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THOUSANDS of poor Filipinos
living in houses on the sides of
creeks or near the lapping waters
at the seafront wage a constant
battle against oods and ris-
ing tide, which Susan Riatasa,
a 47-year-old mother of three,
described on Thursday as a life
marked by regular trips to the
evacuation center.
Riatasa, who lives with her
family in a squatters colony
at edge of the sea in Tondo,
Manila, says strong waves
from the sea usually wash
away their shanty during the
typhoon season and the evacu-
ation center becomes their
second home.
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Clear skies reveal
floods ugly scope
TODAY
www.manilastandardtoday.com mst@mstandardtoday.com
Vol. XXVI No. 151 16 Pages, 3 Sections
P18.00 Friday, August 10, 2012
Standard
Manila
Surfeit of water. This aerial photo provided by the Defense Department shows the extent of the ood-
ing in Bulacan province.
19 dead, 2m families affected, 89 cities and towns ooded
Rice sector bears brunt
of damage in agriculture
Here comes the sun, nally
Aquino bares twin solutions to Metro ooding
Flood3 photo
Individual hardship gives
face to unnamed tragedy
JBC shortlist
of CJ bets up
Mars crater where rover landed looks Earth-like
3 killed in campus attack
The National Disaster Risk Re-
duction and Management Council
said the fatalities included nine
people who were buried in a land-
slide in Quezon City, eight who
drowned in the oods and two
who died of electrocution.
The council said 89 cities and
By Joyce Pangco Paares
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Thurs-
day bared two long-term solutions to address
the perennial ooding problem in Metro Ma-
nila: a P2.2 billion dike along the Meycauayan
River to ease the inundation of Malabon, Va-
lenzuela, Navotas and Bulacan, and the con-
struction of retarding basins and embankments
along Marikina River.
Mr. Aquino said the eight-kilometer dike will
take two to three years to build during his inspec-
tion of an evacuation site in Valenzuela City.
It will surround Meycauayan River and
will have a pumping station. This way, the low-
lying areas which are below sea level [will no
longer be inundated], the President said.
Again, there are no instant solutions. This
is not like instant noodles, but what I can prom-
ise you is that before I step down, you will feel
the difference with all the infrastructure and
ood control projects we are undertaking.
Mr. Aquino made his statement even as he
warned a pharmaceutical rm against taking
advantage of people after reports said it had
increased the price of a certain medicine by
750 percent.
What this company is doing is inhumane
and un-Filipino, Mr. Aquino said but did not
name the company.
During his earlier visit to the Nangka
Elementary School that has been converted
into an evacuation site, the President said
there was a need to retard the water com-
ing from the upstream portion of the Mariki-
na River.
THE damage to agriculture
wrought by typhoon Gener
and the southwest monsoon
rose to P167.9 million as of
Aug. 8, with heavy losses re-
ported in the rice sector.
In a report to Agriculture
Secretary Proceso Alcala, Un-
dersecretary Joel Rudinas said
the amount covered damage to
rise rice, corn, high- value crops,
livestock and sheries and initial
damage to infrastructure.
The rice areas affected cov-
ered 25,707 hectares in 19
provinces but only 2,178 hect-
ares were completely dam-
aged, Rudinas report said.
The damage to rice alone
reached P143.90 million, but
Alcala said the loss would
have a minimal impact in the
production target this year.
Radinas said the rice dam-
age reports came from Abra,
Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain
Province, Ilocos Norte Ilocos
Sur, La Union, Pangasinan,
Cagayan, Aurora, Bataan, Bu-
lacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Tarlac, Zambales, Aklan, An-
tique and Negros Occidental.
The damage in Southern Ta-
galog had yet to be received,
he said.
The report said the damage to
corn crops reached P10.15 mil-
lion, while the damage to high-
value crops such as vegetables,
bananas and cut owers reached
P10.91 million in Benget, La
Union and Pangasinan.
The corn areas damaged
were in Abra, Kalinga, Ca-
gayan, Nueva Ecija, Aklan
and Negros Occidental.
The damage to fish farms
in Pangasinan and Cagayan
was placed at P2.28 mil-
lion, while Ilocos Sur said
the damage to the provinces
irrigation canals and farm-
to-market roads reached
P643,000. Julito G. Rada
THE good weather starting Thursday
after 10 days of heavy rain will pre-
vail until the weekend, the weather
bureau said.
Weather forecaster Connie Dadi-
vas says the rain will be less frequent
as a result of the weakening of the
rain-inducing southwest monsoon.
All rainfall warnings were lifted
after the weather bureau after re-
corded light to moderate rainfall on
Thursday afternoon.
Dadivas says Metro Manila will
have good weather until the week-
end while Luzon will still experience
occasional rain.
The southwest monsoon will con-
tinue to bring moderate to frequent
rain over Luzon especially in Pangasi-
nan, Ilocos, La Union, Zambales, Pam-
panga, Bataan and Bulacan.
The threat of ash oods in the
low-lying areas, landslides in the
mountainous areas and lahar ows
over Pinatubo will gradually decline,
but the residents living in those ar-
eas must still guard against those
hazards.
The Visayas will be partly cloudy
with isolated rain showers or thun-
derstorms, while Mindanao will have
mostly cloudy skies with scattered
rain showers and thunderstorms.
Jonathan Fernandez
Dog paddle. A man holds a
plastic bag in his mouth where
he had kept personal items while
swimming in Marikina.
By Rey E. Requejo
THE Judicial and Bar Council
is scheduled to narrow the eld
of candidates for chief justice
of the Supreme Court today
and forward the list to President
Benigno Aquino III, who will
choose a replacement for ousted
Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Jose Mejia, a member of the
council representing the aca-
deme, said the nal deliberation
will start at 10 a.m.
The voting will not be open to
press coverage but the shortlist will
be released immediately after the
closed-door meeting, Mejia said.
We are hoping to nally
complete the process so the
President will have ample time
for the crucial choice, he said.
The council has postponed the
nal deliberation on the shortlist
several times after the Supreme
Court ruled that only one member
of Congress, and not two as prac-
ticed, isw allowed to sit in the coun-
cil. The Court last week suspended
its decision pending an appeal led
by the two chambers of Congress.
A further postponement was
made Aug. 6 to enable Senator
By Florante S. Solmerin
THREE soldiers were killed and
10 others were wounded after
they were ambushed by an unde-
termined number of armed men
while conducting routine patrol in
the forested area inside the Mind-
anao State University campus in
Marawi City.
Army spokesman Maj. Harold
Cabunoc said the ambush hap-
pened at around 9 p.m. while sol-
diers of the 6th Infantry Battalion
were patrolling the area on board
a KM450 military truck.
He said the 14-man strong patrol
was led by Lt. Col. Siegred Espina.
The reght lasted for almost
30 minutes before the armed men
withdrew to an unknown direction.
Cabunoc said the wounded
were immediately brought to a
local hospital for treatment.
The 65th IB is under the direct
command of the 9th Infantry Di-
vision based in the Bicol region
PASADENAThe ancient Mar-
tian crater where the Curiosity rov-
er landed looks strikingly similar
to the Mojave Desert in California
with its looming mountains and
hanging haze, scientists say.
The rst impression that you
get is how Earth-like this seems
looking at that landscape, chief
scientist John Grotzinger of the
California Institute of Technology
said Wednesday.
Overnight, the car-size rover
poked its head out for the rst time
since settling in Gale Crater, peered
around and returned a black-and-
white self-portrait and panorama
thats still being processed.
It provided the best view so far
of its destination since touching
down Sunday night after nailing an
intricate choreography. During the
last few seconds, a rocket-powered
Back to normal. The bright sun and
clear skies get people back to their chores
such as marketing and hanging clothes to
dry. EY ACASIO and MANNY PALMERO
By Florante S. Solmerin
and Jonathan Fernandez
THE heavy monsoon rain in the past few
days left 19 people dead and affected
2 million families, and the damage to
crops, mostly rice, and public infrastruc-
ture amounted to P167.9 million, ofcials
said on Thursday.
towns in Metro Manila, the Ilocos
provinces, central and southern
Luzon were severely ooded and
several areas were placed under a
state of calamity so that the gov-
ernment could impose price con-
trols on prime commodities.
The roads in some areas are
like rivers. People have to use
boats to move around. All the
roads and alleys are ooded,
council chief Benito Ramos said.
In Malolos City in Bulacan,
residents said they were still
bracing from back-oods as
the oodwaters from the neigh-
boring provinces of Nueva Ecija
and Pampanga were expected to
surge into the low-lying areas of
Calumpit and Hagonoy.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Re-
duction and Management Council
said at least 265 villages in 20 towns
and three cities are still under water
of up to six feet in some areas.
Social Welfare Secretary Dinky
Soliman appealed for volunteers to
help repack relief at its National Re-
source Operations Center in Manila.
She said 294 evacuation centers
remained open in the affected regions,
which assisted almost 150,000 people
and another 250,000 people were
given relief outside. Next page
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
A2
News
ManilaStandardToday mst.daydesk@gmail.com
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South China Sea
issue up in Beijing
I am looking forward to re-
ceiving Chinas foreign minister
during his visit to Indonesia and
I hope that besides bilateral is-
sues, we can compare notes on
the South China Sea, Natel-
egawa said.
Yang is also scheduled to make
ofcial visits to Indonesia, Bru-
nei and Malaysia on Thursday to
Monday. During his visit, Yang
will co-chair with Marty the sec-
ond meeting of the joint com-
mittee for bilateral cooperation.
Natelegawa said the South China
Sea dispute demanded a common
approach. Otherwise, the risks
of further tension are very much
ahead of us.
The foreign ministers of the
10-member Asean failed to pro-
duce a joint communique at the
end of their meeting in Phnom
Penh last month over the disa-
greement on the territorial dis-
putes between the individual
member states and China in the
South China Sea.
But Natelegawa then embarked
on a shuttle diplomacy that re-
sulted in a joint statement on the
Aseans six-point principles on the
South China Sea issue.
As host of the Aseans 45th
anniversary, Manila said, it fully
supported the reinforcement of
the Asean Community in 2015.
Foreign affairs Secretary Al-
bert del Rosario said the Asean
Community in 2015 would be a
political, economic and socio-
cultural community.
As a founding Member of
Asean, the Philippines has been
steadfast in its commitment to
strengthen Aseans institutions
and build an Asean community
which is people-oriented and
people-centered, he said.
The Philippines fully supports
the efforts to reinforce the three
pillars of this Community.
Del Rosario said the three
pillars would contribute to the
continuing economic develop-
ment and peace and stability
in the region and strengthen re-
gional security.
A progressive and cohesive
Community will redound to the
benet of the peoples of South-
east Asia, contribute to the con-
tinued economic development
and peace and stability of the re-
gion, and rmly anchor Aseans
central place in the regional secu-
rity architecture, he said.
He said the Philippines was
ready to host the next Asean
Foreign Ministers meeting in
2017.
He said the Bangko Sentral
would circulate 10 million pieces
of special-edition 50-peso bills
bearing the Asean logo as the
Philippines celebrated the 45th
anniversary of the regional bloc.
By Sarah Susanne D. Fabunan
INDONESIAN Foreign Minister Marty
Natalegawa on Thursday said he will
discuss the South China Sea issue with
his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi when
he visits Beijing on Friday, even as
Manila prepared to host the Association
of Southeast East Asian Nations 45th
Anniversary today.
Inland sea. Espaa Avenue in Manila was still not passable to vehicles on Thursday. DANNY PATA
Aquino...
We need to retard some 5,000
cubic meters of water from the
upstream, he said.
How massive is that? One
truck of water is about 5 cubic
meters, so that is 1,000 trucks of
water. But I would beg for your
indulgence, [for] it will take years
to build this kind of embank-
ment.
Public Works Secretary Ro-
gelio Singson said the embark-
ment would slow down the water
coming from the tributaries to the
Marikina River.
He said at least 90 percent
of the water owing through
Marikina River was coming from
the tributaries.
Meanwhile, for the second
time in as many days, President
Benigno Aquino III on Thursday
brought with him at least three
possible senatorial bets of the
Liberal Party for the 2013 polls as
he went around Metro Manila to
check on several evacuation sites
and to distribute relief to the resi-
dents displaced by the ooding
brought about by the southwest
monsoon.
Mr. Aquino visited evacua-
tion sites in the cities of Marikina,
Quezon, Caloocan, Malabon and
Valenzuela with former Akbayan
Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Aurora
Rep. Sonny Angara, and
Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority di-
rector general Joel Villanueva.
The three possible senatorial
candidates of the administration
party were also present when
Mr. Aquino distributed relief in
Muntinlupa City on Wednesday.
In the Presidents rst engage-
ment in Marikina on Thursday,
the citys representative, Miro
Quimbo, announced as he was
introducing Angara: Sonny,
show your face here because all
the people here are pro-impeach-
ment.
Angara and Quimbo were
members of the prosecution team
that ousted Chief Justice Renato
Corona.
In Malabon, Mr. Aquino said
he brought Villanueva with him
because TESDA was in charge
of providing education and liveli-
hood training vouchers. He said
Angaras presence was to ensure
that the 2013 proposed General
Appropriations Act was passed
on time.
In Valenzuela, his last stop on
Thursday, the President described
Villanueva, Angara and Hontiveros
as people who help us. In particu-
lar, Mr. Aquino again praised An-
gara for his presence.
Sonny is here because it is
budget time in Congress, the
President said.
If we suggest that we need
certain projects to be authorized,
I believe Sonny will take the lead
in promoting everybodys interest
so we do not have to content with
this annual season of massive
ooding.
Clear...
The weather bureau said the
country could expect good weath-
er until the weekend as the rain-
inducing southwest monsoon had
weakened, but many areas were
still under water because of the
large volume of rainfall in the past
three days.
It will take a few more days to
recover, assuming the rain stops
now. But if more rain is dumped,
then no one can tell, Ramos said.
President Aquino, who visited
evacuation centers and inspected
the extent of the damage in many
parts of Metro Manila, warned
businessmen against exploiting
the situation by jacking up prices.
He pointed to a pharmaceutical
company that jacked up the prices
of one of its medicines by 750
percent and said the government
would directly import the medi-
cines if the prices did not go down
to the old levels.
What this company is doing
is inhumane and un-Filipino, the
president said during his visit to
an evacation center in Caloocan
City, but he did not identify the
company.
May I remind this company
that in periods of calamity, we
automatically implement price
controls, You cannot abuse the
Filipino people. If we need to di-
rectly import this medicne to kill
the market of this company, we
will do so. I hope this company
straightens out before we start
taking action, Mr. Aquino said.
As the sun came out on Thurs-
day, the Metro Manila Develop-
ment Authority sent rescue teams
to the ooded areas and offered
free rides to the main thorough-
fares such as Taft Avenue, Espaa
and Rizal Avenue in Manila.
MMDA Chairman Francis
Tolentino said local governments
and agencies had launched rescue
operations and we are closely
coordinating with them so that ef-
forts are harmonized and comple-
mentary.
As life slowly returned to nor-
mal, President Aquino said his
administration would work to nd
a permanent solution to the peren-
nial problem with oods, which
he wanted to implement before
his term expires in 2016.
Mr. Aquino announced two
long-term solutions: a P2.2 billion
dike along Meycauayan River to
ease the ooding in Malabon, Va-
lenzuela, Navotas and Bulacan,
and the construction of retarding
basins and embankments along
Marikina River.
He said the eight-kilometer dike
would take two to three years to
build and it will surround Meycau-
ayan River and will have a pump-
ing station. This way, the low-lying
areas, which are below sea level
[will no longer be inundated].
At the Nangka Elementary
School, one of the evacuation ar-
eas in Marikina, Aquino told the
refugees there was a need to re-
tard water upstream to prevent
ooding.
We need to retard some 5,000
cubic meters of water from up-
stream, he said.
How massive is that? One
truck of water is about ve cubic
meters, so that is 1,000 trucks of
water.
JBC...
Francis Escudero, one of the two legis-
lative representatives, to study their state-
ments of assets, liabilities and net worth. A
meeting Thursday was also moved due to
the rain and heavy ooding that submerged
most of Metro Manila.
Among the candidates are six current
justices of the Court: Acting Chief Justice
Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices
Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-
de Castro, Arturo Brion, Roberto Abad and
Ma. Lourdes Sereno.
Also being considered are ve current
ofcials of the Executive department and
independent agencies: Justice Secretary
Leila de Lima, Solicitor General Fran-
cis Jardeleza, Presidential Commission
on Good Government Chairman Andres
Bautista, Commission on Elections Com-
missioner Rene Sarmiento and Securities
and Exchange Commission Chairman
Teresita Herbosa.
The four members of the academe in-
clude De La Salle University law founding
dean Jose Manuel Diokno, University of
the East law dean Amado Valdez, former
University of the Philippines law dean Raul
Pangalangan, and former Ateneo law dean
Cesar Villanueva.
Former executive secretary Ronaldo
Zamora, retired Judge Manuel Siayngco Jr.,
and lawyers Soledad Cagampang-De Cas-
tro, Katrina Legarda and Rafael Morales
complete the list of candidates.
Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta will
head the council during the voting for the
top judicial post, while Undersecretary for
Special Concerns Michael Frederick Musn-
gi will vote for the Executive branch, as a
replacement for De Lima, who inhibited
herself from the deliberations.
Peralta is a substitute for Carpio, who
also inhibited himself.
Five other members will cast their votes:
Escudero, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., retired
Supreme Court Justice Regino Hermosisima,
Milagros Fernan-Cayosa from the Integrated
Bar of the Philippines, and retired Court of
Appeals Justice Aurora Lagman, representing
the private sector.
Before voting on the shortlist, the
eight-member council is expected to de-
cide the qualication of De Lima and four
other aspirants who face pending admin-
istrative cases.
Council members earlier said De Lima,
who faces two disbarment cases before the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines, can only
qualify if the JBC amends its own rules that
disqualify any candidate facing administra-
tive or criminal charges.
De Lima wrote the council last week
seeking an amendment of this rule, arguing
that the complaints against her were mere
harassment cases.
She opposed the same proposal in Feb-
ruary last year when it was rst brought up
by Tupas, saying candidates ought to show
adjudicatory bodies such as the council the
due courtesy of resolving cases led against
them.
On Thursday, De Lima acknowledged that
the disbarment cases against her weakened
her bid to be the next chief justice.
On the sidelines of budget hearings in
Congress, she told reporters that it was a
judgment call for the JBC.
Earlier, De Lima had asked the Inte-
grated Bar of the Philippines to dismiss the
cases, but the national association of law-
yers rejected her petition.
The complaints against De Lima were
led separately for her deance of a Su-
preme Court order and for calling Corona a
lawless tyrant.
Although the President has been quoted
as saying he prefers De Lima to stay in her
post, she is considered a frontrunner for the
chief justice position.
She dismissed talk that the President had
already decided to appoint her if she were
included in the shortlist, saying this was all
speculative. With Maricel V. Cruz
Mars...
spacecraft hovered as cables low-
ered Curiosity to the ground.
In the latest photos, Curios-
ity looked out toward the northern
horizon. Nearby were scour marks
in the surface blasted by thrusters,
which kicked up a swirl of dust.
There were concerns that Curios-
ity got dusty, but scientists said that
was not the case.
We do see a thin coating of
dust, but nothing too bad, said
Justin Maki, imaging scientist at
NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
which manages the $2.5-billion
mission.
Scientists were giddy about the
scour marks because they exposed
bedrock belowinformation that
should help them better understand
the landing site.
Since landing, Curiosity has
zipped home a stream of low-res-
olution pictures taken by tiny cam-
eras under the chassis and a camera
at the end of its robotic arm, which
remained stowed. It also sent back
a low-quality video showing the
last 2 1/2 minutes of its descent.
The rover successfully raised its
mast packed with high-resolution
and navigation cameras. With the
mast up, it can begin its shutterbug
days in force, including taking a
360-degree color view of its sur-
roundings as early as Thursday.
Grotzinger said he was struck
by the Martian landscape, which
appeared diverse. There seemed to
be harder material underneath the
gravelly surface, he said.
It kind of makes you feel
at home, he said. Were
looking at a place that feels re-
ally comfortable.
Mars, of course, is very differ-
ent from Earth. Its a frigid desert
constantly bombarded by radia-
tion. There are geological signs that
it was a warmer and wetter place
once upon a time. One of the mis-
sions goals is to gure out how
Mars transformed.
After sailing 352 million miles
and eight months, Curiosity parked
its six wheels near the Martian
equator, where it will spend the
next two years poking into rocks
and soil in search of the chemical
ingredients of life. It is the most ex-
pensive and ambitious mission yet
to Mars.
Its ultimate destination is a
mountain towering from the cen-
ter of the crater oor. Preliminary
estimates indicate Curiosity landed
four miles away from the base of
Mount Sharp, thought to contain
intriguing signs of past watera
starting point to learning whether
microbial life could exist.
Before the 1-ton, nuclear-pow-
ered Curiosity can start roving, it
has to undergo several weeks of
tedious but essential health checks.
Since it was too heavy to land
using traditional air bags, it used a
heat shield, parachute, rockets and
cables. An orbiting spacecraft spot-
ted the discarded spacecraft hard-
ware, including the ballast weights
that were shed soon after entry into
the atmosphere. AP
3 killed...
but the unit was sent to Mindanao to augment mili-
tary forces in Lanao del Sur.
The battalion is operationally under the com-
mand of Col. Danile Lucero, commander of the
103rd Infantry Brigade.
Cabunoc said the leadership of the 9th ID has
started processing the nancial benets due to the
families of the slain soldiers.
Cabunoc suspects that the ambush had something
to do with either illegal logging or illegal drugs be-
ing sold in the area.
Government authorities are looking at the an-
gle of retaliation for the units anti-illegal logging
operations as the motive of the attack. The unit
is also actively involved in anti-illegal drug cam-
paign in coordination with the PDEA [Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency] and the local police,
said Cabunoc.
On July 7, suspected New Peoples Army guer-
rillas ambushed a group of local ofcials and their
police escorts in Veruela, Agusan del Sur, injuring a
tribal leader and one ofcer before eeing.
Injured were tribal leader Datu Freddie
Asuncion and Police Officer 1 Vergil Sabuero,
a member of the Agusan del Sur Police Provin-
cial Public Safety Company. They were taken
to the Tagum Medical Center for treatment of
gunshot wounds.
PRO13 director Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal
said the group was ambushed along Kilometers 21
and 22 in Bgy. Katipunan, Veruela municipality, at
around 1:50 p.m.
The rest of the policemen who were securing
local government ofcials including Asuncion re-
turned re and force the leftist gunmen to ee after a
30-minute gun battle.
Agusan province, particularly the Agusan marsh,
is known as a hotbed of illegal logging.
Illegal logging activities continue to persist in
Mindanao particularly in the CARAGA region de-
spite the implementation of Executive Order No.
23 issued by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011,
which bans logging activities in the country.
Several local environment and police ofcials
have been relieved from their posts due to unabated
illegal logging activities in their area of jurisdiction
but the national government has yet to apprehend the
actual plunderers.
Some military and police commanders allegedly
served as protectors of illegal loggers.
Earlier, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said sev-
eral governors and mayors in Agusan and Surigao
provinces in Mindanao and Quezon and Isabela in
Luzon are now under investigation for their alleged
participation in illegal logging activities.
Individual...
We have no choice. At the evacuation
center my children get a cup of porridge
and its good enough for us, she said.
Riatasas evacuation center, a covered
basketball court, was one of several in the
villages in Tondo. As the oodwaters sub-
merged wide areas after 11 days of rain
caused by the southwest monsoon, public
schools were turned into refugee centers.
About half a million families in Metro
Manila are considered squatters. They put
up cardboard houses and shanties beside
creeks, under bridges and in vacant gov-
ernment and private properties.
In Marikina City, also called the ood
capital because its river causes wide-
spread ooding when it overows its
banks, people learn to live with the alarm
system that tells them to move to higher
ground or to an evacuation center when
the rivers water level starts to rise.
Manila Standard reporter Florante
Solmerin, a resident Nangka village in
Marikina, says he moved his family out
when the water level was half-a-meter
from spilling level of the concrete dike
and water began rushing into their subdi-
vision on Tuesday.
Water was raging under the bridge as
we rode on a truck toward Quezon City.
It was scary, said Solmerin, who brought
his wife and daughter to the Ateneo Uni-
veristy that was already full of refugees.
After spending two days at the Ateneo evac-
uation center, Solmerin and his family have re-
turned home, but others were not so lucky.
We have no more house that we can
go home to, said 56-year-old Ana Ramos
whose house on Tumana Street in Mariki-
na was totally washed out by the waters
from Marikina River.
A 25-year-old woman amputee, who
works as a call center agent, was on her
way home at dawn Monday on a taxi
when they were stopped by rising waters
that turned the street in Sucat into a river.
Isabel Trinidad, who lost her leg in a
car accident last year, got off the cab and
started wading through the ooded street
on her crutches to get to the house of a
relative to seek refuge from the rain and
the ood. Florante Solmerin, Sara D.
Fabunan and Macon Ramos-Araneta
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
A3 News
ManilaStandardToday mst.daydesk@gmail.com
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
5 provinces under calamity state
5 traders, 2 brokers charged
with peking duck smuggling
Speaker can
hardly wait
for Cha-cha
cluster study
Looting gets the
equivalent of
plundersolon
Aquino cautious on free information bill, says Coloma
Extra leave credits for working spouses sought
By Maricel V. Cruz
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has
yet to issue marching orders to his allies
in the House of Representatives for the
speedy passage of the Freedom of Infor-
mation bill, a Palace ofcial told law-
makers at a budget hearing on Thursday.
The House Committee on Appro-
priations headed by Cavite Rep. Joseph
Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya had resumed
deliberation on the Palace-sponsored
P2.006-trillion national budget for
2013.Present during the deliberation
was Presidential Communications Op-
erations Ofce Secretary Herminio Co-
loma, who is defending the P1.3 billion
budget he proposed for his agency.
When asked about the status of the
FOI bill, Coloma said President Aqui-
no is proceeding slowly on the pro-
posed bill since he values the separa-
tion of powers between the Executive
and Legislative.
In this aspect, the President recogniz-
es that this [Congress] is a co-equal body.
It is my observation that he is very cir-
cumspect in wielding a signicant inu-
ence to a co-equal body, Coloma said.
The submission of the FOI version
in Congress is a wholehearted endorse-
ment of the FOI. I dont think there are ifs
and buts in the Presidential commitment
to FOI. We are doing the groundwork in
preparation for its enactment into law
given that the departments have varying
rules and regulations, Coloma said.
We cannot have a one-size, ts-all,
(rule)so we have to customize it to re-
spond to the publics demand for infor-
mation, Coloma said.
This preparation is in parallel to the
legislative process which hastens and
facilitates its [FOI] eventual passage,
he added.
House Bill 53 seeks to uphold the con-
stitutional right of every Filipino to ac-
cess to information on matters of public
concern. It also promotes the policy of
the state for full public disclosure of all
its transactions involving public interest.
The measure also provides access
to information being used for decision
making or project management as well
as transcripts and minutes of ofcial
meetings.
SPEAKER Feliciano Belmonte said he
was hopeful the economic and legal clus-
ters of the Cabinet would be able to come
up with a favorable recommendation on
the proposed Charter Change.
I am hopeful that Charter change can
still be approved in Congress to boost the
countrys economy. We need more inves-
tors to come in and do business with us.
We really need to create the friendliest en-
vironment for them, Belmonte said in an
interview.
Belmonte insisted that their proposal to
tinker with the economic provisions of the
1987 Charer would only be limited to ve
areas, such as natural resources, foreign
ownership of land, media, education and
advertising. Those issues are among the
topics included by the Philippine Cham-
ber of Commerce and Industry which also
pressed for Charter change.
With that way, we are going to amend
some economic provisions of the Consti-
tution, Belmonte said.
I dont know the deadline, but it is
coming near and we are waiting for that,
Belmonte said, referring to his much-
awaited results of the study on his pro-
posal on Cha-cha, together with Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Belmonte said President Benigno Aqui-
no III should be amenable to changing the
Constitution given the fact that he never
declared that Cha-cha would have no
chance at all but instead ordered the eco-
nomic and legal clusters of his Cabinet to
study the proposal.
If Cha-cha has no chance, the Presi-
dent would not order his Cabinet to study
the potential gains and prots of the con-
stitutional amendments which are sustain-
able to the needs of the people, Belmonte
pointed out. Maricel V. Cruz
A BILL was led in the House of Representatives seek-
ing to provide additional leave credits of 15 days a year
with full pay to every legitimate spouse of a Filipino
working overseas in private or public sectors.
House Bill 6358, authored by Rep. Ma. Theresa
Bonoan-David of Manila, sought to provide a solu-
tion to help ease the heavy demand of the twin roles
played by an overseas spouse.
A workers spouse plays the role of both father
and mother back home and like a single parent, the
spouse will have to attend to the needs of their fam-
ily, single-handedly, the bills explanatory note said.
The demands of the dual role played by the spouse
are so heavy that they often do not have the time to
carry out or complete their tasks, the bill added.
HB6358, to be known as the Special Leave for Overseas
Workers Spouses Act, shall grant a 15-day special leave of
absence with full pay to OFWsworking spouses.
Under the measure, employees availing of the
leave privilege shall submit o their employers a copy
of their marriage contract, information as to the na-
ture and place of work of the overseas worker con-
cerned and a copy of the overseas workers passport.
The bill provides that employees who have absences
without ofcial leave, on vacation, sick, on forced or
study leaves or those who have already availed of other
forms of leaves allowed by law and those whose servic-
es are necessary to prevent the loss of life and damage
to property, brought about by serious accidents, res,
oods, typhoons, earthquakes, epidemics or other disas-
ters are not covered by the measure.
It also recommends that employers in non-govern-
ment institutions granting this leave benet shall be
accorded income tax deduction from their gross in-
come for each taxable year, based on the actual cost
paid by the employer. Maricel V. Cruz
FORMER president and Pampanga Rep.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has led a bill
seeking to impose life imprisonment on any
public ofcial or employee who is convicted
of looting, stealing from and desecrating the
victims during and in the aftermath of natu-
ral and man-made calamities and accidents.
There is no excuse for violating the sanc-
tity of human dignity, living or deceased,
Arroyo said in House Bill 3226 said.
We must therefore ensure the protection
of the sanctity of the human body particular-
ly from unscrupulous individuals who seek
to desecrate and loot the same, Mrs. Arroyo
said in the bills explanatory note.
The bill denes looting as plunder in
voluminous quantity of which is not less than
P20,000.00 but not exceeding P50,000.00.
On the other hand, stealing shall refer
to robbery.
The bill denes desecrating the victim as
the outraging or scofng at corpses; taking
away vital organs or the corpse itself for prot;
illegal exhumation of dead bodies in cemeter-
ies; burying the dead, including infants and fe-
tuses, without securing approval and appropri-
ate permits from local health units; dumping of
dead persons, including infants and fetuses, in
public places with the intent of abandoning the
cadaver; selling the cadaver to any individual
or institution without securing approval and
appropriate permit from local health units; mu-
tilating the dead, including infants and fetuses,
except for embalming and medical purpos-
es; destruction of tombs and other private or
public sites; and taking from the grave the
personal property buried with the dead, in-
cluding but not limited to the cofn, clothing
and jewelry. Maricel V. Cruz
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Bureau of Customs led criminal
charges against ve importers and two
brokers in connection with the smug-
gling of shipments of peking duck and
onions worth P18 million.
Charged with smuggling before the De-
partment of Justice were Rady Salguerro
Garbosa, owner; Adonisa Andilab, manager;
and broker Jucylita Garcia, of RSG Market-
ing; Jaime Martinez, owner of Reachable
Enterprises, and his broker Jane; and Estelito
Mallari and Gary Madugnon, consignee and
shipper from Cagayan de Oro.
Records showed that in May 2012,
Garbosa together with Andilab and Gar-
cia smuggled into the country one 40-
foot container loaded with peking ducks
worth P8 million from Hong Kong, a
prohibited/banned importation.
After two months, Garbosa again im-
ported onions which he alleedly misde-
clared as fresh pears worth P2 million,
without import permit from the Bureau
of Plant Industry, records showed.
On June, Martinez in connivance with his
broker Cariga imported two 40-foot contain-
er vans of onions worth P4 million without
import permit from the BPI. The smuggled
onions were declared as Umbrellas, Ofce
Supplies, Lamps & Parts, Plasticware.
While Mallari and Madugnon were
identied as the consignee and shipper
in a coastwise shipment of two 40-foot
container vans of onions, which was
misdeclared as tomato. The shipment
was valued at P4 million.
NDRRMC executive director
Benito Ramos said that Bulacan,
Pampanga, Zambales and Bataan
in Region III, Laguna in Reg. IV-A
and the towns of Cullion, El Nido
and Linacapan City in Palawan
(Reg. IV-B) remained under tight
watch because of heavy ooding
brought about by non-stop rains in
the past three days.
The Department of Social Wel-
fare and Development (DSWD)
reported that a total of 1,953,481
people (454,093 families) were
affected from 1,529 barangays
from 16 provinces in Regions I,
III, IV-A, IV-B, VI and NCR.
Around 111,079 families
(538,445 people) left their homes
to take refuge in 488 evacuations
centers and families and friends.
Of this total, 61,895 families
(292,809 people) were inside
evacuation centers in Metro Ma-
nila, Southern Luzon, Central
Luzon and Ilocos regions.
Classes at all levels remained
suspended until today (Friday)
not only in Metro Manila, but
also in Pangasinan, Pampanga,
Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, La-
guna, Rizal (Rodriguez, Cain-
ta, Binangonan and Angono),
Cavite, and Batangas.
Flood alerts were issued to the
towns of San Manuel, San Nicolas,
Tayug, Sta. Maria, Asingan, Villa-
sis, Alcala, Bautista, Rosales and
Bayambang in Pangasinan; Ra-
mon, Isabela; San Mateo, Rizal;
Aurora, Cabanatuan, Luna, Reina
Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian and
Gamu in Isabela; and Norzagaray
and Hagonoy in Bulacan.
In Bulacan, ofcials continue
to monitor the Angat dam after
back oods from Nueva Ecija
and Pampanga cascaded into
Calumpit and Hagonoy towns,
leaving 265 villages ooded and
seven people dead.
The dam had reportedly
breached its spilling level of 210
meters on Thursday morning.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Re-
duction and Management Council
headed by Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmi-
no Sy-Alvarado, said at least 265 vil-
lages in the provinces 20 towns and
3 cities are now submerged under 1
to 6 feet of oodwaters.
Sy-Alvarado said the backoods
from Nueva Ecija and Pampanga
have surged into the towns of
Calumpit and Hagonoy, consid-
ered as the catch basin of Bulacan.
Ironically, the backoods hap-
pened even after the weather im-
proved later in the afternoon.
As of 8 a.m. Thursday, the
number of ooded villages in
Calumpit has risen to 21, most
of which are submerged under 3
to 6 feet of oodwaters, while 12
villages in Hagonoy are under 2
to 5 feet of oodwaters.
Alvarado said that he had re-
quested the operators of Angat dam
and Ipo dam to hold the release of
excess waters in order to allow Bus-
tos dam rst to discharge its excess
water and give it time to increase its
water-holding capacity.
If the three dams open their
spill gates simultaneously, it will
denitely aggravate the back-
ooding Calumpit and Hagonoy,
according to Alvarado, because
most parts of Bulacan are still
heavily-ooded and releasing
more waters from the dams will
worsen the situation.
By Jonathan Fernandez, Florante Solmerin,
Laila Gomez, Macon Ramosm-Araneta and
Orlan Mauricio.
THE National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
said on Thursday that ve provinces, a
city and a town remained under a state
of calamity despite improving weather
condition in Luzon.
A large part of Bulacan remained underwater while clean-up and rescue efforts continued in other areas.
Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, 2nd from left, is joined by his deputy
Peter Manzano and other Justice Department ofcials in ling smuggling
charges against ve traders who attempted to smuggle imported onions and
frozen Peking ducks. EY ACASIO
Opinion Adelle Chua, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
mst.lettertotheeditor@gmail.com AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
A4
THE government spends billions of
pesos in precious resources annually
to feed and shelter the thousands
displaced by natural calamities such
as ood and landslides. Evacuation
centers teem with people and children
each time a disaster strikes, with the
state providing them temporary relief.
The government has done its
part to alleviate the sufferings of
the unfortunate and mostly the
marginalized section of the society.
Its response, however, will always
be short of what is required, unless it
draws up a comprehensive plan that
will mitigate the damage from natural
disasters.
Authorities and lawmakers by now
should realize that state funds are
being wasted every year on something
that can be averted in the rst place.
Flood and heavy rain will batter the
Philippines more often than before
because of climate change and people
living on dangerous grounds will
always be displaced and scamper for
safety.
But the government can spend more
wisely if it addresses the problem
squarely. Through its police powers,
the state can forcibly remove the
people that illegally settle on river
banks and esteros who contribute
to the clogging of waterways. The
forced removal of the illegal settlers
must be accompanied by a national
relocation program that offers more
humane living conditions and job
opportunities.
Congress, meanwhile, must prepare
a budget plan that will nance this
large-scale project. With backing
from multilateral nancial institutions
such as the World Bank and the Asian
Development Bank, the relocation
project will greatly address the
poverty problem in the capital region,
clear major and minor waterways and
remove the urban blight.
Local government units, too, will
play a vital role in the program. Local
politicians should stop coddling the
illegall settlers for short-term gains
and, instead, talk to their constituents
about the benets of relocation.
The budget plan in the long run will
save government funds that the state
can rechannel to equally important and
priority projects, such as education,
social services and infrastructure.
New budget priority
EDITORIAL
A non-Arab Spring?
THE Heavens literally wept when Presi-
dent Benigno Aquino III bamboozled the
House of Representatives to terminate the
debates on the anti-Catholic reproductive
health bill, and the congressmen enthusi-
astically followed under the baton of their
two Protestant leaders, Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte Jr and Majority Floor Leader
Neptali Gonzales Jr.
The rains and oods that immediately
submerged Metro Manila and most of the
Luzon, displaced thousands of families,
and killed so many poor and helpless in-
nocents promptly caused some people to
say the nation was being punished for the
sins of its proud and insensitive Presi-
dent and its servile, spineless and rent-
seeking congressmen.
Some people were quick to suggest a
connection between the date of the rains
and oods---August 7, 2012---and the
biblical passages in Genesis---Gen. 8:
7-12 ---that speak of Noahs Ark and the
Great Floods that covered the earth for 40
days and 40 nights. The calamity did not
rise to that level, but it became an invita-
tion to serious national soul-searching. It
called on the people to unite in prayer and
in their plans of action, particularly with
respect to their apostate politicians.
Many cannot seem to wait for the next
(2013) elections. They want all the for-
eign-funded politicians exposed, together
with their pollsters and propagandists and
their NGO cover, for having made a living
out of foreign population control. They
want the clergy, notably the bishops, to
take the lead in unmasking these agents of
a foreign ideology and power determined
to culturally, if not physically, repossess
and recolonize the Philippines.
Some would like to see the bishops im-
itate what Cardinal Raymond Burke, the
American Prefect of the Supreme Tribu-
nal of the Apostolic Signatura, did when
he was still the Archbishop of St. Louis.
During the 2004 US presidential cam-
paign, Burke prohibited John Kerry and
other American politicians openly sup-
porting abortion from receiving holy com-
munion. He established the penalty latae
sententiae----i. e., automatically, without
need of an actual sentence from a Supe-
rior or a court----pursuant to the Code of
Canon Law, which speaks of singularly
malicious delicts (from the Latin delic-
tum, meaning offense or wrong), which
can result in graver scandal.
This was not an excommunication,
which is incurred latae sententiae when
a person actually procures an abor-
tion. But nothing comes closer. Burkes
ground-breaking initiative applied only
within his Metropolitan See. It could
not stop pro-abortion Catholic politi-
cians like Nancy Pelosi from lining up
for holy communion at Mass when Pope
Benedict XVI visited Washington, D.C.
in 2008. Neither could it moderate the
zeal of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton
in pushing for RH and abortion services
everywhere. But it has shown that there
are courageous and virtuous Catholics
who will ght for their Faith all the way,
regardless of cost or consequence.
Both Blessed John Paul II and Pope
Benedict XVI supported Burke to the hilt,
and in 2008, the latter put him in charge of
the highest judicial ofce in the Roman
Curia. Many laymen believe our bishops
could follow Burkes example in the face
of the naked assault upon our Catholic
faith by our supposedly Catholic presi-
dent and Catholic and non-Catholic
lawmakers/lawbreakers.
Then the line would be drawn exactly
where it should be drawn.
Would this not drive the President to
further persecute the Church and the faith-
ful? That is a risk, to which the Church
and the faithful must be prepared to re-
spond with heroism. One devoted Aquino
watcher, however, condently asserts it is
not likely to happen. According to him, if
ever the President attends Mass, he usual-
ly goes out to smoke during communion.
To many Filipinos, the problem is no
longer just one foreign-dictated anti-Cath-
olic bill. It is an entire administration run
by alien interests, where the separation of
powers and the principles of checks and
balances have disappeared, and which
seems bent on committing the nation to
moral slavery and spiritual degradation.
To them, it calls for a singular act of po-
litical exorcism.
Having worked so hard and so long to
remain a Christian nation, not many Filipi-
nos can accept the fact that in the end their
country should be run by practical atheists,
agnostics, apostates, and foreigners. By
politicians who seem to have no clue what-
soever of government, the rule of law and
the constitutional order. Many had believed
and hoped in Mr. Aquino, but they have no-
where and no one to turn to now. Frustrated,
they have taken to wishing the words of the
Virginia Declaration had been written for
them as well:
We hold these truths to be self-evi-
dent, that all Men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable Rights, that among
them are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness---That to secure these Rights,
Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just Powers from the Con-
sent of the Governed, that when any Form
of Government becomes destructive of
these Ends, it is the Right of the People to
alter or to abolish it
These words were written in 1776.
Could they offer a cure to popular frustra-
tions through the possible birth of a non-
Arab Spring?
fstatad@gmail.com
Noynoys ghouls
THE good news is that President
Noynoy Aquino now regularly leaves
the palace to meet real citizens, in-
stead of just people like Ronald Lla-
mas. The bad news is, its a package
deal with Rissa, Sonny, Joel and his
other favored candidates.
The peregrinations of Aquino out-
side Malacaang Palace continued at
a faster clip yesterday, with visits to
evacuation centers in Marikina, Calo-
ocan, Malabon and Valenzuela. If the
weather allows it, according to Aqui-
no, he may even drop by Navotas later
in the day.
The sight of Aquino glad-handing
ood-stricken citizens must surely
have reassured them that the President
himself was in charge. Ive always
maintained that Aquinos earlier in-
sistence on staying away during crisis
situations was untenable and leads to
all sorts of ques-
tions about his un-
derstanding of his
role as leader of his
country.
Sadly, the
presidential visits
were once again
converted into im-
promptu campaign
sorties by a hand-
ful of Aquinos fa-
vorite candidates
for the Senate, who
insisted on being
present so that the
calamity-hit locals would remember
them in the polls next May. Present
during the second day of the Aquino
Habagat roadshow were profes-
sional activist Rissa Hontiveros, Tes-
das billboard-happy boss Joel Villan-
ueva and Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara
(who really should be tending to the
needs of his constituents in his prov-
ince instead of gallivanting in Metro
Manila).
(Special mention must be made
here of Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo,
who urged Angara to show his face
to his constituents at a local evacua-
tion center because everybody here
is pro-impeachment. Quimbo, like
Angara, was a spokesman for the
prosecution in the recently concluded
Senate trial of ousted Supreme Court
Chief Justice Renato Corona.
I wonder if the waterlogged
Marikenyos at the Nangka Elemen-
tary School evacuation center were
truly against Corona, or even if they
cared, at that point, what Angara and
Quimbo did to remove the magistrate.
Whats pretty obvious, though, is that
they didnt needor deserveQui-
mbos hard-sell, classless politicking
during a time of tragedy.)
All of these wannabe senators, by
the way, were present during Aquinos
rst sortie to visit the ood victims
last Wednesday, in Tunasan, Muntin-
lupa. Only one of Aquinos Senate
picksCustoms Commissioner Ru-
no Rozzano Biazon, who was also in
Tunasan with his father, former Sena-
tor Rodolfo Biazon has denied that
he was on early (and ghoulish) cam-
paign mode.
But Biazon, at least, was a Muntin-
lupa congressman and remains a local
resident, like his dad. And, from what
weve been told, Biazon didnt join
Hontiveros and the rest of Aquinos
Senate popularity-challenged picks
on the second day of the visits to score
cheap pogi points with the media
and the ood victims.
So, the good news is that Aquino
has agreed that he cannot remain
holed up in his palace in times of ca-
lamity. The bad news (and, remem-
ber, this is a President who hates bad
news) is that he has decided to make
his visits campaign sorties of dubious
vote-getting potential, given the dire
straits of the people he visits.
* * *
From my favorite and longstand-
ing cellular phone service provider,
Globe Telecom, I get the news that
the Ayala networks modernization
is now (drumroll, please) 30 percent
complete. Now, this announcement
should be accom-
panied by some
very public and
apologetic corpo-
rate breast-beating
but apparently
it was announced
proudly, like it was
a real achievement.
A fellow Globe
subscriber, upon
hearing the same
news, told me that
a 30 percent mod-
ernization program
simply means that the network is
outdated, resulting in dropped calls,
delayed text messages and excruciat-
ingly slow mobile browsing speeds
70 percent of the time. And if youre
also a Globe subscriber like me, you
wont be surprised that 70 percent of
the time, you have to call a number
up to ve times before getting a con-
nection and send the same text mes-
sage twice or thrice, to ensure that it
is received.
And if youre also on Globe and
youve tried their mobile data ser-
vice, you may alsolike mehave
been hit with sky-high data charges.
Sure, Globe lets you avoid paying if
you can explain that you really didnt
keep browsing the Net 24 hours a day
for an entire month; but why Globe
doesnt simply explain to smartphone
users that they have to keep their data
receiving settings off or cap download
use is simply beyond me.
So, why do I remain a Globe sub-
scriber if their service sucks so badly?
Well, there was a time when Globe
had a very good network, great service
and industry-standard everything.
Not anymore. And I wouldnt be sur-
prised if many Globe subscribers have
shifted networks because they cant
stand how Globes service has deterio-
rated in the past couple of years.
For now, Im still giving Globe a
chance because of all the good years I
had using the network previously. But
if Globe keeps bragging about how its
network is now 30 percent modernized,
then perhaps its time to move on.
JOJO
A. ROBLES
LOWDOWN
ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher
RAMONCHITO L. TOMELDAN Managing Editor
CHIN WONG/ RAY S. EANO Associate Editors
JOEL P. PALACIOS News Editor
ROGELIO C. SALAZAR President & CEO
MEMBER
Philippine Press Institute
The National Association
of Philippine Newspapers PPI
can be accessed at:
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TATAD
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Aquinos visits
have become
campaign sorties
of dubious vote-
getting potential.
A5 Opinion Adelle Chua, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
mst.lettertotheeditor@gmail.com
PRESIDENT Aquino tells us that the
ood problem of Metro Manila cant
be solved overnight. He promises,
though, that it will be solved next week.
Is he joking?
Of course ood will recede unless
we have more monsoon rain. It is re-
ceding, not because the President says
so, but because it is in its nature.
Many areas of Metro Manila get
submerged, rain or no rain, because
they are below sea level. Some 30 or
so esteros built by the Spaniards are no
longer usable because squatters have
turned them into one septic tank.
Mr. President, its the impact of cli-
mate change and global warming thats
upon us. We can only
mitigate this impact
if leaders like you
have the necessary
political will. The
buck stops at your
door. Are you up to
it?
* * *
Anti-life advo-
cates love to quote
United Nations sta-
tistics to buttress
their argument for the passage of the
reproductive health bill, euphemisti-
cally called by the President as the
responsible parenthood bill. Its really
population control which the UN uses
in furtherance of Washingtons foreign
policy in controlling the population of
underdeveloped countries like the Phil-
ippines.
America wants to monopolize our
natural and mineral resources for its
own interest. Records show that after
further studies, the growing population
of underdeveloped countries are preju-
dicial to American interests. Younger
people are more difcult to control than
the elderly. Young people are also more
vocal in resisting foreign intrusion.
The next question now is this: Is the
Philippines that overpopulated so much
so that the birth rate needs to be con-
trolled through a state policy for con-
traception?
Empirical data show that the most
populous country, China, is now an
economic giant. Same goes for Indone-
sia, which is the most populous Muslim
country. Here at home, the National
Capital Region is the most progressive
because it is the most populous.
And then look at the countries with a
small population Ethiopia, the Sudan,
Somalia and Uganda. They are impov-
erished!
No less that the director general of
the National Economic and Develop-
ment Authority, Arsenio Balisacan,
told the Senate that the UN had set a
2.1-percent fertility rate in the country.
Our population growth is 1.98 per-
cent. In other words, we are below the
growth rate acceptable to the UN. We
are thus not overpopulated even by UN
standards!
The claim of the pro-RH groups is
nothing but baloney.
As I have said, the RH bill is not
only a religious issue. It is social, eco-
nomic and political as well. The for-
tunes of politicians will rise and fall
on these issue.
Yes, there are many of my col-
leagues supporting the RH bill. But
look at their proles. They are either
conscripted media people and opin-
ion-writers, and they are not Catholic.
Most of the women opinion-writers
are either trying very hard to be read
by being anti-Catholic and anti-life, or
they belong to the group of liberated
women-feminist movement against
dogma.
* * *
President Aquino continues to re-
sist proposals to change even the eco-
nomic provisions of the Constitution.
I thought he studied economics at
Ateneo. Why cant he appreciate that
some parts of our Constitution are ar-
chaic? Is it because the charter was
framed during his late mothers incum-
bency?
The World Bank says foreign di-
rect investments
in the Philippines
amounted to only
$1.6 billion in
2011, compared to
Indonesias $18.26
billion, and Viet-
nams $14 billion.
This simply means
we are getting only
the crumbs.
* * *
The persons or
groups behind the attempt to smuggle
465,000 bags of rice imported from
India and Vietnam tried to pass on the
blame to some ofces at Customs and
the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
My gulay, they even tried to drag into
the mess the BOCs X-Ray Inspection
Project, insinuating that those manning
the X-ray machines were either sleep-
ing on the job or in cahoots with those
behind the failed smuggling attempt.
Its true that smuggling cannot sim-
ply happen. As somebody who covered
Customs for years, I know for a fact
that behind any smuggling attempt,
there are entrenched smuggling syndi-
cates in cahoot with Customs. While
hundreds of containers of highly duti-
able goods pass through Customs daily,
only one or two containers are sorted to
show the public that Customs is doing
its job. That is a neat trick.
Those who tried to point the nger
at the X-Ray Inspect Project at Subic
apparently didnt do their homework.
Those who are familiar with the piers
know that the XIP does not and cannot
subject to scanning bulk or break bulk
cargoes since it has no jurisdiction over
such shipments. In the rst place, these
are visible to the naked eye as distin-
guished from containerized shipments.
Furthermore, there is no X-Ray ma-
chine at the Subic National Security
Depot where the bags of rice from In-
dia and Vietnam were placed for safe-
keeping upon arrival.
What the Senate investigating com-
mittees should look into are more smug-
gling of oil, poultry and meat, foods,
onions, sugar and other highly-dutiable
items. The rice smuggling attempt at
Subic is simply the tip of the iceberg.
More importantly, Senate should
look into the connivance of Customs
ofcials and personnel making a mock-
ery of P-Noys Daang Matuwid policy.
Overpopulation
is a fallacy
Diwalwal part 2
MOUNT DIWALWAL in Compostela
Valley epitomizes what happens when
the government allows the unhampered
operations of so-called small-scale
mining which in truth is controlled by
big-time operators.
The Diwalwal gold rush which
started in the early 1980s has attracted
a horde of more than 30,000 small-
scale miners and turned the Diwalwal
area into an environmental disaster.
Safety standards are something
alien to Diwalwal miners and deaths
of miners from collapsed tunnels are
common occurrences. They usually go
unreported.
Worse is problem of mercury con-
tamination. Mercury is extensively
used by the small-scale miners to ex-
tract the gold from ores. After more
than three decades of mining, mercury
pollution is so bad that in a study con-
ducted by the University of the Phil-
ippines/Philippine General Hospital
showed that 36 percent of Diwalwal
residents have dangerously high levels
of mercury.
Mercury pollution has spread to the
river systems in that part of Mindanao.
Already, sh and other marine life have
been found contaminated.
Sadly, the government has to ad-
dress the many problems created by the
illegal mining in Diwalwal including
massive pollution and environmental
degradation even as it does not get any
revenues at all from mining operations.
Tons of gold must have been mined
in Diwalwal but the nanciers and big-
time syndicates who really control the
Diwalwal mining are the ones who
prot from all that gold.
The big-time syndicates and opera-
tors behind Diwalwal mining are ap-
parently expanding their operations.
They are targeting gold-rich Balabag
in Bayog town in Zamboanga del Sur.
In a recent news report of the Ma-
nila Standard Today, Bayog Mayor
Leonardo Babasa said that thousands
of people have descended on his town
in search of gold.
The problem of the people who want
to exploit Balabags gold resources and
turn it into another Diwalwal is that
there is already a large-scale mining
operator, TVI Resources Development
Philippines Inc. -- a publicly-listed
Canadian company which has a Min-
eral Production Sharing Agreement
approved by the Department of Envi-
ronment and Natural Resources for the
development of nearly 5,000 hectares
in the Balabag area.
When TVIRD obtained its MPSA
from the government to conduct min-
ing operations in Balabag, it imple-
mented a community relations and
environmental protection program. It
also offered relocation packages to the
illegal small-scale miners who were
operating in the area.
Most of the small-scale miners ac-
cepted the offers but some refused. In-
stead they organized the Monte de Oro
Small Scale Miners Association and
refused to relinquish their claim.
The Provincial Mining Regulatory
Board of Zamboanga del Sur has rec-
ommended to the issuance of a cease
and desist against MOSSMA in its
mining operations in the Balabag area,
citing that MOSSMA has been using
mercury and cyanide to extract precious
metals from the mine site. MOSSMA
has no permit to conduct mining opera-
tions and its operation involves the use
of sophisticated equipment and haz-
ardous chemicals which is detrimental
to the health of the people and of the
environment.
Gov. Cerilles issued a cease and de-
sist order on June 24, 2010. MOSSMA
ignored the CDO.
DENRs Mines and Geosciences
Bureau (MGB) Region IX, which has
jurisdiction over the mine site at Bala-
bag, has also issued a Cease and De-
sist Order against MOSSMA . It even
called for the assistance of the military
and the police.
MOSSMA has also ignored MGBs
CDO.
The illegal miners apparently will
stop at nothing to be allowed to con-
tinue its operations and neutralize
TVIRD.
Pacic Strategies and Assessment,
an international private risk assessment
and security agency, has come up with
a Special Report on the Coordinated
Attack Against TVI Resource Devel-
opment Philippines Inc.
The attacks included the circula-
tion of fake emails supposedly impli-
cating TVIRD executives in a murder
and other criminal conspiracies against
people identied with MOSSMA.
The fake emails were sent to the
Ofce of the President, Secretary Paje,
other Cabinet Secretaries, heads of
government agencies, private institu-
tions, military and police ofcers and
media.
PSA said The emails are impres-
sive when read by a non-expert, but a
forensic analysis of the emails showed
glaring inconsistencies with the com-
panys actual emails.
The NBI agreed with the ndings of
PSA. The emails...did not come from
the authentic source (TVIRD) and are
maliciously created, NBI Agent Fran-
cis V. Senora said in his July 13, 2012
memorandum.
Some people might have the im-
pression that the fight between the
large Canadian mining company
and the small-scale illegal miners is
a fight between David and Goliath.
They might be surprised that David is
no weakling and packs a lot of wallop
if you go by his ability to defy cease
and desist orders and even wage a
sophisticated demolition campaign
against Goliath.
EVERYMAN
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
MAIL MATTERS
Who is saying
that there are too
many Filipinos?
By Carlos Mayorico
Caliwara
First of two parts
RECENT deaths of two law students,
as in the past involving several oth-
er victims, have once again raised
so much uproar and condemnation
against the practice of hazing. Fam-
ily members are grieving, guilty par-
ties are on the loose, an entire school
and its alumni are outraged, law en-
forcement agencies are running after
the suspects, lawmakers will conduct
legislative inquiries, and the media is
equally concerned. Hazing has cap-
tured the attention of an entire nation,
but this time, the call for its eradica-
tion should be for real.
Fraternities and sororities
Legitimate fraternities and sorori-
ties have noble objectives. They are
exclusive and their members are, or
at least should be, known to strive for
academic excellence, camaraderie and
service to fellowmen. Quite a number
of them do excel in their studies and
career and are involved in community
projects and service. The only differ-
ence with these societies with other
organizations is that they do not usual-
ly aunt and advertise the good things
they do. They work without asking or
expecting anything in return. It is ser-
vice of the highest form.
Their names consisting of greek al-
phabets, from Alpha to Omega, rep-
resent the outstanding qualities and
intelligence of those who join these
fraternities, or at least, one would have
such qualities. The inspiration came
from ancient Greeks (philosophers, sci-
entists and inventors) who were regard-
ed as superior. The real world is opened
up, wisdom abounds and life will no
longer be Greek to a member.
Symbolisms and practices
The greek letters are symbolisms.
Passwords and grips create an auto-
matic bond transforming complete
strangers into brothers or sisters. Al-
though, anyone who may be in their
midst who is not a member will be-
come the stranger in such encounters.
These symbolisms and their rituals
make them different. Each member is
deemed privileged. In law schools,
Latin-sounding names have been ad-
opted like lex and juris, among others.
Though secretive and exclusive,
fraternities and sororities will never
claim to be elitists although they want
to be treated and feel they are entitled
as such -- by tradition and as an un-
written rule. Non-members are re-
garded as barbarians while members
of other fraternities are treated as or-
dinary or inferior.
They always strive for superiority
and they prove this in terms of num-
bers like, having the most number
of prominent and inuential members
or alumni, projects and accomplish-
ments, and in law schools, the most
number of bar topnotchers, scholars,
bar passers, student leaders, and suc-
cessful alumni members.
Anti-Hazing Law or R.A. 8049
Regrettably, most of these organi-
zations are engaged in initiation-relat-
ed violence consisting of st blows,
kicks, cigarette or candle burns, and
paddle whacking, and other means of
inicting physical and psychological
pain and sufferings upon a neophyte
or pledge before becoming a member.
This is hazing as punished under R.A.
8049 otherwise known as the Anti-
Hazing Law.
Hazing is an initiation rite or prac-
tice by placing the recruit, neophyte
or applicant in some embarrassing or
humiliating situations such as forc-
ing him to do menial, silly, foolish
and other similar tasks or activities or
otherwise subjecting him to physical
or psychological suffering or injury.
There are exclusions from this deni-
tion such as the testing and training
procedure and practices of prospec-
tive regular members of AFP and PNP.
The law did not totally outlaw haz-
ing. It merely regulated the practice
of hazing or initiation processes by
requiring prior written notice to the
school authorities or head of organiza-
tion, and the presence of at least two
representatives of the school or orga-
nization to see to it that no physical
harm is inicted upon a recruit. The
penalty for hazing ranges from from
prison correccional in its maximum
period (four years, two months and
one day to six years) to reclusion per-
petua (life imprisonment), depending
on the gravity of the offense. Others,
like the owner of the place where haz-
ing was committed, alumni, advisers,
faculty members, among other, may
also be held liable, either as principals
or as accomplices.
When death, rape, sodomy or muti-
lation results from hazing, the penalty
is reclusion perpetua. The same is true
in any of the following instances: (a)
when recruitment is accompanied by
force, violence, threat, intimidation or
deceit on the the recruit who refuses to
join; (b) when the recruit, neophyte or
applicant initially consents to join but
upon learning that hazing will be com-
mitted on his person, is prevented from
quitting; (c) when the recruit, neophyte
or applicant having undergone hazing
is prevented from reporting the unlaw-
ful act to his parents or guardians, prop-
er school authorities, or police authori-
ties, through force, violence, threat or
intimidation; (d) when it is committed
outside of the school or institution; or
(e) when the victim is below twelve
(12) years of age at the time of the haz-
ing. It may be noted however, that if
a neophyte is traumatized and suffers
psychological damage, other laws will
apply and not R.A. 8049.
Continued tomorrow
Atty. Caliwara graduated from
the San Beda College of Law. He is a
member of and have held national po-
sitions in organizations where the rig-
ors of initiation rites were a pre-requi-
site to acceptance. He is an advocate
of anti-hazing, peace and progress.
No brotherhood in hazing
WE wish to clarify some points
that were erroneously attributed
to the Department of Agricul-
ture and the National Irrigation
Administration as contained in a
news item, Mass ring at DA up
as Japan quits project, published
in Manila Standard Today, August
6, 2012, page A1.
First, there will be no mass
ring of DA employees. On
the contrary, we continue to hire
additional employees to help us
meet our major goal to attain
sufciency in rice and major sta-
ples. In fact, last July, we just re-
newed the job order contracts
of hundreds of individuals at DA
national and regional ofces.
Secondly, Administrator Anto-
nio Nangel of the DAs National
Irrigation Administration (NIA)
did not issue any ofcial state-
ment that the Japanese had with-
drawn nancial assistance to the
second phase of the Malitubog-
Maridagao irrigation project due
to the poor peace-and-order situ-
ation in Mindanao.
In fact, during the Philippine-
Japan annual economic coopera-
tion policy dialogue, on July 26,
2012, at the NEDA sa Makati, the
proposed Malitubog-Maridagao
Irrigation Project - Phase II (Mal-
Mar II) was included in the dis-
cussion of candidate projects to
be funded under the Japanese Yen
Loan facility.
The dialogue was chaired by
NEDA Deputy-Director General
Rolando G. Tungpalan, who was
the head of the Philippine delega-
tion, while the DA-NIA was rep-
resented by NIA Senior Deputy
Administrator Antonio Galvez.
Officials from the Japan
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(Director Tadashi Yokoyama)
and JICA-Philippines (Chief
Representative Sasaki Taka-
hiro) were also present. Dur-
ing the meeting, they said they
are still evaluating what part
of the Mal-Mar Phase I will
be included and funded under
Phase II. Another aspect be-
ing carefully looked into is the
environmental impact of the
project, particularly on the bio-
diversity of Liguasan Marsh.
Hence, there is no indication
that the Japanese Government
will not nancially support Mal-
Mar II.
We are clarifying these points
so as not to alarm our employ-
ees, farmer-clienteles, and the
Japanese government and JICA.
ATTY. EMERSON U. PALAD
Undersecretary and Chief of Staff
Department of Agriculture
THIS is in reference to the photo article
published in the column Happy Hour
by Boy P. in Manila Standard Today
last July 11, 2012.
The said column features a Makati
Police patrol car with a window covered
by plastic sealed by a packaging tape.
I am personally aware of such patrol
car in our eet. My administration has
already allocated a budget for the pur-
chase of vehicles for the protective sec-
tor of Makati that includes the police,
re, Makati Rescue and rst responders
of the barangays.
However, the city government strict-
ly follows the regular process in the
purchase of new vehicles, and all other
items that would hasten the delivery of
services to our constituents.
Morever, I have already given in-
struction to our Makati Police chief Jai-
me Santos to facilitate the replacement
of the broken window of the police car
referred to in your column.
The welfare of our police ofcers is
on the top of the list of my priorities. Be
assured that we are always attending to
the logistical and operational needs of
the policemen in Makati.
JEJOMAR ERWIN S. BINAY JR.
Mayor, City of Makati
Police welfare is a priority
No need for alarm
News
ManilaStandardToday
mst.daydesk@gmail.com AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
A6

