The Standard - 2016 July 16 - Saturday

VOL. XXX NO. 154 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 SATURDAY : JULY 16, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

TRUCK ATTACK KILLS 84 IN FRANCE

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NO CONCESSIONS Philippines won’t budge on PCA awards

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Office of the Solicitor General said Friday the Philippines will use diplomacy to resolve its conflict with China but “will not concede any of the awards given” by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which rejected Beijing’s “nine-dash line” claims over most of the South China Sea.

“The negotiations must respect the decision that was made. We will still use diplomacy as a first option, because we are neighbors with China,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said, adding that the Philippines will not sacrifice what it has obtained from the decision but “will also pursue diplomatic means... to convince China that we can co-exist peacefully.”

Calida said the PCA confirmed that no one state could claim an entire sea.

“The award is a historic win, not only for the Philippines… It renews human-

ity’s faith in a rules-based global order,” Calida said.

“The award opens a horizon of possibilities for all stakeholders. The award is a crowning glory of international law,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night said he was considering backchannel talks and suggested he might name former President Fidel V. Ramos as a special envoy to China.

Calida declined to say how long the Philippines would rely on diplomacy to settle its differences with China.

“We should understand [China’s] sentiments. That’s why we are still using the diplomatic card at this time... I believe this is the more peaceful way of settling this problem. We cannot put arbitrary timeframes,” he said.

“We will be patient, of course, and hopefully China will also show the same grace that we have shown when we did not, as wanted by some sectors of society, gloat about this ruling. It’s a sober approach to having won this momentous, monumental case,” he added.

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Counsel of state. President Rodrigo Duterte confers with former President Fidel Ramos on a private matter during a testimonial dinner the San Beda College of Law hosted for Duterte, who is the first San Beda alumni to become president of the Philippines. Duterte later announced that he asked Ramos to help the country in bilateral talks with China over the recent ruling of The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. AFP

MORE SAF RELATIVES SUE AQUINO and Felecitas Nacino, mother of PO2 Nicky Nacino—were acTHREE other relatives of the Spe- companied by their lawyer, Ferdicial Action Force troopers killed nand Topacio and Dante Jimenez, in the covert Mamasapano op- founding chairman of the Voleration in January 2015 filed com- unteers Against Crime and Corplaints of homicide against former ruption in the filing of the three President Benigno Aquino III be- counts of reckless imprudence refore the Office of the Ombudsman sulting in multiple homicide.

Included in the charge sheet were on Friday. dismissed Philippine National PoThe complainants—Julie Faustino Danao, mother of PO2 Wal- lice chief Alan Purisima and former ner Danao; Celestino Kiangan, SAF head Getulio Napeñas.

PO2 Danao was the SAF memfather of PO2 Noble Kiangan,

By Rio N. Araja

ber who figured in a viral video showing him being kicked in the head and stripped naked by a member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters after a botched operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Topacio said five other kin of the slain SAF troopers will come forward to file the same complaints.

“We have a logistical problem. If only I have my way, I would want all of them to file this month,” he added.

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‘DUTERTE CAN BE NAIA INSPECTOR’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to take commercial flights in regularly shuttling between Manila and Davao will allow him to personally check on the improvements done on the the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said Senator Ralph Recto.

If Duterte board flights in the Naia terminal, Recto said, it will serve as a “presidential inspection” of the nation’s premier air gateway.

“If he become a suki [regular customer] of Naia, then he can see for himself if services are being improved,” Recto said. “He will also see first hand the things that need to be done.”

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DSWD CHIEF ALARMED

BY COA REPORT ON 4PS

By John Paolo Bencito

SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo expressed alarm Friday over the Commission on Audit finding that there was P6.3 billion in unliquidated funds for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) scheme.

“Although the CoA report indicated that the amounts remained either idle or unliquidated with LandBank and its conduits and other government agencies, the department is alarmed by the magnitude of the amounts involved because they are equal to more than 10 percent of the budget of the DSWD,” Taguiwalo said.

Some P1.579 billion in funds meant for 4Ps beneficiaries have remained idle in state-owned institutions such as Land Bank of the Philippines and its conduits over five years of the Aquino adminis-

tration, state auditors, said. More than 400,000 accounts of the beneficiaries did not reflect any withdrawals since the accounts were opened, amounting to P139 million in total.

The government’s 4Ps dole program provides cash grants to poor families to improve their health and nutrition, and help in the schooling of children up to 18 years old.

The program is being carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and is partly funded by foreign loans.

Taguiwalo said she and her team

had earlier discussed this matter with career officials at the DSWD. “We were made aware that the unliquidated amounts are lodged with agencies that are not under DSWD control, like the Land Bank of the Philippines, CHED [Commission on Higher Education] and some LGUs [local government units].

We will, therefore, explore more effective means to get their utmost cooperation and compliance to achieve our common goals,” she said.

One of the mechanisms that

DSWD is exploring is the use of a fund intercept for DSWD partner LGUs or a similar budget intercept for other agencies like CHED, and a penalty clause for LandBank and its conduits should they fail to liquidate DSWD advances to these entities.

Taguiwalo said the Duterte administration will ensure that the value of the public funds under its custody is not eroded due to any inefficiencies or misuse.

As part of the transition process at the DSWD, a comprehensive review of the financial system is being considered to evaluate its efficiency and effectiveness in implementing the DSWD’s programs, including the 4Ps, also known as the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

‘Duterte...

From A1 Specifically, Duterte could find out if the X-ray machines are working, if the toilets are clean, if the queues are short and move fast, if the air conditioning works, if the baggage carousels are moving, and if there are enough taxis for passengers, Recto said.

“This will have at least 37-million unintended beneficiaries,” Recto added, referring to the expected number of passengers who use Naia’s four terminals this year.

Duterte’s regular presence at the airport might also solve the chronic congestion that regularly delays flights, Recto added.

“With the right mix of incentives and occasional invectives from Digong, Naia can transform from world’s worst to best,” he said, referring to Duterte by his nickname, and alluding to his penchant for using profanity.

Recto said the government collected enough money “to keep Naia’’s ceilings from falling down or air conditioners from conking out” as they repeatedly did over the last few years under the Aquino administration.

The government, he added, collected P10.4 billion from Naia passengers and airlines in 2015.

Out of this, the government netted P5.44 billion: P1.22 billion as its 20-percent share from gross income, P1.27 billion in tax payments, and P2.94 billion in net profit.

About a third of Naia’s gross income came the P550 international terminal fee and the P200 domestic terminal fee paid by passengers.

More...

From A1 “The others are having a difficult time since they are from Ifugao.”

Topacio said four other relatives of the SAF members have also signified the intention to file suits.

“Some of them are wives from Mindanao,” he said.

“Verily, it would serve well

Steadfast vs drugs. President Rodrigo Duterte reiterates his strong stance against illegal drugs

during a testimonial dinner hosted by the San Beda Law Alumni Association at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino in San Juan City late Thursday. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

our country and its people for a formal criminal inquiry to be made in court against the respondents, to make the hammer fall where it may, so to speak, and mete justice for the deaths of the 44 patriots,” the complainants’ joint complaint read.

Topacio said Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas must be held liable for 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Mrs. Nacino called on President Rodrigo Duterte to help them seek justice, denying Aquino’s claim that they were just after some benefits.

Earlier, Erlinda Allaga, mother of PO3 Robert Allaga, and Warlito Mejia, father of PO2 Ephraim Mejia, filed two counts of homicide against Aquino, Purisima and Napeñas before the Ombudsman, saying the ex-president must be held culpable for the deaths of the

44 SAF troopers “due to [his] negligence, imprudence, lack of foresight and lack of skill in the planning, preparation and execution of Oplan Exodus.”

Aquino lost his immunity from lawsuits when he stepped down from power on June 30.

On Jan. 25, 2015, 44 SAF troopers were killed in a botched covert operation to arrest top international terrorists Marwan and Basit Usman in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

No concessions...

From A1 Malacañang on Friday said that local fishermen who intend to fish near the Scarborough shoal should “proceed with care” after the Chinese Coast Guard blocked a group of Filipino fishermen from entering the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, despite the PCA ruling.

“They are cautioned to proceed with care,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said of the fishermen.

Abella said despite the PCA decision, the government was still “thinking through the right response.”

Filipino fishermen from Zambales were traveling with a news team from ABS-CBN on Thursday to the Scarborough Shoal when a Chinese fishing vessel tried to block them. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel also showed up to order the Filipino fishermen to leave.

The PCA on Tuesday blasted China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and also rejected China’s “nine-dash line” claims that it enjoys historic rights over most of the body of water.

In Mongolia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay raised the West Philippine Sea issue at the AsiaEurope Meeting, despite objections from China.

“The Philippines strongly affirms its respect for this milestone decision as an important contribution to the ongoing efforts in addressing disputes in the SCS. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and sobriety,” Yasay said before the 54 leaders of Asia and Europe.

He also assured the group that the Philippines will enforce the tribunal’s ruling through peaceful means, and continue to engage China to reduce tensions in the region.

Abella on Friday said Ramos has expressed reservations about accepting Duterte’s invitation to be a special envoy to China.

“Former President FVR did not decline but he did make a comment saying that he may be too old for a long term commitment. I think he said it in passing,” Abella said.

Ramos, president from 1992 to 1998, said Thursday night he was uncertain whether the incumbent President was serious or was just making a joke.

“I think he just made that in jest because I’m busy writing my legacy for young people and China is only one of my areas of interest,” the former president said. “I have not seen the offer. I was out of range when he said it.”

Earlier, Duterte broached back-channel talks through Ramos, as a special envoy.

“I would like to respectfully ask him to go to China and start the [backchannel] talks. But we do not also want to offend the United States. Why? Because we have identified ourselves as being allied with the Western powers. So there’s an interest which we should not forget: Our interest and the interest of our allies,” Duterte told his fellow San Beda College of Law alumni at the Club Filipino Thursday night.

“War, it is not an option,” Duterte said.

Duterte said protecting the country’s interests and those of its allies—including the US—would bring “a lot of complications,” including economic problems such as the possible closing of maritime and sea routes.

Incoming Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the country must “peacefully assert its power of control” over areas in the West Philippine Sea that fall under its exclusive economic zone, after the PCA ruled against China Tuesday.

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Duterte orders faster permits PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered that all permits be signed within 30 days and a one-stop government center be put up where all citizens can get their documents processed.

He said there should be no room for mediocrity in his administration.

Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said he will reduce the number of permits that traders must secure from the government so that shipments could be released within five hours.

Duterte said government workers were being paid to do their work, and that corruption must stop in his administration.

“Why is this government oppressing its own people?” Duterte said in a speech before members of the San Beda Law Alumni Association that hosted a testimonial dinner reception for him on Thursday.

He said he would be issuing a circular limiting the number of signatures needed for a business permit to speed up all government transactions.

Malacañang on Tuesday said Duterte had ordered all Cabinet secretaries to streamline all government transactions through an “appointment system” to cut red tape.

“As directed by the President, all agencies are to stop red tape and to stop people from queuing up,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

Duterte said all government agencies should provide a system to ease the pain of the public, as he felt compassion for the people who come from afar and sleep on the pavement while waiting for their documents.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said inept government officials and workers will not be tolerated.

“This President will not tolerate incompetence. Do not expect to sit in your portfolio if you don’t perform,” Diokno told reporters on Thursday. John Paolo Bencito

Welcome back. Armed Forces Chief Ricardo Visaya welcomes 135 members of the United Nations’ peacekeeping force from Haiti in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

Binay says he will face charges against him FORMER vice president Jejomar Binay will face the charges against him to prove his innocence and show that the case will be dismissed, his spokesman said Friday.

“The former vice president is eager to go to court to prove the grave abuses of the Ombudsman and have these frivolous cases dismissed,” Joey Salgado said in a statement.

The Ombudsman has indicted Binay for nine counts of falsification, four counts of graft and one count of misuse of public funds before the Sandiganbayan for the allegedly

overpriced, P2.28-billion Makati City Hall Building II. The Ombudsman similarly charged Binay’s son, ex-Makati Mayor Edwin Jejomar Binay, of graft and misuse of public funds.

But Salgado said the Ombudsman had clearly violated Binay’s constitutional rights.

“There is no specific act attributed against VP Binay that would constitute a crime in the information filed by the Ombudsman other than a tenuous conclusion of conspiracy,” Salgado said.

Even the prosecutors of the Ombudsman sought clarification from the latter regarding the previous cases filed against the Makati officials, Salgado said.

He said that showed the sloppiness of the work done by the Ombudsman in her attempt to indict the Binays by way of trial by publicity.

“It must also be emphasized that the Commission on Audit has not issued up to this date any audit observation memo or disallowances on the payments made over the subject project,” Salgado said. Vito Barcelo

Comelec asks youth to list up for SK polls

Announcement. Young people urge new voters to register for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Elections in front of the Commission on Elections’ head office in Intramuros, Manila. LINO SANTOS

COMMISSION on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista on Friday urged the young people to register for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay elections that will be held on Oct. 31.

The registration started Friday and will end on July 30.

The people eligible to register are those who are at least 15 years old but not more than 30.

Bautista said at least three million new voters were expected to register and participate in the barangay and SK polls and their names would be included in the Comelec’s voters’ list.

He said there will be no extension of the registration

period, which will end at exactly 5 p.m. on July 30.

The election officers in every city or municipality will be held from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon.

The public may download application forms from the Comelec website.

Applicants are asked to print the form, fill out three copies, and personally file at the Office of Election Officers.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said the registration for the Barangay and SK polls will not include those intending to transfer their registration records both within the same city or municipality and to another city or municipality.

Vito Barcelo

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DoJ to resolve ‘lumad’ case

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre vowed on Friday to quickly resolve the appeal of 15 human rights advocates who were charged with kidnapping for sheltering tribal people in Mindanao, called lumad, who sought shelter at a church compound in Davao City last year.

Cultural ties. The Embassy of Japan and The Japan Foundation will hold the the 2016 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest Grand Finals to celebrate 60 years of Philippine-Japanese friendship. The program, which will include Japan’s No Plan Band, Kawaii 5, Doraemon and Friends, and 2015 J-pop Anime singing contest grand prize winner Maychell Hernandez, will he held from 1 to 5 p.m. on July 23 at the SM Mall of Asia. Admission is free.

Ping De Jesus back in the saddle

By Othel V. Campos VETERAN government minister Jose “Ping” de Jesus will again serve in the government after he accepted an appointment to head the Clark Development Corp.

Sources said De Jesus, who has already served three presidents, accepted the appointment on July 7 at the behest of former CDC president Arthur Tugade, who is now secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication.

De Jesus was the Transportation secretary of former President Benigno Aquino, but was eased out of the position in 2011 to give way to former senator Mar Roxas, who was eventually

named Transportation secretary a few days after De Jesus resigned.

Prior to his DoTC assignment, De Jesus was president of the Manila Electric Co. and also served as president of Manila North Tollways Corp.

He was also a Cabinet secretary of both former President Corazon Aquino and former President Fidel Ramos.

Meanwhile, state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines is now headed by its executive vice president and officer-in-charge Andres C. Sarmiento who was appointed by the firm’s board of directors during its first meeting last Thursday.

LandBank’s board is headed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and composed of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol,

Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Four other members of the board come from the private sector and farmers’ group but the bank has yet to name them.

Sarmiento replaced former president Gilda E. Pico’s whose term ended on July 14.

Pico, who served as the bank’s president for a total of 10 years, is the first lady president of LandBank and has worked in the bank for 35 years.

Her term focused on expanding the bank’s program and services on priority sectors namely farmers and fishers, microenterprises and small and medium enterprise, rural banks and agriculture.

“Secretary Aguirre promised to resolve [the motion for reconsideration] at the earliest possible time,” said Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate after meeting with the Justice secretary.

The Davao City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against accused Rev. Jurie Jaime, Bayan Southern Mindanao Region secretary-general Sheena Duazo, Karapatan SMR secretary-general Hanimay Suazo, Ryan Laniba, Tony Salubre, Jimboy Maciano, Gabriela Davao secretary-general Mary Ann Sapar, Jaja Encosio, Pedro Arnado, Pasaka SMR chairperson Kerlan Fanagel, Sr. Stella Matutina, Sr. Restita Miles, Isidro Andao, Kharlo Manano and Save Our Schools Network spokesperson Rius Valle.

The arrest order came after then Justice secretary Emmanuel Caparas reversed the recommendation of the Provincial Prosecutors Office to dismiss the case for lack of probable cause.

Lawyer Manuel Quibod, who represents the so-called Haran 15, said they have filed a motion for reconsideration before the DoJ which stalled the implementation of the arrest warrant but the court said the orders would be implemented by August 1.

Several other accused showed up during the meeting to sought the dismissal of the case filed against them.

If there is still no action on their motion for reconsideration by end of July, Quibod said they will ask for the extension of suspension of the implementation of the arrest warrant without opposition from the DoJ. Prior to their arrest, the human rights advocates claimed they were assisting the lumad evacuees at the Haran Compound and helping them deal with their difficult situation while advocating their return to their communities for years.

Defense chiefs to discuss Abu

By Florante S. Solmerin DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana will be meeting with the defense ministers of Malaysia and Indonesia next week to discuss mutual concerns, particularly the Abu Sayyaf problem in Mindanao.

“Sometime next week I’ll be travelling to Malaysia to meet with my counterparts, the Minister of Defense of Indonesia and the Minister of Defense of Malaysia. We will again talk about [the Abu Sayyaf] because we should address that worsening problem,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said the meeting is set next week in Malaysia where they will fine-tune plans and agree on coordination processes and joint border patrol operations.

He said the meeting will be focusing on what framework to follow, concrete steps to make, and most importantly, to implement such plans, which in principle has been agreed upon in meetings with the previous administration.

Lorenzana said it is already the 1975 Philippine-Indonesian Border Patrol Agreement which would be the basis for the joint border patrol talk between the two countries, and the recent one with Malaysia.

Because of the upsurge of incidents of kidnappings by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf, the military has poured in more troops in Basilan and Sulu to neutralize the terrorist group.

Recently, the world was stunned when the Abu Sayyaf beheaded two Canadian captives—John Ridsdel and Robert Hall —after their families failed to deliver the P300-million ransom the bandits had been demanding.

Hall’s Filipina fiancé, Marites Flor, was released unharmed though amid allegations of ransom payment but the Abu Sayyaf has still in their hands Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian.

The four were abducted by armed men in September 2015 at a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal and brought them to Sulu.

Italian aid. Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno and his wife Mrs. Agnes Roscigno sped a moment with Iloilo Governor and Mrs. Arthur Defensor Sr. after turning over completed Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ assistance projects to Concepcion town Mayor Millard Villanueva.

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DILG: Stop drug trade or face neglect of duty charges

By John Paolo Bencito The Interior department warned on Friday that governors and mayors may be charged with neglect of duty if they fail to crush the problem of illegal drugs in their areas.

DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno also said ‘inept’ local executives may lose their National Police Commission deputation, which gives them direct operational supervision over police units in their jurisdiction, if they do not show results in the war on illegal substances.

“We are giving them six months till December. If they cannot lower the number of drug addicts in their area, they may be charged with serious neglect of duty,” Sueno said.

The law provides that local chief executives (LCes) must eradicate the drug problem in their constituencies.

Under the new directive, if a governor or mayor fails to perform the additional functions and duties, he or she shall be deemed engaging in acts which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign which, once validated or established, shall be a ground for the suspension or withdrawal of his/her deputation by the Napolcom.

Palace spokesperson ernesto Abella had earlier said this empowers local executives to initiate the fight against illegal drugs in their communities.

“It is one of the reasons why mayors of cities and municipalities are deputized by the Napolcom vis-avis the Philippine National Police [PNP] so they can have a direct operational supervision over PNP personnel assigned in their respected areas,” Abella said.

In November 2015, the Napolcom en banc issued Memorandum Circular No. 2015-003, which prescribes the additional functions and duties of LCes as Napolcom deputies.

Villar proposes creation of Department of Migration

By Macon Ramos-Araneta Senator Cynthia Villar pushed for the creation of a dedicated department to look after the welfare of 12 million Filipinos overseas.

Villar’s Senate Bill No. 146 or the “Department of Migration and Development Act of 2016,” seeks to create a department that will recommend and implement government policies, plans and programs for the promotion, protection, safety, development and support of Filipinos overseas and their families left behind.

Villar noted that despite the work

of the Philippine Overseas employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and taking into account the assistance provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs, many Filipino abroad feel that they are being neglected by government.

“There are reports of numerous complaints and resentment towards government

from overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] brought about by delayed and inadequate support and assistance while they are facing difficult predicaments abroad,” she said.

Under the bill, POeA and OWWA will be attached to the department for policy and program coordination.

The measure also seeks to create the P1-billion Special Assistance Revolving Fund for Filipino Migrants, both documented and undocumented. It will be used for emergency repatriation; medical expenses; immigration penalties; legal assistance; payment of blood

money; humanitarian assistance to families left behind; scholarships for children of Filipinos overseas; maintenance and operational expenses including capital outlay for the establishment of One-Stop Migrant Processing and Assistance Centers.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records, the Nacionalista Party senator said OFWs remitted $25.76 billion through formal channels and $28.5-billion personal remittances, making them significant contributors to the country’s gross domestic product and keep the Philippine economy buoyant.

Enlistment. New voters troop to the Commission on Elections main office in Arroceros, Manila to register for the Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay elections. Registration is from July 15 to July 30, 2016. LINO SANTOS

MPD downs 20 pushers in the first week of July

By Sandy Araneta

Victim. A student lying on the ground is given first aid after he and two others were hit by a wayward truck carrying sand and hollow blocks at the corner of Ayala and Concepcion Aguila streets in San Miguel, Manila on Friday. DANNY PATA

TWeNTy suspected drug pushers died in shootouts with elements of the Manila Police District in the first week of July, Mayor Joseph estrada said on Friday. estrada also boasted of the decline in the city’s crime rate in the past six months.

“This is the end result of our full support to the city’s police force,” estrada said.

“Their morale is high, they have everything they need—equipment, supplies, and even allowances. We can now say that it’s safer to live here in Manila,” he added.

MPD Director Joel Coronel said the slain “high value” pushers were killed in “armed encounters with anti-drug police operatives” throughout the city between July 1 and 10.

Relatedly, Coronel said some 3,160 al-

leged “users” and 595 “pushers” gave themselves up to the MPD. he said the 4,150-strong MPD pushed up its crime solution efficiency rate of 57.9 percent from January 1 to June 30, from 38.05 percent in 2014 to 2015 and 24.55 percent in 2013 to 2014.

Since he became mayor in 2013, estrada has allotted P1.9 billion for Manila’s crime prevention program, including P136 million in back allowances of MPD members and the purchase of 41 new mobile patrol cars and 110 electric personal transporters.

A Palace official has described the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs a success, with tens of thousands of drug suspects surrendering to the authorities.

“We have to seize the momentum,” Presidential Communications Office [PCO] Secretary Martin Andanar said.

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MIAA to improve service, security

By Joel E. Zurbano

Newly designated Manila International Airport Authority general manager eddie Villanueva Monreal on Friday presented to the press his agency’s three-pronged agenda aimed at improving the services at the country’s premier airport.

Monreal, who was country manager for Cathay Pacific with years of experience in airline operations management, said proposed projects that will revitalize the Ninoy aquino international airport would cover service, safety and security, and decongestion of the four terminals.

the Miaa is planning to open up the Naia terminals to regular or white taxis starting June 18 to give arriving passengers an alternative mode of transportation and do away with long lines at the arrival curbside taxi bays.

