The Standard - 2016 July 22 - Friday

VOL. XXX NO. 160 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 FRIDAY : JULY 22, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte on Sona: Simplicity is beauty

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SC: PLUNDER CASE VS ARROYO WEAK

By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Supreme Court said the Office of the Ombudsman’s evidence of plunder against former President Gloria Arroyo was weak, in a decision released Thursday.

Earlier this week, the Court voted 11-4 to grant Mrs. Arroyo’s petition to dismiss the case, which alleged the misuse of P366 million in intelligence Funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

In the majority ruling written by Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, the Court said the mere approval by the former president for release of the funds did not prove her guilt for plunder.

The Court ordered Mrs. Arroyo immediately released from the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center, where she has been under hospital detention for almost four years.

In ruling in favor of Arroyo, the justices said state prosecutors failed to prove their charges of conspiracy between Arroyo and her co-accused, including appellant Benigno Aguas.

“There was no proof of any amassing, or accumulating, or acquiring ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million against petitioners Arroyo and Aguas,” the decision read.

The tribunal also blamed the Ombudsman for its failure “to prove the predicate act of raiding the public treasury because it failed to prove that petitioners Arroyo and Aguas, as public officers, had benefitted from the act.”

The Court said the Ombudsman merely proved that Arroyo had affixed her unqualified “OK” on requests for additional confidential and intelligence funds from the PCSO. “This was insufficient to prove that petitioner Arroyo had conspired to commit plunder because the affixing of the unqualified ‘OK’ could not be considered an ‘overt act’ for purposes of plunder because this act was a common, legal and valid practice of signifying approval of a fund release by the President and there was no causal relation to the intended crime,” the Court said.

“The insistence of the prosecution is unwarranted. GMA’s approval of requests for additional [intelligence funds] did not make her part of any design to raid the public treasury as the means to amass, accumulate and acquire ill-gotten wealth,” it said.

The Court also cited as a fatal flaw the failure of the Ombudsman to identify the “main plunderer” in the case as required by law, which made it very Home again. File photo shows former president now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being interviewed by The Standard difficult, if not impossible to establish the allegation reporter. On Thursday night, Arroyo arrived home in La Vista, Quezon City two days after the Supreme Court dismissed the plunder case Next page against her and set her free from four years of hospital detention. of conspiracy.

What’s cooking at NBP? It’s shabu—DoJ China defiant, offers E. Requejo cruises on disputed sea ByandReyFrancisco Tuyay CHINA announced Thursday that a Chinese company will boost tourism by offering cruises around the contested South China Sea and buy eight new ships over the next five years for that purpose.

The state-owned China Daily said Sanya International Cruise Development Co. Ltd. will buy between five and eight ships and build four cruise liner docks in Sanya, a Chinese resort city on the island province of Hainan.

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JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed on Thursday that illegal drugs were being manufactured inside hidden underground tunnels at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“We have received information that shabu is being cooked... un-

derground in tunnels at the NBP,” Aguirre said.

He said drug syndicates smuggled shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride into the national penitentiary by mixing it with bottled water.

Once inside, the water was boiled until only the methamphetamine crystals or shabu remained.

Aguirre said investigations are pinpointing the officials and per-

sonnel of the NBP involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Earlier, Aguirre vowed to crack down on illegal drugs in the NBP, which he said was the source of 75 percent of illegal drug transactions in the country.

On Wednesday, more than 300 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force replaced guards from the Bureau Next page of Corrections.

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Two more batches of PNP-SAF commandos will be deployed at the NBP after completing their specialized training in jail management and security.

After completing a refresher course, the BuCor jail guards will be reassigned.

The NBP is one of the seven penal colonies and prisons administered by the BuCor. The six other prison facilities are the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, Davao Prison and Penal Farm, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, Leyte Regional Prison and the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.

During Wednesday’s inspection of Building 14, police seized several signal boosters, Chinese currency, packs of cigarettes with Chinese markings and about P400,000 in cash.

Since November last year, the BuCor under retired Army general Ricardo Rainier Cruz has conducted more than 30 raid under “Oplan Galugad,” but Aguirre said this failed to stem the flow of contraband items inside the national penitentiary.

Marine Maj. Gen. Alexander Balutan is expected to assume the top BuCor post when he retires from the military service on August 1. Aguirre said Balutan is retiring early to assume the post.

Meanwhile, the regional police chief in Central Visayas, Chief Supt.

Noli Talino, said 79 police station commanders in the region have been relieved for incompetence in the fight against the illegal drug trade.

So far, 65,000 drug users and pushers nationwide have yielded to authorities after President Rodrigo Duterte launched a massive campaign against illegal drugs. Almost 200 drug traders have also been killed.

Earlier, 35 policemen assigned at the Quezon City Police District and the National Capital Region Police Office were reassigned and posted in various parts in Mindanao on allegations of their complicity to illegal drugs.

PNP Chief Ronaldo dela Rosa has vowed to crack down on rogue cops.

Also on Thursday, Peter Lim, the Cebu businessman tagged by President Duterte as a drug lord, went to the National Bureau of Investigation office on Thursday afternoon, days after meeting with the President in Davao City.

Lim’s visit came a week after Duterte advised him to go to the NBI in Manila and submit himself for questioning.

Duterte earlier identified Lim as one of three alleged leaders of drug trafficking operations in the country.

Duterte said the other two are Wu Tuan alias Peter Co and Herbert Colangco, who are both behind bars.

During a press conference last Thursday, Duterte identified retired police deputy director general Marcelo Garbo as a protector of Lim. Lim later met with Duterte and said he is “500 percent” sure he has no links to the drug trade.

Four more suspected drug pushers were killed in different parts of Manila Thursday as the anti-drug campaign continued.

Two suspects—including a police officer—were killed during a buybust operation in Tondo Wednesday night, the Manila Police Department said in its report. With Sandy Araneta and Jun David

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MILF discards Moro draft law, opts for federal shift samoro], because we said practically the negotiation has already ended.

It’s a matter of implementation of the agreement [through BBL],” he added.

Dureza, however, said that both parties will now start the discussion about forming a new government— to be marked by a formal resumption of the implementation phase, the launch of an “implementing team,” to be composed of five members from the government and five members from the MILF. “We will continue the process.

We are not reinventing here. We will build on what has already been gained,” he said.

“All mechanisms for implementation that are already there will be maintained,” he added.

He said that the recommendations coming from the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be addressed since they refer to Bangsamoro injustice.

The MILF, meanwhile, said they are looking forward to a logical conclusion of the peace process.

“The peace panels began negotiations 17 years ago and we do not like to go to square one so we agreed to resume where our talks were halted prior to the assumption of the Duterte administration,” Murad said.

Dureza’s announcement came as President Rodrigo Duterte called on all sides to strive for peace and end decades of conflict in Mindanao.

“I am pleading for peace, even to the Abu Sayyaf because you have committed so many crimes,” Duterte said. “Remove the anger, hate would drive you to kill,” he said in a speech in Isabela, Basilan.

Duterte also renewed his warning to Abu Sayyaf bandits that the “day of reckoning” would come soon.

Dureza said MILF Chairman Al Murad Ybrahim welcomed the new peace roadmap that would replace the failed BBL and protect the new law from constitutional problems.

“We will work on this ASAP but we need to hear inputs coming from a wide cross section,” he said.

Earlier, Dureza met with Murad

to iron out details on how to implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which included a “more inclusive proposed enabling law” and the consolidation of various peace agreements entered into by the government.

“We would start where the peace overture was stopped [during the past administration] and take off from there,” Dureza said referring to the failure of Congress to act on time and pass into law the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which should have enabled the transition of the old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao into the Bangsamoro regional government.

“We should act on this as soon as possible for us and that of the present Congress to have ample time to amend certain provisions of the

Constitution, if necessary, to keep the talks within the bounds of law,” he added.

In an interview with reporters, Murad had earlier downplayed President Duterte’s pitch of federalism for the Bangsamoro territories to end decades of conflict in Mindanao, as the group continually pushed for the passage of the BBL. MILF vice chair Ghazali Jhaafar said further that a shift to the federal form of government “would take time to legislate and thus dampen the hopes of the Bangsamoro fighters.”

The MILF also expressed disgust on plans to hold public consultations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, saying that “any consultation asking the same people or repeating the same issues will only slow down, if not stifle, the legislative process.”

“We say that federalization per se may solve the general problem of the country but we feel that it may or may not solve the specific problem in the Bangsamoro homeland,” Murad said in early July.

“We will still push for the continuity of peace process and then the implementation [of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bang-

SC:...

wealth of any amount and there was also no evidence to show that the Confidential Intelligence Funds [CIF] of the PCSO had been diverted to either petitioner Arroyo or petitioner Aguas or accused Uriarte,” the Court said.

The majority also disagreed with the anti-graft court’s position that the prosecution had established the predicate of raiding the public treasury even without proof that the public officer charged had benefitted from the act, saying that holding that proof of where the money went and proof that petitioners Arroyo and Aguas benefitted were essential ingredients of the proof of the predicate act of “raiding the public treasury.”

In her dissenting opinion, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the majority ignored the “stark irregularities” in the disbursement process of the CIF funds.

Sereno added that the majority decision also denied the concept of implied conspiracy as laid down in a case by the Supreme Court itself.

She also noted that the testimony of prosecution witness Aleta Tolentino had disclosed that there were several irregularities in the CIF requests and disbursements, which should have provided red flags.

“These irregularities were repeated in the course of three years.

The CIF releases would not have been made possible without the ap-

proval of Arroyo. The funds could not have been disbursed without the complicity and overt acts of Aguas. Uriarte was definitely part of the scheme as the one who received the amounts. Even the ponencia admits that without Arroyo’s participation, Aguas could not release any money because there was then no budget available for the additional CIFs,” Sereno said, adding that Arroyo’s manner of approving requests for additional CIFs, seven times in the course of three years, reveals the initial, indispensable act in the conspiracy to commit plunder.

The Chief Justice also disagreed with the majority’s requirement that personal benefit needed to be proven, asserting that the same was not an element of the law nor has it been interpreted to be so by jurisprudence and that, for purposes of prosecution, material possession, as opposed to actual possession, of at least P50 million is sufficient.

Another dissenter, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said Arroyo as a highly intelligent President should know what was happening and that it was her duty to stop, not abet or participate in such schemes.

Mrs. Arroyo on Thursday said she would give priority to her medical treatment after the Sandiganbayan ordered her release from hospital arrest.

Larry Gadon, lawyer for Arroyo, who has been suffering from cervical spine problems, said the former president would want a full medical checkup and treatment after her release.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court voted 11-4 to junk the plunder case against Arroyo that stemmed from her alleged misuse of P366 million in PCSO intelligence funds.

The Sandiganbayan authorized her release two days later.

Gadon said Arroyo will stay at her residence at the La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City and may undergo immediate medical checkup.

“Then the following day, she will go to St. Luke’s for new medical examinations—its either St. Luke’s Global or here in [Quezon City],” Gadon said.

Apart from medical treatment, Gadon said Arroyo is getting ready to go back to her legislative duties and she is looking forward to attending congressional sessions, including the election of Speaker and first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 25. “[Mrs. Arroyo] is very concerned with her duties as a congresswoman. Even if she was detained at the VMMC, she still managed to file bills in Congress—a few of which had been passed,” Gadon said. With Rio N. Araja, Sandy Araneta, John Paolo Bencito

at the appropriate time,” it added.

Hotels, villas and shops will all be built on the Crescent group, the paper said.

Since 2012, China has taken control of Scarborough Shoal and has reclaimed at least five islands in the disputed region, including the city that they have established called “Sansha City.”

so-called historical rights to the sea.

The Chinese government has also approved rules where China’s local patrol police have the right to board and search foreign vessels entering the South China Sea. Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said he was unaware of the China Daily report and said it needed to be verified.

China has been claiming 90 percent or almost the whole South China Sea citing its nine-dash line of its so called ancient Chinese map.

The Philippines challenged this claim before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in January 2013, and won a favorable decision in July.

China has rejected the ruling and vowed it will “never stop” the construction on the disputed territories.

Aside from the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan has overlapping claims over parts of the South China Sea. So far, only the Philippines has filed a case against China. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

By John Paolo Bencito

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front has agreed to junk the failed Bangsamoro Basic Law in favor of the government’s proposal for a new enabling law to reimplement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro ahead of a planned shift to a federal form of government, Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza said Thursday.

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The Court said the Sandiganbayan First Division erred when it “completely ignored” these findings in denying the demurrer to evidence filed by Arroyo and Aguas.

The Court further concluded that the anti-graft court “acted capriciously, thus gravely abusing its discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.”

The Ombudsman’s complaint involved allegations that P366 million of the PCSO’s intelligence fund had been misused and amassed by Arroyo and other officials from 2008 to 2010.

Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales on Wednesday contested the Supreme Court’s finding that her evidence was weak, and said she would investigate Arroyo for the same alleged anomaly for the period 2004 to 2007.

But the Supreme Court said the Sandiganbayan completely ignored the failure of the Ombudsman to sufficiently charge conspiracy to commit plunder, and ignored the lack of evidence to establish that the accused had amassed ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million.

“There were no witnesses presented to show that petitioners Arroyo and Aguas had amassed, accumulated or acquired ill-gotten

China...

From A1 Liu Junli, chairman of Sanya International Cruise, said the company already operates the “Dream of the South China Sea” cruise ship and plans to add another two cruise ships by next summer, the report said.

The ships will travel to the Crescent group of islands, part of the Paracels, and is also “considering a cruise around the South China Sea

Over the past years, China has been constructing schools, hospitals, an airport runway and other building blocks in Sansha City to assert their

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Duterte’s Sona will be simple PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address will be simple: From the attire to be worn by the guests down to the food to be served for them, an official said Thursday.

House deputy secretary-general for legislative operations Artemio Adasa Jr. said musician “Bayang Barrios”—Junelie Otero Barrios in real life—will sing the National Anthem for the Sona.

Barrios, a Manobo, sang the campaign jingle Bagong Umaga or New Morning of Senator Grace Poe for this year’s elections.

She is a prolific singer from Agusan del Sur who debuted as a solo singer in her 1997 album Bayang Makulay, and was previously associated with the Bagong Lumad band of Filipino music icon Joey Ayala.

During President Duterte’s inauguration in Malacañang on June 30, veteran OPM artist Freddie Aguilar sang his composition “Para Sa Tunay Na Pagbabago,” where the song featured the melody of his old hit “Ipaglaban Mo” but with different lyrics.

Duterte has said Aguilar is his favorite singer whom he described as “a singer with a social conscience.”

Adasa said the expenses for the food during the Sona would be “very minimal” compared to previous the previous Sonas.

“We have reduced our expenses to more than two hundred thousand pesos. We simplified the menu, of course,” Adasa said.

The Sona attendees are expected to wear business clothes and not clothes for a party.

Adasa said the public might see a “very short” Sona as Duterte was expected to do away with the traditional handshakes with lawmakers and guests upon his arrival at the Batasan Complex.

At least 3,000 guests, including Vice President Leni Robredo, former Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III, exVice Presidents Teofisto Guingona Jr., Noli de Castro and Jejomar Binay, the members of Congress, the Cabinet, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, government officials like former Speaker Prospero Nograles, reporters as well as Duterte’s family and friends have been invited. Maricel V. Cruz

Arrival. President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by officers of the Western Mindanao Command during his arrival at the Edwin Andrews Airbase in Zamboanga City on Thursday. He is shown here shaking hands with WestMinCom Chief Mayoralgo dela Cruz.

Emergency hotline operational on Aug. 1 HOTLINE 911, an emergency telephone number, will become operational nationwide starting Aug. 1 this year to help people wanting to report an accident or to know the number of the nearest hospital to contact during an emergency.

The number is the result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for quick action to help those in distress. All one has to do is dial 911 for

help during an emergency.

During Duterte’s term as mayor of Davao City, the city created a Central Communications and Emergency Response Center, or what is known today as Davao City Central 911.

The hotline works 24/7 and is manned by people who work like call center agents.

They verify reports and refer these to the nearest police station or hospital for

proper action.

In a visit to Davao City recently, some reporters went to Davao Central 911 as part of the Department of Tourism’s Davao familiarization tour.

All it takes is to dial 911 in case of an emergency in Davao City, and help is assured.

Now, 911 is no longer just an emergency number in Davao City as Hotline 911 will soon be available na-

tionwide.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba says Globe subscribers may start accessing 911 on Aug. 18. For the meantime, however, Globe can provide the Hotline 117, which has the same function.

The public must note that Hotline 911 is different from Hotline 8888, which will be created for public complaints. PNA

Executive agencies to drop salutations PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all government agencies under the Executive to drop the salutations “His Excellency” and “Honorable” when referring to him in official government correspondences.

“The President shall be addressed in all official communications, events or materials as ‘President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’ only, and without the term ‘His Excellency,’” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said in a memo he issued on July 15.

“All members of the Cabinet shall be addressed in all official communications submitted to the Office of the President as ‘Secretary’ only and without the term ‘Honorable.’”

But the memo says all government agencies and offices, on their discretion, may use the term “Honorable” in addressing their respective heads in their internal communications and documents.

Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said the President wanted to simplify the manner he was being addressed.

“In keeping with his populist Presidential style, he encourages less ceremonial communications,” Abella told reporters in a text message.

Duterte, who won by a landslide in this year’s elections, has called for greater accountability from all government workers, more efficient services to the public and less red tape.

John Paolo Bencito

Preparation. Workers from Department of Public Works and Highway repaint the logo on the House of Representatives’ Helipad in preparation for the State of-the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 25. MANNY PALMERO

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Resume probe, Dhaka urges

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan BANGLADESH Ambassador John Gomes asked the government on Thursday to revive the Senate investigation of the cyberrobbery of $81 million from his country’s account with the United States Federal Reserve that was laundered in the Philippines.

Port call. The United States guided missile destroyer ‘Curtis Wilbur’ docked at Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor on Thursday for rest and resupply after freedom of navigation operations in the West Philippine Sea, which it has been patrolling since January. DANNY PATA

New cutter to be called ‘Bonifacio’

By Florante S. Solmerin THE Philippine Navy will officially took possession of its its third Hamilton-class cutter on Thursday after it commissioned the United States Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell and renamed it Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Andres Bonifacio.

Commander Marineth Domingo, acting chief of the Navy public affairs office, said the Bonifacio was commissioned at the OSCG base in Alameda, California in a ceremony witnessed by Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Bayani Gaerlan and Offshore Combat Force commander Commodore Robert Emperad.

The crew of the Bonifacio, led by Capt.

Brendo Casaclang, will undergo training for three months before its maiden voyage to the Philippines in October. The vessel is expected to arrive in November.

Before its transfer to the Philippine Navy, the Boutwell served in the US Coast Guard for 48 years and was only decommissioned last March.

It is the country’s third Hamilton-class cutter after the BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, both donated by the United States under its Excess Defence Articles program.

“They will be primarily important for the Philippine Navy’s maritime security and sovereignty patrols in line with our mandate to protect the people and the state,” Domingo said.

The Hamilton-class cutter was the largest class of vessel in the United States Coast Guard until it was replaced by the National Security Cutter, aside from the Polar-class icebreakers.

The cutters are powered by two diesel engines and two gas turbines and have controllable-pitch propellers. They are equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar, and the facilities to support helicopter deployment.

Domingo did not indicate if the ship still had its navigation and weapons systems upon its transfer, but the Del Pilar and Alcaraz were both transfered bare, spurring the Armed Forces of the Philippines to undertake contracts with several international weapons suppliers.

“After the Senate hearing everything has turned quiet,” lamented Gomes, adding that the last hearing of the Senate probe was on May 19, days after election of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We have a new administration, a new Senate, where do we go from here?” he asked. “How to get back money? That rightly belongs to people of Bangladesh.”

Bangladesh, through its central bank, lost $81 million after unidentified hackers illicitly transferred the funds from its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to a Makati City branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Last February 9, Bangladesh lost $101 million from its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York after hackers transferred $20 million to Sri Lanka and $81 million to a Makati City branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

The $81 million was then broken up and subsequently transferred to the bank accounts of foreign exchange dealer Philrem Services Corp., the Solaire Casino and casino junket operator Kim Wong and other still unidentified parties.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council, which had been investigating the money laundering since February 19, said it has accounted for $60 million—including the $15 million returned by Wong, $28 million by Solaire Casino and the $17 million still in the accounts of Philrem Services Corp.—but $21 million still remains missing.

Claiming the transactions constituted money laudering, the AMLC sued for the civil forfeiture of funds deposited in the accounts of Wong and his Eastern Hawaii Eastern Hawaii Leisure Co. and Centurytex Trading owned by businessman William Go. The Manila regional trial court hearing the suit has already granted the AMLC’s petition for civil forfeiture filed last May and is now hearing the third-party claim of the Bangladesh government.

Air security office abolished

By Vito Barcelo THE Office for Transportation Security, the single authority responsible for the screening and security of the transportation systems of the country’s international airports, was abolished after some of its personnel were linked to the so-called “Tanim bala’’ racket at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesperson Eric Apolonio said all OTS security screeners, including those working in provincial airports, will be recalled to the Department of Transportation and Communication.

He said airport screening and security will now be supervised by personnel from the Manila International Airport Authority and CAAP. The OTS, which is under the DoTC, is the single authority responsible for the security of the transportation systems of the country, including civil aviation.

Previously, screening inspectors at Naia are

directly accountable to the OTS rather than the MIAA. The office was created in 2004 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Orders No. 277 and 311 to comply with international standards in aviation security.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal confirmed that effective immediately, all security screeners at all the terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport will now be under the MIAA. The change in setup was made following a series of ‘‘tanim bala’’ incidents at the country’s main gateway last year.

For his part, Apolonio said the transition of command and responsibility will be formalized through an executive order by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“CAAP was informed to supervise all security screeners in provincial airports but since OTS is an agency created by law, we still need a written order for the full transfer,” Apolonio said.

Checkpoint. Manila policemen hale motorcycles in front of the US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard in Manila as part of security preparations for the first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 25. PNA PHOTO

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Hybrid polls in May ’19 pushed

By Maricel V. Cruz A lAwmAker has batted for the conduct of hybrid elections in may 2019 through manual voting and counting at the precinct level, and automated transmission and canvassing of votes for the synchronized national, local and the Autonomous region in muslim mindanao polls.

Cebu rep. Gwendolyn Garcia said that since the Commission on elections has already demonstrated its inability to implement the automation mandated by republic Act 9369, otherwise known as ‘‘An Act Amending republic Act No. 8436 which is An Act Authorizing The Commission On elections To Use An Automated election System in the may 11, 1998 National Or local elections And In Subsequent National And local electoral exercises, then Congress needs to come up with a viable, cheaper, simpler and more acceptable alternative for the coming may 2019 polls.

“The alternative should be able to strike a balance between the acknowledged benefits of electronic technology and the time-honored familiarity and proven acceptability of manual elections. It should pass constitutional scrutiny and be at par with the hopes and the faith of the sovereign people who possess the sacred right to elect their leaders, said Garcia, in filing House Bill 313 or the proposed “Hybrid election Act of 2016.

