The Standard - 2016 July 2 - Saturday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX  NO. 140  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  SATURDAY : JULY 2, 2016  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

US WARNS BEIJING OF SWIFT RESPONSE

1ST CASE VS PNOY Aquino threatens to sue over ‘frivolous cases’

By Sandy Araneta and Rio N. Araja

PARENTS of two of the 44 Special Action Force troopers slain in a covert mission in January 2015 filed a multiple homicide complaint Friday against former President Benigno Aquino III, who immediately threatened to stue them and anyone who filed “frivolous cases” against him.

First time. President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo meet for the ﬁrst time since being elected to ofﬁce during the turnover of command from outgoing AFP chief Gen. Gloriouso Miranda to incoming AFP Chief Ricardo Visaya at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

RODY VOWS NO TERM EXTENSION By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he has no intention to stay in office beyond the six-year mandate he got from over 16-million voters in the May 9 national elections. ”For those who are talking about [an extension] beyond my term, [there will be] no second term,” President Duterte said in a speech during ceremonies to mark the turnover

of command at the Philippine National Police to Director General Ronald dela Rosa. Duterte has been pushing for Charter change primarily to shift the government to a federal system to federalism and not to extend his term. ”God, you just don’t know how I would be happy [if] we can accelerate the time and we have done the six years already. On the last day, I am going out whether you like it or not,” the

President said. In his inaugural speech on Thursday, President Duterte said he accepted the challenge to run for President “because I love my country and the people of the Philippines.” Saying he is ready to start his work for the nation, Duterte asked both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help him put a stop to criminality, illegal drugs and corruption. Next page

The complaint, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by parents Erlinda Alliaga and Warlito Mejia, also included Aquino’s friend, disgraced former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima, and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas, blaming all three former officials for the deaths of 44 SAF police commandos, including their sons PO3 Robert Alliaga and PO2 Ephraim Mejia. The two parents accused Aquino of criminal negligence for allowing then suspended PNP chief Purisima to plan and run Operation Exodus, the botched covert mission to neutralize two terrorists in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. “Respondent Aquino knows, or should have known, that running roughshod over the chain of command would wreak havoc on the many aspects of Oplan Exodus and would result in confusion, ambivalence and total operational chaos,” the complaint said. “The President himself admitted that all the communication regarding Oplan Exodus emanating from him to Napeñas, and vice versa, was being coursed through...Purisima.” Following the filing of the complaint, Aquino said he has told his lawyers to file legal action against those who file “frivolous cases, which are nothing more than harassment.” “I am curious as to how attorney Ferdinand Topacio intends to support his absurd accusations in connection to the tragedy that happened in Mamasapano. I guess this is to be expected from an attention-seeker such as he,” said Aquino. “The loss of the SAF 44 is a tragedy. I reiterate that if my instructions to then-SAF Director Getulio Napeñas were followed to the letter, perhaps the risks of the operation could have been minimized, and that this tragedy could have been averted,” he said. “Let me emphasize: The families of the SAF 44 have experienced so much pain. I am worried that the instigators of this case, in furtherance of their objectives, are setting up the loved one of the SAF 44 for even more suffering,”Aquino said. Next page

EX-GLOBE LAWYER TO HEAD DICT

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KERRY WARNS BEIJING VS PROVOCATIVE ACTS WASHINGTON—US Secretary of State John Kerry has told Chinese officials that Washington will launch countermeasures if Beijing takes further provocative acts in the South China Sea, American diplomatic sources said Thursday. If Beijing unilaterally declares an air defense identification zone over the disputed waters, for example, “It will force our hand,” Kerry was quoted by one of the sources as saying during the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue on June 5 to 7 in Beijing. Kerry stopped short of saying what kind of countermeasures he has in mind. But he appears to have signaled actions such as strengthening US freedom of navigation operations and the deployment of US military units in the South China Sea. Kerry also demanded that China abide by a ruling that a UN-backed arbitral tribunal will hand down on July 12 regarding the legitimacy of Beijing’s claims to almost the whole South China Sea, sources said. The world is watching China’s response to the ruling to be issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Kerry was quoted by the source as saying.

The Philippines brought the arbitration case to the court, arguing China’s claims to most of the South China Sea violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Many experts believe the coming ruling will be unfavorable for China. During the talks in Beijing, Kerry expressed displeasure about China’s lobbying the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations not to support the arbitration process. “We know what you are doing—dividing Asean,” Kerry was quoted by another source as saying. A Chinese official, however, said that China was “not bound by the Unclos,” the source said. China has said it will not accept arbitration on the South China Sea and repeated its preference to negotiate bilaterally with other claimants such as the Philippines and Vietnam in a perceived attempt to overwhelm them with its economic might.

The United States is considering expanding the Navy’s surveillance activity in the South China Sea as Beijing has stepped up island construction and militarization of outposts in the disputed waters in an apparent attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo there. Washington is closely watching whether Beijing will take further provocative measures such as unilaterally declaring an ADIZ over the South China Sea and reclaiming Scarborough Shoal, which Manila claims as its territory. Separately, the United States has informed China that it will refrain from taking specific actions on the South China Sea before Beijing hosts a summit of the Group of 20 major developed and developing nations in September, according to a diplomatic source. The move signals Washington’s push on Beijing to exercise restraint ahead of planned talks between President Barack Obama and President Xi

1st case... From A1

Jinping on the sidelines of the Sept. 4 to 5 summit in Hangzhou, eastern China. In Beijing, Xi Jinping said China would never compromise on sovereignty. The ruling party must maintain absolute power in the country, strengthen its military and enhance its role on the world stage, Xi told serried ranks of top officials in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, at a ceremony to mark the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party. “No foreign country... should expect us to swallow the bitter pill of harm to our national sovereignty, security or development interests,” Xi said, adding: “We are not afraid of trouble.” His remarks come as regional tensions rise over Beijing’s claims to nearly all of the South China Sea, with the US sending naval patrols close to artificial islands Beijing has built in the disputed waters. Xi took an apparent stab at the US, saying: “We will not show up at other people’s front doors to flex our muscles. That does not show strength or scare anyone.” PNA, AFP

A day after becoming an ordinary citizen, Aquino is facing a multiple homicide complaint before the Ombudsman over the botched Mamasapano operation, the worst crisis of his administration. The Volunteers against Crime and Corruption trooped to the Office of the Ombudsman and filed a complaint accusing Aquino of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide for his alleged role in the botched Oplan Exodus. VACC chairman Dante Jimenez accompanied the relatives of some of the elite cops in filing the complaint. According to the complaint, Aquino should be held liable for the “brutal bestial deaths” of the SAF commandos “due to negligence, imprudence, lack of foresight and lack of skill in the planning, preparation and execution of Oplan Exodus.” Alliaga and Mejia as complainants said “Aquino’s criminal negligence consisted of planning Oplan Exodus with gross and inexcusable negligence and thereafter approved the operation knowing it was flawed.” The complainants want Aquino tried for homicide even though the Ombudsman earlier cleared him of accountability in the incident, despite his appointment of his friend Purisima to participate in the planning of the operation even while he was serving a suspension for graft.

Prosecute them. Members of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption staged a protest rally before the filing of case against former President Benigno Aquino III, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Pusima and former Special Action Force commander Getulio Napeñas. MANNY PALMERO

Rody... From A1

The President also attended the Change of Command rites of the AFP which now has Lt. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya as its chief of staff, replacing acting Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda. In his speech Friday, Duterte also thanked former President Fidel Ramos for convincing him to run for president.

He recalled that Ramos was the first person to visit him in Davao and spent three hours with him at the Marco Polo Hotel and told him it was time that Mindanao had a president. Despite his misgivings, he said, he drew inspiration from Ramos. “I won because Ramos was there for me,” he added. Incoming Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 calling for a Constitutional Convention to change the current presidential, unitary form of go-

vernment to a federal system. Alvarez, secretar y-general of President Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, said that changing the present form of government would accelerate growth, especially in the countr yside. But Alvarez said that effecting federalism through a constitutional commission made up of lawmakers and other sectoral representatives was “practical and less expensive” than a Constitutional Convention, which would require an election of delegates. Alvarez said the HCR No. 1 was in respon-

se to President Duterte’s desire to implement changes in the country towards national development. “Federalism will allow divergence, like in culture and in religion,” Alvarez said in an interview. He said the House leadership of the incoming 17th Congress intends to pass the concurrent resolution in September. In the coming days, Alvarez is expected to file measures that respond to Duterte’s major advocacies such as bills on reinstating the death penalty and amendments to Juvenile Justice Act. With Maricel V. Cruz, PNA

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Duterte appoints three more PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday announced the appointments of Rodolfo Salalima as secretary of the newly created Department of Information and Communications Technology, Angelito Banayo as chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, and Liza Masa as head of the National Anti-Poverty Commission. “An information technology expert, an activist advocating the rights of the poor, and a long-time government servant are among the experts in their respective fields who have joined my Cabinet,” Duterte said. Salalima was a former executive of Globe Telecom Inc. who served as the company’s chief legal counsel and senior vice president for corporate and regulatory affairs until his retirement in 2008. Salalima graduated magna cum laude in AB Philosophy and cum laude in Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College. He has over 40 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, including stints in Bayan Telecommunications Inc. and Radio Communications of the Philippines Inc. Banayo is a veteran in the government service, having served as postmaster gen-

SALALIMA

MASA

BANAYO

eral, Philippine Tourism Authority administrator, and National Food Authority administrator. He was instrumental in the creation of the Philippine Postal Corp. and instituted reforms aimed at reducing employee pilferage. He initiated the probe into the corruption in the postal service and the oneway mirrors at the Manila International Airport Distribution Center. He grew up in Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, where his family had moved in

the 1960s. Later, he studied economics at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Manila, and then went on to the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and the University of the Philippines College of Public Administration. He will now head Meco, the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan, functioning as a de facto embassy in the absence of diplomatic relations. Masa is the former Gabriela Party-list representative in the House of Representatives.

She is a staunch advocate of the protection of the welfare of the poor and marginalized. As a legislator, she authored 53 bills and 120 resolutions in the 13th and 14th Congresses. As co-author, her initiatives which were passed into law include the Rent Control Act of 2009, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, Magna Carta for Women, Philippine Nursing Act, Anti-Torture Law, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act. PNA

Cabinet officials can serve until July 31 THE officials co-terminus with the previous administration have only until July 31 to serve in the Cabinet, President Rodrigo Duterte said in his first memorandum issued Thursday night. The memo was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who said

July 31 was the last day for the previous administrations’ officials to serve unless “their appointments are sooner revoked, resignations accepted, replacements appointed or reappointed.” “Officials whose positions have become

functus officio are hereby directed to... turn over of their records and documents, both hard and e-copies, to their successors and/ or the highest career official/personnel in their respective agencies,” the memorandum read. John Paolo Bencito

Giveaway. President Rodrigo Duterte and Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo handed over bags of fruit during their solidarity dinner with the poor residents of Tondo, Manila, on Thursday night. DANNY PATA

Marcos says he believes in Digong THERE is no doubt that President Rodrigo Duterte can steer the Philippines toward real change that will be felt by all sectors especially the underprivileged, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday. He said Duterte has the courage, compassion and dedication to lead the country toward progress. Marcos was among those who witnessed Duterte’s oathtaking as 16th President of the Philippines in Malacañang, where Vice President Leni Robredo was not invited. Marcos filed an election protest with the Supreme Court against Robredo on June 29, or a day before she took her oath as the country’s 14th vice president. Marcos said the tough-talking Duterte means a lot of things to many people. “A father, a son, a brother, a tough mayor and now President,” Marcos said. “But to me, he will always be a very good friend. A man who stays true, a man of integrity, a man of extreme loyalty.” Duterte had refused to give Robredo a Cabinet post, saying he didn’t want to hurt Marcos, who claims there was massive cheating in the last elections to deprive him of the vice presidency. “He will always have my support and I am one with every Filipino in this feeling of excitement as we welcome a new era in our country’s history,” Marcos said. Senator JV Ejercito said Duterte clearly laid down the direction of his administration through his inaugural speech, which he described as “simple and easy to understand but loaded with substance.” Senator Panfilo Lacson commended Duterte for drawing a clear line between Congress and the Executive. He considered it good when Duterte made it clear he would not interfere in Congress. “Of course, it goes without saying that congressional oversight is part and parcel of our duties. It’s also good to hear that he knows he needs the support of every Filipino and that much he said at the start of his inaugural address,” Lacson said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

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SSS pension hike bill refiled By Maricel V. Cruz THE proposed measure that seeks to grant P2,000 hike to Social Security System pensioners and vetoed by former President Benigno Aquino III has been filed at the House of Representatives. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, principal authors of the measure, expressed hope that the measure will finally be enacted into law under the Duterte administration as even President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself has supported the proposal which intends to help the millions of Filipino pensioners cope with the rising cost of living. Zarate stressed the pension hike bill can now be fast-tracked in the 17th Congress so that pensioners will finally “received the long delayed benefit due them.” “When the 16th Congress closed, more than 130 congressmen supported the resolution to override the unjust and callous veto of former President Aquino. Now, we are truly glad and thankful that several other members of the House are filing the same measure that Bayan Muna filed since 2011,” Zarate said. “Our optimism is also buoyed by the fact that President Digong Duterte also supported the pension increase; hopefully it will generate the necessary push so that the P2000 SSS pension hike will finally be enacted into law before the year ends,” Rep. Zarate, who also hails from Davao City, said. On top of the SSS pension hike bill, the Bayan Muna party-list group filed other bills such as the proposed Genuine Freedom of Information, Lower Income Tax, and the Anti-Political Dynasty. He added that Bayan Muna also filed House Resolutions for the immediate resumption of the peace talks between the government and National Democratic Front, the immediate release of political prisoners, a call for a moratorium on coal mining, the investigation of the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike Project and the stopping of the privatization of Fabella hospital. “I hope that these legislative measures would immediately be tackled, discussed and passed by the House as they all address the needs and demands of our people that Bayan Muna and, no less than President Duterte himself vowed to prioritize and serve,” Zarate stressed. During the campaign period, Duterte vowed to reverse Aquino’s veto and vowed to grant the wish of pensioners for an increase in monthly pension.

Double-barrel minister. Government peace negotiator Silverio Bello III takes the reins of the Department of Labor and Employment from outgoing secretary Rosalinda Baldoz during a simple ceremony at the DoLE office in Intramuros, Manila. DANNY PATA

Lagman revives divorce proposal By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL seeking to legalize divorce in the Philippines has been revived at the House of Representatives. Returning Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the principal author of the Reproductive Health Law, filed House Bill 116 seeking to institutionalize absolute divorce in the country. “Sometimes, it can even be morally necessary, when it’s about shielding the weaker spouse or young children from the more serious wounds caused by intimidation and violence, humiliation, and exploitation,” Lagman, a human rights lawyer, said. “While most marriages are supposed to be solemnized in heaven, the reality is many marriages plummet into hell -- in irremediable breakdown, spousal abuse, marital infidelity and psychological incapacity, among others, which bedevil marriages,” Lagman added. A similar measure was filed in the past 16th Congress by former Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan but did not even reach the committee

level because then speaker, incumbent Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., was opposed to the measure. Lagman explained that “while the State continues to protect and preserve marriage as a social institution, it gives the opportunity to spouses in irremediably failed marriages to secure an absolute divorce decree under limited grounds and well-defined procedures to avoid abuse, save the children from the pain and stress of their parents’ marital clashes, and grant the divorced spouses the right to marry again for another chance to achieve marital bliss.” Lagman also said that his proposal would provide mechanisms to make the grant of absolute divorce inexpensive. “The State shall assure that the petition and proceedings for the grant of absolute divorce shall be inexpensive and affordable. Upon application by the petitioner, the proper court may waive the payment of filing fees and other costs of litigation,” Lagman said in his bill. HB 116 also provides four additional

grounds for absolute divorce: “when either of the spouses secures a valid foreign divorce, canonical divorce, gender reassignment surgery, and when irreconcilable differences or conflicts between the married couple are beyond redemption despite earnest and repeated efforts at reconciliation.” Lagman said his proposal for absolute divorce is “pro-woman.” “Traditionally, in a marriage relation, the husband is more ascendant than the wife. It is the woman who is usually brutalized and it is the man who philanders and gets away with it. Lagman also said that “under these foreboding and unequal circumstances, a wife needs an absolute divorce more than the husband.” “In divorce proceedings,” Lagman said “the wife as the innocent spouse, needs a court-decreed alimony and support for the child or children under her custody with corresponding fines and contempt of court for delinquency in providing financial support.”

PH up in trafficking report By Vito Barcelo

From crime police to migrants’ police. Newly installed Bureau of Immigration

Commissioner Jaime Morente (left), a former police general, shakes hands with outgoing Commissioner Ronaldo Geron after a turnover ceremony presided by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. DANNY PATA

THE Philippines was upgraded to Tier 1 of the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for this year in recognition of its efforts to combat the scourge, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Friday. “I welcome the report’s recognition of the Philippines’ efforts to combat trafficking particularly in the areas of increased convictions; expanded anti-trafficking prevention campaigns for migrant workers; and increased prosecution to avoid child sex tourism resulting a Tier 1 ranking,” said Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. The report, released annually by the State Department since 2001, is mandated by the US Congress under Public Law 106-386, titled “Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) of the year 2000.” The TVPA identifies minimum standards

for the elimination of trafficking applicable to the government of a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims of severe forms of trafficking. There are four tier placements signifying level of compliance with TVPA standards, namely, Tier 1 (full comwpliance), Tier 2 (no full compliance but making significant efforts to comply with standards), Tier 2 Watchlist (no full compliance and absolute number of victims increasing), and Tier 3 (no full compliance, no significant efforts to comply). Since the issuance of the TIP Report last year, the Philippine government has regularly met with the leadership of the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Bureau to highlight initiatives, such as expanded training and awareness events for government officials, prospective employees, and the general public, and increased convictions of those complicit in trafficking.

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Gov’t mulls transfer of criminals to secluded island

Holy Child. Leyte (1st Dist) Rep. Yedda Romualdez (right) helps carry the miraculous image of the Sto. Nino to a ship for the 2016 Fluvial Parade from Basey, Samar, San Juanico Strait and the Tacloban Port Area. VER NOVENO

By Rey E. Requejo

The government is mulling transferring hardcore criminals, including big-time drug convicts, to other prison facilities or to a secluded island, in line with the marching orders of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs in the country. Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the disclosure even as he announced that he is now coordinating with Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa for the deployment of not only members of the elite members of the Special Action Force, but also of the Philippine Marines in the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa. According to Aguirre, the Duterte government will focus its anti-drug campaign on the NBP considering that 75 percent of transactions in illegal drugs are being done inside the national penitentiary. he said Dela Rosa earlier volunteered to deploy 1,000 SAF members to guard the NBP but Aguirre felt 300 SAF men were enough. The SAF men will be tasked to watch over the prisoners in three shifts for a maximum of three months to avoid familiarity. After three months, the DoJ chief said, the SAF members will be pulled out and will be replaced by Marines. On the other hand, among the facilities being eyed for the transfer of the hardcore criminals are the prison cells for rebel soldiers in either Camp Aguinaldo or in Tanay, Rizal. “We are also considering transferring them to an island. That is really being considered,” Aguirre admitted. Convicted drug lords have managed to continue their illegal operations inside the NBP through the use of mobile phones that were smuggled into the prison facility.

Drilon pushes emergency powers for Rody vs traffic By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Darwin G. Amojelar Senate President Franklin Drilon on Friday filed a proposed measure granting emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte and warned that traffic cost could spike to P6 billion a day if the traffic condition continues unabated Citing a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2014, Drilon said traffic congestion results in an estimated productivity loss of around P2.4 billion a day ($54 million) or more than P800 billion ($18 billion) a year. “The emergency power is already a ‘necessity’ given the magnitude of the transportation crisis that not only impedes the mobil-

ity of people, goods and services, but also threatens the livability of our cities,” the senator stressed. Relatedly, the new chief of the transport department on Friday vowed to further improve the country’s urban public transport system through a “special power.” “You want something more beautiful give us a special power,” Transport Secretary Arthur Tu-

gade told reporters after the turnover ceremony. Tugade said the “special power” is critical to relieve worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the overcapacity at the Manila’s three overhead rail systems and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Senate Bill No. 11, or the “Transportation Crisis Act of 2016,” authorizes the President to adopt alternative methods of procurement for the construction repair, rehabilitation, improvement or maintenance of transportation projects aimed at the reduction of traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other urban areas. These include limited source bidding, direct contracting, repeat order, shopping and negotiated procurement.

In the same proposed measure, Drilon also sought the establishment of a sole urban traffic management authority to streamline the management of traffic. he said traffic woes are mainly due to the poor enforcement of traffic rules and the overlapping functions of government institutions like Department of Transportation and its attached agencies Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office, the Metro Manila Development Authority and local government units. Drilon said the MMDA and the Department of Transportation should be the urban traffic management authorities in Metro Manila and in other urban areas, respectively.

Albay posts 96.15% senior high enrolment Turnover.

Incoming National Bureau of Investigation Director Atty. Dante Gierran (left) walks with outgoing NBI Director Atty. Virgilio Mendez after the turnover ceremony at the bureau in Manila on Friday. LINO SANTOS

LeGAZPI CITY—Albay has achieved 96.15 percent of its K-to-12 enrolment target with a record 21,767 enrolees for School Year 2016 - 2017 in senior high school out of 22,638 Grade 10 graduates last year. This is seen as reflective of the province’s strong support for the country’s revised education program, Gov. Joey Salceda, said, and praised the commitment of Albay’s teachers, through whom the “province comes several steps closer to eradicating involuntary poverty and several steps further in expanding its potential.” Salceda said without K-to12, some 50 percent of last school year’s Grade 10 graduates “would not have gone to college under the previous

10-year basic-education cycle and would either be out of school or undertaking technical training.” The Department of education last year hailed Albay as a model and champion for the country’s basic education, ensuring the welfare of both teachers and students, the delivery of quality education, and providing sound school facilities. Albay sponsored in July last year the Grand Summit on Senior high School, Deped’s campaign for the K-to-12 program, attended by some 4,500 educators and education stakeholders from the province’s four schools divisions. Salceda stressed the K-to12 program was “an essential ingredient in the recipe

for poverty reduction” along with three other ingredients—the 4Ps, universal health program, and community advancement. “The K-to-12 program will lead to a more equitable country where our students will become more employable, and on a global standard,” he pointed out during the summit. Albay has launched the Albay higher education Contribution Scheme, a scholarship assistance program that has sent to college some 88,444 students across the province from 2008 to 2016. Many of the beneficiaries have already graduated and are now either thriving entrepreneurs or gainfully employed locally and abroad.

