The Standard - 2015 May 06 - Wednesday

VOL. XXIX NO. 78 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 www.manilastandardtoday.com [email protected]

Confrontation. Squatters in South Triangle village along Mother Ignacia Street, in Quezon City, try to make a human barricade to stop police from introducing a team tasked to demolish their shanties on Tuesday. MANNY PALMERO

DAVIDE:BBL PARTS AGAINSTCHARTERNext page

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Bulls, Clipsdraw 1st blood

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Audemars Piguet makes a splash

A3Where isComelec’sSheriff? A4

Binay slamsDrilon overhearings

Davide admits portionsof BBL against Charter

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By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A LEADER of the Palace-supported Peace Council formed by President Benigno Aquino III admitted Tuesday that the Bangsamo Basic Law proposed by the administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that “constitutional issues” needed to be “refined.”

In testimony before the Sen-ate, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide backtracked on his ear-lier declaration that the BBL was constitutional.

Under questioning, Davide said “it would be very, very clear from our recommendations, un-less we do something about these areas, and some refinements would be done, then the consti-tutional issues may remain.”

Pressed further, Davide said: “We can’t simply declare [the BBL] unconstitutional when only a few

[provisions] are found violative of the Constitution or perceived to be violative of the Constitu-tion.”

Senator Francis Escudero said he raised the issue about changes to the basic law because the man-tra of government peace negotia-tors is that the draft should not be amended or watered down.

But Davide said one of the pro-visions of the BBL that needed “refinement” was the description of the Bangsamoro government as parliamentary.

Elsewhere, however, it is re-ferred to as “a ministerial form of government.”

To avoid any confusion and possible misinterpretation, Dav-ide said the term ministerial be dropped and replaced with “par-liamentary” for consistency and clarity.

Another problematic provi-sion calls for parliamentary elections upon a two-third vote of no-confidence by all mem-bers of the parliament against the government of the day, Da-vide said.

Instead, the Peace Council suggests that the no-confidence should affect the government of the day, not the entire par-liament. In this way, he said, parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro could be synchro-nized with national and local elections elsewhere in the coun-try.

But Davide also disagreed with critics who said the grant of ex-clusive powers to the Bangsam-oro government makes it supe-rior to the central government.

He said this only refers to pow-ers devolved to the Bangsamoro government, which remains un-der the central government as an autonomous region.

He said to avoid misunder-standing, such powers should be called “exclusive and devolved.”

The BBL, he said, provides that the Supreme Court and the constitutional bodies maintain the powers given them under the Constitution.

“There is neither substitution nor diminution of powers in-tended or effected by the crea-tion of the Bangsamoro human rights, auditing, civil service and electoral offices,” he said.

But to avoid confusion, Davide said, the council recommended that the portions on these agen-cies include the clause “subject to review powers of the Supreme Court.”

Davide said the BBL was an important piece of legislation that represented a “momentous opening” to correct the mistakes of the past.

He added that the draft law complies with the Constitution’s mandate for the creation of auton-omous regions within the frame-work of national sovereignty.

In a news conference after the hearing, Marcos said the Peace Council reports supported their assertions that the BBL should be amended to make it compliant with the Constitution. This was contrary to the stand of Malaca-nang.

“We are able to see that the

Peace Council recognizes the deficiencies of the BBL and that there is need to amend it or to clarify,” he said.

He said this countered the in-sistence of the government peace negotiators and the MILF that there was no need to revise the BBL.

“I think I can categorically state that the draft BBL, as trans-mitted by (President Aquino) to the Senate and the House of Representatives in its form, won’t pass either House,” Maros said.

Escudero and Marcos said they will study the proposals from the Peace Council.

The Palace said Tuesday that the Peace Council, formed at the President’s suggestion, was an in-dependent group.

“There was no implication that they needed to support the BBL,” said Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Coloma then reported on the council’s work, saying it made a 196-page report on a 122-page piece of legislation, and consult-ed 136 representatives form dif-ferent sectors.

“That’s the reason why we could say they (Council) went through the draft BBL thorough-ly. They studied this in a thor-ough manner and this became the basis of their observation and recommendation,” Coloma said.

He echoed the Council’s ob-servation that the BBL was “overwhelmingly acceptable and deserves the support of all Filipi-nos.” – With Sandy Araneta

BBL hearing. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is shown in a huddle with, from left, former Neda Director-General Cayetano Paderanga Jr. (representing businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala), former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Ateneo de Davao University president Joel Tabora, Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement founder Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, and Moner Bajunaid during the continuation of the Senate public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Lino SAntoS

Usman’sslay won’taffect rapsvs rebelsBy Rey E. Requejo and Francisco tuyay

THE death of the terrorist Basit Usman, reportedly at the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), will not affect thefiling of charges against the rebel fighters who participated in the killing of 44 police commandos in Mamasa-pano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

“Whoever is responsible for neutralizing Usman... will not affect our investigation because the Usman case is a separate in-cident,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

Reports said Usman was killed by members of the 118th Base Command of the MILF in Guin-dolongan, Maguindanao, Sunday.

Earlier, a special team of pros-ecutors and National Bureau of Investigation investigators rec-ommended the filing of criminal charges againt 90 members of the MILF, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and oth-er private armed groups involved in the Mamasapano massacre.

Killed in the ill-fated operation were 36 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) 55th Special Action Company, and nine mem-bers of the 84th SAF Seaborne, who killed Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan.

Usman, the second target of the covert Mamasapano operation, was able to elude arrest and has been hunted since then.

The rival Moro National Lib-eration Front (MNLF) said the death of Usman would not hurt the BIFF, members of which had received bomb-making lessons from the Filipino terorist.

Absalom Cerveza, MNLF spokesman, said the BIFF was still a force to recokon with since Us-man was not an “organic member of the BIFF.”

“I don’t think the BIFF suffered a major big blow...their arms are intact and their members have not depleted…they remain a potent force in the area,” Cerveza said.

He added that if those slain in the company of Usman were relatives of BIFF members, there would be a possibility of retaliation.

Cerveza also said Usman’s death was part of a deal between the MILF and the military.

Cerveza said the BIFF counted some 10,000 to 15,000 fully armed fighters, most of whom were former MILF members, including four top commanders of MILF chieftain Murad Ibrahim.

The estimate of troop strength differs dramatically from that of the government, which has dis-missed the BIFF as bandits.

In the Senate, opposition Sena-tor Joseph Victor Ejercito said Us-man was a sacrificial lamb to push the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) passed.

The law has stalled in Congress after the Jan. 25 Mamasapano massacre.

Ejercito said Tuesday the death of Usman at the hands of MILF fighters was “merely scripted” to show the public that the rebels were sincere in pursuing peace. With Macon Ramos Araneta, Sandy Araneta and Florante S. Solmerin

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Comelec’s Sheriff a no-show

Stop use of PCOS, tribunal askedBy Rey E. RequejoTHE Supreme Court has been asked to stop the Com-mission on Elections from re-using the 81,000 Pre-cinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines for the 2016 elections.

In a 46-page petition, peti-tioners led by former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chiong and Ang Kapatiran Party led by Nor-man Cabrera also urged the high court to nullify sev-eral provisions of Republic Act 8436, or the Automated Election System law, which allows the creation of the Comelec Advisory Council and Technical Evaluation Committee with respective

corresponding powers.The petitioners said Con-

gress violated the 1987 Con-stitution, which prescribed the Comelec’s powers and functions, when it inserted those provisions.

They said Sections 8, 9, 10, and 11 of RA 8436 were un-constitutional as those were in conflict with Article IX-C, Section 2 (1) of the 1987 Constitution prescribing the prime task or mandate of the Commission on Elections.

“Sharing the said power with other bodies, whether permanent or ad hoc, trans-gresses the prime task or mandate of the Comelec under the Constitution, not to mention that the set-up

undermines its institutional independence,” the petition-ers said.

“The mere thought alone that the COMELEC is under some kind of supra-entities created in guise of extend-ing assistance to the same is abhorrent.”

By incorporating those statutory provisions in the AES law or in creat-ing the Advisory Council and the Technical Evalua-tion Committee, Congress transgressed Article IX-C, Section 2(1) of the 1987 Constitution, thus, it acted in grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction, the petition-ers said.

By Sara Susanne Fabunan

THE Commission on Elections held its first en banc hearing with its newly-appointed com-missioners except for Commissioner Sher-iff Manimbayan Abas, who remained a mys-tery to many including the top officials of the poll body and even Ma-lacañang.

“You know, I really don’t know,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

“I have not actually met him, so we have no information about him.”

“We have no information on that. Need to verify,” Communi-cations Secretary Herminio Co-loma Jr. said in a text message in response to a claim by Muslim lawyers that Abas is a cousin of Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

Lawmakers also know little about the new commissioner and they challenged Malacañang to provide the same amount of in-formation that usually accompa-nies a presidential appointment.

“The Palace owes it to the Filpino people to clarify [the] issue,” said Abakada Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz.

He noted that the only informa-tion available on Abas is that he was enrolled in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ roll of lawyers in 2005.

Abas supposedly was a regional director of the Civil Service Com-mission and former chairman of the Bangsamoro Business Club, which only emerged after the sign-ing of the government’s Framework Agreement with the MILF.

Before his appointment, Abas, who is said to be from Cotabato City, is known to have conducted election-related seminars to offi-cials of the MILF.

Despite the questions on Abas, the Comelec finally decided on Tuesday to conduct two simul-taneous public biddings for the refurbishing of the old Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines and the purchase of 100,000 new Optical Mark Reader or OMR voting units.

Liberals getting desperate, UNA leader saysBy Maricel V. Cruz and Sara Susanne FabunanTHE opposition United National-ist Alliance (UNA) said that a fac-tion within the Liberal Party led by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II was despeate and would do every-thing to ensure that they win the presidency in the 2016 elections, including the appointment of a top poll official.

UNA acting president and Na-votas Rep. Tobias Tiangco pointed to Roxas, Budget Secretary Flor-encio Abad and Senate President Franklin Drilon as those behind the appointment of Commission on Elections Commissioner Ro-wena Guanzon.

“The appointment of Rowena Guanzon has a deep connection with their faction of the Liberal Party,” Tiangco said in a statement.

“The end goal is to find any way so that Mar Roxas will win in the 2016 elections,” he added.

In a press conference, Guanzon denied Tiangco’s allegations.

The Palace announced the ap-pointment of Guanzon, a former mayor of Cadiz, Negros Occiden-tal, as commissioner of the Come-lec. Also appointed were Comelec Commissioner Andres Bautista, who used to head the Presidential Commission on Good Govern-ance, and Sheriff Abas as a com-missioner.

Guazon’s appointment to the Commission on Audit was earlier turned down by the Commission on Appointments.

During her stint as an audit commissioner, Guanzon actively pursued cases focused on Makati-related projects under Vice Presi-dent Jejomar Binay, and berated auditors for failing to find any ir-regularities in Makati, Tiangco said.

“We are worried of the politi-cal ties of Ms. Guanzon in a sup-posedly neutral and non-partisan

body, especially in an agency that is tasked to oversee a fair and clean election. It is as clear as day that Guanzon’s agenda in the Comelec is to put down the Vice President in 2016,” he said.

Tiangco also accused Roxas of lobbying for Guanzon’s appoint-ment to the COA and to the Su-preme Court.

“Guanzon is very much part of Mar Roxas’ circle,” he said. “Again, we see Mar dipping his hands in the Comelec,” he said.

A lawyer and former professor in the UP College of Law, Guanzon is a member of the Delta Lambda Sigma, a sister sorority of the Sig-ma Rho fraternity. The Sigma Rho counts among its members Drilon, as well as Roxas’ lawyers Avelino Cruz and Simeon Marcelo.

Guanzon on Tuesday denied al-legations that she called a meeting of auditors to pressure them into investigating overpricing in the Makati City Hall Building 2.

In a press conference, Guanzon rejected Tiangco’s allegations link-ing her to Roxas.

“When I was (a) commissioner of COA, and I was there only for 10 months, as a commissioner, I had no power to call any auditor. In fact, my function was mostly qua-si-judicial in nature, where I voted as a judge in claims in the commis-sion,” Guanzon said.

“So I would like to take this op-portunity to disabuse the mind of the public based on what some newspapers wrote, that I called a meeting about Makati. I had no power to call any auditor, I was a new commissioner, I attended meetings only when I was called,” she said.

Guanzon said that she has been consulted from time to time by the COA chair.

She declined to comment fur-ther on Tiangco’s allegations ex-cept to say they were false.

With Sandy Araneta

Protest. Farmers from Porac, Pampanga, and Quezon handcuff themselves at the gates of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City during a protest on Tuesday. Manny PalMERo

Demolition. An policeman hoses down anti-riot cops after squatters at Barangay South Triangle in Quezon City threw feces at them as they tore down their illegal structures. Manny PalMERo

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news

Senateexposéscored

PH replies to Beijing’s claims

Mary Jane’s recruiter arrestedBy Rey E. Requejo

THE National Bureau of Investigation has placed Maria Kristina Sergio, the alleged il-legal recruiter of Mary Jane Veloso, under arrest and was brought to the Department of Justice for inquest proceedings on charges of human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

Sergio was arrested with her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao, who was also the subject of complaints of alleged victims who surfaced after being persuaded by NBI agents.

She was arrested without a warrant be-cause she was supposedly being charged of a continuing offense.

The Department of Justice had earlier formed a special task force to build up cas-es against alleged recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso.

In Department Order No. 277, Justice Sec-retary Leila de Lima has designated six pros-

ecutors, 11 National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents and three state counsels “to in-vestigate, undertake and build up case and work on the prosecution of cases involving Mary Jane Veloso.”

Composing the special task force are Se-nior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Da-canay; Assistant State Prosecutors Mark Roland Estepa, Olive Torrevillas and Niven Canlapan; Senior Asst. City Prosecutor Ray-mond Jonathan Lledo and Asst. City Pros-ecutor Ralph Michael Cataquiz from the National Prosecution Service.

The members coming from the NBI in-clude Anti-Human Trafficking Division chief Atty. Eriz Nuqui and Anti-Illegal Drug Unit Atty. Joel Tovera with lawyers Bas-set Sarip, Giselle Dumlao, Gertrude Gay Manandeg, Jerome Bomediano, Eduardo Ramos and Henry Canapi; and Special In-vestigators Danilo Garay, Roy Rufino Sune-ga and Joel Otic as members.

By Vito Barcelo, Joel Zurbano and Macon Araneta

THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Bi-nay on Tuesday described Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s “bombshell’’ at Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigation hear-ing as another dud after officials debunked his claim that city funds were used to sub-sidize a University of Makati program.

By Vito Barcelo and Sandy AranetaCHINA’S continued reclamation in the disputed West Philippine Sea constitutes a threat to global sustain-able development goals, the govern-ment said on Tuesday as it dismissed Beijing’s accusation that Manila vio-lated a decade old informal code of conduct in the South China Sea.

Assistant Secretary for the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs Minda Calaguian-Cruz said 17 goals and 169 targets, which have been inte-grated into the United Nations De-velopment Agenda Beyond 2015 for the sustainable development of the area, is being adversely affected by

China’s continued reclamation.DFA spokesperson Charles Jose,

for his part, shrugged off allega-tions that the Philippines violated a 13-year-old informal code of conduct in the South China Sea with its build-ing work on disputed islets.

Jose also raised doubts on China’s offer to allow countries, including the United States, to use the arti-ficial islets it built in the disputed South China Sea as nothing but a ploy to ward off international criti-cism.

“We should not be distracted by their actions and instead focus on the core issues which is China’s unlaw-ful claim,” Jose said, adding, “China continues to illegally claim sover-

eignty over the almost entire South China Sea as represented by their nine dash line.”

The DFA spokesperson also de-fended the Philippines structures in the Pagasa islets, saying that the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in 2002 can be taken as a “benchmark”.

Jose said the Philippines built the airport on Pagasa island before 2002.

“What they did afterwards is just maintenance and renovation of the airstrip. The Chinese side began its construction activities after 2002, and that is why the Philippine side regards China’s land reclamation as a violation of the DOC,” he said.

Catch-up program. Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Education Undersecre-tary Dina Ocampo explain to senators at a hearing in Pasay City the reasons for and advantages of implementing the K-to-12 education program. LINO SANTOS

Appeal for fairness. Calauan, Laguna Mayor Buenafrido Berris and Vice Mayor Allan Jun Sanchez ask senators to spare the town the recrimination that will possibly arise from the hearings against Vice President Jejomar Binay. LINO SANTOS

The events at the Sen-ate led Binay’s lawyer JV Bautista to take Senate President Franklin Drilon to task “sleeping and con-doning” what is happening in the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee which has already held 19 hearings on Binay’s supposed cor-ruption.

Another Binay lawyer Rico Quicho, Binay’s po-litical spokesperson, said Trillanes’ latest bombshell showed that the hear-ings have clearly evolved a show opera meant to boost Trillanes’ presidential as-pirations.

“Once again, records be-lie the malicious claims of Trillanes. The Senate hear-ings have so far produced nothing but totally unsub-stantiated claims against the Vice President,” Quicho said in a statement.

Quicho claimed that no Makati City official in the University of Makati’s (UMak) Board of Trustees benefited from the UMak’s Public-Private Partnership program, as alleged by Trillanes.

The senate probe did not find concrete evidence that Makati officials who

are members of the UMak board in a regular or ex-of-ficio capacity – including Vice President Jejomar C. Binay – received dividends or shares of profits at any given time.

“The Vice President merely represented the City of Makati in the Joint Ven-ture Project as evidenced by the City Council Reso-lutions and Ordinances. He never held any business interests therein in his own capacity,” he added.

Quicho said based on the Articles of Incorpo-ration of the Philippine Health Educators Inc., the Joint Venture Company of the City of Makati and STI, “Vice President Binay held only one qualifying share in the Company for the sole purpose of repre-senting the City of Makati in the board of directors of the said Company.”

“It’s a good thing Sena-tor Trillanes was never in the AFP’s Explosives and Ordnance Division other-wise he would have been an embarrassment to the unit because all of the bombs he produced in the Senate hearings turned out to be duds,” Quicho quipped.

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51% of Pinoys rated poor—SWSLegal aid fund forOFWs in distress

3rd batch of pork cases still a priority, says De Lima

By Sandy Araneta

ABOUT 51 percent of Filipino fami-lies see themselves as poor, according to the Social Weather Stations’ survey covering the first quarter of 2015.

SWS said the percentage showed a slight drop from 52 percent in December last year.

The SWS self-rated poverty average survey said that the 51 percent of March 2015 was 3 percentage percent below the 54-percent aver-age for the four quarters of 2014.

The SWS also indicated that 2014 was the worst during the administration of Presi-dent Benigno Aquino III, which matched the average in 2006 during the Arroyo ad-ministration.

The SWS survey also noted that there was a 12-point decline in self-rated poverty, from 43 percent to 31 percent, in Metro Manila, from

December 2014 to March 2015.In Luzon, self-rated poverty went down by

1 percentage point, from 45 percent to 44 per-cent, December 2014 to March 2015.

In Visayas, self-rated poverty surged by 5 per-centage points, from 65 percent to 70 percent.

In Mindanao, self-rated poverty went up by 2 percent, from 60 percent to 62 percent, De-cember 2014 to March 2015.

In the food threshhold, the SWS survey cit-ed an improvement among those who rated themselves food-poor, with a 5 percent de-crease, from 41 percent in December 2014 to 36 percent in March 2015.

In the location threshhold, the SWS survey cited that in the Metro Manila, there was an improvement from 43 percent in December 2014 to 31 percent in March 2015.

The pollster found that the median self-rated poverty threshold, or the lowest monthly home expense budget needed by the poorer half of poor households not to consider themselves as such, was at P15,000 in Metro Manila in March

2015, from P20,000 in December 2014.In Luzon, it was P15,000 in March 2015

from P8,000 last December 2014.In Visayas, it was P10,000 in March 2015

from P12,000 in December 2014.In Mindanao, it was unchanged at P10,000

on both quarters.Median food poverty threshold, or the low-

est monthly food budget needed by the poorer half of “food-poor” families not to consider themselves as such, was at P9,000 in Metro Manila; P6,000 in Luzon, P4,750 in the Vi-sayas, and P5,000 in Mindanao.

The SWS noted that these figures were at record-high levels, except for the Visayas.

The March 2015 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 20 to 23, 2015 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nation-wide, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (sampling error margins of 3% for national percentages, and 6% each for Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao).

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Makabayan bloc in the House of Representa-tives on Tuesday batted for a P500- million legal assis-tance fund to be allocated by the government for dis-tressed Filipino workers.In filing House Bill 5704, the group said Philippine embassies abroad claim that lack of funds makes it difficult for government to provide legal services to Filipinos abroad undergo-ing trial.

The group, composed of Neri Colmenares and Car-los Zarate of Bayan Muna, Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela Women’s Party, Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Ferdinando Hicap of Anakpawis and Terry Ridon of Kabataan party-list, stressed that it was the government’s responsibility to provide timely and adequate legal assistance to OFWs in dis-tress.

“By passing this bill that will ensure that funds are readily available for the le-gal needs of our OFWs in distress, we can save more OFWs’ lives,” said Colmen-ares, a House deputy minor-ity leader.

The Foreign Affairs de-partment had earlier said about 88 Filipinos fac-ing death penalty abroad, mostly in China and Ma-laysia.

Similarly, data provided by the Migrante Interna-tional showed at least 7,000 OFWs in jails abroad.

Given these figures, Col-menares said government must ensure that there is adequate fund for the Legal Assistance Fund and that this fund is actually used to assist our OFWs.

By Rey Requejo

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday clarified that she did not categorically state that prosecuting the third batch of respondents in the pork barrel scam was no longer a priority.

“I was just stating the fact that indeed there are very im-portant and urgent matters on my table,” De Lima said in a text message.

“At any given time, I need to attend to several priority matters/assignments simul-taneously or almost simul-taneously,” the Justice secre-tary added.

De Lima stressed that the reason for the delay in the fil-ing of the third batch is the need to verify the signatures appearing on documents.

The Justice Secretary is-sued the statement after re-vealing she was drawing up a “list” of priority cases she intended to resolve before leaving the DOJ and possibly running for senator under the administration ticket.

Meanwhile, lawyer Levito Baligod said that three for-mer and incumbent legisla-tors reportedly eyeing Senate seat in 2016 polls under the administration Liberal Party are supposed to be among the respondents in the third batch of pork barrel scam cases that were shelved by the Department of Justice.

Baligod, former counsel of whistle-blowers in the Prior-ity Development Assistance Fund scam led by Benhur Luy, made the revelation even as he urged the DOJ

to give priority to the third batch of cases involving the pork barrel anomaly.

Baligod did not name names but he was apparently referring to earlier reports im-

plicating Technical Education and Skills Development Au-thority (TESDA) director gen-eral Joel Villanueva, Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and former Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas.

Baligod stressed that suf-ficient evidence had been gathered against the three politicians, so cases of mal-versation of public funds should have already been filed since last year.

“We are saddened and alarmed by the attitude of the DOJ of not giving impor-tance to this third batch The government is losing its high moral ground in fighting cor-ruption,” Baligod, who was part of the early DOJ probe of the pork barrel scam, said, in a press conference.

Clarifying that he has no

intention of seeking public office next year, Baligod said he believed that the state-ment of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the third batch of PDAF cases is no longer a priority “sends a chilling effect on us ordinary citizens who want to address corruption.”

Baligod recalled that when he was still lawyer of Luy and other whistle-blowers, De Lima has given the “commit-ment that the so-called (ad-ministration) allies will be included in that third batch.”

He was also told the cases would be filed in June last year. “As to what happened between June 2014 and the present, what changed the position of the Department of Justice, I really don’t know,” Baligod said.

Impatient. Lawyer Levito Baligod expresses dismay over the delay in the filing of the third batch of complaints relating to the pork barrel scam during a press conference in Manila on Tuesday . DANNY PATA

Home again. Thirty-six Filipino repatriates arrive Tuesday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board Gulf Air flight GF154. Sixteen of them are from Libya and Syria who availed themselves of the mandatory repatriation program while the other 20 distressed OFWs are from Kuwait. The latest arrivals bring the number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 5,642. ERIC APOLONIO

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news

PNR freezes Metro line

‘Adverse media’ prompted justicesto opt out of Harbour Centre case

Workers board a PNR service coach to inspect the railway from Divisoria to Laguna following the suspension of operations. DANNY PATA

PNR’s move came a week after one of its trains going to Muntinlupa City derailed between the stations of Ma-gallanes in Makati City and Nichols in Taguig City, re-sulting in the injury to at least 30 passengers.

“Operations of the com-muter line shall resume as soon as extensive inspections and as-sessments have been made and the integrity of the rail tracks has been certified safe and sound for its trains to pass and passenger-safety is assured,” said lawyer Diosdado Silva, PNR assistant general manager.

Silva said the PNR man-agement appealed to com-muters to bear with the tem-porary inconvenience.

The 28 kilometer-long (Tutuban-Alabang-Laguna) line system, one of the alter-native modes of transpor-tation for students and low wage earners, carries 60,000-70,000 passengers daily.

Before suspending its op-eration, the PNR reduced the number of daily trips, which resulted in the over-crowding on Monday.

The system’s operator de-ployed 44 daily trips instead of 52 after one of its trains was pulled out from the op-erating fleet because of the derailment last Wednesday.

Jo Geronimo of the PNR Department for Operations, said they had to cancel eight trips due to absence of a spare train.

Southbound Train 1507 was carrying about 300 pas-sengers when the derailment took placed around 4 p.m. Wednesday last week. Its front and middle coaches were re-portedly tilted between 45 and 60 degrees while the last coach remained on track.

PNR officials said they

found two possible angles which could be the reasons for the derailment—pilferage of the rail’s fastening system and rail expansion due to heat.

They did not discount the possibility that informal set-tlers residing near the rail-road stole track materials and sold these for profit.

But members of the Train Riders Network (TREN) said gross negligence on the part of the PNR and the De-partment of Transportation and Communication caused the train to derail.

TREN spokesman James Relativo said the line receives very minimal investment and subsidies from the national government. He added most of the funds barely cover the operation of the line, leaving nothing for expansion, mod-ernization and rehabilitation.

“Lack of government fund-ing and continued neglect resulted in the deteriorat-ing quality of services, over-crowding of coaches, and a plethora of safety issues. What is apparent, however, is the state’s abandonment of their obligation and the con-tribution of privatization to the incident,” Relativo said.

The derailment last Wednes-day was not the first time to happen involving PNR train. In August last year, a south-bound train also derailed be-tween the stations of Espana and Sta. Mesa in Manila. No one was hurt in the incident.

PNR also operates the Bi-col railway system, which is presently under rehabilita-tion in preparation for the resumption of the Bicol Ex-press run to Naga City in Camarines Sur province, and eventually to the south-ern terminal in Legazpi City in Albay.

By Joel E. Zurbano and Darwin G. Amojelar

The Philippine National Railways on Tues-day suspended its Metro Manila train opera-tions to make way for a thorough inspection of tracks and ensure that trains are travel-worthy and its passengers are safe.