Monreal noted that the previous Miaa management did well

to introduce accredited buses and allow Grabcar services at the airport.

“But we must ensure passenger safety, before allowing white taxis to pick up passengers from the Naia terminals and make sure the drivers of regular taxis must strictly adhere to rules that the Miaa will impose,”he said. to make the life of passengers easier, the Department of transportation has inked an agreement with airline firms to make sure that Naia comfort rooms are kept clean and well maintained.

“Employees must also always be courteous to passengers and serve them with a smile,” Monreal

pointed out. to maintain safety and security, the Miaa plans to add more personnel from the airport Police Department in all the security screening checkpoints at the Naia terminals. there are now only 700 security screening officers from the Office for transportation Security assigned in the four terminals to handle thousands of people.

Monreal said the installation of a closed circuit tV system with high-resolution cameras in all areas at the Naia will also be prioritized to avoid security blind spots. the reactivation of the airport security center, a central desk connecting all agencies designed to

provide immediate response to passenger complaints and concerns, is also in the works. to decongest the Naia, Monreal disclosed, the Miaa, with the help of the different airline companies, the Civil aviation Board and the Civil aviation authority of the Philippines, is coming up with a system that would greatly minimize flight delays that usually cause crowding at the terminals.

He invited public feedback to identify areas where the Naia needed improvement and urged the media to expose illegal activities and other malpractices at the airport.

Makati most economically dynamic of PH cities

Hazard. Heavy traffic builds up due to unfinished roadwork on Dagat-Dagatan Avenue in Caloocan City on Friday. ANDREW RABULAN

NBI hooks credit card hacker and drug pusher

By Sandy Araneta OPERatiVES of the National Bureau of investigation anti-illegal Drugs Division (NBi-aiDD) have arrested a suspected credit-card hacker and drug pusher in an operation in Las Piñas City. the NBi-aiDD identified the suspect as Edgar Silvano Jr., alias “Boy tattoo,”during an anti-illegal-drug operation on Wednesday in Silvano’s residence in Unit 404 Hanalie Bldg. Ohana Place Residence, Barangay almanza Uno in the city.

Charges for Violation of Republic act (Ra) 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002) and Ra 8484 (the access Devices Regulation act of 1998) were filed against Silvano before the Las Piñas Prosecutor’s Office. the case investigated the report of a confidential informant regarding a group led by alias “Boy tattoo” who allegedly traded illegal drugs in

the city and nearby areas. as a result of the probe, Hon. Salvador V. timbang Jr., the executive judge of the Las Piñas City regional trial court issued a warrant directing NBi-aiDD operatives to search the premises of “Boy tattoo.”

With the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement agency and Philippine National Police, NBiaiDD operatives caught the suspect in possession of two transparent plastic bags containing white powdered substances and assorted drug paraphernalia. the NBi-Forensic Chemistry Division tested two plastic tooters and two improvised glass pipes which showed traces of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.

Moreover, hundreds of credit cards with different names, bank books, several laptops, computers and scheming devices used in fraudulent transactions were also recovered.

Overload. A family rides a pedicab loaded with recyclables on Mac-Arthur Highway in Valenzuela City. ANDREW RABULAN

Makati City ranked first in economic dynamism and is the second most competitive city in the country in the recently concluded 4th Regional Competitiveness Summit at the Philippine international Convention Center.

“We are very thankful to the National Competitiveness Council [NCC] for this latest recognition that validates Makati’s stable business environment. Despite political upheavals, the city’s economy has remained vibrant and robust,” said Mayor abigail Binay. the plaque was received by city officials during the summit. it was signed by Ramon Lopez and Guillermo Luz, chairman and co-chairman of the NCC, respectively.

Binay deplored that in terms of government efficiency, Makati slipped two notches from third place in 2015 to fifth place this year. the city ranked fourth in 2014. the mayor reiterated her call for private sector support in rebuilding Makati and strengthening its competitiveness as the premier investment destination in the country and in asia.

Using the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness index (CMCi), the NCC gauged the competitiveness of cities and municipalities in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure. Makati ranked second in infrastructure.

Under the highly urbanized cities category, Makati also placed second among the most competitive cities in infrastructure, and fifth most competitive city in government efficiency.

Quezon City led the overall ranking of highly urbanized cities, followed by Makati and Manila.

Meanwhile, Rizal, Cavite and South Cotabato were hailed as this year’s most competitive provinces. among component cities, Naga City in Camarines Sur, San Fernando City in Pampanga and Legazpi City in albay were adjudged the most competitive. in the CMCi, cities and municipalities are categorized into four, namely, third to sixth class municipalities, first to second class municipalities, component cities, and highly urbanized cities. Joel E. Zurbano

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

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ex-lawmakers to face trial for endorsing bogus NGOs TWO former Cebu lawmakers will face trial after the Office of the Ombudsman found that they endorsed an unqualified non-government organization to undertake a government project in 2004 using their combined Priority Development Assistance Fund amounting to P6 million.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge former Cebu (2nd District) Rep. Antonio Cuenco and former Cebu (3rd District) Rep. Antonio Yapha, Jr. for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.” Co-accused, Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lecciones of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit, was also charged with two counts of graft.

In 2004, Cuenco and Yapha endorsed Kasosyo Foundation Inc. (Kasosyo) to Lecciones as project implementor of their PDAF-related projects.

The services of the foundation were unilaterally engaged without the benefit of public bidding and despite the NGO’s lack of experience.

Using their PDAF funds, Kasosyo then bought 4,000 bottles of liquid fertilizers at P1,500 per bottle, for a total project cost of P6 million.

“Despite Kasosyo’s failure to comply with the legal requirements, respondents Cuenco and Yapha unequivocally endorsed said NGO without providing any reason or justification for their choice and without first ascertaining if the latter was eligible or qualified,” the Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman added that “[respondents] performed overt acts of signing endorsement letters, entered into a MOA and approved payments to Kasosyo, all designed to bring fruition the sole objective of making Kasosyo as the project partner which would undertake the farm inputs/farm implements projects.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also ordered its Field Investigation Office to conduct further investigation on the alleged overprice in the procurement of liquid fertilizers. PNA

Repairs. Linemen service Tower

70 of the Ormoc-Maasin line which transmits power to Southern Leyte and Bohol Island. MEL CASPE

1 killed, 3 injured in Surigao ambush try

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

DAVAO CITY—One was killed and three were wounded in an attempt to ambush a broadcaster and provincial board member of Surigao del Sur, at Sitio Tandawan, Brgy. San Vicente, Bislig City, Thursday afternoon.

According to Bislig City Police Director Supt. Rainier Diaz, Apolinario Suan was heading home from Real FM

where he hosts a radio program when unidentified men fired at his Toyota Land Cruiser.

One of the escorts, Dodong

Suan, was killed.

The board member was shot on his forearm and right leg, while the two other escorts sustained gunshot wounds.

The two wounded victims were identified as driver Rocel Alba, and another escort Joebert Hurado.

Authorities are still clueless as of the motive of the incident. Diaz said that they are currently looking into different angles, including Apo-

linario’s work as broadcaster and a politician.

“We are currently getting details about the victim to establish the background and identify the motive of the ambush,” Diaz said.

The vehicle used by the suspects did not have a plate number, he said. Victims could also barely describe the suspects’ faces.

The board member-broadcaster is reportedly in a stable condition.

Fisheries body sets aside P200m for ARMM fish ports

By A. Perez Rimando COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao—The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority has allocated close to P200 million for the construction of fish ports in seven coastal municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Eduardo Chu, PFDA general manager, told media the move “is a part of a comprehensive peace and development intervention for the economic recovery and development of Muslim Mindanao, considered a depressed, distressed and underserved area.

Chu added the project

seeks to help uplift the living condition of the region’s indigenous tribes of Maranao, Tausug, Yakan, Iranon, Maguindanaon and Samal.

The municipal fish ports, he said, will be established in Sumisip town in Basilan; Buluan and Mangudadatu in Maguindanao; Parang in Sulu, Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Lamitan, Basilan, and Marawi, Lanao del Sur. Once completed, each of the ports would provide over 500 direct jobs and would be capable of handling 25 tons of marine products daily, Chu said.

He added that part of the project implementation is the

training of personnel on port operation and maintenance for the eventual turnover of the management, supervision and administration of the MFPs to the concerned local government units.

He noted that Lamitan, Sumisip, Parang and Panglima Sugala teem with high-value marine products like tuna, tanguigue and tamban (sardine fish) even as Marawi and Buluan are along the boarders of fishrich Lake Lanao.

Chu said each of the seven ARMM MFPs would later be provided with ice plants and cold storage facilities to supply the ice requirements of the local fishing industry.

Affirmation. United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg is guest of honor at the Baguio

City event celebrating 78 years of friendship between the US and the Philippines.

DAVID CHAN

A8

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

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

DE LIMA SHOULD FISCALIZE HERSELF FIRST

[ EDI TORI A L ]

REVISITING THE DOLE PROGRAM WE SHOULD have paid heed years ago, but the idea of providing financial assistance to the poorest of the poor, if only to encourage them to send their children to school and avail themselves of community-based health care service, sounded too much of a noble cause to challenge.

So good, in fact, that the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III apparently forgot that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was supposed to be just a temporary measure until the bulk of the Filipino poor are finally able to sustain their own need through stable jobs.

The 4Ps, also called the conditional cash transfer program, has become the flagship anti-poverty measure of the Aquino administration even as the idea originally came from Mr. Aquino’s predecessor whom he had maligned so much.

Unfortunately, the CCT, allotted tens of billions of pesos in a year, became so heavily identified with the Aquino administration such that it was exploited during the last campaign season. Getting on the good side of voters in the impoverished regions of the country allowed Aquino’s Liberal Party to boost the stock of its candidates even as they started from near-zero recognition among the voters.

But the Commission on Audit recently found that there were recurring deficiencies in the program’s implementation, such that assistance to rightful beneficiaries was delayed while much-needed funds remained idle in banks. The CoA report said there were more than P6.3 billion in unliquidated funds for the dole program.

The new secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Judy Taguiwalo, has reason to be alarmed primarily because the amount involved is already equal to more than 10 percent of the department’s budget.

She said it is her priority to ensure that the value of the billions of pesos in public funds under the custody of the department is not eroded due to inefficiency or misuse. Taguiwalo has ordered a review of the financial system at the DSWD to know whether the implementation of the CCT and other programs is effective.

It was Taguiwalo who said she is not inclined to institutionalize the program precisely because of its temporary nature. “Pantawid,” after all, refers to a stopgap measure meant to tide one over until better times come along.

It is reassuring to hear the Social Welfare secretary affirming government’s role as custodian of public resources, utilizing these solely for the interest of the public.

This is a reminder that previous officials of the DSWD—who took for granted the sheer amount of money at their disposal—appear to have forgotten.

RETELLING HISTORY POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO Part 2 LAST week, I said that discovering the heritage town of Taal in Batangas, a town so rich in history that it makes one feel that one is among heroes, has sparked in me an even stronger interest in our revolutionary past.

Frequenting its museums, talking with descendants of Taal-born or -raised Katipune-

ros, poring over and enjoying the smell and feel of old documents and books, going through the nooks and crannies of our revolutionaries’ homes, scrutinizing historical memorabilia such as flags and pictures, passionately bantering with other history buffs—all these taught me that as an avid student of our history, I was remiss in studying the most central character of our fight for freedom—General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy.

I was taught, and readily accepted, that Aguinaldo was a villain, a traitor who should not be among the likes of Supremo Andres Bonifacio and Dr. Jose Rizal. My ignorance was so great

that I felt like apologizing to the general for misjudging him.

I did not know that General Aguinaldo, or Heneral Miong as he is fondly called by those who rediscovered him earlier, led and won many battles for the Katipunan, whereas, my idol, the Supremo, did not win any.

I did not know that Aguinaldo was out in Pasong Santol, fighting, when the Tejeros Convention, which, elected him president, happened. I had no idea that Supremo’s group, the Magdiwang, fielded two candidates for president which led to the victory of Aguinaldo. I did not know that he, Aguinaldo, was the only Magdalo who won

A9

I did not consider Emilio Aguinaldo a hero, not until I studied him.

in that election that was dominated by the Magdiwang. Like many, I was totally unaware that Aguinaldo, when fetched to take his oath as president, refused to leave the battlefield. It was only when his brother, Crispulo Aguinaldo, came and promised him that the only way that the Spaniards could win was over his dead body, that Miong yielded. I did not know that Crispulo Aguinaldo died in that battle.

I believed that Hen. Miong had Supremo killed. I was not taught that he commuted the sentence meted out by the Council of War from execution to banishment, but the Council, composed mainly of the Supremo’s Magdiwang men, refused to yield to Aguinaldo, and argued that a divided movement risked the failure of the revolu-

tion. It was war, after all.

I was convinced that Aguinaldo sold the revolution when he agreed to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, received money from the enemy, and went on exile in Hong Kong, together with some of his leaders. I did not know that with the money, they bought arms and bullets that they used when they came back to resume the unfinished revolution. And fought they did.

I had no appreciation of this man who had the guts to declare Philippine independence from Spain at the age of 28, who established the first Philip-

pine Republic in Malolos and became its president at 29, who ran a fledgling government, passed laws, put in place systems including taxation and postal, and declared another war—this time, against the Americans.

I did not consider General Emilio Aguinaldo—he, who led and fought two wars against two very powerful nations, Spain and America, and he, who gave us our national symbols, our flag and our national hymn—a hero. Not until I began studying him. Taal made me rediscover him even if he was not from the town.

The Standard Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 8325556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard.com.ph; E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Felisa Diokno, Miong’s long-time personal secretary, and whose ancestral home we “discovered,” paved the way for my interest in Aguinaldo. She left behind interesting materials on the first president.

Because of Felisa, I learned that after the revolution, Aguinaldo established the Associacion de Veteranos de la Revolucion (Association of the Veterans of the Revolution). This was the organization that gathered the remaining revolutionaries and was Aguinaldo’s instrument in helping them. There are many 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

SENATOR Leila de Lima has finally acknowledged her role as the defender of her former boss, ex-President Benigno Aquino III. Last week, De Lima decried the cases filed against Aquino for his misuse of the controversial Development Acceleration Program funds, and for his mismanagement of the infamous Mamasapano mission which resulted in the massacre of 44 policemen in Maguindanao. According to De Lima, the cases are either politically motivated or designed to harass Aquino.

De Lima may not realize it, but she just gave herself away.

Since Aquino’s lawyers have not received a copy of the complaint, it is unlikely that De Lima acquired one before they did. This means that De Lima already pre-judged the cases against Aquino in favor of the latter. Such behavior is unbecoming of a former Justice secretary who, as a quasi-judicial officer who evaluates appeals from criminal prosecutions, is expected to evaluate both sides of a case judiciously before arriving at a conclusion.

Since De Lima herself is in the mood for sweeping conclusions, then the conclusion that De Lima pre-judged the cases filed in the Department of Justice during her watch appears warranted.

Moreover, De Lima should refrain from evaluating Aquino’s cases because she lacks the requisite impartiality to make a fair evaluation. Aquino, after all, is her ex-boss.

Aquino does not seem interested in seeking public office in the predictable future. Being so, why does De Lima insist that the cases filed against Aquino as expresident are politically motivated?

Days prior to his compulsory departure from Malacañang, Aquino announced that he was not afraid of getting sued when he is no longer president. Aquino also revealed that his lawyers would get back at those who would charge him in court. Under such circumstances, how can De Lima say that the cases against Aquino are designed to harass the expresident?

Undoubtedly, de Lima is simply repaying her debt of gratitude to Aquino who appointed her to the DoJ, and who sponsored her senatorial candidacy under the pro-Aquino Liberal Party during the May 2016 polls.

Under De Lima’s watch, the DoJ was one of the most inept government agencies. Thanks to De Lima’s inexcusable failure to monitor the prisons under her jurisdiction, drug lords detained at the 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

A8

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

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

DE LIMA SHOULD FISCALIZE HERSELF FIRST

[ EDI TORI A L ]

REVISITING THE DOLE PROGRAM WE SHOULD have paid heed years ago, but the idea of providing financial assistance to the poorest of the poor, if only to encourage them to send their children to school and avail themselves of community-based health care service, sounded too much of a noble cause to challenge.

So good, in fact, that the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III apparently forgot that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was supposed to be just a temporary measure until the bulk of the Filipino poor are finally able to sustain their own need through stable jobs.

The 4Ps, also called the conditional cash transfer program, has become the flagship anti-poverty measure of the Aquino administration even as the idea originally came from Mr. Aquino’s predecessor whom he had maligned so much.

Unfortunately, the CCT, allotted tens of billions of pesos in a year, became so heavily identified with the Aquino administration such that it was exploited during the last campaign season. Getting on the good side of voters in the impoverished regions of the country allowed Aquino’s Liberal Party to boost the stock of its candidates even as they started from near-zero recognition among the voters.

But the Commission on Audit recently found that there were recurring deficiencies in the program’s implementation, such that assistance to rightful beneficiaries was delayed while much-needed funds remained idle in banks. The CoA report said there were more than P6.3 billion in unliquidated funds for the dole program.

The new secretary of Social Welfare and Development, Judy Taguiwalo, has reason to be alarmed primarily because the amount involved is already equal to more than 10 percent of the department’s budget.

She said it is her priority to ensure that the value of the billions of pesos in public funds under the custody of the department is not eroded due to inefficiency or misuse. Taguiwalo has ordered a review of the financial system at the DSWD to know whether the implementation of the CCT and other programs is effective.

It was Taguiwalo who said she is not inclined to institutionalize the program precisely because of its temporary nature. “Pantawid,” after all, refers to a stopgap measure meant to tide one over until better times come along.

It is reassuring to hear the Social Welfare secretary affirming government’s role as custodian of public resources, utilizing these solely for the interest of the public.

This is a reminder that previous officials of the DSWD—who took for granted the sheer amount of money at their disposal—appear to have forgotten.

RETELLING HISTORY POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO Part 2 LAST week, I said that discovering the heritage town of Taal in Batangas, a town so rich in history that it makes one feel that one is among heroes, has sparked in me an even stronger interest in our revolutionary past.

Frequenting its museums, talking with descendants of Taal-born or -raised Katipune-

ros, poring over and enjoying the smell and feel of old documents and books, going through the nooks and crannies of our revolutionaries’ homes, scrutinizing historical memorabilia such as flags and pictures, passionately bantering with other history buffs—all these taught me that as an avid student of our history, I was remiss in studying the most central character of our fight for freedom—General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy.

I was taught, and readily accepted, that Aguinaldo was a villain, a traitor who should not be among the likes of Supremo Andres Bonifacio and Dr. Jose Rizal. My ignorance was so great

that I felt like apologizing to the general for misjudging him.

I did not know that General Aguinaldo, or Heneral Miong as he is fondly called by those who rediscovered him earlier, led and won many battles for the Katipunan, whereas, my idol, the Supremo, did not win any.

I did not know that Aguinaldo was out in Pasong Santol, fighting, when the Tejeros Convention, which, elected him president, happened. I had no idea that Supremo’s group, the Magdiwang, fielded two candidates for president which led to the victory of Aguinaldo. I did not know that he, Aguinaldo, was the only Magdalo who won

A9

I did not consider Emilio Aguinaldo a hero, not until I studied him.

in that election that was dominated by the Magdiwang. Like many, I was totally unaware that Aguinaldo, when fetched to take his oath as president, refused to leave the battlefield. It was only when his brother, Crispulo Aguinaldo, came and promised him that the only way that the Spaniards could win was over his dead body, that Miong yielded. I did not know that Crispulo Aguinaldo died in that battle.

I believed that Hen. Miong had Supremo killed. I was not taught that he commuted the sentence meted out by the Council of War from execution to banishment, but the Council, composed mainly of the Supremo’s Magdiwang men, refused to yield to Aguinaldo, and argued that a divided movement risked the failure of the revolu-

tion. It was war, after all.

I was convinced that Aguinaldo sold the revolution when he agreed to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, received money from the enemy, and went on exile in Hong Kong, together with some of his leaders. I did not know that with the money, they bought arms and bullets that they used when they came back to resume the unfinished revolution. And fought they did.

I had no appreciation of this man who had the guts to declare Philippine independence from Spain at the age of 28, who established the first Philip-

pine Republic in Malolos and became its president at 29, who ran a fledgling government, passed laws, put in place systems including taxation and postal, and declared another war—this time, against the Americans.

I did not consider General Emilio Aguinaldo—he, who led and fought two wars against two very powerful nations, Spain and America, and he, who gave us our national symbols, our flag and our national hymn—a hero. Not until I began studying him. Taal made me rediscover him even if he was not from the town.

The Standard Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 8325556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard.com.ph; E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Felisa Diokno, Miong’s long-time personal secretary, and whose ancestral home we “discovered,” paved the way for my interest in Aguinaldo. She left behind interesting materials on the first president.

Because of Felisa, I learned that after the revolution, Aguinaldo established the Associacion de Veteranos de la Revolucion (Association of the Veterans of the Revolution). This was the organization that gathered the remaining revolutionaries and was Aguinaldo’s instrument in helping them. There are many 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

SENATOR Leila de Lima has finally acknowledged her role as the defender of her former boss, ex-President Benigno Aquino III. Last week, De Lima decried the cases filed against Aquino for his misuse of the controversial Development Acceleration Program funds, and for his mismanagement of the infamous Mamasapano mission which resulted in the massacre of 44 policemen in Maguindanao. According to De Lima, the cases are either politically motivated or designed to harass Aquino.

De Lima may not realize it, but she just gave herself away.

Since Aquino’s lawyers have not received a copy of the complaint, it is unlikely that De Lima acquired one before they did. This means that De Lima already pre-judged the cases against Aquino in favor of the latter. Such behavior is unbecoming of a former Justice secretary who, as a quasi-judicial officer who evaluates appeals from criminal prosecutions, is expected to evaluate both sides of a case judiciously before arriving at a conclusion.

Since De Lima herself is in the mood for sweeping conclusions, then the conclusion that De Lima pre-judged the cases filed in the Department of Justice during her watch appears warranted.

Moreover, De Lima should refrain from evaluating Aquino’s cases because she lacks the requisite impartiality to make a fair evaluation. Aquino, after all, is her ex-boss.

Aquino does not seem interested in seeking public office in the predictable future. Being so, why does De Lima insist that the cases filed against Aquino as expresident are politically motivated?

Days prior to his compulsory departure from Malacañang, Aquino announced that he was not afraid of getting sued when he is no longer president. Aquino also revealed that his lawyers would get back at those who would charge him in court. Under such circumstances, how can De Lima say that the cases against Aquino are designed to harass the expresident?

Undoubtedly, de Lima is simply repaying her debt of gratitude to Aquino who appointed her to the DoJ, and who sponsored her senatorial candidacy under the pro-Aquino Liberal Party during the May 2016 polls.

Under De Lima’s watch, the DoJ was one of the most inept government agencies. Thanks to De Lima’s inexcusable failure to monitor the prisons under her jurisdiction, drug lords detained at the 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

A10

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

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

AFTERMATH OF THE TRIBUNAL’S DECISION BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN NOW that the Permanent Court of Arbitration has come out with a decision upholding all the issues raised by the Philippines against China, many could only speculate on its aftermath. Although many are basking on the euphoria generated by the decision, almost the same number are asking whether that US-formulated strategy could be enforced or we would just be nurturing a national humiliation that would forever make us militarily dependent on the US. Before the decision, both countries tried to observe a status quo by refraining from taking any action that could heighten the tension. But when the Aquino administration decided to bring the case to the PCA, it was seen as a game changer. China promptly responded by not recognizing the tribunal or submitting to its jurisdiction. It means that from thereon, we would be relying on the usual reassurance of the US that it would stand by our side.