IN BRIEF
Church releases Oratio Imperata
State railways entertainment budget slammed
THE Philippines may experi-
ence temporary increases in
food prices as a fth of Metro
Manila remained under water
on Thursday and rains battered
some rice-producing provinces.
We can expect some
temporary spikes in food in-
ation as there may also be
some temporary disruption
in the supply chain, Bangko
Sentral Governor Amando
Tetangco Jr. said in a mobile-
phone message. The impact
of the rains over the past few
days bears watching. The area
affected by the rains is rather
widespread.
The worst ooding in three
years engulfed about half of the
metropolis Wednesday, crippling
transport links, prompting clo-
sure of schools and some ofces
and triggering panic buying. The
deluge also hit the main island of
Luzon, which produces almost
half the nations rice.
Costlier food, which ac-
counts for 39 percent of the
consumer price index, may
stoke ination that quickened to
a six-month high in July, a re-
port today showed.
The government imposed a
price freeze on basic goods in
areas under a state of calam-
ity, Trade Secretary Gregory
Domingo said in a phone inter-
view. The agency is monitoring
costs and will issue a bulletin to
guide the public, he said.
We will impose nes on
violators and theres the pos-
sibility of closure for abusive
retailers, Domingo said. The
price controls take effect im-
mediately and could go on for
as long as two months, he said.
Prices and supply remained
stable except for sh and veg-
etables, after the highway link-
ing Manila to vegetable produc-
ers in the northern provinces
was ooded, Domingo said.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso
Alcala, however, told reporters
oods in recent days would have
a minimal impact on third-quar-
ter rice production.
Many areas that practiced
advanced cropping werent af-
fected, Alcala said. Majority
of the hard-hit areas in Bula-
can and Pampanga are still in
early stages, so when the ood
recedes, these crops still have
a chance of recovery, he said.
Luzon produces almost half of
the nations rice.
The National Statistics Of-
ce reported that even before
the massive ooding this week,
the food index already increased
2.2 percent in July, following a
2.0-percent gain in June.
The continuous rains experi-
enced in selected regions during
the month resulted in difculty
in transporting some vegetables
coming from the producing ar-
eas to the markets. This factor
resulted in the spoilage of some
vegetables thereby limiting their
supplies in the markets, the
NSO said.
Tetangco said despite the
damage brought by the ty-
phoons, the Bangko Sentral
still foresaw a manageable
ination environment over the
policy horizon, with average
ination likely to remain well
within the 3-percent to 5-per-
cent target range. Bloomberg,
Anna Leah G. Estrada
Expect hike in food prices, govt warns
Sunshine spurs sweepers
The cities of Caloocan and San Juan de-
clared states of calamity after Malabon, Navo-
tas, Valenzuela, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Pasig,
Pasay and the town of Pateros formalized
similar declarations on Wednesday, according
to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council.
Thus far, 10 of Metro Manilas 17 constitu-
ent jurisdictions have declared states of calam-
ity although the national disaster agency could
not yet release data on the extent of the damage
in the National Capital Region.
But the regional ofce of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development said 16,503
families, composed of 77,918 individuals,
were affected by the rains and ooding. A total
of 14,225 families or 68,372 individuals are
still staying at 107 evacuation centers.
A renewed forced evacuation was still
in effect Thursday morning in communi-
ties near the Marikina River and San Ma-
teo River because the water level remained
By Maricel V. Cruz