Garcia said Section 2 of r.A No. 9369 defines the automated election ‘‘as a system using appropriate technology which has been demonstrated in the voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing, and transmission of election results, and other electoral process.

“Unfortunately, the 2010, 2013 and 2016 ‘automated elections were illegal and constitutionally infirm electoral processes due to the refusal or failure of Comelec to comply with the provisions of rA 9369 for reasons known only to the Comelec and its partner, Smartmatic, she said.

War on illegal drugs targets waterfront, too

By Joel E. Zurbano Airport and Customs authorities have heightened vigilance in the campaign against illegal drug trafficking in a bid to discourage international syndicates from using the philippines as a transshipment point or dumping ground for their illegal substances.

This developed on wednesday as members of the Aviation Security Group arrested a Chinese national and seized 4.5 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, worth P6.2 million at the mactan, Cebu International Airport.

Avsegroup chief mao Aplasca identified the suspect as liming Zhou, 27, an arriving passenger of Cathay Pacific flight CX921 from Hong kong. He said his men found 11 packs of shabu inside the

suspect’s luggage shortly before noon wednesday at the airport.

However, during interrogation, the suspect, through an interpreter, denied owning the prohibited items.

Port of Cebu district collector rey Holganza said Customs agents initially put the suspect on hold after they found suspicious items in her blue luggage while passing the X-ray scanning machine.

The Customs agents then co-

ordinated with Avsegroup policemen who examined the luggage and found 11 packs of suspected shabu weighing 4.05 kilos.

The suspect may be charged with a violation of the Dangerous Drug Act (r.A. 9165) which imposes a penalty of lifetime imprisonment with a fine of P500,000 to P10 million.

Just recently, a korean national was also caught in possession of 117 grams of marijuana at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The suspect eunho Ahn, 24, was later turned over to Philippine Drug enforcement Agency for further investigation.

The suspect was about to board her Philippine Airlines flight bound for Busan, South korea when members of the Office of Transportation Security led by Judy Anne de Belen found the

prohibited drugs concealed in her belly.

Aplasca said the OTS men then inspected the suspect’s luggage and discovered assorted tablets, believed to be ecstasy, a dangerous party drug.

The authorities initially brought the suspect to the manila International Airport Authority medical clinic for physical examination and was turned-over to PDeA for confirmatory testing and for proper disposition.

Airport authorities are implementing stricter measures against smuggled drugs into the country.

Four months ago, they seized P2 million worth of ecstasy and shabu, at the Central mail exchange Center in Pasay City.

A parcel, supposed to be containing amino supplements, was found with 960 ecstasy tablets worth P1.44 million.

Admission. Venezuelan Marlon Garcia, head of the technical support team of Smartmatic, admits before the Manila Prosecutors’ Office’s Panel

of Prosecutors to the existence of other servers in the Automated Election System, apart from the three servers sanctioned by the Commission on Elections. Garcia made the admission during the clarificatory hearing in relation to the complaint for the violation of the Cybercrime Law against him and other Smartmatic and Comelec personnel filed by former Abakada Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz, political advisor of Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, over the change in the script of the Transparency Server during the transmission of votes on the night of the elections.

‘Equal budget for solons’

By John Paolo Bencito

Impounding area. A woman looks at a pile of motorcycles and other vehicles

impounded by the Valenzuela City Police Station with their owners facing various cases ranging from traffic violations to carjacking. ANDREW RABULAN

lAwmAkerS will get an equal share of the pie for allocations of projects in their districts as the administration avoids the age-old practice of patronage politics, the Department of Finance said Friday.

“The Speaker has always said that we will all be given equal budget so everyone would have equal allocation. Some P80 million for projects, all congressmen will be given an equal P80 million,” said DoF spokesperson Paola Alvarez, daughter of incoming House Speaker and Davao del Norte rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

In a television interview, Alvarez clarified that some districts may have more budgetary allocation than the others, depending on their immediate needs.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had defended the proposed P80-million priority allocation for projects to be identified by each member of Con-

gress, saying that they are not trying to circumvent the ruling on the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the Development Assistance Program declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Diokno said that congressmen and senators will be allowed to identify projects to be included in the proposed 2017 General Appropriations Act, under the P80million Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation for each House member in efforts to return the “power of the purse” to the legislative branch.

The allotment represents a P10-million increase for each legislator over the P70 million in pork barrel that they received in the previous Congress.

Diokno however, stressed that the P80 million claimed by lawmakers is just “hypothetical,” saying that some projects can be struck down in the budget process itself.

F RI DAY : J ULY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Roundup of street kids begins

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has teamed up with the city government of Manila and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to rescue children, vagrants, dwellers and mendicants from the streets of the metropolis.

You’re on webcam. The Boarder Monitoring and Security Unit of the Bureau of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals has installed webcam facial recognition cameras in all immigration counters for quick identification of passengers. ERIC APOLONIO

Pinoy workers to benefit from UAE decree FILIPINOS and other foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates stand to benefit from a decision of the Ministry of Human Resources granting them free accommodation courtesy of their employers.

The ministry on Monday said that workers who earn less than AED2,000 would get free accommodation by their employers who employ more than 50 workers.

An English daily devoted its editorial for breaking the news to thousands of workers in the Emirates, many of whom are Filipinos.

“This is a welcome change and one that will have a measurable impact on the quality of life and

take-home pay of thousands of workers,” said the editorial.

The editorial said it highlights the continued evolution of the labor market in which thousands are also receiving less than 2,000 dirhams.

The new decree, according to the Ministry of Human Resources of Emirates, will come into force in December.

The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, The National, went on to explain, “With the decree due to come into effect at the end of this year, the task now must be to create a monitoring framework to ensure that both the spirit and the letter of the law are obeyed.”

Monitoring the situation is necessary, according to reports, as companies would try to avoid the implementation of the new decree.

One trick that employers would do to be free from the new decree, according to online reports, is to increase the prevailing AED2,000 limit by a little.

Companies may also split their current 50 employees or more into two, to make it appear they have less than 50 employees.

The editorial pointed out that any inspections will need to be rigorous and ensure that the accommodation is up to a certain standard.

“Housing for laborers is gene-

rally a good thing, saving them the costs of the general housing market, but it must be of an acceptable standard,” said the editorial.

The new decree makes it clear that companies with fewer than 50 employees, but in which the workers earn more than AED2,000, can optionally provide accommodation, and if they do, these facilities will also be subject to regular inspections.

“We also hope that this housing is a reasonable distance from the place of work and that, crucially, the time it takes for laborers to be brought in on buses is counted as part of their working day.”

80 illegal Viets give up

By Vito Barcelo AT LEAST 80 overstaying Vietnamese nationals surrendered to the Bureau of Immigration to avoid arrest and detention following the bureauí’s declaration of an all-out campaign against undocumented and overstaying foreigners in the country.

Illegal aliens who surrender to the BI will still be investigated and deported, but will not be detained, the bureau said.

Immigration spokesperson Antoinette† Mangorabang is encouraging all undocumented and overstaying aliens to come forward to the bureau to correct their stay

in the county or face arrest and deportation.

Most of those who surrendered were working illegally in Binondo, Baclaran and Quiapo as vendors and now considered by the bureau as “indigents.”

Mangorabang said that the Vietnamese Embassy in Manila is coordinating with the bureau for the immediate †deportation of their nationals who voluntarily surrendered.

BI records revealed that there are more than 300,000† undocumented and overstaying foreigners in the country, mostly Chinese, In- Caloocan’s campaign. Around 1,200 suspected drug users and pushers dians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Ame- surrender to Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan during a simple ceremony ricans and Europeans. held at Buena Park in Caloocan City on Wednesday. ANDREW RABULAN

In a recent operation, the MMDA rescued 41 street dwellers, including eight minors, along Lawton, Padre Burgos, Vicente Cruz, Mabini, T.M. Kalaw, Pedro Gil, San Andres Bukid, Leon Guinto, Remedios Circle, Malate, Sinagoga and Roxas Boulevard.

The street dwellers were sent to the Reception and Action Center in the City of Manila. The simultaneous operations were undertaken also in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

Local government officials earlier asked the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body, to discuss with the national government a lasting solution to the worsening street-dwelling problem in the National Capital Region.

Government records showed that there are more than 1,500 street families in the metropolis.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada is considering putting up a housing facility for street dwellers. He said the city government is presently looking for available land where this planned village for street dwellers will be put up.

“They can’t stay in temporary government shelters forever. They should have a place of their own where they can start their lives again,” the mayor said.

Arnold Pangan, officer-in-charge of the Manila Social Welfare Department (MSWD), said the National Housing Authority agreed to help in constructing the shelters. He added the project is being handled by MSWD, Urban Settlement Office and City Planning Office.

Through the help of various non-government organizations, Pangan said at least 10 homeless families have already been given their own houses and s in Nueva Ecija, with 20 to 30 more to follow.

F R I D AY : J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Davao City, Central Luzon crime, drug rates plummet

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera and Romeo Dizon THE war against drugs and crime waged by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte saw many suspects in Davao City and in Central Luzon voluntarily surrendering and undergoing reformation.

Our Lady. The image of the Blessed Virgin as Nuestra Señora Virgen del Mar Cautiva is paraded on the pond in Barangay Raois in Sto. Tomas, La Union on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of its arrival in the town. Numerous miracles have been attributed to her. CHRISTINE JUNIO

Iloilo, S. Kudarat govt officials face graft charges

By Rio N. Araja GRAFT charges have been filed before the Sandiganbayan against a former Iloilo town mayor and a municipal engineer from Sultan Kudarat, the Office of the Ombudsman announced.

The Ombudsman filed on Thursday before the Sandiganbayan two graft charges against former Dingle town mayor Rufino Palabrica III, who issued a business permit and a lease contract in favor of his own drug store and medical clinic in 2013.

In a seven-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales indicted Palabrica, now a municipal councilor, for conflict of interest between his official duties and his business interests.

Palabrica signed the lease contract both as lessor and lessee in January 2013.

Morales invoked Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 that prohibits a public officer from having a direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction within which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity in connection with such interest.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman also found probable cause to charge Arlene Olivar, municipal engineer of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, with graft.

The case arose from Olivar’s failure to disclose that her mother owned the store from which the municipality bought an IXUS Digital Camera worth P16,000 in March 2011.

The camera was bought to document the progress of the Mindanao Rural Development Program.

The crime rate in Davao Region has dropped significantly, said Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director, Police Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan.

Gaerlan said that from January to June this year, their office has recorded a total of 18,641 crime incidents this year, lower than the 25,639 reported in 2015.

“There is a significant decrease in our crime statistics due to the strict implementation of the PNP [Philippine National Police] anti-illegal drug campaign,” he added.

The Davao PNP regional director said that even before the administration of President Duterte, the PRO 11 had intensified their anti-illegal drug campaign through the One Time-Big Time and Oplan Lambat Sibat operations.

“Davao has been implementing Oplan Tokhang ever since. The Chief PNP was the pioneer in Davao City when he was the city director,” he said.

From July 1 to 20 this year, 31,964 drug users volunteered for submission and reformation, while 1,091 drug pushers turned themselves in.

Gaerlan revealed that of the 31,000 drug users who surrendered to the authorities, two were barangay officials.

Meanwhile, two PRO 11 personnel were dismissed from the service, after they were found positive for illegal drugs during a surprise random drug test.

Over in Central Luzon, the former Davao City police chief who claimed to have rid that city of drugs and prostitution is doing the same where he was reassigned regional police chief.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino said the authorities’ war on illegal drugs has cut the supply and reduced crime in Central Luzon.

Aquino attributed their success to strict prohibition and law enforcement.

F R I D AY: J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

SUPREME COURT STEPS IN FOR ARROYO

[ EDI TORI A L ]

RAILWAY OPTION EVERY administration wants a legacy project—one that will remind the next generation about the accomplishments of a presidency. President Rodrigo Duterte must act fast if he wants to leave a legacy that will greatly benefit the population.

One such project that could create an immediate and lasting impact on the commuting public is the railway system connecting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The Transportation Department revived a proposal to build the railway system using the right-of-way of North Luzon Expressway and Philippine National Railways, with the main terminal situated possibly in Naia itself or the SM-Trinoma corner where a similar central bus station is being planned.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade is about to finalize the proposal for submission to the National Economic and Development Authority within 90 days. The proposed rail system aims to promote Clark International Airport as an alternative international gateway to Naia, which is now congested.

A similar project was actually proposed under the Arroyo administration but was shelved by the Aquino government. The proposed railway project, among other things, will decongest cargo and passenger traffic in Naia. The country’s main airport, according to a study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is expected to exceed its maximum handling capacity of 35 million passengers a year this year, when about 37.78 million passengers troop to the facility.

Railway and other infrastructure projects must be pursued seriously by the Duterte administration in order to propel the economy and for the Philippines to achieve what Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno calls the “golden age” of infrastructure.

The budget chief notes that the government needed at least 10 years of continuous buildup of roads, bridges and railways to make a real difference in the economy.

Diokno knows what he is saying. Local and foreign businessmen complain of poor infrastructure in the Philippines and cite the deficiency as the main reason for losing out to neighboring countries in attracting investments. The government, thus, must exit from the planning stage and step up efforts to build them for the sake of the current and next generation.

CONCHITA’S CONCEIT LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IF IT’S not the Ombudsman’s fault, then whose is it? And why should she resign, since she’s related by marriage to President Rodrigo Duterte?

Still, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was fuming. She obviously hated the insinuation that she should resign after the plunder case her office filed and

prosecuted for many years against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was dismissed this week by the Supreme Court.

“Do I have to win all cases I filed?” she asked petulantly. “Do you have to fault the prosecutors if they lose cases?”

To both questions, I would have to reply in the affirmative. It was the responsibility of Morales and her prosecutors to come up with a strong case that would convict Arroyo, just like the president

who appointed the Ombudsman wanted.

Taken at face value, Morales’ protestations are valid.

The Ombudsman and her prosecutors aren’t expected to win all cases they handle, nor can they be punished when they lose if it can’t be proven that they did so intentionally.

But in the case of Morales, she immediately removed any doubt that she failed to prosecute Arroyo properly when she declared, in the same press conference she

A9

Morales is living proof that once you’ve retired, you should stay retired.

called last Wednesday, that she intends to file a new but similar case against the former president. It would still involve the alleged massive theft of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office, Morales said, but the new suit would cover a different time frame.

I think I heard her correctly. Morales may not win all her cases, after all, but she has always spoken in excruciating English, as if torturing every syllable until it cries “no more.”

Why did Morales not include this alleged new case that she is preparing in the

original PCSO suit? Even the reporter who perspicaciously asked the Ombudsman if she didn’t think she should resign failed to ask this question—proving Morales’ theory that you just can’t win them all.

But maybe the journalists present realized what nearly everyone else who read or heard about the Ombudsman’s “new case” did: That Morales was just trying to find a way to wiggle out of getting the blame for failing to produce enough evidence

in the Arroyo case, as the Supreme Court had ruled.

After all, Morales had only one job, as far as President Noynoy Aquino was concerned when he appointed her right after she retired from the Supreme Court. Regardless of how many cases were brought before her and her office and what her overall record was in their disposition, she only had to ensure that Arroyo was convicted, as the monomaniacal Noynoy wanted.

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

But Noynoy, of course, is no longer president. And Morales, in order to show how “tight” she is with the new powers that be, has already declared that Digong’s daughter Davao City Mayor “Inday Sara” Duterte is married to a nephew of hers.

I think Morales is living proof that once you’ve retired, you should stay retired. After all, while your enunciation may still be good, but 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

IT WAS justice delayed but could not be denied. The Supreme Court, after some three years, dismissed the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for insufficiency of evidence. The charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the transfer of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office was merely ministerial when Arroyo wrote a marginal note approving PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte’s memo the transfer of some P360 million as intelligence funds for the Office of the President.

Uriarte is at large and believed hiding abroad. While the funds were transferred to the Office of the President, it was never proven that the former president profited from it.

All the other accused in the case were granted bail except for Arroyo who was considered a trophy prisoner for the vindictive then-President Benigno Aquino III. It was a long wait but relief came for the frail and sick former President, now a congresswoman from Pampanga.

But there’s a hitch to Arroyo’s immediate release: A last-minute effort by the Ombudsman to charge her with additional charges in connection with the same case plus the SC decision that still has to be distributed to all the 15 justices particularly to those who dissented in the case dismissal.

There’s speculation that Aquino’s vindictiveness has something to do with keeping Arroyo detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center..

Take Senator Leila de Lima, who said Arroyo’s acquittal was “unfortunate” and came at a time when the government was in the middle of an anti-corruption drive. De Lima should realize she’s now a senator of the Republic and no longer Aquino’s lackey. What if people called her election to the Senate as “unfortunate?”

She was, after all, as justice secretary, responsible for filing a weak case against Arroyo. This then prompted the high court to dismiss the case for insufficient evidence.

Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales is attempting to salvage 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

F R I D AY: J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

SUPREME COURT STEPS IN FOR ARROYO

[ EDI TORI A L ]

RAILWAY OPTION EVERY administration wants a legacy project—one that will remind the next generation about the accomplishments of a presidency. President Rodrigo Duterte must act fast if he wants to leave a legacy that will greatly benefit the population.

One such project that could create an immediate and lasting impact on the commuting public is the railway system connecting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The Transportation Department revived a proposal to build the railway system using the right-of-way of North Luzon Expressway and Philippine National Railways, with the main terminal situated possibly in Naia itself or the SM-Trinoma corner where a similar central bus station is being planned.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade is about to finalize the proposal for submission to the National Economic and Development Authority within 90 days. The proposed rail system aims to promote Clark International Airport as an alternative international gateway to Naia, which is now congested.

A similar project was actually proposed under the Arroyo administration but was shelved by the Aquino government. The proposed railway project, among other things, will decongest cargo and passenger traffic in Naia. The country’s main airport, according to a study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is expected to exceed its maximum handling capacity of 35 million passengers a year this year, when about 37.78 million passengers troop to the facility.

Railway and other infrastructure projects must be pursued seriously by the Duterte administration in order to propel the economy and for the Philippines to achieve what Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno calls the “golden age” of infrastructure.

The budget chief notes that the government needed at least 10 years of continuous buildup of roads, bridges and railways to make a real difference in the economy.

Diokno knows what he is saying. Local and foreign businessmen complain of poor infrastructure in the Philippines and cite the deficiency as the main reason for losing out to neighboring countries in attracting investments. The government, thus, must exit from the planning stage and step up efforts to build them for the sake of the current and next generation.

CONCHITA’S CONCEIT LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IF IT’S not the Ombudsman’s fault, then whose is it? And why should she resign, since she’s related by marriage to President Rodrigo Duterte?

Still, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales was fuming. She obviously hated the insinuation that she should resign after the plunder case her office filed and

prosecuted for many years against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was dismissed this week by the Supreme Court.

“Do I have to win all cases I filed?” she asked petulantly. “Do you have to fault the prosecutors if they lose cases?”

To both questions, I would have to reply in the affirmative. It was the responsibility of Morales and her prosecutors to come up with a strong case that would convict Arroyo, just like the president

who appointed the Ombudsman wanted.

Taken at face value, Morales’ protestations are valid.

The Ombudsman and her prosecutors aren’t expected to win all cases they handle, nor can they be punished when they lose if it can’t be proven that they did so intentionally.

But in the case of Morales, she immediately removed any doubt that she failed to prosecute Arroyo properly when she declared, in the same press conference she

A9

Morales is living proof that once you’ve retired, you should stay retired.

called last Wednesday, that she intends to file a new but similar case against the former president. It would still involve the alleged massive theft of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office, Morales said, but the new suit would cover a different time frame.

I think I heard her correctly. Morales may not win all her cases, after all, but she has always spoken in excruciating English, as if torturing every syllable until it cries “no more.”

Why did Morales not include this alleged new case that she is preparing in the

original PCSO suit? Even the reporter who perspicaciously asked the Ombudsman if she didn’t think she should resign failed to ask this question—proving Morales’ theory that you just can’t win them all.

But maybe the journalists present realized what nearly everyone else who read or heard about the Ombudsman’s “new case” did: That Morales was just trying to find a way to wiggle out of getting the blame for failing to produce enough evidence

in the Arroyo case, as the Supreme Court had ruled.

After all, Morales had only one job, as far as President Noynoy Aquino was concerned when he appointed her right after she retired from the Supreme Court. Regardless of how many cases were brought before her and her office and what her overall record was in their disposition, she only had to ensure that Arroyo was convicted, as the monomaniacal Noynoy wanted.

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

But Noynoy, of course, is no longer president. And Morales, in order to show how “tight” she is with the new powers that be, has already declared that Digong’s daughter Davao City Mayor “Inday Sara” Duterte is married to a nephew of hers.

I think Morales is living proof that once you’ve retired, you should stay retired. After all, while your enunciation may still be good, but 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

IT WAS justice delayed but could not be denied. The Supreme Court, after some three years, dismissed the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for insufficiency of evidence. The charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the transfer of funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office was merely ministerial when Arroyo wrote a marginal note approving PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte’s memo the transfer of some P360 million as intelligence funds for the Office of the President.

Uriarte is at large and believed hiding abroad. While the funds were transferred to the Office of the President, it was never proven that the former president profited from it.

All the other accused in the case were granted bail except for Arroyo who was considered a trophy prisoner for the vindictive then-President Benigno Aquino III. It was a long wait but relief came for the frail and sick former President, now a congresswoman from Pampanga.

But there’s a hitch to Arroyo’s immediate release: A last-minute effort by the Ombudsman to charge her with additional charges in connection with the same case plus the SC decision that still has to be distributed to all the 15 justices particularly to those who dissented in the case dismissal.

There’s speculation that Aquino’s vindictiveness has something to do with keeping Arroyo detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center..

Take Senator Leila de Lima, who said Arroyo’s acquittal was “unfortunate” and came at a time when the government was in the middle of an anti-corruption drive. De Lima should realize she’s now a senator of the Republic and no longer Aquino’s lackey. What if people called her election to the Senate as “unfortunate?”

She was, after all, as justice secretary, responsible for filing a weak case against Arroyo. This then prompted the high court to dismiss the case for insufficient evidence.

Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales is attempting to salvage 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

F R I D AY: J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

PENSEES

DEMURRER

FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO A HYPOTHETICAL admission of everything presented by the Prosecution, with the claim that even if all were admitted nothing would have been proved against the accused. There was no need to rebut, because there was nothing proved. The Sandiganbayan denied PGMA’s demurrer. The Supreme Court thought the Sandiganbayan had gravely abused its discretion in so denying it. The result is that PGMA is, as is only just, acquitted.

She should now forthwith be released. But as of this posting she is still in Veterans, because the release papers have not yet come. The dissenters, it seems, are taking their time about dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s.

There is something eerily familiar here. When the Supreme Court granted a TRO against the Ombudsman, Leila de Lima (for whom I have a particular fondness these days because of her vigilance) instructed immigration personnel to ignore the TRO and to prevent GMA from leaving for treatment. As if on cue, another case was filed to keep her detained—even if it was in the

form of a hospital arrest.