AzuCENA ‘zeny’ Laho-ra-Mauricio, mother of Bulacan veteran news-man Orlan Mauricio, passed away last April 30 at the age 85.

She is survived by her other children: Orville Jr., Ellen, Conrad, Rodel, Gil-bert, Neville, and Jerrboy, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Her body lies in state at the St. Peter’s Chapel La Loma, located along C3 Road (formerly 5th Av-enue), between A. Boni-facio and Rizal Avenues, Caloocan City.

Her co-servers and groupmates at the Our Lady of Grace Parish in Grace Park have sched-uled a night of music dubbed ‘Serenade for the

Angels’ on Thursday eve-ning, May 7.

On the last day of vigil, May 8, her OLGP co-work-ers will hold necrological services starting with a 3pm mass to be followed by the tribute of Pagasa Li-ons Club of Caloocan City, friends and relatives.

Her remains will be brought to Tarlac on Satur-day morning (May 9), and a 10am mass will be held at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Ramos, Tarlac.

Interment will follow at the Mauricio mausoleum at the Ramos municipal cemetery where she will be reunited with her husband Orville Sr., a veteran news-paperman-publisher and lifetime-NPC member, who passed away in 1996.

Mauricio, 85 Angat Dam nearing critical level—Pagasa

IN last-ditch efforts to pre-serve ‘judicial integrity,’ a three-member Court of Ap-peals’ division has opted to inhibit from a case involving the operations of the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. at the Manila South Harbor.

The move of the CA’s Spe-cial Second Division stemmed from the motion to inhibit filed by port services operator One Source with the appel-late court against Associate Justice Danton Bueser from hearing the case involving the port facility.

In a 26-page motion, re-spondent One Source accused Bueser of bias and partial-

ity in favor of businessman Reghis Romero II, who is at the center of the dispute on the ownership and manage-ment of the port.

The CA’s Special Second Division to which Bueser is a member was the one which is-sued a temporary restraining order last January against a Pasig City regional trial court decision dated December 1, 2014, which allowed One Source Port Services to man-age and operate HCPTI.

Responding to the mo-tion to inhibit, Bueser, to-gether with Associate Jus-tices Samuel Gaerlan and Pedro Corrales, recused

from handling the case. In a resolution dated April

29, the members of the ap-pellate court’s former Special Second Division decided to inhibit themselves from han-dling the case.

They also acknowledged that that negative media sto-ries against Bueser compelled them to pull out of the case “so as not to unnecessarily drag the name of this court into a useless controversy.”

“…[I]n view of the adverse media releases against the po-nente (Bueser) as well as the filing of inconsequential cases in the Ombudsman thereby unnecessarily dragging the

name of this court in useless contretemps, it is eminently necessary that the members of the division graciously recuse from the further handling of this case,” read the resolution.

“And in view of the sup-posed erosion of private re-spondent’s faith in the justice system as brought to bear thus far upon this case, and mindful too of the duty to promote at every opportunity public confidence in judicial integrity and impartiality, we as members of this division, hereby opt to inhibit ourselves from further participation in these proceedings,” the reso-lution read.

BECAuSE of the dry spell, Angat Dam could reach a low-water level of 180 meters by end of May, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geo-physical and Astronomical Services

Administration.Edgar de la Cruz, the weather bu-

reau’s hydrologist, said the dam’s water level is nearing its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

“When that happens, irrigation (in Bu-lacan) would be affected. The National Water Resources Board would cut the water allocation for irrigated farms in the area,” he told The Standard.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the dam’s eleva-tion was at 186.01.

“Because of the (thunderstorm) rains, the water level only dipped by .06 me-ters,” De la Cruz said.

He said Angat Dam could still service the water requirements of Metro Manila until the third week of May.

The tropical storm Noul outside the Philippine area of responsibility threat-ening to hit the eastern part of Luzon or Bicol region could help increase Angat’s water elevation, he noted.

“Noul, if enters the country and be-comes a typhoon to be named Dodong, could pass through Bulacan and bring in rains,” he said.

Without the localized rains over the Angat watershed, the dam is marking a .35-meter decrease, he said. Rio Araja The Angat Dam may dry up soon because of the El Nino drought.

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W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS A7Army troops take arms, explosives from rebels in Ormoc

Pangasinan intensifies anti-rabies campaign

SM Foundation turns over health center to Cavite town

Provincial board members passed on Monday Provin-cial Resolution No. 1319-2015, which taps barangays to spear-head programs that could de-liver vital service intervention in animal bites and rabies cases.

The resolution also urges ba-

rangays to closely coordinate with local government units to help augment their limited re-sources in implementing their anti-rabies programs.

The resolution was proposed by board members Amado Espi-no III, Napoleon Fontelera and

Rene Sison. The Provincial Health Office

has listed 12 human deaths from rabies in the first quarter of 2015, as compared to 11 deaths for the entire year 2014. Eric Perez, pro-vincial veterinarian, said that these deaths occured in San Car-los City, Dasol, Tayug, San Fabian, Bautista and Sta. Barbara, which are also the places with the high-est incidence of rabies.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian says that there

are at least 300,000 stray dogs in Pangasinan. It has also been conducting a massive vaccina-tion program against rabies since March this year.

Espino said that the campaign shouldn’t only focus on dogs or animals, but also on responsible parenthood. Parents should be mindful of their children so they could avoid getting bitten by stray dogs. Dexter A. See, Johanne Margarette R. Macob, PNA

THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan has passed a resolution stepping up its campaign against rabies after noting an alarming increase in the number of rabies-related deaths this year.

This is the life. A local boy from Bantayan Island lies down on the sand and enjoys the pristine waters of the beach. This island was devastated by typhoon Yolanda in 2013 but is now recovering. RALPH PIEZAS

That thing called.... Improved accessibility and accomodations in Sagada, Mountain Province have made it a favored destination among trekkers. DAVID CHAN

By Mel Caspe

ORMOC CITY—Army troops of the 19th Infantry (Com-mando) Battalion, 8th Infan-try (Stormtroopers) Division seized five high-powered fire-arms and explosives during an armed confrontation with New People’s Army rebels in Baran-gay Liberty, Ormoc City on Sunday, May 3.

Lt. Col Nedy C. Espulgar, Com-manding Officer of the 19th Infan-try Battalion based in the area, said his unit received information from a concerned citizen about the pres-ence of heavily armed men in the barangay.

Acting on the information, troops proceeded to the area and confirmed the presence of about ten NPA members at the outskirts. A five-minute firefight ensued between the government troops and the rebels, after which the latter withdrew.

Troops immediately scoured the area and seized four M16A1 rifles, one M203 grenade launcher, sev-eral M16 magazines, 40mm am-munition, rifle grenades, an im-provised explosive device (IED) and cell phones.

Likewise, assorted medical provisions, foodstuffs, personal belongings and subversive docu-ments were found in the area.

There was no reported casualty on the government side.

Major General Jet B. Velarmino, 8ID Commander, thanked the resi-dents of Brgy Liberty for the infor-mation, the local government unit, and the soldiers.

“Let us continue to affirm or reaffirm our respective roles and mandate to preserve and sustain the gains and pre-empt/prevent the resurgence of Local Terror-ist Groups and to continually exert efforts, cooperate, support and assist each other, along with other government agencies and instrumentalities, in preserving the peace and order in this part of the region.”

SM Foundation officially turned over the renovated Main Health Center to the mu-nicipal government of Indang, Cavite on April 15.

The reconstructed center now has a laboratory, dental room, treatment area, consultation area, family planning room, prenatal/postnatal room, birthing area, im-munization area, cold chain storage area & a TB Dots area.

It also has a wellness center for the elderly where senior citizens can get together and engage in activities and projects.

The FTS Wellness Center, named after the matriarch of the Sy Group of Compa-nies, Felicidad T. Sy, focuses on the needs of the seniors in acknowledgment of their contributions to the community during

their productive years. The Activity Center for Children on

the other hand has a mini-playground fitted with toys & books for children’s use while awaiting consultation. It has a therapeutic effect for children seeking treatment.

Patients with minor illnesses may be treat-ed in these health centers by a competent medical staff. Emergency tratement can also be administered to patients before they are brought to the hospital.

The Health Center obtained PhilHealth accreditation for the following services: Maternal Child Package (MCP) Primary Care Benefit , PCB TB DOTS & Dog Bite. It had obtained its Sentrong Sigla Accredi-tation in 2009.

OPINIONA8

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BURNT OFFERING

A9ADELLE CHUAE D I T O R

W E D N E S D AY: M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

MORE CREDIT-GRABBING

SEEING THROUGH THE PLOY

Continued on A11

PALACE spin doctors and administration apologists insult our intelligence when they suggest that the death of terrorist Basit Usman—presumably at the hands of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front—is proof that the rebel group is sincere about seeking peace after all, and that Congress should now pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

“We are entering a time when legislators will soon be discussing the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and we will understand that the legislators and the citizenry are looking for a concrete manifestation that would prove [the MILF’s commitment to peace],” a Palace spokesman said, even before the details of Us-man’s death had been officially verified.

The suggestion was unmistakable—Usman’s cadaver was proof enough of the MILF’s commitment and lawmakers should rush the passage of the BBL, the draft law hammered out by government negotiators and the rebels to create a new region in Muslim Mindanao with unprecedented autonomy.

There are so many holes in this argument that one would be at a loss where to begin.

A general, who spoke on condition of anonymity, argues convincingly that Us-man’s death is proof that the MILF actually coddled the terrorist all these years, and offered him up only after they put their own peace accord at risk by slaugh-tering 44 police commandos who were trying to serve an arrest warrant on Ma-laysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Usman in January.

This practice of the MILF to harbor terrorists in areas it controls was con-firmed some time ago by the group’s own former spokesman, Eid Kabalu, who said it was ludicrous to believe that the group was unaware of Marwan or Us-man’s whereabouts in their own backyard.

The belated offering of Usman is a poor sign of sincerity because his death costs the MILF very little, and pales in comparison to the death of 44 police officers who were merely enforcing the law in Mamasapano. A true and more meaningful sign of sincerity would be the surrender of all MILF fighters who took part in the Mamasapano massacre, but this is a demand that the rebel group has consistently rejected.

Finally, even if we were to accept that the MILF were sincere in seeking peace, this sincerity alone is not sufficient basis for passing the BBL, which was drafted by a small group of like-minded individuals—so like-minded, in fact, that the government negotiators are often mistaken as MILF spokesmen because of their pronouncements. The wisdom—or folly—of the BBL is not predicated on any-body’s sincerity. It is a draft law with serious implications on the entire country and must be vigorously debated, not approved by rubber stamp simply because the rebels offered up a dead terrorist, much as a cat might offer its unsuspecting master a dead mouse.

If the MILF truly did kill the terrorist Usman after harboring him for so many years, this is not a show of sincerity but a meager burnt offering, and one that is not commensurate to the price being asked in exchange.

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES

BACK CHANNEL

ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

CLEARLY, it was an offering of appeasement to gain approval for an unlawful act.

Seeing through the ploy, the United States rejected outright the offer of China for joint use of the airstrip and berthing docks it had constructed on reclaimed land in the South China Sea. The US earlier had reprimanded China that building forward military bases is destabilizing the peace and security of the region.

A Chinese military official suggested that the US and other international organizations could use the nearly completed airstrip and pier for international relief and rescue operations. Use of the military facilities on reclaimed land was not offered to the Philippines which claims jurisdiction of the area under the 200-mile economic exclusion zone of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said the Chinese offer was merely aimed at deflecting international criticism of its unilateral and illegal reclamation of land which is unsettling not only the stability of the region but also its ecosystem.

The expansion of China’s naval reach is also raising concern when it announced a joint sea exercise with Russia in the Mediterranean. Geopolitical experts see the move as a counterfoil to US initiatives in the Pacific. With China looking for an ally, it’s natural to turn to Russia, as a counterbalancing act that could see a return to the Cold War.

Bounty on Usman’s headThe story of Filipino terrorist Abdul

Basit Usman is a classic case of betrayal and blood money. Usman was killed, not by pursuing government troops who made his world smaller, but by his Moro Islamic Liberation Front bodyguards. Wounded and with a $1-million bounty on his head, Usman had become an inconvenience to the MILF which did not want AFP troops to make further inroads into their stronghold in Maguindanao.

Usman escaped the police operation in Mamasapano on January 25 which left his Malaysian cohort Marwan and 44 PNP-Special Forces commandos dead. On the run since, Usman was wounded by government troops who were closing in on him.

No longer useful, Usman was made a sacrificial lamb to show the MILF was cooperating in ridding itself of extremists in its ranks to pave the way for Congress to pass the controversial draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.

The $1-million prize on Usman’s head was hard to resist but claiming it has become contentious for the MILF commanders who are quarreling as to

THE Moro Islamic Liberation Front is start-ing to sound more and more like its partner across the negotiating table, the Aquino administration, with each passing day. The MILF wants to claim credit when things happen that will make it look good and to blame others when they don’t.

The death of Abdul Basit

Usman, associate of the late Marwan, is being used by both the government in Manila and the MILF as proof that the Muslim se-cessionists are working to bring peace to Mindanao. The Moro rebels went so far as to say that they have delivered the fugitive bomb maker as a “gift” to the gov-ernment, to show their sin-cerity and to speed up the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law; the palace heart-ily agrees.

But as is usual when cred-it-grabbing and pursuing a propaganda agenda are

given a higher priority than the truth, there are a lot of holes in the script. And the fact that the military con-tinues to insist that Usman was killed by his own body-guards, who were after the $1-million bounty on his head, is just one of them.

As I recall, the surrender of both Marwan and Usman by the MILF was part of the agreement forged between President Noynoy Aquino and rebel chieftain Al-haj Murad Ebrahim in their secret meeting in Tokyo in 2011. That meeting was described by the MILF as

a “great leap forward” be-cause it was able to hood-wink the President into

granting it equal status with the Philippine government by holding the sit-down in a third-party country. But the rebels had to promise that they would yield the Malaysian Marwan, the famous “Bomber of Bali,” and his Filipino associate Usman – something that, as later events proved, the rebels had no intention of doing.

Indeed, it had to take that epic failure of an extraction operation in January in Mamasapano, in the heart of MILF territory, to get Marwan. In the four years since Tokyo, the MILF did nothing to turn over the terrorists; and when

Marwan was finally killed, the Manila government had to pay the price of losing 44 members of its elite Special Action Force com-mando unit.

The killing of Usman last Sunday follows the same distress-ing pattern. Right after the mili-tary declared that the Filipino bomb-making expert was killed by his own men, the MILF claimed that its fighters had got-ten to him first; Malacañang, as

it always has where the MILF was concerned, immediately took the side of the rebels, over the protest of the Armed Forces itself.

Compare this with how Malacañang, through its peace panel, took on all comers to de-fend the MILF after Mamasapano and you quickly get the picture. And remember that the original operation to get both Marwan and Usman was first described by the government as a police operation

to serve valid warrants of arrest – not as acts to build confidence in the peace talks that should ul-timately lead to the passage of the BBL.

* * *Here’s the problem, as far as I

can see it: How can the govern-ment say that the MILF should give up Marwan and Usman as a prerequisite for peace talks, call its own subsequent effort to get

Continued on A11

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I can only hope the people

will not allow themselves to be

gypped as their President has

been by the MILF.

A8

[ EDI TORI A L ]

SEVILLA’S GENIE

EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of this administration, the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency into a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored candidates in the 2016 elections.

Sevilla was the third Customs commissioner to leave the agency under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight against corruption the touchstone of his leadership.

Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid allegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims of good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 with the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy.

That promise came crashing down less than two years later with Sevilla’s resignation.

In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was being pressured to appoint certain people to “very sensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and admitted that he could not finish the job of ending corruption at the bureau.

“I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning Customs chief said. “The law is clear on what is allowed and [what is] not.”

In its first statement following the resignation, the Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, and simply announced his replacement, a person from the private sector with extensive interests in several brokerage-related companies. A Palace spokesman assured the public that there would be no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, Alberto D. Lina, would divest himself of his interest in his brokerage company—but said nothing of his holdings in at least 10 other corporations.

The announcement did little to engender confidence.

Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement would truly divest himself of all his lucrative business interests to take a job in the government in an administration with only a year left? Or is his appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to make sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016?

Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, was a close associate of Lina.

Lina was also Customs chief during the previous administration, before he left abruptly as part of the “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the Arroyo government over an election-related scandal in 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in the Aquino administration.

Administration allies in the Senate have been fulsome in their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their usual eagerness to launch a congressional investigation into allegations of corruption in the Bureau of Customs, particularly since such a probe might expose “friendly forces” rather than political opponents.

But there can be no doubt that Sevilla must be encouraged—or compelled—to name names and provide a detailed account of what he knows. His failure to do so would be a betrayal of the morality he claims led to his resignation, and the public service he vowed to uphold when he took office at the Bureau of Customs.

In opening his mouth about corruption and influence peddling in the bureau, Mr. Sevilla has let the genie out of the bottle, and no amount of doubletalk from him or his former employers now can put it back in.

ADELLE CHUAE D I T O R

THE REAL THREAT

FIRST, a disclaimer. One national daily, through an online post, at-tributed to me the statement that the Chief Justice had, in effect, pre-judged the Binay case by her line of questioning at the oral argument. I made no such statement. Some-one did call me up however for an interview on the subject. I gave him onIy curt replies though he did attempt, by leading questions, to make me agree with him on this assessment—an enticement I steadfastly resisted. I made clear: I did not think it was right for me to comment on on-going proceed-ings. What I did, however, was write a Facebook post on the doc-trine of condonation. Justice Adolf Azcuna was the first to comment: He thought that I had captured the doctrine succinctly. He agreed with my analysis that the doctrine has its roots in our understanding of popular sovereignty. That note of concurrence, I consider priceless! The next day, I wrote an extended article for this paper—and earned a lot of flak for it. I do not mind the criticism, but I am alarmed that the kind I got is symptomatic of a more insidious malady that is lethal to democracy: intolerance for dissent!

There is good reason to ignore

comments on FB posts—many of them betray the pathetic ignorance behind them. But again, they are red flags that invite close scrutiny, if only because, in their sheer irratio-nality, they sound the alarm to the intellectual bankruptcy that makes

it impossible for a genuine democ-racy to long endure. When Arch-bishop Soc Villegas issued a state-ment on the draft BBL, an almost common comment was: “Bakit nakikiaalam na naman ang sim-bahan dito?”. Nowhere was there any serious analysis of the argu-ment advanced, no serious exami-nation and rebuttal of the reasons adduced. Nothing more than an attack on bishops and priests. The Archbishop, in a personal capacity, discussed the necessity of inclusive-ness, warned against equating peace in Mindanao with the passage of

BBL, underscored the moral right of a State to its integrity. None of these points of social justice theory and moral theology were addressed by the posted comments. The bishops were rather reminded that some priests were pedophiles. They were also told that it was shame-ful for them to have been involved in the Pajero scandal. It would be less bothersome merely to laugh off such obvious illogicality, but if this is how our countrymen, or a good part of them, reason (or, better, fail to do so!), that demonstration of a dreadful want in thoughtfulness and reasonability should make us fearful of democracy’s future in-deed. When irrationality prevails, anything frightful is possible!

Tracing in broad strokes the his-tory of the condonation doctrine in this jurisdiction, I pointed out that it has been in our jurisprudence for some time now—carried over from American jurisprudence, and that it actually has roots in our democratic convictions. I was not advocating the perpetuation of this piece of ju-risprudence. I was however arguing that it was not unreasonable and had in fact been consistently ap-plied by the High Court. The com-ments I got labeled me a lackey of the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan—pathetic actually, if hilarious, be-cause they were attacks on me, not on my argument. In stark contrast were the posts of Prof. Jemy Gat-dula of the University of Asia and

We can and ought to raise the bar of

public discourse and set more stringent

standards for exchange in public

spaces.

OPINIONM O N D AY, A P R I L 2 7, 2 0 1 5

PENSÉES

FR. RANHILIOCALLANGAN

AQUINO

Continued on A11sors, for yet another reason entirely. The second Aqui-no has been stuck with the “noynoying” tag, which has led to the widespread belief that he has done nothing of significance after unreason-ably raising expectations that he could deliver everything

from good governance to ba-sic infrastructure as he enters the sixth and last year of his term.

Of course, like other Presi-dents before him, Aquino is fighting the waning of his once-stratospheric popu-larity with everything that he’s got. And like those who went before him, he seems doomed to fail.

Aquino’s reason for resist-ing the decline has to do with ensuring that he stays out of jail when he steps down. This is why he repeatedly declares these days, when he attends even the most insignificant of public functions, that he is not a lame duck and that his power to make his chosen successor win in next year’s

OPINIONA8

[ EDI TORI A L ]

A MORE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE


T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

INEVITABLE DECLINE

HAS OUR COMMISSION ON HUMAN

RIGHTS MADE A

DIFFERENCE?

Continued on A11

I see no reason why Aquino’s

numbers would improve in the coming days.

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES

HANOI, Vietnam—I am in the capital of Vietnam as a resource person in a semi-nar on “National Human Rights Com-missions: Experiences from the Region” sponsored by the Konrad Adenaer Stif-tung. I accepted the invitation because of a long desire to evaluate the affectivity of our own Commission of Human Rights since its establishment through the 1987 Constitution 28 years ago. This invitation finally gave me to the opportunity to final-ly conduct this long-delayed study.

The starting point has to be the very high expectations of the people that the CHR will help promote and protect hu-man rights in the country when they created it in the Constitution itself. Its first head, Chairperson Mary Bautista, should be credited for safeguarding the independence of the constitutional body from political interference. Congress then took the appointment of the Chair and the Commissioners of the Commission should be submitted for conformation to the Commission on Appointments. Rightfully so, the Supreme Court ruled that Chairperson Bautista and her com-missioners were not among those public officers whose appointments needed con-firmation by Congress. This insulated the chair and members of the Commission from political interference.

The Constitution enumerates the pow-ers of the Commission. These include the power to investigate, the power to issue summons, cite in contempt and power to ask assistance from any branch of govern-ment. Here, we have a serious obstacle in the task of evaluating the performance of the Commission. For while the courts and the DOJ whose performance may be mea-sured in terms of case disposal and/ or its conviction rate, the CHR can only investi-gate but has no power to prosecute.

In the case of Carino vs. Commission of Human Rights, the Supreme Court defined the full extent of the Commissions’ inves-tigative powers: “The function of receiving evidence and ascertaining therefrom the facts of a controversy is not a judicial func-tion, properly speaking. To be considered such, the faculty of receiving evidence and making factual conclusions in a controver-sy must be accompanied by the authority of applying the law to those factual conclu-sions to the end that the controversy may be decided or determined authoritatively, finally and definitively, subject to such ap-peals or modes of review as may be pro-vided by law. This function, to repeat, the Commission does not have.”

It is this lack of prosecutorial powers IT’S practically inevitable: All Presidents since 1986 have experienced drops in popularity as the end of their terms approaches. The cur-rent Chief Executive is no ex-ception to this phenomenon.

For instance, the wildly popular Cory Aquino, upon her assumption to the high-est office in the land, could get away with declaring a revolutionary government

to basically do whatever she wanted. Nearing the end of her tumultuous reign, Cory could not even summon up a fraction of the early crowds of supporters that were a hallmark of her rallies when she took on the task of call-ing for the extension of lease of the US military bases in the Philippines – a job that her government miserably failed to accomplish.

Cory’s successors, for various reasons, suffered the same fate. Fidel Ramos was hobbled by the first Asian currency crisis, which wiped out the economic gains that

his term had ushered in.Joseph Estrada, while he

failed to complete his term, quickly turned from a popu-lar populist leader upon his election into a bad parody of himself, until he was ousted for his alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game of jueteng, among other sins. And Gloria Macapagal Ar-royo was helpless to reverse the perception of her term as corruption-riddled, which caused her survey numbers to dip into negative territory.

President Noynoy Aqui-no seems to be suffering the same fate of his predeces-

elections remains undiminished.The reality, as survey after survey

has shown, is that Aquino is just barely keeping his head above the waters of negative acceptability and popularity. And there is nothing that he can do, it seems, to reverse the trend.

It is significant that Malacanang seems to have abandoned the strat-egy of pretending to ignore the re-sults of the surveys which show an irreversible decline in his popular-ity. Where once the palace shrugged

off survey data with dismissive statements about just continuing to do the work of governance, Com-munications Secretary Herminio Coloma now says that “there is significant room for improvement and... [a] need to continually ascer-tain the needs of our people.”

What Aquino seems hell-bent on doing is to continue making public appearances to prove that he is still working, very much in control and the possessor of game-changing en-dorsement powers. If subsequent

surveys show that Aquino’s poll numbers are continuing to plumb new, unfamiliar depths despite his efforts, I expect the campaign to further intensify.

There is no other option for Aquino, really. But history and the “stickiness” of the popular percep-tion that he is a failure as President are against him.

I see no reason why Aquino’s num-bers would improve in the coming

Continued on A10

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VIEW FROMMALCOM

ATTY. HARRY ROQUE JR.

TALK about leaving a legacy upon retirement. Former Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. certainly

left a problem at the agency. Shortly before he stepped down, Brillantes led the commission in approving a P268.8-million deal with Smartmatic for the refurbishment of the 80,000 precinct count optical scan machines it had first acquired from the same company for use in the 2010 elections.

The PCOS machines are supposed to be repaired and upgraded in time for the May 2016 national polls.

The Supreme Court however shot down the deal as contained in Comelec Resolution 9922 and the Extended Warranty Contract Program 1, because the poll agency failed to justify its resort to direct contracting.

Petitioners of the case argued that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion in approving the deal, which was anomalous and scandalous. They also said the poll body seemed to be rushing to tap Smartmatic for the contract.

The Comelec now is entertaining several options on how to prepare for the elections given the Supreme Court’s decision. It could bid out the refurbish-ment of the 82,000 – it says there is still time because the process is supposed to last only five months.

Another option is to use new machines altogether – 23,000 of them – which are now still in the bidding process. Under this set-up, though, many pre-cincts would share a single machine. The Comelec spokesman has said this would slow down the counting Yet another scheme would entail transport-ing ballots from a group of precincts to a designated voting center. A manual scenario would be when voting is manual with automated transmission of votes. An extreme scenario is having no elections at all, which some doom-sayers have mentioned to spook the people.

The poll body assures us it has enough time to put in place any of these al-ternatives, just as soon as it obtains the final decision of the Supreme Court. This is reassuring for now, given that we have little over the year before citi-zens troop to the polling centers again. We will see, in the next few months, whether Comelec can be as confident as it sounds.

It is easy to get swept up into the election frenzy, which is expected to intensify as October, the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy, nears. There is bound to be another circus as the campaign season begins.

Through all this, we should remember that more fundamental than who will get elected is how they will win, or lose. With equal interest and intensity as we watch the national and local races, let us ensure that the manner in which votes are cast, counted and canvassed will truly reflect the people’s will.

director general Joel Villanueva.Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and resigned Energy

Secretary Jericho Petilla are also mentioned, but they may encounter rough sailing. The former, because of her perceived obsequiousness to President Aquino, and Petilla because of the persistent problems relative to sup-ply and price of electricity.