OFFICIALS of the Philippine National
Railways have been asked to explain the
200 percent increase in its expenses for
meetings and ofcial entertainments.
Congressmen were shocked at a
Commission on Audit audit report re-
vealing that the stae railways general
manager, legal division and board of di-
rectors spent P1.46 million for meetings
and entertainment.
Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua, a minority
representative in the House committee on
appropriations, said PNR General Man-
ager Junio Ragragio and four other PNR
ofcials have to explain the expenditure to
Congress during budget hearings.
That is quite unimaginable, maybe the
PNR ofcials can explain to us how they
came up with such a huge expense only for
meetings and ofcial entertainments,
Fua told Manila Standard Today.
Fua said the COA has already sought
an explanation from Ragragio, assistant
general manager Rafael Mozura, admin-
istration and nance manager Lynna
Chung, controller Juana Samson and
budget manager Rosendo Calleja.
COA team leader Mayola P. Salita
said the discovered the expense after
examining the state railways request for
replenishment of working funds.
But Salite noted that the General Ap-
propriations Act provided only P72,000
for extraordinary and miscellaneous
expenses in the state railways corpo-
rate operating budget.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino, mem-
ber for the majority of the House Committee
on Appropriations, said that the P1.46-mil-
lion gure deserves a second look.
The COA said the PNR management
did not propose any budget for represen-
tation expenses for the year.
Also, the approved budget for Miscel-
laneous Expense of P3.62 million wherein
the expenses for ofce representation were
charged vis-a-vis the actual cost of Other
MOOE (maintenance and other operating
expenses) amounting to P4.11 million in
the trial balance as at December 31, 2012
revealed overspending by the PNR, the
audit team stated.
COA said guidelines for the disburse-
ment of extraordinary and miscella-
neous expenses for government owned
and controlled corporations are provided
under COA Circular 2006-001.
The objective is to ensure the preven-
tion of irregular, unnecessary, excessive,
extravagant or unconscionable uses of
government funds, the audit report stated.
The audit examiners said a ceiling on
the amount of disbursement should follow
what is prescribed in the corporate charter
or from authority derived from the amount
xed in the General Appropriations Act.
By Vito Barcelo
MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio
Tagle issued an oratio imperata urging
the Catholic faithful to pray for an end
to the monsoon rain that has pounded
Metro Manila and nearby provinces for
four consecutive days.
Tagle urged the clergy, religious
and faithful in the archdiocese that
covers the whole of Metro Manila and
several neighboring dioceses to pray
the oratio imperata in Masses (after
the Post Communion Prayer), the Lit-
urgy of the Hours and after praying
the rosary.
Oratio imperata is a short prayer
which the local ordinary (the authorized
church authority, usually the bishop or
archbishop) may order to be said when
a grave need or calamity arises.
Tagle ordered the following prayer
for deliverance from calamities to be
said:
Almighty Father, we raise our
hearts to You in gratitude for the won-
ders of creation of which we are part,
for Your providence in sustaining us in
our needs, and for Your wisdom that
guides the course of the universe.
We acknowledge our sins against
You and the rest of creation.
We have not been good stewards of
Nature.
We have confused Your command
to subdue the earth.
The environment is made to suffer
our wrongdoing, and now we reap the
harvest of our abuse and indifference.
Typhoons, heavy rains and oods
occur in increasing number and inten-
sity.
We turn to You, our loving Father,
and beg forgiveness for our sins. We
ask that we, our loved ones and our
hard earned possessions be spared from
the threat of calamities, natural and
man-made.
We beseech You to inspire us all to
grow into responsible stewards of Your
creation, and generous neighbors to
those in need. Amen.
Tax deadline extended
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue extended
the deadline for the electronic and manual
ling and payment for tax returns in the ty-
phoon-affected revenue district ofces and
authorized agent banks until next week.
Due to the bad weather, the August
10 deadline for the ling and payment
of BIR forms 1600; 1606; 1601C and
1602; 1601E and 1601F; and 2200MM
is extended to August 13, the BIR said in
Memorandum Circular No. 41-2012.
But this only applies to revenue dis-
trict ofces No. 1 in Calasiao, Pangas-
inan; No.4 in San Fernando, Pampanga;
No. 5 in Caloocan City; No.7 in Quezon
City; No. 9In San Pablo City; and Large
Taxpayer Districts I, II, III and LTEAD I
and II, including LTDO-Makati. Maria
Bernadette Lunas
Plumbers exam reset
THE Professional Regulations Commis-
sion re-scheduled the licensure examina-
tion for master plumbers scheduled on
August 9 and 10 to Sept. 6 and 7.
PRC Chairman Teresita Manzala said
PRC clients can obtain further informa-
tion on the licensure examination by call-
ing PRC ofcials Rebecca Garcia, PRC
Licensure Ofce, Tel. No.: 314-0024; 735-
4703; Dan Malayang, PRC Cebu,Tel. No.:
(032)255-7397; (032)253-5330; (032)254-
3497; and Josephine Liamzon, PRC Davao,
(082)234-0006; (082)234-0007; (082)234-
0008. Vito Barcelo
PAL job fair set Aug. 11

