The Standard - 2016 February 4 - Thursday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXIX NO. 357 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSday : FEBRUaRy 4, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Roxas confident Cebu will deliver

PNP NAMES MILF MEN IN BOMBING By Francisco Tuyay

POLICE identified three suspects in Tuesday’s bomb attack in Tacurong City as being members of a faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The suspects were identified as Hairodin Abubakar, Lok Oteng and Daud Kansi, and were said to have had one other companion. Police said the improvised bomb was brought from Matanog, Maguindanao to Tacurong City

through Lambayong, Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao. The military, on the other hand, said the blast, which injured several civilians, was the handiwork of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rebels.

The bomb held concrete nails and metal fragments and was concealed in the bumper of a black Toyota car parked at a vacant lot near the city center. Police and the military said they were tracking the assailants. The blast, one security expert said, could be a prelude to widescale hostilities between the MILF and security forces after the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the lynchpin for a peace agreement between the government and the rebels, failed

to pass in Congress. The rival Moro National Liberation Front said it would not be dragged into a shooting war with government forces. “We will not permit the war from spilling over to our areas,” MNLF spokesman Absalom Cerveza said amid signs that the MILF was preparing for war. Reports said the Tacurong bombing was a unilateral action by Abdullah Macapar, alias Commander Bravo of the MILF, who

was reportedly massing fighters in Central Mindanao following the collapse of the BBL. Cerveza said the prospects for peace in Mindanao depends on how the military handles the situation. “If the government will be stupid and go on a wanton assault, then widespread war could start,” Cerveza said. Earlier, chief government peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer warned that failure to pass the BBL could spark violence. Next page

Girding for war. These are some of the soldiers belonging to five Army battalions and three Marine battalions deployed recently to Sulu province to go after an estimated 200 fighters of the Abu Sayyaf terror group. MARINES PHOTO

Comelec junks DQ complaints vs Duterte By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan HOURS before the Commission on Elections dismissed all disqualification cases against him, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte lashed back at critics who didn’t believe he can end criminality in six months, saying they are bayot, the Cebuano term for gay.

“My enemies say, it’s impossible because they are gay,” Duterte said at a presidential forum at the University of the Philippines in Diliman Wednesday. Duterte’s critics in the administration—including administration standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and senatorial candidate and former Justice secretary Leila de Lima—have warned about the mayor’s brand of

frontier justice. “Killing is killing, no matter what… If he admitted he’s responsible for these killings, then he should be held criminally liable,” De Lima said of Duterte’s boasts about killing criminal suspects. Former human rights commissioner Loretta Rosales warned that voting for Duterte would bring back the MarNext page tial Law days.

Joint sea exercises with US planned

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Joint US-PH sea patrols planned By Vito Barcelo

THE United States and the Philippines may hold joint maritime patrols in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said Wednesday, but he did not say when these would take place.

Foreign relations. US Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg explains the current state of American-Chinese relations at a breakfast forum in Quezon City on Wednesday. JANSEN ROMERO

PNP... From A1

“That’s the danger, that’s why we are taking steps, calling for sobriety,” she said. Ferrer said indifference and chronic absenteeism in the House torpedoed the passage of the BBL. “Let me state the fact: The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, in whatever shape or form, did not make it out of the 16th Congress,” said Ferrer. “The sheer indifference and chronic absenteeism of majority of the legislators manifested in the lack of quorum almost on a daily basis in the House of Representatives, and the prolonged and repetitive interpellation of oppositors ate up the remaining sessions,” Ferrer said. The 10,000-strong MILF signed a peace accord with the government

Comelec... From A1

Roxas questioned Duterte’s claim that Davao was a peaceful city, calling this a myth. This triggered a word war between the two candidates. Duterte, whose campaign platform is focused on reducing criminality and narco-politics, had earlier said that he’s willing to kill to make things happen. “When I said I’ll stop criminality, I’ll stop criminality,” Duterte told The Standard in an interview Sunday. “If I have to kill you, I’ll kill you. Personally.” The mayor said the country lacks leaders with the political will to do what needs to be done. “They can’t do it. They’re scared to go to prison. They are scared to make mistakes, to kill, to die. Why? Because they are rich, too scared to die because they are hooked on money,” he said. Duterte also claimed that at least three high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police do have ties to big-time drug syndicates, but he refused to name them. “Many police generals in Metro Manila are involved in drug activities,” he said. He warned the three police officials involved in drug cases to im-

in 2014 to end its struggle for independence, which began in the 1970s. Under the accord, the rebels would have only given up their arms after the BBL was passed creating the autonomous homeland and a regional government was elected. The vote was meant to take place alongside the May general election. After the collapse in 2008 of the last attempt to seal a peace deal with the MILF, hardline rebels raided Christian farming villages, triggering fighting that left more than 400 people dead and 600,000 displaced. Chief MILF negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said Wednesday the rebel leadership was working hard to avoid a repeat, and vowed to continue working for peace with Aquino’s successor. He told ABS-CBN television there could be a feeling of “repression” within the MILF ranks, but the leadership was countering with

“massive engagement.” “We just explain to them that here lies the problem in the peace process. We will never cease engaging in the peace process,” he told ABSCBN television. Most political analysts say Aquino lost lawmakers’ support for the autonomy bill after a police raid in MILF territory in Mamasapano last year killed a Malaysian bomb maker on the United States’ list of mostwanted terrorists. However, the raid led to a day of intense fighting with the MILF and other rebels that left 44 police commandos dead. US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said Wednesday the US did not carry out that operation. At a forum in Quezon City, Goldberg said while the US will continue to work closely with the Philippines in monitoring local terrorism linked to international jihadists, the

Mamasapano raid was not a US-designed operation. He said the US and the Philippines, along with the other countries, have been cooperating with one another to share information to fight terrorism. At the same forum, he would not confirm nor deny the presence of some US soldiers during the rescue operation after 44 SAF members were killed in a clash with the members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Although the US supports peace, Goldberg said, it would not comment on the BBL. “We have said all along that the BBL is domestic legislation. It’s intended to carry out the comprehensive agreement on Bangsamoro. It is a domestic issue not for me to comment,” he said. With Rio N. Araja, Sandy Araneta, AFP

mediately leave the active service should he win the May 2016 polls. “If I win, they better leave,” he said. Duterte made the remarks hours before Comelec First Division chairman Christian Robert Lim announced in a press briefing the dismissal of all disqualification cases against Duterte. Lim said the division dismissed the petitions of broadcaster Ruben Castor, University of the Philippines Student Council chair John Paulo Delas Nieves, nuisance candidates Rizalito David and lawyer Elly Pamatong. “We would like to announce that the First Division has ruled that the punisher will live to die another day... The First Division has ruled to deny all petitions filed against Mayor Duterte,” Lim said adding that it was a “thick” 50-page decision. In the 50-page resolution, the Comelec found that former PDP-Laban standard bearer Martin Diño’s Certificate of Candidacy is valid and he is not been declared a nuisance candidate. The poll body also found that Diño’s withdrawal as a presidential candidate is valid while Duterte himself did not commit any material misrepresentation in his CoC for president. The Comelec explained that they dismissed the petition of Castor and Nieves for “lack of merit” and for fail-

ure to appear during the preliminary conference of their respective cases. The resolution also said that both Castor and Nieves failed to file their petition within the allowable 25 days window to contest the candidacy of Diño. “In so far as respondent Diño’s CoC is concerned, any question as to any material misrepresentation made therein should have been brought within 25 days from Oct. 16 to Nov. 10, in accordance with Section 78 of the OEC,” the resolution read. “The Castor and Nieves petitions, having been filed on Nov. 27 and Dec. 22, respectively, were therefore not timely filed in so far as respondent Diño’s CoC is concerned,” it said. On Duterte’s case that he committed material misrepresentation, the resolution said Castor’s allegation is “defective and cannot be taken cognizance of by the Commission First Division.” Lim said the decision was made unanimously but Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is set to file her separate opinion on the case. Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said that even the four petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration before the Commission en banc, Duterte’s name is still included in the final list of candidates for the May 9 national and local elections.

“We can say there are six candidates for presidents and six for vice presidents,” he said. “They can petition the en banc, but it will take five days. Of course, the en banc would have to look into it but when we start printing, Duterte’s name will be included,” Bautista said. Bautista clarified, however, that if the petitioners are able to secure a restraining order from the Supreme Court, they will abide by the order. Meanwhile, Duterte’s spokesman Karlo Nograles lauded the decision of the First Division, saying it is a signal to all “who have stayed the course” that Duterte’s candidacy is on the right path. “We are overjoyed with the decision of Comelec to dismiss all disqualification cases filed against Rodrigo Duterte. Even more so because it was a unanimous decision,” Nograles said, noting that that are no more legal impediments to the candidacy of Duterte. “The timing is perfect. With this chapter coming to a close, and the official national campaign about to begin, we shall now consolidate the forces between those who have been with us and those who are going to join us. We expect nothing less than an increase in groundswell for Duterte’s brand of leadership. Change is coming,” Nograles said.

He said such patrols would be well within the rights of both countries under international law to exercise their freedom of navigation in accordance with the United Nation Convention on the Laws of the Sea. The US announcement comes amid growing tension in the region over territorial disputes between China and other Asian nations, including the Philippines. “Washington...believes it is well within its rights under international law to sail in international waters and fly through international airspace,” Goldberg said. “We do discuss that principle with the Philippines and so I’m not discarding that possibility, but we’re not going to make announcements about that beforehand because it’s our view that we have every right under international law to exercise freedom of navigation in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, and we will continue to do so,” Goldberg said. The US envoy clarified that the prospect of holding joint maritime patrols is not part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. “Edca itself is not designed to address the issues of South China Sea, the claims, the different disputes that are taking place. The effort is to help the Philippines develop its modernization program [for] the armed forces particularly in areas like maritime security and maritime domain awareness,” Goldberg said. The agreement, whose validity has been upheld by the Supreme Court, provides for the increased rotational presence of US troops in the country. In October last year, the American destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef, one of seven tiny specks in the Spratly archipelago where China has built artificial islands, drawing an angry response from Beijing. America fears they are military bases in the making, which would greatly extend China’s military reach. It has called on China to halt all construction. Some members of the House of Representatives have urged President Benigno Aquino III to start “freedom of navigation” patrols after the United States deployed the USS Lassen guided missile destroyer in October last year.

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Binay adds Ifugao gov to his supporters IFUGAO Gov. Dennis Habawel of the Nationalista Party has declared his full support for United Nationalist Alliance standard bearer Jejomar Binay, fortifying Binay’s lead in the vote-rich “Solid North,” UNA secretary-general JV Bautista said Wednesday. Bautista made his statement even as Malacañang on Wednesday described Binay’s camp as “insecure” after it accused Liberal Standard standard bearer Manuel Roxas II as the one who had a hand in the release of political advertisements that were against Binay “Is Binay’s camp so insecure that they are accusing the camp of Mar Roxas [of releasing the negative ads]? Was he affected by the ad of Mar that’s why he [Binay] is accusing him [Roxas]?” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to reporters. Habawel said Binay was the most qualified to respond to various local concerns, including the problems on poverty, hunger, education and health care for ordinary citizens. “It was not difficult for me to make the decision to help Vice President Binay capture Malacañang because he is one of our own. He will be the first president, God willing, who will come from the ranks of the indig-

enous People’s group,” Habawel said. He described Binay as the only presidential candidate that listens to the concerns of ordinary citizens. “Additionally, this is also our way of expressing our deepest gratitude to the Binay family as his grandmother served for a long time as a public school teacher in a farflung barangay called Magulon in Mayoyao town,” Habawel said. Bautista said the groundswell of support for the presidential bid of Binay continued to gain momentum as another governor from the Cordillera Autonomous Region was expected to join UNA in the next few days. “Clearly, there is now a snowballing trend from the ranks of incumbent local officials that is developing into a surge of support for Binay,” Bautista said. Cicero Lumauig, UNA provincial coordinator for Ifugao, said eight out of 11 incumbent mayors were with Habawel. UNA likewise confirmed that in the Municipality of Lagawe, the contenders incumbent Vice Mayor Habawel and Gadfrey Duminong of UNA were both supporting Binay, and that mayoralty candidate Eladio Bang-ud was supporting Binay in Asipulo town. “Alfonso Lista Mayor Arsenio Humiding, of the CPLA, is also being adopted by UNA and because of this development Binay is assured of an overwhelming victory in Ifugao province,” Lumauig said. Vito Barcelo and sandy araneta

Commemoration. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jianhua Zhao lays a wreath at the Freedom Triangle at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday in commemoration of the 71st anniversary of the Battle for Manila. Danny Pata

Forum. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a presidential candidate, attends the Peasants Electoral Agenda Forum at the University of the Philippines-Diliman on Wednesday. Jansen RomeRo

Poe hopes other justices will also be sympathetic SENATOR Grace Poe on Wednesday expressed hope that the public and the Supreme Court’s justices, who make the final judgment on her case, will be as sympathetic to her after Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno cited jurisprudence on the case of foundlings. “It rings loud and clear that the right of foundlings to a nationality will just be empty rhetoric unless the government accords them due respect,” Poe said. She made her statement even as Malacañang said it is inappropriate to comment on Poe’s disqualification cases as the Supreme Court was still deliberating on them. “As we respect the independence of the judiciary, we believe it is inappropriate for us to offer comments on their deliberations,” Communications Secretary

Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to reporters following Sereno’s latest statement on foundlings. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda urged the public to wait for the decision of the high court and not rely on Sereno’s opinion. Poe said she takes refuge in the statement of Sereno who is fighting hard for the rights of foundlings like her. petitioners in Poe’s disqualification cases claim she is not a natural-born Filipino citizen and so is not qualified to run for president. The issue on Poe’s citizenship is now being heard by the Supreme Court, which has conducted three oral arguments on her disqualification cases. Sereno has said disqualifying Poe from the presidential race for being a foundling could set a dangerous precedent and could have

dire consequences if upheld by the Supreme Court. “If you’re saying that foundlings are not naturalborn citizens, have you thought about the impact on the rights of all foundlings?” Sereno asked Commission on Elections commissioner Arturo Lim during the third oral arguments. Sereno said the high court had to categorically answer the question about the status of Poe “because the pronouncements we will make will affect so many others.” Found in a Catholic church in Iloilo when she was a baby, Poe was later adopted by the late action actor Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces. Sereno has also maintained that the country’s adoption laws recognizes foundlings as Filipino citizens. macon Ramos-araneta and sandy araneta

Roxas confident Cebu province will deliver for him ADMINISTRATION standard bearer Manuel Roxas II said Wednesday he was confident Cebu province would still deliver for him in the coming elections, even as the opposition claimed that the country’s vote-rich province was already “Binay Country.” The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay wants to secure the more than 2.7 million votes from Cebu to avoid a repeat of Binay’s defeat there by Roxas by securing the support of the influential Garcia and Rama political clans. Binay spokesman’s former Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan, said Monday

several local officials from different provinces, including Cebu, would be leaving the administration party and that Roxas would be defeated in those provinces. “This is the confirmation of what JV Bautista said last week that more local officials from other parties would be joining the UNA to support the vice president,” Ilagan said in a statement. Meanwhile, Roxas on Wednesday denied a claim by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a presidential aspirant, that he, Roxas, is giving away farm implements in the provinces despite El Niño.

“Roxas is giving away farm implements. If you really want to help farmers, the soil is cracking all over, El Niño is here,” Duterte told dzBB radio. “We are down in our production of food and you give them plows. That’s politics and stupidity.” Roxas underscored the opposition’s declaration: “Maybe that’s just a work of their imagination because the Ramas are not our allies, even the Garcias. That’s why the straight path machinery is very solid in Cebu,” he said in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday. A tarpaulin containing the mes-

sage “Welcome to Binay Country!” drew flak from netizens on Monday after it was allegedly posted by the camp of suspended Cebu City Mayor and UNA Visayas chairman Michael Rama, saying he was giving Binay much leeway in campaigning in Cebu. With the One Cebu party of the Garcias expressing their support for Binay, he is said to be assured of the votes from their controlled territories in the second and third districts. The fourth district of the Salimbagons, Garcia’s allies, are also backing Binay. Roxas, meanwhile, is heavily leaning on the political clout of in-

cumbent Governor Hilario Davide III, the LP’s provincial chairman in Cebu and the support from the Gullas clan of the local Alayon party from the first district and the Quisumbings of the sixth district. The newly created seventh district in the province, which was carved out from the second district, could prove beneficial to the candidacy of Binay. During the 2010 elections, Binay got a little over 400,000 votes against Roxas’ one million when the two ran for the vice presidential derby. Nevertheless, Binay won the vice presidency. John Paolo Bencito

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PDEA: Drug trade bigger

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By Sandy Araneta and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has admitted that the illegal drug trade in the country has grown bigger although the agency has made “significant” strides with the arrest of 1,821 drug personalities, including almost 200 government officials. When told about the revelation of PDEA directorgeneral Arturo Cacdac Jr., Malacañang could only say it is the duty of PDEA to do everything they can in order to stop the illegal drug trade in the country. “It is PDEA’s duty to do what is needed in order to have all those who violate the laws on the illegal drug trade to face charges,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. Testifying before a Senate inquiry into the drug trade, PDEA director-general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the number of arrested “high-value” drug personalities increased by 30 percent from 1,402 individuals in 2014 to 1,821 in 2015. Cacdac said the nabbed suspects included 248 drug den owners, 103 of whom were government employees; 102 were leaders of members of known drug groups, 63 were elected officials, 47 were wanted suspects, 37 were foreign nationals, 31 were law enforcers, and 10 were members of an armed group. “We have an increased number of government officials arrested last year compared to the previous year. If I am not mistaken, it’s already 191. During the previous year, it was over 180. This happened because we make them high-value targets,” Cacdac said. Cacdac said many of the arrested officials, who are either elected barangay captains or councilors, are drug pushers and many of them were even caught in buy-bust operations. “If they are government officials or employees, people expect that they are the ones who will help solve the problem on drugs, and if they are the ones involved [in drug issues] they must know where to stand, they are high-value targets, so they are the ones I will capture first,” said Cacdac.

Shorter voting hours. Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista and Commissioner Christian Robert Lim explain to journalists the poll body’s decision to shorten the voting period from 12 to 10 hours. SARA FABUNAN

Makati probes Dasma cat killings By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City government formed on Wednesday a special team from the city’s Veterinary Services Office to investigate the killing and disappearance of more than 12 community cats in the upscale Dasmariñas Village last month and prosecute the perpetrators. Acting Mayor Romulo Peña Jr. said the team, will be headed by city veterinarian Vivien Manalastas, who had already had initial meetings with officials of the Dasmariñas Village Association, Compassion and Responsibility for Animals Philippines and Barangay Dasmariñas chairman

Martin John Pio Arenas. “As a local chief executive, I will not allow anyone, regardless of their social status, to intentionally inflict harm on our animals,” Peña said, vowing to file charges against those found responsible for the barbarism. Peña said he also offer a cash reward to whoever can help expedite the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators, after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia offered a P50,000 reward to anyone who could give information leading to the resolution of the case. Contrary to the claim of barangay chairman Arenas, Manalastas said a similar case was already

Raps vs DOTC officials pushed By Macon Ramos-Araneta OFFICIALS of the Department of Transportation and Communications who were directly involved in the operations of MRT-3 should be charged with corruption for alleged irregularities that have been causing train commuters great inconvenience. “This report of the sub-committee should be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Civil Service Commission for appropriate actions and must be considered as initial leads as there are strong indications of violations of RA 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” said Senator Grace Poe. Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, which conducted the Senate investigation into the problems hounding the MRT-3, did not enumerate the names of DoTC officials whom she said would likely be slapped with graft-charges.

Poe, however, has repeatedly called on President Benigno Aquino III to fire DoTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya due to the irregularities that marred his administration. In a 45-page report, Poe said they observed badges of negligence and inaction of the DoTC officials, led by Abaya, indicating insensitiveness, callous indifference and acts disadvantageous to the commuters, the Filipino public and the government. Poe said that in recent months, the derailment and danger of riding the MRT emerged due to the absence of a good maintenance provider and when the DoTC awarded the MRT’s maintenance contract to PH Trams and APT-Global. The report said it should be noted that PH Trams and APT-Global are not reputable entities. One of the companies was barely two months old with only P625,000 in capital, but it bagged the deal worth P517.5 million, 828 times bigger than the firm’s capital.

reported in the same subdivision eight years ago. In 2007, Manalastas said 14 cats and kittens under the care of Cara were shot dead by a still unidentified person with an airgun. In the latest incident, residents claimed that at least 12 community cats from the village have gone missing, and some have been found dead, apparently from unnatural causes. A circular released by village management reports that one cat died slowly and painfully from chemical burns after paint thinner was poured over the said animal. Peta said the community cats in Dasmariñas Vil-

lage have been spayed and neutered through Cara Welfare’s Trap-Neuter-Return program and are fed by residents of the village. The village management and security are also looking into, what they described, as series of barbaric crimes, which began on Jan. 13 but so far no suspects have been identified. Aggravated cruelty to animals carries a penalty of up to P250,000 and three years im prison under the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 as amended by Republic Act No. 10631. Peta officials said anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Peta Asia hotline at (0999)888-7382.

Wild in the city. Covering

his face like a Western cattle rustler, the passenger bus driver who crashed into a row of traffic barriers on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue races to flee inquisitive journalists at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board office in Quezon City on Wednesday. JANSEN ROMERO

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Health crisis feared amid coal use from coal-related pollution in the Philippines. Lauri Myllyvirta, Senior Global Coal TWO thousand four hundred Campaigner at Greenpeace International, Filipinos could die yearly from said results of the research show that coalpower plants expose everyone in the coal plant emission, the Green- fired Philippines to toxic pollution, resulting in peace Southeast Asia said on hundreds of premature deaths every year. Myllyvirta, one of the authors of the Wednesday. research, said leading economies from This was the first time the Greenpeace the United States to China and europe has revealed the current and projected are already relying on modern, renewable health impacts of existing coal-fired pow- energy sources for their additional power needs, showing that this is a real option for er plants in the Philippines. The report “Coal: A Public health Cri- Philippines. More than one-third of the energy used sis, Diseases and Deaths Attributed to Coal Use in the Philippines” showed an to generate electricity in the Philippines estimated 960 premature deaths each year comes from burning coal. Currently, the country has 17 operadue to stroke, ischemic heart disease, other cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory tional coal plants, with 29 more approved by the Department of energy, set to begin diseases. If new power plants are to be made op- commercial operations by 2020. The report is based on research carerational, Greenpeace warned premature deaths may rise to 2,410—more than dou- ried out at harvard University on the imble the current number of people dying pacts of emissions coming from coal-fired

By Macon Araneta

power plants on the air quality of selected countries in Asia. For the Philippine version, Greenpeace collaborated with health Justice to write the report, with support from health Care Without harm—Asia and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice. Coal use harms the environment and public health at every stage of its life cycle. Coal-fired power plants emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2) and other gaseous pollutants in the air that can react chemically to form particulate matter that is 2.5 µm in diameter. Aside from generating particulate matter, coal combustion also affects health indirectly by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change can bring about extreme heat, lead to natural disasters, and eventually increase diseases transmitted through insects such as malaria and dengue. The study evaluated 13 operational coalfired power plants in the Philippines with a combined installed capacity of 3,799.10

megawatts (MW), as well as the potential impacts of plans to build 29 new coalfired power plants with a total capacity of 11700MW, which could dramatically increase levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and PM2.5 emissions. “This pioneering study is an important addition to the growing body of health and scientific research on the adverse impacts of coal-fired power plants, not only to the environment, but to human health as well,” said Reuben Andrew Muni, Climate and energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines. “We strongly recommend for the Doe, the Doh and other policy-makers to read it and take heed as it presents a strong case on why the Philippines should end its dependence on coal-generated electricity now, not only for economic, environmental and climate change reasons, but on public health grounds as well.” Muni said the new study just confirms what we already know about the health effects of coal based on international evidence.