***I have always listed Tolentino as one of the few achiev-

ers and performers of the Aquino administration. He finds comfort in the fact that he is seen as a public official who is always in the thick of action, especially during disasters.

He has sought assistance for the victims of disasters even outside of Metro Manila. While floods still persist in the me-tropolis, Tolentino has succeeded in mitigating them.

Tolentino has in fact improved the solid waste man-agement and garbage disposal system and revived the fer-ry service along the Pasig river from Pasig to Intramuros. There is also the continuing Summer Employment Program for students. He recently set up an MMDA Training Institute for traffic management. Above all, he was able to maintain harmonious relations with all the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region, which has re-sulted in better coordination and more efficient delivery of service.

His impressive educational background includes a doctorate in judicial science from the US, Master of Laws from England, graduate diploma in Public Administration also from the US, Master of National

Security Administration from the National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines and a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University. His strong legal experience also involves the American Bar Association and legal organizations in New York and Washington DC.

All these are bonuses for Tolentino’s bid for the Senate.* * *

I have expressed my doubts about Justice Secretary Leila de Lima salivating for the Senate. She may be the most media-exposed member of the Cabinet who speaks on anything under the sun when a television camera is focused on her. Still, I doubt her independence of mind, probity and integrity.

Only recently, De Lima said that the third batch of for-mer and incumbent members of Congress implicated in the P10 billion pork barrel scam allegedly of Janet Lim Napoles is not her priority. It follows—some of them are Liberal Party members close to President Aquino and LP stalwarts. Going after them can endanger her inclusion in the administration Senate slate.

Recall that when the 2010 Luneta hostage crisis was investigated by De Lima, and while she recommended administrative and criminal charges against people close to the President, Malacanang rebuffed her. She did not resign when any self-respecting person would have done otherwise.

Is this the kind of administration candidate we want for the Senate?

OPINIONW E D N E S D AY: M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A10

THOSE of us in Metro Manila who commute to work, go to school or any other place, suffering traffic jams and the MRT (if we are lucky enough not to be offloaded because of daily glitches), can be consoled by the fact that traffic in Jakarta, Indonesia is much worse, so that it is considered the worst in the world.

According to a study, millions of Indonesians may have to wait even longer than another decade if $4 billion worth of new railway projects don’t work as planned.

In Jakarta, the average driver has to stop 33,240 times a year—more than twice the number in New York. The average speed is a mere 8.3 kilometers per hour.

To make matters worse for Jakarta commuters, at least a thousand new cars and motorbikes are added to the city roads. I have been to Jakarta, and during city tours, trav-el guides continually have to apologize for being late to destinations. My gulay, some commuters there now ride bicycles!

***While there’s universal commendation on the ap-

pointment of Dean Andy Bautista as Comelec chairman because of his excellent track record as PCGG chair-man and his known probity and integrity, the same can-not be said of the appointment of former Cadiz City Mayor Rowena Guanzon. She is a known ally of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, a Liberal Party stalwart and lackey of President Aquino.

The other appointee, Sheriff Abas, a Muslim, is an un-known entity. I cannot say anything about him.

From the start I have considered Bautista, a Harvard Law School graduate and former dean of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, as one of the few jewels of the Aquino administration. He is an achiever and performer. During his former stint at PCGG as chairman, Bautista not only recovered over half of the hidden and ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his cronies. He also restored peo-ple’s faith and confidence in the PCGG, which had sunk

into a new low because of its officials involved in graft and corrup-tion.

Bautista’s stint at PCGG was challeng-ing enough, but his new post gives him a greater challenge: He must make next year’s

presidential election reflective of the will of the people.The advantage of Bautista is that he’s young and ide-

alistic. As such, he cannot afford to spoil and tarnish his excellent track record and his name.

To Andy, a good friend, I say: Good luck, and remem-ber that you owe your allegiance to the people, not to your appointing power. The people expect a clean and honest election next year.

***There are four names being mentioned as probable

senatorial candidates—Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin “FM” G. Romualdez, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Morano and Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino. In my book, they all deserve to be in the Senate.

Romualdez has proven himself as a credible oppo-sitionist, heading the independent minority bloc at the House of Represenative. As president of the Philippine Constitution Association, he has made a name for him-self. And as a Romualdez, he has Ilocano (especially in Ilocos Norte), and Visayan political base.

Win Gatchalian is young and idealistic and has a good track record in the House. We certainly need young peo-ple in Congress. Isko Moreno has proven himself, as vice mayor to Mayor Joseph Estrada, as a man of competence and integrity.

Romualdez and Gatchalian are in the lineup of Vice President Jojo Binay’s Senate slate, and Moreno and Tolentino in the administration senatorial ticket.

Leading the proposed administration Senate slate are re-electionists Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senators Ralph Recto, Sergio Osmena III and Teofisto Guingona III, and former Senators Panfilo Lacson and Francis Pangilinan.

But, among the members of the Aquino cabinet whom I consider quite credible and who have a good chance of winning are MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

MY KIND OF CANDIDATES

JOBLESS IN A SEA OF MONEYIN A previous column, I wrote about a Hong Kong Chinese de-signer bag manufacturer which put up four factories in Pampanga and instantly became the prov-ince’s biggest employer of full-time (not contractual) workers. Superl Philippines now employs 9,080 workers, most of them college-educated, producing the among the world’s best and best-made designer handbags. Employment will rise to 12,000 by the end of this year.

I write about these companies because of a recent strange phenomenon.

An unprecedented $10.08 billion investments were registered in the country last year, up a whopping 352 percent from $2.23 billion registered in 2013, and from negative $6.7 billion investments in 2012 (mean-ing Filipinos invested more abroad than foreigners did inside the country that year).

In addition, the country makes yearly from OFW remittances $26 billion plus another $15 billion from call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO). In 2014 thus, we had easily $51 billion or P2.26 tril-lion at last year’s peso-dollar rate. The P2.26 trillion is enough money to create 2.26 million jobs last year alone – at P1 million cost to create each job.

But only less than 800,000 jobs were created – our normal job creation a year for the past ten years, meaning even if the P2.26 trillion did not come in and even if the president of the Philippines were a dog or a rat, the economy would have created 800,000 jobs just the same.

Where did the P2.26 trillion money go? How come we had 2.26 million unemployed last year? Despite the trillions that come into the country yearly, how come only 800,000 jobs are being created each year.?

The 2.26 million unemployment is on top of some 7 million who are underemployed—working only half of their working time or are overqualified for their current jobs. An example would be a college graduate working as a security guard or hamburger joint atten-dant.

Joseph Estrada has proved that you can be president of the Philippines—even if you are a college dropout. That makes all of us virtually underemployed – be-cause the biggest and most difficult job in the land, or in Asia, for that matter, can be had by a college drop-out.

Unemployment has hardly been dented, down to just 6.6 percent as of October 2014, from 7 percent the previous one-year period in 2013. Money is coming in but it is being invested in places where there is no job creation – like the stock market, government securi-ties, or takeover of existing companies or factories.

About 38.1 million Filipinos were employed in 2013. Most of them, however, do not have decent jobs and earn wages that cannot feed a family of four. The 38 million is an increase of 4 million jobs from 2008, five years ago, according to ILO figures. That implies a job creation of just 800,000 per year.

Some 1.8 million Filipinos are born every year.

That is also the rate of increase in the work force – 1.8 million, as-suming everyone of working age is employable or part of the work force. The Philippines is creating jobs at less than half the rate it should be creating.

The 6.6 or 7 percent unem-ployment is the national average.

Unemployment is actually much higher, especially among the young. ILO says 16 of every 100 employ-able youth are out of work. One half of the country’s jobless are young. Young people are three times more likely to be jobless as their adult counterparts.

Considering their lack of decent employment and their bleak economic future, I am surprised why our college students and our young do not regularly storm the Batasan, the Senate, and Malacañang to demand for jobs and a better economic environment where they can have better job opportunities. Only our po-litical dynasties are never jobless.

During our time in college, we regularly threw Molotov cocktails at the powers-that-be at the slight-est provocation. Many of our ablest and most bril-liant student leaders went underground and joined the Communist Party, in protest against the system. Others, like Nur Misuari, formed rebel organizations like the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which in turn gave birth to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In the hinterlands of Mindanao, kids as young as ten, learn to fire a gun and do target practice using the faces of despised politicians and military types. Two-thirds of the some 10,000 alleged victims of Ferdinand Marcos’s martial law were young. Thousands fell in the prime of their youth. Of course, many more sur-vived martial law, finished their courses, here and abroad, only to be employed by equally corrupt and more incompetent presidents.

I suspect today’s young lack intellectual practice and are possessed of an uncanny ability to lack dis-cernment. They give up to fight – which is their birth-right in a democracy.

Today’s Congress costs taxpayers a minimum of P20 billion a year. At P1 million to create one job, P20 billion can instantly create 20,000 jobs. Yet, what do we get from our Congress? Saliva, enough saliva to replenish the waters of the Pacific Ocean if it were drained like a dirty pool.

Since its creation in 1935, Congress has not solved the two biggest problems of this country – massive un-employment and massive poverty.

Unemployment has hovered at 7 percent in the last 20 years; poverty incidence has remained at 25-26 per-cent of the population in the last 30 years. In a situa-tion where the population is rapidly rising, these ratios can only mean rapidly rising numbers of unemployed and poor.

So young men and women, do you have a substitute for Molotov cocktails? And please, no hacking.

[email protected]

We certainly need young and idealistic

people in the Senate.

TO THE POINT

EMIL P. JURADO

VIRTUAL REALITY

TONYLOPEZ

[email protected]


W E D N E S D AY: M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

SEEING... From A9

POPE FRANCIS VS. ‘DIRTY WAR’ RUMORS

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CHONG ARDIVILLA#FAILOCRACY

By Mac Margolis POPE Francis continues to surprise. He recently slammed wage inequality be-tween men and women as “a pure scan-dal,” called climate change man’s “slap in the face of nature” and beckoned the homeless to tour the Sistine Chapel.

Then there was his self-effacing quip about his compatriots’ famous egos, saying that many Argentines were sur-prised he took the name Francis and not “Jesus II.”

But the pontiff ’s fellow Argentinians may find his latest strike to be his brassiest yet: He has asked the Vatican to open its archives on the Argentine Dirty War, papal adviser Guillermo Karcher told Radio America this week.

This is a big deal for at least a cou-ple of reasons. First, as many as 30,000 people—no one knows for sure—died or disappeared during one of Latin America’s most infamous dictatorships, which lasted from 1976 to 1983.

Catholics and communists, insur-gents and innocents, old men and preg-nant women—the junta’s victims were as varied as the methods it employed to dispatch them. And yet, despite a truth and reconciliation process in Argentina, which has sent many tortur-ers to jail, the grisly detail of the guerra sucia remains largely walled by secrecy, and the Church has been complicit in

the silence.The second reason is Francis himself.

When the generals ruled, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a ranking Jesuit priest trying to navigate the dictatorship’s hyper-charged politics. As a ranking member of the Jesuit order Society of Jesus, he presided over a divided clergy, and some militant Catholics accused him of doing the junta’s bidding.

Some Argentines faulted Bergoglio for looking the other way over the scan-dal of “chicos apropiados,” the children of political prisoners abducted by tor-turers and then put up for adoption.

Those charges were never substanti-ated, and the Vatican has flatly denied them, but suspicions resurfaced with the white smoke issuing from Saint Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013, when Bergoglio became Francis, and persist to this day.

Leading the j’accuse has been investi-gative journalist Horacio Verbitsky, who reported that padre Bergoglio neglect-ed to intervene when two young Jesuit priests (whispered to be in league with Marxist guerrillas) were abducted and tortured for several weeks in a military dungeon.

Many prominent Argentines came to Bergoglio’s defense, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel. Shortly before he became pope, the then-archbishop of Buenos Aires issued a public apology on behalf

of the nation’s bishops for “not doing enough” to protect priests targeted by the junta.

And this was no 11th-hour ges-ture of contrition. Bergoglio had long owned up to the church’s failings during Argentina’s “years of lead.”

“What did the church do back then? It acted as an organization with saints and sinners,” he told his good friend, Argentine rabbi Abraham Skorka, in one of a series of dialogues later pub-lished as “On Heaven and Earth.”

“There were Christians on both sides. Christians who died in guerrilla warfare and Christians who tried to save people, and Christians who became repressors, on the belief they were saving the country.”

What the church has yet to do is go public with what it knew about those dark days. “A large segment of the Church, not exactly Bergoglio, was complicit in the dictatorship,” Graciela Lois, a member of a group of the dic-tatorship’s victims’ relatives pressing the church to open its archives, told El Pais this week. “And we hope that opening up the archives will help us know the truth.”

Now the world’s most surprising reli-gious leader has the chance to shed light on one of Latin America’s darkest mo-ments and put the lingering suspicions against him to rest. That’s hardly the maneuver of a man trying to cover his tracks. Bloomberg

MORE... From A9

who should collect it.New Comelec chief

Will the appointment of a new Commission on Elections chairman mean clean and fair voting in 2016? Let us not get our hopes too high until after the conduct of the presidential elections next year.

While the new Comelec chairman, Andres Bautista, is qualified and comes with good credentials as head of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, there’s no telling whether he would carry out reforms or do the bidding of the appointing power.

The Comelec is a constitutional and independent body. Bautista has a chance to leave

a legacy of electoral reforms and prove he’s not a Palace lackey. Even before he has assumed his post, Bautista already faces daunting challenges, including the issue of using the automated voting machines.

When the Supreme Court ruled that the negotiated Comelec contract with Smartmatic to refurbish the PCOS machines was illegal, it raised the possibility that voting would revert to manual counting which would require an

act of Congress since automated polling is mandated by law. With time running out and if the issue is not resolved, the prospects of postponing the 2016 elections is becoming a possibility. That would mean having Aquino as a holdover President.

God help this benighted land.No Pac-May rematch

It looks like a rematch between undisputed world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao would not happen.

Mayweather himself said that after one last fight against a still-unknown opponent in September, he’s ready to retire.

“I’m 38 and I have been fighting in the last 19 years. It’s time for me to hang up the gloves,” said Floyd who’s chasing to match word heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 ring record. After beating Pacquiao by unanimous decision in their “fight of the century” on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Floyd is now only a win away from Rocky’s record.

Mayweather is not only ring smart. He’s money smart and has a sense of self-preservation. He knows that stepping into the ring again with a healthy Pacquiao might have a different outcome. Floyd has proven his point: he took on Manny

and beat him no matter the manner of his stick-and-stay-away style of fighting. He won and laughed all the way to the bank, This, he did by building up interest for five years until it became ripe for him to dictate his terms. Taunting Manny while evading him, Floyd played the villain everyone wanted to see get his comeuppance. It was a stroke of marketing genius that hyped the fight into a megabuck attraction.

Why would Mayweather agree to a return bout which was not in their contract? Besides, Floyd felt the power of Pacquiao’s punches in those rare rounds when Manny was able to land those ponderous left straights. “Money man” Mayweather earned more than $200-million including the pay-per-view receipts which are not in yet. Pacquiao for his loss and sore shoulder made $100-million which BIR Commissioner Kim Henrares is already salivating for, like a pit bull going for a leg.

The sneaky right hook missing in his arsenal later revealed by Manny himself was due to a torn right soldier blade. So much has been said about this injury but even Manny himself does not want to use it as an excuse for his loss. It’s time we all moved on and relegate this episode to the annals of ring history.

these two (when the rebels re-fused) an ordinary police opera-tion and then go back to calling it a confidence-building measure, now that the secessionists have claimed to have killed the Muslim bomber?

And I must add that the killing of Usman is not seen universally as a boost to the peace talks and the approval of BBL. Those spoil-sports from Western Mindanao, the Tausug-dominated Moro National Liberation Front, actu-ally think that Usman’s death will lead to more – not less – strife.

The MNLF, understand-ably hurt after being left out of the current talks with the Maguindanaoan-led MILF, said the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters could interpret the kill-ing of a terrorist that the cur-rently dominant Moro group has coddled for so long as a sign of treachery and collaboration with the imperialists from Manila. How, after all, can anyone – even the Moros themselves – trust the MILF when it will give up people who have found a safe haven in its territory for years?

I understand the situation can get complicated, which is why those who want to make sense of what’s going on should pay a bit more attention than they do to memes and slogans generated by the palace propaganda machine. And when you get right down to it, what should be plain is that the government and the MILF are still in league against the Filipino peo-ple (Mindanaoans, in particular) and will stop at nothing to secure the passage of their beloved BBL.

I can only hope that the peo-ple will not allow themselves to be gypped as their President has been. And that if they refuse to be fooled, their demands for greater truth and transparency will be heard by Congress, which will be forced not to be a party to the Malacanang-MILF conspiracy.

Now both Usman and Marwan are dead. Pity so many had to die to get this done – and that the deaths of two terrorists are now being used to give the MILF what it wants, even if it never did any-thing to deserve it.

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WEDNESDAY: MAY 6 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

Carlos, Senolead net cast

Paeng paces fi nalistsSIX-TIME world champion Paeng Nepomu-ceno displayed his old form to lead the initial batch of � nalists in the 2015 Bowling World Cup national tournament held recently in 13 centers, including Cavite and Baguio.

TO bring help and healing to their own, the jockey com-munity in the Philippines is ready to do anything, even try something new that will raise funds for and awareness about disabled jockeys.

According to New Philippine Jockeys As-sociation president Gilbert L. Francisco, their group has obtained clearance from the Philip-pine Racing Commission, the sport’s regulat-ing body, to hold a footrace on Jockeys’ Day, May 31, Sunday, at the Metro Manila Turf Club racecourse in Malvar, Batangas.

The footrace will be run in between two regular races, for maximum audience impact.

Here’s how it works: jockeys, like racehors-es, will emerge from the starting gate placed at the 1,600-meter mark and run until the fin-ish line, for a distance of roughly 100 meters. “Stewards” will be on hand to ensure a clean race and announce the winner.

Funds will be raised through sponsorship and “betting”. Sponsors will donate a certain fixed amount for one of the participating jockeys to run the foot race representing their stables by wearing their colors (diviza); they may put up “riding fees” for the participants; or they may donate prizes for the foot race winners.

“Fun bets” (actually donations) may be made by racegoers at a kiosk near the grand-stand, with the winners to receive jockey me-mentos, t-shirts, and other giveaways. Spon-sors may also donate prizes-in-kind for the winners of the “fun bets,” such as t-shirts with the logo of their companies or the photos of their horses.

All funds raised from this endeavor will go the the NPJA’s Disabled Jockeys Fund.

The NPJA Jockey Footrace is patterned after such charity events held by jockey com-munities abroad. Search Youtube for “2014 Saratoga Jockey footrace.”

For more details on how to sponsor a jock-ey in the footrace, donate prizes, or contribute to the Disabled Jockeys Fund, please visit the NPJA Facebook page.

* * * * *Ramon Ocampo’s Miss Dainty won the

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) trial race last April 30 at San Lazaro Leisure Park (SLLP).

Ridden by star jockey Jonathan B. Her-nandez, Miss Dainty (First Blush x Dark Desert) came in two lengths ahead of Golden Cup, followed by Erik the Viking, Caravag-gio, Divine Degrace, El Nido Island, and Knight’s Queen last.

The total time for the 1,400-meter race was 1:32.8 (13-25-26’-28). The actual race, over the same distance, is on May 16 also at SLLP.

This particular PCSO trial race is the first to be held just before regular races are run, en-abling racing fans tuned in to the barrier runs to watch the trial. Formerly, trials were held in the mornings, and fans had to rely on replays aired whenever to find out who won the trial.

The PCSO Racing Committee made the decision to switch trial schedules after much deliberation; on one hand, there was concern over preserving a decades-old tradition, and on the other, taking into account the changing times and needs of the sport.

* * * * *If #MayPac was a snoozefest, another

sporting event held that same day, the 141stKentucky Derby, delivered the action and

excitement that sports fans crave.American Pharoah, the favorite, crowned

himself king of the iconic race for 3YO, the first race of the US Triple Crown.

A record-breaking number of people - 170,513 - crammed into Churchill Downs to witness the son of Pioneer Of The Nile out of Littleprincessemma come from behind to beat 17 others and bag the $1,418,800 purse.

This is the first Kentucky Derby win of owner Zayat Stable.

Firing Line came second, Dortmund third, and Frosted fourth. Total handle was $194.3 million, a 4 percent increase over last year and a record.

The next leg of the US Triple Crown is the May 16 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the first leg of Philracom Triple Crown kicks off May 17 at SLLP.

* * * Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirl-

racing, Blog: http://jennyo.net

Footrace to enliven

Jockeys’ Day at Metroturf

Volcanoes seek rugby finals

JENNYORTUOSTE

Philippines is ready to do anything, even try

JENNY

THE HOARSE WHISPERER

MACIE Carlos and Jan Godfrey Seno head a talent-laden group of Cebuano players chas-ing top honors and ranking points in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tourna-ment which fires off tomorrow (Thursday) in Laray, Cebu.

Originally set in Mandaue, the six-day Group 2 tournament has been moved to the Consolacion Tennis Club in Laray to accom-modate the big field numbering to around 300 entries with still two days left before its start. For details, call Bobby Mangunay, PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development di-rector, at 0915-4046464.

“This kind of turnout only inspires us in providing our youth more tournaments nation-wide not only to further whip up our top junior players but also to discover fresh talents,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Other Cebu bets competing in the tour-nament presented by Technifibre are Cesar Salimbangon, Kristin Salimbangon, Shyne Villareal, Shedel Gica, Lyra Mae Repollo, Harland Hogan, Vhenz Alforque, Francis Navales, Francis Lambayan, Norman En-riquez and Rey Dante Toledo.

THE Philippine national men’s rugby team guns for a championship berth today when it takes on Singapore in the opener of the Asian Rugby Championship Di-vision 1 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The top-ranked Volca-noes, who are bannered by pros from rugby leagues in Japan, the US, Australia and Britain, seek to capital-ize on experience and crowd support in the 4 p.m. match against the No. 4 Singapore-ans.

Second-ranked Sri Lanka and No. 3 Kazakhstan tan-gle in the first outing at 2 p.m. with the winner also advancing to the finale set Saturday.

“We’re fairly confident we’ll beat Singapore and be in the finals,” said Matt Cullen, Philippine Rugby Football Union director for rugby.

The Volcanoes last faced the Singaporeans in the 2012 Asian 5 Nation Divi-sion 1 meet that Phl hosted at Rizal, beating the visitors, 37-20, en route to eventually winning the tournament.

“Singapore will play a very fast, fit game. They’re a very, very fit team, they can run for 80 minutes, no prob-lem. The advantage we have is that we’re fit but we’re also skillful; Filipinos, like Manny Pacquiao have agil-ity and speed,” said center Justin Coveney, who plays in Japan.

Coveney joins Austin Dacanay, Michael Duhig, Matt Bellenie, David Feeney, Ashley Heward, Terry Car-rol, Benjamin Mudie, Steve Howorth, veteran Jake Letts, captain Oliver Saun-ders, Harry Morris, Timo-thy Bweheni, Jeff Gregson, Gareth Holgate, Masayuki Sekiguchi, Phil Abraham,

David Robinson-Polkey, Fred Morris, Christopher Anderson, Cleo Gomez, Daniel Matthews and Alex Aronson for this campaign.

“Our players are well-ex-perienced overseas and even though we only had 10 days in camp, we still have our advantage. We always look forward coming back to-gether. We have confidence in our team, we have con-fidence in one anothe, that we’ll get the job done and put our best foot forward,” said Letts.

The Stu Woodhouse-coached Volcanoes are the first national squad to see action at the 20,000-seater PSS and they hope to put up a good show for supporters.

“We’re all very excited to be playing in front of a home crowd and we’re going to leave everything on the field to bring honor to the Philip-pines,” said Saunders.

China fi rms up hold on lead. Thailand’s Chatchu-on Moksri (9) slams one against the defense of China’s Jiujing Xu (4) and Fang Duang (9) in the 1st Rebisco Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship powered by PLDT Home and Smart Live More Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Chinese breezed past the Thais, 25-13, 25-10, 25-12, to cement their hold on the top of Pool F. ROMAN PROSPERO

Nepomuceno did not show signs that he’s only two years short of becoming a senior citi-zen as he collected a 12-game series of 2749 pinfalls at Paeng’s Midtown center to pull away from his much younger rivals in the event’s first center finals.

Sammy Say Sy produced the second best score of 2677 at SM Fairview, followed by Timothy Hung with 2606 at Superbowl, Enzo Hernandez with 2559 at SM Megamall, Ruel Parma with 2548 at Superbowl; Nic-co Olaivar (2488 at SM North EDSA), Alex Ngoi (2411 also at SM North EDSA), Kevin

Custodio (2408 at Paeng’s Mid-town) and Merwin Tan (2403 at Q. Plaza).

Among the ladies, unheralded Anne Marie Kiac emerged as the surprise frontrunner by scoring 2174 in 10 games at Coronado Lanes, followed by veteran Abbie Gan with 2116 at Superbowl and former BWC international fi-nals competitor Krizziah Tabora with 1983 at Q. Plaza.

Liza del Rosario, considered the country’s top lady pintop-pler who saw action in last year’s BWC international finals in Wroclaw, Poland together with Biboy Rivera, rolled 1843

at SM North Edsa.Rochelle Munsayac had the

best score among the ladies with 1892 at Coronado Lanes.

The men’s and women’s win-ners of the national BWC will represent the country in the international finals scheduled on November 13-20 in Sam’s Town, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The second qualifying stage is ongoing in 15 centers. The national finals will be held on July 18 (men) and 19 (ladies) at paeng’s Midtown; July 20 (men) and 21 (ladies) at Super-bowl; and July 23 (men and la-dies) at SM North EDSA.

The other early national fi-nalists:

Men – Carl Matthew Lim, 2333; Alvin Pastrana, 2333; Benshir Layoso, 2328; Scott Uy, 2260; Ferdie Polillo, 2136; Ruel Bucao, 2118; Ruel Rallos, 2114; Efren Moreno, 2048; Lar-

ry Tinio, 2041; Simple D. Vil-lajin, 2025; Ernie Jacinto, 2001; :ito Fabros, 2157; Emmanuel Bagting, 1987; James Tarrobal, 2284; Emilio Pacheco, 2277; Eric Aranez, 2229; Jorel Sim-bulan, 2162; Rauk Imperial, 2379; Raf Manalo, 2379; Chico Lubrin, 2145; Dexter Soriano, 1840; Allen Laigo, 2190; Angel Dilig, 2224; Edgar H. Gamboa, 2214; Willy Amado, 1829; and Wilson Sua, 2205.

Ladies – Leah Naorbe, 1687; Arlena Bucao, 1672; Allen Joy Laigo, 1401; Jo Anne Bonifa-cio, 1710; Myrna Bautista, 1639; Jessica Myles Rivera, 1629; Cita Yumul, 1464; Pure An-selmo, 1769; Lilian Teano, 1668; Therese Dominique Lopez, 1735; April Anne Roxas, 1621; Norma Degawan, 1375; Evelyn Gamboa, 1617; Ofelia Iriberri, 1647; Lovella Catalan, 1647; and Melshared Luzon, 1614.