But it is significant that 11 of the 15 justices found merit in the demurrer—it means that they agree that she was kept behind bars for six years with really nothing in the hands of the prosecution against her. If this is not the definition of injustice, I now do not know what is.

I am glad for PGMA. She was demonized and pilloried.

But she was a brilliant woman, and many of the gains that were later to be claimed by unworthies who succeeded her were the fruit of what she sowed.

And something is amiss when she is threatened with another plunder charge just as she is packing her bags for her trip home! Then, it seems that it is no longer justice that is the issue here but something personal, something visceral. And one cannot but wonder what it was that must have triggered all the bile that oozes against her! It was not like she escaped by the skin of her teeth.

She walks, a free woman, by a very wide margin from her prosecutors. Stage 2 of the judicial proceedings against her would have been her de-

Courts deny the accused the right to bail, curtail their liberties severely, while they determine whether evidence against them is strong or not. How did that illogicality—and immorality—find its way into our legal system?

fense. We did not get that far. There was no need to go that far. It was like eleven justices telling the prosecution: “You really had nothing to go by!”...to which should be added: “And you should have known that!” Because it is one thing to be acquitted on the basis of a different appreciation of evidence by an appellate court, and quite another to walk away on the

basis of a granted demurrer.

In the first case there is what we can call “epistemological parity”: the trial court appreciates the evidence one way, the appellate court, another, but since the latter occupies a higher rung in the hierarchy of courts, the former yields, but one appreciation of facts is not necessarily better or “truer” than the other. In the case of PGMA, there was no epistemological parity. There is nothing there—except, probably, “probable cause.”

I think it is time we revisit the law on plunder which has its own share of oddities, not to say absurdity. Estrada v. Sandiganbayan (2001), through Mr. Justice Jose Bellosillo, authoritatively defined it. To commit plunder, you need “a series” or “a combination” of any of the criminal acts enumerated in the law. One act of malversing a hundred million pesos will not be plunder but simply malversation. For plunder you will need either a series—two or more acts of malversation—or a combination, say: one act of malversation and another act of direct bribery. Absurd, is it not? And it is under that law

that PGMA was denied her liberty—as are others even now—for six PNoy years!

Much besides it is a law that has lent itself to purposes of political vengeance and the convenient incarceration of one’s foes!

I also urge a revisit of the way the right to bail has been interpreted by our courts.

This is a reprise of what I wrote earlier. The only basis for the denial of bail is when one is charged with an offense punishable by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment AND when evidence of guilt is strong. Before the court, therefore, has ascertained that evidence of guilt is strong, there is no basis for the denial of bail. The current practice is unconstitutional, unjust and immoral: Courts deny the accused the right to bail, curtail their liberties severely, while they determine whether evidence against them is strong or not.

How did that illogicality— and immorality—find its way into our legal system?

Change must indeed come! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

TRIVIALIZING RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO THE accomplishments of the Social Security System are being published regularly by its officials in its web site to impress naive readers into thinking that they are constantly pursuing significant programs and projects.

In fact, most of these recent undertakings are trivial. They only distract them from pursuing the reason for being of SSS to provide adequate pensions.

For instance, only last July 18, they disclosed that they would soon be allowed to access PhilHealth’s database.

According to the press release, this would facilitate the processing of its members’ work-related claims for hemodialysis under the Employees’ Compensation Program.

After the 90-session PhilHealth coverage per year has been exhausted, SSS would resume paying using ECP’s benefits the P2,600-per-session cost of hemodialysis.

This is strange. In the first place, PhilHealth is supposed to have determined that 90 dialysis sessions were enough to meet a

patient’s needs. They are almost equivalent to having a dialysis twice a week for one whole year.

Moreover, the EC charter mandates that all actual, necessary and reasonable medical care and rehabilitation expenses of work-related illnesses and injuries are covered. PhilHealth should not shell out another peso of benefit for these contingencies because it would only twice compensate the provider for the same services.

Why must PhilHealth benefits be paid, and at that, ahead of EC benefits?

Indeed, if PhilHealth could share its database—without violating privacy laws—it might as well share its other data with SSS to support its more significant objectives.

It could share its data on maternity deliveries, disabilities, and selected illnesses to facilitate the payment by SSS of their counterpart cash benefits.

PhilHealth could also share the contribution and wage statistics of its employed, voluntary, self-employed, and overseas Filipino worker members.

With actual data, SSS could better plan how to increase its contribution base ceiling—now pegged at P16,000—considering that PhilHealth’s members con-

tribute based on a higher maximum salary of P35,000.

SSS officials have also announced of having “released P7.93 billion in salary loans to 385,000 members during the first quarter.” They had to launch again, however, another loan condonation program in order to “collect P5.1 billion in overdue loan principal and interest from about half a million delinquent borrowers.”

The salary loan program offers short-term relief to SSS members, but it clearly distracts its officials and employees from pursuing other major functions.

Not only are scarce personnel being diverted to administer it, the loans remain unpaid, or they give little returns that are not even enough to pay for the program’s administrative expenses.

SSS officials have forgotten— or perhaps they were not born yet—when for the same reasons its housing loan program was discontinued by President Cory Aquino 30 years ago.

Only last June 2, SSS bannered that it “disbursed a total of P13.15 million in annual incentive benefits to more than 40,000 qualified overseas Filipino workers enrolled in the SSS Flexi-fund Program, which is a provident fund created to en-

courage OFW-members to save up in order to supplement their retirement benefits under the regular SSS program.”

Impressive, but when scrutinized, these numbers reveal an insignificant AIB per OFW member of only P327. With total members’ equity of P532 million, our typical OFW has an equity of P13,228—the amount that awaits him if he returns today.

For a fund that was established 15 years ago in 2001, the SSS Flexi-fund Program despite being offered in 21 offices abroad had only attracted an insignificant 0.4 percent of our 10 million OFWs. SSS officials continued to open additional and bigger branches in saturated urban areas such as Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Biñan and Makati while its offices in the provinces have remained few and far between.

They have also announced that they collected P1.12 billion of contributions in Makati City and formally signed with Novaliches Development Cooperative “a joint commitment in establishing new channels for SSS payments and expanding the social protection of workers.”

Elsewhere, SSS lawyers have succeeded in getting court convictions against the president of

an advertising agency for failure to remit nearly P3 million in contributions, and the owner of a book-binding business in Lucena City for not keeping “true and accurate work records of new and separated employees.”

Indeed, SSS officials must have achieved successes in these trivial undertakings. Yet, they still couldn’t declare that these achievements would enable the agency to enhance its pensions someday.

These successes only give them an illusionary sense of accomplishment. In reality, they worsen the financial viability of SSS because they distract them from pursuing more significant projects.

For instance, why couldn’t they outline realistic options in the grant of that long-overdue P2,000 pension increase, which is again being revived in Congress?

Have they finished the project to restore lost contribution credits and adjust retroactively pensions? They committed its completion by December 31 last year. Have they moved it to September 1?

Where is its 2015 Annual Report? Is the summary of operations as of November 2015 the best that they could present in the SSS Facts and Figures brochure?

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ TUESDAY afternoon (July 19), former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was all set to leave her presidential suite at the Veterans Memorial Hospital where she had been in virtual solitary confinement since October 2012, crippled by a severe neck pain and a botched spinal cord operation.

Earlier, on national television, the Supreme Court spokesman had read the dispositive portion of the high court’s 11-4 decision dismissing the plunder criminal case against her filed before the Sandigan “for insufficiency of evidence” and ordering “the immediate release from detention of said petitioners (Gloria Arroyo and PCSO budget officer Benigno Aguas).”

Alas, as I was writing this column yesterday, before 5 p.m., Arroyo was still at the Veterans hospital awaiting the Sandiganbayan order for her release.

If there is one example of what the Constitution bans, which is “cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment,” it is the Arroyo case is.

First, with the filing of a flimsy case of plunder (a nonbailable offense) against her in 2012 by the then administration of President Benigno Simeon (BS) Cojuangco Aquino III, on the charge of alleged misuse of P366 mil-

Conchita’s...

PRESIDENT GLORIA ARROYO lion in “intelligence funds” of the state-run Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Plunder is if the accused amassed the money (in this case, PCSO’s P366 million) herself and used it for her personal benefit. Arroyo never received or used the money, which went to PCSO operation, which is charity.

The Commission on Audit certified to the proper use of the funds.

Second, by the Supreme Court itself delaying the release of its full decision exonerating Arroyo from the plunder case. The cause of delay?

Red tape, the bane of nearly all Filipinos below Arroyo’s level. The full SC decision acquitting the former president of plunder was issued only yesterday, at 1:20 p.m.

It had to be physically transmitted, 15 kilometers from west to east of Metro Manila (where afternoon traffic is 5 kilometers per hour), to the Sandiganbayan which also has its own set of procedures (meaning more red tape), and then to the Camp Crame headquarters of the Philippine National Police, whose members guard Arroyo, and PNP has its own command structure and set of procedures (which means even more red tape). From PNP Camp Crame, the order of release was to be transmitted in the middle of 5 p.m. traffic to Veterans. Wow! Jesus Christ reached Golgotha faster than that because he died at 3 p.m.

on just one Good Friday.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has identified two major enemies of his administration—illegal drugs and red tape. Plus corruption (but that is another issue). Two to 10 people, alleged drug users, are killed daily, by the PNP, without proper procedures (called due process).

But I haven’t heard of anyone being murdered for red tape (I guess it requires due process, which means again, red tape). Even if he wants to, I don’t think Duterte, a lawyer, can order the murder of members of the Judiciary. Separation of powers, you know. Duterte also said in his inaugural, addressing the two other branches of the government, “Mind your work and I will mind mine.”

The tribunal’s Arroyo acquittal decision shamed two institutions—the Ombudsman, in the person of Conchita Carpio-Morales, and the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan. The SC ruling showed they were incompetent and apparently didn’t know the law. That is why Arroyo’s lawyers, led by the aging but still sharp Estelito Mendoza, filed a case, last year, of demurrer to evidence. It meant the evidence was weak.

During Mrs. Arroyo’s nearly four-year imprisonment at Veterans, I was lucky to have been allowed to visit her once, last year. At the entrance to her hospital room, you are frisked and told to

Supreme... From A9

From A9

your judgment—and your sense of shame—may already have been damaged irreparably. *** A group calling itself the Vocal Majority has made a plea for donors and sponsors on Facebook for an event at Edsa that it intends to launch “soon.” Apparently, the group’s name is intended to reference the “silent majority” that was supposed to propel Mar Roxas to the presidency, but which failed miserably in the attempt.

“Don’t allow the death of democracy,” the group said in its request for money. “Cut off the horns while they are still short!”

Democracy’s death, of course, refers to the ascent of President Rodrigo Duterte, who, in all likelihood, also possesses the horns that need to cut. And Edsa, the traffic-choked main circumferential highway of Metro Manila, has been shorthand since 1986 for the Yellow political cult of the Aquino family.

Wasn’t it just two months ago when the Yellows were the most powerful, most well-funded political organization in the land? How can they go so low as to seek donations for an antigovernment rally whose date they can’t even announce until they’ve raised some cash?

#FAILOCRACY

surrender your cellphone and camera (if any). As I sauntered into her sala, I saw Mrs. Arroyo seated on a sofa. She greeted me warmly, although she could not stand up. She had a neck brace. She warned me not to conduct an interview nor to take pictures.

She told me she is denied the use of cellphones, laptop or desktop computer. She is not even allowed to watch television. Former Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera says during her stay at the hospital, Mrs. Arroyo was not allowed to go to the chapel, to hear Mass. Still, during the two hours I spent with the former president, she was calm, in high spirits and not at all bitter.

Why was Mrs. Arroyo imprisoned? What does BS Aquino III hate her so much?

“The animosity stemmed mostly from Arroyo’s refusal to back Cory Aquino’s crooked formula for shielding Hacienda Luisita from agrarian reform—the infamous stock distribution option [SDO],” volunteers pundit Yen Makabenta, Manila Times columnist.

Yen wrote in his column yesterday: “When BS Aquino was installed in turn in the presidency in 2010, he fantasized that it was payback time against Arroyo. He started by orchestrating successfully the impeachment of thenSupreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who had to

I’m almost certain that this Vocal Majority isn’t sanctioned by the fat-cat Yellows who have plagued this country and warped its politics for three decades now. This operation looks way too cheap, even for them.

If the Yellows really wanted to show their displeasure at Duterte’s administration, they’d be led by the usual suspects, who’d have enough funding from the same crony businessmen who’ve been supporting them all these years, thank you very much. And for now, while Duterte is enjoying 91-percent popularity ratings across all age, economic and geographical categories, I don’t think these forces will attempt anything.

If the Yellows are really planning something, they will certainly reprise their successful removal of Joseph Estrada in early 2001 or their almost-successful ouster of Gloria Arroyo in 2004.

And they can’t do that right now when their usual businessmen-backers and politician-hitmen are still trying to curry favor with the wildly popular Digong.

Asking for donations on FB is so unclassy for the real, “decent” Yellows. Besides, they need to see first if they can make money off Duterte before work-

ing for his removal.

weak case her office filed with the Sandiganbayan. It is doubtful the Supreme Court will reverse its ruling but could due course to another case if it finds merit in the new evidence to be presented by the state.

Then, there’s wild speculation that the Arroyo case was dismissed as soon as the Duterte administration took over.

There’s no direct link between Arroyo and Duterte. The real reason this case dragged on was because Aquino wanted Arroyo detained even if the evidence against her was weak. This was a deprivation of Arroyo’s human right for a speedy trial. Even a United Nations body condemned her detention.

One’s mobility is limited when confined to a small hospital room. It is just as bad being incarcerated in a regular prison cell. Even if Arroyo has not been convicted, her confinement at the VMMC is time lost and can be considered as time served if convicted. But because the case was dismissed, this is precious time lost without compensation. This was the cruel treatment she got from BS Aquino. This is time that could have been spent for Mrs. Arroyo to get treatment from medical experts abroad for her deteriorating spinal col-

be removed for any assault on Arroyo to succeed.”

“Aquino’s vindictiveness—which sometimes took comical turns by incessantly blaming Arroyo for his administration’s shortcomings, and grabbing credit for the achievements of Arroyo as President—was always about Hacienda Luisita.”

I have covered presidents from Dadong Macapagal to Digong Duterte. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is one of the brightest, most pro-people, and one of our best presidents. In her last year in office, she scored the highest growth rate for the economy, 8.2 percent on an annual basis. She even scored an 8.9-percent quarterly GDP growth (second quarter 2009), the highest ever.

By the end of her nineyear presidency, the second longest for a Philippine president, Arroyo had increased tax revenue, modernized the economy with heavy infra spending, tripled the per capita income of the Filipino, saved the economy from recession twice, and made it one of the world’s most resilient, dynamic and fastest growing. Her record of 38 quarters of consecutive growth is unprecedented.

During her time, she coped with the most hostile constituency and media ever faced by a president. Thanks to the Yellow Propaganda Machine. biznewsasia@gmail.com

umn ailment.

There is a saying that what goes around comes around. It will be Noynoy Aquino’s turn to face justice when the slew of corruption charges in connection with his illegal use of the Disbursement Acceleration Program funds are proven. Facing the same charges are his Budget Secretary Florencio Abad who concocted the DAP that was used to bribe senators for the conviction and ouster of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Arroyo, now Pampanga representaCHONG ARDIVILLA tive, is not a flight risk. She is known worldwide as a former president. Why not let her seek medical treatment abroad? Once she is cured and is in healthier condition, she could face the additional case.

Meanwhile, Pulse Asia, in a lavish recent poll conducted in the first two weeks of July, gave President Duterte a 90-percent trust rating. Isn’t this survey too early to determine the people’s true sentiment ? Pulse Asia should have waited at least three months for the Duterte presidency before making a conclusion on how much people trust him.

The spate of killings of suspects in the illegal drugs campaign is raising some eyebrows among human rights groups including the United Nations.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Fitness technology using Samsung gears

By Peter Paul Duran

Samsung on Wednesday launched the Gear Fit2 and the Gear Icon X at the Manila Polo Club. Spearheading the launch were (from left) Bella Concepcion, Marketing Lead for Tablets Wearables and Accessories; Adriene Rivera, Category Head for Tablets, Wearables and Accessories; Coach Toni Saret; Coach Jim Saret; and Nio Judalena, Marketing Head for Mobile Communications and Business. MAXINE LAGMAN

Monfils, Isner win; Wozniacki out WASHINGTON—US top seed John Isner and French second seed Gael Monfils cruised into the third round of the ATP and WTA Washington Open on Wednesday but former world number one Caroline Wozniacki dropped out due to injury while leading.

Isner, coming off heartbreaking Wimbledon and Davis Cup defeats, fired 14 aces and dropped only three points on his first serve in a 6-3, 6-4 romp over Australian qualifier James Duckworth.

Flamboyant Monfils, who had lost three matches in a row after suffering a mystery illness, fired 10 aces and lost only two points on his first serves in a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun.

Wozniacki, a two-time US Open runner-up from Denmark, was leading 7-5, 3-4, when a left arm injury forced her to retire from her second-round match against Aussie top seed Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open winner. AFP

SAMSUNG once again stamped its authority in innovation and technology, as the tech giant, known for leading the world’s smartphone industry, has ventured in a growing market: Fitness Technology.

The global brand launched the Samsung Gear Fit2 and the Gear Icon X, a sports band and cord-free fitness earbuds duo at the Manila Polo Club on Wednesday.

“With these two devices, people can basically unleash themselves from distractions and limitations for them to really reach their potential and fitness goals,” said Nio Judalena, Samsung Marketing Head for IT and Mobile.

The company also sees that the newly unveiled products aren’t exclusive for hardcore

“fitness animals” only, assuring that the accessories are also friendly to beginners.

“The devices are powerful enough for very advanced users, but it’s also good for beginners. So if you’re a beginner, seeing your progress and being able to track it works as a motivator for you to do exercises more regularly,” added Judalena.

The Samsung Gear Fit2, a GPS sports band, promises a bulk-free and advanced fitness experience. With its standalone tracking capabilities, it monitors location, burned calories, distance, speed, route, time, hours of sleep, as well as stress levels on top of having 4GB of storage. It also boasts of a Super AMOLED display with a Social Challenge capability that lets users compare and outdo their workout records.

Mexico hosts Suns vs Spurs, Mavs in January NEW YORK—Phoenix will face the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks next January at Mexico City, the NBA announced Wednesday after booking two regular-season games in Mexico for the first time.

“We’ve been playing NBA games in Mexico for 25 years and we’re thrilled that for the first time we are bringing two regular-season games to Mexico City,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

The Suns, featuring 13-year NBA veteran guard Leandro Barbosa of Brazil, will face Dallas on January 12 and the Spurs two nights later at Mexico City Arena.

The Mavericks feature Ger-

man star forward Dirk Nowitzki and Puerto Rico’s J.J. Barea while the Spurs atre sparked by NBA All-Stars Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.

“We are thrilled to be playing in Mexico City,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. “It’s great for the Mavs, the NBA and a great way to tear down walls and barriers between our countries.”

The NBA will have staged 24 games in Mexico since 1992 after the latest two matchups, the most

staged outside any nation other than the United States and Canada.

“It’s an honor to make history alongside the NBA and call Mexico City a second home of the Suns this season,” Suns president Jason Rowley said. “We’re extremely proud to represent the NBA as it continues to grow the game internationally.”

“We’re honored to be part of this trip and look forward to seeing all of our great fans in Mexico City,” added Spurs president R.C. Buford.

Meanwhile, NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s trip to Paris to provide a public relations boost to the growing popularity of street basketball was cancelled Wednesday in the wake of security fears following the Nice massacre.

Organizers of the July 23-24 streetball tournament -- a slimmed-

down, three-player version of basketball -- was scheduled to take place in the southeast of Paris.

Bryant had been due to attend the two-day tournament, seen as a key shop window for a sport which has Olympic aspirations.

“We are saddened by the announcement of the Paris Prefecture of Police while the mayor’s office of Paris had approved the staging of the event where security had been strengthened in the current context,” said a spokesman for the organisers Quai 54.

“While in total solidarity with the national grief following the events of Nice, Quai 54 however deplores the cancellation of an event that has been bringing youngsters together for 13 years.”

AFP

UST Tigress Angeles roars loud, proud

By Maxine Lagman AS THE only girl in the crowd, University of Santo Tomas Tigress Jhenn Angeles made sure that gender does not matter when it comes to basketball during the Gatorade Training with Dee Brown and Brandon Knight, Tuesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center.

As part of the NBA Fit Week, Angeles was privileged to be part of the chosen elite basketball players coached by former NBA player Brown and Phoenix Suns’ Knight.

Before entering the court, Angeles confessed that she was nervous and thought about leaving. She faced a room full of tall, muscular basketball players – all men, including UAAP standouts Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Von Pessumal and Chris Javier.

“Pagpasok palang sa court, grabe.

Sobrang nakakahiya na ayaw ko na sanang pumasok kasi puro lalaki. Pero siyempre, tumuloy din ako, kasi love ko talaga ‘yung basketball,” Angeles said.

Angeles started playing basketball at a young age, with her father and uncle, who were basketball players. They were her inspirations for pursuing the sport.

With great dedication, she was then picked for the UST Women’s Basketball Team and has been playing since 2012.

The point guard led her team win the PCABL championship last year.

She is consistently part of the team’s first five, training hard to hopefully bring another championship in the UAAP games in September.

“Kailangan active ka talaga. Dapat seryoso ka sa ginagawa mo and kailan-

gan gawin mo talaga ‘yung best every training para pagdating sa game, maexecute mo ‘yung game play ng maayos,” she said.

Despite a recent ACL injury operated in March, Angeles leveled up her game during the Gatorade training session with correct executions of the drills and exercises and showing off to the boys that she could run, dribble and shoot three points just like they do.

“Just keep working hard and be better every day,” she said.

With great passion and love for basketball, injuries and gender will not hinder her from being one of the best female basketball players in the country.

And who knows? She might even reach her dream of becoming a WNBA player someday.

UST Tigress Jhenn Angeles

MAXINE LAGMAN

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

IOC weighs Russia fate

Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (right) rides ahead of Colombia’s Nairo Quintana during the 184,5 km seventeenth stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Berne and FinhautEmosson. AFP

LAUSANNE—The Court of Arbitration for Sport is to rule Thursday on an appeal by 68 Russian athletes barred from the Rio Games in a test case, as the IOC debates a blanket ban on Russia over its state-run doping.

The International Olympic Committee decided on Tuesday to wait until after the CAS ruling before deciding whether to hit Russia with a total ban from the Rio Games, which begin in barely two weeks.

The IOC, which said it needed to study all “legal options” before punishing Russia for rampant doping, has now signalled it will take every day possible in agonising over one of the most important decisions in Olympic history.

Despite the pressure growing on the IOC to act and time running down fast, Olympic bosses said on Wednesday it would take up to a week to decide whether to ban all Russian

Froome’s dominance makes tour predictable FINHAUT-EMOSSON—French sports newspaper l’Equipe ran a headline before Wednesday’s 17th stage of the Tour de France, saying: “At last the Alps”.