More good than harm in shift to ‘green’ energy —Romualdez LeyTe congressman and 2016 senatorial bet Martin Romualdez stressed on Wednesday that the initial costs of an “energy transition” may be high, but strategic investment in key alternative energy sources would benefit the country in the long run. “Let’s start with small, incremental steps. Transferring to cleaner energy sources is a gradual process, and it needs solid policy and financial backing from a supportive government. It’s high time we look beyond fossil fuels,” Romualdez said. Romualdez called the move “nothing less than a matter of national survival” given that the Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to global warming—a consequence of fossil fuel energy sources. “Alternative and renewable energy can be integrated as one of the primary solutions to the energy crisis that’s looming in Mindanao and other develop- Health crisis. Members of Greenpeace denounce the Philippine government for allowing the use of burning coal during a press conference in ing areas in the country. We Manila on Wednesday Feb. 3 following the release of a research report warning of the public health impact of coal-powered plants. DANNY PATA did it in the Seventies when we invested heavily in hydro and geothermal energy. These sources today now account for 13.67 and 14.4 percent of our granting any tax exemption shall electricity requirement,” the By Maricel V. Cruz be passed without the concurrence solon said. of a majority of all the members of The house of Representatives Romualdez, a member of the on Tuesday night recalled the Congress.” house Committee on Climate “I voted ‘no’ to the PPP bill third reading approval of the Change, stressed the need to Palace-backed Public Private because it will institutionalize expand beyond hydro and geo- Partnership bill at the behest of sovereign guaranty through the thermal, adding that other re- several opposition lawmakers. viability gap fund and take away newable energy sources such as The house, in plenary session, checks and balance by castrating wind, biomass, solar and ocean agreed to cancel the approval of the local government unit’s role power should also be explored house Bill 6631 that was approved and centralize authority to Malalast Monday after house deputy canang,” Colmenares said. and funded. he said that PPP bill empowminority leader and Bayan Muna “We don’t expect our deers the President to automatically pendence on fossil fuels such Rep. Neri Colmenares moved for grant permits and licenses, and On PWDs. Senatorial candidate Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) answers questions from dzMM hosts Alvin Elchico (left) and Doris Bigornia during as oil, coal and natural gas to a recall, saying it violated Section even franchises to private sector a live proram. Romualdez expressed hopes that his bill exempting persons 28, Article VI of the 1987 Constituvanish overnight. The govern- tion. participants. with disabilities from the payment of 12 percent value-added tax on certain ment can start by slowly in“It even grants tax exemptions goods and services will soon become a law. VER NOVENO earlier, the house in voice votstalling solar panels in govern- ing approved the proposed PPP and deprives both the national government and LGUs of taxes, ment offices, or making more Act. in public funds from our people’s ing violative about its approval as needs,” Colmenares said. claimed by Colmenares because use of electric vehicles for ofBut citing a constitutional provi- fees and charges. This will dehouse Majority Leader Nep- the measure has yet to be enacted ficials instead of gas-guzzling sion, Colmenares, a member of the prive the people of accessible pubSUVs,” added the legislator. Makabayan Bloc, said that “no law lic service and take away billions tali Gonzales said there was noth- into law.

Militants buck PPP bill, House orders recall

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Enrile blocks 7 PNoy nominees By Macon Araneta

SENATE Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday hit out at President Benigno Aquino III for depriving the next president the right to choose his own representatives and blocked the confirmation of seven Aquino appointees during a hearing of the Commission on Appointments. “He is outgoing. Why is he appointing his representatives that will last in their positions for six years?” asked Enrile, referring to the five diplomats whose appointments were deferred by the powerful CA. Enrile noted that it would be unfair to the next president if they (appointees) are appointed by Aquino three months before the May elections. “Anyway, I will tell you,

ambassador deployed abroad are representatives of the President,” said Enrile. The diplomats who failed to get the CA approval were : Charles Jose as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Malaysia; Dennis Lepatan as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Norway with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of

Finland, and the Kingdom of Sweden; Celia Anna Feria as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Spain with concurrent jurisdiction over the Principality of Andorra;Uriel Norman Garibay as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kenya with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Burundi, Union of the Comoros, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Rwanda, Republic of Seychelles, Federal Republic of Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Uganda, Republic of South Sudan and permanent representative to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme; and Lilybeth Deapera as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the

Republic of Chile with concurrent jurisdiction over the Republic of Peru and the Republic of Ecuador. Enrile also blocked the confirmation of Audit Commissioner Isabelle Dasalla-Agito and Civil Service Commissioner Nieves Osorio. He considered their appointment as “packing system.” “They want to pack the constitutional commissions with their people. So, I have to perform my due as an opposition and a minority floor leader,” explained Enrile. Enrile invoked Section 20 of the CA rules against the seven appointees of Aquino, which means they cannot assume their posts. Senate President Franklin Drilon who presided over the session said Enrile’s invocation of Section 20 is undebatable. But Drilon said after the elections, Congress will

convene again. He said on May 25, they will convene again as National Board of Canvassers and after that, the CA will meet again. The CA on national defense confirmed the ad interim appointments of 20 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines after they were grilled by Enrile on what they would have done if they were the ones in charge during the Mamasapano incident on Jan. 25, 2015. At the start of the hearing, Enrile warned them he would invoke Section 20 of the rules to block their confirmation if they would not be truthful with their answers. He asked Lieutenant Generals Romeo Tanalgo, Glorioso Miranda, and Mayoralgo Dela Cruz—two similar questions: First, what would you have done if you were the chief of staff during that

fateful day of Jan. 25, 2015 when the 44 SAF troopers were killed during a police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and whether or not they would inform their command in chief. Tanalgo said: “I’d be directing our forces, the unit on the ground to provide the necessary assistance, to reinforce, to try to extricate the beleaguered troops if we’re talking of the Mamasapano incident.” “Would you have as a matter of duty informed your commander in chief?” Enrile asked again, to which Tanalgo gave an affirmative reply. The senator asked Miranda what would he have done if he were the vice chief of staff of the Western Mindanao Command if he learned about the plight of the 44 SAF men.

Militants seek review of court’s Edca ruling By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has been asked to re-examine its decision last month upholding the legality of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement forged by the government with the United States. In a motion for reconsideration, petitioners led by Bayan Muna party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate pleaded the high court to overturn its ruling and instead declare the Edca as unconstitutional. They said the 10 justices in the majority ruling erred in declaring Edca as an executive agreement, insisting that it is a treaty that requires concurrence of the Senate. “The clear provisions of the Constitution were disregarded, in favor of a stretchedout argument to expand the

powers of the President. The decision lacks legitimacy, especially in light of the Senate’s demand to submit Edca for deliberation by the legislature,” they stressed. According to them, the agreement would lay down the ground for establishment of US military bases in the country despite clear prohibition under the Constitution and the Visiting Forces Agreement. They disagreed with the position of the majority justices that Edca would benefit the country in boosting its defense amid territorial dispute with China. “We cannot expect the US to fly to our side the moment confrontations escalate to defend our home front. No such promise has been made, nor will be fulfilled,” the militant lawmakers said.

Iglesia mission. The Iglesia ni Cristo held its Lingap Pamamahayag activity in General Santos City’s Polomolok

Gymnasium last Jan. 29 where 12,000 ‘goodie packs,’ 7,500 pieces of clothing and 10,000 toys were distributed to both Iglesia and non-Iglesia beneficiaries. Close to thirty doctors and dentists also provided free medical and dental assistance. Congressman and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao attended the event and assisted in the distribution of goods.

Sex slaves issue heats up again

Anti-virus. A caretaker on Wednesday applies vitamins to boost the immunity of chicken from the new castle virus, which has plagued poultry farms in the province and neighboring areas. DANNY PATA

TOKYO—Japan says it has fou\nd no evidence its World War II government and military forcibly rounded up women to be sex slaves, Tokyo has told a UN committee, the latest pronouncement in a corrosive row over interpretations of history. The confirmation Tuesday, ahead of a conference on women later this month, is likely to renew anger among the dwindling number of surviving former “comfort women,” who say the country has never taken full responsibility for what it did in wartime. It could also further complicate a troubled deal between Tokyo and Seoul sealed in late December — one of their top diplomats called “final and irreversible” —but which has sparked anger among former South

Korean comfort women and their supporters. Up to 200,000 women, many of them South Koreans but also from China, the Philippines and what is now Indonesia, are estimated to have been forced to provide sex to Japanese soldiers during World War II. Tokyo has offered repeated apologies over the issue, and says that while there was military involvement in the establishment of “comfort stations” there is no evidence its officials were involved in the abduction of women for the purpose. It says private brokers were responsible in some cases, and in others, the women were common prostitutes. In a report submitted to the committee in December and posted on its website, Japan said it carried out a “full-

scale fact-finding study” by investigating documents and interviewing people including former military officials since the early 1990s. “’Forceful taking away’ of comfort women by the military and government authorities could not be confirmed in any of the documents that the GOJ [government of Japan] was able to identify,” it said in a report dated Dec. 8. “The Japanese delegation will explain our position” on that and other women’s issues at the Geneva conference that begins Feb. 15, a foreign ministry official in charge of gender issues told AFP, declining to give her name. The UN-sponsored conference is part of the ongoing Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. AFP

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Policemen kill theft suspect in shootout By Florante S. Solmerin

An Armed man wanted for theft died Tuesday in alleged shootout with pursuing policemen after evading search near a police-Commission on elections checkpoint in San rafael, Bulacan. Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina identified the slain suspect as John Lawrence Garcia y Milla who died on the spot after a brief gunfight at a rice field at around 8 p.m. in Barangay Sampalok. “A background check shows the suspect has existing arrest warrant dated Feb. 28, 2014 for attempted theft issued by Judge Romeo Carmelito C. Conge of the Municipal Trial Court of Pulilan,” Divina said. Garcia was a resident of Barangay Virgen Delas Flores, Baliwag, Bulacan. In his report, San Rafael police chief Supt. Orlando Castil Jr. said the cops on duty noticed and approached a man onboard his tricycle parked some 100 meters away from the checkpoint. Before the cops could reach him, the man sped away. This prompted the motorcycle-riding cops to chase him. “Sensing that he will be overtaken by our police personnel the suspect disembarked from his tricycle and tried to run in the open rice field and engaged our cops in a gunfight,” Castil said. He said a caliber .45 pistol, magazine and live ammunition was recovered from the suspect.

Good day at work. In San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, fishermen’s wives are happy about their yellowfin tuna and dorado catch. DAVID CHAN

Three dead in vehicle collision in Nueva Ecija By Ferdie G. Domingo

Parched earth. A farmer walks on the dry soil in Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac. DANNY PATA

STA. ROSA, Nueva Ecija—Three persons, including a 38-year-old pregnant woman, were killed when the tricycle they were riding on collided with a sports utility vehicle along the highway here yesterday. Senior Supt. Manuel Cornel, provincial police director, identified those killed as Mary Jane Garcia, 38, her daughter Juvy Ann, 14, both of Barangay Bagong Silang, Cabiao; and tricycle driver Mark Anthony Gabriel, 22, of Barangay Soledad, Sta. Rosa. Mary Jane, who is three months pregnant, and the two others died on-

the-spot from head injuries. SPO4 Jun Adalem, investigator of the Sta. Rosa police, said that the accident happened at around 4:11 a.m. at Soledad. Adalem said the tricycle, with license plate 9603-RS was cruising along the road when it was rammed by a speeding Mitsubishi Montero with license plate ABI-5224 driven by Army Capt. Jose Reyes Jr. The tricycle was wrecked from the impact. Reyes, who surrendered to police, said he did not see the tricycle approaching. Adalem said the area where the accident took place is accident-prone.

Ifugao to plant 50,000 trees in local greening program By Dexter A. See LAGAWE, Ifugao—The provincial government has embarked on a local counterpart of the environment department’s National Greening Program by requiring local residents and civic organizations to plant at least 50,000 assorted fruit-bearing trees in a 2,500-hectare area to help sustain and uplift their living condition and sources of their livelihood. Gov. Dennis Habawel said the local government requires the beneficiaries of their livelihood

assistance program to plant coffee or fruit-bearing trees so that it will serve as an added source of food for their families once the same will be due for harvest. The governor said that aside from the planting of agro-forestry trees in identified barren plantation sites, the province is also providing interested poor families start up livestocks among other available assistance that would fit their requirements to uplift their living condition in the future. Under the local government’s agro-forestry program, some

2,500 hectares of land should be planted with assorted agro-forestry trees and coffee seedlings whichever will be the choice of the recipients of the interventions. For agro-forestry trees, individuals are required to plant at least 200 to 300 seedlings within a one-hectare land area while those interested to plant coffee seedlings should plant a one-hectare area with at least 500 seedlings. According to him, the province will be deploying the necessary personnel and volunteers who will closely monitor the compliance of

the beneficiaries to the program in order to guarantee its success so as not to repeat whatever lapses had been done in the implementation of the NGP where there was no concrete monitoring in order to ascertain the actual number of trees that have been planted in the identified plantation areas over the past several years. He added that their local version of the NGP will be spread over a three-year period and that the fruits of the fruit-bearing trees will be harvested by those who planted the same that will serve as an added

source of their livelihood while the government will be guaranteed stable grounds and sustainable source of water for the benefit of the present and future generations. Habawel explained the primary purpose of the crafting of the local version of the NGP is to empower local residents needing added sources of livelihood to actively participate in the program in order to reforest barren portions of public lands, prevent the occurrence of untoward soil erosion incidents and enhance the availability of sources of potable water for the growing population.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

FOSTERING A READING AND WRITING CULTURE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

‘SAAN KAYO KUMUKUHA NG KAPAL NG MUKHA?’ WE FIRST heard these words from no less than President Benigno Aquino III during the 2013 State of the Nation Address. In that speech, he was talking pointedly to the officials of the Bureau of Customs, which at that time was performing dismally against its collection targets while retaining its notoriety in smuggling and corruption. Even the commissioner of the bureau at that time bristled at the President’s words and expressed his intention to step down. The President of course brushed this “intention” aside and said that the commissioner still enjoyed his confidence. Said official resigned, for real, much later, amid accusations he was involved in the pork barrel scam. In the years that followed, it became apparent that more officials went about their jobs with unbelievable callousness. Despite the loud claims of righteousness in treading the “Daang Matuwid” and despite the promises of bringing relief to this benighted land, what sticks out are their spectacular incompetence and unprecedented arrogance. These are not just words; there is evidence supporting the mounting dissatisfaction. Yet, after a considerable amount of time in office, they still resort to blaming others for their underperformance and refuse to acknowledge that they have overpromised and underdelivered. Worse, despite their bumbling, they have the gall to insist on staying on, dismissing the suffering—a deplorable traffic and public transport system, for instance —they have brought upon the people as “not fatal” or, worse, even a sign of progress. The time of reckoning is near. These hypocritical managers cannot hide behind their professions of virtue even as they continue to do us harm by not doing their jobs. It may be useless to twit them about their imperviousness to criticism. They may not bristle at all—such is their nature. What will not be useless is for the people to know about the charade— and prevent it from lasting one minute longer.

DECIDE NOW DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA THE Supreme Court owes it to the public to resolve the disqualification case of Senator Grace Poe expeditiously. As it is, the case is being dribbled, prolonging the uncertainty. It is time to cut the drama and come out with the decision. The show that the public is witnessing during oral arguments is more acting than anything else.

It is the classic case of good-cop-bad-cop technique, with Justice Carpio playing the bad cop and Chief Justice Sereno playing the good cop. This is probably the plan all along: Dribble the case as long as possible then drop the bombshell giving the opposing sides no time for appeal. The justices of the Supreme Court must have studied the issues thoroughly by now and are therefore ready to render judgment. Why prolong the agony? The case has also generated so much

passion that it is becoming the main show instead of the elections. Those who want Poe disqualified are as passionate as those who want her to run. Prior to the uncertainty, her ratings were nearing 40 percent, way ahead of her prospective opponents. Now, she is rating second to Vice President Binay who in spite of the allegations of corruption labelled against him has gone back to being the frontrunner. Clearly, the disqualification case has affected her ratings. This, however, could

The justices of the Supreme Court must have studied the issues thoroughly by now and are therefore ready to render judgment.

change easily if the Supreme Court decides in her favor. I believe this is a long shot. From my 007 inside the Supreme Court, there is a bigger chance that she will be disqualified. But this is by no means a done deal. My information is that there is so much pressure coming from the Palace for the disqualification of the Senator that the guessing game is now about who among the justices will succumb to the pressure, and who will stand their ground. *** As a former military and police officer, I think it is heartbreaking to see the senior leaders of our Armed

Forces and National Police go at each other during the last Senate hearing of the Mamasapano operation. In all my 35 years of military and police service, I have never witnessed an open clash between leaders of both services like the one we all witnessed during the hearing. At the height of Martial Law, we in the whole of the Armed Forces to which the Constabulary belonged knew of the existing tension between Chief of Constabulary and

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the Chief of Staff of the AFP. Still, there was civility and never an open clash. The spectacle that we witnessed in the Senate did not only send the wrong message to the public that both services serve but also to our neighboring countries who must have been observing what was going on. No wonder we are getting low ratings as far as military capability is concerned. This has to stop. That this had to happen was all

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

THE National Book Development Board has chosen seven scholars to receive writing grants of P200,000 each at a ceremony on Feb. 11. Under Food Science and Technology/Organic Agriculture/Sustainable Agriculture/Agritourism, the grantees are Dr. Jaime Cabarles (Iloilo) for “Commercial Production of Organic Philippine Native Chicken,” Prima Lou Imperial (Camarines Sur) for “Gusto Ko, Organiko!”, and Dr. Eufemio Barcelon (Cavite) for “Street Food Safety: A Primer for Philippine Street Foods.” Under Traditional/Integrative/ Tropical Medicine Category are Dr. Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte, Dr. Nelia P. Cortes-Maramba, Dr. Ernesta Quintana, Dr. Romeo F. Quijano, Ms. Jocelyn Palacpac, Dr. Evangeline Amor, and Dr. James Purificacion (NCR - Manila) for “Guidebook on the Proper Use of Medicinal Plants”; Dr. Bibiano S. Fajardo and Ms. Louanne Mae L. Calipayan (NCR-Pasig) for “Hilot: Revealing the Albularyo’s Ancient Secrets of Healing,”; and Dr. Mariano B. Caparas, Dr. Rene S. Tuazon, Dr. Josefino G. Hernandez, and Dr. Jacob S. Matubis (NCR-Manila) for an ENT Tagalog manual, “Mga Karaniwang Sakit sa Ilong, Tainga, Lalamunan, at Leeg.” Under Popular Science is Carl Anly Ortiz (Sorsogon) for “Demystifying Filipino Inventions”. Grantees under the Local History and Culture category will be announced in March 2016. According to the NBDB, through Republic Act No. 9521, the National Book Development Trust Fund was established to support and promote Filipino authorship and the completion of local manuscripts or research works for publication, especially in science and technology and in subject areas where locally authored books are either few or non-existent. The grants will enable the authors to complete the writing phase of a book-length manuscript eligible for publication.

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

T H U R S D AY : F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

FOSTERING A READING AND WRITING CULTURE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

The justices of the Supreme Court must have studied the issues thoroughly by now and are therefore ready to render judgment.

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because of a president who cannot be a man and face his responsibilities. This is a president who Continued on A11

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume tomorrow.

Continued on A11

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

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

ELECTIONS ARE ALWAYS LOCAL TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

AS IT was in previous presidential elections, it will be the “masa,” the people living below the poverty line, who constitute the bulk of the electorate that will decide the fate of the presidential candidates. Elections in the Philippines are local. It won’t be the oligarchs and the A & B category of voters, but the C and especially the D & E, who will decide the May 9 polls. What we are seeing now in poll survey ratings are simply the sentiments of people at a particular time and place.

People will go for the candidate who gives them food on the table, prevents them from starving, and gives them jobs to keep body and soul together.

To a certain extent, poll surveys may influence people’s thinking. But voters can still change their minds depending on what they believe is the best for them. That’s the reason why it is said that elections are local. People will go for the candidate who gives them food on the table, prevents them from starving, and gives them jobs to keep body and soul together. Sure, there are command votes like in Muslim Mindanao and religious sectors like the Iglesia ni Cristo. Still, it is the millions of poor and unemployed Filipinos who constitute the mass base being courted by all presidential candidates. This is why the presidential candidate who has a well-funded grassroots machinery

has the edge over others who simply mouth slogans and promises. The Liberal Party candidate, Mar Roxas, should have the edge. After all, the Aquino administration has a built-in grassroots machinery. With this, the poor and the unemployed would gravitate to the candidate they think cares about them. However, Mar does not qualify. That’s precisely why the administration is now zeroing in against Vice President Jejomar Binay. The administration knows that Binay has a well-funded grassroots machinery which he built as early when he was still mayor of Makati City. My gulay, how do you think he was able to beat Mar? In the end, it’s still funding that counts in all elections in the Philippines. The “masa” constituency of Binay has been validated by the fact that even at the height of the demolition campaign against him, his ratings never fell below 20 percent. Binay’s surge proves his resiliency. His personal sorties in the provinces and rural areas, where no presidential bet has gone, is paying off. There is no substitute for seeing a candidate in person. The surge in Binay’s ratings also indicates that the masses do not believe the charges thrown at him. That’s why I think the May polls will end up to be a Binay-versus-Mar fight. Knowing how desperate BS Aquino III and his cohorts now are in avoiding jail time, anything can happen. *** Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno’s heart bleeds for foundlings. The chief justice claims that there have been decisions that said foundlings are presumed natural-born. Sereno claims that if Mrs. Llamanzares would be disqualified for not being natural-born, it would be discrimination against hundreds of thousands of foundlings to seek positions in government. I am not about to debate Sereno’s bleed-

A BAD FEELING ABOUT INEQUALITY income, wealth and happiness becomes much less clear. One may THE hot topic in economic poli- influence the other, but there are cy discussions is inequality. Lots many things besides income that of kinds of inequality have been matter a lot—social status, career increasing in the US—income, satisfaction, family, friends, rowealth, housing, longevity and mance and even how long people almost everything else. New data spend commuting. If we dislike inequality because has caused economists and the public to become more alarmed of an innate sense of fairness, about the extent of the rise, and then the most important kind of has allowed people to start hav- inequality might be a disparity in ing a productive discussion about personal happiness. In fact, some new research supports the idea causes and solutions. People on the political right, that inequality of well-being is especially libertarians, are always critical to many people. In a reasking why we should even care cent paper entitled “The Welfare about inequality in the first place. Costs of Well-being Inequality,” That might sound insensitive, but economists Leonard Goff, John it’s actually a very good question. Helliwell, and Guy Mayraz find We might worry about inequality that disparities in self-reported because an unequal society grows life satisfaction seem strongly cormore slowly, or is more politically related with a number of other unfair or corrupt, or even is less important things. From their abhealthy. But one big reason is sim- stract: Inequality of subjective well-beply that we care about our fellow citizens, and about other human ing has a negative effect on life satbeings in general. When one per- isfaction considerably greater than son has much more than another, does income inequality…This comit just feels wrong to many people. parative result is stronger for those But if what we care about is hu- who report themselves as valuing man welfare, why are we looking equality…Social trust, which has at income or wealth inequality? been shown to support subjective These allow high consumption, well-being both directly and indibut does consumption really bring rectly, is more fully explained by people happiness? At low levels, it well-being inequality than by inmost certainly does—not having come inequality. In other words, in regions enough to eat, or a roof over your head, or clean running water defi- where people are more unequal in nitely causes a huge reduction to terms of life satisfaction, they are happiness. But once basic needs also less satisfied with life on averare met, the relationship between age, and they tend to trust other

By Noah Smith

ing heart for foundlings. She certainly knows more about the law and the Constitution than I do. But the word “presumed” bothers me because, to qualify as natural-born, one must be able to show proof. I will just stick the wordings of the Constitution about naturalborn citizens. The Constitution is very clear in its letter, intent and spirit that to qualify for the Senate and the presidency, he/she must be natural-born, and a resident of the country for 10 years before Election Day. Yes, Mrs. Llamanzares was a foundling. But, to presume that she is natural-born is a stretch of the imagination. Santa Banana, the logic of Sereno’s arguments confounds me. Why should foundlings be presumed natural-born when there’s no law to provide such presumption? When there’s no law, one cannot presume.