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‘Bato’ urges bad cops to surrender By Francisco Tuyay

Newly installed Philippine National Police chief Ronaldo dela Rosa on Friday gave policemen involved in illegal drugs 48-hours to surrender or face the full might of law. “I’m giving you 48 hours to voluntarily surrender to me, otherwise just go on absence without leave (Awol) and be a fulltime drug lord and fight with us,” Dela Rosa dared scalawags when he assumed office as the 21st PNP chief before President Rodrigo Duterte in Camp Crame. At least 41 positions were affected in the newly constituted PNP following the assumption of Dela Rosa in Camp Crame Friday morning. Among the affected police officials were the four generals who were sighted inside the Novotel hotel in Cubao reportedly in a meeting with the staff of presidential bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas in April 2, a month before the May 9 elections. Nicknamed “Bato,” Dela Rosa is a member of the illustrious Philippine Military Academy Class 1986. He rose from junior officer to field grade officer while serving various assignments in Mindanao as battalion commander of the 11th Regional Mobile Group, Regional Intelligence Officer, Compostela Valley Provincial Director, Davao Del Sur Provincial Director and head of the Mindanao Satellite Office of the Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Task Force. Dela Rosa said he is appalled by how much money corrupt policemen collect from illegal drug syndicates, an amount they used to extort from illegal gambling syndicates. “I’m telling you this, this has to

stop now, or I’ll stop you from enjoying your life,” Dela Rosa said. “I promise, your change is coming including your birthday, which will be changed to November 2 [All Soul’s Day].” Prior to Duterte’s inauguration on June 30, hundreds of suspected drug dealers were killed in various encounters with lawmen in May and June, the period that Dela Rosa intensified the battle against drugs. “We will be relentless in our internal-cleansing efforts, we have to eliminate the scalawags from within our ranks,” Dela Rosa told all members of the police organization. The days of corrupt and abusive policemen especially those that are members of a syndicate recycling shabu are already tickingdown, he said. “Finally, we have a President who is determined to eliminate all those who prey on innocent people,” the new PNP chief said. Dela Rosa then asked for the full cooperation of the 160,000-strong PNP to join him in the battle against drugs, criminality and corruption. “I am your father, a father who loves and takes of his children, rewards his well-performing children and punishes his erring children,” he told them. “You are facing a daunting task: to reduce to the lowest possible level drugs, criminality and corruption. I am not cowed by this challenge, I’m very optimistic that together we can win this fight,”

Model. Newly designated Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa leads the random drug-test of the police hierarchy in Camp Crame on Friday. FRANKIE TUYAY

Dela Rosa said. He assured the Filipinos that the PNP was capable of ending the ills of the society, and asked them to help the police in this challenging mission.

Dela Rosa said his becoming the chief of the PNP was a God-given mission to be President Duterte’s right hand man in his crusade to provide every Filipino a safe, secure and comfortable life.

“Therefore to our beloved President, words are not enough to express my gratitude for your unwavering trust and confidence in me. I pledge to you my unquestionable loyalty,” he said.

Policemen extort sex from child prostitutes—study By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan A ReSeARCHeR into the commercial sexual exploitation of children claimed that some members of the Philippine National Police were coercing arrested child sex workers into giving free sexual favors. In her recent study, Psychosocial Support and Children’s Rights Resource Center (PSTCRRC) commissioned by Plan International, researcher Sucelle Czarina Deacosta said that police officers in Manila who do “hulidap” (arrest and extortion) operations threatened young sex workers with arrest if they refused

sexual intercourse. Aside from Deacosta, the study entitled “Commercial Sexual exploitation of Children and Adolescent in Metro Manila” was conducted by other researchers like project leader elizabeth Protacio – De Castro, Ph.D., Dinah Palmera Nadera, M.D., Marie Therese Galang, M.D. and Agnes Zenaida Camacho. “For example, one of the key informant interviewees [KII] that we talked to, a former CSeC [commercial sexual exploitation of children] [victim], who became a pimp, said [hulidap] is something that they protect themselves from,” Deacosta said.

Deacosta said the reality of “hulidap” surfaced when the pimp they interviewed, who does mostly online transactions, used the word “hulidap” when talking about common concerns in CSeC. “As the police know the small hotels, for example Sogo, that the girls frequent, they threaten to arrest them unless they agree to have sex,” the researcher explained in a report posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website. She said the majority of the 32 children, teens involved in the sex industry in the metro, a pimp, a poseur customer, and service

providers, have mentioned and described the practice of “hulidap” very consistently. “What we have are responses of the participants only so whether if it’s that institutionalized or not we cannot say. We take the responses of the participants at face value,” Deacosta said. “From their perspective it’s something that they actually worry about. We don’t really know,” she added. The study said majority of the individuals they interviewed were minors and confessed that they were forced to give free sexual favors to law enforcers to avoid being detained.

Rody to divide work week between Manila, Davao By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Exam. Members of the Manila Police District queue for urine canisters as they undergo a surprise random drug test at the MPD headquarters in Manila on Friday. DANNY PATA

DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte will alternately hold office in Malacañang in Manila and in the Malacañang of the South in Panacan this city, said his eldest son Paolo, who is incumbent vice mayor. Paolo said the President would spend office days in Manila and three days in Davao City. The Davao vice mayor, however, did not clarify if his father would take a day off on the 7th day of the week and where he will stay. Meanwhile, Paolo admitted that he receives several boxes of resumés of applicants

who hope he will recommend them for any position in his father’s administration. He revealed that since his father was proclaimed winner of the last presidential election, many people have approached him, but he just sends the resumés to the selection committee. The youngest Duterte said “I don’t recommend anyone.” Paolo said he knew his father does not like anyone recommending anybody for a certain position. He said that the President would rather decide on his own. “You know him. He does not like his family members to intervene in his work,” Paolo said.

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Fishermen from Tacloban City and Basey, Samar raise their image of the miraculous Sto. Niño during the 2016 annual fluvial parade. VER NOVENO

No pension increase in the offing—SSS By Romeo E. Dizon CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—An official of the Social Security System said any amount of pension increase—P2,000, P1,000 or even P500—is not allowed by its present cash position. Marissu Bugante, vice president for public affairs, said Friday that if they allow the increase for the two million pensioners, the fund would go bankrupt even with its present cash position of P462.27 billion. Bugante said that the pension fund would need P56 billion a year to sustain a P2,000-increase in pension.

However, she said they are not against increases for pensioners’ additional expenses, like medical, so long as this would not affect the cash position of the SSS. Bugante added that even if President Rodrigo Duterte orders the increases in pension through an executive order, financial advisers may have second thoughts in doing so. To increase the pension, there must also be an increase in the contribution from 11 percent to 15 percent. She said, however, that employers already opposed this. SSS has 32 million members.

Duterte daughter files leave, to start July 23 By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

DAVAO CITY—Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio filed Friday a 22-day leave starting on the first day of her term, her brother, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, announced, even as he refused to reveal the reason. The vice mayor said his sister instructed him to review all pending contracts of job order employees and other related documents

“so that there will be no vacuum in the government service.” “I was designated to prepare the annual 2017 bud-

get, review the Kadayawan preparations and ensure the continuity of all pending projects,” he said. Paolo said that Sara would make the announcement herself in a possible press conference on Monday. The vice mayor said the mayor’s leave has nothing to do with anything about Malacañang. When Sara assumes the office on July 23, it will be the first time that the two

siblings will work together as the top two officials of Davao City. In 2010-2013, Paolo was the Barangay Captain of Catalunan Grande when Sara was the City Mayor of Davao, Rodrigo was the Vice Mayor. The following election, Sara left the public office, while Paolo run for the Vice Mayoral post and Rodrigo returned as Mayor of the City.

Prosecutors inhibit selves from case of alleged Ponzi firm By Dexter A. See

Portrait. Solar painting artist Jordan Mangosan shows his 4x6-foot rendition of President Rodrigo Duterte. DAVID CHAN

BAGUIO CITY—The city prosecutor’s office inhibited from investing the numerous estafa and syndicated estafa cases filed by hundreds of individuals against the owners and proprietors of the controversial Satarah Wellness Marketing to avoid any suspicion of bias and partiality in the resolution of the pending cases. Some staff of prosecutors and lawyers have themselves invested in the firm. City Prosecutor Elmer Manuel Sagsago transmitted to the Regional State Prosecutor Nonatus Caesar Rojas the records of the pending estafa and syndicated estafa cases against the alleged Ponzi firm after the inhibition of the prosecutors handling the cases for alleged conflicts of interest. In a motion for inhibition filed by the counsel of Weng Pan Henrich Lau and other officers of the Satarah Wellness Marketing,

it was alleged that there are some staff of the city prosecutors and lawyers who have invested in the company which would allegedly affect whatever decisions to be rendered by the said office in the pending cases. It can be recalled that hundreds of complainants have filed various estafa and syndicated estafa cases against the owners and officers of Satarah after they allegedly divested from them millions of pesos of their hard earned money when they promised them that they will be reportedly guaranteed high interest in return for their investments. Satarah recently issued an advisory to its creditors acknowledging receipt of the list of those with investments but the management claimed that it was able to uncover that some of the figures are allegedly bloated, thus, the need for their accountants and staff to evaluate and assess such claims and that the supposed scheduled pay out last June 28, 2016 was not actually true.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

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OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

LTO LICENSE PLATES SCAM; BRILLANTES IS FINALLY SUED

[ EDI TORI A L ]

AQUINO COMES HOME

YELLOW-CLAD supporters, allies and neighbors welcomed former President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday as he came home to his family residence on Times Street, Quezon City, after six years as chief executive. The crowd thanked Mr. Aquino for his service to the nation. The former president, for his part, appeared relieved. During the past six years, he made no secret of the fact that he viewed his presidency as a burden—a task he dutifully but grudgingly took on despite the effects it had on his social life, his personal space, and even his hairline. It appears, however, that Mr. Aquino will not be lying idle in his newly renovated home for long, as he will likely be kept busy by the numerous cases filed against him now that he has lost immunity from suit. Those who believe he must be made to account for decisions he made during his term are not wasting any time. Just a day after Aquino’s homecoming, parents of two of the police commandos killed during the Mamasapano encounter of January 2015 filed 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against Aquino, his friend former Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima—whom he had tasked to lead the operation despite being suspended at that time—and Special Action Force head Getulio Napenas before the Office of the Ombudsman. Aquino, however, is not taking such suits sitting down. “I have instructed my lawyers to study possible actions at the appropriate time against those who instigate the filing of frivolous cases, which are nothing more than harassment,” he said. We expect to hear similar statements when more suits come in as a result of Mr. Aquino’s other official acts, including one of the most blatant abuses of the budgeting system, his illegal Disbursement Acceleration Program. Aquino himself mastered the art of causing the filing of frivolous cases against his political enemies, all in the name of the catch phrase “Daang Matuwid.” For example, what started as eight grounds for the impeachment of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona was eventually whittled down to the fact that he had not declared all his holdings in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, still detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, faces plunder charges even as her co-accused are now all out on bail. Certainly, the nation needs to heal and ponder ways to move forward after the divisiveness sowed by those who portrayed themselves enemies of evil. But, as Mr. Aquino liked to say during his time, this does not mean forgetting the inadequacies and excesses of the past. In a classic case of comeuppance, that spotted past now includes him—and if he does not get the quiet, restful and uncomplicated life as a private citizen he desires, he has nobody to blame but himself.

SYMBOLISM IN SIMPLICITY POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO THE inaugurations of now President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo while not ideal, were still meaningful. I would have preferred a single event with both of them present because that would have been the strongest signal to the people of their willingness to unite for the country. But it did not happen so we just have to

deal with it. Simplicity was the order of the day for both inaugurals. The VP’s was held in the compounds of the Quezon City Reception House where tents were put up to protect guests from the rains, and chairs bereft of any decoration were lined up. A simple makeshift stage was also installed for the important ceremony. If not for the seal of the Vice President and the welldressed guests, the affair could just be any other gathering. The program was brief and straightforward. The participation of the Payatas children’s

choir in the VP’s oathtaking ceremony is consistent with Leni Robredo’s bias for the marginalized in our society—ang mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan, as she puts it. The ecumenical prayer is also a statement. We have been used to seeing Catholic priests doing the prayers, or, if it is ecumenical, it is usually an all-male affair. For this event, gender balance was observed with two women and two men performing the function. Sensitivity in terms of age, ethnicity, and religiosity was also evident with the presence of a young woman,

The people should come first, the President and Vice President both said.

a Muslim brother, and a representative of our indigenous peoples (IP). This shows what the Philippines really is—we are a country of women and men of varying ages, cultures, ethnicities, and faiths. Yet, we all are Filipinos. The snacks served were, of course, our own: buchi partnered with choc nut; turon; maja blanca; sotanghon; pichipichi; and pandesal. The food choice adheres to the theme of simplicity for these are not our usual “special” fare. Yes, it is simple Pinoy food but yummy and filling. The VP herself came in a modern Filipiniana dress, which, according to some is not new. She was radiant in that

dress that symbolizes her personality. Leni Robredo is a strong, modern Filipina. She has gone beyond the stereotypes of what a woman should be. She has shattered cultural barriers that often confine women into roles dictated by society. Robredo as she took her oath, is someone who is ready to do big things for her country and her people as she so eloquently said in her message to the Filipino people. The VP vowed to be a consultative, transparent, and inclusive public servant who will work for the wellbeing

especially of the economically and culturally marginalized. President Duterte’s inauguration was not lacking in symbolism, either. The 16th Philippine president broke traditions for his oathtaking ceremonies. At the outset, he has said that he is not one for grand celebrations and that he would just have a simple event. Ahead of the event, we were already told that the menu for the inaugural would not be fancy. Indeed, it was a simple Pinoy feast consisting of munggo at tinapa, fresh lumpia ubod, pan-

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desal at kesong puti, Vigan longganisa, durian tartlets and fresh fruit juices. Again, the event celebrated simple but delicious Filipino cuisine. Traditionally, presidential inaugurations are huge events for the country. After all, each inauguration ushers in a new era for the people and generally regarded as a cause for celebration. This used to be a public event held in Luneta’s Quirino Grandstand (except for Erap Estrada who had his at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos) Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

FINALLY, the administration of ex-President Benigno Aquino III is over. Several Aquino hirelings have already been charged with corruption even before the ex-president stepped down. Many more are expected to face criminal raps soon. Aquino appointees involved in anomalies but who can be ousted from office only by impeachment may find themselves in trouble, too. Impeachment, as provided in the Constitution, actually works. It happened last May 2012. Several days ago, former Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. was accused of graft and plunder before the Ombudsman for approving, back in December 2014, a contract with Smartmatic-TIM for the rehabilitation of 81,000 precinct count optical scan machines, or what are commonly called automated voting machines. Brillantes was the election lawyer of ex-President Aquino III during his 2010 campaign. After the election, Aquino appointed Brillantes to the Comelec. In turn, Smartmatic is the controversial South American supplier of the automated voting machines used by the Comelec in the last two elections. Hours after the polling precints closed on May 9, 2016, Smartmatic altered the computer system which processes information provided by the voting machines, without permission from the Comelec commissioners or the candidates. This alteration seems to be the reason why vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos suddenly lost his million-vote lead over his Liberal Party opponent Leni Robredo a day after election day. Also, 20 Smartmatic foreign executives involved in the canvass were discovered to have billeted at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City, which likewise housed the national campaign headquarters of the LP. Why they were staying in the same hotel as that of the LP campaign nerve center, and why aliens were allowed to intervene in the elections in violation of election laws, are questions the Comelec and Smartmatic have avoided answering. The contract was awarded to Smartmatic on Jan. 30, 2015, a few days before Brillantes, Lim, and Yusoph retired in February 2015. It was clearly a midnight deal. Although the Smartmatic contract is worth P240 million, it was not subjected to the requisite public bidding. In April 2015, the Supreme Court declared the contract void because it failed to comply with that legal requirement. Continued on A11 Publisher Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

LTO LICENSE PLATES SCAM; BRILLANTES IS FINALLY SUED

[ EDI TORI A L ]

AQUINO COMES HOME

The people should come first, the President and Vice President both said.

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A10

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OPINION

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JUSTICE CARPIO’S UNDERSTANDING OF A TRAITOR BACK BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN MANY are wondering whether Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is living up to his role as justice or in fact brokering for the interest of the US by tagging as traitors those who are against the Aquino administration’s unilateral decision to bring our dispute with China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Obviously, his statement was meant to pre-empt President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte of his prerogative to defuse the heightening tension brought about by the Aquino administration’s decision to unilaterally file a case against China, which most political analysts consider a lose-lose situation for the Philippines. Justice Carpio was rather lackluster in calling those who favor the withdrawal of our case as traitors. There is no mistake that Carpio is referring to the Duterte administration because he alone, through his appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs or anybody assigned by him, can withdraw the case. Maybe it is embarrassing to those who hatched the idea, but definitely those who might decide to drop the silly idea of the Aquino administration cannot be called traitors or much more could be accused of treason. To withdraw the case can only be interpreted as a shift in our approach to the problem. Neither can that mean we are abandoning our claim. There is nothing wrong if the Duterte administration decides to favor direct negotiations. It must be pointed out that China has never given up its offer to negotiate. Rather, we failed to get the cue that China does not want an outsider or a non-party to meddle in the negotiation. Should the

Duterte administration choose to directly negotiate, it is understood that the Philippines has to withdraw the case before the two can proceed to talk. Carpio must bear in mind that the decision to bring our dispute with China over those islands in the South China Sea is a mere policy hatched by the warmongering Aquino administration. The Duterte administration has the right to choose which policy to adopt, having in mind the same objective of wanting to resolve the dispute. It cannot be pre-empted or prevented from enunciating a new approach under the veiled threat of accusing them as traitors.

Every diplomat knows that when one party offers to negotiate, there has to be a starting point.

To be called a traitor or to be accused of treason requires more than an act of disagreement with the government. There has to be a war between China and the Philippines with those Filipinos openly siding with the enemy. At the very least, their disagreement is in defiance of the Constitution. In this case, there is no war that exists between the two countries—or our dispute with China is in defense of our territorial integrity that is defined in the Constitution. Those accused of treason openly sided with the enemy similar to members of the

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA

FROM MARCOS TO DUTERTE

TO CELEBRATE the inauguration this week of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, I am featuring in this column lines from inaugural speeches that might be interesting or are still relevant today. I do not make a judgment on the presidents who delivered these speeches, as history will take care of that. Last Tuesday, I quoted from Aguinaldo, Quezon, Osmeña, Laurel, Roxas, Quirino, Garcia, Magsaysay, and Macapagal. For this column, I feature lines from the speeches of Marcos, Cory Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino, and of course Duterte. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivered a good speech, one of the best actually—it was brief but substantive, straightforward, written in plain language, clear about what governance would be like in a Duterte presidency, reassuring (on rule of law), and called for unity. If not for the snub to the vice president, yesterday would have been a perfect day for the country. Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965): “This nation can be great again. This I have said over

and over. This is my article of faith, and Divine Providence has willed that you and I can now translate this faith into deeds. I have repeatedly told you: each generation writes its own history. Our forbears have written theirs. With fortitude and excellence we must write ours. We must renew the vision of greatness for our country.” Marcos (1969): “The next few years will lay the basis for a reformation—a revolutionary reformation of our international and domestic policies—of our political, social, legal and economic systems. Truly them the decade of the seventies cannot be for the faint of heart and men of little faith. It is not for the whiners nor for the timid.” Corazon C. Aquino (1986): “We were exiles in our land—we, Filipinos, who are at home only in freedom— when Marcos destroyed the Republic 14 years ago. Through courage and unity, through the power of the people, we are home again. And now, I would like to appeal to everyone to work for national reconciliation, which is what Ninoy came back home for. I would like

to repeat that I am very magnanimous in victory. So I call on all those countrymen of ours who are not yet with us to join us at the earliest possible time so that together we can rebuild our beautiful country.” Fidel V. Ramos (1992): “The immediate future will be difficult in some areas. This could get worse before they get better. Sacrifices will be asked of every sector of society. But I am not daunted, because crisis has a cleansing fire which makes heroes out of ordinary people and can transform a plodding society into a tiger.” Joseph E. Estrada (1998): “But this time things will be different. What wealth will be generated will be more equitably shared. What sacrifices are demanded will be more evenly carried. This much I promise, for every stone of sacrifice you carry, I will carry twice the weight . . . Binabalaan ko sila. Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamaganak o anak na maaaring magsamantala sa ngayon. At ngayon pa lamang sinasabi ko sa inyo, nag-aaksaya lamang kayo ng panahon. Huwag ninyo akong su-

bukan.” Gloria M. Arroyo (2001): “Politics and political power as traditionally practiced and used in the Philippines are among the roots of the social and economic inequities that characterize our national problems. Thus, to achieve true reforms, we need to outgrow our traditional brand of politics based on patronage and personality. Traditional politics is the politics of the status quo. It is a structural part of the problem. We need to promote a new politics of true party programs and platforms, of an institutional process of dialogue with our citizenry. This new politics is the politics of genuine reform. It is a structural part of the solution.” Arroyo (2004): “I pledge to bring you a pro-poor agenda that will lift up our poorest brothers and sisters, invest them with dignity and imbue them with hope. I pledge to you a government that will live within its means and put every spare peso to real work. I pledge to reduce spending where government does not work and increase spending