The inference was that the Alps would finally kick some life into a Tour that was becoming increasingly predictable and uneventful.

As it happened, the Alps brought nothing new or exciting to the three-week race which seems to be as good as decided -- Chris Froome has a third Tour crown all but wrapped up.

Briton Adam Yates said as much after the 184.5km stage through the Swiss Alps.

“Obviously Froome is pretty strong. In my opinion, he’ll be on the top spot of the podium in Paris,” said the 23-year-old Briton.

For the rider lying third overall at 2min 53sec to say that with three tough Alpine stages to come spoke volumes about how Froome and his Sky team have strangled the life out of

this year’s race.

Froome boasted before the Grand Boucle began that Sky had cobbled together their “strongest Tour team yet”.

And it proved to be anything but bravado, even his assertions that many of his team-mates would be team leaders elsewhere.

When the group of favorites reached Wednesday’s final climb, Froome was surrounded by five team-mates, hardly anyone else had more than one, and most of them not even that.

Once the climb reached its steepest and toughest slopes, Froome still had Wouter Poels and Mikel Nieve setting a tempo the other rivals were simply finding hard to follow.

Ireland’s Dan Martin did try to break away, but was soon brought back.

Richie Porte launched the one successful dig which Nairo Quintana tried to follow, but couldn’t.

In the end it was Froome who set off after Porte, caught him easily, and then rode in the Australian’s wheel to the line.

There was a feeling that he could have gone past him if he wanted to, but as Froome said afterwards: “It wasn’t possible to go much faster there.

“Richie seemed to be doing just fine on his own; tactically for me there was no real need to get on the front and start pulling in the final.”

With Quintana, who despite sitting fourth remains in almost everyone’s mind Froome’s biggest rival, falling away, there certainly was no need to push harder with three more days in the Alps to come.

- ‘Anything can happen’ -

Smart taekwondo lures 2,000 jins AROUND 2,000 athletes will vie for honors in the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Championships slated on July 23-24 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

According to Organizing Committee Chairman Grand Master Sung Chon Hong, participants will come from PTA chapters from 12 regions, ARMM, CAR, CARAGA and NCR as well as those from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

Male and female fighters in the Advance and Novice categories in the senior, junior, Cadet and gradeschool divisions will

be featured in the two-day event sponsored by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Tourism Promotion Board Philippines and Marriott Hotel Manila.

Some of the participating teams are Central Gymnasium, De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde, Ateneo, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, University of the East, Far Eastern University, LSGH, San Beda College, DPS, DLSZ, Las Pinas, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army.

Members of the Philippine team will also see action for

their respective mother squads.

The tournament will utilize the sport’s officiating system —PSS (Protective Scoring System), ESS (Electronic Scoring System) and Daedo PSS, IVR (Instant Video Review) – to eliminate human error and ensure fair results.

Elimination will start at 9 a.m. on July 23 but the opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. with the Philippine Demonstration Team displaying its wares.

Martial arts enthusiasts, sports aficionados and children who are interested to learn the sport are invited to watch the event.

With Thursday’s uphill timetrial next, the general feeling is that Froome still has time to gain on his rivals rather than lose.

Quintana initially suggested that he hadn’t given up hope, despite admitting it “wasn’t a good day”.

“I need to recover and get my body back to its natural state, as happened in other races.

Anything can happen between here and Paris,” he said defiantly, before suggesting his day would have to come some other time.

“I have a long time left. I’m 26 and I have very experienced people behind me. I have a lot of time left to keep fighting,” he said.

Having seemingly been most worried about Quintana until now, Froome did suggest he thought that boat had sailed.

“It’s been a difficult Tour for Nairo. Of course he’s still a great rival and a big challenger for me, but he lost more time (on Wednesday). AFP

competitors from the Games.

The CAS ruling though could go a long way towards deciding what the IOC does with Russia, whose doping programme was laid bare in a report this week detailing how urine samples of doping Russian athletes were swapped at the Sochi 2014 Olympics through a hole in a wall.

The IOC has banned Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko -- a long-time ally of President Vladimir Putin -- and all other ministry officials from the Rio Games and withdrawn backing for international events in Russia in reaction to the revelations.

Despite all the uncertainty and calls from some rival countries for Russia to be banned en masse from Rio, its Olympic committee pressed on with its preparations, approving a 387-strong team to compete in the Games starting on August 5.

AFP

Hamilton faces sweaty F1 battle BUDAPEST—Defending champion Lewis Hamilton faces a demanding and sweaty battle with his championship-leading Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and a potentially-rampant Red Bull team as he seeks a decisive victory at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 31-year-old Briton, who is also aiming to complete a hat-trick of successive wins after triumphs in Austria and his home British event, can overhaul Rosberg’s one-point lead in the title race with his first win in Hungary since 2013.

But he knows that the tight, twisting and, often, swelteringly hot Hungaroring circuit has not been kind to him, or Mercedes, in recent years as he bids for a record fifth success.

He currently shares the record for most wins at the track with seventime champion Michael Schumacher.

Both have won four times.

“The past couple of years, I haven’t had the smoothest of weekends at Budapest,” said Hamilton whose last win in Hungary was in 2013. “But I know I’ve got the pace, so I’m gunning to turn that around this time.

AFP

Lyceum of the Philippines’ Christine Permejo, one of the participants in the prestigious tournament, tries to hit her opponent in a recent event, UE’s Karen Celis, with an axe kick.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Nietes honored with statue

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

DONNIE Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, has been honored by the people in his hometown of Murcia, Negros Occidental with a brass statue.

The statue was erected at the Municipal Hall of Nietes’ hometown of Murcia under the auspices of Mayor Andrew Montelibano and the municipal council.

It is regarded as a fitting tribute to one of the Philippines’ all-time greats who earlier this year surpassed the record of the late, great Hall of Famer Gabriel ‘Flash” Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven years, three months and 10 days. Like Nietes, Elorde never shunned a challenge and fought the best in his weight division.

Nietes has gone undefeated for more than a decade. His only loss on record is a seriously questionable split deDonnie Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, stands proudly in front of a brass statue put up in his honor by the people in his hometown of cision to Indonesia’s Angky Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Angkota in Jakarta which even the Indonesian promoter admitted was a bum decision and that Nietes really won that fight which was held at the RTCI Studios in JakarTHE Philippines settled for a fourth- semifinals the day before, the FiliPhl team manager Peter Cayco The Phl, which is composed of the ta on September 28, 2004. place finish after losing to Indonesia, pinas fell short again and lost the said he is proud of the team’s accom- best 19-and-under players headed Nietes has a record of 3812-25, 21-25, 17-25, in the battle for Indonesians that sent the former plishment considering that the team by emerging National U setter Jas1-4 with 22 knockouts and mine Nabor, started the tournament the bronze medal Wednesday night settling for a No. 4 finish out of eight was recently formed. is scheduled to defend his in the 19th Princess Cup Southeast participants.

“It’s not that bad finishing in with victories over New Zealand, title against mandatory chalAsian Women’s Under-19 ChampiSalvaging some measure of pride the upper half of the standings 25-23, 25-13, 17-25, 25-17, and Sinlenger Moises Fuentes at the onship in Sisaket, Thailand. was Kathleen Arado, a University of considering that this is a young gapore, 25-9, 25-14, 25-23, but lost to StubHub Center in Carson After getting defeated by Viet- the East standout was adjudged the team and we have little time to eventual chamion Thailand, 14-25, City, California on Septemprepare,” said Cayco.

23-25, 16-25, in the group stages. nam, 14-25, 16-25, 18-25, in the best libero in the tournament. ber 24 although Nietes wants to move up in weight and challenge WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada instead. Nietes had previously scored a devastating 9th round knockout of Fuentes in their last title ARELLANO University, Centro Escolar University-A and Coshowdown at the Mall of Asia legio San Benildo prevailed over their rivals at the start of the Arena along Manila Bay. 14th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament last Murcia is a first class muweekend at the Arellano University gym in Legarda, Manila. nicipality of Negros OcciClifford Cahigas made 19 point and led three others in scordental with a population of ing double digits for the Arellano University Chiefs, who beat 81,286 people. The fast-growthe CEU-B Scorpions, 65-56, in their own home court. ing town has become the Orlan Wamar fired 15 points and Gills Oloume chipped in 12 growth center in the region points for the CEU-B Scorpions in their 66-54 subduing of Far especially for residential deEastern University. velopment.

Gelo Bernas topscored for 19 points as the San Benildo BlazIt remains traffic and poling Wolves downed the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, lution free and boasts of an 66-54. abundant water and power The Chiefs, with Ivan Pineda chipping in 11 points, turned supply. Murcia has transthe tables on the Scorpions in the fourth period, and after overformed from a predomicoming a 41-46 deficit in the third. nantly agricultural town to A total of 31 school teams have officially joined in the senior an economic zone due to the and junior divisions in this three-monthlong cagefest. efforts of the local governThere are now 14 college teams, and 17 high school squads ment which has built road which have pushed through with their participation to chief ornetworks, bridges and other ganizer Edmundo “Ato” Badolato and commissioner Robert de infrastructure projects conla Rosa. necting Murcia to Negros’ Listed in Group A of the senior division are Adamson Unicapital city, Bacolod. versity, Arellano, San Sebastian College, Jose Rizal University, The province hopes to repCEU-B, St. Michael and Diliman Preparatory School. licate the industrialization There’s FEU in Group B with San Beda, Letran, University boom in Metro Manila, Laof Perpetual Help-Cavite, CEU-A and Colegio San AgustinArellano cager Archie Concepcion (2) protects the basketball against a Centro Escolar guna, Cavite and Subic areas.

Binan, and Mary the Queen College-Pampanga.

University defender.

PH places fourth in Princess Cup volleyball

14th Fr. Martin Cup reels off

F R I D AY : J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2EZ200-00

WBC recalls Elorde’s win over Saddler

By Ronnie Nathanielsz THE World Boxing Council recalled the epic victory of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde over world featherweight champion Sandy Saddler on July 20, 1955 in Manila.

The WBC said “The Filipino idol and one of the greatest fighters his country (Philippines) ever produced, southpaw Gabriel “Flash” Elorde defeated lanky American Sandy Saddler, the world featherweight champion by unanimous decision in ten rounds in a non-title bout.

The memorable action took place at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The WBC recalled that “the event was presented by flamboyant promoter Lope Sarreal. The third man in that ring was Jack Sullivan.”

One can never forget the epic battle between Elorde and American Sandy Saddler which even the World Boxing Council recalled in its daily flashback.

That night Elorde stunned the boxing world when he outpointed the world featherweight champion Saddler in a ten-round, non title fight.

It was a fight etched in the memories of many for the sheer gallantry of Elorde against a veteran world champion who was regarded by most as one of the dirtiest boxers in the business.

The late renowned journalist Teddy Benigno didn’t give Elorde a chance against Saddler. When it was over Benigno, in his usual masterful fashion, wrote, “with his legs almost shot from under him … his face a rucksack of welts, cuts and bruises … his eyes mere slits … Elorde would pull that courage from some inner, invisible scabbard and turn the tide.”

Elorde won on the scorecards of all three judges. Referee Jack Sullivan gave Elorde eight rounds and Saddler only one while the two other judges had Elorde ahead by seven rounds to three and eight rounds to two.

Meanwhile, another Filipino boxer, Rex Wa-o suffered a 1st round knockout in a title bout against Orient Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto of Japan at the Edion Arena in Osaka.

The power-punching Yamamoto dropped Wa-o, who was ranked No. 12 by the OPBF, early in the opening round with a solid right to the midsection. The Filipino beat the count and charged after the champion whose defense was impeccable.

Wa-o had to shed seven pounds to make the eight at the official weighin and was clearly weakened by the ordeal.

Secure beach. Brazilian marines disembark on Flamengo Beach, near the site that will host the sailing competitions of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, during a drill in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

JRU Heavy Bombers slip past EAC Generals

By Peter Atencio

TEYTEY Teodoro scored on a hurried drive in the last 5.3 seconds that almost rimmed out. But Teodoro got lucky as his hasty attempt after slipping past harassing defender Francis Munsayac went in.

Coach Vergel Menseses heaved a sigh of relief as the ball rolled in after Teodoro’s move to lift the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to a 60-59 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

With their second win in five games, the Heavy Bombers moved up to fifth spot in the standings of the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

Games Today (at the Arena in San Juan) 12 nn Letran vs UPHSD 2 p.m. Mapua vs San Sebastian 4 p.m. San Beda vs Arellano Meanwhile, rookie Adrian Alban shot a game-high 21 points for the Lyceum Pirates, who posted their second triumph in five games at the expense of the winless College of St. Benilde Blazers, 75-58.

The Pirates took charge early with a 17-7 edge in the first pe-

riod, and posted a comfortable 33-23 spread at halft ime.

The 5’8” Teodoro drilled 21 points and attacked the hoop as JRU forced 11 lead changes throughout the game.

“Palabas pa nga tira niya.

Buti na lang at pumasok,” said Meneses.

The Generals, who tote a 1-4 win-loss record, drew big numbers from Sidney Onwuberre, who provided JRU a lot of problems with double-double output of 18 points and 19 rebounds.

And so did Hamadou Laminou, who had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

The Generals, who are down at the bottom of the standings at 1-4, were on top with 11.1 ticks left after Munsayac connected off a pass by Onwuberre.

In the junior division, the Lyceum Junior Pirates got 16 points each from McLaude Guadana and Chester Jungco as they brought down La Salle Greenhills, 82-77.

Guadana’s two charities in the last 17.9 seconds allowed the Junior Pirates to move away decisively, 80-77, and gave them their third triumph in six games.

“We really wanted this win.

We want to be in the top four,” said Junior Pirates coach LA Mumar after they gained a share of fourth with the Letran Squires, the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas and the Greenies.

Toby Agustin shot 26 points for the JRU Light Bombers(2-3), who waylaid EAC-ICA, 85-67.

PH-Mighty Sports leaves today for Jones Cup PHILIPPINE representative Mighty Sports Apparel leaves for Taipei, Taiwan today with its seven imports ready and confident to wage war against the best clubs of the region in the 38th William Jones Cup which starts on Sunday.

Korean Basketball League (KBL) veterans Dewarick Spencer and Troy Gillenwater said they are all committed to play for Mighty Sports, even promising to give their all so as not to disappoint Filipino basketball fans.

“We are committed to play for Mighty Sports and we will give our best shot each game,” said Spencer. “We know how passionate Filipino fans are when it comes to

basketball. We’ll do our best not to disappointment them.”

Gillenwater echoed Spencer’s enthusiasm, saying all they need is just a little time to jell for their game against the Taiwanese on Sunday.

“If we can find the chemistry early then we will have a good chance of winning the championship,” said Gillenwater, who averaged 26 points and nine rebounds for Changwon LG Sakers in the KBL. Other imports of the team backed by Scratch It Pera-Pera Agad-Agad! and Symarom are Al Thornton, Vernon Macklin, Zach Graham, Michael Singletary, and Hamadi N’Diaye. All have played in the PBA.

The locals are Jeric Teng, TY Tang, Sunday Salvacion, Larry Rodriguez, Edrick Ferrer and Fil-Am Jason Brickman.

Mighty Sports coach Bo Perasol’s main concern is how to balance their playing time and who will be the team’s take charge guy.

“Our mission is to win as many games as we can so we’ll do what is best for the team,” said Perasol.

Parasol will be assisted by Charles Tiu and Mike Fermin with Jean Alabanza acting as team manager. Heading the delegation is Dr. John Sy. Aside from the Iranians and Taiwanese, the Mighty Sports dribblers will also face the national teams of Japan and Egypt.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

F R I D AY : J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 6

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Beermen face Road Warriors

By Jeric Lopez

DEFENDING champion San Miguel Beermen and the NLEX Road Warriors battle each other to see which team remains unbeaten and gains a piece of the early lead in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum): 4:15 p.m. - San Miguel vs. NLEX 7 p.m. - Star vs. Blackwater

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo spins past Phoenix Petroleum defender Norbert Torres. Fajardo will lead SMB against the NLEX Road Warriors when they battle for a share of early leadership in the 2016 PBA Governors Cup.

After they both won their openers, the Beermen and the Road Warriors shoot for a second straight victory when their paths meet at 4:15 p.m. to open today’s twin bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Following that clash will be a battle between the Star Hotshots and the Blackwater Elite at 7 p.m. Both teams are looking for their first win of the tournament after losing their initial assignments.

The victor between San Miguel and NLEX will join the Meralco Bolts and unlikely coleader Mahindra Enforcers. Both hold 2-0 records and are at the top of the heap.

“It’s important for us to have a good start.

We cannot afford to relax. Every team is competitive,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria. “We have a title to defend and we need to keep playing hard.”

“We have to start strong and match their intensity,” said Road Warriors coach Boyet Fernandez on their match-up against San Miguel Beer. The Road Warriors, with prolific import Henry Walker, are equally formidable.

Despite a depleted line-up due to injuries, the Beermen were still able to show why they are the defending champion. They withstood a tough challenge from the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters to post a hard-earned 124-113 victory last Sunday.

In that game, Arizona Reid showcased his entire offensive repertoire by scoring 41 points to tow the Beermen to triumph even though the team missed the services of Arwind Santos, Gabby Espinas, Chris Lutz and Yancy De Ocampo. All four players are all currently out with various injuries.

The four are expected to continue sitting out more games as they recuperate.

Like San Miguel Beer, NLEX was likewise impressive in its debut.

Behind Walker’s conference-high 44 points, the Road Warriors turned back Blackwater, 96-90, last Saturday to earn their first win decisively.

The Hotshots and the Elite both want to post wins early in the elimination round.

This tiff against each other is vital in such a short conference format.

While the Elite lost to NLEX, Star dropped a tough 100-92 decision to Mahindra in overtime last week.

Falling to 0-2 and joining the teams at the bottom of the standings is certainly not on the wish list of either team.

B1

FRIDAY: JULY 22, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Outstanding BSP partner. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas recognizes the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund, which is managed

by Development Bank of the Philippines, as outstanding credit surety fund program partner during the 2016 annual awards ceremony and appreciation lunch for BSP stakeholders on July 13, 2016. Shown are from left Monetary Board member Valentin Araneta, IGLF corporate secretary/ DBP senior vice president Lutgarda Baquiran-Peralta, IGLF chief executive and DBP executive vice president Benel Lagua and BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr.

SEC orders Ongpin out, imposes P174-m penalty

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it ordered the disqualification of former trade minister Roberto Ongpin from the board of any publicly listed company for allegedly committing insider trading in the sale of Philex Mining shares in 2009.

The SEC en banc also ordered Ongpin to pay a fine of P174 million, or P1 million each from alleged 174 counts of insider trading, based on Section 54.1 of the Securities regulation Code.

The amount was higher than the P17.4-million fine recommended by SEC’s enforcement and investor protection department.

The SEC said the decision to impose the maximum penalty would quell if not totally eliminate insider trading and other fraudulent manipulative devices and practices which create distortions in the free market. It said a minimum penalty would send the wrong signal to the public that administrative penalties was not sufficient to quell fraudulent market activities.

Ongpin said in his response he did not commit any insider trading. Ongpin also appealed EIPD’s decision finding him liable for committing 174 counts of insider trading.

With the en banc decision, the SEC ordered Ongpin to relinquish or resign from any or all positions he was holding as officer, member of the board of directors, or any similar func-

tions in a public company or publicly listed company.

Ongpin currently sits as chairman of two listed companies, including PhilWeb Corp. and Atok Big Wedge Inc. “The imposition of the foregoing penalties [P174 million] is without prejudice to further investigation and the imposition of additional penalties by the commission, for any additional purchases of the unaccounted 17,982,250 Philex shares on the morning of 2 December 2009 by appellant,” SEC said in an order dated July 8, 2016.

The SEC investigation showed that during the week of Nov. 24, 2009, businessman Manuel Pangilinan representing the First Pacific Group and Ongpin entered into negotiations with respect to the possible purchase by the First Pacific group of Philex shares from the latter.

Govt rejects bid to lift China oil exploration ban

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department rejected the request of Philex Petroleum Corp. to lift the moratorium on service contract 72 and SC 75 following the recent favorable ruling of the international tribunal in The Netherlands over the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China.

“The moratorium stays. We’re exploring ways to resolve the conflict peacefully and we follow the lead of the president,” Energy spokesman Felix William Fuentebella told reporters.

Fuentebella said the moratorium also stays in other service

contract areas covered by the territorial dispute.

Philex Petroleum, the oil and gas subsidiary of Philex Mining Corp., said Wednesday it sent a letter to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi requesting for a meeting to discuss the forward plans in the service contracts of the company and subsidiary Forum Energy plc. in view of the UN Arbitral Tribunal’s decision.

Exploration activities were suspended in the service contracts of Philex Petroleum in December 2014 and Forum Energy in 2015, because of the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China.

SC 72 covers an 8,800-squarekilometer area west off Palawan and is estimated to contain prospective resources of as much as 16.6 trillion cubic feet of gas and 416 million barrels of oil.

Philex Petroleum controls majority of Forum Energy, which owns a 70-percent stake in SC 72, viewed as rich in petroleum reserves located at the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. Cusi earlier said the department could not immediately lift the moratorium over exploratory drillings in the West Philippine Sea because the government needed time to study the decision.

“Not so fast. We still need to study the decision and its implications,” Cusi said.

“We will still be evaluating what would be our actions in relation to the decision,” the energy chief said.

Cusi said the Foreign Affairs Department together with other government agencies concerned would thoroughly study the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the arbitration proceedings initiated by the Philippines with regard to maritime entitlements in the South China Sea.

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 21, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

8,102.30 50.33

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing July 21, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.070

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P47.060 LOW P47.220 AVERAGE P47.163 VOLUME 706.100M

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

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, July 21, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.0640

Japan

Yen

0.009362

0.4406

UK

Pound

1.321200

62.1810

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128947

6.0688

Switzerland

Franc

1.013274

47.6887

Canada

Dollar

0.765931

36.0478

Singapore

Dollar

0.737463

34.7080

Australia

Dollar

0.747700

35.1898

Bahrain

Dinar

2.650903

124.7621

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266638

12.5491

Brunei

Dollar

0.734754

34.5805

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028616

1.3468

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8149

Euro

Euro

1.101700

51.8504

Korea

Won

0.000875

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.149712

7.0460

India

Rupee

0.014891

0.7008

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.248509

11.6958

New Zealand

Dollar

0.702500

33.0625

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031204

1.4686 Source: PDS Bridge

FRIDAY: JULY 22, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Thursday, July 21, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 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 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32

20.6 125 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 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 62.5 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 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 170 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 7.1 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.6 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.95 3.66 47.4 47 115.80 114.50 99.50 98.90 38.1 37.95 4.10 4.05 1.64 1.55 16 15.5 21.6 20.9 1.98 1.97 0.700 0.600 97 94.1 0.96 0.95 14.9 14.72 23.40 23.05 60.40 59.85 99.95 99.95 287 274 32.35 31.9 212 207.6 1460.00 1445.00 67.50 66.50 1.57 1.51 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.45 46.65 45.25 Agrinurture Inc. 3.45 3.54 3.44 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.83 0.84 0.82 Alsons Cons.