China soon began to build permanent structures on some of the islands aimed at securing their position, and the US, despite its flotilla of warships, failed to deter China.

It is beyond doubt that the US principally instigated the Aquino administration to shy away from the negotiating table understandably because that move will deprive it of its role in the region and diminish the importance of its military presence. To some, it was a blunder because we denied ourselves the chance to resolve the dispute through direct negotiations. China’s refusal to recognize the arbitration court was ominous that our approach was heading for the rocks. The Aquino administration failed to realize that China only would reciprocate our move in a calibrated way to make it more difficult for us.

Despite that gloomy scenario, the Aquino administration persisted in heightening the tension

by allowing the return of the US military bases.

Whether it was at the instance of the US or was requested by the Aquino administration, what was clear is that the US has a totally different agenda why it wants to have access in the Philippines.

Even if the Philippines has a subsisting mutual defense treaty with the US, and now reinforced by our signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the Aquino administration failed to analyze that our defense treaty with the US is only binding if the country is attacked.

Our defense agreement with the US is different because the US Congress will still have to decide whether or not to go to war for us. Besides, it is much doubtful whether the US would comply to its commitment to defend us over a disputed territory and not to one where we could categorically point as an occupation of our national territory to fit the charge of being the victim of aggression.

We now appear to have been humiliated twice.

In short, the Philippines was hoodwinked to allowing the return of the US bases. This is evident because the US continues to echo a vague and different pronouncement why they are here. The country now appears to have been humiliated twice: first, by the instigation that we submit our case for arbitration for which the US knew could not enforce; and, and second that we allowed the return of the US bases only to realize that they have their own agenda. In fact, what we hear now is sort of a morale booster to keep up the propaganda war against China. To

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA

WE NEED A TASK FORCE TO SAVE LIVES

IN A talk I gave last week to the heads of Catholic women religious congregations, during the annual convention of Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in the Philippines, I made sure that they got a positive, encouraging message about the new government. I endorsed, for example, the constitutional change, peace, economic development and finance, anti-poverty and social justice, and environmental agendas of this government. I told my audience about the advice I give to all colleagues and students considering to join government: “Do it. Be a principled partner for change. There are many good people who are there, and there are many promising things that could be achieved with such strong leadership and political will.”

On human rights, however, I was very clear that there are serious reasons for concern. We must all help the Duterte administration fight the war against drugs because the menace is real and it is the poor that are being victimized the most. I get the logic of the President of the immense evil that drugs do to our country and that all legal means, even unorthodox ones, must be employed to defeat those responsible.

In my view, however, we

will be helping President Duterte most if we made sure that this war against drugs was fought following due process and the rule of law. By this, I do not mean the President’s disclosure of police generals and politicians that are being investigated for their alleged links to drug lords. In the immediate past administration, we have seen the same thing done to politicians, without benefit yet of trial and conviction. People were demonized even, as in the case of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when evidence was weak and flimsy. There is a basic unfairness about these actions but one can debate whether constitutional limits were exceeded. Neither do I refer to legitimate police actions and encounters where the use of force is justified.

By human rights concerns, I mean specifically the spike in extrajudicial and vigilante killings all over the country. The body count is increasing daily, without any certainty as to who the perpetrators are. For sure, something ugly has been unleashed and all of our society must respond before it engulfs all of us.

For the women religious, as a matter of priority and urgency, I suggested they should set up a task force akin to the famous Task Force Detainees of the

Philippines. TFDP, led for many years by the late Sr. Mariani Dimaranan, a true heroine and saint, saved many lives while documenting many atrocities and human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship. Such saving and documenting are once again needed today.

Ministering to people that might be criminals is, of course, very different from helping political prisoners. Some have called those being killed as lowlifes who deserve their fate. But the nuns realize that they are called to be faces of God’s mercy —the theme of their convention—to everyone. Besides, innocent people can also be killed as collateral damage in this war.

TFDP was organized two years after Martial Law was declared. A task force to save lives must be organized now.

Just before I talked to the nuns, I received a personal message (reproduced in part below, with minor edits by me) from a friend. It speaks for itself but definitely this made my suggestion even more urgent.

“Tony, when you are given a chance to speak before the conference today, please remember the ‘nation of orphans and community of widows and widowers’ slowly emerging because of the brutal campaign against drugs, outside of the legal parameters.

This is something personal to me. I just lost a beloved nephew. Police barged into our ancestral house and shot in the chest my sleeping nephew. Shot close range, no chance of survival.

According to initial reports from relatives living in our house, a group of policemen barged into the house; led the daughter of my nephew out of the house; made her eat in a sari-sari store to distract her; then shot my nephew in the heart/chest area at close range (while he was sleeping); no chance to survive.

Should I thank the police on two counts?

First, for leading my nephew’s daughter out of the house, distracting her with food, and making sure she does not witness the brutal murder of her father?

His eldest son was playing in a neighbor’s house.

Second: should I also thank the police for ensuring that my nephew’s father was not in the house when they killed his son?

The father was in a meeting when he received a text message about the shooting in the house, which instantly killed his only son.

I know my nephew was a problem child, a troubled young man, resenting his parents; he was broken when his mother died of heart attack when he was just a teener. He may have been a drug-user. I’d like Continued on A11

quote State Department spokesman John Kirby, “The world is watching to see if China is really the global power it professes itself to be and the responsible power that it professes itself to be. The world is watching this.”

In the end, the decision can never be said as vindication of our claim. First, the arbitral court should have not decided the case after China manifested that it would not recognize or submit to its jurisdiction or accept its decision.

As our lawyers would often say, it was void ab initio because the court acted to hear and decide a case without jurisdiction. Second, international law has greatly been ignored and disregarded by the US after it emerged as the only superpower.

The architects of its foreign policy invented terms to justify its continued violation of international law. It came out with such sugarcoated terms as US exceptionalism and unilateralism to justify its bombing of Serbia, Libya,

Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan, and to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. It continues to assassinate alleged terrorists by the use of drones or kidnap them using such term as special rendition to sanitize them from the jurisdiction of US courts.

The US disregarded the agreement it signed with the then-Soviet Union to end the Cold War in exchange for the abolition of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact, and by advancing Nato to eastern Europe and entice countries to join the alliance, and establish military bases there. Worse, while it continues to actively support the arrest of black leaders in African as alleged war criminals or for violation of human rights to be tried in a racist tribunal called International Criminal Court, it refuses to ratify that agreement dubbed as the Statute of Rome the same way it refused to ratify the Unclos.

Another, many are puzzled why the Philippines

opted to single out China.

We know for a fact that there are several claimants and basic to their claim is that those islands and the waterway historically belong to them or that they are within the 200-mile limit delineated by the Unclos. Of course, the unsaid reason is to control the mineral resources that lie underneath the seabed.

For instance, Taiwan rejects the decision giving the same reasoning made

by China that the adverse ruling could undermine its claim. Nonetheless, they share the same view in defining what constitute the national territory of China.

On the other hand, Malaysia’s claim is one that is legally dubious. Its claim in the South China Sea only came into being after the Federation of Malaysia was formed, which the British handed to Malaya a leased territory known as Sabah. Sabah is owned by the Sultan of Sulu who by instrument of cession turned over the territory to the Philippines.

Dissolve the Federation, Malaysia would have no legal standing to make a claim in the South China Sea. On the other hand, even if Vietnam was once the most determined and virulent claimant, tension there receded after China and Vietnam reached an agreement to settle their dispute. Another claimant, Brunei, has opted to remain silent.

Most dangerous, the decision opens the possibility for countries that did not participate in the arbitration proceedings to interpret the decision as favorable to them. This is a likely possibility because the decision opened a gaping hole that could lead to a free-for-all. In fact, other countries can equally claim they too won the case against China. In the end, the Philippines may have won the case but its claim could equally be contested by others to entirely change the dimension and complicate the dispute. rpkapunan@gmail.com

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

WHERE ARE THE PROTESTS IN CHINA?

By Adam Minter CHINESE didn’t waste any time venting their anger at The Hague’s ruling against their country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. Within minutes of the news, Chinese social media was flooded with thousands of comments parroting a testy, often profane nationalism.

What China hasn’t witnessed yet, however, is any semblance of the mass protests that roiled dozens of Chinese cities, sometimes violently, in 2012 after a similar territorial dispute with Japan erupted into the headlines. And the fact is, that’s not likely to change.

Unlike in 2012, Chinese censors almost immediately began deleting the most inflammatory posts about the verdict, such as calls for war in the South China Sea. At times, officials blocked people from even searching the term “South China Sea” on leading social media outlets.

De Lima... From A9 national penitentiary enjoyed extraordinary perks like air-conditioned cells, mobile phones, personal computers, firearms, restaurant-catered food, and liquor.

It was also during De Lima’s watch when the funds of the DoJ earmarked for a specific project were used for something else.

The Commission on Audit exposed this anomaly.

The backlog of cases in the DoJ under De Lima was horrible. Any practicing lawyer will confirm that unless one has connections with De Lima, one’s petition in the DoJ will take years before it gets resolved. When De Lima was at the helm of the DoJ, most cases were already moot and academic by the time the DoJ got to resolve them.

Some time after the Philippines sued Communist China in the UN arbitration court in Holland after Beijing made illegal territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, President Aquino sent a Philippine delegation to Holland to attend the initial hearing there.

The team was led by the Solicitor General, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of National Defense.

Nonetheless, many government officials identified with President Aquino got themselves included in that delegation. The list in-

Retelling... From A9 extant pictures of Aguinaldo and his soldiers in their uniforms celebrating important events. These show how much the General was respected and loved by the men who fought with him. Aguinaldo never stopped caring for them, even in old age. He quietly worked for their, and their families’ welfare, lobbying government on their behalf. No wonder, the remaining revolutionaries held a vigil when the General passed away.

Because I want to know as much as I can about Felisa Diokno, I seek people who knew her. In the process, I get to

Authorities also quickly threw up a police cordon around the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to thwart any demonstrations.

That hardly means that the Chinese government agrees with the tribunal’s verdict (which it’s denounced as “null and void”), or even that officials are all that squeamish about anti-foreign sentiment. In 1999, following the accidental US bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, then Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao explicitly authorized protests outside the US Embassy.

In 2012, the government initially seemed to be encouraging popular rage against Japan. And as recently as 2014, after a Malaysian Airlines jet carrying 152 Chinese passengers disappeared in the South Pacific, authorities allowed an angry crowd to besiege the Malaysian embassy and demand compensation for the families of victims.

But several things are different about the current nationalist outburst. Earlier protests

took place against a backdrop of healthy economic growth. Today, President Xi Jinping, who assumed power weeks after the 2012 protests, manages a country where mass layoffs from previously secure state-owned companies have become common, and where demonstrations over air and water pollution have grown in size and frequency.

The last thing the government wants to see is nationalist anger merging with discontent over pocketbook and lifestyle issues.

The way anti-Japanese protesters turned against authorities in 2012—clashing with riot police, destroying government-owned vehicles and attempting to break into government buildings—remains fresh in leaders’ minds.

The current government also has instinctively less tolerance for the open expression of views, however patriotic. Last year, authorities went so far as to arrest women planning an anti-sexual harassment protest for International Women’s Day. Before Xi’s

ascent to power, China’s social media had developed into a proverbial town square; discussion flowed freely enough that protests could be and were planned on various platforms. Today, after an extraordinary, years-long crackdown, it’s become a much more circumscribed place. In 2011, for example, users of Sina Weibo coordinated online protests and petitions against the Chinese government over air pollution. A similar campaign now would likely lead to closed accounts and possibly worse.

Where exactly Chinese should focus their fury may also be unclear to many citizens. Few harbor the same hatred for the Philippines as is commonly expressed for Japan, whose brutal World War II occupation of the mainland remains a touchstone for all Chinese. Japan, Asia’s second-largest economy, is also a geopolitical rival in a way the Philippines are not.

Indeed, the Philippines are increasingly not even viewed

cludes De Lima, who was the Justice secretary at that time.

Actually, De Lima had no business being in that delegation. She had no role in the arbitration case itself, because the Philippines was adequately represented in the case by the Solicitor General and several American lawyers hired by Manila for their expertise in International Law. Since De Lima is not an expert in International Law, she must have gone sight-seeing in Holland at government expense.

Her penchant for overseas trips paid for by taxpayers money probably explains the backlog of cases in the DoJ during her watch.

Last year, the Iglesia ni Cristo religious sect organized a mammoth protest rally against De Lima outside the DoJ head office in Manila, and later at the intersection of Edsa and Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. The INC demanded De Lima’s resignation for her alleged undue interest in a case involving an INC minister, but De Lima refused to budge.

President Aquino eventually intervened, and after a closeddoor meeting ensued between Malacañang and the INC, the rallyists dispersed voluntarily. Surprisingly, both sides claimed that they did not concede anything to the other side. A curious public pressed De Lima for an explanation but she refused to do so. Up

to today, De Lima never explained to the public what happened.

The foregoing anomalies notwithstanding, Aquino included De Lima in the list of LP senatorial candidates for the May 2016 polls.

Despite her strained relations with the INC, De Lima still went to the INC head to seek his support for her senatorial bid. Her visit was reported by the news media.

Although the INC did not support De Lima’s candidacy, she managed to win, placing last among the 12 winning candidates for senator. Nonetheless, many voters find De Lima’s victory highly suspect in view of recent revelations that the automated canvass of the 2016 polls was rigged to favor candidates of the LP. Last week, De Lima announced to the media that she would fiscalize the Duterte administration for its alleged disregard for human rights. More specifically, De Lima said she would protect civil liberties during the Duterte presidency. She even told Duterte, “I am watching you.”

Before De Lima appoints herself as a fiscalizer, she should fiscalize herself by explaining why numerous anomalies took place in the DoJ during her tenure as Justice secretary. Right now, what De Lima deserves, other than getting prosecuted in court herself, is to represent the hated LP in the Senate.

We need... From A10 to believe he was not a pusher.

Who knows he could have been a pusher too. I am not discounting that.

No one deserves a violent death, not even criminals, without due process. I’ve always opposed violent deaths to non-combatants, and even criminals who are not threatening authorities.

I wonder if my nephew even saw his killers, seconds before he was shot dead. He may have been awakened by the rush and noise of the policemen barging into the house.

I heard that my nephew’s father and children have not stopped crying since they found out about his death.”

I am glad that strong and credible voices have spoken on this issue. Among others, my Dean at the De La Salle University College of Law and our leader at the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), human rights lawyer Chel Diokno has come out strongly against the killings.

Senator Leila de Lima has been a solitary voice in the Senate but hopefully others will join her.

Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon has not shirked from his solemn duty. I

praise them for their courage.

All of us should know that the prescription period for violent crimes, which include human rights violations, are long and beyond the current term of President Duterte. Human rights violators may not be prosecuted now but accountability can still be exacted. We can hold violators accountable here and/ or abroad. Recently, the Chilean officer responsible for torturing and killing the famous singer Victor Jara was brought to justice in the United States, a good 43 years after the Pinochet-led violent overthrow of the Allende government. A future president committed to human rights could create a truth commission 10 or even 20 years from now and hold everyone who participated in human rights violations during this time responsible for their actions. Internationally, legal actions can be brought even now to hold people accountable.

There is no escaping justice on earth, but especially that which comes from heaven. There is no forever in impunity.

learn not only about Felisa but also about Heneral Miong, the person. My latest “discovery” is Felisa’s niece who is now over 70 years old. Nene, as she is called, stayed with Ms. Diokno in the office of the veterans of the revolution, and in Aguinaldo’s Kawit home.

Nene animatedly told us how kind Hen. Miong was. He liked children and would have them line up so that he could give them coins every time he arrived in Kawit. Nene also spoke of the numerous times when they were busy packing groceries for visiting veterans. According to her, Aguinaldo never said no to any of his men.

Aguinaldo’s pictures always showed him as pensive. He seemed to be always thinking, observing his environs. He never slouched. His posture was perfect, even in old age, always the soldier with a straight back. He was always properly dressed, respectable, dignified.

He was a soldier. He liked and observed routines.

For example, Nene said that he held office daily. Hen. Miong regularly and seriously attended to matters related with the revolution and the revolutionaries many decades after he led the struggle.

His favorite lunch was like uniform, too. Nene said that it was

the same every day as far as she remembers: squab (young pigeon) adobo, a certain kind of fish, bread, and coffee. He did not take rice for lunch.

The general was a sweet husband. Nene said that he kissed Maria, his wife, every time he would see her, when he arrived, left, or even just when he passed where Maria was. He never failed to kiss her, several times a day, according to Nene.

In Kawit, Miong’s private space was the tower, the highest part of the house. He also slept there. We joked that perhaps, he was still on the lookout for approaching enemies, after all, he was foremost, a soldier.

I asked if she ever saw the general raise his voice in anger.

I was told that no, she did not see Miong angry. He was quiet mostly but spoke with everyone, even the helpers, with respect.

Nene repeatedly said that the soldier was a very kind man, an image farthest from that of a leader of wars.

General Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was far from perfect just like Rizal and Bonifacio. But, yes, he is a hero in my eyes, and should be for Filipinos for whom he led and fought those wars.

as the aggressor in the Hague case, despite having filed it. In one widely circulated cartoon, the Philippines are depicted as a marionette manipulated

by Uncle Sam, while Japan applauds from behind a screen.

For aspiring Chinese protesters, that makes choosing a target— The Hague? international law? the US?—a more complicated exercise.

None of this means that nationalist passions over the South China Sea—which have been deliberately stoked by state media over the last few years—aren’t deep-seated and widespread.

But the government seems to have decided that its interests lie in modulating that anger, at least for the moment. With luck, that’ll give Chinese leaders the room to forego a more aggressive response and pursue negotiations with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.

The region, no less than China’s streets, could use a bit of calm right now. Bloomberg

Facebook Page: Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Jet Spikers eye title Games today 4 p.m. – BaliPure vs Laoag 6:30 p.m. – Air Force vs Pocari

AIR Force sets out for a repeat of its thriller of a comeback the first time out as it goes for a sweep of the Shakey’s VLeague Season 13 Open Conference crown against embattled Pocari Sweat tonight at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Joy Casas, May Ann Pantino and Jocemer Tapic stepped up and combined in a fiery Lady Jet Spikers’ finish to snare a 17-25, 25-20, 15-25, 26-24, 1511 decision in the opener of their best-of-three series last Wednesday, moving them a win from finally nailing a Shakey’s V-League crown.

Air Force had two fourth place efforts as its best finish in the league where it all started, the last in 2014 Open before it took a leave of absence for two

years to toughen up in various commercial leagues.

With a souped-up roster headed by former UST stalwart Judy Ann Caballejo, the Jet Spikers slugged it out with the best in the field and came out on top of the elims play before sweeping the Laoag Power Smashers in the Final Four to gain a first-ever crack at the championship in the league backed by Mikasa and Accel.

After turning back the highlyfavored Lady Warriors in the title series opener, the Jet Spikers seek to finish off their rivals starting at 6:30 p.m. to be shown live over ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23. The match can also be viewed live via streaming on www.v-league.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

“It’s our fighting spirit that carried us through,” said Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez, who also took notice of his wards’ awesome form.

Pocari Sweat’s Michelle Gumabao challenges Air Force’s May Ann Pantino and Jocemer Tapic during Game One of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference Finals Wednesday.

Saso on verge of Junior World Golf win for PH YUKA Saso of the Philippines gunned down five birdies and an eagle in an eight-hole stretch en route to a three-under-par 69 Thursday that sent her pulling away by four strokes going into the final round of the girls’ 15-17 years division play in the IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships at the La Costa Resort and Spa Legends course in Carlsbad, California.

Lapsing with back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 3-4, the 15-yearold Saso recovered her composure to go on a spellbinding explosion of birdies on the sixth and seventh, an eagle on the ninth then three more birdies on the first four holes of her back nine trip that boosted the country’s hope for a lone victory in the 48th staging of the event considered as the world’s biggest jungolf event.

Saso’s lead could have been

bigger if not for two closing bogeys on the 17th, where she finally made her first three-putt miscue for the week and 18th as she failed to rescue par from the bunker.

Still, the Fil-Japanese will go into Friday’s final round with a four-shot cushion over Nasa Hataoka of Japan after completing three trips over the waterlaced layout hosting the tourney for the first time at 210, six under par.

Hataoka, playing alongside Saso in the final flight, was completely outgunned despite a decent round of 71 and was at 214 with Yui Kawamoto, joint leader with Saso after the second round, soared to a 74 and slid to a share of third with Chen Ching-Tzu of Taiwan (72) at 215.

Saso’s solid play made up for the Philippine’s lackluster performance in the lower divisions which ended with only two - Bernice Ilas and Coco Ong - landing in the top 10.

Ilas matched par 72 at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo for a share of 10th out of 107 entries in girls’ 13-14 years while Ong (69-208), the youngest player in the delegation sent here by Jungolf Foundation of the Philippines with the full support of Philippine Airlines, checked in seventh out of 15 players in the girls’ 6 years and under play at the

pitch and putt Colina Park.

Among the boys, John Edward Dy and Miko Granada both finished 12th in the 11-12 years and 7-8 years, respectively, while Carl Corpus rallied to salvage 14th place in the 13-14 years bracket.

“I played a lot better today than yesterday, I read my putts very well and stayed out of trouble on the tough holes,” said Saso, who will try to become the second homegrown Pinay in three years and just the third in Junior World history to score a win in the girls 15-17 years after Daniella Uy (2014) and Jennifer Rosales (1996).

Saso said that she will try to stick to her strategy of hitting as many fairways and greens and avoid getting affected by whatever her flight mates are doing: “I’ll try to keep my focus, I know that it’s going to be a big day tomorrow and everybody will be going through a lot of pressure.”

Guam blasts PH, grabs 2nd finals slot CLARK—Guam overpowered host the Philippines, 8-1, to clinch the remaining finals ticket in the 2016 Asia Pacific Senior League Baseball Tournament at Clark International Sports Complex at The Villages here yesterday.

The Guam batters unloaded seven runs in the last two innings to set the tone for their third victory in four outings and earn the right to face waiting Australia (4-0) in today’s championship match.

Phl, represented by ILLAM, finished the elims with 1-3 behind dethroned champions Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, which wound up with 2-2 following a 23-1 demolition of hapless Indonesia (0-4) in the other game.

ILLAM tries to end the tourney sponsored by Mister Donut and the Philippine Sports Commission on a good note today when it plays CNMI for third spot.

Cortes, Pague, Calma top netfest

Top jins clash. San Beda (left) and Juan Sumulong jins slug it out in

the men’s junior division of the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports FoundationMeralco Philippine Taekwondo League series last weekend at the SM Masinag Mall in Antipolo.

MULTIPLE leg winners Brent Sigmond Cortes, Jose Maria Pague and Mary Aubrey Calma emerged double winners again at the recent Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte leg of the nationwide Cebuana Lhuillier AgeGroup Tennis championship Series, now on its first decade of producing provincial champions, many of whom have already reached national level rankings, some all the way to the national junior teams.

Cortes, a native of Tubod, Lanao del Norte faced the same opponent Rupert Ohrelle Tortal from Surigao with similar results.

He beat Tortal, 6-1, 6-1, for the 12-under boys’ crown and 6-0, 6-1, in the finals of the 14-under,

while Pague, who has been dominating the 16- under and 18-under boys’ categories in the series, delivered anew, defeating John Renest Sonsona, 6-2, 6-1, for the 16-under boys’ title and followed it with another easy victory over CDO’s Matt Steve Palasan, 6-0, 6-1 in the championship match for the 18-under crown.