PHILIPPINE Airlines extended its cabin
crew recruitment fair for two days starting
Aug.11, Saturday until Aug. 12, Sunday.
Applicants from Luzon are directed to
proceed to Diamond Hotel Philippines at the
corner of Roxas Boulevard and Dr. J. Quin-
tos Street in Manila from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
on the above dates for the Philippine Airlines
Cabin Crew Recruitment Tour, the kick-off
leg of a nationwide recruitment drive.
Aspiring cabin crew from Visayas and
Mindanao are advised to await announce-
ments when the recruitment tour will go
to their regions in the coming months.
Applicants should bring their resume,
along with close-up and full-body pho-
tos, and apply in person at the event.
PAL cabin crew applicants must be Fili-
pino citizens, not more than 27 years old
and college graduates. Females must be
single and at least 53 in height; single
males are prefered but they should at least
be 56 in height.
The required business attire for women
is corporate blazer, inner blouse and knee-
length skirt and high-heeled closed shoes.
Hair must be tied back in a bun and they
should be in full make-up. Men whodul
wear long-sleeved shirts with necktie,
black slacks and leather shoes.
TWO more constituent cities of Metro Manila declared
states of calamity on Thursday after the deluge that
overwhelmed the metropolis even as sunshine, the
lengthiest in weeks, spurred exhausted government
workers to sweep up the mess caused by 10 days of
non-stop monsoon rain.
above critical level.
Of the 19 fatalities from the disaster,
NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos
said nine were killed in the landslide that hit
Sitio Lower Bayanihan in Barangay Com-
monwealth, Quezon City while eight died of
drowning and two died of electrocution in
other parts of the country.
The Metro Manila Development Author-
ity, however, intensied rescue operations in
ooded areas and deployed clean-up teams to
places where the water has receeded.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said
over 20,000 residents were rescued and he
ordered his agencys workers to coordinate
with the military, police and private volunteer
organizations in helping people still stranded
by oodwaters.
Tolentino also provided free rides to commut-
ers on Manilas Taft Avenue, Espana and Ave-
nida Rizal as well as Caloocan City. He also sent
mobile water treatment facilities to Malabon and
Marikina to provide potable drinking water.
Tolentino also called on volunteer groups,
especially those trained by MMDA, to help in
the rescue operations. Those in need of rescue
may call the following hotline numbers: 136,
882-0925, (0905)485-3900, (0918)651-1544
and (0942)396-3890, he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health con-
rmed that at least 11 hospitals in Metro Ma-
nila were affected by the disaster.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona identied
the hospitals as Amang Rodriquez Memorial
Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center,
San Lazaro Hospital, Tondo Medical Center,
San Lorenzo Ruiz Womens Hospital, Dr. Jose
Fabella Hospital, Dr. Jose Reyes Memorial
Medical Center, Research Institute for Tropi-
cal Medicine, UE Ramon Magsaysay Hospi-
tal, San Lazaro Hospital and the Philippine
General Hospital. Florante S. Solmerin, Rio
N. Araja, Jonathan Fernandez and Macon
Ramos-Araneta
Korean assistance. President Aquino witnesses the signing of the
$207.88-million loan agreement between the Philippines and South Korea
for the implementation of the second phase of the Jaluar River Multipur-
pose Irrigation Project in Iloilo. Finanace Secretary Cesar Purisima signed
the agreement with Korea Export-Import Bank executive director Sang-
Wang Byun on Thursday at Malacanang. Other witnesses were Agrciluture
Sec. Proceso Alcala, Senator Franklin Drilon and Korean Ambassador Hye
Min Lee.
KEEPING ones feet healthy
and protected is a big step
towards reaching our goal in
sports. Burlington, the socks
authority, suggests the fol-
lowing tips to keep your feet
in best form:
1. Perform a foot exam regu-
larly. Do this rst thing in the
morning and last thing at night.
Take note of any change in
their general appearance, like
color and texture.
2. Practice consistent foot
hygiene. Keep your feet
clean and dry. Thoroughly
clean and scrub your feet
with antiseptic soap and
lukewarm water every time
you take a bath. Dry them
well with soft towel to avoid
the growth of fungi. The use
of BioFresh antimicrobial
foot powder will help one
avoid sweaty feet.
3. Trim toenails proper-
ly. Cut straight across; avoid
getting too close to the skin
or drastically rounding the
corners of the nails, which
can cause painful, ingrown
toenails that may also lead
to infection. Bio-fresh anti-
microbial socks helps in pre-
venting bacteria build up.
4. Invest in an appropri-
ate and well tting shoe. Al-
ways buy the right size, as
shoes that are too tight tend
to bruise or tear the skin
within the pressure points
of the feet.
5.Swap shoes daily. It is
important to avoid wearing
the same shoes everyday.
Your feet have a lot of sweat
glands, and wearing shoes
will only absorb the mois-
ture released from these
glands. Make it a point to
dry your shoes after each
and every use. BioFresh
anti-microbial foot spray
can help clean and deodor-
ize footwear.
6. Never walk barefoot,
especially in public ar-
eas. Be sure to wear shower
shoes at gyms, in locker
rooms, and public pools.
These places may most
probably be the breeding
ground for fungi which may
lead to infections.
7. Do not wear other peo-
ples footwear. Fungal infec-
tions are contagious, so avoid
sharing shoes and socks.
8. Exercise regularly. Run-
ning exercises such as walk-
ing on a treadmill improve
blood circulation, helping
prevent many disorders of the
heart and blood vessels.
9. Apply foot moisturiz-
er. Our feet need occasional
pampering. On cold days,
the feet lose their natural
oils, making them extreme-
ly dry, so it is necessary to
hydrate the skin with lotions
and creams.
10. Know when to see a doc-
tor. Never self medicate foot
woes. A podiatrist is a doctor
who is specialized in treating
disorders of the foot.
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
A7 Sports Riera U. Mallari, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
Lascuna, Salvador stay ahead
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
IN BRIEF
Munoz visit to be moved
CHAMPION UFC ghter Mark Muoz,
dubbed as the Filipino wrecking ma-
chine, was scheduled to visit Manila
this weekend for a media tour and series
of mixed martial arts workshops.
But due to the harsh weather condi-
tions that hit Manila this week, Balls
Channel, regretfully decided to postpone
Muozs visit to a later date.
Mark is closely monitoring the situation
in Manila and understands what needs to be
done to help those that have been affected
by the ood. Mark looks forward to meet-
ing his Filipino fans in the near future,
says Jojo Neri-Estacio, Balls channel head.
On his Web site (http://www.markmu-
nozmma.com), Muoz posted this state-
ment: I am sad that the UFC Manila Tour
on Aug. 12 at MOA has been postponed,
but I am more worried about our fellow
Pinoysmga bata, lolos and lolasin the
ood waters. I know Filipinos are a re-
silient people. We will come out of this a
stronger people. We always do...
For further updates, tune in Balls
Channel (Sky Cable channel 34) or log
on to www.ballschannel.tv.
Del Monte wrests control
CAGAYAN DE ORODel Monte Golf
Club assembled a solid 254 as it posted
a whopping 21-point lead over ve-peat
seeking Manila Southwoods at the start
of the Champion Innity 20th Luzvimin
Golf Invitational, presented by Pacsports
at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country
Club here Wednesday.
Eva Mioza churned out a 55-point
output under the Molave scoring format
to lead the Bukidnon-based squads ery
opening- round charge in the centerpiece
Diamond division of the annual event
organized by the Womens Golf Associa-
tion of the Philippines.
Backing up Mioza in the seven-to-play,
ve-to-count format tournament are Apple
Jean Fudolin, who shot 52 points, Lovelyn
Guioguio, who had 50, Kristine Leonen, who
added 49, and Soa Chabon, who made a 48.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Rexona Run 2012 postponed
IN its commitment to give the best running
experience to its runners, the Rexona Run
2012 slated this Sunday at the Mall of Asia
grounds has been postponed and reset to
Sept. 23.
Due to the extreme weather that is hit-
ting Metro Manila and other parts of the
country, Rexona, together with RunRio,
has decided to move this much-anticipat-
ed event to a later date to ensure that the
logistics are fully in place to give partici-
pants a safe and enjoyable run.
This will give the race ofcials and par-
ticipants who are affected by the heavy rains
and ooding time to recover and recharge
before the run.
Now on its third year, the Rexona Run
has become one of the most anticipated
running events. This year, participants will
prove their mettle and get a chance to win
cash prizes, medals and bragging rights in
the 21K Solo, 21K Relay and 5K races. Flat
screen TVs and mobile phones will also be
given away to lucky participants.
The top 3 nishers in the 21K Solo take
home P7,000, 5,500, and 4,000; while
P5,000, 4,000, and 3,000 will be awarded to
each member of the top nishers in the 21K
Relay division. Finally, the top three nish-
ers in the 5K category bring home P4,000 for
rst, 3,000 for second and 2,000 for third.
For more updates, check out the Rexona
Men Facebook page, visit www. runrio.com
or call/text the race hotline at +63927-347-
7700 (Globe), +63929-717-8164 (Smart) or
+632-887-6194 .
Stay glued
to London
games via
Globe phone
ITCHING to be home to catch
the latest updates from the 2012
London Olympics? Fret no fur-
ther, as Globe Telecom and So-
lar Sports join forces in bringing
you live coverage and highlights
from the worlds biggest sport-
ing event, right at your nger-
tips, anytime, anywhere.
Catch the nal remaining
days of the Olympic Games
on your Globe mobile phone
with Yoomob, a free mobile
application that allows you to
subscribe to live streaming and
Video-on-Demand channels.
Yoomobs videos are licensed
premium content from content
providers around the world,
so you can be assured that the
content you are watching is se-
cured and virus-free.
Get exclusive access to your
favorite Olympic sport live or
on demand on Yoomobs Solar
Sports Channel, giving you the
experience as if youre inside the
Olympic stadium in London, giv-
ing your all-out support to Filipino
athletes as they vie for that elusive
Olympic medal. All you need is
your Globe-powered handset and
youre bound to infect everyone
with the Olympic virus.
Available to Globe Postpaid,
Prepaid and TM subscribers
who own internet-enabled An-
droid, Symbian, Pocket PC,
and Java mobile devices, the
Yoomob app is free for down-
load and installation by texting
YOOMOB to 2910. Subscrip-
tion to the Solar Sports Chan-
nel when viewing video con-
tent costs P5 a day, P25 a week
or P55 a month.
Ericsson backs Terra for 3D, HD in Olympic coverage
ERICSSON is supplying a exible video process-
ing solution and support services to Terra, the larg-
est Latin American internet company, for the portals
broadcast of the 2012 Olympic Games from London.
Terra will be providing Latin America with the
most complete and interactive coverage of the Olym-
pic Games.
Live HD content will be accessible through multiple
screens, specically through PCs, interactive TVs, and
even mobile phones. Terra has also made agreements
with TV manufacturers so that 3D content will be
available for TVs connected to internet. The Ericsson
solution, which includes the companys market leading
professional receivers, is helping Terra to deliver HD
content across its video platform, ensuring the highest
picture quality from the Olympic venues to millions of
viewers across Latin America.
Allan Pessoa, Technology Manager at Terra, says:
The Olympic Games are the biggest event in the world.
Our target is to deliver one of the worlds most popular
sports events reliably, hiding the huge complexity of
video contribution, distribution and transmission from
viewers so they can sit back and simply enjoy the action
on TV, PCs or mobile devices.
Eduardo Ricotta, Vice President in Ericsson Latin
America, says: By partnering with Ericsson, Terra can
ensure they will offer a world-class HD content broad-
cast not only to TVs and PCs, but also to mobile phones
and tablets. Consumers want to watch TV on multiple
devices and mobile TV Anywhere is gaining momen-
tum as operators expand and leverage their networks.
Terra is the largest Latin American internet company,
boasting 100 million visitors to its portals each month.
The company provided successful and innovative inter-
net coverage of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, followed
by the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Terra was the
only broadcaster to offer live coverage of the participa-
tion of nations such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guate-
mala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panam.
Lascuna failed to sustain a bird-
ie-birdie start with a scrambling
round of two more birdies against
four bogeys, the last at the difcult
par-4 17th that dropped him into
a tie with Salvador at two-under
140, two-up on Bayron, who took
solo third despite a second straight
even par 71 in sweltering heat.
Barr and Park, who shared the
rst round lead with the two local
aces, fell when the going got tough
CEBUTony Lascuna and Elmer Sal-
vador knocked Australian rivals Scott Barr
and Unho Park off the leaderboard with a
pair of gutsy 71s at the surprisingly tough
Cebu Country Club layout even as defending
champion Jay Bayron moved into contention
halfway through the $65,000 Aboitiz Invita-
tional Presented by ICTSI here yesterday.
at the back with the former skid-
ding with four bogeys in the last ve
holes for a three-over 74. He slid to
joint fourth with Jerson Balasabas
and Ebarra Quiachon at 143.
After an eagle-spiked 69 start,
Park skied to a double-bogey-rid-
dled 77 as he tumbled from joint
rst to a share of 13th at 146, six
strokes off the joint leaders in the
four-day championship sponsored
by Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.
Salvador took advantage of an
early tee-time and shot a second
straight 34 at the back and threatened
to pull away with a ve-under over-
all with a birdie on No. 1. But the
ICTSI Sherwood Hills leg winner
uncharacteristically dropped three
strokes on the par 5 No. 2, consid-
ered a birdie-hole for the elite eld,
and closed out with a 37 for a 71.
Bayron, who beat Marvin Du-
mandan by ve here last year and
winner of the ADT Challenge in
Jakarta last month, recovered from
a shaky backside start of 37 with a
34 as he turned in another 71 and re-
mained in the hunt for back-to-back
crown and third straight at 142.
Balasabas, who blew a superb
32 opening at the front Wednes-
day and hobbled home with a 73,
rebounded with an impressive 33
at the back yesterday only to waver
with two bogeys coming home for
a 70 for joint fourth.
The unheralded Quiachon, who
placed eighth here last year but
made just three cuts in eight legs
of this years ICTSI Philippine
Gold Tour, pressed Lascuna and
Salvador for the lead after 14 holes
but reeled back with four straight
bogeys and nished with a 72.
Randy Garalde, one of the lesser
fancied bets in the event put up by
International Container Terminal
Services, Inc., also matched par 71
and moved to solo seventh at 144
while Aussie Greg Moss, ICTSI
Iloilo leg winner Mars Pucay (72),
Richard Sinfuego (75) and Michael
Bibat (71) posted similar 145s.
Little Olympics opening reset
WITH the best interests and safety of
the students and their families in mind,
Milo executives today announced that the
opening ceremonies of this years Milo
Little Olympics National Capital Region
elimination leg have been postponed due
to the effects of the monsoon rains in
most parts of Metro Manila.
The premier nationwide junior inter-
school sports competition for elementary
and high school student-athletes will now
hold its NCR elimination leg on Aug. 31
to Sept. 2, and Sept. 8 to 9at the Marikina
Sports Park, Marikina City.
The 2012 Little Olympics Luzon leg is
slated on Aug. 17 to 19, the Visayas leg
on Aug. 24 to 26, and Sept. 1 and 2, and
the Mindanao leg on Sept. 7 to 9.
All winners from the elimination legs
will have the honor of representing their
region in the National Finals in NCR on
Oct. 19 to 21.
This year marks the first ever National Finals
in Manila in the history of Little Olympics.
Batangas chess champ. Daryl Samantila (second from left)
shows his trophy and prize after winning the boys kiddies division
crown in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships
Batangas leg at SM Batangas City recently. With him are (from left)
Jackie Ampil, Pilipinas Shell Social Investment manager, John Ligan,
Contract and Procurement Site Lead of Pilipinas Shell, and Shell
media relations manager Toby Nebrida.
UAAP games back Sunday
TWO canceled games of the 75th season
of the University Athletic Association of
Philippines mens basketball tournament
will be held on Sunday.
The clash between the LaSalle Green
Archers and Adamson Falcons, which
was originally set for Wednesday, will be
held at 2 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
The University of Santo Tomas Tigers
and the University of the East Warriors
clash at 4 p.m..
Changes in schedules were implement-
ed by organizers after oods and continu-
ous rains last Tuesday and Wednesday
made it impossible for teams to push
through with the matches.
One venue, the Philsports Arena in Pa-
sig, is now being used as an evacuation
center. PeterAtencio
Keeping a sportsmans feet healthy
Smart joins Ironman. For the rst time, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) sent a delegation of
athletes to the IronMan 70.3 triathlon event in Cebu. Fifteen Smart employees, all members of the companys newly formed
Triathlon Club, have been participating in swim-bike-run simulations since May to prepare for one of the most grueling sports
events in the Philippines. In this photo is Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando Vea [sixth from left] with members of Smarts
Triathlon Club headed by senior engineer Mark Alfred Arroyo [fth from right].
Tiger...
From A8
Coming off the US Open,
I was very disappointed how
I kind of handled the situa-
tion mentally. I didnt come in
hitting the ball that great, and
maybe that added to some of the
anxiety, Donald said.
Donald described the British
Open as a bit of a breakthrough.
Theres always a way to be
mentally on top - have that con-
trol of how I want to feel come
Thursday, he said.
Westwood has seven top-three
nishes in majors, the most of any-
body who hasnt won one since the
Masters began in 1934. Now 39,
its hard to say how many more
good chances hell have. The same
is true for the 45-year-old Stricker,
who is also still trying to win a ma-
jor for the rst time.
McIlroy was 22 when he won
last years U.S. Open, and his po-
tential seemed almost unlimited.
His best nish in a major in 2012?
Tied for 40th at the Masters.
A victory at Kiawah Island
this week would be a sign that
his ascent is back on track.
For Scott, this tournament is
a chance to bounce back from
a nightmarish nish at the Brit-
ish Open, when he gave away a
four-shot lead by bogeying the
last four holes. What would have
been his rst major title slipped
away in stunning fashion.
Johnson hasnt won a major
either, and his near-miss at the
PGA Championship two years
ago was also a stomach turner. He
missed out on a playoff at Whis-
tling Straits because he grounded
his club on a patch of sand to the
right of the 18th fairway, unaware
that it was part of a bunker.
Johnson wont have to worry
about that this year. There are no
official bunkers on the 7,676-yard
Ocean Course, although there is
plenty of sand. The PGAof America
has declared everything through
the green, meaning all sand will be
called sandy areas instead of bun-
kers. Players can ground their clubs
and take practice swings. AP
AUGUST 10, 2012
But the Filipino-American,
the last man standing for the em-
battled Team Philippines, said
the outcome of the seeding run
doesnt worry him a bit, adding
its in the quarternals
where the real battle
begins in the sport
thats making its sec-
ond appearance in the
Olympic Games.
Seeding runs
dont mean anything.
Tomorrow is another
day, Caluag told
Filipino sportswrit-
ers shortly after the
time trial, still look-
ing condent as he biked around
the fringes of the new track in-
side the Olympic Park.
But hed better be good, given
the amazing times submitted
by the rest of the eld in their
450-meter dash from a high
ramp to the line going through
banked corners and up-and-down
strips during the seeding run be-
fore a crowd of 6,000 on a sunny
Wednesday.
Starting out rst in a eld of 32,
the 25-year-old Caluag clocked
40.900 seconds in the one-lap drive
as he nished second from last in
the time trial, where 27 others regis-
tered 39.772 seconds or faster.
I miscalculated a corner so I
slowed down a bit, said Caluag,
left alone to carry the heavy load
of ending the countrys humiliat-
ing run of misses that began in the
2000 Sydney Olympics.
Hes racing in Heat 3 during
the quarternals in the company
of Nicholas Long of the US, Joris
Daudet of France, Marc Willers
of New Zealand, David Herman
of the US, Manuel de Vecchi
of Italy, Roger Rinderkbecht of
Sweden, and Ernesto
Pizarro of Argentina.
Raymon van der
Biezen of the Neth-
erlands came out
the fastest of the lot,
submitting a time of
37.779 seconds as he
bunny-hopped as
if he was ying and
rolled through wave-
like bumps on a tricky
track for which 14,000
cubic meters of soil was used.
The Dutch will take off in the
rst heat, while worlds No. 1
Sam Willoughby of Australia,
who had the sixth best time of
38.496, and defending champion
Maris Stromberg of Latvia, who
had 38.697 for 10th spot, will race
in Heat 4.
Caluag, son of a Filipino couple
who migrated to the US some 30
years ago, found himself as the only
PH athlete with a realistic chance of
making a podium nish following
the ouster of boxer Mark Anthony
Barriga late last week.
The nine other Filipino ath-
letesarchers Mark Javier and
Rachel Cabral, swimmers Jas-
mine Alkhaldi and Jessie Lacu-
na, judoka Tomohiko Hoshina,
weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, shooter
Brian Rosario, long jumper Mar-
estella Torres and 5000-m run
bet Rene Herreragot booted out
one after the other.
FRIDAY
LONDONIf the result of the time
trial is any indication, then BMX rider
Danny Caluag is in for a tough, bumpy
ride on Thursday afternoon.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYNA Rodriguez and Jayvie Agojo escaped
with a pair of 1-up victories over their respec-
tive rivals to advance to the second round of the
US Womens Amateur Match Play, but Dottie
Ardina fell by the wayside at The Country Club
in Cleveland, Ohio Wednesday.
Rodriguez, the former Philippine Ladies
Amateur Open champion, actually looked
headed for a rout after going 5-up after 11
holes on two birdies and two pars.
But the US-based ICTSI golf scholar oundered,
enabling Ani Gulugian of California to close within
one with a par and three straight birdies from No. 12.
But Rodriguez, ranked No. 16 after the 36-hole
stroke play elims, held on and matched Gulugians
pars in the last two holes to eke out a 1-up victory and
arrange a Last 32 duel with No. 17 Nicole Zhang of
Canada, who routed Jaclyn Jansen of Illinois, 6&5.
Agojo also took command of her matchup
with Emily Childs of California, posting a
2-up lead after No. 9. But like Rodriguez, she
wavered at the back, needing to sink a delicate
ve-foot par putt on the 18th to snatch the win as
Childs holed out with a bogey.
The reigning Hong Kong Amateur Open
champion, however, will have her hands full in
the second round of the knockout stage as she
faces No. 8 Natalie Gleadall, also of Canada,
who beat Grace Na of California, 2&1.
But while Rodriguez and Agojo pulled through, Ar-
dina never recovered from bogey mishaps on Nos. 5, 7
and 9 as she fell from as many as four holes down to
Austin Ernst of South Carolina, who went on to fashion
out a 4&3 romp over the top ICTSI-backed bet.
Low medalist Kim Hyo-joo of Korea played
true to form and disposed of Megan Kang, 7&6,
while No. 2 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and No.
3 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand rolled on with
4&3 and 3&1 victories over Amy Simanton and
Jennifer Yang, respectively.
Cyna, Jayvie pull off thrillers
By Jeric Lopez

