the standard - 2016 january 28 - thursday

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PH falls 10places insurvey ontransparency

VOL. XXIX � NO. 350 � 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 � THURSday : JaNUaRy 28, 2016 � www.thestandard.com.ph � [email protected]

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The hearing continues. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile fields questions during the continuation of the hearing on the Mamasapano debacle at the Senate on Wednesday. Lino SanToS

By Gabrielle Marie Consuelo H. Binaday

DESPITE the Aquino administration’s “straight path” policy, the Philippines dropped 10 places in Transparency International’s 2015 Corruption Per-ceptions Index, ranking 95th among 168 countries and putting it behind Indonesia (88th), Malaysia (54th) and Singapore (8th).

The country’s corruption index of 35 was a significant drop from 38 in 2014. Overall, Transparency Inter-national said, two-thirds of the 168 countries in the 2015 index scored below 50, including the Philippines,

By Macon Ramos-araneta

SENATOR Juan Ponce Ernile on Wednesday attacked President Benigno Aquino III for hiding behind others to shield himself from responsi-bility for the deaths of 44 po-lice commandos in Mamasa-pano last year, but the Palace and its allies said he failed to produce new evidence as he promised.

In Wednesday’s resumption of the Senate investigation into the Mamasa-pano massacre, Enrile spelled out Aqui-no’s eight sins in the ill-fated Operation Exodus in which the Special Action Force commandos were killed by Mus-lim rebels.

Although the record showed that the President “actively and directly” par-ticipated in the planning and prepara-tion for the operation, he evaded any responsibility and accountability and used his friend, former Philippine Na-tional Police chief Alan Purisima to shield him from blame.

By questioning those involved in the operation before the Senate commit-tee on public order, Enrile concluded that the President had authorized and “compartmented” the operation, keep-ing knowledge of it only to himself and Purisima; and that he had full knowl-edge of what was going on during its execution.

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Apology not on Akihito’s agenda

Takashima, however, said Japan may “respond positively” on the issue if it becomes a political one through legislation or a court order.“There was no discussion on that between the Japanese government and the Emperor before he left To-kyo for the Philippines. I under-stand there are no ongoing negotia-tions [between the Philippine and Japanese governments], and this is a government issue and the Emperor is not involved,” he said.

“If the situation in the Philippines requires more that what has already been done, if it becomes a political issue through parliament or court, then Japan would respond positive-ly,” Takashima said.

The few remaining comfort women, members of Lila Pilipina, trooped to Mendiola Wednesday to make a public appeal for Akihito to “right the historical wrong” com-mitted by his father, who was chief of Japan’s military during World War II.

“Emperor Akihito inherited the throne and together with it the re-sponsibility and accountability. His father, Hirohito did wrong during World War II, and now he must do his part to right the wrong,” said Rechilda Extremadura, executive director of Lila Pilipina.

Extremadura said that while Akihito’s visit to a Japanese memo-rial garden in Caliraya was noble, he can do more by pushing for proper compensation for Filipino comfort women.

“The comfort women are living proof of Japanese wartime abuse. While it is noble to visit and honor the dead, it is nobler to honor the living by giving them the justice which eluded them for more than 70 years,” she said.

“He can urge the Diet and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to enter into an agreement with the Philippine government just as he did with Ko-rea on the plight of comfort wom-en,” Extremadura added.

Takashima said the 82-year-old Akihito brings with him the mes-sage of “eternal peace—reminding young Japanese people to never forget the “suffering of the Filipino people” under the Imperial army during the war.

“The Japanese people must al-ways remember what we have done, the heavy damage we have inflicted. The atrocities committed by the Japanese people during the war is a thing which should not be repeated again. He has a very strong feeling toward war,” Takashima said.

The leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Filipino comfort women must be given true and complete justice.

“Beyond the Aquino govern-ment’s adulation for the imperial couple is the sad reality that the Filipino comfort women are dying without realizing justice. This is an outstanding issue from the Japanese occupation that has yet to be satis-factorily addressed by the Japanese government,” Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general said.

“More than Emperor Akihito’s

vague pronouncements of remorse, the victims of Japanese imperial-ism demand full recognition of and complete apology for the atrocities committed, just compensation for the victims, as well as the inclusion of this dark chapter of our history in school textbooks so that the people will never forget,” he added.

Up to 200,000 women in Asia, many of them South Koreans but also from China, the Philippines and what is now Indonesia, are es-timated to have been forced to pro-vide sex to Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Only 70 known Filipina victims are still alive, according to women’s group Lila Pilipina.

Japanese leaders and senior offi-cials have over the decades offered apologies and compensation money to the Filipina victims, albeit delib-erately sourced from the private sec-tor rather than the government.

Akihito was scheduled to visit a cemetery for tens of thousands of Filipino World War II dead, as he uses a historic visit to the Philip-pines to promote his pacifist agenda.

The soft-smiling Akihito, 82, and his wife, Empress Michiko, are on a five-day trip to the Philippines to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties, but also to honor those who died during Japan’s brutal occupation of the Philippines.

“In the Philippines, many lives of Filipinos, Americans and Japanese were lost during the war,” Akihito said before arriving on Tuesday.

Akihito specifically noted the battle for the liberation of Manila in 1945, where an estimated 100,000 people were killed.

“We’d like to conduct our visit by always keeping this in mind,” said Akihito, who offered a slight bow as soon as he alighted from his plane at Manila airport.

Akihito’s visit is the first by a Japanese emperor to the Philippines and comes as the two countries fortify economic and defense ties, partly in an effort to counter China’s increasingly assertive actions in dis-puted regional waters.

He officially launched his visit on Wednesday morning with a red-carpet welcome ceremony at the presidential palace hosted by Presi-dent Benigno Aquino III.

In the afternoon, he was due to visit the sprawling Libingan ng mga Bayani in Manila, which was built in 1947 to honor Filipino soldiers who died during World War II.

An estimated 100,000 people died during the month-long campaign to liberate Manila in 1945, which saw aerial bombings and gunfire flatten the city.

Tens of thousands also died in an excruciating 100-kilometer Death March from Bataan province to Jap-anese concentration camps.

The other key symbolic event on Akihito’s agenda will be a visit on Friday to a shrine for Japanese casualties of the war in Caliraya, a lake resort village about three hours’ drive south of Manila. With John Paolo Bencito, Sandy Araneta, and AFP

which ranks countries on a scale of 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).

“Corruption can be beaten if we work together. To stamp out the abuse of power, bribery and shed light on secret deals, citizens must together tell their governments they have had enough,” said José Ugaz, chairman of Transparency International.

“The 2015 Corruption Percep-tions Index clearly shows that cor-ruption remains a blight around the world. But 2015 was also a year when people again took to the streets to protest corruption. People across the globe sent a strong signal to those in power: it is time to tackle grand corruption,” Ugaz added.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Malaysia were seen as becoming more corrupt last year.

If there was one common chal-lenge to unite the Asia- Pacific re-gion, it would be corruption,” Srirak Plipat, Transparency International’s

regional director, said in a state-ment. “From campaign pledges to media coverage to civil society fo-rums, corruption dominates discus-sion. Yet despite all this talk, there’s little sign of action.”

The top 10 countries and their in-dex scores were Denmark (91) Fin-land (90), Sweden (89) New Zealand (88), The Netherlands (87), Norway (87), Switzerland (86), Singapore (85), Canada (83), and Germany (81).

Top performers shared key char-acteristics: high levels of press free-dom; access to budget information so the public knows where money comes from and how it is spent; high levels of integrity among people in power; and judiciaries that don’t differentiate between rich and poor, and that are truly independent from other parts of government.

The top bottom countries, on the other, were: Haiti (17) Venezuela (17), Iraq (16), Libya (16), Angola (15) South Sudan (15), Sudan (12), Afghanistan (11), North Korea and Somalia (both with 8).

Five of the 10 most corrupt coun-tries also rank among the 10 least peaceful places in the world.

In Afghanistan, millions of dol-lars that should have gone to re-construction have been reportedly wasted or stolen, seriously under-mining efforts to sustain peace.

The big decliners in the past four years were Libya, Australia, Brazil, Spain and Turkey. The big improv-ers were Greece, Senegal and the UK.

The Corruption Perceptions In-dex is based on expert opinions of public sector corruption. Countries’ scores can be helped by open gov-ernment where the public can hold leaders to account, while a poor score is a sign of prevalent bribery, lack of punishment for corruption and public institutions that don’t re-spond to citizens’ needs.

Reacting to the poor showing, the Palace said the government is con-tinuing to strengthen institutions to fight corruption.

“The government continues to strengthen the public institutions so that civil servants will imbibe the ethos of transparency and public accountability,” said Communica-tions Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. With Sandy Araneta

By Joyce Pangco Pañares

AN Apology and compensation for Filipino com-fort women are not part of the agenda of the five-day state visit of Japanese Emperor Akihito in the philip-pines, his press secretary, Hatsuhisa Takashima, said Wednesday.

Enrile said he also “wantonly” dis-regarded the command systems of the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines by dealing with Purisima, who at the time was not an active part of the command system because he was suspended on corruption charges.

Finally, he said, President Aquino failed to issue any order or take any effective action as President of the re-public “to prevent the barbaric slaying and slaughter of the PNP-SAF troop-ers.”

As proof of the President’s direct hand in Oplan Exodus, Enrile cited a briefing that Purisima and then SAF commander Getulio Napeñas gave Aquino in Bahay Pangarap on Jan. 9, 2015.

At one point in the hearing, Enrile read back text messages that the Presi-dent had sent to Purisima, noting that he was more interested in the body of the terrorist Marwan and the fate of the other targets of the operation than in the safety of the police comman-dos. In fact, he said, none of the text messages Aquino sent asked about the men, Enrile said.

Enrile also expressed doubts over Purisima’s claim that the briefing was held merely to keep the President in-formed, and noted that it was Aquino who had suggested the SAF devote more commandos to the operation.

“If he was not involved, he had no role except to just listen and say nothing,” Enrile told Purisima as the former police chief was being ques-tioned by Senator Nancy Binay.

When Purisima insisted that they were just keeping the President in-formed about an operation with high-value targets, Enrile blurted out: “Someone is lying here in front of us in the Senate! This is an insult to the institution.”

As the seven-hour session was drawing to a close, Enrile threw a question at the police and military generals in the Session Hall.

“Woud you act if there is no order and your President is the one commanding? My question to all of you is if a project was compartmented by the President, will you interfere if he has no order?” the 91-year-old senator asked.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, a close ally of the President, stood up and insisted that Aquino was never involved in planning Oplan Exodus.

“There is nothing in the testimony that the President [got involved] in the manner that is being presented,” Drilon said in the President’s defense.

He emphasized that from the very start, Napeñas had said that it was his plan and he executed it.

Asked if he thought the Senate committee on public order might change its report, Enrile said no, and that he merely focused the discussion on the President’s responsibility and accountability.

He said the “new matters” he want-ed to bring up were the text messages between the President and Purisima.

Enrile rejected the President’s claim that he was misinformed.

“They have huge intelligence funds. Why did they not foresee that this could happen to their men in the field?”

Enrile said he was satisfied with the hearing because it focused atten-tion on the President’s responsibility, something that was not done in the previous hearings.

Now it was up to the law enforcement officials to do their job, he added.

Committee chairman Senator Grace Poe said most of the points in the hearing were already included in her committee report and can be found in the transcripts of previous hearings and executive sessions.

She said she stood by her report, which found the President ultimately responsible for the Mamasapano massacre, and said those findings were bolstered by the additional testi-mony Wednesday.

She said the hearing focused on a chronological and clinical timeline of the incident and offered some new information on the US assistance that was given to the police.

Earlier, Enrile asked former police officials why the US military or the Central Intelligence Agency were in-volved in a purely police matter.

Napeñas said this was because the mission was to get Marwan, who was also wanted for the Bali bombings in which Americans were killed.

But Enrile said the country’s Visit-ing Forces Agreement does not cover the enforcement of criminal laws in the Philippines.

“This is something that the govern-ment must explain,” he said.

Administration Senator Teofisto Guingona III said Enrile’s “bomb-shell” was a dud, since no new matters or evidence were presented.

Guingona also considered a “waste of time” the seven-hour hearing where 24 resource persons were summoned.

Poe had already conducted five public hearings, spanning 23 hours and 39 minutes. The transcripts of these hearings alone total 1,098 pages. There were also five executive ses-sions, spending 15 hours and nine minutes, grilling witnesses behind closed doors.

During the previous hearings, a to-tal of 37 persons testified.

Echoing the administration line, Guingona said the President’s actions were based only on the information given him by Purisima.

Asked why the President allowed the suspended police chief run the op-eration, Guingona said this was beside the point.

“The point here was that the Presi-dent was provided the wrong infor-mation from morning until after-noon,” he said.

During the hearing, Guingona said there was no concern or alarm on the part of the President as he was told that only one trooper was wounded and that Marwan was already dead. The President was also informed that the government had 160 troopers against the 15-20 armed elements.

“The reality that happened on the ground was different from what the President knew,” Guingona told Poe’s committee.

“There was no reason for the Presi-dent to be alarmed because we had 160 troopers as against the 15-20 armed elements. This is on top of the tanks and cannon,” said Guingona.

Also like Drilon, Guingona blamed Napeñas for misleading and confus-ing the President with wrong infor-mation.

Napeñas objected: “I did not mis-lead the President.”

During the hearing, the military official who flew the plane carrying the President to Zambonga City to monitor the operation testified he was directed by Aquino to alert all assets on the ground to support SAF troops. With John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta

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Duterte: PH nowalmost adrug den

Binay camp slams Senate hearing

Poe welcomes Sereno’scomment on foundlings

Charity event. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach takes a selfie with six-year-old Sebastian Balinghasa during a charity event at the AFP Medical Center on Wednesday. Jansen RomeRo

Preliminary hearing. Lt. Ferdinand Marcelino subscribes to his affidavit during the preliminary hearing on his case at the Justice Department on Wednesday. Marcelino was arrested while authorities were raiding a shabu laboratory in Santa Cruz, Manila. Danny Pata

THE Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee will not end its investigation of the alleged anomalies involv-ing Vice President Jejomar Binay until the committee submits the final report to the plenary, Binay’s camp said Wednesday.

“The Senate hearing only ends after they sub-mit the committee report to the 24 senators so it can be defended,” United Na-tionalist Alliance interim president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tianco said in a radio interview.

“How can one defend a complaint when there was no final committee report

and what was the decision of the plenary with regard to the committee report?” Tianco said.

He said the hearing was timed to spoil Binay’s surge in the latest presidential survey released by Social Weather Stations on Jan. 15.

In the nationwide survey that SWS conducted from Jan. 8 to 10, Binay received 31 percent of the respond-ents’ votes while Poe at second place received 24 percent.

Binay and Poe were tied in the last SWS survey con-ducted from Dec. 12 to 14 last year, with both of them

receiving 26 percent of the votes.

Tianco said it was very obvious that the Senate hearing was politically mo-tivated and calculated to get the senators running for higher posts to gain media mileage.

He said Binay was a vic-tim of “demolition by per-ception” because it is cus-tomary in Filipino culture to smear another person’s reputation.

He described the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommit-tee hearing as “the longest political inquisition by a political institution.” Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Rod-rigo Duterte and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday warned that the country will become a narco state if the disorder brought by illegal drugs does not end.

Davao City Mayor Duterte said the country was already showing alarming signs of becoming a narco state.

“In the national capital region where the country’s capital is situ-ated, the government had admitted that 92 percent of the barangays are already infiltrated by illegal drugs,” Duterte said.

“If Manila, the country’s seat of power, is helpless to address this, what more the other parts of the country where government pres-ence is weak?”

Duterte also cited the presence of international drug syndicates in the country such as the Sinaloa drug cartel, a Mexico-based group that he said was the largest and most powerful drug trafficking organi-zation in the west.

“This is a clear national security threat. This is an invasion of a new kind,” Duterte said.

“Drug lords domestic and foreign have declared a war against our families and children and the gov-ernment is helpless about it.”

Cayetano said that if he and Duterte were elected, they would implement national, regional and international strategies to combat drug trafficking.

“We will also strengthen the five pillars of our criminal justice system. Drug trafficking thrives best in coun-tries where there is grave insecurity and injustice,” Cayetano said.

He said they will push to develop the regions to provide the people with alternative livelihood.

He and Duterte will enforce stricter immigration laws to prevent international drug syndicates from entering the country.

“We will not allow the disorder to continue and our country to be-come a narco state,” Cayetano said.

“We will build a strong state to provide bold solutions and swift action to bring about real change. Under the Duterte-Cayetano watch, everyone will be afraid of the law but everyone will be protected by the law.” macon Ramos-araneta

INDEPENDENT presi-dential candidate Grace Poe said Wednesday the assertion of Chief Jus-tice Maria Lourdes Ser-eno that the country’s adoption laws recognize foundlings as Filipino cit-izens shows compassion to foundlings like her.

“It conveys the message that there are laws and jurisprudence that foundlings can rely on in pur-suing their case,” Poe said.

She said Sereno’s legal empha-sis on foundlings bolsters her as-sertion that she is a natural-born citizen and qualified to run for president in this year’s elections.

“This certainly buoys up the argument raised by my lawyer during the oral argument,” said Poe whose disqualification on the questions over her citizen-ship brought on by her detractors remains pending before the Su-preme Court.

The Commission on Elections canceled Poe’s Certificate of Candidacy for president after it decided she is not a natural-born citizen.

During the Supreme Court’s oral arguments on Poe’s disqualifica-tion cases, Sereno said the country’s adoption laws recognize foundlings or children with no known parents as Filipino citizens.

Reacting to the Comelec’s mov-ing of the printing of the ballots to Feb. 8 from Feb. 1, Poe said the poll body was working within a realistic time line.

“We should let them do their job,” said Poe whose name was in-cluded by the Comelec in its initial draft of the list of candidate to the elections.

“What stands right now is the Supreme Court’s TRO on the cancellation of my Certificate of Candidacy, and this means that I remain a candidate,” Poe said.

“Without the lifting of the TRO, my name remains in the ballot.” macon Ramos-araneta

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Poll code placed in escrow

Envoy lauds Edca benefits

THE historic maritime boundary treaty between the Philippines and Indonesia that was reached peaceably after more than 20 years of talks got a boost Wednesday after Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. agreed to endorse the treaty’s ratification.

“This is a very important agreement with our neighbor, Indonesia. We will sponsor this for concurrence of the Sen-ate as soon as possible,” said Marcos who chairs the sub-committee on the treaty which requires the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the Senate.

Signed on May 23, 2014 after 20 years of negotiations, the treaty draws the bound-ary between the overlapping EEZ of the two countries, specifically in Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea.

An EEZ is a sea zone defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea over which a state has special rights on exploration and use of marine resources. It stretches from the baseline out to 200 nautical miles.

It was Marcos who authored the Unclos-

compliant Philippine Baselines Law, or Re-public Act 9522, during his term as Ilocos Norte congressman.

Marcos noted that a clear demarcation of the EEZ boundaries between the two coun-tries would not only prevent conflict be-tween Filipino and Indonesian fishermen, but also pave the way for closer cooperation in protection of the environment, increased trade and maritime security.

“The valuable experience we had in conducting years of negotiation with In-donesia provides us with a roadmap on how to resolve our maritime territorial dispute with other countries, particularly the one with China in the West Philippine Sea” Marcos added.

Marcos has been urging the govern-ment to exhaust all diplomatic efforts to resolve the row with Beijing, including bi-lateral and multi-lateral talks, back-door channels, as well as cultural and educa-tional exchanges to ease the relations be-tween the two countries strained by the maritime territorial row.

Marcos backs treaty

In escrow. Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista hands over in escrow the source code for the automation system of the 2016 national elections to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Vicente Aquino. DANNY PATA

By Vito Barcelo

EVEN if the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is only an extension of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Phil-ippines and the United States, it provides benefits that benefit both countries, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg said Wednesday.

Goldberg said in a radio interview that the agreement was only made “controversial” be-cause of the objections of Filipino activists, but the pact itself offers advantages to both nations.

“What we are doing is mutually beneficial,” Goldberg said. “For the Philippines, it means a closer relationship. It builds a minimum credible defense as it works to ensure mari-time security and humanitarian assistance.”

“The Edca [also] allows the US to be more present in the region, helps carry out the ‘re-balance’ goal of the Obama administration. So it’s mutually beneficial,” he added.

The ambassador agreed with the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the constitu-tionality of the agreement because it was only an executive agreement carrying out the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement.

“These are the documents on which Edca is based. It will help us to help the Philippines do more in trying to carry out its goal of building a defense that allows it to have some assurance in its maritime space,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg granted the rare radio interview as US Secretary of State John Kerry traded barbs with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the nuclear activities of North Korea and the regional dispute over parts of the South China Sea.

China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, was infuriated by US warnings that its activities threaten the freedom of navi-gation in the busy commercial shipping lanes.

The US has said it takes no position on the claims, but maritime disputes should be set-tled peacefully and a binding code of conduct be forged with other claimant countries.

“We talked about the possibility of a dip-lomatic way forward and Foreign Minister Wang Yi accepted the idea that it would be worth exploring whether or not there was a way to reduce the tensions and solve some of the challenges through diplomacy,” Kerry said after his meeting with Wang.

But the US also said Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou’s planned trip to the Taiwanese-held island of Itu Aba is “extremely unhelp-ful” a US official said on Wednesday.

Tough fight. Lottie Manalo, sister of Iglesia ni Cristo executive minister Eduardo Manalo, appears at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing of the land title dispute case filed against her by her former church. JANSEN ROMERO

By Sara Susanne FabunanTHE Commission on Elections on Wednesday placed the source code for the country’s automated election system in escrow with the Bangko Sentral ng Pili-pinas as required by the poll election law.

In a simple ceremony held at the BSP compound in Manila, Comelec Chair-man Andres Bautista surrendered the source code of the Election Management System component of the automated elec-tion system to the central bank.

“We need to deposit the source code to the BSP since it is required by the Repub-lic Act No. 9369,” Bautista said.

Section 9 of the Poll Automation Law provides that the source code must be kept in escrow with the Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas.Placed inside a safety deposit box is the

thumb drive containing the source code, binary codes, and hash codes of the EMS; as well as the certifications of the techni-cal evaluation committee, the Comelec and the international certification firm, SLI Global Solutions.

The escrow agreement was concluded just hours after the Comelec, SLI, and AES service provider, Smartmatic Inter-national, completed the “trusted build” process of the EMS on Tuesday.

“It is provided by law that we need to have it escrowed as soon as the trusted build is completed,” Bautista said.

“The BSP is the most secured place in the Philippines,” said BSP Deputy Gover-nor Vicente Aquino.

“We ensure that this source code, the safety deposit box containing the source code will be safely kept. We will ensure that it will be safe. We will not touch it. We will not look into it. We will not look at it. We will just ensure that it is there un-touched by anyone,” Aquino said.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, meanwhile, said the separate source codes for the Consolidation and Canvassing System as well as the Vote Counting Machines will also be placed in escrow by Feb. 9.

“The source code review and trusted build of the CCS and VCMs are not yet finished so we decided to go ahead with the EMS [escrow],” said Lim, who is the Comelec—Steering Committee for the 2016 polls chairman.

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Envoy lauds Edca benefits

‘Power market can’t collect fines’

Romualdez: Use phones, technology as tools to save lives Congressman martin romual-dez stressed on Wednesday the need for leveraging the latest tools in mapping and information and com-munication technology to enhance the country’s disaster preparedness during natural calamities such as ty-phoons, floods and earthquakes.

“response readiness is key because the Philippines is located in one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world,” said romualdez, a 2016 senatorial candidate.

The UP-trained lawyer cited a United nations economic and social Commission for the asia and the Pacific report that stated people from the asia Pacific region are four times more likely to be affected by natural disasters than those living in africa, and 25 times more likely than those living in europe or north america.

The Un study added that the region generated a quarter of the world’s gDP but it accounted for a staggering 85 percent of deaths and 38 percent of global economic losses from 1980 to 2009.

“High-tech satellite mapping is of course very useful, but the experience of other countries such as Japan and India during calamities shows that even simple technologies such as smartphone apps, coupled with active community participation, goes a long way,” the solon observed.

“The phone is not just a tool for texting and making calls anymore. In other countries, these devices are being used for community mapping and creating a sturdy geospatial database.”