Calma, playing from Cagayan de Oro, encountered stiff resistance from 14-under girls’ champion Sydney Ezra Enriquez from Zamboanga del Norte before winning, 6-4, 7-5, in the 16-under fiinale, but had an easy time whipping citymate Gennifer Lysandra Pagente, 6-1, 6-1, in the 18-under for her second crown in the tournament hosted by the Cabadbaran City Tennis Club

and backed by Dunlop Sports as official ball.

Earlier, Enriquez beat 12-under champion Kristin Guia Bandolis, 6-1, 6-1, in the 14-under finals, while Bandolis beat local bet Yra Monteclaro, 6-3, 6-1, for the 12-under title.

“What we are seeing is the steady development of these very promising young talents like Pague, Calma and Cortes as they compete regularly in the series,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier Group and current Philippine Tennis Association Chairman.

Kurt Gervacio Bandolis from Tubod, Lanao del Norte set the tone for Tubod, whose players accounted for four titles.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Lefty’s 63 ties lowest ever round for a major

Ginobili signs for 1 year with Spurs

TROON—Phil Mickelson equalled the lowest ever round in a major as he began his British Open with a stunning 63 at Royal Troon on Thursday to go clear at the top of the leaderboard.

LOS ANGELES—Argentina’s Manu Ginobili re-signed to return for another National Basketball Association season Thursday with the San Antonio Spurs, the only team he has played for.

The 38-year-old Ginobili is returning to San Antonio on a contract that will pay him $14 million. He opted out of his $2.9 million contract to become a free agent.

Last week, the four-time NBA champion Ginobili announced that he was returning to the Spurs for a 15th season.

Ginobili has averaged 14 points per game with the Spurs, who selected him 57th overall in the 1999 draft.

Ginobili also is a two-time all-star and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2008.

Ginobili’s re-signing comes three days after forward Tim Duncan announced his retirement following a 19-year career.

It also comes on the same day that San Antonio officially announced the signing of 36-yearold forward Pau Gasol.

Meanwhile, a Michigan judge agreed on Wednesday to bring forward a pre-trial conference for Draymond Green, the NBA star and US Olympic team member accused of striking a university football player at a restaurant at the weekend.

Documents posted on Thursday on the webpage of the 54B District Court in East Lansing, Michigan, showed that Green’s conference was brought forward from August 4, the day before the Rio de Janeiro Games begin, to Thursday, July 21.

The Lansing State Journal reported that Green’s lawyer sought the move saying that publicity surrounding the case could affect Green’s performance, while his Olympic travel schedule would make it hard for him to stay in touch with the court and his attorney.

Green was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning in East Lansing after an altercation at a restaurant. AFP

The 2013 Open champion came within inches of becoming the first ever player to shoot 62 in a major championship when his birdie putt at the last lipped out, leaving him to settle for an eightunder-par round instead.

It was, though, only the ninth time a player has scored 63 at The Open and the first since Rory McIlroy, who did it in 2010 at St Andrews, which is a par-72.

Left-hander Mickelson’s effort was also a new record on

the par-71 course, beating the previous best of 64 set by Greg Norman in 1989 and Tiger Woods in 1997.

“It was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played and yet I want to shed a tear right now,” said the 46-year-old American.

“To have that putt lip out, that’s going to sting for a while.”

He will take plenty of solace from the fact his round put him firmly in control at the end of the first round with a threeshot lead over nearest challeng-

ers Patrick Reed and Martin Kaymer.

On a day of glorious sunshine on Scotland’s west coast, Mickelson’s round was flawless, with no dropped shots and eight birdies.

That included at the parfive 16th, when he produced a superb shot out of a greenside bunker before holing for birdie, and then a two at the short 17th, where he said his four-iron from the tee was his “best shot of the day.”

At a venue where the last six winners have been American, most recently Todd Hamilton in 2004, Mickelson must now manage the expectations on him ahead of the second round, when much tougher condi-

tions, with rain and wind, are in store.

Reed, the 25-year-old Texan, had earlier laid down a marker with an impressive opening round of 66 that for several hours gave him the clubhouse advantage.

The highlight of his day was when he holed his approach shot for an eagle two at the par-four third. He also had five birdies and two bogeys.

The breeze blowing in from the Firth of Clyde was hardly nasty but it was significant enough to make life particularly difficult on the back nine for most players.

“It doesn’t matter if the wind is blowing or not, that back nine is tough,” said Reed. AFP

US golfer Phil Mickelson watches the result of his bunker shot on the 16th hole during his first round 63 on the opening day of the 2016 British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland. The former champion went clear at the top of the leaderboard at the British Open on Thursday after a stunning eight-under-par first round at Royal Troon. AFP PHOTO

101-year-old Japanese aims for more records NARASHINO—As the world’s top swimmers prepare for the Rio Olympics, a sprightly Japanese centenarian insists she will still be smashing records by the time the 2020 Tokyo Games roll around.

Closing in on her 102nd birthday, Mieko Nagaoka has racked up a slew of jaw-dropping world bests in her age bracket after only taking up swimming in her late eighties, but warns she is not done yet.

“I’m fit as a fiddle,” Nagaoka told AFP in an interview after completing the 400 metres freestyle in 26 minutes, 16.81 seconds at a Japan Masters Swimming Association competition in Chiba, on the outskirts of Tokyo.

“The secret is to eat well and

stay active. It’s no good sitting around at my age. I want to keep swimming until I’m 105 -- and beyond that,” added the Yamaguchi native, who has lived through 22 Olympics to date.

Nagaoka, who swam the race backstroke sporting a white cap and dashing black and gold swimsuit, finished well over 17 minutes behind the winner, 80-year-old Etsuko Azumi.

Hard of hearing, Nagaoka failed to hear the roar of the crowd after completing the eight-lap race and attempted to return for a ninth before being fished out by judges as nervous medics watched on.

“It was just another race,” smiled Nagaoka after changing into a pink jacket and matching hat.

“Swimming makes me happy, that’s what I love about it,” she added. “When I’m swimming I’m in my own little world.”

Along with 105-year-old sprinter Hidekichi Miyazaki, another geriatric record breaker, Nagaoka is blazing a trail for Japan’s turbo-charged pensioners in a country with one of the world’s highest life expectancies.

Nonetheless, Nagaoka’s time was well outside her world record of 16:36.80 set two years ago.

- Thunderous applause Her rivals had long dried off and were talking by the side of the pool when Nagaoka finally touched to thunderous applause. But she struck a defiant tone. AFP

Photo shows 101-year-old Mieko Nagaoka swimming during the women’s 400m freestyle race in the Japan Masters swimming competition in Narashino, in suburban Tokyo. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

RC Cola shoots for solo PSL lead SURGING RC Cola-Army guns for the solo lead when it battles dangerous Foton in an explosive tripleGames Today header weekend 2 p.m. • Amy’s vs Petron 4 p.m. • Foton vs RC Cola-Army schedule of the 2016 6 p.m. • Cignal vs Generika Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Troopers shoot for their fifth straight win at 4 p.m., following the 2 p.m. encounter between Petron and Amy’s in this prestigious interclub tourney sponsored by KLab Cyscorpions, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Senoh with TV5 as official broadcaster.

Cignal, meanwhile, tries to stop its bleeding when it faces Generika in the nightcap at 6 pm.

Tipped as a team-to-beat for parading the core of NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde with veterans Michelle Laborte and Cherry Vivas at the helm, the HD Spikers sputtered in the early stretch of this tourney and joined a young Amy’s squad at the basement with a 0-4 win-loss mark.

F2 Logistics, powered by UAAP champion La Salle, remains on top of the heap with 4-0, but its hold of the lead is being threatened by the Lady Troopers, who are crushing their foes with their rock-solid blocking and relentless attacks.

Their latest victim—reigning champion Petron—only managed to stand a fight in the first two sets before completely melting in the third to surrender a 22-25, 23-25, 11-25 setback.

RC Cola-Army coach Kungfu Reyes, however, played down their hot performance, saying their hot start was mere stroke of luck.

“It just so happened that we’re always at the right place and at the right time. We’re just lucky,” said Reyes, whose wards have smothered their previous foes in Amy’s, Cignal, Standard Insurance-Navy and Petron all via straight sets.

“All teams are strong. All teams are talented. I think we’re winning because we’re slowly reaching our peak condition.”

But it won’t be a walk in the park for the Lady Troopers as the Tornadoes are also hungry for a win to redeem themselves from a heart-shattering 11-25, 23-25, 14-25 loss to the Cargo Movers last July 3.

Extra 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)

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Miñoza rallies with searing 63, forces 3-way tie for lead BACOLOD—Frankie Miñoza proved he still has what it takes to contend, firing a sevenunder 63 to force a three-way tie for the lead with an equally surging Miguel Tabuena and steady Guido Van der Valk in an action-packed third round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic headed for a classic finish at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Miñoza, who missed the cut in his last Philippine Golf Tour stint at Eagle Ridge last month, flashed superb iron play and putting and hit eight birdies in benign conditions, including four straight from No. 4, as the veteran campaigner sizzled with a 30-33 to rally from way behind to gain a crack at the crown in a long while.

Van der Valk, out to redeem himself from a loss in a threeman playoff at Binitin last week won by Tony Lascuña, missed seizing the solo lead with a bogey on No. 15 but the veteran

Dutch shotmaker still stayed on track for a breakthrough victory with a four-under 66.

Tabuena, back in the local hunt after a two-month stint abroad, negated a two-bogey mishap with seven birdies, including two late feats that netted him a 65 and a crack at the second crown after romping of the Anvaya Invitational crown last February.

With the three tied for the lead at 12-under 198, two laying just a stroke behind and another a shot farther back, the final round of the P1.5 million event

sponsored by ICTSI headed for a classic, thrilling finish today.

Joenard Rates, seeking to snap a four-year title spell, missed joining the leaders with a bogey on the par-5 18th but the diminutive shotmaker still got into the mix with a 64 for a 199 in a tie with American Micah Shin, the other playoff loser at Binitin also raring to score his maiden win on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Shin carded a 66.

Halfway leader Clyde Mondilla, whose back-to-back 65s sparked hopes for a third victory for the Del Monte star, found the going tougher yesterday, fumbling with a double bogey and three bogeys in the first 10 holes to tumble down the leaderboard. He did come up with back-to-back birdies from No. 12 but flubbed a couple of birdie putts and limped with a 73 and slid to joint eighth at 203 with Arnold Villacencio, who also

rallied with a 64.

Jay Bayron gunned down four birdies against two bogeys at the front but settled for pars at the back to turn in a two-under 68 but still remained in the hunt for the top P270,000 purse at 200, just two strokes adrift.

Orlan Sumcad made a 67 for solo seventh at 202.

Lascuña, fancied to annex a fourth straight crown after a thrilling win last weekend, continued to struggle while trying to battle the inroads of fatigue after playing for four straight weeks, carding a 68 for a 207 aggregate, nine shots off the joint leaders.

“I’m tired as I couldn’t hit the shots that I normally make,” said Lascuña, who rolled in a surprise 12-foot birdie putt off the fringe on the first playoff to snare the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge over the weekend.

“But this is going to be tight finish with so many players in contention.”

Frankie Miñoza: On target for a big comeback

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES CORPORATION 11-13 Sunrise Drive. Brgy. Bagong Lipunan ng Crame Cubao, Quezon City

Notice of Stockholders` Meeting To All ERC Stockholders: Please be informed that the Annual Stockholders` Meeting of the Educational Resources Corporation shall be held on July 25, 2015 at 12:00 noon at the Barrio Fiesta EDSA, Greenhills, San Juan City to take up the following matters.

1. Election of new directors for the incoming fiscal year; 2. Report of the President; and 3. Other relevant matters Please be guided accordingly (Sgd) Atty. LACANDOLA S. LEAÑO Corporate Secretary (TS-JULY 16 & 23, 2016)

PH bet settles for silver EDWARD Josh Buenavista settled for the silver in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in the athletics’ meet of the ongoing 2016 Children of Asia Games in Yakutsk, Russia.

The 14-year-old Josh, the son of former national marathon king Eduardo Buenavista, clocked six minutes, 27.7 seconds, behind gold medallist Rusdia Sakha.

Filipino athletes have so far earned one gold, four silver and six bronze medals.

Boxer Christian Laurente took the first gold medal following a 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Heydar Aliyar, in

the 54 kg class.

Palarong Pambansa sprint champion Samantha Limos settled for a bronze medal in the girls’ 100-meter dash.

She clocked 12.47 seconds behind silver medallist Pawinee Pudburee of Thailand (12.53 seconds), and gold medal winner Yelena Pekhtireva of Azerbaijan (12.24 seconds).

Limos finished 12.67 in the heats.

Veruel Verdadero logged 11.5 seconds in the boys’ 100-meter heats and was sixth in the finals at 11.38 seconds. Peter Atencio

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

Marikina hosts 2016 Milo Little Olympics YOUNG student athletes from various schools in Metro Manila and southern suburbs [elementary and secondary] will once again show their wares in the staging of the 2016 Milo Little Olympics-National Capital Region/South Luzon next month at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City.

Finishing touches. Assistants to Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra work on the painting of a huge mural representing the five continents, at the According to event organizer Prof.

Robert Milton Calo, registration is onOlympic Boulevard, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP going at the McRobertz Sports Academy in no. 17 Chico St., Amang Rodriguez Village Concepcion Uno, Marikina City for the event presented by Nestle Philippines, maker of leading sports beverage product Milo Energy Drink.

Medals, trophies, certificate and a ticket to the national finals aside from individual and team awards are at stake in the two-weekend event, where 15 sports disciplines are in the calendar, such as arnis, athletics, badminton, opponent. We hope to hear has won all his three bouts by basketball, chess, football, gymnastics,

By Ronnie Nathanielsz from Zanfer in the next few knockouts. karatedo, lawn tennis, scrabble, sepak days,” said Aldeguer.

However, the WBC reported takraw, swimming table tennis, taekTHE planned title fight between World Boxing Fuentes is the mandatory that Waseem “will have the wondo and volleyball.

All venues from the different schools Organization junior flyweight champion Donnie challenger, but Zanfer had ten- toughest fight of his career” tatively agreed to allowing Es- when he faces the 30-year-old and malls in the city, particularly the Nietes and WBO/World Boxing Association trada, who is also his fighter, to Oliva, who has a record of 24-5- main hub Marikina Sports Center, face Nietes, who wants to move 2 with 11 knockouts. passed the standards in the joint ocular flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada at up in weight.

Waseem is coming off a inspections conducted by Milo executhe StubHub Center in Carson City, California Meanwhile, Filipino fly- sixth-round TKO win over In- tives and McRobertz Sports Academy, weight Jether “The General” donesia’s experienced John Ba- which was followed by meeting with on Sept. 24 is not a done deal yet.

Oliva is favored to beat Paki- jawa in a scheduled eight-round the Marikina principals last week.

ALA Promotions’ president fer from past experiences of The stan’s comparatively inexpe- super flyweight bout last March Colorful opening rites get underway Michael Aldeguer, who mo- Standard. rienced Muhammad Waseem 19 in Seoul. on Aug. 26. tored to Los Angeles to meet “The Nietes-Estrada is still when they clash for the World Oliva has had two unaniHostilities fire off on Aug. 27 and 28 with Zanfer Promotions’ Fer- 50-50 as we have not discussed Boxing Council flyweight Silver mous decision losses against and Sept. 3 and 4. nando Beltran, informed The the details yet and we still need title at the Millenium Seoul Hil- world-rated Pedro Guevara, End of registration is on Aug. 17, 5 Standard: “We were supposed to wait for an official word from ton in South Korea on Sunday. the former WBC champion and p.m. at the MSC -MLL secretariat. to meet with Zanfer today in LA the Estrada camp. There could Waseem is expected to have Zolani Tete, the current IBF For further details, contact Alma (July 13) but it didn’t happen.” still be a possibility that it could a puncher’s chance against Ol- International bantamweight Jocson at mobile no. 09175224288 or This is rather typical of Zan- be Moises Fuentes or another iva since the Pakistani fighter champion.

09989580898.

Aldeguer: Nietes-Estrada duel not a done deal yet

Red...

From A16

us,” said Red Lions’ coach Jamike Jarin.

The Cardinals, with Almel Oquina making 13 points, felt the absence of flu-stricken, big man Allwell Oraeme as the Generals managed to move too close for comfort in the final minute.

The Generals got two scoring chances when the Cardinals turned the ball over twice off their errors.

Their first opportunity came when the Cards committed an 8-second backcourt violation. Hamadou Laminou, who had 13 points with Sidney Onwuberre, banged in a layup following the latter’s pass

underneath in the last 45.3 seconds.

Laminou struck again with 21.2 seconds left, moments after Cardinal cager Christian Bunag made a passing error and EAC threatened, 67-68, in the ensuing play.

Split charities from CJ Isit and Andrew Estrella in the final seven seconds proved to be Mapua’s saving grace, as they ended up having a three-point edge for the final count.

EAC’s Francis Munsayac then bungled a long pass to the far left of the court to Jerald Serrano in the final 8.3 seconds.

“We didn’t play the way coach wanted us to. But I guess you need games like this, where you just grind it out and find a way,”

said Isit, the team skipper, speaking on behalf of coach Atoy Co, who was upset at how the team finished the game and spent a lot of time scolding the players at the dugout.

Isit had 12 points with Estrella.

In the final senior game, Mike Nzeussu, tallying a game-high 24 points and 21 rebounds, canned in a split charity in the last 9.6 seconds to carry the Lyceum Pirates to a 69-66 win over Jose Rizal University.

The Pirates picked up their first win in four matches, while JRU totes a 1-3 slate.

In the junior division, Guilmer de la Torre poured in 30 points and had 10 rebounds as the Arellano University University

Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan) 9 a.m.- San Sebastian vs Letran (jrs) 10:45 a.m.- San Beda vs St. Benilde (jrs) 12:30 p.m.- Perpetual Help vs EAC (jrs) 2:15 p.m.- Arellano U vs Mapua (jrs) Games Tuesday (The Arena, San Juan) 12 nn.- San Sebastian vs Letran (srs) 2 p.m.- Arellano U vs Mapua (srs) 4 p.m.- Perpetual Help vs San Beda (srs)

Braves smothered the Letran Squires, 87-75.

De la Torre delivered 14 points in the last period as the Braves moved away from a close 53-49 count in the third to a 14-point spread midway in the fourth.

Jielo Razon knocked in 13 points, while Lance de Leon added 11 for the Perpetual Help Junior Altas in their 57-45 subduing of San Sebastian.

Ramirez looking for ways to help retired athletes, coaches

By Peter Atencio THE Philippine Sports Commission is looking for ways on how it can take care of the welfare of retired coaches and athletes.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez said this after learning of the situation of retired coach Benny Garcia and former Asian Games medallist Leopoldo Serrantes.

Garcia was a fencing coach, who came back to retire after spending eight years in Germany for training.

Ramirez learned that he does not much have in terms of retirement and the agency hopes that it could assist him by providing a consultancy job, or a pension fund.

Serrantes, a former bronze medallist in boxing in the Asian Games, is sick and is in need of assistance.

Because of their plight, Ramirez said the PSC will find out how it could come to the aid of coaches and athletes in need.

“The PSC will find out what it can do for them,” said Ramirez.

S AT U R DAY : J U LY 16 , 2 0 16

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Phoenix’s Marcus Simmons drives to the basket and rams into the defense of Meralco’s Allen Durham in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Bolts, 108-103.

Red Lions, Cardinals stay ahead

By Peter Atencio THE San Beda Red Lions had an easy time when they smashed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 90-63, while the Mapua Cardinals struggled in the endgame but still got past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 70-67, Friday at the Arena in San Juan.

Their contrasting victories were their fourth, allowing them to keep their share of the lead in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Davon Potts showed the way for the Red Lions, knocking in 19 points, 11 of which came in the first period, and getting help from rookie Robert Bolick, who delivered six.

Efforts made by Potts and Bolick in the first 10 minutes allowed the Red Lions to take a commanding 24-10 advantage.

Potts had seven points in the next period and the Red Lions went on keep a 14-point spread at halftime, 40-26.

Donald Tankoua put in 17 points and 14 rebounds, taking charge with eight points in the third as San Beda went on to coast to a 61-36 spread.

“They’re dedicated on playing defense and looking for the open man. Commitment to one another, that’s what’s working for Turn to A15

Bolts bank on Durham’s monster numbers to win

By Jeric Lopez

MERALCO delivered in the clutch in a game of spurts to trip Phoenix, 108-103, handing the Fuel Masters’ new coach in Ariel Vanguardia a rude welcome in the opening game of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Allen Durham made a good account of himself with a monster game, pouring in gamehighs of 32 points and 22 rebounds on top of five assists to power the Bolts to victory.

The game was tied at 97-all heading into the final three minutes and a 4-0 run gave Meralco a vital leverage that

Lefty’s 63 ties lowest record in a major TURN TO A13

it maximized in the twilight zone.

Chris Newsome’s jumper gave Meralco a 101-97 edge with 2:22, but Simon Enciso countered with a trey for Phoenix to close the gap, 101-100, with over two minutes left.

But the Bolts stood firm as they once again went on a de-

cisive 4-0 run, capped of by a jumper from Durham with 40 seconds left to stretch their lead to 105-100.

The Fuel Masters were unable to answer anymore, allowing the Bolts to take the hardfought game.

The win gave Meralco a nice 1-0 start, while Phoenix didn’t exactly have the beginning it wanted with new coach Vanguardia with a 0-1 card.

Durham got plenty of help as Jimmy Alapag made his first four triples and finished with 16 points and six assists, while Jared Dillinger came off the bench to fire 15 markers. Newsome added 13 and Cliff Hodge had 12 for Meralco.

Import Marcus Simmons led

Miñoza forces 3-way tie for golf lead TURN TO A14

Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City) 3 p.m. - NLEX vs. Blackwater 5:15 p.m. - Barangay Ginebra vs. GlobalPort

Phoenix with his double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds in the losing cause.

Meanwhile, four more teams make their conference debut today as a double-header featuring NLEX, Blackwater, Barangay Ginebra and GlobalPort is scheduled with the scene shifting to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

At 3 p.m., NLEX and Blackwater tango, while crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra and GlobalPort follow with their own tussle at 5:15 p.m.

B1

SATURDAY: JULY 16, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Filinvest Alabang award. Filinvest Alabang Inc.

for the second straight year is cited by BCI Asia as one of the Top 10 Property Developers in the Philippines. The prestigious list includes firms with the greatest value of projects during the last calendar year, weighted by the extent of their sustainability initiatives. Patricia Porto (second from right), FAI senior manager for project development, receives the award on behalf of the company during the BCI Asia awards ceremony held recently at the New World Hotel Makati.

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 15, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

8,030.06 73.92

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing July 15, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

DTI: No impact yet on trade with China

By Othel V. Campos

THE Trade Department is optimistic bilateral trade between China and the Philippines will continue to prosper despite a tense political atmosphere.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters in an interview the department had not seen any indication of trade slowing down.

“We don’t see any impact offhand. Even prior to this decision, we see the trade ongoing. We export a lot to China. They export also to us. I say it’s safe to say that we do not see any impact. In fact, we expect trade to even expand further,” he said.

Meanwhile, a potential boycott

by China of Philippine products in the wake of an international

tribunal ruling that favored the Philippines will negatively impact on the growth of the domestic economy, an analyst said Friday.

Tim Condon, ING Bank chief economist in Asia, took into consideration China’s standing as the Philippines third-largest exports destination (13 percent) after Japan (22.5 percent) and the United States (14.1 percent). “... So an official boycott that reduced exports to zero would be a significant negative growth shock.