It may be discriminatory to some, but the Constitution’s letter, intent and spirit must be followed. While Sereno’s heart bleeds for foundlings in the case of Mrs. Llamanzares, how about her lack of residency? The senator lied when she claimed that she had been a resident for over 10 years when the CoC or Certificate of Candidacy for the Senate stated that her residency was only for six years and six months. Poe would never have corrected this if her attention had not been called last year. Mrs. Llamanzares still has to disprove the fact that she lied under oath, not only once on her CoC as a senator, but twice when he applied for dual citizenship. *** The economics of BS Aquino III for the more than five years he had been in office is lamentable. This, despite some window dressing by for-

people less. Happiness disparities, even more than income disparities, mean that society feels like it just isn’t working for many people. How should this finding inform our policies to fight inequality? One lesson is that income and wealth redistribution, though helpful, will probably not be enough. Although higher income definitely makes people happier on average, it is only one factor. And as income levels increase overall, income probably becomes less important as a determinant of satisfaction—this is broadly consistent with the economics concept of diminishing marginal utility of wealth, meaning each additional dollar brings less pleasure than the one before it. So when we’re thinking about ways to equalize happiness in the US, Japan or Europe, we should consider policies beyond redistribution. One thing research teaches us is that most people are pretty content, but a few are miserable. Thus, using government policy to help the most dissatisfied will yield the biggest benefits in terms of reducing inequality of well-being. For example, since commuting does so much to diminish quality of life, we could encourage denser development and self-driving car technology, so that traveling to and from work takes less time and is less onerous. Health is another key to happiness, so we might want to

mer Neda Director General Arsenio Balisacan. Take, for instance, the fact that the Aquino administration has been crowing about the strong growth of the economy for the last five years with an average of 6.2 percent. The fact is that BS Aquino III’s statisticians and economists included the last year of the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration when the Gross Domestic Product rose an unprecedented 8.2 percent, the highest ever under any administration because of strong economic reforms and fundamentals. Smart, huh? Let’s look at facts on the ground. We now have some 11 to 12 million who consider themselves poor, three million of them starving, in fact. There also some 10 to 11 million unemployed. So, what’s all this focus on GDP at 6.2 percent on the average all about when the numbers

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of the poor and the jobless are increasing? To them, GDP growth rate is meaningless. Perhaps the best way to see how the Philippines is faring is to look at Foreign Direct Investments in Southeast Asia where the Philippines continues to get the lowest inflows. From 2010 to 2014, the Philippines drew a total of US$ only as 16 billion, dwarfed by Singapore’s $292 billion; Indonesia’s $107 billion; Malaysia’s $57 billion; and Thailand’s $50 billion. My gulay, even Vietnam, which used to trail behind the Philippines or most microeconomic indicators, attracted about 2.5 times bigger than that of the Philippines at $42 billion. Santa Banana, something must be wrong with the economics of BS Aquino III, and to think that he finished economics at the Ateneo. Mrs. Arroyo who was his economics professor should have failed him.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ MY YEARS as a legislator taught me the harsh realities of running a country. Any congressman or senator— even maybe their staff—has experienced toiling away days and nights just to get a piece of legislation go through a gauntlet of public hearings, into the hazing of plenary debates, from that frying pan and into the fray of fighting for quorums and votes, down to our knees praying the president won’t veto it. It’s a roller-coaster ride, but with pauses of uncertainty of a stop or a stall, and the probability of derailment. This is how I have been feeling for more than two decades after having the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Law passed in 1995. I have written about my frustration over how the law is being implemented without the due diligence of procurement, ending up with losses of military strength, soldiers’ lives, and even national territory. The procurement of substandard assets for our military per-

Decide... From A9 participated in a caper and then whose hand was caught in a cookie jar, only to deny his participation and let others take the blame for his leadership failure. The behavior of the senior leaders of the Armed Forces is quite understandable. They were just doing what they were trained to do. Stand by their Commander in Chief and protect him. Many were also somehow disappointed about the hearing because there was no smoking gun. It is true that there was no documentary evidence presented to counter the denials of the President and his loyal subordinates but the questioning of Senator Enrile somehow showed that this President could not have been as innocent as he claims to be. His text messages showed his grasp of what was going on. He knew exactly what he was asking and what he was ordering his good friend Alan Purisima to do. What the disappointed public witnessed during the hearing was more denials from the President’s subordinates that Senator Enrile was made to remark that someone is lying. In fact, many were lying. One thing that is hard and difficult to do is to lie for someone. In police interrogations where witnesses could be questioned separately, it would be easy to

PRAYING FOR AFP MODERNIZATION sonnel defeats the purpose of putting the word “modernization” in the law. It’s like having the roller-coaster transition into a full-blown train, and with another person on the controls, and then seeing it go off the tracks you made. As the executive branch will be going through a transition in the next few months, the new administration will be tasked to handle the defense of national sovereignty in a number of fronts. Internal insurgency has been around and active for decades in the countryside; it has just recently reminded us of their presence by torching construction equipment in South Cotabato around the same time transmission lines were sabotaged by unidentified assailants, causing power outages in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. Mindanao has long been the site of strife for the country by communist rebels, Moro separatists, and radical terrorists. Recently, Muslim leaders have all but

confirmed the presence of Islamic terror group Daesh or ISIS in Southern Philippines—an event so alarming that Moro rebels have joined government forces to fight the terrorists. This is where the concerns of our armed forces blurs its lines between internal and external threats, complicated by the quandary that is Mindanao. Both these threats could have been allayed had the modernization law been implemented without the politicization of the procurement process, which led to our troops being underequipped and our national security short-changed. Personal profit has taken priority over the readiness, capability, and safety of our troops, such as the dodgy helicopter deal from last year wherein the supposed firepower was found defective. The modernization law was not conceived just to blow up in front of our faces. China’s incursion into the West Philippine Sea is another sphere of concern for

break a lie. But in the Senate investigation, it was only Senator Enrile who was doing most of the questioning and although the good senator is the sharpest of lawyers when he was younger, it is hard not to notice that his reflexes has somehow slowed a bit. After all, he will be 92 years old in a few days. As a result, the President has once again dodged the bullet. With five months remaining in his administration, we will not find any closure to the episode. But that does mean that we will never get to the bottom of what this President did and did not do in Oplan Exodus. Yes, Senator Enrile did not present any documentary evidence such as memos or proceedings of a conference but it does not mean that these documents do not exist. One thing about this type of undertaking is that combat operations cannot be done without documentation. Someone out there I am sure is keeping many documents pertaining to Oplan Exodus and with proper sleuthing, these documents will come out. The justice that the relatives of the SAF44 and the public are looking for is not only the prosecution of those who killed the SAF44 nor the seeking of more benefits because the families have been more than compensated but the justice that everyone is looking is the unearthing of the true and exact participation of this President.

our armed forces, on top of internal and transnational threats. The threat of a superpower’s incursion into Philippine territory underscores the need for armed forces to upgrade its logistical capacities and capabilities, especially in terms of hardware. The national leadership must acknowledge the fact that the military may have been spreading itself too thin in the face of these threefold threats. Sure, we have alliances with other countries, primarily the United States, but our dependence on instruments such as the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement can only go so far. We have ways to leverage on institutional ingenuity, particularly in defending our yard. Take for example the task of upgrading our radar systems crucial in monitoring incursions in our airspace and integral in our claim over disputed areas such as the West Philippine Sea. The AFP can strengthen its ties with the Civil Aviation Au-

Fostering... From A9 The agency is also accepting, until Feb. 12, nominations from publishers, authors, and illustrators for the National Children’s Book Awards in July 2016. The award will recognize the best books for children and young adults (0-19 years) published in 2014 and 2015. Many of you will not have heard of the NBDB until now. Yet it is doing much, given its limited resources, to support Philippine publishing and literature in the country. (Visit their website nbdb.gov.ph to find out more.) They are especially concerned with publishing non-fiction books that explain, inform, and educate. There is a dearth of books published about Philippine concerns and issues written by Filipinos, so that we are at a loss where to turn to when we need information on a specific subject. Take horseracing, for instance. I have been familiar with that industry since 1990, and yet there are no books about the subject, whether about the sport, handicapping (how to bet), the business, and so on- none at all, despite it being an industry that earns seven to nine billion pesos in gross sales annually, and contributes some P1.2 billion in direct taxes to government coffers.

thority of the Philippines, to empower civilian radar systems to support military initiatives in looking out to our skies for potential threats. In these times when national security is top priority, civilian controlled radar systems can work hand-in-hand to complement and supplement the AFP’s radar capabilities, beefing up our national aviation monitoring capabilities. We can think of it as a form of public-private partnership, but in the realm of national security and defense between civilian aviation and our armed forces. We can have this as we wait for the P2.68 billion worth of air surveillance radars to be installed as part of the AFP’s modernization plan. We pray that acquisition of these and other military equipment waiting for the Defense Department’s issuance of notice of award does not fall to the usual trap of corruption. We look up to the sky to pray for this. We should also look up to the sky to check for unfriendly aircraft.

Some years ago, a man called me, interested in learning more about the sport so he could participate in it. “I went to the bookstore and looked for books about horseracing, but found none!” he said. That’s because there aren’t any. How about books on other games: gambling games such cockfighting and jueteng and other numbers games, and video games such as the massive popularity of Dota and Clash of Clans and other multi-player online role-playing games that have teenagers in Internet cafés till midnight? How about books on traditional healing methods, the art of Philippine tattoo, Philippine blues music, the history of Philippine lotteries? (Jose Rizal is perhaps the most famous winner of the Spanish-era loteria; he used his P6,000 prize to develop his little property in Dapitan while in exile there.) There are so many books that need to be written. This is the challenge, not only to publishers, but also to authors—to fill the gap. Books are their own unique magic, it’s been said. Filipinos should be able to not only draw from that well of knowledge, but also help fill it to gushing, so that people can drink from it, and learn more about themselves and the country they live in. Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember

millions of Americans, and are probably the biggest killer of well-being. Including invest in preventive medicine that helps depression treatment in health insurance, people lead healthier lives instead of sim- and even subsidizing treatment, would be ply treating them once they become ill. a frontal assault on unhappiness. A maGetting laid off is a big hit to well-being, jor reduction in depression would greatly so search services that help people rapidly boost equality of well-being. So in addition to redistribution, US find work might be a good investment. policy makers should be thinking about The most important policy to fight unwhat they can do to help our least happy happiness, however, is probably the most citizens. We owe it to them. Bloomberg direct. Major depressive disorders afflict

A bad... From A10

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Kobe scores 38 points; LA halts 10-game slide LOS ANGELES—Kobe Bryant scored a seasonhigh 38 points on Tuesday to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 119-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves that halted the Lakers’ 10game losing streak. With the victory, the Lakers avoided the humiliation of setting a franchise record for consecutive defeats. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers who will retire after this season, scored 14 of the Lakers’ last 18 points. That included six free throws in the final 17 seconds to seal the victory as joyous fans chanted his name. “We needed to get a win desperately tonight,” Bryant said of the struggling side that had lost their 10th on the trot on Sunday to equal the 1993-94 Lakers, who lost their final 10 games of the season under interim coach Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Bryant hit 10 of 21 shots from the floor, including seven of 11 from three-point range. Guard Lou Williams scored 20 points, guard D’Angelo Russell added 18 and guard Jordan Clarkson finished with 16 for the Lakers. Forward Julius Randle had 15 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles. Guard Andrew Wiggins had 30 points for the Timberwolves before fouling out with 7.5 seconds left in the contest. It looked like another tough night for the 10-41 Lakers when Minne-

Kobe Bryant (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

sota leapt to a quick eight-point lead. But the hosts rallied to lead by as many as 16 before the Timberwolves battled back—just as they had on opening night when the

Ironman-Cebu lures record triathlon field CEBU braces for a record staging of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 AsiaPacific Championship in terms of participation, prize money and visitors when the world’s premier triathlon is staged Aug. 7 in the Queen City of the South. The Philippines beat 42 other countries for the hosting rights of the event with the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. guaranteeing a successful staging of the championship that will not only feature the world’s leading and rising triathletes but also thousands of tourists from all over. Through president/chairman Wilfred Uytengsu, SEI has impressed Ironman Asia-Pacific over the past five years of its conduct of Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, thus earning the right to stage the championship last year and making the Philippines the first Asian country to host the blue-ribbon event. Moreover, Cebu’s world-class infrastructure, accessibility, rich culture, travel spots and its hospitality have made it even more a qualified venue to stage international events in Ironman AsiaPacific scale.

Geoff Meyer, CEO of Ironman Asia-Pacific, said in last year’s launch of the event in Shangri-La Mactan that the Philippines has always been the first choice to host the premier event, citing SEI’s remarkable success of staging the Philippine Ironman over the past five years, topping the number of contenders while providing the quality of race experience year after year. The coming As-Pac Championship is expected to draw tens of thousands of triathletes from around the region. The Ironman team has also gave assurance of a more challenging, if not grueling, championship course against the city’s sceneries that have captured the hearts of the triathlon community and travelers. In fact, the island has been included in the 2015 Condé Nast Traveler Magazine’s Top 20 Best Islands in the World – voted for its best white-sand beaches and shopping experience. Lonely Planet has also recognized Cebu as a travel destination mainly because of its cultural heritage, exciting party scene, and emerging food spots.

Lakers gave up a double-digit lead to Minnesota to open the season with a defeat. The Lakers took a 92-81 lead into the fourth quarter, but a

three-pointer and a layup by Minnesota’s Zach LaVine capped a 21-9 Timberwolves scoring run that put the visitors up 102-101 with 5:15 left to play. AFP

Chiefs, Mariners stay on top THE Arellano University Chiefs and the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners struck again, turning back separate rivals to stay on top of their respective brackets last Sunday in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament at the Far Eastern University gym in Morayta, Manila. Both squads posted their fourth straight victories as the Chiefs clobbered the University of the East Warriors, 93-76, and the Mariners waylaid the Manuel L. Quezon University Stallions, 66-58. Two charities from Allen Enriquez at the end of the third handed the Chiefs a 72-52 spread. Donald Gumaru fired 12 points for the Chiefs, who took the solo lead in Group B. The Chiefs got nine points from Michael Canete in the third period as they pulled away from a 40-37 halftime lead. Jess Quilatan and Reggie Debulco tallied 17 and 12 points, respectively, for the Mariners, who moved ahead in Group A. The Mariners never looked back after they took a 51-46 lead at the end of the third behind two charities from Robin Villamayor and Quilatan’s jumper, 51-46. Attacks from Quilatan and Rocky Antonares in the last 6:05 of the fourth put the Mariners ahead by nine, 55-56. Meanwhile, the Mapua Cardinals, with Dennel Aguirre firing 17 points, turned back Far Eastern University, 85-64. It was the Cardinals’ second triumph in three matches.

Gumabao, Macatangay join Adamson volley coaching staff ADAMSON University ignites its competitive spirit with the appointment of seasoned volleyball players Cherry Macatangay and Michele Gumabao as assistant coaches of the Lady Falcons. Cherry Macatangay is a multi-titled volleyball player and former member of the Adamson Lady Falcons. She has received several accolades in both local and international arenas, including the Shakey’s V League 20052006 MVP Award and the league’s Best Scorer of its 2004-2005 2nd Conference, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 2nd Conference. On top of this, she was also a consistent player of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team that was sent to compete in the Southeast Asian Games and brought home silver and bronze medals in 1995, 2001, 2003, and 2005.

Joining Macatangay as co-assistant coach is new Akari brand ambassador and volleyball superstar Michele Gumabao. Gumabao has received numerous achievements during her UAAP years, including the UAAP Season 75 Finals Most Valuable Player, two-time Best Blocker in UAAP Seasons 73 and 74, and three-time Champion in UAAP Seasons 73 to 75. Gumabao continued impressing when she turned pro. The captain of her Philippine Super Liga team, Gumabao was adjudged PSL Season 2015 All-Filipino Best Opposite Spiker and 1st Best Opposite Spiker of PSL Season 2015 Grand Prix. Meanwhile, head coach Sherwin Meneses, along with his deputies, will retain his position as he tries to steer the team to an improved finish this season. Akari, the country’s

top lighting and electrical brand, is supporting the Adamson University Women’s Volleyball Team, as well as the Seniors Men’s Basketball Team for the second

year. This move is just one among the many initiatives they have outlined, together with the university officials, to help the team in their quest for championship.

Michele Gumabao (right) and Cherry Macatangay

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

‘Put youth back in sports fields’ FORMER Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday warned government that the Filipino youth would soon lose opportunities to excel in sports due to the shrinking size of open spaces available to them. In a get-together with the sports media, Tolentino said he has long been in support of plans to decongest Metro Manila and spread development to the provinces and cities with potential to become new business hubs. This, he said, would level opportunities long made available to Metro Manila residents,

while raising the income levels of people living in the provinces and small cities outside of the metropolis. “I am also proposing the establishment of provincial and regional sports academy that will offer holistic sports development among the youth,” Tolentino said.

This approach, according to Tolentino, would also benefit the youth, who have long been “losing their basketball courts and track fields to development, or even overdevelopment.” “Congested na po talaga ang Metro Manila. Dinatnan na natin ‘yan diyan, pinilit din naman natin ayusin,” Tolentino said. “But aside from the traffic and overcongestion, we are also concerned about the welfare of our youth.” According to Tolentino, his short stint in the MMDA gave government the realization that the youth are fast losing their opportunities to get exposed,

train and excel in various fields of sports due to the unavailability of open spaces and venues to them. “‘Yung mga public elementary schools at high schools po natin, natayuan na ng buildings ‘yung mga open spaces where our students used to play basketball, baseball and softball and even race,” Tolentino said. “Not all barangays also have decent basketball courts.” “At most times and during emergency situations, we also convert these open spaces for temporary evacuation centers. Kailangan po talagang palu-

wagin ang mga ito. Hindi lang po kalsada, pati na rin mga lugar kung saan pwede natin ibalik ang kabataan para maging aktibo sa sports,” Tolentino added. Tolentino also lamented news reports about plans to sell the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, site of many historic sporting and cultural events in the past. “Na ka kapanghinayang! Kakaunti na nga lang ang mga ganyan kalaking venues para sa mga atleta natin at kabataan, may peligro pang mawala,” Tolentino said.

1st QC Pride volleyball set

Ooops! Aspar MotoGP Team Colombian rider Yonny Hernandez crashes during the last day of 2016 MotoGP pre-season test at the Sepang International circuit. AFP

GAY power takes centerstage as Sports Core presents the 1st Quezon City Pride Volleyball Cup this weekend at the Amoranto Stadium. A total of 12 teams of the strongest—and prettiest—volleyball players from the LGBT community will display their skills in this two-day event which aims to promote gender equality in sports. Councilor Mayen Juico, chairman of Quezon City’s committee on women, family relation and gender equality, said they are looking forward to a highly successful event, especially with a lot of members of the gay community expressing their interest to compete for pride, glory and prestige. “Since Quezon City is the only LGU (local government unit) which has a committee focused on gender equality, we realized that it’s only fitting to join hands with Sports Core in organizing a tournament like this,” Juico said.

“We’re looking forward to a very successful and funfilled event. I’m sure everybody will enjoy.” Sports Core president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also the president of the most prestigious inter-club league in the country—the Philippine Superliga, said the 12 teams will be divided into two groups that will compete in a single-round pool play on Saturday. The survivors in the pool play will clash in a knockout semifinals and the finals on Sunday. “This event is the first of its kind in the Philippines,” said Suzara, also a ranking executive of the Asian Volleyball Federation and International Volleyball Federation. “This is in line with the league’s commitment to promote gender equality because volleyball is for everybody to enjoy regardless of one’s age, race or sexual preference.”

Rio in 6-month sprint to Olympics; multiple crises catching up RIO—The Olympics start six months from this Friday and Rio de Janeiro is ready -- as long as athletes cover up in anti-mosquito repellent, ignore the polluted water and don’t ask for TV in their rooms. Nicknamed “The Marvelous City,” Rio is sure to put on a spectacular show. After the opening ceremony on August 5 in the legendary Maracana stadium, 10,500 athletes will compete against what will be one of the most photogenic Olympic backdrops ever. The likes of Usain Bolt will run under the gaze of the Christ the Redeemer statue towering from the Corcovado, while beach volleyball will take place on sweeping Copacabana beach and sailors will duel in the shadow of Sugarloaf mountain. In a world beset by war, terrorism and environmental calamity, the Olympics—an organization itself badly shaken by corruption and doping scandals—will give everyone a chance to feel good again. The Olympics “will be an unfor-

gettable fiesta,” the spokesman for the Rio 2016 organizing committee, Mario Andrada, said Tuesday. But fears of the mosquitotransmitted Zika virus and fallout from Brazil’s worst economic crisis since the 1930s are casting a long shadow. Mosquitos, sewage Incidents of Zika, which has been blamed for causing abnormally small heads in babies born to women infected while pregnant, have exploded across Latin America. This week, Brazil followed the United States and other countries in warning pregnant women to keep away. The Australian Olympic Committee told pregnant athletes to think “very carefully” before competing. Brazil is desperately trying to eradicate mosquito breeding sites, and Andrada pointed out that August is the Brazilian winter, when mosquito numbers fall sharply. But with no vaccine likely for years, total safety cannot be guaranteed. Athletes and tourists should wear “appropriate clothing,”

Rio2016 Olympic Games Organizing Committee Medical Director Joao Grangeiro (right ) speaks during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio Olympics organizers said Tuesday they are concerned by the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, but confident the problem will have cleared up by the time of the Games. AFP

“close windows” and “use repellent,” Andrada advised. Avoiding bacteria-filled water will be even harder for sailors and windsurfers at the Games. They’ll compete in Rio’s stunning, yet horrifically polluted Guanabara Bay. Authorities had promised to clean the natural har-

bor but even today, some half of Rio’s sewage pours in untreated. Even so, regular testing has shown that there are no risks to health, officials say. Austerity games Back in 2009, when Rio won the Olympic bid, Brazil was an emerging markets star.

