts Court/MultiPurpose Center, Kinamaligan Resettlement Project, Brgy. M a i n g a r a n , Masbate City

Small “B Building

150

for Building

Category “C” Construction and “D” and of Covered Small “B for Court/MultiBuilding Purpose Center

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 3,500,000.00

TOTAL

NLEX selects NBA veteran as import

FROM one National Basketball Association veteran to another. That’s where NLEX went as it tapped the services of another NBA veteran in Bill Walker as its import in the season-ending Governors’ Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association. Walker, who played as Alaska’s import two years ago, is a tested NBA cager, who had played for the New York Knicks from the 2010 to the 2012 season, and for the Miami Heat in 2015, right after his stint with the Aces in 2014. He also played for the Croatian club Cedevita Zagreb early this year. The Road Warriors were forced to look OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT for another reinforceNATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ment as resident import Al Thornton, who they still want Invitation to Bid for the third conferThe National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA ence, decided to try Board for the year 2016 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment for the following contracts: his luck once more in the United States in Ref. Projects ABC/ Source Duration Required Work No. of Funds (P) (c.d.) PCAB License Description an attempt to make an 2016 Construction of 13,199,400.71 150 Category “C” Construction NBA comeback. -06- One (1) Unit, Two C o r p o r a t e and “D” and of Two Storey 177 (2) Storey, Receipts Small “B for School With another solid 8-Classroom Building Building former NBA player School Building, Kinamaligan coming, NLEX is Resettlement looking to expect Project, Brgy. M a i n g a r a n , Walker to carry a lot Masbate City of heavy load for the 2016 Construction of 7,599,457.18 150 Category “C” Construction team to have success. - 0 6 - NHA-Sorsogon/ C o r p o r a t e and “D” and of Office 178

INVITATION TO BID

“There’s many routes you can take. Don’t step over me like that... I don’t care who you are. I’m not going to back down.” Asked if his step-over move rather than going around Green was disrespectful, James replied, “I don’t disrespect anybody. It’s all in competition. I was just trying to get back into the play.” After NBA officials reviewed the incident, Green’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant one, giving him a one-game ban for a fourth accumulated playoff flagrant foul that will be served Monday. Kerr said Green was “disappointed” but vowed, “We’re going play extremely hard and we’re confident we can win. We’re going to play a lot of people, give a lot of different looks, compete like crazy and I think we’ll give ourselves a great chance to win.” Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, ruled Green made unnecessary contact with James with a retaliatory swipe of his hand to the groin.

( T S - J U N E 14 , 2 016)

The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited projects. Completion of the works is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed a single contract similar to the project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/authorized official representatives or employees of the Contractor who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific project, Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), presentation of Original PCAB License, Contract Agreement and Certificate of Completion/Acceptance for completed similar project/s and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P13,200.00 for Ref. No. 2016-06-177, P7,600.00 for Ref. No. 2016-06-178 and P6,800.00 for Ref. No. 2016-06-179 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on June 14, 2016. Deadline of submission of LOI is on June 27, 2016. The BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/Fax No. 928-8272. The NHA will hold a Pre-bid Conference on June 28, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the NCR Conference Room, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN ONLY to bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City not later than 9:00 a.m. on the date specified below. Schedule of Opening of Bid July 12, 2016

Ref. Nos. 2016-06-177, 178 and 179

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount as stated in Bid Data Sheet (BDS). Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted. The NHA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. (SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

( T S - J U N E 14 , 2 016)

Garcia graces Forum PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia will be the special guest in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum when the weekly session resumes Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate. Garcia is going to discuss what is expected from the government sports agency once the term of outgoing President Aquino is over by the end of the month. At the same time, the PSC chief will personally award the winners of the recent PSC-PSA sportswriting seminar. Appearing in the first half of the forum aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. are Global Boxing Union minimumweight champion Gretchen Abaniel and members of the Philippine jiu jitsu team that won in the IBJJF World Championship in Long Beach, California recently and the 2nd Jiu Jitsu Regional Championship in Hanoi.

Sunday. T ue s day : J un e 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Tabal, sports execs reach compromise By Peter Atencio

FOR now, Cebuana runner Mary Joy Tabal will be allowed to train in Japan with Japanese coach Akio Usami and her personal mentor John Philip Duenas. But, if she makes it to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, national coach Rene Herrera will take over and act as her coach. These are some of the conditions Tabal must follow if she is to be reinstated to the national team. Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico said this as he laid out the conditions which will make it possible for Tabal’s reinstatement. “We had a fruitful discussion. They are asking for a few days to finalize. Then, we can come up with an agreement,” said the 26-year-old Tabal after emerging from a three-hour meeting with Juico at the PATAFA office inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila. Juico said they will make a decision on whether Tabal can join the national team within the next two days. As for her status in Rio, they will have confirmation once the International Asso-

ciation of Athletics Federations comes out with a list of athletes who made the cut on July 11. During the meeting, Tabal took a mandatory drug test conducted by Dr. Alex Pineda. Tabal placed eighth in the Scotia Bank Ottawa Marathon three weeks ago and passed the Olympic standard for the sport. But she did not make the PH national team going to the Rio Olympics outright as she was not a part of the PATAFA national team, hence the request for reinstatement. Over the last six months, Tabal’s time has been improving, with her personal best of two hour, 43 minutes and 34 seconds in the 2016 national Milo Marathon, going down by almost six minutes. She improved it to 2:43.31 when she hit the Olympic qualifying standard in the 2016 Scotia Bank Marathon. With time running out before the Olympiad, officials of the

PATAFA will let Tabal train at the Nippon Sports Science Institute in Yokohama towards the end of July. Tabal earlier trained there for two months last March, before joining the recent Boston Marathon. Duenas can also be involved in her preparations, but it will be with coordination with the coaches of the PATAFA, and Herrera, who will be her official national coach. “She has come here. This forms part of the so-called confidence-building process that we have to go through because of what happened in the past. So, we’re happy that she came with her two benefactors,” said Juico, who met Tabal with PATAFA secretary Rene Unso and marketing chief Edward Kho. Tabal, who came with her sponsors Jonel and Chippi Borromeo of Motor Ace Philippines, sees no problem in complying with the conditions the PATAFA laid out.

Planting the seeds of greatness locker room randy caluag

I HAVE always been telling young writers to choose the sports beat if they want to see the world and enjoy the action. Back then, my initial objective was just to get free entry to the PBA, which at the time, was the no. 1 sports entertainment during the era of the Sonny Jaworski-led Barangay Ginebra. But as I entered the wonderful world of sports, I found out that there’s more to sportswriting than just basketball. I got to know Greco-roman and freeystyle wrestling, Olympic boxing, table tennis and a lot more, bringing me to different parts of Asia. Then, you get to know more, including the problems that hound Philippine sports.

You also forget the gloomy side again when you travel with the athletes as they compete with the best around the world, as I cheer and chronicle their their feats—and their defeats.

*** As I relish the thought of how blessed and privileged this lot where I belong, something just hit me. The Philippines has not won a gold medal in the Olympics and I sit here as if it’s okay, while our neighbors like Thailand, Indonesia and even the tiny-state of Singapore have already had their national anthem played in the greatest games on earth. Boxing is the sport that came closest to giving us that glitter. Although Arianne Cerdena won a gold in bowling in the Seoul Olympics, it was just a demonstration sport and did not count in the gold tally.

The last time we almost got it was when boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr. reached the boxing final, but lost in a controversial decision to Hungarian Daniel Bujilov in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. *** It’s now time to plant the seeds of greatness. That’s why me and my friends from the Philippine Sports Commission, World Boxing Council, MP Highland Gym and Subterranean Ideas, have decided to come up with a social program that will provide boxing lessons to streetchildren in Manila. Selected streetchildren— boys and girls— or those rounded up the streets by the police, will be trained by volunteer pro boxers at the MP Highland Gym in Morayta. They will be bathed, clothed with MP uniforms and fed at the gym.

Rodriguez actually made it to the world’s premier ladies pro circuit on her very first try when she fired a bogey-free 67 in the penultimate round of the five-day elims, virtually securing her place in the Top 20 for automatic berths in next year’s tour. She actually moved to solo third late in the final round with a twounder card but bogeyed No. 17 and settled for a 71 and a 350 total for a share of fourth with Canadian Maude-Aimee LeBlanc, who also finished with a 71. “It’s a dream come true and I’d like to thank those who supported me and believed that I can pull it off someday,” said the 24-year-old Rodriguez, a former Philippine Ladies Open champion who also racked up a number of amateur titles here and abroad. She cited ICTSI chairman and president Ricky Razon and Philippine Golf Tour executive director Narlene Soriano, who backed her local and foreign campaigns during her amateur days under the ICTSI golf program and put up the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour to develop the skills and talent of the country’s golfing ladies. “It is in the LPGT where I toughened up and gained confidence that champion also thanked her par- You helped I can compete against the best,” said ents Cherry and Eli for their all- come true,” andprepare coach for Bong Lo- a text mess World No. 8who duodominated Selena Piekthe (left) Eejfesupport Muskens a return Rodriguez, firstand out shot to Robinsons Land president Go and pez of G. Team TheKennevic Country Asuncion Club, is in Singa three editions of theCorp. LPGT, win- Frederick during match highlighting in thedrew 13thup FDG Badminton who theCup program in 2006 campaign o ningthe halfexhibition of the eight tournaments Championships at Robinsons Place Manila Sunday. produce world class players. headed by in 2014 and sweeping the Order of tolast “Thank you coach for ev- Junior cham Merit titles. The former South Australian erything you’ve done for me. peral, the n

A15

The next PSC Chairman

may not appoint anybody from the initial list, but if he is truly serious about effecting change in every facet of PhilD. ARMERO ippine society, including sports, he Step a prediction in the first who Maehas Frayna, should appoint someone the a 19-y STEPBack BACK place. FEU skills graduating p administrative and managerial the community outset, I’d awaits like towith I to effectively run Ithewas agency, the also said that ogyandstudent, som THEAT sports thewho Far Eastern Uni- making innate the goodness to really care for the batedthank breath, will President-inprediction admire for her ski versity Tamaraws savathletes’ waiting Rodrigo Dutertefor elect as the without anywelfare. bias, but last consider as a friend ing me from falling flat on Some wouldthe prefer that Duterte ap-she was w new chairman of the Philippine Sports Saturday, during openThere point a non-politician, but this isn’t al- from FE my face especially by winning Commission, since the the Rio ing ceremony of the Inter- teammate ways a guarantee a non-politician Olympics is butmen’s a few months away. Commercial UAAP basketball Blitz that and they sure like they would do aTeam good Chamjob as PSC celebrating chair. Ascrown. the major source of funding for Rapid Chess the win I suspect that true to his nature, Janelle a the athletes’ training and participaLast week, I stuck my pionship at the Alphaland gratulated Duterte Mall wouldin appoint someone tion neck in major the PSC outsports and events, predicted Southgate Ma- rest of the girls an whomIhewas can reminded trust to do themet job, someis at that the forefront of the the Tams willPinoy beat athgallanes, with happy sm one who is incorruptible, and someone letes’the drive for aGrowling possible medal UST Tigersin the that aside from being a Later, the FEU Rio games, theand incoming admin- who can accomplish his tasks without for theand title I’m sure former patient of and the do FEU much funfare, it well.power ran away w istration needs to act fast to name glad that I was proven the hospital, I also had another blitz here’s title, and whil To the next PSC chairman, agency’s newThe set win of officials, beginright. saved me association is benot wishingwith thatthe he school or she will up as to celebrat ningfrom with the chairman. the possible ribbing from Morayta—with a basketball, the victo As of late, several names have the task. I would get from my sis- pretty chess player. *** underscored that th cropped up, including those of fora UST graduate, and The Last chessMay player none are talented bunch 5, I is underwent an aangiomer ter, commissioner and chairman from“Butch” others, Ramirez who insisted otherplasty thanprocedure Woman Interever they after I suffered two do. No William and forthat I was foolish to make national Master Janelle meant of course t mild heart attacks. The operation mer commissioner Leon Montemayor, who are both from Davao. Both, was successful, and I’d like to thank however, had already said that they several people for their support, prayers and well wishes for my early would refuse, if offered. Former senator Nikki Coseteng’s recovery. My thank-you list include that of name has also been mentioned, along that of Atty. Guillermo Iroy, the The Standard management, my the PSC current executive director. boss and PSA president Riera Mallari, Also now in the mix is Rain or Shine Atty. Iroy, NCFP Executive Director, coach Yeng Guiao, who has been vo- GM Jayson Gonzales, Jenny Ortouste cal about the needed change in the and the PCSO, Christian Tan, Johny Tam, coach Eric Altamirano, my mom agency’s set-up. Still, there are no signs that any of Nena, sisters Adamar A. Estrada and these personalities will be appointed to his husband Jun, Wena and Emily, head the agency soon. What is sure at my brother Nick, my nieces Chacha this point, however, is that Duterte will and Danielle Day, Ronilyn and Bing, not retain current chairman Richie my nephew Ezra John and the docGarcia and his commissioners, who tors and nurses at the Makati Medical were either appointed by President Center who took care of me during my Noynoy Aquino or recommended confinement. But most of all, I’d like by his maternal uncle an Philippine to thank God for giving me a second Olympic Committee president Jose chance at life. He truly provides despite “Peping” Cojuangco Duterte may or our shortcomings. arman ARMAN d. armero

Gaston boosts PH seniors’ open cast

Participants get off to a strong start in the Alaska Milk Day Run,

which drew more than 12,000 participants at West McKinley, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig yesterday. The annual event, sponsored by Alaska and held in conjunction with the World Milk Day celebration, is staged simultaneously in Metro Manila, Naga, Cebu and Davao.

FORMER national champion Francis Gaston gears up for a showdown with the rest of a crack field vying in the Seniors Open in the 2016 Philippine Senior and Mid-Amateur Open Championship, which unfolds Wednesday at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas. With last year’s champion Eddie Bagtas pulling out at the last minute, a wide-open battle loomed in the centerpiece Open division with

Gaston tipped to slug it out for top honors with the likes of Rudy Amata, Jose Mari Hechanova, Dave Hernandez, Bobby Iñigo, Jose Iñigo, Raul Miñoza, Bong Sison and Rolly Viray in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, hosted by Summit Point and organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. Others in the fold are Alan Alegre, Abe Avena, Mike Besa, Ryu Fukui, Rex Goquingco, Kenjiro Ishihara,

Ben Jacinto, Ed Manzinares, Randy Reyla, Daniel Samaniego and Benjie Sumulong. The Seniors Open features players 55 years old as of June 15, 2016 with the gross stroke play competition spread over three days using the regular men’s blue tees. Also on tap is the 36-hole play for Seniors Division I (60-64), Seniors Division II (65-69) and Super Senior Division (70 and above) set Thursday and Friday.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

T ue s day : J un e 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 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

NU’s Jorelle Singh fires away a kill against Shyra Cabriana and Karen Levina during their Shakey’s V-League encounter.

