Standard TODAY

Manila
Vol. XXVI No. 245 14 Pages, 2 Sections P18.00 Saturday, December 1, 2012

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Arroyo raps Ombudsman for keeping case findings

By Christine F. Herrera
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies on Friday called on the Ombudsman to make public a resolution that dismissed the plunder charges against her and her co-accused for allegedly misusing P366 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Ofce from 2008 to 2010. Arroyo and House Minority Leader Danily Suarez said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales withheld the release of the resolution because it contained ndings that showed there was no proof of plunder against Arroyo and her co-accused. Next page

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AQUINO TO SOLONS

End debates, just vote on RH bill

By Joyce Pangco Paares and Ronald O. Reyes
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III says he will not impose his will on lawmakers over the controversial Reproductive Health bill when he meets with them over lunch in Malacaang on Monday. He says he will make another push for Congress to vote on the measure once and for all, but he does not want the divisiveness that has rocked Congress to continue because of the debates over the RH bill, which is also known as the Responsible Parenthood bill. That bill aims to guarantee universal access to the methods of contraception, fertility control, sexual education and maternal health care, but the Catholic Church and some lawmakers are violently against it, saying it is immoral and anti-life. The Liberal Party will not impose our position, Mr. Aquino said on Friday. We will respect their individual conscience, but they have to decide. We will suggest to them to decide on the bill. Next page

Seasons greetings. Workers put the nishing touches on a green-inspired stage of the Pasig City Hall for the coming holidays. LINO SANTOS

Hawkish stand vs China urged

Beijing confirms new maritime policy in contested waters
By Sara Susanne Fabunan, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Joyce PangcoPaares and Maricel V. Cruz EVEN as Malacaang opted to remain cautious on Beijings latest policy ordering its naval forces to board and search ships entering the contested waters in the West Philippine Sea, the more hawkish lawmakers voiced a strong stand on the issue, as they pressed the government to take appropriate action against Chinas latest provocation.
Overseas, reports said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan, an Indonesian, said Beijings latest action was a very serious turn of events and could escalate the tension in the region. Pitsuwan said it was important to exercise restraint and approach the new development with a level head. President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, ordered the Foreign Affairs Department to verify the report on Beijings action. Mr. Aquino said he had asked the Foreign Affairs Department to check if Beijings alleged new maritime policy has been adopted
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NBI forms unit against cybercrime

By Marlon C. Magtira and Macon Ramos-Araneta
DESPITE a Supreme Court order temporarily stopping the government from carrying out the Cybercrime Prevention Act, the National Bureau of Investigation in Region 1 has created a Computer Crime Unit to determine and arrest people who violate the controversial law. At the same time, the Justice Department has issued a three-page primer to prepare for the implementation of the law, which has been challenged at least 15 times before the Supreme Court. The latest guide is a more detailed document about cybercrime in general. We hope to solicit comments and feedback to collaborate with interested organizations and stakeholders, said Justice Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, head of the departments Ofce of Cybercrime. The temporary restraining order against the implementation of the law expires Feb. 6, 2013, but the Philippine Information Agency on Friday quoted NBI supervising agent Martini Cruz as saying the newly formed Computer Crimes Unit will help investigators to probe if there [were] violations done by the social networking users.
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The Great Plebeian. President Aquino leads the unveiling of the logo of national hero Andres Bonifacio that will be toasting his 150th birthday next year in San Juan City on Friday, Bonifacio Day. At right, dancers perform the bolo dance in honor of Bonifacios 149th birthday on Friday.

SIN TAX BILL

Palace brushes aside Enriles scare tactic

MALACAANG on Friday dismissed Senate President Juan Ponce Enriles warning that the passage of the sin tax bill would pave the way for smuggled cigarettes to ood the local market. Presidential Communications Development Secretary Ramon Carandang said the rehashed scare tactic of massive smuggling had not been proven in the countries where cigarette and liquor taxes had been increased. We have not seen that happen in other countries, and we do not see that necessarily happening here, Carandang said. On Thursday, Enrile showed reporters a pack of the YunYan brand of cigarettes from China that he said were being sold widely in Divisoria in Manila. If we pass the [bill], would we be able to do something about the expected increase in smuggling? Enrile said. Malacaang earlier also disputed the claim of tobacco industry stakeholders that the bill will result in a 1,000percent increase in the tax levied on cigarettes. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the current tax rate of P2.72 would go up to P12 by next year and increase steadily until it reached P32 by 2016 once the bill became law. Even if you raise the cigarette taxes as proposed under the sin tax measure, the price of cigarettes in the Philippines would still be among the lowest in the region, Lacierda said. Next page

New route. Philippine Airlines president Ramon Ang (center), Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley (left), and Transport Undersecretary Jose Lotilla cut the ceremonial ribbon launching the airlines Manila-Toronto ight on Friday. JULIE FABROA

UN says PH lags behind in curbing HIV infection

By Macon R. Araneta
HEALTH authorities have made major progress in the worldwide battle against AIDS, but HIV infection that cause the deadly disease was an expanding epidemic in the Philippines, the United Nations said on Friday during the observance of the World AIDS Day. UN AIDS Country Coordinator Teresita Marie Bagasao said the Philippines is one of nine countries --- Bangladesh, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Sri Lanka --- where HIV infections is increasing by more than 25 percent. She said the number of people dying from AIDs remained the same since 2005 and a big number of new HIV infections were young people with ages ranging from 15 to 24. HIV epidemics in Asia and the Pacic are largely concentrated among people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and sex workers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Last year, an estimated 1.3 million people in 37 countries were living with HIV with 80,000 deaths attributed to AIDS annually. In the Philippines, 10,514 Filipinos, with about 20 percent overseas workers, were suffering Next page from AIDS.

Media hit over racist reports

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
AMBASSADOR to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. on Friday criticized media reports that pointed to Filipino workers incompetence and poor English language prociency as causes for the oil rig blast in the Gulf of Mexico that claimed three lives on Nov. 16. In a statement, Cuisia expressed dismay over the media reports that blamed the incident on Filipino workers. I will be doing Ellroy Corporal, Avelino Tajonera and the other injured Filipinos a great injustice if I do not speak out and express my disappointment and
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

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case, said Honasan. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, meanwhile, doubted if China was really serious in claiming ownership of the entire West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Enrile said that if the Chinese were that serious, they should have imposed a visa to all those who pass through the South China Sea. We are also there. So hows that? The fact is even America, Japanese, all kinds of ships pass through that sea. How can they say that belongs to them? Under what title recognized by other nations? That is their self-serving claim. As far as we are concerned, we do not recognize it. In Congress, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano, Zamabales Rep. Omar Jun Ebdane, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, were one in condemning Beijings latest policy and defending the countrys sovereignty, even as they urged the Palace to take the appropriate action. Albano, an oppositionist said that Chinas provocative action, should compel the Philippine government to take the necessary action by filing an international protest. This is enough of bullying, said Albano. If we dont do laws, she said. She also said that unlike the anti-cybercrime law, her bill would install guarantees against illegal searches and seizures. R.A. 10175 [the Cybercrime Prevention Act] violates the right to privacy and the constitutional guarantee against illegal search and seizure through allowing the warrantless real-time collection of traffic data. In contrast, the MCPIF ensures due process by providing strict guidelines for any collection of any data, including the securing of warrants, obligating notification, and limiting seizure to data and excluding physical property, Santiago said. Her bill would also compel government agencies to provide security for the data they collect from citizens to ensure their right to privacy, Santiago said. production. Cuisias sentiments were also echoed by Mark Pregeant, president and chief executive officer of Grand Isle Shipyard Inc., the contracting company that deploys the workers. Those gentlemen did not cut the wrong line. These gentlemen did not cut that piece of pipe with a torch, Pregeant said, also disputing reports that the fire was triggered by the wrong use of a torch by the workers. In his eulogy, Pregeant also paid tribute to Filipino offshore workers by recalling their contribution in the restoration of Louisianas oil production levels in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I do not have one customer who has something bad to say about Filipino workers. Let there be no mistake about that, he said. A co-worker of the victims, Romeo Capili, also expressed his something about it, tayo ang kawawa dito. Ebdane, meanwhile, observed that either the new Chinese Ministry was also impotent in controlling their military or the Chinese military was the one really in control of China and not their rulers. Ebdane, a member for the majority of the House committee on inter-parliamentary relations, added that the US government should also respond on this new irritant from China. It would be best if the US herself would respond to the question, Ebdane said. Colmenares, a member for the majority of the House committee on foreign affairs, also agreed that Chinas provocation was wrong. That is wrong and deplorable because it only increases the tension rather than encourage peaceful resolution, Colmenares. So it is but right that affected countries, including Philippines should not allow this imposition to go unchallenged. But the Aquino government should not stop there. The government should actively campaign for the ASEAN support for the immediate resolution of the issue and also pursue our case at the UNCLOS and the ICJ so that this dispute would finally be settled. The dangerous takedown clause of R.A. 10175, where the government may have a website or network blocked or restricted without due process of law, is absent in the MCPIF, Santiago added. My bill specifically provides for court proceedings in cases where websites or networks are to be taken down, and prohibits censorship of content without a court order. Santiago said a group of concerned netizenscomposed of software designers, IT specialists, academics, bloggers, engineers, lawyers, human rights advocatesapproached her office with a draft of the bill. The group formulated the MCPIF through discussions in an open Facebook group, e-mail, Google Hangout teleconferences, and social media channels like Twitter, she said. disappointment over the reports. It broke my heart to see something in the Internet that we Filipinos are incompetent. If that were the case, probably, we Filipinos would not have been asked to come back and work here since 2005, he said. In their response, Edna Tajonera, widow of Avelino, and Elmer Corporal, elder brother of Ellroy, expressed their appreciation for the support extended to them by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and their employers, D&R Resources and Grand Isle. Deputy Consul General Orontes Castro Jr. said Corporal left with the remains of his brother on Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Manila on Friday. Tajoneras remains, on the other hand, will be cremated this weekend and will be brought home to the Philippines by his family at a later date. Administration. The state will also promote openness to life provided that parents bring forth to the world only those children that they can raise in a truly humane way. Meanwhile, Migrante, the newly-accredited party-list group for migrant workers, on Friday slammed Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile for telling reporters that our biggest exports are [Filipino workers] the reason why I am against the RH bill. While Senator Enrile is right in his observation that [Filipino workers] are the countrys biggest exports...his justification for his anti-RH stand is misplaced and put in an improper context, said John Leonard Monterona, the groups vice chairman and regional coordinator in the Middle East. Enrile has said that Filipino workers are engaged in a contractual employment but eventually come home for reintegration into the jobless population, but Monterona said Enrile had failed to recognize the root cause of the Filipino workers forced migration.

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Hawkish...
officially or was just a proposal from the leadership of Hanan province, which has direct control of Sansha City, a newly-built city located near the West Philippine Sea. According to the China Daily, it was the Hanan government which issued the new policy, which will take effect on January, 2013. The President had said that the report may also have been exaggerated. It can also accelerate our bringing of our claim to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, said Mr. Aquino, referring to Manilas long-held position that the dispute should be solved multilaterally before an international body. He added that it would be very difficult to implement Beijings new policy, because it would be a violation of the provisions of the United Nations Law of the Sea or Unclos, where China is one of the signatories. But in a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei confirmed the new policy, by saying that it was their right to impose a coastal border defense regulation which

authorizes Chinas law enforcement over foreign vessels that illegally enter the China Sout Sea. Every country has the right to carry out maritime management according to law, Lei said. Lei added that Beijing will not pull out its three remaining ships in the Panatrag Shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island. China has indisputable sovereignty order the islands in the South China Sea. Hangyan Island is Chinas inherent territory and there is no sovereignty issue dispute over it, he said. He also cautioned Manila to stop words and deed that will complicate the South China Sea issue. In the Senate, re-electionist Senator Gringo Honasan said the country should be ready to defend its sovereign, but only after the government has exhausted all means of trying to resolve the issue peacefully. When theres no more other options left-- we had made appeals, we had sought the help of our allies in the international community, we had invoked US treaties and had brought the issue before the Nations, and yet, China has remained bullying us, what else can we do? So, its about time we should be prepared to defend our sovereignty

and the national territory, said Honasan. The former army colonel added that this is the right time for the government to review all bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements like the Visiting Force Agreement, the Mutual Defense Treaty and other treaties and agreements with our Asian neighbors. Now is the time for all these treaties, said Honasan, saying that Manila should ask Washington if it would allow Chinese marines to board our ships and expel them from the waters being claimed by China. We should ask the United States through their foreign embassy in the country. We should talk to the US ambassador here (Philippines) if they will tolerate China, said Honasan. He added that the US should also tell the world and our allies not to tolerate Chinas bullying because they could likely be the next victim after the Philippines. We can also go to the United Nations, and ask that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea be observed by China, but this is a protracted process similar to a court where evidence will be presented and heard by both parties. There are lawyers here, the judge, the jury. We need to get good lawyers to defend our punished with a corresponding fine depending on the length or degree of his or her case, the PIA quoted Cruz as saying. In the Senate, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she would seek passage of a law that would be known as the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom, to replace the Cybercrime Prevention Act, which penalizes online libel with hefty jail terms. Unlike the challenged law, she said, her bill would uphold freedom of expression of Filipinos in cyberspace. She added that her bill treated libel as a civil liability rather than a criminal act. While it is important to crackdown on criminal activities on the Internet, protecting constitutional rights like free expression, privacy, and due process should hold a higher place in crafting on that platform on Nov. 16 would not have been there if they did not pass stringent training, safety and language requirements both here in the United States and back home in the Philippines, Cuisia said. These men also have extensive experience in the oil and gas industry abroad and with such giants as Shell, Chevron and British Petroleum, he added. He said the Filipino workers were highly valued and well compensated because of their skills and proficiency in the English language. As of November 2012, there are about 42,000 Filipinos working in the offshore oil and gas industry in various parts of the world, data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed. About 2,000 of them are in the United States, including in Louisiana, which accounts for 23 percent of total US crude oil was evidenced by respondent Uriartes signature in the dorsal portion of the checks. The record is completely wanting of proof that the proceeds of the checks became the ill-gotten wealth of the respondents. It further stated that (t)he mere fact of receipt of the amount by a public officer by the nature of his public position does not automatically categorize the amount received as ill-gotten wealth. For to construe receipt alone at that stage would create a notion that cash advances in small amounts even for minor purposes such as travel, petty cash and the like of a cashier or any public officer would already be classified as ill-gotten wealth, the Somido resolution said. To be considered as ill-gotten wealth, this office is of the view that there must be evidence showing that the amount was already converted in some form that would establish ownership by the public officer i.e. bank deposits, properties, stocks in the name of the public officer or his/ her dummies, nominees, agents, subordinates and/or business associates and not by mere physical possession of the amount, it added.

Illegal drugs down

THE smuggling of illegal drugs into the country has gone down drastically as a result of the intensified campaign being enforced by the Bureau of Customs in the countrys airports and seaports, the agency says in a report. The report to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon says the bureau has confiscated illegal drugs amounting to halfa-billion pesos since it stepped up its campaign against those in all the piers and airports. The quantity of confiscated drugs increased 10 times this year as compared to 2010 and 2011, the report says. More foreigners were also arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into the country in 2012, and 15 of them are now in jail. The report says the increased number of illegal drugs seized and the higher number of couriers arrested indicate that Customs campaign against drug smuggling is succeeding. Biazon has said tourists are welcome to the Philippines, but warned that foreign drugtraffickers have no place in the Philippines. He has also vowed to rid his agency of scalawags and misfits, calling on travelers to report to his office Customs officials trying to extort money from them so they can be punished.

UN...
Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, called on governments to strengthen programs against AIDS and target sectors of the population that needed help such as sex workers and transgender people. We need to scale up and improve sustained, comprehensive, effective and stigmafree HIV prevention efforts, focusing on and working with men who have sex with men and transgender people, Dr. Shin said. He said sex workers and transgender people should have access to early diagnosis and life-saving treatment, condoms, lubricants, clean needles and syringes to stop the spread of HIV. United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Anthony Lake said a small number of pregnant women in the Philippines infected with HIV receive treatment and may transfer the infection to their babies. By definition, an AIDS-free generation depends on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable from HIV infection, Lake said. In observance of the World AIDS Day, the United Nations in the Philippines reaffirms its support to work with government, civil society and other developemnt partners as the Philippines seeks to develop new approaches and innovative models that will break the cycle of HIV transmission, and pave the way for a new AIDSfree generation, Bagasao said. This years World Aids Day theme is: Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDSrelated Deaths.