Makapili or Kalibapi organizations like PNoy’s grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr., who openly sided with Japanese during the war. It is even farfetched for Justice Carpio to assume that President Duterte could be impeached for ordering a direct negotiation. One has to clearly point out that the President violated a specific provision of the Constitution. Our dispute with China in the South China Sea falls under the category of a territorial claim that is not even mentioned in the Constitution. If there is anybody guilty of violating the Constitution for abandoning our territory, it is none other than Cory Aquino. What saved the day for her was when she

scrapped the Constitution that referred to Sabah as part of our territory “by historic right and legal title.” Although there are decrees where we have laid our claim over some areas in the China South Sea like the decree proclaiming Kalayaan islands as a Municipality and the Scarborough Shoal or the Panatag Reef as part of our territory, it being within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone delineated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, the Aquino administration forgot that Unclos only pertains to the right of the adjacent state to exploit the mineral resources found within the zone. It does not vest sovereignty to the adjacent

state in the basis that it is within the 200-mile limit. What is clear is that B.S Aquino should have been impeached had he not mastered the art of appointing political sycophants as justices to the Supreme Court and in fattening his corrupt confederates in Congress by doling out huge pork barrel to secure the return of the US military bases in this country. The signing of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allowing the US to have at least six military bases here was clearly in violation Section 25, Article XVIII of the Constitution. Edca is a glaring example how the Aquino government bowed to US pressure to give justification to the US navy to conduct reg-

ular patrol in the South China Sea in the guise of securing the country’s against external aggression. One must take note that the return of the US military bases in the Philippines, all strategically facing the South China Sea, completed the infrastructure to contain China. From there, we could draw the conclusion that the presence of the US military bases in the country was meant to give teeth to the US pivot-to-Asia policy that hastened instead to coagulate Sino-Russian strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific rim as counterweight to the increasing US and Japanese military presence in the South China Sea. Stated differently,

Continued on A11

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A11

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Symbolism... From A9 so everyone who wants to witness the event can go. Duterte’s happened inside Malacanan Palace with only a little over 600 select guests personally witnessing the event. The rest of the country was glued to television or computer screens. It was as if the new President was telling the country that such rituals to him, was less important than the work waiting to be done. The guests and Digong’s Cabinet members all came dressed to the nines. The women in their gowns, mostly regal Filipiniana, and the men were in formal attires. The President’s clothes were the simplest of all. His barong was as plain as can be, without any embroidery and he wore it informally with the unbuttoned collar. He wore khaki-colored pants instead of the prescribed black or dark pair that all the other men were wearing. The President appeared like it was an ordinary office day (although by now we already know that his work clothes are his trademark denims and checkered shirts). Perhaps Digong was telling us that this is all part of his work. What did not escape many was the emblem of the Philippine flag on his left chest. It stood out especially because of the plainness of his Barong Tagalog. I gave out a huge sigh of relief upon seeing the flag because for the past six years, the former president only wore his yellow ribbon even when people were demanding him to ditch it for the country’s real symbol— our flag. The symbolism here is

From... From A10 where a government can make a difference for better. And while I am doing that, I will crack down on wasteful and abusive officials and influence peddlers.” Benigno S. Aquino III (2010): “Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, the Filipino’s problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives. We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation. This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on Election Day.

quite important: Duterte was showing us that he is the President of the entire country, not just those who voted for him. The message was not lost when he spoke to the people. It was a simple, direct, short, but strong and commanding speech. He was speaking as the President of the Philippines, no longer the “kanto boy” Digong who peppered his talk with invectives and swear words. It was, indeed, a very pleasant change. President Duterte called for unity so the change we want can be achieved. He rallied people to support his government because, as he said, no leader, no matter how strong, can succeed without people’s support. He gave out orders to his Cabinet members in no uncertain terms. He assured the international community that his administration will adhere to international treaties. He told those, including me, who doubt his unorthodox crimefighting ways that his adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising. His last line—that he is ready for the job, is the biggest message of all. And come to think of it, this message permeates everything about Digong’s oathtaking, that he is in Malacañang to work. And work, I hope the President and Vice President, will. Hopefully, in due time, together. After all, they are there as elected public servants. The people should come first, as what they both said. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook During the campaign we said, “If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.” That is no mere slogan for posters—it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration . . . No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years. No more influence peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens (walang wangwang), no more shortcuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.” Rodrigo Roa Duterte (2016): “To borrow the language of F. Sionil Jose, we have become our own worst enemies. And we must have the courage and the will to change ourselves. Love of country, subordination of personal interests to the common good, concern and care for the helpless and the impoverished—these are

LTO... From A9 Included in the complaint before the Ombudsman are ex-Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph, incumbent Commissioners Christian Lim and Al Parreño, and Smartmatic officials Marlon Garcia, Cesar Flores, and Elie Moreno. It is not known if the foreign executives of Smartmatic have been prevented from leaving the Philippines, now that cases are being filed against them. Another anomaly committed by Aquino’s underlings involves license plates for cars and motorcycles approved by the Land Transportation Office. A Filipino-Dutch consortium called J. Knieriem B.V. Goes and a local company called Power Plates Development Concept, Inc. got the P3.8-billion contract for the supply of the license plates. Soon thereafter, the LTO paid them P477.9 million in advance. The Commission on Audit, however, disallowed the contract for being illegal, and ordered the return to the government of the P477.9-million advance payment made by the LTO to both companies. At about that time as well, a partial delivery of license plates—300,000 pairs for cars and 400,000 for motorcycles—arrived at the Manila pier, but they were held by customs authorities for non-payment of the P40 million due as duties. Last April, however, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina decided among the lost and faded values that we seek to recover and revitalize as we commence our journey towards a better Philippines. The ride will be rough. But come and join me just the same. Together, shoulder to shoulder, let us take the first wobbly steps in this quest. Let me remind in the end of this talk, that I was elected to the presidency to serve the entire country. I was not elected to serve the interests of any one person or any group or any one class. I serve every one and not only one. That is why I have adapted as an article of faith, the following lines written by someone whose name I could no longer recall. He said: ‘I have no friends to serve, I have no enemies to harm.’ Prescinding there from, I now ask everyone, and I mean everyone, to join me as we embark on this crusade for a better and brighter tomorrow.” Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

to donate the license plates to the LTO. That would have meant P40 million less in the national coffers. Sensing the anomaly, party list representative Jonathan de la Cruz and another congressman filed a suit in the SC questioning the planned donation. Just recently, the SC issued a temporary restraining order stopping Lina from carrying out his plan. The petitioners are represented by Atty. Leo Romero, a seasoned public interest lawyer. If crusaders like De la Cruz and Romero did not question this large-scale anomaly, the Filipino people would have been robbed once again under the Aquino administration. Other anomalies under President Aquino III worth questioning before the Ombudsman include the special treatment which then Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima gave to drug lords detained at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa. The drug lords had amenities such as air-conditioned rooms, access to mobile phones and the internet, a jacuzzi, a recreation den, and daily catered food. They even had firearms! How prison rules prohibiting such special treatment were violated with impunity is a question de Lima has not answered. It was also under De Lima’s watch that funds of the Department of Justice meant for witness protection were spent for other purposes. The CoA had already invited de Lima’s attention to the anomaly, but

no explanation for the irregularity has been publicly made. Another set of anomalies that should arouse public attention pertains to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. When the MMDA was still under ex-Chairman Francis Tolentino, a set of traffic lights meant for Metropolitan Manila found their way to Legazpi City in Bicol. Tolentino has not explained why this happened. He was defeated in the recent senatorial elections. The CoA also disallowed some P900 thousand which the MMDA, also under Tolentino, spent to spruce up a small rotunda near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, despite knowledge on his part that the rotunda was going to be demolished to give way to road expansion. Last year, a policeman lamented that some high-ranking public prosecutors in the Pasig City prosecution office set him up in a criminal case for swindling. Although the investigating prosecutor stated in his resolution that the policeman is clearly innocent, a criminal case was still filed against the cop. Notices for the policeman were deliberately sent to the wrong address, and criminal charges were filed against the cop even before the period to appeal from the resolution had lapsed. According to the policeman, now that the Aquino regime is over, a surprise at the Ombudsman may yet await those city prosecutors.

Justice... From A10 the US’ obligation to defend the Philippines under the treaty is only incidental to the objective of militarily encircling China. The Aquino government simply did not have the tact to decipher that when China kept open the suggestion for direct negotiations, it failed to comprehend that China would not negotiate with us without offering something in return. The likes of President Aquino, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario and Justice Antonio Carpio always assume that China is big and powerful, and it is out to bully this country. Based on that assumption, they succeeded in precluding public opinion that nothing positive will come out by engaging in a direct negotiation with China. Every diplomat knows that when one party offers to negotiate, there has to be a starting point, and that the negotiation is always concluded on a quid pro quo basis of give and take. If countries refuse to call it a compromise because it might involve their sovereignty, they use other terms. This is in line to the proposal of the late Deng Xiaoping of settling the problem by setting aside the issue of sovereignty. If the other party has nothing to offer, then we could well surmise that China is acting in bad faith. Only then could we assume that the other party is demanding an unconditional surrender, and this is not the case why China wants direct negotiations. rpkapunan@gmail.com

A12

Sat urday : j uly 2 , 2 0 1 6

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Djokovic, Federer near ‘Wimby’ semis Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer can take a step closer to a Wimbledon semi-final duel when they battle for places in the last-16 Friday. Defending champion and top seed Djokovic, bidding for a third successive Wimbledon title and fourth in total, takes on America’s Sam Querrey. Victory will give the Serb a 31st successive Grand Slam win taking him level with Rod Laver on the all-time list, six behind the record

set by Don Budge in 1938. Djokovic has an 8-1 career record over the 28-year-old Querrey who has only reached the fourth round on one occasion, back in 2010. Third seed Federer, the seven-time champion, saw off world number 772 Marcus Willis in the second round and Friday faces another British player, 91st-ranked Daniel Evans. Federer is looking to clinch his 150th win on grass courts. Evans, 28, hopes to become the first British man other than Andy Murray to reach the round of 16 at a Grand Slam since Tim Henman made the semi-finals at the 2004 US Open. “It’s not a day out for me. It’s a good opportu-

nity. I’m taking it seriously,” Evans said. “He’s not a normal guy obviously. It would be stupid to say it’s not a special occasion to play him.” Centre Court action gets underway with Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka taking on former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro who is steadily rebuilding his career after a series of wrist injuries pushed him to the verge of quitting. Wawrinka is a former French and Australian Open champion. The last time two Grand Slam champions met in the second round at Wimbledon was in 2008, when Marat Safin defeated Djokovic.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves against France’s Adrian Mannarino during their men’s singles second round match on the third day of the 2016 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 29, 2016. AFP

Australia selects its oldest-ever competitor Dressage rider Mary Hanna was on Friday unveiled as Australia’s oldest ever Olympian with the 61-year-old grandmother selected to compete in Brazil. She will also become only the third Australian woman to represent her country at five Olympics, alongside table tennis player Jian Fang Lay, who is also heading to Rio, and retired beach volleyballer natalie Cook. “Every time I have done the Olympics I’ve thought, this is probably the last time I will do it,” said Hanna, whose first Olympics was in Atlanta in 1996. “But after the last time I thought, ‘I am going to keep going with this because I feel fit and healthy and why shouldn’t I’? So, here I am.” Hanna will be 61 years and 253 days when she competes on August 10 to surpass Bill Roycroft, who also competed in the equestrian event in Montreal in 1976 when he was 61 years and 128 days.

Canadian teen star Henderson grabs LPGA lead DEFEnDInG champion and world number two Brooke Henderson fired a seven-under par 65 Thursday to seize a two-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA Portland Classic. The 18-year-old Canadian, who won last year’s event by eight strokes to become the third-youngest winner in tour history, made a solid start toward repeating as champion with nine birdies against two bogeys at the 6,476yard Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon. “It was a good day,” she said. “I just really like it here. It suits my eye. Winning here last year, that gives me those extra vibes and extra adrenaline which I think will help as the week goes on.” Henderson sits two strokes in front of Angela Stanford, Demi Runas and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe. Henderson began her round on the back nine with a birdie at the par-5 10th, answered a bogey at the par-3 13th with a birdie on 14 and then closed that side of the course with consecutive birdies. “I started off with a birdie on the first hole and then nothing was really happening through the first five, just getting things rolling again and being out here,” she said.

Arian bids for Rio repeat; Phelps, Lochte clash nathan Adrian stormed home to win the 100 metre freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials punching his ticket to Rio where he’ll go for a second straight gold. Adrian clocked 47.72sec, improving on the 47.91 he produced in the semi-finals. Only Cameron McEvoy of Australia (47.04) has gone faster in 2016. The 27-year-old Adrian was just one veteran in the spotlight Thursday as superstar Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte lined up a tantalizing 200m individual medley clash with semi-final victories. Phelps comfortably won the first semi in 1:57.61. Lochte followed with a 1:56.71 that makes him the secondfastest in the world this year. “It’s going to be good,”

OMAHA, NE - Michael Phelps of the United States dives in to compete in a semifinal heat for the Men’s 200 Meter Individual Medley during Day Five of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. AFP

Phelps predicted of Friday’s final. “You’ll have an exciting race.” Phelps will be gunning

to add the 200m medley to a Rio slate that already includes the 200m butterfly. Lochte, meanwhile, will be

in search of a first individual Rio berth as he and Phelps add another chapter to a rivalry more than a decade old.

sat urday : j uly 2 , 2 0 1 6

A13

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

GT Academy launched

NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan (standing) and 2008 GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez try out the new GT Sport game during Nissan GTA Season 2’s media launch at the Atrium of the SM Mall of Asia. PETER PAUL DURAN

By Peter Paul Duran ENCOURAGING Filipino gamers to believe in their dreams, Nissan Philippines Inc. formally launched the second season of the Nissan GT Academy Philippines on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium. “Through this virtual-to-reality racing competition, we look forward to giving more opportunities for Filipino gamers to realize their dream of becoming professional race-car drivers,” said NPI president and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan. Embodying their “Innovation that Excites” tagline, NPI also revealed the new Sony Playstation 4-exclusive Gran Turismo Sport, showcased for the first time during live recruitment events of the Nissan GTA 2016. Nissan PH, in partnership with Polyphony Digital, introduced the upgraded racing video game ahead of its official global release in November. Lucas Ordoñez, winner of the inaugural 2008 Nissan Playstation GT academy in Europe, graced the opening of the event, encouraging participants to grab the Nissan GT

Academy Season 2 as an opportunity to make their race-car dreams come true. “Back then, I was just studying for my MBA. When I saw an ad for a new competition called ‘GT Academy’, I knew I had to join and take this shot to be the racing driver I dreamed to be,” said Ordoñez who also completed a podium finish in the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours. “Now, here I am racing on every possible tournament. It felt great to have taken that move. I hope Filipinos will grab this opportunity too,” he added. Last season, the competition saw over 13,000 hopefuls vying for the Top 6 spots that represented the Philippines at Race Camp Week in Silverstone Circuit, UK. Joward Policarpio bested other competitors from Asia to win last year’s competition and was crowned the first Filipino Nissan GT Academy Asia champion. “Determined ka dapat, you also need a little bit of racing experience and lots of practice, but most of all, just have fun and enjoy,” Policarpio said

BaliPure, Air Force seek title clash Games today (The Arena, San Juan) 10 a.m. – Sta. Elena vs Cignal (Spikers) 1 p.m. – IEM vs Air Force (Spikers) 4 p.m. – Air Force vs Laoag (V-League) 6:30 p.m. – Bali Pure vs Pocari (V-League)

BALIPURE and Air Force expect a Pocari Sweat and Laoag comeback but remain confident of their chances for a repeat and a crack at the championship in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan Saturday. The Water Defenders and the Jet Spikers pulled off a pair of tough three-setters over the Lady Warriors and the Power Smashers, respectively, last Wednesday and both are going all-out to finish off their rivals in their respective best-of-three series. Air Force takes a crack at the finals first at 4 p.m. against Laoag while BaliPure and Pocari Sweat face off again at 6:30 p.m. in what promises to be a pair of slam-bang matches.

Both games will be aired live on ABSCBN Sports + Action Channel 23 and via streaming on www.v-league.ph. “We’ll definitely go for it,” said BaliPure player-coach Charo Soriano, whose wards did not only move closer to a dream finals stint but also avenged their sorry elims setback last week that saw them blew a 2-0 set lead and lose in five. Alyssa Valdez marked her 23rd birthday in style, firing a match-best 24 hits in powering BaliPure to a 25-20, 25-19, 26-24 victory with former league MVP raring to unleash another performance to remember and steer the team to the championship round of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s. Air Force, meanwhile, went to powerspiking Judy Caballejo in the clutch as it turned back Laoag, 25-20, 26-24, 26-24, in their side of the Final Four. The former UST star unloaded 15 points, including the set-clinching hits in the second and third frames. Air Force mentor Jasper Jimenez said they would need Caballejo to step up again for them to advance and gain a shot at a first-ever V-League crown since joining the country’s premier and longest-running league less than a decade ago.

Shakey’s Girls League on TEN teams brace for a week-long battle of power, hits and wits as they slug it out for top honors in the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League of Champions Season 14 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The event, which gathered the top teams from a grueling regional qualifiers, actually got under way yesterday with four matches although the formal opening will only be held Saturday to be graced by Shakey’s events manger Stef Leuterio, Luz Ricardo of Mikasa and MyPhone’s Inyi Yruma. Southern Luzon, represented by the core of De La Salle-Lipa, nipped National U of the NCR in a classic fivesetter to clinch the crown last year with the two fancied teams tipped to clash again for this year’s championship with almost intact rosters. DLS-Lipa and NU are grouped with Ateneo de Davao, Southwestern U and Holy Family Academy in Pool A while UST and Kings’ Montessori School

head Pool B which includes Central Philippine University, Iligan City Nationa High and Holy Rosary College. “While DLS-Lipa and NU have the materials and motivation to go at it again this year, we expect a host of others to contend for the crown,” said tournament director Johanz Buenvenida of the organizing Metro Sports. DLS-Lipa tangles with Southwestern U at 3 p.m. today after the 2:30 p.m. opening rites while UST and Holy Rosary College collide at 4 p.m. before Ateneo de Davao and Holy Family Academy square off at 5 p.m. Kings’ Montessori and Central Phl U duel in the main game at 6 p.m. DLS-Lipa and NU are set to face off on Tuesday at 4 p.m. The top two teams from each Pool after the single round elims will advance to the crossover semis on Wednesday with the winners to dispute the crown on Thursday.

Rivera, Dizon fastest in Phoenix slalom THE elements couldn’t stop participants from registering positive performances in the seventh leg of the 2016 Phoenix National Slalom Series recently at Robinsons Novaliches. Milo Rivera, Reden Dizon and Richard Gallardo were the top performers of the event, with Rivera capturing another overall and production best time of the day. Rivera clocked 44.82 seconds, while Dr. Peewee Mendiola came in second in 45.68 seconds, followed by Estefano Rivera with a time of 45.70. Dizon, meanwhile, bagged the novice best time for Team Comet, posting a 47.76-second run, besting Dion Ortiz of AF Racing. Gallardo, on the other hand, copped the Front Wheel best time with 47.74 at the event

which marked the start of the second half of the Slalom Series. Winners of the June 5, sixth leg received their awards during the seventh leg, which was highlighted by the participation of the seven winners in the Automobile Association of the Philippines’ Motorsports Development Program, coached by Vip and Ivan Isada and supervised by Mr. Mark Desales. All class winners received four liters of Phoenix Accelerate fully synthetic motor oil. The 2016 Phoenix National Slalom Series is powered by Phoenix Premium 98 and Phoenix Accelerate fully synthetic oil and co-sponsored by Federal Tyres, Outlast Battery and Robinsons Malls. The event was also supported by Starbright Body Kits, Auto

Transporter and Aeromed, media partners Stoplight TV, Inside Motoring, DZRJ-Am, Pinoy Speed sa mga Pahayagan and Spin.Ph Sports Interactive Network, C! Magazine, Ride and Drive Philippines, Targa Pilipinas and Auto Industriya. All events are sanctioned and affiliated by the AAP. The eighth leg will be on July 10 at Robinsons Starmalls Pampanga, where winners of the seventh leg will get their awards. For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at 09178119337; email racemotorsportsclub@ yahoo.com. or like the event’s Facebook page racemotorsportsclub and phoenixpetroleum. Peter Paul Duran Some of the official Results: MSDP CLASS: 1ST Jero

Reden Dizon of Team Comet Tarlac Racing Team steers his car to the novice best time of the day.

Consing 51.34; 2nd Paolo Santos 51.94; 3rd Chenee Jimenez 55.00; 4th Polo Bautista 55.56; 5th Mike Santos 55.74; 6th Raymond Cudala 56.42; 7th Justin Reyes 56.96; 8th Gelo Ovilla 57.68; 9th Gabie Desales 67.56 Novice Stock Carburated: 1st Joseph Ortega 55.40

Novice Stock Injected: 1st Jero Consing 50.82; 2nd Vegil Calayo 51.60 Novice Modified A: 1st Reden Dizon 47.76; 2nd Dion Ortiz 50.68; 3rd Glenn Suba 53.56; 4th Raymond Base 57.80 Novice Modified B: 1st Dion Ortiz 51.30; 2nd Carlo Alvarez 51.46; 3rd Vegil Calayo 52.74

A14

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF VARIOUS SUBTRANSMISSION LINES/ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) TO BENGUET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BENECO), AS COVERED BY A LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED 19 DECEMBER 2014

S AT U R D AY : J U LY 2 , 2 0 1 6

ERC CASE NO. 2015-207RC

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO AND BENGUET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BENECO),

Applicants. x---------------------------------------------------------------------x

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Romero set to file bill on sports department

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on December 7, 2015, the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) and the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BENECO) filed a joint application for approval of the sale of various sub-transmission lines/assets of TRANSCO to BENECO as covered by Lease Purchase Agreement (LPA) dated 19 December 2014. In the said application, TRANSCO and BENECO alleged, among others, the following: 1.

TRANSCO is a government-owned and controlled corporation created and existing by virtue of R.A. No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at the TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

BENECO is an electric cooperative (EC) duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address in Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.

By virtue of Section 8 of the EPIRA, TRANSCO assumed the electrical transmission functions of the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the responsibility of the latter for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnections and ancillary services.

Section 8 of the EPIRA and Rule 6, Section 8 (e) of the EPIRA’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) also mandate the segregation of the transmission and subtransmission functions and assets for transparency and disposal, and authorize TRANSCO to negotiate for, and to transfer such sub-transmission assets (STAs) and facilities to qualified distribution utilities (DUs).