Cataract shatters PH boxer’s Olympic dream By ronnie nathanielsz

BANTAMWEIGHT Mario Fernandez, considered by the coaching staff and executive director Ed Picson as having a good chance of securing a berth for the Rio Olympic Games in the final AIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been regrettably pulled out of the three-man squad for the qualifiers because of a cataract in his left eye. Fernandez, who just lost out of earning a slot at the last qualifier in China, had a good chance of making it in Azerbaijan, where five boxers in each weight division will qualify for the Olympics. Picson told The Standard that Fernandez himself was concerned that he could be permanently blind if he risked fighting, since he was

also often bothered by double-vision and with his cataract problem on his mind, he was not focused on his mission to earn an Olympic berth in Azerbaijan. Concerned with promising bantamweight Fernandez’s health and safety, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines was left with no choice, but to depart for the

final AIBA Qualifying Event for the 14 to 26 as ABAP seeks to increase Olympics in Baku, Azerbaijan with- the country’s gold-medal chances out the prized Asian Games bronze after light flyweight Rogen Ladon medalist. and lightweight Charly Suarez Fernandez was to leave for Baku earlier clinched berths to the early Tuesday morning, along with Rio Games by winning silver flyweight Ian Clark Baumedals in the Asian/ tista and welterweight Oceania Olympic qualEumir Felix Marcial, ifying tournament in to vie for slots to Rio de Qian’An, China. Janeiro, but after being Although Fernandez diagnosed with cataract won a bronze medal last in his left eye, the 2013 April in China, there and 2015 SEA Games were only three slots gold medallist opted to available for the Olymstay behind to have more fErnAnDEz pics in his weight class tests and undergo treatment. and he ended up as No. 4. Marcial was put in a simiIn the absence of Fernandez, only two boxers, Bautista and Marcial lar situation when he injured will carry the Philippine colors in his hand and had to settle for a the last Olympic qualifier from June bronze medal.

Pro LooP InKS PACt WItH fWD

GrEEn SuSPEnDED In GAME 5

turn to A13

turn to A14

NU tossers rip Oragons, stay in hunt Games tomorrow 4 p.m. – BaliPure vs Laoag 6:30 p.m. – NU vs Air Force NATIONAL University came out smoking from a week-long rest following a five-set setback to BaliPure, blasting Team Iriga, 25-15, 25-16, 25-18, yesterday to bounce back into semifinal contention in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan. The Lady Bulldogs dominated the Lady Oragons all game, putting on a superb court coverage that led to a series of attacks – through quick sets, combination plays or open spikes, including one from Joy Doromal that ended a long rally and the 61-minute romp aired live over ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23. NU coach Roger Gorayeb heaved a sigh of relief after the lopsided win, which he hoped would fuel the team’s surge after a shaky start in the seasonopening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed by Mikasa and Accel. “It (the win) was good for the team’s confidence after two straight losses,” said Gorayeb, referring to their setbacks to Pocari Sweat and BaliPure, the last they blew after taking a 2-1 set lead. NU thus tied its victim at fourth at 2-2 halfway through the single round robin elims with the top four advancing to the crossover semis.

TUESDAY: JUNE 14, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1 Luzon’s power reserves turn thin By Alena Mae S. Flores

BoI’s trailblazer award.

The Board of Investments successfully passes the compliance stage of the Performance Governance System during the Public Revalida at Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. BOI is also conferred the Silver Governance Trailblazer Award by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia and Center for International Professional Experience for garnering a score of 8.9 out of 10 during the Revalida, having convincingly shown BoI’s embrace of the principles of good governance. Shown during the conferment are (from left) Trade undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo, ISA chairman Francisco Duque III and ISA president Alex Lacson.

PLDT, Globe face fines on P70-b deal By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE government agency formed to fight business monopoly on Monday threatened to impose fines on Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom for allegedly not complying with the rules, when they acquired the telecommunication assets of San Miguel Corp. for P70 billion.

“The PCC cannot further comment on the transaction because we have returned the parties’ submissions for non-compliance. As of this time therefore, there is no notice for the PCC to review. We emphasize that the transactions have not been deemed approved,” PCC said in a statement. PCC said it denied the initial filing of PLDT and Globe, which was found to be defective and deficient. It said while the two companies made new submissions consisting of new materials not previously produced in their initial notice to the PCC, the two parties continued to deny that these constituted a refiling. PCC said PLDT and Globe should be guided by Section 17 of Philippine Competition Act which provides that “an agreement consummated in violation of this requirement to notify the commission shall be considered void and subject the parties to an administrative fine of one percent to five percent of the value of the transaction.” “They are also reminded that the PCA is in effect since August 2015. The law is not only about mergers and acquisitions; it also makes illegal, anti-competitive agreements and acts that can be considered abuse of dominant market position, which are separately penalized by the PCA,” the commission said. Both PLDT and Globe claimed PCC had no power to block the transaction. The two companies said the P70-billion transactions with San Miguel Corp. were deemed approved. PLDT first vice president and head of investors relations Melissa Vergel De Dios said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the transactions were “deemed approved” and “not subject to retroactive review”

by PCC. “We have a gesture of good faith an in the spirit of cooperation, voluntarily submitted to the commission certain agreements pertaining to the transactions, for their information and reference, subject to confidentiality,” De Dios said. She said PLDT submitted on June 10 its response to the PCC that the Vega Telecom Inc. notice is “adequate, complete, sufficient and compliant with the requirements under the circulars and does not contain any false material information.” Vega owns an 87-percent stake in Liberty Telecom Holdings Inc., the unit formed by San Miguel. Vega also owns direct and indirect stakes in companies including Bell Telecommunication Philippines Inc., Eastern Telecom Philippines Inc., Express Telecom and Tori Spectrum. Globe assistant corporate secretary and vice president for law and compliance Marisalve Ciocson-Co said the notice sent to PCC was filed pursuant to and in accordance with the agency’s Memorandum Circular No. 16-002. The circular provides that before the implementing rules and regulations for the Philippine Competition Act come into full force and effect upon filing with the PCC of a notice in which the salient terms and conditions of an acquisition are set forth, the transaction is deemed approved by the PCC and it may no longer be challenged. The deal between PLDT, Globe and San Miguel was sealed on May 30, while the PCC rules were published on June 3 and would take effect after 15 days. Co said the supposed “deficiency in form and substance” of the notice was not a ground to prevent the transaction from being deemed approved. “The only exception to the rule that a transaction is deemed approved is when a note contains false material information. In this regard, the company stated that the notice does not contain any false information,” she said.

POWER supply in Luzon was declared under a ‘yellow alert’ Monday, after more than 1,000 megawatts of capacity went offline, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said. National Grid said in an advisory the Luzon grid went on yellow alert from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as capacity reached only 9,649 MW, while demand was at 9,247 MW. “Luzon grid is on yellow alert due to insufficient contingency reserves brought about by a lack of power supply,” National Grid said. Manila Electric Co. senior vice president and head for utility Lawrence Fernandez said power reserves fell below the 647-MW level required to maintain the normal status. Fernandez said this was because of the forced outages of several large plants over the weekend such as Calaca, GN Power, Quezon Power and Sual. He said only GN Power was back on line Monday. “We have begun advising ILP [interruptible load program] participants to prepare for possible activation,” Fernandez said. ILP participants can stop withdrawing power from the grid by using their generating sets to free up demand. Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada confirmed that more than 1,000 MW of capacity went offline, prompting the government to activate the Malaya diesel power plant. Monsada lauded moves by the Energy Regulatory Commission to monitor power outages. “To have the generators to be more responsible because now they have 30 days, 60 days allowance. They [ERC] are planning solutions for power outages such as close monitoring, importing requirements,” Monsada said.

TUESDAY: JUNE 14, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Monday, June 13, 2016

52 Weeks

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

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

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 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 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 1.23 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 5.6 7.1 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 2.8 4.6 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 4 3.89 45.65 45.1 104.00 101.10 97.50 94.35 37.7 37.5 3.10 3.10 1.39 1.38 14.1 13.9 17.78 17.38 7.19 7.11 1.83 1.78 600.00 600.00 0.550 0.540 87.5 83.8 0.93 0.93 15.08 15.00 53.40 52.30 107.4 101.9 265 262 31.75 31.25 200 196.1 65.20 65.00 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp. 46.5 46.5 45.8 Agrinurture Inc. 4.01 4.25 4.08 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.85 0.86 0.83 Alsons Cons. 2 2.02 1.98 Asiabest Group 13 13.32 12.22 C. Azuc De Tarlac 170.20 185.00 170.10 Century Food 21.5 21.6 21.35 Chemphil 165 165 165 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 193 193 187 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 17.3 18 16.82 Concepcion 47.75 47.65 47.5 Crown Asia 2.09 2.12 2.01 Da Vinci Capital 5.45 5.56 5.38 Del Monte 11.64 11.7 11.56 DNL Industries Inc. 9.800 9.900 9.680 Emperador 7.34 7.35 7.25 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.50 5.50 5.21 EEI 7.43 7.50 7.39 First Gen Corp. 22.55 22.65 22.2 First Holdings ‘A’ 66.3 66.4 64.6 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.20 12.20 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.64 14.74 14.60 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.75 5.75 5.7 Ionics Inc 2.350 2.360 2.280 Jollibee Foods Corp. 230.00 232.00 229.20 LMG Chemicals 1.92 1.93 1.92 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.3 3.33 3.15 Macay Holdings 38.85 38.80 37.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.95 27.95 27.2 Maxs Group 28.2 28.2 26.5 Megawide 6.52 6.6 6.5 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 309.80 309.40 304.00 MG Holdings 0.270 0.275 0.270 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.50 4.48 4.48 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.5 3.46 3.44 Petron Corporation 11.60 11.60 11.04 Phil H2O 3.02 3.1 3.1 Phinma Corporation 11.54 11.56 11.52 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.80 6.03 5.81 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.72 1.75 1.65 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.72 2.84 2.79 RFM Corporation 4.25 4.25 4.20 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 215 216.2 215 Splash Corporation 2.5 2.51 2.5 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.150 0.150 0.149 TKC Steel Corp. 1.73 1.74 1.70 Trans-Asia Oil 2.60 2.60 2.55 Universal Robina 193.1 198.1 193.1 Victorias Milling 4.7 4.69 4.6 Vitarich Corp. 0.9 0.9 0.88 Vivant Corp. 30.50 30.50 30.50 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.25 1.24 1.21 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. À’ 0.385 0.390 0.375 Aboitiz Equity 74.85 75.00 72.70 Alliance Global Inc. 15.98 16.00 15.48 Anglo Holdings A 1.16 1.16 1.12 Anscor À’ 6.00 6.00 6.00 ATN Holdings A 0.370 0.370 0.360 ATN Holdings B 0.365 0.365 0.360 Ayala Corp À’ 830 828 801 Cosco Capital 7.83 7.77 7.69 DMCI Holdings 12.88 13.20 12.66 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 6.49 6.49 6.40 Forum Pacific 0.235 0.235 0.220 GT Capital 1420 1447 1408 House of Inv. 6.47 6.44 6.44 JG Summit Holdings 83.50 84.00 82.00 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.73 7.66 7.42 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.7 0.69 LT Group 15.56 15.8 15.38 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.3 6.4 6.16 Pacifica À’ 0.0320 0.0330 0.0320 Prime Media Hldg 1.280 1.270 1.270 Prime Orion 1.840 1.850 1.820 San Miguel Corp À’ 79.00 80.00 77.20 SM Investments Inc. 965.50 987.00 956.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.15 1.17 1.15 South China Res. Inc. 0.80 0.81 0.81 Top Frontier 184.000 183.900 180.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3050 0.3100 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.2050 0.2040 0.2040 Zeus Holdings 0.325 0.335 0.320 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.800 7.820 7.780 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.25 1.30 1.20 Araneta Prop À’ 2.300 2.350 2.210 Arthaland Corp. 0.270 0.280 0.270 Ayala Land `B’ 37.100 37.300 36.400 Belle Corp. À’ 3.29 3.3 3.16 Cebu Prop. À’ 5.98 5.74 5.73 Cebu Prop. `B’ 6.09 5.8 5.73 Century Property 0.510 0.51 0.500 City & Land Dev. 1.00 1.00 1.00 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.100 1.140 1.090 Crown Equities Inc. 0.131 0.134 0.131 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.540 0.540 0.520 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 Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC À’ Security Bank Union Bank

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

SHARES 12,673,836 77,490,133 59,699,442 154,878,382 143,205,046 1,708,288,038 2,159,715,612

4.06 45.7 103.50 95.00 37.55 3.18 1.40 14.1 17.72 7.30 1.78 620.00 0.550 85.5 0.95 14.94 52.30 98.1 262 31.75 198.5 65.20

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.95 45.6 104.00 97.50 37.5 3.10 1.39 13.92 17.5 7.15 1.83 600.00 0.540 87.5 0.93 15.00 52.55 105 264 31.5 196.4 65.10

-2.71 -0.22 0.48 2.63 -0.13 -2.52 -0.71 -1.28 -1.24 -2.05 2.81 -3.23 -1.82 2.34 -2.11 0.40 0.48 7.03 0.76 -0.79 -1.06 -0.15

93,000 5,700 2,686,410 2,158,360 25,600 5,000 60,000 21,700 376,800 36,300 21,000 600 428,000 4,834,270 4,000 82,200 95,570 2,860 140 78,500 489,470 131,580

46.3 4.15 0.85 2 12.9 170.10 21.55 165 192 17.6 47.5 2.07 5.38 11.64 9.810 7.29 5.31 7.50 22.4 64.85 12.20 14.70 5.74 2.300 231.00 1.92 3.33 38.80 27.5 27.5 6.51 305.00 0.270 4.48 3.44 11.06 3.1 11.52 6.01 1.75 2.83 4.24 215 2.5 0.149 1.70 2.58 194.1 4.69 0.9 30.50 1.24

-0.43 3.49 0.00 0.00 -0.77 -0.06 0.23 0.00 -0.52 1.73 -0.52 -0.96 -1.28 0.00 0.10 -0.68 -3.45 0.94 -0.67 -2.19 0.00 0.41 -0.17 -2.13 0.43 0.00 0.91 -0.13 -1.61 -2.48 -0.15 -1.55 0.00 -0.44 -1.71 -4.66 2.65 -0.17 3.62 1.74 4.04 -0.24 0.00 0.00 -0.67 -1.73 -0.77 0.52 -0.21 0.00 0.00 -0.80

1,148,800 1,717,000 256,000 2,488,000 1,200 60 187,200 20 260 643,500 442,400 1,059,000 225,000 54,500 1,985,200 1,360,300 25,253,700 199,300 2,184,100 281,850 29,000 50,200 77,100 1,480,000 437,310 10,000 4,000 2,400 338,200 1,188,300 955,200 250,940 410,000 1,000 2,168,000 14,693,800 2,000 30,000 5,277,800 166,000 316,000 866,000 320 733,000 290,000 505,000 993,000 2,560,770 475,000 2,090,000 500 598,000