NBI...
Cruz was quoted citing an example of a Facebook user posting harsh words or obscene videos in his account. In these cases, we check the Facebook of the complainant to see if the offenses made are valid and subject to cybercrime offenses under Section 4 and once proven, we undertake thorough investigation, he said. Cruz also said the NBI is coordinating with the legal department of Facebook in the United States to hasten [the resolution] such related cases, and ensure that they have well-trained and capable workers to respond and investigate in times of similar crime. Persons that will be found guilty will be imprisoned and

Palace...
Thailands lowest-priced brand sells for P72 a pack, Vietnams P56 and Indonesias P48.50. Tobacco companies remain profitable wherever they are, Lacierda said. The Philippines is a signatory to the World Health Organization framework on tobacco control, which has recommended an excise tax of at least 70 percent of the price of cigarettes. If we are to pass the sin tax bill, the tax burden would only amount to 60 percent--still less that what is being proposed by the WHO, Lacierda said. The passage of the bill is also one of the measures that could increase the countrys chances of achieving investment-grade status. Meanwhile, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said there was no basis to the opposition by his critics to his inclusion in the Senate contingent to the bicameral conference committee on the proposed Sin Tax bill. Theres been a lot of intellectual dishonesty surrounding this controversial bill, Marcos said. He said foremost among those lies were the attempts to pain him as one concerned with and protective of the interests of the tobacco manufacturers, when he was simply protecting the tobacco growers from his province. Marcos and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile come from the tobacco-producing provinces in the North. They have repeatedly said that their main concern in fighting the exorbitant increase in the excise tax on tobacco products are the tobacco farmers who will be adversely affected if the bill is passed. It is the tobacco growers from my province that I am looking out for in terms of providing them with the cushion that they will need when displacements in their industry occur, Marcos said. He said his critics had been trying to make it appear that he was callous and not concerned about the damage to health caused by cigarettes. My friends, the smokers in particular, have been humoring me about this irony knowing how I have been in the last 30 years a staunch anti-smoker in my private life due to a nasty allergy that develops when I am exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke, Marcos said. Joyce Pangco Paares and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Media...
dismay over unfair insinuations in media that our workers are to be blamed for the accident, Cuisia said in the statement sent by the Philippine Embassy in Washington. The statement was delivered during his eulogy for the two Filipinos who earlier died in the accident. The incident had claimed the lives of three Filipino workers Corporal, Tajonera, and Jerome Malagapo and injured three others. There were nine Filipino and five non-Filipino employees working on the oil platform at the time of the accident. Cuisia said President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario also joined the employer and coworkers of the those killed and injured in expressing their indignation over the reports. The nine Filipinos who were not attach the first resolution, which was the basis of the review. The minority takes the issue on the second resolution signed by Ombudsman Morales affirming the plunder charges filed against former President Arroyo. The Somido panel report previously recommended the downgrading of the plunder charges against Arroyo and the others in connection with the alleged misuse of the PCSO intelligence fund, Suarez said. Suarez also demanded to know the Ombudsmans basis for rejecting the first resolution and creating a second panel to review it. We similarly express our collective support to former President Arroyos request to Sandiganbayan to compel the Office of the Ombudsman to produce its initial findings on her plunder case in connection with the case, Suarez said. The Somido resolution stated: What was merely established in the record was that respondent Uriarte received the check and the money representing the additional CIFs as requested, approved by respondent GMA [Arroyo] and confirmed by the respondent Board of Directors. The encashment of the checks

Arroyo...
I call on the Ombudsman to be honest and uphold justice and fair play in the existence and production of the first resolution, Arroyo said through her lawyer Anacleto Diaz. Earlier, one of Arroyos co-accused, former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte had made public the contents of the resolution, which was the result of an investigation led by Deputy Special Prosecutor Corenelio Somido. The Somido resolution dismissed the plunder charges for lack of evidence against Arroyo and Uriarte, and their coaccused, former PCSO chairman Sergio Valencia, and former PCSO board members Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero, Jose Reyes Taruc, V and Ma. Fatima Valdez. It recommended instead the filing of graft charges. The Somido resolution was later overturned by a second panel of investigators constituted by the Ombdusman to review the first resolution, Suarez said. Arroyos lawyer said Morales issued the second resolution as a basis for filing plunder charges, but did

End...
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the closest thing the President will ask for is to put the measure to a vote. I think we have reached a point, long overdue, to vote on this...Lets just vote on this bill to end the debates, Belmonte said. Mondays meeting will be the second time that Mr. Aquino would be discussing the bill with House members. Mr. Aquino pleaded with the lawmakers to end the floor debates on the measure during their first meeting in August. Still, a breakthrough was achieved this week after Congress succeeded in adopting a substitute version of the controversial bill. The new version says the state will only promote access to relevant information and education on medicallysafe, legal, ethical, affordable, effective and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices and supplies which do not prevent the implantation of a fertilized ovum as determined by the Food and Drug

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SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

A3

Complaints pile up on scam suspects

By Rey Requejo

MORE victims of the pyramiding

scam allegedly perpetrated by Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc. of Manuel Amalilio have come out in the open to press the Department of Justice for action to prosecute those responsible for duping them of P12 billion.
from 30% to 40% within 8 days and 50% to 86% within 18 to 20 days, their complaint stated. Like the earlier complaints, the new ones named Amalio and six Board members of Aman as respondentsFernando Luna, Leila Lim Gan, Eduard Lim, Willanie Fuentes, Naezelle Rodriguez and Lurix Lopez. Different sets of agents were identied in the separate charge sheets. The rst six complaints were received by the DOJ from Pagadian prosecutors ofce last Nov. 16 at the start of the preliminary investigation. The special panel held a hearing on these complaints last Tuesday where the Aman Board members except Lunawho had surrendered to the NBI appeared and submitted afdavit detailing how their rm operated and where the assets went. They have been placed under protective custody of the bureau and are being considered as possible state witnesses. The panel of prosecutors was set to y to Pagadian City on December 5 for a hearing where respondents would be required to answer the charges and submit their respective counter-afdavits. Last week, the DOJ panel received two sets of complaints from the Philippine National Police led by police and re ofcers from Pagadian City who were also duped by Aman. Earlier this week, the NBI led two other sets of complaints which both implicated Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co to the scam. This developed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also led separate charges of violations of Republic Act 8799 (Securities Regulation Code) against Aman and its executives.

The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday led two more sets of complaints from some investors gypped by the Ponzi-type scheme employed by Aman that had 15,000 people in Visayas and Mindanao falling as victims. The new complaints brought to twelve the number of consolidated cases led so far with the DOJ. These were endorsed to the special panel of prosecutors chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela. The two new complaints involved victims from Cebu City and Zamboanga del Sur. The rst one was led by eight investors from Cebu who lost over P100 million in combined investments to Aman from August to September. Despite the amount being due and demandable, however, the company failed to return their investments. Complainants disclosed that they were duped into believing that the corporation was still lawful when in truth the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as of 08 October 2012, had already issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) directing the stoppage of the corporations activities, read the complaint of the victims led by Derrick Yap. The second complaint was led by eight investors from Zamboanga del Sur led by Jamaa Tan, who made their deal with Aman in Pagadian City where most of the victims came from. As part of their modus operandi, members of the Aman Group Phils. defrauded the public by misrepresenting themselves as a company engaged in futures trading and, as such, enticed them (public) to invest by offering large amount of interest ranging

Medical mission. House Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte, in partnership with the doctors and nurses of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation, supervises his medical mission, giving free medicines and extending medical check-ups to about 5,000 residents of Babatngon, Leyte. VER NOVENO

SC policy cuts litigants paper use

THE Supreme Court has adopted a new policy mandating the use of less paper in ling of pleadings before the courts and in the resolutions or decisions that may be issued on the cases. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno stressed that the policy that would take effect on January 1. It was meant for saving the countrys forests, avoiding landslides, and mitigating the worsening effects of climate change that the world is experiencing, she said. The paper-less judiciary would mean a cut in the expenses on the part of the litigants. The new rule will apply to all courts and quasi-judicial bodies under the administrative supervision of the SC. Administrative Matter No. 11-94-SC requires that all pleadings, motions, and similar papers intended for the consideration of all courts and quasi-judicial bodies should be written in single space with a one-and-a-half space between paragraphs, using an easily readable font style of the partys choice, of 14-size font, and on a 13-inch by 8.5-inch white bond paper. It also mandates that all decisions, resolutions, and orders issued by courts and quasi-judicial bodies, as well as reports submitted to the courts and transcripts of stenographic notes, should comply with the paper size, font, and spacing. At the same time, the new rule requires that all court-bound papers to be submitted by every party should likewise maintain a left hand margin of 1.5 inches from the edge; an upper margin of 1.2 inches from the edge; a right hand margin of one inch from the edge; and a lower margin of one inch from the edge, and every page must be consecutively numbered. The number of copies of courtbound papers in a particular court that a party is required or desires to le is also specied in the new rule. At the SC, parties are required to le one original (properly marked) and four copies (a total of ve copies), unless the case is referred to the Court En Banc, in which event, the parties should le 10 additional copies (a total of 15 copies). For the SC en banc cases, the parties need to submit only two sets of annexes, one attached to the original and one extra copy. The same number of copies for the annexes is required for cases in the division. At present, the SC requires one original copy and nine additional copies for the division, and one original copy and 18 additional copies for the en banc. The SC said that in preparation for the eventual establishment of an e-ling paperless system in the judiciary, the parties to cases before the SC are further required to submit, simultaneously with their courtbound papers, soft or electronic copies of the same and their annexes (the latter in PDF format) either by email to the Courts e-mail address or by compact disc. This additional requirement will be on a voluntary basis for the rst six months following the effectivity of the said rule and compulsorily afterwards unless the period is extended. Rey E. Requejo

Enrile: Right of reply Party-list purge comes under fire Zurbano, Maricel not needed in FoI law By Joel E. Rio N. Araja V. Cruz and
THE right of reply is not needed in the Freedom of Information, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Thursday. To me, it makes no difference. I can see the problem in the right of reply that newspaper pages can be lled up with reply. The newspaper will no longer be viable, he told reporters during a media forum at the Senate. He said there will be a waste of newspaper prints for the reply. The right of reply will require the media to allocate newspaper spaces or air time, in case of broadcast, for the rejoinder of individuals who were allegedly aggrieved by news stories. However, Enrile said if libel will be de-criminalized, those whose reputation would be maligned or besmirched would be in pitiful situation since theres no way for them to get back at their attackers. The FOI seeks to give the public and the media wider access to government documents. The House committee on public information, chaired by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, approved last Tuesday the controversial FOI, but the equally-controversial right of reply provision was not included. In the Senate, the FOI is now in the period of interpellation on the senate oor. The measure also provides access to information being used for decision making or project management as well as transcripts and minutes of ofcial meetings. Macon Ramos-Araneta
POLL watchdog Kontradaya criticized the Commission on Elections for clearing party list groups that it found neither marginalized nor underrepresented. We are appalled at the inconsistent ruling of the Comelec, spokesman Jose said in a statement. By allowing these obviously non-marginalized groups and nominees to run, Comelec is providing legal ammunition for the other non-marginalized groups that have previously been disqualied. The commission on Thursday approved the participation of 79 party-list groups in next years elections. But Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said he wanted to cleanse the party-list groups further after 130 groups were dropped from the race for being vague about the sectors they represented. Kontradaya is unconvinced because Comelec retained or approved the accreditation of those listed in its Omnibus Complaint: Ang Matay Alagaan, whose rst nominee is Lorna Velasco, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco. Bagong Henerasyon of Quezon City Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy belonging to a family com-

IN BRIEF
Hog raisers blast BOI
HOG and poultry producers in the country are up in arms over a recent decision made by the Aquino administration allowing a Thailand-based agribusiness company to operate a multi-billion peso integrated facility in the Philippines. All our hard work, blood, sweat and tears will be put to waste if the Thai company is allowed to operate here. It will not only kill the business of local producers who worked very hard for many years but will also be detrimental to the national economy, a local producer said. The Board of Investments released a decision recently allowing Charoen Pokphand, a large agribusiness enterprise and Asias largest swine and poultry producer, to put up Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation. CPFP has been given the green light to build a P2.32-billion integrated hog facility that will produce 3,647 metric tons of slaughtered hogs, and six huge poultry farms, with an annual parent stock capacity of 25,453 heads producing 21,847 metric tons of chicken. What we are complaining is that CPFP, a foreign company, was given the license to operate a facility in our country with multiple tax incentives, including tariff-free importation of feeds and equipment. Local producers were not given these same incentives at all, the local producer said.

posed of real estate developers and politicians. Kasosyo, whose Rep. Nasser Pangandaman, former secretary of the Agrarian Reform in the Arroyo administration. Ang Kasangga and businessman Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco. Agrarian Development Association of the Singson family in Ilocos whose rst and second nominees are former deputy House speaker Eric Singson and his son, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Jr. AAMBIS-OWWA of Rep. Sharon Garin, who comes from a political family in Iloilo. Association of Labor and Employees of Rep. Catalina Bagasina, allegedly the richest party list congresswoman. A Teacher with nominees Mariano Piamonte Jr. and Julieta Cortuna who are not teachers, but private school owners and ofcials. Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines of Rep. Nicanor Briones, whose business deals with security guards. Buhay Party List whose rst representative Mariano Velarde Jr. whose father is El Shaddais Mike Velarde. Kontradaya said Comelec only succeeded in muddling the basis for the qualication of party list groups.

Fraud rap compounds Cavite traders woes

AFTER his AK-47, Armalites and other guns were conscated by authorities for threatening a provincial prosecutor, a busnessman is now wanted for fraud. Judge Aurelio Icasiano of the Trece Martirez, Cavite Regional Trial Court issued on Wednesday, a warrant of arrest for Victor Arcilla Murillo of Tanza, Cavite. Murillo was indicted by the Department of Justice for estafa and falsication of commercial documents on complaint of a businesswoman over a transaction involving imported textile. The court set a P40,000 bail for his provisional liberty. The National Police cancelled his rearms licences and permits to carry last month for allegedly threatening to kill Cavite Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, who complained to Director General Nicanor Bartolome. Conscated from Murillo were a .45-caliber gun, an AK47 rie, two Armalite ries, two shotguns, a .357 revolver, two .40-cal. pistols, and a .4cal. Glock. Velasco said the suspect sent text messages, threatening him after his alleged illegal activities were taken up for prosecution. Businesswoman Cecilia Fernandez of Taytay, Rizal, led a complaint against Murillo before the Cavite prosecutors ofce for syndicated estafa and falsication of commercial documents. Rey E. Requejo

Drug users top pickshabu

ABOUT 73 percent of drug dependents in the country are multiple users of dangerous drugs but majority of them prefers methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said. The illicit drug market in the Philippines has thrived in a so-called sachet economy where regular sers consume an average of 0.04 gram of shabu per session, three times a week. According to PDEA head Arturo Cacdac Jr., from January to October 2012, the agency arrested 5,025 drug pushers and 1,850 substance abusers nationwide. While shabu remains the preferred item of pushers, marijuana sellers comprise some 26 percent and ecstasy tablets, one percent. Cacdac said that based on prole, street-level pushers, whose average age is 29 years old, have poor educational background and were unable to nish high school. Most of the arrested personalities were married. Florante Solmerin

Peace prize awardees. Doctor James Dy, a 2012 Gusi Peace Prize International awardee and

president of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center addresses fellow awardees at a medical forum in the CGHMC Auditorium. This years Gusi Peace Prize International laureates were conferred awards of excellence and distinction as distinguished individuals who have given exemplary contributions to global peace and progress during ceremonies held November 28 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

A4 SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor

Opinion
news that the Philippine economy posted its fastest quarterly growth rate in two years, accelerating by 7.1 percent in the third quarter year-on-year. The growth was higher than the 4.7-percent average growth of the Southeast Asian region. It was even faster than Malaysias 5.4 percent and Singapores 2.0 percent. It was next only to China which grew by 7.8 percent and Indonesias 6.4 percent. But the Philippines unemployment rate was also the worst in Southeast Asia. In fact, it was more than double the regional average, according to the ofcial data for last year. The countrys unemployment rate of 7 percent in 2011 was twice the Southeast Asian regional average and even higher than Myanmars, Cambodias and Laos.

mst.lettertotheeditor@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Bursting the bubble boom

property developers gained from the new record high and many of them are not even local investors but foreign ones. The other half of the truth is that other shares were not trading as robustly because of fundamental issues of condence. One sector that illustrates the point is the mining sector, which experienced an uptick earlier in the year. But the uptick turned out to be a bubble that quickly burst when the Aquino administration betrayed its vision, or lack of it, for the mining industry. To date, mining issues are in the doldrums, awaiting positive developments that may or may not come. The developments in the stock market are not too different from the macroeconomic issues, even with the heartening As Filipinos, we cannot and should not belittle the little mercies that occur in our favor. Still, neither should we forget that there are fundamental weaknesses that need to be addressed. This, if we hope to attain the long-awaited prosperity that Juan dela Cruz so richly deserves. Two of the most glaring weaknesses are the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, which remain poor performers compared to the services sector, embodied by the business process outsourcing and tourism industries. But despite the leadership we have had, the resilience of Filipinos has been proven many times in the past. The very least the national government can do is to at least support economic growth with fast and decisive actions on our weaknesses.

MOST people welcomed news that the stock market consecutively hit record highs over ve days this week. Just like the national situation, however, the news is not as positive as it appears. It glosses over issues of condence disturbing the business sector. While the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose to a new alltime high of 5,640.45 on Thursday, most players in the bourse are far from being happy campers. This is because the Phisix includes only 30 of the markets strongest and most traded shares. The all-share index, on the other hand, was virtually unchanged with losing shares outnumbering the winners, 103 to 65, with 39 issues unchanged. At the end of the day, only investors in holding companies and

More funds in the Philippines

BACK CHANNEL
ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

ITS not true Philippine is media allergic to good news, as the President claimed in one of his most recent fulminations against the Fourth Estate. Someone said its the President whos allergic to bad news of his own making. The Palace talking heads should advise the Boss that events are reported as they unfold. The President should learn to accept that bad news on any given day outweighs the good news. To kill the messenger with the bad news wont work. In keeping with the Presidents call for fair and balanced reporting, here are some good news and bad news. Believe it or not, there are more funds in the Philippines! If you dont believe me, consider these news items: Some 15,000 Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao were duped of more than P12 billion. Where do these people get that money to squander? PNoy pledged $1 billion to the International Monetary Fund to help bail out the troubled European economy. He also donated $1 million to victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and another $250,000 to Hurricane Sandy victims in the US Northeast. We commend the President for his acts of charity to these countries who also help us during our own national calamities. But Juan and Juana who are working in the dangerous Middle East are asking: If government has savings in its coffers, why not use it instead to create jobs at home? To the credit of government, it always has funds to rescue and repatriate overseas Filipino workers when they get caught in the middle of strife-torn places like Israel and the Gaza Strip, Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen. Kaya nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa, bahala na gobyerno sa return ticket, said someone from the Department of Labor. At least our migrant workers get their moneys worth from the taxes they pay. Despite shortfalls in revenue targets, ofcials and even mere employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs can afford luxury houses and cars. If you are as creative as these people are, you dont have to leave the country to seek your fortune (or misfortune) in foreign lands. Theres money right here, people! Just look at all the members of Congress with billions in pork barrel

How about this for good news?

funds making a pile in kickbacks from public works projects. No wonder politics has become a family business. Filipino taipans like Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Andrew Go, Manny Pangilinan, etc. are included in Forbes list of richest men in the world .They didnt make their money outside the Philippines. They made it right here. So dont believe MVPs bluff and bluster hes going to pull out his investments because ang gulo-gulo ninyo rito. Just read the business sections of Manilas leading newspapers how much prot is reported by big business such as Metro Pacic, Ayala Corporation, Mega World , SM group of companies, Shell, Petron, Caltex , and many other conglomerates. Theres so much money from cash cows Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. A percentage of Pagcor revenues goes to social amelioration with P39.4b i l l i o n funneled into the conditional cash transfer program for the poor. This is the sector of society usually interviewed by Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia as respondents who prop up the Presidents popularity rating. The pollsters are, of course, paid millions for their services. Did the CCT make a difference in the lives of the poor? Were they able to get out of the poverty trap? A lifestyle check should be done on the people administering the dole-out. If BIR and BOC personnel are subjected to a lifestyle check, ofcials handling the cash transfer must also undergo the same scrutiny. To end on an optimistic note, Manila Standards business section on Nov.14 bannered: Exports jump 22.8% to $4.8 B. The Philippine Star reported the countrys balance of payment rose to $604 million in October, up from $208 million for the same period last year. The BOP surplus came from a surge in dollar inows from exports and remittances from overseas workers. To cap the week of positive news, the IMF noted (and reported by Manila dailies) the Philippines posted a 7.1 percent growth ending the third quarter despite the economic downturn in the US, Europe and a slowdown in China. The Philippines is having a fantastic year, said IMF chief Christine Lagarde. Hows that for good news, Mr. President? Who says we are an impoverished country? Theres actually more funds in the Philippines!

Take that vote!

POWER POINT
1.

ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

THE reproductive health bill has the numbers to win in both Houses of Congress. And taking the formal vote is the only thing left hanging on this bill. Congress is pro-RH The Senate has revealed its numbers during the voting on individual amendments proposed by anti-RH Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ralph Recto. There were nine senators who consistently voted in favor of attempts to water down or kill the bill. We now know that Senators Enrile, Recto, Tito Sotto, Gringo Honasan, Jinggoy Estrada, Koko Pimentel, Manny Villar, Bong Revilla, and Lito Lapid will reject the bill. Another senator is also against but has been quiet lately. Enrile said on Thursday that he would still vote against RH even if all his amendments are accepted. I expect the same from the rest of his gang. Thus, at the Senate (if all are present during voting), the probable numbers are: 13 pro, 9 against, and 1 abstain; or 13 pro versus 10 against. A 14 pro, 9 against scenario is

1. 1.

House members have proven that, still remotely possible. Any which way, the RH bill will win. one, they can have a quorum if members In the House of Representatives, are asked to come; and, two, the pro-RH signicant things happened because of bloc has the numbers to win. the show of political will on the part of A test vote has also been taken last its leadership. Monday when the plenary divided the Big Majority of Filipinos want RH/FP education and/or services for young people House on Majority Floor Big Majority of Filipinos want RH/FP education and/or services for young people Provision of FP/RH % RH/FP education and/or Big Majority of Filipinos wantof Catholic Source services for young people Leader Neptali Gonzales Educ & Services to Respondents Provision of FP/RH % of Catholic Source Young People motion to adopt the substitute Provision of FP/RH % of Catholic Source Educ & Services to Respondents Educ & Services to Respondents Young People Yes No RH bill as the basis of Young People Yes No individual amendments that 76% 10.00% 81.00% SWS Oct 2008 National Survey Yes No 76% 10.00% 81.00% SWS Oct 2008 National Survey will be proposed. The aye 89% 6.00% 88% SWS 2008 National Survey 76% 10.00% 81.00% SWS Oct Dec 2008 Manila Survey 89% 6.00% 88% SWS Dec 2008 Manila Survey votes were deafening while 85% 9.00% 91% SWS 2008 Manila Survey 89% 6.00% 88% SWS DecFeb 2009 Paranaque Survey 85% 9.00% 91% SWS Feb 2009 Paranaque Survey the nay votes were but a 85% 9.00% 91% SWS FebMar 2009 D1 Cebu City & D2 87% 8% 94% SWS 2009 Paranaque Survey 87% 8% 94% SWS MarProvince Survey & D2 Cebu 2009 D1 Cebu City whimper. It was a symbolic 87% 8% 94% SWS Mar 2009Survey City & D2 D1 Cebu Cebu Province Cebu Province2009 Bohol Survey victory for the bill. 75% 16.00% SWS July Survey 75% 16.00% SWS July 2009 Bohol Survey 75% 16.00% SWS July 2009 Bohol Survey Perhaps the anti-RH 87% 7.00% 93% SWS July 2009 Ds 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 Cebu 87% 7.00% 93% SWS July 2009 Ds 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 Cebu Province & Ds Cebu 5, & 6 87% 7.00% 93% SWS July 2009 D2 1, 3, 4, Survey Cebu Representatives were caught Province & D2 Cebu City City Survey Province & D2 Cebu City Survey off-guard but still, the vote Filipinos, Catholics especially want family planning (FP) support the the passage of the RH Filipinos, Catholics especially want family planning (FP) and and supportpassage of the RH Bill Bill Filipinos, Catholics especially want family planning (FP) and support the passage of the RH Bill showed the numbers in the YES to YES toto YES to to %Catholics YES to YES YES %Catholics Source Source HOR at this point in time. YES to YES to Source FP Govt RH FP Govt YES to %Catholics RH FP Govt RH FP Bill On Tuesday, the anti-RH FP Bill FP Budget Bill Budget group was better prepared. Budget 94% December 2000, Pulse AsiaAsia Ulat ng 94% December 2000, Pulse Ulat ng I received information that 94% December 2000, Pulse Asia Ulat ng Bayan Survey Bayan Survey Bayan Survey the anti-RH were planning 97% 87% Feb. 2004, Pulse Asia National Survey 97% 87% Feb. 2004, Pulse National Survey 97% 87% Feb. 2004, Pulse AsiaAsia National Survey to appeal the Plenarys 92% 89% 83% March 2007, Pulse Asia Ulat ng 92% 89% 83% March 2007, Pulse Asia Ulat ng 92% 89% 83% March 2007, Bayan Survey Pulse Asia Ulat ng approval of the substitute Bayan Survey Bayan Survey 93% 82% 63% Oct 2008, Pulse Asia Ulat ng bill and would go line93% 82% 63% OctOct 2008, Asia Ulat ng 2008, Pulse Bayan Survey Pulse Asia Ulat ng 93% 82% 63% Bayan Survey by-line for individual Bayan Survey 71% 81% Oct 2008, SWS National Survey 71% 81% Oct 2008, SWS National Survey amendments. Certainly, 71% 81% Oct 2008, SWS National Survey 90.00% 87% 82% Feb 2010, Pulse Asia Pre-Election Survey 90.00% 87% 82% Feb 2010, Pulse Asia Pre-Election Survey these would create more 90.00% 87% 82% Feb 2010, Pulse Asia Pre-Election Survey Surveys on Passage of RH Bill delays. Surveys on Passage of RH Bill Surveys on Passage of RH Bill Despite the fact that he RH Bill Passage % Catholic Source RH Bill Passage % Catholic Source Respondents has been absent from the Yes Bill Passage No Respondents RH % Catholic Source Yes No Respondents sessions for weeks, Deputy 63% 8%No Pulse Asia Oct 2008 National Survey Yes 63% 8% Pulse Asia Oct 2008 National Survey Speaker Raul Daza, known 71% 8% 81% SWS Oct Asia Oct 2008 Survey Survey 63% 8% Pulse 2008 National Survey National 71% 8% 81% SWS Oct 2008 National to be strongly against the 86% 8% 88% SWS Dec 2008 Manila Survey 71% 8% 81% SWS 2008 Manila Survey 86% 8% 88% SWS DecOct 2008 National Survey bill, positioned himself on 87% 7% 91% SWS Feb 2009 Paranaque Survey 86% 8% 88% SWS 2009 Paranaque Survey 87% 7% 91% SWS FebDec 2008 Manila Survey the Speakers Chair early on 88% 7% 84% SWS Mar 2009 88% 7% 84% SWS MarCity,2009 Paranaque Survey 87% 7% 91% D1 SWS Feb D2 Cebu Province Cebu 2009 and was poised to chair the D1 Cebu City, D2 Cebu Province 88% 7% 84% SWS Mar 2009 78% 7% 93% SWS July 2009 Ds 1,3,4,5, & 6 Cebu session. Needless to say, the 78% 7% 93% SWS July 2009 Ds 1,3,4,5, & 6 Cebu Province; D2 City, D2 Cebu Province D1 Cebu Cebu City Province; D2 Cebu City Chair is crucial because he or 84% 7% SWS July 2009 Bohol Survey & 6 Cebu 78% 7% 93% SWS July 2009 Ds 1,3,4,5, 84% 7% SWS July 2009 Bohol Survey she controls and rules during Province; D2 Cebu City proceedings. Turn to page 5 84% 7% SWS July 2009 Bohol Survey

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ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor

Opinion
EAGLE EYES
MY previous pieces on the territorial jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro have highlighted issues that may emerge in its formation. Territory is a personal matter for the peoples of Mindanao. It demands an appreciation of the communal meaning the Mindanawons attach to land, treated usually as heritage than simply a means of production or an economic tool. More than the resources and support of the government for the peace process, this is perhaps the most valuable insight the state can adopt in conducting the negotiations. All indicators point to a willingness to compromise: on the part of the government, the acknowledgment of the grievances of the Bangsamoro and the need to rectify the failed experiment of implementing past peace agreements; on the part of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the shift in its position from independence to an autonomous political entity and a renegotiation of their initial 40-page agreement in 2011. There are two strands of change required to establish the Bangsamoro. One concerns preparing the institutional mechanisms necessary to settle legal and technical issues on carving the new territory. The other concerns the personal, familial and communal well-being, socio-cultural relationships across the tri-peoples of Mindanao and basic rights that must be allowed to ourish to make the agreement viable. There will likely be considerable objection to Constitutional amendments, and this is perhaps the reason that this option has not been placed specically in the Framework
DEAN TONY LA VIA

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

A5

Slavery-like economy revisited

BACKBENCHER
WHEN Congress, then led by Senator Ernesto Boy Herrera, introduced a bill seeking to relax Article 106 of the Labor Code, surely they had in mind the idea of promoting employment. They believed that unemployment remained high because many of our industrialists, manufacturers, traders, and businessmen were hesitant to hire more workers for fear of violating the constitutional mandate on security of tenure, specically Article 278 of the Labor Code. They proposed that employers should be given exibility to discharge their employees once their services were no longer needed. But as a compromise, they would abide by the minimum wage law, and other benets mandated by law to our workers. That consensus was reached because security of tenure prevented them from hiring more workers when needed and terminating their services due to business loses or for want of production contract. In effect, they thought the easing of the sacred principle that protected employment would give them manpower exibility. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, that did not solve the problem of unemployment. The proliferation of contractual employment created a new shade of slavery. Service fees ranging from 10 to 15 percent is charged from the monthly income of each worker leased out to employer-beneciaries by employment and placement agencies. Unscrupulous placement agencies even violate the minimum wage law or deny payment of wages. What employers thought would give them that much-needed advantage ended up having them paying more and leaving the workers without any assurance of employment. Although theoretically, workers could still le a complaint of underpayment of wages, which in fact became more rampant, the number of cases have drastically dwindled much that the mother case for violation of the minimum wage is still illegal termination, something many contractual workers could never hope to win. Contractualization, in turn, resulted in the withering of trade unionism. In effect, former Senator Herrera provided the right kind of medicine that brought to comatose their own trade federations. All demands from wage adjustments to other benets like SSS contributions, correlative to the formation of a labor union, have all been reduced to ashes. They could no longer bargain based on their collective strength. Besides, they are at a loss whether to deal with their bogus employer that specializes in the business of leasing out their services which, under the present circumstance, could raise outlandish defenses. Consequently, contractualization widened the income gap between the workers trapped by the system of regulated or minimum wage, mostly unskilled and semi-skilled and from the very small percentage of skilled workers who could still bargain for better wages with remaining companies willing to hire them. More than that, unemployment remains at 7.2 percent, meaning that 2.9 million of our workers are still out of work,
ROD P. KAPUNAN

Implementing the Bangsamoro Agreement

Agreement on the Bangsamoro. As in the 1996 Government of the PhilippinesMoro National Liberation Front Peace Agreement, the primacy of the Constitution or at least reference to conducting processes in accordance with the Constitution is made. To avoid the pitfalls of the now defunct Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domains, any plans to amend the 1987 Constitution must be placed on paper. Likewise, the Annex on Power Sharing must clarify the powers vested on the Bangsamoro ministerial government and its asymmetric relationship with the national government. The FAB is off to a good start, identifying instead which matters will remain under the sole jurisdiction of the national government, leaving the impression that the rest will be turned over to the Bangsamoro ministerial government. The Annex on Wealth Sharing must iron out the administration of resources, access to wealth and sustainable development programs that will be managed by the Bangsamoro local government. The formation of new territory entails dealing with long-disputed land ownership issues and ancestral domain claims, both of which will determine the Bangsamoros access to resources. Specic provisions of the FAB provide balanced and equitable treatment of the rights of indigenous peoples and non-Muslim settlers, but this will remain closely monitored by both groups, who should be consulted every step of the way. The process through which reparation claims will be made must be clear to concerned peoples. This will require support and commitment for the state, especially in administering the distribution of lands or awarding reparation. The process of restoration and reparation will understandably take some time. What is important is that systems are in place to ensure that the process continues into succeeding administrations. The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities will eventually set the score on the intricacies of the Basic Law and in institutionalizing the changes that must be made in the aftermath. As such, it must ensure an all-inclusive consultation with relevant groups, including those with dissenting opinions. The Annex on Normalization must adequately address the insecurities that were borne as a result of the conict. Fear and mistrust between different groups and within them, clan wars and lack of strong civilian institutions to administer good governance must slowly be replaced with a culture of collaboration and cooperation. There is an indication that desire towards a harmonious society is strong and the FAB veries this, with numerous references to respecting indigenous rights and methods and recognizing state laws. In summary, the territorial formation of the Bangsamoro entails more than the distribution (or re-distribution) of land to the Bangsamoro. The peace process will move forward only if actions and intentions are made in the spirit of collaboration and harmony, which requires an inclusive process that takes into consideration the welfare and sentiments of the tri-peoples of Mindanao. More than enabling the institutional mechanisms necessary to establish the Bangsamoro, it must allow the normalization of peaceful and democratic processes within the region and the rest of Mindanao. In the end, the nal peace agreement must be an instrument of justice and peace. Facebook Page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

Contractual employment has created a new shade of slavery.

when supposedly the scrapping of the security of tenure was intended to help ease the problem of unemployment. It therefore makes no sense for this rabidly pro-American government to boast of 7.1 percent economic growth rate (in the third quarter of this year) when it is at the same time hounded by a 16.6 percent poverty level. Such statistical paradox is indicative of a serious imbalance because economic growth rate could only be appreciated if it would result in the reduction of poverty. It was even tactless for President Aquino to make a promise to reduce the countrys poverty level from an all-time high of 33.1 percent recorded during his mothers administration in 1991. Translated most accurately, the economic growth rate dubbed by this elitist government as the best economic performer in Southeast Asia is pure nonsense if one has to equally cite the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in March 2012 stating that the number of mahirap or poor rose to 55 percent; and hunger at a record-high 23.8 percent of families; moderate hunger at 18.0 percent; and severe hunger at 5.8 percent. The SWS added that tresults are quite disappointing because self-rated poverty rose by a large 10 points, from 45 percent in December 2011, and hunger was at a new high, albeit just 1.3 points more than that recorded in December 2011. More than that, this governments continued adherence to the US-dictated inflation-based economic policy heightened by our unmitigated subscription to currency deregulation and by our open-arms policy to portfolio investment has created a deep wedge in income disparity. Combined with our antiquated system of regulating wage, prestowe ended up as having the most visible gap between the rich and the poor compared with our neighbors in Southeast Asia! According to Stratbase Research Institute, this hypocritical regime is trying to project a brisk economy even as the registered a Gini coefcient of 44 percent last year, higher than Thailands 42.5 percent, Indonesias 39.4 percent, Malaysias 37.9 percent and Vietnams 37.8 percent. The study added that, the global ranking was prepared by international group called Vision of Humanity using the Gini coefcient to measure inequality of distribution as the basis. Having the highest, the Philippines has greater rate of inequality compared to other Southeast Asian countries. This means the richest 10 percent of Filipino families are raking in more than a third of the countrys total income. The huge disparity between the rich and the poor is likely to breed social tension and political instability. Stated differently, the rest of the 90 percent Filipinos are wallowing in extreme poverty, but entertained nonetheless by teleseryecapitalizing on irrational human emotion, gossip about movie stars, festivals participated in by dressed but malnourished children; clowns giving away goodies to cashstrapped participants; sensationalism about gory crimes; news about our gearing for war with China; and dosage of propaganda about progress, democracy and freedom. Indeed, there is more fun in the Philippines for people living in a world of contrast between reality and fantasy. rpkpunan@gmail.com

Enriles elitist strategy

By Joel H. Vega
THE rst time I heard of Juan Ponce Enrile was in 1972 when I was in grade school. The front pages of the newspapers reported the ambush and attempted assassination of Enrile- at that time defense secretary- one of the catalytic events used by former President Ferdinand Marcos to impose Martial Law in the same year. Forty years later, after decades of climbing up the political ladder and failed coup attempts, we wake up to the noise and fury of senators such as Enrile over the RH bill, a piece of proposed legislation that is being treated like a billiard ball by mediocre politicians, an advertising board by the CBCP, or a badge of shame by religious fundamentalists. I wouldnt have picked up the RH bill issue again having written my views on this subject in previous essays. You cant persuade a fundamentalist anyway even if you stick to sound reason. But Enriles statement, Our biggest export is OFWs. Thats why Im against RH bill, has the effect, to my ears, of an aluminum sheet being torn to pieces. What is the fallacy in Enriles recent statement? What is despicable in this argument that overpopulation is essentially good for Filipinos? Clearly, the first part of Enriles comment on overseas workers, is known by all. No surprise there. Everyone acknowledges the monies siphoned off from other countries by Filipino migrant workers. Malacaang itself leads ceremonial awards to highlight their monetary contribution. It is in the second part of his condescending logic that Enrile shows his true elitist face. His message is not grating to the ears for its rawness but for its cocky cynicism. It is a statement that approximates the mind of a butcher-- yes, that brashy, bloodyaproned type who surveys a ock of docile esh being readied for the meat market. In Enriles balance sheet, the Filipino lower, working class should be caged in their own misery of mindless reproduction, a man-made prescription calculated to supply the worlds demand for underpaid domestic helpers, service workers and a host of other sundry jobs. Unfortunately this variety of twisted logic, peddled by Enrile and company, refuses to see the reality that for every Filipino who succeeded in jumping across the Pacic divide, a thousand others are left behind to fend for themselves in dumps, forced to place their bets in the lottery of survival. And can someone remind Enrile that human export is a bird-brained strategy on which to anchor ones economic development? Misery, whether man-made or calamity-led, is the trigger and condition where savvy politicians and priests often excel. To these professional power-brokers, misery is the fertilizer that prepares the hallowed ground they tread on. I have seen the deleterious effects of unplanned birth. It leads to the same narrow alleys of deprivation in any country, whether First or Third World. Celebrating life is a wonderful creative thing, but to enshrine the logic of procreation in the service of cranking up the dollar machine is crass behavior. Enrile just showed that crass, cocky behavior. After 40 years, can we nally say through our votes that we have had enough of these traditional politicians? Joel Vega is based in the Netherlands. His poetry has won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and has been published in various journals all over the world. Everyman is Manila Standard Todays new column for citizens commentary on pressing issues in the Philippines and in the world. Anybody who feels he or she has something of value to add to the discussion on the pertinent issue is encouraged to contribute. Articles must be 800 words or less. Please send them in MS Word or any compatible format to adellechua@gmail.com or mst. lettertotheeditor@gmail.com.