Today, a collapse in commodity prices is fueling Brazil’s deepest recession since the 1930s, while a corruption scandal has sucked in top politicians and executives, and President Dilma Rousseff is fighting impeachment. Organizers are rebranding the Olympics an austerity Games. The budget of about 39 billion reais ($9.8 billion) is in a different league to Beijing’s 2008 $40 billion splurge. And unlike London 2012, where the budget ended up more than triple the original estimate, Rio is trying to tighten its belt. Cuts of up to 20 percent in the 7.4 billion reais ($1.8 billion) operating budget mean athletes won’t get TV in their Olympic Village rooms, VIPs will eat simple Brazilian beans and rice dishes, and fewer staff will get printers. Seating has been reduced at some venues, including the slashing of a planned grandstand at the rowing and canoeing venue. Even volunteers are being cut from 70,000 to 50,000 in order to save on uniforms and training. AFP

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

17. Although the instant FM Pass-Through Amounts is not included in NGCP’s Third (3rd) Regulatory Reset Application, the same can be recovered during the 3rd RP pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of the FME. A copy of the FM Pass-Through Amount Computation is attached to the application as Annex “D”;

IN THE MATTER OF THEAPPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (EM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR TYPHOON GLENDA IN VISAYAS AND LUZON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

18. Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts under this application did not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhPo.0336/kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is attached to the application as Annex “E”; 19. Also, NGCP considered the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by the FME Typhoon Glenda; ERC CASE NO. 2015-136 RC

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant.

20. NGCP moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FM Pass-Through Amounts pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

x----------------------------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

21. NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the occurrence of the aforementioned FME Typhoon Glenda required massive capital infusion, thus, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers;

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on July 15, 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of Force Majeure (FM) event regulated FM pass through for Typhoon Glenda in Visayas and Luzon in accordance with the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

22. In addition, the timely implementation of the FM Pass- Through Amount will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost;

In the said application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following: 1.

NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA);1

23. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the application, is attached to the thereto as Annex “F”; PRAYER 24. It most prays of the Commission to:

Under Republic Act No. 9511,2 NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines;

a. b.

On January 15, 2009, it assumed transmission functions of TRANSCO including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid; Luzon

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND OF THE CASE 4.

P/kWh Visayas

In the early morning of July 16, 2014, Typhoon Glenda was over Nagcarlan, Laguna. In the late morning of the same day, Typhoon Glenda slightly weakened at 140 kph and was over Bataan after crossing Manila Bay and Calabarzon provinces. In the morning of July 17, 2014, Typhoon Glenda was outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). A copy of the Certification dated September 1, 2014 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached to the application as Annex “A”; Due to the strong winds and heavy rainfall of Typhoon Glenda, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in the Visayas and Luzon areas were severely damaged causing massive and widespread power interruption over the area;

Immediately after the devastation of Typhoon Glenda, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities to restore the transmission of electricity in the Visayas and Luzon areas. As a result, NGCP incurred additional cost for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said transmission assets damaged by Typhoon Glenda;

10. In relation to the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Glenda and pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the same RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda through an FM Pass-Through Amount; 11. Within three (3) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Glenda, NGCP filed before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) an FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Glenda dated August 27, 2014, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR. A copy of the FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Glenda dated August 27, 2014 is attached to the application as Annex “B”;

FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION 13. It must be noted that NGCP has not recovered any amount from its Industrial All-Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2014 as compensation for the damage and cost it incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda; 14. The cost NGCP incurred as additional FME Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda, including the recoverable values of the assets destroyed (Net Fixed Asset Value) is Two Hundred Eight Million, Three Hundred Sixty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Pesos and 56/100 (PhP208,369,997.56). 3The breakdown of the FME CAPEX incurred by NGCP and the Net Fixed Asset Value is as follows: FME CAPEX Amount 18 9 , 9 6 9 , 4 6 7. 0 3

Luzon

S u b -To t a l

19 4 , 8 4 4 , 6 6 2 . 2 8

N E t F i X E d A s s E t VA l u E S u b -To t a l

13 , 5 2 5 , 3 3 5 . 2 8

to t A l

2 0 8 , 3 6 9 , 9 9 7. 5 6

15. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amount, in P/kW- month, as additional network charges in the Luzon and Visayas starting the billing period of October 2015 to December 2020, or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, computed as shown in the table below:

Luzon

2 015

2 016

2 017

2 018

P/kWmo.

2.75

0.28

0.26

0.25

0.23

0.22

P/kWh

0.0056

0.0005

0.0004

P/kWmo. P/kWh

2 0 15

2 0 16

2 0 17

0.86

0.04

0.0020

0.0001

0.22

0.0056

0.0005

0.0004

2016

2017

2018

2019

0.04

0.03

P/kWh

0.0020

0.0001

2020 0.03 0.0001

Approve the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) amounting to PhP194,844,662.28 incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the FME Typhoon Glenda as FME;

Approve, after due notice and hearing, the proposed EM Pass Through Amount to be collected from the Luzon and Visayas customers starting October 2015 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, as follows: 2015

2016

2017

2018

2.75

0.28

0.26

0.0056

0.0005

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

0.25

2019

2020

0.23

0.22

0.0004

P/kWmo.

0.86

0.04

0.03

P/kWh

0.0020

0.0001

2020 0.03 0.0001

Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Glenda amounting to PhP13,525,335.28, given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Glenda as FME;

Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amount from the side constraint calculation.

D AT E

TIME

VENUE

PA R T I C U L A R S

Febr uar y 23, 2 016 ( Tu e s d a y)

N i n e o ’c l o c k in the morning ( 9 : 0 0 A . M .)

ERC Hearing Room, 15 t h F l o o r, P a c i f i c C e n t e r Building, San Miguel Av e n u e , P a s i g C i t y

Jurisdictional Hearing and Expositor y Presentation

M a r c h 3 , 2 016 ( T h u r s d a y)

N i n e o ’c l o c k in the morning ( 9 : 0 0 A . M .)

ERC Visayas Field O f f ic e, S t . M a r y ’s D r i v e , Cebu City

Expositor y Presentation for V i s a y a s S t a ke h o l d e r s

M a r c h 9 , 2 016 ( W e d n e s d a y)

N i n e o ’c l o c k in the morning ( 9 : 0 0 A . M .)

ERC Hearing Room, 15 t h F l o o r, P a c i f i c C e n t e r Building, San Miguel Av e n u e , P a s i g C i t y

P r e -Tr i a l C o n f e r e n c e a n d Ev i d e n t i a r y Hearing

M a r c h 10 , 2 016 ( T h u r s d a y)

N i n e o ’c l o c k in the morning ( 9 : 0 0 A . M .)

Continuation of Ev i d e n t i a r y H e a r i n g

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner's name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner's interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

2 019

2020

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicant, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed-with the Commission during the usual office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 7th day of January, 2016 at Pasig City.

Visayas

0.23

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

4 , 8 75 ,19 5 . 2 5

Visayas

0.26

2020

The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on the following dates and venues:

12. Within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Glenda, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Claim Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR;

Grid

0.28

2015

0.25

2019

0.04

Visayas

Glenda was categorized by PAGASA as “Typhoon” in its Certification dated September 1, 2014. Therefore, Typhoon Glenda falls within the definition of a FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR;

2018

0.86

P/kWh

“Force Majeure Event “(a) Atyphoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; x xx”

2017

2.75

P/kWmo.

Under Section 1.3 of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), a Force Majeure Event (FME) is defined as follows:

2016

P/kWmo.

Luzon

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM

2015

P/kWmo.

On or about July 15, 2014, Typhoon Glenda made landfall over Rapurapu Island in Albay and crossed Sorsogon and Albay provinces in the evening with intensity of 150 kph and gust of 180 kph. Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) No. 3 was raised over central and southern Luzon including Metro Manila;

Declare the Typhoon Glenda as Force Majeure Event (FME); Grant Provisional Approval to implement and bill the FM Pass-Through Amounts to Visayas and Luzon customers starting October 2015 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

2 0 18

2 0 19

2020

0.04

0.03

0.0001

16. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2016 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Typhoon Glenda should there be a delay in the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth (4th) Regulatory Period (RP);

ATTY. TTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO of the Chairman and

LVB/APV/FME/2015-136 RC NGCP NPH.doc.

____________________________________________________ 1 2

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes” Excluding Permit Fees. Please see Annex “C” for the Summary of Costs

(TS-JAN. 28/ FEB. 4, 2016)

T H U R S DAY F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 16

Disabled athletes to get P6.6m in bonuses By Peter Atencio THIRTY-SIX disabled athletes and their coaches are among the initial batch of beneficiaries of the increased incentives’ law awarded on Friday. They will be feted for winning medals during the 8th ASEAN Paragames in Singapore as they stand to get a total of P6.6 million for their feats. During the games last year, para athletes, led by sprinter Jerrold Pete Mangliwan, chess player Sander Severino, power lifter Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta and swimmer Ernie Gawilan, took home a total of 16 golds, 17 silvers and 36 bronze medals. Rep. Wes Gatchalian (Quezon City), who is the new chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, said this is just the start following the enactment of Republic Act 10699, which repeals RA 9064 or the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001. The enactment of the law raises the amount and broaden the coverage of incentives, as well as improve the benefits granted to national athletes, coaches and trainers. “Matagal na naming ipinaglaban ito. Now, the Philippine Sports Commission is about to implement this,” said Gatchalian, who was among the presentors of the honorees in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies last week at the Sheraton Hotel in Manila. This Friday, the awarding will be held at the Philsports Multipurpose Arena, and Gatchalian will join Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo “Richie” Garcia, in handing the incentives. The gold medallists are set to get P150,000, while those who earned silver will receive P75,000. Bronze medallists will take home P30,000. On the other hand, their coaches will get as much as P75,000 for every athlete they helped win a gold.

T H U R S DAY : F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 16

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Texters preparing early for Commish Cup defense By Jeric Lopez

WHILE most of the attention in the past few weeks is on the classic Philippine Cup titular showdown between San Miguel Beer and Alaska, one powerhouse squad is in the thick of its preparation for its title defense. Talk ‘N Text is looking forward to defending its Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup crown as the mid-season tournament starts less than a week from now. The Tropang Texters are already figuring in some intense practice sessions and are also fine-tuning their plays with exhibition games against various clubs from in and out the PBA the past few weeks. In fact, Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico bared that the Texters prepared early for the

second conference and had a little break after being eliminated by Rain or Shine in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals. ‘’We actually started preparing for the second conference at the start of the year. We just finished the Christmas season and we already started practicing,’’ said Uichico. The soft-spoken Talk ‘N Text tactician added that the team’s early preparation combined with a completely healthy line-up are recipes for a better chance at defending their championship. ‘’Our preparation is going well and we have everyone back now, so it’s just about getting better for us. Of course, we want to win the championship again,’’ said Uichico. Ivan Johnson, who led Talk ‘N Text to the Commissioner’s Cup title last season, is back with the team for his second tour of duty as import and the Tropang Texters are hoping that they can resume their winning ways with their enigmatic but prolific reinforcement. Talk ‘N Text opens its title defense against Blackwater in the opening playdate of the Commissioner’s Cup on Feb. 10 at the Smart

LOTTO RESULTS

Araneta Coliseum at 4:15 p.m., while Star and Meralco will figure in the second game at 7 p.m. The Tropang Texters, who somewhat underachieved in the All-Filipino conference, where they only managed to make it to second phase of the quarterfinals despite a loaded line-up, are hoping that they can bounce back solidly in the tournament that they won last season. Another huge factor that can boost their campaign is the return of longtime superstar Ranidel De Ocampo from injury. The national team mainstay, who was sidelined for majority of the Philippine Cup after figuring in an accident inside the weight room, is now back practicing with the team and is expected to play right away in the Commissioner’s Cup. Though De Ocampo had a lengthy lay-off, Uichico believes that his presence, which was sorely missed by Talk ‘N Text in the All-Filipino tilt, will be a huge difference for the squad that boasts of two youthful talents in top-notch rookies Mo Tautuaa and Troy Rosario.

Robotics team honored. Philippine Robotics Team members and Kid Innovator Special Award recipients (from left) Vince Jhanzel Sulit, Zandra Pauline Chavez and Ezekiel Godwin Torres of Letran, Calamba, Laguna demonstrate some the moves of their remote-controlled robots during Wednesday’s recognition rites for the team for winning 62 medals at the recent 17th International Robotics Olympiad in Bucheon, South Korea in December, 2015. EY ACASIO

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Lady Falcons turn back Tigresses By Peter Atencio THE Adamson Lady Falcons were dragged by the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses in five sets and pulled off a 25-22, 25-21, 20-25, 28-30, 16-14 win Wednesday in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Multipurpose Arena in Pasig City. A block from Mylene Paat and Mary Joy Dacoron, and an ace by Jessica Galanza allowed the Lady Falcons to break a 14-all deadlock and the set’s second match point. Galanza went on to lead the Lady Falcons with 28 points in their 2-hour contest with the Tigresses. Coach Sherwin Meneses praised the team for being able to survive a long encounter with the Tigresses, who denied the Lady Falcons a three-set win by taking the third and fourth sets. The Lady Falcons missed their chance to take the third set outright when UST fought back from 17-20 down. UST had an 8-0 run with a couple of hits from Chlodia Cortez and EJ Laure’s attack. In the fourth set, UST forced five match points, and took the last two points behind Mildred Dizon’s kill and Laure’s placement shot past Dacoron. “Iyung break napunta sa amin. Ang mahalaga, naramdaman nila ang ginagawa naming conditioning. Nag-5 sets kami na dapat hindi ka napapagod,” said Meneses. The Lady Falcons are now in the early lead with defending champion Ateneo Lady Eagles and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, who won their opening matches last Sunday.

53rd European Team Championships 2016 CH A M PIONSHIPS will be held at the SYLVIA LOPEZ Groupama AreALEJANDRO na of Budapest (Hungary) from June 16th to 25th, 2016. The Open Series will be played over 10 days, and the Women’s Championship and Seniors Championship will be played over 7 days. The entries are now open for Open, Women and Seniors Teams.

Board 6

West ♠A ♥A108752 ♦1093 ♣AJ9

**** Bidding the Slams Last evening I was invited to play on Bridge Base Online with a regular player, captnoor 1. Since my regular partner, Golfermike was not able available capt paired me a Britain player elewa. This is first we had played.

North Captnoor ♠J103 ♥J ♦J2 ♣2108653 East Sylgen 1 ♠K8652 ♥ ♦ AKQ654 ♣K7

South Wity ♠Q974 ♥KQ963 ♦3 ♣42 West

North

Pass 6♦

3♣

East 1♦ 3♠

South 1♥ Pass

The slam bid I had opened the bidding with one diamond and the jump three spades made her realize that my original distribution was 6-5 diamonds and spades. With three aces and three diamonds in support of my opening, she bid the slam: SIX DIAMONDS. I made the contract while our opponents were stranded in game. Last Saturday, January 23, 2016 I was invited by Capt. Winston Arpon to be his Lifemaster partner in 2016 PTBA LM non-LM Teams .Our teammates were Gen Johnny Gonzales and Hector Tarrazona. In our first match against the Katipunan team won by 14 IMPS. Johnny and Hector bid the slam. Board 4 W Deals Both Vul

North ♠QJ9732 ♥A62 ♦65 ♣87

West ♠K ♥J10 ♦J97 ♣AQ95432

East ♠A ♥Q9543 ♦AKQ43 ♣106

South ♠108654 ♥K87 ♦1082 ♣KJ West North 1♦ Pass 2♦ 4♠

East 2♣ 6♦

South Pass

Hector opened with 1♦ to slow opening bid 12-15 points. I answered 2♣ showing also opening hand. Hector when asked to explain my bid said he does not understand and proceed to bid his four card diamond, 2♦, the opponent tried to sacrifice by going to 4♠. I had singleton Ace of Spade and six cards diamond so I went to 6♦! Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

A16

T H U R S DAY : F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 16 RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Khan’s fight with Canelo dwarfs Pacquiao’s last bout By Ronnie Nathanielsz

PGT Order of Merit winner Miguel Tabuena has made himself available for the P3.5 million ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational, along with fellow Asian Tour campaigners Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña.

Tabuena headlines ICTSI invitational golf THE ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour kicks off its new season next week with the P3.5 million ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational with an elite cast, headed by Philippine Open champion and PGT Order of Merit winner Miguel Tabuena, clashing for top honors at the wind-raked Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club course in Morong, Bataan. Tabuena has made himself available, along with fellow Asian Tour campaigners Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña, for the blueribbon event set Feb. 1013, guaranteeing a spirited battle for the top P650,000 purse in the 72-hole championship sponsored by In-

LA halts 10-game slide; Kobe hits 38 pts TURN TO A12

ternational Container Terminal Services Inc. Que, a former three-time Asian Tour winner, set a new course record eightunder 64 in the final round to beat Lascuña by three for the inaugural Anvaya Cove crown last year. But the two veteran campaigners, along

with the rest of the cast, are expected to take the backseat in the upcoming event for the rising 21-year-old shotmaker. Tabuena is enjoying top form following a brilliant 2015 season, where he dominated the local circuit with four victories before capping it with a Philippine Open title romp at Luisita last December. He actually opened the new season with a strong joint fourth finish in last week’s Singapore Open of the Asian Tour and Japan PGA Tour, finishing just three shots back off winner Younghan Song and two behind world No. 1

Jordan Spieth. That makes Tabuena, who tied fourth with Mars Pucay here last year, the player to beat at Anvaya although he will be as much tested as the rest of the field on a seaside course that varies in character in every swirl of the wind. Others tipped to contend for the championship in the tournament, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Adidas, TaylorMade, Pacsports Phils., Custom Clubmakers, KZG, Sharp and Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club., are Cassius Casas, Frankie Minoza, Jay Bayron, Rufino Bayron,

Rio in 6-month sprint to Olympics TURN TO A13

Orlan Sumcad, Michael Bibat, Jun Rates, Arnold Villacencio, Clyde Mondilla and a host of foreign challengers. Meanwhile, 66 foreign players are vying for 15 slots for this year’s PGT circuit in the four-day Q-School which got under way yesterday at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan. The top 40 players plus ties after two rounds will advance to the final 36 holes with the top 15 to be included in Category 8 while those ending up 16th to 25th will be included in Category 10.

WORLD Boxing Council welterweight silver champion Amir Khan, who was shunned by eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao in favor of a third fight with Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley, has landed a massive fight with hugely popular Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for the WBC middleweight title at a catch-weight of 155 pounds in Las Vegas on May 7. Sky Sports in London quoted Khan, who said he is ready to make history when he takes on the Mexican superstar. Khan virtually hit the jackpot with the fight taking place at the MGM Grand’s new 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena. Sky Sports noted that Alvarez suffered the only defeat of his career when he lost a majority decision to the unbeaten and now retired pound-forpound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas in 2013, but Khan is confident he has the tools to beat him. Speaking from California, Khan told Sky Sports News HQ: “It’s going to be the first fight there [at the new stadium] and I’m looking forward to it because it is something new and it’s time to make history.” Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya praised the British 2004 Athens Olympic Games silver medalist for choosing to fight Alvarez. Moving up a weight or two and fighting a world champion that everyone believes is going to walk through says a lot about the courage of Khan, who remarked: “I really believe that I have the chance to beat him (Canelo) and by beating someone like Alvarez it will definitely make me one of the best fighters in the world.” Khan pointed out that when Mayweather fought Alvarez, he dropped down to 152lbs where he was struggling to make the fight weight—so the weight we are fighting at is giving him a couple of more pounds to feel comfortable. Khan feels that Alvarez “is going to be a little bit stronger going into this fight against me, but watching how Floyd Mayweather beat him; Floyd boxed him, was smart and he moved well—he wasn’t standing there with him. Obviously I am going to pick a few things out of that fight. Alvarez looked really good in that fight, he was sharper, he was quicker. I have the hand speed, I have the great footwork so we know what to do.”

THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 4, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

business@thestandardtoday.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

Forbes tower groundbreaking. Century Properties Group and Mitsubishi Corp. officials break ground for the world’s first Forbes Media Tower at Century City in Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Shown during the ceremony are (from left) Mitsubishi Corp. manager of the Asean team for real estate development and construction division Kiyoto Asari, Century Properties chief operating officer Marco Antonio, Mitsubishi Manila branch deputy general manager Masahiro Nagaoka, division chief operating officer for IFLD Takuya Kuga, Century Properties chairman and chief executive Jose Antonio, Mitsubishi Manila branch general manager Yoshio Amano, Century Properties director and head of construction Ricardo Cuerva and Century Properties managing director and head of international brand partnerships Robbie Antonio.

5 groups eye P171-b south rail By Darwin G. Amojelar

FIVE major local and foreign companies have purchased bid documents for the P171billion south rail project under the public-private partnership program.

PPP executive director Cosette Canilao identified the interested companies as Ayala Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., San Miguel Holdings Corp., IL&FS Transport Networks Ltd. of India and US-based Fluor Daniels Pacific Inc. IL&FS is one of India’s leading infrastructure development and finance companies, while Fluor Daniels is an engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and project management company.

The bid submission for the P171-billion south line of the North-South Railway Project was rescheduled on March 31, 2016 from Feb. 1. The Transportation Department originally set the bid submission date for the project on Oct. 15, but deferred it to Dec. 1 and later to Feb. 1. The project will revive the oldest rail system in Southeast Asia, beginning with the ManilaLegazpi section plus additional branch lines spanning 653 kilometers. The winning bidder will operate, maintain and upgrade the south line for 34 years, including the construction period of four years. Under the project’s terms, the winning bidder will take charge of designing, constructing, financing, operating and maintaining the 56-kilometer commuter rail service, for daily riders on the Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna route and the 478-kilometer long-haul

rail service, for travelers on the Tutuban to Legazpi, Albay route. The long-haul service may also have extensions from Calamba, Laguna to Batangas City and from Legazpi to Matnog, Sorsogon. Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya earlier said the south line would be the agency’s “biggest project yet.” “This project will impact directly on a grassroots level. Those who have less in life, especially farmers and fisherfolk, will be given efficient means to expand their livelihood. This is our biggest project yet, and this is for those who need it most,” Abaya said. Once the entire railway is operational by 2020, there will be 10 daily trips with seven train sets passing through 66 stations. It is expected to serve 316,000 passengers a day in its opening year and encourage around 44,000 public and private vehicle owners to leave their vehicles at home and instead use the modern railway.