2.01 2.01 1.98 Asiabest Group 15.08 15.6 13.58 C. Azuc De Tarlac 220.00 220.00 200.00 Cemex Holdings 10.96 11.7 10.98 Century Food 16.6 17.7 16.64 Chemphil 168 168 152.1 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 176 178 159 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.8 20.8 20.1 Concepcion 53.6 57 53.6 Crown Asia 2.24 2.34 2.24 Da Vinci Capital 5.81 6.15 5.81 Del Monte 12.28 12.4 12.2 DNL Industries Inc. 9.580 9.620 9.500 Emperador 7.31 7.34 7.30 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.80 5.84 5.76 EEI 9.45 9.58 9.40 Euro-Med Lab 1.7 2 1.82 First Gen Corp.

25.25 26.25 25.25 First Holdings ‘A’ 70 71.35 70.05 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.20 12.10 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.04 15.10 15.00 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.75 5.78 5.69 Ionics Inc 2.400 2.440 2.360 Jollibee Foods Corp.

250.40 252.20 249.60 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.98 3.88 3.6 Macay Holdings 35.50 35.00 35.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.2 27.2 26.9 Maxs Group 28.8 28.9 28.5 Megawide 9.65 9.95 8.91 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 308.60 311.40 307.80 MG Holdings 0.275 0.275 0.260 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.29 4.77 4.25 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.5 3.47 3.45 Petron Corporation 11.10 11.38 11.00 Phinma Corporation 11.60 11.60 11.60 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.40 6.40 6.30 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.64 1.64 1.61 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.35 3.45 3.22 RFM Corporation 4.29 4.31 4.28 Roxas Holdings 3.89 3.88 3.8 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 209 209.4 209.2 Splash Corporation 3.04 3.05 3.04 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.151 0.156 0.150 TKC Steel Corp.

2.39 2.42 2.13 Trans-Asia Oil 2.55 2.58 2.52 Universal Robina 200 201.6 199.7 Victorias Milling 4.5 4.5 4.5 Vitarich Corp.

1.02 1.07 1.01 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.32 1.31 1.29 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.385 0.385 0.375 Aboitiz Equity 84.40 84.30 83.00 Alliance Global Inc. 16.22 16.34 16.22 Anglo Holdings A 1.35 1.34 1.30 Anscor `A’ 6.18 6.18 6.11 ATN Holdings A 0.405 0.405 0.390 ATN Holdings B 0.395 0.420 0.380 Ayala Corp `A’ 894 900.5 870 BHI Holdings Inc. 669.50 899.50 640.00 Cosco Capital 7.88 8.05 7.89 DMCI Holdings 12.78 12.90 12.56 F&J Prince ‘A’ 6.25 6.05 5.96 F&J Prince ‘B’ 6.98 6.6 6.02 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

6.95 6.95 6.80 Forum Pacific 0.229 0.240 0.229 GT Capital 1573 1573 1560 House of Inv. 6.47 6.68 6.50 JG Summit Holdings 85.95 85.95 84.70 Jolliville Holdings 4.3 4.25 4.2 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.84 7.9 7.78 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.74 0.74 0.72 LT Group 15.98 16 15.88 Mabuhay Holdings `A’ 0.490 0.520 0.490 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 7.23 7.51 7.24 Pacifica `A’ 0.0330 0.0330 0.0330 Prime Media Hldg 1.340 1.270 1.270 Prime Orion 1.960 1.980 1.940 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.70 2.70 2.70 San Miguel Corp `A’ 80.00 82.25 80.05 SM Investments Inc. 1017.00 1026.00 1012.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.26 1.27 1.24 South China Res. Inc. 0.92 0.90 0.88 Transgrid 207.00 207.00 207.00 Top Frontier 189.800 190.000 185.200 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3250 0.3400 0.3250 Wellex Industries 0.2040 0.2020 0.2000 Zeus Holdings 0.315 0.320 0.305 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 8.300 8.320 8.150 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 6.81 6.81 6.81 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.30 1.31 1.25 Araneta Prop `A’ 2.300 2.350 2.270 Arthaland Corp.

0.275 0.270 0.270 Ayala Land `B’ 40.050 40.100 39.700 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.4 3.43 3.37 Cebu Prop. `B’ 5.9 5.72 5.72 Century Property 0.540 0.54 0.520 City & Land Dev. 1.03 1.03 1.03 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.090 1.080 1.080 Crown Equities Inc. 0.136 0.139 0.133 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

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

Close

SHARES 43,480,152 172,727,305 95,533,841 246,502,248 556,467,211 426,776,913 1,623,796,100

3.83 47.4 115.80 99.50 38 4.16 1.59 15.58 21.1 1.96 0.580 94.4 0.96 14.8 23.40 59.90 100 287 32.2 208.4 1470.00 67.00 1.51

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.84 47.4 115.00 98.95 38 4.10 1.64 16 20.9 1.97 0.640 96.9 0.95 14.72 23.40 60.40 99.95 280 32 210.2 1445.00 67.50 1.51

0.26 0.00 -0.69 -0.55 0.00 -1.44 3.14 2.70 -0.95 0.51 10.34 2.65 -1.04 -0.54 0.00 0.83 -0.05 -2.44 -0.62 0.86 -1.70 0.75 0.00

38,000 8,300 1,999,070 1,129,770 117,600 13,000 469,000 105,400 1,254,800 99,000 31,705,000 4,162,270 53,000 27,100 4,400 909,670 2,110 720 133,900 628,610 300 18,060 164,000

46.65 3.5 0.82 1.99 14.6 220.00 11.7 17.5 152.1 164.1 20.5 57 2.26 6.1 12.4 9.610 7.30 5.84 9.41 1.9 26 70.5 12.10 15.00 5.75 2.360 252.20 3.8 35.00 27 28.9 9.67 309.00 0.260 4.70 3.45 11.30 11.60 6.38 1.63 3.27 4.31 3.8 209.2 3.05 0.153 2.14 2.58 199.7 4.5 1.03 1.29

2.64 1.45 -1.20 -1.00 -3.18 0.00 6.75 5.42 -9.46 -6.76 -1.44 6.34 0.89 4.99 0.98 0.31 -0.14 0.69 -0.42 11.76 2.97 0.71 -0.82 -0.27 0.00 -1.67 0.72 -4.52 -1.41 -0.74 0.35 0.21 0.13 -5.45 9.56 -1.43 1.80 0.00 -0.31 -0.61 -2.39 0.47 -2.31 0.10 0.33 1.32 -10.46 1.18 -0.15 0.00 0.98 -2.27

2,237,700 1,037,000 371,000 2,356,000 38,400 330 45,945,200 3,164,300 50 9,940 8,488,400 182,580 5,457,000 2,194,200 64,400 5,456,100 1,157,600 12,932,100 876,500 189,000 6,858,900 427,900 3,300 89,000 431,700 1,416,000 761,690 74,000 300 3,119,100 128,300 15,732,000 346,620 2,580,000 5,000 1,075,000 2,537,800 54,000 106,900 747,000 1,256,000 1,121,000 80,000 310 1,198,000 9,370,000 5,584,000 1,543,000 2,287,080 4,000 21,570,000 34,000

0.385 83.00 16.38 1.30 6.12 0.390 0.395 899 700.00 7.95 12.90 6 6.02 6.95 0.229 1567 6.68 85.90 4.25 7.9 0.72 15.88 0.490 7.5 0.0330 1.270 1.940 2.70 81.55 1025.00 1.26 0.88 207.00 190.000 0.3250 0.2000 0.305

0.00 -1.66 0.99 -3.70 -0.97 -3.70 0.00 0.56 4.56 0.89 0.94 -4.00 -13.75 0.00 0.00 -0.38 3.25 -0.06 -1.16 0.77 -2.70 -0.63 0.00 3.73 0.00 -5.22 -1.02 0.00 1.94 0.79 0.00 -4.35 0.00 0.11 0.00 -1.96 -3.17

340,000 1,382,340 4,661,500 176,000 18,600 13,380,000 51,000 912,940 180 2,931,400 4,318,100 78,200 1,400 576,100 1,400,000 70,095 104,400 1,207,980 5,000 1,858,400 153,000 1,655,800 80,000 42,719,600 5,500,000 9,000 366,000 9,000 707,390 631,200 370,000 111,000 130 12,090 6,530,000 1,060,000 1,390,000

8.150 6.81 1.25 2.310 0.270 40.000 3.38 5.72 0.530 1.03 1.080 0.133

-1.81 0.00 -3.85 0.43 -1.82 -0.12 -0.59 -3.05 -1.85 0.00 -0.92 -2.21

690,600 1,000 3,928,000 634,000 1,740,000 17,016,300 1,909,000 800 6,376,000 9,000 2,000 10,160,000

373,720.00 -2,631,691 -29,682,298.00 -970,490.00 -49,828.00 -5,484,810.00 -514,650.00 293,548,594.50 -33,748,711.00 -86,800.00 2,340,405 40,793,310.00 29,000.00 102,111.00 31,249,500.00

105,757,806.00 3,001,938.00 267,450.00 -1,896,543 93,070.00 -119,577.00 -25,979,489.00 -3,214,503.00 25,758,734.00 -77,686.00 53,393,805.00 8,108,394.50 -846,100.00 -554,897.00 -315,400.00 48,941,960.00 -22,200.00 -6,230,100.00 -1,445,000.00 27,235,912.00 7,158,158.00 3,567,300.00 3,862,498.00 -475,600.00 70,200.00 129,800.00 2,160,370.00 98,070.00 -143,380.00 -7,650.00 435,000.00 1,215,660.00 457,178,973 1,794,840.00

-47,502,600.00 -2,340,590.00 -54,600.00 122,826,175.00 -2,822,109.00 2,167,124.00 -143,865.00 27,798,940.00 18,528,547.50 -768,992.00 12,480,938.00 70,004,598.00

-2,767,024.00 -74,018,705.00

10,050.00 9,150.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Cyber Bay Corp.

0.730 Double Dragon 63.5 Empire East Land 0.820 Global-Estate 1.18 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.96 Interport `A’ 1.27 Keppel Properties 4.80 Megaworld 5.11 MRC Allied Ind. 0.110 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.500 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 47.00 Primex Corp.

15.8 Robinson’s Land `B’ 32.95 Rockwell 1.74 Shang Properties Inc. 3.25 SM Prime Holdings 29.95 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.99 Starmalls 7.05 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.080 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.890

0.00 0.00 0.00 2.54 2.04 0.00 0.00 1.96 -1.82 -3.00 -10.64 1.52 0.15 -1.15 1.54 3.51 0.00 -0.71 -0.93 2.21

12,465,000 584,590 525,000 33,788,000 41,759,000 58,000 9,000 50,921,400 5,300,000 853,000 28,000 469,100 2,970,700 822,000 27,000 21,422,600 3,075,000 3,700 1,969,000 10,529,600

10.5 66 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 2.6 7.67 4 1700 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 1.6 4.8 2.58 830 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 0.017

17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 3.2 95.5 1 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.95 3.1 0.650 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

-2.98 -1.31 -7.69 -2.15 -5.38 -9.35 -1.74 -0.10 -1.50 -1.64 0.00 3.88 -0.35 1.12 -1.05 0.00 -3.23 6.23 8.70 -2.05 -1.09 0.00 -2.82 -1.10 -2.14 0.00 0.15 2.91 -1.15 5.26 -1.64 -4.71 2.77 -1.35 0.33 0.97 4.31 -2.11 -0.35 -0.19 0.00 -1.72 0.52 -0.69 -0.47 -6.01 0.00 0.00 -1.12 10.00 4.84

334,800 247,790 6,518,000 97,300 14,186,800 414,970,000 2,700,000 861,520 51,000 1,730,600 3,000 50 93,750 299,200 265,500 900 512,000 1,505,980 1,540,000 8,000 6,000,000 335,000 20,800,000 2,737,000 247,000 47,800 360,900 841,000 22,000 5,300 250,000 13,552,000 9,610,700 5,480,000 21,400 27,800 72,000 3,570 220,000 75,565 1,120,000 8,794,000 3,313,400 1,696,920 233,600 17,367,000 3,538,000 15,000 1,639,000 10,000 164,600

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

-2.38 -7.98 -2.23 0.88 0.00 2.92 0.00 -1.02 1.60 -2.22 0.00 -2.05 0.00 0.00 -7.14 -3.72 -1.21 -1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.73 -0.24 -4.00 0.00 0.76 -1.52 10.00

212,000,000 2,397,000 318,820.00 236,000 -83,850.00 360,000 27,400 9,400 -7,000.00 289,000 520,000 60,000 12,864,000 1,072,970.00 410,000 25,720,000 1,670,000 -12,750.00 24,000,000 34,000,000 827,000 26,934,200 -47,496,821.00 1,166,000 10,000 546,000 15,100,000 700,000 52,000 1,023,200 902,888.00 10,658,000 1,683,290.00 33,400,000 417,170 -1,094,687.00 277,000 21,000,000

70 553 120 8.21 12.28 111 1060 1047 78.95 84.8

33 490 101.5 5.88 6.5 101 997 1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

-4.36 0.39 1.71 0.00 -2.78 0.00 -2.35 -0.20 -3.50 0.12 0.00 0.00 0.78 -6.00

282,290 12,390 90 423,500 518,000 9,230 2,640 4,050 40,000 13,690 40,000 78,900 106,610 4,000

-7.94

10,217,000 -3,000.00

-38.12 -5.38 -3.06 -0.58

77,505,100 4,970,446.00 8,000 636,900 -56,000.00 2,140,300 3,467,852.00

0.76

18,130

2,215,278.00

1.34

1

127,000.00 -46,000.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

63,951,185.00 484,600.00

15

3.5

-21,400.00

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,828.46 (UP) 5.98 INDUSTRIAL 12,088.34 (UP) 79.26 HOLDING FIRMS 7,994.86 (UP) 25.56 PROPERTY 3,700.33 (UP) 49.40 SERVICES 1,660.70 (UP) 2.56 MINING & OIL 11,163.03 (DOWN) 53.84 PSEI 8,102.30 (UP) 50.33 All Shares Index 4,828.14 (UP) 25.49 Gainers: 78; Losers: 118; Unchanged: 48; Total: 244

Close

0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.730 0.700 0.730 64 63 63.5 0.820 0.820 0.820 1.24 1.13 1.21 2.03 1.96 2.00 1.28 1.23 1.27 5.10 4.80 4.80 5.21 5.05 5.21 0.111 0.106 0.108 0.500 0.480 0.485 48.50 41.20 42.00 16.56 15.8 16.04 33.10 32.80 33.00 1.74 1.7 1.72 3.39 3.29 3.3 31.00 29.85 31.00 0.99 0.95 0.99 7.05 6.58 7 1.100 1.040 1.070 6.030 5.780 6.020 SERVICES 7.73 7.76 7.42 7.5 53.4 54.25 52.7 52.7 0.650 0.640 0.600 0.600 6.05 6.08 5.8 5.92 6.13 6.13 5.70 5.80 0.1070 0.1070 0.0950 0.0970 2.87 2.88 2.82 2.82 99.5 99.75 98.9 99.4 2 2 1.97 1.97 5.49 5.70 5.40 5.40 3.86 3.86 3.86 3.86 914.5 950 949.5 950 2300 2336 2286 2292 6.27 6.37 6.29 6.34 17.18 17.10 16.52 17.00 22.00 22.00 20.25 22.00 1.24 1.24 1.20 1.20 62.6 66.5 63 66.5 23.00 28.50 21.40 25.00 190 220 172.1 186.1 0.0092 0.0092 0.0091 0.0091 9.38 9.38 9.25 9.38 0.355 0.355 0.340 0.345 1.8200 1.8200 1.7500 1.8000 2.81 2.95 2.68 2.75 12.86 13.2 12.86 12.86 6.73 6.82 6.70 6.74 3.09 3.20 3.10 3.18 2.62 2.59 2.51 2.59 19.00 20.00 19.02 20.00 0.610 0.610 0.560 0.600 3.61 3.61 3.36 3.44 5.06 5.20 5.01 5.20 3.700 3.800 3.600 3.650 12.14 12.2 12.14 12.18 5.15 5.24 5.15 5.20 2.55 2.86 2.6 2.66 142.00 148.00 135.00 139.00 16.94 16.94 16.00 16.88 2098.00 2100.00 2080.00 2094.00 0.440 0.450 0.435 0.440 1.160 1.150 1.130 1.140 47.85 48.75 47.75 48.10 87.40 87.05 86.70 86.80 6.45 6.46 6.41 6.42 3.33 3.36 3.12 3.13 0.650 0.670 0.630 0.650 1.96 1.96 1.96 1.96 3.57 3.57 3.5 3.53 0.300 0.330 0.330 0.330 6.200 6.500 6.120 6.500 MINING & OIL 0.0042 0.0042 0.0041 0.0041 3.26 3.26 3.00 3.00 4.49 4.52 4.37 4.39 0.228 0.230 0.230 0.230 7.1500 7.15 6.8 7.1500 7.1900 7.4000 7.0000 7.4000 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.6 0.490 0.490 0.480 0.485 8.76 9.00 8.50 8.90 0.900 0.910 0.880 0.880 0.305 0.305 0.295 0.305 0.244 0.244 0.237 0.239 0.255 0.255 0.247 0.255 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 0.0140 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 1.88 1.88 1.81 1.81 5.8 5.87 5.35 5.73 3 3.09 2.89 2.97 0.5500 0.5500 0.5500 0.5500 1.1900 1.2000 1.1800 1.1900 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 4.10 4.13 4.10 4.13 8.44 8.45 8.32 8.42 4.50 4.61 4.30 4.32 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 119.00 121.00 119.70 119.90 3.96 3.97 3.9 3.9 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 PREFERRED 55 54 52.55 52.6 518 535 520 520 117 119 119 119 6.1 6.1 6.09 6.1 1.08 1.08 1.05 1.05 111.8 1118 111.8 111.8 1065 1040 1029 1040 1018 1020 1016 1016 78.5 77.55 75.75 75.75 80.9 81 80.2 81 79 79 79 79 77 77.1 77 77 76.5 77.1 77 77.1 2.5 2.35 2.05 2.35 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.150 3.510 2.740 2.900 SME 8.08 8.6 4.91 5 3.72 3.72 3.52 3.52 5.88 5.86 5.6 5.7 17.32 17.58 17 17.22 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 131.9 132.9 131.3 132.9

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,039,622,605.016 2,342,524,467.84 2,406,084,200.248 2,452,405,770.925 1,366,905,430.09 294,212,432.579 10,457,091,939.696

Low

-71,000.00 2,713,811.50 10,043,410.00 29,491,400.00 2,550.00 72,105,516.00 5,110.00 -612,320.00 73,052,990.00 -3,480.00 424,379,465.00 16,420.00 25,639,939.00 -428,250.00 -20,428.00 2,782,704.00 270,900.00 313,250.00 9,363,075.00 453,892.00 -57,689,640.00 3,344.00 19,558,379.00 4,050.00 -28,140.00 34,500.00 -1,780.00 807,169 -686,100.00 -50,440.00 5,130,080.00 10,600,942.00 -506,520.00 -53,000.00 -251,295.00 -16,278.00 10,971,640.00 339,000.00 72,935,630.00 -2,883,550.00 -24,911,980.00 -15,180.00 -440,240.00

6,877,573.50 -6,463,600.00 -2,509,920.00 -2,080,000.00 -3,054,893.00 -405,000

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Euro-Med Lab

1.9

11.76

Alterra Capital

5

MEDCO Holdings

0.640

10.34

F&J Prince 'B'

6.02

-38.12 -13.75

Waterfront Phils.

0.330

10.00

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

42.00

-10.64

United Paragon

0.0110

10.00

TKC Steel Corp.

2.14

-10.46

Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

4.70

9.56

Chemphil

152.1

-9.46

Imperial Res. `A'

25.00

8.70

Boulevard Holdings

0.0970

-9.35

Cemex Holdings

11.7

6.75

Apex `A'

3.00

-7.98

Concepcion

57

6.34

LR Warrant

2.900

-7.94

I.C.T.S.I.

66.5

6.23

APC Group, Inc.

0.600

-7.69

Century Food

17.5

5.42

Manila Mining `B'

0.0130

-7.14

FRIDAY: JULY 22, 2016

B3

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

PSALM’s claims ‘erroneous’ Could you be an entrepreneur?

THIS week, I had breakfast with a friend and conversation turned to entrepreneurs and business.

It is a topic much on everyone’s mind these days. As the new government gets underway, much thinking is going into nurturing entrepreneurs.

In a market economy such as ours, business is the primary engine of economic growth.

Businesses fulfill market needs in order to make a profit. In the process, businesses create jobs, drive production, and create wealth.

And where do businesses come from? Why, every business began with an entrepreneur or a group of entrepreneurs, the founders. In fact, many analysts agree that economies depend on entrepreneurs because entrepreneurs drive the creation of new products, markets, and industries.

But here’s the kicker, as my friend recounted. He was apparently in discussion with his boss concerning business education in the country and this was their observation: Just think about all of the students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business every year. How many of them actually go out and establish a business? When did business education become about preparing for employment?

Founders It’s a little like the chicken or the egg. Is it about the sorts of people we attract to a business degree or is it about the type of education we provide? Given desire, what else do individuals need in order to found a successful enterprise? Given only interest, is it possible to fan desire?

Can anyone be an entrepreneur?

Now, for the moment, let’s set aside the obvious external factors such as availability of capital or ease of doing business.

Let’s concentrate only on the entrepreneur. What is apparent is that there is no single type that is an entrepreneur. However, there are a few things entrepreneurs, especially successful ones have in common. Entrepreneurs have a high ambiguity quotient. They have the ability to survive in a state of flux and make decisions in the face of imperfect information.

This allows them to take risks and guide the company through the early stages when there are many unknowns. Entrepreneurs persevere. They are able to elicit commitment to their goals. Highly successful entrepreneurs are able to build a personal reputation and a personal network of contacts.

This allows them to secure the resources they need and allows them to keep the team on the job and moving the enterprise forward. Entrepreneurs tend to be self-confident, more specifically, they have high self-efficacy – they believe they have the skills necessary to complete the task at hand. Successful entrepreneurs are generally not fatalistic. They seize the day because they believe they can influence outcomes. In psychology we call this an internal locus of control. A successful entrepreneur is not a passenger sitting in a bobbing rudderless, oar-less boat. He is the captain and master of his ship.

Now, while some of these traits can be learned, there are probably very few business schools that

actually pay attention to these things. Business education tends to focus on the “what” and “how” of the enterprise. But entrepreneurs really need to begin with “who” they are and who they need to be for the enterprise.

Self Entrepreneurs play many roles in an Enterprise. I tend to think of three ley roles. First, there is the role of innovator and visionary.

This tends to be the founder’s first role in an enterprise. He creates a compelling picture of what the enterprise can be. Second, there is the organizer. The organizer sets up systems and procedures. He drives execution. Third, there is the connector. He is the one who brings resources and stakeholders to the company. This includes raising capital, bringing in key partners and customers, and attracting (and keeping!) key talent. Often, this is a matter of personal network but also, it is an outcome of track record, reputation, and the ability to tell a compelling story about the company’s vision.