Take...
From A4 I was told that Deputy Speaker Boying Remulla, not Daza, was supposed to be Chair that day. From the gallery, we saw Remulla in discussion with Daza for many minutes but Daza stayed put. Next thing we saw was Speaker Sonny Belmonte going up the podium. He briey talked with Daza, took his position and banged the gavel. Daza had to yield. No one is higher than the Speaker in the HOR. As quickly as he went up, Speaker Belmonte immediately adjourned the session. Better that than allow those intending to subvert their rules to further delay the bill, win that day. This is political will. This is what

we have been wanting to see from the House leadership. And because of such and the existing numbers there, RH will win. Thus, Congress is pro-RH. The Catholic vote is pro-RH Perhaps because of these developments, the bishops are panicking. What else could explain their recent absurd statements? The RH bill is ethnic cleansing slant is not worth replying to but I would like to deal with the much touted Catholic vote used by the bishops to threaten politicians. First, let me categorically state that there is no proof of the existence of such vote. It is a gment of imagination. The past elections have clearly shown that candidates opposed

by the bishops won. Look at the cases of former Senator Juan Flavier, and former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada. It is also on record that all of the RH champions in the House who ran for re-election won. Then-candidate Benigno Noynoy Aquinos pro-responsible parenthood position was also strongly assailed by some bishops. But look! PNoy now occupies Malacanang Palace. On the contrary, candidates who claimed to have the support of at least some of the bishops lost, and lost miserably. I speak of the anti-RH bloc of the Ang Kapatiran party. Where then is the Catholic vote? Second, I will also categorically

state that the big majority of Filipino Catholics are pro-governmentfunded family planning and supports the passage of the bill. Data from all major national and local surveys of both the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia clearly show these. The big majority of Filipino Catholics want RH and family planning education and services for young people. What other data do we need? As clear as day, the Catholic vote is a pro-RH vote. Politicians should not consider being pro-RH as a political expense. The position is a political capital. The clincher vote Surely, the anti-RH in Congress can still create problems. The thing going

for them is the fact that there are only about six session days before they break for Christmas and that next year is an election year. It is very urgent for Congress to take the vote before the holidays. And the one that can ensure this is President Aquino. The Presidents luncheon invitation for House members on Monday is expected to result in at least the House taking the nal vote on the bill. PNoys certication of the RH bill as urgent will put strong pressure on not only the House but the Senate as well. His is the clincher vote. Yes, pwede pa ang merry RH Christmas. Pwedeng-pwede pa! bethangsioco@gmail.com bethangsioco on Twitter and @

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SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

Manila ManilaStandardToday

Classifieds
Department of Public Works and Highways
REGION IV-B MIMAROPA

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Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan

Republic of the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways

Cordillera Administrative Region

Republic of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Engineers Hill, Baguio City

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER

Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office Roxas, Oriental Mindoro

Department of Public Works and Highways OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER

Southern Leyte District Engineering Office Maasin City, Southern Leyte Telefax No.: (053) 381-3581 Email Add: bacsled@yahoo.com

Republic of the Philippines

BID BULLETIN No. 22

This Bid Bulletin No. 22 dated November 29, 2012 is issued to modify or amend items in the Bid Documents. This shall form as an integral part of the Bid Documents. POSTPONEMENT OF SUBMISSION/OPENING OF BIDS AND PRE-BID CONFERENCE OF CONTRACTS 1. Contract ID Contract Name : 12PO0051 : Road Upgrading (Gravel to paved) of Banaue Mayoyao A. Lista Isabela Boundary Road, K0345+169 K0345+300, K0347+527 K0347+880, K0348+718 K0349+000, K0350+752 K0351+829.11, and K0353+153 K0354+640 : Banaue, Ifugao : 12PO0052 : Road Upgrading (Gravel to paved) of Banaue Mayoyao A. Lista Isabela Boundary Road, K0359+215 K0360+192, K0364+000 K0364+470, K0364+531 K0364+960, and K0365+435 K0367+957 : Banaue & Mayoyao, Ifugao : 12PO0053 : Road Upgrading (Gravel to paved) of Ibulao Julongan Road Declared Strategic Tourist Destination (DSTD), Sta 000+000 Sta 013+100 (I.S.) : Kiangan, Ifugao : 12PO0054 : Rehabilitation/Improvement of Dalican - Batad Road Declared Strategic Tourist Destination (DSTD) : Dalican-Batad, Banaue, Ifugao

INVITATION TO BID
The DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office, through RA - Fund 101 intends to apply the respective amount being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for hereunder projects. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office now invites bids for the following projects to wit: 1. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work : : : : 12EI0119 Construction of Bongabong Seawall (Aplaya Section), Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro Construction of 535.00 L.M. Rubble Concrete/Stone Masonry/ Rockfill.
I.

Invitation to Bid for

Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Brief Description/Scope of Work 12-IL-0117 Construction/Rehab. Of Pacu-Lunas Road Bontoc, Southern Leyte Concrete Paving of 1,188.0 l.m.., width = 4.0 m, t=0.15m thk., drainage system and slope protection Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,860,000.00 Contract Duration : 50 calendar Days Cost of Bidding Documents : Php 10,000.00 Contract ID : 12-IL-0124 Contract Name : Const. of Sogod NHS 2-Storey (6 CL Building) Contract Location : Sogod, Southern Leyte Brief Description/Scope of Work : Construction of 6 units classrooms (7.0 m x 9.0 m) Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,578,740.00 Contract Duration : 150 calendar Days Cost of Bidding Documents : Php 10,000.00 : : : :

Contract Location 2. Contract ID Contract Name

II.

Contract Location 3. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location 4. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 19,399,635.75 Bid Document Amount : 25,000.00 Contract Duration : 144 Calendar Days 2. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work : : : :

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 19,399,152.78 Bid Document Amount : 25,000.00 Contract Duration : 144 Calendar Days

12EI0120 Construction of Bansud Seawall, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro Construction of 439.80 L.M. Rubble Concrete/Stone Masonry/ Rockfill.

1. The Southern Leyte District Engineering Office, intends to apply the sum above stated being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the abovementioned contracts. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening 2. The Southern Leyte District Engineering Office now invites bids for the abovementioned description of works. Completion of the Works is required for the above stated contract duration. 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 Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion in the Eligibility Check and Preliminary Examination of Bids as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, organizations or joint venture with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Contractors/applicants who are interested in the DPWH civil works are required to register prior to the set scheduled of submission of bid while those already registered shall keep their records current and updated. Contractors eligibility to bid on the project will be determined using the DPWH Contract Profile Eligibility Process (CPEP) and subject to further post-qualification. Information on registration can be obtained at DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Southern Leyte District Engineering Office, Asuncion, Maasin City, Southern Leyte and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount stated above. Issuance of Bidding Documents will be on December 10December 19, 2012. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6. The Southern Leyte District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 7, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the DPWH SLDEO Multi-Purpose Hall, Asuncion, Maasin City, Southern Leyte which will be open to all interested parties. 7. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before December 19, 2012 at 9:00 A.M. at DPWH SLDEO Multi-Purpose Hall, Asuncion, Maasin City. All bids 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 on December 19, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the presence of the bidders representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 8. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC or Credit Line Commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC before dropping of bids. Bidders shall likewise submit their bids through their duly Authorized Liaison Officers only specified in the Contractors Information (CI). Submission of Letter of Intent (LOI) is no longer required to participate in the bidding, per D.O. No. 64, series of 2012. 9. The Southern Leyte District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability or obligation to the affected bidder or bidders. 10. For further information, please refer to: VINCENT T. SY III Chief, Planning & Design Section (BAC Chairman) DPWH Southern Leyte District Engineering Office Asuncion, Maasin City, Southern Leyte Telefax No.: (053) 381-2143 Email Add: bacsled@yahoo.com (Sgd.) VINCENT T. SY III Chief, Planning & Design Section (BAC Chairman) NOTED:

SUBMISSION/OPENING OF BIDS From To December 18, 2012 December 28, 2012 PRE-BID CONFERENCE From December 4, 2012 For guidance and information of all concerned. (Sgd.) CONSTANTE R. SARMIENTO Chief, Maintenance Division BAC Chairman To December 13, 2012

Prospective bidders must have an experience of having completed at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, and whose value, adjusted to current prices using the NSO consumer price indices, must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC to be bid as stated in the Revised Section 23.5.2.5 under GPPB Resolution No. 11 2012 of the IRR of R.A. 9184. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below or any DPWH field offices and upon payment of a non refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount specified thereof. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippines Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office will hold a Pre Bid Conference on December 6, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M. at the Conference Room, DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before December 18, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. at the DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Bid Data Sheet (BDS). Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DPWH, Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: ANNIELYN E. PADULLO DPWH, Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office Dangay, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro Telefax No. (043) 289 - 2565 Approved : (Sgd.) ANNIELYN E. PADULLO (BAC Chairperson)

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

Regional Office No. IV-A Cavite I District Engineering Office Trece Martires City

INVITATION TO BID
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Cavite District Engineering Office, through the following projects stated below, intends to apply the sum of payments under the contract for the following projects listed. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Cavite District Engineering Office now invites bids for the; Contract ID: 12DF0198 Contract Name: Const. of drainage system; Const./Completion/Rehab. and Impvt. of MP Building and Rehab. of School Bldg. & Other Educational Facilities at Bacoor Contract Location: Bacoor, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 5,650,000.00 Contract Duration: 60 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 10,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0199 Contract Name: Const. of pathway/MP Pavement; Const. of road with drainage and Const./Completion/Improvement of Flood Controls at Kawit; Noveleta and Rosario Contract Location: Kawit; Noveleta and Rosario, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 5,725,000.00 Contract Duration: 60 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 25,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0200 Contract Name: Roads to Address Critical Bottlenecks, National Roads-Traffic Decongestion Other Urban Areas Widening/Upgrading of Mcdonald Junction Aguinaldo Highway via Talaba Road and Mcdonald Junction Alido Bridge Road, Intermittent Section, Bacoor Contract Location: Bacoor, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 9,700,000.00 Contract Duration: 60 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 10,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0201 Contract Name: Rehab. of Drainage System; Const. and Repair of MP Building/Pavement and Concreting of roads at Bacoor Contract Location: Bacoor, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 12,300,000.00 Contract Duration: 90 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 25,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0202 Contract Name: Const./Renovation/Rehab./Completion of Multi-Purpose Buildings; Const. of Deepwells at various barangays of Kawit; Novelelta and Rosario Contract Location: Kawit; Novelelta and Rosario, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 14,275,000.00 Contract Duration: 120 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 25,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0203 Contract Name: DOT-DPWH Tourism Convergence Program, Repair/Rehab. of ManilaCavite Road, Bacoor Contract Location: Bacoor, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 19,400,000.00 Contract Duration: 75 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 25,000.00 Contract ID: 12DF0204 Contract Name: National Arterial and Secondary Road and Bridges Roads to Address Critical Bottleneck, National Road Traffic Decongestion, Widening of Palico, Imus Section including Drainage System Contract Location: Imus, Cavite Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 19,400,000.00 Contract Duration: 100 calendar days Cost of Bidding Documents: PhP 25,000.00 Bidders must have an experience of having completed at least one (1) contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH, Cavite District Engineering Office, BAC Secretariat, Trece Martires City, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. Interested bidders are also required to present the originals of their a) PCAB License; b) Contracts Registration Certificate; c) Certificate of Materials Engineer Accreditation; d) Latest Copy of Authorizing Officer together with machine copy of two (2) valid IDs; e) Certificate of Safety Officer Seminar from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); f) Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Order From (Documents Request List) and g) CY2011 CPES Rating to the DPWH-CDEO BAC for authentication. Submission of Letter of Intent is from November 28, 2012 December 13, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of (stated above). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the DPWH, if available, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The DPWH, Cavite District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference December 6, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the DPWH Cavite District Engineering Office Conference Room, which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on December 19, 2012 on or before 10:00 A.M. and the opening of bids will be at 2:00 P.M. of the same date. All bids 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 representative who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DPWH reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. DPWH Cavite District Engineering Office likewise assumes no obligation whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any bidder or winning bidders, as the case may be, for any expenses or loss that said party(ies) may incur in its participation in the pre-bidding and bidding process nor does it guarantee that an award will be made. For further information, please refer to: TEOFILO A. AYON BAC Chairman Attention: Head, BAC Secretariat DPWH-Cavite District Engineering Office Trece Martires City Tel. No. (046)419-0058 Approved by: (Sgd.) TEOFILO A. AYON Engineer IV Assistant District Engineer Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Noted by: (Sgd.) OSCAR U. DELA CRUZ District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

(Sgd.) CARLOS G. VELOSO District Engineer

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

Department of Public Works and Highways

Region VI Western Visayas OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AKLAN DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Public Works and Highways

Region VI Western Visayas OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AKLAN DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan

Republic of the Philippines

Invitation to Bid for Construction of Tangalan Ibajay Road, Province of Aklan

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, through the DPWH FY 2013 Infrastructure Budget intends to apply the sum of Php48,500,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Construction of Tangalan Ibajay Road, Province of Aklan 12GA0121. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office now invites bids for Rehabilitation/Upgrading of 6,420.10m road with cross drainage & slope protection works. Completion of the Works requires 179 calendar days. 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 Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Aklan District Engineering Office and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. Letters of Intent (LOIs) and/or applications for eligibility and latest Class A documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of bids. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on November 23 December 13, 2012 from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php20,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Department of Public Works and Highways, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 A.M. December 3, 2012 at the DPWH Aklan District Engineering BAC Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 9:00 A.M. December 14, 2012 at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering BAC Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids shall be opened on December 14, 2012 - 2:00 P.M. at the BAC Office, DPWH Aklan District Engineering Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan in the presence of the bidders representatives who chose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bid process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Vivian B. Dalida Head BAC Secretariat Engr. Joey R. Ureta Head, BAC-TWG DPWH Aklan District Engineering Office Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan e-mail: aklan.deo@gmail.com facsimile: +63 (36) 2624845 web: dpwh.gov.ph (Sgd.) DENNIS C. FUENTES Engineer III BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) ABRAHAM C. VILLAREAL OIC District Engineer

Invitation to Bid for Rehab./Retrofitting of Makato Bridge along Aklan West Road, Makato, Aklan
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, through the DPWH FY 2013 Infrastructure Budget intends to apply the sum of Php11,164,720.75 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Rehab./Retrofitting of Makato Bridge along Aklan West Road, Makato, Aklan- 12GA0122. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office now invites bids for Retrofitting of 3-span (33.00m) RCDG Bridge. Completion of the Works requires 90 calendar days. 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 Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Aklan District Engineering Office and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. Letters of Intent (LOIs) and/or applications for eligibility and latest Class A documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of bids. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on November 23 December 14, 2012 from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php10,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Department of Public Works and Highways, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 A.M. December 3, 2012 at the DPWH Aklan District Engineering BAC Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 9:00 A.M. December 14, 2012 at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids shall be opened on December 14, 2012 - 2:00 P.M. at the BAC Office, DPWH Aklan District Engineering Office, Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan in the presence of the bidders representatives who chose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bid process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Vivian B. Dalida Head BAC Secretariat Engr. Joey R. Ureta Head, BAC-TWG DPWH Aklan District Engineering Office Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan e-mail: aklan.deo@gmail.com facsimile: +63 (36) 2624845 web: dpwh.gov.ph (Sgd.) DENNIS C. FUENTES Engineer III BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) ABRAHAM C. VILLAREAL OIC District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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ManilaStandardToday

Classifieds
Department of Public Works and Highways OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AIbay III District Engineering Office Paulog, Ligao City
Republic of the Philippines

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

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Department of Public Works and Highways

Region VI Western Visayas OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AKLAN DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE Kalibo, Aklan

Republic of the Philippines

Invitation to Bid for: Widening of Aklan East Road (Kalibo Section) Kalibo, Aklan
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, Kalibo, aklan, through the _________________ intends to apply the sum of Php10,524,500.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Widening of Aklan West Road (Kalibo Section), Kalibo, Aklan 12GA0132. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, Kalibo, aklan now invites bids for Widening/Conc. of 312.10m net length of 2-lane 0.28m thickness, 3.05m wide on existing graveled road, Const. 626.20m length of CHB box type drainage with curb & gutter. Completion of the Works requires 110 CD. 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 Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, Kalibo, aklan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 12:00 A.M. and from 1:00 5:00 p.m. Letters of Intent (LOIs) and/or applications for eligibility and latest Class A documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of bids. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on November 27 December 17, 2012 from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php10,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Department of Public Works and Highways, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan District Engineering Office, Kalibo, aklan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 3, 2012 10:00 am at DPWH BAC Office, Kalibo, Aklan, which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered on or before 9:00 A.M. December 14, 2012 at the DPWH BAC Office, Kalibo, Aklan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids shall be opened on December 14, 2012 - 2:00 P.M. in the presence of the bidder's representatives who chose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Aklan District Engineering Office, Kalibo, Aklan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bid process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Vivian B. Dalida Head BAC Secretariat Engr. Joey R. Ureta Head, BAC-TWG DPWH Aklan District Engineering Office Toting Reyes St., Kalibo, Aklan e-mail: aklan.deo@gmail.com facsimile: +63 (36) 2624845 web: dpwh.gov.ph (Sgd.) DENNIS C. FUENTES Engineer III BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) ABRAHAM C. VILLAREAL OIC District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

INVITATION TO BID
The Department of Public Works and Highways Albay 3rd District Engineering Office, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply to bid for the following contract( s): Contract ID: 12FO0096 Contract Name: Cluster XXIV-2012: Construction of Road, Maylada-Cabugaw, Brgy. Balogo, Oas, Albay and Construction of Roads, Brgy. Herrera (Sitio BurocburocanMount Masaraga), Ligao City, Albay Contract Location: Ligao City Scope of Work: Construction of Roads Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php.17,257,258.06 Contract Duration: 90 calendar days Contract ID: 12FO0097 Contract Name: Construction of Road Zone 3, Sampongan, Libon Albay Scope of Work: Construction of Roads Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php.19,499,915.98 Contract Duration: 120 calendar days Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations and applicable DPWH issuance. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 with PCAB License applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a Similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC of the DPWH Regional Office no. V will conduct the eligibility checking using the Civil Works Registry (CWR) System and the preliminary examination of bids will be conducted by the BAC of this office. LOI'S and/or application for eligibility and latest Class "A" documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of Bids. Letter of Intent should only be submitted by the duly authorized liaison officer reflected at the CRC, and it must be accompanied with photocopy of CRC, PCAB license and Tax Clearance, original copy of those documents must be presented for validation/verification. Only those that will passed the validation/verification will be accepted. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of payments for tender documents. The DPWH POCW-Central Office will only process contractors applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractors Certificate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:

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ERRORS & OMISSIONS

Department of Public Works and Highways OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER AIbay III District Engineering Office Paulog, Ligao City

Republic of the Philippines

INVITATION TO BID
The Department of Public Works and Highways Albay 3rd District Engineering Office, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply to bid for the following contract(s): Contract ID: 12FO0098 Contract Name: Road/Upgrading (Gravel to Paved) Based on Gravel Road Strategies, Traffic Benchmark for Road Upgrading to Paved Road Standard (HDM- 4 Project Analysis), Intermittent Sections, Albay West Coast Road, K0053+400-K0554+500 Contract Location: Basicao, Pioduran Albay Scope of Work: Road Concreting Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php.21,181,000.00 Contract Duration: 90 calendar days Contract ID: 12FO0099 Contract Name: Road Upgrading (Gravel to Paved) Based on Gravel Road Strategies Traffic Benchmark for Upgrading to Paved Road Standard (HDM-4 Project Analysis), Intermittent Sections, Albay West Coast Road, K0529+000-K0530+055 Contract Location: Tapel, Oas Albay Scope of Work: Road Concreting/Drainage/Slope Protection Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php.21,609,000.00 Contract Duration: 90 calendar days Contract ID: 12FO00100 Contract Name: Road Upgrading (Gravel to Paved) Based on Gravel Road Strategies Traffic Benchmark for Upgrading to Paved Road Standard (HDM-4 Project Analysis), Intermittent Sections, Albay West Coast Road, K0533+489-K0535+000 Contract Location: Cagmanaba, Oas Albay Scope of Work: Road Concreting/Drainage/Slope Protection Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php.28,215,180.00 Contract Duration: 120 calendar days Contract ID: 12FO00101 Contract Name: Road Upgrading (Gravel to Paved) Based on Gravel Road Strategies Traffic Benchmark for Upgrading to Paved Road Standard (HDM-4 Project Analysis), Intermittent Sections, Albay West Coast Road, K0547+320-K0549+600 Contract Location: Maonon, Pioduran Albay Scope of Work: Road Concreting/Drainage/Slope Protection Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php43,218,000.00 Contract Duration: 180 calendar days Contract ID: 12FO00102 Contract Name: Rehabilitation/Reconstruction/Strengthening of Banao Bridge along Daang Maharlika Road K0506+126.00-K0506+194.00 Contract Location: Brgy. Banao, Guinobatan Albay Scope of Work: Bridge (Retrofitting) Approved Budget for the Contract: (ABC): Php14,700,000.00 Contract Duration: 90 calendar days Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations and applicable DPWH issuance. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 with PCAB License applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a Similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC of the DPWH Regional Office no. V will conduct the eligibility checking using the Civil Works Registry (CWR) System and the preliminary examination of bids will be conducted by the BAC of this office. LOI'S and/or application for eligibility and latest Class "A" documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of Bids. Letter of Intent should only be submitted by the duly authorized liaison officer reflected at the CRC, and it must be accompanied with photocopy of CRC, PCAB license and Tax Clearance, original copy of those documents must be presented for validation/verification. Only those that will passed the validation/ verification will be accepted. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of payments for tender documents. The DPWH POCW-Central Office will only process contractors applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractors Certificate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below: 1. Submission of LOI from Prospective Bidders December 7, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. 2. Pre-Bid Conference November 29, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M. 3. Issuance of Bidding Documents 4. Receipt of Payments of Bid Documents 5. Submission of Bids 6. Opening of Bids November 28-Dec. 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. Deadline: December 13, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. December 13, 2012 until 2:00 P.M. December 13, 2012 at 2:01 P.M.