Exports are 48 percent of GDP so

simple arithmetic puts the size of the shock at 6 percentage points,” Condon said.

“Obviously there would be offsets: imports would shrink for example.

But closure of the China market would be bad,” Condon said.

Condon said “cooler heads will prevail and trade relations will go on as before.”

Chinese netizens have used social media to call for a boycott of Philippine products, specifically mango.

But China-based business groups do not fear reduced trade by virtue of a decision by a United Nations body that ruled against China in a bitter row over territorial claims in the South China Sea, or West Philippine Sea. The court concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas

falling within the so-called “ninedash line.”

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products earlier said diplomatic and territorial disputes would not affect trade relations between China and the Philippines.

Trade statistics from China showed that the bilateral trade volume between China and the Philippines rose 2.7 percent to a record high of $45.6 billion in 2015.

China was the second biggest trading partner of the Philippines, the top import source and third export market.

The Chinese group also noted that more world-class manufacturers from China were interested in expanding their business ventures in the Philippines.

With Julito G. Rada

P46.800

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.800 LOW P46.990 AVERAGE P46.877 VOLUME 1,116.500M

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 15, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.0990

Japan

Yen

0.009495

0.4472

UK

Pound

1.334700

62.8630

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128974

6.0745

Switzerland

Franc

1.019992

48.0406

Canada

Dollar

0.775795

36.5392

Singapore

Dollar

0.745323

35.1040

Australia

Dollar

0.762800

35.9271

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

124.9343

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.5594

Brunei

Dollar

0.742556

34.9736

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028547

1.3445

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8244

Euro

Euro

1.112200

52.3835

Korea

Won

0.000884

0.0416

China

Yuan

0.149499

7.0413

India

Rupee

0.014963

0.7047

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.253165

11.9238

New Zealand

Dollar

0.719200

33.8736

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031267

1.4726 Source: PDS Bridge

South China Sea ruling has little effect on ratings—Moody’s

By Julito G. Rada CREDIT watcher Moody’s Investors Service said Friday an international tribunal’s ruling on South China Sea will have a minimal impact on the Philippines’ and China’s debt ratings.

Moody’s, however, warned that an escalation of the already tense situation would be credit negative for both countries.

“The intergovernmental Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on maritime rights in the South China Sea has minimal immediate credit implications for China [Aa3 negative] and the Philippines [Baa2 stable], but highlights long-simmering

territorial and maritime disputes in the broader Asia region,” Moody’s said in a report.

The International Tribunal on the Laws of the Sea based in The Netherlands ruled against China in a bitter row over territorial claims over the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. The court concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the so-called “nine-dash line.”

Moody’s assessment showed that geopolitical strains would have a very low risk of weighing on China or the Philippines’ credit quality.

It said this view had not changed after the tribunal’s ruling.

“Because Moody’s does not expect either China or the Philippines to deliberately escalate the situation. However, it notes that if there were any heightening in tensions, it would be credit negative for both sovereigns,” it said.

Moody’s conclusions were contained in a recently released report titled Government of China and the Philippines - South China Sea Ruling Highlights Risk of Escalation in Geopolitical Tensions.

Moody’s said geopolitical tensions could hurt countries’ credit profiles if they risked having a negative economic impact, for instance, because of sanctions or conflict; if they entailed significant

fiscal costs through defense spending; or if they hampered policymaking by undermining the effectiveness of policy decisions or implementation.

Moody’s said that while there might be actions or statements following the ruling that stoked strains temporarily, it was unlikely that “there would be the sort of substantial broadening and deepening of disagreements that would materially affect either China’s or Philippines’ economy, budget or policy effectiveness.”

It also said that while the Philippines’ exposure to China was lower than many countries in the region, it was not negligible.

China was its fourth largest source

of tourists in 2015, making up 9.5 percent of arrivals. Exports of goods to China also accounted for 2.1 percent of Philippine gross domestic product, making it its fourth largest market.

“Moody’s does not believe that the PCA ruling will significantly impair trade through the South China Sea. However, tensions will likely continue to simmer, given the range of issues at stake, including food and energy security concerns, as well as national interests,” the credit watchdog said.

Fitch Ratings also said that the ruling would not have direct impact on the Philippines’ credit rating.

SATURDAY: JULY 16, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, July 15, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

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

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

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 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 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 801 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 6.5 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 9.66 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 3 0.030 0.550 59.3 751 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 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.84 3.71 47.5 47.2 114.90 112.90 99.50 98.95 38.05 37.8 4.19 4.05 1.36 1.32 15.14 15 19.42 19.3 2.03 2.01 609.00 609.00 0.610 0.560 95 93.75 1.05 0.93 14.98 14.8 23.40 23.10 60.15 59.55 104.9 99.05 278 273.6 32.55 32.2 200 199 1470.00 1425.00 67.50 66.65 1.5 1.49 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.05 45.55 45.05 Agrinurture Inc. 3.85 3.85 3.7 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.82 0.85 0.83 Alsons Cons.

2.02 2.03 2.01 Asiabest Group 12.2 12.16 11.5 Bogo Medelin 52.5 52.55 52.55 Century Food 16.08 16.2 16 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 155.2 156 150 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 21 21 20.4 Concepcion 49.8 50 49.85 Crown Asia 2.12 2.18 2.1 Da Vinci Capital 6 6.05 5.81 Del Monte 12.46 12.46 12.2 DNL Industries Inc. 9.620 9.700 9.600 Emperador 7.25 7.41 7.25 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.65 5.75 5.65 EEI 8.62 9.08 8.70 Euro-Med Lab 1.83 1.8 1.8 First Gen Corp.

24.85 25.05 24.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 69.75 70 69.75 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.00 12.10 12.00 15.22 15.18 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.18 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.64 5.85 5.64 Ionics Inc 2.360 2.440 2.350 Jollibee Foods Corp.

250.00 250.00 249.60 Liberty Flour 41.00 41.00 41.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.21 4.19 3.23 Macay Holdings 35.60 35.80 35.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.5 27.5 27.15 Maxs Group 28.45 29.5 28.2 Megawide 7.65 8.02 7.67 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 309.40 312.80 309.40 MG Holdings 0.275 0.290 0.275 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.45 3.45 3.44 Petron Corporation 11.10 11.26 11.00 Phinma Corporation 11.50 11.68 11.62 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.38 6.40 6.35 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.68 1.68 1.63 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.2 3.27 3.08 RFM Corporation 4.19 4.20 4.19 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 215 214 209 Splash Corporation 3.02 3.04 3.02 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.154 0.152 0.150 TKC Steel Corp.

2.20 2.29 2.15 Trans-Asia Oil 2.59 2.58 2.50 Universal Robina 199.7 201 199.7 Vitarich Corp.

0.96 0.98 0.96 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.28 1.28 1.27 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.410 0.410 0.390 Aboitiz Equity 78.85 80.00 78.80 Alliance Global Inc. 16.00 16.38 16.12 Anglo Holdings A 1.33 1.35 1.30 Anscor `A’ 6.05 6.05 6.05 ATN Holdings A 0.385 0.390 0.375 ATN Holdings B 0.390 0.375 0.375 Ayala Corp `A’ 875 884 875 Cosco Capital 7.91 8.06 7.91 DMCI Holdings 12.70 12.80 12.70 F&J Prince ‘A’ 6 6.04 5.95 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

6.90 6.95 6.83 Forum Pacific 0.245 0.255 0.235 GT Capital 1530 1555 1530 House of Inv. 6.45 6.46 6.45 JG Summit Holdings 85.90 86.00 85.50 Jolliville Holdings 3.74 4.15 4.09 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.84 7.9 7.78 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.73 0.74 0.71 LT Group 16 16 15.82 Mabuhay Holdings `A’ 0.520 0.500 0.490 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 7.15 7.24 7.14 MJCI Investments Inc. 3.31 3.29 3.29 Pacifica `A’ 0.0350 0.0350 0.0330 Prime Orion 1.920 1.980 1.920 San Miguel Corp `A’ 77.90 78.50 77.70 SM Investments Inc. 1000.00 1017.00 1000.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.22 1.23 1.22 South China Res. Inc. 0.94 0.95 0.90 Top Frontier 192.500 193.000 188.900 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3100 0.3250 0.3100 Wellex Industries 0.2070 0.2060 0.2020 Zeus Holdings 0.305 0.320 0.305 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.790 7.990 7.600 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.39 7.20 6.81 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.32 1.34 1.31 Araneta Prop `A’ 2.300 2.510 2.330 Arthaland Corp.

0.290 0.295 0.285 Ayala Land `B’ 40.000 40.800 40.000 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.4 3.45 3.4 Century Property 0.550 0.56 0.540 City & Land Dev. 1.09 1.06 1.04 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.050 1.050 1.050 Crown Equities Inc. 0.133 0.137 0.133 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.680 0.700 0.670 Double Dragon 63.05 64.55 62

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

Close

SHARES 24,014,930 91,472,258 163,538,593 284,986,581 2,934,547,922 639,148,001 4,160,272,489

3.8 47.5 113.00 98.80 38 4.09 1.35 15 19.32 2 609.00 0.570 94 0.98 14.8 23.10 59.90 102.5 276 32.3 199.1 1420.00 66.95 1.48

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.71 47.5 114.00 99.00 37.9 4.05 1.36 15.1 19.3 2.01 609.00 0.590 95 0.98 14.86 23.40 59.55 101 276 32.2 199.5 1470.00 67.00 1.49

-2.37 0.00 0.88 0.20 -0.26 -0.98 0.74 0.67 -0.10 0.50 0.00 3.51 1.06 0.00 0.41 1.30 -0.58 -1.46 0.00 -0.31 0.20 3.52 0.07 0.68

84,000 27,300 1,816,890 4,330,140 88,100 96,000 64,000 46,200 313,000 94,000 30 6,878,000 3,777,500 638,000 3,968,200 7,500 221,100 560 5,260 52,700 466,510 295 118,290 20,000

45.4 3.79 0.83 2.02 12.16 52.55 16 150 20.9 49.85 2.16 5.89 12.28 9.640 7.29 5.75 8.97 1.8 24.5 69.8 12.00 15.20 5.8 2.400 250.00 41.00 3.9 35.50 27.25 29 8 311.00 0.280 3.45 11.22 11.68 6.40 1.65 3.15 4.20 209.4 3.03 0.151 2.22 2.55 199.9 0.97 1.27

0.78 -1.56 1.22 0.00 -0.33 0.10 -0.50 -3.35 -0.48 0.10 1.89 -1.83 -1.44 0.21 0.55 1.77 4.06 -1.64 -1.41 0.07 0.00 0.13 2.84 1.69 0.00 0.00 21.50 -0.28 -0.91 1.93 4.58 0.52 1.82 0.00 1.08 1.57 0.31 -1.79 -1.56 0.24 -2.60 0.37 -1.95 0.91 -1.54 0.10 1.04 -0.78

2,175,000 2,058,000 121,000 1,718,000 20,200 20 3,551,000 620 8,114,900 129,900 2,907,000 781,000 43,100 5,669,000 3,010,500 13,165,800 2,109,200 7,000 2,819,200 143,730 34,700 458,600 826,500 2,702,000 714,340 100 770,000 2,000 1,099,800 1,648,300 4,471,700 528,920 210,000 613,000 6,618,900 98,600 4,257,600 355,000 1,125,000 1,520,000 2,110 1,299,000 840,000 1,669,000 3,198,000 1,793,810 5,956,000 81,000

0.390 80.00 16.30 1.33 6.05 0.385 0.375 884 8 12.76 5.95 6.83 0.255 1553 6.45 85.65 4.15 7.9 0.73 15.84 0.490 7.19 3.29 0.0330 1.970 78.00 1011.00 1.23 0.93 188.900 0.3100 0.2060 0.305

-4.88 1.46 1.88 0.00 0.00 0.00 -3.85 1.03 1.14 0.47 -0.83 -1.01 4.08 1.50 0.00 -0.29 10.96 0.77 0.00 -1.00 -5.77 0.56 -0.60 -5.71 2.60 0.13 1.10 0.82 -1.06 -1.87 0.00 -0.48 0.00

1,500,000 2,246,840 7,434,700 349,000 25,900 10,420,000 10,000 299,140 5,031,700 4,904,000 215,500 91,300 380,000 184,555 53,900 2,245,510 10,000 2,036,700 137,000 25,645,100 235,000 33,916,300 20,000 40,600,000 2,782,000 289,020 580,670 115,000 666,000 19,470 12,170,000 580,000 3,400,000

7.900 7.20 1.32 2.340 0.290 40.700 3.43 0.540 1.06 1.050 0.135 0.700 62

1.41 -2.57 0.00 1.74 0.00 1.75 0.88 -1.82 -2.75 0.00 1.50 2.94 -1.67

7,912,800 7,200 1,704,000 4,595,000 310,000 30,442,100 1,179,000 10,410,000 14,000 1,000 6,370,000 7,505,000 1,543,670

308,780.00 20,679,563 -170,381,231.00 38,000.00 7,500.00 -2,597,676.00 40,900.00 270,884,962.50 9,300.00 20,804.00 -1,062,922.50 1,382,044.00 456,855 32,716,320.00 4,026,714.50 16,955,890.00 -500.00 922,120.00 125,450.00 -33,774,092.00 1,266,680 -25,920.00 -18,150.00 -17,494,873.00 2,022,618.00 32,956,152.00 340,872.00 7,699,960.00 938,203.00 -4,858,502.00 193,974.00 -209,200.00 54,635,102.00 -27,580.00 -148,535.00 -15,754,190.00 13,655,457.00 -27,596,572.00 1,862,840.00 1,263,096.00 -23,044,480.00 53,830.00 -3,260.00 -193,200.00 -209,718.00 -303,000.00 1,395,360.00 -5,658,206.00

90,933,042.00 3,624,022.00

124,713,735.00 -17,629,393.00 44,814,580.00 6,850.00 69,351,670.00 116,114,222.00 718,730.00 -18,691,290.00 129,626,790.00 -170,000.00 43,300.00 -2,146,862.50 84,650,335.00 4,880.00 3,640.00 17,100.00 -63,500.00 8,160.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.00 4.90 -0.51 0.00 -1.96 1.38 2.88 -1.79 -2.13 6.33 -4.16 0.32 -0.57 0.00 0.33 1.02 0.00 1.39

2,040,000 32,135,000 35,731,000 228,000 9,700 43,693,100 27,310,000 22,010,000 520,000 10,900 638,100 2,329,800 924,000 147,000 22,775,400 8,629,680 820,000 3,576,100

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

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

1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 3.2 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.95 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.00 0.00 0.00 3.33 -2.99 1.67 12.50 -0.68 1.32 0.00 -1.38 0.87 -1.10 -4.70 1.75 0.48 2.31 8.97 0.00 1.09 0.32 1.37 -2.26 -2.10 -0.46 -0.31 -1.94 -0.73 0.00 0.00 1.01 -2.18 4.54 -4.63 0.17 0.00 5.19 5.82 3.45 1.12 0.84 -0.11 -0.17 0.16 2.25 1.59 -3.16 0.86 -1.49 1.72

65,000 65,630.00 49,000 1,000 2,235,000 126,600 8,382,100 -388,999.00 2,697,700,000 5,148,020.00 1,027,000 144,000.00 688,290 10,447,773.50 5,800 439,700 134,557.00 92,060 -68,663,740.00 401,200 559,600 121,700.00 3,000 2,512,980 -44,037,290.50 130,300 390 1,200 15,000,000 370,000 2,814,000.00 87,110,000 -82,800.00 3,067,000 69,600.00 211,000 -8,550.00 4,700 120,700 104,699 221,000 -21,280.00 10,000 1,000 7,000 120,000 17,633,000 -22,641,040.00 41,119,000 53,934,980.00 17,433,000 552,490.00 131,300 33,800 1,410 177,140.00 1,276,000 -1,931,268.00 249,175 273,645,060.00 1,610,000 7,761,000 373,020.00 1,832,500 40,965,690.00 1,646,320 82,713.00 419,000 5,461,000 755,840.00 6,164,000 1,000 1,759,000 -1,907,490.00 90,000 485,000 362,306.00

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 `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.00 -2.39 1.40 -1.30 0.00 0.75 -1.61 -1.96 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.23 -3.85 0.00 0.00 2.20 5.18 -1.40 -3.51 1.69 9.09 -7.69 0.98 -1.24 2.35 8.33 -0.41 -0.25 0.00

112,000,000 120,000.00 1,776,000 990,000.00 29,000 -8,760.00 1,150,000 15,100 3,500 509,000 621,000 10,600 11,923,000 824,450.00 1,470,000 47,450,000 13,730,000 -413,140.00 15,300,000 12,200,000 391,000 27,458,000 34,480,020.00 493,000 253,000 509,000 218,600,000 14,500,000 -31,000.00 32,000 783,600 -696,127.00 17,602,000 -547,050.00 103,300,000 -47,000.00 278,480 3,179,049.00 356,000 36,180.00 35,800,000

70 525 120 515 8.21 1047 84.8

33 500 101.5 480 5.88 1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

-0.90 0.18 -0.09 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.00 1.28 0.13 0.00 1.90 -0.06

227,700 100 23,200 100 757,000 2,420 86,300 105,600 100,900 42,140 131,800 68,000 203,130

-1.92

420,000

6.14 -9.02 3.39 0.49

14,667,000 49,000 7,156,100 659,500

1.07

29,470

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,800.89 (UP) 8.69 INDUSTRIAL 11,956.00 (UP) 32.09 HOLDING FIRMS 7,866.72 (UP) 64.60 PROPERTY 3,656.35 (UP) 32.60 SERVICES 1,681.75 (UP) 28.57 MINING & OIL 11,356.66 (UP) 4.55 PSEI 8,030.06 (UP) 73.92 All Shares Index 4,841.30 (UP) 29.97 Gainers: 111; Losers: 80; Unchanged: 43; Total: 234

Close

Empire East Land 0.810 Global-Estate 1.02 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.95 Interport `A’ 1.24 Keppel Properties 5.10 Megaworld 5.07 MRC Allied Ind. 0.104 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.2800 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.470 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 39.50 Primex Corp.

14.92 Robinson’s Land `B’ 31.30 Rockwell 1.75 Shang Properties Inc. 3.29 SM Prime Holdings 29.90 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.98 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.050 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.750

0.820 0.810 0.810 1.08 1.02 1.07 1.98 1.92 1.94 1.25 1.22 1.24 5.02 4.50 5.00 5.15 5.03 5.14 0.115 0.105 0.107 0.2900 0.2750 0.2750 0.460 0.450 0.460 43.00 39.90 42.00 14.94 14.3 14.3 31.50 31.20 31.40 1.77 1.7 1.74 3.3 3.2 3.29 30.50 29.80 30.00 1 0.97 0.99 1.060 1.040 1.050 5.850 5.750 5.830 SERVICES 7.28 7.3 7.27 7.28 49.4 49.8 49.4 49.4 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 0.600 0.620 0.590 0.620 6.7 6.75 6.4 6.5 6.60 6.80 6.58 6.71 0.0880 0.1130 0.0820 0.0990 2.92 2.95 2.87 2.9 98.8 100.4 99 100.1 9.84 9.84 9.84 9.84 5.08 5.15 5.00 5.01 2304 2360 2312 2324 6.37 6.37 6.28 6.30 17.88 17.90 17.04 17.04 1.14 1.16 1.16 1.16 63 63.75 62.95 63.3 13.88 14.68 13.50 14.20 156 170 154 170 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 0.0092 0.0093 0.0091 0.0093 9.35 9.38 9.30 9.38 0.365 0.380 0.365 0.370 1.7700 1.8000 1.7200 1.7300 2.86 2.94 2.7 2.8 13 13 12.82 12.94 6.51 6.58 6.41 6.49 3.10 3.10 3.04 3.04 2.73 2.71 2.70 2.71 19.98 19.98 19.96 19.98 0.580 0.580 0.570 0.580 1.98 2 1.98 2 4.12 4.25 3.99 4.03 4.85 5.09 4.84 5.07 3.890 3.910 3.710 3.710 11.94 11.98 11.96 11.96 5.18 5.20 5.12 5.18 135.00 142.00 139.00 142.00 16.50 17.80 16.82 17.46 2088.00 2160.00 2096.00 2160.00 0.445 0.460 0.445 0.450 1.190 1.200 1.180 1.200 46.00 46.85 45.10 45.95 88.00 88.00 87.15 87.85 6.37 6.45 6.37 6.38 3.55 3.65 3.51 3.63 0.630 0.640 0.620 0.640 1.9 1.84 1.84 1.84 3.49 3.55 3.5 3.52 0.335 0.335 0.330 0.330 6.380 6.500 6.290 6.490 MINING & OIL 0.0040 0.0041 0.0040 0.0040 3.35 3.35 3.25 3.27 4.30 4.40 4.36 4.36 0.230 0.230 0.226 0.227 6.6000 6.7 6.3 6.6000 6.6500 6.7000 6.7000 6.7000 0.62 0.63 0.61 0.61 0.510 0.510 0.490 0.500 8.70 8.78 8.51 8.70 0.900 0.900 0.880 0.900 0.290 0.290 0.285 0.290 0.243 0.243 0.238 0.240 0.260 0.265 0.248 0.250 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 1.82 1.87 1.82 1.86 5.79 6.09 5.78 6.09 2.85 2.89 2.76 2.81 0.5700 0.5600 0.5500 0.5500 1.1800 1.2100 1.1800 1.2000 0.0110 0.0130 0.0110 0.0120 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 4.07 4.12 4.11 4.11 8.90 8.86 8.71 8.79 4.68 4.90 4.30 4.79 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 120.80 121.60 120.30 120.30 4.03 4.08 4 4.02 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 PREFERRED 49.95 50 49.05 49.5 545 546 546 546 115.6 120 115.5 115.5 541 541.5 541.5 541.5 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 1019 1020 1019 1019 80 81 80.1 80.1 76 76.05 75.8 76 78 79 78.5 79 77.9 78 77.9 78 79 79 79 79 76.25 77.7 76.9 77.7 76.95 77 76 76.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.600 2.680 2.530 2.550 SME 5.7 6.25 5.8 6.05 3.66 3.75 3.33 3.33 5.6 6.2 5.26 5.79 16.42 16.5 16.32 16.5 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 130.6 132 130.8 132

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,299,381,139.008 1,583,744,877.638 2,534,537,947.91 2,886,237,553.385 2,353,102,712.81 330,752,588.467 11,133,942,047.618

Low

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

26,200.00 -879,220.00

-36,520.00 11,684,594.50

High

0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

55,237,557.00

236,456,030.00 1,980,560.00 77,000.00

Close

5,500,980.00 -15,891,450.00 49,950.00 130,421,027.00 89,450.00 -5,385,200.00 863,494.00 45,700,040.00 -28,800.00 177,641,430.00 3,150.00 9,368,084.00

6,593,010.00 381,690.00 -4,448,120.00

334,970.00 -6,493,800.00 1,654,210.00 -73,920.00

-1,677,931.00 -9,990.00 788,053.00 2,460,680.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Mabuhay Vinyl

3.9

21.50

Makati Fin. Corp.

3.33

-9.02

Boulevard Holdings

0.0990

12.50

Oriental Pet. `B'

0.0120

-7.69

Jolliville Holdings

4.15

10.96

Mabuhay Holdings `A'

0.490

-5.77

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0120

9.09

Pacifica `A'

0.0330

-5.71

Imperial Res. `B'

170

8.97

Abacus Cons. `A'

0.390

-4.88

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0130

8.33

Golden Haven

17.04

-4.70

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

42.00

6.33

NOW Corp.