PLAYERS, coaches and of-
cials of the Philippine Bas-
ketball Association are giving
back to the community.
A fund-raising campaign by
the pro league has raised over
P2 million for the victims of the
widespread ooding brought by
torrential rains.
National team coach Chot Reyes,
through his Twitter account, started
the campaign and encouraged his
colleagues to donate and reach out.
If all players and staff in the
PBA (approximately 200 per-
sons) give P5K each, thats P1
million, tweeted Reyes.
Right after Reyes started the
campaign, players from various
teams quickly responded. As of
now, the players have collected
around P300,000, which will be
added to the fund of the PBA.
Acouple of hours later, the Man-
ny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation
donated P1 million more.
For its part, the PBA board
also pledged another P1 million.
PBA commissioner Chito
Salud said that the league is
always ready to provide a help-
ing hand in times like these.
The PBA is always ready to re-
spond to the needs of our kababay-
an. Our track record bears that out.
Aside from the PBAs P1-million
donation in cash, our team owners
and players are ready to take part
in any activity that supports the
case of alleviating the plight of the
families victimized by the recent
oods. We send our deepest sym-
pathy to victims,said Salud.
PBA coaches,
cagers, execs
lend a hand
LONDONNow that Kobe
Bryant, strangely missing, has
nally joined the fun, the US
appears complete.
Oh, there are some major de-
fensive aws, but that hardly
matters to this suped-up, Amer-
ican-manufactured scoring ma-
chine that goes from zero to 100
points in seconds.
Overpowering and dominant
in a way not seen since the 1992
Dream Team, the Americans are
now two wins from a second
straight Olympic gold medal.
Argentina awaits.
Were ready, Carmelo An-
thony said.
Pushed by teammate Kevin
Durant to turn it on, Bryant
scored 20 pointsall in the
second halfand the US team
stomped its way into the semi-
nals with a 119-86 win on
Wednesday night over Austra-
lia, which scrapped as hard as it
could until the worlds best team
put the game away.
Bryant made six 3-point-
ers, LeBron James racked up
a triple-double with 11 points,
14 rebounds and 12 assists and
the U.S. moved a step closer to
gold on the 20th anniversary of
the 92 teams historic rampage
in Barcelona. With NBA Com-
missioner David Stern and two-
time Olympian Dwyane Wade
watching from the stands, the
Americans set up a rematch in
the seminals with Argentina
a team they buried by 29 in the
preliminary round.
Unless the Argentines, with
their roster of thirty-somethings,
can nd a way to slow down the
US, another lopsided loss seems
inevitable.
We have maybe a ve-per-
cent chance of winning, for-
ward Manu Ginobili said after
Argentina beat Brazil 82-77 to
set up a third straight meeting
with the US in the seminals.
But we are going to ght for
that. AP
US quintet moves 2 wins shy of gold
Tiger not the only one
eyeing a breakthough
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C.Golfs past 16 major championships have
gone to 16 different playersnot one of them named Tiger Woods.
Luke Donald has come up empty too. So have Lee Westwood and
Steve Stricker.
Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott were denied in agonizing fashion.
Rory McIlroy won the US Open in 2011. This year, he missed the cut.
Which player needs to win this weeks PGA Championship the
most? Take your pick.
If I was to pick up a major, I think the popularity, and the fact that I
would be a little bit better known would certainly increase, said Don-
ald, who is ranked No. 1 in the world but is 0-for-35 as a pro in majors.
In terms of preparation, I feel like Ive tried everything. In the end it
just comes down to being able to perform during that week.
Whether you have 14 major titles like Woods or none like Don-
ald, the PGA Championship is the last chance of the year to win
one. That may not add a sense of urgency for everyone, but it does
bring some extra drama, especially with so many top players eager
for a breakthrough.
Woods hasnt won a major since the 2008 U.S. Open, and his pursuit
of the record 18 professional majors won by Jack Nicklaus has stalled.
I gure its going to take a career. Its going to take a long time,Woods
said. Jack didnt nish his until he was 46, so if you go by that timetable,
Ive got 10 more years. Four more majors is a lot. Ive got plenty of time.
Woods won by ve strokes at Bay Hill, came from behind to win
at the Memorial, and made a late rally to win at Congressional in
the AT&T National. So its been a good year for him.
Donald, meanwhile, nished tied for fth at this years British
Open. That was an encouraging sign after he missed the cut at the
US Open. Turn to A7
TEAM Manila, dedicating its
game to ood victims back home,
gave rivals from Westchester, Cal-
ifornia a neat lesson at the Wilson
Field of the Vandenberg Park in
Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Coming up with a relentless
game, the Asia Pacic repre-
sentatives swamped the West
squad, 14-2, for their rst-ever
crown in four years last Thurs-
day (Wednesday in the United
States) in Big League Softball
World Series championship.
The Manileno squads ve-
inning victory marked Manilas
rst-ever title conquest after
runner-up nishes in 2008, 2010
and 2011.
This is a special game for
us, because before we started, I
told the girls, If you want to be
a champion, play like a champi-
on. This game will be dedicated
to the people from the Philip-
pines, who are experiencing a
huge ood, said Team Manila
coach Anna Santiago in an on-
line article back in Michigan.
Shortstop Queenie Sabobo led
the Filipinas with three RBIs.
They quickly took charge with a
seven-run spurt in the rst two in-
nings, with three coming in the rst
behind the efforts of third baseman
Michelle Lentija and Sabobo.
Lentija drew rst blood with
her double, which scored Krisna
Paguican. Then, Sabobo fol-
lowed it up with a single, which
sent pitcher Rizza Bernardino
and Lentija sprinting back to the
home plate.
In the second inning, Paguican
singled in Mary Joy Floranza
and Charmaine Joy Oria. Ber-
nardino then allowed Paguican
to score on a ball, before hitting
a homerun.
Manila may have committed
a pair of errors, but it did not
matter after it came up with 14
hits and continued scoring seven
more times, taking 7-0 lead.
The Filipinas made it to the nals
after winning seven games, and los-
ing two during the eliminations.
They scored ve in the fth to
build a 14-0 lead before the West
Region representative from Los
Angeles then strung together
three hits and spoiled Bernardi-
nos shutout bid. Peter Atencio
Manila is softball world champ
6/49 000000000000
6/42 000000000000
6 DIGITS 000000000000
3 DIGITS 000000
P0.0M+
P0.0M+
LOTTO RESULTS
2 EZ2 0000
STRIPPED OF GOLD
LONDONThe IOC is set to formally strip
American cyclist Tyler Hamilton of his gold
from the 2004 Athens Games and reassign the
medals after his admission of doping, accord-
ing to an Olympic ofcial familiar with the
case. With the eight-year deadline approach-
ing, the ofcial told The Associated Press
the IOC executive board will meet Friday to
readjust the standings from the road race time
trial and award the gold to retired Russian rider
Viatcheslav Ekimov. AP
Sports
Manila Standard TODAY
Riera U. Mallari, Editor sports@manilastandardtoday.com sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
A8
And then there was one
USAs Kobe Bryant celebrates a 3-pointer against Australia during a mens quarternals basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Wednesday in London. The Americans won, 119-86 to reach the seminals. AP
Cyna Rodriguez blasts out of the greenside bunker on No. 5 (USGA photo)
Caluag
Business
Manila Standard TODAY
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
B1
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Ray S. Eano, Editor extrastory2000@gmail.com
Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor
Tanduay selling more shares
Philex defers acquisitions amid Padcal closure
Petrons net profit drops sharply
Closing August 9, 2012
PESO-DOLLAR RATE
PSE COMPOSITE INDEX
5,256.61
52.06
OIL
PRICES
TODAY
P780-P895.00
LPG/11-kg tank
P54.55-P61.02
Unleaded Gasoline
P46.10-P49.90
Diesel
P52.34-P57.85
Kerosene
P38.50-P39.20
Auto LPG
FOREI GN EXCHANGE RATE
Currency Unit US Dollar Peso
United States Dollar 1.000000 41.7960
Japan Yen 0.012745 0.5327
UK Pound 1.565500 65.4316
Hong Kong Dollar 0.128942 5.3893
Switzerland Franc 1.029336 43.0221
Canada Dollar 1.005530 42.0271
Singapore Dollar 0.803148 33.5684
Australia Dollar 1.056189 44.1445
Bahrain Dinar 2.652661 110.8706
Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266667 11.1456
Brunei Dollar 0.799936 33.4341
Indonesia Rupiah 0.000106 0.0044
Thailand Baht 0.031756 1.3273
UAE Dirham 0.2727272 11.3799
Euro Euro 1.236100 51.6640
Korea Won 0.000885 0.0370
China Yuan 0.157196 6.5702
India Rupee 0.018090 0.7561
Malaysia Ringgit 0.321854 13.4522
NewZealand Dollar 0.814930 34.0608
Taiwan Dollar 0.033344 1.3936
Source: PDS Bridge
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Thursday, August 9, 2012
40
42
44
46
48
P41.760
CLOSE
Closing August 9, 2012
5200
4460
3720
2980
2240
1500
1200
VOLUME 559.560M
HIGH P41.745 LOW P41.780 AVERAGE P41.758
IN BRIEF
DMCI offers
to buy British
mining firm
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Smart rewards loyal load sellers via
Ka-Partner Rewards program
Individuals who sell
Smart Load now have
a million more reasons
to keep growing their
business. All load part-
ners of leading wireless
services provider Smart
Communications, Inc.
(Smart) now enjoy in-
stant prizes and have a
chance to win one mil-
lion pesos with the telco
leaders Ka-Partner
Rewards program.
The Ka-Partner
Rewards program is
one of the ways through
which we recognize the
invaluable contribu-
tion of our most valued
partners all Smart
Load sellers all over the
country, whether big
businesses or the micro-
entrepreneurs and the
key role they play in
our own success, said
Noel Lorenzana, head
of Smarts Wireless
Consumer Division.
The reward program
qualifes all Smart Load
retailers served by a Smart
Distributor now more
than a million nationwide
-- to join and enjoy the
various loyalty rewards
currently available.
Every P100 Smart
Load they sell per
day is turned into one
point, which can then
be accumulated and
used to avail of servic-
es such as free SMS,
airtime or load wallet
value, to name a few.
For example, 35 ac-
cumulated points can
be exchanged for 300
SMS to any Smart or
Talk N Text number,
free.
Alternatively, Smart
Load sellers can opt to
accumulate their points,
that they can exchange
Ior e-tickets -- or raIfe
entries. Thirty-fve ac-
cumulated points can
be exchanged for one
e-ticket, 50 points for
fve e-tickets, and so
on. These e-tickets al-
low all participants to
join the quarterly raIfe
for a chance to win a
variety of huge priz-
es. The frst quarterly
draw which was held
last July 5, picked 920
lucky Smart Load re-
tailers to win prizes like
P100,000 and P10,000
cash, Smart Netphones
and Sodexho gift
certifcates.
The next quarterly
raffle which will be
drawn on October 4,
2012 will allow yet
another chance for
retailers to win the
same set of prizes.
Smart Load retailers
have until September
30, 2012, to convert
their accumulated
points into e-tickets
to join the raffle.
In the fourth quar-
ter draw happen-
ing on December 20,
2012, more retailers
can win bigger prizes
up to P150,000. The last
day to convert points
and join the fourth quar-
ter draw is on December
15, 2012.
The grand raIfe, hap-
pening simultaneously
with the fourth quarter
draw, Smart is giving
away two brand-new
cars and the cash prize
of P1,000,000 to one
very lucky Smart Load
retailer!
Its also a way for
us to encourage them
to live more, or keep
growing their business
and increase their own
proftability, while at
the same time provid-
ing affordable and ac-
cessible mobile service
to their communities,
Lorenzana ended.
Photo shows (seated) Smart Wireless Consumer Division Head Noel Lorenzana (left) and head of Sales and
Distribution Ting Jimenez, together with key Smart Sales and Marketing executives at the unveiling of the Smart
Ka-Partner Rewards Program.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
TANDUAY Holdings Inc., a liquor
company that will soon be transformed into
the holding company of beer and tobacco
tycoon Lucio Tan, is selling up to 3 billion
shares that could potentially raise P37
billion based on its current trading price.
Tanduay said in a disclosure
to the stock exchange it would
sell secondary shares owned by
controlling shareholder Tangent
Holdings Inc.
The company will sell the
shares to institutional investors
and nalize the terms of the
offering. The offering could
generate as much as P37.2 billion
in proceeds based on Tanduays
closing price of P12.40 apiece on
Thursday.
The share sale will also enable
the company to increase its
public oat to over 10 percent as
required by the Philippine Stock
Exchange.
Share price of Tanduay has
been going after the company
announced it would transform
itself into the holding company
of Tan.
The board of Tanduay earlier
approved to revise its incorporation
articles and by-laws, allowing it to
invest outside of liquor and acquire
Tans other assets.
Tanduay plans to invest in
several companies owned by
Tan, namely Fortune Tobacco,
Philippine Airlines, Air
Philippines Inc., Eton Properties
Philippines Inc., Asia Brewery
Inc., Philippine National Bank
and Allied Banking Corp.
The company, which will
change its name to LT Group
Inc., will be headed by Tans son
Michael Tan.
Tanduay said it would use P5
billion from shareholder Tangent
Holdings to fund investments
and acquisitions that will be
completed in September.
Tanduay plans to acquire a 90-
percent stake in beer brewer Asia
Brewery, at least 83 percent of
cigarette manufacturer Fortune
Tobacco Corp., 98.1 percent of
Eton Properties, 49.84 percent of
ag carrier Philippine Airlines,
50.97 percent of budget carrier
Air Philippines Corp., 34.79
percent of PNB and 27.62 percent
of Allied Bank.
Analysts said the move to
create a listed holding company
that will own Tans major assets
could be part of Tans estate
planning.
Metrobank nets P7.4b
METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. said
Thursday consolidated net income in the rst
half reached P7.4 billion, up 21 percent from
P6.1 billion booked in the same period last
year.
Metrobank attributed the strong income
performance to the banks healthy growth in
core revenues coupled with the rationalization
of operating expenses.
Total operating income increased 15 percent
to P29.1 billion, while net interest income grew
to P15.3 billion on the back of the 16-percent
increase in its gross loan portfolio.
Metrobank also reported a 30-percent
increase in non-interest income to P13.8 billion
from P10.7 billion a year earlier.
The bank said the increase was driven by
sustained growth in fee-based income, higher
contributions from associates, and strong
treasury and investment activities.
Share in net income of associates amounted
to P1.4 billion while trading and foreign
exchange prots reached P6.1 billion.
The bank set aside provision for credit and
impairment losses amounting to P2.5 billion
pushing NPL [non-performing loan] coverage
to 109 percent from 95 percent of last year,
Metrobank said.
The bank had P942.8-billion consolidated
assets and P111.2-billion total equity as of end-
June. Anna Leah G. Estrada
Metro Pac sees P6.3-b prot
METRO Pacic Investments Corp. said it
raised its core net prot guidance in 2012
to P6.3 billion from the original target of P6
billion, after the company posted strong rst-
half nancial performance.
Metro Pacic, which has investments in
toll road, hospitals, water utility and power
distribution, posted a net income of P3.44 billion
in the rst six months, up 76 percent from P1.96
billion posted in the same period last year.
The strong results for the rst half reect
signicant service level improvements and
efciency gains for all our operating companies.
The full year earnings outlook is encouraging
and I believe it appropriate to guide our
shareholders toward full year core net income
of up to P6.3 billion, Metro Pacic chairman
Manuel Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said he expected the operating
units to also sustain strong performance in the
second half.
Maynilad Water Services Inc. is expected to
post core net income P6.8 billion in 2012 as
billed volume may grow by 8 percent to 9 percent
while Metro Pacic Tollways Corp. targets to
book P1.6-billion net income as vehicle trafc
is expected to increase by 3 percent.
Jenniffer B. Austria
By Lailany P. Gomez
PETRON Corp., the bigger of the countrys
two oil reneries, said Thursday consolidated
net income in the rst half of the year plunged
nearly 100 percent due to the volatility of
global oil prices.
Petron chairman and chief executive
Ramon Ang disclosed to the stock exchange
that consolidated net income contracted 93
percent to P432 million from its operations
in the Philippines and Malaysia compared
with P6.04 billion year-on-year.
Ang attributed the contraction
to the P500-million second
quarter loss of its Philippine
operations and the consolidation
of the Malaysian business, which
resulted in a P1.6-billion loss.
Consolidated revenues rose
43 percent to P193.3 billion in
the rst half from P134.9 billion,
year-on-year.
Excluding Petron Malaysia,
Petron Philippines posted a net
income of P1.99 billion in the
rst half.
Ang said the industry saw a
steep and continuous decline in
crude oil and nished product
prices from April to the rst week of July.
In the Philippines, this led to 13 weeks
of consecutive price rollbacks in local pump
prices totaling P10.50 per liter for gasoline
and nearly P9 per liter for diesel, he said.
Margins narrowed as higher-cost inventory
were sold at lower prices. The precipitous
drop in prices was caused by the Eurozone
crisis and the slowdown in the economies of
the United States and China, he said.
While margins were contracting, Petrons
total domestic sales in the Philippines grew
9 percent in the rst half to 21.81 million
barrels, he added.
DMCI Holdings Inc. said Thursday it teamed
up with D&A Income Ltd. of UK to acquire
a London-listed miner with signicant assets
in the Philippines for 49.8 million pounds, or
about P3.2 billion.
DMCI said in a disclosure to the stock
exchange the offer involved the acquisition
of all the existing shares of ENK Plc, a
mining company that is developing Acoje, a
nickel mining project in Zambales.
DMCI said it would spend up to 31 million
pounds or P2 billion for the bid while the
remaining amount would be taken up by its
partner D&A.
D&A is an investment company, owned
by a trust of which Graham Edwards is a
principal beneciary. Graham Edwards is
chief executive of Telereal Trillium, one of
the UKs largest property companies.
Key shareholders of ENK owning 45.5-
percent stake in the company committed to
sell their stake to DMCI-D&A consortium.
The consortium made an offer to acquire the
remaining shares for cash.
We are very pleased to have reached
agreement with D&A and the independent
directors in relation to the offer, which we
believe to be in the best interests of the
company, its employees, customers and
shareholders, DMCI president and chief
executive Isidro Consunji said in a statement
to London stock exchange.
The offer gives ENK shareholders the
opportunity to crystallize their investment at a
signicant premium to the undisturbed market
price, Consunji added. Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILEX Mining Co., the largest gold
and copper producer, said Thursday
it will defer plans to acquire new
mines both here and abroad until the
company is able to resolve the Padcal
mine closure.
Philex chairman Manuel Pangilinan
said in a brieng it was prudent to defer
acquiring new mines because the mining
company was still assessing the situation
in Padcal mine, which was shut down on
Aug. 1 because of tailings spill.
For the moment it is best to delay
[acquiring new mines] until we really
have opportunity to look at Padcal
situation. Only when we know how
long and how much [it will require to
rehabilitate Padcal], then that is time that
Philex will be looking at new mining
opportunities, Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said earlier Philex was
looking to acquire an operating mining
rm, although he refused to divulge
details of the proposed acquisition.
Pangilinan said while acquisition
plans were deferred, development
works at Philexs Silangan mine in
Surigao del Norte would continue.
He admitted that with the closure of
Padcal mine, Philex would miss its P4-
billion core net income target in 2012.
Philex temporarily stopped
operations at its Padcal mine, as a
precautionary measure after heavy rains
in the past two weeks brought about by
typhoons Ferdie and Gener resulted in
an unusual and heavy accumulation of
rainwater in the tailings pond.
Philex said it was able to stop the
discharge in less than 48 hours. The
water and sediment from its tailings
pond are non-toxic and biodegradable,
the company said.
The miner is currently engaging
domestic and foreign consultants to
develop a rehabilitation plan to ensure
the safety and integrity of the tailings
pond facility, and an environmental
program that will address any
environmental impact which may have
been brought about by the incident.
Meanwhile, Philex said in a
disclosure to the stock exchange the
suspension of mining operations would
cost the company P220 million per
month. Jenniffer B. Austria
AS THE week winds down, the ood of information
on rising water levels is giving way to information
about relief operations.
Once again, social media was a critical resource
in coordinating rescue operations and ensuring
safety. The mobile phone has become information
source and lifeline, a way to avoid getting caught
in raging waters and a way to call for help. In
fact, research by the Ateneo de Manila University
suggests that death during a ood is 2.4 times more
likely for persons with no mobile
phones.
Clearly, a single mobile phone
does nothing to improve the
survival of an individual. There
are many factors at play.
The mobile phone
Mobile phones are reliable.
One of the lessons of Ondoy (the
2009 typhoon that put many areas of Metro Manila
underwater) was that the mobile phone is the most
reliable method of communication during a ood.
Rising waters cut off power and land lines but, as
long as the cell sites are working and your mobile
phone is charged, your mobile phone connects you
to the outside world. Of course, it helps that the
physics of mobile technology require that cell sites
be located above the reach of most oods.
Reliable mobile data services and relatively
inexpensive smart phones have put relatively
powerful technology into the hands of many
residents. What this means is that government
agencies now have the ability to send out real-
time bulletins that can be read by anyone who has
access to mobile data services.
A vast network of users, from all socio-economic
classes, is connected to the mobile phone network.
Perhaps the most important factor affecting the
impact of mobile phones on disaster operations is
the ubiquity of the mobile phone. Virtually every
household in Metro Manila has a mobile phone.
This means that a working phone potentially
connects you to millions of people who can provide
or disseminate information.
Social network
The companies that have found ways to put that
technology in the hands of the masses are also a
piece of the puzzle. The mobile network in the
Philippines is a powerful instrument precisely
because of the high levels of usage and this
is possible because of pricing and availability
innovations.
The level of use of mobile phones in the
Philippines is a constant source of amusement
for many. However, while the level of constant
connectedness of many Filipinos sometimes seems
to have reached comically epidemic levels, it cant
be denied that the mobile phone and social media
were powerful tools in coordinating efforts during
Ondoy.
In fact, Ondoy has been used worldwide as an
example of how social media can be utilized in
disaster management.
This is a lesson that many government ofcials
have taken to heart. The twitter account of the
MMDA was a lifeline for the many individuals
trying to gure out how to get home or how to get
to people that needed to be rescued. One MMDA
head used to say that his main occupation was
trafc and garbage. During rescue operations,
however, information about the state of roads is
critical in the organization of rescue and relief.
In Marikina, residents tuned in to the twitter
account of Marikinas public information ofce,
@MarikinaPIO, for news on the state of the river
and for evacuation notices.
The appropriate use of technology by those
in authority is also clearly an
important factor.
But what really made the
difference in this disaster was the
many individuals who provided
information and disseminated
it. The monitoring of oods and
road conditions came not only
from ofcials but from the many
citizens actually out on the road or in buildings
overlooking major thoroughfares. There were also
many individuals who took information and found
ways to make a positive differenceby passing
on information, volunteering or providing relief
goods.
It was a comment that government ofcials
across the country were to echo in interview after
interview: No amount of preparation will work if
citizens refuse to cooperate.
Social media is a fabric woven of hardware
and software, the mobile phones, the cell sites,
the applications that allow individuals to make
information available. But the beating heart of that
fabric is people, the many individuals who care
enough to make a difference, to go beyond taking
advantage of the information and technology for
their own personal interests and use it to help
others. That is the real power of social media.
Social change
When nature shows her dark side, society often
has the chance to show its brighter side. Today, as
the sun shines once again on Metro Manila, is a
good time to reect on the possibilities.
A little less than two years ago, Mckinsey
published an article on ten tech-enabled business
trends to watch. At the top of the list was the role
that Web communities play in creating value.
The Mckinsey team reported that 70 percent
of executives surveyed for the report said that
their companies regularly created value via Web
communities. The report also explained that the
Internet allowed organizations to tap experts
from around the worldtapping into a world of
talent.
What we have seen at work in the Philippines is
technology enabling the creation of social good.
What we would like to see more of is to see that
same technology creating long-term social value.
You can e-mail Maya at integrations_manila@
yahoo.com. Or visit her site at integrations.
tumblr.com or www.mayaherrera.com.
TRADI NG SUMMARY
SHARES VALUE
FINANCIAL 11,831,290 830,582,113.35
INDUSTRIAL 154,221,270 969,036,333.06
HOLDING FIRMS 76,116,190 1,044,004,335.35
PROPERTY 23,2498,888 1,001,236,234.78
SERVICES 191,248,288 985,631,448.10
MINING & OIL 1,098,285,396 392,324,556.07
GRAND TOTAL 1,764,201,322 5,222,815,020.71
FINANCIAL 1,324.06 (down) 15.43
INDUSTRIAL 7,856.86 (down) 10.73
HOLDING FIRMS 4,378.67 (down) 26.44
PROPERTY 2,021.51 (down) 53.30
SERVICES 1,775.92 (down) 19.22
MINING & OIL 21,380.58 (down) 665.68
PSEI 5,256.61 (down) 52.06
All Shares Index 3,485.00 (down) 32.04
Gainers: 44; Losers: 122; Unchanged:38; Total: 204
Stocks dip; Philex,
Ayala Land tumble
Business
ManilaStandardToday
extrastory2000@gmail.com
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
B2
52 Weeks Previous % Net Foreign
High Low STOCKS Close High Low Close Change Volume Trade/Buying
MST BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012
M
S
T
FINANCIAL
70.50 46.00 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 63.00 63.50 62.10 62.25 (1.19) 4,210,070 (81,271,301.00)
76.80 50.00 Bank of PI 77.10 77.30 76.85 76.85 (0.32) 1,977,360 13,435,556.50
1.82 0.68 Bankard, Inc. 0.72 0.72 0.70 0.72 0.00 19,000
595.00 370.00 China Bank 472.00 471.20 470.00 470.40 (0.34) 1,800
1.95 1.42 BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. 2.10 2.05 2.05 2.05 (2.38) 300,000
23.90 12.98 COL Financial 22.40 22.50 21.95 21.95 (2.01) 127,200 (683,650.00)
20.70 18.50 Eastwest Bank 19.68 19.70 19.24 19.40 (1.42) 518,800 2,558,194.00
89.00 50.00 First Metro Inv. 72.00 72.00 71.60 71.60 (0.56) 3,690
3.26 1.91 I-Remit Inc. 2.46 2.46 2.30 2.46 0.00 3,000
98.00 60.00 Metrobank 98.75 100.00 97.00 97.50 (1.27) 2,288,480 (19,873,328.50)
3.06 1.30 Natl Reinsurance Corp. 2.01 2.00 2.00 2.00 (0.50) 39,000 18,000.00
126.00 45.00 Phil Bank of Comm 80.00 85.00 82.00 85.00 6.25 410 (4,100.00)
77.80 41.00 Phil. National Bank 75.90 75.95 73.70 75.00 (1.19) 149,470 (7,413,098.00)
95.00 63.50 Phil. Savings Bank 84.00 85.05 85.05 85.05 1.25 10
500.00 204.80 PSE Inc. 378.00 377.00 368.20 375.80 (0.58) 5,170 929,050.00
45.50 25.45 RCBC `A 44.40 44.75 44.40 44.40 0.00 55,800.00 (492,985.00)
155.20 77.00 Security Bank 149.20 149.50 143.00 143.00 (4.16) 352,630 (38,330,372.00)
1240.00 890.00 Sun Life Financial 890.00 890.00 890.00 890.00 0.00 30
140.00 58.00 Union Bank 101.00 101.50 100.00 101.40 0.40 220,000 158,724.00
2.06 1.43 Vantage Equities 1.73 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.16 51,000
INDUSTRIAL
35.50 26.50 Aboitiz Power Corp. 34.40 34.65 34.45 34.65 0.73 3,303,900 79,450,385.00
13.58 8.00 Agrinurture Inc. 8.56 8.55 8.53 8.53 (0.35) 37,600 (8,550.00)
23.90 11.98 Alaska Milk Corp. 20.00 20.00 20.00 20.00 0.00 5,000
1.70 0.97 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.45 1.45 1.41 1.43 (1.38) 812,000 142,000.00
48.00 25.00 Alphaland Corp. 29.70 29.50 29.50 29.50 (0.67) 200
1.65 1.08 Alsons Cons. 1.41 1.40 1.37 1.40 (0.71) 241,000
Asiabest Group 25.00 25.85 23.45 23.45 (6.20) 33,400 11,750.00
138.00 45.00 Bogo Medellin 51.20 51.30 51.00 51.00 (0.39) 1,200
2.96 2.12 Calapan Venture 2.38 2.35 2.35 2.35 (1.26) 51,000
3.07 2.30 Chemrez Technologies Inc. 2.55 2.52 2.47 2.52 (1.18) 130,000
9.70 7.41 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 9.72 9.71 9.17 9.71 (0.10) 200
7.00 4.83 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.70 5.74 5.65 5.70 0.00 13,850,400 (16,830,945.00)
6.75 2.80 EEI 7.41 7.77 7.45 7.70 3.91 6,669,000 25,642,117.00
25.00 5.80 Federal Chemicals 9.70 9.70 9.70 9.70 0.00 700
18.00 12.50 First Gen Corp. 18.60 18.40 18.10 18.18 (2.26) 2,961,900 22,616,648.00
78.55 51.50 First Holdings A 77.50 78.00 76.30 76.55 (1.23) 307,230 (6,637,534.50)
30.90 22.50 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 19.80 21.00 20.45 20.95 5.81 26,900
0.02 0.0099 Greenergy 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 (6.67) 40,400,000 (560,000.00)
12.36 7.80 Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.00 13.00 12.80 12.80 (1.54) 18,100 (14,080.00)
7.40 3.80 Integ. Micro-Electronics 4.34 4.40 4.25 4.25 (2.07) 243,000 (64,500.00)
2.35 0.74 Ionics Inc 0.620 0.630 0.620 0.620 0.00 160,000
120.00 80.00 Jollibee Foods Corp. 100.50 101.50 100.00 100.00 (0.50) 907,710 (73,763,281.00)
Lafarge Rep 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 0.00 5,000
8.40 1.04 LMG Chemicals 1.92 1.96 1.92 1.92 0.00 375,000 378,370.00
1.90 1.11 Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. 1.51 1.51 1.51 1.51 0.00 29,966,000
3.20 1.05 Manchester Intl. A 2.70 2.70 2.55 2.70 0.00 14,000
26.00 18.10 Manila Water Co. Inc. 25.95 26.65 25.80 26.55 2.31 1,711,000 (6,928,830.00)
295.00 215.00 Mla. Elect. Co `A 266.20 267.60 259.60 260.00 (2.33) 233,520 (5,899,986.00)
3.00 1.96 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.45 3.55 3.31 3.39 (1.74) 2,844,000 364,450.00
17.40 9.70 Petron Corporation 10.10 10.10 10.04 10.10 0.00 102,000 (97,416.00)
14.94 8.05 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 8.55 8.75 8.30 8.44 (1.29) 60,600
3.78 1.01 RFM Corporation 4.01 4.03 3.81 3.96 (1.25) 4,638,000 (1,000,650.00)
3.90 2.01 Roxas Holdings 2.38 3.00 2.60 2.80 17.65 210,000
6.50 2.90 Salcon Power Corp. 5.20 5.14 5.14 5.14 (1.15) 1,000
33.00 26.50 San Miguel Brewery Inc. 34.10 34.10 34.10 34.10 0.00 101,000 23,870.00
132.60 110.20 San Miguel Corp `A 112.40 112.50 112.20 112.50 0.09 193,140 6,923,510.00
1.90 1.25 Seacem 2.35 2.36 2.26 2.30 (2.13) 10,491,000 (2,550,150.00)
2.44 1.80 Splash Corporation 1.80 1.79 1.73 1.76 (2.22) 557,000
0.250 0.112 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.143 0.145 0.140 0.140 (2.10) 2,750,000
5.30 3.30 Tanduay Holdings 12.98 13.40 12.12 12.40 (4.47) 17,168,100 18,206,520.00
1.41 0.90 Trans-Asia Oil 1.18 1.18 1.17 1.18 0.00 692,000
69.20 37.00 Universal Robina 59.00 60.00 58.80 59.45 0.76 981,660 (19,141,841.50)
5.50 1.05 Victorias Milling 1.57 1.56 1.40 1.45 (7.64) 10,515,000 111,900.00
1.12 0.310 Vitarich Corp. 0.580 0.580 0.580 0.580 0.00 170,000
18.00 2.55 Vivant Corp. 9.01 9.00 9.00 9.00 (0.11) 4,100
1.22 0.70 Vulcan Indl. 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.00 41,000
HOLDING FIRMS
1.18 0.65 Abacus Cons. `A 0.74 0.74 0.69 0.69 (6.76) 14,258,000 213,000.00
59.90 35.50 Aboitiz Equity 48.80 48.80 48.05 48.50 (0.61) 1,591,700 5,289,860.00
0.019 0.014 Alcorn Gold Res. 0.0170 0.0170 0.0170 0.0170 0.00 5,100,000
13.70 8.00 Alliance Global Inc. 11.46 11.46 11.30 11.40 (0.52) 5,926,000 9,515,054.00
2.97 1.80 Anglo Holdings A 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 0.00 50,000
5.02 3.00 Anscor `A 4.71 4.72 4.56 4.56 (3.18) 583,000
6.98 0.260 Asia Amalgamated A 5.00 5.07 5.00 5.00 0.00 31,500
3.15 1.49 ATN Holdings A 2.18 2.18 1.98 2.08 (4.59) 267,000
4.16 2.30 ATN Holdings B 3.10 3.10 2.86 3.01 (2.90) 62,000
485.20 272.00 Ayala Corp `A 432.40 433.00 418.00 425.00 (1.71) 1,140,640 (165,946,210.00)
64.80 30.50 DMCI Holdings 57.20 58.90 57.20 57.70 0.87 1,632,990 (17,357,755.50)
4.19 1.03 F&J Prince A 2.66 2.70 2.70 2.70 1.50 1,000
5.20 3.30 Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.30 4.30 4.21 4.29 (0.23) 86,000 (21,500.00)
0.98 0.10 Forum Pacic 0.250 0.260 0.220 0.260 4.00 530,000
520.00 455.40 GT Capital 554.00 550.00 548.00 548.00 (1.08) 62,250 (2,549,280.00)
5.22 2.94 House of Inv. 5.05 5.20 5.07 5.12 1.39 185,700
36.20 19.00 JG Summit Holdings 33.30 33.30 32.80 33.00 (0.90) 168,800 (484,430.00)
6.21 4.00 Lopez Holdings Corp. 5.30 5.33 5.20 5.20 (1.89) 2,864,300 (14,094,051.00)
1.54 0.61 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 1.06 1.09 1.01 1.05 (0.94) 6,807,000 210,000.00
3.82 1.790 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 2.26 2.26 2.24 2.25 (0.44) 1,840,000 (117,200.00)
4.65 2.56 Metro Pacic Inv. Corp. 4.24 4.25 4.17 4.19 (1.18) 9,240,000 (3,359,310.00)
6.24 2.55 Minerales Industrias Corp. 5.30 5.20 5.14 5.20 (1.89) 275,600
7.50 1.22 MJCI Investments Inc. 7.25 6.99 6.00 6.20 (14.48) 43,500
0.0770 0.045 Pacica `A 0.0530 0.0540 0.0530 0.0540 1.89 8,000,000
2.20 1.20 Prime Media Hldg 1.540 1.410 1.350 1.410 (8.44) 296,000
4.10 1.56 Republic Glass A 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10 0.00 3,000
2.40 0.91 Seafront `A 1.50 1.39 1.39 1.39 (7.33) 1,000
750.00 450.00 SM Investments Inc. 731.00 740.00 730.00 730.50 (0.07) 105,520 (30,956,155.00)
1.78 1.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.80 1.85 1.80 1.81 0.56 1,375,000 (108,170.00)
0.420 0.101 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2200 0.2140 0.2140 0.2140 (2.73) 10,000
0.620 0.620 Wellex Industries 0.3200 0.3550 0.3050 0.3500 9.37 10,630,000
1.370 0.185 Zeus Holdings 0.400 0.400 0.385 0.390 (2.50) 1,170,000
P R O P E R T Y
48.00 18.00 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 20.40 19.90 19.90 19.90 (2.45) 500
0.83 0.38 Araneta Prop `A 0.600 0.600 0.550 0.550 (8.33) 50,000
0.218 0.150 Arthaland Corp. 0.171 0.171 0.171 0.171 0.00 10,000
22.85 13.36 Ayala Land `B 23.85 23.50 22.55 22.65 (5.03) 12,489,800 (104,466,815.00)
5.62 3.08 Belle Corp. `A 4.86 4.87 4.80 4.80 (1.23) 2,060,000 (1,676,000.00)
9.00 2.26 Cebu Holdings 5.52 5.53 5.52 5.53 0.18 93,100
5.60 2.00 Cebu Prop. `A 4.90 5.00 4.90 5.00 2.04 60,000
5.66 0.80 Century Property 1.37 1.39 1.36 1.38 0.73 892,000
2.90 1.20 City & Land Dev. 2.60 2.59 2.59 2.59 (0.38) 10,000
0.127 0.060 Crown Equities Inc. 0.080 0.079 0.073 0.079 (1.25) 270,000
1.11 0.67 Cyber Bay Corp. 0.81 0.82 0.80 0.82 1.23 789,000 81,640.00
0.90 0.54 Empire East Land 0.860 0.860 0.830 0.840 (2.33) 31,653,000 (2,340,200.00)
0.310 0.10 Ever Gotesco 0.200 0.200 0.190 0.190 (5.00) 1,650,000
3.06 1.63 Global-Estate 2.01 2.00 1.90 1.94 (3.48) 10,325,000 (3,707,870.00)
1.44 0.98 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.35 1.36 1.33 1.33 (1.48) 18,472,000 424,000.00
3.80 1.21 Highlands Prime 1.70 1.85 1.70 1.85 8.82 2,000
2.14 0.65 Interport `A 1.28 1.28 1.22 1.28 0.00 87,000
2.33 1.51 Megaworld Corp. 2.32 2.30 2.25 2.26 (2.59) 26,148,000 (20,220,870.00)
0.42 0.168 MRC Allied Ind. 0.1520 0.1570 0.1520 0.1520 0.00 2,520,000
0.990 0.080 Phil. Estates Corp. 0.7000 0.7600 0.6900 0.7600 8.57 41,605,000 2,133,000.00
0.71 0.41 Phil. Realty `A 0.450 0.445 0.440 0.440 (2.22) 280,000
3.50 2.08 Primex Corp. 3.50 3.65 3.12 3.50 0.00 99,000
18.86 10.00 Robinsons Land `B 19.50 19.60 19.50 19.56 0.31 3,447,500 (2,051,010.00)
7.71 2.51 Rockwell 4.05 4.14 3.98 3.98 (1.73) 1,007,000 112,580.00
2.70 1.80 Shang Properties Inc. 2.85 2.83 2.80 2.83 (0.70) 183,000
8.95 6.00 SM Development `A 6.21 6.41 6.17 6.17 (0.64) 4,634,800 2,779,888.00
18.20 10.94 SM Prime Holdings 14.06 14.20 13.92 14.06 0.00 10,960,100 6,856,762.00
1.03 0.64 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.74 0.75 0.72 0.72 (2.70) 408,000
4.55 1.80 Starmalls 4.09 4.08 4.05 4.08 (0.24) 30,000
0.80 0.45 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.540 0.530 0.500 0.530 (1.85) 700,000
4.50 2.60 Vista Land & Lifescapes 4.430 4.500 4.370 4.390 (0.90) 10,124,000 2,100,320.00
S E R V I C E S
42.00 28.60 ABS-CBN 29.30 29.30 28.10 28.50 (2.73) 418,800
18.98 1.60 Acesite Hotel 1.19 1.78 1.05 1.68 41.18 23,361,000 568,260.00
0.78 0.45 APC Group, Inc. 0.630 0.630 0.600 0.600 (4.76) 3,480,000
10.92 7.30 Asian Terminals Inc. 9.30 9.00 9.00 9.00 (3.23) 100,000
28.80 12.20 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 27.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 (29.63) 100
102.80 4.12 Bloomberry 9.95 9.98 9.85 9.85 (1.01) 2,956,200 1,357,257.00
0.5300 10.2000 Boulevard Holdings 0.1040 0.1230 0.1030 0.1200 15.38 41,410,000
24.00 6.66 Calata Corp. 6.78 6.88 6.36 6.40 (5.60) 624,600 51,598.00
86.90 62.00 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 68.05 68.15 67.50 67.50 (0.81) 320,690 (1,775,563.00)
9.70 5.40 DFNN Inc. 6.21 5.97 5.70 5.70 (8.21) 109,800
5.90 1.45 Easy Call Common 2.40 2.41 2.35 2.35 (2.08) 6,000
1172.00 11.70 Globalports 25.30 26.00 26.00 26.00 2.77 100
1270.00 831.00 Globe Telecom 1137.00 1137.00 1117.00 1120.00 (1.50) 79,340 (22,149,250.00)
11.00 6.18 GMA Network Inc. 10.40 10.46 10.24 10.30 (0.96) 601,900
77.00 43.40 I.C.T.S.I. 71.30 71.50 70.60 70.80 (0.70) 2,003,410 (19,203,354.50)
0.98 0.36 Information Capital Tech. 0.405 0.405 0.400 0.400 (1.23) 120,000
18.40 5.00 Imperial Res. `A 8.50 8.00 8.00 8.00 (5.88) 300
4.70 2.00 IP Converge 2.04 2.05 1.94 1.97 (3.43) 60,000
34.50 0.036 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.039 0.040 0.039 0.039 0.00 58,600,000 1,560,000.00
3.87 1.00 IPVG Corp. 1.01 1.02 1.00 1.02 0.99 108,000
0.0760 0.042 Island Info 0.0500 0.0550 0.0400 0.0550 10.00 20,000
5.1900 2.550 ISM Communications 3.1000 3.1000 2.9000 3.1000 0.00 13,000
3.79 1.62 JTH Davies Holdings Inc. 2.67 2.86 2.57 2.63 (1.50) 1,621,000
11.12 5.90 Leisure & Resorts 8.37 8.35 8.20 8.35 (0.24) 331,300 (158,650.00)
3.85 2.60 Liberty Telecom 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 0.00 19,000
0.84 0.57 Manila Bulletin 0.71 0.71 0.70 0.70 (1.41) 17,000
3.15 1.10 Manila Jockey 3.29 3.36 2.80 2.90 (11.85) 14,417,000 1,681,460.00
9.60 6.50 Metro Pacic Tollways 6.51 6.55 6.55 6.55 0.61 500
22.95 14.20 Pacic Online Sys. Corp. 14.30 14.40 14.00 14.30 0.00 51,000 (178,200.00)
8.58 4.60 PAL Holdings Inc. 7.15 7.28 7.12 7.12 (0.42) 23,200
3.32 1.05 Paxys Inc. 3.06 3.07 3.02 3.07 0.33 618,000
10.00 5.00 Phil. Racing Club 9.51 9.50 9.39 9.50 (0.11) 3,000 (9,500.00)
60.00 18.00 Phil. Seven Corp. 66.00 66.10 66.00 66.00 0.00 3,150 (198,300.00)
17.88 12.10 Philweb.Com Inc. 16.20 16.36 16.20 16.34 0.86 1,427,900 (2,611,142.00)
2886.00 2096.00 PLDT Common 2758.00 2750.00 2728.00 2728.00 (1.09) 100,490 (38,666,460.00)
0.48 0.25 PremiereHorizon 0.340 0.340 0.335 0.335 (1.47) 810,000
30.10 10.68 Puregold 28.30 28.25 27.65 27.75 (1.94) 1,120,000 3,849,855.00
4.75 3.30 Touch Solutions 3.53 3.54 3.53 3.54 0.28 4,000
3.30 2.40 Transpacic Broadcast 2.80 2.78 2.50 2.78 (0.71) 118,000 45,360.00
0.79 0.27 Waterfront Phils. 0.430 0.475 0.425 0.470 9.30 3,400,000 (118,000.00)
MINING & OIL
0.0083 0.0038 Abra Mining 0.0040 0.0040 0.0040 0.0040 0.00 112,000,000
6.20 3.01 Apex `A 4.86 4.81 4.70 4.70 (3.29) 1,099,000
6.22 3.00 Apex `B 4.85 4.81 4.75 4.75 (2.06) 432,000
25.20 14.50 Atlas Cons. `A 17.30 17.30 17.00 17.00 (1.73) 1,996,600 3,914,220.00
48.00 20.00 Atok-Big Wedge `A 27.95 27.35 27.35 27.35 (2.15) 500 13,675.00
0.380 0.148 Basic Energy Corp. 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.250 0.00 250,000
30.35 19.98 Benguet Corp `A 23.20 24.95 23.25 24.95 7.54 23,100
34.00 14.50 Benguet Corp `B 23.70 23.70 23.70 23.70 0.00 100
2.51 1.62 Century Peak Metals Hldgs 1.08 1.24 1.16 1.16 7.41 112,000 10,440.00
61.80 5.68 Dizon 23.95 24.00 20.30 21.00 (12.32) 1,025,100 74,730.00
1.21 0.50 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.57 0.57 0.56 0.56 (1.75) 3,366,000 28,000.00
1.82 0.9000 Lepanto `A 1.170 1.190 1.100 1.110 (5.13) 53,159,000
2.070 1.0200 Lepanto `B 1.250 1.270 1.150 1.180 (5.60) 23,075,000 (249,160.00)
0.085 0.042 Manila Mining `A 0.0650 0.0640 0.0590 0.0620 (4.62) 476,160,000
0.087 0.042 Manila Mining `B 0.0650 0.0640 0.0610 0.0610 (6.15) 62,930,000
36.50 15.04 Nickelasia 25.80 25.90 25.70 25.90 0.39 156,100 (1,520,350.00)
12.84 2.13 Nihao Mineral Resources 9.10 9.20 8.28 8.28 (9.01) 1,731,700
1.100 0.008 Omico 0.7200 0.6800 0.6800 0.6800 (5.56) 400,000
8.40 2.99 Oriental Peninsula Res. 4.550 4.600 4.360 4.420 (2.86) 518,000 (167,090.00)
0.032 0.012 Oriental Pet. `A 0.0170 0.0180 0.0170 0.0180 5.88 64,400,000
0.033 0.014 Oriental Pet. `B 0.0190 0.0190 0.0190 0.0190 0.00 3,500,000
7.05 5.10 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 5.91 6.00 6.00 6.00 1.52 27,100 (600.00)
28.95 18.50 Philex `A 19.70 19.66 19.00 19.06 (3.25) 4,894,400 (15,524,588.00)
48.00 3.00 PhilexPetroleum 38.00 38.50 36.35 38.00 0.00 319,300 5,558,030.00
0.062 0.017 Philodrill Corp. `A 0.050 0.050 0.049 0.049 (2.00) 284,930,000 1,886,500.00
69.00 46.00 PNOC Expls `B 41.00 50.00 49.95 50.00 21.95 800
257.80 161.10 Semirara Corp. 229.00 230.00 221.20 228.00 (0.44) 271,080 20,883,818.00
0.029 0.014 United Paragon 0.0160 0.0160 0.0150 0.0160 0.00 1,500,000
PREFERRED
47.90 27.30 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 26.70 27.50 26.50 27.50 3.00 7,277,800 (102,176,140.00)
First Gen G 103.50 103.00 103.00 103.00 (0.48) 50
18.00 12.50 First Phil. Hldgs.-Pref. 103.40 103.30 103.00 103.00 (0.39) 213,600
11.02 6.00 GMA Holdings Inc. 10.26 10.42 10.10 10.42 1.56 475,800
116.70 107.00 PCOR-Preferred 111.30 111.50 111.30 111.30 0.00 10,250
1050.00 1000.00 SMPFC Preferred 1030.00 1025.00 1025.00 1025.00 (0.49) 270
6.00 0.87 Swift Pref 1.10 1.16 1.16 1.16 5.45 1,000
MAYA BALTAZAR
HERRERA
INTEGRATIONS
Fabric
The beating
heart of that
fabric is people.
STOCKS retreated Thursday, as the
market digested information on the
adverse impact of oods on businesses and
operations of listed companies particularly
mining and property rms.
The Philippine Stock
Exchange index, the 30-
company benchmark, dropped
52 points, or 1.0 percent, to
close at 5,256.61, as all six
subsectors ended in the red.
The mining and oil subsector
was down 3 percent while
the property counter lost 2.6
percent.
The heavier index,
representing all shares, also
tumbled 32 points, or 0.9
percent, to 3,485.00, as losers
overwhelmed gainers, 122 to
44, with 38 issues unchanged.
Ayala Land Inc., the second
most actively traded stock,
fell 5.0 percent to P22.65, on
concerns the worst ood for
the capital city in three years
may delay projects. Its parent
rm, Ayala Corp., was the most
actively traded stock, losing 1.7
percent to P425.
Megaworld Corp. declined 2.6
percent to P2.26 while parent
Alliance Global Group Inc. was
down 0.5 percent to P11.40.
Philex Mining Corp., the
countrys largest miner, declined
3.3 percent to P19.06 while Nihao
Mineral Resources plunged 9
percent to P8.28.
Meanwhile, Asian stocks rose
for a fourth day and oil gained as
easing ination in China fueled
speculation policy makers will
have room for more economic
stimulus.
China said its consumer
price index rose 1.8 percent in
July, down from the previous
months 2.2 percent and
well below last years highs.
Lower inflation gives Beijing
more room to cut interest rates
or take other steps to shore
up economic growth that
has slowed sharply this year,
analysts said.
China has more scope to
ease if they want to but I expect
that they will prefer to take a
wait-and-see attitude, Andrew
Sullivan of Piper Jaffray in Hong
Kong said in a market analysis.
Ination is politically
dangerous for Chinas leaders,
since rising prices for food and
other necessities carries the
potential for unrest among tens
of millions of poor families
that spend up to half their
incomes on food. Ination also
erodes economic gains that help
underpin the Communist Partys
claim to power.
Japans Nikkei 225 index rose
1.1 percent to 8,975.27. Earlier
in the session, it surpassed the
9,000 level for the rst time
since July 6.
South Koreas Kospi jumped
2 percent to 1,940.15 after the
central bank announced it was
keeping its key interest rate
unchanged, a decision that met
analyst expectations. Hong
Kongs Hang Seng added 0.8
percent to 20,230.87. Australias
S&P ASX/200 rose 0.3 percent
to 4,324.20. Benchmarks in
Taiwan, Indonesia and mainland
China also gained.
With Bloomberg, AP
Business
ManilaStandardToday extrastory2000@gmail.com AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
B3
Vehicle
sales up
by 26%
Moodys sees
bank mergers
Capitalizing on disaster
CRITICS and opponents of the Reproductive Health bill wasted no time
in pronouncing the heavy monsoon rains as a sign of Gods wrath. The
antis circulated text messages and posted on Facebook that the rains
were tears from heaven, claiming that heaven is weeping because
of the RH bill, with some even going to the extent of generalizing pro-
RH bill groups as godless and Catholic Church haters.
Say what? Thats ridiculous drivelpoppycock as the Happy Hour gang
described it which only goes to show how low people can go, invoking
God and capitalizing on the disaster to push their agenda. If anything,
the ooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is punishment for
peoples stubbornness in throwing trash and garbage in creeks and rivers,
the greed of developers who put up subdivisions and condos in ood-
prone places, politicians corruption in allowing the proliferation of illegal
sh pens and their reluctance to relocate squatters lining up creeks and
riverbanks, among a lot of other reasons.
The ooding kindled the bayanihan spirit of many Filipinos, but it
also gave opportunity for the epal and the kupal (opportunists) to
take advantage. Thieves and looters probably thought the ood was
heaven sent, raiding abandoned houses and carrying off valuable
small items that people left in their haste to evacuate. A bungalow
homeowner who sought refuge in a neighbors three-story residence
and was at the veranda watching his house, submerged in knee-high
oodwaters, could only look helplessly when two men forced their way
in and started carting off several items (boombox, rice cooker, his sons
super hero collection, etc.). He knew there was nothing he could do,
so he simply shouted to the looters (in the vernacular)When youre
done, please dont forget to close the gate! Thank you!
In many places, small businessmen tried to make a killing, like bakery
owners who jacked up the price of bread from P2 to P5 a day after the
heavy monsoon rains inundated more than half of Metro Manila. As usual,
cellphone scammers went on overdrive, sending text messages announcing
that the recipients sim card won over a million in a fundraising draw by
the Central Bank and PCSO complete with fake DTI accreditation number.
They would ask the recipient to call a number and ask for all kinds of
information like address and bank account number. Like they say, disasters
can bring out the best and the worst in people.
Where in the world was Mayor Del?
While some LGU execs were busy monitoring the situation of their
constituents, the mayor of Marikina Del de Guzman was noticeable
for being nowhere. Fortunately, his vice mayor Jose Cadiz rose to
the occasion, coordinating with local and national disaster agencies,
directing rescue and relief efforts and going on TV to issue updates and
bring attention to the plight of Marikina residents.
Even the Marikina mayors ofcial Web site is uselessit is
totally non-interactive with stale, archived news as content and
incomprehensible graphs about rainfall monitoring and the water level.
Whoever is maintaining it should be given the pink slip. The Mayors
absence has spawned rumors about his whereabouts, with many
speculating that he was probably in London watching the Olympics,
while another rumor claims that he was in the US getting stem cell
treatment.
Where, oh were, can Del be? Marikeos were asking. Well,
cant really blame them if they now really miss Marides and Bayani
Fernandoand many others are also starting to refer to Cadiz as
Hizzoner.
Temporary bump
Over a hundred Philex Mining employees from various departments
have formed themselves into a task group to conduct trail clearing
down the Balog creek and start cleanup operations to prevent silt and
sediments from reaching the convergence site leading to San Roque
dam in Pangasinan.
In his update to chairman Manny Pangilinan, Philex Mining
president engineer Euls Austin said some employees would be
sleeping at the site while those near Tailings Pond No. 3which
registered accidental discharge owing to the unusual accumulation of
rainwater due to nonstop heavy rains in the past few weekswill be
returning to the mine site.
Happy to see that people from nance and other support services
are joining our operations people for the cleanup, Austin informed
MVP, who communicated his gratitude to the employees for showing
their own brand of bayanihan and malasakit. Please assure them that
this crisis is a temporary inconvenience, a bump along the road. Lets
all unite to hurdle this, and we will! We shall overcome! the Philex
chief rallied his people.