1. Submission of LOI from Prospective Bidders 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Issuance of Bidding Documents

December 10, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. November 29, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M. November 28-Dec. 4, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

4. Receipt of Payments of Bid Documents Deadline: December 14, 2012 until 10:00 A.M.
Interested contractor must download the Bidding Documents including the plans of DPWH website or PhilGEPS and must submit Letter of Intent (LOI) before the deadline of submission and must paid Php 10,000.00 for Bidding Documents each for Contract IDs on or before the deadline for payments of Bidding Documents at DPWH Albay 3rd District Engineering Office, Paulog, Ligao City. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in the required amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.7 of the Revised IRR. This office will verify from Accounting Section thru Electronic National Government Accounting System (E-NGAS) the names of contractor who made payments at other DPWH Office, however, Contractors that made payments on other DPWH office may also email their receipt at dpwh.albay2@gmail.com or may present the original receipt at the BAC of this office for inclusion to the list of contractor that will be submitted to the Regional Office for Eligibility Screening. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BDs in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include the eligibility requirements. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification. The DPWH Albay III District Engineering Office, Paulog, Ligao City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) BENICIO S. SAZON BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) EFREN C. MANALO, MPA District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

Department of Public Works and Highways

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
Benguet 1st District Engineering Office Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet Telefax No. (074) 422 6163

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Public Works and Highways

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Daet, Camarines Norte

Republic of the Philippines

Invitation to Bid
The Benguet First District Engineering Office, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites Contractors to bid for the following Projects: 1. Contract ID 12PE049 (Re-Invitation) Contract Name Rehabilitation of Moatong Bridge Contract Location K 0301+743, Bokod, Benguet Brief Description Rehabilitation of Moatong Bridge Approved Budget for the Contract Php8,300,666.25 Contract Duration 120 C.D. Cost of Bidding Documents Php10,000.00 Contract ID 12PE056 Contract Name Clustered Restoration Project Contract Location Bokod and Tuba, Benguet Brief Description Clustering of Two (2) Restoration Projects Approved Budget for the Contract Php7,732,293.00 Contract Duration 105 C.D. Cost of Bidding Documents Php10,000.00 The Benguet 1st District Engineering Office, through the 2013 Regular Infra Fund and R.A. FUND 101 GENERAL FUND, intends to apply the sum stated above being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the following projects listed above. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 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 Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino Citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Benguet 1st District Engineering Office and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 5:00 P.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount specified above. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity. Provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids. 6. The Benguet 1st District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 6, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. at the BAC room of Benguet 1st District Engineering Office, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 10:00 A.M. on December 19 2012, and will be opened on the same date at 2:00 P.M. at Benguet 1st District Engineering Office, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet. All bids 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 representative/s that chooses to attend at the stated address above. Late bid shall not be accepted. 8. Contractors/applicants who are interested in the DPWH civil works are required to register prior to the set schedule of submission of bid while those already registered shall keep their records current and updated. Contractors eligibility to bid on the project will be determined using the DPWH Civil Works Registry (CWR) and subject to further post-qualification. Information on registration can be obtained at DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph or Central Procurement Office (CPO), 5th floor, DPWH Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, Port, Area, Manila from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The Benguet 1st District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) CESAR L. BACANI Engineer III BAC Chairman By: (Sgd.) ROMEO D. DULAY Engineer III BAC VICE Chairman

INVITATION TO BID
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Camarines Norte Engineering District, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects: 12FC0252 ROADS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL BOTTLENECKS: CONSTRUCTION/WIDENING/UPGRADING/ REHABILITATION OF ACCESS ROADS TO AIRPORT, RORO PORTS, DECLARED TOURIST DESTINATIONS 1. TO DECLARED TOURISTS DESTINATIONS b. DaetTalobatib-Batobalani-J. Panganiban Road leading to Pag asa Beach Jose Panganiban Monument (National Hero) to Larap to Caroline Island c.2 a Road Leading to Pag-asa Beach to Larap to Caroline Island Contract Location : Jose Panganiban, Cams. Norte Scope of Work : 1000m Roads Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 24,499,544.37 Contract Duration : 90 C.D. Source of Fund : Tender Documents : Php 20,000.00 Contract ID Contract Name : : 12FC0253 ROADS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL BOTTLENECKS: CONSTRUCTION/WIDENING/UPGRADING/ REHABILITATION OF ACCESS ROADS TO AIRPORT, RORO PORTS, DECLARED TOURIST DESTINATIONS 1. TO DECLARED TOURISTS DESTINATIONS b. DaetTalobatib-Batobalani-Paracale Road leading to Calaguas Island (Mahabang Buhangin), Pulang Daga Beach & Senakulo to Gumaus and Bulalakao Beach b.2 a Road Leading to Calaguas Island (Mahabang Buhangin) Pulang Daga Beach & Senakulo to Gumaus Beach and Bulalacao Beach Contract Location : Paracale, Cams. Norte Scope of Work : 800m Roads and 80 ln.m. seawall Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 24,499,644.52 Contract Duration : 90 C.D. Source of Fund : Tender Documents : Php 20,000.00 Contract ID Contract Name : : 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, (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC, and (f) Prospective Bidders must submit complete List of Equipment to be used for above Projects. The said List of Equipment must be owned/leased by the bidder itself (g) all interested Bidder/s who wish to participate in this competitive bidding are required to have an Actual Site Inspection (ASI) on the above mention projects. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH-POCW Central Office will only process contractors applications for registration with complete requirements and issue the Contractors Certificate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The significant times and deadlines of procurements activities are shown below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders Receipt of Bids Opening of Bids From NOVEMBER 29 to DECEMBER 20, 2012 DECEMBER 6, 2012 @ 2:00 P.M. DECEMBER 6, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. DECEMBER 20, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. DECEMBER 20, 2012 @ 2:00 P.M.

2.

1.

2.

3.

5.

7.

Interested contractor must download the Bidding Documents including the plans of DPWH website or PhilGEPS and must submit Letter of Intent (LOI) before the deadline of submission and must paid Php 20,000.00 for Bidding Documents each for Contract IDs 12OF0096, 12OF0099, 12OF0100, and 12OF0101, and Php 10,000.00 for contract ID 12OF0102 on or before the deadline for payments of Bidding Documents at DPWH Albay 3rd District Engineering Office, Paulog, Ligao City. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in the required amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.7 of the Revised IRR. This office will verify from Accounting Section thru Electronic National Government Accounting System (E-NGAS) the names of contractor who made payments at other DPWH Office, however, Contractors that made payments on other DPWH office may also email their receipt at dpwh.albay2@gmail.com or may present the original receipt at the BAC of this office for inclusion to the list of contractor that will be submitted to the Regional Office for Eligibility Screening. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BDs in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include the eligibility requirements. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification. , The DPWH Albay III District Engineering Office, Paulog, Ligao City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) BENICIO S. SAZON BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) EFREN C. MANALO, MPA District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

9.

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BDs) at the Office of the BAC, DPWH, Daet, Camarines Norte, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of (see cost of tender documents above). Prospective bidders may also download the BDs 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 BDs. Bids must accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BDs in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post-qualification. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Camarines Norte Engineering District 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 bidders. (Sgd.) RICARDO L. PACARDO OIC-Asst. District Engineer BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) SIMON N. ARIAS OIC-District Engineer

Noted: (Sgd.) DAVID A. BULIYAT OIC District Engineer By: (Sgd.) BENEDICTA C. MENDOZA OIC Asst. District Engineer

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

(MST-Dec. 1, 2011)

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SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

ManilaStandardToday

News
Remulla said about 85 percent of those working in Tagaytay are not really residents since the city is lined with rest houses, hotels and restaurants. He explained that construction workers under contractual employment in various construction sites in the city are also supposedly forced to register rst to be able to work there. The foundation of cheating is already there, Remulla claimed. During the May 2010 elections, Tagaytay registered some 34,000 voters. The gure is a far-cry from the 47,000 voters who registered for the 2013 polls, an increase of 13,000

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Remulla assails dirty poll tactics

By Joel E. Zurbano

DEPUTY House Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla urged the Commission on Elections to investigate alleged election-related irregularities in Tagaytay City so the province will not turn into an election hot-spot, like Maguindanao.

We want to seek an audience with the Comelec, particularly Chairman Sixto Brillantes. We dont want another Maguindanao to happen here in Tagaytay, said Remulla, who is seeking Tagaytays mayorship after serving three terms as congressman of Cavites third district. Remulla has declared his candidacy under the Nacionalista Party and is expected to run against Liuberal Party candidate, dentist Agnes DelgadoTolentino, wife of incumbent Mayor Abraham Bambol Tolentino who is running for the congressional seat to be vacated by Remulla. The mayor will run against Re-

mullas brother, former congressman Gilbert Remulla. Remulla complained that people supposedly cannot work or establish a business in Tagaytay unless they are registered voters and this has resulted in what he called a padded voters list. Even my own children, who just registered, are not on the list, he said. Intimidation is tremendous. Tagaytay is the only place where you cannot get a business permit if you are not a registered voter. At the Mahogany market, you will notice that a lot of stalls are still empty because of this requirement, the congressman added.

voters or 38 percent. When it comes to real politics, we are still back to square one . We are still back to the Maguindanao massacre, he said, referring to the 2009 killing of some 57 people that is widely believed to be the worst election-related violence in recent times. [The massacre] all started from somthing like this, right? Remulla said he has already asked for Comelecs city ofcer Winston Gaffud for data on certied voters, new, renewing and transferred voters and deactivated voters, but the election ofcer has yet to act on the requests.

Enrile: No beef with Ampatuans

By Macon Ramos-Araneta
SENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile posed no objection to the possibility of accepting members of the controversial Ampatuan clan of Maguindanao to the slate of the United Nationalist Alliance since they have not been convicted of the crime charged against them. They should only be punished if they committed a crime... Why punish them if they are not involved in the case? the elderly senator said. If you have not established any case against a person, do not deny him the right he is entitled to, Enrile said, noting that many Ampatuan clan members were elected to ofce even after Maguindanao massacre, touted as the biggest election-related violence in the countrys history, where 58 people were killed in 2009. Enrile is part of the UNA triumvirate composed of former President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay. The senator also assured his support for the re-election bid of Senators Loren Legarda and Chiz Escudero, both members of the Nationalist Peoples Coalition who are also running as guest candidates of UNA and the ruling Liberal Party. Enrile said he will campaign for all the candidates of UNA and has already planned his own campaign strategy. No offense, nothing personal. We are talking of a country. Were talking of politics, and its important and healthy to have two sides of every political issue so that it can be debated soberly, wisely and expansively so that the people will know and its up to them to decide, he said.

Following the footsteps. A young boy follows the pose of national hero Andrs Bonifacio as he performs at the Bonifacio Shrine at the former Mehan Garden in Manila during rites marking Bonifacios 149th birth anniversary. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim (inset) lead the celebration with the descendants of the hero who started the Philippine Revolution of 1896. DANNY PATA

Aquino rejects free zone in vote-rich Cebu

By Joyce Pangco Paares
CEBU CITYPresident Aquino rejected on Friday suggestions that the ruling Liberal Party agree to declare a free zone in this vote-rich province to avoid a collision with the National Unity Party, which is part of the administration coalition. Look at who I am with right now. These are candidates of the Liberal Party, Mr. Aquino said at a Liberal Party caucus in Mandaue City. The rst thing that I did, straight from the airport, is to talk with the our allies here. Why should we have a free zone here? Mr. Aquino made the announcement as he presented LP senatorial candidates Bam Aquino, former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, and former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. Malacanang ofcials themselves broached the idea of declaring free zones in vote-rich areas where it would be unlikely to command an electoral plurality without the cooperation of local alliances and the Liberal Party has already agreed on some free zones with the NP, Nationalist Peoples Coalition and the National Unity Party. The NUP is a political party that was formed by former members of the Lakas Kampi CMD, led by Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia, who broke away from the party upon the assumption of the Aquino administration. Garcia earlier suggested the declaration of a free zone because his son Rep. Pablo John Garcia is running for governor against LP candidate Hilario Davide III. But Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas shot down the suggestion and stressed that President Aquino will support an all-Liberal slate in the province which had more than 2.5 million votes in the 2010 elections. The President will openly support all LP candidates in the Province of Cebu from Governor up to the last councilor. I never said that Cebu is a free zone, Llamas said a statement that was reiterated by Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Mar Roxas II, who was the Presidents running mate in the last election. It is just a black propaganda, he said, reiterating that Davide and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale will be their candidates for governor and vice governor.

IN BRIEF
Cooking fuel price cut
INDEPENDENT rellers grouped under the Liqueed Petroleum Gas Marketers Association rolled back their prices for cooking fuel by P16.50 per P11-kg cylinder effective midnight Friday. LPGMA partylist Rep. Arnel Ty said the sustained drop in the international contract price of LPG was the reason for the reduction of P1.50 per kilo or P16.50 for every 11-kg cylinder. The suggested retail price of independent rellers prices is now between P640 to 670 per cylinder, he said. As a result of the rollback, Ty said independent rellers prices are now 16 to 20 percent lower than branded cooking gas. A survey of LPG retail prices revealed Petron Gasul and Solane (formerly Shellane) are being sold anywhere from P764 to P799 per cylinder. Gigi Muoz-David

Air Force receives 2 more choppers

By Florante S. Solmerin
THE Philippine Air Force has aleady taken delivery of two more brand new Sokol helicopters from the Poland-based supplier PZL Swidnik, according to Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Lauro dela Cruz. Dela Cruz said the two units were delivered last Nov. 26 and two more are expected to be delivered by early next year to complete the eight units purchased by the government for P3.2 billion. The rst four units were delivered in November 2011. Dela Cruz said the two new choppers are still being assembled at Clark Air Base in Pampanga and is set to be turned over the 505th Search and Rescue Group next week. The utility helicopter, model W-3A Sokol, manufactured PZLSwidnik and Augusta Westland, has a maximum speed of 235 km/h and a maximum range of 734 km. The units are not designed for combat operations, meaning they are not fully armed like attack helicopters. They are transport aircraft manned by two pilots and capable of carrying 12 passengers. The chopper will boost air capability of PAF in transporting troops and can also be used in search-andrescue operations during calamities. Earlier, Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo said the Armed Forces asked Congress to allocate P75 billion to beef up the militarys might and extend the countrys military modernization program that began in 1995 ended in failure in 2010.

12,000 join marathon

DESPITE the 4th Quezon City International Marathon, Commonwealth Avenue will only partially closure on Dec. 2. Mayor Herbert Bautista tasked Elmo San Diego, chief of the city governments Department of Public Order and Safety, to oversee trafc movement on Commonwealth Avenue after 12,000 runners registered to join the race on Sunday. San Diego said only four lanes of the eight-lane Commonwealth Avenue on both sides have been designated as running lanes. At least 800 police ofcers and trafc enforcers from the Quezon City Police District and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will be elded in the area as early as 3 a.m., he said. Rio N. Araja

Family Day. Ofcials of Mitsui OSK Lines, Magsaysay MOL Marine Inc. and Habitat

for Humanity stand before the day care center that the manning agency donated to the children of Tanza in Navotas City. Photo shows (from left) Eduardo Manese, Susana Madrigal, Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Akimitsu Ashida, Charlie Ayco and Takaaki Inoue.

Blood council formed

THE local government of Marikina recently passed an ordinance through the city council to form the Marikina City Blood Coordinating Council. Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman said the group aims to augment the supply of blood in the local blood bank of the city, and to further ensure accessibility of blood to the residents of Marikina, there is a need to actively and aggressively promote voluntary and related activities within the city. Ordinance 61, Series of 2012 states that MCBC shall be a part of the blood service network of the Marikina Blood Station. The MCBC is also tasked to organize blood collection activities in the city. Gigi Munoz David

Bill to monitor SSS and GSIS pension funds

By Maricel V. Cruz
AN administration ally on Friday took the initiative to monitor how pension funds under the care of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are being managed by ling a measure that would ensure that state pension funds are carefully invested at no risk against losses or siphoned off to benet private sector entities. Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo proposed under House Bill 6665 that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) or the Monetary Board issue rules, regulations, guidelines and other sanctions as it may see t that will introduce the culture of transparency in the business or corporate affairs of both the SSS and the GSIS. In the light that no government agency undertakes a conscious monitoring on how pension funds are being administered, it behooves upon a cognizant entity to adopt a proactive approach as would ensure how substantial chunk of funds may be utilized for all the bonade SSS and GSIS members and stakeholders, the bills explanatory note read. In his bill, Castelo, member for the majority of the House committee on social services, proposed that there should be an internal system of disclosure initiated by the state pension fund itself for the full dissemination and information as to how such funds are being run. Not surprisingly, SSS or GSIS is awash with cash but this shall not lend freedom for them to invest in any way they see, Castelo said. Under the proposed Pension Funds Disclosure Act of 2012, a culture of transparency and internal system of disclosure shall be adopted in all the business and corporate affairs of the SSS and the GSIS as a matter of right and privilege on the part of their private and public workers. All returns of investment under this system of disclosure shall be fully disseminated for the information of the private workers in the case of SSS and public workers in the case of GSIS.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

ManilaStandardToday Riera U. Mallari, Editor

Sports

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

A9

IN BRIEF
Ateneo vs FEU in opener
LAST years runner-up Ateneo takes on 29time champion Far Eastern University as the much-awaited University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 75 womens volleyball tournament begins today at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The Lady Eagles-Lady Tamaraws match is set at 3:30 p.m., right after season host National University, parading a retooled roster, tangle with Adamson at 2 p.m. Ateneo has won two major off-season championships, but the UAAP title has been very elusive to the Fab 5. The Lady Eagles have been major playoff contenders since Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, Jem Ferrer, Fille Cainglet and A Nacachi entered the league, along with coach Roger Gorayeb in 2008. In one nal stab for glory, Gervacio believes that this is their time after years of frustrations. Since its our last season, us ve will go denitely go all out. Always, always 100 percent, said Gervacio, who is this years Ateneo skipper.