Pursuant thereto, the Commission promulgated the “Guidelines on the Sale and Transfer of the TRANSCO’s Sub-transmission Assets and the Franchising of Qualified Consortiums” (ERC Guidelines) dated 17 October 2003, as amended by Resolution NO.3, Series of 2005 dated 17March 2005 which set forth among others, the standards to distinguish TRANSCO’s transmission assets from its subtransmission assets and establish the approval process prior to the final sale and transfer of STAs to DUs.

Consistent with the ERC Guidelines, TRANSCO adopted its own Guidelines on the Sale of Sub-transmission Assets (“TRANSCO Guidelines”) [Annex “A”] as approved by TRANSCO Board Resolution No. TC-2003-067 dated 28 November 2003 [Annex “A-1”], as further amended by TRANSCO Board Resolution NO.TC-2004-009 dated 16 March 2004 [Annex “A-2”].

On 16 July 2011, the Commission issued Resolution No. 15, Series of 2011 entitled “ A Resolution Adopting the Amended Rules for the Approval of the Sale and Transfer of TRANSCO’s Sub-transmission Assets and the Acquisition by Qualified Consortiums.”

In accordance with the aforesaid ERC Guidelines, and based on a thorough evaluation conducted by TRANSCO, it was determined that the La Trinidad-Atok 69 kV line and Beckel- BENECO 23 kVline are sub-transmission assets. Copies of the report regarding the nature of the assets, the List of STAs for sale to BENECO and the Single line diagram are attached to the application as Annexes “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively.

TRANSCO has clearly established that BENECO meets the financial capability criteria under Article IV of the ERC Guidelines in acquiring, operating, maintaining, upgrading and expanding the said STAs. Attached to the application are copies of the Financial Qualification Evaluation [Annex “E”] and Audited Financial Statements of BENECO as of 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013 [Annex “F”].

10.

TRANSCO has likewise established that BENECO meets the minimum technical qualifications of an EC as set for the under the ERC and TRANSCO Guidelines. Attached to the application is a copy of the Technical Qualification Evaluation of BENECO [Annex “G”].

11.

BENECO is the only qualified DU that is directly connected to the subject assets, as evidenced by the List of Connected Distribution Utilities attached to the application as Annex “H”.

12.

On 02 December 2014, the BENECO Board of Directors issued Resolution No. 1362014 [attached to the application as Annex “I”] relative to the desired acquisition.

13.

On 19 December 2014, they concluded a Lease Purchase Agreement [attached to the application as Annex “J”] covering the subject sub-transmission assets amounting to TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTY SEVEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY NINE, Philippine Currency (PhP2,377,149.00), plus interest, plus twelve percent value-added tax (12% VAT) which BENECO shall pay in twelve (12) equal monthly installments.

14.

The subject STAs are valued in reference to the Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) valuation pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 01, Series of 2009, as amended. An excerpt from the SKM report for the third regulatory period is attached to the application as Annex “K”

15.

Finally, applicants submitted the following documents in compliance with the Commission’s requirements: a. b.

Draft of the Deed of Absolute Sale [Annex “L”]; and, Franchise Description [Annex “M”].

16.

The proposed sale has satisfied all of the requirements and criteria set by the EPIRA and its IRR, as well as the Commission’s and TRANSCO’s Guidelines on the Sale of Sub-transmission Assets;

17.

The approval by the Commission of the instant Joint Application shall pave the way for the attainment of a reformed electricity industry under the EPIRA, which would ultimately best serve the interest of the consuming public.

18.

Applicants pray that after due notice and hearing, judgment be rendered approving the sale of TRANSCO’s sub-transmission assets in favor of BENECO under the terms provided in the Lease Purchase Agreement dated 19 December 2014.

The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on 21 July 2016 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at BENECO’s Principal Office, Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the application may request from the applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 27th day of May 2016 at Pasig City. ATTY. NATHAN MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO (TS-JULY 2/9, 2016)

TRUE to his campaign promise, Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman Party-list) is all set to file a bill that seeks to create a Department of Sport, the government entity that shall lead the implementation of policies on the promotion and development of sports and health fitness programs in the country. The 17th Congress will officially begin on Monday, but Romero and 81 other lawmakers have already shown their dynamism by making their proposed measures known for possible enactment into laws. House Bill No. 287, according to Romero, will address various issues and hurdle challenges that confront Philippine sports. In the event that a sports department is created, the head will hold the position of secretary and will regularly attend Cabinet meetings,

something that the Philippine Sports Commission Chairman doesn’t enjoy. Romero said the PSC has failed in living up to its mandate of providing leadership and setting the priorities and direction of all national amateur sports and development particularly giving the emphasis on grassroots participation. He also stressed the need for the creation of Department of Sports since will greatly benefit not only the athletes and coaches themselves but also

their own family. “Since Mansueto Velasco won a silver medal in boxing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Philippines has not won a single medal in the succeeding editions,” said Romero, adding that after the country won the overall championship in 2005 SEAG, “Philippine sports seemed to have reached its threshold.” After the Manila SEA Games, the country’s showing in the biennial regional sportsfest has dropped drastically, finishing sixth in 2007 Thailand Games, sixth in 2009 Laos Games (Vietnam), sixth in 2011 Palembang Games (Indonesia), seventh in 2013 Myanmar Games and sixth again in the Singapore SEA Games last year. Romero has likewise called for the old leaders to step down to give way to young and visionary leaders.

FESSAP Chairman Alvin Tai Lian (sixth from left) is joined by FESSAP Executive Vice President Robert Milton Calo, Deputy Secretary General retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Angel Ngu, president David Ong, Taiwan Minister Samson T.L. Chang of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Ofﬁce in Manila, Vice President Christian Tan, Auditor Engineer Jedel Agron and Board Secretary Ngayee Rodas.

Tai Lian named Universiade team head PHILANTHROPIST and sportsman Alvin Tai Lian is the Philippines’ Head of Delegation to the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei City, Taiwan from Aug. 19 to 30 next year. The announcement came during a simple ceremony at the Legend Seafood restaurant in Pasay City, attended by Taiwan Minister Samson T.L. Chang of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in Manila and Angel Ngu, president of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. “We are extremely happy and grateful that Mr. Tai Lian has accept-

ed our invitation for him be the country’s HoD in next year’s Taipei Universiade,” said David Ong, the president of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the sole local university sports organization that is recognized by the prestigious International University Sports Federation, the governing body in university sports around the world. “Alvin is a well-loved figure in the Philippine sports community who has dedicated much of his time in uplifting sports in the country at the university level. The FESSAP is very appreciative of Tai Lian’s support of FESSAP ac-

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given to the public that official receipts of Zuellig Pharma Corp., bearing OR NOs. 953301K - 953350K, 291501L - 291550L, 307201L - 307250L, 339151L - 339200L and 0000057951 - 00000058000 have been lost. Any transaction covered by these OR NOs. shall not be honoured by the company. Zuellig Pharma Corp. KM. 14 West Service Road, South Superhighway Corner Edison Avenue, Sun Valley, Parañaque City (TS-JULY 2, 2016)

tivities and programs and looks forward to working with him again as we prepare for the Taipei Universiade.” Also attending the event were members of the Executive Committee of the FESSAP, led by its Executive Vice President Robert Milton Calo, Vice President Christian Tan, Deputy Secretary General retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Auditor Engineer Jedel Agron, and Board Secretary Ngayee Rodas. The FISU is the sanctioning world body that organizes biennially the Summer Universiade, Winter Universiade and other World University ChampionExtra Judicial Settlement Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Rogelio S. Narciso has been extrajudicially settled with Deed of Sale with transfer of rights among his heirs as per Doc. No. 51, Page No. 12; Book No. XLIX; Series of 2016 before Atty. Gervacio B. Ortiz, Jr. Notary Public PTR No: 5323504/Jan. 4, 2016. ( T S - J U LY 2 , 9 & 16 , 2 016)

ships in the different disciplines. The Taipei Universiade will mark the fourth straight time that the FESSAP will be sending a delegation of topnotch university athletes and team officials to the world-class competitions. Tai Lian is currently Chairman of the FESSAP Board and the president of Asia Pacific University Sports Union. He is a taichi advocate and instructor who believes that a healthy body and mind can only bring good health to a taichi practitioner. As a taichi instructor, Tai Lian is known to have taught the young and the elderly the healthy benefits of taichi during his frequent early morning visits to the national park in Luneta along Roxas Boulevard, City of Manila. Other than being an active sportsman, Tai Lian is known to be a generous philanthropist and a successful businessman in the Chinese-Filipino community.

S AT U R D AY : J U LY 2 , 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Fil-Am Cray wins gold in Sweden meet

Kobe Paras makes one of his winning dunks in the FIBA 3x3 World Championships.

Benjie heads to Los Angeles, comes to the aid of son Kobe By Ronnie Nathanielsz

BENJIE Paras, a former Philippine Basketball Association two-time Most Valuable Player and the only player to win the Rookie of the Year award and MVP accolade on the same year, is now in Los Angeles trying to figure out what happened in the case of his son Kobe, who was suddenly forced to quit University of California in Los Angeles. Kobe is now looking to play for another US NCAA Division 1 school, with many looking to sign him up. “They accepted Kobe’s SAT. He was there for one week this summer school and practices. Then suddenly, they released that news,” Paras told The Standard. ABS-CBN’s Steve Angeles reported from LA: “There’s been a

change of plans for Kobe Paras, one of college basketball’s most high profile, highly anticipated recruits: He will no longer be a UCLA Bruin.” Angeles reported that UCLA announced the withdrawal of the 18-year-old Filipino on Wednesday morning. In a statement, the school said: “Incoming freshman guard Kobe Paras, admitted upon con-

dition to UCLA, has withdrawn from the university due to academic conditions of his admission not being met.” But his coaches at Middlebrooks Academy said he is academically eligible to play for an NCAA Division 1 program. The Los Angeles Times quoted Cathedral High School officials as saying that “there was an issue with Paras’s Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score, despite being a consistent honor student.” Kobe had verbally committed to UCLA in the fall of 2014 as a high school junior. He went on to have a phenomenal junior season, attracting fandom at many of his games as a player for Cathedral High School. He went on to participate in several high-profile camps. “Due to an issue in his transfer

Taconing impressive in workout WORLD Boxing Council light flyweight mandatory challenger Jonathan Taconing put on a terrific display in his final public training session in downtown Mexico City, with scores of fans watching the Filipino southpaw and the reigning champion Ganigan Lopez go through their routines. The WBC informed The Standard that “the fists of the Filipino, Jonathan Taconing, travelled with maximum velocity towards the outstretched mittens of his trainer, while his legs coordinated like lightning.” After concluding his public training, Taconing “assured that he`s fit, strong and ready to conquer the WBC light flyweight championship, which is in the determined grasps of

fellow southpaw Lopez.” For his part, the WBC reported that “Ganigan also looked pretty damned fast. He was accompanied and supervised by Japanese trainer, Ken Nishide.” Since his controversial loss to then champion Kompayak Porpramook in Thailand in 2012, when the late WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman suspended South Korean referee for his lousy performance, Taconing has piled up nine fights in a row. The 34-year-old Lopez, five years older than Taconing, won the title last March with a majority decision over Japanese champion Yu Kimura in Kyoto, Japan. Johnny Elorde said Taconing had trained hard and was in great condition both physically and mentally.

During a face-off at the WBC, Taconing looked cool and calm, but Lopez looked nervous, saying it would be the toughest fight of his career. Taconing has trained rigorously and sparred a total of 160 rounds against Benezer Alolod, Ruel Rosia, Robert Onggocan, Jerome Clabite, Felipe Cagobgob, Cris Alfante and Edward Semillano. Boxing Scene’s Jake Donovan described the hardhitting Taconing as “a dangerous opponent” for Lopez, who has a record of 27-6 with 17 knockouts and faces a dangerous mandatory challenger in Taconing. Lopez told Boxing Scene:“I know he’s coming with all of his might to take my title and bring it home to the Philippines.” Ronnie Nathanielsz

and credit this past school year, Paras suited up for the Middlebrooks Academy, a basketball prep program that is also run by Cathedral’s coach William Middlebrooks,” said Angeles. Last February, Cathedral High School announced that Kobe had scored 1750 on his SAT, which is regarded as high. However, the average incoming UCLA freshman supposedly has a score of 2064. The withdrawal comes just weeks after Paras checked in on campus with the school, tweeting his visits and his locker room nameplate. He even had a chance to meet his fellow class of 2016 recruits during his visit. “The issue apparently is SAT. Based on UCLA’s standards and his announced score, he fell below the UCLA average,” coach Middlebrooks said.

FIL-AMERICAN sprinter Eric Cray beat Juander Santos of the Dominican Republic to win the gold medal in the recent World Athletics Series held in Sollentuna, Sweden. Cray clocked 49.67 seconds to finish ahead of Santos, who settled for the silver in 49.9 seconds, according to results obtained from the International Association of Athletics Federation website. The gold-medal win came a few days after Cray obtained official confirmation that he qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Cornel Frederick Santos of South Africa settled for the bronze in 49.94 seconds. The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, through its president Philip Ella Juico received an official communication from the IAAF, confirming that Cray has met the qualification of 48.98 seconds. On Thursday, the Texas-based Cray ran 48.98 seconds on Thursday evening to finish second in the men’s 400-meter hurdles finals at the IAAF Madrid World Challenge Cup in Spain. Earlier, Cray’s time broke the Philippine record of 49.07 seconds which he himself set in Kawasaki, Japan on May 8, 2016. Cray is now seeking a lower time of 48.5 seconds, according to his coach Davian Clarke. Clarke told Juico that this is what they are working on after Cray achieved a breakthrough time of under 49.0 secs. Peter Atencio

Ramirez promises govt support to SEAG hosting By Peter Atencio PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said Friday that the Philippine government will provide an initial guarantee in its bid to host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Ramirez, who took his oath of office Friday along with the agency’s four new commissioners, will give the assurance when he attends a SEA Games Federation meeting set July 12 to 14 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He will be joined by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., who said that the PSC chair will also explain to the SEAG federation the Philippine government’s position. “It’s about the government guarantee. We will talk to them and inform the council about it,” said Cojuangco.

The sports officials’ joint effort to firm up the country’s bid to host the 2019 Games came as the Olympic Council of Malaysia reinstated judo, fencing and eight athletics events in the 2017 SEA Games’ calendar of events . The OCM, which is organizing the games, made the decision following a meeting last June 19 in Kuala Lumpur. Last March, Malaysian organizers dropped marathon (men and women), 10,000m, 3,000m (men and women), 3,000m steeplechase, decathlon and heptathlon. The organizers, however, immediately reinstated the events after receiving a warning from the Asia Athletics Association. Ramirez, along with incoming commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Arnold Agustin, pencak silat’s Fatima Celia Kiram and Charles Maxey took their oaths of office in Malacañang.

A16

S AT U R DAY : J U LY 2 , 2 0 16 RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

France is FIBA team to beat By Jeric Lopez

WITH the last-minute inclusion of Nicolas Batum in its line-up and a motivated Tony Parker in tow, France became the odds-on favorite to win the Manila leg of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. After initially stating that he will not play for the French National team for this FOQT, Batum had a change of heart and was suddenly included in France’s final 12-man roster. There was however a conflicting report that he might not make the team after he was all set to sign a $120-million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on July 7. But with or without Batum, France is still the team to beat for the FOQT, but host Gilas Pilipinas, Canada, Turkey, New Zealand are all determined to slay the world ‘s No. 5 and pretournament favorite. “We’re going to have to work really hard and be at our best if we’re going to have a chance,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin. “I believe we have a fair

The French national team, led by NBA superstar Tony Parker (center) of the San Antonio Spurs, is in town for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Batum

shot at it.” Only one of the six competing countries, the champion of the tournament, will get one of the only three remaining tickets to the Rio Olympics in August. Led by Parker, Batum and Boris Diaw, all of which are National Basketball Association veterans, France, which is coached by Vincent Collet, already arrived Friday morning in Manila. The FOQT starts on July 5 and concludes on the 10th and will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Gilas Pilipinas and France immediately lock horns at 9 p.m. on opening day. Those teams are grouped with New Zealand, while Canada, Senegal and Turkey are in the other half. The top two teams of each group will advance to the crossover semifinals. Indicating that this will be his final stint with the French National team, Parker vowed to go all-out as he sacrificed being with his wife and new-born baby just to be able to represent his country in hopes of making it to Rio. Meanwhile, the Philippines is currently fighting Turkey as of this report at the MOA Arena in both teams’ final tune-up game before they plunge to the tournament next week.

Pint-sized Jalalon delivers in a big way for AU Chiefs turning in 10 points right in the first quarter as the Chiefs stormed PINT-SIZED Jiovani Jalalon made to an early 18-6 spread with 3:12 the big plays and finished with a left to go heading into the second game-high 31 points to lead Arel- quarter. lano University past San Sebastian The Stags tried to move closer College, 99-81, and into its second behind Ryan Costelo, who banged win Friday in the 92nd National in 11 of 15 points in the second Collegiate Athletics Association period to stay within range at men’s basketball halftime, 39-46, tournament at the but Arellano’s Kent Games Monday (San Juan Arena) Arena in San Juan. Salado, who had 9 a.m. SSC vs Mapua (jrs) The win had the 10:45 17, stepped up and p.m. EAC vs San Beda (jrs) Chiefs climbing 12:30 p.m. Arellano vs JRU (srs) joined forces with 2:15 p.m. UPHSD vs CSB (srs) into a share of the Jalalon in the third 4 p.m. Lyceum vs Letran (srs) lead with defending period, even as the champion San Beda Chiefs’ pressure deRed Lions and the Mapua Car- fense forced the Stags into a spate dinals, who defeated the College of turnovers. of St. Benilde Blazers, 78-68, last The Chiefs built a big lead, 71Tuesday. 55, on a floater from Julius CadaIn the second game, defending vis and padded it to a huge 95-77 champion Letran College squan- spread on a basket from Salado. dered an 18-point lead but still had “It just happened. San Sebasenough cushion to turn back the tian was within striking distance. CSB Blazers, 56-52. Nagiging shootout nu’ng una. We The Knights leaned on timely can’t find a good chemistry in the baskets from Felix Apreku and JP backcourt, and on our pressure deCalvo en route to their second win fense. But we did when we brought in three outings. Salado together with Jalalon,” said The 5’7” Jalalon exploded early, Chiefs coach Jerry Codnera.

By Peter Atencio

SATURDAY: JULY 2, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 1, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,830.35 34.10

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing July 1, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.915

44.00

43.00

HIGH P46.900 LOW P47.030 AVERAGE P46.968 VOLUME 538.000M

New Finance chief. Former finance secretary Cesar Purisima (left) turns over the Department of Finance flag to his successor, Carlos Dominguez. Dominguez urged DoF officials during the turnover ceremony to ensure sufficient revenue flow and look after the needs of the Filipino people.

Gokongwei joins power generation

By Alena Mae S. Flores

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group agreed to take a 30-percent stake in Global Business Power Corp. from GT Capital Holdings Inc. and Meralco Power Gen Corp. for P11.8 billion. JG Summit, in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Friday, said it purchased 577,206,290 shares of Global Business Power consisting of 423,284,613 shares from GT Capital Holdings Inc. and 153,921,677 shares from Meralco PowerGen Corp. GT Capital, in a separate disclosure, said it signed an agreement to sell a 22-percent stake in Global Business Power to JG

Summit for P8.6 billion. GT Capital said the deal followed its acquisition of the 22-percent stake of Orix P & E Philippines Corp. in Global Business Power. “The transaction is in line with the Tag-Along Right of Orix and the GT Capital Group’s decision to continue its indirect participation in the power industry,” GT Capital said. JG Summit said the purchase

would “expand JGSHI’s participation in the power sector.” JG Summit has plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Batangas. JG Summit acquired Global Business Power’s shares at a value of P20.47 apiece “The purchase price was based on an agreed valuation of GBPC as confirmed by an independent third party valuator,” GT Capital said. Global Business Power is one of the power producers in Visayas and Mindoro island with a combined capacity of 704 MW, comprising 696.5 MW supplied to the Visayas grid and 7.5 MW within Mindoro island. GT Capital is a conglomerate controlled by businessman George Ty, while Meralco PowerGen is a unit of Manila Electric Co. Meralco PowerGen, mean-

while, sold its 8 percent stake in Global Business Power, leaving the company with a 14-percent equity from its original 22-percent shareholdings. First Pacific Co. Ltd.’s associate, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc., through wholly-owned subsidiary Beacon PowerGen Holdings Inc., earlier acquired 56 percent of Global Business Power for P22.6 billion in May. Beacon Electric, meanwhile, owns a 35 percent stake in Meralco. First Pacific and JG Summnit are partners in Philippine Long distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications company in the Philippines. Global Business Power is building a 670-MW power plant through subsidiary Global Business Power in Luzon.

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

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, July 1, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

47.0070

Japan

Yen

0.009685

0.4553

Pound

1.331600

62.5945

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128883

6.0584

Switzerland

Franc

1.024695

48.1678

Canada

Dollar

0.773814

36.3747

Singapore

Dollar

0.742501

34.9027

Australia

Dollar

0.745000

35.0202

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651465

124.6374

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266745

12.5389

Brunei

Dollar

0.739754

34.7736

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028466

1.3381

UAE

Dirham 0.272287

12.7994

Euro

1.110700

52.2107

Korea

Won

0.000869

0.0408

China

Yuan

0.150421

7.0708

India

Rupee

0.014816

0.6965

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.248447

11.6787

New Zealand Dollar

0.713000

33.5160

Taiwan

0.031044

Dollar

1.4593 Source: PDS Bridge

Environment chief wants higher govt share in mining revenues By Anna Leah E. Gonzales ENVIRONMENT Secretary Regina Lopez said Friday the government should have a higher revenue share in the mining industry. “I feel that the government should get more. That’s my take. If you look at the numbers, the suffering goes to the community but the bulk goes to taxes. I don’t think that’s right. And if you look at our share in the taxes, we don’t get much at all,” Lopez said in her first briefing as environment chief under the Duterte administration. The Mining Act imposes a 2-percent excise tax on mining companies operating under

the mineral production sharing agreement. Companies under MPSA and operating in mineral reservation areas are also subject to an additional 5-percent royalty. MPSAs are granted to mining firms which have at least 60-percent local ownership, while the financial or technical assistance agreement allows 100-percent foreign ownership of the projects. Projects under FTAA are subject to a 50-50 revenue sharing agreement. The Mining Industry Coordinating Council approved a new mining revenue sharing scheme last year that aimed to increase the government’s share from the mining industry. MICC approved a 10-percent

tax on gross revenues or a 55-percent share of the adjusted net mining revenues, whichever was higher. Adjusted mining revenue refers to the difference between gross sales and costs. “It’s our minerals. It comes out of our community, so why should they get more?” Lopez said. Lopez also said President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an audit of all existing mine sites. “What is in my prerogative is to do an audit on all existing mine sites. There will be an assessment on all mining operations,” Lopez said. “Any decision I make and that the agency makes, the main reason will be the common good. My challenge to the mining companies is to prove that the existence

of their operation is good,” Lopez said. Lopez said operations of mining companies found to be causing suffering would be stopped. “Just to be clear, I am not anti mining. The mining sector has to shift its method because the poorest areas in the country are mining areas. They have to shift. They have to do with common good,” Lopez said. Lopez said all mining companies were also required to secure International Standards Organization 14001 - Environmental Management Systems certification. The Environment Department issued Administrative Order 2015-07 on April 30, 2015 which

required all holders of mineral agreements and FTAAs engaged in metallic operations to secure the certification within a year. Failure to secure the certification will lead to the suspension of the company’s environmental compliance certificate. Companies will also not be issued ore transport permit. Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno said only 30 percent of 42 operating companies were ISO 14001 compliant so far. “ The deadline of securing was April 30, but majority or the 70 percent requested for an extension because some of them are in the process of securing the certification,” Jasareno said.