Anthony Tjan uses different words. Where I say visionary and innovator, he says architect. The architect, Tjan says, sets “the vision, the romance, and culture around a big and daring goal.” What I call connector, he calls the storyteller – the fellow who can tell the story of the firm. What I call the organizer, Tjan calls the disciplinarian – the one who gets things done.

What is really important in all of this, is that, not all entrepreneurs are able to play all the roles.

This, in fact, explains why so many founders, who tend to be innovators, eventually have to hire in a professional manager – the organizer. It is the organizer who puts in systems and policies and allows the company to scale. In the classroom, I use the old words I first learned in my first job. When an enterprise is small, policies are “personalized.” The founder makes all decisions and decision-making is a matter of “what the founder would do.” As the company grows, decisions need to be guided by formal policies. This is the point at which policies and procedures are institutionalized. That is the role of the organizer. In many cases, especially when the enterprise is built around an invention, the innovator needs a connector – someone who will help him tell his compelling story.

One of the most important things entrepreneurs must understand is what role they are playing. It is a rare person who can play all roles. Good entrepreneurs know their strengths and play to those strengths. They then partner with, or hire individuals who can play the other roles.

And there, perhaps, is the missing link. Perhaps too many business schools have managed the person entirely out of the curriculum. Becoming and being an Entrepreneur is an intensely personal activity. Attempting to teach it in the sterile, third person environment of a traditional classroom takes the most essential factor out of the process – the entrepreneur himself.

Readers can email Maya at integ rations_manila@yahoo. com. Or visit her site at http:// integrations.tumblr.com.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SMC Global Power Corp., through unit South Premier Power Corp., on Friday dismissed as “erroneous” the P12.3-billion unpaid claims of Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. from the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant.

SMC Global said in a statement it already paid as of April 2016 P159.67 billion to PSALM, which manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp.

SMC Global’s subsidiary South Premiere Power Corp. is the the independent power producer administrator of the Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas.

“This is precisely the reason why we filed a case against PSALM last year—to seek justice from the court, clear the confusion and set the facts straight.

We have been diligently paying PSALM what is due us. We do

not owe PSALM a single centavo.

SPPC has fully paid all its obligations under its Independent Power Producer Administration Agreement with government,” San Miguel Global said.

On Sept 8, 2015, South Premiere was constrained to file a complaint before the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong against PSALM due to a willful breach of contract arising from what the company believed was a flawed interpretation of certain provisions related to its generation payments under the Ilijan IPPA agreement.

SMC Global said PSALM’s “unfounded interpretation” had resulted in alleged shortfall in generation payments by South Premiere. The case also sought to stop PSALM from illegally terminating South Premiere’s Ilijan IPPA and treating the latter as an administrator in default.

The Mandaluyong RTC therefore issued a 72-hour TRO against PSALM. On Sept. 15, 2016, the court issued an order granting a preliminary injunction enjoining PSALM from proceeding with the termination of the Ilijan IPPA agreement with South Premiere while the main case was pending.

South Premiere earlier cautioned that the illegal termination could lead to higher electricity prices, as PSALM reportedly planned to trade the output of Ilijan on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

South Premiere assured consumers prices would remain stable as long as status quo was maintained

Franchise conference. Senator Paulo Benigno Aquino IV (third from right) receives a plaque

of appreciation after delivering the keynote address at the opening of this year’s two-day Franchise Asia Philippines 2016 international franchise conference at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. With him are Philippine Franchise Association chairman emeritus Samie Lim (second from right), chairman of Blims Lifestyle Group; PFA chairman Franklin Go (third from left), president of Goldilocks; PFA president Alan Escalona (second from left), president of Fruit Magic; FFAP 2016 overall chair Richard Sanz (left), president of FoodAsiaCorp.; and Franchise Asia 2016 conference chairman Vic Gregorio (right), president of Shakey’s.

Market nears record; Cemex advances THE stock market climbed Thursday near its all-time high following a fresh Wall Street record as traders are pumped up by strong corporate results and expectations of fresh stimulus.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 50.33 points, or 0.6 percent, to 8,102.30 on a value turnover of P10.4 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 118 to 78, with 48 issues unchanged. The index closed at an all-time high of 8,127.48 on April 10, 2015.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, and hospitals advanced 3.7 percent to P7.50, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy gained 3.5 percent to P31.

Cement producer Cement Holdings Philippines Inc. surged 6.8 percent to P11.70 after listing its shares in the market Mon-

day from an initial public offering price of P10.75. Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, added 2 percent to P5.21.

The rest of Asian equities’ rally resumed Thursday with Tokyo again leading the pack following a report that Japan is planning a new, giant stimulus program.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eyeing a package of at least 20 trillion yen—about double the size initially expected—to kickstart the economy from years of slumber and light a fire under torpid inflation, Kyodo News agency said.

The likelihood of more yen flooding financial markets sent the currency tumbling, which in turn boosted stocks, particularly exporters who benefit from a weaker unit.

The Nikkei ended 0.8 percent higher, with the dollar climbing

to 107.22 yen from 106.87 yen in New York, and well up from the 100 yen levels seen before the US released blockbuster jobs data at the start of the month. The euro rose to 118.37 yen from 117.72 yen.

Other stock markets followed suit, with Hong Kong rising 0.5 percent to end above 22,000 for the first time since December 24.

Shanghai climbed 0.4 percent, Sydney added 0.4 percent and Wellington added 0.6 percent while Taipei was 0.5 percent higher. However, Seoul eased 0.2 percent.

The advances follow a positive lead from Wall Street, where the Dow and S&P 500 closed at alltime highs on the back of a string of upbeat earnings reports and outlooks from big-name firms such as Microsoft, Intel and Morgan Stanley. With AFP

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FRIDAY: JULY 22, 2016

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

PAL studies Clark operations IN BRIEF OceanaGold’s permit reviewed MINES and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno said Thursday the government will review the extension permit granted to OceanaGold Corp. for its Didipio mine in Nueva Vizcaya province.

Jasareno said in a telephone interview nongovernment organization Alyansa Tigil Mina asked Environment Secretary Regina Lopez to withdraw the exploration permit granted to OceanaGold.

MGB early this year granted OceanaGold another five years to explore their 15,000 hectares of mining tenement. The permit will last until 2021.

Jasareno said of the 15,000 hectares, OceanaGold had already explored 975 hectares.

“The petitioners said that the exploration area is a rich agricultural area. It is the citrus capital of Nueva Vizcaya,” Jasareno said.

Jasareno said as a part of the legal process, the MGB would provide OceanaGold a copy of the petition. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

MMPC to inspect airbag MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. said it will conduct a safety inspection campaign on the L200 and Strada pick up models, as directed by its principal Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

MMPC said while there was no reported failure in the Philippines so far, it decided to pursue the proactive and preventive measure to ensure customer safety.

The inspection and/or replacement procedure of the affected airbag inflator may take about one hour at the most and shall be free of charge. Those included in this safety inspection campaign are L200 and Strada model years 2007 to 2014.

“There will be a vehicle identification number checking/verification procedure for all potentially affected units,” MMPC said.

It said to ensure smooth servicing, customers could call their preferred Mitsubishi Motors dealership for the schedule of servicing appointment.

MMPC said it deeply apologizes for any inconvenience. “The safety of our valued customers is of greater importance,” it said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines is studying the transfer of its turboprop operations to Clark International Airport in Pampanga to help decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.

“We are working on it. The reason why the government wants us to move some of flights to Clark is because we want to decongest Manila to prevent inconvenience to the passengers,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista told reporters Wednesday night during the launching of MyPAL Roaming.

Bautista said the airline would study the impact of the proposal on passengers and on the company’s operating cost.

“Not all [our domestic flights would be transferred]. That is why we will work with them. We will present to them our

position,” he said.

Bautista said the government should provide additional infrastructure before transferring some of its operations to Clark.

PAL owns four Bombardier DHC 8-300 aircraft and five Bombardier DHC 8-400 aircraft which PAL dry leased to PAL Express.

PAL’s domestic network, including those operated by partner PAL Express, covers 31 cities and towns in the Philippines.

It serves the following domestic destinations: Bacolod, Basco, Butuan, Busuanga, Cagayan, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Jolo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legazpi, Manila, Masbate, Naga, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Surigao, Tablas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.

Domestic operations contributed 20 percent to PAL ’s total revenues last year.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said the agency planned to ask airlines to transfer their turboprop operations to Clark as a part of the government program to decongest Naia.

Japan International Cooperation Agency said Naia was expected to exceed its maximum handling capacity this year, when the airport would handle 37.78 million passengers. Its maximum handling capacity stands at 35 million passengers a year.

PAL incurred additional costs of at least P5.7 million due to diverted flights brought about by the closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday.

“We have to spend more fuel. For example, all the flights diverted to Clark, we have to load additional 15 tons of fuel.

It cost us a few thousands of dollars. Let’s say $15,000 per flight. We have eight diverted flights to Clark and then we have to pay parking fee,” he said.

The Manila International Airport Authority last Monday ordered the temporary closure of the runway to avoid safety issues and untoward incidents to aircrafts and passengers. The small asphalt cracks observed by airport crew in the morning got considerably bigger due to continued landing and takeoff.

Progress eyes more products SINGAPORE—American software company Progress will soon offer more cost-friendly products in the Philippines to help businesses in their digital transformation, executives said.

Progress newly-appointed managing director for Asia Benjamin Wong said in a news briefing the Philippine market was vital to the company as a number of local government units in the country were using their products.

“The reason why is it important is our Philippine business throughout the years is very much with the LGUs. A lot of our applications are built on our platform.

We have a telecommunications partner like PLDT,” Wong said at the Asia Pacific Exchange conference here.

Progress vice president for sales Matthew Gharegozlou said the company was developing low-cost products to aid companies in the age of digital transformation. “[We are working on] model that reduces the initial investments that will help the company,” Gharegozlou said.

Wong said Progress was optimistic about organic growth in the Philippines. “Stay tuned for what we are gonna do in the Philippines. Expect to see some changes in terms of how Progress is operating there,” he said. Gabrielle H. Binaday

SL Agritech plans IPO HYBRID rice seeds producer SL Agritech Corp. said it plans to raise up to P8 billion from an initial public offering in the third quarter or fourth quarter this year.

SLAC chairman Henry Lim said the company was able to expand its operations in the last two years, enabling the company to pursue its IPO. “We are looking at selling as much as 25 percent of the company. At the back of my mind, we want to raise P7 billion to P 8 billion,” said Lim. Lim said proceeds from the IPO would be used for expansion. “Right now, we want a lot of people to have a share to what we are doing. With the participation of the public, we can expand more,” Lim said.

The company currently exports rice to the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United States.

SLAC also produces hybrid rice seeds in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

“We are also trying to go to India and Nigeria,” Lim said. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

SCG supports education

SIAM Cement Group of Thailand said it will spend P4 million this year for Sharing the Dream Scholarship Program in the Philippines.

The company said the amount would be used to provide educational assistance to 230 underprivileged Filipino high school students.

The program, now on its ninth year, aims to help Filipino youth achieve their goals.

SCG teamed up with the Philippine Business for Social Progress to expand the program in Tondo, Manila in addition to areas where SCG subsidiaries operate such as Batangas, Bulacan and Taguig.

“We believe SCG Sharing the Dream is a stepping stone for students to reach for a brighter future.

We believe that by investing in education we are helping bring long-term development to our host communities,” said SCG country director Phaskorn Buranawit. Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Pru Life UK’s new offices. British life insurer Pru Life UK inaugurated three new sales offices in the first half, including Sunstone General Agency in February, Emerald Empire in May and FGY Life Insurance Agency in June. Shown during the inauguration of the Sunstone General Agency in Parañaque City are (from left) Fr. Vic Gabut, Pru Life UK senior vice president and chief agency officer Divine Furagganan, Sunstone GA president Ma. Remedios Fajardo, Pru Life UK vice president for general agencies and fast track agency development Mark Anthony Migallos and Sunstone GA vice president Emily Espina.

Govt forms team to cut BIR, Customs red tape

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Finance Department said Thursday it created an anti-red tape team to reduce the average number of days in processing documents in attached agencies, including the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and Customs.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III issued Department Order No. 382016 that formally created the anti-red tape team headed by undersecretary Gil Beltran.

The issuance followed the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte for all government offices to provide fast and hassle-free frontline services to the public.

Dominguez ordered the new team to formulate measures to speed up workrelated processes not only at the department but also in DoF-attached agencies such as the BIR, Customs and government-owned and -controlled corporations.

“The department is committed to streamline the delivery of government services and intends to pursue this by designating employees and officials specifically for this purpose,” the order read.

The order is in support of Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, which mandates all public offices to implement measures promoting transparency and simplified procedures and expedite transactions in government.

RA 9485 calls for effective practices aimed at preventing graft and corruption in government offices.

Duterte earlier ordered all department secretaries to cut red tape in their respective offices in his first Cabinet meeting at Malacañang Palace on June 30.

Prior to his new appointment, Beltran was DoF’s chief economist and undersecretary for policy development and

management services group. He has served the department since 1978.

“The main objective of the department order is to find ways to enable the public to transact with the department at a faster pace at least cost,” Beltran said.

“The public deserves nothing less,” he said.

Beltran’s anti-red tape team will be composed of all members of the DoF’s taskforce/committee on Citizen’s charter plus one representative each from the respective citizen’s charter committees of attached bureaus and agencies.

Other members of the team may also be designated by the finance secretary.

The order also directed the anti-red tape team to review and evaluate the DoF’s Citizen Charter as well as rules and regulations regarding processes in the department, bureaus, attached agencies and GOCCs, particularly those that provide frontline services.

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD Emergency imposed in Turkey ANKARA—Turkish authorities on Thursday imposed a three-month state of emergency, strengthening the powers to round up the suspects accused of staging the failed military coup despite global alarm over a widening purge.

Premiere. Actress Katherine Castro attends the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ ‘Star Trek Beyond’ at Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 20, 2016, in San Diego, California. AFP

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the state of emergency, the first in Turkey in one and a half decades, shortly before midnight after an almost five-hour meeting of his national security council.

The decision was then published in the official gazette Thursday morning, meaning it has now officially entered into force.

He said the nationwide measure would allow Turkey to be cleared of “terrorists” linked to US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom the president accuses of masterminding the failed coup from his leafy compound in Pennsylvania.

But with concern growing over respect of the rule of law in Turkey almost a week after the coup that left over 300 dead and raised fears of chaos in the key Nato member, Erdogan insisted that democracy would not be compromised.

The state of emergency was needed “in order to remove swiftly all the elements of the terrorist organization involved in the coup attempt,” Erdogan said at the presidential palace in Ankara.

But he added: “We have never made compromises on democracy.

And we will never make” them.

The state of emergency gives the government extra powers to restrict freedom of movement, said an official, adding that it would not restrict financial or commercial activities as “international law sets limits of restrictions”.

Turkey in 2002 lifted its last state

of emergency, which had been imposed in southeastern provinces for the fight against Kurdish militants in 1987.

Article 120 of the constitution allows a state of emergency to be imposed “at a time of serious deterioration of public order because of acts of violence.”

Erdogan vowed that work would now continue “to fight to clean out all those viruses from the armed forces.”

In a hugely unusual move after the state of emergency was announced, Erdogan early on Thursday read out the morning ezan call to prayer through loudspeakers at the mosque inside his presidential complex, the pro-government Yeni Safak daily said.

Meanwhile, mobile users across Turkey received text messages sent by “RTErdogan” urging people to stay in the streets to resist “the terrorists”.

“The owners of the squares are not the tanks. The owners are the nation,” said Erdogan in the text message.

Warning that his opponents may launch new provocations, Erdogan has urged his supporters to remain in squares across the country in what he calls a “vigil” for democracy.

After announcing the state of emergency in his press conference, Erdogan then spoke by video link to the crowds still filling squares nationwide at midnight. AFP

‘IS can suit psychopaths’ violent desires’ PARIS—Not all jihadists are psychopaths, and not all psychopaths turn violent.

However, when a person craving violence is drawn in by Islamic State ideology offering them glory and a sense of belonging, it provides a volatile mix that can lead to the kind of massacre seen in the south of France last week, experts say.

French investigators are at a loss to explain the motives of Mohamed Lahouaiej Boulhel, a Tunisian who crushed 84 people to death with a truck in an IS-claimed attack in Nice after an apparent lightningfast radicalization.

He is the latest in a long line of attackers inspired from afar by IS extremists to be described as suffering from mental or personality disorders.

Like Omar Mateen, who shot dead 49 people in a gay Orlando nightclub, Bouhlel was cruel to his wife and children, according

to prosecutors, and was reported to be chillingly calm during the attack.

Investigators found gruesome evidence on his computer of corpses and searches for images of car accidents, and those interviewed by police said he had shown no sign of religious fervor until recently.

“Could he have become extremely religious willy-nilly, or was he cherry-picking what he likes about IS, because what he really liked was the violence?” said Mary-Ellen O’Toole, a retired FBI profiler.

“IS didn’t create this guy, but he was already well on his way and IS was the conduit.”

Profiling terrorists is a major headache for security and intelligence forces, with motives as wide-ranging as the kind of people drawn to carry them out.

“Terrorist acts are behaviors, with all kinds of different motiva-

tions and combinations of motivations. The acts and motivations are usually logical—not ‘crazy’ or ‘senseless’—to the perpetrator,” forensic psychiatrist William Reid told AFP. “History and current news is full of examples of killing people without mental illness or instability.”

However, experts are not surprised that IS, with its brutal propaganda videos, appeals to those considered mentally disturbed.

Brian Michael Jenkins, a terrorism expert with the USbased RAND think tank, said that IS’ brutal online propaganda would likely only appeal to those who were “already sliding between a fantasy world and a real world.”

“It is difficult to remotely motivate ordinary individuals to carry out horrendously destructive and self-destructive acts. IS in particular is a magnet for psychopaths.”

AFP

Preview night. A Star Wars fan attends Comic-Con International’s 2016 preview night on July 20, 2016, in San Diego, California. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

Suspected boss of piracy site arrested WASHINGTON—The alleged boss of the world’s biggest online piracy site, Kickass Torrents, was hit with US criminal charges Wednesday, accused of distributing over $1 billion worth of illegally copied films, music and other content.

The Justice Department unveiled a criminal complaint against Ukrainian national Artem Vaulin, 30, who was arrested in Poland and is wanted by the US for copyright infringement, money laundering and other charges.

Vaulin is alleged to own Kickass Torrents or KAT, which in recent years has eclipsed Pirate Bay and others to become the world’s biggest source of pirated media.

The US criminal complaint said the website offers “a sophisticated and user-friendly environment in which its users are able to search for and locate content” which is protected by copyright.

KAT, which distributes films, video games, television programs, music and other electronic media, is estimated to be the 69th most frequently visited website on the internet, according to a Justice Department statement.

“Vaulin is charged with running today’s most visited illegal file-sharing website, responsible for unlawfully distributing well over $1 billion of copyrighted materials,” said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.

“In an effort to evade law enforcement, Vaulin allegedly relied on servers located in countries around the world and moved his domains due to repeated seizures and civil lawsuits.

“His arrest in Poland, however, demonstrates again that cyber criminals can run, but they cannot hide from justice.”

Polish border guard spokeswoman Agnieszka Golias told AFP Thursday that Vaulin was arrested at Warsaw’s Chopin airport on Wednesday “during an attempt to enter Poland”.

US officials will seek to extradite Vaulin to face charges filed in a federal court in Chicago, which ordered the seizure of one bank account and seven domain names associated with the file-sharing website.

The complaint said officials were able to track and identify Vaulin from records provided by Apple on his iCloud account. AFP

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

HK ‘Umbrella Revolution’ head convicted for rallies HONG KONG—A key figure in Hong Kong’s ‘Umbrella Revolution’ was convicted Thursday of participating in a protest that sparked mass pro-democracy rallies, in a prosecution blasted as a “chilling warning” by rights campaigners.

Fraud investigation. People queue in front of DBS automated teller machines along Robinson road in Singapore on July 21, 2016.Singapore revealed on July 21 it had seized nearly US$180 million in assets through its investigations into suspected fraud and money-laundering related to scandal-tainted Malaysian state fund 1MDB. Singapore authorities also said investigations found Singapore-based DBS Bank, Standard Chartered Bank’s Singapore Branch, and Swiss-based UBS had exhibited “undue delay in detecting and reporting suspicious transactions.” AFP

Trump again questions Nato’s commitments CLEVELAND—Donald Trump has raised new questions about his commitment to the defense of Nato allies on the eve of his acceptance of the Republican presidential nomination, The New York Times reported.

In an interview with the newspaper on Wednesday, Trump also expressed little willingness to speak out against purges or civil rights crackdowns by authoritarian allies like Turkey, the Times said.

“I don’t think we have the right to lecture,” the Times quoted him as saying during the 45 minute interview in a downtown Cleveland

hotel suite.

“Look at what is happening in our country,” he said. “How are we going to lecture when people are shooting policemen in cold blood?”

The Times said that Trump reemphasized the hard-line nationalist approach that he has taken during his campaign, describing how he would force allies to shoulder defense costs that the United States has borne for decades.

Asked about Russian activities that have alarmed the Baltics, Nato’s newest members, Trump said that if Russia attacked them,

he would decide whether to come to their aid only after reviewing whether those nations “have fulfilled their obligations to us.”

“If they fulfill their obligations to us, the answer is yes,” he said.

A cornerstone of the 28-member trans-Atlantic alliance is its Article 5 commitment that an attack one member state is an attack on all, a pledge invoked after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves was quick to fire back on Twitter Thursday, insisting that his nation of 1.3 million people bordering Russia is meeting all

its Nato spending commitments.

“Estonia is 1 of 5 Nato allies in Europe to meet its 2 percent defense expenditures commitment,” he said, adding Estonians had “fought, with no caveats” in Nato operations in Afghanistan.

“We are equally committed to all our Nato allies, regardless of who they may be. That’s what makes them allies,” Ilves said.

Trump, who said he would press the theme of “America First” at his address Thursday night to the Republican National Convention, said allies would adjust to his approach. AFP

Joshua Wong—who led the demonstrations that paralyzed the city for months—could be jailed for up to two years following the verdict, which comes as the tensions remain high in the semi-autonomous city with fears growing that Beijing is tightening its grip.

The 19-year-old has always said the various protest-related cases against him were political persecution. Rights group Amnesty International described the cases against peaceful protesters as intimidation Thursday in the wake of the verdict.

Wong was convicted for taking part in an unlawful assembly after he and others climbed over a fence into a government complex forecourt known as Civic Square on September 26, 2014, triggering wider rallies that exploded two days later when police fired tear gas to disperse crowds.

Fellow student leaders Alex Chow and Nathan Law were also convicted over the same protest Thursday—Chow for taking part and Law for inciting others to do so.

“No matter what is the penalty... we will still continue to fight against suppression from the government,” Wong said after the ruling.

“We know facing the largest communist regime in the world is a long-term battle for us to fight for democracy.”