Pepings bloc sweeps polls

By Peter Atencio

INCUMBENT president Jose Peping Cojuangco got what he was after and so did members of his bloc, which swept all positions at stake yesterday in the Philippine Olympic Committee elections.
Cojuangco will serve for a third term after the 43 voting members of the POC gave him 33 votes during polls held at the Ballroom B of the Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa. Members of his bloc took all nine positions at stake, defeating all candidates which belonged to the Manny Lopez group. The 78-year-old Cojuangco said this will be his last term in the POC and added that we was glad that he was given a fresh mandate again. Im given another four years. I would like to make sure that in these last four years that I will be president of the POC, I can nally produce the results which people are expecting, Cojuangco. Cojuangco, who is the uncle of the President Benigno Noynoy Aquino, said he would like the country to produce a gold medal in the Olympics under his watch. Since the formation of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation as the highest sports body in the land in 1935, Cojuangco is the eighth president of the POC, and 12th in the line of sports leaders since president Manuel L. Quezon headed that PAAF. He is expected to head the POC for a total of 12 years after taking over from Celson Dayrit in 2004. Triathlete chief Tom Carrasco, an accountant by profession, assumed the post of chairman after beating weightliftings Monico Puentevella with a vote of 21 against 18. Spokesman Joey Romasanta of karetedo got 24 votes for rst vice president, beating boxings Lopez, who received 16, while Jeff Tamayo of soft tennis assumes the position of second VP over cyclings Abraham Tolentino, 24-15.

Cyril Tablan of Circle Cy Racing Team DOTTIE Ardina turned from awesome to awful as she hobbled with a four-over 76 after a record 65 and tumbled from joint lead to third, seven strokes behind erstwhile co-leader Su Hyun Oh in the third round of the Dunes Medal in Rye, Victoria, Australia Thursday. Ardina, who set a new course record sevenunder 65 in good condition to force a three-way tie for the lead Wednesday, failed to cope with the adverse change in weather condition with temperature rising to as high as 40 degrees Celsius, the hottest in 15 years.

Ardina falters with a 76

National slalom 11th leg set

NEARING the years end, Race Motorsports Club will hold the last two legs of the Shell Helix National Slalom Series on Dec. 2 and 9 at Robinsons Nova Market parking lot. See your favorite slalom drivers do the exciting and perfect 360- and 180-degree turns. Slalom racing action will start at 8 a.m. for the registration onwards. Ofcial runs are at 11 a.m. Overall and class champions and contenders must use the specied Federal Tyres and must possess the Automobile Association of the Philippines Clubman license. The National Slalom is the longest-running motorsport discipline in the country and is afliated with the Automobile Association of the Philippines and FIA. Expected to participate are series champions, headed by Dr. Peewee Mendiola of Big Chill team, DKC/T FACTORY, headed by Pathrick Bautista and Donbert Bumatay, Blanche Racing, Team Soleil, FERN C Team, plus the different clubs of Metro Manila. The event is presented by Shell Helix Motor Oils and co-sponsored by Federal Tyres, Dubshop Magwheels, Outlast Battery, Auto Transporter, Starbright Body Kits and media partners Stoplight TV, Wheel to Wheel insert of C! Magazine, Auto Industriya.com and Kotse.com and Power Wheels Magazine. Free slalom clinic from 9 to 10 a.m. For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at tel. nos. 928-6951, 0922-8165344 or 09178119337; e-mail racemotorsportsclub@yahoo.com and like the organizers Facebook Page Race Motorsports Club for details.

Sportswriters dad dies

WILFREDO Timbang, stepfather of InterAKTV sportswriter Rey Joble, died Friday morning due to heart failure. He was 63. He is survived by his wife, Juana and children, Rey, Ace, Madonna, Joy, Mia and Ryan. His body lies at their familys residence at 330 Bgy. Bungahan in Cuenca, Batangas. Details of interment will be announced later.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways

Cordillera Administrative Region OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

EnginEERs Hill, Baguio City

invitation to Bid
the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera administrative Region (DPWHCaR, through the general appropriations act intends to apply the amount of the approved Budget Cost to payments under the contracts and now invites bids for the contracts: 1. Contract iD no: Contract name: Contract location: Fund: approved Budget Cost: scope of work: Contract Duration: Cost of Bidding Documents: 2. Contract iD no: Contract name: 12PO0059 Road Opening/Construction of Kabugao, ApayaoSolsona, Ilocos Norte Road (Apayao Side) Apayao FY 2013: Regular Infrastructure Program Php 123,675,000.00 Roadway Excavation (Common Earth) Surplus, Roadway Excavation (Solid Rock), etc. 269 Calendar Days Php 40,000.00 12PO0060 Rehabilitation/Improvement of Gurel-BokodKabayan-Buguias-Abatan Road Including ROW Declared Strategic Tourist Destination K0328+500 K0330+806, K0332+616 K0335+558 and K0339+840 K0342+080 Benguet FY 2013: Regular Infrastructure Program Php 140,650,000.00 PCCP, Stone Masonry, etc. 269 Calendar Days Php 40,000.00 12PO0061 Ballay-Tabio-Tonoman-Bulalacao Road (Bulalacao Lake), Kabayan - Declared Strategic Tourist Destination (DSTD), Sta 007+000 Sta 015+200 Ballay & Tawangan, Kabayan, Benguet FY 2013: Regular Infrastructure Program Php 67,900,000.00 PCCP, Stone Masonry, Selected Embankment, Curb and Gutter, etc. 210 Calendar Days Php 30,000.00 12PO0062 Kibungan-Kapangan-Ambongdolan-(Tuel) Tublay(Alno) La Trinidad Road Declared Strategic Tourist Destination (DSTD), Sta 002+500 Sta 006+200 (Ambongdolan Tuel Section) and Sta 003+486 Sta 006+076 (AmbongdolanBengawngaw Section) Ambongdolan & Tuel, Tublay, Benguet FY 2013: Regular Infrastructure Program Php 97,000,000.00 PCCP, Stone Masonry, Concrete Curb & Gutter, etc. 225 Calendar Days Php 30,000.00

True revolutionaries
INSIDE SPORTS
IT is ind eed signicant that our nation and people yesterday celebrated the birthday of one of our great national heroes and revolutionaries Andres Bonifacio, who was born on Nov. 30, 1863 and was executed on May 10, 1897. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, states that Bonifacios death is alternately viewed as a justied execution for treason and a legal murder fueled by politics. How particularly appropriate it seems in relation to the Philippine Olympic Committee elections, which were to take place on Friday at the posh Alabang Country club. It underscores the differences between the conservatives and Bonifacio, who is considered the father of the Philippine revolution and later the supreme leader of the Katipunan movement, which fought for the independence of our country from Spanish colonial rule. The setting for the POC elections, especially for the position of president, where Peping Cojuangco is seeking a third term, which he will win by default after his only rival, Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation president Go Teng Kok, decided at the last minute to withdraw his manifestation before the Pasig Regional Trial Court by seeking a Temporary Restraining Order after the socalled POC Comelec denied his right to run in the elections, facetiously stating it would do more harm than good, is anomalous. For the record, a longtime Peping buddy in the House of Representatives, Concoy Chavez, who must have mastered the craft of wheeling and dealing, penned the decision against Go Teng Kok as chairman of the so-called POC Comelec. He was supported, quite surprisingly, by former Ateneo basketball player Ricky Palou and Bro. Bernie Oca of La Salle. For sure, the politically powerful had their way and the maverick Go Teng Kok was effectively sidelined and silenced some one hour after he told us and many others, including the patrons of the Reformist Group opposing Cojuangcos handpicked ticket, that he had led for a TRO and would ght to the bitter end. What transpired that made Go Teng Kok change his mind is anybodys guess, but the acceptable theories are that he struck a deal with Cojuangco, whom he had supported against Arturo Macapagal in the last elections, in return for some favors. What they are, we honestly do not know. Go Teng Kok is known to be someone with a questionable background, whose appointment by then Basketball Association of the Philippines president Lito Puyat as manager of the all-pro Philippine team to the Asian Games in Beijing in 1990, we criticized, since at that time there were some 30 estafa cases led against him. None of those cases moved, similar to the reported charges for plunder led by former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping against POC leaders with the Ombudsman,

Capadocia, pal in finals

TOP seed Marian Capadocia and Miki Kobayashi overwhelmed Anna Grigoryan and Miyo Kobayashi of Japan, 6-1, 6-1, yesterday to arrange a showdown with Nozomi Ohya and Yukina Saigo of Japan for the girls doubles crown in the Phinma International Juniors (Week Two) Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Capadocia, out to atone for her rst round exit in the singles after claiming the crown last week, and Kobayashi dominated Grigoryan and Kobayashi all throughout to fashion out the one-sided win but could be in for a tougher outing against the Ohya-Saigo tandem, which upended second seed T. Momkoonthod and Chanikarn Silakul of Thailand, 6-2, 5-7(12-10), in the other semis match. Unseeded Yuki Takamura and Taiwans Wu Tung lin, meanwhile, copped the boys doubles crown by upsetting No. 2 Sora Fukuda and Yusuke Takahashi of Japan, 6-4, 4-6(108), in the event sponsored by Phinma and backed by Technibre, Viva mineral water and Powerade with the Philippine Sports Commission providing free use of the RMTC. Meanwhile, action in the singles resumes at 9 a.m. today (Saturday) with Malaysian Abdul Razak facing off Takahashi, who ended Alberto Lims sweep bid Thursday, and Fukuda tangling with Shoma Kato in the boys semis. Gabriella Umoquit of the US, whom Capadocia defeated in last weeks nale, goes for another title crack against Ohya while Saigo and Indias Pranjala Yadlapalli dispute the other championship berth. The girls doubles nals is set at 11 a.m., also today.

RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

which have apparently, also gathered dust since 2009. Since then, there have been rumors of Go Teng Koks alleged improper conduct and business dealings, but in fairness to him, there has been no evidence made public. There is a school of thought that politically powerful individuals like Cojuangco, who after all is the uncle of President Benigno Aquino III, have the ability as well as the connections to probably put together a dossier on Go Teng Koks activities and confront him with it, forcing him to make a sudden turnaround. Effectively, it may well have been a legal murder of an attempt to have Cojuangco and his POC group respect the rule of law since their effort to declare him persona non grata by the POC executive committee and expelled by the general assembly were declared illegal by Pasig Regional Trial Court judge Bonifacio and sustained by the Supreme Court. The decision, which was penned by no less than Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, dismissed Cojuangcos plea to have the RTC ruling over-turned. In what was clearly an affront to the courts and a display of arrogance, Cojuangco said the TRO is a form of government intervention and we could face suspension from the IOC (International Olympic Committee). That is unvarnished bull. Reecting his disregard of our courts and the rule of law he bluntly stated A TRO is not applicable in proceedings such as the POC elections. The exercise is government by the IOC and nothing else. What Cojuangco refused to admit is that the procedure by which his group engineered the ouster of Go Teng Kok was not in keeping with the rules and regulations of the IOC and in fact a clear violation of its charter. That charter states that any individual has the right to be heard by the IOC (in this case the POC) and any body competent to apply a measure, or sanction such individual. More importantly, the charter states the right to be heard in the sense of this provision includes the right to be acquainted with the charges and the right to appear personally or submit a defense in writing. Clearly, these rights enshrined in the IOC charter were denied Go Teng Kok It is indeed a sad commentary on the state of Philippine sports, the utter lack of decency and integrity which demands an internal revolution at the very least. There may not be an Andres Bonifacio within the POC ranks, but there are a number of good men seeking to right the wrongs of the past eight years under Cojuangco in the form of the Reformist Group that endeavors to win a crucial majority of the key positions and surround Cojuangco so that he would be forced if indeed that is possible given his track record to do what is right. We will nd out on Bonifacio Day whether there are any true revolutionaries or genuine reformists within the National Sports Associations, who would, on this historic day, reect by the power of the ballot the changes our people are crying out for and our young athletes both men and women, have long deserved.

Contract location: Fund: approved Budget Cost : scope of work: Contract Duration: Cost of Bidding Documents: 3. Contract iD no: Contract name:

Contract location: Fund: approved Budget Cost : scope of work: Contract Duration: Cost of Bidding Documents: 4. Contract iD no: Contract name:

Republic of the Philippines Professional Regulation Commission Manila

PRESS RELEASE
november 28, 2012

Contract location: Fund: approved Budget Cost : scope of work: Contract Duration: Cost of Bidding Documents:

ANNOUNCEMENT
the Professional Regulation Commission, in compliance with section i, article ii of Executive order no. 496, Series of 1991, which reads: The Commission shall, upon receipt of the resolution from the accredited professional organization, immediately publish the same in a newspaper of general circulation for the purpose of inviting anyone who may have derogatory information against any of the nominees which may render him unfit for the position to inform the said Commission within a period of ten (10) days from such publication xxx, hereby publishes the names of the nominees as follows: 1. For appointment as Chairman/Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering, as nominated by the institute of integrated Electrical Engineers (iiEE) : a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. 2. nEstoR C. aRCHiVal JEsus C. santos DoMiniCo a. aMoRa gERMan a. uMali RalaDin a. MoJiCa lEo s. CaBasag alEXanDER s. BuyCo aDElino V. gaRCia, JR. nEstoR B. CRuZ JoVino l. oCaMPo

Bids received in excess of the approved Budget Cost shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Completion of the Works is required within the contract duration. 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 Bidding Document particularly, in section ii, instruction to Bidders. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract similar to the Project, equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (Ra 9184), otherwise known as the government Procurement Reform act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Contractors/applicants who are interested in the DPWH civil works are required to register prior to the set schedule of submission of bid while those already registered shall keep their records current and updated. Contractors eligibility to bid on the project will be determined using the DPWH Contract Profile Eligibility Process (CPEP) and subject to further post-qualification. Information on registration can be obtained at DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. a complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the cost of Bidding Documents. interested bidders can also make payments for the purchase of the Bidding Documents at any DPWH Field Offices. it may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine government Electronic Procurement system (PhilgEPs) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of bids. Letters of Intent and/or applications for eligibility and latest Class A documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of bids. the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera administrative Region will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 6, 2012, 10:00 AM at Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Office, nd 2 Floor Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera administrative Region - Regional Office, Engineers Hill, Baguio City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways- Cordillera administrative Region, Engineers Hill, Baguio City and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Bids must be delivered on December 20, 2012, not later than 10:00 a.m. at Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Office, 2nd Floor Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera Administrative Region - Regional Office, Engineers Hill, Baguio City. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in itB Clause 18.1. Bids will be opened in the presence of the owner or the bidders authorized representatives who choose to attend at the above. late bids shall not be accepted. the Department of Public Works and Highways Cordillera administrative Region reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: CLIFTON D. VALENCERINA oiC - Chief, Construction Division HEAD, BAC Secretariat (074) 300-6027

For appointment as Chairman/Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of landscape architecture, as nominated by the Philippine association of landscape architects (Pala) : a. HoRaCio EVElio C. DiManlig b. ViC l. Dul-loog

3.

For appointment as Chairman/Member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Marine Engineer Officers, as nominated by the Marine Engineer Officers Association of the Philippines (MEOAP): a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. JoVito F. ERiVE ManuEl M. VillaMoR, JR. JoHn C. BuEnDia ViRgilio C. MaRtinEZ aQuilino a. VinCulaDo, JR. FERnanDo a. PEREZ JERoME B. ValEnZuEla alBERto C. saliguMBa

4.

For appointment as Chairman/Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Mechanical Engineers, as nominated by the Philippine society of Mechanical Engineers (PsME): a. b. c. d. e. f. g. lEanDRo a. Conti (reappointment) ViCEntE B. VosotRos (reappointment) RaMon F. solis ERnEsto J. Casis ManuEl l. Paulino alBERto F. BaDillo JEsus M. REDElosa

5.

For appointment as Chairman/Members of the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, as nominated by the Philippine Medical association (PMa): a. b. c. d. e. f. g. RaMon lEo B. aBRagan, JR. alBERto J. DE lEon ElEanoR J. galVEZ CaRMElita V. naVaRRo ManuEl M. RaMos, JR. isaBElita M. saManiEgo RoMEo g. EnCanto

6.

For appointment as Chairman/Member of the Professional Regulatory Board of nutrition and Dietetics, as nominated by the nutritionist-Dietitians association of the Philippines (nDaP): a. Ma. VERitas F. luna b. Ma. PaZ l. salEs

7.