0.385 75.00 16.00 1.16 6.00 0.360 0.360 825 7.7 13.20 6.40 0.234 1447 6.44 84.00 7.6 0.7 15.4 6.4 0.0330 1.270 1.830 80.00 987.00 1.15 0.81 182.900 0.3100 0.2040 0.320

0.00 0.20 0.13 0.00 0.00 -2.70 -1.37 -0.60 -1.66 2.48 -1.39 -0.43 1.90 -0.46 0.60 -1.68 1.45 -1.03 1.59 3.13 -0.78 -0.54 1.27 2.23 0.00 1.25 -0.60 1.64 -0.49 -1.54

1,390,000 1,248,670 4,656,500 27,000 38,600 3,330,000 370,000 576,650 3,171,300 2,367,700 28,200 270,000 37,830 11,500 4,003,220 2,060,100 22,000 3,532,600 21,661,500 1,400,000 20,000 793,000 393,600 249,460 37,000 10,000 9,730 390,000 90,000 7,240,000

7.780 1.27 2.300 0.270 37.000 3.16 5.73 5.73 0.500 1.00 1.140 0.134 0.530

-0.26 1.60 0.00 0.00 -0.27 -3.95 -4.18 -5.91 -1.96 0.00 3.64 2.29 -1.85

47,900 6,048,000 1,103,000 420,000 10,640,500 3,686,000 13,800 6,100 5,006,000 17,000 154,000 2,660,000 5,700,000

204,460.00 34,778,655 -12,497,366.00 41,400.00 -1,941,688.00

108,000.00 76,783,181.50 442,585.00 12,810 -27,272,795.00 7,547,874.00 -7,887,510.00 210,000.00

-2,142,395.00 45,960.00 522,900 -20,750.00 3,523,197.00 -8,128,301.00 -57,545,187.00 1,016,348.00 313,725.00 -9,458,979.50 236,624.00 -230,000.00 13,586,154.00 -23,280.00 -6,875,760.00 -3,227,580.00 -65,096.00 -6,987,174.00 -866,180.00 -35,834,078.00 10,212,828.00 8,250.00 736,590.00 898,140.00

-34,200.00 -44,906,791.00 1,991,800.00 5,280.00 15,250.00

2,492,244.50 170,984.00

72,000.00 -148,316,975.00 4,018,332.00 -3,766,506.00 -78,720.00 8,111,725.00 8,372,815.00 -4,426,271.00 27,677,938.00 519,960.00 3,200.00 8,678,264.50 8,060,205.00

-384,000.00 63,102.00 -32,670.00 -251,940.00 2,700.00 -271,835,110.00 -2,412,220.00 25,100.00

53,000.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

Double Dragon 67.75 Empire East Land 0.790 Ever Gotesco 0.155 Global-Estate 0.97 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.99 Interport `A’ 1.28 Megaworld 4.4 MRC Allied Ind. 0.090 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2850 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.460 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 41.90 Primex Corp. 9.19 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.00 Rockwell 1.63 Shang Properties Inc. 3.08 SM Prime Holdings 24.25 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.9 Starmalls 6.39 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.010 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.320

-13.36 0.00 -7.74 1.03 0.50 -0.78 0.00 0.00 1.75 0.00 6.92 6.64 0.86 -3.07 0.97 3.92 0.00 0.16 0.99 -0.38

5,245,460 348,000 10,000 1,561,000 11,233,000 16,000 72,230,000 2,060,000 50,000 600,000 300 1,354,700 1,687,600 62,000 6,000 18,968,900 1,220,000 4,800 417,000 1,706,200

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 1700 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 830 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

3.32 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

1.91 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Liberty Telecom Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.69 -1.89 -1.59 -1.69 0.00 0.35 -3.61 -1.72 -2.45 -2.80 -6.17 1.46 0.00 -0.42 -2.51 0.00 -2.28 -0.76 2.44 0.00 0.00 1.04 -2.94 0.61 -7.26 4.07 -5.70 0.00 -3.45 -2.50 -2.02 -0.75 3.56 -0.80 -2.61 -0.41 -0.42 -0.40 -1.85 -4.60 -0.99 -0.47 -1.17 -1.12 -1.46 0.00 -5.03 0.00 -7.04 -1.53

14,600 136,090 1,000 797,000 100 22,100 3,359,800 17,010,000 495,000 902,640 200 43,000 380 91,645 231,900 1,000 1,513,310 20,900 110 8,000 35,900,000 1,165,000 17,060,000 1,117,000 36,000 22,700 695,000 5,000 1,000 10,000 6,142,000 2,118,000 17,277,000 8,800 40,000 50,000 420 46,000 152,720 8,770,000 14,194,000 4,199,200 1,495,480 354,200 3,901,000 643,000 1,000 869,000 70,000 30,400

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

0.00 0.43 0.00 -0.43 -3.85 -2.99 0.00 -2.11 0.71 -1.08 0.00 0.00 -1.75 -6.67 0.00 -1.61 -1.03 -0.75 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.45 2.74 -1.09 0.00 -0.15 -1.49 -8.33

1,244,000,000 -491,200.00 529,000 -813,500.00 329,000 -88,470.00 80,000 8,800 56,000 -403,138.00 792,000 700,000 1,400 7,784,000 443,300.00 20,000 77,670,000 1,760,000 28,000.00 119,100,000 104,400,000 -1,500.00 213,000 3,416,000 -1,818,180.00 53,000 3,000 11,600,000 3,200,000 5,000 5,362,200 2,077,481.00 2,285,000 -161,460.00 93,100,000 400,310 -4,635,500.00 584,000 19,850.00 30,700,000

70 553 118 515 12.28 1047 78.95 84.8

33 490 101 480 6.5 1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen F GLOBE PREF P Leisure and Resort PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

-1.10 -1.30 1.30 -0.19 -1.83 -1.93 -0.44 0.00 0.07 0.65 0.20

1,597,300 12,610 40 110 283,000 2,500 70,380 8,030 27,900 31,620 72,410

-2.31

248,000

-1.47 -1.52 5.61 -1.44

1,321,000 1,000 602,000 1,543,000

-0.49

11,720

6.98

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

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

66 58 58.7 0.790 0.780 0.790 0.143 0.143 0.143 0.98 0.97 0.98 2.00 1.95 2.00 1.27 1.27 1.27 4.41 4.24 4.4 0.093 0.090 0.090 0.2900 0.2800 0.2900 0.460 0.460 0.460 44.80 43.00 44.80 9.8 9.2 9.8 29.25 28.80 29.25 1.6 1.57 1.58 3.12 3.06 3.11 25.20 24.15 25.20 0.9 0.88 0.9 6.4 6.4 6.4 1.020 1.000 1.020 5.300 5.220 5.300 SERVICES 7.23 7.33 7.28 7.28 50.2 50.2 49.2 49.25 1.26 1.24 1.24 1.24 0.590 0.590 0.570 0.580 11.3 11.3 11.3 11.3 28.5 28.75 25 28.6 5.26 5.26 4.92 5.07 0.0580 0.0580 0.0560 0.0570 2.86 2.86 2.79 2.79 100 99.95 96 97.2 9.89 9.88 9.28 9.28 2.05 2.1 1.95 2.08 960 960 950 960 2370 2360 2270 2360 6.38 6.38 6.21 6.22 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 61.5 62 59.6 60.1 13.20 13.38 13.10 13.10 164 172 168 168 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 9.60 9.70 9.50 9.70 0.340 0.345 0.330 0.330 1.6500 1.6800 1.6300 1.6600 2.48 2.36 2.3 2.3 11.8 12.4 11.98 12.28 3.51 3.44 3.26 3.31 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 0.580 0.560 0.560 0.560 2 1.95 1.95 1.95 2.48 2.48 2.38 2.43 4.00 4.00 3.93 3.97 2.810 3.080 2.840 2.910 12.5 12.5 12.4 12.4 4.98 4.86 4.85 4.85 2.42 2.41 2.41 2.41 119.00 118.50 118.50 118.50 24.80 24.80 24.35 24.70 2054.00 2040.00 1976.00 2016.00 0.435 0.435 0.415 0.415 1.010 1.010 0.970 1.000 42.30 42.50 41.00 42.10 81.15 81.50 80.20 80.20 6.26 6.28 6.19 6.19 2.74 2.78 2.69 2.70 0.580 0.590 0.580 0.580 1.99 1.89 1.89 1.89 3.4 3.48 3.38 3.4 0.355 0.350 0.325 0.330 6.550 6.600 6.300 6.450 MINING & OIL 0.0047 0.0048 0.0045 0.0047 2.31 2.35 2.26 2.32 4.52 4.60 4.35 4.52 0.235 0.234 0.234 0.234 7.8000 7.6 7.5 7.5000 7.3500 7.3500 7.1200 7.1300 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.63 0.475 0.480 0.465 0.465 8.46 8.80 8.48 8.52 0.930 0.930 0.900 0.920 0.310 0.315 0.310 0.310 0.265 0.275 0.260 0.265 0.285 0.285 0.280 0.280 0.0150 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 0.0150 0.0160 0.0150 0.0150 1.86 1.88 1.82 1.83 4.87 4.87 4.6 4.82 2.67 2.67 2.56 2.65 0.6000 0.6000 0.6000 0.6000 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 4.08 3.98 3.95 3.98 8.40 8.72 8.10 8.63 4.60 4.60 4.41 4.55 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 129.30 130.00 128.10 129.10 4.03 4.03 3.9 3.97 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 PREFERRED 50 50 49.2 49.45 539.5 539.5 530 532.5 115 116.5 116.5 116.5 535 534 534 534 1.09 1.08 1.07 1.07 1037 1017 1017 1017 79.85 79.5 77.55 79.5 80.5 81 80.5 80.5 76.55 76.8 76.6 76.6 77 77.5 77.05 77.5 76.8 77 76.5 76.95 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.030 3.040 2.960 2.960 SME 4.07 4.07 3.98 4.01 3.3 3.25 3.25 3.25 3.03 3.25 3.03 3.2 16.64 16.64 16.38 16.4 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.1 123.2 122 122.5

2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,711.45 (UP) 17.94 INDUSTRIAL 11,512.58 (DOWN) 68.24 HOLDING FIRMS 7,540.77 (UP) 66.28 PROPERTY 3,249.88 (UP) 66.28 SERVICES 1,582.85 (DOWN) 25.11 MINING & OIL 11,638.07 (DOWN) 22.43 PSEI 7,554.40 (UP) 44.46 All Shares Index 4,508.36 (UP) 4.11 Gainers: 62; Losers: 128; Unchanged: 42; Total: 232

10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,120,373,501.58 1,308,800,557.54 1,623,482,541.47 1,637,940,660.703 1,325,554,909.7593 170,034,473.91 7,220,180,679.9593

Low

-39,814,414.00

10,839,330.00 -18,642,230.00

-1,210,945.00 -8,525,455.00 28,530.00 95,756,765.00 -119,600.00 -1,374,974.00 -26,955.00

-2,635,102.00 5,700.00 21,469,728.00

8,803,740.00 -366,848.50 -1,680.00 11,500.00 6,363,849.00 -4,720.00 61,500.00

1,745,750.00 3,922,940.00 930,660.00

49,770.00 -4,900.00 -38,067,200.00 20,750.00 -2,605,260.00 9,221,855.00 3,237,923.00 -1,256.00 -257,890.00 -865,090.00 3,500.00

-46,386,825.50

-5,469,452.00 -81,000.00 -1,908,050.00

284,130.00 -85,540.00 -15,964,214.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Phil. Savings Bank

105

7.03

Double Dragon

58.7

-13.36

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

44.80

6.92

United Paragon

0.0110

-8.33

Primex Corp.

9.8

6.64

Ever Gotesco

0.143

-7.74

Italpinas

3.2

5.61

Jackstones

2.3

-7.26

LBC Express

12.28

4.07

Waterfront Phils.

0.330

-7.04

Pryce Corp. `A'

2.83

4.04

Manila Mining `A'

0.0140

-6.67

SM Prime Holdings

25.20

3.92

Centro Esc. Univ.

9.28

-6.17

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.140

3.64

Cebu Prop. `B'

5.73

-5.91

Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

6.01

3.62

Liberty Telecom

3.31

-5.70

NOW Corp.

2.910

3.56

Transpacific Broadcast

1.89

-5.03

TUESDAY: JUNE 14, 2016

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

PH–Georgia friendship park.

The Mabuhay Park or the Philippine – Georgia Friendship Park was inaugurated on June 1 during Georgia’s International Children’s Day. The project is funded by Batumi International Container Terminal LLC, the Georgian subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. Shown at the Tbilisi Zoo are (from left) BICT chief executive and managing director Nikoloz Gogoli, Tbilisi mayor Davit Narmania, Georgian honorary consul Thelmo Luis Cunanan Jr., Georgia Business and Friendship Association Inc. chairman of the Philippines Levan Akhvlediani, Tbilisi Zoo director Zurab Gurieldze and honorary Philippine consul general Teimuraz Chichinadze.

Market rebounds; SM Prime, BPI climb STOCKS rebounded Monday, bucking the downtrend in Asia as investors welcomed the statement of incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte it will prioritize infrastructure spending. Mark Villar, who was named secretary of Public Works by Duterte, said the new government would pursue publicprivate partnership projects to build more toll roads. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 44 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 7,554.40 Monday. The bellwether was up 8.7 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 4,508.36, on value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 128 to 62, while 42 issues were unchanged. SM Prime Holdings Inc., the investment company of tycoon Henry Sy, climbed 3.9 percent to P25.20, while Bank of the Philippine Islands rose 2.6 percent to P97.50. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. gained 2.3 percent to P87.50. DoubleDragon Properties Corp. tumbled 13.4 percent to P58.70. Meanwhile, Japanese stocks led a plunge in Asian markets Monday, tracking a sell-off in the US and Europe on renewed worries about the global economy and uncertainty over Britain’s future in the European Union. Investors extended the selling that saw shares tumble at the end of last week on concern that central banks’ arsenals are running low in their battle to kickstart growth. With AFP, Bloomberg

Avida spending P1b in new Makati project By Jenniffer B. Austria

AVIDA Land, a unit of property developer Ayala Land Inc., is spending P1 billion to build the company’s first low-rise, single-tower residence in Makati City called One Antonio. Avida Land assistant vice president for project and strategic management group Herbert Herrero said in a news briefing the six-story residence would rise on a 7,059-square-meter property at Sacred Heart Street in Barangay San Antonio. The project is a low-density development with only 198 units to be sold at a starting price of P8

million per unit or P150,000 per square meter. Unit sizes range from 56 to 60 square meters for a two-bedroom unit and 62 to 66 square meters for a three-bedroom unit. “One Antonio will appeal to end-users seeking a home closer to the business district, who see Makati as a central location, or

who may be empty nesters considering downsizing. It is also poised to attract investors who are interested in renting out units to Makati-based professionals, or who see the high re-sale value of a Makati property,” Herrero said. Total sales value for tOne Antonio project is expected to reach P1.7 billion. Turnover of One Antonio units is expected in September 2019. The property is situated in a quiet residential corner with nearby landmarks such as the Makati central police headquarters, Makati central post office and Makati Medical Center. Offices, schools, churches, foreign embassies and commercial dis-

tricts such as the Ayala Triangle Gardens and Ayala Center are within a two-kilometer radius. Herrero said One Antonio’s unique design from other Avida developments was conceptualized to complement the peaceful neighborhood community of Barangay San Antonio. Avida Land has a long established presence in Makati with three developments under its belt—Avida Towers Makati West, Avida Towers San Lorenzo and Avida Towers Asten. Avida Land launched 3,354 units of the said Makati developments, with at least 87 percent sold, generating P7.85 billion in total revenues.