The three defendants, who smiled in resignation at the verdict, were released on bail and are due back in court on August 15 for sentencing.

The charge of participating in an unlawful assembly has a maximum sentence of up to five years, but the magistrates court where the trio were tried can only give a maximum jail term of two years per offense due to its status as a lower court.

Political analyst Ivan Choy said the public may have an “antagonistic attitude” towards the government if the trio receive a heavy sentence, while Amnesty said that “vague charges” against student leaders “smacked of political payback”.

“The Hong Kong authorities’ prosecution of three pro-democracy student leaders sends a chilling warning for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the city,” Amnesty said in a statement.

It added the city’s public order laws failed to meet international standards and were being used “in an attempt to intimidate people from exercising their right to peaceful assembly”. AFP

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MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

B7

Motorrad, Rever: Shared passion PLANNING the most beautiful routes, riding them with like-minded motorcyclists, sharing experiences during the day and talking gasoline at night. With this in mind, BMW Motorrad has entered into a strategic partnership with the technology start-up Rever in order to build up a global community of motorcyclists.

Since launching in 2015, Rever users have tracked millions of miles on motorcycle rides in 119 countries around the world. The free Rever app, available for iOS and Android, works in conjunction with the Rever website to help riders discover the world’s best roads, create custom routes, track rides, and share riding experiences across social media platforms.

This enables BMW Motorrad to digitally expand its riding experience offerings directly in touch with its target group.

“We see the future of motorcycling as a connected experience, one that has riders using the latest technology to enhance their rides and allow others to share their passion for riding,” said Heiner Faust, Vice President Sales and Market-

For bikers, a new riding experience being connected and mobile at the same time

ing of BMW Motorrad. “Rever is offering a very promising mobile technology in our industry and we are very excited about the future business potential we see together with Rever.”

“Motorcyclists are extremely passionate, adventurous people,” says Justin Bradshaw, co-founder of Rever. “But we’ve lacked a mo-

Stopping power: Brembo performance pads BREMBO, the world’s authority in performance braking systems recently announced the availability of brake pads for Korean cars and SUV’s. “Brembo has expanded its product line-up to cater to a much broader market to equip OEM cars with race proven technology,” explains Francis Aguila of Autoperformance Ph, the country’s exclusive distributor of the famed Italian brand.

“We also have Brembo pads and brake calipers for cars like the Toyota Vios, Altis and the Honda Civic,” he adds.

Brembo’s range of brake discs and drums is unrivalled in terms of both size and innovation.

Brembo offers affordability along with the quality and performance of the world’s leading braking system manufacturer to all models of cars, from the Toyota Vios, Land Cruiser SUV, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Ford Ranger, Hyundai Tucson and the Honda CRV. The cutting-edge technology

and vast experience of a company that manufactures braking systems for the world’s major automotive constructors, combined with absolute control in every stage of the production process, allow Brembo to offer the Aftermarket professional a more comprehensive and reliable range of spare brake parts that covers over 96% of all vehicles on the road today.

Brembo also stands for consistent quality in every component and a comprehensive aftersales service - a choice that is up to any challenge, for any car. AutoPerformancePh , Inc orporated is the authorized distributor of BREMBO products in the country, and also distributes high performance and safety gears such as Sabelt, Stilo, HRE and Supersprint. For details, call Autoperformance PH Office. No.: (02)808-0485 and go online at E-mail: info@autoperformance. com.ph and www.autoperformance.com.ph. Dino Directo

torcycle specific environment to share our passions, experiences, and ideas. Working with BMW, we will bring innovative technology to the fore and make the entire motorcycle riding experience more accessible, more rewarding and more connected.”

Mark Roebke, Rever’s CEO and Co-Founder adds “We are really

excited to be incorporating new technology to enhance riding experience and grow the enthusiasm for motorcycling around the world.”

Rever connects a global community of motorcycle enthusiasts through the free Rever app and website to discover the best places to ride, track activities and

FASTLANE

Concept One’s Civic duty ONE of the hottest cars today just got better with Wheel Gallery’s line of aftermarket wheels. The Honda Civic earns precious “pogi” points. Designed and engineered to be tough and visually appealing, Concept One is a brand which has become synonymous with quality, innovative design and technology. “Our designs are influenced by the latest trends in both Europe and in Japan. Each wheel has been crafted to look and feel good for your car,” saysJustin Uy, manager of Concept One BGC. The latest designs can accommodate most Japanese and Korean sedans such as the all-new Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, Mazda 3 to 6, Hyundai Elantra and Accent and the Mitsubishi Lancer. It fits most compact and sub-compact cars also with different designs to suit your personality.

Those who want to improve their car’s look and feel, visit or call Wheel Gallery at the Karport in Bonifacio Global City or in 318 Santolan Road cor.

M. Paterno, San Juan or call 724-2739 or 726-0965 and textline: 0917-880-1111or log on to www.conceptonewheels.com

navigate and share motorcycling experiences. Premium memberships on Rever include additional features such as exclusive access to Butler Maps’ road recommendations, custom safety alerts and more. Rever is based in Eagle, Colorado and was founded in 2015 by motorcycle industry and technology veterans.

Toyota trilogy THIS July, Toyota jumpstarts the mid-year with three awesome offers for three great vehicles—the Vios, Wigo, and Altis. The number one automotive brand in the country extends various offerings that will surely excite you. Choose from several financing options that will suit your budget with Toyota’s promotion this July.

Own the best-selling Vios with an outright cash discount of as much as P50,000 (E variant A/T). You can also choose to avail of its affordable monthly Pay Light option that is as low as P6,193 (1.3 J variant M/T) or the Pay Low option for P63,000 (1.3 J variant M/T) All-In (financing plan). You can also choose to own Toyota’s most affordable vehicles yet, the Wigo. Get an outright cash discount for the Toyota Wigo for as much as P25,000 (G variant M/T). Other affordable payment options include a Pay Light scheme as low as P4,571/month and a Pay Low scheme as low as P49,629 All-In (financing plan). Finally, to complete the trio, Toyota is offering an outright cash discount for its heart-pounding sedan, the Toyota Altis, that can save you as much as P25,000 for all variants.

The Toyota Thrillogy promotion is valid in all authorized Toyota dealerships nationwide from July 1 to 31, 2016. Now’s your chance to drive home a Toyota that you will surely love.

For more details on these promotions, log on to www. toyota.com. ph or call the Toyota Assista nce Center at (02) 8192912.

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B8

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING

RS MARKS THE SPOT

Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

RALLY Sport or “RS” is a badge associated with fast and furious cars. Honda for one is an avid exponent of the RS variant . Although a big improvement from the previous generation, Honda is betting all the cards on its table with the 2016 iteration of its most recognizable nameplate, the Civic.

I must admit that the previous three generations were a bit of a letdown, although the cars were sleek and balanced. At the back of our minds, all three generations paled in comparison tsith the legendary Civic SiR. When it was launched early this year, everybody who rallied behind the brand were asking, is this 10th generation a worthy replacement? Well, for starters, the car is all new: from the platform, engine, transmission and down to its lightweight body. It is the first ground-up new car from the carmaker since the 2008-09 global financial crisis and the post Tsunami debacle that hit Japan that crippled its operations. A lot is riding on this model and based on my first impressions about the car, Honda may have hit the mark this time. Honda admitted that the previous model did not make the grade.

Now back to the “RS” badge.

Calling this car an RS is like referring to a Happy Meal as real

food or calling former President Aquino as the country’s best President. It is just not accurate.

One thing is certain though, this latest version of the Civic is a step up in the right direction. It’s got striking good looks, athletic design with muscular front fender haunches, a low nose that swoops into a coupe-like roofline. The RS can be differentiated from the entry level 1800cc Civic by a rear deck spoiler, sportier 17-inch alloy wheels and the “RS Turbo” badge just beneath the superbly designed rear tail lights.

This one is also bigger: 104mm longer, 44mm wider at 1755mm and sits low to the ground at just 19mm. The wheelbase is stretched 30mm to 2700mm, which is longer than the original Euro-version of the Accord.

The interior has a commendable space for five adults including the driver, more legroom at the rear seat and huge 517

liters of rear cargo space. The Civic’s interior totally eclipses that previous model with design engineers doing away with the confusing multiple screens and oddly placed buttons. The gauge clusters are housed in a elegantly designed dash layout and no faux wood here which is good. Even for short limbed drivers, this car offers an excellent driving position, it has electric controlled and well bolstered driver’s seat and the A-pillars are angled towards maximum frontal visibility. The 7.0 inch touch screen with SatNav which sits above the symmetrical console is a plus factor, given the terrible traffic jams that plague Metro Manila.

For a rather steep retail price of

P1.3M, this variant is equipped with a 1500cc four cylinder engine armed with a single scroll turbo charger. It pumps out a healthy 174bhp at 6000rpms and has a 16.5 psi of boost and 162 pound feet of torque which makes this small displacement car a nominee for boy racers. The power is felt not heard due to the corking of the sound by the turbo charger and the car’s extensive insulation. If your benchmark is the good old SiR, you’re in for a disappointment because this car lacks the brutality of the B16 engine and the cracking sound once the VTEC kicks in. Due to the intelligence of the CVT, there is some turbo lag from a standing start, but once the revs start to

pile-up, the car gains momentum and everything around you starts to move in slow motion. This 1500cc turbo engine is Honda’s first to be offered in a car. Don’t get me wrong, the car is fast, but Honda should have done better with a 2.0 liter turbo.

This car’s structure is solid and stiff with the ride quality excellent plus a spacious interior. Adding to its refinement is the car’s insulation which makes you feel like you’re inside a comfortable cocoon and aerodynamic wind flow design. Make no mistake about it, Honda has found what it has been looking for, a well balanced car that is tuner friendly for that weekend track day with the boys.

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

DEST IN AT IONS

LIFE

C1

A SWEET ESCAPE

IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

Life is sweet in Negros Occidental. The 'Sugar Capital of the Philippines' is home, not only to popular delicacies piaya and Napoleones, but also to various tourist attractions that include white sand beaches, dive sites and heritage houses

W

hen a province’s major industry is After spending ample time lounging by sugar, a variety of sweet delicacies the beach, grab a snorkeling or diving gear is only but expected—and Negros from Easy Diving Resort or Artistic Diving Occidental got that in spades. Resort and explore the coral gardens in But for those who don’t know, there is more Campomanes Bay, whose calm and clear to the “Sugar Capital of the Philippines” than water houses various species of corals and Napoleones, piaya and muscovado. fishes. The area is also a great spot for jet Occupying a land skiing, kayaking and area of 792,607 island hopping.

Perhaps the strongest hectares, the island It would seem that yet underrated selling province of Negros Negros Occidental Occidental is point of Negros Occidental never runs out of fine bounded by Visayan white beaches and tourism is its focus on Sea on the north, marine resources ecotourism. While other Sulu Sea on the as in the first class south, Guimaras municipality of provinces are bent on Strait on the west and Cauayan where the building structures in and charming its neighbor Negros Punta around their tourist sites Oriental on the east.

Bulata White Beach It was only in just to accommodate more Resort and Spa is.

May last year that Owned and people, some of Negros’ the Occidental and operated by the Oriental provinces prominent Zayco sanctuaries put greater were separated from family, the resort effort into protecting the their respective was initially used as natural habitats of plants a family beach house economic regions and were combined that was later turned and animals to form Region 18, or into a deluxe resort the Negros Island Region (NIR) in a bid to that can accommodate up to 200 guests. further accelerate the social and economic Punta Bulata offers a variety of development of the cities and municipalities accommodations, from nipa-hut cottages in the two provinces. to luxurious spa rooms. With its secluded Negros Occidental may be part of a newly location, one would probably not expect minted region today, but being a tourism- to see superb lodging and first-class oriented province, its potential to be the service that are complemented with an country’s next hottest destination remains exclusive one-kilometer stretch of white cemented. Here are the cases in point. sand beach.

Lounge by the beach, dive in the sea While the white sand beaches in Negros Occidental cannot compete with that of Boracay’s and Palawan’s, its pristine blue waters and rich marine wildlife are a class of their own.

Life has found a place in the southern City of Sipalay, as the previous mining city of Negros is now home to some of the premier diving resorts in the province.

Take your spot in the unspoiled longstretch white sand of Punta Ballo beach, a 30-minute drive away from the city proper, and revel in the beauty of the ocean while reading a good book or sipping an ice-cold drink. Facing west, Punta Ballo also makes for a great location to watch the sunset.

Find solace at the picturesque Moray Lagoon tucked in Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Sanctuaries in Cauayan

Be one with nature Perhaps the strongest yet underrated selling point of Negros Occidental tourism is its focus on ecotourism. While other provinces are bent on building structures in and around their tourist sites just to accommodate more people, some of Negros’ sanctuaries put greater effort into protecting the natural habitats of plants and animals.

Located three kilometers off the shore of Brgy. Bulata in Cauayan, is the 43-hectare Danjugan Island. The island is owned and managed by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI).

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The body of water surrounding the island province of Negros Occidental is teeming with diverse marine life

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A SWEET ESCAPE...

From C1

“The entire island is acquired through fundraising for conservation. It was bought in 1994 so that we can recover it, save it and create a wildlife sanctuary in it,” shares Island Manager Dave Albao.

PRRCFI is quick to note that while guests are allowed in the sanctuary, its main priority is not the convenience and entertainment of tourists but the wildlife living and resting in it.

“We call Danjugan a sanctuary, not a resort,” emphasizes Albao.

In fact, only 10 percent of the entire island is allotted for human structure, which are the learning center and the lodging in Moray Lagoon Camp and Typhoon Beach.

Human crowd is the least of your concern while you take part in nature activities, as the island only has 10 staff and follows a strict carrying capacity of 49 guests (32 at Moray Camp, 17 at Typhoon Beach).

An overnight stay at Moray Lagoon Camp costs P2,950 per person, while a night in one of the rooms at Typhoon Beach costs P3,950 per person—both are inclusive of meals, boat transfers, island activities (guided tour, snorkeling and kayaking), accident insurance and conservation fee that goes directly to Danjugan Island Environmental Education Program (DEEP). Day tour package is also available.

Negros Occidental also takes pride in its mangrove eco parks.

In Silay, there is the 50-hectare Balaring Mangrove Eco Park. Eight species of mangroves thrive in the ecotourism area

Some of the old items in the two-story Balay Negrense heritage house and museum in Silay City

which provides an alternative source of income to its locals. Guests can traverse the 500-meter bamboo bridge or climb the 30foot watch tower.

Meanwhile on Suyac Island in northern city of Sagay, is where Suyac Island Mangrove Eco Park is located. Suyac Island Mangrove Eco Park is home to the 300-yearold sonneratia alba mangrove or commonly known as pagatpat specie, one of the oldest and biggest in Negros Occidental.

Guests can explore the 108-hectare mangrove area during the day for only P70 per person. Suyac Island Eco Tourism Association, the community that manages the Eco Park, also serves meals to guests such as their Suyac kinilaw, among others.

National Tequila Day Holiday Inn celebrates on July 24 National Tequila Day with an irresistible deal for groups and individuals who just want to have fun.

It’s time to gather your friends for another memorable get together. On July 11-31, order two shots of tequila and enjoy Bar One’s signature tacos for free.

To make it a more fun night out with your friends and colleagues, Holiday Inn Manila Galleria is giving away 15 percent discount certificate to guests holding a meeting or event at the hotel until Oct. 31. This discount certificate is valid at Bar One until the end of the year Bar One features a casual lounge feel which offers hors d’ oeuvres, expertly mixed drinks, excellent spirits, and fine wines. It offers nightly musical entertainment from Tuesday to Friday.

Visit Bar One at the 3rd level of Holiday Inn Manila Galleria. It is open from 3:00pm-12 midnight daily.

For more information and reservations, call (02) 6337111 or email fandb.reservations@ihg.com

Bar One diners get signature tacos for free for every order to two shots of tequila

A collection of porcelain, among other memorabilia, on display at the German Unson Heritage House, which was converted into a bed and breakfast facility

Travel back in time

They say a visit in Negros Occidental is never complete without seeing The Ruins, a mansion that tells the story of undying love of Don Mariano Lacson to his wife Maria. But aside from this famous tourist spot in Talisay, one can relive the past and take a glimpse into the life of sugar barons and other prominent families in one of the many ancestral houses and museums in Silay City, where most of the rich families lived when the sugar industry boomed in the late 19th century.

Visit the Balay Negrense, a two-story, 12-bedroom home built by Don Victor Gaston to see the province’s history based on the eyes of a haciendero. The

house of stone and wood fuses Spanish and American colonial architecture and features a double staircase, French windows and large living areas—where people from the past gathered to socialize and dance.

The museum is open on Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Experience living in an ancestral home for a night or two at the German Unson Heritage House which was recently converted into a bed and breakfast facility.

The decades-old house has four lettable rooms and can accommodate 12 guests.

These are just some of the many stunning destinations in Negros Occidental. Believe it or not, this is just the 10 percent of what awaits you in this sweet province in the Visayas.

R A I N Y D AY G E TAWAY S RESTFUL GETAWAY Don’t let the rainy season dampen your mood. Quick and restful getaways are still possible at Acacia Hotel Manila.

This hotel gem in the South of the Metro is offering room packages that make staying indoors fully enjoyable.

Inquire about Here Comes the Rain package where one can enjoy an overnight stay in a deluxe room with buffet breakfast for two at Acaci Coffee Shop, 20 percent discount at Lurra Wellness Spa, use of fitness center and swimming pool, free WiFi and shuttle service within the Alabang area, all these for only P5,588.00 nett.

If a day of luxurious resting is not enough, take advantage of the package rate of P10,766.00 nett which is good for two nights and three days stay with all the aforementioned inclusions.

Take in the beauty and comforts of Acacia’s well-appointed rooms and order in.

Call Room Service and ask for the Tempting Thai Family Bundle- a sizable platter consisting of Coconut Lemongrass Soup, Bagoong Fried Rice, Chicken Pandan, Stir-Fried Pork Bagoong, and Pad Thai perfect for three to four persons.

Before heading to bed have Room Service bring you a warm glass of Acacia’s signature Hot Chocolate made from real chocolate bits and fresh milk.

Meanwhile, for full body rejuvenation, Lurra Wellness Spa offers from 3:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. in room massage.

Moreover, all guests staying for at least two days will get the Acacia Perks card, which offers exclusive discounts to premiere nearby establishments where the hotel shuttle will personally take you—Bugsy’s, Fun Ranch, Sushi Ninja, Belly Rub, Evolve Yoga, Black Pig, Detoxify Bar, and 360 Fitness.

Book your stay by calling (02) 720-2000 or emailing reservations@acaciahotelsmanila.com.

Room packages are valid until August 2016 and are for local residents only. ****

A DIAMOND GETAWAY

Holiday Inn celebrates National Tequila Day on July 24 with irresistible deals

Treat yourself to a mid-year getaway at Diamond Hotel Philippines with their Rainy Season Getaway Room Packages.

Enjoy the hotel’s Deluxe rooms for only P5,500.00 nett per night, which includes buffet breakfast for two persons at Corniche restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi access. When you check-in for two nights or more, get each night for only P 5,300.00 nett.

Live in luxury with the Suite Room Package for only P14000.00 nett per night, which includes buffet breakfast for two persons at Corniche restaurant, snacks for two adults and two kids via Room Service from 2-5 p.m., one-hour massage for two persons per stay, complimentary Wi-Fi access, 20 percent off on massage and 20 percent off on laundry. Meals and massage may only be availed during the guest’s stay.

Both room packages also include access to the Health Club and Spa, use of the swimming pool, and free scheduled shuttle service to and from Intramuros, SM Mall of Asia and Robinsons Manila Mall on weekends.

Rainy Season Getaway room packages is applicable for local residents only and other conditions apply.

For room or restaurant reservations at Diamond Hotel, please call (632) 528-3000 or email reservations@diamondhotel.com.

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

N

HAPPY-HOUR SPOTS IN HONG KONG

ight outs don’t get more fun than they do in Hong Kong. The city is known for having some of the best bars and restaurants. When going out on the town, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) advises visitors to start a little earlier and get these great deals with the best happy hour offerings in the city.

The Optimist Located in one of Hong Kong’s hippest neighborhoods, the stunning three-story Spanish drinking and dining spot with elegant high-ceiling bar is decked out in teal walls, golden fixtures, and a garden theme that transports you to Barcelona the moment you enter. Offerings of delicious small dishes accompany its vast selection of cocktails including crowd favorites Gin on Ginger and the Vesper Martini. Head to The Optimist bar for “The Optimistic” happy hour every day from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for wine, aperitifs, beer, cocktails as you nibble on bar snacks — all starting from HK$48.

G/F-2/F, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, (+852) 2433-3324, www.theoptimist.hk.

Mahalo Tiki Lounge Think upscale, elegant Polynesian. No kooky leis and giant pineapples, just tasteful bamboo, palm tree décor, vintage bronze touches with mood lighting. This is a great place to hang out if you enjoy outdoor drinking. Its top floor location boasts of a stunning cityscape view that contrasts with the bar’s resort-like vibe. Come for the ambiance and stay for the refreshing drinks. For a great deal, come at 6PM to 8PM any day to enjoy a 20 percent discount on your drinks.

29/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queens Road East, Wan Chai, (+852) 2488-8750, www.mahalotikibar.com.

Cé la Vi This is the place to go if you want to feel on top of the world. The three-story establishment has bar, club, and restaurant. The rooftop SkyBar is where you can sip signature cocktails while enjoying a 360-degree view of the city, overlooking the heart of Central and Victoria Harbour. Come here to see and be seen, without breaking the bank. Catch the weekday deal of two-for-one prices on select wine, beer, cocktails, and Louis Roederer champagne.

25/F California Tower, 30 D’ Aguilar Street, Central, (+852) 3700-2300, hk.celavi.com.

The Pontiac Inspired by American dive bars and neighborhood joints is this all-women run bar. Mixologist extraordinaire Beckaly Franks helms this spunky, sexy bar that’s bursting with character. The grungy, lived-in interiors offer a welcoming vibe to customers, who are mostly regulars.

The menu offers quality over quantity, with just eight signature cocktails, all priced at HK$88 each.

Roundhouse – Taproom On days that you want to keep things casual and relaxed, and a bottle of good ol’ beer sounds like the best thing in the world, head on to this Texan watering hole. You’re sure to find something you like among Taproom’s selection of beers. Customers can order from an iPad that lists more than 70 craft beers from all over Asia. If you’re looking for the best food to pair with your drink, the restaurant’s barbecues will definitely do the trick.

13 Old Bailey Street, Central, (+852) 2521-3855, www.facebook.com/thepontiac.

62 Peel Street, Central, (+852) 2366-4880, roundhouse.com.hk.

Disney theme park in Shanghai nears a million visitors San Francisco–Disney chief executive Robert Iger on Monday said that nearly a million people have visited the entertainment giant’s theme park opened less than a month ago in mainland China.

“It would be safe to assume almost a million people have experienced the park,” Iger said during an on-stage chat at a Fortune Brainstorm Tech conference in Aspen, Colorado.