[email protected]

wednesday : may 6 , 2 0 1 5

sports

NCR rips 2 marksBy Peter Atencio

TAGUM City, Davao del Norte—National Capitol Region’s Sacho Ilustre led the Big City’s record-breaking spree in swimming, where two 17-year-old marks fell yesterday in the 2015 Pal-arong Pambansa here.

FILIPINA-POLISH standout Marisa Kwi-atkowski has equaled Philippine long jump queen Marestella Torres’ national re-cord recently.

Kwiatkowski, a Stanford University freshman, cleared her personal record distances in the long and triple jumps at the Longhorn Invita-tional on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Kwiatkowski first cleared 12.67 meters in the triple jump at spot, considered a Philippine junior re-cord, according to pi-noyathletics.info.

But a gusty winds spoiled it all.

Torres holds the national women’s re-cord at 12.67, which she established in 2003, while Felyn Dolloso is the current junior holder at 12.55 meters, which she set in 2012.

She also had a per-sonal best of 5.89 me-ters to finish 10th in the long jump.

Kwiatkowski is not yet a member of the national team and is currently targeting Elma Muros-Posa-das’s national junior mark in long jump as well. Peter Atencio

Fil-AmequalsTorres’jumprecord

Aces strike. A masked Jvee Casio of Alaska (right) loses his balance and the ball in the process as Brian Heruela of Blackwater rushes to him to gain pos-session in a Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup game won by the Aces, 106-80, at the Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night. Story on A16

The 17-year-old Ilustre com-pleted the secondary boys’ 200-meter butterfly event in 2:09 in the heats and went on to swim a blistering clocking of 2:07.28 in the finals, which erased the 2:09.58 mark Carlo Piccio established in 1998, for another NCR gold.

“My father encouraged me to go for it. Kapag ginawa ko raw, mas gaganda ang buhay,” said Ilustre, a 10th grader.

Ilustre later added another gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle in 2:17.28.

Another NCR bet, 12-year old Seth Martin Isaac, also reset a 17-year mark, ( Evan Grabador’s

1:07.56) by leading the heats in 1:07.56. However, he had a slower time in the finals at 1:07.01.

Isaac also towed NCR to a fast clocking of 2:05.04 in the 4x50 meter medley relays with team-mates Charles Arceo, Ian Timo-thy Go and Sean Cruz.

In the field event, Daniella Daynata heaved 32.07 meters in the secondary girls’ discus throw for the gold, with Kayla Bugatti of CAR finishing second with 30.7 meters and NCR’s Precious Arnenda at third with 30.40m.

Region VI’s Matt Atanas earned his second gold medal after ruling the elementary boys’

high jump, while Jamela de Asis topped the elementary girls’ shot put action.

Bicol Region’s Jason Jabol also earned his second gold medal after clearing 5.61 meters in el-ementary boys’ long jump, fol-lowed by NCR’s Kharl Berjuela, who leaped to 5.54 meters.

Jabol earlier won his first gold in the triple with 11.8 meters, followed by Al-Nhaquiev Sappari of Region 12 at second with 11.66 meters.

In arnis, Christian Reyes ruled the secondary boys’ in-dividual anyo event with 65.25 points, while Danilo Pastoral of Region 1 claimed the individual double weapons honors.

Host Davao Region won over Bicol, 71-68, in the secondary boys basketball action, while NCR prevailed over Eastern Vi-sayas, 71-40, to move ahead at 2-0, in the high school girls side.

In secondary boys baseball, NCR turned back Central Vi-sayas, 7-3, to post its second straight win.

INVITATION TO RE-BID FOR VARIOUS OFFICE SUPPLIES1. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), through the PCSO

Corporate Budget intends to apply the sum of Nine Hundred Fifty Six Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Three Pesos and 86/100 (P956,483.86) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Various Office Supplies (Re-Bidding). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The PCSO now invites bids for Various Office Supplies (Re-Bidding). Delivery of the Goods is required within fifteen (15) calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within the last ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3. Re-Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Re-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.

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from PCSO Bids and Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on May 6, 2015 (Wednesday) from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5. The PCSO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on May 12, 2015 (Tuesday) at 1:30pm, BAC Room, 3/F Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, which shall be open to all interested parties.

6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 10:00am of May 25, 2015 (Monday). All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on May 25, 2015 (Monday) at 10:30am at BAC Room, 3/F Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7. The PCSO 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.

8. For further information, please refer to:

The BAC Chairman c/o The Secretariat PCSO BAC Room 3/F Conservatory Building 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City (02) 997-0247 (Telefax) www.pcso.gov.ph

(Sgd.) CONRADO C. ZABELLABAC Chairman

( T S - M AY 6 , 2 015 )

INVITATION TO BID FOR ThE Supply AND DElIVERy OF ONE (1) lOT FOOD AND BEVERAgE REquIREmENTS OF VARIOuS IN-hOuSE pROgRAmS FOR A pERIOD OF ONE

(1) yEAR uNDER ITB NO. 05-01-2015

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Food and Beverage Requirement of Various In-House Programs for a period of One (1) Year under ITB No.05-01-2015.Brief Description Catering Services for the Supply and Delivery of One (1) Lot Food

and Beverage Requirement of Various In-House Programs for a period of One (1) Year

QUANTITY. Food and Beverage Requirements for a Period of One (1) Year

26,463 heads BreakfastPlain or Fried Rice Meat, Fish or ChickenEgg or Salted Egg Juice or Hot Chocolate with free flowing coffee

24,117 heads LunchPlain Rice Meat, Fish or ChickenVegetable SoupDessert (pastry/bread or fresh fruits)Soda in can or Juice

28,344 heads PM SnackSandwiches or delicacies Pasta or noodles Soda in can or Juicewith free flowing coffee

Delivery Schedule Please refer to Section VI (Schedule of Requirements) of the Bidding Documents for the project regarding the complete details of the schedule of delivery

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC):

The total ABC is Seven Million Seven Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand One Hundred Twenty-Five Pesos (PhP7,728,125.00), VAT-exclusive, Zero-rated transaction.

Source of Funds: Internally Funded

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. 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 a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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.

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR.

The schedule of activities is listed, as follows:Activities Schedule

1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents May 6, 2015 to May 25, 20152. Pre-Bid Conference May 12, 2015, 2:00 p.m.3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids May 25, 2015; 10:00 a.m.4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids May 25, 2015; 10:00 a.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Bids and Awards Services Department (BASD), upon payment of the non-refundable bidding fee in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP 10,000.00).

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable bidding fee not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from the BASD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 4 shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final LCRB, based on the following procedures:

1. In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.2. The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as

the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru the BASD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 571.

(Sgd.) RODERICK R. CONSOLACIONChairpersonBids and awards Committee (BaC) 4(TS-MAY 6, 2015)

Republic of the PhilippinesENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE NEGROS-PANAY 230 kV BACKBONE PROJECT- STAGE 2 (CEBU SUBSTATION 230 kV UPGRADING), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

ERC CASE NO. 2015-049 RC

NATIONAL GRIDCORPORATION OF THEPHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant.x- - - - -- - -- - - ----- - - - - - -x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Notice is hereby given that on March 12, 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of the Cebu-Negros-Panay 230 kV Backbone Project - Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading), with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority.

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

1. It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the corporate vehicle of the consortium which was awarded the concession to assume the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136 (R.A. 9136), otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the EPIRA. It was also awarded by Congress a franchise under R.A. 9511 (NGCP Franchise) to operate, manage, and maintain the nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines;

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

2. One of its functions and responsibilities enumerated in Section 9 of the EPIRA is to “improve and expand its transmission facilities, consistent with the Grid Code and the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) to be promulgated pursuant to this Act to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system: Provided, That TRANSCO (now NGCP) shall submit any plan for expansion or improvement of its facilities for approval by the ERC.”;

3. In accordance with its mandate to ensure and maintain the quality, reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Grid, it seeks authority from the Commission to immediately approve the implementation of the Cebu Negros-Panay (CNP) 230 kV Backbone Project - Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading), which aims, among others, to meet the transmission capacity requirements of capacity additions and load centers;

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Brief Background

4. To augment the power generating capacity in Visayas, Thermal Visayas, Inc. (TVI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, will be constructing a 2x150 MW Coal-fired Power Plant which will be located at Sitio Looc, Barangay Bato, Toledo City, Cebu Province. It is expected to be in commercial operation by 2017;

5. Two (2) possible schemes were considered for the connection of the proposed

power plant to the Cebu Grid:

Connection Scheme 1: Connection to Calung-Calung Substation via 138 kV Line

Connection Scheme 2: Connection to Cebu Substation via 230 kV Line

Based on the result of the system assessment, Connection Scheme No. 2 is the more optimal option for the connection of the 2x150 MW TVI power plant;

6. The recommended connection scheme will requtre the following components:

i. Switching Station in Bato;ii. 230 kV transmission lines from the proposed Switching Station towards Cebu

Substation; andiii. 230 kV Expansion of the Cebu Substation;

7. The Bato Switching Station and the 230 kV transmission lines were classified as Connection Assets. Hence, it will be implemented by TVI pursuant to the December 15, 2014 Decision of the Commission in ERC Case No. 2014-088 MC.

On the other hand, the proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu Substation will be constructed to accommodate the entry of the power plant since NGCP’s existing facilities in Cebu are rated only at 138 kV. The upgraded substation will also cater to the 230 kV termination of Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line (initially energized at 138 kV). Hence, the proposed Cebu 230 kV Substation will be considered as a transmission asset upon the energization of the Cebu-Lapu Lapu Transmission Line at 230 kV;

8. The proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu will be constructed within the vicinity of the existing Cebu Substation and will also be linked to the existing 138 kV system. Moreover, the main switchgear station, as well as portion of the associated transmission lines, will be located adjacent to the existing high-voltage equipment in the substation. As such, the implementation of the proposed 230 kV facility, as well as its operation, will be directly associated with the existing facility.

In consideration of the security and reliability of the existing transmission system in Cebu Substation, the proposed 230 kV facility shall be implemented by NGCP;

Justifications

9. The TVI Power Plant is proposed to be connected to Cebu Substation via 230 kV overhead lines. The connection scheme will involve the 230 kV upgrading at the Cebu Substation and construction of a 230 kV switching station near the power plant and double circuit overhead transmission lines. The overhead line will utilize a 4x795 MCM ACSR conductor and will have a transfer capacity of 1,200 MW (with N-1 contingency);

Simplified Single Line Diagram of the Proposed Connection Scheme No.2

10. For the proposed connection scheme, TVI Power Plant can dispatch its maximum generation of 300 MW without overloading the associated transmission lines during normal and N-1 conditions. The loadings of the monitored transmission component associated with the proposed connection scheme are tabulated as follows:

Table No. 1Summary of Loadings of Monitored Transmission Component for Connection Scheme No. 2

Year 2017, Peak Demand Condition

Monitored Component

Capacity, MVA per

Component

%Loading/Component

Component OutageAtNormal

Condition

During N-1

ConditionColon - Cebu 138 kVLines

392 41.26 60.01 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line

Colon – Lapu lapu 138 kVLine


Quiot - Cebu 138 kV Line 196 46.65 72.8 Colon - Cebu 138 kV LineColon - Quiot 138 kV Line 196 67.06 93.32 Colon - Cebu 138 kV LineColon - Toledo 138 kV Line 196 46.03 61.95 Calungcalung-Colon 138

kV LineCalungcalung-Toledo 138 kV Line

196 9.94 41.03 Colon - Toledo 138 kV Line

Calungcalung-Colon 138 kV Line


Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line 1,276 11.81 23.65 Bato - Cebu 230 kV LineCebu S/S 2x300 MVATransformers

300 49.3 99.7 300 MVA Transformer at Cebu

Table No. 2Summary of Loadings of Monitored Transmission Component for Connection Scheme No. 2

Year 2019, Peak Demand Condition

Monitored Component

Capacity, MVA per

Component

%Loading/Component

Component OutageAtNormal

Condition

During N-1Condition

Colon - Cebu 138 kVLines


Colon - Lapu lapu 138 kV 196 38.83 54.87 Colon-Cebu 138 kV LineColon - Cebu 138 kV Line 196 36.21 57.97 Colon-Cebu 138 kV LineColon - Quiot 138 kV Line 196 58.67 80.56 Colon-Cebu 138 kV LineColon - Toledo 138 kV Line 196 44.01 58.95 Calungcalung-Colon 138

kV LineCalungcalung-Toledo 138kV Line


Calungcalung - Colon 138 196 29.47 51.30 Colon - Toledo 138 kV Line

Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line 1,276 11.7 23.46 Bato - Cebu 230 kV LineCebu S/S 2x300 MVATransformers

300 49.7 100 300 MVA Transformer at Cebu

11. The proposed connection scheme will provide higher transmission capacity to accommodate future generation capacity addition of the power plant;

12. In addition, the central part of the Cebu Grid consists of seven (7) major substations interconnected through 138 kV transmission lines. The proposed connection scheme will serve as a major component of the 230 kV backbone system, a long-term transmission plan in the Visayas Grid intended to alleviate the existing 138 kV system;

13. Finally, the proposed connection scheme will provide termination for the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line upon its energization at 230 kV;

Components of the Project

14. The implementation of the project involves the expansion works at Cebu Substation;

15. The project component are as follows:

Cebu Substation Upgrading

Cebu 230 kV GIS

• 2 x 300 MVA, 230/138-13.8 kV Transformer• 8 x 230 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear• 1 x 138 kV Air-Insulated Switchgear• 2 sets of 230 kV Bus Disconnect Switch• Station Service Transformers and Metal-Clad

Switchgears• Installation of associated protection, control

and communication system• Revamping works at the 138 kV switchyards• Construction of associated buildings/facilities

Extension of the Bato - Cebu 230 kV Lines

• 230 kV Overhead Line, SP-DC, 4x795 MCM ACSR, 750 m

Extension of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu 230 kV Lines

• 230 kV Underground Cables, Double Circuit of 600 MW-capacity, 425 m

• 230 kV Overhead Line (conductors and line accessories) , 2 x 795 MCM ACSR, 150 m

Extension of the Colon/Quiot Cebu 138 kV Lines

• 138 kV Underground Cables, Double Circuit of 180 MW-Capacity, 250 m

• 138 kV Underground Cables, Single Circuit of 180 MW-Capacity, 100 m

A15W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

[email protected]

Injury may sidelinePacquiao for a yearBy Ronnie Nathanielsz

EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pac-quiao will undergo surgery to repair what was de-scribed as “a signi� cant tear” in his rotator cu� later this week in Los Angeles.

The extent of the injury was di-vulged by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, who examined Pacquiao yesterday.

ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo told the Standard/boxingmirror.com that Dr. ElAttrache con-firmed, Pacquiao will be out of action for anywhere between nine months to one year, provided the operation and the post-surgery rehabilitation go well.

Meanwhile, Nevada State Athlet-

ic Commission Chairman Francis-co Aguilar blamed Team Pacquiao for not disclosing his injury sooner, adding the Filipino ring icon could be fined or suspended for not tell-ing the commission of his injury.

Longtime Pacquiao adviser Mi-chael Koncz said Pacquiao was doing fine and was told by the doctor that the best method was for him to undergo surgery.

Koncz said Pacquiao was denied permission by the Nevada State

Commission to use a pain killer that was approved by the US Anti Doping Agency, when a request was made on the day of the fight.

Pacquiao, who caught Floyd Mayweather Jr. with a vicious left straight and followed it up with a flurry of punches during their May 2 megafight at the MGM Grand, ap-parently aggravated the tear in the rotator cuff and could hardly use his right in the succeeding rounds and lost on the scorecards of all three judges, although there were serious questions about the 118-110 score turned in by judge Dave Moretti.

Nevada State Athletic Commis-sion officials refused Pacquiao’s request to take an anti-inflam-matory shot in his shoulder in his dressing room.

At the post-fight news confer-

ence, Pacquiao accepted the injury as “part of the game,” and added that he didn’t wish “to make alibis or complain or anything [but] it’s hard to fight one-handed.”

His thought of postponing the fight was scrapped after Pacquiao responded to treatment.

Aguilar contradicted a claim of Arum that the Commission had been informed about the shoulder injury shortly after it happened and that Top Rank had filed a request that the World Boxing Organiza-tion welterweight champion be al-lowed to take an anti-inflammatory shot because he had similar treat-ment during training.

However, Aguilar claimed the commission was not told of Pac-quiao’s injury until 6:30 p.m. on fight night.

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00

6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00

6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0

3 DIGITS 0-0-0

2 EZ2 0-0

6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00

3 DIGITS 0-0-0

2 EZ2 0-0

6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0

6/496/42 6 32

6/42

32

6

LOTTO RESULTSP0.0 M+

P0.0 M+

The medications he was taking were disclosed on his medical questionnaire, but not the actual injury, even as he pointed out. Aguilar claimed that Pac-quiao didn’t check the box which inquired whether the fighter had a shoulder injury and warned that Pacquiao could be fined or suspended by the commission for not answering the question on the form be-fore the weigh-in on Friday.

Pacquiao himself said he thought he won the fight, which was the consensus of the So-lar Entertainment panel of Quinito Henson, boxing analyst Mike Ochosa and veteran broadcast-journalist Ronnie Nathanielsz in their unprecedented multi-network telecast over ABS-CBN, TV 5 and GMA 7.

(ST-MAY 6 & 13 , 2015)

Conceptual Design for the Substation

Proposed 230 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) at CebuSubstation

16. The existing Cebu Substation has six (6) 138 kV switch bays which accommodates eleven (11) air-insulated switchgears and six (6) compact air-insulated switchgears. It has two (2) 100 MVA, 138/69-13.8 kV power transformers;

17. A new 230 kV facility will be constructed within the vicinity of the Cebu Substation. It be linked to the existing 138 kV switchbays via two (2) 300 MVA 230/138-13.8 kV power transformers. It will be composed of eight (8) 230 kV GIS’s that will accommodate the following:

a) Connection of two (2) 230/138 kV power transformers;b) Termination of double circuit transmission lines from the Bato Switching

Station;c) Termination of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line; andd) Future connection of additional 300 MVA, 230/138-13.8 kV power transformer;

In order to accommodate the termination of the secondary side of the new transformers, there is a need to transfer the termination of the existing transmission line from Quiot Substation and the existing and ongoing transmission lines from Colon Substation;

Conceptual Design for the Associated Transmission Lines

18. It will involve the construction of short transmission lines which will link the Bato-Cebu 230 kV Line and the Cebu Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line to the proposed GIS Building. Due to limited area at the substation, the proposed line extension of the Bato-Cebu and Cebu Lapu-Lapu Transmission Lines were initially planned to be installed utilizing same structures. However, due to insufficient area within the substation to allow the laying of structural foundation for the multi-circuit lines, the proposed transmission links will be constructed separately;

19. The proposed line extension of the Bato - Cebu 230 kV Lines will be composed generally of an overhead line, which will be routed near the perimeter of the substation in order to avoid overhead line crossing between the existing lines. On the other hand, the proposed line extension for the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line will be composed of an underground cable system designed at 230 kV which will be routed along the roadway within the substation;

20. The project will also involve a 138 kV underground cable system which will accommodate the transfer of termination of the existing Colon/Quiot- Cebu 138 kV Lines;

Provision for the Energization of the Cebu - Lapu-LapuTransmission Line at 138 kV

21. The construction of the new substation will also facilitate the energization of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line at 138 kV and its proposed connection to the existing Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line 1. As such, a portion of the proposed 230 kV GIS will be initially energized at 138 kV and shall be isolated from the 230 kV-energized portion through the installation of additional two (2) 230 kV bus disconnect switches. The 138 kV-energized portion of the GIS will serve as the connection point between the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line and the existing Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line 1, which will be temporarily connected to the 230 kV switchgear intended for the future 3rd transformer.

The temporary connection scheme will involve the installation of a 138 kV underground cable which will be routed along the proposed cable trench for the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu 230 kV Transmission Line;

22. The estimated cost of the Project is One Billion Six Hundred Thirty Six Million One Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Two Hundred Twelve and 02/100 Pesos (PHP1,636,148,212.02);

23. The duration of the implementation of the project is twenty eight (28) months including the topographic and geological survey, preparation of bidding documents, procurement stage and actual construction;

Allegation in Support of the Prayer for ProvisionalApproval

24. The proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu Substation is an integral component of the recommended scheme for the connection of the TVI Power Plant to the Grid which is expected to start its commercial operation in 2017. Without the project, the 230 kV Transmission Lines from the proposed Switching Station in Bato towards Cebu Substation will be inoperable and TVI will not be able to dispatch its capacity to the Grid;

25. The connection of the TVI Power Plant to the transmission system will vastly improve the adequacy and reliability of the power system in Visayas. Considering the necessity of the Project and the length of time necessary for its completion, its implementation must commence as scheduled. Thus, it prays for the issuance of a provisional authority;

26. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Christian B. Ereño, Head of the Visayas System Planning Division Transmission Planning Department of NGCP, is hereto attached to the application as Annex “B”; and

27. It prays that the Commission:

a. lssue, immediately upon filing of the application, a provisional authority for the implementation of the CNP 230 kV Backbone Project-Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading); and

b. Approve, after notice and hearing, the application for the implementation

of the CNP 230 kV Backbone Project Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading); and render judgment making the provisional approval permanent.

The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on June 2, 2015 (Tuesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

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 Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ DUCUT, and the Honorable

Commissioners, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 20th day of April, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUANExecutive Director III

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A16RIERA U. MALL ARI

E D I T O R

[email protected]

REUEL VIDALA S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

The Bulls blew a 16-point lead in the first half, but then used a 15-0 surge in the third quarter to take a comfortable lead.

Cleveland charged back and trimmed the deficit to two in the fourth quarter with 5:21 remaining on the clock. Butler, though, split a pair of free throws and drained a three-pointer before Gasol’s jumper gave the Bulls a 94-86 lead with 3:26 to go.

The Cavs never got closer than four the rest of the game. Butler scored seven of Chicago’s last 11 points.

“You can never let your guard down,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They can score points in a hurry.”

Game two is Wednesday in Cleveland.In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles

Clippers rose to the challenge of playing without Chris Paul as they wasted no time wrestling away home-court advantage from Houston with a 117-101 win on Monday.

Paul, who injured his hamstring in game seven against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday, watched from the sidelines as his teammates prevailed in game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-finals.

“We don’t mention injuries, we don’t talk about them, we just tell our guys to keep executing and play and our guys did that,” said Clippers coach Doc Riv-ers. “They knew that without Chris it would be differ-ent in the way they play, but they accepted that.”

Blake Griffin recorded his third triple-double of the playoffs with a monster performance of 26 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists as a half dozen Clippers reached double figures in the win.

Jamal Crawford chipped in with 21 points off the bench, Matt Barnes added 20 and J.J. Redick scored all 17 of his points in a second half com-pletely controlled by Los Angeles.

Playing without PaulAustin Rivers, who started in place of Paul, tallied

17 points for the Clippers, who can take a 2-0 series lead when the teams square off again Wednesday.

Paul gamely fought through a hamstring strain in game seven against the Spurs on Saturday and banked in the game-winning runner to cap an epic series and send the Clippers into the second round. AFP

CLEVELAND—Derrick Rose scored 25 points, Pau Gasol added 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Chicago Bulls eased past LeBron James’ Cleve-land Cavaliers with a 99-92 win.

SPORTS

Aces bludgeonElite in opener

By Jeric LopezNEW confer-ence, renewed confidence.

Alaska got its bearings back as it showed everyone it is looking to be a contender again, demolishing Blackwater with ease, 106-80, to open its campaign with a bang in the opener of the 2015 Philippine Basket-ball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

Reinforcement Romeo Travis, a former team-mate of NBA superstar LeBron James in High School for St. Mary-St. Vincent, made a good ac-count of himself in his debut with a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. He didn’t need to do a lot more, as his teammates provided tons of support.

Point guards Jvee Casio, who shot a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor, and Chris Banchero each added 13 markers for the Aces, who were in cruise command from start to finish.

It’s now a 1-0 start for Alaska, which had a relatively sluggish start last conference before managing to make the quarterfinals. On the other hand, Blackwater once again started at 0-1 for the third straight conference.

Using a 15-4 blitz zipping the first two peri-ods, Alaska was able to open up its first double-digit lead of 12 points, 31-19, early in the second frame to grasp control right away.

Several minutes later, the Aces, who shot an incredible 53 percent clip for the game, kept pounding and held two 17-point leads late in the first half before handling a huge 55-41 spread at intermission.

Bulls, Clippersdraw 1st blood

Jimmy Butler (right) of the Chicago Bulls drives against Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half during Game 1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs 2015 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers, 99-92. AFP

Games Wednesday(Mall of Asia Arena)

4:15 p.m. - Barako Bull vs. NLEX7 p.m. - Kia vs. San Miguel

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZASSISTANT EDITOR B1

WEDNESDAY: MAY 6, 2015

[email protected]@gmail.com

RAY S. EÑANOEDITOR

Infl ation falls to 20-month low

Semirara sees P10-b net profit this yearB3 Free trade with

Canada eyedB4BPI bullish, to hike investment in stocksB6

Bangko Sentral ng PilipinasTuesday, May 5, 2015

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATECurrency Unit US Dollar PesoUnited States Dollar 1.000000 44.6530

Japan Yen 0.008324 0.3717

UK Pound 1.512500 67.5377

Hong Kong Dollar 0.128982 5.7594

Switzerland Franc 1.071123 47.8289

Canada Dollar 0.827061 36.9308

Singapore Dollar 0.750920 33.5308

Australia Dollar 0.784191 35.0165

Bahrain Dinar 2.652238 118.4304

Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266667 11.9075

Brunei Dollar 0.748111 33.4054

Indonesia Rupiah 0.000077 0.0034

Thailand Baht 0.030358 1.3556

UAE Dirham 0.272257 12.1571

Euro Euro 1.114800 49.7792

Korea Won 0.000924 0.0413

China Yuan 0.161057 7.1917

India Rupee 0.015739 0.7028

Malaysia Ringgit 0.280899 12.5430

New Zealand Dollar 0.753125 33.6293

Taiwan Dollar 0.032560 1.4539 Source: PDS Bridge

7,919.21102.77

Closing May 5, 2015PSE COMPOSITE INDEX

46

45

44

43

42

HIGH P44.580 LOW P44.670 AVERAGE P44.626

Closing MAY 5, 2015PESO-DOLLAR RATE

VOLUME 699.500M

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

OILPRICES TODAY

P500.00-P650.00LPG/11-kg tank

P38.95-P44.55Unleaded Gasoline

P27.70-P31.00Diesel

P32.40-P40.40Kerosene

P23.70-P24.40Auto LPG

TODAYP27.70-P31.00Diesel

P32.40-P40.40

P23.70-P24.40Auto LPG

PRICES P38.95-P44.55

8500

8000

7500

7000

6500

6000

Closing MAY 5, 2015

P44.585CLOSE

PLDT bares revamp as revenues stagnate

BUSINESS

Accenture’s award. Accenture in the Philippines won its second outstanding community project award from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for its corporate citizenship program called ‘Skills to Succeed.’ which helps address the need for skills that open doors to employ-ment and economic opportunities. President Aquino (right) handed over the plaque to Accenture country managing director Manolito Tayag (second from right). With them are Peza director-general Lilia De Lima (second from left) and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo during the 20th anniversary celebration and investors’ recognition night of Peza at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

INFLATION rate eased to a 20-month low in April, on stable food, fuel and electricity prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

Data showed in� ation rate decelerated to 2.2 percent in April from 2.4 percent in March and 4.1 percent in April 2014. It was also the slowest movement

in consumer prices since August 2013, when it settled at 2.1 percent.