Cash descends on Southeast Asia amid stock rally SOUTHEAST Asian stocks are winning fans again, with investors betting a rally that’s driven equities from Bangkok to Manila to the highest levels since the middle of 2015 has room to run. Foreign investors have pumped $596 million into Philippine, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese shares so far in June, wiping out declines in April and early May. Rising commodity prices and dwindling odds of a U.S. rate increase by July are providing a favorable global backdrop, while new leaders, interest-rate cuts and state spending are generating optimism closer to home. The rally will be tested as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen gives clues on the trajectory of US rates on Wednesday, the Bank of Japan meets the next day and the UK votes June 23 on whether to stay in the European Union. Acting

as bulwarks against the potential turbulence are optimism Rodrigo Duterte can spur Philippine growth, Thailand’s infrastructure largess, efforts to cut Indonesian lending rates and Vietnam’s opening up to foreign money. “Asean fundamentals are very strong: budget deficits are coming down and consumer spending is starting to pick up,” said Raymond Kong, who oversees $2.5 billion as a fund manager at One Asia Investment Partners in Singapore. “The rally in Asean is sustainable. It’s not going to be a flash in the pan.” The MSCI South East Asia Index has advanced 5.1 percent so far this year, beating a 3.2 percent decline in the MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index. The gauges were down 1.2 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively, as of 12:12 p.m. in Singapore. Here’s why many fund managers think Asean will

continue to be a regional bright spot. In the Philippines, it was only a matter of weeks ago that the foul-mouthed rants of then presidential frontrunner Duterte were alarming investors and spurring concern that Benigno Aquino’s legacy of shrinking budget deficits and credit-rating upgrades could be threatened. Those worries have evaporated since Duterte’s May 9 victory, which powered a surge in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index and saw foreigners pile into the nation’s equities. The president-elect’s pledges to boost infrastructure spending, cut red tape and invest more in farming have impressed economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., who said last week they could push economic growth, the fastest in Asia last quarter,

even higher. It’s now rising valuations—Philippine shares are the region’s most expensive—that are causing concern, with the market dropping 2.8 percent over Thursday and Friday. “We are expensive but I think the market is okay with the valuation given the growth that the economy is capable of achieving,” said John Padilla, who helps manage about $7.8 billion as head of equities investment at Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. in Manila. “The market is willing to give Duterte the customary honeymoon period and see what he can do.” Like the Philippines, Vietnam also has a new leader with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc taking over in April. He’s reassured investors by pledging to meet a 6.7 percent growth target this year, the same pace of expansion as in 2015. Bloomberg

B4 17,388 circulars, orders now irrelevant By Othel V. Campos EIGHT government agencies need to revoke or repeal about 17,388 laws and regulations that have become irrelevant and burdensome to eliminate red tape and improve the country’s competitiveness. The National Competitiveness Council disclosed the number Monday when it launched a move to repeal or amend these outdated measures. NCC was joined by eight participating agencies, including the Trade, Finance, Energy, Budget, Public Works and Tourism Departments, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. “Right now it’s hard if you look at all the laws, hard to figure out what’s active and what’s inactive. About 2,000 have been repealed but in the Web sites of the agencies or in the roster of active laws people think they are still active. So it’s misleading,” NCC co-chair Bill Luz said during the launch at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. NCC said it would post on its website the laws that have been delisted. NCC said some 3,959 issuances would initially undergo repeal or amendment, mainly composed of department administrative orders, joint administrative orders, memorandum orders and circulars. The said issuances represent a fourth of the total 17,500 regulations the eight agencies are reviewing either for repeal, delisting, consolidation or amendment. Of this number, 1,900 are subject for repeal, while 2,032 previously repealed rules are subject for deletion/delisting from official websites and rosters of regulations and laws. Another 22 similar issuances are subject for consolidation into one legal document, and five are for amendment or deletion of certain provisions.

Asha-Manila Hotel partnership. Leading hospitality school Asian School of Hospitality Arts forms a partnership with 5-star The Manila Hotel for a series of luxury training programs as a part of Manila Hotel’s continuous staff development plan. Shown are (from left) Manila Hotel front office manager Gerald Catacutan, food and beverage director Cristoph Kuch, resident manager Gerhard Doll, The Cravings Group executive director Judith Imperial, Manila Hotel president Joey Lina, executive vice president Enrique Yap Jr. and human resources director Au Caday.

PAL studies Davao as new regional hub By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines said it is looking at Davao as its new hub for regional and interisland operations. “Davao would be another airport we would consider to be a hub. In fact, one of our profitable domestic routes is Davao,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said in a recent interview. Bautista said PAL planned to fly from Davao to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manado, Bali, Australia and Palau. PAL also announced the direct service between Saipan and Manila would start on June 15. “Over the past decades, our ‘ka-

babayans’ have not taken other routes to Manila via Guam. With this new offering, they now have a direct link to our country. The high passenger count is proof that this new flight is keenly awaited,” Bautista said. Filipinos make up 35.8 percent of the total population in Saipan (44,220) or an equivalent of 22,000. Saipan is PAL’s 43rd destination in its international network, which includes countries in Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, the

United States and Europe PAL, now wholly-owned by tycoon Lucio Tan after he bought back a 49-percent stake that San Miguel Corp. purchased from him in 2012, earlier signed a memorandum of understanding in February with Airbus for the acquisition of six A350-900 aircraft with the option for another six for delivery in the years 2018 to 2019. The acquisition of six Airbus A350 was valued at $1.83 million. PAL plans to deploy the A350 extra wide-body, which seats more than 300, on new routes to North America and Europe. The first A350 is scheduled to be delivered in 2018. A350 is the world’s latest generation airliner, featuring the most modern aero-dynamic de-

sign, carbon fiber fuselage and wings. With the Trent XWB engines, A350 operates at 25 percent less fuel burn and emissions, significantly lowering maintenance costs. The extra-wide cabin provides passengers more personal space in all classes. PAL Holdings Inc. earlier reported a net profit of P2.71 billion in the January-March period, down by 28 percent from P3.78 billion registered in the same period last year. Revenues rose 4.1 percent in the first quarter to P29.12 billion from last year’s P27.98 billion. Passenger revenues rose to P24.65 billion in the first quarter from P23.09 billion in the same period last year. Cargo revenues fell 31 percent to P1.47 billion from P2.14 billion.

Senate trade committee to refile Consumer Act amendments THE Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship vowed to refile several bills, including amendments to the Consumer Act, when the 17th Congress opens on July 1. “We’ve been busy trying to put together important laws on our legislative agenda. We weren’t able to finish the Consumer Act, the Corporation Code, and several more. Even though we did accomplished a lot in the 16th Congress, we feel that there’s still a long way to go,” Senator Paolo Benigno

Aquino said. Aquino said amendments to the Consumer Act would take into consideration higher penalties for scammers and more stringent policies on trading to better protect consumers. “A stronger Consumer Act will be good to all Filipino consumers. The changes in the Consumer Act can really push to let our consumers know that at the end of the day if they bought products that are defective, the law is there to protect them,” he said.

Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act is a law promulgated in 1992 to protect the interest of the consumer, promote his general welfare and establish standards of conduct for business and industry. Aquino also said he would push for creation of the Philippine Efficiency Office. He said the new office would take on the function of a permanent government agency that would constantly check and double check old or new laws considered detrimental to the Philippines.

“One of the functions is to provide guidance to legislators and even local government units to stop us from over-regulating. It will be tasked to check among the departments if there are contradictions on internal policies between government agencies,” said Aquino. He mentioned a memorandum circular promulgated by the Philippine National Police that restricted the entry of controlled chemicals that might be used for the manufacture of explosives. The MC affected shipments

of manufacturing companies using regulated chemicals that compromised their production and export commitments. “So, in the future, we should have a some kind of ‘referee’. That hopefully is the Philippine Efficiency Office. Hopefully that can really make a more efficient system for our businesses so as not to slow down the economy. We can’t afford a slowdown. The good economy should continue to accelerate for the next 6 to 10 years,”Aquino said. Othel V. Campos

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DICT: better late than never THE law creating the Department of Information and Commu nicat ions Technology (DICT) came into effect on June 9, bringing to fruition more than 10 years of efforts to create a full-blown executive department to champion— and regulate--the industry. Under the new law, the DICT will be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and administrative entity of the executive branch, in charge of planning, developing and promoting the national ICT development agenda. Operationally, the law removes all units with communication functions from the Department of Transportation and Communication, which will be renamed the Department of Transportation. The new department will also absorb the National Computer Center, the National Telecommunications Training Institute, the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the Telecommunications Office and the National Computer Institute, which are all abolished by the new law. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center will now be attached agencies of the new department. The department will be headed by a secretary, assisted by three undersecretaries and four assistant secretaries. All positions require at least seven years of expertise in ICT, information security management, e-commerce, human capital development in ICT, cybersecurity, data privacy or IT service management. Additionally, two of the four assistant secretaries should be career officers, and one of the four must be a licensed professional electronics engineer. Among the DICT’s powers and functions are focused on four areas: policy and planning; improved public access; resource-sharing and capacitybuilding; and consumer protection and industry development. In the area of policy and planning, the DICT will • Formulate, recommend and implement national policies, plans, programs and guidelines that will promote the development and use of ICT: • Formulate policies and initiatives to develop and promote ICT in education: and • Provide a framework to optimize all government ICT resources and networks. In terms of improved public access, the department will: • Prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment, operation and maintenance of ICT infrastructures in unserved and underserved areas; and * Establish a free internet service that can be accessed in government offices and public areas In resource-sharing and capacity-building, the department will: • Harmonize and coordinate all national ICT plans and initiatives; • Ensure the development and protection of integrated government ICT infrastructures and designs, taking into consideration the inventory of existing manpower, plans, programs, software, hardware, and installed systems; • Assist and provide technical expertise to government agencies in the development of guidelines in the enforcement and administration of laws, standards, rules, and regulations governing ICT; • Assess, review and support ICT research and development programs of the government; • Develop programs that would enhance the career advancement opportunities of ICT workers in government; and • Assist in the dissemination of vital information essential to disaster risk reduction through the use of ICT. For consumer protection and industry development, the DICT will: • Ensure and protect the rights and welfare of consumers and business users to privacy, security and confidentiality in matters relating to ICT: • Support the promotion of trade and investment opportunities in the ICT and ICT-enabled services; • Establish guidelines for public-private partnerships in the implementation of ICT projects for government agencies; and • Promote strategic partnerships and alliances to speed up industry growth and enhance competitiveness of Philippine workers and companies in global markets. On paper, the DICT looks good. Certainly, few can argue with the statement of policies in the law that creates it. These acknowledge the need to recognize, albeit belatedly, the vital role of ICT in nation-building. These also speak of the need to ensure strategic, reliable, cost-efficient ICT infrastructure and resources as instruments of good governance and global competitiveness, and to ensure universal access to quality, affordable, reliable and secure IT services. It has been a long and often winding road getting here, beginning in 2004 with the creation of Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). Headed at the time by former IBM Phils. president Virgilio Peña, the commission was seen as a transitory measure to the creation of a full-blown ICT department. Although the NTC was originally attached to the commission, this key agency was bounced around like a football, to the DOTC in 2005, back to the CICT in 2008, then to the Office of the President in 2011. The CICT went through four commissioners until it was abolished in 2011 without realizing its ultimate goal of transforming itself into a full department. A bill to create a DICT approved by the House of Representatives in 2008 failed to pass muster in the Senate. In 2011, President Aquino renamed the CICT to the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) and transferred it to the Department of Science and Technology. ICT policy wonk Al Alegre of the Foundation for Media Alternatives, who worked in ICTO for about two years during this period, gives credit to Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre for streamlining the ICTO member-agencies to be more efficient--and to prepare for the transition to the DICT. “From 3,700 people originally, he got it down to less than 1,000 after a complex rationalization plan that also upgraded salaries. This and the updated structure and functions can now be carried over to the DICT and will be one of Casambre’s and ICTO’s lasting legacies,” Al says. But uncertainty remains. The late passage of the law puts the decision of who will head the new department firmly in the hands of the incoming Duterte administration. A mandated six-month transition period from ICTO to DICT will reveal more of the Duterte ICT agenda, details of which have been sparse. Column archives and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

Growth seen to slow under Duterte’s rule By Gabrielle H Binaday

A LONDON-BASED think tank sees annual economic growth in the Philippines to slow down to an average of 5 percent over the next five years under the rule of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. “Although economic growth is set to slow, the Philippines will still boast one of the highest rates of real GDP growth among its Southeast Asian neighbors,” the Economic Intelligence Unit said. EIU said in a report titled “Strongman rising: What a Rodrigo Duterte presidency will mean for the Philippines” that the country’s economy would likely expand 5 percent annually from 2016 to 2020, slower than the average 6.2-percent expansion in the six-year term of Aquino administration. “Mr. Duterte inherits a fairly robust economy and he will

be hard-pressed to shake its established fundamentals in the short term. The Economist Intelligence Unit therefore believes that the economy will expand by at least 5 percent a year in 2016 to 20,” the think tank said. EIU said despite Duterte acknowledging the economy did well in the Aquino administration and stated to continue its policy agenda, he still made foreign investors “jittery”. “We expect capital inflows to slow until there is further clarity on his economic team and its strategy. Our basic assumption is that private consumption, fueled

largely by the inflow of remittances, will hold up despite any political turmoil,” it said. EIU also said that under the scenario of the incoming administration continuing its predecessors’ policy stance, Duterte would be open to foreign direct investments and would adopt measures to boost competition in the domestic economy. “We assume that policy implementation will be a key challenge and any progress is likely to be slow. The presidentelect’s antagonistic attitude towards Congress [the legislature] and his threats to shut it down should its members not cooperate with his agenda are signs that his presidency could be tempestuous,” it said. “Clashes between the executive and the legislature could end up undermining government effectiveness more generally. Efforts to challenge incumbent elites will also run up against vested interests,” it said.