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

readers may e-mail to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com.
Republic of the Philippines
ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF
THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT
(PSA) BETWEEN MANILA ELECTRIC
COMPANY (MERALCO) AND SAN
MIGUEL ENERGY CORPORATION
(SMEC)
ERC CASE NO. 2012- 087 RC
MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY
(MERALCO),
Applicant.
x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x
NOTI CE OF PUBLI C HEARI NG
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that on July 5, 2012, the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) fled an application for the
approval of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) it entered into with San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC).
n the said application, MERALCO alleged, among others, the following:
1. t is a private corporation existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal offce located
at Lopez Building, MERALCO Center, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City;
2. t has a legislative franchise to operate and maintain a distribution system in the Cities/Municipalities of Metro
Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal and certain Cities/Municipalities/Barangays in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon
and Pampanga pursuant to Republic Act No. 9209, including the economic zones located therein, and is
authorized to charge all its customers for their electric consumption at the rates approved by the Commission;
3. On June 25, 2012, it executed a PSAwith SMEC for the purchase of 200 MW contract capacity until December
25, 2012, which will thereafter be increased to 500 MW contract capacity, of the Sua Power Plant (Unit 1),
a coal-fred power generating facility in Barangay Pangascasan, Sual, Pangasinan;
4. SMEC is a private corporation engaged in the generation of power and is the ndependent Power Producer
(PP) Administrator of the Sual Power Plant;
5. ts PSAwith SMEC, a copy of which was attached to the application as Annex "B and made an integral part
thereof, contains the following salient features:
2.2 Term of Agreement
2.2.1 Subject to Article 3, this Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date.
2.2.2 The term of this Agreement (the Term) shall commence on the Effective Date and shall
expire on the date falling seven (7) years from such Effective Date, unless terminated earlier
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or extended by the application of Section 2.2.3
or Section 14.3.2.
2.2.3 After the ffth (5
th
) anniversary, but no later than the sixth (6th) anniversary date of the Effective
Date, the Parties shall enter into good faith negotiations to decide on whether to extend
the Term; provided that any extension of the Term may be up to the expiration of the PPA
Agreement; provided further that, except for the Term, the same terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall govern the extension. The duration of the negotiations for extension shall
not exceed ninety (90) Days from the start thereof. f the Parties fail to agree to an extension
within the ninety (90) Day period, this Agreement will be non-extendible and expire on the
date falling seven (7) years from Effective Date.
xxx
3.3 Effective Date
3.3.1 f the ERC Final Approval is issued within the frst twenty fve (25) Days of a month, the date
of effectiveness of this Agreement shall be on the twenty sixth (26th) Day of such month in
which the ERC Final Approval was issued. f the ERC Final Approval is issued after the twenty
ffth (25th) Day of a month, the date of effectiveness of this Agreement shall be on the twenty
sixth (26th) Day of the month immediately succeeding such month in which the ERC Final
Approval was issued. MERALCO shall immediately notify Power Supplier of the issuance of
the ERC Final Approval as soon as it receives said ERC Final Approval.
3.3.2 Prior to and until December 25, 2012, the TSC will govern the supply to MERALCO of power
frorn the Plant in an amount up to 200 MW. For this purpose, MERALCO, with the consent and
cooperation of Power Supplier, undertakes to perform any and all commercially reasonable efforts
to maintain the effectivity of the TSC up to Decernber 25, 2012; provided that, if this Agreement is
approved prior to December 25, 2012, the rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of each
other under or arising from the TSC shall forthwith be superseded by this Agreement.
3.3.3 Notwithstanding that (i) the ERC Final Approval has not been issued by December 25, 2012,
and (ii) the documents under Section 3.2 of this Agreement have not been delivered before
December 25, 2012, the Effective Date shall nevertheless occur on Decernber 26,2012.
xxx
4.1 Supply of Power
4.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement:
4.1.1 From the Effective Date until the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, Power
Supplier shall:
(a) make available to MERALCO, and MERALCO shall purchase from Power Supplier, at the
Price determined in accordance with Appendix D, the Contract Capacity of the Plant; and
(b) sell to MERALCO, and MERALCO shall purchase from Power Supplier, at the Price
determined in accordance with Appendix D, the Associated Energy of the Plant, to the
extent of MERALCO's relevant day-ahead nominations.
4.1.2 The Contract Capacity and Associated Energy shall be dedicated exclusively to MERALCO for
so long as this Agreement is in force and effect. Notwithstanding this, MERALCO acknowledges
that the Power Supplier is required to offer any portion of the Plant's capacity not nominated
by MERALCO pursuant to the "must offer rule under the WESM Rules.
4.1.3 Unless otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement , Power Supplier shall provide
MERALCO with capacity and/or electrical energy exclusively from, the Plant.
xxx
7.1 Outage Allowances
7.1.1 Power Supplier is allowed Outages not to exceed sixty (60) Days for each Contract Year
(Annual Outage Allowance Days) of the Term, during which times reduced or no supply
of Contract Capacity or Associated Energy will be available to MERALCO; provided that
Power Supplier shall be allowed an outage of thirty (30) days for Major Maintenance (Major
Maintenance Outage Allowance Days), in addition to the Annual Outage Allowance Days,
once every fve (5) year interval reckoned from the last Major Maintenance in 2011. Unutilized
Annual Outage Allowance Days or Major Maintenance Outage Allowance Days, as the case
may be, shall not be carried forward to any subsequent Contract Year.
7.1.2 Any reduction in capacity from the Plant, whether due to an Outage, Major Maintenance
Outage, Events of Force Majeure or otherwise, shall be allocated pro rata among MERALCO
and its assignees, based on their Contract Capacity at the time of such reduction.
7.2 Replacement Electrical Output During Outages
7.2.1 During (i) Outages within the Annual Outage Allowance Days and, (ii) when applicable, Outages
and Major Maintenance Outages within the Full Load Equivalent Outage Allowance Days,
Power Supplier shall supply MERALCO with replacement Contract Capacity and replacement
Associated Energy at the WEP; provided that, during Scheduled Outages within the Annual
Outage Allowance Days and Major Maintenance Outages within the Major Maintenance
Outage Allowance Days, MERALCO shall have the option to procure replacement Contract
Capacity and replacement Associated Energy from the WESM.
7.2.2 f during any Contract Year, (i) the actual Outages exceed the Annual Outage Allowance
Days and, (ii) when applicable, the actual Outages and actual Major Maintenance Outages
exceed the Full Load Equivalent Outage Allowance Days, the Power Supplier shall procure,
at its own cost, such quantities of electrical energy from third parties (including the WESM) to
satisfy the relevant day - ahead nominations of MERALCO. Power Supplier shall indemnify
and hold MERALCO harmless from any loss, cost, expense or penalty incurred or paid by
MERALCO as a result of Power Suppliers failure to so procure such quantities of electrical
energy for MERALCO.
7.3 Scheduling Outages
By no later than October 31 of every year, Power Supplier shall inform MERALCO of the Scheduled
Outages and if any, Major Maintenance Outages, of the Plant for the succeeding calendar year as
submitted to the System Operator. Power Supplier shall keep MERALCO informed of any revisions
thereby approved or initiated by the System Operator at least thirty (30) Days prior to the start of such
revised Scheduled Outage and, if any, Major Maintenance Outages.
xxx
Article 8 Implementation of Open Access and Retail Competition
8.1 Commencement of Open Access and Retail Competition
The Parties acknowledge that Open Access and Retail Competition shall be implemented in phases
in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the ERC, and upon implementation, the amount of
Contract Capacity and Associated Energy may be adjusted for each phase in accordance with the
terms hereof.
xxx
8.3 Assignment or Transfer of Contract Capacity Due to Open Access and Retail Competition
Upon the implementation by the ERC of Open Access and Retail Competition, MERALCO shall also
be entitled to assign, transfer, designate, delegate or allocate (as determined by MERALCO) to any
of its Affliates, or to any of its business segments, to the extent allowed by Law, or to any third party
acceptable to Power Supplier (which express written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
its right to purchase such portion of Contract Capacity and Associated Energy reduced as a result of
Open Access and Retail Competition.
For the avoidance of doubt, in no case shall the reduction contemplated in Section 8.2 or the assignment
or transfer contemplated in Section 8.3 relieve or otherwise excuse MERALCO from payment for
the full Contract Capacity and Associated Energy except as otherwise assumed by the assignee or
transferee. MERALCO shall then be relieved from paying for, and from any liability pertaining to, such
portion of the Contract Capacity and Associated Energy assigned, transferred, designated, delegated
or allocated.
8.4 Any capacity that the Power Supplier reacquires from any Affliate or business segment of MERALCO
shall be taken by MERALCO under the same terms and conditions (including the Price) as contained
in this Agreement for the unexpired portion of the Term. This portion of capacity that MERALCO takes
shall be added to, and treated as "Contract Capacity " for the purposes of this Agreement.
Article 9 Billing and Payment
xxx
9.2 Payments
9.2.1 MERALCO shall pay the entire amount indicated in the Final nvoice (subject to Section 6 of
Appendix G) when due and payable, provided that MERALCO shall not be required to make
payment on any nvoice that is manifestly in error or apparently invalid.
9.2.2 f MERALCO disputes all or any portion of a Final nvoice for a reason other than a manifest
error in, or the apparent invalidity of, such Final nvoice, MERALCO shall nonetheless pay the
full amount of such nvoice (subject to Section 6 of Appendix G). Any payment by MERALCO
under this Section 9.2.2 is without prejudice to MERALCO's right at a later date to dispute,
protest or question any amount so paid. Xxx
xxx
Article 12 Covenants
12.2 ERC Approval
12.2.1 MERALCO shall use reasonable best efforts to secure ERC Final Approval in form and
substance satisfactory to the Parties on or before the Longstop Date.
12.2.2 For any positive difference between the Price under the ERC Final Approval and the rate
previously paid by or invoiced to MERALCO, MERALCO shall pay such difference to Power
Supplier. For any negative difference between the Price under the ERC Final Approval and
the rate previously paid by or invoiced to MERALCO, and only for the period of December
26, 2012 to June 25, 2013, Power Supplier shall refund such difference to MERALCO. Power
Supplier shall also pay for the period of December 26, 2012 to June 25, 2013, any penalty or
other costs imposed by the ERC as a result of the implementation of this Agreement for the
said period. The reimbursement or other adjustment shall be on such terms and conditions
required by the ERC. f the ERC does not specify such terms and conditions, then the
reimbursement or adjustment shall be amortized over such period equivalent to the number
of Billing Periods from Effective Date to the date the ERC Final Approval was implemented,
or on other terms as reasonably determined by the Parties.
12.2.3 f the ERC's Final Approval requires an amendment of any provision herein, including
provisions on amounts payable under this Agreement, or subjects such approval to any
material term or condition that is not acceptable to either Party, acting reasonably (ERC
Conditional Approval), the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to resolve the required ERC
amendment(s) or to address the material term or condition. The Parties may:
(a) Within ffteen (15) Days after the receipt by the Parties of the ERC Conditional Approval,
seek a reconsideration of the ERC Conditional Approval; or
(b) within sixty (60) Days after receipt by the Parties of the ERC Conditional Approval, revise
and fle an amended Agreement for approval by the ERC, or if the Parties fail to agree
on the amendment of this Agreement within the period prescribed in this Section 12.2.3,
terminate this Agreement;
provided that if the motion for reconsideration is denied by the ERC, or the amended Agreement
is disapproved by the ERC, or approved by the ERC but still with any material term or condition
that is not acceptable to either Party, acting reasonably, either Party may terminate this
Agreement upon thirty (30) Days prior written notice to the other Party
6. The Payment Structure, as provided in Appendix D of the PSA, shall be as follows:
2 PAYMENT STRUCTURE
The payment to be made in each Billing Period during the Term for Contract Capacity and Associated
Energy shall consist of a Capacity Payment and Energy Payment. The Capacity Payment consists of
Component A1 (MCP
USD
), Component A2 (MCP
PhP
), and Component B (MFOM), and the Energy Payment
consists of Component C1 (MFP
USD
), Component C2 (MFP
PhP
), Component D1 (MVOM
USD
), Component
D2 (MVOM
PhP
), and Component E (RPP). Thus, the payment for Contract Capacity and Associated Energy
for each Billing Period shall consist of:
MCP
USD
+ MCP
PhP
+ MFOM + MFP
USD
+ MFP
PhP
+
MVOM
USD
+ MVOM
PhP
+ RPP
6.1 The Capacity Payment (Components Aand B) consists of the Capacity Payments in Philippine Peso
and US Dollars and the Fixed Operations and Maintenance Cost (MFOM); and
6.2 The Energy Payment (Components C to E) shall be based on the cost of the fuel utilized by SMEC
to generate the energy provided to MERALCO during the relevant period.
7. A sample calculation of the contract price under the PSA, under given assumptions, is shown below:
Sample Calculation of Contract Price per kWh under the PSA between MERALCO and SMEC
(May 2012 Supply Month)
BILLING COMPONENT UNIT BILLING RATE CPI Adj Factor BILLING DETERMINANT AMOUNT (PHP)
A. Capacity Payment
US Dollar Portion (USD/kW-yr)
Peso Portion (Php/kW-yr)
B. Fixed O&M Fees
Peso Portion (Php/kW-yr)

C. Energy Payment

Peso Portion (Php/kWh)
D. Variable O&M Payment
US Dollar Portion (USD/kWh)