“our Department of science and Technology [DosT], for instance, can encourage IT students in our high schools and universities, through a nationwide competition, to develop an app that could be useful during calamities,” offered romualdez.

“gaming and social networking features can even be integrated to make the system attractive to everyone. The point is, we need to start thinking out of the box. Investing in technological solutions doesn’t necessarily entail high expense allocation from the government,” romualdez added.

Taking advantage of the quo-rum since monday, the House in plenary session approved meas-ures strengthening the public-private partnership, institution-alizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and removing investment restrictions in the For-eign Investment negative List.

speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said these bills are included in the priority bills of the 16th Congress,

even as he vowed approval of these measures on third and final read-ing during the last session days of Congress next week.

The House was able to muster a quorum since monday.

Belmonte stressed the measure institutionalizing and strength-ening the PPP seeks “to recog-nize the indispensable role of the private sector as the main engine for national growth and

House musters quorum,okays anti-poverty billsBy Maricel V. Cruz

The house of Representatives on Tuesday night approved on second reading several measures that coincide with anti-poverty programs of the Aquino administration.

development, create an ena-bling environment for PPP.” It was principally authored by Belmonte, majority Leader and mandaluyong rep. neptali gonzales II, marikina rep. miro Quimbo, chair of the House com-mittee on ways and means, and Benguet rep. ronald Cosalan.

The measure also seeks to pro-vide the most appropriate incen-tives to mobilize private resources for the purpose of financing, de-sign, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure projects and services normally financed and undertaken by the government.

The PPP refers to a contractual arrangement between the imple-menting agency and the project

proponent for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance or any combi-nation thereof, of an infrastruc-ture facility, in which the project proponent bears significant risk, management responsibility or both.

Under the bill, PPP projects may be undertaken through any of the following: Build and Transfer; Build-Lease-and-Trans-fer; Build-own-and-operate; Bui ld-operate-and-Transfer; Build-Transfer-and-operate; Contract-add-and-operate; De-velop-operate-and Transfer; Joint Venture; operations and mainte-nance Contract; rehabilitate-op-erate-and-Transfer; and supply-and-operate.

Price cut. Motorists benefit from lower fuel prices as oil companies reduce pump prices for the third straight week in January due to a steady drop in world oil prices. Jansen RoMeRo

THe Court of appeals has rejected the bid of wholesale electricity spot market op-erator Philippine electricity market Corp. to collect P234 million from a power genera-tion firm allegedly involved in the collusion among industry players to manipulate elec-tricity prices in the spot mar-ket during the 2013 malam-paya shutdown.

In a 22-page decision, the Ca’s special Fifth Division through associate Justice stephen Cruz sustained the april 1, 2015 ruling issued by the regional Trial Court of Pasig City granting Ther-mal mobile Inc.’s petition for the issuance of an injunction stopping the PemC from de-manding payment of P234.9

million, representing finan-cial penalties for violation of the must offer rule.

The mor requires gen-eration companies to offer all their registered capacity to the wholesale electricity spot market in order to avoid mar-ket manipulation through the artificial withholding of capacity or offering at an in-sanely high price such that it will not be dispatched.

PemC, which acts as the market operator that governs Wesm, found several viola-tions of the mor, and Tmo was found to be one of the big-gest violators, liable for 3,578 counts of breach of the mor and was fined P243.9 million.

Because of this, Tmo sought refuge from the

Pasig City rTC, which in turn stopped PemC from demanding payment of the penalties.

The appellate court agreed with the assertions of Tmo that the payment of the huge amount would jeopardize its operations.

“In the instant case, Tmo sufficiently established the importance of the issuance of the writ of preliminary injunc-tion. Tmo, in its comment to PemC’s petition for review, mentioned that it is not fi-nancially capable to settle the financial penalty. as such pay-ment of the enormous penalty amounting to P234,900,000 would be a threat to its very ex-istence,” the Ca stressed.

Rey Requejo

Bomb drill. A parking ticket attendant watches while scene-of-crime operatives conduct a bomb explosion simulation drill at a mall in Divisoria Market in Manila on Wednesday Jan. 27, 2016. DannY PaTa

A6

SC ruling invites piracy—groups

IPR owners, advocates and even lawyers questioned the ruling of the Court’s Third Division, which they warned would open the country’s floodgates to pirates and IPR viola-tors that would transform the Philip-pines into a world-wide piracy haven.

One of the intellectual property firms in the country, Federis & As-sociates, was even baffled with the ruling of the high tribunal, which al-lowed the registration of the identical trademark of Taiwan Kolin Corpora-tion Ltd. against the existing trade-

mark of local firm Kolin Electronics Co. Inc., both firms of which are en-gaged in the sale and manufacture of electronic products.

Federis & Associates and other IPR law practitioners have raised the pros-pects that the questionable decision of the SC would invite and encourage pi-rates and other IPR owner-violators in the country to move for legal recogni-tion and protection from the Intellec-tual Property Office of the Philippines by using the precedent ruling.

The same would apply to pirating

By Rey E. Requejo INTELLECTUAL property owners and advocates on Tuesday criticized the Supreme Court for rendering a decision that allows the registration of a trademark against a similarly and legally existing one that has long been protected by intellectual property rights laws and regulations, including the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Motorbikes for hire halted over safety woes

Bicameral team agrees to keephazard pay, perks intact—Recto

and infringing international firms which could not seek IPR protection in countries where there are strict adherence, enforcement and obser-vance of IPR laws, by coming into the Philippines and registering for an identical or similar protection.

“In a recent decision, the Supreme Court allowed the registration owned by two competing companies, for an identical trademark, used in connec-tion with goods in the same Class, thereby effectively throwing the doors wide open to trademark copy-ing and creating a climate for poten-tial consumer confusion,” Federis & Associates said, in a statement.

In 2002, Taiwan Kolin applied for trademark registration for “KOLIN” before the IPO for its electronic prod-ucts under Class 9 of the Nice Clas-sification (Application), but KECI op-posed the registration, saying it was similar to its “KOLIN” trademark that has already been legally existing, pro-

tected and used, having been registered also under Class 9 with the IPO.

KECI also said the being sought trademark registration was not only identical but also confusing, officially supporting its claims with docu-ments of e-mail letters from consum-ers complaining about Taiwan Kolin products.

Not only consumers, but even com-panies like shipping lines and utility companies were also confused as to the businesses of the two companies.

KECI’s trademark case against the Taiwanese company was held by the Bureau of Legal Affairs of the IPO and even by the Court of Appeals where TKC appealed.

Having lost its case before the ap-pellate court, the Taiwan Kolin ap-pealed to the SC where it earned the favors of the court, which ruled among others that the marks of KECI and Taiwan Kolin have distinct visual and aural differences.

Crop loss. Jahalidin Amilil, 17, works in a corn field in Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Rat infestation has reduced corn harvest to only 80 percent of the crop. MARK NAVALES

T HUR SDAY : JANUARY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

[email protected]

No hope in SSL. Members of the Advocates of Science & Technology for the People picket outside the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration office in Quezon City to oppose the Salary Standardization Law IV which they say will scrap their combat /hazard pay and related benefits. JANSEN ROMERO

By Macon Araneta

DESPITE the deadlock in the congressional nego-tiation on the proposed government pay hike, Sen-ate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said there was a “tripartite agreement” on a provision guaranteeing that the magna carta ben-efits of state workers will not be taken away.

Recto said that the House and the Senate panels ham-mering out the proposed Salary Standardization Law have agreed to insert “a non-diminution of ben-efits” clause in the measure.

The provision, which will form part of Section 8 of SSL IV, states: “Nothing in this Act shall be inter-preted to reduce, dimin-ish, or alter benefits pro-

vided for in existing laws on Magna Carta benefits.”

This provision, Recto said, has the support of the Department of Budget and Management. “This was sent to them and they concurred.”

Recto said this clause “ef-fectively inoculates Magna Carta benefits from being erased or eroded. It re-moves all ambiguities in the measure that can be interpreted as a pay cut, rather than a pay hike.”

“The SSL bill has been rectified to do just that: raise their pay and do so without cutting any of the benefits they receive un-der present laws,” Recto said.

He commended mem-bers of the Bicameral Committee Conference

“for heeding the calls of affected civil servants and accepting my proposed amendment.”

Recto had earlier writ-ten to the House and Senate conferees to pro-pose an amendment that “nothing in the SSL IV shall be interpreted to re-duce, diminish or, in any way, alter the benefits pro-vided for in existing laws on Magna Carta benefits for specific officials and employees in government, regardless of whether said benefits have been already received or have yet to be implemented.”

He said the above mere-ly reiterated the existing provision in the Salary Standardization Law III, which is the one in effect today.

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regula-tory Board on Wednesday blocked the operation of app-based motorbikes for hire as another alternative transportation in Metro Manila Chairman Win-ston Ginez said the LT-FRB is left with no option but to stop the MyTaxi.ph from operating GrabBike.

He said the Department of Transportation and Communications has not yet issued any guidelines that would authorize the operation of such mode of transportation.

Under a department order, the operation of GrabBike using the In-ternet-based technology platform is not authorized.

“As part our mission to ensure the riding public’s safety and convenience, we will not tolerate transportation network companies to provide transport service using motorcycles or bikes un-til we have set the proper guidelines and regula-tions,” Ginez maintained.

LTRFB issued a cease-and-desist order, advising MyTaxi.ph to stop the use of bikes and motorcycles due to safety and authori-zation issues.

It also ordered MyTaxi.ph to explain in writ-ing its operation with-out the authority of any concerned government agency. With PNA

[email protected]


NEWS A7

Authorities nab American for shabuGENERAL SANTOS CITY—Anti-drug operatives arrested an American citizen after allegedly being found in possession of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in a hotel here early Wednesday.

By Rio N. Araja

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday dismissed a Bohol mayor from government service over fake travel reimbursements.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Mo-rales ordered the dismissal of former Cortes, Bohol Mayor Apolinaria Balis-toy, who was also meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Balistoy was also barred from taking the Civil Service Commission’s eligibility examinations.

She was found guilty of serious dis-honesty, grave misconduct and falsifica-tion of official document for defrauding the government.

The Ombudsman said Balistoy used falsified and dubious official receipts and certificates of attendance for four train-ing modules to secure reimbursement of expenses for the trainings from May to October 2010.

In case of separation from the service,

the penalty is convertible to a fine equiva-lent to respondent’s one year salary.

“These certificates were used to obtain reimbursements for travel and training expenses totaling P155,789. However, the Field Investigation Office as com-plainant, presented documents that Bal-istoy attended meetings in the provinces, instead of the trainings in Metro Manila,” the resolution read.

“It would have been physically im-possible for respondent to have been at three different and geographically dis-tant places all on the same day.”

Kath Abad, public in-formation officer of the Philippine Drug Enforce-ment Agency in Region 12, said suspect Hyun Seong Hong was nabbed following a search in his room at the Microtel ho-tel in Barangay Dadian-gas Heights at 1:10 a.m.

She said the operation, which was directly super-vised by PDEA-12 direc-tor Lyndon Aspacio, was based on a search warrant issued by the Regional Tri-al Court here.

According to Abad, agents recovered from Hong’s “possession and control” around 10 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P75,000, three pieces alumi-num foil strips, an impro-vised tooter, an improvised needle and a roll of alumi-num foil during a raid.

“The suspect is current-ly undergoing investiga-tion and will be subjected to a drug test,” she said in a statement.

Abad said they staged

the operation based on a tip from an informant about the presence of sha-bu at Hong’s hotel room.

She said they immedi-ately applied for a search warrant after getting ini-tial confirmation on the matter.

PDEA-12 records showed that the 53-year-old Hong, who is report-edly a businessman, is a resident of 2710 Park Way, Irvine, California in the United States and just on vacation in the city.

The suspect, who is a US immigrant from South Korea, was listed by the agency as a “high value target.”

Abad said Hong, who is currently detained at the PDEA-12 lockup, will be charged for violation of Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) and Section 12 (possession of drug paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehen-sive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Ombudsman dismisses Bohol mayor

Farm tricks. A farmer uses a plastic container as he conserves precious water to manage the drought’s effects on the vegetable farms of La Trinidad, Benguet. DAVID CHAN

Kitchen savvy. A local chef displays his skills during a cookfest at the founding anniversary of Carigara, Leyte. MEL CASPE

LABOR and Employment Secre-tary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Wednesday said the depart-ment’s P3.5-million Emergency Employment Program in Region VIII has benefited 455 workers in Allen, Northern Samar.

Citing the report of regional director Elias Cayanong, Baldoz said the beneficiaries of the fund assistance are emergency employ-ment workers from 20 barangays of Allen, who were victims of the Typhoon “Nona.”

The typhoon struck on Dec.

14, 2015.“They received P7,800.00 each

for the services they rendered dur-ing their 30-day emergency em-ployment,” she said.

Cayanong said: “We saw the damage brought by the Typhoon Nona and we consider it pure joy to help, and somehow bring relief to our fellows in the region.”

The pay-out was held on Jan. 6 in Allen with town Mayor Rodrean Suan in attendance.

The 20 barangays which ben-efited from the emergency employ-

ment program were Cabacungan, Zone 2, Londres, Imelda, Lipata, Bonifacio, Sta. Rita, Jubasan, Vic-torio, Alejandro, Lagundi, Calaray-an, Tas Villa, Looc, Kinaguityan, Kinababwon Zone 1, Kinababwon Zone 2, Guinarawayan, Frederick and Sabang Zone 1.

“The P7,800 I received from DoLE today means a lot to me and my family. I am determined to use it to help us recover from the dam-age of the recent typhoon,” Chris-tine Galino from Brgy. Cabacun-gan said.

DoLE’s employment programbenefits 455 N. Samar workers

(and, at the time, suspended) PNP chief Alan Purisima, by far the most trusted police official of Aquino, who was calling the shots, from soup to nuts, as they say. The heavy-handed presence of Purisima only proved that Aquino was on top of the situation, even if every civilian and uniformed witness worked hard and long in the Senate to convince us that this was not so.

Once again, the spectacle at the Senate highlighted the propensity of this administration to claim credit only when good things happen. When the smelly

OPINIONA8

[ EDI TORI A L ]

WHAT’S OUR BRAND?

A9ADELLE CHUAE D I T O R


OPINION

CHOOSE your poison: Either President Noynoy Aquino is not in charge or he is.

Either way, disaster strikes. And we are no closer to getting to the bottom of the butchering of 44 members of the Special Action Force last year than we were before yesterday’s Senate hearing.

I can accept that the seven-hour hearing conducted by Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile failed to live up to its earlier promise of uncovering “new, explosive evidence” about the President’s involvement in the massacre. But anyone who has eyes and ears will also be forced to conclude that the only reason the government, military and police officers who were invited went to the hearing was to prove that Aquino was not in command, as he

should have been.It defies all logic, reason

and whatever evidence is at hand to claim that former SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas, as witness after witness claimed, was acting alone in Mamasapano. The high-value target that was Marwan, after all, was the object of at least 10 police-military “oplans” and a sustained, well-funded manhunt by the anti-terrorist advisers of the United States in the Philippines.

Then there was former

RECKONING POSTPONED

SEVENTY years after the end of the Second World War, the geopolitical landscape in our part of the world has completely changed. Japan, our bitter enemy in that war, is now a strategic friend, our biggest trading partner and aid provider. China, our friend and ally in that war, on the other hand is no longer one of our best friends. Although we continue to trade and be as civil as possible with each other, the relationship is strained. This is because of our conflicting interests relative to the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea as we call it. China has claimed almost all of it and is enforcing that claim with its might. China has become the Japan of the 1930s—expansionist and daring in projecting its new found power.

As a result, many countries in the region are reassessing their strategic priorities and alliances. Prior to the increased tensions in the South and East China Sea. Japan has always concentrated its affairs towards the west. It is after all one of the G7 countries and proud of it. It is the only Asian country in that exclusive club. But times have changed. China now dwarfs Japan in both economic and military power. Unquestionably, China has become a serious threat to Japan. Now, Japan is drifting back to Asia where it belongs. It is undergoing tremendous self-examination to find ways to confront Chinese designs.

Although the United States remains the anchor of its defense alliance, Japan is trying to find ways to strengthen its relationships with other countries like us that are very concerned with Chinese intentions. With the reinterpretation of the Japanese pacifist constitution, we now see Japan more willing to engage in areas that were once taboo to the Japanese government. We will now receive about 10 new coast guard ships from Japan; there is also that possibility that they would transfer defense equipment. We are beginning to conduct joint maritime exercises and see more Japanese navy ships calling on our ports. Just recently, Japan agreed to provide $2 billion in concessional loans to finish our stalled railway project to Bulacan. It is the largest single concessional loan given by Japan.

It is in this atmosphere that we welcome Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to our country for a five-day state visit. That the Philippines was chosen for this very rare state visit is significant because Japan suffered more than 500,000 combat casualties here. This is not however, their first trip to this country. I remember their

THE EMPEROR’S

VISIT

stuff hits the ventilating appliance, Aquino is suddenly not involved or even in charge.

I’m willing to bet anything that, had Oplan Exodus ended only with the safe delivery of Marwan’s severed finger, Aquino—from his nearby field office in Zamboanga —would have crowed loud and long about how his government had neutralized the Bali bomber and his chief Filipino accomplice. But when the 55th SAF Company got involved

in an encounter with Moro rebels, Aquino was suddenly no longer in command.

This can’t be possible, of course. As yesterday’s refresher course on the massacre showed once again, Aquino focused only on the operation to get Marwan—but basically (and oh so callously) left the police commandos caught in a day-long battle with the rebels to fend for themselves.

Sometimes, fate intervenes

and makes minced meat out of even the best-laid plans. And I believe that, while Aquino and his henchmen may claim yesterday to be a victory of their massive and continuing cover-up operation post-Mamasapano, this is not the last time that the killing of 44 policemen will come back to haunt this feckless and insensitive President.

There will be a reckoning. Yesterday was not it, but it is sure to come. Continued on A11

A RECENT American movie portrays a presidential election as nothing but a public relations game, where candidates are managed as products and are prompted to do and say things that would improve their image, hence, their performance in the polls.

The protagonist, commissioned to help a candidate get elected to the top position in his country, decides to create, instead, a brand for the people’s situation—a brand that eventually shows the candidate as the ultimate solution.

The brand that is chosen is crisis. People are poor, the streets are not safe, local industries are not protected against external threats, and the IMF is set to come in and intervene with the economy. With the emphasis that the nation will continue on its downward spiral if the crisis is not averted, the candidate is presented as the savior.

He is trained to dress a certain way, speak a certain way, own up to his human failings, and utter certain promises that soon assuage the fears of his staunchest critics.

He wins. As soon as he gets the outcome that he wants, however, he reneges on his promises.

The PR work is considered successful.If it weren’t Hollywood, it might as well be the circus that is politics in the

Philippines. Indeed, the candidates are packaged as brands, polished and reinvented every so

often, designed to appeal to the voters. Thus we have the fierce senator who is not afraid to speak her mind, the foundling who is now being bullied for her citizenship and residency, the scion of a prominent clan who attended the best schools and who is trying hard to connect with the masses despite his background, the poor, dark, self-made man who is being pilloried his apparent appeal to the masses, and the maverick mayor from the south who seems best able to govern with brawn.

Sadly, however, the Filipino voters have a brand, as well—the poor, unthinking lot who would sell their votes, literally or otherwise, to the highest bidder.

Our brand is desperation. People who cannot find jobs vote with their feet, by going out to foreign shores despite the social costs to their families and despite the risks in their destinations. The overtaxed middle class—the workhorses of the economy—have to deal with debilitating traffic and a deteriorated public transport system.

Our brand is hypocrisy. Despite claims that this administration treads the straight and narrow path, we see double standards of justice, we see evasion of responsibility and we see tolerance—nay, encouragement—of mediocrity. Everything that goes wrong is blamed on some other person, never the leader, never the leader’s friends.

Our brand is missed opportunities. The tragedy is that this is not some public relations stunt.

It defies all logic, reason

and whatever evidence is at hand to claim that Napeñas acted alone.

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES

[email protected]

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Francis Lagniton News Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares City Editor Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

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DUTYCALLS

FLORENCIOFIANZA

Continued on A11

I cannot say without any contradiction that the fascination of some sectors with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Du-Dirty”—a self-confessed killer and a womanizer with two wives and two girlfriends—is waning.

“Du-Dirty” became a flash in the pan with his promise to kill all crimi-nals by hanging them within six months of assuming office. Some people and sectors, dis-mayed at the lack of po-litical will on the part of BS Aquino III, think it is all right to go after illegal drug manufactur-ers and traffickers. They find in Duterte some-body to solve our prob-lems.

There were state-ments, in the beginning, that Duterte is the Presi-dent they would like to have.

Now they have real-ized that the man who they thought would be their answer to crime

and corruption is the representation of cor-ruption. Womanizing and killing are forms of corruption.

This disenchantment shows in the latest Social Weather Stations ratings showing him as only No. 4 among the roll of presidential candidates led by Vice President Jojo Binay who is again No. 1 in the survey poll ratings.

There’s likewise the disqualification case hanging over his head. Remember, he is only substituting.

The only advocacy I believe in is the conver-sion of the form of gov-ernment from a repub-lican system with two chambers of Congress into a federal form of government. But even “Du-Dirty” may find this difficult to imple-ment because it would entail an amendment of the Constitution.

Personally, when

“Du-Dirty” claims that he could make the country crime-free and corruption-free, I have serious doubts. Davao City is not the Philippines. His advocacy for hanging criminals within six months of his term is easier said than done. My gulay, that would do away with the rule of law and due process!

* * *Mrs. Mary Grace Na-

tividad Kelly Poe Lla-manzares does not lack people defending her as the Supreme Court hears her disqualifica-tion case. The Commis-sion on Elections has found her ineligible to run for president be-cause she is not natural-born and she lacks the 10-year residency.

No less than Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said that foundlings are presumed to be Filipino citizens. And Associate Justice

Marvic Leonen shares Sereno’s sentiment, saying that the high court should ensure that no one should be marginalized when the Supreme Court rendered its judgment.

Sereno presented two laws on the adoption of Filipino children, in-dicating that Congress accorded foundlings the constitutional presump-tion of being Filipino citizens. The laws on adoption are Repub-lic Act 8552, or an Act Establishing the Rules and Policies in the Do-mestic Adoption of Filipino Children and for other Purposes. the law provides that in the case of foundlings, the child placement agency should exert all efforts to find his or her bio-logical parents. And if efforts fail, the child will be registered as a found-ling and considered abandoned.

OPINIONT H U R S D AY : J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

A10

DURING the reopen-ing of the investigation into the deaths of the SAF 44 in Mamasapa-no, the revelations were clear that:

• BS Aquino III as President, chief execu-tive, and top cop of the Philippine National Police, was in charge of “Oplan Exodus” from beginning to end.

• That BS Aquino III made then-suspended PNP Chief Alan Puri-sima, his best friend, in charge of “Oplan Exo-dus,” that resulted in the slaughter of 44 po-lice commandos.

• That BS Aquino III hid behind Purisima to deflect his ultimate accountability, respon-sibility and liability for the slaughter of the 44 police commandos.

• That there was no coordination at all be-tween the President (and Purisima) on one hand, and the Armed Forces of the Philip-pines on the other, de-spite the promise of Purisima that he would coordinate with the AFP.

• That the Ameri-cans were involved in “Oplan Exodus” fur-nishing SAF the intel-ligence reports on the terrorist, especially Marwan with a $5-mil-lion bounty on his head. (Why were the Americans involved in the police operations?)

• That the AFP com-mand, particularly

then-Chief of Staff Gregorio Catapang, was completely un-aware of what was go-ing on in Mamasapano, and that the Defense Secretary was kept out of the loop.

• That the chain of command in both the PNP and the AFP were in complete paralysis that day, which raises the question: Was it not the duty of President Aquino to know what was happening with “Oplan Exodus?”

There were attempts on the part of admin-istration senators like Senate Yellow-Ribbon Committee chairman TG Guingona, a re-electionist running under the administra-tion ticket, to steer the conversation away from BS Aquino III’s role and accountabil-ity in Mamasapano. They claimed that BS Aquino III was not aware that the police were being surrounded by a combined force of the Moro rebels from the Moro Islamic Lib-eration Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and other groups.

Purisima supposedly informed the President that there were only 20 or so of the rebels engaged in the armed conflict.