Republic Cement’s initiatives. Republic Cement Services Inc. president and chief executive

Don Lee shares the company’s various sustainability initiatives at the first People Management Association of the Philippines Foundation Summit on Clean Air and Climate Change. “Over the years, Republic Cement has undertaken significant improvements inits manufacturing processes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions,” Lee said.

BSP delists 250 pawnshops, forex dealers By Julito G. Rada Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it has delisted 250 pawnshops, foreign exchange dealers and remittance agents as of May 31. Bangko Sentral said in a circular posted on its Web site the delisting of these offices was based on notices of voluntary closures and relevant information gathered from the conduct of the regulator’s oversight functions from April 1 to May 31. It said of the 250 delisted firms, 47 were pawnshops, 68 pawnshops with corollary, five foreign exchange dealers/money changers, 21 remittance agents and 109 firms operating as foreign exchange dealer/money changer/ remittance agents.

Among those delisted was Philrem Service Corp., believed to be one of the conduits of the recent $81-million money laundering scam. The Makati-based firm was delisted on May 31, 2016. Bangko Sentral earlier said it cancelled the certificate of registration of Philrem for violation of rules governing non-bank financial institutions. The Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a P35.6-million tax evasion case against Philrem in April, after investigation showed the remittance company was not paying taxes for a couple of years. Bangko Sentral said despite the closure of these non-bank financial institutions, it approved the application for registration of 292 new pawnshops, foreign exchange

dealers, money changers and remittance agents. Of these approvals, 117 were pawnshops, six foreign exchange dealers/money changers, 92 remittance agents and 77 firms operating as foreign exchange dealer/money changer/remittance agent. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in April that Bangko Sentral was planning to issue upgraded regulations on covered institutions, including pawnshops, to strengthen the financial system in the wake of the $81-million money laundering scam that rocked the domestic banking industry in February. Espenilla said one of the upcoming circulars would be the comprehensive regulations updating the rules on pawnshops.

TUESDAY: JUNE 14, 2016

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EDC studying Mexico project Duterte’s economic agenda a replica of Aquino’s IN THE course of the democratic election process, a group seeking to replace a group in power criticizes and derides the latter’s policies and programs and promises to replace them with better things. A voter in the recent election would have been perfectly right in expecting that candidate Rodrigo Duterte and his advisers would offer the nation a better economic menu for the period that the Davao City mayor will be in office. But an examination of the 8-point economic agenda that Secretary of Finance-designate Carlos Dominguez has unveiled indicates that the Duterte administration will be pursuing an economic agenda that is a virtual extension of the economic daang matuwid of the administration of PNoy Aquino. With the exception of one item—the item calling for more vigorous implementation of agrarian reform and greater support for the agricultural sector—the Duterte administration’s economic agenda is almost a replica of the set of programs and policies that have guided the management of this country’s economy during the last six years. Take the financial and monetary policies that are currently in place. Both Dominguez and the newly appointed director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (concurrently the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning) have stated that the exiting fiscal and monetary policies are sound and should be maintained. They recognize that those policies have been instrumental in keeping prices stable, attaining highest-in-several-decades GDP growth figures in the last few years, bringing the fiscal ratios to highly favorable levels and getting the international financial rating agencies to bestow upon this country the highest ratings that it had ever known. The incoming administration’s economic team has likewise stated that the Aquino administration’s PPP (Public-Private Partnership) will not be scrapped but will merely undergo review with a view to strengthening its processes and improving its evaluation and awarding procedures. In so doing, the Duterte folk have shown acceptance of the soundness of the PPP approach to infrastructure building and have indicated that a need nonetheless exists for a reassessment of the PPP program and its processes. The Duterte folk have likewise signaled that the Conditional Cash Transfer Program (also known as the 4Ps) makes economic sense and therefore should be maintained and strengthened. During the election campaign, all of the candidates for president indicated support for – and readily acknowledged the usefulness—of a program whose benefits are now being experienced by over 4 million families. The Davaoenos could have presented the nation with a new program of socio-economic benefitgiving, but they didn’t, thereby indicating that in their view the 4Ps was making a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor, especially Filipinos living in the rural areas. Arguably it was in the sphere of transportation that the Duterte 8-point agenda was most disappointing. It tried to pass off as transportation policymaking motherhood statements about the need to improve the nation’s transportation system, with emphasis on easing the conditions that have given Philippine urban transportation such a bad name. The President-elect and his chosen advisers have spoken about the need to improve and expand the nation’s scant railway network, but the 8-point agenda did not begin to suggest how and where the expansion of the Philippine National Railways might happen. The Aquino administration’s concern for the environment—born out of the series of major typhoons experienced by this country under its watch—is likewise reflected in the 8-item economic agenda of the Duterte administration. The Aquino administration has been particularly concerned about irresponsible use of the nation’s natural resources. In recent weeks President-elect Duterte has voiced strong concern about irresponsible mining, mirroring the Aquino administration’s reluctance to give the mining industry the full-speed-ahead signal. The Duterte agenda did not spell out its position on one particular segment of the mining industry, to wit, the climate-harming coal mining operations. The nation waits with baited breath for the Duterte administration’s position on this highly contentious mining issue. It is the sphere of agriculture—including reform of the structure of agricultural land ownership—that the economic agenda of the Duterte administration stands out in relation to the agricultural program of the Aquino administration. There’s not much that the incoming Secretary will be able to do for agrarian reform, considering that two agrarian reform laws have come and gone (the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act of 1988 and the subsequent CARPER and that whatever rural land was redistributable has already been redistributed, often after lengthy and highly adversarial judicial proceedings. But the Duterte agenda speaks of the need to adequately supply the production requirements of Filipino farmers and of the crucial importance of providing free irrigation water. The wisdom of providing irrigation water free of charge may be questioned by some quarters, but the fact that the agenda identifies dependable irrigation as a key production input is both reassuring and promising. The Duterte administration’s 8-point agenda is underwhelming. It contains most of the right policies, but those policies are the ones that the Aquino administration pursued during its six years in office. What was derided by the Duterte folk during the election campaign now forms part of the Duterte administration’s economic agenda. Summing up, the Duterte 8-part economic agenda is a virtual replica of the Aquino economic team’s management of the economy. Like all virtual replicas, it neither impresses nor excites. E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY Development Corp., a renewable energy company led by the Lopez group, said it is looking at geothermal business opportunities in Mexico. “In Mexico, we’re not doing anything yet – but we’re studying. Mexico’s energy sector is privatizing, deregulating so we want to take a look, but no concrete plans today yet,” EDC president Ricky Tantoco said. Tantoco said while low oil prices had pushed the company to put on hold its overseas geothermal projects, EDC was optimistic it would benefit from the push for cleaner technologies. “But you know what’s happening in Latin America, particularly in Chile, there are recently two large coal-fired power plants that were cancelled by the government. So I think the time is right

for geothermal to happen there. Probably in the next one to two years,” he said. Tantoco said there was “a major invitation from other countries in the region to invest in RE after COP21, so we are looking at it.” Tantoco earlier said EDC remained committed to grow its geothermal overseas business, which based on key prospects in Chile and Peru, had an estimated geothermal potential of at least 800 megawatts. EDC also completed the geotechnical survey of the Graho Nyabu in Indonesia, where there was an assessed potential of more than 200 MW.

“In Chile, the recent downtrend in commodity prices has caused the company to re-evaluate the project’s economics and work plan,” Tantoco said. “The implementation of the three-well drilling program for the Mariposa project was deferred in order to continue the pursuance of greater focus, including conducting further environmental and technical studies of the steam field, power plant and transmission line interconnection,” he said. EDC decided to postpone its two to three well drilling campaign originally set for October last year for the Mariposa project amid the decline in world prices. EDC said it would continue to pursue development activities at the Mariposa project with greater focus, including conducting further environmental and technical studies for the steamfield, power plant and transmission line interconnection.

Ocean heroes. Four

Visayan fishers are named as the first “Ocean Heroes Awardees” for their sheer courage and commitment to protect their livelihood and Tañon Strait. Shown are (from left) Norlan Pagal of San Remigio, Cebu; Eden Dayupay, who represented her late husband Oliver Dayupa of Ayungon, Negros Oriental; Veda Raunillo of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; and Roberto Quigay of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Duterte’s call for responsible mining backed AN ENVIRONMENT group has voiced its support for Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte’s call for mining companies to “shape up.” Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship secretary general Ysan Castillo said for a country with a rich biodiversity and island ecosystems profile such as the Philippines, there was no place for illegal miners and destructive mining practices. “We are fully behind President Duterte in admonishing firms to practice responsible mining because it is the only way for us to achieve sustainable development,” Castillo said. Stratbase ADR Institute president Dindo Manhit said that while the country was well known for its huge mineral potential, inconsistent policies and problems in implementation of existing mining laws had

caused a costly stalemate between opposing mining stakeholders on how to manage the rich natural resources. “The Duterte government has a great opportunity to correct policy flaws such as Executive Order 79 which stopped a rising momentum of the legitimate mining projects depriving the economy of billions of dollars in lost opportunities in terms of investments, taxes and most important thousands of jobs from direct and indirect employment in far flung areas where development is badly needed,” Manhit said. PBEST noted the “injurious effects” of unsustainable mining practices to the country’s natural resources, not to mention the danger to public health and the billions of pesos lost from mineral smuggling. “The disheartening fact is that illegal and reckless mining affects

the most marginalized Filipinos in the rural areas and at the same time deprives the country of much-needed revenues because small mine operators don’t pay the correct taxes,” the group said. “It is also very encouraging to hear the Chamber of Mines heed the call of President Elect Duterte to actively be part of the solution by practicing self-regulation among their members. Responsible mining, should not be confined to compliance with mining laws and regulations, but should include transparency when it comes to mining revenues that are remitted to the government and spent on community development,” said Castillo. PBEST is an environmental NGO promoting sound developmental policies and right governance to ensure responsible stewardship of the environment as a requisite in the operations of all industries.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

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Pilot jokes about crashing his plane BANGKOK—Thai budget airline carrier Nok Air apologized on Monday after one of its pilots joked about crashing a plane carrying ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra. The gaffe highlights how the hatred towards the Shinawatra political clan still runs deep two years after Yingluck’s administration was toppled by a military coup The pilot’s comments were made in a social media chat group used by Nok Air pilots that was later leaked. In it a pilot posted a picture of Yingluck about to board their Nok Air flight over the weekend. One chat member responded with “We have prey on board”. Another then

added “CFIT”. CFIT is an aviation acronym for “controlled flight into terrain”, a term used to describe when a pilot unintentionally crashes a plane that has no technical problems. Panthongtae Shinawatra—the son of Yingluck’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled as premier by a 2006 coup— posted the leaked chat on his Facebook. “Even if the messages about passengers were just kidding, they count

as illegal and unacceptable,” he wrote. Nok Air’s CEO Patee Sarasin wrote an open apology to Yingluck, saying the pilot’s comments did not reflect the company’s. “The airline affirms that we work with good governance to serve all passengers equally with no discrimination,” he said, without elaborating what, if any, disciplinary action the pilot would face. It is not the first time the Shinawatra family has been on the receiving end of airline hostility. In 2012 Cathay Pacific sacked a Thai stewardess after she posted on Facebook about wanting to throw hot coffee in the face of

one of Thaksin’s daughters. The wealthy Shinawatra family are hugely popular in Thailand’s poor rural north, where voters have helped them or their proxies win every election since 2001. That infuriates the Bangkok-based establishment, with its deep military and judicial ties, and arch-royalist southern supporters. They accuse the family of poisoning politics with nepotism and populist policies. In a response to the Nok Air pilot’s comment, Yingluck wrote on Facebook that “private attitudes should not be linked with professional services”. AFP

N. Korea steals South’s defense files SEOUL-North Korean hackers managed to steal thousands of records from private firms and state agencies in the South, including defense industry information and files from Korean Air, Seoul police said Monday. The hacking originated from 16 servers based in the North’s capital Pyongyang, police said, adding the North had stolen more than 42,000 internal records. The North gained access to the internal systems of the firms and agencies at some point after hacking in 2014 into computer management software developed by a Seoul IT firm, according to the police.

The breach was discovered earlier this year. The hackers also planted 33 types of malicious code into the computers in an apparent bid to use them as “zombie” machines to launch future cyber attacks on other organizations in the South, it said. The companies that were hacked include South Korea’s flagship air carrier Korean Air and SK Networks, a sister company of South Korea’s top wireless operator, SK Telecom, Yonhap news agency said. “We worked with the organizations that were targeted to recover the lost records and fortify their computer security

to prevent further infiltration,” the police said in a statement. Some of the stolen records, however, contained information about the defense industry or network data essential to stage cyber attacks, it added. The records include designs of military aircraft and Internet facilities at the South Korean army barracks, according to the Yonhap. Police added that some of the 16 servers in Pyongyang had the same IP addresses as those that had staged a crippling cyber attack on Seoul’s banks and TV broadcasters in 2013. Seoul has, in recent years, blamed the

North’s hackers for a series of cyber attacks on military institutions, banks, state agencies, TV broadcasters, media websites and a nuclear power plant. The attack in March 2013 left the websites and tens of thousands of computers at several TV stations and banks paralyzed for hours. Pyongyang has angrily denied involvement in the attacks and accused Seoul of spreading fabrications aimed at slandering its leader. The North operates an army of more than 1,000 hackers who stage hacking or cyber attacks targeting Seoul’s major institutions or key officials, according to the South’s spy agency. AFP

Israel reopens Palestinian crossings JERUSALEM—Israel has reopened the Palestinian crossing points from the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip following a three-day closure put in place after last week’s deadly Tel Aviv shooting, the army said Monday Crossings were reopened overnight as planned, an army spokeswoman said, though “security checks are ongoing” in Yatta, the West Bank village where the two Tel Aviv attackers were from. The village had been put on lockdown in the

hours after Wednesday night’s attack that killed four Israelis and wounded five others. Crossing points were shut on Friday morning, preventing Palestinians from entering Israel and annexed east Jerusalem. An exception was made however for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan, with thousands of Palestinians allowed to visit Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the third-holiest site in Islam. The closure also coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which was celebrated

on Sunday. Israel regularly shuts crossing points during major Jewish holidays, when large numbers of Israelis congregate to pray or celebrate, presenting a potential target for Palestinian attacks. Israel announced a range of measures following the Tel Aviv attack, which saw two Palestinian cousins open fire at a busy cafe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also announced the cancellation of tens of thousands of permits for Palestinians to enter

Israel and east Jerusalem during Ramadan. The moves drew international concern, with France strongly condemning the attack but also warning against further exacerbating tensions. United Nations rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s office in a statement on Friday also condemned the attack but said the Israeli measures may amount to “collective punishment”. The Tel Aviv attack was the deadliest in a wave of violence that began in October. AFP

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

INVITATION TO BID FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF ASSORTED JUICES UNDER ITB NO. PB16-019CEB The Philippine Amusement And Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Is inviting all interested bidder in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply & Delivery of Assorted Juices under ITB No. PB16-019CEB. Brief Description

Supply & Delivery of Assorted Juices under ITB No. PB16-019CEB

Delivery Schedule

Initial delivery is within fifteen (15) calendar days from the acknowledgement date of the Notice to Proceed while the remaining balance shall be delivered on a staggered basis or otherwise advised. Subsequent deliveries of items shall be based on the table of calendar of deliveries with a seven (7) calendar days written advance notice.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC):

The ABC for the project is in the amount of Three Million Three Hundred Seventy One Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Nine Pesos and 22/100 (Php 3,371,889.22), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction

Source of Funds:

Internally Funded

Bidder should have completed, within the last three (3) before 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 Bidder. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “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”. 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. All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. I s s u a n c e o f t h e B i d d i n g D o c u m e n t s 2. Pre- Bid Conference

Schedule J u n e 14 , 2 016 t o J u l y 5 , 2 016 J u n e 2 2 , 2 016 , 3 : 0 0 p m

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

J u l y 5 , 2 016 , 2 : 0 0 p m

4. Opening and Preliminar y Examination of Bids

J u l y 5 , 2 016 , 2 : 01p m

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidder at the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat Section (BACSS), acting as the BAC Secretariat, upon payment of the nonrefundable cost for the sale of bidding documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) Prospective bidder may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidder shall pay the non-refundable bidding fee not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidder. Prospective bidder should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila or at the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat Section, Casino Filipino Cebu (BACSS, CF-Cebu) either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from BASD/BACSS of CF-Cebu or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Branch Bids and Awards Committee, Casino Filipino Cebu (BBAC, CF-Cebu)shall use a non-discretionary and nondiscriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1. In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper. 2. The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract. PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. Please address all communications to the Branch Bids and Awards Committee, thru BACSS, 3 rd Level, VIP 5, Casino Filipino Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Salinas Drive, Lahug Cebu City. Tel No.: 032-268-4989 or 2326272 local 5265.