SATURDAY: JULY 2, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, July 1, 2016

52 Weeks

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

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

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 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 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.68 3.5 47.5 4 115.20 112.80 99.60 97.70 38.5 38 4.10 4.10 1.40 1.40 9.05 9.05 14.5 14.1 18.42 18.18 2.5 2.08 0.560 0.530 91 89 0.91 0.91 14.96 14.94 57.85 56.50 107 105 800 669 265 264 32 31.65 195.8 190 1350.00 1350.00 65.15 64.80 1.52 1.52 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp. 46.05 46.7 45.5 Agrinurture Inc. 3.74 3.76 3.65 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.83 0.82 0.8 Alsons Cons. 2 2.03 1.98 Asiabest Group 11.5 12 11.1 Bogo Medelin 55.05 55.05 55.05 Century Food 21.85 22.75 22 Chemphil 170 175 175 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 183 178 170 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 16.3 16.34 15.4 Concepcion 47 47.5 46 Crown Asia 2.02 2.06 2 Da Vinci Capital 5.71 5.85 5.48 Del Monte 12.3 12.36 12.2 DNL Industries Inc. 9.990 9.880 9.500 Emperador 7.25 7.25 7.07 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.52 5.68 5.52 EEI 7.69 7.75 7.69 First Gen Corp. 24.9 25.25 24.8 First Holdings ‘A’ 67.85 68.1 67.8 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.90 12.30 12.00 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.10 15.10 15.30 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.63 5.65 5.56 Ionics Inc 2.320 2.320 2.300 Jollibee Foods Corp. 242.00 245.40 243.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.15 3.15 3.15 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.1 27 26.8 Maxs Group 29.1 29.95 28.5 Megawide 6.56 6.6 6.58 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 310.00 318.80 312.20 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.3 3.39 3.31 Petron Corporation 11.14 11.10 10.98 Phinma Corporation 11.14 11.64 11.64 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.20 6.25 6.02 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.67 1.67 1.63 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.85 2.83 2.79 RFM Corporation 4.18 4.20 4.18 Roxas and Co. 2.31 2.53 2.31 Roxas Holdings 4 4 4 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 210 210 208 Splash Corporation 2.55 2.55 2.51 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.147 0.149 0.146 TKC Steel Corp. 1.83 1.90 1.77 Trans-Asia Oil 2.43 2.50 2.41 Universal Robina 208 208.6 206.8 Vitarich Corp. 0.86 0.88 0.86 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.28 1.28 1.23 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. À’ 0.380 0.385 0.375 Aboitiz Equity 77.95 80.30 77.95 Alliance Global Inc. 14.80 15.28 14.94 Anglo Holdings A 1.13 1.15 1.13 Anscor À’ 6.00 6.00 6.00 ATN Holdings A 0.370 0.375 0.370 ATN Holdings B 0.370 0.385 0.370 Ayala Corp À’ 849 854 839.4 Cosco Capital 7.78 7.89 7.7 DMCI Holdings 12.60 12.84 12.66 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.3 5.69 5.28 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 6.60 6.57 6.50 Forum Pacific 0.230 0.280 0.210 GT Capital 1440 1465 1450 House of Inv. 6.45 6.40 6.30 JG Summit Holdings 86.00 86.00 83.50 Keppel Holdings À’ 5.5 6.5 5.52 Lopez Holdings Corp. 7.75 7.78 7.62 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.68 0.7 0.69 LT Group 15.92 15.98 15.82 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.97 6.98 6.69 MJCI Investments Inc. 3.3 3.6 3.1 Pacifica À’ 0.0330 0.0360 0.0340 Prime Media Hldg 1.250 1.250 1.250 Prime Orion 1.810 1.830 1.810 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.60 2.60 2.60 San Miguel Corp À’ 78.35 78.75 77.70 Seafront À’ 2.13 2.25 2.20 SM Investments Inc. 967.00 1005.00 976.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.17 1.19 1.17 South China Res. Inc. 0.90 0.93 0.89 Top Frontier 195.000 195.000 193.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3150 0.3100 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.2030 0.2120 0.1990 Zeus Holdings 0.300 0.305 0.300 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.690 7.740 7.690 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 6.80 7.49 6.71 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.24 1.24 1.20 Araneta Prop À’ 2.170 2.200 2.100 Arthaland Corp. 0.290 0.280 0.280 Ayala Land `B’ 38.800 39.650 38.800 Belle Corp. À’ 3.38 3.38 3.28 Cebu Holdings 5.1 5.17 5.02 Century Property 0.510 0.51 0.500 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.070 1.070 1.040 Crown Equities Inc. 0.132 0.132 0.131 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.640 0.700 0.630 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC À’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

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

SHARES 11,977,009 68,552,479 233,116,715 217,046,019 470,448,660 1,573,423,535 2,577,814,323

3.63 47.35 112.00 97.30 38 4.01 1.40 10 14.4 18.2 1.99 0.550 90.35 0.91 15.00 57.50 105 680 264 31.95 191.9 1350.00 64.80 1.52

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.55 47.5 114.00 99.00 38.1 4.10 1.40 9.05 14.2 18.38 2.2 0.540 89 0.91 14.96 57.85 105 680 265 32 191 1350.00 65.05 1.52

-2.20 0.32 1.79 1.75 0.26 2.24 0.00 -9.50 -1.39 0.99 10.55 -1.82 -1.49 0.00 -0.27 0.61 0.00 0.00 0.38 0.16 -0.47 0.00 0.39 0.00

51,000 26,600 1,819,230 1,233,950 212,100 28,000 3,000 8,500 13,700 1,053,100 4,242,000 200,000 1,425,870 21,000 78,500 248,230 2,420 300 810 197,400 691,920 215 183,310 9,000

45.9 3.74 0.81 1.99 11.6 55.05 22.2 175 173 16.24 47 2.03 5.6 12.28 9.500 7.07 5.52 7.73 24.8 67.85 12.00 15.20 5.56 2.320 245.20 3.15 26.95 29.1 6.6 315.80 3.38 11.00 11.64 6.25 1.63 2.8 4.20 2.49 4 209 2.55 0.148 1.80 2.50 207.4 0.87 1.28

-0.33 0.00 -2.41 -0.50 0.87 0.00 1.60 2.94 -5.46 -0.37 0.00 0.50 -1.93 -0.16 -4.90 -2.48 0.00 0.52 -0.40 0.00 0.84 0.66 -1.24 0.00 1.32 0.00 -0.55 0.00 0.61 1.87 2.42 -1.26 4.49 0.81 -2.40 -1.75 0.48 7.79 0.00 -0.48 0.00 0.68 -1.64 2.88 -0.29 1.16 0.00

2,415,900 193,000 542,000 2,223,000 5,400 10 1,798,200 60 840 5,153,100 496,500 4,065,000 3,909,600 112,100 7,871,000 1,107,700 18,760,300 96,900 2,713,000 99,650 68,400 159,100 136,700 1,593,000 993,530 2,000 512,600 492,500 88,800 580,060 133,000 1,144,300 200 995,100 346,000 108,000 670,000 16,000 10,000 1,380 24,000 270,000 1,818,000 891,000 1,625,360 1,504,450 304,000

0.375 79.00 15.20 1.14 6.00 0.370 0.385 844 7.7 12.70 5.34 6.50 0.244 1465 6.30 84.50 6.35 7.78 0.7 15.88 6.77 3.1 0.0350 1.250 1.830 2.60 78.75 2.25 990.00 1.18 0.89 195.000 0.3100 0.2050 0.305

-1.32 1.35 2.70 0.88 0.00 0.00 4.05 -0.59 -1.03 0.79 0.75 -1.52 6.09 1.74 -2.33 -1.74 15.45 0.39 2.94 -0.25 -2.87 -6.06 6.06 0.00 1.10 0.00 0.51 5.63 2.38 0.85 -1.11 0.00 -1.59 0.99 1.67

370,000 609,090 4,460,800 15,000 17,000 2,270,000 400,000 166,120 1,586,300 1,464,100 336,100 210,600 4,710,000 163,020 10,400 100,750 12,100 958,300 23,000 2,251,000 36,647,200 9,000 127,400,000 18,000 64,000 10,000 64,050 51,000 277,570 154,000 381,000 15,030 750,000 1,460,000 760,000

7.690 6.76 1.22 2.200 0.280 39.000 3.28 5.17 0.510 1.070 0.132 0.670

0.00 -0.59 -1.61 1.38 -3.45 0.52 -2.96 1.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.69

727,100 10,500 1,721,000 1,108,000 1,810,000 4,506,100 926,000 26,400 8,385,000 172,000 2,110,000 27,878,000

904,790.00 105,438,487 105,006,264.00 4,916,675.00 8,200.00

-8,711,570.00 -66,610.00 100,230.00 55,957,795.00 626,011.00 -13,250.00 3,163,880 -36,130,297.00 1,267,720.00 -15,872,025.00 11,250.00 160,200.00 -7,283,500.00 14,035,606.00 -1,429,530 136,000.00 595,400.00 68,320.00 -25,430,441.00 -4,037,852.00 7,539,979.00 456,577.00 20,588,995.00 2,658,288.50 743,278.00 -337,300.00 7,345,728.00 -1,297,955.00 1,580,340.00 11,880.00 470,832.00 435,330.00 1,020,230.00 36,140.00 -1,145,590.00

55,200.00 52,952,582.00

-7,320,427.00 -2,586,526.00

-23,100.00 2,753,085.00 -340,815.00 3,420,946.00 -588,015.00 12,500.00 65,906,630.00 32,981,099.00

1,176,282.00 17,306,903.00

-26,000.00 838,407.50 200,055,065.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

114,840.00 34,000.00

High

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

Double Dragon 60.8 Empire East Land 0.810 Ever Gotesco 0.157 Global-Estate 0.98 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.99 Megaworld 4.65 MRC Allied Ind. 0.099 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2700 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.440 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 38.30 Primex Corp. 10.8 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.50 Rockwell 1.8 Shang Properties Inc. 3.35 SM Prime Holdings 27.30 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.9 Starmalls 7 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.020 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.340

1.97 -2.47 -1.91 0.00 -1.01 -1.08 0.00 3.70 -2.27 4.96 -3.70 0.00 0.00 -1.49 1.28 1.11 -0.43 -1.96 -0.37

2,079,860 488,000 60,000 1,578,000 56,317,000 42,009,000 4,190,000 410,000 570,000 3,600 233,500 3,512,000 191,000 64,000 28,014,400 21,721,000 30,400 408,000 5,772,500

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95

119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490

7.59 0.63 5 0.315

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven 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 Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

-0.69 3.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.36 0.00 0.70 0.92 6.84 1.97 -15.93 -0.51 -0.47 -5.42 0.73 -1.37 -0.33 0.00 -10.00 0.00 -1.52 -3.59 0.00 -7.20 -6.25 0.00 3.57 0.00 0.53 2.48 11.72 -4.91 16.67 0.82 -0.10 0.40 -22.13 -0.47 0.00 0.00 0.83 3.99 -0.31 -0.61 0.00 -0.30 0.00

44,200 108,600 22,000 166,000 22,900 11,331,200 11,035,163.00 25,840,000 8,583,000 17,150.00 397,280 18,161,806.50 600 46,000 2,092,200 529.00 37,796 -12,591,530.00 88,700 10,578,100 -438,169.00 1,641,550 16,592,489.00 73,100 100 5,300 226,800,000 347,000 15,980,000 2,748,000 4,860.00 21,000 136,400 2,051,400 5,790,166 414,000 23,000 43,000 18,902,000 12,844,780.00 57,170,000 81,941,950.00 47,167,000 -2,535,600.00 55,200 1,200.00 693,000 -40,150.00 36,000 300 1,010 125,240.00 2,159,900 -1,895,073.00 48,770 33,663,620.00 2,230,000 17,106,000 -575,460.00 2,026,400 47,396,795.00 664,460 29,976,053.00 604,100 31,500.00 3,328,000 60,760.00 309,000 1,825,000 -806,080.00 160,000

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 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 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 Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum United Paragon

2.44 -1.41 -2.01 2.18 -0.27 -6.58 -1.67 -1.01 -3.72 1.16 0.00 -0.82 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.58 -1.37 -0.37 0.00 0.00 20.00 18.18 -1.00 1.90 5.87 0.00 1.70 -1.80 0.00

218,000,000 7,012,000 -1,568,350.00 79,000 -26,270.00 7,190,000 20,150.00 1,800 2,800 280,000 120,000 62,900 22,633,000 10,002,570.00 340,000 21,580,000 4,650,000 66,900,000 1,300,000 133,000 1,509,400 1,048,673.00 131,000 100,000 64,000 365,300,000 14,200,000 -48,000.00 56,000 6,591,500 272,714.00 3,118,000 126,000.00 33,500,000 528,120 28,872,334.00 272,000 0.00 33,100,000

70 553 525 8.21 12.28 111 1060

33 490 500 5.88 6.5 101 997

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

6.28 0.74 1.48 -0.16 -2.75 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.59 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.39

965,100 10 70 93,000 2,858,000 3,600 2,520 2,150 9,670 250 420 21,200 43,510 129,300

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-8.75

2,233,000

54,000.00

3.5

12.88

5.95

0.00 9.97 -5.13 3.14

445,000 5,000 995,000 1,787,700

-812,340.00 13,979,394.00

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

2.14

7,760

-334,880.00

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,763.81 (up) 10.39 INDUSTRIAL 11,926.64 (up) 0.72 HOLDING FIRMS 7,647.91 (up) 37.48 PROPERTY 3,443.80 (up) 19.20 SERVICES 1,655.75 (down) 8.29 MINING & OIL 11,289.54 (up) 87.27 PSEI 7,830.35 (up) 34.10 All Shares Index 4,738.03 (up) 17.38 Gainers: 100; Losers: 83; Unchanged: 51; Total: 234

2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 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

63 61.05 62 0.810 0.780 0.790 0.154 0.154 0.154 0.99 0.97 0.98 1.98 1.96 1.97 4.75 4.58 4.6 0.102 0.099 0.099 0.2850 0.2600 0.2800 0.440 0.430 0.430 40.20 37.50 40.20 10.82 10.3 10.4 31.00 29.50 29.50 1.81 1.77 1.8 3.35 3.29 3.3 27.75 27.25 27.65 0.91 0.89 0.91 7 6.43 6.97 1.020 1.000 1.000 5.340 5.270 5.320 SERVICES 7.27 7.29 7.22 7.22 46.7 48.6 46.75 48.3 1.28 1.3 1.28 1.28 0.580 0.600 0.580 0.580 7.3 8 7 7.3 6.64 6.64 6.39 6.55 0.0580 0.0590 0.0570 0.0580 2.86 2.93 2.81 2.88 97.85 99.5 98 98.75 9.21 9.84 9.84 9.84 2.03 2.07 2 2.07 6.34 6.14 5.18 5.33 2372 2400 2354 2360 6.40 6.40 6.35 6.37 20.30 21.85 18.10 19.20 61.5 62.95 61.65 61.95 13.10 13.48 12.90 12.92 150.5 150 150 150 11.7 11.7 10.62 11.7 0.0100 0.0099 0.0089 0.0090 9.39 9.40 9.30 9.39 0.330 0.330 0.325 0.325 1.6700 1.6700 1.6000 1.6100 2.16 2.16 2.15 2.16 15 14.88 13 13.92 7.68 7.45 7.00 7.20 3.23 3.27 3.22 3.23 0.560 0.580 0.560 0.580 2 2 1.98 2 3.77 3.85 3.62 3.79 4.04 4.23 4.04 4.14 2.900 3.290 2.890 3.240 12.62 12.02 11.7 12 4.80 6.70 4.84 5.60 2.43 2.46 2.45 2.45 10 9.99 9.99 9.99 123.50 124.00 124.00 124.00 24.40 20.90 16.40 19.00 2150.00 2150.00 2124.00 2140.00 0.420 0.425 0.415 0.420 1.170 1.170 1.140 1.170 42.15 43.15 42.15 42.50 82.80 86.45 86.00 86.10 6.35 6.40 6.30 6.33 3.30 3.28 3.18 3.28 0.570 0.590 0.570 0.570 3.35 3.39 3.34 3.34 0.335 0.350 0.335 0.335 MINING & OIL 0.0041 0.0042 0.0041 0.0042 3.55 3.81 3.48 3.50 4.47 4.45 4.37 4.38 0.229 0.255 0.228 0.234 7.4000 7.38 7.38 7.3800 7.6000 7.1000 7.1000 7.1000 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.59 0.495 0.490 0.480 0.490 8.88 8.96 8.55 8.55 0.860 0.890 0.850 0.870 0.290 0.295 0.280 0.290 0.245 0.250 0.243 0.243 0.250 0.260 0.250 0.255 0.0130 0.0140 0.0130 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 1.73 1.75 1.71 1.74 5.1 5.15 5.01 5.03 2.69 2.71 2.62 2.68 0.5500 0.5500 0.5500 0.5500 1.2000 1.2000 1.2000 1.2000 0.0100 0.0130 0.0100 0.0120 0.0110 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 4.00 4.00 3.94 3.96 8.40 8.70 8.39 8.56 3.92 4.30 4.10 4.15 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 123.50 126.10 124.90 125.60 3.88 3.87 3.8 3.81 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 PREFERRED 45.35 48.7 47.4 48.2 540.5 544.5 544.5 544.5 541.5 549.5 545 549.5 6.37 6.36 6.35 6.36 1.09 1.08 1.04 1.06 111.9 112 111.9 112 1065 1065 1065 1065 1160 1160 1130 1160 115 115 114.9 115 76.5 76.95 76.05 76.95 78.4 78.4 77.5 78.4 78 78 78 78 76.95 77 76.05 77 76.6 76.9 76.6 76.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.970 2.800 2.480 2.710 SME 3.7 3.82 3.7 3.7 3.21 3.53 3.23 3.53 4.68 4.61 4.44 4.44 15.9 16.72 16.22 16.4 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 126.1 129 128 128.8

T op g ainerS VALUE 706,843,060.86 1,572,155,034.81 4,275,447,416.75 1,583,502,646.375 1,439,789,607.294 1,545,142,198.737 11,159,410,615.04

Low

10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 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

4,976,407.00 6,050.00 73,850.00 42,250.00 109,801,145.00

10,908,931.00

97,514,520.00 75,891,900.00 -2,000.00 -19,100.00 3,839,295.00 45,000.00 3,300.00 193,745,970.00 1,000.00 -618,834.00

6,096,660.00 -444,700.00 -1,325,000.00

-6,988,137.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0120

20.00

Philweb.Com Inc.

19.00

Oriental Pet. `B'

0.0130

18.18

DFNN Inc.

5.33

-22.13 -15.93

PAL Holdings Inc.

5.60

16.67

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.0090

-10.00

Keppel Holdings `A'

6.35

15.45

Citystate Savings

9.05

-9.50

NOW Corp.

3.240

11.72

LR Warrant

2.710

-8.75

I-Remit Inc.

2.2

10.55

LBC Express

13.92

-7.20

Makati Fin. Corp.

3.53

9.97

Leisure & Resorts

7.20

-6.25

Roxas and Co.

2.49

7.79

MJCI Investments Inc.

3.1

-6.06

Centro Esc. Univ.