“Low and stable in� ation in January to April 2015, which

averaged at 2.3 percent, bodes well for consumption growth. It is also within the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s in� ation target range of 2 to 4 percent,” National Economic and Development Authority deputy director-general Emmanuel Esguerra said.

Core in� ation, which excludes selected food and energy items,

also so� ened to 2.5 percent in April from 2.7 percent in March and 2.9 percent a year ago. Core in� ation in the � rst four months of 2015 averaged at 2.5 percent.

� e PSA said food in� ation eased to 4 percent, on slower price adjustments in rice, meat and fruits. Non-food in� ation also slackened in April, following continued rollbacks in electricity,

gas and other fuels. Rollback in domestic petroleum

prices continued following the sharp decline in international oil prices since the last quarter of 2014, according to Neda.

Esguerra said the stable peso-dollar exchange rate would help manage in� ation rate in the coming months. “� e peso is expected to remain relatively stable given the country’s strong external position owing to strong remittances and foreign direct investment in� ows, ample international reserves, and a manageable level of external debt. Overall, these conditions are seen to contribute to stable domestic prices going forward,” he said.

Esguerra, however, said there were potential risks to in� ation, such as the current episode of mild El Niño dry spell.

“Regular monitoring of drought incidence in agricultural areas should be continued to ensure that appropriate policy actions are implemented without delay. Timely importation of rice to augment domestic supply should serve as a ready measure to prevent the repeat of the high rice prices witnessed in the third quarter of 2013 until 2014,” he said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. on Tuesday announced changes in senior po-sitions, a� er core pro� t fell 5 percent and rev-enues stagnated in the � rst quarter.

� e country’s largest telecom company said core pro� t, which excludes foreign exchange transactions and other non-recurring items, dropped 5 percent in the � rst quarter to P9.3 billion from P9.8 billion a year ago.

Net pro� t was nearly � at at P9.39 billion in the January-to-March period, as revenue stagnated at P42.6 billion. Service revenue dipped 2 percent to P40.5 billion in the quar-ter, following the drop in short messaging service and voice revenues.

PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan cited the need to reorganize the leadership team

and announced the appointment of Winston Damarillo as the new chief strategy o� cer and Joachim Horn as chief technology and integration advisor.

Meanwhile, Charles Lim was tasked to es-tablish and head the wireless strategic invest-ments and acquisition group. Isaias Fermin will assume leadership of the entire consum-er business and Orlando Vea will lead the group’s digital o� ensive.

“It’s very clear that we cannot think and be-have like a telco of the past. I think we have started to realize that we have to get people who have the experience, exposure and the skill sets that could bring us there,” said Pan-gilinan.

PLDT said wireless service revenues slid 4 percent to P27.9 billion in the � rst quarter from P29 billion last year. Total cellular sub-

scriber base stood at 69.6 million, of which Smart had 25.9 million; Talk ‘N Text, 28.1 million and Sun Cellular with 15.7 million.

Data revenues rose 11 percent to P11.2 bil-lion, as broadband subscriber base reached over 4.5 million.

“While our core revenue sources undergo this transition phase where the erosion of our high-margin legacy businesses still outpaces the growth of our newer initiatives for now, we are taking signi� cant steps to ensure that we are ready and prepared for the digital fu-ture,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said the company needed to in-vest in infrastructure that would provide the “digital spine” for its network.

PLDT earlier invested $445 million in Rocket Internet, which owns e-commerce platforms Zalora and Lazada.


BUSINESSWEDNESDAY: MAY 6, 2015

B2

M S T52 Weeks Previous % Net Foreign High Low STOCKS Close High Low Close Change Volume Trade/Buying

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Tuesday, May 5, 2015

FINANCIAL7.88 2.5 AG Finance 8 8.01 8 8 0.00 182,300 75.3 66 Asia United Bank 70.85 70.9 70 70.9 0.07 42,910 1,128,485.50124.4 84.6 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 110.40 113.00 110.40 112.50 1.90 4,454,270 -61,776,206.00104 84.5 Bank of PI 103.00 103.70 102.40 102.90 -0.10 567,110 -4,104,617.0063 45.8 China Bank 45.65 46.15 45.5 46 0.77 51,800 2.49 1.97 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 0.00 1,000 4.2 2.03 Bright Kindle Resources 2.02 2.05 2.04 2.04 0.99 53,000 18.48 12.02 COL Financial 15.02 15.4 15 15.38 2.40 9,000 31.6 23.55 Eastwest Bank 22.25 22.3 22.1 22.15 -0.45 96,200 -809,355.009.5 6.3 Filipino Fund Inc. 7.50 7.40 7.40 7.40 -1.33 12,600 2.95 1.75 I-Remit Inc. 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 0.00 2,000 890 625 Manulife Fin. Corp. 770.00 792.00 770.00 792.00 2.86 1,910 994,460.0099.4 78 Metrobank 92.9 94.25 93 93.65 0.81 4,145,510 -99,589,592.0030.5 18.02 PB Bank 18.38 18.38 18.20 18.20 -0.98 24,100 94.95 76.5 Phil. National Bank 77.25 77.00 76.50 76.90 -0.45 10,330 -91,557.50137 95 Phil. Savings Bank 94.9 94 94 94 -0.95 20,020 361.2 276 PSE Inc. 319 320 315 319 0.00 1,200 19,080.0059 45 RCBC À’ 44.75 45 44.8 45 0.56 261,100 288,100.00174.8 107.6 Security Bank 167 169.5 166.1 167.1 0.06 127,220 9,110,312.001700 1200 Sun Life Financial 1385.00 1420.00 1410.00 1420.00 2.53 1,620 1,022,400.00127.9 66 Union Bank 66.00 66.70 66.00 66.50 0.76 17,750

INDUSTRIAL47 35.6 Aboitiz Power Corp. 43.3 43.75 43.3 43.65 0.81 2,332,600 -11,097,535.005 1.6 Agrinurture Inc. 1.65 1.65 1.59 1.64 -0.61 34,000 -15,900.001.66 1.04 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.07 1.09 1.03 1.08 0.93 1,350,000 2.36 1.41 Alsons Cons. 2.08 2.09 2.07 2.09 0.48 845,000 0.0015.3 7.92 Asiabest Group 11.36 11.38 11.3 11.38 0.18 1,600 20.6 14.6 Century Food 19.02 19.5 19.28 19.44 2.21 329,200 -1,024,706.00125 62.5 Chemphil 150 132 132 132 -12.00 10 32 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 27.9 28.05 26.9 27.85 -0.18 103,200 -418,500.0065.8 29.15 Concepcion 63 63.5 63 63 0.00 58,950 214,735.00 Crown Asia 2.59 2.66 2.4 2.43 -6.18 10,730,000 55,990.004.57 1.04 Da Vinci Capital 1.83 1.86 1.77 1.86 1.64 436,000 -18,000.0023.35 10.72 Del Monte 12.98 13.36 12.96 13.16 1.39 52,700 21.6 8.44 DNL Industries Inc. 20.350 20.900 20.45 20.600 1.23 1,594,300 -3,071,890.0012.98 9.79 Emperador 11.50 11.50 11.42 11.48 -0.17 424,000 -2,988,728.009.13 5.43 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 8.21 8.40 8.29 8.37 1.95 20,608,000 90,173,197.0012.34 9.54 EEI 10.06 10.20 10.06 10.20 1.39 622,800 2,127,720.002.89 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.88 1.86 1.8 1.8 -4.26 46,000 17 8.61 Federal Res. Inv. Group 15.4 15.5 14.5 15.18 -1.43 70,600 38,220.0031.8 18.06 First Gen Corp. 28 28.85 28.15 28.75 2.68 3,196,600 5,299,980.00109 67.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 93.2 94.6 93.5 94.6 1.50 584,390 21,452,924.5020.75 14 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 14.10 15.14 14.30 14.30 1.42 78,800 15.3 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 0.00 11,000 151,200.009.4 3.12 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.2 6.29 6.11 6.17 -0.48 119,400 241 168 Jollibee Foods Corp. 207.00 212.00 208.60 211.00 1.93 672,480 46,704,882.0012.5 8.65 Lafarge Rep 10.28 10.3 10.1 10.2 -0.78 572,900 -595,078.0079 34.1 Liberty Flour 36.25 35.00 35.00 35.00 -3.45 100 3.95 2.3 LMG Chemicals 2.7 2.77 2.7 2.7 0.00 26,000 -24,300.004 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 2.51 2.51 2.51 2.51 0.00 3,000 735.0045.45 16 Macay Holdings 51.95 52.00 47.20 52.00 0.10 90 33.9 24.4 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.5 24.65 24.1 24.65 0.61 1,399,100 -6,570,955.0090 16.2 Maxs Group 28 28 27.1 27.55 -1.61 251,500 -27,100.0013.98 7.62 Megawide 7.800 7.900 7.650 7.770 -0.38 1,611,300 -11,025,849.00292.4 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 262.60 263.80 262.60 263.60 0.38 128,510 7,896,786.005.25 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.19 4.37 4.19 4.27 1.91 1,103,000 227,150.0013.04 9 Petron Corporation 9.80 9.85 9.65 9.80 0.00 796,900 2,307,559.0014.5 9.94 Phinma Corporation 11.58 11.60 11.38 11.60 0.17 43,700 7.03 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 4.00 4.04 3.90 4.00 0.00 97,000 71,020.003.4 2.22 Phoenix Semiconductor 2.36 2.38 2.32 2.33 -1.27 831,000 42,120.004.5 1 Pryce Corp. À’ 2.4 2.52 2.37 2.4 0.00 628,000 -11,950.006.68 4.72 RFM Corporation 5.12 5.14 5.06 5.10 -0.39 279,500 833,846.007.86 1.65 Roxas and Co. 1.91 1.98 1.92 1.92 0.52 51,000 8.1 6 Roxas Holdings 6.4 6.01 6 6 -6.25 14,100 253 201.6 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 195.9 200 195.9 196 0.05 5,040 -488,204.005.5 4.1 SPC Power Corp. 4.54 4.46 4.15 4.15 -8.59 60,000 3.28 1.67 Splash Corporation 1.77 1.77 1.72 1.72 -2.82 1,234,000 41,040.000.315 0.122 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.167 0.169 0.165 0.166 -0.60 950,000 -33,200.002.5 1.02 TKC Steel Corp. 1.30 1.37 1.37 1.37 5.38 13,000 2.68 2.01 Trans-Asia Oil 2.17 2.58 2.20 2.24 3.23 31,971,000 450,240.00226.6 143.4 Universal Robina 219 222.6 219 220.8 0.82 2,302,510 75,434,404.005.5 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 0.00 127,000 468,000.001.3 0.670 Vitarich Corp. 0.67 0.76 0.67 0.72 7.46 7,422,000 904,940.002.17 1.39 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.35 1.35 1.35 1.35 0.00 247,000

HOLDING FIRMS0.7 0.45 Abacus Cons. À’ 0.470 0.470 0.470 0.470 0.00 60,000 59.2 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 57.00 57.60 57.30 57.30 0.53 3,634,650 -14,891,615.5031.85 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 25.45 25.80 25.50 25.65 0.79 13,107,000 -48,933,480.002.16 1.6 Anglo Holdings A 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 0.00 20,000 7.39 6.62 Anscor À’ 7.00 7.00 6.88 7.00 0.00 41,300 -14,090.002.27 1.210 Asia Amalgamated A 1.56 1.55 1.55 1.55 -0.64 1,000 3.4 1.4 ATN Holdings A 0.285 0.315 0.285 0.305 7.02 35,390,000 3.35 1.6 ATN Holdings B 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.31 5.17 3,320,000 338,500.00800 600 Ayala Corp À’ 796 801 796 801 0.63 461,080 210,618,520.0011.06 7.390 Cosco Capital 8.19 8.25 8.1 8.2 0.12 940,800 533,474.0084 14.18 DMCI Holdings 15.04 15.18 15.04 15.08 0.27 4,896,900 -5,053,456.003.68 1.15 F&J Prince ‘B’ 3.8 3.79 3.05 3.79 -0.26 18,000 5.14 4.25 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.38 4.45 4.30 4.30 -1.83 129,000 0.66 0.144 Forum Pacific 0.290 0.285 0.280 0.280 -3.45 320,000 1380 818 GT Capital 1273 1318 1285 1315 3.30 259,005 -79,916,895.006.68 5.3 House of Inv. 6.20 6.40 6.20 6.39 3.06 346,700 658,607.0072.6 46.6 JG Summit Holdings 72.50 74.20 72.45 74.00 2.07 2,907,270 33,919,881.508.9 4.96 Jolliville Holdings 5.3 6 5 5 -5.66 6,200 9.25 4.43 Lopez Holdings Corp. 8.78 8.94 8.79 8.9 1.37 4,035,400 26,532,263.000.9 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.75 0.74 0.7 0.71 -5.33 2,075,000 18.9 12 LT Group 14.64 15.14 14.7 15 2.46 8,037,700 12,993,016.000.73 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings À’ 0.63 0.66 0.66 0.66 4.76 29,000 5.53 4.22 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 4.53 4.59 4.54 4.54 0.22 32,298,000 -33,236,290.006.55 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 5.01 5.2 5.1 5.1 1.80 77,000 0.84 0.450 Prime Orion 1.180 1.220 1.130 1.130 -4.24 15,956,000 -62,640.0087 66.7 San Miguel Corp À’ 67.95 68.00 67.15 67.40 -0.81 173,940 -3,645,380.003.5 1.5 Seafront À’ 2.96 2.96 2.95 2.96 0.00 10,000 934 709.5 SM Investments Inc. 907.00 925.00 910.00 925.00 1.98 243,650 -47,614,735.002.2 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.17 1.24 1.17 1.24 5.98 3,000 390 170 Transgrid 310.00 263.80 263.00 263.40 -15.03 800 156 85.2 Top Frontier 99.50 99.50 98.00 98.50 -1.01 1,080 -985.000.710 0.200 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3750 0.3800 0.3750 0.3750 0.00 3,240,000 0.435 0.173 Wellex Industries 0.2400 0.2450 0.2250 0.2400 0.00 1,020,000 0.510 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.300 0.315 0.305 0.315 5.00 430,000

P R O P E R T Y10.5 6.01 8990 HLDG 8.900 8.900 8.720 8.850 -0.56 515,000 456,594.0026.95 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.50 10.48 9.46 10.48 -0.19 2,000 15,720.001.99 0.91 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.79 0.76 0.74 0.75 -5.06 3,128,000 2.07 1.29 Araneta Prop À’ 1.360 1.310 1.310 1.310 -3.68 34,000 0.375 0.192 Arthaland Corp. 0.255 0.265 0.265 0.265 3.92 30,000 -7,950.0040 29.1 Ayala Land `B’ 40.00 40.65 39.50 40.45 1.13 7,730,100 -34,305,160.006.15 4.1 Belle Corp. À’ 4.19 4.19 4.15 4.17 -0.48 6,061,000 17,633,100.005.4 4.96 Cebu Holdings 5.2 5.25 5.13 5.23 0.58 29,000 140,689.001.54 0.89 Century Property 0.9 0.91 0.89 0.9 0.00 2,081,000 -1,345,470.001.97 1.1 City & Land Dev. 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 0.00 3,000 1.48 0.97 Cityland Dev. À’ 1.04 1.07 1.06 1.07 2.88 257,000 -13,880.000.201 0.083 Crown Equities Inc. 0.155 0.156 0.154 0.156 0.65 2,620,000

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

Trading SummarySHARES VALUE

FINANCIAL 10,083,616 998,148,978.89INDUSTRIAL 96,496,793 1,362,978,794.804HOLDING FIRMS 134,687,662 2,389,370,731.309PROPERTY 135,764,946 1,206,588,880.58SERVICES 68,390,691 1,298,173,221.65MINING & OIL 655,828,817 371,073,230.765GRAND TOTAL 1,103,988,357 7,652,449,505.399

FINANCIAL 1,804.21 (up) 12.16INDUSTRIAL 12,524.01 (UP) 131.81HOLDING FIRMS 7,062.62 (UP) 98.95PROPERTY 3,230.10 (UP) 55.37SERVICES 2,156.89 (UP) 20.90MINING & OIL 15,198.62 (UP) 155.80PSEI 7,919.21 (UP) 102.77All Shares Index 4,552.23 (UP) 54.84

Gainers: 113 Losers:78; Unchanged: 46; Total: 237

STOCKS Close(P)

Change(%)

Transgrid 263.40 -15.03

Chemphil 132 -12.00

SPC Power Corp. 4.15 -8.59

PCOR-Preferred A 1066 -7.30

MWIDE PREF 108.1 -6.73

Roxas Holdings 6 -6.25

Crown Asia 2.43 -6.18

Jolliville Holdings 5 -5.66

PhilexPetroleum 1.67 -5.65

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.71 -5.33

Top LoSerSSTOCKS Close

(P)Change

(%)

Manila Broadcasting 30.35 49.88

TA Petroleum 5.7 35.39

Phil. Seven Corp. 139.00 19.83

PAL Holdings Inc. 5.10 8.51

Oriental Pet. À' 0.0130 8.33

Oriental Pet. `B' 0.0140 7.69

IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.014 7.69

Vitarich Corp. 0.72 7.46

ATN Holdings A 0.305 7.02

Philodrill Corp. À' 0.016 6.67

Top gainerS

0.98 0.445 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.475 0.480 0.465 0.465 -2.11 2,570,000 9,300.001.09 0.85 Empire East Land 0.860 0.870 0.860 0.860 0.00 43,000 0.305 0.188 Ever Gotesco 0.192 0.190 0.180 0.183 -4.69 2,140,000 36,600.002.25 1.4 Global-Estate 1.37 1.42 1.36 1.38 0.73 6,457,000 -5,982,490.001.87 1.42 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.88 1.95 1.86 1.94 3.19 24,430,000 1,145,730.001.8 1.19 Interport À’ 1.41 1.44 1.40 1.40 -0.71 1,156,000 5.73 4.13 Megaworld 5.36 5.47 5.37 5.42 1.12 35,891,200 -26,050,492.000.180 0.090 MRC Allied Ind. 0.122 0.125 0.120 0.122 0.00 4,030,000 0.470 0.325 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.3300 0.3400 0.3300 0.3400 3.03 1,320,000 0.72 0.39 Phil. Realty À’ 0.5100 0.5100 0.5000 0.5000 -1.96 294,000 8.54 2.57 Primex Corp. 7 7.02 7.01 7.01 0.14 219,000 31.8 21.35 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.90 30.00 29.30 29.35 -1.84 2,229,900 -22,936,315.002.29 1.64 Rockwell 1.76 1.77 1.76 1.76 0.00 341,000 3.6 3.08 Shang Properties Inc. 3.30 3.30 3.21 3.30 0.00 157,000 20.6 15.08 SM Prime Holdings 19.00 19.90 19.20 19.90 4.74 24,580,800 268,908,408.001.02 0.69 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.78 0.78 0.76 0.76 -2.56 24,000 7.56 3.38 Starmalls 7 7 6.48 7 0.00 1,900 1.96 1 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.990 1.030 1.000 1.000 1.01 35,000 8.59 5.69 Vista Land & Lifescapes 7.490 7.640 7.470 7.520 0.40 3,570,500 -23,130,258.00

S E R V I C E S10.5 1.97 2GO Group’ 6.36 6.53 6.34 6.5 2.20 98,900 66 32.5 ABS-CBN 61.5 62.25 61.3 62.2 1.14 30,960 1.44 1 Acesite Hotel 1.06 1.15 1.03 1.03 -2.83 484,000 1.09 0.6 APC Group, Inc. 0.680 0.690 0.680 0.680 0.00 446,000 -38,770.0012.46 10 Asian Terminals Inc. 14 13.54 13.54 13.54 -3.29 500 15.82 9.61 Bloomberry 11.68 11.88 11.68 11.70 0.17 15,325,300 -241,858.000.1460 0.0770 Boulevard Holdings 0.1000 0.1030 0.1010 0.1020 2.00 5,610,000 4.61 2.95 Calata Corp. 4.8 4.99 4.82 4.9 2.08 1,641,000 -48,400.0099.1 46.55 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 85.3 87.1 86 87 1.99 874,110 -25,849,325.0012.3 10.14 Centro Esc. Univ. 10.36 10 10 10 -3.47 51,500 7,000.009 5.88 DFNN Inc. 7.00 7.18 7.12 7.18 2.57 5,200 4 2.58 Easy Call “Common” 3.12 4.20 3.14 3.30 5.77 140,000 38,560.001700 830 FEUI 932 999.5 946 946 1.50 1,340 2090 1600 Globe Telecom 2182 2222 2182 2212 1.37 26,065 -11,320,200.008.41 5.95 GMA Network Inc. 6.30 6.32 6.27 6.27 -0.48 176,500 33 30 Grand Plaza Hotel 44.90 59.00 38.00 45.90 2.23 21,200 1.97 1.36 Harbor Star 1.46 1.44 1.41 1.43 -2.05 95,000 119.5 105 I.C.T.S.I. 111 111.5 110 111 0.00 908,580 56,899,914.007 3.01 Imperial Res. À’ 6.61 6.61 6.55 6.55 -0.91 1,000 12.5 8.72 IPeople Inc. À’ 12.38 12.4 11.52 12.4 0.16 102,600 0.017 0.012 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 7.69 1,300,000 0.8200 0.036 Island Info 0.238 0.238 0.232 0.232 -2.52 5,350,000 2.2800 1.200 ISM Communications 1.2600 1.2600 1.2500 1.2500 -0.79 128,000 5.93 2.34 Jackstones 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 0.00 20,000 12.28 6.5 Leisure & Resorts 9.60 9.65 9.51 9.55 -0.52 460,000 2,947,868.002.85 1.69 Liberty Telecom 2.05 2.04 1.99 2.04 -0.49 10,000 2.2 1.1 Lorenzo Shipping 1.29 1.27 1.26 1.26 -2.33 29,000 3.2 2 Macroasia Corp. 2.14 2.19 2.14 2.19 2.34 2,000 5.9 1.05 Manila Broadcasting 20.25 30.35 30.35 30.35 49.88 5,700 1.97 0.490 Manila Bulletin 0.680 0.670 0.670 0.670 -1.47 77,000 2.46 1.8 Manila Jockey 2 2.05 2 2.05 2.50 52,000 15.2 8.7 Melco Crown 9.08 9.15 9.05 9.05 -0.33 2,847,400 -11,364,265.000.62 0.34 MG Holdings 0.360 0.370 0.355 0.370 2.78 60,000 1.040 0.37 NOW Corp. 0.440 0.435 0.435 0.435 -1.14 12,000 22.8 14.54 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 18.38 18.44 18.42 18.44 0.33 3,000 6.41 3 PAL Holdings Inc. 4.70 5.10 4.70 5.10 8.51 458,000 43,020.004 2.28 Paxys Inc. 3 2.99 2.8 2.99 -0.33 38,000 -56,000.00110.2 79 Phil. Seven Corp. 116.00 145.00 117.00 139.00 19.83 940 26,720.0014 4.39 Philweb.Com Inc. 14.72 14.74 14.58 14.74 0.14 136,700 151,774.003486 2726 PLDT Common 2840.00 2892.00 2842.00 2884.00 1.55 111,160 13,474,250.000.710 0.380 PremiereHorizon 0.610 0.620 0.610 0.610 0.00 1,442,000 2.28 0.32 Premium Leisure 1.680 1.700 1.650 1.660 -1.19 10,811,000 -666,540.0048.5 31.45 Puregold 39.20 41.10 39.35 40.30 2.81 4,842,900 -4,440,580.0090.1 60.55 Robinsons RTL 86.10 87.00 85.90 85.90 -0.23 1,677,620 1,813,922.0011.6 7.59 SSI Group 10.40 10.76 10.34 10.72 3.08 6,742,600 10,161,340.000.87 0.63 STI Holdings 0.67 0.67 0.66 0.66 -1.49 1,454,000 -617,230.002.95 1.71 Transpacific Broadcast 1.96 1.96 1.73 1.96 0.00 20,000 -17,440.0010.2 6.45 Travellers 6.8 6.8 6.66 6.8 0.00 2,403,400 -619,090.000.490 0.305 Waterfront Phils. 0.340 0.345 0.330 0.340 0.00 760,000 1.6 1.04 Yehey 1.360 1.310 1.300 1.300 -4.41 64,000

MINING & OIL0.0098 0.0043 Abra Mining 0.0054 0.0054 0.0053 0.0053 -1.85 370,000,000 -58,300.005.45 1.72 Apex À’ 2.65 2.65 2.60 2.60 -1.89 152,000 17.24 8.65 Atlas Cons. À’ 8.00 8.09 8.00 8.00 0.00 241,000 25 9.43 Atok-Big Wedge À’ 15.42 15.48 14.50 15.00 -2.72 29,100 0.330 0.236 Basic Energy Corp. 0.255 0.265 0.265 0.265 3.92 80,000 12.7 6.5 Benguet Corp À’ 6.7000 6.7200 6.7000 6.7000 0.00 7,000 12.8 6.98 Benguet Corp `B’ 6.8000 6.8100 6.8000 6.8000 0.00 3,000 1.2 0.61 Century Peak Metals Hldgs 1.02 1.07 1.02 1.04 1.96 528,000 -10,200.001.73 0.78 Coal Asia 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.9 1.12 111,000 10.98 5.99 Dizon 7.88 7.95 7.68 7.68 -2.54 11,400 4.2 1.08 Ferronickel 1.85 1.9 1.86 1.87 1.08 11,568,000 7,595,040.000.48 0.330 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.350 0.360 0.345 0.350 0.00 2,560,000 0.455 0.2130 Lepanto À’ 0.233 0.233 0.230 0.233 0.00 1,480,000 0.475 0.2160 Lepanto `B’ 0.234 0.240 0.235 0.235 0.43 90,000 0.023 0.014 Manila Mining À’ 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.00 170,700,000 0.026 0.014 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.00 13,500,000 -28,000.008.2 3.660 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 4.26 4.25 4.18 4.2 -1.41 299,000 49.2 20.2 Nickelasia 23.3 24.5 23.65 24.2 3.86 8,037,800 41,436,810.004.27 2.11 Nihao Mineral Resources 3.81 3.88 3.81 3.83 0.52 833,000 58,150.001.030 0.365 Omico 0.7200 0.7100 0.7100 0.7100 -1.39 318,000 3.06 1.54 Oriental Peninsula Res. 2.200 2.270 2.200 2.200 0.00 512,000 -475,780.000.020 0.012 Oriental Pet. À’ 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 8.33 4,800,000 0.021 0.013 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 7.69 200,000 7.67 5.4 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.58 4.58 4.48 4.50 -1.75 121,000 12.88 7.26 Philex À’ 7.17 7.29 7.15 7.15 -0.28 258,600 229,120.0010.42 2.27 PhilexPetroleum 1.77 1.78 1.66 1.67 -5.65 2,051,000 55,100.000.040 0.015 Philodrill Corp. À’ 0.015 0.016 0.015 0.016 6.67 46,300,000 420 115.9 Semirara Corp. 163.80 165.50 164.00 164.50 0.43 539,450 14,672,786.009 3.67 TA Petroleum 4.21 6.31 4.28 5.7 35.39 7,735,000 -269,950.000.016 0.0100 United Paragon 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.00 12,500,000