(SGD) JOEL G. CANTOS Branch Bids and Awards Committee (BBAC), CF-CEBU

(TS-JUNE 14, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -oOoBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID FOR Rehabilitation of Rafael Palma - Campamento Road Contract No. 2016-016 June 14, 2016 1.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the DILG-Trust Fund intends to apply the sum of P 22,155, 475.61 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 2016-016 Rehabilitation of Rafael Palma – Campamento Road, Diffun, Quirino. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now invites bids for Rehabilitation of Rafael Palma – Campamento Road. Completion of the Works is required by 112 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) 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 nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from June 14, 2016 to June 29, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P25, 000.00). The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee. The Pre-Bid Conference shall open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 17, 2016, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to all interested parties.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before June 30, 2016, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification.

The Provincial Government of Quirino reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: (SGD) Engr. Dencio A. Pagbilao Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino +639175007275 +639177756155

(TS-JUNE 14, 2016)

T U E S D AY : J U N E 14 , 2 0 1 6

B8 Terror back in US after massacre in Orlando ORLANDO—US anti-terror strategy came under fresh scrutiny after a gunman previously cleared of jihadist ties launched a hate-fueled rampage in a Florida gay club that left 50 dead. As the worst mass shooting in modern US history erupted Sunday, Orlando police blasted their way into the Pulse nightspot and shot the attacker dead. The murderous assault triggered grief but also defiance in the gay and lesbian community, and more than 100,000 marched in a planned Los Angeles Gay Pride parade. In New York, the Tony Awards for musical theater went ahead as planned but were dedicated to the victims of the massacre. “We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” President Barack Obama said as the FBI investigated the shooter. Prominent US Muslim figures, Pope Francis and world leaders condemned the attack, which is being treated as the worst act of terror on US soil since September 11, 2001. The FBI admitted that 29-yearold Omar Mateen had previously been investigated—but cleared— for ties to a US suicide bomber. Special Agent Ronald Hopper also said Mateen was reported to have made a 911 call pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group shortly before the massacre. Meanwhile, the IS-linked news agency Amaq said without providing evidence that one of its fighters carried out the attack. But the group, which has previously been a conduit for IS statements, cited only “a source,” leading experts to doubt the claim. Terrified survivors described how the gunman raked club goers with bullets, prompting a police SWAT team to storm the venue. Mateen was born to Afghan parents in New York in 1986 and lived in Port St Lucie, Florida, about a two-hour drive from Orlando. His father Mir Seddique told NBC News his son may have been motivated by homophobia, insisting: “This had nothing to do with religion.” The suspect’s ex-wife, who divorced him in 2011, told reporters he had been violently abusive to her but was not especially religious. AFP

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD Grief, defiance in city after grievous attack ORLANDO—The people of Orlando grieved and remembered the dead after a gunman murdered 50 people at a gay nightclub in the Florida city, but there was also defiance in the face of tragedy.

In remembrance. A participant holds a candle during a vigil at Frank Kits Park in

Wellington on June 13, 2016, in remembrance of the victims of a gunman who opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in the worst mass shooting in US history. US antiterror strategy came under fresh scrutiny after a gunman previously cleared of jihadist ties launched a hate-fueled rampage in the club that left 50 dead. AFP

On Sunday evening, many relatives kept anxious vigils at the bedsides of wounded loved ones at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Angel Colon emerged from the hospital thankful to have found his son Angel Jr, 26, alive and in stable condition despite three gunshot wounds, including a bullet that went through his thigh. Knocked to the ground by the bullets and with his leg broken, Angel was unable to flee Pulse, the popular nightspot that turned into a bloody shooting gallery just before closing time early Sunday. Colon said a girl fell to the ground next to his son, and they held hands as the gunman moved around the room methodically pumping bullets into people on the ground. “Then he shot the girl he was holding hands with,” Colon said. “It looks like she didn’t make it.” “When I saw him, I held him,” Colon said of his son. “I told him in Spanish, ‘Pai, God is giving you another chance’.” Earlier in the evening, authorities appeared before family members gathered at a hotel and read out the names of those hospitalized. Some in the audience broke down when they failed to hear the names of their loved ones, concluding they had died in the deadliest shooting attack in US history. At around the same time, about 300 people gathered in El Calvario church not far from downtown Orlando to pray for the victims. Many were Hispanics, a reflection of the fact that Latinos were heavily represented among the dead and wounded. For about an hour they prayed and sang hymns, often with their hands raised toward the rafters as a violent downpour battered the city outside. But heavy rain did not discourage volunteers who lined up to give blood at mobile stations set up around the city. “At the central location there were thousands of people,” said Sonia Drudge after giving blood for the first time. “I was there at 11. It was a five-hour delay. I’ve never seen anything like this.” “My sister’s gay and I have many relatives in the gay and lesbian community and I feel that I just need to do this for my people,” she said. AFP

Reports say shooter was a homophobe, wife beater ORLANDO—People close to the gunman behind the attack on a gay nightclub in Florida, which left 50 dead, paint a picture of a violent and prejudiced young man. The suspect, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, is a Muslim American of Afghan descent, and law enforcement were investigating whether he had ties to, or was inspired by Islamist extremism, after a source

linked to the Islamic State group claimed the attack. The FBI said he apparently made a 911 call just before the massacre to claim allegiance to the Islamic State group. Sunday’s attack, the worst mass shooting in modern US history, was carried out at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, a well-known gay hangout. But relatives interviewed by US

media said Mateen, who worked as a security officer and had a wife and young son, was not especially religious. They did, however, describe a man who had anti-gay views, mental health problems and was physically abusive to his ex-wife. Mateen’s father, Mir Seddique, said his son had recently been offended to see two gay men expressing affection on a Miami

street. “We were in downtown Miami, Bayside, people were playing music,” the shocked father told NBC News in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. “And he saw two men kissing each other in front of his wife and kid and he got very angry,” Seddique said. The father is a minor celebrity in Afghan political circles, host-

ing an occasional television show in which he expressed hardline views. In the “Durand Jirga Show,” available on YouTube, he rails against the Pakistani government and announced a quixotic bid to seek the Afghan presidency. “We are in shock like the whole country,” Seddique added. “This had nothing to do with religion.” AFP

tuesday : J uNe 14, 2016

tatuM aNCHeta EDITOR

BING PaReL

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

BeRNadet te LuNas

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFeatstandard

a Rts, Cu Lt u Re & t eCH

LIFE

TECh gIfTS fOR DAD

f you haven’t gotten your dad a pair of new socks, a necktie, or some nifty apparel accessory that you’re not even sure if he will use or just bury in the closet, why not give him a gift from the digital age? your dad doesn’t have to be a techie to appreciate cool gadgets that he will not only enjoy but will also find very functional. We’ve gathered a few selections that you might want to check out. these toys for the big boys are easy to find in local stores or online shops. Who knows, you might just find something that will also tickle your fancy and you might end up buying one for yourself as well.

fITbIT AlTA fITnESS TRACkER

Price: P6,000- P9,000 Where to buy: Digital Walker, Beyond the Box, select Toby’s Stores or online at lazada.com.ph if you’ve been asking dad to join you for a jog and he keeps saying no, this cute little gadget might give him the push. Sync it to his smartphone and show him how it can record his daily steps and calories burned. it can also receive smart notifications of his calls, text and calendar alerts so he doesn’t have to always hold his phone in sight. The best part is he can finally keep track of how long and how well he sleeps with Fitbit’s auto sleep tracking.

DJI PhAnTOm 3 STAnDARD 12mP DROnE CAmERA Price: P26,700 Where to buy: lazada.com.ph

We’re sure that even you would be drooling at the idea of owning a drone. The best part about gifting dad is, well, you can borrow it from him if he is not using it. if dad is the outdoorsy type and loves to play around on his Facebook or instagram posts (which by the way, he insists for you to like all the time), then this too cool for school DJi Phantom 3 Standard 12MP Drone camera might be a perfect gift for him. This model is one of the perfect drones for beginners. it’s easy to navigate and users always feel secure that they can bring back their drone at the press of a button because of its built in GPS that records its takeoff point. it includes a camera and live hD view that you can see as it flies. During a single charge, users can enjoy up to 25 minutes of flight. imagine the look on his face when he opens the box!

mARShAll ACTOn PORTAblE bluETOOTh SPEAkER

Price: P15,950 Where to buy: Astroplus, Avid Surfer, beyond the box, bZb Gadget hive, cebu Audiophile, complink, Digital Arena, Digital hub, Digital Walker, e-central, egghead, heima, icenter, icon, iStore, iStudio, Lazada (online), Listen up, Listening room, Mobile 1, odyssey, Pc hub, Powerhub, Quicksound, republik, Senco Link, SM Music and Video, Spectra, Stored inc, Switch, Sync, technoholics, techSavvy, techShop, and technopop For the dad who loves listening to his Spotify playlist, get him a decent looking speaker that doesn’t just provide good sound quality, its vintage looking details also fit perfectly in his work space. it can be connected to any device both on bluetooth or via a 3.5 mm input double ended cable.

ASuS ZEnPOWER 10050mAh POWERbAnk Price: P795 Where to buy: lazada.com.ph

So he never runs out of smartphone juice for all his youtube surfing or gaming apps, get him a decent portable powerbank that he can carry with him anywhere. There are a lot of good quality powerbanks in the market today, but you don’t have to break the bank just to get a good one and you don’t have to resort getting the knockoffs online that may actually ruin your phone. ever since ASuS ZenPower entered the market, people have been buying it for its affordable price and compact and sleek design. This powerbank can extend the lifespan of a smartphone by more than 200 percent and can even power up a tablet to 100 percent full charge.

kSRPlAyER 8gb hD 720P SPy PEn CAmERA Price: P1,975 Where to buy: lazada.com.ph

This item is not new in the market but it still makes for a cool gift for dad. Now he can use this in the office while watching over his employees. At least they won’t find him snooping all the time because now, it can be hidden. careful though – he might just leave it in your room.

PlAnTROnICS bACkbEAT gO 2 (WITh ChARgIng CASE SET) Price: P3,399 Where to buy: lazada.com.ph

if daddy has been complaining about his tangled earphones when he listens to his music while taking a siesta, get him a bluetooth earphone so he doesn’t have to worry about the wires while drifting off with his favorite lullabies. Plantronics backbeat Go 2 wireless buds is a good value buy for wireless earphones. it is super snug in the ear and never falls out during use, unless your dad’s earlobes are the size of a coin, well, that’s not our problem anymore. These bluetooth earphones can last up to 4.5 hours with battery life, but since the package in Lazada Ph comes with a charging case, you can extend its usage. if case is fully charged, it gives 14.5 listening time.

tuESday : J uNE 14, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

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

oes your father appreciate the beauty and oddity of art? do you want to introduce him to some of the interesting works of our homegrown artists? Or maybe you want to treat him to a night of classical music while learning a thing or two about feature writing? If you are looking for a new gift to give to your art-inclined dad on Father’s day, bring him to these theaters and galleries where he can feast on art, words and music.

ExhibiTS

CONCERTS

Hahan at WRKZ Vinyl on Vinyl, Makati City Ongoing until June 30

Bayan Ko, Tugtugin Ko Ground Floor Lobby, Ayala Museum, Makati City June 16, 6:30 p.m.

Indonesian multi-media artist Hahan (Uji Handoko Eko Saputro) brings his distinct mad mix of art to the Philippines in this solo exhibition that tackles time and the demands of the art world. Hahan, whose works have graced brands like Louis Vuitton and Hurley as well as the Biennale in Yogyakarta, is exhibiting his latest series that melds the grit and humor of street art with the nononsense sensibilities of high art. The Indonesian artist anchors on the fusion of contradiction as he plays with his medium of choice. His latest outing here in the country pays homage to his process of making work and play aid each other.

In celebration of the 118th Philippine Independence Day and the renewed sense of nationhood following the recently concluded national elections, the Manila Symphony Orchestra stages a one-night concert featuring the master works of National Artists in Music as well as OPM classics that stir one’s pride in being Filipino. The program includes the orchestral renditions of compositions by Lucio San Pedro, Antonino Buenaventura, George Canseco and Apo Hiking Society. There will also be a special guest performance by critically-acclaimed soprano Camille Lopez-Molina.

Send an email to info@vinylonvinylgallery.com or vinylonvinyl@gmail.com to know more about this ongoing exhibition.

Ticket prices for this proudly Filipino concert range from P300 to P700. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 759-8288 local 31 or email concerts@ayalamuseum.org.

Recent Works Upstairs Gallery, Finale Art File, Makati City Ongoing until July 2

Musika sa Museo with Viva Voce Lopez Museum and Library, Pasig City June 18, 2:00 p.m. The walls of Lopez Museum and Library will reverberate with a special medley as classical singing group Viva Voce performs in dialogue with the artworks of Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hildago and other masters in the collection. Viva Voce is an ensemble of young classically trained vocal artists led by soprano-teacher Camille Lopez-Molina and Pablo Molina. The group’s main objective is training, helping and guiding young talented singers into becoming world class artists and musicians.