SM Prime investing P220b in next three years By Jenniffer B. Austria SM PRIME Holdings Inc., the country’s largest real estate company, said Wednesday it will spend P220 billion over the next three years in line with the target to double net income by 2018. SM Prime said in a presentation during a recent non-deal roadshow the bulk of the three-year spending program would go to shopping mall, residential and commercial developments. SM Prime earlier set a target to double net income to P32 billion by 2018. The company said to achieve the net income target, it

planned to have 10.96 million square meters of shopping malls in the Philippines and China; over 139,000 residential units across 41 projects; 2,500 units of leisure homes across 16 developments; 460,000 square meters of commercial space from seven office buildings; and 2,187 hotel rooms from 10 hotel developments by 2018. SM Prime said in 2016 alone, it would open five new malls and expand two existing malls to end the year with a total of 61 shopping malls with 7.6 million square meters of floor area. It will also open one mall in China—SM Tianjin with gross floor area of 540,000 square

meters. This will be SM Prime’s seventh mall in China. The company said for its residential business, it would spend P22.8 billion in capital expenditures this year, including P15.9 billon for project development and P6.9 billion for land banking. SM Prime’s residential group currently has 348.9 hectares in its land bank which could be developed into mixed-use township projects. SM Prime said its commercial business unit, which caters primarily to the fast growing business process outsourcing industry, was poised to accelerate growth on strong demand for office space.

The company has an available land bank of 529,000 square meters of land bank for future office development. Meanwhile the group’s hotel and convention centers currently operates five hotels with over 1,150 rooms; four convention centers; and two Megatrade halls with over 36,000 square meters of leasable space. It is also set to open the 347room Conrad Hotel within the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City in the first half of 2016. SM Prime said despite the massive capital expenditure requirements it would still maintain a very conservative gearing ratio.

PSe comPoSite

index

Closing February 3, 2016

8000 8340 7880 7420 6960 6500

6,521.48 120.97

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing February 3, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.860

44.00

43.00

HIGH P47.830 LOW P47.920 AVERAGE P47.882 VOLUME 622.600M

P417.00-P627.00 LPG/11-kg tank P33.30-P40.75 Unleaded Gasoline

il P PriceS today

P20.40-P23.80 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, February 3, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.7300

Japan

Yen

0.008332

0.3977

Pound

1.441300

68.7932

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128404

6.1287

Switzerland

Franc

0.981451

46.8447

Canada

Dollar

0.712403

Singapore

Dollar

0.699839

33.4033

Australia

Dollar

0.707914

33.7887

Bahrain

Dinar

2.659150

126.9212

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.7280

Brunei

Dollar

0.697399

33.2869

34.0030

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.027984

1.3357

UAE

Dirham

0.272294

12.9966

Euro

1.092000

52.1212

Korea

Won

0.000825

0.0394

China

Yuan

0.151976

7.2538

India

Rupee

0.014722

0.7027

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.237812

11.3508

New Zealand

Dollar

0.650195

Taiwan

Dollar

0.029863

31.0338 1.4254 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 4, 2016

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, February 3, 2016

52 Weeks

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 1.01 100 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 124 3.26 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 125 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.98 2.8 44.7 44.5 99.65 97.45 89.70 87.05 35.2 34.9 2.50 2.50 1.37 1.35 14.1 14.04 16.7 16.1 6.45 6.45 1.75 1.67 0.500 0.450 72.5 70.55 15.20 14.20 51.50 50.20 103.2 103.2 279 256 32.9 32.75 144.1 140.5 56.45 55.00 1.45 1.42 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 41.5 41.5 40.3 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.6 4.64 4.5 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.62 0.64 0.63 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.26 1.29 1.24 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.2 10.1 9.8 15.32 Century Food 15.9 16.34 15.8 62.5 Chemphil 105 107 107 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 19.6 19.56 19.32 29.15 Concepcion 39.8 39.8 37 1.5 Crown Asia 2.03 2.12 2.02 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 2.19 2.29 2.06 10.72 Del Monte 11.86 11.84 11.6 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 7.910 7.950 7.700 9.04 Emperador 7.29 7.30 7.15 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.43 5.45 5.15 8.86 EEI 5.32 5.33 5.24 20.2 First Gen Corp. 18.36 18.4 18.1 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 56.6 56.95 56.5 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.30 13.54 13.54 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.02 5.1 4.9 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.330 2.570 2.280 206.80 201.00 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. 207.00 LBC Express 8.4 8.7 8.4 34.1 Liberty Flour 25.00 25.00 25.00 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 2.99 2.9 2.9 33 Macay Holdings 38.95 39.65 37.00 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.75 25 24.5 17.3 Maxs Group 14.88 14.8 14.18 5.88 Megawide 5.6 5.7 5.6 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 305.00 308.00 305.00 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3 3 2.91 8.45 Petron Corporation 6.50 6.46 6.26 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.50 11.50 11.26 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.52 3.60 3.50 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.36 1.35 1.34 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.37 2.35 2.25 4.02 RFM Corporation 3.75 3.80 3.65 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.7 2.7 2.7 5.9 Roxas Holdings 6.34 4.94 4.9 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 144.5 143.9 138.6 4.1 SPC Power Corp. 3.95 4 4 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.4 2.47 2.29 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.145 0.143 0.143 1.08 1.05 1.05 1.02 TKC Steel Corp. 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.12 2.14 2.09 152 Universal Robina 194 195 191.8 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.65 4.56 4.56 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.6 0.62 0.6 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.04 1.05 0.96 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.295 0.315 0.295 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.8000 58.0000 55.9000 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 14.62 14.62 14.20 6.62 Anscor À’ 6.00 6.00 5.96 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.230 0.230 0.230 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 670.5 670 649.5 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.45 7.45 7.2 12.8 DMCI Holdings 11.52 11.50 11.14 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.1 5.18 5 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.80 4.72 4.67 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.220 0.220 0.200 837 GT Capital 1260 1258 1242 IPM Holdings 9.69 9.69 9.60 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 65.15 64.90 62.80 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 5.32 5.32 5.23 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.56 0.55 0.54 12 LT Group 15.88 15.9 15.1 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings À’ 0.52 0.52 0.52 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.37 5.41 5.3 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0300 0.0290 0.0280 0.550 Prime Orion 2.030 2.030 1.990 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 71.00 71.90 68.55 751 SM Investments Inc. 830.00 830.00 803.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.03 1.07 1.01 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.77 0.76 0.76 80 Top Frontier 110.000 114.000 106.100 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2750 0.2700 0.2600 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1910 0.2030 0.1930 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.260 0.255 0.255 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.200 7.170 7.020 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.75 0.74 0.71 1.2 Araneta Prop À’ 1.050 1.100 1.080 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 31.900 31.500 31.100 3.36 Belle Corp. À’ 2.48 2.46 2.36 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 0.225 78 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 59 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Union Bank Vantage Equities

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

SHARES 11,372,280 82,078,525 63,104,963 114,341,313 214,913,953 165,175,630 651,751,644

3 44.7 100.00 89.30 35.15 2.50 1.40 14.22 16.7 6.20 1.81 0.445 73 14.36 51.45 97.9 279 33 144.9 56.50 1.45

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.86 44.65 97.50 89.50 34.9 2.50 1.35 14.1 16.1 6.45 1.67 0.450 71.1 15.00 50.35 103.2 263 32.75 144 56.30 1.42

-4.67 -0.11 -2.50 0.22 -0.71 0.00 -3.57 -0.84 -3.59 4.03 -7.73 1.12 -2.60 4.46 -2.14 5.41 -5.73 -0.76 -0.62 -0.35 -2.07

235,000 7,200 2,856,960 1,534,830 54,700 23,000 11,000 4,600 245,500 2,200 5,000 1,220,000 3,832,520 373,800 256,820 10 1,200 18,200 225,690 750 227,000

41.15 4.6 0.64 1.27 10.1 16.02 107 19.4 37 2.02 2.1 11.7 7.910 7.15 5.15 5.33 18.3 56.5 13.54 5.04 2.570 206.40 8.7 25.00 2.9 39.65 24.55 14.3 5.6 305.40 2.91 6.27 11.50 3.60 1.35 2.3 3.72 2.7 4.94 138.7 4 2.45 0.143 1.08 2.10 193 4.56 0.6 1.05

-0.84 0.00 3.23 0.79 -0.98 0.75 1.90 -1.02 -7.04 -0.49 -4.11 -1.35 0.00 -1.92 -5.16 0.19 -0.33 -0.18 -5.31 0.40 10.30 -0.29 3.57 0.00 -3.01 1.80 -0.81 -3.90 0.00 0.13 -3.00 -3.54 0.00 2.27 -0.74 -2.95 -0.80 0.00 -22.08 -4.01 1.27 2.08 -1.38 2.86 -0.94 -0.52 -1.94 0.00 0.96

1,492,200 573,000 366,000 249,000 6,500 48,400 20 122,200 124,400 221,000 2,232,000 23,800 5,157,600 296,100 10,444,200 636,000 12,091,200 117,970 2,600 132,600 16,002,000 1,085,110 128,200 700 1,000 900 698,700 3,713,300 2,900 406,980 296,000 3,413,400 1,100 41,000 82,000 350,000 88,000 10,000 7,000 9,380 39,000 3,525,000 560,000 67,000 14,465,000 1,819,310 403,000 158,000 102,000

0.295 56.2000 14.50 6.00 0.230 655 7.3 11.14 5 4.72 0.220 1243 9.69 63.30 5.23 0.54 15.2 0.52 5.33 0.0290 2.020 71.90 810.00 1.05 0.76 114.000 0.2650 0.2020 0.255

0.00 -1.06 -0.82 0.00 0.00 -2.31 -2.01 -3.30 -1.96 -1.67 0.00 -1.35 0.00 -2.84 -1.69 -3.57 -4.28 0.00 -0.74 -3.33 -0.49 1.27 -2.41 1.94 -1.30 3.64 -3.64 5.76 -1.92

1,630,000 1,461,940 5,826,000 2,800 10,000 433,050 2,309,700 3,201,900 50,400 18,000 110,000 134,980 1,342,100 1,240,340 1,831,800 83,000 7,896,800 20,000 26,689,400 3,900,000 1,492,000 729,840 278,540 888,000 25,000 108,010 910,000 100,000 120,000

7.100 0.74 1.080 31.250 2.4

-1.39 -1.33 2.86 -2.04 -3.23

2,069,800 1,001,000 150,000 9,676,600 1,095,000

281,025.00 -35,223,674 25,856,126.50 -28,080.00

-129,400.00 -14,550.00 -79,472,089.50 -531,132.50 137,480 15,119,087.00 -46,400.00 331,085.00 242,490.00

577,988.00 436,400 6,090.00 65,700.00 19,001,885.00 -722,680.00 -5,064,684.00 2,020,062.00 178,578,100.00 1,113,331.00 -4,205,320.00 -53,136,702.00

870,345.00 3,093,416.00 39,082,046.00 -738,860.00 -10,341,963.00

-141,830.00 -42,340.00 -1,152,530.00 -156,000.00

16,799,420.00 36,055,337.00 -13,680.00 -4,200.00

-34,209,782.50 12,228,320.00 -122,002,055.00 -464,777.00 -3,501,188.00

67,634,705.00 -21,371,449.00 226,823.00 -83,991,200.00 39,157,075.00 -4,926,818.00 -3,736,915.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

5.59 1.44 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

4.96 0.79 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Cebu Holdings Century Property Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 15.2

1.97 35.2 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 3 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining Apex À’ Atlas Cons. À’ Atok-Big Wedge À’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto À’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining À’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. À’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex À’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. À’ Semirara Corp. TA Petroleum

70 118 8.21 12.28 1060 84.8

33 101 5.88 6.5 997 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. First Gen F GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred A SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

-1,111,690.00

10,142,071.00 202,880.00 86,600,550.00 133,940.00

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

High

VALUE 772,300,499.70 1,315,733,538.09 1,378,834,343.26 1,020,394,979.53 1,136,316,989.394 168,200,902.80 5,803,901,070.77

FINANCIAL 1,500.24 (down) 20.57 INDUSTRIAL 10,438.09 (down) 105.95 HOLDING FIRMS 6,118.75 (down) 124.61 PROPERTY 2,636.51 (down) 47.81 SERVICES 1,459.06 (down) 41.49 MINING & OIL 9,229.52 (down) 88.80 PSEI 6,521.48 (down) 120.97 All Shares Index 3,743.97 (down) 61.85 Gainers: 51; Losers: 123; Unchanged: 33; Total: 207

4.6 0.510 0.117 0.425 20.35 0.850 0.149 0.91 1.50 1.30 3.43 0.330 8.39 24.20 1.48 3.05 21.20 0.75 4.2 0.860 4.050

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

4.6 4.43 4.43 0.51 0.490 0.495 0.119 0.113 0.119 0.425 0.410 0.410 20.2 19.92 20 0.840 0.830 0.840 0.154 0.154 0.154 0.91 0.88 0.90 1.50 1.47 1.47 1.29 1.25 1.26 3.42 3.26 3.27 0.315 0.310 0.310 8.39 8.39 8.39 24.50 23.40 24.50 1.5 1.46 1.48 2.99 2.93 2.99 21.20 20.45 20.85 0.76 0.74 0.76 4.55 4.55 4.55 0.920 0.870 0.890 4.110 3.900 4.040 SERVICES 6.43 6.4 6.26 6.4 55.95 55.95 54.3 54.5 0.440 0.415 0.410 0.410 11.5 11.38 10 10.06 26 20.05 20.05 20.05 4.45 4.46 4.25 4.25 0.0410 0.0410 0.0400 0.0410 3.24 3.23 3.07 3.22 77.55 77.45 75.05 75.5 9.5 9.96 9.5 9.96 1.58 1.61 1.61 1.61 5.83 6.00 5.83 5.99 1871 1865 1800 1810 6.50 6.50 6.44 6.50 21.00 17.58 17.58 17.58 1.17 1.16 1.16 1.16 56.85 56.8 55.2 56 11 11.96 11 11.96 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 0.0080 0.144 0.144 0.141 0.143 1.2600 1.2100 1.1400 1.1600 2.05 2.07 2 2.07 7.42 7.30 7.00 7.29 4.10 4.10 4.05 4.10 2.3 2.29 2.17 2.18 3.35 3.35 3.16 3.33 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.730 0.720 0.680 0.710 18.1 18.8 18.1 18.48 4.50 4.50 4.30 4.50 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 20.30 20.30 20.00 20.30 2150.00 2138.00 2080.00 2088.00 0.385 0.385 0.375 0.385 0.750 0.760 0.700 0.700 33.85 33.80 33.00 33.50 63.00 61.15 59.00 60.20 5.05 5.02 4.85 4.92 3.49 3.40 3.14 3.14 0.400 0.410 0.395 0.410 3.78 3.91 3.74 3.74 0.320 0.340 0.320 0.340 3.780 4.100 3.850 3.970 MINING & OIL 0.0041 0.0042 0.0041 0.0041 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.65 4.00 4.09 4.00 4.00 10.98 12.50 11.50 11.50 0.51 0.51 0.49 0.49 0.380 0.380 0.370 0.380 6.50 6.55 6.36 6.36 0.630 0.630 0.590 0.610 0.265 0.265 0.255 0.255 0.171 0.170 0.165 0.169 0.195 0.195 0.186 0.195 0.0097 0.0099 0.0097 0.0099 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 1.68 1.7 1.56 1.63 4.53 4.79 4.45 4.59 2.55 2.55 2.5 2.5 1.1900 1.1900 1.0900 1.1100 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 3.30 3.40 3.38 3.40 4.11 4.33 4.10 4.12 1.45 1.70 1.43 1.44 0.0100 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 122.50 122.60 120.00 121.20 1.91 1.9 1.85 1.88 PREFERRED 55.2 55 53.5 54.4 112.9 118 113 118 6 6.05 6.05 6.05 1.07 1.1 1.1 1.1 1023 1025 1025 1025 82.3 83 82.1 82.3 79 79 78.2 78.5 78.6 79.5 78 78 79.35 79.4 79.35 79.4 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.790 2.790 2.500 2.530 SME 3.15 3.28 3.15 3.28 3.01 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.57 2.7 2.44 2.5 12.88 12.88 12.5 12.7 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108.5 108.5 106.5 106.5

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

-3.70 -2.94 1.71 -3.53 -1.72 -1.18 3.36 -1.10 -2.00 -3.08 -4.66 -6.06 0.00 1.24 0.00 -1.97 -1.65 1.33 8.33 3.49 -0.25

16,000 1,759,000 5,190,000 1,070,000 410,200 30,000 70,000 3,097,000 5,870,000 1,498,000 49,290,000 60,000 500 7,860,900 755,000 57,000 12,899,800 550,000 1,000 942,000 7,720,000

-0.47 -2.59 -6.82 -12.52 -22.88 -4.49 0.00 -0.62 -2.64 4.84 1.90 2.74 -3.26 0.00 -16.29 -0.85 -1.50 8.73 0.00 -0.69 -7.94 0.98 -1.75 0.00 -5.22 -0.60 0.00 -2.74 2.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 -2.88 0.00 -6.67 -1.03 -4.44 -2.57 -10.03 2.50 -1.06 6.25 5.03

9,200 33,410 200,000 46,300 10,025 4,878,000 4,400,000 8,000 779,560 2,900 10,000 161,000 55,965 57,900 100 80,000 936,760 40,900 5,000,000 420,000 6,554,000 11,000 13,200 190,000 117,728,000 1,961,000 250,000 8,179,000 6,500 12,000 1,003,930 21,300 126,915 1,290,000 33,450,000 1,036,000 1,586,020 914,000 19,561,000 2,090,000 138,000 50,000 200,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 4.74 -3.92 0.00 -2.15 -3.17 -3.77 -1.17 0.00 2.06 0.00 -2.98 1.32 -1.96 -6.72 0.00 3.03 0.24 -0.69 -9.09 -1.06 -1.57

34,000,000 20,000 1,158,000 300 597,000 150,000 3,000 9,302,000 80,000 3,370,000 20,000 7,000,000 300,000 228,000 17,748,000 3,000 165,000 20,000,000 10,000 1,853,000 9,833,000 58,800,000 415,560 110,000

-1.45 4.52 0.83 2.80 0.20 0.00 -0.63 -0.76 0.06

465,710 260,750 12,600 1,000 1,500 29,680 110,710 24,800 66,880

-9.32

617,000

4.13 -15.28 -2.72 -1.40

23,000 2,000 221,000 466,500

3,299,712.00

-1.84

52,480

-84,360.00

-1,170.00 -479,953.00 -36,000.00 2,183,880.00 891,250.00 -39,591,050.00 -23,431,040.00 -549,000.00 -39,323,210.00

4,108,210.00

2,368,740.00 -35,540,310.00

24,241,545.00 34,800.00 3,531,515.00 8,000.00 -104,650.00 1,458.00 -4,885,020.00 2,723,250.00 37,630.00

91,300.00 -130,557,090.00 252,290.00 17,613,335.00 22,468,933.00 24,350.00 -3,852,720.00 -288,420.00

-4,100.00 -2,309,530.00 100,000.00 -420,000.00

144,900.00 11,440,730.00 22,000.00 -1,059,070.00 -171,280.00 -88,000.00 -13,698,624.00 -3,292,653.00 -45,980.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Ionics Inc

2.570

10.30

Berjaya Phils. Inc.

20.05

-22.88

IPeople Inc. `A'

11.96

8.73

Roxas Holdings

4.94

-22.08

Starmalls

4.55

8.33

Grand Plaza Hotel

17.58

-16.29

Waterfront Phils.

0.340

6.25

Makati Fin. Corp.

2.55

-15.28

Wellex Industries

0.2020

5.76

Asian Terminals Inc.

10.06

-12.52

Phil. Savings Bank

103.2

5.41

SSI Group

3.14

-10.03

Yehey

3.970

5.03

LR Warrant

2.530

-9.32

Centro Esc. Univ.

9.96

4.84

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.0100

-9.09

Atok-Big Wedge `A'

11.50

4.74

ISM Communications

1.1600

-7.94

First Gen F

118

4.52

I-Remit Inc.

1.67

-7.73

THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 4, 2016

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

First Metro award. First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking unit of the Metrobank Group, is again recognized by the Bureau of the Treasury as among the top 10 Government Securities Eligible Dealers. First Metro ranks fifth and is the only investment bank awardee along with nine other local and foreign banks. National Treasurer Roberto Tan lauded the performance of the 10 awardees as the BTr’s partners in providing funds for the government. Shown during the awarding ceremony are (from left) Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, First Metro president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo, First Metro vice president David Ignacio Estacio and Treasurer of the Philippines Roberto Tan.

Market tumbles; BDO leads decliners THE stock market tumbled Wednesday as a plunge in oil prices increased investor anxiety about the global economic outlook. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 120.97 points, or 1.8 percent, to 6,521.48 on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 123 to 51, with 33 issues unchanged. Conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 2.3 percent to P655, while unit Ayala Land Inc., the second-biggest builder, dropped 2 percent to P31.25. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, declined 2.5 percent to P97.50, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest bank, fell 2.6 percent to P71.10. Megaworld Corp., the third largest builder, tumbled 4.7 percent to P3.27, while LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan lost 4.3 percent to P15.20. Meanwhile, oil cast a cloud over Asian markets again Wednesday after prices fell back below $30 a barrel, hammering energy firms once more and sending stocks deeper into the red. With the euphoria of Friday’s Bank of Japan stimulus but a distant memory, Tokyo led the regional losses followed by Hong Kong, where insurance giant AIA lost almost a tenth of its value at one point on fears China would tighten insurance rules. Despite the turmoil at home China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina) Wednesday offered to buy Switzerland’s Syngenta for $43 billion, which would be a record overseas purchase by a Chinese firm. Tokyo’s Nikkei index sank 3.2 percent by the close, Hong Kong closed down 2.3 percent, Sydney ended 2.3 percent lower and Seoul shed 0.9 percent. Shanghai had slipped 0.4 percent by the end. With AFP, Bloomberg

Waltermart quits 8990 joint venture By Jenniffer B. Austria

WALTERMART Group of Companies, a 50:50 partnership between the Lim family and SM Retail Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy, has backed out from a joint venture partnership with mass housing developer 8990 Holdings on a planned mall development in Ortigas and Tondo. “Waltermart has rescinded its partnership with 8990 to be the mall operator in the malls to be built in 8990’s project located at Vitas, Tondo and at Ortigas Avenue Extension,” 8990 Holdings chief executive Januario Jesus Atencio said in an interview. “While we regret the turn of events, this presents an oppor-

tunity for us at 8990 to operate the mall ourselves, leading to a strong potential for enlarging our recurring income base,” Atencio added. 8990 Holdings in April last year selected Waltermart Group of Companies to be the mall operator for its two mixed-use developments in Metro Manila. Atencio said the company was

considering a new partner. Other mall developers that have previously expressed interest in partnering with 8990 Holdings for mall development were DoubleDragon Properties Inc. and Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. of the Gaisano group. 8990 Holdings is developing a mall with 45,000 square meters of gross floor area within its 13-hectare development in Ortigas Avenue Extension and another shopping mall with 35,000 square meters of in its 8.5-hectare residential development in Vitas, Tondo. The property firm’s plan to venture into mall development is aimed to provide the company with stable recurring income that would complement its residential sales. 8990 Holdings on Tuesday reported net income in 2015 in-

creased 23 percent to P4.05 billion, exceeding the full-year target of P4 billion. Gross sales rose 24 percent to P9.65 billion from P7.79 billion amid strong sales and increased construction capacity. The company in 2015 acquired close to 500 hectares of land with an expected yield of a little over 100,000 housing units worth P109 billion. The company purchased lands in Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod as well as in Las Piñas and Cubao last year The property firm expects net income in 2016 to increase 20 percent to P4.8 billion and revenues to rise 24 percent to P12 billion. It also plans to launch 14 new projects this year, which would add 75,608 units worth P7.3 billion to its inventory.