For appointment as Member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology, as nominated by the Psychological association of the Philippines (PaP): a. EliZaBEtH R. VEntuRa b. ansElMo D. luPDag c. alEXa P. aBREniCa

ALFREDO Y. PO Commissioner Officer-In-Charge o-C/PRBsCsec tRM/sVo/rgg

(MST-Dec. 1, 2012) (MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

(Sgd.) CONSTANTE R. SARMIENTO Chief, Maintenance Division BAC Chairman

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

SPURS EARN STERNS IRE

MIAMI The San Antonio Spurs will be punished by the NBA for their decision to send four top players home and not make them available to play in Miami against the Heat on Thursday night. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said the decision to rest Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Greenthe core of the Spurs was in the teams best interest. The league wasnt happy about it, and Commissioner David Stern promised that San Antonio would be penalized. I apologize to all NBA fans, Stern said. This was an unacceptable decision by the San Antonio Spurs and substantial sanctions will be forthcoming. AP

Sports
Manila Standard TODAY
Riera U. Mallari, Editor

LOTTO RESULTS
6/45 00 00 00 00 00 00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00 00 00 00 3 DIGITS 00 00 00 2 EZ2 00 00

sports@manilastandardtoday.com sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A10

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

Big boxing events on SKYcable season pass

TWO of the countrys greatest boxers are set to battle for Filipino pride this December. Expect emotions to rise and hard punches to y as the ghting congressman, Manny Pacquiao, faces off with Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time on Dec. 9. In the meantime, Nonito The Filipino Flash Donaire goes up against his fourth opponent for the year, Jorge Arce, on Dec. 16. The Pacman badly needs a decisive victory against Marquez this time around as their past ghts have been very close, and he actually is coming in from a sobering loss vs. Timothy Bradley last June. El Dinamita likewise has a lot to prove. Hes also aching to win in his fourth ght against the Pacman so that he can back up his claim that he has been robbed of victory thrice already. Can he put his money where his mouth is? Win or lose, Marquez says that hes set to retire after this ght. With both ghters having equal odds and both equally hungry for a win, you can expect both to draw blood. Donaire, on the other hand, is going to embark on his fourth ght this year against the Mexican Jorge Arce, coming from his three-ght winning streak. Arce said that although he is the underdog in the upcoming ght, he can knockout Donaire. The ght is said to be big and action packed as the two have been waiting to face each other for the longest time. Enjoy these mega ghts as SKYcable Season Pass gives you life-like ringside access right at the comforts of your own home for only P1,000 for the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 ght and P400 for the Donaire-Arce ght for both HD and Standard Denition feed. But from Nov. 24 to Dec. 8, subscribers can avail of both big pay-per-view ghts for only P1,250. For the hottest sports matches and for more information on SKYcable and its sports channel and package offers, log on to www.mysky.com.ph. Call SKYs 24-hour customer service hotline 381-0000 or text them at 0917-6310000 and 0918-8631000.

Bolts sink Cola deeper

By Jeric Lopez

KNOWING how vital every win

is at this stage, Meralco made sure there was enough energy left in its power supply.
zoom to a mammoth 19-point spread, 40-21, with four minutes left before halftime. Meralco was able to keep its voltage high the rest of the way as it led by twin-digits for most part and was never really threatened by Barako Bull. The Energy Colas only signicant uprising was a 10-6 spurt to start the fourth quarter as they sliced the decit to just six, 73-67. But the Bolts dont want any endgame complications. They answered with a 9-0 blast, keyed by Nabong and Hugnatan to hike their lead back up to double-digits, 82-67, with only 5:04 left to watch. Ronald Tubid scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight boards for a near double-double for the Energy Cola. The scores: MERALCO 85Nabong 12, Mercado 11, Hugnatan 11, Salvacion 11, Hodge 8, Buenafe 7, Ross 6, Reyes 6, Cardona 6, Sharma 6, Borboran 1. BARAKO 73Tubid 20, Alvarez 12, Seigle 11, Najorda 8, Kramer 7, Pennisi 6, Ballesteros 4, Anthony 3, Cruz 2, Co 0, Yap 0. Quarters: 25-19, 42-30, 67-57, 85-73

Barako Bulls Leo Najorda wisely eludes a jumping Sunday Salvacion of Meralco in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Bolts, 85-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Tabora makes Top 24 in Poland

WROCLAW, Poland Miriam College student Krizziah Tabora kept the Philippines hopes of winning another World Cup crown alive by advancing to the top 24 of the 48th Qubica/AMF Bowling World Cup international nals at the SkyBowling Centre here. Tabora nished 13th after the 20-game eliminations with 4242 pinfalls for a 212.10 average to stay in contention in the womens division of the tough individual kegfest. But the Philippines male representativeBusan Asian Games gold medalist RJ Bautistacrashed out as he wound up only in a 31st place tie with Saudi Arabias Mohammed H Alnajrani at 4108. Bautista averaged 205.40 but the mens field of 82 proved too strong for him to match, particularly those in the upper bracket. Tabora came in 17th after 15 games, but she improved her showing in the last five elimination games to earn a shot at the eight quarterfinal spots andhopefullya crack at the title which Filipino hotshots Paeng Nepomuceno, Lita dela Rosa and Bong Coo had previously won. Tabora and the 23 other women bowlers out of a eld of 69, led by frontrunning Shayna Ng of Singapore, will roll eight more games to determine the eight quarternalists. Ng carded 4659 for a 232.95 average to pace the survivors.

The Bolts were awless from start to nish as they posted a convincing, 85-73, victory over Barako Bull in the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. Rookie Kelly Nabong continued to play well as he scored a team-high 12 points on 100 percent shooting, 4-of-4, from the eld. Sol Mercado, Reynel Hugnatan and Sunday Salvacion provided ample support with 11 points apiece. The Bolts reclaimed fourth place in the standings with this win as they improved to 7-6 in the standings, with a game left in their schedule. The lessons are all worth it. Today, we knew how to react and be composed every time our opponents made a run, said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. This fth straight setback for Barako Bull lessened its chance of making it to the quarternals as it remained at ninth place with a dismal 3-9 slate. The Energy Cola need to win its nal assignment and hope that Air21 loses its last two games to make it to the top eight. Using a nice combination of their transition and half-court game, the Bolts were able to

Pacman rattled in sparring

MANNY Pacquiao got hit in sparring against big and strong Frankie Gomez as the Fighter of the Decade went a total of eight rounds against three sparmates, including brothers Jessie and Roman at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach on Thursday. However, former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa told the Manila Standard this is to be expected when Pacquiao spars with a tough opponent, whom he engages in furious exchanges. Penalosa said it was a good sparring session and while Pacquiao did take some punches, he was in ne form and looked alright. ABS-CBNs Dyan Castillejo also said that while Gomez did catch Pacquiao with some solid punches, the eight-division world champion wasnt hurt and in the end, controlled the sparring. But Castillejo said Pacquiao didnt give her an interview after the sparring, which is something he usually does. Jesse Roman described Pacquiao as a really, really fast guy. He is really sharp, throws a lot of punches, but doesnt get tired. Ronnie Nathanielsz

San Beda bets rule Selangor tilt

SELANGORElijah Arevalo partnered with Uzbekistan Radjabov Sherzodbek to upset topseeds Asyraff Saan and M. Salihin 7-5, 6-2 and bag the boys 14-under doubles to close the San Beda College campaign in the Selangor International Junior Tennis Championships Monday here at the MPPJ Sports Tennis Club in Petaling Jayaon a bright note. San Beda high school captain Pocholo Macalino lost to No. 1 Colin Wong 6-3 , 6-4 in the singles boys 18-under bracket and later paired with the same top Selangor club player but were cut down 6-4, 6-4 by Vietnams Trinh Duc Toan and Hoang Bao Long in the doubles event. Arevalo blanked Ahmad Asri 6-0, 6-0, and turned back Zhamel Haris 2-6, 6-1. 6-1 before losing to Sherzodbek 6-2, 6-4 in the singles seminal round. Andre Rodriguez crashed out in the Last 4 singles round to Trinh Lin Giang of Vietnam 6-0, 6-2; while newcomer Ralp Juliane and Rodriguez were stopped by eventual doubles champsTrinh Linh and Nguyen Dac 6-2, 6-2 in a seminal contest.

Volley opener. Vic Gregorio, (center) Shakeys Executive Vice

President and Chief Operating Ofcer, prepares to make the ceremonial serve along with Koi Castillo (left), Shakeys brand manager and Freddie Infante (right), president of the organizing Metro Sports, of Metro Sports, during the opening of the 10th season of the Shakeys Girls Volleyball League National Capital Region leg at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

Biggest Loser participant sustains healthy lifestyle

HE didnt gure among the top nishers in the recent Run United Philippine 42K Marathon, but Raffy Tan didnt mind. What mattered was he managed to complete the lung-busting journey and sustained his drive for a healthy lifestyle. Only a year ago, Tan, then 22, signed up for The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition, the local version of the hit reality show in the United States, where participants shed unwanted poundage. He went into the show weighing 287 pounds and, after grinding his way through a strict exercise regimen and a steady diet, he came out lighter by a hundred pounds. His experience in the show proved to be a big turning point in his life and he never looked back. He competed in the United run to test his endurance and ghting spirit and was amply rewarded. I know hindi mabilis yung takbo First-time marathon nisher Raffy Tan (left) is ko, but whats important is I was able to shown with Lester Castillo (center), Active Health complete, he stressed. Hindi naman sports events executive, and Biggest Loser Pinoy Editions Hazel Chua at the Run United Philippine kasi ako competitor na mabilis, but I Marathon nish line. know I have a big heart and talagang focused ako na tapusin yung race. While being a full marathon runner may be a shining badge on Tans chest, it also came as a big reward for the all the time and effort he took to be in a t and healthy state. Most of Tans success can be credited to his complete physical conditioning, something he has achieved through the guidance of renowned tness guru and coach Jim Saret. A practitioner of the FitFil Movement, a cause spearheaded by Saret that stresses tness as its driving force, Tan is really driven to pursue tness and healthy living. By religiously following the MetaFit workout that FitFil employs to train its participants, Tan has been able to sustain a tness level that enables him to perform physically. MetaFit combines traditional bodyweight exercises with the latest interval and Tabata techniques for a total workout. It also involves different disciplines like TRX, Boxing, Yoga, Pilates, P90X, Circuit training, and other exercise regimens in a single training system that produces holistic results. Tan also attributed his successful maiden marathon to his careful choice of gear. Part of my training and preparation for this race was using Brooks running shoes. It has great cushioning and wala akong na-feel na masakit. Its actually my rst time on a long run na wala akong injury. Tans story was just one of many sidelights that unfolded during the run organized by Unilab Active Health. We are always happy to have participants nish our longer distances, especially with our rst full marathon, the rst ever 42-kilometer for the Run United Philippine Marathon, said Lester Castillo, Unilabs Active Health Sports Events executive. I think Raffy is very persistent and very progressive with what he is trying to do, Castillo added. I hope he keeps it up, because thats what we are trying to do. Unilab Active Health wants to keep on providing solutions that will help people progress with their active lifestyle.

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Business
Manila Standard TODAY
Ray S. Eano, Editor business@mst.ph Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor; extrastory2000@gmail.com steel ceremonies at Keppel paves the way for the construction of the platform for Malampaya 3, Roberto Kanapi, Shell Philippines vice president for communications, said. Shell will hold the ceremony at the Subic Freeport in Zambales on Dec. 7. The Shell consortium announced the awarding of a fabrication yard contract to Keppel Subic in July. The consortium members reached a decision to push through with the expansion of the Malampaya gas eld to maintain the level of gas production and maximize the recovery of the resource from the Malampaya and Camago reservoirs. The group plans to drill and develop two additional gas wells by 2014 and install a new platform, where additional equipment and facilities will be housed by 2015. Keppel Subic will fabricate, install and integrate the substructure and top side modules of the depletion compression platform to support the completion of the third phase of Malampaya. The project is estimated to generate at least 1,200 local jobs. The new production platform aims to keep the level of gas production to fulll commitments under existing gas sales agreements, ensuring the steady supply to power plants in the Luzon electricity grid. The projects, $1 billion in new investments, are seen to further benet the Philippines in energy self-sufciency and government revenues, and will continue to be a major source of power for Luzons energy requirements in the years to come. This fabrication yard will not only generate local employment but is also expected to bring technical expertise into the country as it can serve as a possible site for future complex fabrication projects, Sebastian Quiniones, Shell Philippines Exploration managing director, said earlier. The Malampaya project, which fuel three power plants with a total capacity of 2,700 megawatts, is one of the largest industrial investments in Philippine history. The project supplies fuel to 40 percent to 45 percent of Luzons power generation requirements.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

B1

$1-b Malampaya expansion on

By Alena Mae S. Flores

unit of Royal Dutch Shell plc, will proceed with the $1-billion expansion of the Malampaya natural gas discovery off northwest Palawan to extend the life of the eld.
Shell and partners Chevron Malampaya LLC and PNOC Exploration Corp. have scheduled a strike steel ceremony at the Subic Freeport next week that will signal the start of the construction of a fabrication yard by Keppel Subic Shipyard Inc. The strike steel or cutting the

SHELL Philippines Exploration BV, a

SM: 2nd Ateneo condo on track

By Jenniffer B. Austria
SM Development Corp., the property of conglomerate SM Investment Corp., is on track with the construction of a second condominium project along the Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. SM Development said in a statement it held topping off ceremonies for the Blue Residences condominium project, a 40-story tower situated on a 4,235-square meter property at the corner of Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard. The building is near Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, Miriam College and the Philippine School of Business Administration. SM Development completed the rst condominium project in Katipunan Avenuethe Berkeley Residences. Blue Residences, meanwhile, offers 1,600 units and aims to lure students of the nearby schools and universities. Construction began in October of 2010 with the start of turnover to homebuyers expected in the third quarter of 2014. Blue Residences features such amenities as an adult swimming pool, a kiddie pool, two function rooms, a childrens playground, a students lounge, a roof deck lounge, and a jogging path set amid a tropical garden. The development will also have commercial areas catering to the needs of residents. Unit types available for Blue Residences include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, with sizes ranging from 21.6 to 44.7 square meters. The current selling prices are between P2 million and P5 million per unit, which averages between P90,000 and P127,000 per square meter. SM Development posted P16.1 billion in revenues from real estate sales in the rst nine months of the year, up 42.7 percent from P11.3 billion year-on-year. Consolidated net income for the period increased 5.7 percent year-onyear to P3.3 billion.

IN BRIEF
Bad loans at record low
NON-PERFORMING loans of major banks fell to the lowest level on record in September, an indication of the improving performance of banks. The Bangko Sentral said unpaid loans of universal and commercial banks declined to 2.05 percent of the total in September, lower than 2.08 percent in August and 2.46 percent in September 2011. The industrys NPL ratio got better from last month due to the combined effect of the 0.69 percent cut in the NPLs to P 69.94 billion from P70.43 billion and the 0.96 percent expansion in total loan portfolio to P3.4 trillion from P3.3 trillion, the Bangko Sentral said. Restructured loans as a proportion of total loans increased slightly to 1.03 percent in September from 1.01 percent in August, but dropped from 1.34 percent registered a year ago. The Bangko Sentral said the banking industrys provisions against potential credit losses remained adequate, as NPL coverage ratio or loan reserves to non-performing loans strengthened to 136 percent in September from 123 percent last year. Non-performing loans refer to unpaid loans 30 days after their due date. Anna Leah G. Estrada

Public warned on fake bikes

JAPANESE motorcycle companies in the Philippines asked Filipinos Friday to avoid buying cheaper, non-Japanese-made motorcycles and parts to prevent road accidents. Honda Philippines, Kawasaki Motors Philippines, Suzuki Philippines and Yamaha Motor Philippines said the proliferation of fake parts and motorcycles made elsewhere was one of the reasons why motorcycle accidents continued to occur in the country. By using Japanese-made motorcycles, the public is guaranteed of high-quality products backed by extensive research and development, strict quality control and thorough product testing even before each unit is introduced to the market, Yamaha Motor national sales manager Romeo Tan said in a press conference at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Transportation Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin said based on a recent Philippine National Police data, 12 percent of total vehicular accidents in the country was due to defective motorcycles. We encourage dealers nationwide to inform the public on the safety features of original motorcycles. The problem here is dealers have been talking only on the price, fuel efciency and speed which, in the process, sacrice the safety of riders, Lantin said. Of the total 6.2 million vehicles registered, 3.8 million of these are motorcycles. So it is very important for us to prioritize the safety of riders, Lantin said. Julito G. Rada

Boracay link. Globe Telecom Inc. has interconnected Boracay Island to the entire Philippine archipelago and the rest of the world through a ber optic highway. Key executives led by (from left) Globe chief technical advisor Robert Tan and president and chief executive Ernest Cu, Huawei Technologies chief executive and country manager Charles Li Wei and Huawei Marine Networks vice president for planning and design Paul Cannon lead the ceremonial cable splicing and connection.

Group opposes release of Thai sugar

By Othel V. Campos
A GROUP of sugar planters asked Customs ofcials to declare 55,000 bags of Thai sugar they conscated in 2010 as smuggled items, to prevent the release of the shipment to the market. The Sugar Master Plan Foundation warned the release of the P150 million worth of conscated sugar to the market would depress local prices. It said the Bureau of Customs decided on Oct. 8 that the Thai sugar was clearly illegally shipped, because it was over the volume usually imported by the National Food Authority. The Customs people are hearing this now. But we would like them to hasten the process, SMPF president Felixberto Monasterio said. Customs ofcials earlier foiled an attempt to withdraw the conscated sugar from a warehouse in Bulacan, according to Monasterio. He said an auction would be conducted as soon as the shipment was declared smuggled. Proceeds would reportedly form part of the Customs collection target for the year and be forwarded to the national treasury. The stocks were conscated from an importer and stored in a warehouse in Bulacan in 2010. Data showed the National Food Authority imported 150,000 metric tons of sugar in the rst half of 2010. Another company on Oct. 25 this year appealed with the Bureau of Customs, claiming it was the rightful owner of the sugar. The company claimed it had in its possession the receipt of the purchase issued by the importer. The government recently intensied the campaign against smuggling of agricultural commodities such as rice, onion and vegetables. The sugar industry also sought protection from illegal importation, as it remains a sensitive commodity. A drop in sugar prices easily affects the income of over 60,000 farmers. The sugar industry contributes P70 billion to the gross domestic product and P2 billion in value-added tax annually.