The act of image-production and the idea and quality of “object-ness” are explored through a series of works in paper on paper, shaped canvas and animation video. For his latest solo show, contemporary artist Paulo Vinluan opts for curved sphere as his surface of painting and knife as his tool to cut away painted sheets of paper in a bid to delve into the connection between material and narrative. According to Vinluan, the pieces on display were developed from a personal archive and amalgam of images accumulated over the years. The collection is composed of random and disparate series that the artist constantly revisits in order to seek links between the physical qualities of things. In the end, his explorations produce works where the narrative is inscribed in the physical and material qualities of the work itself. For more information on this exhibit, visit www.finaleartfile.com. Visible Currents Silverlens Gallery, Makati City Ongoing until July 2 Through an assemblage of installations, Filipino artist Eric Zamuco presents the summation of a point in the artist’s life lived in constant movement. For instance, oars made out of airplane windows illustrate the two ways of traversing air and seascape, but in essence refer to cycles and multiplicity of origins in relation to the artist. The story in each of Zamuco’s installation work tells the relationship of humans with places and things, and their proliferation and growth enhanced through their names – that we placed upon them – as well as images, movements, implications, correlated meanings and narratives. The transformed things and spaces he created present the possibilities and certainties of history and memory in their condensed version. Contact (02) 816-0044 or info@silverlensgalleries.com for inquiries and more details on this show.

Contact the museum at (02) 631-2417 or the library at (02) 631-2425, or send an email to lmmpasig@gmail.com for more information on this performance.

wORkShOPS Advanced Feature Writing Ayala Museum, Makati City June 20, 27 and July 4 Ruel De Vera brings his over 20 years of expertise in magazine and feature writing in this threeday workshop that will teach participants how to write a fulllength feature story that could very well be published in a magazine’s cover. Each of the three-hour session aims to arm students with the necessary skills and background to write long-form stories. Participants will be taught how to strike the perfect balance of content, style and length, while covering the entire spectrum of possible topics. The advanced lessons in this workshop can also be used for any form of creative non-fiction or journalism. The P4,500 workshop fee is inclusive of materials, handouts, snacks, a certificate, one-day free admission to the museum and one-day free access to the library. For inquiries, call Marj Villaflores at (02) 759-8288 local 25 or email villaflores.md@ayalafoundation.org.

tuESday : J uNE 14, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Hansel Ang is declared the overall winner of the 2016 Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition

@LIFEatStandard

The 3rd Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition winners, Jet Chong (Category 3) and Hansel Ang (Category 2)

13-year-old pianist is Philippines’ representative to Steinway Regional Finals asia Pacific

ansel Harel Ang has been playing the piano since he was four years old. Now 13, the young prodigy will be representing the country in the prestigious Steinway Regional Finals Asia Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following his victory at the 2016 Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition held on May 21. Ang performed pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, George Frideric Handel and Claude Debussy. Aside from winning the grand prize, the teenage pianist also bagged the top honor in Category 2 (for ages 12 to 14). The winner in Category 3 (for ages 15 to 17), on the other hand, was Jet Stephen Chong, whose repertoire included pieces by Frédéric Chopin, Alberto Ginastera and Mozart. After winning the preliminary round in the country, Ang will compete with the representatives of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam for a spot at the International Steinway Festival in Hamburg, Germany, where Steinway & Sons pianos are built.

BDO Private Bank president Josefina Tan (center) and Steinway Gallery Singapore general manager Celine Goh (right) with the 2016 Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition jury (from left) Benjamin Goh, Nat Yontararak and Albert Tiu

The International Steinway Festival was created in 1987 and is now being held

every two years. “I feel happy and determined to represent

the country… to prove that we have talent in classical music. I’d really love to compete in Malaysia,” Ang said upon receiving the grand prize. Judging this year’s Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition were Philippine-born pianist Albert Tiu, piano pedagogue and performer Benjamin Loh, and Nat Music School in Thailand founder Nat Yontararak. In her remarks, Steinway Gallery Singapore general manager Celine Goh encouraged the winners and the other finalists (Irene Lee, Carlos Cornelio, Moriah Ongchoco and Andrea Versoza) to further hone their talent. “I hope that you will see this competition as a journey of growth, an important milestone that can open doors.” The third Philippine Steinway Youth Piano Competition was held at the Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO Plaza in Makati City. It was presented by Steinway Boutique Manila, the exclusive dealer of Steinway & Sons pianos in the country, together with its partner BDO Private Bank.

World Expos & Concepts to hold 29th annual Corporate Giveaways Buyer’s Show Any successful business recognizes the importance of marketing in sustaining the presence of a business. Through marketing, businesses can highlight their products and services and communicate with target consumers. But while many companies utilize tools like ads (broadcast or print), videos and billboards, the best marketing strategists know the impact of promoting with physical products. After all, the essence of marketing and promotions is keeping the brand of goods or services in the minds of customers. And while ads are visible to a wider audience – and may even be far reaching, they may not necessarily reach the target audience. Besides, ads have a shorter shelf life compared to physical promotional products as the latter complement good marketing efforts by providing the permanence that ads lack. To help businesses come up with solutions for their promotional item needs, World Expos & Concepts is organizing

Creative and innovative corporate giveaways can help a business stay in the mind of customers

the 29th Annual Corporate Giveaways Buyer’s Show at the SMX Convention Center scheduled from June 21 to 23. Markets today have become more friendly to small and medium enterprises and startups, but the competition that a new company faces can be overwhelming. More often than not, the difference between sinking and keeping one’s head up in a sea of competition hinges on something as simple as being more memorable in the eyes of one’s customers. One of the best tools that can keep a brand – whether old

or new – top of mind among consumers comes in the form of promotional items. Going by the saying “out of sight, out of mind,” it follows then that something that physically reminds you of a particular product or brand will definitely make them stay in mind. For instance, a pen with a logo can keep a business on top of a desk, and not in a drawer, so to speak. This simple item can do more than say, a calling card that can be misplaced, or thrown away. No wonder more and more companies are getting more creative not only to become “top

of mind” with customers but to make a lasting impression. Up-and coming businesses that want to highlight themselves as innovative and want to project a forwardlooking image should also reflect the same in their promotional products. On the other hand, large companies that want to maintain their top position should also keep exploring for new ways to engage customers to avoid being dismissed as old, boring – and worst of all – forgettable. In mounting events, Corporate Giveaways ensures the quality of products and services featured

during exhibits by carefully curating exhibitors, choosing only providers that are reputable. “We welcome all businesses, new and old, to discover new solutions with our partners in the show,” said Raquel Romero, president and general manager of World Expos & Concepts Inc. “We understand that it is crucial for entrepreneurs to engage with reliable partners in order to grow their business. We take pride in our long history of being able to provide the best for our exhibitors as well as our guests.” Aside from coming up with new and exciting promotional items, exhibitors also offer companies the more traditional favorites such as umbrellas and leather goods, to completely cover the giveaway needs of any company. Since this annual event is free, businesses should take this great opportunity to see actual products and connect directly with suppliers. For more information about the event, check out corporategiveawaysbuyershow.com.

tuESday : J uNE 14, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

XX Kers with red bezel

Racing Time

XX Kers

RedRev Evo

By Denise Roco

hen you see a Ferrari, you don’t just see a car. You see the embodiment of speed, precision, style and class with the unmistakable mark of high stature. This impression is impeccably carried over to the Scuderia Ferrari Orologi brand, which recently launched its Spring/Summer Collection for 2016. It is headlined by two powerful new collections inspired by groundbreaking Ferrari technology and design. First revealed to the world at Baselworld in 2013, the Scuderia Ferrari Orologi brand is fairly new, yet has gained instant traction on the global circuit. With an established name like Ferrari, many assume that the Ferrari watch has been around for ages when in fact it was only born just some decades ago. Tad Uchtman, brand president of Scuderia Ferrari Orologi, recalls to the best of his knowledge when the first ever Ferrari watch was released. “The oldest one I know was in the 1960s. Cartier was commissioned (to create it) then Longines came after that, and then Panerai and then Hublot. Three years ago, we (at Movado Group Inc.) partnered with Ferrari to make a watch for the fans. Ferrari knew that there were a lot more people who wanted to access the brand, but doing it through a high-end Swiss watch wasn’t always the easiest way.” Let’s face it, not everyone can nor would want to own a Ferrari car. But the fans of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team are innumerable, and this renowned racing team is what drives the heart and soul of this watch brand. “We make watches for the fans, whether that person owns a car or is a fan of the racing team. So for the owner of the Ferrari, we play a role for the owner, but we play a bigger role for the fans,” says Uchtman. Evoking the sculpted forms in the Scuderia racing cars, the timepieces incorporate quality materials like solid stainless steel, tough, colorful thermoplastic cases and scratch-resistant mineral crystals. For Spring/Summer 2016, the collection presents XX Kers. Kers stands for kinetic

energy recovery system, the cutting-edge technology developed by Ferrari to recover energy wasted in braking. Grounded in design DNA from the Scuderia XX family, the new XX Kers showcases bold, strong aesthetic elements. The highlight of this collection is the Pinnacle watch. “What makes it different,” explains Uchtman, “is all the details that we built into it link directly back to the car. The carbon texture on the dial, the digital read out on the lower right, which is how you tell what gear you’re in when you’re driving a Ferrari, to the gauges that are meant to mimic the speedometer and the tachometer… Everything we built into the watch ties back to the cars.” Crafted in stainless steel with a brushed or black ion-plated finish, the round 50mm XX Kers case is styled with extended sport lugs and crown protector, and is truly commanding in size. It has a fixed coinedged bezel in red or black anodized aluminum sports contrasting markers and Arabic numerals in the font found on the nose of a fabled Ferrari single seater. On the other hand, the new RedRev Collection captures the thrill of the race day with bold honeycomb texture inspired by the layered structure of a racecar’s monocoque. Rich metallic tones, sleek ergonomic shapes and details add a different level of sportive sophistication to the RedRev Evo in its round 46mm cases. It is also remarkable to note that all the Scuderia Ferrari Orologi watches are water resistant up to 30mm. You can tell time with any watch, but you can also tell a man by the kind of watch he wears. A timepiece has become more than a fashion accessory; it has become a part of one’s character. One ought to wear the watch that reflects one’s character, and if you happen to be wearing a Ferrari watch, then that’s sure to give a lasting impression. Scuderia Ferrari watches are available at Chronos, Swiss Gear, Wrist_Pod, Landmark Trinoma and SM Department Stores (Makati, Megamall, North Edsa and Mall of Asia).

RedRev

XX Kers scaled to reference a dashboard gauge

t uES DAy : J uNE 14, 2016

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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(Left photo) Kapamilya star Angel Locsin struts the runway. (Right photo) From left: comedienne K Brosas, singer KZ tandingan, Angel Locsin, Pokwang and PPB alum ylona Garcia

PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

Explosive festival of music and fashion

n June 4, Filipino festival goers witnessed the merging of music and fashion through bold runway shows with world-class musical performances. Each show was curated by some of the country’s most sought-after celebrity stylists paired with live acts from brilliant and well-known musical artists and DJs. Manila X Festival is an active statement and exhibit of Filipinos’ creative talents proving to exceed expectations. Welcoming the crowd were catchy beats from DJ Jess Milner. Once everyone was prepped up, hip online retailer Zalora filled the runway with bold tribal prints and romantic night out pieces, pumped up by performances from up and coming band The Juans and singersongwriter duo Thyro and Yumi. This was followed by stylist John Paul Dizon’s sleek-themed show, with ensembles worn by his models and celebrity clients and friends including Roxanne Barcelo, Koreen Medina, Pauline Mendoza, Phytos Ramirez, Yasser Mata, Ayra Mariano, Jake Ejercito, Wynwyn Marquez, and Lance Serrano. Keeping the vibe smooth and sophisticated were outstanding performances from Kiana Valenciano and Yeng Constantino, given an EDM twist by DJ Mars Miranda. The third, Coachella-inspired show styled by Myrrh Lao To was paired with laidback hits from crowd-favorite Up Dharma Down. With soft chiffon and laces, the Coachella segment ended with Myrrh’s power squad of celebrity clients and friends starring Ylona Garcia, KZ Tandingan, K Brosas, Pokwang and Angel Locsin. The energy was brought back up by stylist duo Rain Dagala and Em Millan through youthful, editorial, street looks in their sportswear-dominated show. It was complemented by powerful, collaborative performances from Gloc 9 and DJ Badkiss. With Bang Pineda’s flair for menswear, the stylist/designer went forward with a show presenting a legion of men imbibing the grunge spirit. Completing the vibe was a high-dosage rock performance from Kjwan led by vocalist Marc Abaya. DJs

Jake Ejercito walks for John Paul Dizon

Kapuso talent Wynwyn Marquez

Marc Marasigan and duo Curse & Bless spun in between shows to keep everyone on their toes. To end the festival with a bang, DJs Tom Taus and Ace Ramos spun their best beats, making the crowd dance the night away. Directed by Paolo Valenciano, Manila X came from the aspiration of Founder and Creative Director, stylist John Lozano to give every Filipino access to fashion and styling, and ultimately help realize and embrace individuality through the merging of runway shows and musical performances. Sponsored by make-up label BYS, and powered by Zalora and TaskUs Philippines, the fastest growing startup firm in the country, Manila X is the first of its kind in the Philippines — an proudly local event where music and fashion collide.

Kiana Valenciano

DJ Jessica Milner hands on deck for Manila X Festival

yeng Constantino performs her hitmakers with EDM twists

Gloc 9 sets the tone for the Sportswear segment styled by duo stylists Rain Dagala and Em Millan

t uES DAy : J uNE 14, 2016

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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First Filipino moderator at International Public television Conference

MA Network continues to bring recognition to the Philippines as GMA Senior Program Manager Nowell M. Cuanang becomes the first Filipino invited as Moderator at the International Public Television (INPUT) Conference in Calgary, Canada last month. Cuanang, a two-time George Foster Peabody Award recipient, is at the helm of award-winning GMA and GMA News TV programs Ilustrado, Katipunan, and Reel Time. INPUT is the world’s biggest and most prestigious public television conference that brings together public television program producers and broadcasters to discuss and challenge the boundaries of public television. The four-day screening event this year, held from May 8 to 12, showcased 90 selections featuring dramas, documentaries, animation, cross-media platforms, virtual reality, and news and current affairs from 30 countries. For the first time, two programs from the Philippines were screened in INPUT and both of these were from GMA Network: TAPE’s Eat Bulaga and GMA News TV’s Reel Time. The country’s longest running noon time show, Eat Bulaga was presented under the session “Kill Bill: How Can We Adapt Asian Style Entertainment”. Meanwhile, Reel Time’s “Gagged

(Busal)” episode was shown under the “Making Without Faking” session. A discussion followed after every program screening. Prior to this, Cuanang, who was cosponsored by Goethe Institut Manila, participated in INPUT’s rigorous selection process of hundreds of works from over 80 countries in February in Berlin, Germany. “For us media practitioners, we need to engage in discourses on issues and developments that affect the broadcast industry. It’s critical that we connect with our colleagues from across the globe to learn from each other and INPUT provides that venue,” shares Cuanang. The INPUT Conference became inspiration to many international television programs such as Survivor. During the 1997 INPUT in Nantes, France, the conference featured Expedition Robinson, a reality show produced by the Swedish Public Broadcasting network. This Swedish program eventually became the seed for Survivor, one of the most successful reality shows in television history. Since 1977, INPUT has traveled the world and was hosted at Milan, Washington, Stockholm, Barcelona, Helsinki, and Tokyo. It was first introduced in the Philippines in 2013 by Goethe Institut Manila through Mini-INPUT, where GMA-7 was one of the co-sponsors.