Santa Banana, was Purisima misinform-ing BS Aquino III so that his interest would seem to be in the arrest of Marwan with the $5-million bounty on his head?

Since I had to meet my afternoon deadline, I was unable to listen to the afternoon hearing. Enrile had many more questions to ask.

Definitely, BS Aquino III was directly, truly li-able for the death of the 44 police commandos.

This is something he has to answer for when he steps down on June 30.

* * *As a political observ-

er of political events of presidential election,

THE PRESIDENT’S

LIABILITY

LET’S TALK ABOUT SLEXLAST week, the House of Repre-sentatives’ special committee on Southern Tagalog Development passed what could be a landmark committee report which aims to give legal basis for the extension of the South Luzon Expressway from where it is physically present now up to the Bicol Region. As of pres-ent, P.D. 1894, which is already 30 years old stands as the legal frame-work and it merely states that the extension of the SLEX shall be from Nichols to Lucena city.

This legislative proposal has been long overdue, even before in-clusive growth became a buzzword of the Aquino administration. It has been more than 30 years since Presidential Decree No. 1894 pro-vided for the construction of the SLEX from Nichols to Lucena City, and three decades is a long-enough time for such a law to become myo-pic given the rate of change in the country’s economy.

And it is precisely this speed of changes in the country’s socioeco-nomic status that is the reason why infrastructure has to catch up. The Imperial Manila perspective not-withstanding, Metro Manila traf-fic woes become national news by virtue of the concentration of in-dustrial hubs in the NCR, which is a basically a compounded problem stemming from poor infrastructure planning over the years. The SLEX is no stranger to these gridlocks, and it is not unheard of that a virtu-al parking lot would once in a while extend from the metro to SLEX and vice versa.

Solving traffic problems is but a fraction of how extending the reach of the SLEX can contribute

to the problem of overcrowding in Metro Manila. The need of Filipi-nos for more interconnectedness not only refers to the information superhighway, but also the physical highways—this most integral in-frastructure literally paves way for other infrastructure. Our provinces deserve more infrastructure devel-opment, as this attracts economic activity away from the congested metropolis. The infrastructure needs to be there when businesses and investors, seduced by the up-beat Philippine economy, looks outside Manila for a place on which they can dig their heels. The prov-inces provide an alternative to the Metro Manila traffic, air pollution, the high costs of living, and more.

Commerce should come to the countryside. This shift is not only good for business and the economy, but also for Filipinos who need not to leave the beauty of their home-towns just to find livelihood in Metro Manila.

Where the arteries of an ex-tended SLEX can reach, the flow of goods and services becomes more efficient and cost effective. An im-proved linkage between the SLEX and the Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QuBex) benefits not only the areas directly connected by the roads, but also the economies of Metro Manila and down to the Leyte and Samar via the RoRo. The roads precede the further interconnectedness of

our national grids for electricity and telecommunications.

Note that these expressways are maintained by the service operators while our National Roads are maintained by the government. By extending the reach of the SLEX, we decrease the expenses of the government in maintaining and repairing the national roads that currently link the expressway to QuBex and other roads. These government funds therefore can be reallocated to other crucial infrastructure projects, allowing prudence and efficiency in delivering public service to our taxpayers. In my years as legislator, this is a welcome change from the familiar tenor of the chambers when passing numerous bills that designate provincial roads to national jurisdiction.

Developing the country’s infra-structure is a perennial campaign platform, and yet always an unfin-ished job for any administration, that in turn hinders other prom-ises of progress. A predominantly agricultural country should always have in mind ways of how country roads would be turned into fast lanes. The economic gains from the last few years should be reflected in public works as the physical mani-festation of how inclusive growth reaches the provinces. The next ad-ministration should therefore step up infrastructure initiatives better than President Aquino has, includ-ing possibly increasing infrastruc-ture spending from three percent to five. Doing so could enable our policy makers to expand to other areas in the Philippines what the SLEX extension aims to achieve.

Mr. Aquino will answer for all this

at the right time.

TO THE POINT

EMIL P. JURADO

MINORITYREPORT

DANILOSUAREZ

[email protected]

Continued on A11

A11T H U R S D AY : J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

TAX-EXEMPT ONE, EXEMPT ALLTHE House speedily ap-proved a bill on Tuesday ex-empting Pia Alonzo Wurtz-bach from having to pay taxes on her Miss Universe prizes, considering her ac-complishment of winning the 2015 Miss Universe Crown.

Wurtzbach’s feat is indeed laudable, considering that it comes after a four-decade drought and much dedica-tion, determination, and sac-rifice on her part to succeed. Having brought a major hon-or to the country, she was re-cently honored with a street parade and parties, and the tax exemption.

It is only right that her achievement be recognized; these accolades provides comfort—consuelo—for all her troubles, and incentive for her to do more in the fu-ture. We her countrymen are proud of her and are happy to provide her with the rewards that she deserves.

Here’s a point to ponder —if she gets an exemption, shouldn’t all achieving Filipi-nos also be rewarded with tax exemptions?

Boxer-congressman Man-

ny Pacquiao’s verbal spar-ring with Bureau of Internal Revenue head Kim Henares is now the stuff of legend. The tough BIR commission-er vowed to collect the last penny of taxes on Pacquiao’s boxing earnings due the government. Certainly Pac-quiao’s achievements over the years and stature in the sweet science certainly stack up compared to Wurtzbach’s one crown.

Last 27 Aug. 2015, Filipina boxer and mixed martial arts fighter Jujeath Nagaowa ex-pressed her hurt over P5,819 in taxes imposed by the Bureau of Customs on her championship belt, earned for winning the international light flyweight of the Wom-en’s International Boxing As-sociation.

The belt was said to have a dutiable value of P20,147.77; customs duty on that amount was P3,027.13 and value add-ed tax was P2,782. Nagaowa said that computation was arrived at by a BoC employee who compared the belt with another championship belt. In other words, the tax was not based on the actual cost

or value of the belt, but on the guesstimate of an employee.

Nagaowa’s friends helped pony up the amount so that she could get the belt, “the only evidence I have that once in my existence” of the honor she earned after 10 rounds of battle in the ring.

Is it that athletes are treat-ed differently? Granted that Wurtzbach’s achievement was extraordinary, all achieve-ments in whatever field may also be said to be extraordi-nary and special.

Surely all Filipino achiev-ers, whatever their field, de-serve the same treatment, courtesy, and respect from their government, consider-ing that they did their best and gave their all for the hon-or of flag and country.

* * *Speaking of Filipinos

bringing honor to the coun-try, it’s January, the dead of winter in Memphis, TN, and once again time for the sizzling hot 32nd Interna-tional Blues Challenge which pits some 200 global bands against each other in an epic, massive, sing-off.

Under the auspices of the

Philippine Blues Society, the country has been fielding a delegate band to the event for the past several years. In 2014, Brat Pack placed among the top nine bands, the first band from Asia to do so. They repeated their feat last year, another his-toric achievement.

This year, pioneering blues band Lampano Alley is the chosen group, backed by Tom Colvin’s Blues Asia Network.

Lampano Alley’s veteran members are vocalist and songwriter Binky Lampano, guitarist Edwin “Kwachi” Vergara, bassist Simon Tan, and drummer Rey Vinoya. Joining them for the first time is blues harp player Ian Lofamia.

PBS director Roy Allan Magturo says the band “is in high spirits” and had a smooth rehearsal session in Los Angeles before fly-ing to Memphis. Their one-hour set in the International Showcase yesterday (Tues-day night in Memphis) at the Jerry Lee Lewis theater was a hit.

Magturo: “People loved it! It was an awesome per-

formance with Binky and Ian giving a one-two punch and Simon, Kwachi, and Rey laying the artillery fire. The crowd did not know what hit them. They were pleasantly surprised with the band’s performance.

“During the performance of the first two bands, there were hardly any people in the bar but when Lampano Al-ley performed, the place was packed full. Proud to be Pi-noy!”

Lampano said with char-acteristic understatement, “We had a great set according to the audience. A bit rough at the start but well enough to garner some new followers and a bit of an ovation.”

Their 14-song setlist for the showcase included Alley originals “Losing You” and “Mess It Up,” and Lofamia’s original instrumental “Rook’s Blues.”

The actual competition will take place on Thurs-day and Friday (Memphis time).

***Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste,

Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Ins-tagram: @jensdecembertagram: @jensdecember

POP GOES THE WORLD

JENNYORTUOSTE

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The emperor’s... From A9

first trip because they visited our school in Baguio and we students had to line up to welcome them. President Aquino did the right thing in breaking protocol to meet the Emperor and the Empress at the airport. Although there are outstanding unresolved issues that remain between our countries like the matter of comfort women, the Philippines is the one Asian country that has the most favorable view of the Japanese and has shown willingness to look to the future instead of dwelling on the past. Let us welcome their majesties and hope that their visit will be fruitful for both countries.

***As I write this piece, the

Mamasapano hearing is going on in the Senate. Senator Enrile is throwing incisive questions to the invited resource persons trying to extract from them what they know about what President Aquino did from the beginning to the end of Oplan Exodus.

The alleged recording in the possession of retired Police General

Diosdado Valeroso should also be played for whatever it’s worth. The threat issued by Senator Drilon about violating the Anti-Wiretapping Law should be dismissed. Senator Enrile is right. The Senate hearing is not a court of law but a legislative hearing in aid of legislation. Besides, why should the Anti-Wiretapping Law be used to protect people who might be culpable of crime? In fact, the Anti-Wiretapping Law has been the sanctuary of criminals planning and committing high crimes. The anti-wiretapping law, as I have written in the past, should be amended to protect only innocent communications and not to protect criminals who use current communication technologies to commit crime.

Case in point is our automated election system. Time and again, cause-oriented groups have pointed to the danger of electronic during elections but these have always fallen on deaf ears. No lawmaker has really looked into the pitfalls of our automated election system to find better safeguards so that the electorate will be electing the public officials they want. Maybe this is

because of the cheating culture that has become ingrained in our electoral culture. No candidate wants to lose and will always find a way to win or put one over his or her opponent. If that is by cheating, so be it.

The forthcoming elections in May will undoubtedly produce many enterprising schemes claiming to ensure the victory of certain candidates. Since there are a lot of gullible candidates, many of them will fall victims to this racket. But make no mistake—electronic manipulation can be done. It would depend on whether a candidate who wants to cheat can connect with the right and capable outfit that can do the manipulation. I know that there are still many who are skeptical that electronic manipulation can be done with all the safeguards being put back by the Comelec into Automated Election System but even with the safeguards, computer experts will insist that manipulation is still possible. Judging by what happened in the 2010 elections which was manipulated albeit crudely, the technology that will be employed in May must now be a lot more advanced.

The President’s... From A10

The question now is, granted that foundlings are presumed Filipino citizens are they natural born? The burden of proof is on Mrs. Llamanzares.

Sereno also showed Republic Act 8043, the law governing the inter-country adoption of Fili-pino children and indicated that foundlings fall within the cover-age of the inter-country adop-tion act of Filipino children.

She claims all these laws favor a foundling like Mrs. Llamanzares.

Granted that Mrs. Llamanzares is deemed natural-born, how about her residency which doesn’t meet the requirements under the Constitution?

Reckoning... From A9

* * *Still in the Senate, the Blue Ribbon sub-committee

that conducted 25 hearings dating back to August 2014 on allegations of corruption involving Vice President Jejomar Binay has finally closed shop this week. But not without some self-serving parting words from the prime mover of the long-running probe, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

According to the senator, the 25-hearing saga accomplished a couple of important goals: to bring down the ratings of Binay and to prepare for his impeachment, if he ever is elected President in the elections in May.

But Trillanes’ dubious victory speech just sounds like the consuelo de bobo of child who lost in a trivial game. Never mind, he seems to be saying, if I didn’t make any of my charges stick; at least there are other things I succeeded at, apart from my stated goal.

I doubt very much if Trillanes has succeeded at anything in the Binay investigation other than proving that he can be relied upon to keep pretending to be on to something even when he’s got nothing. In the end, even the third senator in the three-ring circus that Trillanes ran, Alan Peter Cayetano, abandoned the probe—perhaps aware of the possible effect of continuing the farce on his own plans for the vice presidency.

But I wonder if future congressional investigations in aid of political persecution will still be allowed. After all, to get back to the Mamasapano hearings, the Senate “only” conducted 10 hearings on that sensational massacre—Trillanes’ extended-play witchhunt held 15 more hearings than that, and ended up with even less than Senator Grace’s Poe’s committee on public order.

Whatever. The wonder of it all is that voters still elect people like Trillanes, who never work for their interest but only look out for their own, to further their selfish agendas.

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T HURSDAY : JANUARY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS

THE Los Angeles Clip-pers shrugged off the fu-ror surrounding Blake Griffin’s punch-induced hand injury on Tuesday to beat the Indiana Pac-ers 91-89.

Guard Chris Paul scored 26 points including a crucial jumper with just 33.7 seconds left on the clock as the Clippers held on in a frantic finale.

The road victory saw the Clip-pers improve to 29-16 for the season while Indiana fell to 23-22 after the game at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indi-ana.

The Clippers had been plunged into controversy earlier Tuesday after confirming that Griffin had suffered a broken bone in his hand after throwing a punch at an unidentified person.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers paid tribute to the way his side had re-acted to the controversy with vic-tory over Indiana.

“I think all the stuff in the last 48 hours, you always say it’s the game that brings your team back,” Rivers said. “You could kind of feel that tonight. That was a good win for our team.”

The Los Angeles Times re-ported that Griffin had at-tacked a member of the Clip-pers equipment staff during an altercation in Toronto over the weekend.

The incident left Griffin need-ing surgery to repair a spiral frac-ture in a metacarpal in his right hand, meaning he faces four to six weeks out.

Japan, Sokor footballers earn Olympic berths

Clippers shrug off Griffin injury, turn back Pacers

Australia warns athletes vs mosquitobites in Rio

AUSTRALIA’S Olympic athletes were Wednesday told to take pre-cautions against Zika-carrying mosquitoes at the Games in Bra-zil, with officials advising them to consider whether to travel to Rio de Janeiro if pregnant.

A surge in babies suffering from microcephaly, in which children have abnormally small heads, born to women infected with Zika has prompted warn-ings from Australia and other governments about travelling to affected countries.

In Brazil, Zika virus infections in pregnant women have been linked to 3,893 births of babies with mi-crocephaly compared to an aver-age of about 160 a year, the World Health Organisation has said.

The Australian Olympic Committee†(AOC) said the health of its team was “paramount”.

It warned that females of childbearing age “need to be aware of the specific risks of mi-crocephaly in newborns, should the mother become infected during pregnancy”.

“Any team members who are pregnant at the time of the Games need to consider the risks very carefully before deciding whether to proceed with travel to Brazil,” it said in a statement.

Australia’s Department of For-eign Affairs has advised pregnant women to consider postponing travel to Brazil. The Olympic Games begin on August 5.

The AOC said athletes and of-ficials would be given mosquito repellent, and told to wear long sleeves when they were at risk of bites from the insects such as in areas with stagnant water. AFP

ASIAN footballing giants Japan and South Korea qualified for the Rio Olym-pics and progressed to the final of the U-23 AFC championships with semi-final victories in Doha on Tuesday.

Both needed late goals with Japan scoring with virtually the last kick of the game to beat Iraq 2-1 and South Korea scoring twice in the last five min-utes to shatter hosts Qatar’s dream of appearing in the final and qualifying for the Olympics for the first time since 1992.

It is the 10th time Ja-pan have qualified for the Olympics and the seventh for South Korea.

Japan scraped through in the first semi-final thanks to Riki Harakawa’s fine left-foot finish in the 93rd min-ute.

Yuya Kobo had given Ja-pan the lead in the first half but that was wiped out at the end of 45 minutes by

Iraq’s Saad Nitaq.There was more late

drama in the second semi-final, when a dull game sparked to life after half-time.

South Korea took the lead early in the second-half thanks to an error from Qatar’s goalkeeper Mu-hammad Naim.

He rushed from his area to try to halt an attack but was left stranded some 30 yards from goal after being beaten to the ball by Ryo Seungwoo.

That sparked a frenetic final period with Qatar’s Ahmed Alla prompting wild scenes in Al Sadd sta-dium as his volley made it 1-1 with barely 10 minutes left.

Qatar poured forward for a winner and at that point looked the team most likely to get through to the fi-nal but a counter attack in the 89th minute saw Kwon Changhoon convert a cross and then with the last kick

of the match victory was se-cured by Moon Changhin.

The final will take place on January 30.

Qatar and Iraq will meet in the third place play-off on January 29, with the winner claiming the last AFC berth in Rio.

Among the 11,000-plus crowd in Doha on Tuesday was former Chelsea club doctor, Eva Carneiro.

Earlier this month she began a constructive dis-missal case in London against the English league champions after leaving Stamford Bridge last year.

She had been criticised by Chelsea coach Jose Mour-inho after treating Eden Hazard on the pitch in the opening game of the sea-son against Swansea, which led to her being relieved of first-team duties.

Mourinho has also sub-sequently left Chelsea.

Asked why she was in Qatar, Carneiro replied: “No comment.” AFP

Paul George (no.13) of the Indiana Pacers defends Wesley Johnson (no. 33) of the Los Angeles Clippers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Winner US Lindsey Vonn competes in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Women’s SuperG in Cortina d’Ampezzo, northern Italy. American Lindsey Vonn continued her seemingly unstoppable pursuit of Ingemar Stenmark’s World Cup victory record by winning the women’s super-G at Cortina d’Ampezzo to take the overall lead of the competition today. AFP

The 6ft 10in (2.08 meter) power forward now faces an internal investigation after the Clippers announced a sternly worded statement about the incident on Tuesday.

- Griffin apology -”This con-duct has no place in our organi-zation and this incident does not represent who we are as a team,” the Clipper said.

“We are conducting a full in-vestigation with assistance from the NBA. At the conclusion of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken.”

Griffin, 26, has not played since

suffering a torn quadriceps ten-don in late December.†

USA Today identified the target of Griffin’s assault as the Clippers’ assistant equipment manager Ma-tias Testi.

Griffin later issued an apology on Twitter.

“A situation among friends es-calated and I regret the way I han-dled myself towards someone I care about,” he wrote.†

“I want to apologize to the Clip-pers organization, my teammates and the fans for creating a distrac-tion.”

It is not the first time Griffin has

found himself in hot water over a physical altercation.

In 2014 he was accused of slap-ping a man at a Las Vegas night-club who had taken a picture of him with a cellphone.

He was accused of misdemea-nor battery, but the charges were eventually dropped by Nevada prosecutors.

- Playing the right way -Else-where Tuesday, Kevin Durant poured on 44 points as the Okla-homa City Thunder outgunned the New York Knicks in an over-time thriller at Madison Square Garden. AFP

FERRARI’S Sebastian Vettel topped the times at Tuesday’s Formula One tyre tests on the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

At the wheel of last season’s car the four-time former champion completed 134 laps on an artificial-ly-watered track to put the Pirelli tyres in use for 2016 through their

paces in wet conditions.Vettel was joined on the second and

final day of testing by McLaren test driver Stoffel Vandoorne and Daniil Kvyat in a Red Bull.

Two full pre-season testing sessions take place in Barcelona on Feb 22-25 and March 1-4 ahead of the opening race in Melbourne on March 20. AFP

F1 rider Vettel tops tire tests in France

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T HUR SDAY : JANUARY 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS

Manning hints at retirementLOS ANGELES—Peyton Manning has stoked specu-lation about his retirement after being caught on film telling New England Patriots boss Bill Belichick that Sunday’s AFC Championship game could be his “last rodeo”, reports said Tuesday.

Chiefs, Marinerswhip cage foes

THE Arellano University Chiefs scored back-to-back wins, while the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners stayed unbeaten over the week-end in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament.

Donald Gumaru sank the winning basket in the endgame to carry the Chiefs past the Adamson Uni-versity Falcons, 77-76, in a thrilling encounter last Sunday at the Far Eastern University gym in Morayta.

It was the Chiefs’ third straight triumph, and it came a day after they trounced Philippine College of Criminology, 124-51, at the Arellano Universi-ty-Legarda gymnasium.

The Chiefs are now in the lead of Group B with their third straight win, with Letran-A trailing af-ter they won over University of the East, 58-53, for their second consecutive triumph.

Elvin Chan shot 14 points, while Jake Yagonia added 13 for the Mariners, who subdued the At-eneo Blue Eagles, 65-56.

Vince Tolentino led with 11 points for the Blue Eagles, who now have a 4-1 slate in Group A.

In other games, Manuel L. Quezon University prevailed over the College of St. Benilde, 66-50, to hike their slate to 2-1 in Group A, while Mapua (1-1) turned back Letran-B, 96-52.

PATRICIA Velez gears up for a tough outing as she defends her crown in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis circuit presented by Slaz-enger unfolding today at the Kidapawan City Tennis Club in Cotabato Province.

Velez will be hard-pressed to match her straight set up-set win over top seed Nicole Bautista last year with the likes of Carlyn Guarde, Jaz-zelle Madis, Harlyn Getalla, Angelica Novis and Febe Lagarde all primed up for a crack at the premier girls’ 18-and-under crown in the Group 2 tournament hosted by Kidapawan City Mayor Jo-seph Evangelista.

The Davao ace will also be trying to atone for her failed bid in the 16-U section as she joins Guarde, Madis, Minette Bentillo of Sultan Kudarat, Novis, Getalla and Lagarde in what promises to be a spir-ited chase for the crown in the five-day Group 2 tourna-ment serving as the fourth leg of the PPS-PEPP circuit backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Sla-zenger, the official ball of the circuit.

“We expect a fierce bat-tle, not only in the 16- and 18-U classes, but in all divi-

sions with the region’s top and upcoming players seek-ing not only the titles but also ranking points,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

“I invite all tennis fans and aficionados to watch and support our annual tourna-ment and we thank Palawan Pawnshop for its continued support to uplift the level of the sport here and at the same time help in discovering fu-ture talents,” said Evangelista.

Gen. Santos City’s Klyde Lagarde, meanwhile, moves up to the boys’ 16-U class, hoping to bring his winning form after dominating top seed Wilfred Bentillo in last year’s 14-U finals. Bentillo is also entered in the 16-U sec-tion, along with Janus Ringia, Marco Barrios, Kyle Singh, Steve Aton, Nicole Gorospe, local bet Eric Comendador and Merwin Estrellado, guar-anteeing a highly-charged battle for supremacy.

Bentillo and Ringia will also be vying in the 18-U category topbilled by Jeffer-son Alqueza and Lordrene Pacheco while John Velez, Eric Comendador, JV Co-mendador, Benjamin Ringia, Kurt Haro, Cedric Pamplona, Brent Magno and Aton head the 32-player 14-U field.

Velez seeks repeatin Kidapawan netfest YOUNG Achievers’ School of Ca-

loocan booked its second straight triumph in the 20th Women’s Vol-leyball League over the weekend, a 25-2, 25-9 rout of Paref-Rosehill at the Xavier School gym that eas-ily made it as one of the favorites to advance in this tournament organ-ized by the Best Center and backed by Milo.

The win placed Young Achievers on top of Group B in the 13-Under Developmental Division, followed by School of the Holy Spirit-QC, which clipped St. Scholastica’s Col-

lege-Manila, 25-20-25-17, for its second win in three games, the same standing of St. Paul College-Makati, which scuttled St. Dominic Savio College, 25-8, 25-7.

Other teams logging wins in 13-U Developmental Division were: (Group A) Balara Elementary School and Jubilee Christian Academy; and (Group C) Colegio de San Agustin-Makati, Escuela de Sophia and Holy Family School.

Victorious teams in the 17-Un-der Developmental Division were: (Group A) CSA-Makati, San Anto-

nio de Padua College and Sisters of Mt. Carmel Catholic School; (Group C) St. Bridget School and St. Raph-aela Mary School; and (Group D) School of the Holy Spirit and Young Achievers.

Weekend winners in the 17-Under Competitive Division were: (Group A) De la Salle-Zobel and St. Dominic Savio College; (Group B) San Anto-nio de Padua College and St. Scho-lastica’s College-Manila: (Group C) Colegio de San Lorenzo; and (Group D) Escuela de Sophia and Holy Fam-ily School of Quezon City.