3.710

-4.63

Alterra Capital

6.05

6.14

Primex Corp.

14.3

-4.16

Philweb.Com Inc.

17.46

5.82

ATN Holdings B

0.375

-3.85

Phil. Seven Corp.

142.00

5.19

Lepanto `B'

0.250

-3.85

SATURDAY: JULY 16, 2016

B3

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

ICTSI unit secures $300-m loan Stock mart tops 8,000; Boulevard, PLDT climb STOCKS rose for a sixth day, sending the benchmark index above the 8,000-point level for the first time in 15 months, as prospects for looser monetary policy worldwide spurred demand for riskier assets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, advanced 73 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 8,030.06 Friday, the highest since it settled at 8,056.49 on April 14, 2015.

The bellwether reached a peak of 8127.48 on April 10 of the same year. It was also up 15.5 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also climbed 29 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 4,841.30 Friday, on a value turnover of P11.1 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 111 to 80, while 43 issues were unchanged.

Seventeen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Boulevard Holdings Inc. which jumped 17.1 percent to P0.102 and Nickel Asia Corp. which climbed 5 percent to P6.08. Metro Retail Stores Groups Inc. gained 4.3 percent to P5.06, while PLDT Inc. rose 3.2 percent to P2,154.

Meanwhile, Asian stock markets climbed for a fifth-straight session Friday following yet another record close on Wall Street and after China released data showing the economy grew more than expected in the second quarter.

Traders were on course to end one of the best weeks this year on expectations central banks around the world will ramp up stimulus measures, while a strong reading on US jobs last week also fired up confidence.

The buying was given more impetus Friday when Beijing said the world’s number two economy grew 6.7 percent in April-June, better than the 6.6 percent forecast in an AFP poll and the same as the previous three months.

It was also better than the 6.5 percent minimum targeted by the leadership for the year, and provided hope that a growth slowdown that has dragged on the economy for years may be bottoming out.

The upbeat mood was enhanced by figures released at the same time that showed retail sales rose far more than forecast –dealing a boost to authorities attempts to retool the economy to one driven by domestic consumers rather than exports and investment.

“China is on track for achieving this year’s growth target,” said Zhu Haibin, JP Morgan China chief economist. However, he warned that “investment continues to be on the weak side, especially private investment”.

Shanghai stocks ended flat, however, and Hong Kong gained 0.2 percent in late trade. Sydney -- where numerous firms with key links to China are listed—added 0.3 percent, and Seoul put on 0.4 percent.

With AFP, Bloomberg

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A SUBSIDIARY of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. in Australia secured a $300-million loan from seven global financial institutions to construct and develop a container port in Melbourne.

ICTSI, led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr., said Victoria International Container Terminal signed a syndicated loan facility worth $300 million with Citibank N.A., KFW IPEX-Bank and Standard Chartered Bank as mandated lead arrangers and book runners.

Bank of China Ltd., DBS Bank Ltd. and Investec Bank PLC are also mandated arrangers and Cathay United Bank is a lead arranger.

The port operator said the loan

facility would provide significant financial flexibility with longdated tenors of 7, 10 and 16 years.

Finvera, the Finland-based export credit agency also participated in the transaction by providing a guarantee for a portion of the facility.

“The newly-secured financing will support the ongoing construction and development of VICT at Webb Dock East in the Port of Melbourne, Australia,” ICTSI said.

Construction of the terminal started in late 2014 and will be completed in two phases. Phase one will be ready for commercial operations in the fourth quarter this year while phase two will be available in 2017.

“VICT is extremely pleased to have signed this project finance facility with internationally renowned banks as this is a testament to the viability of VICT. We remain committed to working with all our partners – the Port of Melbourne, local community, our contractors, and now our lenders – to deliver to Melbourne a world-class and industry leading container terminal,” VICT chief executive Anders Dommestrup said.

ICTSI corporate finance director Manuel Pascua said the VICT deal pushed the project finance envelope in Australia on a num-

ber of aspects, and this has made the process quite challenging.

“Thanks to the collaborative effort put in together with our lending partners, we achieved a final debt structure that positions VICT for both short and long term financial strength,” Pascua said.

ICTSI earlier secured a major project finance facility in October 2015 when Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. signed a $260-million loan for its port development and operations in the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico.

The port operator earlier reported a net income of $42.2 million in the first quarter, down 22 percent from $54 million last year.

ICTSI’s revenue from port operations amounted to $266.5 million in the first quarter, a decrease of 10 percent from $296.1 million in the same period last year.

Land titling partnership. Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. president Cristina Que Orbeta and Land Registration Authority administrator Eulalio Diaz III sign a memorandum of agreement to set up an LRA kiosk/extension office at PDIC office in Makati City. The partnership aims to ensure the efficiency of operations of the state deposit insurer, which is also the statutory receiver and liquidator of closed banks. Witnessing the signing ceremony are LRA deputy administrator Ronald Ortille (left) and PDIC executive vice president Ma. Ana Carmela Villegas.

Splash holding tender offer to speed up delisting

By Jenniffer B. Austria Splash Corp., the personal care products manufacturer of the Hortaleza family, finalized the timetable for the planned delisting of its shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Documents submitted to PSE showed Splash would hold a tender offer for all shares held by the public on July 18 to Sept. 20, 2016.

“From the foregoing, upon the completion of the tender offer, the company respectfully prays that the shares of the company be delisted with the PSE effective Oct. 7, 2016,” Splash said.

Splash said Monday its board

unanimously approved the delisting of the company’s shares to avoid telegraphing business plans to competitors.

Other reasons given by the company for arriving at the decision were the low trading volume of the company’s shares over the last two years and the weak response of the investing public to the ongoing share buy-back program.

Splash said it would conduct a tender offer for all 158.449 million publicly-owned common shares, representing 26.66 percent of the corporation’s issued and outstanding common stock, at a price of P3.10 per share. The

transaction is worth P491.4 million.

The tender offer price of P3.10 per share was based on the fairness opinion and valuation report conducted by Unicapital Inc. Unicapital said the shares of Splash could be considered fairly valued within a range of P2.75 to P3.41 per share, based on assetbased approach which entailed the adjustment of the company’s latest set of financial statements, discounted cash flow approach, which established the net present value of the company based on its future earnings and comparable public company approach which attempted to benchmark

the value of the company’s shares vis-à-vis its listed counterparts using price earnings and priceto-book.

Splash was incorporated in September 1991 to develop, manufacture bottle, pack and market cosmetics and other beauty products and pharmaceutical products.

It conducted an initial public offering under the ticker symbol ‘SPH’ and successfully raised P1.6 billion from the offer.

Through its diversification effects, the company is also now engaged in packaged and canned food product segments through 100-percent owned subsidiary Splash Foods Corp.

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

IN BRIEF More Villar stores

REAL estate billionaire and former senator Manuel Villar said Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. will spend P1.2 billion to build another seven full-service home furnishing outlets under the All Home brand.

Villar in an interview during the opening of its 13th All Home store at the Vista Mall Antipolo said the group planned to open 20 stores by the middle of next year.

Most of these new stores are located with the mega Manila area.

Villar said the average size of the stores would be bigger, or between 10,000 and 15,000 square meters, to offer more products to customers.

“We have presence in nearly 100 cities and municipalities under our Camella Homes brand. We target to have All Home at least have half of these areas,” he said.

Villar earlier said it might consider listing the business venture once it reached 35 to 50 stores.

“It is something that will happen [IPO].

But we are still small. Before we consider listing, we want to have at least 35 to 50 stores,” Villar said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Shell’s CdO terminal

New Ecop officers. Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III congratulates the newly-elected officers of Employers Confederation of the Philippines headed by Donald Dee during the 37th National Conference of Employers Thursday at Marriott Hotel, Pasay City.

May remittances up 1.9% to $2.19b—BSP

By Julito G. Rada

MONEY sent home by migrant Filipino workers in May rose 1.9 percent to $2.186 billion from $2.147 billion year-on-year, data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday show.

The May expansion was slower than the 4.1-percent growth recorded in April 2016. The May figure brought cash remittances in the first five months to $10.859 billion, up 2.9 percent from $10.555 billion a year ago.

Cash remittances from both land-based and sea-based workers totaled $8.5 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, during the five-month period. About 80 percent of cash remittances came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir-

ates, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Germany.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, rose 1.8 percent in May to $2.416 billion from $2.374 billion a year ago.

The figure brought personal remittances in the first five months to $11.993 billion, up 2.7 percent from $11.674 billion a year ago.

“The steady growth in personal remittances drew support from the inflows from land-based workers with work contracts of

one year or more, amounting to $9.2 billion, and compensation of sea-based workers and landbased workers with short-term contracts that reached $2.6 billion,” the bank regulator said.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that the number of deployed workers reached 211,799 in the first five months of 2016.

Over 80 percent of the workers were hired in services and sales, elementary occupations such as those working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining, construction, manufacturing and transport sectors, and craft and related trades workers.

“These workers were deployed mostly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Further, reports from the POEA of additional

demand for Filipino nurses in Japan and Germany are expected to support the continued flow of remittances,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Cash remittances in 2015 grew 4.6 percent to a record $25.767 billion from $24.628 billion yearon-year, surpassing the conservative 4-percent growth projection of the Bangko Sentral. They accounted for around 10 percent of gross domestic product in 2015.

Bangko Sentral retained the 4-percent growth target for remittances this year.

Earlier, British banking giant Hongkong and Shanghai Bangking Corp. said it was expecting money sent home by migrant Filipino workers this year to increase 3.5 percent, bucking the effects of external developments and providing additional strength to the domestic economy.

Duterte defers construction of new govt buildings

By Gabrielle Binaday THE administration of President Rodgrigo Duterte will not build new government office buildings in the first year of its term, a cabinet official said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters in a press briefing Thursday all proposed government agency buildings for construction would be put on hold, including that of the National Economic and Development Authority in the Ortigas commercial district.

“We are putting all new buildings on hold. In terms of seniority, roads are more senior than offices,” Diokno said.

He said the budget for the construction of new office buildings would not be included in the P3.35-trillion 2017 budget proposal for Congress.

Diokno said he would propose, instead, a government center where all inter-connected government agencies were in one location to conserve time and energy when holding meetings.

“So, hold because we have a plan to have [a] government center in one place and so to rationalize the design and distribution of space of offices, we’ll put it in one place for easier coordination,” he said.

Diokno has not officially pro-

posed the plan to Duterte.

“I have in mind a one government center where if you want to have interagency meeting you just step out of office and walk.

We can conserve energy and reduce traffic,” Diokno said.

Meanwhile, Neda issued a bid bulletin for consulting services for its proposed building.

Neda, in a notice posted on its website, issued bid bulletin number 7 for the design parameters and tender documents for the construction of the proposed building.

The deadline of submission is set on Aug 1.

The DBM during the admin-

istration of former President Benigno Aquino III approved P2.68billion budget for the construction of Neda’s new building.

The multi-year obligational authority for the construction of the proposed Neda central office building from 2017 to 2020 had been issued, the DBM said.

The construction of the new building would require a yearly budget of P573.9 million in 2017, P592.9 million in 2018, P747.7 million in 2019 and P769.4 in 2020.

Neda this year received a P20million appropriation to cover the architectural and engineering design of the proposed building.

CAGAYAN DE ORO—Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. inaugurated Friday its 90-million-liter capacity North Mindanao Import Facility strategically located at the port of Cagayan De Oro city.

It is the first Shell terminal in the Philippines that is equipped to receive a medium range vessel.

The NMIF will cater to the growing power and energy needs of millions of residents, motorists, and consumers in Visayas and Mindanao.

“NMIF contributes to increased security of energy supply in the Vis-Min region as it provides additional storage capacity of finished petroleum products and a new source point of fuels that can be distributed to surrounding depots and customers,” said Shell companies in the Philippines chairman Edgar Chua.

The NMIF also forms part of Shell’s commitment to support the directives of the Department of Energy under the Philippine Development Plan 2011– 2016, including the upgrade of the downstream infrastructure and and an update of the country’s oil supply contingency plan through the establishment of oil stockpile.

Abaca sector backed

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol vowed support for the country’s abaca industry by allocating a P5-billion budget over the next five years.

Piñol said the Department of Agriculture would release an initial funding of P100 million the local government of Sogod in Southern Leyte province.

The amount will be used to expand the abaca plantation in the area.

Out of the P100-million fund, P50 million will be used for the immediate procurement of planting materials over an area of about 1,500 hectares.

Piñol said about 90,000 hectares of abaca plantation is targeted throughout the country.

“There is a great demand for abaca all over the world and there are only three countries producing it—Philippines [original producer], Ecuador and Costa Rica,” Pinol said.

“We really have to exploit new opportunities in front of us, as far as abaca is concerned,” he added.

The government earlier drew a fiveyear abaca program which aims to provide farmers with planting materials, fertilizers, modern technology and stripping machines.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

PEMC files appeal

PHILIPPINE Electricity Market Corp. appealed with the Supreme Court a Court of Appeals decision rejecting its bid to collect P234.9 million in penalties from Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Therma Mobile Inc. PEMC imposed the fine against Therma Mobile for alleged anti-competitive behavior during the November to December 2013 Malampaya shutdown, which pushed up power rates. PEMC, however, failed to collect the fine after Therma Mobile raised the issue to the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 157.

The RTC Pasig City Branch 157 on April 1, 2015, issued a writ of preliminary injunction in favor of the Aboitiz Group.

The Pasig RTC prevented PEMC from demanding or collecting the amount of P234.9 million in financial penalties.

The court also ruled that an arbitration agreement existed between Therma Mobile and PEMC, and directed the parties to comply and continue with the dispute resolution process under therules of the wholesale electricity Spot Market. Alena Mae S. Flores

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Aftermath. Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers are seen at the site of an attack on July 15, 2016, after a truck drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display in Nice. AFP

Truck attack kills 84 in Nice Incident overshadows Europe-Asia summit ULAN BATOR—Sympathy and condemnation for the Nice attack dominated an Asia-Europe summit in Mongolia Friday, drawing attention away from Beijing’s rejection of a tribunal ruling dismissing its extensive South China Sea claims.

The Asia-Europe Meeting, held every two years and which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is supposed to be a venue for increasing cooperation across the Eurasian region and exploring ways to strengthen global agreements governing everything from trade to civil aviation.

Counter-terrorism efforts were already due to be discussed, but the issue was given renewed urgency by the outrage

in Nice, where a truck plowed into Bastille Day revelers, killing at least 80 in what President Francois Hollande called a “terrorist” attack.

Leaders and representatives of governments from Ireland to Indonesia held a minute’s silence for the victims at the opening of the summit in Ulan Bator.

“It’s a tragic paradox that the subject of this attack were people celebrating liberty, equality and fraternity,” said European Council President Donald Tusk.

“Today we all, Europe and Asia, stand united with the French people and their government. We condemn this tragedy and keep up our fight against extreme violence and hatred.” AFP

NICE—A gunman smashed a truck into a crowd of revelers celebrating Bastille Day in the French Riviera city of Nice, killing at least 84 people in what President Francois Hollande on Friday called a “terrorist” attack.

Police shot the driver dead after he drove the truck two kilometers through a crowd that had been enjoying a fireworks display on France’s July 14 national holiday.

The palm-lined Promenade des Anglais was left strewn with bodies as hundreds fled in terror.

Authorities said they found identity papers belonging to a 31-yearold French-Tunisian citizen in the 19-ton truck, and that the driver had fired a gun several times before police shot him dead.

The man was known to police, authorities said.

Hollande said in a televised national address that the attack was of an “undeniable terrorist nature” and he confirmed that several children were among the dead.

“France was struck on its national day ... the symbol of freedom,” said Hollande.

Interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said 84 people were killed and scores injured, including 18 in “critical condition”.

Bastille Day is a celebration of everything France holds dear its secular republic and the values of “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” (Freedom, Equality, Fraternity).

Earlier Thursday, onlookers had enjoyed a day of military pomp and ceremony in Paris where armed forces, tanks and fighter jets swooped down the Champs Elysees avenue and spectacular firework displays.

In a video viewed over 4,500

times on Facebook, a trembling Tarubi Wahid Mosta recounted the horror on the promenade, where he took photos of an abandoned doll and pushchair and came home with a victim’s Yorkshire terrier.

“I almost stepped on a corpse, it was horrible. It looked like a battlefield,” he said.

In a series of posts, he described the sense of helplessness faced with the carnage.

“All these bodies and their families... they spent hours on the ground holding the cold hands of bodies dismembered by the truck. You can’t even speak to them or comfort them.”

Forensic police were still swarming the promenade as the sun rose over the picturesque bay, which has drawn sun-seekers and the jetset since the 19th century.

The truck was still in the position where it had ground to a halt, its front badly damaged and riddled with bullet holes and its tires burst. AFP

Muslim, Gulf leaders condemn carnage CAIRO—Leading Muslim clerics joined Gulf Arab leaders on Friday in condemning a truck attack that killed at least 84 revellers in the Mediterranean resort of Nice on France’s national holiday.

Egypt’s top Muslim cleric Shawki Allam condemned the assailant as an “extremist” who “follows in the footsteps of the devil.”

“Islam never called for the spilling of blood,” Allam said in a statement.

“People who commit such ugly crimes are corrupt of the earth, and follow in the footsteps of Satan... and are cursed in this life

and in the hereafter.”

The six Gulf Arab states issued a joint statement saying that they “strongly” condemned the “terrorist” act in Nice.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council states stand in solidarity with the French republic following this cowardly criminal incident whose perpetrators have been stripped of all moral and human values,” the bloc’s secretary general, Abdullatif al-Zayani, said.

Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia issued its own statement condemning the “heinous terrorist” act, adding that it stands in

“solidarity” with France and will “cooperate with it in confronting terrorist acts in all their forms.”

United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan said: “This heinous terrorist crime makes it imperative for all to work decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are members of a US-led coalition which has carried out an air war against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria alongside France. AFP

Fatality. This picture taken on July 15, 2016, shows the body of a fatality who was killed after a truck drove into a crowd watching a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of Nice. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

When vehicles become weapons PARIS—Transforming a vehicle into a simple but deadly weapon of terror as happened to such bloody effect in Nice on Thursday is a tactic well known to intelligence agencies.

A truck smashed into revelers celebrating France’s Bastille Day, killing at least 84 and injuring scores as its plowed two kilometres through the crowd.

In Israel and the Palestinian territories, car-ramming attacks have featured heavily in a wave of violence that has killed at least 215 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese since October last year.

Western authorities have had to deal with three similar attacks in recent years: two in Britain and another in Canada.

In May 2013, two Islamists smashed their car into British soldier Lee Rigby before attempting to behead him on a London street in broad daylight.

The pair, who were of Nigerian heritage, said they attacked the 25-year-old fusilier to avenge the deaths of Muslims at the hands of British troops.

Just 18 months later, a man claiming to be acting in the name of radical jihad ran over and killed Canadian soldier Patrice Vincent, also injuring a second man.

Shortly after, the 25-year-old Muslim convert, Martin CoutureRouleau, called the police emergency line to dedicate his attack to the cause of jihad.

And in June 2007, two men in a burning jeep smashed into the main terminal building at Scotland’s Glasgow Airport. One of the men was jailed for life, with the judge describing him as a “religious extremist”.

For several years, extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have exhorted followers via videos or messages to carry out such attacks using whatever comes to hand.

In September 2014, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, an IS spokesman who Western intelligence agencies have dubbed the group’s “attacks minister”, issued chilling instructions that some have since apparently followed.

“If you cannot [detonate] a bomb or [fire] a bullet, arrange to meet alone with a French or an American infidel and bash his skull in with a rock, slaughter him with a knife, run him over with your car, throw him off a cliff, strangle him, or inject him with poison,” he said. AFP

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Leaders express horror at the carnage in France PARIS—Politicians and public figures from around the world have reacted with horror after a truck smashed into a crowd in the French resort of Nice, killing at least 84 as they watched a Bastille Day fireworks display.

Following are the main reactions:

In mourning. The flags of France, Italy and Europe fly at half-staff at the palazzo Chigi in Rome on July 15,

2016, after a deadly attack in Nice, where a man rammed a truck into a crowd of people and left 84 dead and another 18 in a “critical condition”, interior ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said Friday. The gunman barrelled the truck two kilometers through a crowd that had been enjoying a fireworks display for France’s national day before he was shot dead by police. AFP

May heads to Scotland to fight for Brexit unity LONDON—Theresa May was heading to Scotland on Friday in her first visit as Britain’s new prime minister, stressing her bid to maintain UK unity after the Brexit vote.

May was due in Edinburgh Friday afternoon for talks with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has threatened another referendum on Scottish independence following Britain’s seismic vote to leave the European Union.

May took office on Wednesday after David Cameron stepped down as premier in the wake of the

June 23 referendum.

On Thursday, she completed a radical cabinet reshuffle, culling several of Cameron’s ministers after stunning world capitals by appointing the often undiplomatic Brexit spearhead Boris Johnson as foreign minister.

The referendum result sent shock waves around the world and sparked fears of an economic downturn, with Britain potentially facing exclusion from Europe’s single market -- a key concern for Sturgeon.

Scottish voters overwhelmingly

backed staying in the EU and nationalist leader Sturgeon sees this as possible grounds for another independence referendum.

“Brexit doesn’t mean Brexit for Scotland because Scotland didn’t vote for Brexit”, she reiterated as May took office.

Scots voted in September 2014 to remain part of the United Kingdom, which has endured for three centuries.

In heading swiftly to Edinburgh, May intends to emphasize her strong support for the union and

for keeping Sturgeon’s devolved administration involved in the Brexit negotiations, a Downing Street spokesman said.

“I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom,” May said in a statement.

“This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I’m coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union.”

In the June 23 referendum, 52 percent of voters backed leaving the EU but in Scotland, 62 percent opted to remain. AFP

- US President Barack Obama condemned what he said appeared to be a “horrific terrorist attack”.

“We stand in solidarity and partnership with France, our oldest ally, as they respond to and recover from this attack,” he said in a statement.

“On this Bastille Day, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world.”

- US Secretary of State John Kerry, who had himself been in Paris earlier in the day for a Bastille Day parade, said: “The United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy. We will provide whatever support is needed.”

- Germany “stands alongside France in the fight against terrorism,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said, adding that “words can barely express” what France’s allies felt.

- A spokesman for new British Prime Minister Theresa May called the attack “a terrible incident”, adding “we are shocked and concerned”.

- Boris Johnson, whose first engagement as Britain’s new foreign secretary was at the French ambassador’s Bastille Day party in London, said on Twitter: “Shocked and saddened by the appalling events in Nice, and the terrible loss of life.”

- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter: “Canadians are shocked by tonight’s attack in Nice. Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people.”

- European Council President Donald Tusk called it “a sad day for France, for Europe”. He said it was “tragic” that “the subjects of the attack were people celebrating liberty, equality and fraternity.”

- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim-whose own country suffered deadly suicide bombings at Istanbul’s airport two weeks ago condemned the “cowardly terrorist attack that has bloodied Nice on this national celebration day”.

- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang offered his “condolences” to the victims and said China opposed all forms of terrorism. AFP

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

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA JOEL D. L ACSAMANA

EDITOR EDITOR

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Art of living. Rockwell Land recently launched

the Proscenium Residences, a tower of 59 floors designed by Carlos Ott whose creations already dot the skylines of Paris, Toronto, Dubai, and Florida. The Proscenium is the tallest of the five residential towers within the Proscenium enclave and hosts a mix of 100 Studio Units, 122 1-Bedroom Units, 241 2-Bedroom Units, and 100 3-Bedroom Units. Not far from the tower is the Performing Arts Theater (Shown in photo) that can accommodate over 500 guests, and the Lopez Museum, with its collection of paintings by old masters, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, as well as works by National Artists including Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, Cesar Legaspi, and Arturo Luz.