Concepcion’s income up 3.5% to P661m in 2015 APPLIANCE maker Concepcion Industrial Corp. said net income in 2015 rose 3.5 percent to P661 million from P637 million registered a year ago on lower margins. CIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange sales increased 15 percent to P10.6 billion from P9.2 billion in 2014. CIC earlier projected both revenues and net income to grow by 15 percent in 2015. “Our performance is an affirmation of rising income levels and strong private sector confidence in the economy. These indicate a bright outlook for 2016 and over

the long-term,” said CIC chief executive and chairman Raul Joseph Concepcion. “Additionally, last year was a milestone for CIC with selling over 750,000 units of consumer durables from air conditioning, refrigeration and new products in laundry and kitchen appliances as well as breaking the P10-billion mark with sales of P10.6 billion,” he said. CIC said the last quarter of 2015 showed strong results as sales jumped over 25 percent resulting in higher earnings. The fourth-quarter numbers were driven by overall strong

market performance in both consumer durables and building solutions with marked contribution of first-time buyers to the sales mix. Despite the slower growth in 2015, CIC chief finance officer Victoria Betita said the company remained on track to accelerate growth over the next five years. “The 3.5 percent growth in earnings is coming from a high 2014 income base with positive one-timers in the early part of 2014. Our Q4 results at 25 percent growth shows that CIC remains highly profitable and cash flow efficient despite peso depreciation

in the second half of 2015,” Betita said. “We are confident about our accelerated growth plans for the next five years. 2015 was about taking action towards achieving longer-term goals. In addition to our constant focus on cost reduction and profitability, we have made significant strides in building organizational capability and processes.” Concepcion said the company would prioritize further utilizing synergies to boost sustainable profitability without undermining sales growth and capability building. Jenniffer B. Austria

Mitsubishi posted 50% sales hike in January

By Othel V. Campos

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. said Wednesday sales jumped 50 percent in January from a year ago, on the back of strong demand for the all-new Montero Sport vehicles. MMPC said sales in January also surpassed the December level by 14 percent. The company said it sold 4,867 vehicles in January, with almost a third of sales accounted for by the new Montero Sport with 806 units and the previous generation Montero with 816 units. Mitsubishi started delivering the all-new Montero Sport to more than 3,000 buyers who have reserved a unit. “In spite of the issues that hounded the Montero Sport last year, we are truly delighted with the outcome of total reservations received as well as actual sales turnout last month. It confirms the market’s confidence in the Montero Sport brand,” MMPC first vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin said. “We believe that apart from its strikingly attractive and exciting styling, Montero Sport’s other features such as the new powerful and efficient 2.4 Mivec clean diesel, class-leading 8 speed automatic transmission, advanced four-wheel drive system and safety features convinced our customers to consider our allnew Montero Sport,” he said. He said Mitsubishi was pleased with how the rate sales was going especially for the Montero Sport. “I believe that you cannot really put a good product down,” Dytianquin said. Sales of the predecessor Montero model that the company is still selling also sold 200 times more than last December in spite of the introduction of the new generation model, he said.

DBP loan for biogas. State-run Development Bank of the Philippines grants a P185-million credit facility to FDR Group of Companies to

build and operate a first-of-its kind Dry Anaerobic Digester Biogas Plant in the country. The plant will produce electricity using the biodegradable fraction of the mixed municipal solid waste. Shown signing the loan agreement are (seated, from left) FDR Group treasurer Lilibeth Revalde, FDR Group president Fulgencio Revalde, DBP vice president Fernando Lagahit and DBP senior manager Ryan Pastrana.

Cement sales grow 14% to 24.4m tons By Othel V. Campos

CEMENT sales rose 14.3 percent in 2015 to 24.36 million metric tons from 21.3 million MT in 2014, amid a surge in public works and infrastructure projects. The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines said warm weather proved to be good for construction works and contributed to the uptick in sales of cement. Cement sales in the fourth quarter alone surged 16.6 percent to 6.08 million MT from 5.21 million MT a year ago, while third-quarter quarter sales showed an 18.6 percent

increased to 6.37 million MT from 5.376 million MT. CeMAP president Ernesto Ordoñez said the increased sales was brought about by the large budget of the Public Works Department, the private sector’s confidence in government and new housing projects with low interest rates. Cement sales have been on an upswing since 2011, hitting

a record of 21.3 MMT in 2014, before it was surpassed by the 2015 level. Cement manufacturers also increased their capacity utilization to 85 percent in 2015 from 65 percent in 2014 as demand for the product continues to rise amid a growing economy. The gross domestic product grew 5.8 percent last year. The construction sector expanded 8.4 percent year-onyear in 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. At current prices, construction spending reached P1.44 trillion last year. The Trade Department said there was enough volume to supply the requirement of the

construction sector. “There is no volume shortage and cement plants in the country have provisions to produce higher volume, if needed,” said Trade undersecretary for consumer protection Victorio Dimagiba. The Philippine government has no prohibitions on the entry of cement imports. A big portion of the country’s cement imports comes from Vietnam. CeMAP members include the Cemex Group of Companies Philippines, Lafarge Holcim Philippines, Republic Cement (a CRH-Aboitiz company), Northern Cement and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines.

DMCI building 46-MW diesel plant in Batangas By Alena Mae S. Flores DMCI Power Corp. of the Consunji Group is putting up a 46-megawatt diesel-fired power plant in Calaca, Batangas that is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Energy Department records showed the company received a clearance in October 2015 to conduct the grid impact study for the aero-derivative power plant that is estimated to cost P1.5 billion. Power generators apply for a grid impact study to determine its impact on the transmission network of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. DMCI Power chairman and chief executive Isidro Consunji confirmed that the construction

of the project had started, when asked for comment. “Actually, it’s diesel-fired [with] aero derivative engine. Location is Calaca. It will be operational by the end of this year,” Consunji said. The Consunji Group, through Semirara Mining and Power Corp., also owns the existing 600-MW Calaca coal-fired power plant in Batangas. The company is set to complete the 300-MW Calaca coal plant expansion this year. DMCI Power, a subsidiary of DMCI Holdings Inc., has been expanding its power generation portfolio. DMCI Power, through an agreement with Palawan Electric Cooperative and agreed upon by

the local government through a resolution, is scheduled to construct a new 5.7-MW diesel power plant in Brooke’s Point. DMCI Power is also expanding its energy portfolio to include renewable energy such as hydro and biomass. “We are closely studying hydropower and biomass because we think they have the strongest potential in terms of output reliability and commercial viability among the available RE technologies,” DMCI Power president Nestor Dadivas said earlier. DMCI Power currently operates diesel and bunker power plants in Masbate, Palawan and Oriental Mindoro. Another diesel plant with a

capacity of 3 megawatts is set to operate in Sultan Kudarat by year-end. The company is in the initial stage of identifying locations for the renewable energy projects. “Right now, we have identified one or two areas. But the locations could still change depending on the results of our feasibility studies,” Dadivas said. The company cited market conditions and government incentives as the reasons for the planned foray into renewable energy. “Having priority dispatch, government support and a competitive price at a growing but highly competitive power industry makes these RE projects more attractive” Dadivas said.

T H U R S D AY : F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 6

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

El Niño affects sugarcane provinces ByAnnaLeahE.Gonzales THE El Niño dry spell has damaged P167 million worth of sugarcane crops in Negros provinces, the Sugar Regulatory Administration said. SRA said the amount of crop damage as of Jan. 25 was reported in sugarcane-growing areas in Negros island due to the intense heat. SRA said to help the sugarcane farmers, it budgeted P25.9 million for nationwide cloud-seeding operations. Cloud seeding refers to the technique of dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei to induce rainfall. SRA said for Negros and Panay alone, some P7.4 million was allotted by the agency, for a total of 60 hours each Focus areas of the cloudseeding operations in Luzon are the provinces of Batangas, Camarines Sur, Tarlac, Pampanga and Cagayan Valley while in Mindanao, the focus areas are Davao del Sur and Cotabato. SRA said it was continuously coordinating with the Bureau of Soil and Water Management and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Negros Occidental for the documentary and logistical requirements for the cloudseeding operations. The Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council passed a resolution endorsing a multi-government agency project proposal on cloud-seeding operations. SRA also requested the technical personnel of the BSWM, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, to conduct an assessment and validation of the areas targeted for cloud-seeding operations.

Cebu Pacific flies 18.4m passengers By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Pacific, the country’s largest budget airline, said Wednesday passenger traffic rose 9 percent and exceeded its 2015 target of 18 million, after it opened more international routes. Cebu Pacific, the airline unit of the Gokongwei Group, said it flew 18.4 million passengers in 2015, up from 16.9 million passengers it carried in 2014. The average load factor, which pertains to number of seats occupied, averaged 83 percent last year. Cebu Pacific said the growth in passenger volume was largely driven by the airline’s low-cost

long-haul services and increased frequencies in key domestic markets. The airline also posted notable passenger growth in international destinations such as Hong Kong, Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya in Japan and Beijing and Shanghai in China. Passengers flown on Cebu Pacific’s long-haul routes grew 146 percent year-on-year, on the back

of increased presence in Australia and the Middle East. The airline carried over 150,000 passengers between Manila and Sydney in 2015. Data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics showed Cebu Pacific remained the largest carrier on the Manila-Sydney route, with 40-percent market share from November 2014 to October 2015. During this period, overall traffic between Manila and Sydney also grew 69 percent. Passenger growth on flights to and from the Middle East remained robust, driven by sustained capacity between Manila and Riyadh, Kuwait, and Dubai and the launch of Manila-Doha

in June 2015. Among the Middle East routes, flights between Manila and Dubai posted the highest number of passengers, with over 230,000 guests flown in 2015. Passengers flown to short-haul international destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan and China also increased. Passenger volume to and from Japan, in particular, grew 39 percent to over 280,000 in 2015 as the airline successfully stimulated traffic with the launch of its operations from Manila and Cebu to Tokyo (Narita) and Manila to Nagoya. The airline also mounted flights between Manila and Fukuoka, its fourth destination in Japan, in December 2015.

Pag-IBIG in General Santos.

Pag-IBIG Fund establishes its presence in General Santos City by opening a branch along Santiago Boulevard. Shown is Pag-IBIG Fund president and chief executive Darlene Marie Berberabe (center) as she leads the ribbon cutting during the opening of the new branch. With Berberabe are Maasim Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr. (left), and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (right).

EastWest Bank expects loans to expand by 20% this year By Julito G. Rada EASTWEST Banking Corp., the financial services arm of the Gotianun Group, said it expects a loan growth of 20 percent this year, as the bank’s investments in the past start to deliver positive results. “If we don’t grow [our loans] by 20 percent this year, we won’t be happy,” EastWest president and chief executive Antonio Moncupa Jr. told reporters in an interview. “We have many investments in the past… These investments are starting to bear fruit,” Mon-

cupa said. EastWest teamed up with the Netherlands-based Ageas Insurance International N.V., a global insurance firm, to form a new life insurance company in the Philippines. Bangko Sentral approved the P500-million initial investment by EastWest in the joint-venture company called EastWest Ageas Life. EastWest signed a joint-venture agreement with Ageas in May last year for the creation of a life insurance firm that will enable it to sell insurance products to customers.

Under the partnership, EastWest will sell life insurance products through its various sales channels for 20 years. Moncupa also said EastWest was open to the idea of forging partnerships with foreign banks if the opportunity arose. “New partners? We are open to that. It comes when it comes. It opens when it is there…,” Moncupa said. EastWest posted a 21-percent decline in net income in the first nine months to P1.3 billion from P1.64 billion a year ago due to lower trading gains and

higher provisions. Gross revenues grew 8.8 percent in the nine-month period to P11.91 billion from P10.94 billion in the same period in 2014, while expenses jumped 16 percent to P10.25 billion from P8.84 billion. The bank’s trading and securities gains fell 61 percent to P243.3 million from P620 million, while earnings from foreign exchange trading rose 18.4 percent to P163.45 million from P138.04 million. EastWest Bank said net interest income increased 23

percent on the back of the 34-percent surge in higher yielding consumer loans and the 12-percent rise in corporate loans to P140.8 billion as of end September. The rise in the bank’s operating expenses was traced to the 35.7-percent jump in provision for impairment and credit losses to P3.08 billion in the first nine months of 2015 from P2.27 billion in the same period a year ago. Total assets surged 28 percent to P213.5 billion as of end September, while total capital grew 46 percent to P30.6 billion.

THURSDAY: FEBRUARY 4, 2016

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

Casinos outside Metro offered By Cecilia Yap and Ian Sayson

THE Philippines is open to issuing gambling licenses outside the capital of Manila and plans to require the minimum investment for new casinos at about $300 million to ensure world-class properties are in provincial cities and towns, its gaming regulator said. “There are areas which I think are very ripe for a casino,” Cristino Naguiat, chairman of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., said in an interview, declining to disclose those locations. The agency is “open to giving out a casino license if it can help boost economic activity and if the people in the area want it. We’re developing a template to ensure that no one would be granted a license unless an investment Manila

Standard

TODAY

commitment is made.” The Southeast Asian country, which is aiming to compete with Macau and Singapore casinos amid plunging revenues, has already allowed four resorts being built in the 120-hectare seaside Entertainment City complex in the capital with a minimum investment of $1 billion each. Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada will be constructing the country’s biggest property in the Las Vegas-

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga

style casino hub by spending as much as $2 billion. The minimum investment, which could vary depending on the location, will likely be implemented by the new president after incumbent leader Benigno Aquino’s six-year term ends in June, Naguiat said. Aquino’s administration followed his predecessor Gloria Arroyo’s guidance on investment requirements for the casinos operating in the Entertainment City. “They are trying to replicate Entertainment City on a smaller scale. This will create competitors,” Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc. “Operators in Entertainment City will have to be on their toes because if they are complacent it’s not impossible that some of the traffic will go to these provincial casinos if the properties are world class”

Bloomberry shares fell as much as 3.4 percent, the sharpest intraday loss in more than a week. Melco Crown Philippines Resorts Corp., operator of City of Dreams Manila, sank 5.7 percent, biggest intraday decline since Jan. 26. The benchmark Philippines Stock Exchange Index lost 1.8 percent. The regulator, or Pagcor, also runs 13 casinos in the country, 10 of which are outside Manila. Philippine gaming revenue is expected to more than double this year’s estimated P135 billion ($2.83 billion) by 2025 when all four projects are operating, the regulator said. Philippine billionaire Enrique Razon’s Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was the first to open in the hub in 2013, followed by the project of Macau operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. which opened a year ago. Okada’s casino is scheduled

Must GFI execs get high salaries?

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE Invitation to Bid No. Goods-008-2016 The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening. Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Security Services in Securing Properties of the Bataan General Hospital Balanga City, Bataan April 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016

=P=3,965,868.00

2. Security Services in Securing Properties of the Bataan Provincial Government covering the period from April 1, 2016 to December 31,2016

=P=7,601,247.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement. Delivery of goods is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office. Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below. Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 10, 2016 at 10:00 A.M atProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before February 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form. The winning bidder has the option to deliver the items requested by the end-user with higher technical specification & better technology provided it will be beneficial to the government & will not incur additional expenses on the part of the procuring entity. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted. In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days. Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule February 03 - 09, 2016 Refer to date of Opening of Bids February 03 - 23, 2016 February 12, 2016 February 23, 2016

The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

(TS-FEB. 4, 2016)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

to start operations in December, while Westside City Resorts, a venture of Philippine billionaire Andrew Tan and Malaysian billionaire Lim Kok Thay, may open by 2020, Naguiat said in Manila on Feb. 1. Gaming revenue from government-run and privatelyowned properties could reach P45 billion and P90 billion, respectively, in 2016, Naguiat said. That represents an 8 percent increase from a combined 125 billion pesos last year, he said. Revenue from Pagcor casinos rose 9 percent in 2015 to P43.5 billion, making up 35 percent of total takings. Nine privately-owned casinos posted revenue of P81.9 billion, up 18 percent. Private casino revenue last year came mainly from Bloomberry’s Solaire, Melco’s City of Dreams Manila and Resorts World Manila, a venture of Tan and Lim. Bloomberg CYAN MAGENTA YELL

THE opposition to President Noy Aquino’s decision to veto the Congress-passed bill mandating a P2,000-increase in Social Security System retirees’ monthly pension payment came mainly from two sources. One source—the more weighty source—of opposition was the large body of people, from within and outside the ranks of the retirees, who questioned the validity and accuracy of SSS management’s actuarial estimates of the SSS fund’s solvent status if the P2,000 increase were signed into law. The estimates indicate the SSS will not be able to fulfill its statutory responsibilities— pay retirees’ pensions and provide non-pension benefits to active SSS members—after 2029. The critics of the Presidential veto dispute SSS management’s actuarial calculations, citing both technical and non-technical factors. The second source of opposition to the Presidential veto was the equally large number of people—mostly SSS members and retirees— who questioned and expressed resentment over the magnitudes of the management salaries and of the bonuses paid by SSS to the members of its board of directors. As reported by the media, each board member, including the Secretary of Labor and Employment, took home in 2015 at least P1 million in bonuses, presumably on top of the regular fees for attendance at board meetings. The critics of the very generous management salaries and directors’ bonuses believe that the SSS has no compelling need to pay them. The usual defense of supporters of the idea of generously remunerating the SSS’ top officers and board members is that the said individuals need to be enticed to serve the government, otherwise they will stay in the private sector, which typically is more generous with executive and director emoluments. Why, they ask, is it necessary to entice individuals to become executives and directors of SSS and the other GFI (Government Service Insurance System, Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and Home Development Mutual Fund)? Why, indeed? I have long questioned the rationale for enticing individuals with high remuneration in order to get them to join the ranks of key executives and board members of SSS and the other GFIs. I am questioning it anew in light of the controversy created by President Aquino’s negative action. I believe that the time has come to address the said rationale with a view

to determining whether it is justified under all the relevant circumstances. I believe that the longstanding entice-them policy is not justified and that the time has come to set it aside. These are my reasons. My first reason comes in the form of a question. Is running SSS or GSIS or HMDF (PagIBIG) really such an enormous task requiring a set of super-duper managerial or banking skills? I don’t think so. By the very nature of their operations, these institutions have funds flowing into their treasuries from employers’ and members’ compulsory contributions and their managements don’t have to undergo their privatesector counterparts’ stressful money-raising chores. They need to be remunerated handsomely for making, like their private-sector counterparts, investments of the billions of pesos contributed by the government and employees? I think not. If a professional has had adequate financial training, investing funds does not require rocket-sciencetype knowledge. My second reason for being unconvinced about the concept of financially enticing individuals to work for a GFI is that the individuals who currently sit in the GFI president’s and directors’ chairs do not belong to a class of super-duper financial craftsmen without whose services the GFIs would not function effectively. Every year the financial and business administration departments of Philippine universities and colleges turn out thousands of graduates raring for the opportunity to put their acquired skills to the test. Some graduates are admittedly smarter than others; the government’s task is to select the best of the bunches. My third reason for questioning the soundness of the entice-them policy is that in many instances there is no absolute certainty that the enticed individuals would receive the fat remuneration packages that their backers insist they would have received in some investment house or corporate entity. Oftentimes the claimed missed opportunities were in the nature of press/praise releases. Finally—and this should be a very potent reason—we are talking here about working for the government. That means working for the nation. A dedicated professional should be prepared to do his/her share of nation-building. He or she should expect no more than market salary and directorial-fee rates for working for a GFI. None of the bovine ordure about having to incur a financial sacrifice for serving SSS or GSIS. The active members and retirees of the SSS are utilizing the fat-pay issue as a weapon to attack a sound Presidential decision. The weapon should be removed from their hands. E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

T H U R S D AY : F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

China slams N. Korea’s plan to launch rocket SEOUL—China on Wednesday joined the global chorus of anger and concern over a planned rocket launch by North Korea, while Japan vowed to shoot down any missile that threatened its territory. The reactions followed Tuesday’s confirmation by Pyongyang that it would launch a rocket sometime between February 8-25 in what amounts to another major violation of UN resolutions just weeks after its fourth nuclear test. “We express serious concerns about that,” foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing, calling

on Pyongyang to abide by UN strictures forbidding its use of ballistic missile technology— even for ostensibly peaceful purposes. The North insists its space program is purely scientific in nature, but the United States and its allies say its rocket launches are aimed at developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the US mainland.