PREFERRED70 33 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 62.5 65 62.5 65 4.00 313,930 10,695,846.50553 490 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 520 515 515 515 -0.96 500 525 500 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 522 525 525 525 0.57 7,600 118 101 First Gen F 121 122 122 122 0.83 1,000 120 101.5 First Gen G 119 120 120 120 0.84 3,800 8.21 5.88 GMA Holdings Inc. 5.97 6.2 6.2 6.2 3.85 300 12.28 6.5 Leisure and Resort 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 0.00 102,000 111 101 MWIDE PREF 115.9 108.1 108.1 108.1 -6.73 170 1060 997 PCOR-Preferred A 1150 1080 1066 1066 -7.30 600 PCOR-Preferred B 1095 1095 1095 1095 0.00 540 1047 1011 PF Pref 2 1045 1045 1045 1045 0.00 2,665 76.9 74.2 SMC Preferred A 76.2 76.1 76 76.1 -0.13 22,400 84.8 75 SMC Preferred C 85 85 83.05 85 0.00 128,560

WARRANTS & BONDS6.98 0.8900 LR Warrant 4.280 4.360 4.210 4.300 0.47 491,000 -364,580.00

S M E10.96 2.4 Double Dragon 9 9.23 9 9.2 2.22 1,648,100 -614,890.0015 3.5 Makati Fin. Corp. 7.99 8.44 6.1 8 0.13 22,000 -3,780.0088 13.5 IRipple E-Business Intl 77.4 75.95 73.5 75.9 -1.94 1,140 11,392.5012.88 5.95 Xurpas 9.2 9.45 9.2 9.3 1.09 1,057,800 4,143,024.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS130.7 105.6 First Metro ETF 127.1 128.9 127.5 128.9 1.42 6,790



B3

Semirarasees P10-bnet profitthis year

Market climbs; SM Prime rallies

GrabTaxi partner. Visa Inc. has teamed up with GrabTaxi Philippines to introduce a new payment method for a recently-launched GrabCar+ premium car limousine service. Riders who use GrabCar+ can now use their Visa debit, credit and prepaid cards to pay for their fares through Globe Charge, Globe’s market-leading mobile point-of-sale terminals that will be deployed in premium GrabCar+ vehicles. The premium limousine platform employs vehicles such as a Nissan Patrol, a Mini Cooper, and a Hummer H3. Sealing the partnershop are (from left) GrabTaxi director Brian Cu, Visa head of sales for the Philippines and Guam Pia Arellano and Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

On the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORTS of the proposedGold Mining Projects under Lobo MPSA 176-2002-IV and Archangel MPSA 177- 2002-IV of the Proponent Egerton Gold Phils, Inc. (EGPI) to be located at the Municipality of Lobo, Batangas:

Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed GOLD MINING OPERATIONS PROJECTS to attend a Public Hearing scheduled as follows:

Project Schedule of PublicHeari

Venue

Gold Mining and Processing Projectunder Lobo MPSA 176-2002-IV in Barangays Mabilog and Sawang, Lobo, Batangas

May 21, 2015

9:00 AM -12:00 NN(Registration startsat 7:30 AM

Punta MalabrigoMalabrigo, Lobo Batangas

Gold Mining Project under ArchangelMPSA 177-2002-IV in Barangay Balibago, Lobo, Batangas

May 22, 2015

9:00 AM -12:00 NN(Registration starts at 7:30 AM)


This Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIA Reports of the aforementioned projects by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

All interested parties who wish to attend, participate in this Public Hearing should confirm their attendance/participation in this Office through email at [email protected] or contact us at telephone numbers (02) 920-2240 to 41. Those who will not be able to confirm or submit written positions may be given the opportunity to share their issues on the day of the hearing itself. However, priority shall be given to those who did their confirmation prior to the schedule of the hearing and then followed by the early registrants during the hearing.

Full copies of the EIA Reports can be accessed at the EMB Offices (Central and Regional IV-A), Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office of Lobo and Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office of Batangas. Copies of the Executive Summary and Project Fact Sheets are available in our website: www.emb.gov.ph/portal/eia/Home.aspx and at the Barangay Offices of Balibago, Mabilog na Bundok and Sawang, Lobo, Batangas.

Individual and/or organizations may give their opinion(s) in a concise position paper submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment and Management (EIAM) Division of this Office on or before May 14, 2015. Submissions may also be thru mailed letters or thru e-mails at the EMB email address of [email protected].

For more details, please contact the EIAM Division of this Office and look for the projects’ Case handlers:

1. Engr. Carlo Vic Arida2. Engr. Regina Paula Eugenio

Protect the environment... Protect life...

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAUDENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1116

Telephone Nos.: 927-15-17, 928-20-96Email : [email protected]

Visit us at http://www.emb.gov.ph


( T S - M AY 6 , 2 015 )

Republic of the PhilippinesOffice of the President

National Irrigation Administration(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG)

Region 3Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management office

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

April 28, 2015

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

ITB No.R3-BANE-CCAW-2015-BU-22 Construction of drainage & slope protection at Angat River (Bustos Side), Bustos, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 5,106,156.19 with contract duration of 90 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 5,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-23 Improvement of Cansinala Extension canal & various AMRIS Area, Candaba, Pampanga. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 8,889,976.56 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-24 Construction of diversion dam, canal system and road system of Bomba RIS (Phase II), Candaba, Pampanga. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 9,167,487.35 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00.

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last 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 May 8, 2015 – 10:00AMof non-refundable amount as stated above NIA-BANE, San Rafael, Bulacaneach ITB)

Schedule of activities > Pre-Bidding Submission/Opening of Bids:NIA, BANE IMO May 12, 2015 May 26, 2015

R3-BANE-CCAW-2015-BU-22 9:30 AM 9:30 AMR3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-23 10:30 AM 10:30 AMR3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-24 1:30 PM 1:30 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. DELA CRUZChairman – BAC

( T S - M AY 6 , 2 015 )

INVITATION to BIDOn the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORTS of the proposedGold Mining Projects under Lobo MPSA 176-2002-IV and Archangel MPSA 177- 2002-IV of the Proponent Egerton Gold Phils, Inc. (EGPI) to be located at the Municipality of Lobo, Batangas:

Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to give their opinion regarding the implementation of the proposed GOLD MINING OPERATIONS PROJECTS to attend a Public Hearing scheduled as follows:

Project Schedule of PublicHeari

Venue

Gold Mining and Processing Projectunder Lobo MPSA 176-2002-IV in Barangays Mabilog and Sawang, Lobo, Batangas

May 21, 2015

9:00 AM -12:00 NN(Registration startsat 7:30 AM


Gold Mining Project under ArchangelMPSA 177-2002-IV in Barangay Balibago, Lobo, Batangas

May 22, 2015

9:00 AM -12:00 NN(Registration starts at 7:30 AM)


This Public Hearing is being conducted in connection with the review of the EIA Reports of the aforementioned projects by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

All interested parties who wish to attend, participate in this Public Hearing should confirm their attendance/participation in this Office through email at [email protected] or contact us at telephone numbers (02) 920-2240 to 41. Those who will not be able to confirm or submit written positions may be given the opportunity to share their issues on the day of the hearing itself. However, priority shall be given to those who did their confirmation prior to the schedule of the hearing and then followed by the early registrants during the hearing.

Full copies of the EIA Reports can be accessed at the EMB Offices (Central and Regional IV-A), Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office of Lobo and Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office of Batangas. Copies of the Executive Summary and Project Fact Sheets are available in our website: www.emb.gov.ph/portal/eia/Home.aspx and at the Barangay Offices of Balibago, Mabilog na Bundok and Sawang, Lobo, Batangas.

Individual and/or organizations may give their opinion(s) in a concise position paper submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment and Management (EIAM) Division of this Office on or before May 14, 2015. Submissions may also be thru mailed letters or thru e-mails at the EMB email address of [email protected].

For more details, please contact the EIAM Division of this Office and look for the projects’ Case handlers:

1. Engr. Carlo Vic Arida2. Engr. Regina Paula Eugenio

Protect the environment... Protect life...

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAUDENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1116

Telephone Nos.: 927-15-17, 928-20-96Email : [email protected]

Visit us at http://www.emb.gov.ph


( T S - M AY 6 , 2 015 )

Republic of the PhilippinesOffice of the President

National Irrigation Administration(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG)

Region 3Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management office

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

April 28, 2015

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

ITB No.R3-BANE-CCAW-2015-BU-22 Construction of drainage & slope protection at Angat River (Bustos Side), Bustos, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 5,106,156.19 with contract duration of 90 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 5,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-23 Improvement of Cansinala Extension canal & various AMRIS Area, Candaba, Pampanga. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 8,889,976.56 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-24 Construction of diversion dam, canal system and road system of Bomba RIS (Phase II), Candaba, Pampanga. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 9,167,487.35 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 10,000.00.

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last 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 May 8, 2015 – 10:00AMof non-refundable amount as stated above NIA-BANE, San Rafael, Bulacaneach ITB)

Schedule of activities > Pre-Bidding Submission/Opening of Bids:NIA, BANE IMO May 12, 2015 May 26, 2015

R3-BANE-CCAW-2015-BU-22 9:30 AM 9:30 AMR3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-23 10:30 AM 10:30 AMR3-BANE-EEEIS-2015-BU-24 1:30 PM 1:30 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. DELA CRUZChairman – BAC

( T S - M AY 6 , 2 015 )

INVITATION to BID

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Semirara mining & Power Corp. forecasts consolidated net income to reach P10 billion this year on additional generating capacity from new power projects and increased utilization of current plants.

Semirara Mining chairman and chief executive Isidro Consunji told reporters it expected an estimated income of P1 billion from the commercial operations of the 300-megawatt coal power plant expansion in Calaca, Batangas this year.

“We are optimistic about our prospects for 2015 and onwards with the 2x300 MW in full operation and the coming on-stream of our 2x150 MW CFB power plants starting second quarter of 2015,” Consunji said.

The Consunji Group acquired the 600-MW Calaca coal-fired power plant from the government in 2009. The plants have since undergone rehabilitation to ensure reliable delivery of power supply.

The company anticipates top-line growth to come to track in 2015 with the normalization of the Sem-Calaca units 1 and 2 and the completion of the new 300-megawatt power plants of South LuzonPower Generation Corp.

“This year the 2x150 MW will start contributing revenue from the sale of power from new power supply agreements,” he said.

Semirara’s consolidated net income after tax dipped 9 percent to P6.9 billion last year from P7.5 billion in 2013 due to reduced operations of the power segment and significant losses on replacement purchases, which were partly countered by the strong performance of the coal mining component.

Coal contributed an income of P3.64 billion while Sem Calaca Power Corp. accounted for P3.24 billion.

Consolidated revenues in 2014 improved to P28.59 billion from P27.33 billion in 2013.

“The results in the last few years have been uneven, but our medium-term growth outlook remains positive,” Consunji said.

“With the normalization of Sem-Calaca Power units 1 and 2 and completion of our power expansion project under Southwest Luzon, we expect both operating segments to delivery steady growth for the company,” he said.

Semirara plans a separate 350-MW coal plant expansion in Calaca, Batangas and is expected to sign a joint venture agreement with a local partner in the next 90 days.

The stock market rallied for the second day Tuesday, boosted by initial reports of favorable cor-porate earnings and government data showing the inflation rate fell to a two-year low of 2.2 percent in April.

The Philippine Stock exchange Index advanced 102.77 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,919.21 on a value turnover of P7.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 113 to 78, with 46 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender, rose 1.7 percent to P112.30, while SM Prime holdings Inc. of retail tycoon henry Sy Sr. surged 4.4 percent to P19.84.

GT Capital holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty climbed 3.1

percent to P1,312, while Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the largest telecommunications firm, added 1.7 percent to P2,888.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of retail tycoon Lucio Co gained 2.8 per-cent to P40.30, while Nickel Asia Corp., the biggest nickel producer, jumped 4.1 percent to P24.25.

LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan advanced 2.6 percent P15.02, while Jollibee Foods Corp. climbed 1.9 percent to P211.

The rest of Asian stocks drifted Tuesday, reversing earlier gains, with China stocks taking fright as new share issues raised the pros-

pect of a sell-off.hong Kong’s main index slid

1.0 percent by mid-session, track-ing China stocks which fell as the new issues raised the prospect of funds being diverted from existing equities, dealers said. The bench-mark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.84 percent at the break.

“Today and tomorrow will be the peak for the latest round of IPOs so people may be selling down their holdings from the secondary market to use the money for IPO subscription,” Steven Leung, hong Kong-based director of institu-tional sales at UOB Kay hian, told Bloomberg News. With AFP

BUSINESSB4

Free trade with Canada eyedPepsi’snet profit rises 41%to P192m

EDC plans to borrow P5b to finance exploration

Jobs fair. Labor undersecretary Reydeluz Conferido (fifth from right) leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the opening of the job and livelihood fair on May 1 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. With Conferido are other officials of the Labor Department, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. and Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines plans to sign free trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, an of-ficial of the Trade Department said Tuesday.

Trade Undersecretary for in-ternational policy Adrian Cris-tobal Jr. said the Philippines was keen on having free trade agree-ments with both countries.

Cristobal said he recently vis-ited Canada to explore opportu-nities with the North American country and ahead of President Benigno Aquino III’s visit.

“My trip to Canada was in preparation for the President’s

visit. It’s a unique opportunity from our point of view since Canada is a huge new market for us, a source of new investments. We have initial studies that an FTA with Canada will be benefi-cial to the Philippines,” Cristobal said in an interview.

President Aquino is set to fly to the US and Canada on May 6, with trade issues on top of his agenda.

Cristobal said Canada was

aware that the Philippines, as an emerging market, is a country of focus in “what they call as devel-opment program.”

“We both have complemen-tary strategic interests. The FTA and the investment protection agreement are initiatives of both [countries],” Cristobal said.

Cristobal said the Philippines would also review the investment promotion and mutual protec-tion agreement it signed with Canada in the 1990s.

The Philippines has over 40 in-vestment promotion and mutual protection agreements with dif-ferent countries.

Cristobal said the Philippines

also wanted a free trade deal as well as investment promotion and mutual protection agree-ment with Mexico.

“The purpose of having invest-ment promotion and mutual pro-tection agreements is to provide comfort and confidence to inves-tors of both sides,” Cristobal said.

The Trade Department is also working out bilateral trade agreements with Chile, the Eu-ropean Union and the European Free Trade Association.

Chile proposed to create an FTA with the Philippines. The Trade Department said it expect-ed to sign the agreement by end-2015 or early 2016.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SOFTDRINKS maker Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. said first-quarter net income climbed 41 percent to P192 mil-lion from P135.6 million in the same period last year, as the company focused on revenue management.

PCPPI said in a financial statement filed with the Philip-pine Stock Exchange gross sales increased 13.5 percent to P7.3 billion in the first quarter from P6.44 billion a year ago, marking the three quarters in a row where revenue growth was ahead of volume expansion.

First-quarter net sales climbed 14.7 percent to P6.25 billion from P5.48 billion a year earlier.

Net sales from carbonated soft drink amounted to 4.59 billion in the first quarter, up 14.2 per-cent year-on-year while net sales from non-carbonated beverages hit P1.66 billion, or 13.7 percent higher than P1.46 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2014.

Cost of goods sold increased 12 percent in the quarter, driven main-ly by volume growth and higher de-preciation and amortization.

Operating expenses, as a per-centage of sales, remained at par with last year’s first quarter.

“The company will continue with its long term strategy of sustained distribution and man-ufacturing investments support-ed by marketing programs to continue growth momentum,” PCPPI said.

PCPPI said it allocated P977 million in capital expenditures in the first quarter primarily on manufacturing, marketing and distribution of assets.

PCPPI is a licensed bottler of PepsiCo Inc. and Pepsi Lipton International Limited in the Philippines.

It manufactures a range of carbonated soft drinks and non- carbonated beverages that in-clude well-known brands Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, Mountain Dew, Mir-inda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana/Twister, Lipton, Sting, Propel, Milkis and Let’s Be.

The company also plans to venture into snack food business with the establishment of P650-million manufacturing facility to be operational by the second half of the year.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY Development Corp., a unit of First Gen Corp., plans to borrow P5 billion to fund geo-thermal steamfield exploration projects.

EDC vice president for corpo-rate finance Erwin Avante told reporters at the sidelines of the stockholders’ meeting the com-pany planned to borrow from local banks to fund explora-tion for the Bacman geothermal plants and the Mindanao 3 pow-er projects.

“We plan to raise financing for the P5 billion within two to three months. The P5 billion is around 70 percent of the project cost,” Avante said.

He said once the steamfield ex-ploration showed positive results, EDC would put up new power

plants.“If we proceed with a power

plant for Bacman 3, we’re looking a separate facility for that,” Avante said. He said the EDC would have to raise $150 million for the con-struction of a 30-MW Bacman 3.

The Bacman 3 power project is located in Bacon, Sorsogon Prov-ince and Manito, Albay. The other Bacman plants are the 120-MW Bacman 1 and 20-MW Bacman 2.

“We also continue to explore and develop expansion areas in our existing geothermal sites,” EDC president Richard Tantoco said.

He said the Bacman plants helped drive EDC’s revenues which climbed 20 percent in 2014 to P30.9 billion.

Tantoco said the company ex-pected modest net income gains this year although revenues would

be higher.“[Net income this year] is bet-

ter than last year but it’s not re-alistic to expect similar 40-per-cent increase than last year,” he said. “We are looking at modest gains.”

The company posted recurring net income attributable to EDC of P9.2 billion last year, up 40 per-cent from 2013.

Avante said EDC’s recurring net income attributable to par-ent might be flat or slightly higher this year “but again, it depends on how we manage our open given that we have several initiatives to typhoon proof our units and con-tinue restoration of those dam-aged by prior typhoons.”

EDC lost P1 billion in rev-enues last year due to a series of typhoons. The company is now putting in place solutions to miti-

gate the impact of typhoons on its facilities.

The company expects revenues of P4.5 billion from the Bacman plants this year while the 150-MW Burgos wind project is seen to contribute less than P2 billion.

EDC said it expected the Na-sulo geothermal power project to contribute around P800 million to P900 million in revenues this year for 20 MW of capacity although its impact to the bottom-line was affected by the lower rates it of-fered to consumers.

Tantoco said the move to offer lower prices to consumers cost the company P911 million in the short term “but will provide sta-ble revenue streams in the future.”

EDC’s power portfolio includes geothermal, hydro, wind and so-lar power projects totaling 1,441 MW as of end-2014.


W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

BUSINESS B5

Nickel Asia’s Q1income up 281%

Exporters bullish on 10% growth target

Melco’s license. City of Dreams Manila became the first operator in Entertainment City to receive a regular gaming license from state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Shown receiving the license is Melco Crown Entertainment co-chairman and chief executive Lawrence Ho (left) from Pagcor president and chief operating officer Jorge Sarmiento. Melco is the operator of City of Dreams Manila in Paranaque City.

ADMIT IT—like millions of other Filipinos, you’re having difficulty moving on with the outcome of last Sunday’s “Fight of the Century” where the Moneyman Floyd Mayweather Jr. was handed the unified championship belt via a controversial and much-booed unanimous decision over Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. If Gallup were to conduct its survey today on the world’s happiest citizens, Filipinos will be nowhere near the Top 10, what with most everyone either fuming or feeling dejected.

Floyd has now been given the dubious moniker of “Fake of the Century” for dancing and hugging his way to victory, while memes and comments over social media blasted the “Scam of the Century” with people commenting that they wanted to watch a boxing match, not ballroom dancing or marathon. Adding to the fury are conspiracy theories that the fight was rigged in favor of Mayweather (who almost always gets a virtual tap on the wrist for domestic abuse/violence and was once allowed out of prison by the judge because Las Vegas would lose millions of $$$ if he failed to show up for a previously scheduled fight) after revelations that the judges entered the scores for the fighters in the wrong columns. Pacquiao was in the red corner while Mayweather was in blue, but all judges’ scorecards erroneously (?) labeled the American as being in the red corner.

Many who watched including Evander Holyfield, thought Manny was the winner in that rather ho-hum fight. Well, Manny also thought he won the fight, but the Nevada judges thought otherwise. Was the Filipino champ robbed? Opinion is divided with some saying Manny knew the kind of fight he was getting himself into since Mayweather is a “technical” fighter who would use his reach advantage to the hilt, and would not hesitate to use all kinds of dirty tricks to give him the upper hand. No gentleman in the ring, that one.

Adding to the unhappiness are reports that the Sarangani Congressman (and future presidentiable?) would be out of commission until 2016 (February at the earliest) due to an injury on his right shoulder, for which he will go under the knife. The shoulder injury which Manny reportedly sustained during training might even lead to legal problems because his (controversial) adviser Michael Koncz allegedly failed to disclose the injury or condition in a pre-fight medical questionnaire.

Whether the omission was deliberate because it was too late or because the Pacquiao camp was afraid the information would be leaked to the Mayweather camp are questions that beg for clear answers. Meantime, excuse us because we’re going to enroll in a marathon training program. Who knows, it might turn us into the next paperweight champion for which we will earn oodles of cash.

Bra thieves now video sensationsA video showing two women taking dozens of bras from

a Victoria’s Secret store in Pennsylvania is getting a lot of views. The surveillance video was posted by the Wilkes-Barre Township Police along with a request for any information leading to the identification of the females. (http://www.inquisitr.com/2055374/victorias-secret-thieves-2-women-steal-145-bras-worth-7700-video/)

According to reports, it’s not the first time that the store was burgled, with the latest heist bringing the total of stolen bras to 145 valued at $7,700 in the last two months. The “bombshell bras” appear to be a favorite and we’re not actually surprised because the bra models popularized by Kylie Jenner (the same one who inspired the “Kylie Jenner Challenge” where teenage girls who don’t know any better suck on a shot glass to have the same kind of pouty lips) promise to instantly lift ladies assets up two full sizes. Interesting…

•••For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related

concerns, readers may email to [email protected]. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

Unhappy peopleBy Anna Leah E. Gonzales

NICKEL Asia Corp., the largest nickel min-ing company in the Philippines, said unau-dited net income jumped 281 percent in the first quarter of 2015 from a year ago, led by higher volume of shipments and prices during the period.

Nickel Asia said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income in the January-March period hit P675.8 million, up from P177.1 million in the same period last year.

Nickel Asia said the first-quarter profit included P140.3 million in equity income from its 22.5-percent investment in Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. and P72.5 million from a 10-percent equity interest in Coral Bay Nick-

el Corp.Equity income in THPAL

amounted to P11.7 million last year, as the newly commissioned plant was undergoing fine-tun-ing while there was no equity contribution from CBNC, as the company’s direct equity interest took effect in April 2014.

Nickel Asia said earnings be-fore interest, tax, depreciation and amortization amounted to

P1.56 billion in the three-month period, up from P795.5 million it booked a year ago.

Revenues in the first quarter climbed to P3.12 billion from P1.70 billion last year, on higher sales volumes and prices.

Nickel Asia sold 3.49 million wet metric tons of nickel ore in the three-month period, higher than 2.65 million WMT sold in the same period last year.

The Taganaan and Cagdianao mines shipped 160,000 WMT and 50,000 WMT of nickel ore, respec-tively, as a result of a shorter rainy season in the south of the country.

It said of the total volume of ore sold, deliveries to the two HPAL plants reached 1.99 mil-lion WMT, compared to 1.80 million WMT during the same period last year.

By Othel V. CamposTHE country’s largest group of exporters has expressed optimism exports will grow as much as 10 percent this year, on rising demand from Japan and Southeast Asian economies.

“We still have a fighting chance to reach 8 to 10 percent [growth in exports] this year. We are not revising as of now. There’s no reason to revise,” Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luiz said.

Luiz said the problems in other markets such as Europe, the US and China might be offset by the growing demand of Japan and other Asean countries.

He said second-quarter exports were expected to improve, “because electronics is performing well and may carry

the ball for exports.”The furniture sector also

showed promising results, along with mining, metals and services, he said.

The Trade Department earlier predicted that exports might slow down and might not exceed the 10-percent growth projection, due to stronger foreign exchange in favor of the Philippine peso.

It said exports might grow slower than initially anticipated, because of severe depreciation of the Japanese yen and the European currencies.

Exports to the US are less likely to be affected due to the minimal movement of the dollar against the peso, it said.

The Trade Department advised exporters to add value to their products to command better prices.

PhilExport said the oil price rollbacks would have little effect on the growth in exports.

The group expressed concern it might only get half of the proposed P1.7-billion export development fund from the government.

The fund has been endorsed to the Budget Department for approval and will be released through the Trade Department once approved.

“We’re not expecting that the entire fund will be released. And if it will see approval, we surmise that the fund might be redirected to finance other projects of the DTI,” he said.

The export promotion fund is a public-private fund established to by the Export Development Council to provide supplemental financing for promotion and development of Philippine exports.



B6

BPI bullish, to hikeinvestment in stocks

INVITATION TO BIDThe Municipal Government of Sugpon, I locos Sur, through i ts Bids and Awards Commit tee (BAC), invi tes suppl iers / contractors to bid for the hereunder contract :

Name of Contract : PURCHASE OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT (Mini-Dumptruck & Bulldozer)

Locat ion : Sugpon, I locos SurBr ief Descr ipt ion : PURCHASEApproved Budget for the Contract : Php 4,500,000.00Contract Durat ion : 31 Calendar Days

Prospect ive bidders should posses a val id License appl icable to the contract , have completed a s imi lar contract wi th a value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment ( l is ted in the El ig ib i l i ty Forms) avai lable for the prosecut ion of the contract . The BAC wi l l use non-discret ionary pass/fai l cr i ter ia in the El ig ib i l i ty Check/Screening as wel l as the Prel iminary Examinat ion of Bids. The BAC wi l l conduct post-qual i f icat ion of the lowest calculated bid.

Al l part iculars relat ive to El ig ib i l i ty Statement and Screening, Bid Secur i ty, Performance Secur i ty, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluat ion of Bids, Post-Qual i f icat ion and Award of Contract shal l be governed by the pert inent provis ions of R. A. 9184 and i ts Implement ing Rules and Regulat ion ( IRR).