9.84

6.84

Conc. Aggr. 'A'

173

-5.46

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

48.2

6.28

Golden Haven

19.20

-5.42

SATURDAY: JULY 2, 2016

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

Stocks top 7,800 level; Metro, Now lead gainers STOCKS rebounded Friday, on optimism that central banks globally will step up to support growth in the face of uncertainty caused by Britain’s vote to quit the European Union. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 34 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 7,830.35, the highest in 13 months, or since settling at 7,835.38 on May 21, 2015. The bellwether was up 12.6 percent this year. The heavier index, representing all shares, gained 17 points, or 0.4 percent, to finish at 4,738.03, on a value turnover of P11.2 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 100 to 83, while 51 issues were unchanged. Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Now Corp. which climbed 11.7 percent to P3.24 and Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. which advanced 2.5 percent to P4.14. SM Investments Corp. rose 2.4 percent to P990. Golden Memorial Park Inc., the newly listed memorial developer controlled by the Villar Group, fell 5.4 percent to P19.20, after surging over the past two days. Meanwhile, most Asian stocks traded higher Friday, as authorities moved to soothe concerns over the impact of the British referendum. South Korea’s promise of $17 billion in stimulus came as speculation swirled that Japan was planning to bolster its own multi-billion-dollar program, while the chances of the US raising interest rates this year have all but evaporated. On Thursday, Bank of England boss Mark Carney became the latest to provide assurances, indicating policymakers could embark on fresh monetary easing—raising the possibility of a cut in rates. Carney, who had urged Britain to vote to stay in the EU, said “the economic outlook has deteriorated and some monetary policy easing will likely be required over the summer”, although he said there were limits to what the bank could do. His comments sent the pound tumbling 1 percent to $1.3314 Thursday, having risen to $1.35 before his comments. On Friday in Asia it bought $1.3300, although it is well up from the 31-year-low $1.3121 at the start of the week. With AFP

BDO gains control of Generali Pilipinas By Julito G. Rada

BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender owned by tycoon Henry Sy, received a final approval from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to take full control of Generali Pilipinas Holdings Co., a joint venture insurance company it created with Generali Group of Italy in March 1999. “BDO Unibank Inc. recently secured final regulatory approval that allowed it to acquire full interest in Generali Pilipinas Holdings,” BDO said in a statement Friday. GPHC is the parent company of life insurer Generali Pilipinas Life Assurance Co. and Generali Pilipinas Insurance Co., which is

engaged in non-life insurance. BDO president and chief executive Nestor Tan said the bank was re-focusing its insurance strategy to align with thrust to solidify its presence in the broad-based middle-income market. “By assuming full control of the GPHC insurance operations, BDO will be able to adapt more

readily to the demands of its target markets,” he said. Tan said while the partnership with Generali was integral to the success of the companies, BDO intended to embark on a new journey of diversifying into the life insurance sector through the wholly-owned unit to maximize cross selling of products to its extensive retail customer base. Generali Pilipinas Life Assurance Co. will be renamed BDO Life Assurance Co. Inc. Generali Group acquired GPIC and relaunched the company as life insurer Generali Life Assurance Philippines Inc. BDO said the transaction with Generali would have no impact on the terms and conditions of all existing GPLAC individual and group policies. It said these poli-

cies would remain in their present form and would be fully honored despite the change in ownership. Generali Group is among the world’s leading insurers, with total premium income exceeding 74 billion euros in 2015. With over 76,000 employees across the world and presence in more than 60 countries, Generali has a leading position in Western European countries and an increasingly significant presence in Central and Eastern Europe and in Asia. Generali was the only insurance company included among the 50 smartest companies in the world by the MIT Technology Review in 2015. In Asia, Generali operates in 10 markets: Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

BDO awards. BDO Unibank Inc. and key officers receive recognition in the 6th Asian Excellence Award 2016 from Corporate Governance

Asia, a regional publication. Receiving the awards from Corporate Governance Asia publisher and managing director Aldrin Monsod (right) are BDO senior vice president Ismael Estela Jr. (left) and treasurer Pedro Florescio III (center). BDO chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and president and chief executive Nestor Tan were also named among Asia’s Best CEO (investor relations) in the Philippines.

Govt turns over 32-MW barge in Davao to SPC Power for P219m By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., the agency in charge of privatizing the government’s energy assets, turned over the 32-megawatt Power Barge 104 in Davao City to SPC Power Corp. The ceremonial turnover was held Thursday to signal the transfer of operational and management responsibilities and duties for PB 104 to the new owner. “The turnover ceremony for the closing of sale of Power Barge 104 is another manifestation of the strong partnership and collabora-

tion between the government and the private sector that rests on a solid platform to provide reliable and quality supply of power to Filipino consumers,” PSALM officer-in-charge Lourdes Alzona said in a statement. Alzona said with the expertise and professionalism of SPC, the government had another reliable partner in fostering development in the countryside through power generation. SPC senior vice-president for finance and administration Alfredo Ballesteros assured PSALM that PB 104 would be in good hands. “PSALM and SPC have been

together in certain projects of the government, working and supporting each other. The sale and now the turn-over of the PB 104 is another opportunity where we have collaborated as partners in the electricity industry. This is another testament to PSALM’s success in privatization and we are proud to be part of it,” he said. Three negotiating parties submitted offers on April 15. After careful evaluation by the PSALM bids and awards committee, it was announced that SPC met the reserve price and was declared as the negotiating party with the

highest offer of P218.899 million. The turnover ceremony was attended by SPC key officials led president and chief executive Dennis Villareal who signed the joint certificate of turnover and deed of absolute sale. The two other companies who joined the negotiated sale were Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp. and D.M. Wenceslao & Associates Inc. PB 104 was commissioned in 1981 and started operation in 1985. It is located at Holcim Compound in Ilang, Davao City. The bidding for PB 104 was de-

clared a failure in October 2013 after the two bidders did not meet the reserve requirement, which PSALM did not disclose. The move to privatize PB 104 followed the successful turnover of PB 101, 102 and 103 to Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Corp. last year. PSALM signed an agreement with Trans-Asia for the sale of the three barges for P420 million. The four 32-MW barge-mounted bunker-fired diesel generating power stations consist of four identical Hitachi-Sulzer diesel generator units rated at 8 MW each.

SATURDAY: JULY 2, 2016

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

IN BRIEF Agri program bared

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Friday the Philippines must achieve rice sufficiency within the next two years. Piñol said in a press briefing achieving rice sufficiency had become a must and was no longer a choice for the country. Piñol said all regional directors would be given all the support they needed like irrigation, seeds, fertilizers and farm inputs for the next two cropping seasons. “We have to have rice sufficiency in two years time. If this is not achieved, I will kick them out. They have to achieve rice sufficiency in their respective regions. Any director who will not be able to do that will be voted out of service,” Piñol said. “They will be asked to resign because I believe in results. For every assistance that I give, there should be results.” He cited the high cost of production and low productivity in the rice sector. “If we can lower the cost of production and increase the production by providing the proper interventions, then the income of the farmer will be greater and we could actually reduce the cost of rice in the market,” Piñol said. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Pro-Friends takeover Huawei accreditation. The Bureau of Customs awards the Super Green Lane Accreditation to Huawei Technologies Philippines Inc. The

SGL status is granted to importers with impeccable records of transactions with the Bureau of Customs. It enables Huawei to enjoy trade facilitation benefits of efficient customs clearance. Shown at the awarding caremony are (from left) Wellington Liu, public affairs head of Huawei Philippines; Jouvani Dollesin of Customs; Mary Jean Ligan of Huawei supply chain; and Karrie Buenafe, public relations officer of Huawei Philippines.

Finance to speed up tax reform package By Gabrielle Binaday

THE Department of Finance on Friday said it will speed up the formulation of a tax reform program within three to six months. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on his ﬁrst full day of work in the government the Duterte administration would draw up a tax package that included the lowering of corporate and personal income taxes for submission to the House of Representatives on September. “We need to quickly adjust our tax rates to bring them closer to reality. Our people expect that. It will also be good for business,” Dominguez said in a speech after the ofﬁcial turnover of the department’s leadership from predecessor Cesar Purisma. Dominguez did not give out

the revenue implocations of the proposal. “No, I don’t have speciﬁc numbers at this time. Besides, it wouldn’t be good to reveal it at this point,” he said. Dominguez conﬁrmed the government planned to reduce the corporate and personal income tax rates below the current 32 percent. Dominguez also directed two of the country’s largest revenuegenerating agencies—the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs—to speed up the paper processing. President Rodrigo Duterte in his inaugural speech on June 30

ordered the simplification of processes in all government agencies. Dominguez said the BIR and BoC should simplify procedures, improve automation and facilitate trade. “Doing these things will reduce corruption and enable us to serve our clients better. More important, by improving efficiency in these revenue agencies, we will enhance the growth prospects of our economy,” Dominguez said. He called on Finance employees to buckle down to work and do things “a little differently, a little more creatively” to help government reconnect with the people. Dominguez said aside from striving for a stable financial management and helping develop domestic capital markets, Finance must ensure a “sufficient revenue flow” to allow the Duterte administration to fund all

socio-economic programs. He said bold and creative measures, including reforming tax and customs management, must be carried out by the department and its attached agencies in keeping with President Duterte’s promise to expand “an economy that works for our people’s betterment.” “The Department of Finance can no longer use its fancy calculations to continue its detachment from the everyday lives and everyday Filipinos. We need to do our job a little differently, a little more creatively,” he said. “Our ﬁrst responsibility [at the DoF] is to help deliver an economy that works for our people’s betterment. If we can raise taxes and feed all our people at the same instant, that will be the best of all worlds. If we cannot, then let us feed our people ﬁrst,” he said.

Duterte open to reducing negative investment list By Othel V. Campos THE administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is open to revising certain economic laws that restrict the entry of foreign direct investments. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, in turnover ceremonies at the Board of Investments Friday, said he would review industries under the negative list and work for its reduction to support growth targets. “We are governed by laws. There is a negative list. We need to trim it down to open up more industries that can beneﬁt more of our people. It should create more

jobs and income,” he said. Many business groups have proposed the scrapping of the foreign investment negative list that hindered the entry of foreign capital. Local business groups such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club support the position of the Joint Foreign Chambers that seeks the removal of the negative list. The American Chamber of Commerce earlier proposed the scrapping the 40-percent cap on foreign equity in public utilities, saying the move would open the doors to foreign direct invest-

ments and spur competition that would beneﬁt consumers. The group’s no-need-for-Charter-change proposal snowballed after Malacañang rejected renewed initiatives by the inﬂuential MBC to amend the 1987 Constitution and remove existing limits to full ownership by foreigners of certain industries. AmCham said the restrictions to the entry of foreign investors could be remedied without going through a contentious Charterchange process that the former administration was opposed to The negative list only allows a maximum 40-percent foreign equity in public utilities.

The list is subject to revision every two years under the Foreign Investments Act of 1991. Business groups said the government could consider public utilities as one of the investment areas where 100 percent foreign equity would be allowed. Foreign and local business groups also strongly supported a Congress proposal to amend certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. The resolution seeks to include the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in some sections of the national economy, education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports.

CONGLOMERATE GT Capital Holdings Inc. led by tycoon George Ty on Friday announced that it subscribed to 28.3 percent of Property Company of Friends Inc. for P8.76 billion. The move increased the economic stake of GT Capital in Pro-Friends to 51 percent from 22.7 percent under an agreement signed by GT Capital and Pro-Friends on August 6, 2015. GT Capital said the agreementfor the initial subscription of 22.7 percent stake in Pro-Friends included the ceding of control by Profriends Group Inc., the principal shareholder of Profriends, in favor of GT Capital. “Our increased investments into Pro-Friends is in line with out intention to expand GT Capital’s property product offerings, ranging from Federal Land’s upper-mid end developments to Pro-Friends’ affordable residential and mixed use communities. In addition, we can further enhance synergies between our property projects and our other component companies,” GT Capital co vice chairman and Pro-Friends chairman Alfred Ty said in statement. Alena Mae S. Flores

i-Remit closes outlet

I-REMIT Inc. said on Friday its unit in Singapore ceased operation and will undergo liquidation. i-Remit president and chief operating officer Harris Jacildo told the stock exchange i-Remit Singapore Pte. Ltd. surrendered its license to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He said the company would undergo liquidation. i-Remit established an office in Singapore in February 2014 to open more branches and strengthen the company’s presence in Singapore. The company earlier partnered with Sterling Bank of Asia for the acceptance and fulfilment of remittance transaction of migrant Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia. Sterling Bank also signed an agreement with FAWRI Money Transfer Services, the retail money transfer arm of Bank of ALJazira, for a remittance tieup in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia hosts the most number of Filipino workers estimated at 1.2 million. i-remit operates in 26 countries and around the world though its wholly-owned subsidiaries tie-ups and agents. Darwin G. Amojelar

PAL, Hawaiian tie up

PHILIPPINE Airlines said it signed a code-share agreement with Hawaiian Airlines for the Manila and Hawaii flights. “Philippine Airlines is proud to forge a codeshare partnership with Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu in O‘ahu to the inter-island points of L’hu‘e, Hilo, Kona, and Maui. From these points, passengers can visit other neighboring island destinations including Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island,” PAL president Jaime Bautista said. Passengers on PAL’s five times weekly Honolulu flights will have a seamless transfer to Hawaiian Airlines. PR passengers will be checked-in all the way to their final destination. “As we widen our route network, we aim to not only provide point to point travel, but to create passenger traffic beyond the main gateways. All these are geared towards providing passenger convenience and satisfaction,” Bautista said. Hawaiian Airlines is the first US carrier codeshare partner of PAL. Darwin G. Amojelar

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Taiwan mistakenly ﬁres missile into China TAIPEI—A Taiwanese warship mistakenly launched a supersonic “aircraft carrier killer” missile towards China on Friday, hitting a fishing boat and killing one person, the navy said, as the ties between the island and its once bitter rival deteriorate. The domestically developed Hsiung-feng III (Brave Wind) missile flew about 75 kilometers before hitting the trawler in waters off Penghu, a Taiwaneseadministered island group in the Taiwan Strait. The skipper on the “Hsian Li Sheng”, a 60-ton trawler based in the southern Kaohsiuing city, was killed and three other crew on board, including a Vietnamese and a Filipino, were injured. “An initial investigation showed that the incident has caused the death of the skipper,” Taiwan’s defense ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi told reporters. “We apologize to the family of the skipper and would like to convey our condolences to them.” The missile was fired during a drill at around 8:10 am (0010 GMT) from a 500-ton missile ship docked at a naval base in the southern city of Tsoying and flew in the direction of China. The navy said the missile went through the trawler, but did not explode, nor did it sink the fishing vessel. It added that it was not immediately clear how the missile, which has a range of 300 kilometers, had come to be launched, but suggested it could have been due to human error. “Our initial investigation found that the operation was not done in accordance with normal procedure,” Vice Admiral Mei Chia-shu told reporters, adding that an investigation was under way. Helicopters and navy ships were sent to search for the missile, Mei said, adding that the military had reported the gaffe to the island’s top security body, the National Security Conference. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles China policy, declined to say whether the incident had been reported to Beijing. Official communications between the council and its Chinese counterpart have effectively been frozen by Beijing over Taiwan’s new government refusing to recognize the “one China” concept.

WORLD HK protests mark day Beijing reclaimed city HONG KONG—Tens of thousands of protesters were due to march in Hong Kong Friday to mark the anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China, with proindependence groups rallying for the first time amid fears Beijing is tightening its grip.

Screening. Actress Greer Grammer attends the screening of Sony Pictures Home

Entertainment’s ‘Emma’s Chance’ at ArcLight Hollywood on June 30, 2016, in Hollywood. AFP

Tensions are high in the southern Chinese city after explosive revelations by a Hong Kong bookseller that he was detained and interrogated for months in mainland China after going missing last year. Lam Wing-kee, 61, was one of five employees of a Hong Kong firm that published salacious titles about leading Chinese politicians and who disappeared only to resurface over the border. His story fanned growing concerns that Beijing is increasing its influence in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, which is ruled under a “one country, two systems” deal enshrined in the July 1997 handover agreement, guaranteeing its freedoms and way of life for 50 years. Lam will lead the annual march on Friday. “[Lam’s case] is a very clear message to the world that China has already destroyed ‘one country, two systems’,” said Edward Leung of the pro-independence group Hong Kong Indigenous, who will take part in a pro-independence rally planned for Friday evening. While the main march is expected to be peaceful, the evening demonstration to take place outside China’s liaison office in protest at bookseller Lam’s treatment could be a flash point. Participants say they will wear black clothes and masks. A poster advertising the rally showed mocked-up demonstrators wearing motorcycle helmets and carrying sticks. Police have already warned they will take “resolute and effective actions against illegal acts” and say the pro-independence protesters have not asked for required permission for their rally. Leung is part of the emerging “localist” movement which grew out of disappointment that largely peaceful pro-democracy rallies in 2014 failed to win concessions. Some activists are now demanding a return to British rule as a stepping stone towards independence, while others say violence may be necessary to force change. Leung himself is facing charges over clashes with police in the commercial neighborhood of Mong Kok in February. AFP

Istanbul airport bombers planned hostage-taking ISTANBUL—The three suicide attackers who struck Istanbul’s main international airport this week are believed to have been planning to take dozens of people hostage, a Turkish newspaper reported Friday. A total of 44 people were killed in Tuesday night’s gun and bomb spree at Turkey’s busiest airport, the deadliest in a string of attacks to hit Istanbul this year. The pro-government Sabah

newspaper reported that the attackers scouted the scene and planned to take dozens of passengers hostage inside before carrying out a massacre. But they began the assault earlier than planned after attracting suspicion, Sabah said. “The coats they were wearing to disguise their suicide vests, despite the hot weather, drew the attention of citizens and a police

officer,” the paper said. Turkish authorities believe the Islamic State group was behind the carnage, and have identified the attackers as a Russian, an Uzbek and a Kyrgyz national. Media have identified Akhmet Chatayev, from Russia’s Chechnya region, as the mastermind of the attack, with Hurriyet claiming he was the head of the IS group’s Istanbul cell. He allegedly organized two

deadly bombings this year in the heart of Istanbul’s Sultanahmet tourist district and the main Istiklal shopping street earlier this year, Hurriyet said. Turkish media showed a CCTV grab purportedly showing the three men wearing dark jackets, two of them in baseball caps. The Hurriyet newspaper reported that the bombers had rented a flat in Istanbul’s Fatih

district, home to many Syrians and other Arabs, and paid 24,000 Turkish lira ($8,300, 7,500 euros) in advance for a year’s rent. The police raided the apartment after the attack, according to an upstairs neighbor, who said the bombers kept the curtains closed. She never saw the attackers, but she heard them, and complained to local neighborhood officials about a strange smell. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

More sharks visiting California

LOS ANGELES—Shark encounters and sightings along California’s coast are at their highest level in decades, scientists say, warning that warmer waters mean beach goers will have to be on the lookout for the predators all summer. The latest near-deadly encounter came in late May when a 52-year-old woman was mauled by a shark near Los Angeles, prompting beach closures for several days. Chris Lowe, director of California State University’s Long Beach Shark Lab, said there have been more sightings of great white sharks this year than in the previous 30, and that even hammerheads have been spotted along the coast. On patrol. This file photo taken on May 25, 2015, shows Nigerien soldiers patrolling in Bosso, in the southeastern Diffa region, near the Nigerian He said the El Niño weather border where the army has been battling Boko Haram militants. About 50,000 people have fled their town in Niger’s troubled southeast after deadly pattern of the last two years has attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. The Nigeria-based Islamist organization remains litlle known and raises numerous questions. AFP led to unusually warm waters in the eastern Pacific, meaning the sharks and other species are not migrating and are moving closer to shore. “They are going to hang out near our beaches all summer,” Lowe told AFP. The high water temperatures are having an effect on other marine life as well, with whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions increasingly spotted off the coast. Other non-indigenous marine at the Thiepval Memorial, which honours appeared forever from British life,” said Wil- life has also been reported, inTHIEPVAL, France—With a more than 72,000 missing servicemen. liam, attending alongside his wife Kate and cluding manta rays and hundreds cannon blast and a piercing Just over a week after Britain’s vote to leave brother Prince Harry. of thousands of red tuna crabs the European Union, Hollande highlighted “It was in many ways the saddest day in the that washed ashore in southern whistle, Britain and France on the friendship that saw British and French long story of our nation.” California in May. Friday marked 100 years since soldiers fight side by side. The Battle of the Somme lasted 141 days, Even a striped dolphin, norsoldiers emerged from their “I want to recall that it is the European involving troops from across what was then mally found in tropical waters, idea which allowed us to overcome divisions the British Empire, and left around one mil- was spotted in northern Califortrenches to begin one of the and rivalries between states, and which has lion dead, injured or missing while moving nia this year. bloodiest battles of World War I at brought us peace for the past 70 years,” Hol- the front line only a few miles. More worrisome are the highlande said in a statement before the ceremony. “Tonight we think of them... We acknowl- ly venomous yellow-bellied sea the River Somme. Britain’s Prince William on Thursday paid edge the failures of European governments, snakes, normally found in the Under gray skies, unlike the clear sunny tribute to a generation lost at the Battle of including our own, to prevent the catastrophe tropical waters of the Pacific or day that saw the biggest slaughter in British the Somme at the start of an all-night vigil of world war,” said Prince William. Indian oceans, several of which The attritional battle became a defining have washed ashore in southern military history a century ago, the commem- in memory of the Allied soldiers who would oration kicked off at the deep Lochnagar cra- have been preparing themselves to charge the event in the war, symbolising the horrors of California. trench warfare and the futility of the conflict. ter, created by the blast of mines placed under German side. “There have been whales stayThe following day some 20,000 soldiers “Imagine yourself, standing in a trench ing in the area all year round German positions two minutes before the atwere mowed down after a week of bombard- with water well over your knees... while rather than the usual three tack began at 7:30 am on July 1, 1916. A lone piper walked around the edge of ment failed to destroy German defenses in the thousands of unseen shells come shrieking months,” said Elliott Hazen, of and whining overhead. There is a very slight the National Oceanic and Atthe crater at the ceremony, to be followed by deadliest day in British military history. Another 30,000 were wounded and pause then it bursts and a tearing, rumbling mospheric Administration, nota main event attended by the British royal blinding crash... hurling thousands of red-hot ing they normally migrate up family and Prime Minister David Cameron, maimed. “We lost the flower of a generation, and in splinters in all directions, killing or maiming to Alaska to feed and down to as well as French President Francois Hollande and former German president Horst Koehler. the years to come it sometimes seemed that all they happen to strike,” wrote Private Al- the warmer water off Mexico to The commemoration ceremony will be held with them a sense of vital optimism had dis- bert Atkins, who survived the war. AFP breed. AFP

Britain, France mark 100 years since WWI

‘Kim Jong-Un is piling on the pounds’ SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has piled on around 40 kilos or 90 pounds since he took power four years ago, binging on food and drink, South Korea’s spy agency said Friday. The young leader is also suffering from insomnia and is paranoid about his personal safety, the National Intelligence Service reported to a parliamentary committee behind closed doors. When he took over from his late father in 2012, Kim’s weight was believed to be 90 kilograms. He bulked up to 120 kilos in 2014 and then 130 kilos this year, a ruling Saenuri Party lawmaker Lee

Cheol-Woo told journalists after the NIS briefing for lawmakers. “[According to NIS], he is suffering from insomnia”, Lee added. “He keeps a close tab on any potential threats to his power, including the military, and he is obsessed with ensuring his personal safety”. “Because of his habitual binge eating and drinking, he is likely to develop adult diseases”, Lee said, citing the NIS report. On top of being grossly overweight, he is often seen with a cigarette in his hand as he inspects plants, construction sites and farms.