Sta. Ana find. Real estate developer CDC Holdings, Inc. recently topped off the north tower of its newest project – the River Green Residences in Sta. Ana, Manila. The two-tower, 30-storey development, nestled along Pedro Gil Street in Sta. Ana Manila, is CDC Holdings’ attempt to re-energize one of the most historic communities in the city. “CDC Holdings is bringing Sta. Ana back to its former glory, as it was known as the enclave of the rich, while preserving its heritage,” said Elsie Chua, the company’s president and CEO. The property features a total of 797 units ranging from studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, most of which have balconies overlooking the Pasig River, or the Makati city skyline. At the topping off ceremonies were: Chua (center) and Charlene Chua-Sy (4th from right), COO and VP for sales and marketimg of CDC

Design tilt. Two of the most prestigious industry organizations

in local interior design recently renewed their support for one of the region’s prestigious design competitions. The Asia Young Designer Award encourages innovative ideas from interior design and architecture students on a chosen theme for the year. Organized

by Nippon Paint, the contest was expanded to include entries from fifteen countries. Shown in photo are officials of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) and the Council of Interior Design Educators (CIDE) signing a memorandum of agreement with Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines, Inc. Seated, from left: PIID executive director for education IDr. Vincent Louie Tan; Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines general manager Michael Chung; and CIDE national president IDr. Lilia de Jesus. Standing, from left: Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines color stylist Hazel Gotan, PIID executive director for professional practice IDr. Michael Pizarro; and senior marketing manager Bernice Bobadilla.

Make mine Bacolod. Capitol Central, is Ayala land’s latest mixed-use

township in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. At the project’s groundbreaking were (from left to right): Ricky Celis, Amaia Land president; Jun Bisnar, Ayala Land vice president; Emilio Tumbocon, Ayala Land senior vice president; Mayor Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City; Alfredo Marañon, Jr., governor of Negros Occidental ; Bernard Vincent Dy, Ayala Land president and CEO, Dan Abando, MDC president; Rowena Tomeldan, Ayala Land vice president ; and Al Legaspi, Ayala Land vice president .

Big Developers...

From B8

exciting as it is also the largest township project of the developer at 72 hectares.

Once completed, these developments can accommodate more than 10,000 workers.

In terms of scale, SM Seaside Cebu takes the cake as the biggest mall development in the region. Just like the massive SM Mall

of Asia, this mall which opened last November, is now a landmark among locals and tourists. When it completely opens its more than 400 stores this year, you don’t even have to drop by Metro Manila to buy what’s latest in fashion food and retail.

Cebu is blessed with developments of other big players such as Federal Land, Filinvest Land, Robinsons Land, and Vista Land lining up projects – from condominiums, mixed-used communities, hotels, and commercial buildings. Its

neighbor, Bohol, is also gearing up for more developments but are more inclined towards attracting vacationers. One notable project is the Henann Resort in Panglao.

The Mindanao region is not far behind.

Megaworld has its Davao Park District, touted as the city’s nucleus of business and employment. Another major developer, Sta. Lucia Land, has nine projects in the city.

One of its landmark projects is the 60-hecare Davao Riverfront Corporate City which will have a business park and residential area.

Cagayan de Oro, another growth center in the region, also has a bevy of developments from big developers starting with Vista Land’s Loop condo, and Ayala Land’s investments in Mindanao, such as the Abreeza and Avida developments in Davao, as well as Alegria Hills, Centrio Mall, Centrio BPO, Avida Tower Centrio, Avida Towers Aspira and Seda Centrio in Cagayan De Oro.

Standout projects But by far the most standout property development in the region is the joint endeavour of the Ayala and Aboitiz groups, which envisions transforming a 17.5-hectare property in Mandaue City into a new central business district and lifestyle destination. The project has a budget of P10 billion for its first phase of development.

“We are excited about this particular development,” said Bobby Dy, Ayala Land president and CEO. “Once complete, its character and features is something the local market has not seen before.”

Dy stressed that this multi-billion peso investment shows Ayala Land’s confidence in Mandaue City as one of the emerging growth cities in the region.

Dubbed Gatewalk Central, the mixeduse estate will feature office buildings, a range of residential options, family-friendly parks and an Ayala mall. The project is under joint venture firm Cebu District Property Enterprises Inc., which is 50-50 percent owned by the two developers.

Located in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, Gatewalk Central is envisioned to be the center of the city. It is accessible via three national roads—Lopez Jaena St., M. Logarta St. and Ouano Avenue.

While under construction, the new development is estimated to generate about 1,300 jobs. This is seen to rise to 9,000 jobs once it becomes fully operational.

The new shopping mall, set to open by 2019, would be anchored by a Landmark department store. This would be the first time Landmark would set up shop outside Metro Manila.

A business process outsourcing (BPO) hub would also be built atop the mall and should bring a total of 20,000 square meter of GLA by the end of 2019.

“Ayala Land was among the first real estate companies to explore possibilities in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, particularly in Cebu, where we launched Cebu Park District,” claimed Aniceto Bisnar Jr., head of ALI’s Visayas-Mindanao group.

“We want more Filipinos across the country to experience the enhanced quality of life brought about by our sustainable communities. Hence, our continued expansion in the regions,” he explained.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

BIGDRAW DEVELOPERS BEAD ON BOOM

TOWNS OUTSIDE MM Ayala, Aboitiz leads pack to develop business, lifestyle districts in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod

By Joel D. Lacsamana

THE past decade has seen real estate players increasingly casting covetous eyes at rapidly developing regions outside of Metro Manila.

‘Filipinism’ by the beach. Architect Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa

used Filipino aesthetics to shape the Eskaya Beach Resort in Bohol.

The 16-hectare gateway is particularly famous for its thatched villas known as “balais.” The 15 villas, as well as the other facilities inside the property, all used local materials found in the province -- rattan, wood, cogon grass, stones, and bamboos. The writings of the Eskaya tribe, which inhabited Bohol long before the Internet revolution conquered the province, was incorporated into its design philosophy.

“The biggest influence was the writings of the Eskaya tribe which not many people know still exist to this day,” said Mañosa, who credits his father for championing “Filipinism” in his works.

From a business perspective, the strategic shift makes sense.

News headlines and social media have been inundated with horror stories of four-to-five hour traffic along EDSA, of knee-deep flood in the slightest of rains, of the train systems breaking down in the middle of rush hour, etc. It was a only matter of time before developers realized the need to expand beyond the confines of the metropolis.

Growing awareness for environmental sustainability

The last five years have also seen a growing awareness in the industry of the negative effects that the construction on the environment, e.g. in terms of procuring sustainable raw materials, buildings homes that contribute to carbon footprint, or opening communities that may harm the ecosystem. Environmental sustainability has been inching upward in the priorities of developers.

Today, property sellers include the sustainable aspects of their projects in their marketing pitches. Property buyers have became familiar with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and the local BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) programs.

VisMin, gem for property players Nowhere is the real estate’s robust growth, and penchant

for “going green”, more pronounced than in the Visayas and Mindanao region. Here, the big developers are setting their sights on major cities of the southern archiepalgo, transforming these once bucolic sea ports into veritable locations for business and leisure. Megaworld Corp., is putting its trademark live-workplay-learn lifestyle in these burgeoning cities in the VisMin areas.

The company is developing huge tracts of land in Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo; while in Mindanao, it is working on a mammoth Davao project.

Megaworld’s Mactan Newtown project is making waves as a holistic development integrating various aspects of living in one destination. It is also earmarking huge funds for its two township projects in the Bacolod area, one called Upper East, while the other is the 50-hectare Northhill.

Meanwhile, its Iloilo Business Park project is the most Turn to B7

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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

isahred @ gmail.com

WRITER

P OPYOU CU LT T HU RE

LIFE

Apl De Ap

The Asia Pacific Cobra IronMan 70.3 in Cebu will accommodate local stars and high profile international athletes

Bubbles Paraiso

CEBU PLAYS HOST

TO ‘HOLLYWOOD OF TRIATHLON’ IN AUGUST

F

Dyan Castillejo

Matteo Guidicelli

inal preparations are underway as Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes as well as Cebu City hosts the Asia Pacific the Voice of the Philippines coach Apl.De.Ap Cobra Ironman 70.3 next month. , actor Paul Jake Castillo, broadcasters This will be the first time it will Gretchen Fullido, Kim Atienza, and be held outside Australia, and already Dyan Castillejo, Ivan Carapiet, Bubbles the city is out to prove Paraiso, Xander Angeles, why international athletes Anthony and Maricel‘On August 7, have dubbed the Cebu Laxa Pangilinan, Sara 2016, we’ll be event as the “Hollywood Black, Gilbert Remulla and accommodating Uytengsu himself. of Triathlon.”

At the grand press launch Anticipation for the over 2,900 held at Shangri-la The prestigious event has been athletes from Fort, the Sinulog vibe was high since it was announced already in full swing with last year and the event sold 43 countries, guests being served some out 2,900 slots in 28 minutes marking the of the most famous dishes when registration opened from Cebu, complete with biggest triathlon in October 2015. Some 500 a “lechon parade” and a in the history of more are still on the waitlist.

Sinulog dance performance and organized the Philippines,’ – byProduced to kick off the program.

Sunrise Events and Wilfred Uytengsu, backed by Cobra Energy Star-studded Race Drink as Title Sponsor with founder of the “On August 7, 2016, Ford as Presenting Sponsor, we’ll be accommodating organizing Sunrise the 1.9K swim, 90K bike, Events, Inc. over 2,900 athletes from 21K run race will also offer 43 countries, marking the the biggest prize money biggest triathlon in the history of the ever in the Philippines at $75,000 and the Philippines,” Wilfred Uytengsu, founder highest points earned. of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. said Uytengsu was joined at the launch in his speech.

by Hubert Tan, President, Commercial “We will assemble the largest cast of Division of Asia Brewery Inc., Ford professional triathletes – over 30, many Philippines managing director Lance of whom are world champions competing Mosley, Tourism Promotions Board COO and preparing not just for the rights to Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Lapu-Lapu be Asia Pacific champion but also for the City Mayor Paz Radaza, Cebu Provincial world championships in Australia set a few Administrator Mark Tolentino, Globe months after the race,” he added.

Telecom VP for content Jill Go, ShangriTitleholders Tim Reed and Caroline La Mactan director of sales Natalia Steffen will banner a world-class roster Zotova, and renowned designer Kenneth of 35 professional triathletes that will Cobonpue, who once more designed the also feature 2,869 equally determined medals for the winners. The event was competitors in the Filipino elite, CEOs, age hosted by Chiqui Reyes and actor/triathlete groups and relay divisions.

Matteo Guidicelli himself a pride of Cebu.

Many local celebrities are also expected to join the race including Matteo Guidicelli, Continued on C2

Gilbert Remulla

Piolo Pascual

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LIFE isahred @ gmail.com

COOL CELEBS EXPRESS THEIR TRUE PERSONALITIES WITH GOLA

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Gola ambassadors: (from left) Anton del Rosario, Carla Humphries, Kelly Misa and Paolo Paraiso

our cool celebs – each one coming from different pursuits, talents, and fields of interest – took to the runway recently during the “partified” launch of UK’s hippest lifestyle sneaker, Gola.

Proudly taking the stage, which radiated with their distinct, vibrant personas, were celebrity mom Kelly Misa, hot young actress Carla Humphries, Footballer and Azkals team player Anton del Rosario, and versatile actor Paolo Paraiso, who in keeping with the theme #WhichGolaAreYou, each modeled a Gola sneaker style that’s reflective of their respective personalites.

Kelly went for the classic style, which comes forward with a simple and laid back vibe, just like her; Carla chose the Trendy style, which was designed for those who like to stand out from the crowd; Footballer and Azkals team player Anton del Rosario strutted his stuff wearing the Sporty style, with its bold colors and athletic profile; while Paolo modeled the edgy style, which features playful and offbeat designs.

The launch also saw the introduction of Gola’s flagship line – Harrier, which while retaining Gola’s original style carries with it

the key look of the season; and Bullet, now marking its 40th anniversary as a timeless and ever-popular style.

“We are delighted to welcome Gola to the Philippine market - truly an iconic brand that has successfully fused the classic style of the past with the modern and upbeat fashion style of today’s market.

This inimitable fusion of the past and the present is very much evident in the collections that we are unveiling today,” shared Cecille Loretizo, ELRO Retail Corp Head of Marketing.“ Gola is available in the following outlets: SM MOA, SM Makati, SM North Edsa, SM Aura, SM Fairview, SM Lipa, Landmark Trinoma, Bambu Trinoma, Bambu Abreeza, Bambu Gateway, Bambu Pacific Mall, Bambu Nuvali, Bambu Ayala Legaspi, Bambu General Trias, Bambu Glorietta, Bambu Highstreet, Bambu Cebu, Bambu Gaisano Mall, Bambu Limketkai, Bambu Dumaguete, Bambu Ermita, Bambu UP Town, Bambu Subic, Bambu ATC, Bambu Ilo-ilo, Bambu Tagum, Davao and Bambu Butuan.

Gola is distributed by ELRO Retail Corporation. For more information, visit www.elroretail.com

From C1

Cebu plays host...

Hollywood Of Triathlon Events

In 2014, organizer Sunrise Events Inc. was awarded the Gold Standard for IronMan70.3 in by the World Triathlon Corporation and the Cebu Leg was ranked second in the world in terms of participant satisfaction. Now Cobra ironman 70.3 Cebu has been dubbed Crown Jewel of Asia and even called the Hollywood of Triathlon because of its roster of highprofile athletes and the festive atmosphere throughout the race.

Tim Reed, 2015 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines Champion, says, “The ‘Best Atmosphere Award’ goes to Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

“So far ahead of the other races in the category, this race also takes 2nd and 3rd place. Honestly, you’re truly suffering in Kona like heat and humidity but unable to stop smiling the entire way because of the absolutely crazy support out on course. The bike course is lined five to six people deep while the half marathon is an audio-visual sensory overload of music, dancing and thousands of screaming people.”

Kim Atienza

Matteo Guidicelli, Domingo Ramon Enerio III,Hubert Tan,Kenneth Cobonpue, Lance Mosley, Paz Radaza, Rogelie Catacutan,Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Mark Tolentino, Jil Go, Natalia Zotova and Josep Cruel

“When we started our little “Woodstock event” in Camsur in 2009, never in my wildest imagination did I think we would be here eight years later to host the biggest one of the biggest IronMan events, said Uytengsu.

“Looking back, what impresses me most is the growth of the sport. When we

began there were just a couple of hundred participants and you could recognize everyone because it was just a small group. Now, there are thousands of people participating with a lot of new faces, many of whom are joining for the first time,” the CEO/triathlete recalled.

Team Pangilinan. Husband and wife Anthony and Maricel-Laxa Pangilinan will be joined by their children in the much awaited sporting event

The event backed by Ford as presenting sponsor, Globe Telecom as official wireless and broadband services partner, Philippine Airlines, Summit Water, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Asics, Gatorade, Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Prudential Guarantee, Oakley and Timex will offer 50 slots to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“Year on year, we dream bigger, we grow stronger and we aim to achieve greater heights. For eight years we’re able to successfully grow and build a community of enthusiasts who dare to push their mind, body and spirit to its limit. And on this year, first time in the history of Ironman 70.3 that the Asia Pacific Championship is outside Australia. We celebrate and share this moment of welldeserved success with everyone behind Cobra Ironman,” said Tan. “Now we have the chance to shine and achieve greater goal world class event show the world why “Triathlon is more fun in the Philippines,” ended Uytengsu.

The action will be aired live on www. ironman.com courtesy of Globe Telecom.

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

SHAME ON ALL THE TITO SOTTOS OF THIS WORLD

A

nybody who thinks that the victim is to blame for sexual assault is a vile and despicable creature. It’s this kind of thinking that promotes rape culture. Instead of teaching our sons to respect women, we’re scaring our daughters into believing that if they show skin, they’ll get raped.

It’s like saying, “Every guy is a rapist deep down inside and girls should avoid being their target.”

Shouldn’t the lesson be the other way around? As in: “Every girl – every human being, for that matter – should be treated with respect and you have no right to engage them sexually if they don’t want you to.”

Why is it that the norm on these 7,107 islands is “Don’t get raped” and not “Don’t rape?” Why is it that a comedian can insult a woman on national TV for being a victim, and tell her to her face that she was wrong because she was out drinking? Apparently, this comedian thinks that it’s a free pass to sexually assault women who go out drinking. It’s victim-shaming at its finest (or more appropriately, most heinous.)

The sadder part of this story is the fact that this comedian is also a senator of the

In hot water. Netizens are enraged after TV host and politician Tito Sotto shamed a woman on national TV

republic – someone with the power to influence the masses and the way laws of this nation are crafted.

When asked to comment further, the senator said as quoted by Rappler, “I was merely moralizing for the protection of [the] institution of marriage.” So now, apparently, it’s the woman who is immoral because she was – it seems in his head – clearly asking to be assaulted.

It’s not the aggressor who was immoral; he was an innocent guy who had the right to consume alcohol, and the right to force himself on any woman, married or otherwise, around him who also happened to be consuming alcohol.

Because again, women should not be out drinking in the company of men, especially married women, for that matter.

It’s wrong, it goes against the institution

of marriage, and it’s immoral. And if you get taken advantage of sexually in the process, it’s your fault. And also, you were wearing short shorts (because women who don’t want to get raped don’t wear short shorts). It’s definitely your fault.

You’re the victim? Boo hoo! It’s your fault and you should be ashamed.

At least, that’s what the senator believes and wants us all to believe.

How dare that mother*cker even utter those words? Not only is it an insensitive and misogynistic point of view, it’s disgustingly arrogant and a blatant opposition to gender equality by way of an endorsement of male entitlement. And of course, it is obviously just one of the many ways that rape culture (or the justification of rape and sexual assault) endures.

With all due respect, Mr. Sotto, I don’t know if you’re truly a chauvinist pig, but your remarks make you seem that way. You hold one of the highest elected positions in the land, but no one appointed you Chief Morality Officer. And even if you think that you are our country’s moral compass, I implore you to keep your opinions to yourself because they’re clearly, at best, misguided and comical. But what I truly mean to say is that they’re repulsive, obnoxious, and incredibly and mindbogglingly offensive.

By victim-shaming a poor woman on national TV, you actually shamed yourself more than anyone else. For your own sake, I hope that you acknowledge your mistake, apologize, not only to the woman, but also to all of us, and please, I beg of you – again, with all due respect – stop being such an asshole.

Educating the youth to be entrepreneurs FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, and Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines continue their commitment to educate and train the country’s youth for global entrepreneurship through the 2016 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) workshop.

The program aims to educate high school students on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and instill global business mindset.

At this year’s ITC workshop, 400 students from 30 schools will work in teams to develop market entry

strategy plans outlining inventory management, pricing, promotion, and distribution strategies of an innovative product for international markets. Two weeks after the workshop, groups of two students will present their business plan to a judging panel in the local ITC competition. The winning teams will represent the country and compete with other successful teams from the Asia-Pacific region in Hong Kong on Aug. 7 to 11.

Since 2009, FedEx has sponsored the International Trade Challenge in the Philippines to provide young entrepreneurs first-hand experience in running

their own companies under the mentorship of FedEx volunteers.

FedEx believes in educating the youth on the fundamentals of business, economics, and entrepreneurship in a global ecosystem. To date, the program has benefitted 3,844 students in the Philippines with 36 representing the country at the regional challenge. In August 2015, three pairs of high school students represented the Philippines in the ITC held in Singapore, where they competed against 24 other teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Participants at the 2016 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge workshop

Pacific Cross now at Rockwell

From left: Senior managers and executives from the Pacific Cross Medical Sales Division lead the inauguration of Pacific Cross’ Rockwell Office, including Alfred Vargas (Center for Leadership and Excellence), Solon Luminarias (Independent Advisors Department), Maria Victoria Munsayac (Senior Vice President and Division Head), Dwight Ferrer (Direct Sales Department), and Erwin Eusebio (Renewal Department).

Medical and travel insurance provider Pacific Cross Philippines recently inaugurated a new corporate office for its Medical Sales Division in 8 Rockwell, Makati City, highlighting the company’s continued growth and expansion.

“This new office reinforces our commitment to provide better facilities and service for both our employees and customers,” said Pacific Cross President and Chief Executive Officer John Casey, adding that the new 400-square-meter office will also serve as a meeting hub for country heads across Pacific Cross’ regional network, which includes Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Featuring several meeting rooms and a training-cum-conference hall, the new corporate office will house around 100 sales associates

that comprise the Direct Sales Department of the Medical Sales Team. The 8 Rockwell Office is also home to the Team’s Independent Advisors Department and its Center for Leadership and Excellence. The Customer Service and Backroom Operations, meanwhile, will continue to be housed in the Pacific Cross Main Office along Makati Avenue.

“In line with our thrust to provide top-notch service to our clients, our new location offers greater accessibility to our customers with its proximity to premiere medical, educational, and lifestyle centers in Makati City,” noted Pacific Cross Senior Vice President for Medical Sales Maria Victoria Munsayac.

Munsayac added that Pacific Cross has always been committed to meet the changing needs of its

clients. Prior to its movement to Rockwell, Pacific Cross opened its Customer Care Center beside its Main Office in Makati Avenue in 2013. The Customer Care Center provides personalized assistance for customers with their various insurance claims and payment needs.

Established in 1949, Pacific Cross Philippines now ranks number 9 among 70 non-life insurance companies in terms of net income, according to the 2015 IC Rankings. Pacific Cross also wrote over P910 million in premiums in the same year.

Pacific Cross is present in key locations around the country, including Subic, Cebu, Davao, and Bacolod. It also recently opened Agency offices in Bicol, Bohol, Butuan, Cavite, Dumagute, General Santos, and Pampanga.

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

Pony League Philippine Team Manager Manny de Castro

D

ECA Homes, the premier mass housing development arm of 8990 Holdings, Inc., is supporting the Asia Pacific division championships of the Pony League.

Pony Baseball, Inc. recently inked a sponsorship agreement with DECA Homes to hold the championship matches in the country, which will see the Philippine team compete against Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The games are held at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa City until today.

The Pony is a transition league for baseball players who have graduated from the Little League and is designed for athletes ages 13 to 14. It began in the US in 1951 and now boasts of around 500,000 participating players annually.

“Sports like baseball provide an environment where our children can realize the value of teamwork, respect for authority and for each other, and most importantly, understand the context of winning through the game. In this way, sports becomes a real tool to mold the nation’s youth,” said Januario Jesus Atencio, president and CEO of 8990 Holdings Inc.. “This is congruent with our company’s mission to provide a level of family life that attracts happiness, togetherness and growth.”

Representing the Philippine team is a mix of 13 and 14 year-old young athletes from Batangas, Laguna, Marikina, Muntinlupa, and Cavite — all selected from among 35 aspirants who underwent a series of try-outs which started in

ASIA PACIFIC PONY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Philippine Team competing in the Pony League Asia Pacific Zone Championships

END TODAY December last year. Leading the team are Head Coach Eduard Tuazon from the De La Salle Zobel Baseball Club and Assistant Coach Ricardo “Iking” Jimenez, team manager of the Dumaguete Unibikers.

“This tournament is very important for us because it will allow us to represent the Asia Pacific region in the World Series,” shared Team Manager Manny de Castro.