The schedules of BAC act iv i t ies are l is ted, as fo l lows:Act iv i t ies Schedule

1. Pre - Procurement Conference May 4, 20152. Adver t i sement / Post ing o f Inv i ta t ion to B id May 6 -13, 20153. I ssuance of B id Documents May 6 -26, 20154. Pre - B id Conference May 14, 20155. E l ig ib i l i t y Check , Submiss ion & Rece ipt o f B ids May 26, 20156. B id Eva luat ion May 29, 20157. Post Qua l i f i ca t ion May 29, 20158. Approva l o f Reso lu t ion / I ssuance of Not ice o f Award May 29, 2015 / June1, 2015 9. Cont rac t Preparat ion & S ign ing June 1, 2015 / June 2 , 201510. Approva l o f Cont rac t by h igher author i t y June 2 , 201511. Issuance of Not ice to Proceed June 3 , 2015 A complete set of b idding documents and other detai led informat ion maybe acquired from the BAC Secretar iat , Municipal Hal l Sugpon, I locos Sur. Al l prospect ive bidders shal l be charged a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest guidel ines issued the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) only . The BAC assumes no responsibi l i ty whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparat ion of the bid.

Approved by:

(Sgd.) VIRGILIO B. ABAAGBAC Chairman

Munic ipal i t y of Sugpon, I locos Sur _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Purchase of So l id Waste Equipment(Min i Dumpt ruck & Bul ldozer) Ba lba layang, Sugpon, I . Sur

(TS-MAY 6, 2015)

THE second-largest Philippine money manag-er is taking advantage of the worst month for the country’s stocks since 2013 to add holdings, betting that improved company earnings will trigger a recovery.

Smith Chua, chief investment o� cer of BPI Asset Mangement of Bank of the Philippine Islands,

says he’s adding to holdings of consumer, power and property companies, sectors on which

he’s overweight. � e country’s stock gauge, southeast Asia’s best performer in 2015 even af-ter a 2.8-percent loss in April, will probably rise as much as 4.9 percent this year from Monday’s close as earnings growth more than doubles, he said. � e gauge gained 1.3 percent at the close of trading Tuesday.

Investors pulled $203 million out of Philippine stocks in April, the only Asian mar-ket tracked by Bloomberg to register net sales by for-eigners during the month. � e out� ows coincided with unprecedented in-� ows into exchange-traded funds tracking Chinese companies in Hong Kong. While the withdrawals out of the Philippines have weighed on local shares, Chua says global investors will turn into buyers if eq-uities fall further.

“� is is a temporary cor-rection,” said Chua, who helps oversee about $14 bil-lion in assets at BPI. “� ere are still many o� shore in-vestors who are waiting for reasonable levels to come into the Philippines.”

� e Philippine stock in-dex may fall as low as 7,400 if more funds are taken out for investment in Chinese equities, Chua said. Still, the index won’t stay there for long as other investors are waiting for an opportunity. � ere are also no strong in-dications that the Philippine economy has been derailed from its growth path, he

said.� e Philippine Stock Ex-

change Index’s April loss was its � rst monthly decline this year and the worst since December 2013.

� e gauge climbed 1.3 percent to 7,816.44 on Monday, tak-ing its valuation to 18.9 times its 12-month projected earn-ings. While that’s lower than this year’s peak of 19.8 times, it’s still the highest among Asian bench-marks, according to data com-piled by Bloomberg.

“Poor � rst-quarter earnings could extend the out� ow of overseas funds and losses in the stock market,” Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strategist at BDO Unibank Inc. in Manila, said by phone Monday. “� e valuations have to be justi� ed by earnings and so far we haven’t seen any-thing exceptional.”

Chua expects earnings growth to accelerate, with full-year prof-its climbing as much as 14 per-cent, more than double the rate of 6 percent for 2014. Economic growth will also probably exceed last year’s rate of 6.1 percent, he said.

“Our fundamentals remain quite strong, while those outside of the Philippines remain uncer-tain,” Chua said.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a re-port Tuesday reiterated the Phil-ippines as one of four “key over-weight” markets in the Asian region excluding Japan.

“� e Philippines’ ability to consistently deliver on growth underpins our recommendation to be overweight on that market,” analyst Adrian Mowat wrote.

IN BRIEF

OWWA anniversary. Employees of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration pose with Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, along with former Labor secretary Marianito Roque, OWWA aministrator Rebecca Calzado and the OWWA board members during the celebration of the agnecy’s recent 33rd anniversary at the OWWA building in Pasay City.

PAL fl ies to JinjiangPHILIPPINE Airlines has expanded

its operations in China, targeting a huge number of Chinese-Filipino in Jinjiang.

The airline owned by tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan said it started fl ying to Jin-jiang on April 25, its seventh destina-tion in China after Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau.

Jinjiang was PAL’s 37th international destination and 67th overall.

“I am proud to announce the latest ad-dition to the national fl ag carrier’s interna-tional network--Jinjiang City. With a huge number of Chinese-Filipinos tracing their origin to this part of China, the new PAL service provides them a convenient link to ‘home’,” PAL president and chief operat-ing offi cer Jaime Baustista said.

Majority of ethnic Chinese-Filipinos trace their roots to Fujian province. More than 80 percent them have ancestral ties in Jinjiang, which is part of Quangzhou City, Fujian province.

PAL reported a comprehensive income of $85 million in the fi rst quarter this year, a reversal of the $20.7-million net loss booked in the same period last year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Century Pacifi c nets P438mCENTURY Pacifi c Food Inc., the larg-

est canned food company in the Philip-pines owned by the Po family, registered a net income of P438 million in the fi rst three months of the year, up 37 percent from P320 million year-on-year.

Century Pacifi c in a disclosure to the stock exchange attributed the posi-tive fi rst-quarter income performance on strong sales demand, accumulated effect of price increases, favorable raw materials costs and lower fi nancing costs.

Consolidated net revenue in the three months ending March 2015 totalled P5.24 billion, up 16 percent from a year ago, on higher sales volumes.

“Strong sales demand was generated by the success of various marketing cam-paigns that strengthened brand visibility and positioning during the period. An dis-tribution push in regional areas and fa-vorable macro-economic conditions also boosted sales,” Century Pacifi c said.

Consolidated operating income reached P615 million, up 11.4 percent, while net income margin increased eight percent, refl ecting higher gross profi ts and lower fi nancing costs.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Neda gets rehab bodyTHE Offi ce of the President trans-

ferred the functions of the Presidential As-sistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery to the National Economic and Development Authority to ensure the implementation of the government’s recovery and rehabilita-tion efforts.

Neda secretary Arsenio Balicasan said “these functions are well within Neda’s mandate as the government’s develop-ment planning and policy coordinating body.”

The Offi ce of the President issued Memorandum Order No. 79 transferring the functions of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery to Neda.

“These functions are well within Ne-da’s mandate as the government’s devel-opment planning and policy coordinating body. As the vice-chair for rehabilitation and recovery of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coun-cil, Neda has been involved from the start in the post-disaster operations for Ty-phoon Yolanda,” he said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Otto taps Maersk drillshipOTTO Energy Ltd. of Australia has

signed a contract with Maersk Drilling to secure the Maersk Venturer ultra-deep water ship to drill the Hawkeye-1 well prospect in July to August this year.

“Final preparations for the drilling of the Hawkeye-1 exploration well are con-siderably advanced. This is a very excit-ing time for Otto as we undertake this important and potentially high impact, drilling event on behalf of the Philippines Department of Energy and our joint ven-ture partners. With a signifi cant free car-ried interest, Hawkeye-1’s success would be transformational for Otto,” Matthew Allen, Otto chief executive offi cer, said in a statement.

Otto estimated the reserves of Hawk-eye prospect at 112 million barrels of oil, or 74 million barrels net to Otto.

The company said the success at Hawkeye would unlock a signifi cant new hydrocarbon play in the deep water Southern Palawan region.

The Maersk Venturer is one of the most modern and advanced drill ships in the world. Alena Mae S. Flores

Bids and Awards CommitteeJ.P. Rizal St. corner F. Zobel St., Makati City

Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988www.makati.gov.ph

INVITATION TO BID

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS LUNGSOD NG MAKATI

(TS-MAY 6, 2015)

NO. NAME OF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

IMPLEMENTING OFFICE

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT

(ABC)

1Tarpaulin Cover for Public Assistance and other government affairs within the vicinity of Makati City

OM P3,304,899.00

2Close Combat Optic and Mounts and other equipment for the use of Makati City Police Station Special Reaction Unit (SRU)

OM P2,058,030.00

1. The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the above projects, with Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive of all taxes, such as, but not limited to, value added tax (VAT), income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

2. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

4. A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available one (1) day after posting / publication of the above projects up to Closing Date (before the deadline of the submission of bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount stated on the issued order of payment to the City Government of Makati Cashier.

5. The BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on May 12, 2015 (02:00 P.M.) at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City to discuss Eligibility Requirements and the Technical and Financial Components of these projects. However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents are allowed to raise and submit queries or clarifications regarding the Bidding Documents.

6. Deadline of Submission of Bids shall be on or before May 26, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City.

Opening of Bids shall be on May 26, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City.

7. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the said address. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, or to reduce the corresponding ABC and Terms of Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please visit or contact: BAC SECRETARIAT OFFICE Makati City Government 9th Floor, New Makati City Hall Building F. Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 loc. 1331; Fax No. 899-8988 website: www.makati.gov.ph

(Sgd.) MS. VISSIA MARIE P. ALDON Chairperson

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGIONMAKATI CITYBRANCH 136

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION SP. PROC CASE NO. M-7788 (2015)OF LUCY DOMINIQUE LLAMZON

SPS. RAYMOND C. DELOS SANTOS andCHERYL L. DE LEON-DELOS SANTOS, Petitioners.x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

O R D E R

A verified Petition for Adoption was filed in Court on March 24, 2015 by the Sps. Raymond C. Delos Santos and Cheryl L. De Leon Delos Santos. Petitioners desire to adopt 8-year old Lucy Dominique Llamzon “Lucy”, daughter of petitioner Cheryl L. De Leon Delos Santos from a previous relationship without the benefit of marriage. The minor’s biological father, Benjamin P. Llamzon, executed a written consent to this adoption. Even before her marriage to Raymond, Cheryl wanted to make legitimate her parental relationship with her daughter, Lucy. In turn, petitioner Raymond cared for and consistently treated Lucy as if she was his own offspring. From their marriage, petitioners have supported Lucy, raised her as their legitimate child, and paid for her education and living expenses. Petitioners aver that they have undergone pre-adoption services and that this adoption would promote the best interest of the child. They further aver that they have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to adopt.

Petitioners pray that judgment be rendered declaring the minor to be their legitimate child and direct the concerned civil registrar to cancel the minors existing birth certificate and issue a new birth certificate, changing the minor’s name Lucy Dominique Llamzon to “Lucy Dominique De Leon De Los Santos.”

The Court finds the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that this case is set for hearing of June 18 and July 23, 2015, both at 9:00 a.m. at this Family Court located at the 12th Floor, Makati City Hall, at which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and be heard.

The petitioner is required to cause the publication of this Order in a newspaper of general circulation to be determined through raffle, once a week for three (3) successive weeks before the above-scheduled hearing.

The Court Social Worker is DIRECTED to conduct case study and submit a report within 30 days from notice.

SO ORDERED.

Makati City, March 30, 2015.

(Sgd.) RICO SEBASTIAN D. LIWANAGPresiding Judge

(TS-Apr. 29, May 6 & 13, 2015)

B7cesar barrioquintoE D I T O R

[email protected]

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WORLD

JAKARTA—Indonesia will stop sending new domestic workers to 21 Middle Eastern countries, reports said Tuesday, after the recent execution of two Indo-nesian women in Saudi Arabia angered Jakarta.

The ban affects countries including Saudi Ara-bia—a major destination for Indonesian maids—United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, and will come into effect in three months’ time, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri was cited as saying in local media.

Jakarta, which has long complained about the treatment of Indonesian maids in the Middle East, had already placed a moratorium on sending new helpers to Saudi Arabia in 2011 following the be-heading of a worker.

The new move is meant to be permanent. Maids already working in the affected countries will be allowed to stay and continue in their positions.

Indonesia’s anger at the executions of its citi-zens abroad comes despite the fact that Jakarta last week executed seven foreign drug convicts, draw-ing a storm of international protest.

“According to the law, the government has the right to stop the placement of migrant workers in particular countries if it is believed that their em-ployment degrades human values and the dignity of the nation,” Dhakiri was quoted as saying by state-run news agency Antara.

He said there were “many problems” with Indo-nesians working abroad related to “labor norms and human rights violations”.

Dhakiri cited the execution of Indonesian do-mestic workers Siti Zainab and Karni binti Medi Tarsim, who were both put to death for murder just days apart in April.

The foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador to Indonesia after both executions, complaining Jakarta had not been informed be-forehand. AFP

Jakarta:No more maids to Mideast

Ailing Thai king makes rare public appearance

Obama says byeto retiring comic

B A N G KO K—T h a i -land’s revered but ail-ing King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, leaving the hospital where he has been convalescing for much of the past few months.

A heavily guarded convoy carrying the w he e lc h a i r-b ou nd , 87-year-old monarch left Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital for the Grand Palace, the sprawling complex in the heart of the old quarter that is the seat of the Chakri dynasty.

The palace visit was made on Coronation Day, a Thai public holi-

day that marks Bhumi-bol’s official coronation in 1950, three years af-ter his reign began fol-lowing the death of his brother.

The appearance of the world’s longest-serving monarch after a recent no-show will be a source of relief for many Thais who revere him as a semi-divine figure.

He had been expect-ed to appear publicly for his birthday in De-cember, a time when the monarch tradition-ally addresses his peo-ple. But the audience was canceled at the last minute on the advice of his doctors.

Most Thais have only known King Bhumi-bol on the throne, and anxiety over the future once his six-decade reign ends is seen as an aggravating factor in Thailand’s bitter politi-cal divide.

King Bhumibol, for-mally known as Rama IX, has spent most of the past few months in

hospital after undergo-ing an operation to re-move his gall bladder in October.

In the past two months Bhumibol had made two brief trips from his hospital bed, one in early May to a nearby palace and one last month to view the Chao Praya river that runs through Bangkok.

Hundreds of Thais gathered outside of Siriraj on Tuesday, many waving flags and dressed in the royal colour yellow, an AFP photographer on the scene said.

When the king’s convoy passed many burst into applause and shouted of “Long Live the King!” AFP

WASHINGTON—No stranger to late night American TV, President Barack Obama bid fare-well Monday to David Letterman, a retiring comic heavyweight beloved by US night owls.

Obama, himself finishing his second and final term in office, addressed the recent riots in Bal-timore, a Pacific trade pact he is trying to push through Congress, and thoughts on his post-pres-idential future in his eighth and final interview with CBS’s Letterman on the “Late Show.”

Letterman, admitting to jitters over interview-ing the US president, said there are days when he looks at his schedule after he wakes up and thinks, “Oh, God.”

Obama joked: “Are you saying that is how you felt this morning? This interview isn’t starting well.”

Just days after his wife Michelle appeared on the same show as Letterman prepares to retire late this month after 33 years on the air, Obama both sparred playfully and talked serious policy stuff in the roughly hour-long chat.

“First of all, I know you like Michelle a bit more than me,” Obama said of his wife, who has ap-peared on the Letterman show four or five times, according to Letterman.

Letterman, 68, noted that on that show the first lady was accompanied by a Marine Corps band led by “a guy in a huge bear-skin hat.” AFP

Guest of honor. French President Francois Hollande talks with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef during a meeting in Riyadh on May 5. Hollande is the guest of honor of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh, where security issues in the region are going to be discussed. AFP

w e d n e s d AY : m AY 6 , 2 0 1 5

worldNY party kowtows to ChinaHong Kong veterans fight past colonizers

Australia urged to crack down on exploiters

worldB8 cesAr bArrioquinto

E D I T O R

[email protected]

NEW YORK—China’s march towards global ascendancy has taken another leap forward—at least when it comes to New York high society and its most glittering fashion extravaganza, the Met Ball.

The city’s party of the year, attend-ed by A-list film stars, singers and models, the richest moguls and most feted fashion designers, has chosen China as the theme of its 2015 bash at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

For Chinese actress Li Bingbing—”so excited” to be going for the first time—it shows that Western atti-tudes towards her country, for so long a communist bogeyman in the United States, are beginning to change.

“Nowadays China is the hot topic,” she told AFP in an interview at her luxury hotel before embarking on three hours of preparation with an army of assistants she acknowledges is needed to grace the red carpet.

“People love to talk about China, people are curious and want to know the interest in Chinese culture,” she adds in hesitant, but exuberant Eng-lish.

The ball is the annual fund raiser for the museum’s Costume Institute and kicks off the exhibition “China: Through the Looking Glass,” which explores Chinese influences on Western fashion.

It positions haute couture from some of the world’s most cele-brated designers alongside works of Chinese art, with the focus on Imperial China, 1920-40s Shang-hai and the People’s Republic of China.

The ravishing 42-year-old actress Li, who opted to wear Christian Dior haute couture, is delighted that China is the theme, pointing to the wealth in Chinese history and how much it can still be misunderstood in America.

She tells of encountering stereo-types as recently as promoting 2011 film “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” in the United States.

“I met some Americans. You know what, they thought nowadays that Chinese women still have feet bind-ing,” she said.

“It’s completely a huge change in China now. Women in China are very, very independent and capable and hard working.”

All that makes China a fast-growing luxury market for designer clothes. Vogue China is celebrating its 10th anniversary, for which Li was photographed by Mario Testino on the eve of the ball.

Hollywood is also opening its doors to China.

Li played a Chinese scientist in 2014 blockbuster “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” which grossed $320 million at the box office in China, eclipsing the $245 million made in the United States. AFP

HONG KONG—Hong Kong military veterans who served in the British armed forces are going into battle against their former colonial ruler over their right to live in Britain.

With some locals increas-ingly anxious about Beijing’s encroaching influence in Hong Kong, the veterans have become the latest group to put pressure on Britain to provide an escape route.

Three Hong Kong military veterans who say they were “abandoned” when the city was handed back to China in 1997 have applied for full British passports in a test case backed by some British members of parliament.

A petition for right of abode, which has garnered hundreds of signatures from ex-service-men, has also been handed to 10 Downing Street in London, the official residence and office of the British prime minister.

“This is a right we deserve,” 50-year-old former Royal Mili-tary Police officer Harry Wong, one of the three passport appli-cants, told AFP.

“We want to get back what is fair.”

Wong says he applied for a British passport before the han-dover, but was unsuccessful.

Five hundred armed forces personnel were given British passports in the 1990s based on a points system—but oth-ers were left behind, with cam-paigners saying the lower ranks were overlooked.

Former army dog handler Alain Lau, 52, said he was told by a local senior officer that he would not qualify for a passport.

AFP

SYDNEY—Australia faced grow-ing calls Tuesday to crack down on the exploitation of migrants laboring in farms and factories, after a television investigation claimed foreigners toiled in con-ditions akin to “slave labor”.

Using footage from secret cam-eras, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation found migrants were being paid well under the legal minimum and working up to 18 hours a day in harsh conditions.

“There’s slave labor in this country,” National Party mem-ber of parliament Keith Pitt told the Four Corners program about workers picking and packing foods for supermarket shelves.

“It’s something we need to get rid of.”

The program interviewed young workers who were thou-sands of dollars underpaid, in some cases earning less than the minimum wage on their late-night and early-morning shifts.

In one instance, a group of laborers from Hong Kong and Taiwan picking cucumbers in Queensland were being paid A$13-14 (US$10.19-10.97) an hour for backbreaking work while Aus-tralian workers doing the same job were paid more than A$20.

“I’ve thought this is very unfair ever since I came here,” said one tearful worker from Hong Kong,

where the minimum wage is equivalent to A$5.31 an hour.

Workers employed under un-scrupulous labor contractors in Australia were also toiling under false names and in the case of vulnerable women, faced sexual harassment, said the report which focused on exploitation in several states including Victoria.

Natalie Hutchins, Victoria’s industrial relations minister, said the state government was form-ing a committee to conduct an in-quiry aimed at cracking down on illegal operators and would push for a national response.

“This is not just about the un-derpayment of wages—this is

about creating an underclass of foreign workers,” she posted on her Facebook site.

“The Victorian government will also advocate for a national response to what is a national shame.”

Pitt also called for the govern-ment to fund a task force to go un-dercover to investigate the exploi-tation of workers to “try to crack down on this”.

“I would think you would find that there’s effectively a whole heap of crooks making an awful lot of money out of the exploita-tion of a whole lot of people who really don’t know any different,” he told the ABC. AFP

Premiere. Actress McKaley Miller attends the premiere of Roadside Attractions’ & Godspeed Pictures’ “Where Hope Grows” at The ArcLight Cinemas on May 4 in Hollywood, California. AFP

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

C1BAMBINA OLIVARES WISEE D I T O R

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE

Audemars Piguet recently hosted a big party with a “Revolutionary” theme in Milan for the Expo to launch the new Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition.

The setting was the astonishing Cinema Manzoni in the heart of Milan. Completely reworked for this occasion, it featured amazing live performances, with celebrated French DJ

Dimitri entertaining the more than 700 guests who attended the event. On the stroke of midnight, the watch was un-veiled by Olivier Audemars, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, who declared his delight in being in Milan that night in time for the opening of Expo Milano 2016, one of the most important cultural events internationally. “I am also very proud,” he said, “to be launching the new Aude-

mars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition as a tribute to Milano and to Italy.” The country has always played an impor-tant role for Audemars Piguet. “We created and launched the Royal Oak in 1972, a revolution-ary product at the time – it was indeed the first stainless steel luxury sports watch to see the light of day, even more expensive than gold watches – that has become the iconic product of our brand.”

ROYAL REVOLUTIONAudemars Piguet makes a splash in Milan

PHOTO: IMAGE.NET

L U X U R Y

C2 BAMBINA OLIVARES WISEE D I T O R

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 6 : 2 0 1 5


LIFEL U X U R Y

MAKE IT THE MARRIOTT

MOTHER’S DAY GOES LUXETake Mother’s Day to the next level with an all-out luxury hotel treat

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Marriott Ma-nila has put together a wish list of luxurious gifts to spoil your mom on her special day. Because she’s worth so much more, give her the chance to make her wishes come true. Treat her to an unforgettable Sunday Brunch for P2,800 complete with free-flowing sparkling wine or a dinner buffet for P2,650 at Marriott Café on May 10. You can also surprise her with a lavish getaway for two from May 8 to 12, 2015 at P15,000++ inclusive of overnight stay in a de-luxe room, buffet breakfast for two and P3,000 credit in Quan Spa and Cru Steakhouse. Plus, there’s a selection of premium giveaways just for her: a South Sea pearl set in 18K yellow gold from Jewelmer; super chic lippies from Tory Burch; designer shades from Oakley; posh nail art services by Extraordinail; and a three-course dinner at Cru Steakhouse.

Show her you care with a fanciful buffet experience at Marriott Café. The entire family can enjoy a vast selection, including popular dishes such as US rib eye, maple turkey, Bourbon baby back ribs, lamb salpicao, baked prawns with herbed goat cheese and pan-seared sea bass with vierge sauce. Other options include the organic salad station, sushi rolled to order, seafood bar, cheese and charcuterie, inter-active teppanyaki station, and the always popular chocolate room and dessert bar! The homemade gelato, decadent desserts and chocolate goodies are the perfect ending to a celebratory brunch. Kid-approved selections are also spread throughout the buffet such as pizza, pasta and truffle mac & cheese. To add more fun, the little ones can make mocktails for their mommies, and create amusing memories in the process. Each family will be given a souvenir photo captur-ing the memorable moment.For inquiries and reservations on Mother’s day offerings, call (02)9889999 or visit manilamarriott.com.

THE MOM-ME-CATION CONSPIRACY

The modern mom does everything. She makes breakfast for the kids, takes them to school, goes to work, and is home early enough to tutor her kids

and tuck them into bed at night. This is the reason why this generation’s moms are often called “supermoms.” Supermoms are quick to get things done, but despite the fact that they seem to be blessed with an endless supply of energy, even supermoms need to take a break sometimes. Unveiling The Peninsula Manila’s MomMe-Cation Package, the perfect pampering pack-age that is guaranteed to rejuvenate moms ev-erywhere. This luxuriously indulgent treat can be enjoyed solo or with a friend, and begins with a stay in a Deluxe Room, Grand Deluxe

Room or a Premier Suite. For downtime with a health and wellness edge, Mom can have a 60-minute supervised workout with a personal trainer, followed by a Swedish or Shiatsu massage at The Fitness Center & Spa. A companion can take advan-tage of a 30% discount on massage rates. The package also includes an exclusive beauty gift from iconic luxury emporium Rustan’s Department Store, P1,000 food and beverage credit at The Lobby, and themed cocktails for a nightcap in Salon de Ning or The Lobby. The next day, Mom gets treated to a scrumptious buffet breakfast for two in Es-colta restaurant, which overlooks the out-door pool. She could also opt for a swim after breakfast before heading back home to see the kids after a most relaxing weekend. Valid from May until December 30, 2015, the MomMeCation Package starts at P11,500 per night in a Deluxe Room. Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government taxes. For inquiries or further information on The Peninsula Manila MomMeCation Room Package, please call +63 (2) 887-2888, ex-tension 6630 (Room Reservations), e-mail [email protected] or visit the website peninsula.com.

Seafood selection at Marriott Cafe

Personalized pasta dishes especially for mom at Marriott Cafe

Pamper mom at one of Marriott Manila’s deluxe rooms

C3BAMBINA OLIVARES WISEE D I T O RLIFE

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THE MAYPAC EFFECT IN DOLLARSBY ED BIADO

Win or lose, “the fight of the century” raked in hundreds of millions of dollars for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather from boxscores, pay-per-view buys and other revenue sources. Because of how lucrative the rivalry is, some are speculating that a rematch is almost guaranteed. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look at some of the statistics that prove that people will pay good money to see these two champions in the ring.

$18,000The cost of the infamous Bellagio package for two nights stay at the hotel, which usually goes for $450 a night, and two tickets to the fight.

$1,600The average fight weekend

price of standard rooms at the MGM Grand Hotel &

Casino, which are only $270 on a regular weekend.

$1,025The average room price at the Golden Nugget, a 252-percent hike from its regular price of $377—the highest inflation rate among Las Vegas hotels

$351,000The highest ticket price listed at secondary ticket seller

StubHub for side E, rows AA to CC. It was not sold.

$40,995The price of an actual sale on StubHub, which the company claims to be the highest amount anyone has paid for an individual event through the website.

The winning eBay bid of an Evander Holyfield VIP package. It includes a seat beside the former heavyweight champion at the match, a first-class round-trip domestic flight, deluxe accommodations at MGM, dinner with Holyfield, and a year’s supply of Quest Nutrition products.

$40,100

$4,600The average price of

tickets for the “cheap” seats at the back

(also known as the “nosebleed section”)

$1,000The price of a five-course dinner with unlimited beverages at Crush (at the MGM) on fight night, where diners can watch the match live via closed-circuit television.