Young achievers still clean in WVL

The 39-year-old Denver Bron-cos quarterback made the remark in an embrace with the Patriots coach after last weekend’s epic 20-18 victory at Mile High Stadium.

“Hey, listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure,” Manning was reported to have told Belichick.

The comment was reportedly

picked up by microphones be-longing to cameras shooting for NFL Films.

Belichick had made a point of seeking out Manning in the post-match melee and drew the quarterback in close to exchange words.

Asked on Monday to divulge what he had shared with Man-ning, the famously gruff Patriots chief remained tight-lipped.

“Don’t have anything to share. I shared it with Peyton,” Belichick said.

Manning will become the old-est starting quarterback in Super Bowl history when the Broncos collide with the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco on February 7.

He will be chasing a second Super Bowl ring to crown one of the most successful careers in NFL history.

Manning’s future has been the subject of intense speculation af-ter a difficult season which saw him battling injury and struggling to produce his best form.

He lost his position as Broncos starting quarterback but returned during the postseason to guide Denver into their second Super Bowl appearance in two years af-ter their defeat in 2014 to Seattle.

AFP

College basketball awardees. Coaches of the Year Nash Racela of Far Eastern University and Aldin Ayo, formerly of Letran, flank the awardees in the Collegiate Basketball Awards on Tuesday night at Saisaki-Kamayan EDSA. Also in photo are (seated, from left) University of Santo Tomas’ Ed Daquioag (Impact Player), FEU’s Mike Tolomia and San Beda’s Baser Amer (Super Seniors), FEU’s Roger Pogoy (Pivotal Player); (standing, from second from left) Lester del Rosario for coach Aric del Rosario (Lifetime Achievement), Arellano’s Jio Jalalon (Accel Court General), Perpetual’s Scottie Thompson, UST’s Kevin Ferrer, Ateneo’s Kiefer Ravena (Collegiate Mythical Team members), FEU’s Mac Belo (Smart Player of the Year), Letran’s Mark Cruz (Super Senior), Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme (Collegiate Mythical Team member) and Letran’s Kevin Racal (Pivotal Player).

Net champs. ATP Challenger doubles champions’ Johan Brunstrom and Frederik Nielsen; and runners-up Christopher Rungkat and Filipino partner Francis Casey Alcantara display their awards. They are shown here with Philippine Tennis Vice President Randy Villanueva; Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier; and former Philta President Julito Villanueva.

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

Republic of the PhilippinesENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THENATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (EM) EVENTREGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR TYPHOON GLENDA IN VISAYAS AND LUZON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONALAUTHORITY

ERC CASE NO. 2015-136 RCNATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant.x----------------------------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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.

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

2. 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;

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS AND OF THE CASE

4. 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;

5. 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”;

6. 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;

7. 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;

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM

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

“Force Majeure Event“(a) Atyphoon, storm, tropical depression, flood,

drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; x xx”

9. 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;

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”;

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;

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

Grid Amount

Luzon 189,9 69,467.03

Visayas 4,875,195.25

Sub -Total 194 ,844 ,662 .28

NE t Fi X E d As s E t VA l u E

Sub -Total 13,525,335.28

to tA l 208,369,997.56

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:

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);

Luzon 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020P/kW- mo. 2.75 0.28 0.26 0.25 0.23 0.22

P/kWh 0.0056 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004

Visayas 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020P/kW- mo. 0.86 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03

P/kWh 0.0020 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001

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”;

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;

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

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.

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;

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;

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:

a. Declare the Typhoon Glenda as Force Majeure Event (FME);b. 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;

c. 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;

d. 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:

e. 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;

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

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

DATE TIME VENUE PARTICUL ARS

Februar y 23 ,2016

( Tuesday)

Nine o’c locki n the

morn ing(9:0 0 A .M.)

ERC Hear ing Room,15thFloor, Pac i f i c Center

Bu i ld ing, San M igue lAvenue, Pas ig C i t y

Jur isd ic t iona l Hear ingand

Expos i to r yPresentat ion

March 3 , 2016( Thursday)



ERC V isayas F ie ld O f f i ce,St . Mar y ’s Dr ive,

Cebu Ci t y

Expos i to r yPresentat ion

fo rVisayas S takeho lders

March 9, 2016( Wednesday)

N ine o’c locki n the


ERC Hear ing Room,15 th F loor, Pac i f i c Center

Bu i ld ing, San M igue lAvenue, Pas ig C i t y

Pre -Tr ia l Conferenceand Ev ident ia r y

Hear ing

March 10, 2016( Thursday)



Cont inuat ion o fEv ident ia r y Hear ing

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

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

All such persons who 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, JOSEFINAPATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 7th day of January, 2016 at Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff OfficeoftheChairmanandCEO

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

____________________________________________________

Luzon 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

P/kW- mo. 2.75 0.28 0.26 0.25 0.23 0.22

P/kWh 0.0056 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004

Visayas 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

P/kW-mo. 0.86 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03

P/kWh 0.0020 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001

Luzon 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

P/kW- mo. 2.75 0.28 0.26 0.25 0.23 0.22

P/kWh 0.0056 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0004 0.0004

Visayas 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

P/kW-mo. 0.86 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.03

P/kWh 0.0020 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001

1 Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes”2 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”3 Excluding Permit Fees. Please see Annex “C” for the Summary of Costs

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGANChief of Staff

of the Chairman and

ERC CASE NO. 2015-136 RC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A14T H U R S D AY

J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS

Roach:Pacmanwill KOBradleyin 9throundBy Ronnie Nathanielsz

TRAINER Freddie Roach predicted that the presence of coach Teddy Atlas won’t make any difference to World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley’s chances when he faces eight-division champion Manny Pac-quiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 9.

That’s because Pac-quiao will knock Brad-ley out in nine rounds.

Boxing Scene.com re-ported that the hype for their third fight centers around Bradley being a better fighter since the veteran Atlas took over and helped him demol-ish Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in nine rounds.

Roach conceded there is a possibility that Brad-ley is “a better fighter,” since he lost a lopsided rematch against Pac-quiao in 2014 after win-ning the first in a bitterly criticized split decision.

But Roach pointed out that Rios was not in the same shape he was when he faced Pacquiao and lost a 12-round unanimous decision.

Roach said he won’t give Atlas credit until Bradley beats Pacquiao on April 9, insisting he has “the better fighter, so I’m not worried about it. Manny isn’t a hard guy to to get up for fights. He knows he has to be at his best to win this fight. Once he’s in the gym, he gives me 100 percent.”

He said his rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder has healed and his doctor gave him the green light to fight again.

Roach said he will go to the Philippines on Feb. 2 to begin training camp, with Pacquiao in the fighter’s hometown of General Santos City.

Roach indicated that since it will be Pac-quiao’s farewell fight before he hangs up his gloves, he wants him to “go out with a bang and Manny wants to knock Tim (Bradley), out so I predict a knockout in nine.”

A15T H U R S DAY : J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 16

[email protected]

MELBOURNE—World number two Andy Murray weathered a storm from Spain’s David Ferrer over four tough sets to advance to his sixth semi-� nal in seven years at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Murray outlasts Ferrer,makes Open semifi nals

Four-time runner-up Murray finished the stronger, beating the eighth-seed 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3 in three hours 20 minutes and will play Milos Raonic or Gael Monfils in Friday’s semi-final.

Ferrer proved a difficult proposition for Mur-ray, relentlessly slugging it out from the baseline and keeping the Scot working hard in a physi-cally demanding match on Rod Laver Arena.

The Scot, distracted by his father-in-law’s col-lapse earlier in the tournament, reached his 18th Grand Slam semi as he attempts to go one better

P0 M+

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6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00

6/45 00-00-00-00-00-004 DIGITS 0-0-0-03 DIGITS 0-0-0

P0 M6/45 00-00-00-00-00-004 DIGITS 0-0-0-0

2 EZ2 0-0

LOTTO RESULTS

By Peter Atencio

GRETHCEL Soltones played with in-spiration and with intensity to power the defending champion San Sebastian Lady Staglets to a 25-22, 25-19, 26-28, 25-23 triumph over the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers in Game 3 of the NCAA women’s volleyball finals Tues-day at the Arena in San Juan.

She delivered the winning spike in the fourth set to help send the finals’ showdown into a deciding encounter at 3:30 p.m. today.

Soltones, who had a surprise before the game when she had reunion with her mother whom she had not seen for 13 years, came into the picture after teammate Dangie Encarnacion hit a tie-breaking kill.

Her placement shot went sailing past libero Melanie Torres, giving the thrice-to-beat Lady Staglets another chance to go for the crown.

“Nu’ng nag-usap kami ng team, pa-rang susuko na ako kasi siyempre ka-hit ano pang sabihin ng tao, ang pangit namang tingnan na one-woman show lang ‘di ba? Team effort ‘yan dapat,” said Soltones.

She led the Lady Staglets with 31 points, making 27 of them on attacks, while Katherin Villegas had nine.

Lady Stagsnear crown

Gilas...

after losing four of the last six Melbourne finals. Murray appeared to benefit in the change

to the slower court conditions when the roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena in the third set because of an approaching thunderstorm.

“I found it a bit easier to return. It was quite windy when the roof was open, so returning was tricky and against David’s extremely ac-curate forehand that helped me a little bit,” Murray said.

“It was actually good for us to have a little break because we played some brutal rallies at the beginning of the third set and also at the end of the second so I came back a bit more refreshed.”

Murray, who has noticeably quickened his previously weaker second serve, extended his record over Ferrer to 13-6.

The tenacious Spaniard made 17 errors on the way to dropping the opening set in 45 minutes, following a service break in the fourth game.

It was titanic second-set struggle with Mur-ray double-faulting on break point to go 0-2 down, before breaking back in the seventh game when Ferrer’s forehand was well out.

Ferrer had the better of the tiebreak, win-ning one memorable rally that stretched to 31 shots, and clinched it on his first set point when Murray’s forehand was wide.

Murray got a crucial early break in the third set before play was temporarily delayed by the closure of the stadium roof.

The world number two pressed and looked better suited by the slower court speed in the indoor conditions as he broke Ferrer again in the eighth game to take a two sets to one lead.

Murray grabbed another break early in the fourth set when Ferrer’s running backhand crosscourt was just wide.

He handed back the break in the next game but then broke Ferrer in the sixth and went on to take it on his first match point, with a wide serve forcing Ferrer’s return out.

Britain’s Andy Murray plays a forehand return during his men’s singles match against Spain’s David Ferrer on day ten of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Loyzaga, the PH’s greatest basketball player, dies

Caloy Loyzaga (left) with wife Vicky and the writer

By Lito Cinco

THE Philippines has just lost its greatest basketball player.

Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga died from a cardiac arrest on Wednesday at the Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan, where he was brought following the seizure.

He was 85.Loyzaga, who dominated

Philippine basketball in the 1950s and 1960s, playing for San Beda College in the NCAA and the YCO Painters in the MICAA, powered the Philip-pines to its best-ever finish in the international basketball scene with a third-place feat in the 1954 World Basketball Championships, where he also made it to the Mythical Five.

In the 1956 Melbourne Olym-pics, Loyzaga powered the Phil-

ippine squad to a seventh-place finish, the highest-ever reached by the country in the quadren-nial games. Four years earlier in Helsinki, the Loyzaga-led team finished ninth.

In four consecutive Asian Games (1951, 1954, 1958, and 1962), Loyzaga led the team to gold-medal finishes.

He turned to coaching and was at the helm of U-Tex and Tanduay in the early years of the Philippine Basketball Asso-ciation. His two sons, Chito and Joey, followed in their father’s footsteps and also played bas-ketball, both making it to the national team and in the PBA.

Upon his retirement from work, Caloy and wife Vicky mi-grated to Australia and settled down in the Gold Coast, until a stroke at a golf course forced the couple to eventually go back to

the Philippines for good a few years ago.

A book on Loyzaga, who was known as The Big Difference, was published two -years ago, with son Chito spearheading the effort with the San Beda

community as a tribute to his father’s accomplishments on and off the court.

The family has yet to final-ize the wake arrangements as of this writing, according to Chito.

NO. 26-ranked Canada is expected to field a team led by Cleveland Cavaliers’ center for-ward Tristan Thompson, who is averaging 7.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in the on-going NBA season and Minnesota Timberwolves’ 6’8” shooting guard Andrew Wiggins, who is averaging 20.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Turkey, which is ranked No. 8 in the world, is also considered a formidable side led by 6’10” power forward Ersan Ilyasova of the Detroit Pistons, who is averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds a game and 7’0” center Omer Asik of the New Orleans Peli-cans, who has put together 3.4 points and 5.4 boards so far this NBA season.

While Gilas overcame Senegal in over-time in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the Af-rican side has a deep pool of tall and athletic players, led by NBA veteran 6’11” center Gorgui Dieng of the Minnesota Timber-wolves, who has turned in an average of 8.1 points and 6.4 rebounds this season.

If the Philippines got a break at all, it is that it was bracketed with New Zealand in Group B of the qualifiers, alongside France to be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the French expected to sweep the prelimi-nary round games.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin steered New Zealand to the semifinals of the 2002 World Championships but has since failed to duplicate that success, with Gilas needing to beat the Kiwis to qualify for the crossover semifinals where it will face the No.1 team in the group of Canada, Turkey and Senegal.

From A16

[email protected]

T hrsday : January 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16rIEra u. MaLL arI

E D I T O R

rEuEL vIdaLA S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

turn to A15turn to A12

murrAyreAchesopensemis

clippersturnbAckpAcers

In the draw held on Wednesday morning in Mies, Switzerland, the Philippines was drawn with pow-erhouse teams such as France, Can-ada and Turkey, along with New Zealand and Senegal.

The draw was attended by SBP executive director and former Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Sonny Barrios and journalist Quinito Henson of the Philippine Star.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipi-

nas president Manny Pangilinan, in a texted message to The Standard shortly after the draw wrote: “We got strong teams in our group. We’ll have our hands full. Tab (Baldwin-coach) better start thinking of the best players we can get our hands on against these five formidable teams. This is gonna be one hell of a ride for Gilas and the country.”

However, Barrios in an overseas telephone conversation with The Standard after the draw said: “The

by ronnie nathanielsz

GILAS Pilipinas got the toughest draw in the 2016 FIBA Qualifying Tournament for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games later this year.

Gilas 5’s biggest stumblingblocks are France, Canada

way we see it, it could have been worse. It was either France or Greece and coach Baldwin told us jokingly if they draw Greece can you plead with them to put it back and re-draw. From that point of view, it’s not bad.”

He added: “We could have drawn Angola, which is No.1 in Africa in-stead of Senegal. The truth is it’s tough whatever (group) it may be. We did not get the worst. We could have gotten Croatia instead of Canada, while New Zealand is doable. If we win one and hope New Zealand loses to France, we will enter the crossover semifinals probably against Canada or Turkey.”

Barrios also pointed out there was “a common validation that it’s not a simple process” in signing up NBA players for the qualifiers.

The Manila group is regarded as the toughest of the three qualifiers com-pared to the cast in Turin, Italy and Belgrade in Serbia, where hosts Serbia will be joined by the Czech Republic, Japan, Angola, Latvia and Puerto Rico in the qualifier, which will take place from from July 5 to 10, while drawn with Italy in the other competitively strong Turin qualifier are Greece, Tu-nisia, Iran, Croatia and Mexico.

With rosters that include several NBA standouts, France is the biggest stumbling block to the Philippines as it is ranked No. 5 in the world, anchored by NBA stars point guard Tony Parker (12.5points, 5.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds) and center forward Boris Diaw (7.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists).

So remainstied from 3rd to 6thGRANDMASTER Wesley So settled for a draw with GM Loek Van Wely after 26 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined in the 9th round to remain tied for third to sixth places in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee in Holland.

Handling the disadvantageous black pieces, So kept his pieces well-defended with a queen e7 move that forced Wely to agree to a draw.

So, who has so far won a game and has drawn 8 matches, is currently tied with five points apiece with Chinese GM Liren Ding, GM Anish Giri and Yi Wei.

Ding drew with GM Shakhryar Mamedyarov after 30 moves of another Queen’s Gambit Declined match, Giri halved the point against Pavel Eljanov in 48 moves, while Yi crushed David Na-vara in 28 moves of a Ruy Lopez.

GM Magnus Carlsen, meanwhile, stayed in front with six points follow-ing a 66-move win of a Guioco Piano match against GM Michael Adams.

The black-playing Adams resigned when Carlsen advanced a passed pawn to the seventh rank.

Half a point behind Carlsen is Fa-biano Caruana, who improved his total to 5.5 points after drawing with GM Sergey Karjakin in 60 moves of a Ruy Lopez. peter Atencio

Gilas Pilipinas and Andray Blatche, shown here against China in the FIBA Asia Championships, will have their hands full against the likes of France, Canada and New Zealand in the coming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Mall of Asian Arena in July.

Turn to A15

Bangko Sentral ng PilipinasWednesday, January 27, 2016

Foreign exchange rateCurrency Unit US Dollar PesoUnited States Dollar 1.000000 47.9870

Japan Yen 0.008442 0.4051

UK Pound 1.435600 68.8901

Hong Kong Dollar 0.128297 6.1566

Switzerland Franc 0.982994 47.1709

Canada Dollar 0.710328 34.0865

Singapore Dollar 0.701361 33.6562

Australia Dollar 0.697301 33.4614

Bahrain Dinar 2.657595 127.5300

Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266617 12.7941

Brunei Dollar 0.698910 33.5386

Indonesia Rupiah 0.000072 0.0035

Thailand Baht 0.027878 1.3378

UAE Dirham 0.272287 13.0662

Euro Euro 1.085900 52.1091

Korea Won 0.000833 0.0400

China Yuan 0.151934 7.2909

India Rupee 0.014745 0.7076

Malaysia Ringgit 0.233182 11.1897

New Zealand Dollar 0.646998 31.0475

Taiwan Dollar 0.029909 1.4352 Source: PDS Bridge

6,507.22195.62

Closing January 27, 2016PSe comPoSite index

48.00

46.00

45.00

44.00

43.00

HIGH P47.810 LOW P47.960AVERAGE P47.888

Closing JANUARY 27, 2016PeSo-dollar rate

VOLUME 578.600M

Bangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng PilipinasBangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

oilPriceS today

P417.00-P627.00LPG/11-kg tank

P33.30-P40.75Unleaded Gasoline

P20.40-P23.80Diesel

P34.55-P39.15Kerosene

todayP33.30-P40.75

P20.40-P23.80

P34.55-P39.15

PP417.00-P627.00

8000

8340

7880

7420

6960

6500

P47.815CLOSE

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZASSISTANT EDITOR B1

THURSDAY: JANUARY 28, 2016

[email protected]@gmail.com

RAY S. EÑANOEDITOR

NFA defers more rice imports

Salim Group bullish on PH, cautious on PLDT

BUSINESS

AIA visitor. Mark Tucker (right), the president and chief executive of AIA Group, the world’s second largest life insurer, visits Manila and meets Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima (center) and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc (left), in recognition of the Philippines as an important market of AIA. Philam Life is a subsidiary of the AIA Group, the largest independent publicly-listed pan-Asian life insurance group with presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacifi c.

By Darwin G AmojelarTHE Salim Group in the Philippines sees a brighter pro� t outlook for its infrastructure unit in 2016, but remains cautious about its telecommunication business.

Metro Paci� c Investments Corp. chairman Manuel Pangilinan said “the prospects are bright [for MPIC]. I think the economy is going strong.”

� e government expects the economy to grow by 7 percent to 8 percent this year.

MPIC posted a 30-percent increase in net income in � rst nine months of 2015 to P7.8 billion from P6 billion year-on-year.

MPIC, the local unit of Hong Kong’s First Paci� c Co. Ltd., has investments in toll roads, water utility, power generation and hospitals.

Pangilinan said the electricity volume of Manila Electric Co. in January rose 9 percent on year.

He added the tollway business continued to post a modest growth in terms of vehicle

tra� c volume due to lower fuel prices.Manila North Tollways Corp. chief

operating o� cer Raul Ignacio expects vehicle tra� c at North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway to grow by 5 percent to 7 percent this year. � e daily average vehicle tra� c at NLEx was 200,000 and 35,000 for SCTEx.

Ignacio said the P650-million integration of NLEx and SCTEx would be completed before the Holy Week, reducing the travel time to by 35 to 45 minutes from Balintawak to Tarlac.

He added the company likely posted P8 billion in revenues last year.

Pangilinan, however, sees a tough year for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. in 2016.

“� ere’s has been some progress in some fronts, but it’s a tough year. Maybe because of the nature of the business, it’s really transforming fast and radically. So, we are still trying to understand fully [what] the transformation really needs,” Pangilinan,

who also the chairman of PLDT, said.� e country’s largest telecom company

allotted P43 billion this year for its mobile and broadband networks expansion.

PLDT’s total capital spending in the last six years including 2015 was about $4.6 billion.

“We believe these expenditures are vital in order to provide the level of service required by the market and for PLDT to be robustly competitive for the future. � ese investments, as well as our growing portfolio of partnerships with the best in the global digital space, will serve to fortify our position as the country’s leading digital services provider and enable us in the emerging digital landscape,” he said.

PLDT reported a net income of P25.3 billion in the January-to-September period, down from P28 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenue was � at at P127.87 billion in the � rst nine months of 2015 from P127.32 billion in 2014.

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

State-run National Food Authority said Wednesday it may not import more rice in the � rst quarter, given an ample stock despite the lingering impact of the El Niño dry spell.

NFA said in a statement fig-ures from the Food Security Committee showed the coun-try had sufficient rice supply that could last until the end of June.

“� e National Food Authority Council unanimously decided in its 106th regular meeting... that the country may not need to im-port [more] rice for the � rst quar-ter of this year,” NFA said.

� e government said earlier it might import an additional 400,000 MT of rice, on top of the 500,000 MT of rice shipments that were scheduled to arrive in the country from � ailand and Vietnam in the � rst quarter.

� e NFA council is composed of representatives from NFA, National Economic Develop-ment Authority, Land Bank of the

Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Development Bank of the Philippines, Finance Depart-ment and Trade Department. It is chaired by the secretary of the O� ce of the Presidential Assis-tant for Food Security and Agri-cultural Modernization.

“� e decision took into consid-eration the projected e� ects of El Niño,” NFA said.

NFA said the country’s rice stock was good to last for 110 days, with inventory at its ware-houses alone amounting to 944,500 metric tons, or good for 29 days.

NFA is mandated to maintain rice stock inventory that is good for 30 days at the start of the lean season, particularly in the month of July. Daily national rice con-

sumption is around 31,000 met-ric tons.

Some 500,000 MT of rice were expected to arrive this year, a� er the government signed procure-ment contracts with Vietnam and � ailand last year.

� e � rst shipment of 175,000 MT was supposed to arrive by the end of January, 175,000 MT by the end of February and 150,000

MT by the end of March.Rice production fell 4.3 percent

in 2015 to 18.15 million MT of palay (unmilled rice) from a re-cord 18.97 million MT in 2014.

Rice harvest in the fourth quar-ter alone dropped 3.8 percent to 7.28 million MT from 7.56 mil-lion MT, as rice and corn farms su� ered the most from the long dry spell and typhoon Lando.