Peso Portion (Php/kWh)
91.97
7,901.74
1,200.00
2.2282
0.00150
0.00830
1.0000
1.0567
2.0290
500,000
500,000
500,000
288,000,000
288,000,000
288,000,000
(kW)
(kW)
(kW)
(kWh)
(kWh)
(kWh)
193,849,783.92
387,340,419.80
50,000,000.00
641,730,224.83
19,628,812.64
4,850,086.96
TOTAL PAYMENT (Php)
Effective Rate at Plant Gate (Php/kWh)
1,297,399,328.15
4.5049
Effective Line Rental Rate (Php/kWh) 0.3100
Effective Delivered Rate (Php/kWh) 4.8149
Effective Rate at NPC TSC* (Php/kWh) 6.0454
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Savings / (Increase) over NPC TSC (Php/kWh) 1.2305
Savings / (Increase) over NPC TSC, PHP 354,384,018.10
Meralco Energy Requirement, kWh 3,127,831,972.55
Generation Cost Reduction, PHP/kWh 0.1133
Assumptions:
(1) Capacity Payments based on Contract Year 2013 Capacity Fee rates (in the absence of Jan-Jun 2012 rates in
the Schedule 3)
(2) Average Feb-Apr 2012 Newcastle index = USD 109.29/MTon ; USD Freight cost = USD 12.48/MTon
(3) Contract Capacity of 500 MW
(4) Effective line Rental rates based on actual May 2012 WESM Preliminary bill.
(5) *NPC TOU rates inclusive of DAA, FPPCA, FxA and FBHC Adjustments based on May 2012.
(6) 80% Plant Ca paclty Factor; Equivalent Heat Rate = 2,492 kCa/kWh
(7) CP Adj Factor for Fixed O&M based on Apr 2012 PH CP (2006=100) = 129.40
(8) CP Adj Factor for Variable O&M based on Japan Export ndex = 99.5, US Export ndex = 124.1, European Export
ndex = 91.32 and PH Export ndex = 154.0
(9) Forex rate at PHP43.0/USD
8. The resulting average rate under the PSA is PhP4.5049 per kWh;
9. For the simulated month of May 2012, the effective rate under the Transition Supply Contract (TSC) would
be PhP6.0454 per kWh. Assuming that its PSAwith SMEC had been approved by said simulated month,
resulting in the corresponding reduction of the contracted energy under its TSC with the National Power
Corporation (NPC),
1
its generation charge for the simulated month is expected to be reduced by about
PhP0.1133 per kWh. Thus, it is essential and urgent that the instant application be approved in order to
immediately afford end-users the benefts resulting from implementation of the PSA
10. lt bears emphasis that the PSA provides for a longstop date of June 25, 2013, within which the fnal
approval of the Commission should be secured, otherwise, the PSA may be terminated;
11. MERALCO and SMEC have recognized that there is a paramount relevance and necessity to implement
the subject PSA immediately upon termination of the TSC on December 25,2012 in order to ensure
continuous and reliable electricity for its customers. The implementation of the subject PSA will clearly
redound to the beneft of the end-users as it will shield them from the detrimental impact of the expiration
of the TSC that may constrain it to source replacement energy (up to the 500 MW that would otherwise
have been sourced from the Sual Power Plant) from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM),
which would likely increase prices therein;
12. Section 3.3.3 of the PSA provides for its immediate implementation starting December 26, 2012, even
pending the Commission's fnal approval of the instant application, until June 25, 2013;
13. ln support of the instant application, the Judicial Affdavit of Mr.Ciprinilo C. Meneses, its Senior Manager
and Head of Energy Sourcing Offce, was attached to the application as Annex "C; and
14. t prays that after hearing on the merits, a Decision be rendered approving its PSA with SMEC.
The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and
evidentiary hearing on August 22, 2012 (Wednesday) at ten o clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing
Room, 15th FIoor, Pacic Center BuiIding, San MigueI Avenue, Pasig City.
All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by fling, at least
fve (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a
verifed 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 fle 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 a 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 fled with the
Commission during the usual offce hours.
WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, MARIA
TERESAA.R. CASTAEDA, JOSE C. REYES, ALFREDO J. NON, and GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, Energy
Regulatory Commission, this 16th day of July, 2012 at Pasig City.
ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN
Executive Director
_________________
1
The 10
th
whereas clause in the Memorandum of Agreement (for the Extension of NPC/PSALM-MERALCO Transition Supply
Contract (TSC) and Memorandum of Agreement for the Customer Choice Program) provides that, "the volume of contracted
energy under this extension will be reduced by the volume allocated to a SGC upon the effective date of the PSA between
MERALCO and such SGC
(MST-Aug. 3 & 10, 2012)
By Julito G. Rada

CAR sales in July grew
26 percent over the same
month in 2011, showing
the full recovery of the
industry from the sup-
ply disruption caused by
natural disasters last year
in the production hubs of
Japan and Thailand.
The Chamber of Automotive
Manufacturers of the Philippines said sales
in July hit 14,503 units, up from 11,504
vehicles sold a year ago.
Sales in the rst seven months also rose 7
percent to 87,377 units from 81,286 a year
earlier.
During the rst semester of the year,
Campis performance has signicantly
improved. During this time, manufacturers
have shown signs of recovery from the
limitations of supply due to last years ood
in Thailand, Campi president Rommel
Gutierrez said in a statement.
This July, the local automotive
industry has proved that it has fully
recovered and will be able to cater to
the growing demand for vehicles this
year. Moreover, July has always been a
seasonally high month in terms of sales
for the automotive industry and this was
reected by this months gures once
again, Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said with the auto industrys
strong performance in sales in the past
months, Campi would revise industry sales
forecast for the year.
He said the strong sales last month
demonstrated the industrys ability to
quickly recover in order to serve customers
demands.
By Anna Leah G. Estrada
MOODYS Investors Service, an
international credit rating agency, expects
more acquisition and consolidation in the
Philippine banking sector, following the
new rules issued by regulators.
The debt watcher said the pace of banking
consolidation is expected to increase after
the Bangko Sentral allowed rural banks
to be acquired by bigger lenders and non-
bank corporations.
The enhanced incentive program is credit-
positive for the nations nancial institutions,
Moodys said in a report. Previous policy
limited the investor pool to rural banks.
Moodys analyst Simon Chen said the
move of the Bangko Sentral and Philippine
Deposit Insurance Corp. to encourage
consolidation among rural banks was a
credit positive for the country.
We believe that the enhanced program,
which expands the investor pool from only rural
banks previously to now also include universal
and commercial and thrift banks, will increase
the pace of consolidation in an overcrowded
Philippine banking system, said Chen.
The Bangko Sentral and PDIC signed
last week the supplemental agreement to
implement the strengthening program for
rural banks, which allows universal and
commercial banks, thrift banks rural banks
and non-bank corporations to participate
as eligible investors and benet from the
program incentives.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Motoring
Manila Standard TODAY
Ramon L. Tomeldan, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
B4
NISSAN Motor Philippines, Inc.is living up to
this years theme of the Philippine Internation-
al Motor Show, organized by the Chamber of
Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines,
Inc.. Now on its fourth year, PIMS carries
this years theme of Drive the Fun, with the
promise to make the event more fun the fourth
time around.
Slated on August 16 to 19 at the World
Trade Center in Pasay City, NMPI will join
CAMPIs 12 other members and afliates
presenting its selection of fun to drive vehi-
cles from sedan to SUV to luxury, and even
an iconic car. NMPIs booth is going to be
a one-stop venue for attendees as they view
Nissans booth that will display the Grand
Livina Highway Star, X-TRAIL Highway
Star, Teana, and a preview of the Nissan
Almera.
Completing the list will be Nissans con-
cept model 370Z, Nissans well-recognized
sports car conceived to become an erotic
mechanism. The 370Z is a masterpiece
of the creative mind of Nissans Filipino
designer, who accepted Nissans challenge
when it held an open competition within the
global Nissan Design Studios.
We are excited for this years PIMS be-
cause its all about what Nissan believes and
lives for, Allen Chen, president of Nissan
Motor Philippines, Inc. enthuses. NMPI
designs and builds vehicles that zoom in this
whole concept. We believe in shifting the
way our consumers move by providing them
with vehicles built around them.
The Yaris B-Spec Club Racer, was built
by SportsCar Magazine utilizing an all-
new second-generation Yaris SE three-door
hatchback. It demonstrates how the all-new
Yaris offers a cost friendly avenue for ama-
teur racers eager to gain experience in SCCA
wheel-to-wheel racing. The Yaris B-Spec
Club Racers livery also pays homage to
Toyotas 1998 LeMans pole-winning GT-
One race car, as Toyota celebrates it return to
the famed racing series next year.
With the right size for drivers who need
an agile and functional vehicle, the all-new
2012 Toyota Yaris Liftback features sporty
styling, outstanding safety features and im-
proved fuel economy.
The all-new Yaris features a remarkable
attention to detail in the design and engineer-
ing of the vehicle. From its smart, interior
design and quiet, rened passenger cabin to
its responsive driving dynamics, the 2012
Yaris answers car-shoppers demands for a
no-compromise vehicle. On the local front,
the Yaris is Toyotas best selling variant by
having sold 1,254 units last July. It is also
the hottest selling car based on data from the
Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in
the Philippines. Dino Ray V. Directo III
CURRENTLY com-
peting in the SCCA
B-spec class race cat-
egory this year at the
famed Road America
Circuit in Elkhart Lake,
Wisconsin, the Toyota
Yaris (Vios in Southeast
Asia) Club racer car is
driven by Action Sports
Star and BMX legend
Jamie Bestwick. The
seven-time X Games
champion and former
Dew Tour Athlete of
the year is trading paint
and pushing the car to
its limits. Competitive
racing is not new to me.
It gives me condence
to have Toyota as my
partner in this endeav-
or, says Bestwick
Nissan redenes FUN
at the Fourth PIMS
Sporty styling inside and out.
POCKET-
SIZE TRACK
SCORCHER
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@play Life
Gianna Maniego, Editor
Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor
food travel event shopping
W
H
A
T

S
I
N
S
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E
FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2012
C1
TODAY
Manila Standard
More Fun in Cebu
INDEED, the months of June and
July were lled with happenings and
this article captures some of them.
The photos show that there is really
More Fun in Cebu in celebrating
milestones and fellowships. For
Cebus events, like my show
Windows Of Cebu which features
tourism landmarks and products,
at Channel 54 Amazing Cebu,
(aired daily morning, afternoon
and evening), with its new web
site www.amazingcebu.com, keeps
you posted with the latest travel,
tourism, business, education,
among others.
PROC Consul Zhang Wei Guo ( extreme
right) with Gloria and Joseph Gaisano.
The Benedicto Family -Enrison and Christine Benedicto, Genevieve and Consul Grand Benedic-
to, Consul Enrique and Helen Benedicto, Mylene Benedicto, Mary Ann and Bendy Benedicto .
The National Day of Belgium- Ambassador
Christian Meershman, Consul Enrique and
Helen Benedicto
At Sabores de Espana- Cutting the Jamon
Serrano- Spanish Consul Jaime Picornell,
Marco Polo GM Hans Hauri, Gemma Pido and
Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq
The 5oth wedding anniversary of Dr. Oliverio
Octavio and Lucia Segura at Casino Espanol
The highest Award of Appreciation given
to Consul Enrique Benedicto by the His
Majesty King Albert 11 by Royal Decree for
services rendered to the Kingdom of Bel-
gium, conferred by Ambassador Christian
Meershman with special guests Mayor
Michael Rama and Governor Gwendolyn
Garcia. It has the honoric distinction of the
Ofcer in the Order of Leopold, the highest
award given to civilians.
Martina Beling Go on her 84th birthday at
Crocolandia and launching of the Native Tree
Garden. She is shown with Consul Antonio
Chiu, family and friends.
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Smart FlexiSurf is broadband
that doesn't break the bank
How many times
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middle of sieging the
enemy base? And how
frequent do you ex-
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budget limit simply
because youre not
aware of your balance
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For as low as P299
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subscribers can enjoy
speeds of up to 5Mbps
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Philippines nation-
widest 3G network.
There is also Power
Plug-It Plan 499 and
the Pocket wi-Fi Plan
599 which offers the
same blazing-fast
speeds for 50 hours a
month.
our FlexiSurf plans
are several times more
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begin with, said Smart
Broadband Internet
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Head Lloyd Manaloto.
whats more, sub-
scribers can also keep
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The Intelligent
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The Intelligent
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Manaloto refers to
Smart Bros Anti-
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Anti-Bill Shock au-
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For virtually no
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This is something
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By Ed Biado
LETS face it: Metro Manila isnt the best
planned metropolis in the world. Trafc con-
gestion is a major problem. So are concentrated
populations at different areas, heightened by in-
formal settlements. The region is surrounded by
waterManila Bay to the west, Marikina River
to the east and Laguna de Bay to the southeast,
and then, theres the La Mesa Dam to the north.
When theres a violent storm, around 60 percent
of our roads are impassable. To say that its the
perfect recipe for disaster is an understatement.
And thats not an assumption. Time and
again, the entire metropolis gets ooded when
rainfall exceeds 400 mm on a 24-hour period.
In 2009, tropical storm Ondoy tested our resil-
ience when it dumped 455 mm of rain over the
course of 24 hours, killing 464 individuals (241
in NCR), displacing hundreds of thousands of
people and damaging P11 billion worth of infra-
structure and agriculture.
Now, were in the midst of a disaster again.
The recent monsoon (enhanced by typhoon Hai-
kui in China) that passed through Luzon unload-
ed 472 mm of rain accumulated over 22 hours
on Tuesday, surpassing Ondoys record.
If this keeps up, Metro Manila will be erased
from the map altogether. We can all migrate to
higher ground, but the real solution to ease the
effects of torrential rain is an urban planning
upgrade. Right after Ondoy, architects Felino
Palafox Jr. and Daniel Roos of Palafox Associ-
ates transmitted a list of urban planning recom-
mendations to Malacanang in light of
recent disastrous oods. It is a series
of steps to be undertaken in a span of 10
years to strengthen the metropolitan ar-
eas defenses against natural disasters.
Flood-proong
They recommend the construction
of a spillway from Laguna de Bay to
Manila Bay, the clearing of rivers, es-
teros, waterways and lakes and the re-
location of residents to higher ground.
The architecture rm also believes
that development in ood-liable areas
should be controlled and that hundred-
year ood lines should be established.
Palafox further stated that measures
including (1) solid waste management,
(2) ood control, (3) drainage, (4)
sewerage and (5) pollution abatement
should be in place, aside from the re-
forestation of hills and mountains (to
safeguard against landslides).
For the management of the me-
tropolis itself, a review of the functions
among government agencieslocal,
metropolitan, regional and national
should decrease redundancy and im-
prove efciency. It is recommended as
well that subdivision rules, regulations
and restrictions be revised, reviewed
and updated. Same goes for the Build-
ing Code, the Structural Code and other
development codes that may be related.
To ensure the safety of those living
near Laguna de Bay, Palafox suggested
road dikes. For other bodies of water,
the solution is to enforce the ease-
ments10 meters for rivers and lakes,
and 3.5 meters for creeks and esteros.
The architects are calling for the im-
provement of of urban planning, a term
that encompasses land use, zoning,
transport, infrastructure, location, den-
sity, type and timing of developments.
Disaster-proofing
the city
Engineering is another area to improve
on. Concerns include ood control,
drainage, sewerage, water supply, power
supply, telecommunications, garbage,
sanitation and trafc.
Last but not least, the architecture
of the structures are to be considered as
well, with focus on ood-proof de-
signs and constructions.
More solutions
Floods are not the metropolis only
dilemma. Because of houses being so
close to one another, res can spread
easily and consume an entire village.
Because of fault lines, earthquakes are a
major cause of concern too.
In a letter to President Noynoy Aqui-
no shortly after his assumption of of-
ce, Palafox sent him a letter containing
more recommendation for safer cities,
towns and communities as a response
to the possibility that a large percent-
age of the cities will be destroyed, along
with large human and material losses,
should Metro Manila and other urban
areas be hit by a severe earthquake or
ooding.
The long-term objectives are (1) to
disaster-proof major cities, (2) to devel-
op and strengthen urban facilities and (3)
to promote mass awareness on disaster
prevention.
In total, the rm put forward 60 spe-
cic recommendations that aim to solve
the countrys calamity-induced prob-
lems. Major topics include urban devel-
opment to prevent the spread of res,
securing open spaces, establishing pre-
paredness, setting up disaster-ghting
systems, securing evacuation spaces and
routes, preparing new disaster policies
and legislation, and large-scale ood
prevention measures.
It cannot be denied that, while a lot of
these recommendations are ambitious,
the government severely needs to up-
grade its facilities and policies to make
Metro Manila a more liveable and safe
place. After all, how many more Ondoys
can our battered, bruised and drowning
city take?
PROUD PINOY
Miami Heat coach
Eric Spoelstra traces
his roots to San Pablo,
Laguna where his
mothers family is from.
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C2 FRIDAY AUGUST 10, 2012
@ play Life
food travel events shopping
standardlifestyle@gmail.com
Gianna Maniego, Editor
Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor
ManilaStandardToday
By Lito Cinco
MIAMI Heat head coach
Eric Spoelstra is proud of
his Filipino heritage. He
traces his roots to San Pablo,
Laguna where his mother's
family is from.
During the recent NBA
championship series be-
tween Spoelstra's team and
the Oklahoma CITY Thun-
der, his face was one of the
most recognizable during
time-outs in the worldwide
television coverage of the
series.
" Winning the NBA
championship has not re-
ally changed my life a big
deal, maybe except in being
more recognized that I have
started wearing a baseball
cap more often than before
when I go out, good thing
I have not started using
false moustaches yet, " said
Spoelstra when asked by
this writer about his post-
NBA crown life now.
Spoelstra was exposed to
basketball at an early age.
His father was a basketball
executive with several NBA
teams. Spoelstra played bas-
ketball for the University of
Portland where he nished
a degree in communica-
tion in 1992. He even had
a playing stint win Europe
and spent the last 15 years of
his life with the Miami Heat
organization under multi-
titled coach Pat Riley, his
acknowledged mentor.
" It is not easy being an
NBA coach, you have to be
able to show and prove to
Proud to be
Filipino
You can't
beat the ood,
but you can
help yourself
By Ed Biado
Since Tuesday, the
Philippine trending topics
on Twitter have been all
about the rain. While
theyre tuned in to the news
on TV, Filipino netizens
are also glued to Twitter
and Facebook. Yes, we
still passively listen to and
watch the comprehensive
coverages via mainstream
media, but if we want to be
involved and play an active
role in the dissemination of
news and updates, we take
to social media.
This happened during
Ondoy and its happening
again right now. On
Facebook, users have
been posting pictures of
ooded roads and spilling
rivers and infographics
on everything from how
to prevent leptospirosis to
understanding PAGASAs
warnings. Scrolling
through your feed will
also educate you about
the things you need
to complete a 72-hour
disaster preparedness kit.
Of course, inspirational
messages abound as we
urge one another to stay
strong while were waiting
for the sun to come out.
Variations of Internet
memes didnt escape the
publics attention. A little
bit of humor featuring
Thor, a guy in a mermaid
costume and Michael
Phelps swimming in the
ood gave us a good laugh
while coordinating relief
and rescue efforts and
getting in touch with our
loved ones.
The vibe is similarly
unifying and positive on
Twitter. Local personalities
have placed themselves on
coordination duty, helping
ood victims get rescued
and making sure that word
about relief centers are
out there. Rhian Ramos
went as far as tweeting
that she was willing to
pick up relief goods from
donors in the Alabang
area. Foreign celebrities,
on the other hand, have
been sending messages of
hope and encouragement.
A shining example is Neil
Gaiman, who tweeted a
link to the Philippine Red
Cross PayPal/credit card
donation page.
Hashtags #ReliefPH and
#RescuePH were used to
organize concerns and
distinguish between tweets
about relief and rescue
operations. MMDA and
some local government
agencies, like Makati
Trafc, kept their Twitter
pages updated on the latest
about trafc conditions
and whether roads were
passable or otherwise.
Relief operations, on the
other hand, would tweet
about their progress,
requirements and routes
and followers would
retweet to help spread the
word.
The public monitored
the #walangpasok tag as
well, which news outlets
used when reporting about
class and wok suspensions.
Manila Mayor Alfr edo
Lim even declared
suspensions directly on
Twitter and interacted with
his constituents about the
state of the capital city.
FROM August 16 to 18, over 400 of
the leading China-based machinery,
electronics and technology providers
and suppliers will put together one
of the biggest exhibit and trade fair at
the SMX Convention Center, Mall
of Asia Complex. The Philippines
has once again been selected to host
the China Machinery and Electronic
Products Exhibition 2012.
The expo features over 10,000
sq.m of exhibit space where a
comprehensive showcase of over
25,000 high-quality electronic
products and machineries with
product proles ranging from
automotive and motorcycle
parts and accessories, electrical
products, electronic household
appliances, equipment and
machinery, industrial and hardware
products, food processing and
packing machinery will be made
available for local distributors,
traders and importers to purchase
at very competitive prices.
Year after year, the Philippine
market never fails to impress us.
The Philippines is home to one
of the fastest growing economies
in Asia, so were excited to return
to Manila this August. Over the
years, our exhibitors have been
very excited with the results of
their participation Manila has
become a favourite destination
SMX hosts biggest electronics expo
By Dinna Chan Vasquez
and Joba Botana
WHO knew that less than three years after
Ondoy, Metro Manila and nearby provinces
would be hit by monsoon rains so intense
that people jokingly said it was time to make
a modern-day Noahs Ark?
The thing about oods is that you dont
know when it will hit you. During Ondoy,
a colleague recalled that she was resting in
bed when she saw the water rising inside her
house.
It happened in less than 15 minutes. We
had to make a choice between our things
and the dog. We chose to save the dogs, of
course, she shared.
You cant predict what Mother Nature can
do but you can prepare yourself and your
household during the rainy seasons with
these handy tips:
Check your home and buildings insur-
ance covers ooding.
Make sure you know how to turn off
your gas, water or electricity if you are not
sure, ask your supplier for advice.
Keep a kit of essential items like cop-
ies of your insurance documents, a battery
powered torch and radio and a rst aid kit.
Make sure everyone knows the emer-
gency phone numbers, and when to call
them.
Learn the safest route from your home
to high ground.
Make arrangements for housing in the
event you need to evacuate your home.
Establish meeting places and phone
numbers in case family members are sepa-
rated by rising ood waters.
Prepare an emergency kit for the family.
These should consist of change of clothes,
food and water. Pack rubber ip ops for
every member of the family.
Store valuables on the second oor.
Store household chemicals above
ood levels.
Move vehicles to higher ground if the
rain is unusually intense.
If you are caught in your building by
rapidly rising waters, call for help then
move to the roof. Take warm, weath-
erproof clothing, a ashlight, a mobile
phone and a portable radio.
If you need to evacuate your place im-
mediately and the ood is already waist or
chest-deep, look for a board or a surf board
(if available) that you can use as a oater. If
you have a pen light and a whistle, keep this
with you, as you may need it when calling
out for help.
If you still have a chance, board
the windows (using plywood or sturdy
frames, if available) to provide safety as
well as decrease the chances of the win-
dows breaking.
If the power is cut off and you have dif-
culty nding your pen or ashlight, use
your phone as a light source. Or if you have
some Mountain Dew drinks in your fridge,
take it out. Pop the bottlecap, pour out or
drink its content until only 1/4 of its con-
tent is left, add some baking soda and three
bottlecaps of peroxide then put the lid back
and shake it. Now you have a homemade
glow-in-the-dark bottle.
Use an air bed as raft or mini-boat.
If the ood is already high making it
impossible for you to use the comfort room,
build a make-shift or temporary toilet at the
second level (or wherever safer ground you
are) of the house using a covered pail or a ve-
gallon bucket or a kitchen garbage container.
Be careful about rain water as it may
contain small particulates and acid. If you
need to purify water, boil it for 10 minutes
to destroy the bacteria. You may also do
chlorination by adding on 5.25 percent of
sodium hypochlorite. Mix it thoroughly by
stirring or shaking Purifying tablets, which
is generally known as halazone tablets, that
release iodine may be used safely to purify
drinking water. Follow the directions on the
package.Usually one tablet is sufcient for
one quart of water. The dosage is double for
cloudy water. Ordinary household Iodine
may be used to purify small quantities of
water. Add two to three drops of tincture
of Iodine to each quart of clear water (eight
to 10 for cloudy water). Mix and allow to
stand for 30 minutes.
Learn to send Morse code SOS, the uni-
versal sign for HELP. It can be sent many
ways such as by signal mirror, lantern, key
and whistle.
S (dit dit dit)
O (dah dah dah)
S (dit dit dit)
Dits are very short blasts of light or
sound. Dahs are longer (three times that of
dits) of light or sound.
of exporters from all over the
country, said CCCME vice
chairman Wang Guiqing.
The China Machinery and
Electronic Products Exhibition
2012 is anticipated to inject
millions of dollars worth of trade
and investments for both Chinese
and Philippine economies, further
cementing Chinas position as the
countrys top export and import
trade partner. Local businessmen
will be given the unique
opportunity to directly survey
and source the latest products and
emerging technologies available
in the international market.
Admission to the show is free
for all attendees. Trade buyers
and visitors can pre-register
online at www.globallinkmp.
com Show hours is from 10:30
am to 6:30 pm on August 16th
and 17th, and from 10:30 am
to 6:00 pm on August 18th. For
information, please contact the
local event manager, Global-
Link MP Events Intl Inc. tel:
(632) 750-8589 to 92 or email
info@globallinkmp.com.
Hashtag
love for
Manila
players that you can really
coach, push and motivate
them to be part of some-
thing, and build relations
with them, and earn their
respect. Age has not re-
ally been a factor, in fact
I am not the youngest NBA
head coach anymore un-
like before, " said Spoels-
tra who traces his mother's
Filipino roots in San Pablo,
Laguna .
Spoelstra recounted that
in last year's nals, his moth-
er Elsa Celino felt guilty
about Miami's loss because
she thought her going to Mi-
ami to watch was the reason
why the team.
"We lost, and she cried
a lot so this year, she de-
cided to stay home in Port-
land," he said.
Whether it worked for
her son's team or not will
be subject to speculation.
Spoelstra said not being
a pure American was not a
factor at all in his rise to the
highest strata of basketball
coaching. He feels that his
success has opened a lot of
eyes of others to the oppor-
tunities available but only
if one is willing to work
hard.
But what is more im-
pressive about Spoelstra is
was his willingness to get
involved in NBA's com-
munity relations events
like free basketball clin-
ics and tness-promotion
campaigns, and his recent
visit was not an exception.
This writer dropped by
the Jose Rizal Univer-
sity gym to get a glimpse
of Spoelstra at work with
boys from the Philippine
chapter of the not as a
coach but as a private citi-
zen and a famous one at
theSpecial Olympics.
And what was noticeable
was that Spoelstra was en-
joying himself, inter-acting
with the boys. He was just
having fun with the partici-
pants.
Philippine Special Olym-
pics president Alex Babst
was present at the gym,
watching over his wards.
"These boys all know
and recognize him, they
followed the NBA series
and we are really fortunate
that the NBA is one of the
supporters of the Special
Olympics that we have
been always invited to take
part in NBA events like
this. It is a great opportu-
nity for our boys. I am re-
ally impressed with coach
Spoelstra, with him being
a world champion coach in
the NBA and he shows no
inhibitions at all with the
boys," said Babst.
Spoelstra will denitely
be back.
" I will denitely spend
some time on a vacation
with my family. Here in the
Philippines, I will also take
time to visit my relatives
but I would want it to be a
very private one," he said.
The truth is that after the
championship series and
his schedule was being
prepared, Spoelstra insist-
ed that the Philippines be
made part of the itinerary
and if he will have his way,
it would become a routine.
"There is so much pas-
sion in basketball here,
I watched a game in the
PBA where I have made
a lot of friends, including
Tim Cone," he said.
Spoelstra's biggest regret
in life, believe it or not,
is that he was not able to
play in the PBA even for a
short time, but then look-
ing at where he is now, giv-
ing instructions to some of
the world's best basketball
players like Lebron James
and Dwayne Wade, there
will certainly be a lot of
takers if a choice is to be
made between being a
PBA player or coaching an
NBA champion team.
One of the memes
on Twitter shows
Michael Phelps
braving the oods.
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Transportation and Communications
LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE
East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
NOTI CE OF DI SPOSAL
The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE is inviting offers for the public bidding by way of sealed bids
the following impounded motor vehicle for disposal on an As Is-Where Is basis.
ITEM
NO.
PLATE
NO.
DESCRIPTION
Make Brand/series
NAME OF OWNER
OR TRADE NAME
LOCATION
1 TVZ 729 TOYOTA COROLLA GINA T. VILLEGAS/ANJIBELE TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
2 PVL 106 NISSAN ROBERTO REYES/SUNJA TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
3 PWY 760 TOYOTA COROLLA JOSELITO C. SANTOS/PJMM TRANSPORT LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
4 TWD 156 TOYOTA COROLLA AILYN H. SANTOS/JOMEA TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
5 PVZ 827 NISSAN MARIA LUISA MAGBANUA/LIENEL TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
6 TVA 932 TOYOTA COROLLA JESUS PADILLA/18
TH
OF DECEMBER TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
7 TXN 587 TOYOTA COROLLA MARVIN V. SANTOS/MVBS TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
8 TXD 201 TOYOTA COROLLA RONALD SANTOS/R.Z. SANTOS TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
9 TWZ 903 TOYOTA COROLLA PORTIA E. KOTBY/ALKOTBY TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
10 PXL 202 TOYOTA COROLLA PLARIDEL MONTALES/E & E TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
11 PWR 609 NISSAN MARVIE TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
12 PWR 829 TOYOTA COROLLA TEODORO ENRIQUEZ SALAZAR/PALIBHASA TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
13 PWM 516 TOYOTA COROLLA EDGARDO DELA CRUZ/PILCAR TRANSPORT LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
14 PVX 105 TOYOTA COROLLA MERCEDITA JIMENEZ/RUBYMHER LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
15 TWR 682 TOYOTA COROLLA HIGHWAY STAR LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
16 PYZ 784 TOYOTA COROLLA EPE TRANS.INC/E & E TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
17 TVE 130 TOYOTA COROLLA RONALD V. SEVILLA/R.V. SEVILLA LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
18 TXV 140 TOYOTA VIOS BABES M. CORPIN/VEROSE TAXI LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
19 TXK 753 PUJ/GASAK RECTO NAVOTAS TSCI NI ERLINDA DIMLA LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
20 DLB 644 PUJ/GASAK RECTO NAVOTAS TSCI P. GENESIS RAVIDA LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
21 TXK 924 PUJ/GASAK RECTO NAVOTAS TSCI B. LARRY MACUANA LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
22 TWZ 896 PUJ/LAGRO ROTONDA EDILBERTO/RISPIN ORIOL LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
23 No Plate PUJ PANTRANCO/MUOZ LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
24 No Plate BABY BUS JONCY8O8O LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
25 NYR 938 PUB/RL TRANS. CORP. NEWRL TRANSPORT CORP. LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
26 NYR 947 PUB R.L. TRANS.CORP. LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
27 PXC 457 PUB JAYROSS E.S. TOURS LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
28 PYY 358 PUB PRINCE SHUTTLE SERVICE LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
29 LVR 316 PUB RCI TRANS 103 LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
30 No Plate HONDA SCOOTER BLACK LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
31 UH 9855 ULTIMA ARNALDO M. LARA/SCOOTER RED LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
32 No Plate KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
33 No Plate YAMAHA RS100 MOTORCYCLE LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
34 No Plate EURO SCOOTER BLACK LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.
35 No Plate ZONGSHEN SCOOTER RED LTO CO., East Avenue, Diliman, Q.C.