$537The average price of getting

into a viewing party of the fight within Las Vegas.

$75The average price of getting

into a viewing party of the fight at a Southern California

Indian casino.

$99 $89The price of a pay-per-view

buy in high-definition. The price of a pay-per-view buy in standard definition.

$262The average sale price for a ticket to the Cirque du Soleil: Michael Jackson ONE show for fight weekend. The same tickets sell for $132 on regular nights.

The Hollywood Reporter and Jimmy Choo announced the 2015 25 Most Powerful Stylists in Hol-lywood at a VIP luncheon recog-nizing the top stylists in enter-tainment. The Stylist Luncheon, which coincides with the publica-tion of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Most Powerful Stylists” issue, took place recently.

WHO: Amy Adams (Actress, Big Eyes), Gwen Stefani (Singer & The Voice), Zoe Saldana (Actress), Ol-ivia Munn (Actress), Emily Rata-jkowski (Model & Actress), Odeya Rush (Actress), Petra Flannery (#1 on the Stylists List), Brandon Maxwell (Lady Gaga’s stylist), So-phie Lopez (stylist), Tara Swennen (stylist), and many more. Hosted by Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter’s Style

Editor, Merle Ginsberg, The Hol-lywood Reporter’s Senior Style Writer, and Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo Creative Director.

WHAT: The Hollywood Reporter and Jimmy Choo co-hosted the 5th annual 25 Most Powerful Styl-ists Luncheon celebrating the in-dustry’s most influential stylists. The annual list ranks the most influential stylists working in Hollywood based on a variety of factors including their red carpet showing, the awards shows nomi-nees they have dressed, new styles they’ve innovated, and the de-velopment of their own personal brands.

WHERE: Soho House West Hol-lywood “Creating looks that define their

A-list clients, these 25 stylists shape the way the world sees Hollywood beyond the big screen,” says Janice Min, co-president and chief cre-ative officer of Guggenheim Me-dia’s Entertainment Group. “With the Stylist Luncheon, we are once again honoring the hard work, vi-sion, creativity and relentless drive of these talented individuals.” “Jimmy Choo is proud to cel-ebrate the creativity of the 25 most powerful stylists in Hollywood partnering with The Hollywood Reporter to recognize the stars behind the style of the red carpet,” says Sandra Choi, Creative Direc-tor of Jimmy Choo. “Hollywood glamour is an inte-gral part of the DNA of the brand and as a designer, it is fulfilling to see the Jimmy Choo product come to life through their artistic vision.”

THE 25 MOST POWERFUL STYLISTS

IN HOLLYWOODJimmy Choo and the Hollywood Reporter

Host the Exclusive Event

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L U X U R Y

THE EXOTIC EASTAmazing Thai Finds from L’Indochine

With skills that are passed down through generations, Thai crafts have long

been a reflection of the people’s creativity and ingenuity. The intricate detail and meticulous methods of Thai artisans show their inventiveness, while their elaborate designs showcase their perseverance. Moreover, the abundance of natural materials such as wicker, palm leaves, rat-tan, and coconuts make it possi-ble for Thais to produce beauti-ful and inexpensive handicrafts. This summer, L’Indochine takes you on an amazing adventure as it highlights exotic home finds from Thailand in its latest collection. There are modern pieces for the home inspired by traditional Thai metalwork, ceramics and lacquer ware. Animal figurines, vases, bowls, and boxes recall the creamy white slip fine clay in the

Sukhothai and Sawanhalok tra-dition. Thai pottery and ceram-ics have always remained distinct by mixing indigenous styles with preferences for unique shapes, colors, and decorative motifs. The Chiang Mai area, on the other hand, is best known for creating Thai lacquer ware. And today, modern Thai lacquer ware is a beautiful and inexpensive item that will add sparkle and elegance to dinner tables and home interiors. Thailand’s creatively pat-terned glassware like plates with stands, pitchers and stemware will also make interesting table talk, as will stained glass candy jars. There are also intricately designed aluminum bowls and tumblers. These amazing home finds are available at L’Indochine stores at SM Aura Premier and SM Mega Fashion Hall.

Cool ceramic platter, plate and bowl in

blue and white stripe patterns.

Fun and functional pelican-shaped storage vessels

One-of-a kind ceramic vases

Metal-finish eggs

Pretty and functional stained glass candy jars

Serve in style with these lacquer square trays

Wooden salad serving sets with lacquer-finish handles Bird wall art

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i s a h r e d @ g m a i l . c o m

SHOWBITZ

The Philippine Gar-rison of the 501st, an international organi-

zation of Star Wars fans who dress up as the villains from the film franchise, sup-ported the cause of #Save-KidsLives.org by promoting road safety messages at the “Fans of the Force” event at SM Southmall in Las Piñas on Labor Day.

The event launched the

celebration “May the 4th” considered Star Wars Day by fans of the franchise all over the world.

Locally, the “holiday” is spearheaded by The Philip-pine Garrison of the 501st. Known as the Bad Guys Who Do Good, members of the 501st wear their cos-tumes at events in order to raise funds for charity, es-pecially children’s causes.

MERCEDES CABRAL GRACES DANISH FILM PREMIERE

SEYMOUR BARROS SANCHEZ

She is known for her remarkable roles in Brillante Mendo-za’s award-winning

films Serbis, Kinatay, and Thy Womb, among others. Mer-cedes Cabral attended the pre-miere of the Danish film Rosita in which she stars as a Filipina mail-order bride torn between an old man and his son.

Mendoza recommended Cabral to female filmmaker Frederikke Aspöck when they met at Marrakech in Mo-rocco. The Danish director’s feature film debut Labrador (Out of Bounds) made the rounds of international film festivals and also got favorable nods from critics worldwide.

In Rosita, Cabral is with in-ternationally recognized Dan-ish actors Jens Albinus, who plays the middle-aged wid-ower Ulrik, and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, who essays the role of his son Johannes, along with Julie Agnete Vang, Mads Riisom, Lise Baastrup, and Jacob Moth-Poulsen.

Aspöck broke onto the in-ternational film festival scene when she won the Premier Prix de la Cinéfondation in Cannes in 2004 for her short film Hap-py Now. She earned her master of fine arts degree in filmmak-ing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and a bachelor’s degree in theatre de-sign at the Wimbledon School of Art in London.

Rosita, which premiered on April 16 at Copenhagen in Denmark, is Cabral’s third in-

ternational project after work-ing with celebrated South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook in the vampire thriller and Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner Thirst in 2009 and appearing alongside Hol-lywood star James Franco, ac-claimed Chinese actress Mag-gie Cheung, Colin Salmon, Ingvar Eggert Siğursson, and Simon de Pury in Isaac Julien’s installation film Play-time in 2013, which was played during New Year’s Eve on an electronic billboard at Times Square in New York.

Since the story is set in a small fishing village in the northern tip of Denmark, Cabral and her manager Shandii Bacolod, also an independent filmmaker, stayed for two months in Co-penhagen and the fishing town of Hirtshals, where adjustment to the weather became their major problem.

“It was winter when we went there for the shoot. It was snowing hard and we were able to experience how they shoot films in Denmark. They are very professional. They shot for eight hours a day. Sometimes, it would only take them six hours before packing up,” Bacolod recounted.

Cabral hopes the film gets to be shown in Asia, especially in the Philippines, soon. She is also set to star in Ralston Jover’s Dog Show, Pedring Lopez’s Binhi opposite Joem Bascon, Jay Al-tarejos’ Love Hurts, and Alvin Yapan’s Ang Kubo sa Kaway-anan opposite RK Bagatsing.

RYAN REYNOLDS’ BATTLE WITH GOOD AND EVIL

Ayala Malls Cinemas brings Ryan Reyn-olds’ latest offbeat

role and best performance to-date in The Voices, a horror comedy flick in which where he plays a lovable but psychological-ly-challenged worker in a bathtub company.

Jerry (Reynolds) yearns for the company hot-tie’s attention, played by Gemma Arterton. With the advice of Jerry’s court-appointed psychiatrist, he pursues his crush and asks her for a date. How-ever, their relationship suddenly takes a sudden, murderous turn after she stood him up for a date.

Jerry’s talking pets, a benevolent dog and an evil cat, lead him on a

fantastical path beyond his imagination but must decide whether to keep striving for normalcy or indulge on a much more sinister path.

Directed by Marjane Satrapi, known for her bestselling autobiographi-cal graphic novel Persepolis that was adapted into an animated film, The Voic-es has also bested other films in the 20th annual L’Etrange Festival where it won two awards -the Canal+ Nouveau Genre Award (the festival’s Grand Prize) and the equally pres-tigious Audience Award.

The Voices opens on June 3 exclusive at Ayala Malls Cinemas nationwide. Check out www.sureseats.com for schedules.

‘STAR WARS’ FANS JOIN ROAD SAFETY ADVOCACY

It was winter when we went there for the shoot. It was

snowing hard and we were able to experience how

they shoot films in Denmark. They are very professional.

They shot for eight hours a day. Some-

times, it would only take them six

hours before packing up

– Mercedes Cabral, actor

Ryan Reynolds plays a psychologically challenged guy who pursues a woman played Gemma Arterton Star Wars fans join road safety advocacy

Cabral with Danish co-stars at the film’s premiere in Denmark

Scenes from the Danish film Rosita with Filipino actor Mercedes Cabral

ACROSS 1 Customs request 5 Move a bit 10 With, to monsieur 14 Promises to pay 15 Windy City airport 16 Zeus’ spouse 17 TVA supply 18 Kim of “Vertigo” 19 Half of zwei 20 Continental divide 22 Bark product 23 Ms. Peeples of TV

24 California fort25 Tucker’s partner (2 wds.) 29 Brushed the cat 33 Gather 34 “Damn Yankees” vamp 36 Kismet 37 Still 38 Trite 39 Guffaw 40 Novelist — Ambler 42 Colony members

43 Living quarters 45 Forceful 47 Topped a grapefruit 49 Four-footed pal 50 Pinch, in a way 51 Fer-de-lance 54 Mining marble 60 Kassel’s river 61 Bizarre 62 Bright thought 63 Ms. Sommer of film 64 Artemis, to Livy 65 — de plume 66 Riverbank growth 67 Lucy’s sidekick 68 Gooey gruel

DOWN 1 Outlook 2 Kansas town 3 Bird-feeder treat 4 Lift-off followers 5 Miniature maple, e.g. 6 Yikes! (hyph.) 7 Brubeck of jazz 8 June celebrant 9 Startled cry 10 In front (2 wds.) 11 Seam of coal 12 Mr. Rubik 13 Soft-drink buy 21 Curved bones 22 — -Magnon

24 Type of exam 25 Howled at the moon 26 Abrasive mineral 27 Tuxedo trim 28 Chamonix’s Mont — 29 It’s made from sand 30 Municipal chief 31 Liszt opus 32 Faked out the goalie 35 Windsor’s prov. 38 Night crawler 41 Pranced 43 Petri-dish contents 44 Mollycoddling 46 Mal de — 48 Fictitious 51 Swerve 52 Unfounded, as rumors 53 Lap dog 54 Cease 55 Bryce Canyon state 56 Drury Lane com poser 57 Artifact 58 Verne skipper 59 Fight for breath 61 Lyric poem

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SHOWBITZ

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 WEDNESDAY,

MAY 06, 2015

Gretchen Barretto, known for her time-less beauty, renews her bond as brand endorser for GlutaMAX. This time, she’s promoting GlutaMAX Underarm and Inner Thigh Ultimate Skin Lightening Cream and GlutaMAX Lightening De-odorant and Anti-Perspirant. The Healthwell Nutraceuticals, Inc. Board of Directors composed of Jose Paulo Legaspi, Robert Nazal and Sheila Nazal, met with Gretchen recently to for-malize the brand engagement. GlutaMAX’s clientele are mostly women who place a high importance on taking good care of themselves, just like Gretchen. A true beauty icon, she is the perfect embodiment of this premium skin-lightening brand. Awarded the Superbrands Philippines’ Choice distinction for being a “High-Quali-ty and Proven Effective Brand, “ GlutaMAX is an advanced and safe product that has premium skin lightening essentials, formu-lated and tested by a trusted dermatologist. GlutaMAX Underarm and Inner Thigh Ultimate Skin Lightening Cream lightens the body’s sensitive areas such as the un-derarms, inner thighs and elbows. It was also designed to help reduce cellulite and minimize stretch marks. With regular use, it makes the skin firmer and more youthful. GlutaMAX Lightening Deodor-ant and Anti-perspirant gently and effec-tively lightens dark underarms, making it silky smooth while keeping them fresh-smelling all day. Check out Gretchen’s trusted products, available in Mercury Drug, Watsons, SM Supermarket and other leading supermar-kets and drugstores nationwide.

GRETCHEN RENEWS WITH

GLUTAMAXBY ROBBIE PANGILINAN

Gretchen Barretto renews her endorsement deal of GlutaMax with Jose Paulo Legaspi, Robert Nazal and Sheila Nazal

That’s the premise of Joel La-mangan’s latest mainstream outing, which is based on yet another Wattpad series of the same title. The flick, billed as a sexy rom-com, stars Andi Eigenmann and Bret Jackson as the outlandish couple Haley and Russell. The movie starts with Haley having the “what did I do last night” episode waking up na-ked on someone else’s bed with a vague recollection of what happened the night before. In time of her getting dressed a half-naked Russell comes out of the bathroom. Shocked, Haley rushed outside Russell’s apartment and heads home. On the same day, the two bump into each other at school and finally exchanged names. They also recall what really happened why Haley ended up in Russell’s place. A few meetings more and the two finally find comfortable at each other’s company.

As the story progresses, Haley is caught in a dilemma. She’s beginning to like Russell when her mother (played by Jackie Lou Blanco) forces her into what they call a practical marriage (arranged marriage in other words) simply to keep the money in the fam-ily. Apparently, her father died leaving them with a billion-peso debt. The family of her husband-to-be is more than willing to pay for this debt if Haley agrees to marry of one the sons. Left with no choice, as the story suggests, Haley agrees to fulfill her father’s death wish only to find out that Russell is also the guy she is about to marry. In most rom-com, this could have been the end of the story. It’s the tested formula to guar-antee audiences’ satisfaction. But in Your Place or Mine’s case, this is just the first half of the story. You see, the climax came too early for some. Now, the story tries to sustain the audience’s by adding unneces-sary third wheel angles, which can be removed and the plot will still flow just fine. Thus, the

inclusion of Ashley Rivera and Andre Paras is nothing but an additional embellishment to the film’s line up of pretty faces. The film’s first 30 minutes is just fine but the next hour is boring and predictable. And the revelation in Russell’s life is totally forgettable. But of course, they are just following the chapters in the insipid Wattpad series in chronological order. And that’s the huge challenge. All other Wattpad series turned into a feature film endeavored to re-main faithful to the original material without scattering the story with a bit of creativity. In the book, Haley is de-scribed as a teenage student who wanted to keep her vir-ginity until marriage. Ob-viously, that didn’t happen when she had a one-night stand with a total stranger whom she met at a bar after drinking one too many. Given the film’s theme, this could have been a local ver-sion of Cruel Intention. It could have been a palatable tale of young privileged people liv-ing in upscale city mansions.

But it lacks the long seduction dance, the art of courtship that magnifies sexual attraction through a series of staring, lip biting and flirting. You don’t get that in the film and your imagination will not be tickled compared to reading the series online. Everything is done in haste as if it is just a long casu-al sex where both parties just wanted to release their heat so they could go home. It’s also difficult to determine whether the movie is a drama or comedy. It’s hard to force yourself to laugh at jokes that aren’t spot on or empathize with an actor that shows no emotion even the situation al-ready calls for it. None of the stars displays memorable act-ing either. Not even Andi who is relatively a senior in acting department for having a few acting projects under her belt. Hence if you decided to see the movie just to know what really happens in Russell or Haley’s place, you’d just get disappointed. Nothing is in-teresting in this film adapta-tion, including the sex that it blandly tries to sell.

WITHOUT WANG2

BY NICKIE WANG

FROM WATTPAD SUCCESS TO ONSCREEN DISASTER

Andre Paras with Andi Eigenmann, and Bret JacksonAndi Eignemann is the girl who wants to keep her virginity in Your Place or Mine

Bret Jackson is they guy who thinks Andi is the perfect one-night stand

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Celebrities who regard their health quite se-riously take a route that is anchored on

ancient tradition to effective-ly heal their body of aches, fa-tigue, discomfort, and other ailments. It’s Karada Japane-seBody Therapy Center. Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa, 64, best remembered for his role as a soul-stealing sorcerer in the martial arts film Mortal Kombat, has long known the importance of body align-ment in maintaining inner balance and overall health. The Japanese-American actor is a fan of alternative medi-cine, citing chiropractic and breathing postural system as his means of keeping in tiptop shape after engaging in sand and water training. Recently, however, Tagawa can be seen frequenting Karada at the New Glorietta Branch. He has visited Karada several times, he says, and each time he felt calmer and his posture im-proved after a treatment session. His favorite services are the foot massage, full body treatment, and AP Balance, which is a popular favorite among Karada regulars for its restorative pow-ers centered on the atlas (neck

and shoulders), and the pelvis, which is the base of the body. Knowledgeable staff who knows what they are doing, attentive customer service and respect for the customers’ privacy are also reasons why Tagawa comes back to Karada. Similarly, Brazilian beauty and TV personality Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada has also joined the growing following of Karada. Her first Karada experience was somewhat serendipitous, knowing nothing about the wellness center that has its roots in Japan when she first walked inside the facility. “No one really introduced me to Karada. One day, I was just passing by and decided to come in and check what services they offered. Now I go once a month to have the AP session and body treat-ment,” said Priscilla, who’s married to actor John Es-trada and is a very hands-on mom to their daughter. While the ex beauty queen admits to getting regular massages, practicing pilates, and playing golf as her way to de-stress and unwind, Karada is her go-to place when she feels the need to recharge and

heal her body from stress-related discomfort. At Karada, the treatments are applied with the help of a specially trained therapist who first makes an assess-ment of the client’s present condition and identifies any “abnormalities” such as mis-alignments, locked spinal joints, pinched nerves, stiff muscles and incorrect pos-ture, among others. The ther-apist then recommends the proper treatment to address these problems from Karada’s menu of services that includes Atlas and Pelvis Balance or AP Balance, a choice list of Body Treatments (BT) and a combination of AP & BT for the full KARADA experience. Priscilla also likes that Karada is very accessible to her place and has operating hours that suit her schedule. She regularly visits the Ser-endra high Street branch, one of six Karada Japanese Body Therapy Center branches in Metro Manila located at the new Glorietta Wing, Green-belt 1, Greenbelt Radissons, and more recently in Green-hills and Alabang to cater to customers coming from north and south of Metro Manila.

“I usually go alone to Kara-da, but I have since suggested it to my friends and they liked what they’ve experienced. In fact, they started going to Kara-da on a regular basis,” she said. To know more about KARA-DA, call Glorietta (02) 553-8731, Greenbelt Radissons (02) 843-7425, Greenbelt 1(02) 503 6004, Alabang (02) 894 1575, Greenhills (02) 510 8946 or Serendra (02) 823 6716. Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN COO

Japanese American Actor Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa wiith Sidney Stelton at Karada

Priscilla Meirelles-Estrada is a frequent guest at Karada

From C8

Frank Magalona with his team mates Slick Rick, Raymond Gutierrez, and artist Buen Abrigo

For The Mind Fact, Frank Magalona, a Fine Arts graduate at the UP Dili-man, cites the importance of appre-ciation of science and arts as essen-

tial to an Axe Black Man. They wish to shy away from the club experience, stressing the importance of conversation and interaction over the glass of quality liquor. Like the Axe Black scent, the Mind Fact is not going to be flashy or overpowering; rather, it aims to be a venue for minds to communicate. As for their signature drink, they offer a mysterious black concoction they call “Kol-or Proof”. This sweet and aromatic cocktail that is both addictive and soothing is styl-ishly colored black. Not to worry, the Kolor Proof keeps true to its namesake: it won’t stain your lips and teeth. We’ve tested it!

When asked how they plan to incor-porate the Axe Black scent into their bar, Frank shoots some ideas at us, “They’re go-ing to give us… the scent extracts of [Axe Black]. So if not incorporated into diffus-ers, we could spray it onto the [bottom of the] glass, which will leave a lingering trace on their hands.” Nothing is final just yet as they still are faced with the challenges of coordinating from their busy schedules, and have some time before the big night. Like Axe Black, both ambassadors de-scribe themselves to be more low-key and understated. “Axe Black is more conserva-tive scent. It grows on you,” says Toni Tony, as he explains why it suits his style. “It’s chill. Not flashy or overpowering. Yeah, I can see myself through the fragrance. I’m

usually quiet around people the first time that they meet me, but when they get to know the real me, I’m more than [what they expected],” says Frank. They both express their excitement with working together for the first time. “I used to hang out with his dad,” says Tony, “so it’s exciting to be working with Frank.” Frank reminisces on their early relationship, “I used to play basketball with him when I was young! We have the same energy and we’re on the same page, so we’re really excited about it.” Show your support to Frank and Tony by using the hashtags #AxeBlackFrank and #LessEffortMoreStyle on social me-dia and look out for updates on Axe Phil-ippines’ Facebook page.

ABS-CBN Corporation, the country’s leading multimedia company, has been ranked the third best mid-cap company in the Philippines in the latest survey of FinanceAsia, one of the most respected finance magazines in the region. It is the only media company in this year’s list. The rankings are part of the maga-zine’s “Asia’s Best Companies 2015” poll of over 250 portfolio managers and buy-side analysts in the region, or those who identify investment opportunities for Asia’s leading mutual funds, pension funds, trusts, and hedge funds. ABS-CBN is the only entertainment and multimedia company included in the list for the mid-cap (middle capi-talization) category. Security Bank was ranked 3rd equal. “This recognition is a strong vote of con-fidence for ABS-CBN and a good indicator that we are on the right track,” said ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio. “We are indeed honored to be in this prestigious list of FinanceAsia.” This is FinanceAsia’s 15th year to con-duct this survey to find out which pub-licly listed companies investors consider to be the best-managed in Asia, who the best senior executives are, and which companies excel in corporate governance, investor relations, and other key metrics. Chief Operating Officer Carlo Katig-bak stated that the company is encour-aged by this recognition and will continue to strive for innovation and excellence. “We will continue to work hard to ensure that our strategies are attuned to technological trends and developments, and that our content remains relevant and sensitive to the needs of our vari-ous audiences. This is part of nation-building, of shaping our culture, to be ‘in the service of the Filipino’,” he said. In 2014, ABS-CBN won a Gold Ste-vie Award in the “Company of the Year -- Media and Entertainment Company” category at the 11th International Busi-ness Awards, while Concio won a Gold Stevie Award in the “Female Executive of the Year in Asia, Australia, or New Zea-land” category at the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women in Business. ABS-CBN also bagged a Grand Ste-vie Award and the Gold Stevie Award in the “Services Company of the Year” category, while Concio also received the Gold Stevie Award for the “Woman of the Year” category for all Asia-Pacific na-tions (except Australia and South Korea) at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

KAPAMILYA LANDS 0N FINANCE

ASIA’S BEST PH

COMPANIES

Charo Santos,, ABS-CBN CEO and president

FRANK MAGALONA’S MIND FACT

STARS SEEK SOLACE AT KARADA


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Quietly confident. Subtly elegant. Rock legend Bamboo fits the bill for Axe’s newest fragrance, Axe Black, designed by famous fragrance specialist Anne Gottlieb for the understated man. “I’d rather quietly enter a room and just breathe it in,” Bamboo explains, as we begin to understand his resonation with the Axe Black fragrance. Bamboo has become an icon, and his position in The Voice has only instilled his image for Filipinos, yet the rocker remains humble and true to himself. “I don’t see myself as an icon. That’s not me. I just laugh about it. When I perform, that’s somebody else. That’s a switch. Labels and things like that… I’m not comfortable with that. I just like to be judged by what I’m currently do-ing; what’s happening in the moment.” When asked about his personal style, it’s not always black and jeans for Bam-boo. “It depends. I look in the mirror and I look for a character. What mood I’m in. It has to all fit. So sometimes I come in color. But I do have a prefer-ence [for certain colors]. These days, the simple elegance of black [that suits everything].” Like the fresh and subtle scent of Axe Black, Bamboo’s style aims for classic yet self-expressive. Coming from his background and experiences, the cool and collected musician has come a long way both professionally and personally, as he says: “I’m so comfortable in my skin these days, it’s incredible. In a sense, you look back to when you were a teenager and all the things you gotta do. I don’t worry about those things anymore. I’ve just come to a very hap-py and confident part in my life. Not contented, ‘cause I’m still hungry but happy with life. I’m just really happy.”

Despite the fame and the laundry list of accomplishments, Bamboo still strives to be the best version of him-self. He tells us, “I tend to push for-ward. That’s how I think. I want to evolve, to continuously learn, to im-prove. I don’t think I’ve made it to that point yet [where I’ll stop]. As an artist, I’m still fighting for that. I think that’s a great thing ‘cause it means I’m hun-gry. Once you put up your feet and get comfortable, that’s it. You’re done.” For the powerhouse that is Bamboo, nothing can end with simply being happy in life. “I’m still driven,” he says matter-of-factly. “I’m driven by what-ever is next. Especially these days.” Axe Black is a scent with Less Effort, More Style, and like the lifestyle that Axe Black advocates, Bamboo is about staying true to his roots and expressing himself. The Axe Black Man is laidback and relaxed, the very energy that Bam-boo himself gracefully exudes. That’s why Axe proudly welcomes Bamboo to the Axe family, and looks forward to seeing what the rock legend has in store for the Philippines this year.

FRANK MAGALONA’S POP-UP SCIENCE-THEMED LOUNGEFrank Magalona and fellow Axe am-bassador BNO’s Tony Toni team up with celebrity PR professional Ray-mond Gutierrez, operations manager Cecile Aganon and visual artist Buen Abrigo to launch a lounge inspired by art, music and science. The catch? It’s for one night only. Together, they call this pop-up bar The Mind Fact. As part of the latest campaign for Axe Black, the scent for the understated yet elegant man, three bars will be put up for one night only in various parts of the Metro by different teams led by Axe brand ambassadors. These bars compete with each other to be the ultimate Axe Black Bar, based on criteria of hype, execution, and voting by the Axe Black Council.

“I tend to push forward. That’s how I think. I want to evolve, to

continuously learn, to improve. I don’t think

I’ve made it to that point yet [where I’ll

stop]. As an artist, I’m still fighting for that. I think that’s a great

thing ‘cause it means I’m hungry. Once you

put up your feet and get comfortable, that’s it.

You’re done.” – Bamboo, rock icon

THE QUINTESSENTIAL

AXE BLACK MAN

SHOWBITZSHOWBITZ

Frank Magalona introduces a lounge inspired by art, music and science

Bamboo leads the new breed

of Axe Men and during the launch

performs his hit songs for

the guests

SIMPLYRED

SIMPLYRED

ISAH V. RED

Continued on C7

The Standard - 2015 May 06 - Wednesday

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Transcript of The Standard - 2015 May 06 - Wednesday