BUSINESSTHURSDAY: JANUARY 28, 2016

B2

52 Weeks Previous % Net Foreign High Low STOCKS Close High Low Close Change Volume Trade/Buying

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, January 27, 2016

FINANCIAL7.88 2.5 AG Finance 2.85 2.9 2.53 2.7 -5.26 276,000 -2,600.0075.3 66 Asia United Bank 44.6 44.65 44.3 44.65 0.11 32,000 1,211,555.00124.4 88.05 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 95.50 99.30 95.50 99.15 3.82 1,874,470 -7,318,945107 88.1 Bank of PI 84.80 86.50 84.10 86.50 2.00 1,209,580 31,591,334.0056.5 45.45 China Bank 34.6 34.9 34.5 34.5 -0.29 23,800 -17,290.004.2 1.68 Bright Kindle Resources 1.24 1.45 1.21 1.45 16.94 349,000 17 12.02 COL Financial 14.1 14.7 14 14.3 1.42 318,300 4,350,000.0030.45 19.6 Eastwest Bank 15.9 15.9 15.82 15.9 0.00 72,700 -491,434.002.6 1.02 I-Remit Inc. 1.63 1.65 1.64 1.65 1.23 10,000 890 625 Manulife Fin. Corp. 580.00 580.00 580.00 580.00 0.00 58,000 1.01 0.225 MEDCO Holdings 0.420 0.435 0.405 0.410 -2.38 1,360,000 12,750.00100 78 Metrobank 70.45 72.45 70.95 72.45 2.84 2,379,490 -21,176,656.001.46 0.9 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.89 0.91 0.91 0.91 2.25 49,000 30.5 17.8 PB Bank 15.80 15.58 14.46 15.58 -1.39 6,900 91.5 62 Phil. National Bank 45.90 48.00 46.50 48.00 4.58 14,000 137 88.35 Phil. Savings Bank 95 97 97 97 2.11 10 361.2 276 PSE Inc. 270 278.6 270 276 2.22 2,400 57 41 RCBC À’ 32.5 32.6 32.5 32.6 0.31 289,400 8,129,455180 118.2 Security Bank 138.6 140.1 138.8 139.1 0.36 1,628,870 41,992,760.001700 1200 Sun Life Financial 1280.00 1300.00 1280.00 1280.00 0.00 55 -6,500.00124 59 Union Bank 56.00 57.00 56.00 56.80 1.43 55,900 -1,475,435.003.26 2.65 Vantage Equities 1.59 1.5 1.47 1.47 -7.55 41,000

INDUSTRIAL47 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp. 39.85 41.1 39.95 41.1 3.14 1,300,100 13,805,040.005 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.25 4.34 4.1 4.29 0.94 244,000 1.46 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.6 0.00 688,000 2.36 1.86 Alsons Cons. 1.19 1.22 1.17 1.22 2.52 696,000 15.3 7.92 Asiabest Group 9.58 9.58 9.28 9.57 -0.10 4,100 148 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 109.00 110.00 109.00 110.00 0.92 400 20.6 15.32 Century Food 16.22 16.48 15.7 15.7 -3.21 477,600 -2,858,850.0085 20.2 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 36 33.1 33.1 33.1 -8.06 100 36 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 19.3 19.9 19.4 19.7 2.07 1,306,300 -531,740.0065.8 29.15 Concepcion 41.9 42 40.95 41 -2.15 692,100 24,036,5752.97 1.5 Crown Asia 2.15 2.15 2.07 2.14 -0.47 170,000 4.14 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 2.5 2.65 2.35 2.61 4.40 7,179,000 -27,400.0021.5 10.72 Del Monte 11.4 11.7 11.36 11.7 2.63 35,300 135,432.0021.6 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 7.500 7.590 7.460 7.520 0.27 7,297,900 -3,250,440.0011.96 9.04 Emperador 6.98 7.19 7.01 7.09 1.58 10,819,600 -73,460,477.009.13 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.48 5.56 5.37 5.37 -2.01 11,080,500 2,019,185.0011.8 8.86 EEI 5.75 5.75 5.60 5.64 -1.91 985,900 1,140,150.0031.8 20.2 First Gen Corp. 18.12 18.6 18.28 18.6 2.65 2,795,500 -6,377,866.00109 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 54.2 54.8 54.2 54.25 0.09 745,030 -1,430,248.509.4 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.03 5.14 5 5.01 -0.40 249,900 294,687.000.98 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.120 2.140 2.100 2.110 -0.47 2,374,000 -380,670.00241 173 Jollibee Foods Corp. 200.40 207.00 201.00 206.00 2.79 1,704,750 -14,693,774.00 LBC Express 6.98 6.99 6.5 6.98 0.00 31,100 79 34.1 Liberty Flour 23.60 25.00 25.00 25.00 5.93 200 4 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 3 3.08 3.02 3.02 0.67 5,000 33.9 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.25 25 24.2 24.85 2.47 340,200 -1,561,090.0090 17.3 Maxs Group 13.4 13.5 12.96 13.4 0.00 1,195,200 920,696.0013.26 5.88 Megawide 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 0.00 506,300 293 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 306.00 310.00 307.00 307.20 0.39 130,750 -4,093,196.005.25 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 2.9 2.98 2.91 2.92 0.69 281,000 12.98 8.45 Petron Corporation 5.69 5.93 5.70 5.90 3.69 1,825,600 -2,762,148.0015 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.50 11.50 11.00 11.50 0.00 1,100 7.03 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.51 3.60 3.60 3.60 2.56 1,001,000 -3,600,000.003.4 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.38 1.45 1.37 1.41 2.17 603,000 193,010.004.5 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.24 2.22 2.13 2.16 -3.57 98,000 6.3 4.02 RFM Corporation 3.60 3.80 3.55 3.57 -0.83 17,000 7.86 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.64 2.21 2.21 2.21 -16.29 1,000 7.34 5.9 Roxas Holdings 4.84 4.9 4.84 4.9 1.24 6,000 238 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 127 129.4 127 127 0.00 4,910 76,835.003.28 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.5 2.59 2.47 2.52 0.80 903,000 0.315 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.138 0.146 0.137 0.145 5.07 7,460,000 2.65 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.11 2.16 2.09 2.15 1.90 2,001,000 234 152 Universal Robina 185 186.6 184 186 0.54 3,103,990 -55,487,244.005.28 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.68 4.68 4.68 4.68 0.00 14,000 1.3 0.640 Vitarich Corp. 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.58 0.00 152,000 -3,000.002.17 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l. 0.99 0.99 0.95 0.99 0.00 34,000

HOLDING FIRMS0.59 0.44 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.300 0.305 0.280 0.280 -6.67 90,000 59.2 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 54.5000 57.3000 54.5000 57.3000 5.14 1,447,450 22,198,490.0030.05 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 13.70 14.20 13.70 14.00 2.19 9,218,700 21,386,134.002.16 1.6 Anglo Holdings A 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 0.00 2,000 3.4 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.200 0.180 0.180 0.180 -10.00 40,000 823.5 634.5 Ayala Corp À’ 638 680 646.5 680 6.58 280,710 103,847,220.0010.2 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.17 7.26 7.2 7.26 1.26 1,110,000 -33,985.0084 12.8 DMCI Holdings 10.90 11.30 11.00 11.20 2.75 8,068,300 15,137,832.004.92 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.50 4.50 4.49 4.50 0.00 102,000 99,570.000.66 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.181 0.205 0.194 0.194 7.18 1,420,000 99,570.001455 837 GT Capital 1236 1250 1236 1248 0.97 185,320 -130,813,060.00 IPM Holdings 9.32 9.49 9.30 9.41 0.97 2,675,000 76 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 60.85 62.00 60.90 61.20 0.58 1,287,360 26,771,938.509.25 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp. 5.07 5.23 5.1 5.1 0.59 1,205,100 -1,338,585.000.85 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.5 0.52 0.5 0.5 0.00 2,964,000 -510,500.0017.3 12 LT Group 15.24 16.1 15.24 16.1 5.64 12,905,000 18,615,438.005.53 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.34 5.48 5.35 5.41 1.31 60,748,900 -65,659,754.000.0670 0.030 Pacifica À’ 0.0260 0.0280 0.0260 0.0270 3.85 27,000,000 -26,000.001.61 0.550 Prime Orion 1.950 1.990 1.910 1.940 -0.51 2,212,000 78,980.002.99 2.26 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.52 2.70 2.50 2.7 7.14 60,000 84.9 59.3 San Miguel Corp À’ 63.95 68.00 63.80 68.00 6.33 1,569,590 -39,785,512.00974 751 SM Investments Inc. 753.50 781.50 750.00 780.50 3.58 244,880 4,660,820.001.39 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.68 0.71 0.70 0.71 4.41 50,000 156 80 Top Frontier 83.950 100.000 80.050 100.000 19.12 186,480 -2,544,540.500.710 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2400 0.2650 0.2400 0.2450 2.08 3,570,000 -36,000.000.435 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1950 0.1960 0.1870 0.1960 0.51 200,000 0.510 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.240 0.290 0.241 0.260 8.33 1,810,000

P R O P E R T Y10.5 6.74 8990 HLDG 6.590 6.600 6.460 6.500 -1.37 308,700 308,020.0026.95 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.18 7.00 7.00 7.00 -2.51 100 1.99 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.67 0.73 0.67 0.69 2.99 3,236,000 41.4 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 30.200 30.700 30.250 30.300 0.33 13,603,900 -147,183,095.005.6 3.36 Belle Corp. À’ 2.13 2.3 2.12 2.22 4.23 17,010,000 -11,828,510.005.59 4.96 Cebu Holdings 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.5 -2.17 13,000 -27,300.001.44 0.79 Century Property 0.400 0.42 0.41 0.405 1.25 3,710,000 -589,900.001.48 0.97 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.030 0.950 0.950 0.950 -7.77 40,000,000

52 Weeks Previous % Net ForeignHigh Low STOCKS Close High Low Close Change Volume Trade/Buying

Trading SummarySHARES VALUE

FINANCIAL 9,938,634 710,838,720.58INDUSTRIAL 70,592,303 1,451,099,123.85HOLDING FIRMS 140,733,869 1,719,543,377.975PROPERTY 175,138,496 1,225,173,958.60SERVICES 243,313,232 1,372,152,279.33MINING & OIL 506,714,440 193,105,102.59GRAND TOTAL 1,146,955,225 6,687,828,945.325

FINANCIAL 1,490.80 (UP) 33.13INDUSTRIAL 10,325.87 (UP) 111.98HOLDING FIRMS 6,077.56 (UP) 200.83PROPERTY 2,598.64 (UP) 69.77SERVICES 1,486.04 (UP) 68.06MINING & OIL 9,086.80 (UP) 514.36PSEI 6,507.22 (UP) 195.62All Shares Index 3,722.40 (UP) 98.39

Gainers: 130; Losers: 44; Unchanged: 30; Total: 204

STOCKS Close(P)

Change(%)

Roxas and Co. 2.21 -16.29

ATN Holdings A 0.180 -10.00

Waterfront Phils. 0.315 -8.70

Conc. Aggr. 'A' 33.1 -8.06

Cityland Dev. À' 0.950 -7.77

Vantage Equities 1.47 -7.55

Abacus Cons. À' 0.280 -6.67

PremiereHorizon 0.385 -6.10

Manila Broadcasting 18.00 -5.26

AG Finance 2.7 -5.26

Top LoSerSSTOCKS Close

(P)Change

(%)

Ferronickel 0.660 32.00

LR Warrant 1.550 20.16

Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.65 19.57

Top Frontier 100.000 19.12

Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.1400 17.53

PhilexPetroleum 1.41 17.50

Bright Kindle Resources 1.45 16.94

Nickelasia 3.94 15.88

Lepanto À' 0.171 14.00

Melco Crown 1.74 13.73

Top gainerS

0.201 0.083 Crown Equities Inc. 0.103 0.119 0.104 0.112 8.74 2,350,000 0.69 0.415 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.390 0.420 0.385 0.400 2.56 200,000 10.96 2.4 Double Dragon 20.3 20.3 19.96 20.2 -0.49 2,235,600 4,202,396.000.97 0.83 Empire East Land 0.700 0.740 0.720 0.740 5.71 33,000 2.22 1.15 Global-Estate 0.83 0.85 0.82 0.84 1.20 2,267,000 -144,000.002.1 1.42 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.47 1.49 1.44 1.48 0.68 7,274,000 54,540.005.94 4.13 Megaworld 3.24 3.41 3.31 3.39 4.63 48,611,000 -3,361,270.000.180 0.090 MRC Allied Ind. 0.070 0.075 0.070 0.075 7.14 2,190,000 0.470 0.290 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.2090 0.2090 0.2090 0.2090 0.00 10,000 8.54 2.69 Primex Corp. 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 0.00 120,200 31.8 22.15 Robinson’s Land `B’ 23.20 24.50 23.50 24.50 5.60 952,000 11,070,555.002.29 1.6 Rockwell 1.46 1.5 1.46 1.5 2.74 1,136,000 29,790.004.9 3.1 Shang Properties Inc. 3.16 3.08 3 3.05 -3.48 126,000 21.35 15.08 SM Prime Holdings 19.98 21.10 20.05 20.90 4.60 21,938,200 159,090,200.001.06 0.69 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.74 0.77 0.74 0.75 1.35 1,091,000 1.62 0.83 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.800 0.800 0.770 0.800 0.00 106,000 8.59 5.73 Vista Land & Lifescapes 3.650 3.950 3.660 3.950 8.22 6,603,000 367,090.00

S E R V I C E S10.5 1.97 2GO Group’ 6.29 6.31 6.15 6.24 -0.79 103,400 66 35.2 ABS-CBN 53.9 55 53.4 53.9 0.00 27,620 1.44 1 Acesite Hotel 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 0.00 21,000 1.09 0.63 APC Group, Inc. 0.360 0.395 0.380 0.385 6.94 170,000 -19,250.0014.88 10.5 Asian Terminals Inc. 10.5 10.9 10.9 10.9 3.81 1,000 15.82 8.6 Bloomberry 3.59 4.03 3.65 3.99 11.14 31,745,000 37,326,040.000.1430 0.0770 Boulevard Holdings 0.0380 0.0380 0.0370 0.0380 0.00 5,100,000 5.06 2.95 Calata Corp. 3.41 3.48 3.36 3.4 -0.29 290,000 10,380.0099.1 56.1 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 76.05 77.85 76.5 76.5 0.59 380,860 -15,309,931.0012.3 10.14 Centro Esc. Univ. 9.5 9.5 9.48 9.48 -0.21 5,000 2.6 1.6 Discovery World 1.5 1.53 1.48 1.53 2.00 9,000 7.67 4.8 DFNN Inc. 6.06 6.10 6.02 6.02 -0.66 157,800 2720 1600 Globe Telecom 1735 1840 1704 1840 6.05 93,560 38,290,990.008.41 5.95 GMA Network Inc. 6.43 6.50 6.43 6.50 1.09 39,500 1.97 1.23 Harbor Star 1.10 1.11 1.10 1.11 0.91 186,000 55,000.00119.5 102.6 I.C.T.S.I. 58.4 60 58.4 59.6 2.05 835,510 10,194,476.000.017 0.011 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0079 0.0084 0.0084 0.0084 6.33 1,000,000 0.8200 0.041 Island Info 0.128 0.130 0.126 0.130 1.56 2,590,000 2.2800 1.200 ISM Communications 1.4300 1.5100 1.3800 1.3900 -2.80 3,742,000 74,200.005.93 2.34 Jackstones 1.88 2.04 2.04 2.04 8.51 5,000 12.28 6.5 Leisure & Resorts 6.99 7.05 6.99 7.00 0.14 524,800 702.003.32 1.91 Liberty Telecom 4.01 4.10 3.95 4.00 -0.25 226,000 3.2 1.95 Macroasia Corp. 2.20 2.33 2.20 2.33 5.91 6,000 95.5 3.1 Manila Broadcasting 19.00 19.00 18.00 18.00 -5.26 7,200 15.2 6 Melco Crown 1.53 1.81 1.58 1.74 13.73 92,881,000 -22,794,730.00 Metro Retail 3.00 3.09 3.00 3.03 1.00 3,899,000 627,760.000.62 0.335 MG Holdings 0.260 0.255 0.250 0.255 -1.92 120,000 1.040 0.37 NOW Corp. 0.600 0.650 0.600 0.620 3.33 5,678,000 46,740.0022.8 14.54 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 17.42 18.9 17.52 17.52 0.57 351,300 6.41 3 PAL Holdings Inc. 4.28 4.30 4.30 4.30 0.47 1,000 4,300.0018 8.8 Phil. Racing Club 8.85 9 9 9 1.69 150,000 22.9 4.39 Philweb.Com Inc. 20.00 20.00 19.75 20.00 0.00 248,846 3486 2748 PLDT Common 2032.00 2170.00 2052.00 2170.00 6.79 275,700 245,269,740.000.760 0.435 PremiereHorizon 0.410 0.415 0.380 0.385 -6.10 1,250,000 -148,550.002.28 1.2 Premium Leisure 0.600 0.690 0.620 0.670 11.67 81,918,000 -537,000.0046.05 31.45 Puregold 33.05 33.70 33.20 33.60 1.66 963,000 -8,800,090.0090.1 60.55 Robinsons RTL 57.00 59.70 56.80 58.00 1.75 1,545,380 13,784.00 SBS Phil. Corp. 4.50 4.71 4.57 4.70 4.44 658,000 11.6 7.59 SSI Group 2.43 2.52 2.44 2.45 0.82 3,028,000 -5,531,950.000.85 0.63 STI Holdings 0.390 0.395 0.380 0.385 -1.28 740,000 77,000.0010 5 Travellers 3.55 3.9 3.65 3.65 2.82 946,000 -185,500.000.490 0.315 Waterfront Phils. 0.345 0.315 0.315 0.315 -8.70 10,000 1.9 1.14 Yehey 3.630 3.750 3.640 3.750 3.31 65,000

MINING & OIL0.0098 0.0043 Abra Mining 0.0041 0.0042 0.0041 0.0042 2.44 110,000,000 69,700.005.45 1.72 Apex À’ 1.50 1.60 1.60 1.60 6.67 7,000 17.24 6.47 Atlas Cons. À’ 3.92 4.20 3.95 4.20 7.14 204,000 -372,970.0025 9.43 Atok-Big Wedge À’ 13.50 13.40 11.50 13.40 -0.74 10,100 0.330 0.236 Basic Energy Corp. 0.203 0.199 0.199 0.199 -1.97 50,000 1.19 0.85 Century Peak Metals Hldgs 0.48 0.5 0.47 0.5 4.17 70,000 -9,400.001.62 0.77 Coal Asia 0.310 0.355 0.310 0.335 8.06 5,110,000 105,600.009.5 5.99 Dizon 5.68 6.40 5.68 6.00 5.63 76,600 -59,900.004.2 1.17 Ferronickel 0.500 0.660 0.510 0.660 32.00 57,284,000 69,350.000.48 0.305 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.235 0.245 0.225 0.245 4.26 2,390,000 0.420 0.2130 Lepanto À’ 0.150 0.175 0.150 0.171 14.00 13,800,000 0.440 0.2160 Lepanto `B’ 0.186 0.199 0.171 0.199 6.99 3,990,000 0.022 0.013 Manila Mining À’ 0.0095 0.0100 0.0097 0.0100 5.26 91,000,000 0.023 0.014 Manila Mining `B’ 0.012 0.012 0.010 0.012 0.00 187,100,000 8.2 3.240 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.38 1.8 1.37 1.65 19.57 1,447,000 49.2 18.96 Nickelasia 3.4 3.94 3.51 3.94 15.88 20,543,000 -32,512,660.004.27 2.11 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.04 2.33 2.04 2.21 8.33 1,382,000 3.06 1.54 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.9700 1.1700 1.0200 1.1400 17.53 471,000 0.020 0.012 Oriental Pet. À’ 0.0092 0.0090 0.0090 0.0090 -2.17 5,000,000 7.67 5.4 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 3.17 3.18 3.18 3.18 0.32 1,000 12.88 7.26 Philex À’ 3.91 4.20 3.97 4.20 7.42 939,000 -581,300.0010.42 2.27 PhilexPetroleum 1.20 1.42 1.20 1.41 17.50 1,812,000 -314,190.000.040 0.015 Philodrill Corp. À’ 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.00 3,300,000 420 115.9 Semirara Corp. 117.90 121.00 117.90 118.60 0.59 491,950 -30,526,148.009 3.67 TA Petroleum 1.71 1.9 1.72 1.81 5.85 223,000 -17,900.00

PREFERRED70 33 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 53 53.5 53 53.35 0.66 406,760 -14,740,440.00553 490 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 529.5 522 521 521 -1.61 1,080 111 101 MWIDE PREF 111 112 111 111 0.00 23,210 PCOR-Preferred B 1065 1075 1065 1065 0.00 60 1047 1011 PF Pref 2 1028 1028 1028 1028 0.00 260 78.95 74.5 SMC Preferred B 80.5 80.5 80.5 80.5 0.00 4,290 84.8 75 SMC Preferred C 82.45 82.5 82.1 82.15 -0.36 30,000 SMC Preferred D 79 79 79 79 0.00 4,370 345,230.00 SMC Preferred E 78.4 78.5 78.4 78.4 0.00 7,640 157,000.00 SMC Preferred F 78.8 79 78.8 79 0.25 13,310 1.34 1 Swift Pref 2.4 2.3 1.9 2.3 -4.17 5,000

WARRANTS & BONDS6.98 0.8900 LR Warrant 1.290 1.590 1.370 1.550 20.16 630,000

S M E Alterra Capital 3.15 3.14 3.02 3.14 -0.32 4,000 Italpinas 2.21 2.23 2.21 2.23 0.90 52,000 12.88 5.95 Xurpas 11.78 12.04 11.78 11.9 1.02 288,100 -169,370.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS130.7 105.6 First Metro ETF 103.1 106.2 102 106.2 3.01 120,140



B3

BPI lends $525mto Zambales plant

A former Benigno Aquino and a former Emperor

Stocksjump;PLDTsurges

Investment partner. Trade Undersecretary Nora Terrado (right) accepts the compilation of 2013-2015 performance and 2016 proposed plans of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Industry Promotion Group from outgoing Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr. (left) during a turnover ceremony in Pasay City. With a smooth transition in its industry promotion leadership, the DTI is geared to strengthening its position as a preferred investment destination and desired trading partner for the global business community.

EMPEROR Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan are currently enjoying the tradi-tional hospitality of the Filipino people on their first State visit to this country. Japan has been a valued friend and partner of the Philippines for the last sixty years, a fact that their Imperial Highnesses help celebrate. We welcome the Emperor and Empress. They deserve the Filipino peo-ple’s warm welcome in full measure.

History sometimes gives rise to very interesting coincidences, when situations and personages from the past connect with and relate to situations and person-ages of the present. The current visit of Japan’s head of State and his lady presents one such coincidence.

The coincidence presented by Em-peror Akihito’s visit has to do with his and President Aquino’s recent fore-bears. I refer to President Aquino’s pa-ternal grandfather and the Emperor’s father, Hirohito.

Hirohito reigned as Japan’s emperor through the 1930s, a time when an in-creasingly powerful Japan was parlaying its economic and military might into a position of influence in world affairs and of dominance in the Asia Pacific area. Hi-rohito was the leader of the Land of the Rising Sun during the days when Japan’s top military officers, with the cooperation and support of that country’s industrial establishment, were planning to unleash Japan’s impressive military might on its Asian neighbors, starting with China. There is a continuing debate on the part, if any, played by Emperor Hirohito in the decision-making that led to the disastrous decision to embark on the campaign of

conquering Japan’s Asian neighbors and the US. That campaign reached the shores of the Philippines, then American colony, when Japanese aircraft bombed the US Navy’s Pearl Harbor base. The Philippines, which was being prepared for indepen-dence, was now at war with the Japanese empire.

This is where the Aquino-Akihito coin-cidence arises.

Being an extension of the US, and hav-ing been the object of fierce Japanese attacks on its territory—including the Bataan Peninsula in Corregidor—the Philippines was hostile terrain. Japan had to restore peace and order and it had to put in place a civilian government and a political infrastructure to replace those that were in existence before Pearl Har-bor. The Japanese military government decided that the centerpiece of that infra-structure would be an organization called KALIBAPI (Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa

Bagong Pilipinas).The Japanese Occupation authori-

ties selected Benigno Aquino, a leading pre-war political figure, to be the head of the Kalibapi. I can only surmise that Benigno Aquino was a reviled figure—given the temper of the times—and that he was a prime target of Filipinos who were actively anti-Japanese, especially the guerillas.

It appears that Benigno Aquino was very friendly with the Japanese occupy-ing forces and that they got along very well. Thus, it is but fitting that Emperor Hirohito’s son should be welcomed and be extended warm Filipino hospitality by Be-nigno Aquino’s grandson and namesake.

Again, welcome to the Philippines, Em-peror Akihito and Empress Michiko, and enjoy your stay. Long live Philippines-Ja-pan friendship.

E-mail: [email protected]

By Julito G. Rada

BANK of the Philippine Islands, the country’s third-biggest lender, led a consortium of local banks that raised up to $525 million to partially finance the new 330-megawatt power plant of AES Philippines in Masinloc, Zambales.

The plant aims to supply power to at least seven electric coop-eratives in northern Luzon for 20 years, which could pave the way for lower rates in the area.