GMA Senior Program Manager Nowell Cuanang

Sang’gres grace toycon 2016 + Poplife Fanxperience

“Encantadia’s” new Sang’gres: (from left) Sanya Lopez, Gabbi Garcia, Kylie Padilla and Glaiza de Castro

cROsswORD puzzlE 41 43 44 45 46 47

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Raucous laughs 5 Unwind 10 Crazed captain 14 Colorado neighbor 15 Ham it up 16 NYC art gallery 17 Coins in the fountain 18 Nile dam 19 Frank

20 Split to join 22 Thundering 24 TV Tarzan 25 Chablis, for one 26 Way too properly 30 Strains the brain 35 Untold centuries 36 Opposite of “paleo” 37 Ludicrous 38 Fancy trim

Willowy Small pansy “ER” setting Lib. section ATM key Jackson and Jordan 50 Rough it 53 Frequent 007 foe 54 1950s card game 58 In and of — 62 San — Obispo 63 Rummage through 66 A Great Lake 67 Cats do it 68 Waits in traffic 69 1899 Gold Rush town 70 Ship’s trail 71 To date (2 wds.) 72 Cookbook amts. DOWN 1 Gift-giving time 2 Elec. or water 3 Syrup brand 4 Gives form to 5 Gearing up 6 911 responder 7 Near the floor 8 Video-game pioneer 9 Kin of argon 10 Omnia vincit — 11 Kachina maker 12 Revival shout

The most anticipated comeback of Encantadia happened last Saturday and Sunday at the Toycon 2016 + Poplife Fanxperience event at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. It was a captivating and ground-breaking debut of GMA Network’s most awaited telefantasya with its lead stars Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro, portraying the roles of the Sang’gres—Amihan, Alena, Danaya and Pirena. Joining the four Sang’gres were Rocco Nacino, Ruru Madrid, Rochelle Pangilinan, Vaness del Moral, Pancho Magno,Buboy Villar, Carlo Gonzalez, Kate Valdez, Mikee Quintos, James Teng, Klea Pineda, Migo Ad-

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

13 Loud noise 21 Chicago Loop trains 23 Hawk’s lair 25 Grand Teton st. 26 Irritate 27 “The Kiss” sculptor 28 Gold brick 29 Brown of big bands 31 Fay’s role in “King Kong” 32 Core group 33 Pay homage 34 Castle underlings 39 Percent ender 40 DEA agents 41 Biol. or astron. 42 Most fortunate 44 Little rascal 48 Elev. 49 Somewhere else 51 Open-air lobbies 52 Motel staffers 54 Crab appendage 55 Mystique 56 Pottery flaw 57 Memorable tennis champ 59 Winged god 60 Like a wet noodle 61 Service charges 64 House buzzer 65 Spike or Ang

ecer and Solenn Heussaff for an up close and personal encounter with ToyCon participants. Encantadia’s director Mark Reyes and lead visual designer Noel Flores also graced the event. GMA Network is the exclusive TV media partner in this year’s ToyCon. International artists such as Dean Cain, Kristian Nairin, Mario Maurer and Daniel Logal also graced the event. ToyCon, organized by The Asian Comics, Toys and Hobbies Collective Inc., is Asia’s biggest and longest running convention for collectibles, toys, games, movies, cosplay, and anime.

t uES DAy : J uNE 14, 2016

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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Continuing support that saves lives Different programs are being implemented by both the government and non-government sectors to help the poorest families living in disaster-prone areas relocate to a safer community. However, these families need more than just roofs for a place to stay—some of them are in great need of continuing support that will improve the quality of their lives. This is where Pharex HealthCorp., the most prescribed generic brand of medicines, comes into the picture. In partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation, Pharex HealthCorp. holds a monthly medical mission in the Bayan ni Juan community in Calauan, Laguna to ensure that its residents’ health are in tiptop condition. The Bayan ni Juan community is an initiative spearheaded by ABS-CBN Foundation, built for the estero dwellers along Pasig River and for families whose homes were displaced by typhoon. Every month, Pharex HealthCorp. and the Foundation visit the relocation site where they bring family doctors and provide ample medicine for children and adults. On top of this monthly effort, Pharex HealthCorp. also found the need to sustain the lives of 25 families who not only braved strong typhoons but also life, itself. According to Tomas Luke Marcelo Agana III, president and CEO of Pharex, the idea behind supporting 25 families came as part of the company’s 25th anniversary in 2013. “The first plan was just to hold a medical mission in the area,” said Agana. “Personally, naniniwala ako na even though hindi malaki ang matutulungan ko, mas gusto ko ang sustained health kaya monthly na kaming nagbibigay ng gamot sa mga pamilyang ito.” One of the lucky recipients who receive monthly maintenance medicines from Pharex is Frederick Villanueva, 65, who suffered from the consequences of stroke in 2007. According to him, he accepted that he could no longer be of any help to his family when he suffered from stroke. “Malaki ang naging dagok sa akin ng stroke. Hirap akong makalakad, makatayo, kahit makapagsalita,” said Villanueva who has been constantly receiving maintenance medicines from Pharex for three years. He continued, “Kaya malaki ang tulong ng gamot na galing sa Pharex. Parang milagro ba. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pharex na continuous silang sumusuporta sa’kin. Kung walang Pharex, tigok na siguro ‘ko ngayon. Sa 10 years na suporta ng Pharex, nawala ang mga dinadaing ko.” Jerry Ogaya, 43, who’s suffering from spinal cord injury, said that with the help of Pharex, he is now able to support his children with their necessities. In fact, two of them already graduated from college.

“Nakatayo na ‘ko at nakapaglako na ng gulay. Kasama ko ang Pharex sa pakikipaglaban sa sakit ko para sa pamilya. Sana mas maraming tao pa ang matulungan nila.” The same goes with Remedios Digan, another beneficiary who has been suffering from diabetes, kidney, and heart complications. She said that she wasn’t able to move her body prior to the sustenance of monthly medicine. She said that she failed to comply with the medications prescribed by her doctor due to financial constraints. “Almost ten years akong di nakakatayo at nakakagalaw. Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa Pharex. Salamat sa buwanang pagbibigay ng libreng gamot na nagbalik ng aking mabuting kalusugan,” said Digan. According to May Gutierrez, the resident nurse of Bayan ni Juan, she saw the progress of these patients’ health. “Marami sa 25 families ang nangangailangan ng suporta. Dati, karamihan sa kanila hindi nakakangiti, laging nagagalit. Pero ngayon, dahil gumaganda na ang kalagayan nila, nakikihalubilo na rin sila sa iba. Dun namin nakita na talagang very effective yung mga gamot ng Pharex.” Pharex has committed to promote compliance to medication and regular check-ups to patients especially those with high cholesterol and other diseases. “Nagkakaroon ng medical mission every month para talagang pangmatagalan kasi hindi rin ako masyadong naniniwala na one shot free clinic, maso-solve na natin health problems nila,” said Agana, giving emphasis on the importance of adherence to doctor’s prescriptions. What makes this year’s medical mission at the Bayan ni Juan even more special is the celebration of Agana’s birthday, which, according to him, “has been an annual tradition.” He said, “Parang gusto ko lang na everytime na magbirthday at tumatanda ako, nakakasama ko sila. Nakikita ko ‘yung kaligayahan nila and the best part is, I see them grow healthier. May progress so, it’s so nice to see it. Year after year na ganun ang nangyayari.” As Pharex support more families, Agana said, “The company treats them not only as beneficiaries to our highquality medicines but also as part of a growing family.” He concluded, “Pharex is looking forward to serving more Filipinos with our quality medicines. It will depend on what resources are available. Sa akin, di man malaking resources, gusto ko sustainable ‘yung support. Again, it has to be something that we can do and sustain, dapat pangmatagalan. Hopefully, we can tap more Filipino families and give them the continuing support they need in improving their lives and overcoming life’s biggest challenges.”

Jason Dy (fifth from left) gets cozy with members of Dyfenders

Juan Karlos Labajo with Juan Karlos united Families Club

Darren Espanto taking a selfie with the Darrenatics

Daryl Ong with the members of his fan club

Adventure Race for ultimate Fandom Challenge’s Contenders

in Wishdependence Day

he top contenders of the first Wish 107.5 Ultimate Fandom Challenge (UFC) vied in yet another battle -- an adventure race on Wishdependence Day, June 12. The final four -- composed of the Darrenatics (Darren Espanto), Dyfenders (Jason Dy), Juanistas (The Juans) and Mowienatics (Morissette) -- were required to send 15 representatives to battle out in the all-day activity. Also participating in the said event were the three Wish Fan-

dom Survivors competing to be the UFC’s 4th, 5th, and 6th runners-up. This group is composed of the Darylnatics (Daryl Ong), Francisnatics (Francis Ryan Lim) and Juan Karlos United Families Club (JK Labajo). The performance of each contenders in the Wishdependence Day comprised 10 percent of their final scores. Meanwhile, the special WISHclusive videos of the top seven are also scheduled for release today on UFC’s official website, www.

wish1075.com/wishfandom. The accumulated number of views of the music videos, will compose another 10 percent of fandoms’ final standing. The WISHclusive videos, which were conceptualized by the fandoms and produced by the FM station, will be available for viewing until June 28, 12 noon. The finals night of the first Wish 107.5 Ultimate Fandom Challenge is slated on June 28, 7:30 p.m., at the SMART-Araneta Colisuem.

Wanted: Bright young Manila Campus Hotties 2016 Chalk Magazine is on the lookout for the next batch of Bright Young Manila Campus Hotties. Online applications and nominations are now open until June 26. Coming from the success of the 2015 campaign, Chalk Magazine aims to push Bright Young Manila Campus Hotties further by going bigger, brighter, and better. For its 16th anniversary, the annual rundown of today’s talented college individuals will comprise of more challenges to create more opportunities for college students to bring out their potential and hone their talents. Starting from the online applications and nominations, the editorial team will select the top 30 individuals for live screening before it selects the top 16 finalists. The chosen 16 individuals will then participate in a weekend boot camp before they are introduced at the Chalk BYM Launch Party in July. The online voting will be launched on the same night. In the past years, Chalk’s Bright Young Manila campaign was a status symbol among the youth. With its thrust to support and inspire young Filipinos, the cam-

paign has committed to help individuals realize their talents and pursue their passions. The annual search has since produced the brightest young talents who have begun chasing their dreams in various industries including mu-

sic, fashion, theater, and entrepreneurship among others. Bright Young Manila Campus Hotties is Chalk Magazine’s annual search for the metro’s standout students, 18 to 23 years old, who possess the complete package of looks, brains, and guts. One (1) boy and one (1) girl will be chosen as the ultimate #ChalkBYMCampusHotties and will be featured on the false cover of Chalk’s October-November 2016 issue. The BYM campaign aims to be the implementation of Chalk Magazine’s thrust: to look good, love hard, and live young. Since 2006, Chalk has been honoring exceptional college students who conquer campus life and beyond. Think you or someone you know fits the bill? Become one of this year’s batch of #BYMCampusHotties. Simply log on to htttp://chalkmagazine.abs-cbn. com and fill out the Keep up with the online noise by subscribing to Chalk’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Get the latest news and updates from the Lifestyle showpage at http://chalkmagazine.ph and ABS-CBN Lifestyle.

t uES DAy : J uNE 14, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

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Artist. A self-thought painter, Kapuso star Ryza Cenon uses oil, acrylic and watercolor to articulates her artwork

From acting to painting¼ Ryza Cenon opens her first art exhibit ISAH V. RED

hey say if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks. This is true for GMA Artist Center actress Ryza Cenon who has turned to painting to cope with the pressures she feels in show business. Last Thursday, we went to look at the paintings she has done since she took up the brush and canvass to express her emotions. The collection of work that she has since accumulated is on display at Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico, a buffet restaurant on P. Guevarra in San Juan. The exhibit is called Independencia: Ang Panimula and supported by GMA Artist Center and owners of the restaurant. During the brief banter with the members of the press, Cenon said she took up painting as her means of dealing with some of the emotions while waiting for the next project on television. In vernacular she said that it’s frustrating for an artist, like her, to wait for a call from her mother studio and sometimes there’s none. So, instead of counting the rails in her windows or the number of cars that pass by along the street, she decided to learn to draw figures. The 28-year old Kapuso actress began painting with the help of a fan, whom she also considers a friend, who taught her the basics of drawing and water color. Ryza enjoys the use of acrylic and oil paint in her artworks. “I have a fan that knows how to paint and she volunteered to teach me,” she related. “No, I don’t have a formal training in the arts, and many people tell me to forget about going to

Ryza Cenon shows off a finished artwork

formal classes after they had seen some of my work. They say, my style could be altered dramatically after the lessons.” Cenon uses paints (oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic), brush and canvas to articulate her feelings. “Well, mostly, you see dark colors in my painting and that’s because when I did those perhaps I was feeling low and down,” she said. “I paint to express how I feel. Iba yung nabibigay niyang satisfaction sa akin, especially kapag stressed ako sa dami ng issues sa buhay in general and even sa personal life. Painting allows me to express my thoughts and ideas based on my feelings. I told myself, instead of expressing elsewhere your emotions, why not put it into painting” Cenon said.

the 28-year-old actress turns to painting in between tV projects

Cenon joins a growing list of celebrities from show business that have turned to the plastic arts in sublimating their urges to express emotions through another medium. Heart Evangelista is one of them and whose paintings are usually sold out when she puts them up for exhibit. She also into handpainting bags (Hermes bags, specifically) and gowns with designer friend Mark Bumgarner. Another GMA TV star, Solenn Heusaff, also paints. And there are others who have made painting an alternative career, foremost of whom is Joey de Leon. In more than a year, the versatile actress now has more than 30 pieces of abstract paintings and they are hanging on the walls

of Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico Restaurant until the end of the month. You may also view them on her Facebook page RACS Online Gallery. The paintings exhibited at the restaurant are for sale and part of the proceeds will be donated by Ryza to GMA Kapuso Foundation. I asked Ryza Cenon if she is ready for any unfavorable criticism she might read from professional art critics. The actressturned-painter answered good naturedly, “Of course, naman. Sanay na tayo dyan. At first siguro, magdaramdam ako, but I’d take the criticism to educate myself.” Painting has indeed changed Ryza Cenon’s outlook in life.