In South Korea, the government echoed US warnings that the North would pay a “heavy price” if it went ahead, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned what he called a “serious provocation”. Abe’s defense minister issued an order to “destroy” the rocket with surface-to-air missiles if it violated Japanese airspace. North Korea said the sole objective was to place an Earth observation satellite into orbit, but analysts saw the launch announcement as doubling down against an international community already

struggling to agree a united response to Pyongyang’s January 6 nuclear test. “It’s a classic move,” said John Delury, an associate professor at Yonsei University in

Seoul. “While waiting for a full response for the nuclear test, you might as well sneak in a rocket launch. The North tends to do these things in pairs,” Delury said AFP

SCN FORM NO. 1 001336

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF JENNIFER GO TAN WONG to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. SCN CASE NO. 000608

x-------------------------- x PETITION

Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares:

2. My present place of residence is at 111 (Unit 4-B) D. Tuazon St. City/Municipality of Quezon City, Province of _______ and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 39-A Speaker Perez St., Quezon City (2000-2010) 1128 G. Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila (1991-2000) 1116 C.M. Recto, Manila (1973-1991) 3. I was born on 14 April 1973, in Manila Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of People’s Republic of China. 4. My father's name is Cai Tong Tan and he was born on 06 March 1928, in Chingkang, China. He is a citizen or subject of Philippines (naturalized). My mother's name is Juanita S. Go Tan and she was born on 13 March 1938 in Kawit, Cavite. She is a citizen or subject of People’s Republic of China. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is employee. and from which I derive an average annual income of P Two Hundred Ten Thousand Pesos (P210,000.00), inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is sales agent and from which she derives an average annual income of P Two Hundred Forty Thousand Pesos (P240,000.00)

Australian court rejects challenge to immigration SYDNEY—Australia’s highest court Wednesday opened the way for hundreds of asylum-seekers to be transferred to a remote Pacific outpost, including women allegedly sexually assaulted there, when it dismissed a challenge to a hard-line immigration policy. The High Court case was brought by a Bangladeshi woman who arrived on an unauthorized boat and was dispatched to the tiny island republic of Nauru before being brought to Australia for urgent medical treatment during a pregnancy. She sought a declaration that Australia’s conduct in sending her to Nauru was unlawful in a challenge seen as a test case for more than 260 asylum-seekers, including 37 babies born in Australia and 54 other children, lawyers said. But the court ruled six to one that the Australian government’s arrangements for offshore detention on Nauru did not breach the law. Canberra’s tough immigration policy ensures that asylum-seekers arriving in Australia by boat are sent to

Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Even if the detainees are subsequently found to be genuine refugees they are denied resettlement in Australia—a policy designed to stop people-smuggling boats which has drawn international criticism. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the court had found the existing process “legally and constitutionally valid”. But he told parliament: “The people smugglers will not prevail over our sovereignty.” “Our borders are secure. The line has to be drawn somewhere and it is drawn at our border.” The Human Rights Law Centre, which brought the case for the woman, said the mother and her husband—with a one-year-old baby—were now terrified of being sent back to Nauru where some 537 asylum-seekers are currently housed. A further 922 men are held on PNG’s Manus Island. “The legality is one thing, the morality is another,” said the center’s Daniel Webb. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 212 MANDALUYONG CITY

IN RE: PETITION FOR THE CANCELLATION OF ADVERSE CLAIM IN TCT NO. 008-2015000303 EVELYN G. AVECILLA, VERLIN G. AVECILLA and BEBERLY GALANG AVECILLANERIO represented by EVELYN G. AVECILLA, Petitioners, -versusLRC CASE NO. MC15-804 THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF MANDALUYONG CITY and RODELIO A. CIRIACO, Respondents. x---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER Raffled to this Court on November 12, 2015 is the instant Petition instituted by EVELYN G. AVECILLA, VERLIN G. AVECILLA and BEBERLY GALANG AVECILLANERIO seeking for the cancellation of the adverse claim in TCT NO. 008-2015000303 of the Register of Deeds of Mandaluyong City. Finding the instant Petition and all the annexes attached in support of its allegations to be sufficient both in form and substance, let the Petition be heard on nd February 22, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon before this court located at the 2 Floor, Old Building, Mandaluyong City Hall, Mandaluyong City. Meantime, let this Order be published once at the expense of the Petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation to be raffled at the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Mandaluyong City and let the Order be posted at the main entrance of the Mandaluyong City Hall Building, the Hall of Justice Building, and the Barangay Hall where the subject property is located for a period of thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of hearing. Finally, petitioner is hereby directed to cause the service of this Order together with a copy of the Petition and its annexes upon the private respondent Rodelio A. Ciriaco and the public respondent Register of Deeds of Mandaluyong City, as well as to the Director of Land Management Bureau, the Commissioner of Land Registration Authority, the Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the City Prosecutor, Mandaluyong City. SO ORDERED. Mandaluyong City, Philippines. November 23, 2015 (Sgd.)RIZALINA T. CAPCO-UMALI Judge COPY FURNISHED: ATTY. JULIAN T. TUTANES THE REGISTER OF DEEDS Counsel for the Petitioner Mandaluyong City B29 L5 Riverview Drive, Ridgemont Executive Village, LAND REGISTRATION AUTHORITY San Isidro, Taytay Rizal Quezon City RODELIO A. CIRIACO OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR 430 J. Luna, Brgy. BagongSilang, Mandaluyong City Mandaluyong City OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES RTC-OCC LAND MANAGEMENT BUREAU Mandaluyong City

the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

1. My full name is Jennifer Go Tan Wong, but I have also been known since childhood as or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) .

Chat. German Chancellor Angela Merkel chats with Vice Chancellor, Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, before the weelky cabinet meeting in Berlin on February 3, 2016. AFP

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: _____, (2) name of school: _____ and (3) years graduated: _____] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship. 6. My civil status is married , I was married on 12 March 2006 in Ermita, Manila. My wife's/husband's name is Eric Tiu Wong and she/he was born on 29 Feb. 1968 in Manila. She/he is a citizen or subject of Philippines and presently resides at 111 (Unit 4-B) D. Tuazon St., Quezon City. 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N.A. granted by N.A.. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N.A. in N.A.. 8. I have one (1) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: Date of Birth Place of Residence Birth Elijah Nathaniel 13 Aug, 2013 Manila 111 (Unit 4-B) D. Tuazon St., Quezon City

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof. 13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to People’s Republic of China of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship. 14. My character witnesses are Ms. Olive P. Abala and Ms. Evezel D. Fuentes both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 270 Gumamela St., Batasan Hills, Quezon City and Blk. 14, Lot 19 Brgy. Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization. 15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [/] [/] [/] [/] [ ] [ ]

a. b. c. d. e. f.

Petitioner's birth certificate Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ / ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/ she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years

16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/ her petition: Certification dated 19 Aug. 2015 Form 137-Elementary T.O.R.-High School BIR Form 1604 CF (Alphalist) -for the year 2012, 2013 & 2014 Medical Report Drug Test Report

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of School

Place of School

Dates of Study

Philippine Cultural High School

Manila

1978-1986

Highest Grade Completed Elementary

Philippine Cultural High School

Manila

1986-1990

High School

Philippine School of Business Administration

Manila

1990-1994

College

N.A.

Name and Place of School N.A.

Date of Enrollment N.A.

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of

MTC Clearance Office of the City Prosecutor Clearance

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139. Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 23RD day of March 2015. JENNIFER GO TAN WONG Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 111 (Unit 4-B) D. Tuazon St.,Quezon City Telephone Number: 732-0928

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Filipino 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: My son is not yet enrolled in school.

Serology Radiographic Report Psychological Evaluation Form Barangay Clearance Police Clearance Certificate NBI Clearance RTC Clearance PRAYER

Name

Name of Child

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF PASIG) S.S. I, JENNIFER GO TAN WONG, of legal age and a resident of 111 (Unit 4-B) D. Tuazon St.,Quezon City, after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge. SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at PASIG CITY this 13th day of Aug 2015. DOC. No. 232 PAGE No. 48 BOOK No. 1 SERIES OF 2015 (TS-Feb. 4/11/18, 2016)

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Many refugees are kids—UN GENEVA—Children now make up over a third of the migrants making the perilous sea crossing from Turkey to Greece, the UN said Tuesday, as two more babies drowned off Europe’s shores. For the first time since the start of the migrant crisis in Europe, there are also now more women and children crossing the border from Greece to Macedonia than adult males, according to UN children’s agency UNICEF. The figures emerged as Europe struggles with its biggest movement of people crisis since World War II, with more than a million people fleeing war, violence and poverty risking life and limb to reach its shores last year. “Children currently account for 36 percent of those risking the treacherous sea crossing between Greece and

Turkey,” the UNICEF spokeswoman Sarah Crowe said. “Children and women on the move now make up nearly 60 percent” of those entering from Macedonia, she added. The figures mark a significant shift since June, when 73 percent of migrants were adult males and only one in 10 were under the age of 18. Marie Pierre Poirier, UNICEF’s special coordinator for the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe, said women and children were even more vulnerable to the dangers of trying to travel to Europe. “The implication of this surge in the proportion of children and women on the move are enormous,” she said in a statement. “It means more are at risk at sea, especially now in the winter, and more need protection on land.” AFP

The Fiennes in Rome. British actor Joseph Fiennes, his wife Maria Dolores Dieguez and their children attend Pope Francis’ weekly general audience in St Peter’s square on February 3, 2016, at the Vatican. Fiennes is in Rome to promote the release of the biblical US movie ‘Risen’ directed by Kevin Reynolds. AFP

Asia vulnerable to Zika virus MUMBAI—Densely packed slums, rampant mosquitoes and a history of rapidly spreading infections make Asia particularly vulnerable to the devastating Zika virus, posing a massive challenge for the region, health experts warn. Thailand confirmed Tuesday that a man contracted the mosquito-borne infection, blamed for a surge in the number of braindamaged babies in South America, while Indonesia has also reported a domestic case. The cases in Asia come as top US health authorities confirmed this week a patient in Texas contracted the Zika virus through sexual transmission, fueling fears the disease may spread rapidly. Officials in India worry it could

be next, noting that the Zika and dengue fever-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito thrives in the highdensity communities of its teeming cities, where sanitation is often poor. “In India particularly there is a great threat of the Zika virus spreading quickly given the presence of the Aedes mosquito and favorable environment,” said Om Shrivastav, an infectious diseases specialist. “It would definitely be a big chal-

lenge for Asian countries to control the spread of the virus... considering high population in the region,” added Shrivastav, who is based in Mumbai, home to Dharavi, Asia’s biggest slum. More than half of Mumbai’s 20 million inhabitants live in slums— at least one million reside in Dharavi alone—enduring cramped conditions, poor ventilation and a lack of toilets. Every summer monsoon, heavy rains lash Mumbai for four months, flooding parts of the city, including the slums’ maze of alleyways, which become fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes and lead to a massive spike in tropical diseases. Soumya Swaminathan, director general of the Indian Council for

Medical Research, warned against panicking but said a surge of dengue cases worldwide recently, was a cause for concern. “[Because of] the way dengue has spread over the last several years across continents and across countries, [and with] Zika being a mosquito borne illness, there is a potential for spread,” she told Indian news channel NDTV. Zika, which was first identified in Uganda in 1947, causes relatively mild flu-like symptoms and a rash. But the World Health Organization said it “strongly suspected” the Zika virus of being responsible for a rapid rise in cases of microcephaly, a condition in which a baby is born with an abnormally small head and brain.

Latin American countries, particularly Brazil, have reported a leap in cases of microcephaly since the Zika outbreak was declared in the region last year. The UN-body has declared the situation a “public health emergency of international concern” and has created a global Zika response unit to contain the virus. WHO expert Anthony Costello has stressed there is no reason to believe the crisis would remain limited to Latin America, where 25 countries so far have reported Zika cases. “We know that the mosquitoes that carry Zika virus... are present through most of Africa, parts of southern Europe and many parts of Asia, particularly south Asia,” he said. AFP

Japan arrests alleged Korean spy

Royal visit. Queen Mathilde of Belgium poses with children holding Belgian flags during a royal visit to the Saint-Joseph school in Couvin on February 3, 2016. AFP

TOKYO—Japanese police on Wednesday said its special unit that deals with alleged espionage arrested an ethnic Korean resident on suspicion of fraud—as local media reported he was acting as a spy for North Korea. Japan is particularly sensitive to North Korean espionage activities in the country as operatives from and with links to the country have been blamed for abductions of Japanese citizens who were taken there to serve as language teachers for its spies. Japan also has a large population of residents with Korean nationality, the descendants of people from the Korean peninsula who either immigrated to Japan

or were brought as forced laborers when Tokyo controlled the region as a colony from 1910-1945. The 49-year-old man was arrested Tuesday by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police public safety department—which deals with crimes linked to spies and violent political and religious groups— spokesman Kazufumi Suzuki told AFP. Suzuki offered a phonetic rendering of the man’s name but had no romanised spelling, which was reported as Pak Chae-Hun by Kyodo News agency. Pak’s nationality was registered as “Korean”, meaning he has ancestral roots on the Korean peninsula, according to Suzuki.

He added that Pak is suspected of using a credit card which he obtained illegally to make purchases from an online shopping company in Tokyo, Suzuki said. Pak is a former associate professor at the pro-Pyongyang Korea University in Tokyo and was engaged in espionage activities aimed at spreading North Korean ideology in South Korea and China, Kyodo reported. He is suspected of having purchased six computer equipment items online, the report said, adding that police found written instructions and encrypted e-mail messages from North Korea’s spy agency on his confiscated computer. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

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

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

W EL L BEING

LIFE

COHEN’S LIFESTYLE AMBASSADORS SHARE THEIR LIFE CHANGING STORIES

e all know that one person who brings her own containers of food to restaurants and turns down the birthday cake served at office parties. And since it’s part of our culture to take other people’s food choices personally, that person is usually ostracized and eventually shunned by her community (or at least it feels that way). With all the social pressures that can surround food consumption, a lifestyle change directed towards health and wellbeing is a fulltime commitment that requires making hundreds of difficult decisions throughout the day. Anything from stress to a special occasion can be used to justify making an unhealthy choice. As most people who have tried to lose weight know, it’s tough to do it alone. Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre has helped overweight and obese clients lose weight through personalized nutrition programs since 2009. Developed by Dr. Rami Cohen, the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program prescribes food as “medicine” to address the hormonal imbalance that causes obesity and obesityrelated diseases. The program starts with BEFORE

a personalized eating plan based on blood chemistry, followed by a two- to three-week refeeding stage that introduces new and richer foods to the diet based on blood test results, and finally a maintenance stage with management guidelines to help prevent weight gain. Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre Philippines gathered Cohen “graduates”-turnedambassadors to share their success stories and the challenges they faced during their weight loss journeys. Though most cited better health as a reason for starting the Cohen program, they also admitted that vanity played a part. For Eric Valera, it was watching himself in a TV interview. Tasha Santos, a digital PR executive for Benefit Cosmetics undergoing the first stage of the program, said that she had trouble choosing photos of herself to post on social media that reflected the way she wanted to look. Carmela Tanjangco wanted to lose some stubborn post-pregnancy pounds while recovering from a knee injury operation that stopped her from working out. Some ambassadors were battling serious health issues. David Kahn, who experienced the most dramatic weight change (from 339

pounds to 154), said that he used to wake up in the middle of the night because he had stopped breathing. “My brain was telling me to wake up because I lacked oxygen.” Aside from life-threatening sleep apnea, he also had difficulty tying his shoes and finding clothes that fit. When he decided to make a change, the rapid results of the personalized nutrition plan and support from other Cohen advocates motivated him to “trust the program.” For Allan Elgar, guitarist for True Faith, the hardest part of the Cohen program was preparing all of his meals days in advance when his band played out-of-town gigs. The restrictive diet also clashed with his working hours as a musician, especially when he would finish all of his meals before going onstage and he had to watch his band mates eat heavy meals and drink alcohol late into the night. Though Cohen executives warn that the program is “not for everyone,” especially individuals who are constantly on the go and don’t have time to prepare their own meals, Elgar made it work through commitment and time management. To make it easier for busy clients (and to address the growing

problem of diet delivery programs that falsely claim to be affiliated with the Cohen brand), CLC now offers Cohen Meals on Wheels – the only official meal delivery program for Cohen’s Lifestyle Program. For the month of February, CLC is offering a Cohen Jump Start Bundle that gives clients one week free Cohen Meals on Wheels delivery if they pay for the Full Cohen’s Lifestyle Program in cash. Since every client will experience his own individual struggles from the first stage to the maintenance stage, CLC offers a support program with follow-up consultations with Cohen advocates who have successfully undergone the program themselves. There’s also a Facebook group where people in different stages of the program share stories, wellness tips, and food posts to motivate others in the community. CLC chief executive officer Barbara Young (who has maintained her weight loss from the Cohen program for nine years even after two pregnancies) says that community support is key for long-term success. With more people expected to join the program hoping for better health in 2016, the Cohen community’s support system will only grow stronger.

BEFORE

AFTER

From 339.5 lbs, David Kahn now weighs 154.5 lbs. His sleep apnea and shoe-tying troubles became a thing of the past thanks to the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program

Allan Elgar was going through body soreness, lower back pain and gastric discomfort. The True Faith guitarist went down from 205 lbs to 153 lbs due to the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program, giving him energy to get from studios to gigs and cook in between

AFTER

Tasha Santos enrolled in the Cohen program because she wanted to have a proper weight-loss and wellness guideline to follow. She is already seeing the positive results after just a few months, trimming down from 176 lbs to 140 lbs

AFTER

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

AN EASY WAY TO COMPLY WITH MEDICATION

Generic medicine company Pharex HealthCorp. offers 15-day Compliance Pouch for patients with high cholesterol level looking for cheaper medication alternative

or a condition that is fairly easy to manage, high cholesterol level unfortunately remains the major contributor to the cardiovascular mortality in Asia, according to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. In many cases, making healthy lifestyle changes – eating better and exercising – is enough to lower cholesterol. But health experts strongly recommend taking in medication as well to better manage the condition. However, this is where many patients, especially the underprivileged, usually fail to comply. “Most patients fail to follow their medication program because of the challenges that come with costs,” opines Pharex HealthCorp. president and chief executive Tomas Luke Marcelo Agana III. In a bid to address this health concern, the generic medicine company has rolled

out its 15-day Compliance Pouch that aims to help Filipino patients with high level of bad cholesterol improve their adherence to their management therapy. The new 15-day Compliance Pouch for Cholesterol is designed for patients who have bad cholesterol or lowdensity lipoprotein. This type of cholesterol builds up in the walls of the arteries, causing the latter to harden or become narrower. When left untreated, this may lead to heart attack. According to Agana, the new product targets patients who are currently taking

their prescribed medication but are looking for an affordable alternative. The Compliance Pouch contains the same effective, quality maintenance medicine good for 15 days at half the price. Prevention as well as control of bad cholesterol are essential to keep patients from acquiring more chronic diseases that may come as a result of nonadherence to their therapy. These diseases include coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. “Complying with the medication schedule prescribed by your doctor will go a long way in preventing the worst consequences of bad cholesterol,” says Agana. Furthermore, the Department of Health

Most patients fail to follow their medication program because of the challenges that come with costs.

High medicine cost is the primary reason people with bad cholesterol fail to comply with their medication

says controlling high blood pressure and bad cholesterol among Filipinos is an important leap forward in achieving the global target of reducing 25 percent of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 2025. To help address this global health concern, Agana said that patients need to play their part by simply going through their medication adherence process. “One way to do this is to take the prescribed medication according to the schedule intended by your doctor,” he said. “Medication adherence has always been an important pillar in going back to your normal life. Taking your prescription only when needed only puts you under more health risks in the long run.” For more information about the Pharex Compliance Pouch for Cholesterol, contact (02) 433-8088 loc. 820.

Managing cholesterol level is an important health concern especially among older people

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LIFE

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Achieve fitness goals with tips from ArmyNavy South Tri Team members

dmit it – losing weight and getting fit are probably the top goals in your New Year’s resolutions. However, it can be difficult to get into the groove especially if you do it alone. ArmyNavy got two members of its South Tri Team to give some useful tips on how you can get a head start on your goals and maintain your health and fitness all year round. Tri-athletes Bea Azcuna and Vanessa Agdon know for fact that getting buff can be quite a feat for working pros with hectic lifestyles. After all, both are career women. Bea works for the Philippine Judicial Academy which trains justices, judges, those aspiring for judicial posts, and court personnel, while Vanessa is a fitness instructor. Together, these two ladies have come up with useful tips that you can incorporate in your day-today routine to bring you closer to your fitness goals. Bottoms up! Make water your best friend. “I’m sure you’ve heard of this before, but it’s true; drink at least eight glasses of water per day. If you need a reminder, get a water flask and bring it with you 24/7,” shares Vanessa. “If your job requires you to travel, increase your intake as flying dries out your skin,” adds Bea. Eat smart. Food choices matter, which is why you should

“Avoid processed food and those with hidden sugars,” cautions Bea, who admits that she limits rice and pasta – although she has a “cheat day” which helps prevent the feeling of deprivation. “It’ll help if you plan the kind of food you’ll eat according to the activities you’ll be engaging in throughout the day. Pack healthy snacks like fruits, nuts or granola bars in your purse or satchel to munch on when your schedule gets erratic,” Vanessa advises. Sweat it out. Get those endorphins flowing. Bea runs three times a week and bike the rest of the days that she doesn’t (run), but you don’t have to train as hard. “Doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day works wonders!” she exclaims. Vanessa, for her part, reiterates the importance of enrolling in a gym. “It’s provides added motivation, since this forces you to put in more effort compared to working out alone.” Bea Azcuna strongly advises doing at least 30 minutes of physical activities every day

Just remember though that good things never really come easy, and achieving your resolutions require wholehearted effort. But the rewards are great and transcend the physical, as it allows you to gain control of your personal life and help reduce stress in your work life, too. “Looking and feeling good gives your confidence a boost. And generally, people who are confident in themselves also tend to better manage the stress they get from work,” says Bea. Vanessa concludes, “You’ll definitely face challenges. It’s difficult to start; much more to sustain your efforts, but think of the long-term benefits you’ll reap. The only way to do this is to keep at it.” Formed in 2009 by a group of nine from spin class, the ArmyNavy South Tri Team has since grown to 40 members, all with the common goal to celebrate life and fitness through swimming, biking, and running. Composed of professionals from various fields who are mostly residents of Santa Rosa, Parañaque, and Alabang, the members come from varying age groups who all share a deep passion for multi-sport. For more information, visit armynavyburgerburrito.com or Army Navy Burger Burrito Philippines on Facebook.

Vanessa Agdon recommends packing healthy snacks to munch on throughout the day

EMPOWERING FILIPINAS THROUGH RUNNING

NIKEWOMEN HOSTS THE FIRST 21K, ALL-FEMALE RUN IN MANILA

ollowing the success of NikeWomen’s 10k run last year, which recorded almost 9,000 female runners, the world’s leading athletic apparel company ups the ante and brings the first ever Nike+ Run Club Women 21k in Manila this 2016. “This year, we are raising the bar for runners for them to experience a bigger, more challenging, and far more fulfilling race,” says Nike Philippines country marketing manager Patrick Reyes. The half marathon aims to empower Filipina athletes to take on a big challenge together with their friend, as this year’s run invites participants to register with their best female buddy who is likewise up to emerge #BetterForIt. “Nike challenges Filipina athletes in this year’s Nike Women’s Half Marathon Manila to run hand-in-hand with their best friend in a race that not only inspires but makes them better for it together,” enthuses Reyes. Nike is expecting 5,000 runners to participate in the May 15 run on the Manila-Cavite Expressway. Before the race, Nike has prepared a series of training services for registered runners that include Nike+ Run Club sessions and Nike+ Training Club sessions. As a start point, runners can design their training using the Nike+ Running and Nike+ Training Club apps that are available on both iOS and Android platforms. The NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila is part of the largest global women’s event series, the NikeWomen Victory Tour, which will see female athletes around the world challenge themselves and experience the power of the global fitness community through a series of one-of-a-kind running and training events. Women, aged 16 and above, can now register online for the NRC Women’s Half Marathon Manila 2016 at http://go.nike. com/0po61h.