“This facility follows a $500-mil-lion refinancing in 2013, also pro-vided entirely by local banks, in support of the rehabilitation and modernization of the original 600-MW facility in Masinloc, Zam-bales,” the bank said in a statement

Wednesday.BPI said the transaction under-

scored its commitment to finance and pursue projects that create a strong impact on sectors vital to the country’s economic growth.

“The facility is denominated in US dollars and has a tenor of 15 years, inclusive of an up to four-year grace period during construction and will be made available in fixed and float-ing interest rate tranches. The fixed-

interest rate tranche shall be subject to a re-pricing on the eighth year an-niversary to set the interest rate for the remaining seven years,” the bank said.

BPI’s investment banking sub-sidiary, BPI Capital Corp., acted as sole issue coordinator and one of the joint lead arrangers of the transaction. The other joint lead arrangers are SB Capital Invest-ment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp. and PNB Capital Corp.

AES is 50.55-percent owned by AES Corp., a leading American global power developer and opera-tor, 41.35 percent by independent power producer Electricity Gen-erating Public Co. Ltd. Group of Thailand and 8.10 percent by In-ternational Finance Corp.

It is also the owner and opera-tor of the existing 600-MW power plant in Masinloc, Zambales, one

of the largest base-load coal power plants in the Philippines.

AES and its partners plan to use the combined Masinloc output as their vehicle for growth in the Philippines.

BPI Capital was recently cited by Finance Asia, a leading Hong Kong-based finance publication, as the Best Investment Bank and Best Equity Capital Market House in the Philippines for 2015.

Bank of the Philippine Islands posted an 8-percent increase in net income in the first nine months of 2015 to P13.84 billion from P12.80 billion year-on-year on the strength of its core businesses.

Total revenues increased P3.67 billion or 9.1 percent to P44.10 billion year-on-year as both net in-terest income and non-interest in-come rose P2.98 billion and P0.68 billion, respectively.

THE stock market rallied Wednesday while oil prices tum-bled again, as the wild swings that have marked the start of the year showed no signs of abating.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 195.62 points, or 3.1 percent, to 6,507.22 on a value turnover of P6.7 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 130 to 44, with 30 issues unchanged.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest tele-communications firm, surged 6.8 percent to P2,170, while SM Prime Holdings Inc., the largest integrated property company, ad-vanced 4.6 percent to P20.90.

LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan climbed 5.6 percent to P16.10, while con-glomerate Ayala Corp. rose 6.6 percent to P680.

Globe Telecom Inc., the sec-ond-biggest telecommunications company, gained 6 percent to P1,840, while Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates a casino on a reclaimed part of Manila Bay, jumped 11.1 percent to P3.99.

Meanwhile, the rest of Asian stock markets mostly swung back into positive territory Wednesday.

Japanese shares led the advanc-es Wednesday, with the Nikkei up 2.7 percent by the close.

The gain was helped by car gi-ant Toyota, which announced it sold more than 10 million cars last year and kept the title of world’s biggest automaker.

Hong Kong put on one percent in the afternoon and Seoul ended 1.4 percent higher. There were also healthy gains in Singapore and Jakarta.

However, Shanghai fell 0.5 per-cent, extending the more than six percent dive Tuesday, as data showed profits at China’s industrial giants had fallen 4.7 percent last month, extending November’s fall and highlighting the ongoing weak-ness in the economy. With AFP

B4

FOTO 1

2

DoT eyes $6.5-brevenues in 2016

Two solar firms seek ERC permit on power lines

BenLife’s license. Insur-ance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc (third from left) releases to Jaime Fernandez, ex-ecutive vice president and chief operating officer of BenLife Insur-ance, a license to sell life insurance products for three years from 2016 to 2018. With them are Insurance Commission officials, including (from left) lawyer Joanne Frances Castro, chief of staff Kristine Mari Reyes-Nolasco and chief of licensing division Jose Mari Tolentino.

Januaryinflationexpected at 1.2%

By Othel V. Campos

THE Tourism Department said Wednesday it expects tourism revenues to reach $6.5 billion from the arrivals of 6 million foreign visitors in 2016.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said to achieve the goal, the government would focus on building the necessary infra-structure for tourism development, especially in emerging island destinations.

“We have been closely coordinating with the relevant agencies to make sure that we are moving forward with the construction of access roads, bridges, lightings, drainage systems and even signages,” he told report-ers in an interview during the opening of the two-day Hospitality Investment Conference at Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.

He said the Tourism Department would re-ceive a P24-billion budget this year to support tourism infrastructure development. “We are entirely dependent on air traffic to bring in

visitors. We hope we’ll have more and better accommodation inventory to house a project-ed traffic of 6 million tourists,” he said.

The Board of Investments said hotel invest-ments reached P8.25 billion in 2015, down by 46 percent from P14.9 billion in 2014, despite the increase in the number of projects. BoI approved 11 hotel projects last year, up from only 6 projects in 2015.

Among the largest investors last year were Century Peak Property Development Inc. with P3.3 billion and Philippine Ho-teliers International Center for Hospitality with P1 billion. Other projects were Aira Bianca Lao Vicente with P40.778 million; Belian Inns and Hotels Inc., P40 million; Data land Inc., P865 million; Enrison Land Inc., P900 million; Eskaya Beach Resort Corp., P200.2 million; Gohotels Davao Inc., P338.76 million; Premier Central Inc. P527 million; Sentera Hotel Ventures Inc., P494.5 million; and Serenity View Resort Property Inc., P235.22 million.

Meanwhile, Melia Hotels International S. A., a Spanish hotel company, said it planned to bring three of its famous brands to the Philippines, including the Melia, Innside Me-lia and Sol Melia.

Melia Hotels vice president for Asia Pacific Gonzalo Maceda said the company expected to finalize management agreements with lo-cal partners for several projects in Metro Ma-nila and several provinces this year.

“After expanding in the Asian market espe-cially in China, Japan and Indonesia, we have entered the Myanmar and Thai market. We think the next big step for us is to have pres-ence in the Philippines,” Maceda said in an interview during the Hospitality Investment Conference.

He said the company already had several projects lined up for the year, including in Makati City and Palawan.

Movenpick Hotels and Resorts and Plateno Hotels said they were also on an expansion mode in the Philippines.

Movenpick senior vice president for Asia Andrew Langdon said the Philippines was now a priority market for the company after a record performance in 2015, with plans to triple the hotels it manages by 2020.

“We are looking at a very strong year this 2016. We have our eyes set on Davao, Palawan and Dumaguete, as well. We still have po-tential rebranding and/or renovation agree-ments,” he said.

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

INFLATION rate likely eased to 1.2 percent in January from 1.5 percent in December, fol-lowing the slump in global oil prices, an official of the Finance Department said Wednesday.

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said in an economic bulletin inflation this month would likely register at 1.2 percent, “as food prices normalize, fuel prices continue to fall and electricity rate reaches five-year low.”

Power rate at the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. fell 13 percent to P8.72 per kilo-watt-hour in January from a year ago. It was also 2 percent lower than that of December.

Electricity rate has declined in the past months, pulled down by lower generation charges.

Beltran, however, said up-ward price pressures might come from housing rentals and cost of education.

Beltran said the slower infla-tion period might continue in the coming months, amid the slump in oil prices in the inter-national market.

Oil prices last week plum-meted to less than $30 per bar-rel as the expected increase in Iranian crude exports added to the oversupply concerns.

“The period of benign infla-tion is extended due to low fuel prices,” Beltran said.

He said this would enable the country to grow faster and investments to continue ris-ing as companies might take advantage of the similarly be-nign interest rate environment despite the US Federal Reserve liftoff and volatile financial markets.

By Alena Mae S. FloresTWO solar energy products with a combined capacity of nearly 100 megawatts have asked approval of the Energy Regulatory Com-mission to construct power lines connecting their solar farms to the transmission grid.

Solar Philippines Calatagan Corp. and Enfinity Renewable Resources Fourth Inc. filed sepa-rate petitions with ERC for their respective point-to-point dedi-cated facilities connecting to the transmission system of the Na-tional Grid Corp. of the Philip-pines.

Solar Philippines is building a 50-megawatt to 63.3-MW solar power plant in Calatagan, Batan-gas, while Enfnity Philippines Renewable Resources Fourth Inc. is putting up a 25-MW to 33.6-MW solar plant in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Both plants are nearing com-pletion in line with the March 2016 deadline set by the Energy Department in order to qualify for the feed-in-tariff system.

Solar Philippines plans to connect the dedicated facil-ity from the power plant to the grid through the National Grid Calaca switchyard while Enfin-

ity Renewable plans to connect to the Matanao substation of the grid operator.

The power plants are applying for the inclusion of their power plants in the feed-in tariff system under second round of solar in-stallation targets at a rate of P8.69 per kilowatt-hour.

“Enfinity’s need for a provi-sional authority for its Enfinity-Digos solar power plant is highly critical and urgent because of the DoE’s first-come, first-served policy on the allocation of the re-vised 500-MW solar installation target,” Enfinity said.

Only projects which connected

to the grid or a distribution util-ity and could export power are qualified for the first-come-first served policy, it said.

Enfinity said it should qual-ify for the feed-in tariff because there was still no spot market in Mindanao.

“Enfinity’s successful connec-tion to the Mindanao grid by 2016 will further help in address-ing the issue of sufficiency of power in Mindanao,” it said.

Meanwhile, Solar Philippines said the completion of its solar facility would ensure additional capacity for Luzon during the dry months.



BUSINESS B5

Third-quarter economic growth revised to 6.1%

Executive opposes electricity rate hike amid oil price drop

MPTCnamesFranco president

Seal of excellence.

The Government Service Insurance System

Cotabato branch is conferred the prestigious

Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence

for exemplary frontline service under the Civil Service Commission’s

Anti-Red Tape Act survey. GSIS president and general manager

Robert Vergara (second from left) receives the

wall-mountable Seal of Excellence glass plaque

and P100,000 cash. With Vergara are (from left)

CSC chairman Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, former GSIS Cotabato branch

manager Rosalinda Mendoza and senior

vice president for VisMin operations group

Dionisio Ebdane Jr.

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

GOVERNMENT statisticians on Wednesday revised upward the gross domestic product growth in the third quarter of 2015 to 6.1 per-cent from the previous estimate of 6 percent.

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. appointed Rodrigo Franco as the new president and chief executive effective Jan. 1, 2016.

Franco replaced Ramoncito Fernandez who was appointed president and chief executive of Maynilad Water Services Inc.

The tollways group of Metro Pacific includes Manila North Tollways Corp., Tollways Man-agement Corp., Cavitex Infra-structure Corp. and MP Cala Holdings Inc.

As Metro Pacific’s tollways group head, Franco also pre-sides over the strategic direc-tions and operations of the group’s growing investments in toll road companies in Vietnam and Thailand.

He will also continue to hold, in a concurrent capacity, the po-sition of president and chief ex-ecutive of MNTC.

Franco has been in the toll-ways business since 2003, start-ing off with MNTC as chief fi-nance officer, before moving up to become MNTC’s chief execu-tive in 2009.

Before MNTC, Franco worked for two decades with JP Morgan Chase as vice president for investment banking.

He holds an MBA from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, on top a B.S. in Man-agement Engineering degree also from Ateneo.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

AN oil industry executive said Wednesday National Power Corp.’s bid to increase the uni-versal charge should not be al-lowed, given the drastic drop in fuel cost.

Eastern Petroleum chairman and chief executive Fernando Martinez said he was referring to the application of Napocor to re-cover almost P6 billion from con-sumers, which would translate into a power rate hike of P0.0788 per kilowatt-hour under the uni-versal charge for missionary elec-trification.

He questioned Napocor’s mo-tive to increase the rate, in the wake of low domestic and inter-

national fuel prices that fell by as much as 60 percent over the last 18 months.

“Given the substantial de-crease in fuel costs, we strongly believe that their operational costs should have decreased and their existing universal charge for missionary electrification of P0.0454 per kWh should suf-fice to eventually recoup their under-recoveries in the last two years,” Martinez said in a state-ment.

He said Napocor should in-stead maintain its current charg-es and reduce the subsidies it allocated for missionary electri-fication.

Martinez said as a consumer, he was willing to attend hearings on Napocor’s petition filed with

the Energy Regulatory Commis-sion and question how Napocor derived the figures.

“Napocor should review its op-erational costs and the subsidies it allots to its small power utili-ties group given that domestic and international fuel prices have been on a 12-year low. Thus, why should consumers be burdened by these alleged under-recover-ies borne out of their incompe-tence?” Martinez asked.

Napocor earlier filed a petition with ERC to hike the universal charge on consumers to recover nearly P6-billion shortfall in the missionary electrification sub-sidy in 2014.

Napocor proposed to recover P5.895 billion, representing the funding shortfall in 2014.

Napocor president Ma. Gladys Sta. Rita said in a statement the petition was based on the actual expenses, as against the actual approved revenue and sales from missionary areas and the univer-sal charge for missionary electri-fication.

Sta. Rita said the application would “still pass through the process of public hearing and the commission’s evaluation and ap-proval before implementation.”

Napocor said the huge shortfall in 2014 was due to the very low basic universal charge for mis-sionary electrification at P0.0454 kWh, which translated into only P2.7 billion per year.

The state firm said the filing was one of two sources of the corporation’s funds as allowed

under the Electric Power Indus-try Reform Act of 2001.

These include the universal charge for missionary electrifica-tion which is to be collected from all electricity consumers and en-ergy sales collected from electric cooperatives.

Napocor said the petition was consistent with ERC Resolution 21, series of 2011, which amended the guidelines for the setting and approval of electricity generation rates and subsidies for mission-ary areas.

This provided that if the rec-onciliation resulted in Napocor’s small power utilities group hav-ing a deficiency, as confirmed by the ERC, it should be entitled to an increase in the UC-ME to cover the shortfall.

The Philippine Statistics Au-thority said it revised the third-quarter GDP figures, after in-corporating more data into the national accounts.

It said the additional 0.1 per-centage point was caused by the higher growth in trade and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods; transportation, storage and com-munication; and construction.

The economy expanded 5 per-

cent in the first quarter and 5.8 percent in the second quarter, before growing 6.1 percent in the third quarter, bringing the three-quarter average to 5.6 percent.

The expansion in the third quarter was also faster than the 5.5-percent growth posted in the same period in 2014.

The 5.6-percent average growth for the three quarters was also below the government’s growth target of 7 percent to 8

percent. The government is set to release the fourth-quarter and full-year GDP data today.

Economists see the GDP grow-ing 5.9 percent to 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, bring-ing full-year growth in the range of 5.7 percent to 5.9 percent.

Standard Chartered economist Jeff Ng said he expected a 5.7-per-cent growth in 2015, on the back of a 5.9-percent expansion in the fourth quarter despite the weak external demand for the coun-try’s products.

“External demand likely re-mained a drag as merchandise export growth continued to fall in October and November,” Ng said in an e-mail.

ING Bank economist Joey Cuyegkeng said he saw the econ-

omy growing 6 percent in the fourth quarter, bringing full-year growth to 5.6 percent to 5.7 per-cent.

Accord Capital Equities Corp analyst Justino Calaycay Jr. pre-dicted a full-year growth of 5.9 percent for 2015 while Diana del Rosario of Deutsche Bank saw it at 5.8 percent.

“GDP growth increased in fourth quarter largely because government spending rose sub-stantially from a relatively low base,” Del Rosario said in an e-mail.

London-based think-tank Capital Economics said the Phil-ippine economy likely grew 5.7 percent in 2015 and was expected to rebound with a 6.5-percent growth this year.

FRANCO

Republic of the PhilippinesProvince of Bataan

City of BalangaBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

(TS-JAN. 28, 2016)

INVITATION TO BIDNO. INFRA -012-2016

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Special Educational Fund12 intends to apply the below listed project w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Name of Project Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom School Building, Facundo =P=5,549,969.73 Angeles Memorial Elementary School, Barangay Sabang, Morong, Bataan

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Projects. Completion of works 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 Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso)

500,000 and below 500.00More than 500,000 up to 1 Million 1,000.00More than 1 Million up to 5 Million 5,000.00More than 5 Million up to 10 Million 10,000.00More than 10 Million up to 50 Million 25,000.00More than 50 Million up to 500 Million 50,000.00More than 500 Million 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 03, 2016 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial 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 16, 2016 at 1:30 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.

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 Schedule

1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid January 27 – February 02, 20162. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents January 27 – February 16, 20164. Request for Clarification February 05, 20165. Opening of Bids February 16, 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. ValenzuelaProvincial BAC / PEO BataanProvincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound,Balanga City, [email protected]

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman ( TS - JAN. 28 , 2016)

INVITATION TO BID January 25, 2016

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office (BANE IMO) Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites Contractors to bid for:

ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS 2016–BU-30 ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) - Improvement of Lateral J and Various Irrigation Facilities,Pulilan,Bulacan. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P9,514,815.62 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00

ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS 2016–BU-31 ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) – Lat. D-6, Lat. C-4, Lat. C-8 and Various Irrigation Facilities, San Luis & Candaba, Pampanga. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P9,478,330.63 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00

Only those with Document Request List (DRL) together with each company profile properly stamped “certified true copy”, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer will be accepted.

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking similar project within the last three (3) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding.

Any bid above the ABC as stated above each ITB shall be rejected outright.

Issuance of Bid Documents; (upon payment of non-refundable January 28, 2016 @ 10:00 AMamount as stated above NIA BANE, Tambubong, San Rafael, each ITB) Bulacan

Schedule of Activities; Submission/Opening of BidsNIA, BANE IMO

Pre-Bidding– February 9, 2016 at 3:30 PM February 22, 2016ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2016-BU-30 1:00 PMITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2016-BU-31 2:00 PM

The NIA-BANE assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of bids. Also, NIA reserves the right to reject any or all bids at any time prior to award, waive any defects therein and to declare the bidding a failure for whatever reasons it may deem appropriate.

(SGD) ROBERTO J. DEL A CRUZ Chai rman- BAC

Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telefax No.(044) 766-3888Telephone Nos. : (044) 766-3888/766-4142/766-0157/766-3524 TIN: 000-578-009-000Website : [email protected]/[email protected] [email protected]

Republic of the PhilippinesOffice of the President

National Irrigation Administration(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG)

Region 3Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office

NOTICE OF SALE OF 358,108,078 TREASURY SHARES OF ISM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

January 28, 2016

To the stockholders of ISM Communications Corporation:

This is to advise you that ISM Communications Corporation (“ISM”) is offfering to sell 358,108,078 of its treasury shares (the “Sale Shares”) at the price of Php1.00 per share to its stockholders of record as of February 5, 2016. The Offer Period for the Sale shall commence on February 9, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. and end on March 1, 2016 at 12:00 noon, unless otherwise extended by ISM.

The information package on the terms and conditions of the Sale shall be sent to ISM’s stockholders to their addresses on record. Information on the sale will also be available at the PSE Edge Portal website (http://edge.pse.com.ph) and at the website of ISM (www.ismcorp.com.ph).

For queries, please contact the Transaction Broker or ISM at the details set forth below.

Philippine Equity Partners, Inc. Attention: Ronald Y. Hermogenes4th Floor 110 Legazpi Street, Makati 1229, PhilippinesTelephone: (632) -640-6759Email: [email protected]

ISM Communications CorporationAttention: Atty. Jovita Larrazabal5F PBCOM Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. cor. V.A. Rufino St. Makati City 1126, PhilippinesTelephone: (632) 830-7061Email: [email protected]

ISM Communications Corporation By:

Jovita LarrazabalCorporate Secretary

( TS - JAN. 28 & 29, 2016)

EastWest loses Victorias [email protected]

[email protected]


B6

MeralcoproposessavingsprogramBy Alena Mae S. Flores

MANILA Electric Co. plans to enjoin 2,000 small and medium businesses to participate in an initiative that will manage their electricity consumption and avail of special rates under a peak/o� peak program to save up to 37 percent of cost.

Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor, is o� ering its Meralco Biz Partners initiative to SMEs to maximize their business potential through the more e� -cient use of energy.

Meralco assistant vice president and head of Meralco Biz Partners

Ma. Cecilia Domingo told reporters the com-pany was o� ering SMEs with a monthly con-sumption of 5 kilowatts to 499 kilowatts ways to make their business op-erations more e� cient and pro� table.

“We believe that Meralco’s business will grow if our customers’ business will grow as well. If they grow, their consumption will also go up,” Domingo said.

She said Meralco was helping businesses cope with the high cost of electricity that had af-fected their competi-tiveness.

“� e usual complain is the [high] price of electricity but.... only 10 or 15 percent of the price of electricity goes to Meralco. � is is our way of helping business-es become e� cient and pro� table so they can expand,” Domingo said.

Under the Meralco Biz Partners o� ering, businesses will learn more about using in-novative technology to reduce power cost. � e use of BBZ freez-ers for restaurants, for instance, could increase sales by as much as 30 percent, while spend-ing only P33 per day on electricity.

Meralco said using induction heat cookers would also result in sav-ings as it cost P18.42 per hour to operate com-pared with P47.05 per hour using LPG.

By enrolling in Meralco’s peak/o� peak program and shi� ing operating hours to o� -peak hours from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., companies can save up to 37 percent.

Domingo said around 80,000 customers with-in Meralco’s franchise area, like restaurants, boutique hotels, farms, manufacturing plants and commercial build-ings, could avail of Meralco’s energy man-agement o� erings.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Court of Appeals turned down the petition of EastWest Banking Corp. of the Gotianun Group to convert its debt notes in Victorias Milling Co. into equity.

Victorias Milling said in a dis-closure to the stock exchange the appellate court upheld the deci-sion of the Securities and Ex-change Commission denying the appeal of EastWest Bank to exer-cise its option on the conversion of the debt note into shares.

� e Court of Appeals ruled

that Victorias Milling paid or re-deemed the convertible note is-sued in favor of EastWest Bank following the terms and condi-tions of the alternative rehabili-tation plan and the debt restruc-turing agreement signed with creditors on April 29, 2002.

SEC’s hearing panel in March last

year sided with EastWest Bank and directed the sugar company to con-vert 13 percent of the outstanding unconverted notes held by the bank into common shares.

� e sugar milling company, however, � led an appeal with the SEC en banc, resulting in the re-versal of the decision.

Victorias Milling has been re-ducing its debts as part of the re-habilitation plan.

EastWest Bank is the only ma-jor creditor-bank that refused to accept Victoria Milling’s proposal to prepay its debt.

Victorias Milling is primar-ily engaged in integrated raw and

re� ned sugar manufacturing with plant facilities in Victo-rias City, Negros Occidental province.

� e company, through its operating subsidiaries, is also engaged in several business-es, such as � sh canning, real

estate, sugar sacks manufacturing and packaging, and golf course and restaurant operations.

It is primarily owned by LT Group Inc. and Hong Kong-based First Paci� c Co. Ltd.

Aside from banking and real estate, the Gotianun Group is en-gaged in the sugar milling busi-ness under unit Paci� c Sugar Holdings Corp.

Paci� c Sugar owns three Min-danao-based sugar companies, namely Davao Sugar Central Co., Cotabato Sugar Central Co. and High Yield Sugar Farms Corp.

Victorias Milling earlier allot-ted P500 million to implement a share buyback program in a bid to improve shareholders’ value.

First Paci� c initially acquired a 5.78-percent interest in Victorias Milling. � e Hong Kong-based con-glomerate as of end-December 2014 held 16.8 percent of Victorias Milling, entitling it to one board seat.

B7CESAR BARRIOQUINTOE D I T O R

[email protected]


WORLD

In Kabul,residentswarm tofast food

Najib’s clearance stirs outrage

‘N. Korea a threat to world’BEIJING—Nuclear-armed North Korea poses an “overt threat, a declared threat to the world”, US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Beijing Wednesday a� er the talks with his Chinese counterpart following Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test earlier this month.

“� e United States will do what is nec-essary to protect our country and our friends and allies in the world,” Kerry added at a joint press conference with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.

A US o� cial said earlier the issue would be at the top of Kerry’s agenda in his talks with Wang, adding: “� e Secretary has made no secret... of his conviction that there is much more that China can do by way of applying leverage [on Pyongyang].”

China is North Korea’s chief diplomatic protector and economic benefactor, but those ties have become strained in recent years as Beijing’s patience wears thin with Pyongyang’s unwillingness to rein in its nuclear weapons ambitions.