Kim’s father Kim Jong-Il and grandfather Kim Il-Sung were also obese and heavy smokers. Both died of heart attacks. The NIS also confirmed Kim’s once-powerful aunt Kim KyongHui is still alive despite her prolonged absence from public view following the execution of her husband, Jang Song-Taek. “She fell into alcoholism after the execution of her husband but she is now under special care in Pyongyang’s suburbs”, Lee said. Jang, once number two in the North, was executed in late 2013 on an array of charges, including treason and corruption. AFP

Sneaking in. Palestinian men walk towards a gate, part of the

controversial Israeli separation fence between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, in an attempt to sneak in and reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem after Israeli police prevented them from crossing to pray on the fourth and last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on July 1, 2016. AFP

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PROPERTY PROPERTY maannaa@ @ggm maaiill..ccoom m jjddllaaccssaam

So far, yet so near. More and more people are opting for living spaces in less congested

areas, but within striking distance to their places of interests. The Vantage at Kapitolyo is Rockwell Primaries’ first high-rise development in Pasig, and the second project under the Rockwell Primaries portfolio. It a village that offers the benefits of city living in a low density neighborhood. “We seek to improve the Kapitolyo community and highlight what are important to our future residents, “ said Malou Pineda, senior vice president, Rockwell Primaries. She explained that the development blends into the Kapitolyo suburbs and enhances the experience through its pedestrian-friendly neighborhood and nearby retail rows. Meanwhile, the project sits on a 5,619 sqm land area featuring two high-rise residential towers with seven floors of parking space. Urban professionals and families are presented with a slew of options from 1BR to 3BR units (Shown in photo).

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA JOEL D. L ACSAMANA

EDITOR EDITOR

Cold comfort. Concepcion Building and Industrial Solutions (BIS) recently urged

employers to ensure their employees’ thermal comfort, noting that this can translate into energy savings for the business. Rajan Komarasu, group director of Concepcion BIS, said high temperatures can affect employees’ productivity. “Aside from ambient air temperature, we need to factor in radiant heat, humidity, and air speed—all these on top of the building occupants’ metabolic rate and clothing,” he explained. “Aiming for employees’ thermal comfort can result in a range of advantages, from better relationships and collaboration, higher employee morale and productivity, lower electricity costs, to having a smaller building carbon footprint.” The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) recently warned of hotter temperatures year-round.

Quezon City gets facelift.

Eton Properties, the real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group of companies is upping the ante in townhouse living with 68 Roces, a 3.3 hectare, master-planned development it is building along Don Alejandro Roces Avenue in Quezon City. Composed of residential townhouses, single-attached house and lot units as well as a retail strip and recreational facilities, 68 Roces is near the city’s business and entertainment districts. The development is perched on a flood-free site and maintains exclusivity and a sense of serenity. Complementing the 68 Roces lifestyle is the 98.6-meter commercial strip which will house establishments catering to the needs of the residents. Townhouse units available are three-and four-bedroom with sizes that range from 158sqm to 198sqm and 208,200sqm to 238sqm, respectively.

Batangas escape.

Up-and-coming developer Ovialand, Inc. is pulling all the stops to ensure that its maiden project, Terrazza de Sto. Tomas, a sprawling 5.8 hectare property in Batangas province, is a success when it hits the ground running. The project offers three model units, Amore, single-detached, 99 sqm; Dolce (Shown in photo) duplex, 75 sqm; and Bacci Quad, 65-86 sqm. Each unit has its own mini garden and laid out in such a way that its residents feel an ambience of exclusivity.The gated community also shares a clubhouse, recreational court, and landscaped pocket gardens.

UP honors construction mover.

DMCI group founding chairman David M. Consunji was recently recognized by the UP Alumni Association as its Most Distinguished Alumnus in the recently concluded 2016 UP alumni homecoming. The recognition is the highest award given to an alumni of the premiere state university. Consunji is the president of D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI). DMCI pioneered construction methodologies and built structures that define the skylines of today’s central business districts. Consunji led DMCI’s expansion into real estate (DMCI Homes), mining (Semirara Mining and Power Corporation and DMCI Mining Corporation), power generation (DMCI Power Corporation) and water distribution (Maynilad). At the awarding ceremony were (from left to right) UPAA President Ramon Maronilla; Fredesvinda A. Consunji; Isidro A. Consunji; UP President Alfredo Pascual; and UPAA 1st Vice President Oscar Palayab.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY TBT luxury.

Guests can pick their brains and do corporate planning activities, while enjoying artistic surroundings.

OLD WORLDModern CHARM comforts steeped BY THE SEA in nostalgia at Bataan resort

hen you travel to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, be prepared to go back to a halcyon time made more real by authentic heritage structures.

About three hours from Manila, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan takes you on a nostalgic adventure to a bygone, albeit spectacular era, thanks to the transplanted edifices transplanted from their original settings, and meticulously reassembled in the resort’s 400-hectare grounds. But guests particularly love the modern-day comforts and amenities that go with the the old world experience. There’s a pool with views of Bataan’s beachside, a game room, a small gallery that houses works of Filipino contemporary artists, and lots of romantic pathways where one can stroll leisurely in the early morning, or late afternoons. Later, guests can relax in air-conditioned comfort at the various Filipino-themed rooms and enjoy Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar’s bucolic pace. The resort’s staff are dressed in costumes reminiscent of our Fil-

ipino-Hispanic past, such as the guards dressed as “guwardiya sibil” while patrolling the property’s beachside strip. Some of the houses are available for those who prefer more private lodging or special dinners and luncheons. The Hagonoy house, for example, can be booked for private dinners, and accommodate stay-in guests. The Hagonoy house faces a winding river and the church, which still under construction.

Food for the soul

One won’t go hungry in the resort: Cafe Marivent serves Filipino-Spanish cuisine, La Bella Teodora is known for its Italian food (their brick-oven pizza is a must try), and Cafe del Rio is for those who prefer international contemporary cuisine. Grilled meats and fish, and standard favorites can be had in this charming restaurant by the river. The Hotel de Oriente Convention Center is a reproduction of one of Manila’s most elegant hotels built in 1889 in Binondo. It was one of the first buildings to have a telephone. Back then, people simply dialed 1 for Malacañang, and 2 for Hotel de Oriente. Designed by then Manila Municipal Architect Juan Jose Hevas

Y Arizmendi, the structure was destroyed during the war. The hotel’s modern-day reincarnation functions as a public space for banquets and private receptions and was the site for an APEC convention in 2015. Casa Maranao actually refers to these two unique wooden structures that are typical of a datu’s home and are the only two structures from Mindanao. These well-preserved houses are from the 1800s, uprooted from Tawi-Tawi before finding their current address near Bataan’s rugged mountainscape.

itivo Novicio, uncle of the artist Juan Luna, and his brother General Antonio Luna. Like the other houses in the resort, it features a quaint passageway called “bolada” that runs around the house’s sides for the “aliping sanggigilid.” Two types of servants served La Union’s wealthy households: The “aliping namamahay” were allowed inside the houses and came face-to-face

with their masters, while the “aliping sanggigilid” were only allowed to walk along the “boladas.” Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar was developed by New San Jose Builders (NSJB) Incorporated. Aside from building high-rise towers in Metro Manila, NSJB specializes in condominium projects in Quezon City, Taguig, Manila and Valenzuela.

Sculptures galore, quaint “boladas”

Folk-themed sculptures abound in the resort. This particular grouping of Filipino women going about their chores is by one of National Artist Botong Francisco’s apprentices, Mang Demar. Two of the figures—a mother and daughter—were inspired by owner Gerry Acuzar’s wife, Tess, and one of their daughters, Juvy. Casa Mexico serves as the front office and receiving area. Bits and pieces of this house were found in a junk shop. The entire structure was reconstructed based on old photographs that still existed. Casa Luna once stood in La Union and was owned by Don Prim-

Suburban chill. DMCI Homes brings a resort-inspired lifestyle to Bacoor, Cavite with its new development, Alea Residences. Set to be the first mid-rise condominium development along the Las PiñasTalaba Diversion Road at Barangay Zapote 3, Alea will have four buildings - Darma, Surya, Raja and Budi – with six to seven residential storeys each.The development’s design is distinctively Asian, with greeneries and terraced gardens that flow into its swimming pools (see photo), play area, activity lawn, barbeque and picnic areas. Alea is the newest inclusion in DMCI Homes’ portfolio of condo developments for young families. DMCI was recently ranked among Taguig’s top partners in progress for the 47-hectare Acacia Estates, home to over 6,000 residents in Taguig City.

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

P OPYOU CU LT T HU RE

LIFE Gola Classics Men's Wasp Trainers in navy, white and red

Gola Classics Men's Bullet Suede in red and white

Gola Classics Women's Liberty SAB Trainers in coral

Gola Classics Men's Sneaker Slip Mesh Plimsoll in black

rom vinyl records to vintage cars, this generation seems to have a certain love affair with all things retro. Some say today’s youth wants a taste of something from the past, others posit that classic is truly timeless hence it encompasses age. One such brand older than today’s grandparents, yet appeals to the young market, is the British sporting goods label Gola. Since 1905, Gola has stood the test of time. Today, it is focused on keeping up with trends that match the fashion sensibilities of today’s sneaker-loving generation. “[A Gola customer] is someone who belongs in the generation XYZ—the young professionals who wear sneakers all day to work such as media, creatives, technology guys, call center agents,” says ELRO Retail Corp. President Francisco Elizalde. ELRO is the company responsible for bringing back Gola to the Philippines after a short absence from the footwear market. For the longest time, Gola has relied on it being an iconic brand, but according to Elizalde, “In the past two or three years, the Gola management has given it a new identity.” “Before they were just focused on making nice, comfortable footwear… more into the nitty gritty of shoe design,” shares Elizade. But as with all things that want to stay afloat in a competitive industry such as fashion, Gola has evolved from a sneaker brand and into a “hip” lifestyle sneaker brand. “If you look at the sneaker market, it’s very broad. But the lifestyle sneaker market is not that big, we only have two major players. That’s why we saw a need for the brand,” says Elizalde. Drawing on its rich heritage and iconic look, the ELRO official is hopeful that Gola will be a byword for lifestyle sneakers here in the Philippines. “Gola is really cool. You can combine it with different outfit, it’s very versatile, and the variety that we will soon introduce in the country is very extensive,” enthuses Elizalde.

HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD SHOE BRAND FOR

MILLENNIALS BY BERNADETTE LUNAS PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

British footwear label Gola targets young professionals who wear sneakers all day

‘If you look at the sneaker market, it’s very broad. But the lifestyle sneaker market is not that big, we only have two major players. That’s why we saw a need for the brand’ – Francisco Elizalde, president, ELRO Retail Corp.

ELRO Retail Corp. President Francisco Elizalde (third from left) with Gola brand ambassadors Paolo Paraiso, Carla Humphries, Anton del Rosario and Kelly Misa

The distribution company is bringing the flagship Harrier—the collection that retains Gola’s original style—and the 40-year-old Bullet training shoes. From the two core collections, they are categorized into four looks: Classic, Sporty, Trendy and Edgy. Classic pieces are made for those who go for basic style and comfort, as this sub-category features single-color toned sneakers with a breathable and monochromatic outsole. For individuals who love the athletic vibe, the Sporty look features bold colors with a

more athletic profile. The Sporty sneakers carry the trademark Gola stripes and feature a more road-hugging rubber sole. Trendy is suitable for those who want to stand out from the crowd with shoes that have bold colors and splashy, artsy prints. Finally, Edgy features playful and offbeat designs perfect for fashionforward sneaker lovers. Gola is available at SM Mall of Asia, SM Makati, SM North Edsa, SM Aura, SM Fairview, SM Lipa, Landmark Trinoma and Bambu outlets nationwide.

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LIFE isahred @ gmail.com

BEHIND EVERY PAIR OF GUESS JEANS IS A GUESS GIRL

orn 34 years ago, American jeans label Guess has evolved into the iconic global fashion brand today, thanks to its key images’ vintage class and unapologetically sexy vibe. In all of fashion’s history, the Guess girl is probably one of its most quintessential lead characters—a trademark as powerful, if not more, than the brand’s inverted triangle emblem itself. The allure of the Guess girl has successfully made millions of women in the world grab a denim pair and wear it with confidence. In fact, the Guess girls might just be fashion’s most original, veritable, powerful squad: A gang of women who through the years have managed to change the way women think of and wear jeans. Individually, each and every one of these women’s personal lives and careers has been sensational, and banded together as the faces and bodies of Guess Jeans. They have successfully produced images that turned the brand into one that’s truly iconic.

Josie Maran in her Guess campaign

Take then 16-year-old Carla Bruni, whose sultry Italian mien led her to become one of the world’s top supermodels and eventually, the wife of France’s head of state. There’s also Claudia Shiffer, whose

Fernando Alvarez prepares for Mr. World 2016 New Placenta for Men international ambassador and Mister International 2015 top 10-finisher Fernando Alberto Alvarez Soto once again represents Puerto Rico in yet another international pageant, Mr. World 2016, after the Mister Puerto Rico organization personally handpicked him. The male beauty pageant that gathers the world’s most desirable men will hold its coronation night on July 19 in South Port, United Kingdom. The University of Puerto Rico accountancy student prepares for a close but friendly fight of beauty and brains with the rest of his 53 other competitors. Fernando promised to surpass his achievement in the Mister International pageant last year and bring home his island country’s first Mr. World crown. One of Fernando’s advocacies is to promote health and wellness that is why he makes sure to invest on keeping fit and fab. The Boricua guy always tries to educate people on the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Staying fit is important to him, that’s why he always does regular workout that includes cardiovascular training and weight resistance combined with protein-based nutrition. “I am confident about fitness test because of my many years of experience in strength and endurance building,” says Fernando. Fernando loves extreme sports. In fact, he was able to complete a tour around Puerto Rico in three days on a bicycle running

Mr. Puerto Rico 2016 Fernando Alvarez

an average of 100 miles per day. He also loves dancing electronic, hip-hop, salsa, and merengue. Fernando is native of Coamo, the third oldest town in Puerto Rico. He became a trending topic when he joined the Sinulog grand parade in January in Cebu, where he first felt being a real celebrity. He described the Cebuanos as real happy kind-hearted people. Alongside his studies, the two-time Puerto Rico’s Best Male Model awardee admitted that he is also undergoing acting workshops to refine his acting skills as he plans to pursue acting after the Mr. World pageant.

Guess-girl Drew Barrymore

Bardot-esque appeal caused a ruckus in a quiet Italian village as they shot her Guess campaign in the early ‘90s. Anna Nicole Smith, whose tumultuous personal life was the only thing well remembered

more than her unforgettable presence in Guess images. Paris Hilton became the face of Guess right when she was at the height of being the poster girl of the modern young American

pop culture zeitgeist. Finally, Brazilian beauties Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros and Adrianna Lima have served as modern-day standards of sexiness, power and confidence. There are also the women whose presence in Guess ads have truly given shape to the brand’s image by serving as unforgettable fixtures in Guess campaigns: Laetita Casta, who first set foot in the Guess offices as a young, innocent girl at 14, yet served an impressive six years as the face of the brand; Carre Otis, the first Guess model to join the team as they started their global journey, shooting campaigns around the world; and 2005 Guess girl Tori Praver, whose surfer girl persona gave a modern spin to the brand’s long-established beautiful-sexy-confident spirit. To wit, these Guess girls have managed to successfully alter denim’s place in fashion history. From a utilitarian, working man’s fabric, denim jeans are now a symbol of being irreverently sexy. For more information, visit www.GUESS.com.

How to better prepare your child for school

As the new school year makes its presence felt with all the backto-school promos in the malls, most parents busy themselves with making sure that everything their children need for the academic year is covered – from notebooks to school shoes. However when the mad rush to be ready for school finally subsides and parents look at their children, what do they really see – excitement or more of nervousness? Change can be stressful for people, especially for children who may mirror the nervousness and excitement of their parents as they take a big step towards personal growth. As such, parents having a clear and positive disposition can help children embrace their new experience with much openness and joy. As a result, more learning can be absorbed by children. Parents have the power to prepare their children better by identifying possible leverage actions. The identification of leverage points, or understanding that small actions can produce big, desirable results, is one of the habits of a systems thinker. Systems Thinking, now being practiced by multi-national companies and in many schools in the United States, is loosely defined as a way of thinking that sees the bigger picture and how the parts of a system interact with each other, making an individual more critical and grounded on how change happens, and what possible responses can be done to yield positive results. Given adequate training and exposure to this way of thinking, an individual increases his chance at personal success by not being easily overwhelmed by change. Systems Thinking is one of the newer 21st century-apt

approaches to education. It has a diverse range of sources - one of which is Peter Senge, an American systems scientist, also a senior lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States and the founder of Society for Organizational Learning. In the Philippines, Benedictine International School (BIS) in Quezon City has pioneered in incorporating systems thinking in the Philippine education curriculum. Apart from being known to have a family atmosphere, BIS has been practicing Systems Thinking and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for several years now and has been happily assisting parents in helping children become more adaptive to changes. Having a systems thinking mindset, parents can help children be ready for school by doing the following three things:

Create a goal together

It is important for children to find value in what they do. Oftentimes, children ask, “Why do I have to do it?” And the answer may not be obvious to them as they are to parents. Having a clearer view of the bigger picture, parents should be able to gently guide them towards understanding what lies ahead of them and aligning dreams for them with that of what is meaningful for them at the moment. Goals may not necessarily be immediately big, but must always work towards the accomplishment of a bigger objective. Break down big tasks and manage expectations so that a child may actually feel empowered to achieve personal success one day at a time.

Establish study habits at home

To establish study habits at home is an exemplification of another systems thinking principle that states that structures generate behavior. Taking this to heart, it is important to provide structures that will help prepare children for the rigors of schoolwork and sustain the gains that their experience may bring. Sit down with your child and have a clear picture of how a school day may go and come up with a schedule that reflects the life balance that you want for him/her.

Foster an environment that allows open communication to happen

By actually sitting down with children and helping them identify feelings about school – both excitement and concerns – parents may actually be in a better position to correct false assumptions about school life. In an honest, open, and trusting communication, parents would be able to assure a child that support will always be there and hopefully, they find courage in exploring the world responsibly. Let your child feel that he can share his feelings without being judged and allow him to surface his assumptions, identifying which ones are limiting beliefs and which ones are actually good for him. Seriously get involved in your child’s education by knowing new approaches like Systems Thinking. Call Benedictine International School at +632.951.8960 / 951.7154 / 951.7454 and learn more about how you can help your child be successful in all avenues of life. You may also visit the school website at www.benedictine.edu.ph or BIS Philippines on Facebook.

S AT U R D AY : J U LY 2 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

ON NEUTRAL GROUND

irect fashion forces to a different line of denim combat. Instead of vibrant blues, taking its post this season are army-themed pieces with a desaturated color scheme. Leading the style squad is SM Youth, with a collection of denim and complementary-to-denim pieces that champion the hype for on-trend, sombertoned street wear. Get a feel of the collection through a thorough inspection of their outerwear: military almostpurists will want to get their hands on a two-toned structured jacket, blocking classic army brown against deep grays and silver hardware. Urbanized flight jackets also come in sporty details in the form of subtle stripe details. An oversized parka also cinches the theme in oversized whitewashed gray. T-shirts and button-downs may look classic at first glance, but it’s the detail that stir the pieces to fashionable direction: take classic white tees with extended round necks and lengthy sleeves, and high-neck mauve sweaters attached with a rogue patch one shade darker. Pants are also no exception to the theme, as tailored denim bottoms hug limbs in stylish dark washed or stonewashed fabric, while khaki jeans in military olive and beige camo come into play. Fronting the campaign are SM Youth’s resident ambassadors Tommy Esguerra, LA Aguinaldo, Richard Juan and Janna Tee, in monochromatic pairings of the collections’ pieces. But, this SM Youth Denim collection is meant for superfluous styling— its cohesive color palette and unifying military-urban theme is a cinch to mix-and-match, supplying its wearer multiple fashion ammo enough for daily wear.

SM Youth resident ambassador Janna Tee

For denim sales and special offers, visit the SM Youth area in all The SM Store nationwide. For more details about the SM Youth denim collection, check SM Youth Lifestyle on Facebook or @SM_Youth on Twitter and Instagram.

Classic t-shirts, structured jackets and tailored denim bottoms are some of the pieces in SM Youth's collection

UP students win Nestlé Philippines’ competition A case study on improving the lives of farmers earned a group of five students from the University of the Philippines Diliman the top prize at the recent competition of Nestlé Philippines. The young contestants presented to the company’s top management case studies on Creating Shared Value (CSV) focusing on subjects such as nutrition, solid waste management and rural development. Stanly Chan, Bettina Songco, Phoebe de Jesus, Cheskalene Sia and Kelvin Yu of UP took home the first prize of P75,000.00 for the case study on rural development, while two groups from Ateneo de Manila University won second and third prizes with case studies on nutrition and solid waste, respectively. The competition was part of a program called ACCESS, a CSV Youth Forum conducted in partnership with the Management Engineering Association of

The 15 student finalists present their case studies on Creating Shared Value to the executive committee members of Nestlé Philippines

Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Jacques Reber (third from left) with the winning group from University of the Philippines Diliman composed of Bettina Songco, Stanly Chan, Cheskalene Sia, Phoebe de Jesus and Kelvin Yu

the ADMU. The forum was conducted over three days. The first day consisted of presentations by keynote speakers from various industries. The second day involved immersion in market stalls in Makati, a laminates recollection and eco-brick hub facility in Bulacan, and a coffee farm in Batangas. The third day saw the students pitching their final presentations to the judges.

Don Howat, speaking of the winning case study, said, “Small differences can have a big impact on the lives of the farmers. What was interesting about your presentation is that you were showing us different ways to improve their lives, a really excellent presentation.” CSV is a strategic approach to doing business which reaches beyond merely creating value for

Nestlé Philippines’ executive committee headed by Chairman and CEO Jacques Reber praised the students for their fresh and passionate ideas. “I’m impressed. The fact that you integrated the many key elements of a CSV program— that is really impressive work,” enthused Reber. Coffee and Creamer Creations Business Executive Manager

Shop online hassle free for ABS-CBN merchandise Showing your love and support for your favorite Kapamilya shows has now been made easy through ABS-CBN Store’s online shop: abscbnstore.com. From shirts and pillows to wood crafts, fans of Ang Probinsyano, Dolce Amore, Born For You, Be My Lady, and We Will Survive will definitely find something on abs-cbnstore.com worth keeping. In celebration of Maalaala Mo Kaya’s 25th year, the ABS-CBN Store is also offering limitededition MMK25 shirts. Those planning to revisit past hit teleseryes such as On The Wings of Love and Pangako Sa ‘Yo will also be able to order DVDs online. The site also offers ABS-CBN Publishing titles including back issues.