“We are confident we will put up a good fight during the championships. Our players have been practicing three times a week since the first try-outs in December.”

In preparation for the big match, the Philippine team also joined a pocket tournament last summer where they clinched the championship.

“We feel very honored that the league has chosen the Philippines as the venue for

this year’s Asia Pacific zone championships.

We would not have done it without the support of sponsors such as 8990 DECA Homes. Their advocacy to promote youth development through sports is like the homes they build – a wise investment for the future,” added de Castro.

The participating teams will compete in an elimination round leaving only four teams going against each other in the semifinals, before qualifying for the finals where only two Pony baseball teams tough it out for the title.

The series will also feature a Southeast Asian (SEA) match, which determines the champion for the region. The overall champion of the Asia Pacific Zone qualifies for the Pony League World Series to be held in Virginia, USA next month.

8990 Holdings Inc. President and CEO Januario Jesus Atencio

Shopkins Shopville Manila at Toy Kingdom Little girls had the rare opportunity to see the world of Shopkins come alive during the recent Shopkins Shopville Manila, a first ever Shopkins world live experience at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium.

Brought to Manila by Europlay Distributor Co., in cooperation with Toy Kingdom, the event gathered Shopkins fanatics to celebrate the success of the cutest collectible in the world.

Shopkins collectible toys are inspired by items found in grocery and department stores appealing primarily to girls aged 5 and above. This brand has gathered many prestigious awards including the Toy of the Year Award from the Toy Industry Association in New York City.

Shopkins inspires imagination and encourages social engagement as girls actively pursue for the rare and limited editions from over 500 characters. Going beyond retail, Shopkins has also invaded the digital world with the success of its webisode series available on youtube and the newest Welcome to Shopville app game.

Since its Philippine launch in 2014, Shopkins has become the most popular collectible line for girls in the country.

It continues to grow in popularity and

Kids explore their artistic side at Shopkins Design workshop activity

increase its fan base with each new series.

The two-day event was highlighted by a Meet & Greet with Shopkins all-time favorite characters: the Shoppies, Spilt Milk, Strawberry Kiss and Lippy Lips. It also captured the delightful Shopkins world through fun and engaging activities like Shopkins Design workshop, an Arts and Crafts Studio that enabled kids to recreate

A little Shopkins fan beams with joy as she finally gets to meet the delightful Shoppies and all- time favorite Shopkins characters Spilt Milk, Strawberry Kiss and Lippy Lips

Shopkins characters, and the Swapkins zone where Shopkins fans are encouraged to bring their collections and trade characters with fellow collectors to complete their shopping list. The Cupcake Decoration Boutique where kids got to decorate their own unique cupcakes was an added treat.

Little fans also competed for the Most Number of Shopkins Collection

contest won by siblings Elizabeth and Elisha Bauyon.

Shopkins collectible characters, themed playsets and accessories are available at all Toy Kingdom Express outlets in SM Stores and Toy Kingdom Stores in most SM Supermalls. Also visit their website www.toykingdom.ph; ToyKingdomPH at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 16, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

T

he Digital Filmmaking Program of the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde will hold the sixth edition of the CineSB independent film festival or CineSB6 from July 18 to 29 at the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA) Theater.

The CineSB film festival showcases some of the best efforts of young filmmakers and promotes the Filipino experience. The festival has grown to highlight the finest works, not only of Benildeans, but by students from other schools and filmmakers from other regions as well. It also aims to exhibit several festival competition films that encourage young filmmakers to explore their unique ideas and fresh perspectives through the creative world of filmmaking.

Each year, CineSB features a variety of film events such as The Chair, a competition of thesis works from Benilde film students; Twenty Quatro, an inter-school 24-hour guerrilla filmmaking competition; Indie Ani, a showcase of outstanding short films coming from different schools in Metro Manila; Harvest Moon, an exhibition of short film projects from undergraduate students; and Cinema Rehiyon, a noncompetition showcase of works of various talented filmmakers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Aside from the film competitions and screenings, CineSB6 will also hold forums that will tackle documentary filmmaking, independent film funding, cinematography, and production management. Film professionals will delve into different aspects of being a filmmaker, whether indie or mainstream.

Coreen “Monster” Jimenez, director of Kano: An American and His Harem and writer of Apocalypse Child, will talk on the challenges and opportunities for Filipino documentary filmmakers on July 21.

QCinema Festival Director Ed Lejano, Cinema One Originals Festival Director Ronald Arguelles and Tuko Film Productions, Inc./Buchi Boy Entertainment, Inc./ Artikulo Uno Productions, Inc. (TBA) producers Fernando Ortigas, E.A. Rocha and Vincent Nebrida will discuss independent film funding in the Philippines on July 25. Award-winning cinematographers Neil Daza and Lee Briones will conduct a

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BENILDE LAUNCHES CINESB6 FILM FESTIVAL

CineSB6 showcases some of the best works of young filmmakers like “Iisa,” a directorial debut of Chuck Gutierrez

master class on cinematography on July 27.

Finally, producer Bianca Balbuena, known for producing Lav Diaz’s Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis and Antoinette Jadaone’s That Thing Called Tadhana, will have a production management master class on July 28.

Admission is free to all daytime screenings and film forums on a first-come, first-served basis.

CineSB6 will also screen festival favorites like Mario Cornejo’s Apocalypse Child, Jun Lana’s Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, Carlo Encisco Catu’s Ari, Randolph Longjas’ Star na si Van Damme Stallone, Lawrence Fajardo’s Imbisibol, Carl Joseph Papa’s

“Ari: My Life With a King” is an indie drama film

by Carlo Catu

Manang Biring, Pepe Diokno’s Kapatiran, and Chuck Gutierrez’s Iisa, at 7 p.m. from July 19 to 28.

Admission tickets are priced at P150.00.

Students and senior citizens are given a dis-

count of P100.00.

For more information, call send e-mail to Hann Marcelino, CineSB6 Advertisement and Promotions Officer, at hannmarcelino@gmail.com or 0905-5809446.

JULIA MONTES AND KATHRYN BERNARDO

Latest eyewear brand ambassadors At a special event in Robinsons Manila Activity Center, Julia Montes and Kathryn Bernardo were appointed FreshLook® Colorblends and AIR OPTIX® Colors’ newest ambassadors. This event brought together thousands of Julia and Kath’s fans who had the chance to try the eyewear for free.

“Julia and Kathryn are FreshLook® Colorblends and AIR OPTIX® Colors champions, and we look forward to seeing them inspire contact lens wearers together with ALCON,” said ALCON Vision Care business unit Manager Kristine Custodio. “We are delighted that they joined us as FreshLook® Colorblends and AIR OPTIX® Colors’ newest ambassadors and lending their remarkable presence to educate new and existing contact lens wearers. Julia and Kathryn together with ALCON produced a corporate social responsibility (CSR) video to educate consumers and future wearers on the proper use and care of contact lenses.”

“Happy kami to be a part of the video because we hope to be role models in wearing and taking care of our eyes while wearing contact lenses,” Julia said.

“Importanteng gumamit din ng tamang contact lens solution and lubricant na in-advise ng optometrist ninyo,” added Kathryn.

Julia, wearing a fuschia dress was wearing her favorite FreshLook Colorblends Amethyst while Kathryn, wearing a pink jump suit was wearing Air Optix Colors Pure Hazel. FreshLook® Colorblends and AIR OPTIX® Colors both designed to create beautiful, natural-looking eyes, while providing healthy vision and consistent comfort throughout one’s wearing period have their own special wearing modalities. Both of them looked radiant and stunning as they gladly met and greeted the crowd. The event

It’s in their eyes: Kathryn Bernardo (left) and Julia Montes (right) are the new faces of FreshLook® Colorblends and AIR OPTIX® Colors

was well attended by people from the media and one of the questions asked was what was the longest time that both of them had worn the lenses without taking them off?

“As for me,” Julia said, “I wear my FreshLook® Colorblends hanggang maximum of 10 hours so it is best for everyday wear.” “ Ako naman,” Kathryn said, “since ang haba ng oras namin sa taping, I wear my AIR OPTIX® Colors hanggang 16 to 18 hour so perfect for long-hour wear.”

“Knowing how long you want to use your contact lens in a day matters. Just like our bodies need to breathe, oxygen is also essential for the health of the cornea, the clear, domed shaped front part of the eye. Insufficient oxygen may cause corneal swelling and lead to irritated and red eyes which may bring about uncomfortable lens wear,” said Dr. Jeanette RomualdezOo, Professional Affairs consultant, Alcon Vision Care.

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SAT URDAY : J ULY 16, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

HEALTH IS WEALTH

IN RICKY REYES’ SHOW

R

ainy days are here and we all need to watch out for illnesses that come with it, like common colds and flu.

Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) hosted by beauty master Ricky Reyes sought the help of Dr. Edwin Bien for tips on how to fight off these rainy season diseases.

And what exactly is Magnesium? It’s a forgotten essential mineral, which builds strong bones and lowers the risk of strokes and heart attacks. GRR TNT discovers a new product in the market- Promag 300, a Transdermal Magnesium, which is applied and used through the skin. See all the

benefits this mineral can give our face, hair and scalp and armpits. Plus it provides better athletic performance and addresses the most common muscle cramps, and more.

Another health expert will talk more on rainy season health issues and the dread it brings to us. He will give a list of ailments and how to deal with it accordingly.

Health is wealth. Nothing is more important than good health so we must see to it that we lead a healthy life and be beautiful inside and out.

Watch Scripto’s Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) with host Ricky Reyes 9-10 a.m. today on GMA News TV11.

Throwback. “First Day High” cast Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu, Jason Abalos, Maja Salvador and Geoff Eigenmann

Movies for teens air for free for SKY prepaid subscribers Teen stars prove that love can be felt even on campus. Watch Pinoy teen movies She’s Dating The Gangster, Talk Back and Your Dead, and First Day High on SKY..

Squeeze in Pinoy teen flicks after studying as the hit KathNiel movie She’s Dating The Gangster, a story that follows how campus heartthrob and gangster Kenji (Daniel Padilla) and Athena (Kathryn Bernardo) agree to pretend as lovers to make Kenji’s ex girlfriend jealous.

Adding to the campus ‘kilig’ movies is the JaDine’s hit movie Talk Back and You’re Dead that revolves around Samantha (Nadine Lustre), a girl who falls in love with hot-headed guy Top (James Reid), the leader of the so-called “Lucky 13” gang and their adventures to make their relationship last forever.

Completing the lineup of the free movie marathon is First Day High starring Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Maja Salvador, Geoff Eigenmann, and Jason Abalos who play college freshmen who all got involved in the biggest mystery that the university has ever encountered.

The free movie screening is available to SKYcable prepaid subscribers in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA/Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, San Jose del Monte Bulacan, Bacolod,

Beauty guru and GRR TNT host Mother Ricky Reyes

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43 45 46 48 50 53

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Cottontails 6 Field mice 11 Shoe-wiping place 14 Truck stopper 15 Plain-living sect 16 Lyric poem 17 Aquatic mammal 18 Andretti adversary 19 Make a fly 20 Dark 22 UFO passenger

24 28 29 30 32 33 35 39 40 41

Eyelet Foul-ups Meal Snags a fish Gance or Ferrara Frozen-faced He and she Ms. Paretsky Down Under bird San — (Riviera resort) 42 Request earnestly

Fourth Estate On a rampage Robin of balladry Latest news Made level Thrift-shop activities 54 Grove 55 Sheer 57 Cries of distress 58 Claws badly 60 Sparkling 65 Writer — Tolstoy 66 Please greatly 67 Vast multitude 68 “Nightmare” street 69 Trade-show presentations 70 Spurred on DOWN 1 Cinemax rival 2 Museum contents 3 Informer 4 Barely manage 5 Vaccines 6 Arched ceiling 7 Old Dodge model 8 Memory jogger 9 Wind dir.

10 Drew up 11 Theme 12 Gallic goodbye 13 Freezing temperatures 21 Beauty-salon

SATURDAY, JULY 16 , 2016

items 23 Fellini film (2 wds.)

24 Get a grip on 25 Reinforcement for concrete 26 “Tosca,” for one 27 Kuala Lampur residents 28 Tofu base 30 Base-clearing hit 31 Responsibility 34 Garr of “Young Frankenstein” 36 Pertaining to blood 37 Chew the scenery 38 Teams of oxen 43 Walk quietly 44 Lesseps’ canal 47 Regarded as 49 Jungian topic 50 Mademoiselle’s school 51 What I is 52 — salts 53 Deceptions 55 Magellan discovery 56 Low voice 59 Stein filler 61 Journal 62 Joule fraction 63 Lime cooler 64 Beatty of films

Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, and Iloilo.

Meanwhile, SKYdirect subscribers can catch all three movies anywhere in the country since signal is transmitted via satellite.

To avail of the free movie marathon, SKYcable prepaid and SKYdirect subscribers should simply have load balance within June. SKYcable prepaid and SKYdirect load may be purchased at SKYZones and SKY business centers, SM Store, Save More, SM Hypermart, Waltermart, Alfamart, Cebuana Lhuillier, Touch Pay (Mini Stop), ULoad, Bayad Center, 7-eleven and ECPAY outlets, Load Central partners (Netopia, USSC, MLhuillier, 1Bro and SST Laptop) and at Load Xtreme.

SKY aims to strengthen the bond of Filipino families nationwide by offering relevant and quality free movies to their prepaid subscribers.

Catch all three teen-oriented movies for free at home beginning July 1 airing back-to-back and commercial-free only on SKYcable prepaid and SKYdirect prepaid subscribers.

To apply as a SKY subscriber, text APPLY <space> NAME to 23662 to become a SKYcable Prepaid subscriber or send a message to 23668 to become a SKYdirect subscriber.

SAT URDAY : J ULY 16, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

C7

MOTHER’S PLEA TO SPARE LIFE OF DAUGHTER

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lessandra de Rossi returns to television as a mother who pleads for the life of her daughter who was held hostage by her husband in an intense MMK episode tonight.

As a child, Emily (Alessandra) went through the difficult experience of being abandoned by her father. Having no father to look up to while growing up, Emily promised herself that she would not let her children suffer the same fate.

However, after Emily gives birth to her first child Cheska (Xyriel Manabat), her first husband leaves her for another woman.

Emily met Larry (Joem Bascon) a few years later and fell inlove with one another. They eventually got married and had two children, Rose (Alora Sasam) and Chona (Joan Bugcat). Emily believed all’s well in her life until she learned that Larry has been taking illegal drugs.

One day, while Emily was out of

Intriguing family story. Alesandra de Rossi (center) teams up with Joem Bascon in another tear-jerking episode of MMK

the house, Larry enters their home and takes Cheska as hostage. How will Emily face this ordeal?

Also starring in this MMK episode are Maris Racal, Maureen Mauricio, Rez Cortez, and Zarah

Mae Dilegoro. The episode is directed by Dondon Santos and written by Nikki Bunquin.

MMK airs every Saturday on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Cooking competition in Songbird’s kitchen

Today, watch the cooking skills of three celebrity dads – Joross Gamboa, James Blanco, and Paolo Contis – as they try to outdo each other at the kitchen of Asia’s songbird.

The three will whip up some nice dishes for lunch.

Will they be able to soften the toughest of the hearts, like that of Tetay’s after being heartbroken many times over?

Songbird will not be far behind with her own version of Chef Claude Tayag’s awardwinning dish –bringhe. Can she equal or surpass the chef ’s popular dish in taste?

Definitely, you will feel satiated when you watch Sarap Diva every Saturday morning after Maynila on GMA-7.

Meanwhile, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid joins the growing roster of book authors tomorrow, 1 to 6 p.m., as her book Bongga sa Kusina is launched at the Eastwood Mall Atrium.

Regine said the book is a work

among friends, like Chef Jonah Trinidad who helped her in the concept of the book and her Sarap Diva family. The author also revealed that some celebrity friends shared their recipes for the book.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga celebrities na nag-share ng kanilang mga natatanging recipes

dito sa aming cookbook na Bongga sa Kusina. I’m sure maraming readers at moms ang matutuwa dahil malalaman na nila ang ilan sa mga favorite recipes ng kanilang mga iniidolo.”

Her fans and admirers will have a chance to meet Regine in person at the book launch today.

“Sarap Diva” host Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is joined by celebrity dads James Blanco, Paolo Contis and Josross Gamboa in today’s episode of the cooking show

Young actor Grae Fernandez (left) in “Ipaglaban Mo” episode entitled “Kabataan”

Young man confronts schoolmate at gunpoint Grae Fernandez plays a young man whose life is threatened by his very own friend in ABS-CBN’s hit legal drama Ipaglaban Mo today.

Andrew (Grae Fernandez) was raised by Connie (Lara Quigaman) to be a friendly, kind young man. In school, Andrew reached out to all his classmates even to the notorious bully Joel (Francis Magundayao).

At first, Connie believed Andrew could be a positive influence on Joel, hence, supported their friendship. Later on though, she realized that Andrew frequently went with Joel

and feared that Andrew was forgetting his academic priorities.

Because of this, she asked her son to distance himself from Joel to which, Andrew reluctantly agreed.

Joel, however, did not take Andrew’s sudden change too well. One day, Joel confronts Andrew and points a gun at him. Is this the end for their friendship? Or is the end for one of them?

Don’t miss the “Kabataan” episode of Ipaglaban Mo directed by Piem Acero after It’s Showtime on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Good-looking cops compete in ABS-CBN’s “Gwapulis” A pair of good-looking policemen showed off their talent in beatboxing and break-dancing during the initial episode of original and first-of-its-kind new ABSCBN personality and talent contest “Gwapulis” in the morning news and infotainment Umagang Kay Ganda. Gwapulis, a monicker introduced to describe Neil Perez (a.k.a. Mariano Flormata, Jr.), the handsome cop who made a record as the first police officer to win a national and international male pageant title, is a weekly search for the ultimate hunkable man-in-uniform open to policemen who have been in the service for at least a year. Another gwapulis who is set to compete in Manhunt International 2016 in China in November is PO1

Men in uniform. “Umagang Kay Ganda” hosts Anthony Taberna and Amy Perez welcome this week’s winner of UKG Gwapulis

Don Mcgyver Cochico.

Mr. International 2014, Police Officer 2 Neil Perez, took time out from his police duty to serve as one of the judges together with PSsupt

Mario Rariza and PSSupr Remigio Sedanto. Gwapulis 2016 also coincided with the observance of the nationwide 21st Police Community Relations Month. New

PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has enjoined talented policemen to join Gwapulis 2016. “I call on our police officers to join Gwapulis to show that policemen are not only good-looking but are good fellows, who are descent, responsible and helpful to others, and to help uplift and promote the good image of the PNP,” dela Rosa said in an interview.

PO1 Julius Dela Cruz of Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1 and PO1 Joseph Tan of the Cavite City PNP Intelligence Section were the first batch contestants of Gwapulis 2016 which also featured a Question and Answer (Q&A) portion.

PO1 Tan, who amazed the audience with his beatboxing talent, admitted having to answer

a difficult question regarding members of LGBT in the PNP coming out, but was able to give an intelligent answer which swayed the judges to his favor as the first winner. PO1 Dela Cruz showed the cops’ talent in dancing with his interpretation of the Trumpets dance challenge.

Gwapulis is hosted by Umagang Kay Ganda’s Amy Perez and Atom Araullo which features every Friday two good-looking policemen to vie for the weekly winner as UKG Gwapulis 2016 and will run for 15 weeks. With the weekly winner and consolation prize for the loser of P10,000 and P5,000, respectively, the UKG Gwapulis 2016 finals winner will receive a House and Lot grand prize. – Eton B. Concepcion

SAT URDAY : J ULY 16, 2016

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ WILL

ROBIN PADILLA GET ANY GOVERNMENT POST?

BY NICKIE WANG

PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

No politics. Robin Padilla supports the President but he says no to any government position

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elebrities have assumed a more prominent role in the political arena. That is the obvious trend in showbiz of late. Celebrities who were visible during the election period and were very vocal for their support to the now President Rodrigo Roa Duterte are, one by one, being entrusted with some important posts in the government.

Robin Padilla, a staunch supporter of the former Davao City Mayor appeared in a few a political ads campaigning for the leader.

And it is known to everybody that he did it pro bono. Sources even say that Robin, who personally went to Hong Kong to campaign for the former Davao City Mayor in February, also funded some of the political ads that aired on television.

With the latest trend in mind, and his deep involvement in Duterte’s presidential bid, it’s likely that people would ask if Robin is going to be the next to get an appointment from the country’s new Commander-in-Chief.

In an exclusive interview with the Manila Standard, during the launching of MoneyGram’s new global campaign, the former action star set the record straight.

His support for Duterte’s campaign was purely personal and did not involve any political gain. So, asking whether or not get he would get any government post under Duterte’s leadership, Robin answered with a resounding “No!” “That’s not going to happen. The President will not give me any government post because he knows from the very beginning that I will just decline any appointment,” the actor said in vernacular.

Action star and TV host Robin Padilla

“Maraming maingay ngayon.

Sila yung ngayon lang naging supporter ng ating mahal pangulo.

Pero kami, yung matagal nang sumusuporta sa kanya, tahimik lang kami and we are not expecting anything in return.”

He furthered that he has known the President for almost two decades now. He was introduced to Duterte in 1998 when he was pardoned and released after being incarcerated for more than two years. Right after he got out of

jail, his late brother immediately told him that he’s going to introduce him to the next President of the Philippines.

“I got curious when we first met. I told myself that I want to know this man on a deeper level. Imagine, nang una akong nakapunta sa bahay niya, nadun pa siya sa kulambo. You see, I have known him for so long. That’s the reason why I supported his presidential bid. Not because I was expecting he would return

the favor. I’ve become witness as “I am an actor. My job is to ento how dedicated this person is tertain people and once in a while to his chosen field. I saw him in wave my hands to call their attenaction and I have experienced his tion to tell them that we need to being a genuine public servants do something and that we need to first hand,” the 47-year-old actor act,” Robin stated. affirmed.

And as actor, It may Robin dreams “Isa akong sound too that one day, rebolusyonaryo, in fact he would be good to be true but the I fight the government. able to make a actor was revolutionary quick to ex- Let’s be honest, politics film that can is dirty and there are describe what plain that after serving he feels about only a few people we his term he his country can consider genuine and what solumade a personal vow that statesmen. Kaya hindi tions he has in he would have ako pwedeng pumasok mind in purhis own advosuit of a better sa pulitika. Ayokong cacies and that society. involves supParaphrasmagkompromiso – porting people ing what RobRobin Padilla, actor and in conveyed, who encourMoneygram endorser he said that age diversity, promote clean he would like governance, support the wel- to come up with a film, like the fare of ethics groups and of the kinds of film he’s has starred in Overseas Filipino Workers, and lately, that can rekindle the young endeavor to bring the trust of people’s passion to get involved. the people to the government.

“I’ve been pitching this idea “Isa akong rebolusyonaryo, to movie to producers and film in fact I fight the government. outfits. I wanted to come up Let’s be honest, politics is dirty with a modern film version of and there are only a few people Noli Mi Tangere and El Filibuswe can consider genuine states- terismo. It’s been more than a men. Kaya hindi ako pwedeng hundred years since we gained pumasok sa pulitika. Ayokong our freedom, but sadly, we still magkompromiso,” Robin said. have the same exact problems.

He believes that there are other And a contemporary version of avenues to help the underprivi- Jose Rizal’s novels made into leged and traversing the political a film, I believe will allow our route may me be one of the ways young people to appreciate the but he’s more comfortable rely- real message. And perhaps the ing on his own capacity to bring story would rekindle the fire in change and affect people. He them to be part of the change we wants to do it his own way. are advocating,” he ended.