A� er the latest test on January 6—which Pyongyang said was a miniaturized hydrogen bomb, a claim largely dismissed by experts—China said it “� rmly oppos-es” the North’s actions and summoned its

diplomats for “solemn representations”.Nevertheless, the Asian power has

proven reluctant to follow Washington’s lead on the issue and no substantive ac-tions towards the North have been an-nounced.

Kerry said the two powers�both of them permanent members of the UN Security Council�had agreed to mount an “accelerated e� ort” to reach an agree-ment on a new United Nations resolution on the issue.

But Beijing’s ties with Pyongyang were forged in the blood of the Korean War and analysts say its leverage is mitigated by its overriding fear of a North Korean collapse and the prospect of a reuni� ed, US-allied Korea directly on its border.

Earlier, as the two diplomats met, Wang welcomed the fact that Kerry’s trip had taken in a number of Asian countries, say-ing visiting them could help him under-stand the continent. “It can help you listen to voices more objectively,” he added.

As Kerry arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, the state-run China Daily ran an article headlined: “Experts have low hopes for Kerry’s China trip.”

Before Wednesday’s meeting, the o� cial news agency Xinhua issued a commentary blaming the US’s “uncompromising hostil-ity” and “Cold War mentality” for the situ-ation on the Korean peninsula.

Washington’s actions, such as � ying a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber close to the inter-Korean border, were heightening the North’s “sense of insecurity and thus pushing it towards reckless nuclear brink-manship”, it added. AFP

KABUL—When the � rst Lazeez food truck arrived in Kabul many mistook it for a rick-shaw and wanted to hail a ride—the yel-low chassis and three wheels so reminiscent of the taxis popular in South Asia.

But it took little time for the city’s emerging middle class to embrace the novelty of can-teens-on-wheels serv-ing Western fast foods around town.

Parked on one of the capital’s busiest roads, Obaidullah’s truck—emblazoned with a giant hot dog, and the Lazeez logo—is unmissable. He serves a handful of cus-tomers, who are seem-ingly undeterred by the roadside pollution and bullish about the sourc-ing and sanitation of the meat.

“Us Afghans are immune to all sorts of illnesses,” jokes Mohammed, an oral hygiene student buying a quick burger.

Food hygiene is terri-ble in Afghanistan, with 60 children out of 1,000 dying from diarrhoea before the age of � ve, according to the French NGO Acted.

So for Naveed Noori, who founded Lazeez with his cousin Abdullah Karim, � nd-ing meat without break-ing the cold chain—the series of transportation and storage options that maintain a given temperature—is a chal-lenge.

Naveed buys his hot dogs frozen from Karachi, the Pakistani port megacity located 1,400 kilometers from Kabul.

“We have to pay at-tention to the condi-tions of the journey to be sure everything is go-ing well, otherwise our cargo rots,” says the 26-year old entrepreneur.

For now, Naveed has found a successful route: Mohammed says his burger tastes just � ne, as does the hot dog he also purchased, even if the fare is a long way from the tempting mor-sels available from food trucks in Paris or New York.

It has been a year and a half since the six food trucks emblazoned with the Lazeez logo—mean-ing “delicious” in Dari, one of Afghanistan’s two national languag-es—began crisscrossing the streets of Kabul. AFP

Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. StreetManila 1004

(TS-JAN. 28, 2016)

INVITATION TO BID FOR ONE (1) YEAR LEASE OF FIFTY (50) UNITS PRINTERS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF)

1. The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for FY 2016, intends to apply the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,500,000.00), being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Year Lease of Fifty (50) Units Printers in the Department of Finance (DOF) (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for One (1) Year Lease of Fifty (50) Units Printers in the Department of Finance (DOF). Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

4. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens, sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

5. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. St. Roxas Boulevard, Manila starting January 28, 2016 during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on January 28, 2016 from the BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo Sr., Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS and the website of the DOF, provided that the Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6. The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

Posting of Invitation to Bid January 28, 2016Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Starting January 28, 2016Pre-Bid Conference February 4, 2016, 10:00 amRequest for Clarification February 6, 2016 (by email)Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin February 9, 2016Deadline for Submission of Bids February 16, 2016, 9:45 amOpening of Bids February 16, 2016, 11:00 am

7. Bids must be delivered at the 7th Floor, EDPC Building cor. P. Ocampo Sr. St., Manila on or before February 16, 2016, 9:45 am. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address. All the Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Instructions to Bid (ITB) Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.”8. The DOF reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, 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.

9. For further information, please refer to: Lilia R. Tan, Head - BAC Secretariat Department of Finance BAC Secretariat, General Services Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex P. Ocampo, Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Manila Telephone No.: 526-8475 Telefax No.: 525-4227 Email Address: [email protected]

(SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE-HEAD OFFICEINVITATION TO BID

1. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder requirement:

Name of Requirement/Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract(VAT inclusive)

One (1) lot Supply and Delivery of 7,308 pcs. BSP Registration Metal Plates, as per BSP Specifications

Php2,850,120.00

Delivery Period: As stated under Clause 34.2 of the Bid Data Sheet

2. Bidders should have completed from Y2011 to present a contract similar to the requirement. The Eligibility Check/Screening and Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria.

3. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships/partnerships/, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens.

4. All particulars and activities relative to Eligibility of Bidders, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bid Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9184 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Activities Schedule Venue

Issuance of Bid Documents

Starting 28 January 2016(from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. only)

Procurement Office, Room 212, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate, Manila Tel. / Fax Nos. 708-7118/306-2567; 708-7115

Pre-bid Conference 05 February 2016; 2:00 P.M. MR2A Conference Room, 2/F,

5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate, Manila

Opening of Bids 17 February 2016; 2:00 P.M.

5. The bidding documents are posted at the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the BSP Website (www.bsp.gov.ph). Prospective bidders may download the bidding documents from any of these websites; provided that bidders shall pay a non-refundable fee of Php5,000.00 at the address above prior to, or upon submission of their bids.

6. The Pre-bid Conference shall be open to interested parties. However, only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the Pre-bid Conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. To ensure completeness and compliance of bids, bidders are advised to send not more than two (2) technical and/or administrative representatives who will prepare the bidding documents.

7. The BSP assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any bidder for expenses incurred in the preparation of bid.

8. The BSP reserves the right to reject any bid, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract, annul the bidding process and reject all bids at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to affected bidders.

(SGD) SILVINA Q. MAMARIL-ROXAS Chairperson

( TS - JAN. 28 , 2016)

Present. Adult fi lm actress Aria Alexander attends the 2016 Adult Video News Awards at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on January 23, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP


B8 CESAR BARRIOQUINTOE D I T O R

[email protected]

Iran’s Rouhaniheads to France

Welcoming ceremony. French President Francois Hollande reviews a guard of honor during his official welcoming ceremony in New Delhi on January 25, 2016. After beginning a three-day visit to India in the northern city of Chandigarh on January 24, Hollande headed to the capital New Delhi to make common cause with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues such as combating Islamist extremists and climate change. AFP

Before the meeting. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier are seen before the weekly meeting of the German cabinet at the Chancellery in Berlin on January 27, 2016. AFP

WORLD

Najib’s clearance stirs outrage

Jakarta accused of persecution

ROME—Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wraps up his visit to Italy Wednesday before heading to France on the second leg of a trip, signaling the dramatic rap-prochement between Tehran and the European pow-ers since the lifting of the sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Rouhani’s visit to Paris is expected to result in the signing of important business contracts after sealing multi-billion dollar deals in Italy.

A major order for 114 Airbus planes to modernize Iran Air’s aging fleet is expected to be confirmed in France, along with tie-ups with car makers Peugeot and Renault.

Before heading to Paris, Rouhani will conclude his two-day trip to Rome with a visit to the Colosseum with Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.

The president is accompanied by a delegation of more than 100 ministers, officials and businessmen marking the return of Iran on the international eco-nomic stage with the lifting of sanctions after a historic deal over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Rouhani, a 67-year-old former academic and dip-lomat who is seen as a pragmatist, was elected in 2013 on a pledge to end sanctions and improve relations with the West.

The Iranian leader on Monday met with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, with whom he attended the signing of several economic agreements in the prestigious set-ting of the Capitole.

Italian officials said contracts signed in Rome would be worth up to 17 billion euros ($18.4 billion), under-lining the huge economic stakes involved in Iran’s re-opening, particularly for Europe’s manufacturing and engineering sectors. AFP

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysia’s official expla-nation of the $681 million that ended up in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal bank account—it was an entirely proper gift from friends—has triggered derision and fresh questions in a coun-try already used to allega-tions of graft.

On Tuesday, Malaysia’s Najib-appointed attorney-general cleared the premier of wrongdoing in a scandal that has gripped the na-tion, declaring that the money was

a “personal donation” from the Saudi royal family.

The announcement capped months of evasion by Najib on the source of the money and apparent-ly laid to rest any threat of prosecu-tion by Malaysian authorities.

But Malaysia’s opposition, anti-graft activists and social media users pounced on the perceived implausibility of the unexplained Saudi largesse and alleged a gov-ernment whitewash.

The Saudis themselves have not helped the situation, with The Wall Street Journal quoting a Saudi of-ficial saying the kingdom’s gov-ernment had no knowledge of the donation, adding such a royal gift would be “unprecedented”.

Senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang called the episode a “high-

water mark” in Malaysia’s well-documented history of govern-ment corruption and impunity.

“I cannot think of another case in the nation’s history where the attorney-general’s de-cision... has been greeted with more skepticism, outrage and scorn,” he said.

Najib, 62, has struggled to ex-plain the mysterious payment since it was revealed last July.

He at first hotly denied it, but his government later acknowledged the payment came from a then-unspecified Middle Eastern donor.

The revelation was particu-larly explosive because Najib al-ready faced allegations that simi-lar amounts were missing from a state-owned company he founded, and reports of lavish spending and

possible corruption by his family, all of which are denied.

The government has since de-tained or threatened whistle blow-ers, and Najib has purged his lead-ership of critics, including sacking a previous attorney-general who was investigating the funds.

Malaysian social media roiled with derision on Wednesday.

Najib’s Facebook page and other sites filled with derogatory com-ments as parody images circulated, including one of Najib holding up the middle finger of one hand while holding a wad of cash in the other.

The paucity of detail in the ex-planation offered by Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali—who owes his job to Najib—fueled the sense of outrage.

Apandi said the $681 million came with no strings attached and that $620 million of it was later re-turned to the Saudis.

He did not reveal the money’s purpose or say what had happened to the remaining $61 million.

Transparency International’s Southeast Asia coordinator Samantha Grant said the govern-ment must address unanswered questions including, “Where did it go and why was this personal do-nation made?”

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who has repeatedly demanded Najib’s resignation over the affair, poked holes in the story in a blog posting, saying that mere-ly receiving the money “is already wrong even though it may not be criminal”. AFP

JAKARTA—Indonesia has relo-cated more than 1,500 members of a controversial sect from their village “for their own safety”, an official said Wednesday, but rights groups described their treatment as religious persecution.

Members of the mysterious Light of Nusantara Movement—or Gafatar—have been moved from a remote communal farm in Indonesia’s half of Borneo is-land after a mob attack.

They are now in the country’s main island of Java undergoing “rehabilitation” instruction ses-sions on Islam and civic duties.

Meanwhile, followers of a sep-arate minority group face ejec-

tion from their community un-less they convert to mainstream Islam, according to Human Rights Watch.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority na-tion, is seen as largely tolerant and pluralist. But a number of high-profile attacks against mi-nority groups in recent years has marred this image.

The controversy surround-ing Gafatar, a group accused of luring followers from across Indonesia to practise a deviant blend of the Muslim faith, has captivated national attention de-spite its tiny following in a coun-try of 250 million.

Last week a mob torched their village base in Kalimantan, dis-placing roughly 500 families—more than 1,500 people. They were evacuated by government authorities first to temporary shel-ters then back to Indonesia’s main island of Java, some by warship.

A spokesman for President Joko Widodo said the decision was made “for their own safety” and several government depart-ments had been instructed to handle the crisis.

“We must protect our citizens regardless of their identity. They are also Indonesian citizens,” spokesman Johan Budi told AFP. AFP

Perhaps most of you know by now how much of a workout nut I am. Not that I am extremely addicted to being inside the gym 24/7, but I just like

being active. And just like some athletes I know, I like trying out different workouts just so I can “shock” my muscles every now and then and never hit a plateau. Most gyms and yoga studios have drop in rates for people who can’t commit to a full month (or more) of membership just yet, although sometimes this option may be quite pricey.

This is the reason why I got extremely excited when I heard that GuavaPass was launching in Manila. For just P2,999 a month, you can try out countless fitness classes from its elite lineup of partner studios in the Metro and around Asia.

Young entrepreneurs Rob Patchter and Jeff Liu founded GuavaPass when they realized that there was a market in Asia for fit but workout commitment-phobes and travel bugs like them. They also realized that fitness junkies can’t do just one workout for a whole month lest they get burnt out. Numerous people are also scared to try out different workouts, but GuavaPass

encourages people to try out different things, step out of their comfort zones, and find out what best works for them.

GuavaPass works with a team of young men and women who all walk the talk when it comes to fitness. In Manila, NTC trainer Sambie Rodriguez and Mariel Bitanga head GuavaPass. They would choose the studios to partner with in Metro Manila by popping up unannounced, paying the drop in rate and trying out the workouts, checking the amenities such as locker rooms, etc., to see if the gym or studio is at par with the international standards of GuavaPass, and then invite the gym to join. For gym buffs who love travelling, GuavaPass also has partner studios in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai, Melbourne and Sydney. If you want to pre-book your

classes even before you travel, all you need to do is change the location setting of your app.

The nice thing about GuavaPass, aside from the fact that it is very easy to use, is that if you think you’ve found a workout or a gym that you’re in love with and want to just stick to it, you may cancel your membership so that you can fully commit to that said place already. Win-win, right?

There are about 24 studios, gyms, and sports facilities included in the app. Here are the partner fitness studios of GuavaPass that I frequent and some that I would want to try soon:

Beyond Yoga (Rockwell, QC, Serendra) – I teach here regularly; catch our traditional mat yoga classes to signature ones like Power Yoga, Beyond Sculpt, AntiGravity suspension fitness, Aerial Yoga and Zumba, to name a few. Our studio offers a wide variety of fitness exercises that go beyond yoga.

Primal Ape CrossFit – This is the largest and best-equipped CrossFit box in the Philippines. Its primary commitment is to work with you as an individual, and to train you with the ultimate goal of making you the best athlete you can be.

Saddle Row – This one is just beside our yoga studio, and is the first specialized studio that houses both group indoor cycling and indoor rowing.

Focus Athletics – Southeast Asia’s first complete performance training (sports

specific and fitness) and physiotherapy (post-surgery rehab and strengthening) facility geared to bring anyone, whether amateur or professional, to new performance levels.

Flying Trapeze Philippines – This one is exciting; it is the first and only full-size flying trapeze rig in the Philippines and one of only a few in all of Asia!

Ninja Academy – This I’ve been wanting to try; it’s the first indoor parkour facility in Manila established by members of Philippine Parkour Freerunning Association or PPFA.

For more information on GuavaPass and the complete list of facilities partnered with the app, visit www.guavapass.com. For news and updates, follow GuavaPass PH on Facebook.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @bubblesparaiso.

C1T H U R S D AY : J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE

TATUM ANCHETAE D I T O R

BING PARELA S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNASW R I T E R

W EL L BEING

l i f e @ t h e s t a n d a r d . c o m . p h @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d

Yoga, AntiGravity fitness and plyometric exercises are some of the workouts you can do with the participating fitness studios

GuavaPass is downloadable on your mobile phones so you can schedules and class availability

Yoga session during the launch of GuavaPass. I taught yoga representing Beyond Yoga Serendra, one of the partner fitness studios

Participating gyms allow to test your limits and see which workout best suits you and your lifestyle

FINE FETTLEBY BUBBLES PARAISO

GUAVAPASS IN MANILA

C2T H U R S D AY : J A N U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

LIFE l i f e @ t h e s t a n d a r d . c o m . p h @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d

Have you ever experienced sitting at your desk, typing on your keyboard and then suddenly stopping as you feel your fingers going numb, with

pain shooting up from your wrist? If this goes on for weeks, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a group of symptoms that result from the

compression of a major nerve in the wrist area, says Dr. Ida S. Tacata of the Makati Medical Center’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. This major nerve is called the median nerve, which provides feeling and movement to parts of the hand. The area in the wrist where the nerve enters is called the carpal tunnel. “We say ‘group of symptoms’ because it’s not found

consistently in all patients, but the most common and prominent is numbness of the thumb and the index and middle fingers,” the doctor explains.

Different people with CTS will have different ways of expressing the sensation they are feeling. “Some patients say they’re feeling pins and needles, or that the hand feels heavy,” she says. “I had a patient who said he could feel his fingertips being burned, and one who said his fingers felt covered in soap suds.” All of these refer to the sensory function of the hand, which is affected because of the compression of the median nerve, says Dr. Tacata.

People who perform repetitive and forceful motions of the hand and wrist are at risk of CTS. Another contributory factor is age and gender, with the condition more common among women and people aged 40 to 60. “It has something to do with hormonal imbalance. Pregnant women and menopausal women have the tendency to retain water,” says the doctor, adding that fluid retention can increase the pressure on the carpal tunnel and lead to CTS.

People with existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid problems, should also watch out for CTS symptoms. “If you are diabetic, your tendons have the tendency to swell up. If you have a thyroid problem, you also retain fluids, and one of the areas where fluid can build up is in the wrist area,” Dr. Tacata says.

CTS can be diagnosed through a clinical diagnosis, with the doctor getting the patient’s medical history and symptoms. In some cases, the doctor can require additional tests, such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV, or simply CV). Electromyography checks the health of the hand’s muscles and nerves, while the NCV tests how fast electrical signals travel through the nerves.

If CTS is diagnosed early, the patient will have time to try conservative or non-surgical treatment which is aimed at reducing pressure around the nerve. This involves splinting and ergonomic aids like a special mouse pads or activity restriction and lifestyle change to avoid force that can worsen the condition.

When the nerve compression is severe, a patient may need to undergo surgery. A standard surgery lasts 30 minutes, but a patient has to wait up to four weeks before resuming simple tasks like typing, and it will take up to eight weeks before one is allowed to do more labor-intensive activities.

When left untreated, CTS can lead to nerve damage. “For office workers, it is very important that you have proper positioning of the body in your workstation when you type,” she says. “Keep your wrists level – not bent upwards or downwards – to avoid injury.” Dr. Tacata says the simplest rule is: if you feel pain or numbness, stop and rest. If these sensations remain, see a doctor. “Early diagnosis is key,” she says.

One of the most exciting moments in a woman’s life is pregnancy, which can be a life-changing

experience. While there is much joy and anticipation during this stage, there can also be a lot of difficult or uncomfortable moments as a woman’s body goes through a lot of changes. Women may also experience pain and strange sensations as a new life grows in their womb. Sometimes, a delicate pregnancy may also put women at risk of health issues and accidents.

“Aside from having to share their nutrients with their unborn child, pregnant women are also vulnerable to many health problems as they undergo physical and physiological changes. While the health risks are unavoidable, women can make lifestyle changes to keep themselves and their babies healthy,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Here are a few tips to help expectant mothers not only enjoy the experience but ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy as well.

EAT A WELL-BALANCED DIET.A lot of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean meat are advised, because these foods are rich in calories and essential nutrients that keep expectant moms and their babies well-nourished. Avoid foodborne diseases by preparing food properly. Also avoid commercialized food with lots of preservatives, undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products.

MANAGE FOOD CRAVINGS.Some pregnant women experience cravings for certain foods as a result of the changes in their nutritional needs. Fulfilling these cravings may help them get the necessary nourishment and ensure the normal development of their baby. However, some also begin to crave for nonfood items like clay and laundry detergent for example – which could be harmful. Women who experience unusual cravings

are advised to seek help from medical experts.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Expectant mothers should stay hydrated to support the growing life inside their womb, so drinking eight to 10 glasses of water every day is important. Water also helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, urinary tract and bladder infections, contractions, and premature or early labor.

STAY ACTIVE.Exercise prevents pain, discomfort and depression. It also prepares a woman’s body for labor and delivery. However, pregnant women should consult a doctor first before engaging in any exercise, and should be watchful for any pain or discomfort.

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES.Maternity clothes are especially made to provide adequate comfort

and support as expectant mothers gain weight and their bellies grow. High heels and platform shoes should be temporarily shelved to make way for comfy flats or loafers that can ease pregnancy-related foot discomfort and keep moms-to-be safe from falling and hurting themselves. Wearing support stockings can also minimize foot and ankle swelling.

STOP SMOKING AND DRINKING CAFFEINATED AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.Nicotine has harmful effects on the developing fetus, which is why pregnant women are strongly advised to quit smoking. Exposure to the chemicals in coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages can also slow down their baby’s development and could sometimes result in miscarriage and preterm birth.

GET REGULAR PRENATAL CARE VISITS.It is recommended that expectant mothers get at least four prenatal care consultations throughout their pregnancy. During these visits, their health and that of their babies are closely monitored. They are also provided with essential vitamins and supplements for a healthy pregnancy.

The MediCard Lifestyle Center and MediCard clinics offer consultations on obstetrics and gynecology. All medical services are also open to non-members. For more information, visit http://medicardphils.com.

HOW TO DEAL WITH PREGNANCY

Are you experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome?MakatiMed talks about the medical condition and how to avoid it

C3LIFE l i f e @ t h e s t a n d a r d . c o m . p h @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d


Nike continues to push for its successful NikeWomen campaign following the successful 2015 Nike Women’s Event Series

that saw more than 200,000 women worldwide conquering 10k runs with some experiencing their first half marathon and the Nike+ Training Club (NTC) challenge. This year, Nike invites athletes and enthusiasts to once again be part of the said historic events.

NikeWomen Week events will be taking place in select cities worldwide where Nike+ members can join the live NTC and NRC sessions with Nike Master Trainers and NRC Coaches. Last year, Manila participated in the series with The Nike Women’s 10K Run. The 2016 tour will commence in September and will happen in key cities around the world including Manila. While we wait for more details on the Nike+ Run Club Race in Manila, the tour will kick off by March in Nagoya Japan with the 10k to marathon Nike+ Run Club (NRC) Races, five-hour-long NTC Tour training experiences and NRC and NTC events.

The NikeWomen Victory Tour is the largest women’s event series in the world inspired by the winged goddess of victory inspiring amateurs and athletes to push themselves and be Better For It. Each NRC Race will feature new courses and runner services such as access to NRC Coaches, bra fitting and product trialing. NTC Tour stops

will feature high-energy training sessions led by Nike Master Trainers with workouts ranging from Nike+ Training Club and yoga to spinning and boxing.

Other tour cities include Rio de Janeiro, Athens, Atlanta, Barcelona, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Mexico, Sydney, Shanghai, Seoul, London, Taipei, Tokyo, Guangzhou, Jakarta, and Los Angeles.

Registration opens January 29 for most cities. Keep up to date by visiting www.nike.com. To start your journey towards NikeWomen Week and NikeWomen Victory Tour, access the Nike+ Running App, sign up for a Nike+ Run Club and employ the NTC App.

RUNNERS GO THE EXTRA MILE ON SPOTIFYNew survey shows that over 60 percent of runners report that music helps them run faster and longer

2016 NikeWomen Victory Tour

NikeWomen in London, 2015

NikeWomen in Seoul, 2015

NikeWomen in Los Angeles, 2015

A lot of people have made it their New Year’s resolution to get into shape, and music may just be the key to help them stick to their goals. Results of a new study commissioned by Spotify reveals that over 60 percent of runners are

helped by music to run faster and longer – seemingly better than a workout buddy, trainer, good weather, or the latest workout gear.

The study, which was conducted among 1,500 respondents from the US and UK, reported that over 75 percent of runners rely on music for their workouts, with 88 percent of those runners reporting that music is important or vital to their run. Other key findings in the study include:

• Music helps runners stay distracted (47 percent) and keep a steady pace (39 percent)

• Almost half (45 percent) of runners report that a great soundtrack is the best way to get through the troublesome “runner’s low”

• Music is cited as the top training tool for races of all lengths – from a 5K run to a marathon

Apparently, music does a lot in helping people pound the pavement, with high intensity exercises such as running going well with music that have faster beats and tempo. Significantly, Spotify Running’s app has a sensor that calculates the runner’s pace, which then serves up a non-stop mix of tracks that match one’s tempo and musical taste. Since its launch in May last year, Spotify Running users have listened to over five million hours of music and covered over 34.5 million miles, which is like running around the world 1,386 times.