What’s great is that you can purchase all these and more online! www.abs-cbnstore. com ships nationwide and offers a variety of payment options (credit card, DragonPay). The site is also accepting Cash on Delivery and customers in Metro Manila can now enjoy next-day delivery. ABS-CBN Consumer Products is the retail and licensing arm of ABS-CBN Corporation. It takes pride in its wide range of successful licensing and merchandising programs, setting standards as the pioneer in local licensing in the Philippines. It also manages The ABS-CBN Store, which carries a wide assortment of Kapamilya merchandise. Its e-commerce site www.abs-cbnstore.com caters to Kapamilyas nationwide and worldwide.

shareholders, by creating value for society at the same time. CSV finds opportunities within a business value chain that can benefit both the business and society. The forum was conducted because Nestlé believes that the youth can provide tremendous insight on finding new ways to contribute to social development and how business in particular can be of value.

SNAPSHOTS

Prince Harrry at Sentebale Concert Britain’s Prince Harry speaks on stage at the Sentebale Concert at Kensington Palace in central London on June 28 in London. Prince Harry was joined by co-founding Patron Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in the audience during the concert. The event raised funds to support Sentebale’s work helping vulnerable young people in Lesotho and Botswana. –Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP

S AT U R D AY : J U LY 2 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE

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DESIGN CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES SHOWCASES YOUNG TALENTS

Young designers present their unique take on home décor such as Likha Kawayan whose exhibit features furniture and home accents made of treated bamboo

oung talents with fresh ideas, creative minds and unbridled passion are taking the world by storm with experimental takes on design in furniture and home décor. The Design Center of the Philippines (Design Center) knows this only too well as it has always believed in and opened opportunities to young design talents. Participants of Design Center’s Designer Development Program (previously known as the Design Innovation Program) showcased their talent at the boutique edition of CITEM’s Manila FAME. Among the projects showcased were Sinag Papel’s paper lamps, Likha Kawayan’s Philippine bamboo showcase, and Balay Sisidlan’s architectural baskets, which were developed under the guidance of established Filipino designer Stephen Buñi. A creative arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Design Center is mandated to promote design as a creative tool for improving the quality, competitiveness and branding of Philippine products; a strategic tool for value creation; and as innovative tool for enhancing the quality of human life. “Design Center, through product design and materials research, encourages start-ups to attend trade training and

Retrospect features white clay pottery made with different firing methods

Likha Kawayan displays a set of bamboo school desks made for the Department of Education

Design Center's long history of product development is evident in Retrospect's products

seminars aimed at strengthening their business, while also providing design services to the more established MSMEs. Designers are matched with MSMEs that have the capability to undertake product development and design, or with those that will go through Design Center’s intensive product development projects. Design Center also nurtures young designers through its Designer Development Program, which has two tracks: New Designers and Regional Designers,’’ says Rosvi C. Gaetos, executive director of CITEM, also Design Center’s officer-in-charge. For instance, Design Center has helped Balay Sisidlan Architectural Baskets not only to lessen material consumption but also to give their designs a modernized take

Design for Exports mounts the Bamboo and Coco Coir Materials Showcase in partnership with HallOne

Sinag Papel provides sustainable lighting solutions with its lamps made from scrap paper

inspired by houses around the world, with for their ideas by exploring existing raw details made of wood and dental cast resin. materials to create handmade papers. Balay Sisidlan aims to help revive the On the other hand, exploring different dying basket industry in the Philippines treatments of bamboo, such as veneered, and also produce baskets economically. flattened, and engineered bamboo, Likha Design Center helped the group come up Kawayan promotes the material as a more with designs that use metal and paper as sustainable and cheaper alternative to hard auxiliary materials for strengthening. woods such as narra. One of the highlight Offering an alternative to glass lamps, pieces in its collection was a set of school meanwhile, is Sinag Papel Paper Lamps. desks for the Department of Education. Inspired by the Liter of Light Project, They were also challenged to create Sinag Papel makes eco-friendly lamps furniture for condominiums as a solution from scrap paper to promote recycling and for downsized living spaces. sustainability. Design Center is currently reorganizing Because paper is a material that tears to prepare for the full implementation of the easily, designers had to be careful in provisions of R.A. 10557, otherwise known developing their prototypes. Design as the Philippine Design Competitiveness Center’s research division helped the Act of 2013 and to see that the challenges designers come up with the best material are met.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

GMA ARTIST CENTER WELCOMES

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Level up. Young actor Jake Vargas continues to hone his craft

JAKE VARGAS

ith Jake Vargas’ recent performance in Magpakailanman in which he gave justice to Jeyrick ‘Carrot Man’ Sigmaton’s humbling life, he has proven that he has more to offer as an actor. Now coming home to GMA Artist Center, Jake is ready to learn more about his craft and immerse himself into the art of performing. He will practice his versatility as he continues to undergo series of workshops that can help him strengthen his core as a performer. His fans can look forward to the different projects in store for him, which are set to push through later this year. On Aug. 20, he will join Kapuso heartthrobs Aljur Abrenica, Derrick Monasterio, and Rocco Nacino in Oh Boy!, a

concert. He will also take part in a TV series that will highlight more his talent in acting. The GMA Artist Center star is thankful for the opportunities that the network has been giving him. Jake never fails to acknowledge the one and only German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, his Tatay (father) in show business. The late Moreno helped opened a lot of doors for him. The humble actor says, “Masayangmasaya po ako dahil hindi ko naramdaman na pinabayaan ako ng GMA. Makakaasa po silang pagbubutihin ko sa lahat ng projects, para po suklian ang kabutihan nila sa’kin, at para mapatunayan ko kay Tatay na hindi ko siya bibiguin.” Vargas signed a five-year contract with GMA Artist Center.

“The Emperor in August” is an elegant historical drama that aims to educate young generation of wartime events and the emperor’s role in the surrender (WWII)

Masato Harada’s ‘Emperor in August’ at CCP To celebrate its new partnership as allied festivals, Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Eigasai, the Japanese Film Festival, present a special one-time screening of Masato Harada’s The Emperor in August on July 8, 7 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Little Theater. The film showing will be followed by the Director’s Talk with film director Harada, who will be in Manila as the guest of honor of this year’s Eigasai. Admission is free. Director Harada is a legendary and award-winning Japanese film director. Born on July 3, 1949 in Numazu, Japan, he debuted in 1979 with Goodbye Flickmania. His works include films with high entertainment value such as The Heartbreak Yakuza (1987), Gunhed (1988) as well as socially conscious films such as Kamikaze Taxi (1995), Bounce KoGals (1997), winners of many film awards, and intensely political drama Jubaku – Spellbound (1999), The Choice of Hercules (2002), and the highly praised and block-

buster Climber’s High (2008). For his ability to speak and write English, he also works as an English interpreter, and his friendship with Edward Zwick brought him to act as the sly Omura in The Last Samurai (2003). He received the Special Grand Prize of the Jury at the 35th Montreal World Film Festival in 2012 for his film Chronicle of My Mother (2012). His first jidaigeki (samurai period film) Kakekomi (2015) was received favorably by international critics and became a box office success. His internationally acclaimed TV movie, Early Autumn, featured Koji Yakusho who played a father-of-the-bride à la Chishu Ryu in the Ozu films such as Late Spring and An Autumn Afternoon. In 2015, he was the first Director in Focus of Tokyo International Film Festival’s new section Japan Now. The Emperor in August is an adaptation of Hando Kazutoshi’s non-fiction novel Nihon no Ichiban Nagai Hi: Ketteiban. The film reveals the anguish and deliberations of the Japanese who put their

lives on the line to end the Pacific War and achieve peace. In April of 1945, as the Pacific War enters its final phase, Japan’s Prime Minister Suzuki Kantaro (Yamazaki Tsutomu) formed a new cabinet. Anami Korechika (Yakusho Koji), a trusted subject of Emperor Showa (Motoki Masahiro) is appointed Minister of War and makes his case for a final battle on Japanese shores. The newly forged alliance between Cinemalaya and Eigasai aims to provide both festivals with opportunities for film exchange, help in the promotion of both events and contribute to audience building and film education. For this year, Eigasai will open on July 7 and will run until Aug. 21, featuring more than 80 screenings at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 (July 7-17) in Mandaluyong City and various venues in Davao City and Baguio City, Ayala Center Cebu and UP Film Institute in Diliman, Quezon City. For the 12th Cinemalaya Festival on

Aug. 5-14, the Japan Foundation, Manila will bring two Japanese independent films, Ken and Kazu by Hiroshi Shoji and August in Tokyo by Ryutaro Nakagawa. These two films will be featured in the Cinemalaya’s Asian section. Cinemalaya is a yearly film competition and festival organized by the CCP and the Cinemalaya Foundation that aims to encourage the creation of new cinematic works by Filipino filmmakers – works that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. The Eigasai is the annual Japanese film festival organized by Japan Foundation Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan. It is held every July, designated as Philippines-Japan Friendship Month. For more information, please call CCP Media Arts at tel. no. 832-1125 local 1704 and 1705 or visit the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. For more details on Eigasai, please visit the Japan Foundation, Manila website at www. jfmo.org.ph.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHANG SCREENS WORLD PREMIERES FILM FESTIVAL BEST NEW FILMS

eading lifestyle destination Shangri-La Plaza is set to host one of the anticipated runs of the World Premieres Film Festival, the cinematic showcase of critically acclaimed works and upcoming film directors from across the globe. All the entries in the festival will either make a worldwide or an international premiere, with the Main Competition, Intercontinental and “ASEAN Skies” categories screening at the Shang Cineplex until July 5. The lineup includes a special premiere of Filipino entry Dalisay (9 p.m. last Thursday), and two other international section entries – 3 Beauties and Damn, and New York. The main competition section counts Redha and Daughters of the Three Tailed Banner with gala premieres at the Shang last night. The last three films include ASEAN Skies section entries 7 Letters, by Singapore’s seven most illustrious directors, and another Filipino entry Laut, plus the lauded Galloping Mind. Ticket price for the film festival is P100. Check out the complete World Premieres Film Festival screening schedule at the Shang Cineplex or at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. For inquiries, call 370-2597 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficialfanpage. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.

Dalisay, a Filipino entry, will be shown at the World Premieres Film Festival

Classic movies on coping with daily life at DLS-CSB The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) will showcase four classic films of world cinema for the month of July, which focus on ordinary people and how they cope with their daily lives. All screenings are free and open to the public. Screened yesterday was Elia Suleiman’s Divine Intervention (2002). Composed of strange,

random vignettes of Palestinian life, this deadpan black comedy is centered on two lovers who meet at a border checkpoint between Nazareth and Jerusalem. Jia Zhangke’s The World (2004) will be shown on July 6 (12 noon), at School of Design and Arts (SDA) Building, Room A1119, and on July 8, (12 noon and 3 p.m.), at the SDA Cinema. Tracing the underbelly of China’s economic boom, the film explores

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 37 38 39 40

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Pith helmet 5 Foremost 10 Dial 14 Quite similar 15 Monarch-to-be 16 Pinch 17 B.C. or N.S. 18 Questioned 19 Ciao (hyph.) 20 Chooses formally 22 A Musketeer

23 He wrote “Picnic” 24 Basilica part 26 Ice hockey gear 28 Going for a touchdown (2 wds.) 32 Buenos — 33 Gene Tierney movie 34 Greek P 35 Hansoms 36 Slug’s trail

Form an opinion Double helix Fall fruits Moreno and Hayworth 41 Follows the crowd 43 Pave over 44 General vicinity 45 Crevice 46 Old hat 49 Band instrument 52 Spew forth 53 Hype 55 Pupil’s place 57 Give a thumbs-up 58 See eye to eye 59 Billionth, in combos 60 After which 61 Mutton chops 62 Hidden valley DOWN 1 Shoe saver 2 Cajun veggie 3 Subatomic particle 4 Packing slips 5 Jangles 6 Error causer 7 Vexes 8 Morn’s counterpart 9 Novelty 10 Tiny tabby 11 Beery or Webster

the lives of contractual workers in a theme park that features miniature replicas of tourist attractions from around the globe. The coastal fringe of the Sahara Desert acts as a stark backdrop in Waiting for Happiness (2002) by Abderrahmane Sissako. This lyrical portrait of the victims of structural adjustment in West Africa is scheduled on July 20 and July 22, (12 noon), at the SDA Room A1119.

SATURDAY, JULY 2 , 2016

12 Conductor — Klemperer 13 Bleats 21 India and invisible 22 Atlas section 24 Grads 25 Ceremonial fire 26 Billy Joel medium 27 Kind of sprawl 28 Festivals 29 Ms. Garbo 30 “What’s this — —?” 31 Aliases 32 “Back in Black” group 33 Nash’s two-L subject 36 Parched 37 Copycatting 39 Breathing space 40 TKO officials 42 Button up 43 Played with fire 45 Indy 500 car 46 Chipper 47 Far East nanny 48 Whereabouts 49 Vamp Theda — 50 Unwritten test 51 Prime-time hour 53 Marvy 54 Bigger than med. 56 Bart, to Homer

Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s Millennium Mambo (2001) will be featured on July 27 and July 29, (12 noon and 3 p.m.) at the SDA Cinema. Set in Taipei at the dawn of the new Asian century, the film follows an aimless twentysomething as she drifts through the neon streets of the city while her future is on hold. The selection is curated by Elmo Gonzaga, who holds a PhD from the University of Califor-

nia Berkeley. He specializes in the Visual and Spatial Cultures of Southeast Asia and the Global South. He is, at present, teaches Media Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He will soon be assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. For inquiries and reservations about the film screenings, please call 230-5100 local 3897 or email mcad@benilde.edu.ph.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

Seasoned actress Perla Bautista in a scene with child actors in today’s episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” pictured right is Jane Oineza who takes on a role of a homeless girl

JANE PORTRAYS STRUGGLES OF HOMELESS GIRL

ane Oineza takes on the role of a homeless girl who had to endure personal circumstances to achieve her dream of finishing college in Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) tonight. Naning (Jane) is a determined girl who lives in the streets of Quiapo under the guidance of Sallie (Amy Austria) and Bong (Simon Ibarra). She plans to have a better

life for her family and know that it could only be possible if she’d finish college education. When Naning was young, she learned that she was actually abandoned by her biological mother, Christina (Jed Montero). She also had to bear witness to the marital problems of Sallie and Bong due to the latter’s infidelity. Sallie succumbs to depression after she learned of Bong’s misgivings and there-

Star-studded feast in Sarap Diva Tetay will be challenged and will join in the fun. Regine has new tips to those who bring their baon to work, She will demonstrate how to make her version of burrito, her favorite. Watch Sarap Diva this morning on GMA 7 after Maynila.

Tales of hope, courage in ‘GRR TNT’ Raissa Laurel and Michael Sta. Maria proved that absolutely nothing can stop anyone from reaching for their dreams, not even tragedies. Raissa was one of the students victimized by a bomb blast in her school that left her scarred physically and emotionally. She is now a Quezon City councilor and in law school. Michael on the other hand was bedridden after he met a vehicular accident. Today, he is a noted fashion designer. Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herell doesn’t just have beauty and brains. She has also a good heart. She has a project called Isla 7107

Naning studying on the sidewalk. Rick finds inspiration in her determination and takes photos of her in hopes of sharing her story. Rick shares the photos online, which quickly become viral and messages of encouragement for Naning from the online community quickly pour in. Will Naning be able to achieve her dreams? Can social media help Naning in her pursuit of a better life?

Joining this “MMK” episode are Celine Lim, Rhed Bustamante and Althea Guanzon. The episode is directed by Raz De La Torre and written by Arah Jell Badayos. MMK is led by Business Unit Head Malou Santos. MMK celebrates its 25th anniversary. Visit mmk.abs-cbn.com. The longest-running drama anthology in Asia airs Saturdays on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

8-hour epic exclusively via Sky Pay-Per-View

From left: Ate Gay aka Nura, Raul Mitra, Teri Gian aka Inday, Regine Velasquez, Tetay and Velma

It will be another star-studded episode of Sarap Diva today at the home of Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. Diva’s guests are the funny pair, Nura and Velma, for a sampling of the punch lines that made them comedy bars’ icons. Inday and

after neglected her responsibility to take care her sister Soledad (Perla Bautista) and Naning. Despite all of these, Naning decides to find work and support herself and her sister so they can go to school. Naning’s ability to be independent early on in her life helps her reach high school but she also accepts the fact that it may be as far as she can go. One fateful day, Rick (Juan Rodrigo), a photographer, sees

where slip-ons feature the country’s scenic views and images. Proceeds of this project will be given to help poor communities and schools as well. How fearless are you when it comes to exotic cuisines? Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) goes to Apag Marangle restaurant, which serves exotic food and dishes different parts of the country. Watch how the cooks turn eel, crickets, worms and frogs into delicious fares. See all these as host Ricky Reyes bravely tackle each issue today 9 a.m. on GMA NewsTv 11. Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) is produced by Scripto Vision.

With premium entertainment services such as SKY Pay Per View now available, SKYcable and Destiny Cable digital subscribers are more empowered with the convenience and privilege of a front-row access to topnotch, fresh-off-thecinema films in the comfort of their own homes and watch these masterpieces at their own pace. Fresh from its cinema run in March, Filipino families can watch the eight-hour Lav Diaz epic opus Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis starring Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz. The film is exclusively on SKY Critics’ Choice payper-view this July. Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis is the much-talked about film of director Lav Diaz that won the prestigious Silver Bear: Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year. It weaves together Philippine revolution, literature, and mythology presented in two stories. One story recalls Gregoria de Jesus’ search for the body of her slain husband, Andres Bonfacio, while the other follows the journey of Crisostomo Ibarra/ Simoun (Piolo Pascual) and Isagani (John Lloyd Cruz), characters from Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Audiences at the Berlin film fest sat through the eight-hour movie with just one break, but praised and cheered Diaz’s longest film to compete in the festival. But unlike the Berlin film fest audience, SKY and Destiny Cable subscribers will have more flexibility in taking part in the Hele experience as they get to catch it on pay-per-view at home for a commercial-free seven-day continuous viewing in high definition. Aside from watching Hele on TV, subscribers can even catch the film on any device anytime, anywhere through SKY On Demand, SKY’s video-on-demand

Lav Diaz opus “Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis” stars Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz

platform exclusive to all SKYcable postpaid subscribers using a SKYbroadband or a SKYmobi internet connection. In SKY On Demand, subscribers have the power to pause and rewind while watching ‘Hele,’ making the ‘Hele’ experience more convenient. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Piolo said that Hele didn’t feel like an eight-hour long film. “Maiisip mo talaga na eight hours is nothing. It’s a treat more than it being a sacrifice. You learn so much about history, about filmmaking. It brings you there. In all honesty, I’m not trying to patronize the film pero bitin pa siya. Ang dami pang puwedeng puntahan ang story,” he said. John Lloyd meanwhile, told ABSCBN News that the film doesn’t just revolve on Andres Bonifacio. He said, “Tinuturuan ka niya how to become a more responsible Filipino when it comes to your own history. The real magic and the real

campaign of Lav why he did this film, he really wants change and real change only happens individually -- ikaw, ako, isa-isa tayo.” Don’t miss the rare cinematic event with the entire family. To be part of the ‘Hele’ experience, subscribe within July 1-24 by visiting mysky.com.ph/hele, or calling your local SKY office. Hele is available to SKY and Destiny Cable subscribers in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Dumaguete, and General Santos for only P199 for standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD) viewing. SKY aims to bring a wide array of premium content closer to Filipino families that they can conveniently watch using multiple devices. Sky Cable Corporation is a unit of ABS-CBN, the country’s leading media and entertainment organization.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 2, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

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SHOWBITZ

Pay it forward. Members of Alden International, the Pambansang Bae’s global fan base, are motivated by the actor to promote the value of giving

ALDEN RICHARDS

A GENUINE ROLE MODEL “ ISAH V. RED

lden Richards is undeniably the man of the hour, and he doesn’t let an opportunity pass him by to give back and share his blessings with people. Apart from his good looks, he is well loved for his big heart. This inspires the fans to emulate the way he promotes the value of giving. For Alden International, the Pambansang Bae’s global fan base, they show their support for him by taking different initiatives and advocacies that help those in need. The group is composed of OFWs

‘To be honest, I really don’t know how I inspired them to do something big like this because for me, ang gusto ko lang naman talaga is to make them very happy’ –Alden Richards, actor

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from all around the world, and they admit how Alden motivates them to practice paying it forward. Their recent initiatives include an outreach programs that took place in Cavite and Laguna. From different parts of the

Alden R ichards (center) with the loyal members of Alden International

world, they flew to the Philippines on June 18 and 25 to mount a feeding program for the elders of Tahanan ni Maria in Carmona and provide school supplies for the 400 students of Langkiwa Elementary School. They are also organizing a block screening of his upcoming movie with Maine Mendoza, his love team and co-star in Imagine You and Me for the benefit of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Cancer patients. Rowena Sandro, founder of the group, shares, “Nakita namin kung paano yung malasakit niya sa tao, at minsan parang kulang pa rin yung suporta na naibibigay namin para suklian yung mga ginagawa niya. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na si Alden ay mahilig tumulong at minsan pa nga ay hindi niya talaga ito gustong ipaalam kaya naman kami, gusto rin naming maging instrument para sa kabutihan at makatulong sa mga nangangailangan.” As soon as Alden learned of their initiatives, he made sure to meet with the group and thank them personally. He was overwhelmed with how much effort they put into charity, and was rendered speechless at how this was all inspired by him. The GMA Artist Center star says, “To be honest, I really don’t know how I inspired them to do something big like this because for me, ang gusto ko lang naman talaga is to make them very happy. Kapag may ginagawa ako, sila talaga ang isa sa mga iniisip ko na mapasaya kasi their support is indescribable. I am really thankful for them at sobra ang saya ko kasi ganun pala yung effect ko o ng mga ginagawa ko sa kanila. Aside from their unwavering support, nakakatulong pa sila sa iba.”