The NikeWomen run in London last year saw thousands of female participants

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Long time Superbods Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsey

@LIFEatStandard

The search for Century Tuna Superbods 2016

CENTURY TUNA SUPERBODS 2016

PHOTOS BY STAR SABROSO

entury Tuna has been around for more than 30 years. It was pioneered by its chairman and founder Richard Po whose brand ran on the success anchored on taste, quality, and nutrition. Ten years ago, the company realized that in order to evolve, it needed to engage the consumers not just solely based on product, hence the birth of Century Tuna Superbods. “We realized 10 years back that we needed to sell consumer experiences. We needed to evolve the brand to be beyond this tuna in a can,” explains Greg Banzon, general manager of Century Pacific Food, Inc. “This gave birth to the idea of marketing a brand with a platform of healthy and sexy. But we needed a vehicle to communicate this platform, and thus was born the Century Tuna Superbods search.” Fast forward to 2016, Superbods has become one of the most popular model searches in this country. A lot of the past winners have continued to progress to better career domestically in the Philippines as well as abroad. Every year, it continues to be the platform for aspiring Superbods as well as advocates of health and nutrition. For the past two years, the brand has been creatively strengthening its advocacy on health and fitness through Superbods. Part of it was when John Lloyd was launched as real life proof of a Superbods transformation that culminated in the last Superbods event. Century Tuna also launched videos that serve as a guide for consumers on how to be healthier and sexier, and just last year, they launched the Century Tuna Superbods ABS book. “It’s really more of sharing with our consumers the benefits of eating good quality tuna and enjoying a healthier lifestyle,” explains Banzon during the presscon of Superbods 2016. This year, Century Tuna promises to give the consumer a bigger Superbods event to date. And as Banzon puts it, the brand aims “to aspire and make the Philippines a Superbod nation.” Schedule of go-sees for aspiring Superbods will be held on February 9, 15, 20 and 28 at Davao City, Cebu City, Pampanga and Manila, and will lead up to the finals night on April 10, to be held at the Palace Pool Club. Headlining Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016 are long time Superbods Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay. “I guess out of those 10 years I’ve been very happy that I’ve been with them for four years already,” says Curtis. She said that the brand advocates being healthy and fit and that’s basically her current lifestyle. “I’m very proud and honored that I have been a big part of Century Tuna family for over six years now,” shares Ramsay. “It’s also a great feeling to be part of something that’s number one.”

Century Tuna's guide to achieve those ABS

Greg Banzon, general manager of Century Pacific Food, Inc. shows the Superbods ABS plan guide

For years, these two have been the epitome of a perfect Superbod. “It’s really about discipline for me,” shares Curtis. “It’s about proper eating habits, when you have to, but of course you can’t deprive yourself of a cheat day, which for me is my Sundays. I try to work out every morning and if I have something I have to prepare for, I’ll work out twice a day. I also have nutritionist Nadine Tengco who helps me out.” As for Ramsay, “The formula works – 30 percent workout and 70 percent diet. Proof of that is with our busy schedules, shootings, late nights – it’s important to look at what you take in. Exercise – most definitely you need that, but for me the diet is more important.” To keep up to date with the events for Superbods Nation 2016, download the Century Tuna Superbods Nation mobile app. The app lets users vote, follow, and share the journey of the Superbods finalists for the whole duration of the competition. Users will also get the chance to win invites to the finals and party night and grab exciting prizes.

Healthy and balanced diet as well as regular exercise are Superbods' secret

T HuR SDAY : F EbRuA RY 4, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an interesting twist on Jane Austen’s widely celebrated novel

English actor Douglas Booth as Mr. Bingley

PRIDE + PREjuDIcE + ZOmbIEsA kIck-Ass fIlm

ride and Prejudice, the classic novel by Jane Austen published in 1813 has frequently been adapted into film (the first one was in 1940, starring Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson), TV series (the most popular being the 1995 BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle), and even on YouTube (The Lizzie Bennet Diaries). In terms of literature, it has also inspired a number of reinterpretations, one of which is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, published in April 2009. Just a few days after its publication, the book was already no. 3 on the New York Times bestseller list. In writing this zombie novel, Grahame-Smith said he “didn’t want to mess with Jane Austen’s overall structure, because it’s a masterpiece.” Crediting Austen as co-author, he has remained faithful to the depiction of the characters. Elizabeth Bennet is the ever- rational sister of Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia who speaks the truth from her heart. Mr. Darcy is the moneyed and arrogant man who comes to their town and affects Elizabeth in a way that no man has ever done before. But the big difference in Grahame-Smith’s story is that these two characters have a lot more to worry about than their verbal disputes. A mysterious plague has fallen upon the village of Meryton and the dead are returning to life. Worse, they’re on the hunt for human flesh. Now it’s up to the “sharp-tongued, sharp-daggered, and fiercely independent heroine” and the “pompous and privileged (zombie)

Helmed by Burr Steers, the horror comedy stars Lily James and Bella Heathcote

ADAPTATIOn

slayer” to unite on the blood-soaked battlefield and rid their land of the zombie menace. And while at it, would they dare acknowledge their feelings for each other? As early as February 2009, there were already talks of turning this into a blockbuster film. Natalie Portman was originally cast in the lead role, but she decided to be a coproducer instead. In 2013, Lily James got on board as Elizabeth. She admitted to have been instantly fascinated with the “really brilliant and funny” script. “Actually, within the first opening sequence where Darcy sort of gallops up on the horse and gets stripped down and all that stuff ”, she elaborated. Sam Riley, who plays Mr. Darcy, revealed that they were “not given the luxury of three months” to train for the action scenes (it being a lower-budget movie compared to the usual Hollywood action movies, according to producer Allison Shearmur who estimated the budget at between $10 and $20 million), but their training had been intensive. “We’ve had to do it all quickly. It’s a lot of fun,” he said. Directed by Burr Steers (17 Again, Charlie St. Cloud), Pride and Prejudice and Zombiesis now highly anticipated in the US and in the UK. Distributed by Viva International Pictures and MVP Entertainment, it hits Philippine theaters the same day as the US tomorrow.

Booth (center) as Mr. Bingley in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

A scene from the horror comedy film

‘DEADPOOl’ PAInTs TOwn RED wITh blOOD

Ryan Reynolds as a mercenary gifted with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor in the action comedy Deadpool

ExPECT plenty of wry humor in Deadpool, directed by Tim Miller. Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, it tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life. Deadpool star and producer Ryan Reynolds has no bigger fan than Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee who has a fun cameo in the film and also serves as an executive producer. “There’s never been a character like Deadpool, and Ryan Reynolds plays him as though he was born to play the role,” says Lee. “Just like Robert Downey, Jr. was born to be Iron Man, you just can’t picture anybody else besides Ryan as Deadpool.” Reynolds embraced the character’s myriad (and often twisted) facets. “In the comic book world, Deadpool is a man of our time with the ability to spout just the right thing, in terms of a pop culture reference, at the worst possible moment,” he quips.

“That’s what makes him interesting to me and also makes him sort of limitless.” Reynolds had long championed a film version of the iconic comics character. His deep involvement in the film’s development continued throughout production, in brainstorming sessions with director Tim Miller and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Miller, who makes his feature film directorial debut on Deadpool, notes, “I think Ryan’s personality and DNA are really infused in the character. It was a close match to begin with, which is why Ryan was so attracted to Deadpoolin the first place.” “Ryan has a tremendous sense of humor, is very quick, and the character has really seeped into him,” says Reese. “He became in a way our ‘Deadpool Police.’ Whenever we got off tone or were writing in a way that didn’t feel quite right, Ryan would say, ‘I don’t think that sounds like Deadpool.’ We knew he was the best arbiter, because Ryan knows and loves the comics and has assimilated Deadpool’s voice and sense of humor.” “We’re staying as true to the character as pos-

sible,” adds Reynolds. “We really ran with the idea of Deadpool being aware he’s a comic book antihero. It gave us the freedom to tell this story in a totally unorthodox way. We occupy a space that no other comic book movie has – or can.” Deadpool is a unique figure in the Marvel Universe. Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld created Deadpool as possessing an often non-superheroic attitude. A sardonic foil to the holier-than-thou heroes and villains that populate Marvel’s other comics, Deadpool constantly cracks edgy jokes and breaks the fourth wall. Liefeld joins Stan Lee in his admiration of the filmmakers’ work in translating the character to the big screen. “Deadpool explodes with action,” says Liefeld. “Ryan, Tim Miller, Paul and Rhett mined all the good stuff in the comics from about a ten-year period and came up with a movie that sews it all together. This will be the Deadpool that will become canon moving forward!” It’s a date on Valentine’s week with Deadpool starting Feb. 10 in cinemas (and IMAx screens) nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

T HuR SDAY : F EbRuA RY 4, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

from c8

CElEbRITIES SHoCk¼

SwITCHER SuRpRISE wInnERS

N A busy Watsons store

Karen Fabres Watsons Group Marketing Manager

ever in her wildest dreams did Angie Mendoza think that buying a Watsons Herbal Mouthwash, would reward her with P50,000.00. The retired nurse couldn’t believe her eyes as Christian Bautista stood smiling when she opened the curtains and was almost shocked when the balladeer gave her a check for P50,000. “I still couldn’t believe it, I just grabbed the Watsons Mouthwash and lined up at the pharmacy to get some Watsons vitamins, when they approached me and told me I won something. Then I saw Christian Bautista and he was giving me a giant P50,000 check! I still couldn’t believe it,” Mendoza said still shaking in excitement. Jennifer Ariesgado and her fiancé Andrew Wraywere shocked when they won a Samsung LED TV set just by purchasing Watsons Wipes. “She uses it for wiping the stains I get on my shirt, and we’re just overjoyed, about winning!” Wray who is visiting from Pennsylvania said. Contract nurse Esther Blanco, from Houston, Texas, was on her way to the airport but decided to do some last minute shopping at Watsons. She purchased Watsons Generics Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and a few other personal essentials, after paying at the cashier she was brought to the booth where Lorna Tolentino was waiting to award her with a HongKong Travel Package. “I came home for a reunion with my classmates at FEU, now I think I have to file another leave so I can enjoy my trip to HongKong! Thank you Watsons for this wonderful surprise,” she said. Julie Mamhot, another balikbayan,was in town recently. She is a pharmacist based in Edmonton, Canada. She said they were actually planning a Boracay trip, but thanks to

Excited Patty Laurel surprises Melinda Canada with an Iphone 6+ S

her purchase of Watsons Twin Blade Disposable Razor, all she has to do is choose a date as she won a travel package to Boracay. Call center agent Loralyn Campos said she would drop by Watsons almost everyday before going to work at one of the BPOs located nearby. This time she was accompanying an officemate, and after being introduced by one of the beauty specialists to the Watsons Naturals Argan Oil Hair Conditioner, she decided to try it out. Her purchase won her a P20,000.00 shopping spree at Uniqlo. Housewife and mother of three, Jaycee Dualan, was on one of her regular shopping runs at Watsons for toiletries and personal essentials, instead of just a pouch or cute token, she brought home a new Technomarine Watch. Other winners includedMelinda Canada (Iphone 6S), Mary Jane Ko (GoPro Hero), JonalynPano (MacBook Pro) and Elsa Amoncio P20,000 Watsons gift certificate.

HOw ‘All Of ME’cHAngED fIlIpInOs’ AfTERnOOn vIEwIng HAbIT AVID viewers of the top-rating Kapamilya afternoon teleserye All of Me saw last week how Manuel (Albert Martinez) escaped from death for the second time to live happily ever after with his family. With the show nearing its finale, the teleserye’s sixmonth run on television has proven to become a hit as it offered an innovative story by infusing fantasy, drama, and action. It is consistently part of Kantar Media’s list of most watched programs nationwide since it premiered. Viewers are also hooked on the undeniable chemistry of Albert Martinez (Manuel) and Yen Santos (Lena). Their tandem has gained a strong following online and fan clubs were even created for them since they were first seen together on the teleserye. The cast members have also received praises for their acting prowess that kept audiences glued to their home screens every afternoon. The last few weeks also had its fans abuzz online with the many thrilling twists, especially when the character of Albert (Manuel) was in a desperate chase to track down Henry (Aaron Villaflor) in order to rescue and save his wife Lena (Yen) and son Ivan (Dentrix Ponce).

Albert Martinez as Manuel

A scene from the top-rating afternoon drama All of Me

cROsswORD pUZZlE

1 5 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

— 12 Mental fog 45 Dept. store inven13 Luge tory 21 Chinese zodiac 46 Struts animal 48 Short versions 23 Teahouse attire 50 German physicist 26 Passengers 51 — vous plait 27 Bauxite giant 52 Wheel covers 28 Stone-washed 56 Besets garment 60 Viking name 29 Laurel and Getz 61 Furniture buy 30 Homer opus 63 Roulette color 31 Docks 64 Busy loafing 32 Are around 65 Winter constellation 33 Boxcars, in dice 66 Rush of air 36 Notre Dame sight 67 Wished undone 42 Flabbergasted 68 “Luncheon on the 43 Sneeze or cough Grass” painter 44 Refusal to conform ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE 69 This, in Tijuana 45 Potpourri ACROSS 25 Knicks’ org. DOWN 47 Gotcha! Penicillin, e.g. 26 Tortilla snacks 1 Applied henna 49 KP workers Explorer — de Leon 30 Eaves hangers 2 Ramble around 52 Next in line Things to chew on 34 Knighted Guinness 3 Mini-guitars 53 Karachi language Blouse part 35 Good for some4 Brand X 54 Liver secretion Stucco backing thing 5 Level off 55 Paretsky or TeasOut loud 37 Ride seeker’s 6 Equine fodder dale Tied shout 7 Highest degree 56 Sunblock additive Aramis’ colleague 38 Victrola maker 8 Karate blow 57 Debt memos Labyrinth 39 Frazier foe 9 Ultimate nature 58 Shopper’s aid Sandy expanses 40 Put the kibosh on 10 Purse item 59 Baja Ms. Not for hermits 41 Geological periods 11 Europe-Asia range 62 Hopper — Dawn Chong 43 Slammin’ Sammy

One of the thrilling episodes in the afternoon soap

T HuR SDAY : F EbRuA RY 4, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

nEw COOkIng shOw

bEAuTIFul bESTIES gETAwAY WhAt makes friendship with your bestie beautiful? Your story will not only celebrate your friendship and inspire others. It can also be your ticket to Japan or hong Kong. GlutaMAX presents the Beautiful Besties Getaway contest. All you have to do is submit a photo of you and your bestie and tell the story of what makes your friendship beautiful. The top 30 besties will vie for a chance to spend a vacation for two in Japan or hong Kong, or spend a wonderful staycation at a boutique hotel. entries with the most number of likes will win the prizes. Click link to join: https://goo.gl/srdC3t. Or visit

this link: www.glutamaxbesties.com Celebrate your beautiful friendship with a beautiful getawa y, only from GlutaMAX.

TESlA CEO ElOn MuSk In Cnn’S ‘TAlk ASIA’ Les Roches Switzerland trained Chef Stefano de Medici and actress Heart Evangelista

A fresh, exciting and delicious cooking show is coming your way this year. Foodtrip will take you on a gastronomic adventure led by Les roches switzerland trained Chef Stefano de Medici and the beautiful actress Heart Evangelista. This is a 30-minute cooking show that will inspire foodies to live a good life and create fantastic food in their very own kitchen. In the show you see seasoned personalities, tastemakers and influencers from the world of business, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment add flavor to the show as they share not just fun and delightful experiences in cooking but also some stories about their personal lives. Guests also show how to prepare their favorite dishes or their lip-smacking specialties. Foodtrip showcases the hosts’ bestkept recipes. Chef stefano whip ups delectable dishes that surely hit the spot of every foodie. heart, on the other hand, reveals a new side of her as she shows how to prepare easy, mouthwatering meals that she cooks for her friends and family. The show also has a discussion on the different ingredients and health benefits found in the featured dishes. foodtrip premieredon Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. on starworld. Now that heart has her own cooking show, she like to level up her knowledge

in the kitchen. Despite her tight schedule, she enrolled in a cooking class with her sister Cam Ongpauco and cousin happy Ongpauco-Tiu who in fact is already an accomplished chef. heart’s fans are awed at her multi-faceted personality. Apart from being one of showbiz’s competent actors, she is also an accomplished painter (she has an ongoing exhibit Oceans Apart at Ayala Museum in Makati). Now, she’s into culinary arts as well. her fans said they wouldn’t be surprised if one day heart would be a chef, too. Last year, in October, she announced that she and her mother would be publishing a cookbook. “I may not be an expert but my mom is a goddess when it comes to cooking! I can’t wait to work on our cookbook!” hear posted on her Instagram account. her fans are now watching on star World Asia heart’s cooking show, Foodtrip with celebrity chef stefano de Medicci. Will sen. Chiz Escudero be in the show as well? The fans are asking. heart admits that Chiz cooks very well, but this time, she says, she going to make a career out of cooking. We should all be watching out for an episode that will have heart and Chiz in a cook-off. That should be interesting to watch.

wHO SAYS MOnEY CAn’T buY lOVE? GuILtY pleasure smash hit The Millionaire Matchmaker is on its eighth season. The show follows Patty Stanger, owner of Millionaire’s Club, an upscale dating service that operates out of Beverly hills. This is a no-holds barred, intriguing glimpse at how the rich and (or) famous find love with the help of experts. It seems that even if one is too busy to find love, you can at least pay someone to do it for you. Patti counts in her circle of clients celebrities like Rozonda “Chili” Thomas (of the 90’s smash girl r&B group TlC) and designer kristin Cavallari. she gets some new blood in Candace Smith, a new member of her team who serves as director of recruiting and an old friend reappears in David Cruz, who returns as director of Matchmaking. Produced by Intuitive entertainment and Bayonne entertainment, Inc. and executive produced by Mechelle Collins, kevin Dill, Robert lee, Patti Stanger, Spike Van Briesen and Robin Samuels, The Millionaire Matchmaker season 8 even hints at an on-screen proposal – which Patti and her love squad hope would lead to happily ever after.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk on CNN’s Talk Asia

ElOn MuSk has made a career out of breaking boundaries. The tesla and space X founder is no stranger to larger than life ideas. This month in Talk Asia, CNN’s kristie lu Stout sits down exclusively with the entrepreneur in hong Kong, discussing his many innovative ventures and his plans to continue battling what he believes are some of the biggest threats to humankind. CNN gets a rare look into the mind of Elon Musk and gets his views on the future of self- driving cars, expanding production of tesla into China, and why a multi planetary existence on Mars makes sense. highlights from the interview:

On TEsla In ChIna “Well I think there is an understanding by the Chinese government that electric vehicles are very important to the future – in order to have cleaner cities you have to go electric. And so the policies and initiatives of the national government are increasingly favoring that outcome. The challenge for tesla I think is to figure out local production because right now our cars in China are coming with quite high import duty, and we are not eligible for local incentives. so all of our sales in China are effectively quite a high penalty. But that will be alleviated once we move to local production.”

On buIlDIng CaRs In ChIna “It will eventually be made in China … if it was possible for us to do local production in China sooner, we would, but I think it’s probably going to be close to 3 years before we can achieve that outcome.”

On lOwER OIl pRICEs “I think in the case for tesla, it probably affects us a little bit less because we have quite a significant product differentiation. for lower price electric vehicles toward a more economic decision, I think they will actually take a pretty big hit. And so the electric vehicles industry as a whole I think will definitely suffer, because of the low oil prices.”

On MaRs bEIng hIs DEsTInaTIOn

Millionaire matchmaker Patty Stanger

“I think there are two main motivations for Mars. I mean one is sort of a defensive reason of saying okay if something would happen to earth, life as we know it, does it end, or if it’s on another planet it probably doesn’t end. so the multi planet civilization is likely to last a lot longer than single planet civilization. And that is one element, the other part of it is it just being an incredible adventure.” tesla CeO elon Musk is in CNN’s Talk Asia 5:30 p.m. today, and at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. feb. 6. More replays on feb. 13 (9:30 p.m.) and feb. 14 (1:30 p.m.). CNN International is available on cable and satellite tV.

T HUR S DAY : F EBRUA RY 4, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Balladeer and Watsons Generics Ambassador Christian Bautista

Watsons Switch and Save ambassador Patty Laurel

Watsons Generics Ambassador Lorna Tolentino

Television host Iya Villania-Arrellano

CELEBRITIES SHOCK FANS AT WATSONS ‘RED CURTAIN’ SURPRISE ISAH V. RED WHAT do Lorna Tolentino, IyaVillaniaArellano, Patty Laurel-Filart, Christian Bautista and Tessa Prieto Valdez have in common? Besides being popular names in the entertainment industry and society circles, these five celebrities have been able to achieve their dreams and enjoy the fruits of their labor. The one thing that hasn’t changed despite all their succes, is how they continue to be smart with their finances, and very prudent when it comes to shopping. Because of their passion for quality and great prices, these five celebrities were brought together by Watsons Philippines to encourage its shoppers to be more practical and to make the Switch and Save. Host IyaVillania, who revealed she and husband Drew Arellano is planning to have a baby this year, says Watsons has helped them manage their budget without having to sacrifice other things. “With Watsons I don’t have to scrimp on my personal essentials to get the things I want. “Plus I get the same quality as branded ones.”

Practical Mom Patty adds, “You have to be very practical especially when you have a growing family. With Watsons, you can find all the personal items you need at the best price.” This 2016, Watsons takes the campaign to an entirely new level with the Switcher Surprise promo. Held on Jan. 26 and 28 at SM Mall of Asia, several lucky shoppers had an unbelievable surprise waiting for them behind the “red curtain.” At designated hours of the day, a certain Watsons Label product was “marked” with a special sticker and the shopper who picked the item was declared winner. The products included a wide range of selected products from personal care to generic drugs like Watsons Glutathione, Watsons Travel Hair Dryer, Watsons Argan Oil Hair Conditioner, Watsons Body Scrub, Watsons Collagen, and Watsons Breath Strips, among others. The winner was then escorted to a booth near the entrance of the store, where she was asked to open the curtains to reveal one of the celebrity ambassadors who presented them with an unbelievable prize. Among the were an LED TV, travel packages, gadgets, shopping money, and a grand prize of P50,000.00. “On top of the savings they get from purchasing Watsons Label products, our loyal shoppers have also gotten used to

Lorna T. surprises a customer with a trip to Hongkong prize

Krisel Macatangay, Watsons Marketing Manager

receiving cute items and tokens, so this year we decided to raise the stakes and reward them with something truly unforgettable,” said Karen Fabres, Group Marketing Manager of Watsons Philippines “Our customers shop at Watsons to save on the things they really want in life, and the Switcher’s Surprise campaign brings to life the idea that by switching to the Watsons they might just bring home that thing they’ve saving up for with but a single purchase,” Fabres said. “It’s defi-

nitely a lot easier to enjoy what life has to offer when you choose to Switch and Save the Watsons way.” “Angsayang feeling to be part of the Switcher Surprise,” said actress Lorna Tolentino. “The look of surprise on their face says it all, naparang di talagasilamakapaniwalana just by choosing Watsons label products and Watsons Generics they were able to win these fabulous prizes.” Continued on C6