According to Spotify, the world’s most-streamed running songs of 2015 are “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce leading the pack, followed closely by “Chandelier” by Sia and “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson. In fact, seven of the 10 top tracks come from female artists, ranging from current chart toppers to Missy Elliott and TLC. Runners may also want to check out Spotify Running Originals from Tiêsto, Ellie Goulding and Oliver Heldens as these exclusive tracks are designed specifically for running and can be adjusted to match a runner’s tempo and speed.

For more on Spotify, check out www.spotify.com.

C4 LIFE l i f e @ t h e s t a n d a r d . c o m . p h @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d @ L I F E a t S t a n d a r d


By now we hope you’ve seen videos, or read articles on social media regarding plastic microbeads polluting our lakes and oceans. If you have, then we sure

hope you’ve restocked your toiletries with products that do not contain these harmful plastics. If you’re one of the many who is still unaware about microbeads and how it affects our waters, then let’s give you a little 101.

What exactly are microbeads? These are tiny plastic beads smaller than one millimeter that go to so many of your beauty products – scrubs, soaps, body wash, and toothpaste. Companies put these in their products with the promise of exfoliation and cleaning. These microbeads are designed to actually pass through the drains and the problem lies when water sanitation facilities can’t even gather these waste because they are so tiny, they pass through anything, eventually ending up in rivers and other bodies of water. You’ve probably used products that have microbeads in your daily regimen, not knowing that these beads are made from plastic. So why should you be alarmed? If they’re good for your beauty regimen, then who cares, right? Ever wonder what happens to those microbeads that go through the waters? They are so tiny that fish actually get to eat them as they are the same size as the food of

fish and other sea creatures. Now what happens to the fish? Did you have one for dinner last night? Get the picture?

Studies show that in the US alone, more than eight trillion microbeads seep into aquatic habitats everyday. This has prompted President Barack Obama to recently sign a bill to ban the tiny particles from personal care products, and thankfully by 2017, they will already be banned in the US.

Last year, a new report on plastic pollution by international group Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment named our country as the third world’s biggest contributor of plastic pollution. And that’s just the leakage of plastic waste collected by our regular basureros that ended up in leaking dump sites. This percentage doesn’t even include the microbeads we regularly dump in our waterways.

The thing is, there are so many products available over the counter that have natural exfoliants and are actually biodegradable. From high-end luxury brands to local brands, there are already a lot of choices. The change just has to start from you, the consumer.

One of the largest brands of genuinely natural, affordable personal care, cosmetics and home care products is Human Nature,

100 percent made in the Philippines and 100 percent free from harmful c h e m i c a l s . The company produces products that are pro-poor and best of all, pro-environment. Recently, it launched products that have the same qualities as mircobeads but don’t cause harm to our waters. The best part is that the products are so affordable and work better than the plastic counterpart. On your grocery, opt to choose 50g Human Nature’s 100% Natural Purifying Facial Scrub, which only costs P99.75; Human Nature’s 100% Natural Detoxifying Mask + Scrub for only P249.75 (100g), and Human Nature’s 100% Natural Vanilla Exfoliating Bar with Loofah Exfoliants that only costs P84.75. These products all contain natural acting beads made with seeds and fine bamboo granules. They smell good, act well for your skin, don’t burn a hole in your wallet and do not harm the environment.

To learn more about Human Nature and its advocacies, log on to www.humanheartnature.com.

There are so many products now out in the market that promise slimming and weight loss that more often than not cause harmful effects to your body.

Now comes another product that promises a kilo (or more) off your weight – sans harmful side effects.

Manufactured by Laboratories Vitarmonyl and exclusively distributed in Watsons, the product is now available in the Philippines. “The good thing about this product is that we are a pharmaceutical company, we really look for quality products, the ingredients are natural and the products are formulated at physiological dose so we respect the body metabolism as well,” explains Chadie Karbaschian, area sales manager of Kilo Off. “The way we are promoting Kilo Off is to show consumers that you can slim in the healthy way and safe way because there are no side effects.”

Kilo Off is a line of all-natural weight loss drinks made in France that promises consumers safe weight loss, curbed food cravings, burning of fats, loss of excess water and toxins, support in healthy weight

maintenance, and what most would aspire to have – a flatter stomach. All it takes is a 20-day program with the supplement and consumers can lose an average of 1.8 kilos, while some can lose up to five kilos. “Healthy diet and exercise should be part of a full weight loss program but if you have no time for exercise Kilo Off is the answer for that,” says Karbaschian.

The product has been in circulation worldwide and the Philippines is not the first in Asia as it is already being embraced in Singapore and Hong Kong where the product actually won in the Watsons Health Beauty and Wellness Awards. “I have used the products myself, and I’m quite happy with them; the flavors are really nice and I was impressed with the results that I actually asked my husband to go through one of the programs,” shares Karbaschian. “He was happy, he tried the 4-in-1 because it reduces cravings and that worked on him.”

There are four variants that target the specific needs of a consumer. “It depends on what your goal will be. If your goal is to get an overall slimming program, you can have the Kilo Off 4-in1. It helps with your digestion and helps keep a flat stomach, and drains water retention,” explains Karbaschian.“Now if you are just looking for a flat stomach, Kilo Off Liquid Drink is the answer for that. If you want a 24-hour effect then there’s Kilo Off 24 Capsule.”

The variants also come in different presentations – sachets, capsules, and beverage, so it also depends on how the consumer wants to take the slimming product.

This year as you prep up for your sexy bikini body for the summer, get all the help you can get by trying this new product. But like anything, you need to keep a balanced diet to achieve your fitness goals. Don’t go binging on alcohol and junk food and then take this product and complain that it doesn’t work, because honey, the problem might

just be your diet. And if you’re currently undergoing a certain diet, the brand recommends having a close follow up with your dietician before you take Kilo Off.

Follow Kilo Off Philippines on Facebook at Kilo Off.Ph and follow them @kilo_off on Instagram, for updates and to see real life people enjoying the product check the hashtag #KiloOff.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR PH TO BAN THOSE BEADS!

A product that promises a kilo off your weight

Human Nature’s 100% Natural Purifying Facial Scrub (P99.75, 50g)

Human Nature’s 100%Natural Vanilla Exfoliating Bar with Loofah Exfoliants (P84.75, 120g)

Scrub without the guilt by switching to scrubs that use nature’s best exfoliants

Stand-up comedienne, actress and TV host Giselle Sanchez, executive director of Pavo Allure International Zerline Chan Ortiz-Luis, Kilo Off area sales manager Chadie Karbaschian, and CEO of Pavo Allure International Ramon Ortiz-Luis during the launch of Kilo Off

For better weight loss, it's always a must to have a regular exercise and eat a healthier diet

Kilo Off Liquid Drink for burning fat and water retention

Kilo Off Liquid Drink for aiding in digestion

Kilo Off Powder Drink and Kilo Off 24 Capsule

SHOWBITZi s a h r e d @ g m a i l . c o m

C5ISAH V. REDE D I T O R

T HUR S DAY : JA NUA RY 28, 2016

20TH Century Fox’s recent reveal of Deadpool’s redband trailer was eventually followed by a special advanced screening in New York and Los Angeles, though the studio showed an unfinished version of the movie, the fans’ reactions as reported in Screenrant were overwhelmingly positive.

The ones who got to screen it first are vouching that the studio, Tim Miller and Ryan Reynolds did right about it this time, even saying that this is the best comic movie ever in the Marvel universe! Tweets had gone viral describing the movie (rough cut) as being “phenomenal, great job, my favorite Marvel movies of all time, outstanding and the best

Deadpool tells the story of Wade Wilson (Reynolds), whose terminal cancer is ‘cured’ by the same Weapon X program that created Wolver-ine, leaving him permanently disfigured, but impervious to pain and able to regenerate from his wounds.

Directed by Tim Mill-er, Deadpool, adapted from the Marvel Comics character created in 1991 by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld.

The cure leaves him permanently disfigured, but impervious to pain and able to regenerate from his wounds. Dubbed “The Merc with a Mouth”, Deadpool is a pop culture-literate antihero unique amongst comic book characters in that he can break the fourth wall and flip superhero conventions on their head.

On the movie’s action, Lucas Siegel from Comicbook.com shares, “The violence is definitely crazy, definitely over-the-top, and definitely gory. But it’s also well choreographed, and some of these action sequences are so quick and stunning, you can’t blink for minutes at a time, for fear of missing the next unbelievable stunt. It’s a blast to watch, and impressive – it ramps up nicely, as well, from a familiar opening sequence to the explosive finale.”

Siegel further injects, “This is a fun movie, and it just feels oh so Deadpool. Rarely have I seen a comic book movie not just capture a character so well, but add to it, as well. Deadpool simply what fans have been dying for, and it’s clear in every moment that it was made by hardcore fans, too.

Deadpool arrives Feb.10 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Check out Deadpool’s red-band trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-KOOehQecp8

‘DeaDpool’ sCreens in Cinemas

expect a memorable Valen-tine’s Day with Asia’s Night-ingale Lani Misalucha. She is featured in two special

nights in Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resort’s World.

Love Catcher is how the show is called and it highlights the musical direction of Mel Villena, while Frank Lloyd Mamaril is the concert director.

Lani will perform classy, timeless and soothing love songs that can make everyone in the audience fall in love.

“I’m very excited with this concert because the songs that I’ll be singing are very well thought of. They will also see the versatility in me,” Lani says.

Joining Lani are the living gems of the music industry, the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Other performers include songwriter and singer Edward Benosa and the proudly Cebuano Baihana Trio -- Krina Cayabyab, Mel Torre and Anna Achacoso.

“I also have talented guests that will allow the people to appreciate the nuances of all the songs. Love will be in the air talaga during these two nights,” the Asia’s Nightingale adds.

Love Catcher is for the benefit of the Cancer Alleviation Network on Care, Education & Rehabilitation.

For tickets and other information, call Ticketworld at 891-99-99 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

CatCh the love with lani MisaluCha

Asia's Nightingale stages a two-night concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resort’s World

Krina Cayabyab, Mel Torre and Anna Achacoso collectively known as Cebuano Baihana Trio

The Philippine Madrigal Singers Balladeer Edward Benosa

SHOWBITZC6i s a h r e d @ g m a i l . c o m


ACROSS 1 Whodunit terrier 5 Kind of jockey 9 Thug, slangily 13 Jingle 15 Great Lakes state 16 Woody’s son 17 Ocean, in Mongolian 18 Crocus “bulb” 19 Quartet member 20 Pfc.’s superior 21 Object on radar 23 Crocheted item (var.)

A N S W E R F O R P R E V I O U S P U Z Z L E

CROSSWORD PUZZLE THURSDAY,

JANUARY 28, 2016

25 Farm newborn 26 Poor, as soil 27 Dead end 30 Cannes summer 31 Snare 32 Jam ‘em up? 37 Was, to Ovid 38 Spiral-horned antelope 40 Banshees do it 41 Beer glass 43 George of “Blume in Love” 44 MTV hosts

45 Rest on one’s — 47 Movie walk-ons 50 Chows down 51 Zodiac sign 52 Island near Kauai 53 Trim a doily 56 TV genie portrayer 57 Year-end libations 59 Itinerary 61 Pull to pieces 62 Blunted sword 63 Put in a log 64 Whirlpool 65 Moose or elk 66 Fish for salads

DOWN 1 “Back in Black” rockers 2 Give a high-five 3 Box for cash 4 Literary compilation 5 Submissive 6 Flapjack chain 7 Polite word 8 Fought against 9 Eva or Zsa Zsa 10 Hold the floor 11 Folger’s Mrs. 12 Muzzle 14 Put the — on 22 “Deck the Halls” refrains

24 Galena et al 25 Ipso — 26 Swiss capital 27 Readies champagne 28 Cleopatra’s wooer 29 Pharaoh’s creator god 32 Golfer’s benchmark 33 Big pitchers 34 Fury 35 Perfume bottle 36 Building wings 38 Commanded 39 Not so much 42 Pizzeria’s need 43 Fix a gash 45 Auto dealer, at times 46 Contented sigh 47 Yielded territory 48 Improve upon 49 Mork’s mate 51 “Breathless” star 52 Curved molding 53 “Nutcracker” costume 54 — — foot pole 55 Trillion, in combos 58 Unlatch, to a bard 60 Ottawa’s prov.

It’s a new era for Taiwan after a landslide victory for Tsai Ing-wen, its first female president. And now, the

hard work begins. Tsai faces a stagnating economy, a compli-cated relationship with Beijing, and a generation of young polit-ical activists empowered by the “Sunflower Movement”.

Tsai’s Party has traditionally leaned in favor of indepen-dence, a highly contentious is-sue. Plus, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that could be taken back, by force, if necessary. So what does the

election mean for Taiwan, its people and its relations with Beijing?

In this month’s On China,CNN’s Kristie Lu Stout travels to Taipei to explore these issues with “Sunflower Movement” student activist Lin Fei-Fan, Taiwan-based journalist and author J.Michael Cole and former Taipei City Government Spokesperson Yu Tzu-hsiang.

CNN On China airs on Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with replays until Feb 22. Check CNN International schedule for dates and time.

CNN ‘ON ChiNa’ disCusses TaiwaN-BeijiNg

relaTiONship

Less than a month from now, Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in Manila will take the Philippine music

scene by storm as the SM Mall of Asia Arena is expected to house a two-day concert that will go down in music history.

Madonna fans all over the country are beyond excited and feeling ecstatic as the Queen of Pop is expected to bring her mighty all in terms of singing prowess and overall stage performance.

Got your tickets to the show already? Don’t fret if you are still on the lookout for those precious tickets. Globe Telecom, the exclusive presenter of the tour’s Manila leg, is bringing back the second installment of its Rebel Heart Tour Raffle Promo. which will give you the chance to win free passes to the concert.

After the success of the first Rebel Heart Tour Raffle Promo, which brought two lucky Globe customers to Los Angeles, California for an all-expense paid trip to catch Madonna on stage, Globe recently announced the second round of the raffle which gives any Globe Prepaid, TM,

Postpaid, Platinum, and Tattoo customers a chance to win tickets to Madonna’s concert in Manila.

To earn raffle entries, simply register to GoSURF30 and up, ap-ply for a Tattoo Home Broadband

Plan 999 and up, or download a Madonna ringback tone from January 1 to 31, 2016. To register to the raffle, text MADONNA REG <Name>/<Address>/<E-mail>/<Age>/<Gender> to 2662.

Platinum and Tattoo Home Broadband customers are auto-matically registered to the raffle. Draw date is on Feb. 5. Twenty four lucky winners will get the chance to see the Queen of Pop perform live in Manila.

“In a few weeks, the RebelHeart Tour lands on Philippine shores and Globe is here to give lucky Globe and Tattoo customers a once in a lifetime concert experi-ence with the second installment of our Rebel Heart Tour Raffle Promo. Music is an integral part of the Filipino digital lifestyle and we wish to make the expe-rience wonderful each time,” shares Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing Issa Cabreira.

For more details on how you can earn raffle entries, visit www.globe.com.ph/BeOneWithMa-donnaRaffle.

Tickets for Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour on Feb. 24 and 25 at the Mall of Asia Arena are on sale now in all SM Ticket Outlets, smtickets.com or call 470-2222. Exclusive ticket deals also await Globe customers. Visit www.globe.com.ph/BeOnewithMa-donna to learn more.

GOInG CRaZy OvER MaDOnna In ManILa?

Here’s your last chance to see the Queen of Pop in Manila for free when

you subscribe to GoSURF, Tattoo

Home Broadband Plan or Madonna ringback tones with the Globe

RebelHeart Tour Raffle Promo

CNN's Kristie Lu Stout reporting from Taipei

Kristie Lu Stout, J.Michael Cole, Lin Fei-Fan and Yu Tzu-hsiang

SHOWBITZ C7i s a h r e d @ g m a i l . c o m


Cinema One Originals is extending its call for en-tries until Feb. 26 and is now offering a stagger-

ing P3 million budget each to de-serving finalists.

The P3 million stake is the highest budget to be ever given in the Philippines by any film fes-tival organization to encourage

filmmakers to submit their best stories.

Seven finalists of the feature film category will receive P3 million to produce their film plus revenue share, while three finalists of the full-length documentary category will get P1.5 million to produce their film in time for the festival.

To submit an entry, interested

filmmakers need to download and fill out the entry form for the full length documentary film category or feature film category, which is available in Cinema One Origi-nals’ official Facebook page.

Join the growing community of movers and shakers in the film industry by becoming part of Cin-ema One Originals 2016. Cinema

One Originals, which is now on its 12th year, has produced a number of internationally and locally ac-claimed films.

Cinema One Originals is pro-duced by Cinema One, the coun-try’s number one cable channel. For more information, visit Cine-ma One Originals (facebook.com/CinemaOneOriginals).

Cinema One

Originals extends deadline

Remember those vintage clothing, shoes, hair, fashion, and music from the 70s, 80s, 90s up to 2000? Then you must remember as well

the only retro pop music authority in the country – REtroSPECT.

The guys are back and will hit your new year with a grand musical reunion billed as

RetroWorld REtroSPECT Reunion Concert Tour 2016.

The grand concert tour will be tomorrow at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan with the grand party starting

The hip band is composed of J. Martin, a resident of Guam USA, Em-J who now livesin Naples Italy, Ogie and Teejay, still living in Manila and Goldie who has chosen Vancouver Canada as her residence. The group was hailed in 23rd ALIW Awards as Best Group Performer (Hall of Fame Awardee) and Certified by American Federation of Musicians (AFM) of USA and Canada as Internationally-Renowned Retro Pop Group.

But the reunion concert in the Philippines doesn’t stop there. REtroSPECT will also be having their world tour. They will also be invading USA, Canada, Europe, UK and UAE in the next coming months.

“We decided to have a reunion concert tour to celebrate our 18th year in the music industry and as our little way of thanksgiving,” said J. Martin, the bandleader.

They are donating part of the concert tour’s proceeds to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata International to help abused children, and those badly hit by calamities and life adversities. Retrospect is also into medical missions, community outreach programs and aims to give these less privileged children scholarships and livelihood programs.

During the concert, Retrospect will pay tribute to the music icons- Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Bonnie Tyler, Boy George and the band’s signature retro covers including their original hits in the past like “Shake Your Booty”, “Bakit Nga Ba?,” “It’s Party Time,” “Chika Doo,” “Getaway,” and “Who Will” among others.

They will also keep the crowd partying with their revival hits like “Hot Stuff,” “Play That Funky Music”, “Reunited” along with OPM hits like “ ‘Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay” and “Hagkan.”

For tickets of the show, grab them Ticketworld.

For more inquiries, please kindly e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

The event is presented by Jaro Produc-tions and Music Museum in cooperation with Godspeed Music, Rhythm Nation International, ABS-CBN Foundation In-ternational and Bantay Bata, Shakey’s Pizza Restaurant, National Office Supply Guam, Gold’s Gym, 357 Boracay and Megamixx 101.9 Guam, USA.

HHHHH

James and Paulo showdown Continues The battle for Leah’s (Nadine Lustre) attention gets more intense.

Clark (James Reid) and Simon (Paulo Avelino) continue to compete and outshine each other during Leah’s surprise birthday in the top-rating teleserye On the Wings of Love.Instead of having the spotlight on Leah during her special day, Clark and Simon attract everyone’s attention as they try to beat each other in a karaoke showdown.

Clark and Simon’s rivalry even goes beyond the karaoke session when Clark sees Simon giving Leah a kiss on the cheek during the party. Thinking Simon went out of the line, Clark confronts Leah about the kiss and tells her about his gut feel that Simon fancies her.

Will Simon’s birthday kiss on the cheek cause a big fight between the engaged couple? Will it lead to a series of events that will eventually tear them apart as seen on the latest On the Wings of Love teaser?

The latest teaser unveiled the heart breaking future of Clark and Leah’s love story and showed tell-tale signs that the couple are living separate lives. It showcased Clark and Leah bumping into each other in the very same spot where they first met in San Francisco and their separate visits to their most cherished spots in the city where their love story all began.

Where will Clark and Leah’s love story

head to? Find out in On the Wings of Love,

Mondays to Fridays after Pangako Sa’Yo in ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida.

HHHHH

toP bands at hRCHard Rock Café (HRC) closes the month with a series of special shows featuring a sampling of the country’s hottest and most talented show bands.

Dance the night away with Red Picassotonight. Party with the unique grooves and sounds of Part 3 on Friday and Sunday, and power your Saturday evening with energy-packed repertoire of Streetbeat.

Certified Hard Rock-ers can come and see the show and look forward to a series of evenings jam-packed with beautiful music with these amazing show bands as they dish our live today’s hottest chart-toppers, homegrown favorites, standard classics, and the most popular party anthems from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. All shows start at 9:00 p.m. promptly.

RetRosPeCt Comes home foR Reunion ConCeRt from C8

REtroSPECT members Ogie, Em-J, J. Martin,

Goldie, and Teejay

90s band REtroSPECT members reunite for a concert tour

Paolo, James and Nadine in a scene from OTWOLNadine Lustre in one of the episodes of the top-rating primetime drama

Red Picasso performs at the Hard Rock Café

C8 ISAH V. REDE D I T O R

After the success of the Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras tandem in the recently concluded top-rating Afternoon Prime series The Half Sisters, they are back as they relive their onscreen love team as Maria Rosario “Maru” Carreon and Bryan Ford in That’s My Amboy on GMA Telebabad.

The show premiered on Monday after Little Nanay on GMA Network.

That’s My Amboy is a light, romantic-comedy series that will surely pull the heartstrings of the viewers and will make them feel good and ‘kilig’ every night.

It is about Maru (Barbie), a simple

yet determined girl who seeks to do her best in life, inspired by her mother’s love for her. It is also about Bryan (Andre), a young actor; TV and film’s hottest leading man, who seeks to be truly appreciated by his girl and his family. And it is about how their unusual work relationship blossomed to become a beautiful friendship and to a one great love story.

In the series, Bryan is the reason why Maru’s stepfather meets an accident. To pay for the damages, Bryan’s manager hires Maru to be Bryan’s personal assistant. But the two always get on each other’s nerves. They become friends though when something happens to Bryan, and Maru is there for him. This brings them closer and eventually the two fall for each other. Can their love surpass the pressures, intrigues and challenges of show business?

Included in the cast are Tonton Gutierrez as Albert Romero, former matinee idol and a ladies’ man; John Arcilla as Joselito ‘Lito’ Tapang, the stepfather of Maru, a stunt director and a responsible and loving husband and father; Donita Rose as Cecille Carreon Tapang, a former actress and Maru’s kind and understanding mother; Kiko Estrada as Patrick Almeda, a rising star who will be Bryan’s rival in showbiz; Jazz Ocampo as Trina Dominguez, a young actress and Bryan’s secret girlfriend; Matet de Leon as Yaya Yolly, Bryan’s caring yaya and number one supporter; Meryll Soriano as Divine, Bryan’s strict yet fair and loyal manager; Maritoni Fernandez as Alice Ford, Bryan’s mother who looks down on his chosen field; and Jerald Napoles as Tope, Bryan’s driver and number two supporter.

Bigger, stronger gMA teleBABAdLast Monday, GMA Telebabad unveiled a bigger and bolder primetime line up for all Kapuso viewers.

After catching the latest news here and abroad on 24 Oras, Little Nanay follows with its climactic plot twists. Meanwhile, fall in love

with the newest romantic comedy series of the Kapuso network, That’s My Amboy, after and is followed by the light and heart-warming series full of good vibes on Because of You.

Concluding the primetime block is the compelling story of Temptation, a Koreanovela top billed by Choi Ji Woo and Kwon Sang Woo.


SHOWBITZSHOWBITZSHOWBITZ

BArBie FortezA, Andre PArAs in A new roMcoM on tV

ISAH V. RED

➜ continued on c7

Barbie Forteza and Andre Paras topbill

GMA Network's newest primetime

drama That’s My Amboy

The “happy lang”cast of Little Nanay Gabby, Carla and Rafael of Because of You Korean drama Temptation joins GMA telebabad

Kiko Estrada Tonton Gutierrez

i s a h r e d @ g m a i l . c o m