Visitors to the park are staying longer than expected each day and showing fondness for Chinese barbecued pork with rice, cheeseburgers and turkey legs, according to Iger.

“We are introducing turkey legs to China,” Iger quipped. “Which I thought was a mistake, but we are selling 3,000 a day.”

Each turkey leg, sourced from Poland, costs more than $8.00.

Disney set the entrance fee at Y499.00 or $76.00 during peak periods and Y370 or $56 for other times, in a country where the average monthly disposable income is just $278.00.

Disney opened the massive Shanghai theme park to the public in mid-June, hoping to win over communist-ruled

Shanghai Disneyland located in Pudong, Shanghai, China

China’s growing middle class with the ultimate American cultural export.

The Shanghai resort is the US company’s sixth in the world and the first in mainland China –there is already one in Hong Kong.

Disney tailored park attractions for China and left out some American trademark

features, such as Main Street USA. “I very much wanted to avoid being called a cultural imperialist,” Iger said of work that went into tuning the Disney park for Shanghai.

Disney said its philosophy is to integrate local elements throughout, from the Chinese food on the menu to the attractions

—even the Disney castle is topped with a traditional peony flower.

Iger referred to the Shanghai project as a lesson in patience and perseverance, saying nearly 18 years elapsed from when he first stepped on the site for a survey to the day of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The park is the most technologically advanced ever constructed by Disney, Iger said.

Workers broke ground on the project in 2011 and the Shanghai Disney Resort now sprawls over 3.9 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) on the city’s outskirts, with a fairy-tale castle soaring over the horizon.

But the launch of the $5.5 billion resort, representing one of the biggest foreign investments ever in China, comes as growth in the world’s second largest economy slumps to its lowest level in a quarter century.

Still, Disney deemed the world’s most populous country too big to ignore.

There is competition for tourist cash as China builds more theme parks than any other country in the world. – AFP

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

King Julien, a character in the hit movie Madagascar, shows off his cool moves for the Dance Competition

Kung Fu Panda's protagonist Po the panda delights guests with his dance steps

CHILDREN’S DREAM PLAYGROUND MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

“A

dream is a wish your heart makes…”

If you’re familiar with this line from the theme song of Cinderella, you’re either a dyed-in-thewool romantic or you’re having a hard time shaking off the child in you.

I must confess to being both!

I’m a sucker for books and movies on romance, and amazed that the child in me is just dormant, after all, easily brought back to life when I am exposed to anything attractive to children.

Here’s one that has caught my fancy recently.

DreamWorks Animation is an American film production outfit that has produced the Shrek series of movies, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots, and The Croods, grossing more than $13 billion worldwide, as of April this year.

Built upon the lovable creatures of DreamWorks and harnessing their popularity, City of Dreams Manila put up DreamPlay by DreamWorks, a firstof-its-kind indoor, interactive play and creativity center.

The 5000-square meter space features a restaurant, three themed party rooms and more than 12 attractions inspired by DreamWorks beloved movie characters.

Thread of Enlightenment tests the child’s bravery and balance as he makes his way across a two-level ropes course, while Fast as Lightning gives the child the chance to be a Kung Fu Master alongside Po and The Furious Five. Wall of Destiny tests the child’s climbing skills as he reaches the top and finds his destiny.

How To Fly Your Dragon lets the child create his own unique dragon and, once completed, climb on top of it to fly it.

Dinotrux teaches the child to build and pilot his own Reptool. Whatever Floats Your

City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres addresses the crowd during the first anniversary celebration of DreamPlay by DreamWorks

Boat is where the child helps the penguins by creating a sound seafaring vessel.

Afro Circus is a multi-level play area where the child can dive into a world of foam and fun as he joins Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria. Cooking With Gingy is like a kitchen lab which teaches the children how to bake their own gingerbread man, and Shrek’s Swamp Stomp gives the child a tour of Shrek’s swamp house, with an unpleasant surprise if the child doesn’t stay away from the outhouse.

Dream Tales Library is where storytelling comes to life as the DreamWorks characters take the stage in a puppet show.

DreamStudio puts children in the Director’s chair and allows them to make their very own animated films while DreamTheater gives the audience the ultimate excitement in movie viewing through a unique 4D experience.

Last month, DreamPlay celebrated its first anniversary with an enthralling month-long line-up of activities which included a new 4D movie, new activities

The author with Shrek and Princess Fiona

in the various attractions, a flash mob, arts and crafts workshops, and culminated in King Julien’s Dance Off, a dance competition for children ages seven to 14.

Over a hundred thousand worth of prizes were given out to the winners.

The whirlwind of activities set off by DreamPlay’s first anniversary celebration last month certainly attracted a lot of children to this mecca of family entertainment.

City of Dreams Manila, the dynamic and innovative resort complex at Entertainment City, Manila Bay, which owns and operates DreamPlay, has proven that it doesn’t cater only to gaming aficionados but also to the family-oriented crowd.

City of Dreams Manila is an integrated resort, which features three luxury hotel brands—Crown, Nobu, and Hyatt—retail, dining, lifestyle venues and two levels of cavernous gaming space. It has been developed to meet the needs of the large, rapidly growing and increasingly diverse audience of leisure and entertainment seekers, both in the country and those from abroad.

So, for those of us who always dream of having the best that entertainment can offer, take heed of the last lines of Cinderella’s song—“…If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE Two blondes drove down the freeway looking for the Exit that leads to Disneyland. A few hundred meters later, they saw a sign that said “Disneyland Left.” They went home!

F RIDAY : J ULY 2 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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‘GAME OF THRONES’

T

TO BEGIN PRODUCTION ON SEASON 7

he Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning series Game Of Thrones will begin shooting its next season later this summer, it was announced by Casey Bloys, president, HBO programming.

Production of the seven-episode seventh season will be based in Northern Ireland, while additional portions will be filmed in Spain and Iceland, with debut slated for summer 2017 on HBO. “Now that winter has arrived on Game Of Thrones, Executive Producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss felt that the storylines of the next season would be better served by starting production a little later than usual, when the weather is changing,” said Bloys. “Instead of the show’s traditional spring debut, we’re moving the debut to summer to accommodate the shooting schedule.”

Season seven directors will include Mark Mylod, Jeremy Podeswa, Matt Shakman and Alan Taylor.

Locations for shooting in Spain will include Sevilla, Caceres, Almodovar del Rio, Santiponce, Zumaia and Bermeo.

Last week, Game Of Thrones received 23 Primetime Emmy® nominations, the most of any nominee for the third year in a row.

This year’s nominations include Outstanding Drama Series, two for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Pe-

Khaleesi. Emily Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the HBO original series, in the background is Drogon, the biggest and most aggressive fire-spewing dragon in the series

ter Dinklage, Kit Harington), three for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey,

Littlefinger (Petyr Baelish) and Sansa Spark (Sophie Turner)

Maisie Williams), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Max von Sydow), two for Outstanding Directing for a Drama

Series (Miguel Sapochnik, Jack Bender) and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss).

A scene from the top-rating series featuring Jon Snow (right) played by Kit Harington

Whatever Happened To Annie?

Now that a new production of the beloved family musical Annie will open later this year, younger generations will finally meet the spunky character in a red dress who went on to become a pop culture icon.

Presented by Resorts World Manila (RWM) through Full House Theater Company, and in cooperation with Ultimate Shows, Inc., Annie will return to the country in September, 36 years after it was first staged by Repertory Philippines in 1980.

This year, the role will be played by talented rising stars Krystal Brimner and Isabeli Araneta Elizalde, who both know that filling Annie’s shoes is no easy task.

Looking back at actresses who have played the role, that one crucial factor that directors look for in a potential Annie is clearly a positive attitude and optimistic outlook.

In the country, Lea Salonga, who gave life to Annie for the first time on Philippine stage, is well known for her enthusiasm for theater. Her strong will and positive attitude catapulted her to international stardom as she starred in Miss Saigon, making her the first Asian to win a Tony Award, and Les Misérables, which landed her the distinction of being the first Asian to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine.

In 1998, Repertory Philippines reprised

Annie in the country with Charito Sanoy and Camille Cabrera alternating in the title role. Charito’s other accomplishments include her singing of “We Are One” as a young Kiara for Disney’s Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride film, and as the voice of Sasha in The Rugrats television series in which she was nominated by the 1997 Young Artist Award for best performance in a voiceover (young artist category). Camille on the other hand went on to star as Mary Lennox in Repertory Philippines’ The Secret Garden in 2001 and as Susan in Trumpets’ The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe in 1997 establishing herself as one of the young and talented thespians of her time.

Internationally, actresses who have played the role of Annie include Andrea McArdle who starred in the original Broadway musical in 1977, Aileen Quinn who took on the title role for the first film version in 1982, and Quvenzhane Wallis who starred in the 2014 film.

Andrea was the youngest actress to be nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Annie, which prepared her for a thriving career in musical theater and as a favorite performer in posh showrooms, hotels, and cruise ships around the U.S. Aileen, who first played Annie on film, earned two Golden Globe nominations

and a best actress plum from the Youth in Film Awards for her role. At 18, she pursued studies on language with a minor in political science at the Drew University in Madison, New Jersey where she graduated with honors before returning onstage in Broadway national tours and at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Aileen has also appeared in independent films, fronts her L.A.-based rockabilly band The Leapin’ Lizards and teaches theater at Monmouth University, where its Woodrow Wilson Hall is what used to be the same setting of billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks’s mansion in the film.

The most recent Annie incarnation was from Quvenzhane who earned the distinction of being the youngest best actress nominee for an Academy Award for her role as Hushpuppy in the 2012 film Beasts of the Southern Wild. Her portrayal of Annie also earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and in 2014 was named the first major child celebrity to be a brand ambassador of the luxury brand Armani Junior.

The success that these former ANNIEs have achieved in their careers may just foreshadow what the future might bring for RWM’s leading ladies Krystal and Isa-

Fomer Annie: Lea Salonga performs at the Newport Performing Arts Theater

beli. With their innate optimism and confidence, these two certainly have what it takes to win audiences’ hearts and let the sun come out with their flair onstage.

ANNIE opens on Sept. 30 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 9088833 for more updates on Annie.

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F RIDAY : J ULY 2 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

PEOPLE ¼

are talking about

¼

Encantadia

are not talking about

Tito Sotto

The return of the immensely popular fantasy show on the small screen is one big TV event.

On Monday, when the “requel” of Encantadia premiered, two generations of TV viewers were glued in front of their TV sets.

The pilot was so successful it topped Twitter trending topics and made everyone else in the ratings race, including FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, eat dust.

The TV host/comedian who also dabbles in politics drew flak for a rape-related joke he made on national television. Instead of apologizing and explaining his side, Sotto defended himself and said he didn’t say anything wrong. With this mindset, it’s obvious that we cannot change his perception of what is acceptable or not. Yes, people, that’s your senator attempting to speak in tongues right there.

Alden Richards

Sam Ajdani

After AlDub broke Facebook and Twitter when the love team celebrated its first remarkable year, the Pambansang Bae has another phenomenal reason to celebrate. Alden’s Wish I May EP (extended play) has just been certified 7x platinum for selling more than 105,000 units. With this achievement, it is safe to say that the EP is the most successful record released in 2015.

He has been prepped to compete in this year’s Mr. World since two years ago, also when fellow model John Spainhour was handpicked to represent the country in the prestigious male pageant that year. But Sam was the last candidate to arrive in London, where the competition was held, missing almost half of the major events in the male beauty competition. Poor Sam! He could have represented his country well.

Junior New System

Talking about impressive feat, the dance group has just made Filipino talent shine on the global stage. After making headlines in Asia’s Got Talent last year, Junior New System strutted home with the “Senior Dance Group of the World” and “Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World” awards at the WCOPA. You know, the competition considered as the Olympics for performing arts.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 42 43 45

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Discern 5 Way up there 9 Hot rum mixture 13 Nonsense poet Edward — 14 Yeah (hyph.)

16 Raise one’s voice 17 Limerick locale 18 Like long grasses 19 Marseilles Ms. 20 Lanchester of film

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— Dawn Chong Fabled lumberjack Ski tow (hyph.)

— Minor Walk nonchalantly Courier Very pale Grasping Quaker pronoun Ms. Hagen of films Rap sheet info 911 responder

Succotash bean Strong, dark beer Farr of “M*A*S*H” “The 400 Blows” director 47 Toast edges 48 Finish the laundry 49 Price tag 50 Opera barber 53 Take it on the — 54 Boxcar rider 58 Mighty steed 59 Bete — 61 Libra’s stone 62 Ski mecca 63 Rectify 64 Greet the dawn 65 Murray or Baxter 66 Chop — 67 Takes notice of DOWN 1 “Fish Magic” artist 2 Mr. Diamond 3 Thole fillers 4 Envelop 5 Team cheer 6 “— — You Knocking” 7 Clarified butter 8 Paul Newman role 9 Acrobat 10 Be certain of 11 Clay jar 12 Highland valley 15 Seed catalog

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016

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offerings — Enterprise Forbid Alaskan craft River rapids Moving about Famed orca Turn out Throat-clearing sounds Send, as payment Toadies’ responses Vocally Shellfish Cordial Next year’s grads.

Royalty recipients Gift-tag word Eddie Murphy movie Judy of “Laugh-In” Falafel bean Afghanistan’s neighbor Narrow the gap Place Mayberry moppet It turns litmus blue Pamplona yells Mantra chants

The Pacquiao Brothers Most celebrities demonstrated some sort of gift or talent or skill that was greater than the ordinary capacities of normal people. Hence, they landed a spot in showbiz.

But the same thing cannot be said of Pacman’s young men, Jimuel and Michael, whose gigantic billboard on Edsa serves as a glaring sign that they want some attention, too. Why does Bench hire pseudo celebrities for its huge tarps in the first place?

F RIDAY : J ULY 2 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

C7

SARAH GERONIMO’S

P

SWEET MEMORIES

op Princess Sarah Geronimo has been to many countries—Canada, United States, Australia, Dubai, Italy, Japan—and has tried their local cuisines. But, for her, there is no dish more delicious than the ones her mother Divine prepares at home.

“Iba talaga pag lutong bahay, pag mommy mo ang nag-prepare,” says the singer, actress, and television personality. She recalls how she would even help her mom prepare summer desserts when she was young. “Si mama, every summer, nagtitinda siya ng mais con yelo. Favorite merienda ko po ‘yun because that dessert brings back happy childhood memories and bonding time with my family.

It’s very close to my heart.”

They’re a very close-knit fam-

ily and even now with her hectic schedule, she makes sure she finds the time to be with them.

She is actually looking forward to a family trip to Palawan. “Excited po ako i-try ‘yung mais con yelo sa isang restaurant sa Puerto Princesa. Sabi nila masarap daw talaga,” The family loves going on trips. One summer, they went to Pampanga and her mom made this super delicious halo-halo.

“Yung may ube, topped with ice cream, and with unlimited Alaska Evaporada.” Sarah fondly recalls.

It actually brought back happy memories with her cousins in the province—running around, playing langit at lupa, and finishing the day with a bowl of sweet halohalo.

It is perhaps because of these childhood memories that Sarah

loves desserts so much. The mango float, for instance, is a summer dessert staple at home and her go-to midnight snack. “Isa ito sa mga pinaka-favorite ko, lalo na po yung makapal ang Alaska condensada na may halong Guimaras mangoes. Nag-stock na nga kami sa bahay. Hahaha!” she candidly confesses.

Another favorite is the matamis na saging na saba, which she eats with lots and lots of milk. “Yung iba, they’ll just eat the saging but me, I drink the milk. Masarap kasi. I love its very rich in flavor and creaminess.”

She is a self-professed lover of milk, not just in her desserts but also in her other favorite dishes like creamy chicken soup and chicken curry. Milk is actually a childhood kitchen staple, some-

thing that they absolutely have at home. “Si Mama maraming recipes na may halong milk. Tradition na yan. Mas sumasarap talaga ang pagkain pag may gatas. So when we travel around the Philippines, pag food trip time na,hinahanaphanap namin yan palagi kasi nakasanayan na.”

For her next #SarapMagFoodTrip adventure, this time to the beautiful province of Batanes, Sarah has already read blogs about the place and just can’t wait to bask under the summer sun, tour one of the country’s most photogenic provinces, try the local cuisine, and cap the day with a glass of halo-halo overflowing with Alaska Evaporada. Exactly the way her mom would prepare it when she was young. Exactly the way she likes it until now.

Sabrina’s new single is ‘Oh My Venus’ theme song

Seasoned actress Jaclyn Jose

Clockwise: Gladys Guevarra, Eugene Domingo and Sef Cadayona

Jaclyn Jose and Eugene Domingo in ‘Laff, Camera, Action!’

Cannes Film Festival 2016 Best Actress Jaclyn Jose and award-winning comedian Eugene “Uge” Domingo bring good vibes and laughter in GMA’s improvisational comedy game show Laff Camera Action! tomorrow, July 23.

After defeating the team of Teri Gian, Terry Onor and Michelle O Bombshell, can Barbie Forteza, Inday Garutay and Rj Padilla continue their winning streak and be able to get a seat in the Hall of Famer now that the team of Fabio Ide, Lovely Abella and Orca is challenging them?

Catch this wacky episode of Laff, Camera, Action! on Saturday after Wish Ko Lang on GMA Sabado Star Power.

Celebrity guests in at the studio of “Laff Camera Action!”

Mutya Ng Pilipinas candidates on Skyjet to Palawan Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 cqndidates – all 30 of them – pose for photographers after the Skyjet aircraft they boarded from Manila landed the Puerto Prinsesa City airport in on Tuesday, July 19.

The candidates flew to the Southern Tagalog city for the swimsuit competition at the underground river and Sheridan Hotel.

Skyjet Airlines is the official airline of Mutya ng Pilipinas.

Coronation night will be on July 30at Resort World Manila.

iPHOTO

“Kung Pwede Lang”, the heartwarming ballad by Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina is the theme song of GMA’s latest Korean series Oh My Venus.

The series tells the story of Niko (portrayed by So Ji-sub), a personal trainer and Janelle (portrayed by Shin Min-a), a lawyer who used to be known for her pretty face and enviable figure but has gained a lot of weight. As they work on her physical transformation, will the two fall in love eventually?

“Kung Pwede Lang” was written by Sabrina herself and is the only Tagalog track off her alloriginals album Sab. The song is about second chances and yearning for lost time.

“I’m so excited that my song ‘Kung Pwede Lang’ was chosen to be the theme song of a popular Korean series,” Sabrina said. “I’m sure a lot (of people) can relate to the song more and hopefully touch other people via Oh My Venus.

Sab is now available worldwide digitally on Spinnr, iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and on CDs at leading record stores.

The digital release also includes the first two songs she wrote way back, during her I Love Acoustic compilation days, called “Oh Boy” and “Paradise”.

Oh My Venus airs on GMA Network weekdays at 11am.

For bookings and inquiries, contact Bea Velasquez of MCA Music Artist Management at +639209682991 or email mcabookings@umusic.com.

For more information on Sabrina, log on to the following pages: Facebook- MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) or Sabrina- I Love Acoustic, Instagram- mca_music or lovelotssabrina, Twitter- @mcamusic or @ lovelotssabrina.

Acoustic artist Sabrina sings the theme song of GMA-7’s newest Koreanovela

F RIDAY : J ULY 2 2, 2016

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Solenn Heussaff as Cassiopea in the requel of “Encantadia”

Cesar Montano playing a baddie role in the primetime series on Kapamilya Network

RIVAL PRIMETIME SHOWS

CLAIM RATINGS LEADERSHIP NATIONWIDE ISAH V. RED

W

ith the launch of Encantadia remake on GMA Network, the battle for primetime ratings supremacy has intensified beginning Monday.

While the Kapuso network is celebrating the ratings lead of Encantadia nationwide (as affirmed by both NUTAM and Kantar media) during its pilot airing last Monday, the Kapamilya network claimed that FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano remains the top favorite of Filipinos on primetime TV. Encantadia scores high on its pilot episode Last Monday, Filipinos witnessed the return of the popular and well-loved telefantasya Encantadia on GMA Telebabad. The remake, which the networks calls the requel, looked grander than its original edition in terms of visual effects, costumes, and cast.

The pilot episode showed the history of

Encantadia and how the four gems – fire, wind, water, earth – came to being. Also, the network’s royal and real couple – Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera-Dantes – was the main attraction since the two play Prinsipe Raquim and Ynang Reyna Minea.

The pilot also featured appearances by John Arcilla as Hagorn, Rocco Nacino as Aquil, Sunshine Dizon as Adhara, Rochelle Pangilinan as Agane, Vaness del Moral as Gurna, Carlo Gonzalez as Muros, Max Collins as Amihan and Solenn Heussaff as Cassiopea.

According to data from ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the much-awaited requel scored a rating of 26.1 percent in Urban Luzon beating its ABS-CBN counterpart, FPJ’sAng Probinsyano with its 24.2 percent rating.

Ratings aside, the pilot episode also trended in social media nationwide and worldwide.

Coco keeps throne as king of primetime Coco Martin continues to live up to his title as the Primetime King with Kapamilya primetime teleserye FPJ’s Ang Probisyano maintaining its spot as the most watched series in the country last Monday.

Carlo Gonzales (left) as Muros amd John Arcilla (right) as Hagorn

Primetime King. Coco Martin’s FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is still the most watchedseries nationwide

Audiences nationwide tuned in to the the survey samples represent the totality of heart-pounding episode in which hitman the viewing public. The inference on the reHector (Cesar Montano) shoots Cardo’s sults may be valid since no survey company (Coco Martin) grandfather Delfin (Jaime can actually monitor the viewing pattern of Fabregas) during his surprise birthday every household in the country. celebration. It reIn fact, surveys corded a national and the rating perIn the end, the surveys TV rating of 42.4 centages are tools are only hypothetical. percent, beating of advertising agenrival program cies in determining The audience is still the Encantadia that how much money best judge. But so far, posted a mere 21 an account/brand percent. would allocate to no research company The online a certain program. can actually do a most world was also In my time at an shaken with the agency, comprehensive survey to advertising nerve-wrecking we determine other determine which program factors like deepisode as the official hashtag mographics (how is at the top. And both #FPJAPUltimany women or networks know it is very men and how old, matum trended on microblogwhat classes do expensive to do. ging site Twitter. they belong to) in Moreover, nemaking advertising tizens were all praises for the cast’s stellar expenditures to a client. performances and the teleserye’s cinematic But TV networks these days use the surscenes. vey results and ratings figure to further Since the top-rating series started air- their claim as to which of them is actually ing on television, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano the leader in local broadcasting. has shed light on the real-life experiences In the end, the surveys are only hypothetiof Filipinos and has shown the importance cal. The audience is still the best judge. But of family and love for the country. Viewers so far, no research company can actually do are also drawn to the program’s story that a most comprehensive survey to determine highlights family values and issues that af- which program is at the top. And both netfects ordinary Filipinos. works know it is very expensive to do.

So, who really won the audience?

Meanwhile, the network rivalry goes on even The ratings survey, either by NUTAM as both leading broadcast companies subscribe or Kantar Media, simply pre-supposes that to two rival survey companies as well.