Activity Dates Venue
1. Availalbility of Bid Form 08/08/2012 (8:00am to 4:00pm) GBM, LTO Central Offce
2. Submission of Sealed Bids 08/14/2012 (2:00pm) Bulwagang Edu
3. Opening of Bids 08/14/2012 (2:00pm) Bulwagang Edu
Bid tender should be properly addressed as specifed below:
Atty. ALFONSO V. TAN JR.
Chairman, Committee on disposal of Unclaimed Impounded Motor Vehicle
LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
The LTO reserves the right to reject any or all bid offers, or any part thereof or to waive any required
formalities and accept offers most advantageous to the interest of LTO.
(Sgd.) Atty. ALFONSO V. TAN JR.
Executive Director
Chairman, Committee on Disposal of Unclaimed Impounded Motor Vehicle
(MST-Aug. 10, 2012) (MST-Aug. 10, 2012)
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Public Works and Highways
Sorsogon District Engineering Ofce
Guinlajon, Sorsogon City
I NVI TATI ON TO BI D
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Department of Public Works and
Highways, Sorsogon District Engineering Offce, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City, through
the invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects.
Contract ID: 12FK0012
Contract Name: Package I
1. Conc. of San Vicente-Sta. Lucia Road, Bacon Dist.,
Sorsogon City
2. Conc. Of Inang-Ginablan Road, Pilar
Contract Location: Bacon District, Sorsogon City & Pilar
Scope of Work: Concreting of 4.10 km. x 2.5m. x 0.15m. Roadway,
Farm to Market Road
Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php19,400,000.00
Contract Duration: 80 C.D.
The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised
IRR of R.A. 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected
at the opening of Bid.
To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase
bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration
with DPWH, (b) Filipino Citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation,
cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost
of this contract, (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC
within a period of 10 years, and (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal
to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use
non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination
of bids.
Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration
to the DPWH-POCW Central Offce before the deadline for the receipt of LO.
The DPWH-POCW Central Offce will only process contractor's applications for
registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractor's Certifcate of
Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website
www.dpwh.gov.ph.
The signifcant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:
1. Receipt of LOI from prospective Bidders Aug. 10, 2012Aug. 24, 2012 until 12:00 noon
2. Issuance of Bidding Documents August 10, 2012 August 29, 2012
3. Pre-Bid Conference August 17, 2012 @10:00 A.M
4. Receipts of Bids Deadline: August 29, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M.
5. Opening of Bids August 29, 2012 @ 10:05 A.M.
The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD's) at the Offce of the
BAC Secretariat, DPWH Sorsogon District Engineering Offce, Guinlajon, Sorsogon
City upon payment of non-refundable fee of Php10,000.00. Prospective bidders may
also download the BD's from the DPWH website, if available. Prospective bidders that
will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before
the submission of their bids Documents. The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open only
to interested parties who have purchased the BD's. Bids must accompanied by a
bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the
Revised IRR.
Prospective bidder shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specifed in
the BD's in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The frst
envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy
of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the fnancial component of the bid.
Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in
the bid evaluation and the post-qualifcation.
The DPWH, Sorsogon District Engineering Offce, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City
reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time
prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.

APPROVED BY:
(Sgd.) ARTURO N. LEE
OIC-Asst. District Engineer
(BAC Chairman)
1. The PhiIippine NationaI PoIice, PoIice RegionaI Ofce 9 (PNP, PRO9) through its Regional Bids
and Awards Committee (RBAC)invites contractors registered with and classifed by the Philippine
Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract:
Name of Contract : Construction of Standard Type C Municipal Police Station
Brief Description : Construction of a Standard Type C Municipal
Police Station Building (Two storey with
Deck and Roong of BaIiguian MPS
Location : Baliguian Municipality, Zamboanga del Norte
ABC/Funding Source : Php5,161,000.00
(Php 4,661,000.00 GAA 2011 &
Php 500,000.00 LGU counterpart in kind)
Contract Duration : 180 calendar days
2. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary pass/fail
criterion as specifed in the mplementing Rules and Regulations (RR), of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184),
otherwise known as the Government Procurement ReformAct.Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be
automatically rejected at the Bid Opening.
3. Bidders who will not purchase the Bid Documents will not be allowed to participate in the Pre-Bid
Conference.
4. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizen sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least
seventy fve percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.
5. The schedule of RBAC Activities is as follows:
RBAC Activities Schedule
1. Receipt from prospective bidders queries re: Bid
Documents at its offce at PNP PRO9
Monday-Friday (only)
from 8:00A.M. 5:00 P.M.
2. Issuance of Bid Documents upon payment of
Php 10,000.00 (non-refundable)
August 10, 2012
3. Pre-Bid Conference at PRO 9 Conference Room,
Camp Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City
August 23, 2012
4. Receipt and Opening of Bids at PNP PRO 9,
Camp Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City
On or before September 06, 2012
at 1:00 P.M.
6. Bidders should have completed, within 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 Bid Documents,
particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.
7. Bid Documents maybe also downloaded free of charge fromwebsites of the Philippine Government Electronic
Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PNP, PRO9 (www.pro9.pnp.gov.ph) provided that the bidders shall
pay the fee for the Bid Documents prior submission of their bids.
8. Pre-Bid Conference is open only to parties who have purchased the bid documents.
9. Bids must be delivered to the address below and must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the
acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB clause 18.
*Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders/Bidders' representatives who will attend on
September 6, 2012 at the address stated. Late bids will not be accepted.
10. The Police Regional Offce 9 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 incurring any liability to the
affected Bidder/s. Further, Police Regional Offce 9 assumes no obligation to compensate any bidder/s for any
loss or expense incurred in the preparation of the bid or participation in the bidding process.
11. For further information, please refer to:
PSUPT RUPERTO DG SALAZAR
Deputy Chief, RLD/Head RBAC Secretariat
ORLD, PRO9 Camp Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City
Contact Numbers:0947-2910-975/0935-8514-081
E-mail Address:pro9_rld@yahoo.com/bob6713856@yahoo.com
Approved by:
(Sgd.) MARIO BIONG YANGA, CEO VI
Police Chief Superintendent, DSC
DRDA/Chairman, RBAC
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Interior and Local Government
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 9
Camp Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City
I NVI TATI ON TO BI D
CONSTRUCTI ON OF STANDARD TYPE C
{Two {2} 8torey with Deck and Roohng}
MUNI CI PAL POLI CE STATI ONBUI LDI NG
(MST-Aug. 10, 2012)
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
C3
TECH
ManilaStandardTODAY
onlineeditor@manilastandardtoday.com
Edited by Marlon Magtira
Tech
ManilaStandardToday
Philippines now
among top 10
Twitter nations
Google opens person
nder, flood crisis
info web tools
WIDESPREAD ooding in Metro Manila
and nearby provinces since Monday prompted
Google to switch on its Person Finder to help
in the search.
Available in Filipino and English, the tool
can aid users locate and share information on
missing and stranded people due to the oods.
Users can type in a persons name to look for
his or her location.
Accessible at http://google.org/personnd-
er/, The site features emergency contact infor-
mation and links.
Google News and YouTube provide a map
of shelter locations and ood information, and
latest news on the web site.
Real-time information from the Philip-
pines Project NOAH (Nationwide Opera-
tional Assessment of Hazards) can also be ac-
cessed through the site. Christian Cardiente
By Marlon C. Magtira
IN A bid to make the countrys national
university at par with the best schools
in Asia and the world, the University of
the Philippines (UP) recently unveiled a
massive digital interconnection project that
is expected to link its various campuses
and streamline its operations.
Dubbed as eUP, the project
has a budget allocation of P751.9
million in the next ve years,
although the interconnection
component is expected to be
completed by 2014.
The IT initiative, which
had its kick-off at the National
Institute of Physics Auditorium
in UP Diliman early this week,
will be undertaken mainly with
ePLDT, the Internet arm of
telco giant PLDT, and Beacon
Systems for system integration.
Another PLDT subsidiary, Smart
Communications, will provide
the Wi-Fi and connectivity
solutions.
In his speech during the
launch, UP president Alfredo
Pascual said emphatically that it
was high time for the countrys
premier university to overhaul its
processes and be able to pull out
crucial data easily to aid in policy
development.
The eUP, he said, would
hopefully address the nagging
problems that have beset the
school for a long time. This
will entail a lot of emotional
and intellectual investment as
well, since there will be a lot of
changes, Pascual said.
He pointed out, for instance,
UPs home-grown CRS
(computerized registration
system) which will be replaced
with Oracles SAIS system
currently being used by about
2,000 schools.
Although were UP, its not
practical to use and develop a
software just for the use of one
school such as in the case of CRS.
We have to be ready to embrace
change, Pascual said.
Pascual stressed, however, that
no employee of UP will be jobless
because of the eUP project.
The plan envisions a UP
System where operational
efciency is achieved through
the digital exchange of
information, sharing of data,
and electronic processing of
transactions.
Among the operational
challenges that the project
intends to solve are processing
of academic transactions, data
sharing, data collection, and data
management, report generation,
and reliable interconnection.
Under the project, it is also
hoped that the UP System will
see improvement in terms of
reduced paperwork and increased
number of students using ICT
for learning, shared services
across constituent universities,
increased savings, and improved
decision-making capability.
The steering committee
in charge of the project said
during the launch that the same
solutions being deployed by UP
have undergone benchmarking
tests at the National University
of Singapore.
The eUP, which is part of UP
Strategic Plan 2011-2017: The
Path to Greatness, aims to put the
university among the top-ranking
institutions in the Asia-Pacic
region and take a leadership role
in the development of a globally
competitive Philippines.
FACEBOOK may still rule the Philippine
social networking scene, but if the new study
by social media monitor Semiocast serves as
any indication, its claim no longer remains
unchallenged.
According to the rms global poll which
analyzed 517 million Twitter proles, the
Philippines now has around 9.5 million
registered users in the microblogging site.
This puts the country in the 10th spot in the
worldwide rankings trailing Spain and staying
one rung ahead of Turkey.
At the height of Tuesdays intense rain
and ooding all over the country, hundreds of
thousands of Filipinos trooped to Twitter to
spread critical ood information, as well as to
mobilize rescue and relief operations.
Even as the torrential rains rendered
several families stranded and helpless, with
ooded homes and without electricity, we
saw how people found their mobile phones
and mobile Internet especially useful
to stay connected, tweeting for help for loved
ones stuck elsewhere, and even for complete
strangers trapped on their rooftops, said
Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea.
In 2011 the Philippines reportedly has
around 93.9 percent of its 40-million strong
Internet population on Facebook, surpassing
more progressive countries in large part.
Pulling passwords out of a hat
FOR magicians, one of the most important tools in their bag of
tricks is the concept of misdirection. As you watch one hand, the
other hand pulls off the trick.
Recently there has been an increase in the theft of logon data,
such as user names, email addresses,
and passwords being stolen from
various websites.
The primary concern is that logon
data has been compromised. However,
hackers today are modern magicians;
you will see that there is more than
meets the eye when you understand
the true risk.
Password security should be a
principal concern. As soon as you are
notied of any password issues, change
your password on affected sites. To
their credit, the companies that have
been victims of these recent events
have done a good job notifying their
customers and taking the necessary
steps to reset passwords proactively.
They have locked-down accounts and
encouraged users to change their passwords. Despite all of these
efforts, there are usually more things to consider.
It is not uncommon for users to reuse the same logon name
or email address on other websites, as well as reuse the same
password. If you reuse logon credentials across sites, a logon and
password stolen at one site has made you vulnerable to attack on
other sites as well.
To add insult to injury, some attackers who steal this data do not
use it just for their own personal gain.
They freely post plain-text passwords
and password hashes online where
other attackers can nd them in
public forums or uploaded to torrent
sites, for instance. So, its not just one
hand performing the magic trick, its
several hands.
First things rst: change your
password on any site that is
compromised and make sure it is a
strong password. You should also use
different passwords across different
sites. This might be a challenge and it
may be impossible to remember all of
those passwords.
Avoid using a browser to store your
passwords. Put them in a safe, protected
place that is available to all your devices.
Symantec offers a product called Norton Identity Safe that can
help. It can be downloaded for free until October 1, 2012. It is not
the only solution there are plenty of good ones out there pick
the one that best suits you.
UP rolls out P752-M digital project
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
AUGUST 10, 2012 FRIDAY
C4
Isah V. Red, Editor standard.showbiz@gmail.com
showbitz
Manila Standard TODAY
LP President Mar Roxas administers oathtaking of Aga Muhlach as new recruit. Cesar Montano stands as witness while Charlene
Muhlach Gonzales stands by her husband side
People
are talking about
Angel Locsin
WHILE some celebrities are using social networking sites
to send their prayers and concern to the ood victims, the
Kapamilya star went down to the grocery store to buy re-
lief goods. Needless to say, Angel showed the public that
tweeting can reinforce help but doing the real job makes
all the difference.

Robin Padilla
The action star, amid numerous offers, still detest poli-
tics or at least does not see himself joining the ranks of Aga
Muhlach or Edu Manzano who are pushing themselves to
be part of the dirty world of politicians. As many would say,
politics is not the only place for someone to affect and reach
more people especially those unfortunate ones.

Walang Hanggan
People seemed to have enjoyed Paolo Avelino raping
Julia Montes. As a proof, the controversial rape scene
in the drama series has bolstered the shows TV ratings.
While it helped the programs viewership, does the station
have any plans to uplift the morale of women? ABS-CBN
programs seemed to always portray women in its drama
series as weak and stupid.
are not talking about
Heart Evangelista
She consistently denies her connection with Chiz Es-
cudero but is always seen in public together with the gov-
ernment ofcial. Who knows, Heart is probably just sup-
porting the politicians advocacies and maybe she would
be the senators endorser come elections. At least they are
trying to test their chemistry this early.

Derek Ramsay
Some people are dying to be in shoes, you know meet-
ing the Olympians in the esh, but the truth is only few
viewers are watching the Olympics on TV5s subsidiary.
Would it make any difference had the coverage done by a
bigger media organization? Sure Derek is getting a lot of
exposures in TV5 but they still fall short in sustaining his
popularity. In other words, he is better of with his previ-
ous network.

Dominic Roco
The other half of the Roco twins is sending a shout out
to his mother studio. He says GMA-7 is not giving him
enough room to grow (read no projects) but that doesnt
mean hell stop honing his craft. Hes been busy doing
indies these days. Kapuso network may be seeing Domi-
nic in a different way, you know, not cut to be a star.
Muhlach is an unlikely poli-
tician, and many people just
couldnt believe that the good-
looking actor known to shun
politics would eventually be
drawn to it. But can he become
the icon of new politics, more
committed to serving the con-
stituents rather that fullling a
personal agenda?
For years now I have been
observing life in San Jose, Ca-
marines Sur, he said a couple
of days before the oathtaking
took place on Friday last week.
If youre from the area or have
been to that place youd feel
what I have felt since the rst
time I went to visit the place.
San Jose is a municipality in
Camarines Sur and not very close
to the capital town of Pili. It is in
the fourth district more popularly
known as Partido, along with
Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa,
Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sagay,
Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac.
Muhlach disclosed that he
will be running for Congress-
man in a district that has been
for a century now controlled
by the Fuentabella clan. Is he
ready for a face off with this
powerful family?
The movie/TV star smiled as
if telling us that in this day and
age of President Noynoy Aqui-
nos brand of politics, traditional
players are being marginalized
and replaced by a bunch of new-
er and more committed to doing
right for their constituents.
He gets excited when he talks
about his district, saying, Partido
is beautiful. There are beaches,
mountains, forests, yet poverty is
prevalent in the area.
According to the poverty
map of the National Statistical
Coordinating Board (a think
tank of the UP National Col-
lege of Public Administration
and Governance), ve of the
districts towns are among the
poorest in Camarines Sur.
During the oathtaking at the
Araneta Centers LP Headquar-
ters, the hall was lled to the
rafters with new LP recruits na-
tionwide. Muhlach was with his
wife Charlene Gonzales, friend
Bayani Agbayani, fellow TV5
talent Cesar Montano, lm
director Joyce Bernal, friends
from the entertainment press,
including myself, and long time
buddies as well.
Secretary and LP President
Mar Roxas, administered
Muhlachs oath taking, while
Seceratary Jesse Robredo led
the oathtaking of the rest.
The commotion in the hall
after the ceremony with every-
one wanting photograph with the
new star of the Party could very
well be the sign of the times to
come in the early part of 2013,
when campaigning for the elec-
tive position go full blast.
After the oathtaking, members
of the entertainment press were
led to an area near the lobby where
they asked Muhlach why he is jo-
ing politics despite his ourishing
career in show business.
Well, my show is doing well,
may isa pang show that were
working on. May lalabas rin
kami na movie this year, so Im
really happy and grateful that
Im still working. Dito naman sa
politika, siguro everything just
fell into place. First, my family
is really from Partido; taga-Goa
kami. My lola is from there, my
dad. Parang lahat ng kamag-
anak ko taga doon, nakilala ko
na yung mga Amador, Go,
Borja, Romero, Abundabar,
Calleja (among others.) I have
a house there, matagal na, and
when I dont have to travel for
Pinoy Explorer, doon na talaga
kami ni Charlene and the kids sa
San Jose.
Second, I cannot deny na
napakaraming suwerte na ang
natanggap ko mula sa Diyos.
At hindi naman gaganda ang
buhay ko kung walang taong
nagtiwala, nagmahal, at hu-
manga sa akin. At yan rin ang
dahilan kung bakit ako papasok
ditodahil sa dami daming bi-
yayang naibigay sa akin, tama
lang na ibalik ko yan sa tao.
Kung ano ang dapat sa kanila,
ibigay ko sa kanila.
It is widely known that Agas
heart has always been in public
service, and that he has been qui-
etly helping thousands of people
throughout the years. Aga has
set up a foundation for the deaf,
funds a scholarship program, and
founded Ma-Aga ang Pasko. a
vearlv Christmas charity event,
with Jollibee Foundation, has
built classrooms and collected
and distributed toys and books
to thousands of underprivileged
children.
When asked what he can
promise the people of his district,
he said, Naku, hindi ko kay-
ang mangako ng kung anu-ano.
Lumang kwento na yan. Ilang
beses nang nangangako ang iba
pero pagkatapos ng eleksyon ay
parang ang bilis naman makal-
imot. Sa tingin ko, hindi effective
sa akin yung daldal ka lang nang
daldal. Mas maigi pa nga sa akin
yung tignan nalang ninyo yung
mga nagawa ko, tignan ninyo
kung sino ako.
Ito ang kaya kong ibigay
ang buong pagkatao ko, ang
pangalan kong buong buhay
kong pinangalagaan. Ang tagal
ko nang iningatan ang pan-
galan kohindi ko naman kay-
ang sirain yan.
We asked Muhlach if he was
ready for the dirty world of
politics. He looked up the ceil-
ing and then at us, Oo nga e.
Maraming nagsasabi sa akin
na magulo diyan. Pero naisip ko
din, madumi lang ang pulitika
kapag madumi ang tao. Magulo
ito kung makikigulo ka. At saka
ok naman po ako, ok na naman
ang pamilya ko, meron na rin
naman akong naipon. Hindi ko
gagawing hanapbuhay ang pu-
litika. Kung anong meron ako
ngayon, pinagharipan ko yan. Sa
buong buhay ko, wala namang
magsasabing nanlamang ako,
nanulot ako, nandaya ako, o nag-
nanakaw ako sa kahit kaninong
tao. And, he has big dreams for
the district. Ang dami daming
pwedeng mangyari sa distrito,
kung maayos ang namamahala.
Ang pangarap ko langyung
mahatid sa mga taga- Partido
yung tunay at totoong serbisyo
ng goberyo na matagal na nilang
hinihintay. Para maibalik naman
ang mga ngiti sa mukha nila. Sa-
sabayan ko sila para mangarap
silang lahat muli. Lahat naman
ng malalaking bagay, nagumpisa
sa isang pangarap.
AGA MUHLACH
Star of Liberal Party
WEEKEND last, as the inclement weather is brewing across
Luzon, a bright star lit the Liberal Party Headquarters at the
Araneta Center. Aga Muhlach was to take his oath as the
newest recruit of the ruling political party.
LOCAL jeannovator Freego
celebrates Freedom of Move-
ment and continues this in-
novative denim campaign by
co-presenting Pole Academy
Philippines (PAP) Jazz le Pole,
showing tomorrow, Aug. 11, 8
p.m. at the RCBC Carlos Ro-
mulo Theatre.
Featuring special perfor-
mances by PAP premier pole
dance artist and Freego brand
ambassador Annie Aniel, Jazz
le Pole showcases the dis-
tinct beauty of the dance form
through pieces choreographed
by PAP Creative Director Ed
Aniel, considered the pioneer
of pole dancing in the Philip-
pines.
The show highlights the
seamless convergence of tra-
ditional jazz and ballet dance
moves and pole dance tech-
niques, creating an innovative
line-up of standout perfor-
mances that exemplify the di-
versity of dance.
Proving denim is indeed a
versatile style staple, Freego
jeans will be donned by danc-
ers in a breathtaking nal per-
formance featuring key pieces
from the brands Reversible
and 3D Collections.
Tessa Ringor, marketing
manager of Jeanology, the com-
pany behind Freego, explains,
Freegos participation in Jazz
le Pole is an apt demonstration
of our Freedom of Movement
campaign, creatively reintro-
ducingthrough danceyour
favorite denims as wardrobe
must-haves that liberate and
not limit.
Brand personality Aniel
adds, As a pole dance artist,
I consider myself most free
when I am able to express my-
self and my creativity through
movementspecically my
pole dance performances. Im
glad that with Freego, every
person can now enjoy their
personal versions of freedom
through fashion.
PAPs Jazz le Pole is for
the benet of WE Interna-
tional Philippines (WEIP),
a non-government organiza-
tion advocating economic
development through educa-
tion projects, micro lending,
environment initiatives and
sustainable business develop-
ment service to help alleviate
poverty in the country.
For a preview of the antici-
pated Jazz le Pole, check out
the teaser video featuring the
Pole Academy girls perform-
ing in jeans at the Freego Fa-
cebook page. For exclusive
updates, follow the brand on
Twitter @Freego_Jeans.
Tickets are priced at P
1,000 (Orchestra Center),
P600 (Orchestra Side), and
P400 (Lodge and Balcony).
For tickets, call Arts in the
City at (632) 399-2211 and
FTX Fitness Exchange at
(632) 822-3311.
Denim meets pole dancing
Muhlach with friends after the oathtaking
Innovative denim campaign co-presenting Pole Academy
Philippine Jazz le Pole