Aboitiz asks ERC to approve power supply deals Trans-Asia unit gets nod to increase capital to P1b
SN ABOITIZ Power-Magat Inc., operator of the 360-megawatt Magat hydroelectric power plant, asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to approve power supply agreements with three distributors in Luzon. The distributors are Ifugao Electric Cooperative Inc., Isabela II Electric Cooperative Inc. and Quirino Electric Cooperative Inc. SNAP Magat said it signed supply contracts with Ifugao Electric, Isabela II Electric and Quirino Electric on Oct. 9. The agreements must be approved by the regulator before the rst billing period ending Jan. 25, 2013. SNAP Magat Aboitiz said under the agreements, the distribution utilities would continue to enjoy reasonable rates and have a steady and reliable supply of energy for a longer term. They will also have exibility to adjust contracted energy once the open access and retail competition are implemented. SNAP Magat, which operates the 360-MW hydro plant on the borders of Isabela and Ifugao, offered a rate of P4.70 per kilowatt-hour to the electric cooperatives. If provisional approval is not granted, Ifugao Electric, Isabela II Electric and Quirino Electric will be constrained to source its power supply or additional requirements from WESM [wholesale electricity spot market] and customers will
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, November 29, 2012
Indonesia Thailand UAE Euro Korea China India Malaysia New Zealand Taiwan Rupiah Baht Dirham Euro Won Yuan Rupee Ringgit Dollar Dollar 0.000104 0.032573 0.272272 1.293900 0.000919 0.160583 0.017955 0.327654 0.822978 0.034294 0.0043 1.3317 11.1313 52.8985 0.0376 6.5651 0.7341 13.3955 33.6458 1.4020
Source: PDS Bridge

be exposed to a bigger risk of the volatility of the rates in the WESM, to the detriment and prejudice of their customers, the parties said. SNAP-Magat, a joint venture of SN Power of Norway and Aboitiz Power Corp., earlier said the supply agreements were a continuation of three-year contracts signed in 2009, and would take effect from Dec. 26, 2012 to Dec. 25, 2017. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved an increase in the capital stock of Trans-Asia (Karang Besar) Petroleum Corp., a unit of Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., to P1 billion from P40 million. Trans-Asia, a member of the Phinma Group, said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the higher capital

E ATE PSE COMPOSITE INDEX F OREIGNUnitXCHANGE RPeso Currency US Dollar

Closing November 29, 2012
United States Japan UK Hong Kong Switzerland Canada Singapore Australia Bahrain Dollar Yen Pound Dollar Franc Dollar Dollar Dollar Dinar Rial Dollar 1.000000 0.012192 1.601600 0.129042 1.075038 1.007760 0.818197 1.046682 2.652872 0.266667 0.814863 40.8830 0.4984 65.4782 5.2756 43.9508 41.2003 33.4503 42.7915 109.4574 10.9021 33.3140 6000 5100 4200 3300 2400 1700 1000

P584-P695 LPG/11-kg tank

P47.15-P53.07 Unleaded Gasoline

OIL PRICES
TODAY

PESO-DOLLAR RATE
Closing NOVEMBER 29, 2012
40 42 44 46 48

P38.40-P41.05 Diesel P40.30-P52.20 Kerosene P27.20-P31.00 Auto LPG

P40.900
CLOSE

5,640.450

6.73

Saudi Arabia Brunei

HIGH P40.850 LOW P40.935 AVERAGE P40.889 VOLUME 968.786M

would consist of 100 billion shares with a par value of P0.01 each from P40 million divided into four billion shares with a par value of P0.01 apiece. The SEC also approved an amendment to the articles of incorporation of Trans-Asia (Karang Besar). The Trans-Asia board earlier approved a change in the primary purpose of TransAsia (Karang-Besar) from power generation to oil and gas exploration and production. Francisco Viray, Trans-Asia president, said the company might use Trans-Asia [Karang-Besar] as a dedicated oil and gas subsidiary. Viray said Trans-Asia (Karang Besar) was used as the corporate vehicle for the privatization of four power barges of stateowned National Power Corp. [The company] was intended as a vehicle for the earlier PSALM privatization for which we were not successful, Viray said. Alena Mae S. Flores

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B2 SATURDAY

DECEMBER 1, 2012

ManilaStandardToday

Business
to really boost GDP, especially for early next year, said Junko Nishioka, an economist at RBS Japan Securities. It is not enough to change the mood of business activity. The economy shrank an annualized 3.5 percent in JulySeptember, and many economists say they expect a further contraction in the current quarter, which would land Japan in its fth recession in 15 years. LDP leader Shinzo Abe contends much stronger action is needed to help pull the economy

business@mst.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

Japan OKs another $10.7-b stimulus

pushing for more aggressive action to spur growth, is widely expected to make major gains in TOKYOJapan unleashed yet another a Dec. 16 general election. barrage of stimulus at its stagnant economy The latest stimulus package approved by the Japanese Cabinet, on Friday as debate over how to revive totaling 880.3 billion yen ($10.7 billion), is earmarked mainly for growth heated up ahead of a general spending on social programs, election widely expected to deal a severe employment creation and support for small and medium-size blow to the ruling Democratic Party. enterprises. It is expected to add Fresh data for October showed but little else in the way of 0.2 percent to Japans economic an uptick in industrial output encouragement. growth rate and to help create about from the month before, the The opposition Liberal 80,000 jobs, the Cabinet said. rst increase in four months, Democratic Party, which is The total size is not enough

By Elaine Kurtenbach

out of the doldrums and has urged that the central bank move more aggressively to end deation, which has hindered growth for much of the past two decades. Abe and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda were due to face off later Friday in a policy debate. Even if Nodas party does lose its parliamentary majority in the election, the LDP would likely have to forge a coalition in order to take power. Both parties have pushed the Bank of Japan for stronger action to boost growth, with Abe urging that

the central bank be held responsible for meeting an ination target of at least 2 percent. Such calls worry many in Japan who fear the LDP might undermine the central banks autonomy and further erode the countrys already weakening scal health. Industrial output rose 1.8 percent in October from September, though it fell 4.3 percent from a year earlier. Consumer prices were at at 0 percent, but that was an improvement over the previous months minus 0.1 percent. AP

Indian economy expands just 5.3%

INDIAN growth slowed last quarter to match a three-year low as moderating investment and elevated ination sapped expansion, adding pressure on the government to extend an economic-policy overhaul. Gross domestic product rose 5.3 percent in the three months to Sept. 30 from a year earlier, compared with 5.5 percent in the previous quarter, the Central Statistical Ofce said in a statement in New Delhi Friday. The median of 42 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey was also 5.3 percent. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs push to lure more foreign investors has been hurt by the widest budget decit in major emerging nations and a weaker rupee. Parliamentary opposition to his drive to open industries such as retail to overseas companies risks legislative gridlock, dimming the outlook as ination above 7 percent limits room for interestrate cuts. Economic activity is still sluggish, Anubhuti Sahay, an economist at Standard Chartered Plc in Mumbai, said before the release. Unless policy action to fast track the investment cycle is taken, any market exuberance can prove short lived. The rupee, down about 4.5 percent versus the dollar in the past year, slid 0.5 percent to 54.575 per dollar as of 11:04 a.m. in Mumbai. The BSE India Sensitive Index advanced 0.5 percent, while the yield on the 8.15 percent bonds due June 2022 fell to 8.17 percent from 8.21 percent yesterday. The ruling coalition, striving to avert a credit-rating downgrade, snapped months of paralysis in September by curbing energy subsidies and giving overseas retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. the chance to set up supermarkets. The measures cost Singh his majority in parliament after some lawmakers said familyrun stores will have to close down. Objections to a government agenda that also seeks increased foreign participation in insurance and pensions may harden if it loses a vote due next week on the retail step. Singh acceded to the poll after the opposition disrupted the legislature. Its unlikely they can push through insurance and pension as the coalition isnt united on the issue, said Prasanna Ananthasubramanian, an economist at ICICI Securities Primary Dealership Ltd. in Mumbai. Ination measured by the wholesale-price index was 7.45 percent in October, the fastest in the BRIC group of largest emerging markets that also includes Brazil, Russia and China. India also has the widest BRIC scal gap. AP

US growth faster at 2.7% in 3rd quarter

WASHINGTONThe US economy grew at a 2.7-percent annual rate from July through September, much faster than rst thought. The strength is expected to fade in the nal months of the year because of the impact of Superstorm Sandy and uncertainty about looming tax increases and government spending cuts. The Commerce Department said Thursday that growth in the third quarter was signicantly better than the 2-percent rate estimated a month ago. And it was more than twice the 1.3-percent rate reported for the April-June quarter. The main reason for the upward revision to the gross domestic product was businesses restocked at a faster pace than previously estimated. That offset weaker consumer spending growth. GDP measures the nations total output of goods and servicesfrom restaurant meals and haircuts to airplanes, appliances and highways. Most economists say economic growth is slowing to below 2 percent in the current October-December quarter. Thats generally considered too weak to rapidly lower the unemployment rate. Paul Ashworth, chief US economist at Capital Economics, said companies are likely restocking more slowly now. Businesses typically cut back on restocking when they think consumers will spend less. Consumer spending drives roughly 70 percent of economic activity. Economists cite two reasons for the anticipated weakness in consumer and business spending. Superstorm Sandy halted business activity along the East Coast in late October and November. And spending may weaken in the nal weeks of the year, if lawmakers and Obama fail to reach a deal to avoid the scal cliff. Thats the name for sharp tax increases and spending cuts that would occur in January without a deal. Companies are likely thinning inventories just in case Congress fails to do its job, which is always a possibility, said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors. A separate report Thursday showed the negative impact of Superstorm Sandy is starting to fade. The number of Americans seeking unemployment benets fell 23,000 to a seasonally adjusted 393,000 last week, the Labor Department said. It was the second straight drop after Superstorm Sandy had driven applications to 451,000 three weeks ago. AP

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (center) speaks in this Nov. 29, 2012 le, as main opposition Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe (left) and Japan Future Party leader Yukiko Kada listen during a debate by 10-party leaders for the upcoming lower house elections in Tokyo. AP

Chevrons future in Argentina in danger

BUENOS AIRES Chevron Corp.s Argentina subsidiary ran full-page ads in the nations leading newspapers Thursday saying that its operations have been complicated by a court order freezing its earnings. A judge in Buenos Aires embargoed Chevrons Argentina earnings, acting on behalf of plaintiffs in Ecuador who are trying to collect a $19 billion judgment they won over oil spills in the Amazon. Both Chevron and the Ecuadorean plaintiffs have accused each other of committing fraud in the case. The environmental judgment is only the latest trouble Chevron is facing in Argentina, where it has become a leading partner of the state-controlled YPF SA oil company since President Cristina Fernandez expropriated it from Grupo Repsol in Spain. Repsol has sued in Madrid accusing Chevron and YPF of unfair competition, for drilling for shale oil and gas in the Vaca Muerta basin that was discovered when Repsol ran the company. Repsol also is suing Argentina at the World Banks International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, seeking $10 billion in compensation for the controlling stake in YPF that Fernandez seized, and said it would sue any other international oil company that tries to partner with YPF. I dont see the future of Chevron in Argentina as very auspicious under these conditions. They can turn it around, but its difcult, said Emilio Apud, a former Argentine energy secretary who now works as a consultant. The numbers just wont add up, and if they had a hope of future prots in Argentina from Vaca Muerta, that too is in doubt. AP

Ex-NBC Universal head is CNN chief

NEW YORKIncoming CNN president Jeff Zucker said Thursday that he intends to make the network more vibrant and exciting while broadening the programming on televisions original but struggling cable news outlet. The former NBC Universal chiefs long-rumored selection as CNN president was announced Thursday. Hell start in January and report to Phil Kent, who runs all the Turner networks for parent company Time Warner. Zucker will lead a large and protable news organization with 23 separate businesses worldwide that has come to be dened by problems at the agship US network, particularly in prime time. CNN has never been able to solve the conundrum of how to keep viewers on quiet news days, while Fox News Channel and MSNBC have passed it by with combative programming that appeals to political partisans. The key is that CNN remain true to its ideals of great journalism but at the same time be vibrant and exciting, Zucker said. Just because youre not partisan doesnt mean you cant be exciting. He said it was premature to offer specics. Although he said it was his goal to beat Fox and MSNBC in the ratings, it was important to note that he sees the television competition more broadly. AP

Macau prepares for gang leaders release

HONG KONGThe Asian gambling mecca of Macau is bracing for the release on Saturday of a notorious organized crime boss who was at the center of the gangland violence that plagued the city in the late 1990s. Wan Kuok-koi, also known as Broken Tooth Koi, is scheduled to walk free from Coloane Prison sometime between midnight Friday and noon Saturday after serving most of a 15-year sentence, the Macau government said. Wan was convicted of loan sharking, money laundering and being a gang leader in November 1999, a month before Portugal handed control of Macau back to Beijing. As head of Macaus 14K triad, Wan waged a brutal war with rival triads, or organized crime gangs, for dominance of the lucrative VIP rooms in Macaus casinos. According to news reports in Macau and nearby Hong Kong, authorities have been preparing for his release by warning hotels and casinos to tighten security. Ofcials, including one from Beijings liaison ofce with Macau, have also warned Wan to behave after his release, the reports said. The measures are a response to fears that Wans release would be followed by a return to the pre-handover gang violence that rocked Macau and claimed dozens of lives, including 37 in 1999 alone. Some worry hell try to get involved again with junkets, which arrange for wealthy mainly Chinese gamblers to come to Macau, lend them money and make big prots by collecting on debts. AP
Macau triad gangster Wan Kuok-koi as Broken Tooth Koi (right) and his brother Wan Kuokhung are seen on a police van in this Nov. 23, 1999 photo. AP

Asian stock markets advance on positive reports as budget talks continue

BANGKOKAsianstockmarkets posted gains Friday on optimism over two positive US economic reports despite contentious budget talks in Washington aimed at keeping the economy from going into a tailspin. Meanwhile, the release of an 880.3 billion yen ($10.7 billion) stimulus package by the Japanese government helped boost the Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo. The benchmark rose 0.9 percent to 9,483.74. Hong Kongs Hang Seng added 0.6 percent to 22,053.84 at midday and Australias S&P/ ASX 200 advanced 0.7 percent to 4,510.80. South Koreas Kospi was up 0.2 percent at 1,938.24. Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore, mainland China and New Zealand also rose. Indonesia fell. Investment sentiment was boosted by signs of improvement in the worlds No. 1 economy. The Commerce Department raised its estimate of thirdquarter growth to an annual rate of 2.7 percentmuch better than the 2-percent rate estimated a month ago. A drop in claims for unemployment benets. Additionally, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benets dropped by 23,000 to 393,000 last week, the Labor Department said. The gures were in line with expectations. AP

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Classifieds
REMINDER

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

B3

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Cebu 1st District Engineering Office Regional Equipment Services Compound V. Sotto Street, Cebu City

Republic of the Philippines

INVITATION TO BID
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Cebu 1st District Engineering Office, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned project:

Item No. 1 a. Contract ID b. Contract Name c .Contract Location d. Scope of Work f. Contract Duration g. Funding Source h. Bid Document Fee

MST Classified Ads section requires a Two (2) day CUT-OFF PERIOD on all ITBs, BID BULLETIN, NOTICES and REOIs prior to publication date(s).

Department of Public Works and Highways Region VII OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Bohol 3rd District Engineering Office Guindulman, Bohol

Republic of the Philippines

INVITATION TO BID
The DPWH, Bohol 3 rd District Engineering Office, Brgy. Sawang, Guindulman, Bohol, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors and suppliers to apply to bid for the following contracts: I. Advertisement Number: A 120-12 1.) Contract Name: Repair of Slope Protection along Tagbilaran East Road (TER) 2.) Contract Location: KO203.000 KO211.000 with exception 3.) Brief Description: Supply and delivery of construction materials for Repair of Slope Protection along TER 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 1,297,300.88 5.) Contract Duration: 10 Calendar days 6.) Bid Documents : PhP 1,300.00 II. Advertisement Number : A 121-12 1.) Contract Name: Repair of Slope Protection along Tagbilaran East Road (TER) 2.) Contract Location: KO203.000 KO211.000 with exception 3.) Brief Description: Labor for Repair of Slope Protection along TER 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 280,344.76 5.) Contract Duration: 60 Calendar days III. Advertisement Number : A 122-12 1.) Contract Name: Rehabilitation/Improvement of Public Market 2.) Contract Location: Guindulman, Bohol 3.) Brief Description: Supply and delivery of construction materials for Rehab/Imprvt. Of Pubic Market, Guindulman, Bohol 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 157,941.30 5.) Contract Duration: 10 Calendar days 6.) Bid Documents: PhP 200.00 IV. Advertisement Number: A 123-12 1.) Contract Name: Installation of Road Pavement Markings along Loay Interior Road 2.) Contract Location: KO160.000-KO170.000 with exception 3.) Brief Description: Supply and delivery of materials for the Installation of Road Pavement Markings along LIR 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 1,276,754.25 5.) Contract Duration: 10 Calendar days 6.) Bid Documents : PhP 1,300.00 V. Advertisement Number : A 124-12 1.) Contract Name: Installation of Road Pavement Markings along Carmen Sierra Bullones Pilar Alicia Road 2.) Contract Location: KO62.100 KO68.000 with exception 3.) Brief Description: Supply and delivery of materials for the Installation of Road Pavement Markings along CSBPAR 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 1,261,799.25 5.) Contract Duration: 10 Calendar days 6.) Bid Documents: PhP 1,300.00 VI. Advertisement Number : A 125-12 1.) Contract Name: Installation of Road Pavement Markings along CorellaSikatuna Loboc Road 2.) Contract Location: KO21.825 KO23.555 with exception 3.) Brief Description: Supply and delivery of materials for the Installation of Road Pavement Markings along CSLR 4.) Total Approved Budget for the Contract: PhP 727,905.34 5.) Contract Duration: 10 Calendar days 6.) Bid Documents: PhP 700.00 Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. To bid for this contract, a supplier must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) and must meet the following major criteria: (a) Prior registration with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PHILGEPS) and DPWH registry, (b) Filipino citizen or 60% Filipino-owned partnership/ corporation, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check, preliminary examination of bids. U n r e g i s t e r e d s u p p l i e r s , h o w e v e r, s h a l l s u b m i t t h e i r applications for registration (Suppliers Registration Certificate), t o t h e D P W H B o h o l 3 r d D i s t r i c t E n g i n e e r i n g O ff i c e , B r g y. Sawang, Guindulman, Bohol before the deadline set below for the receipt of LOIs. The DPWH Bohol 3rd District Engineering Office will only process supplier s applications for registration, with complete registration requirements. The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:

: : : : : : :

12HD0061 Reconstruction of Caputatan Bridge along Bog-CurvaMedellin-Daanbantayan Road Medellin, Cebu Reconstruction of Bridge 162 Calendar Days Infra. CY 2013 Php10,000.00

e. Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php19,202,500.00

Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) 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 with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 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 Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWHPOCW Central Office will only process contractors applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractors Registration Certificate (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:

For fast ad results, please call 659-48-30 local 303 or 659-4803

Kagawaran ng Pagawain at Langsangang Pampabayan Tanggapan ng Distrito Inhenyero
Telefax 221-6444; 226-2035; 226-2112 L. Ma. Guerrero St., Lungsod ng Dabaw, Rehiyon XI Republika ng Pilipinas

1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt of REIs from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids : 5. Opening of Bids

: : : :

December 01, 2012 to December 13, 2012 December 05, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. December 06, 2012 to December 10, 2012 December 17, 2012 at 8:00a.m. to10:00a.m. December 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

Attendance during pre-bid conference as scheduled is a must for all interested contractors/bidders. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accompanied forms as specified in the BDs in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include the eligibility requirements. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the evaluation and the post qualification. The Department of Public Works and Highways Cebu Ist District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability the affected bidders.

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION/ELIGIBILITY AND BIDDING

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of Davao City District Engineering Office, invites suppliers/contractors classified by and must comply the basic requirements of eligibility pursuant to R.A. 9184 as circulated by the Department Memorandum Circular No. 11 series of 2003 dated January 24, 2003. Hereunder are the following projects in itemized bid cost, to wit: Project Description 1. Purchase of Fuel to Be used for the Maintenance Section, DPWH, DCDEO Davao City Source of Fund: Fund 101 Duration: 30 CD 2.Repair/Maintenance of National Roads & Bridges (Purchase of Maintenance Tools and Materials) Source of Fund: SR2012-02-002120 Duration: 15cd 3.Purchase of supplies/ Materials, equipment and Other for Road Invetory (ROCOND & RBIA) Davao City Source of Fund: SR2012-03-002724 Duration : 15cd 4.Repair/Maintenance Of National Roads & Bridges, Davao City (Purchase of materials: 605(2) Regulatory Sign (Bridge Load Limit Signs) Davao City Source of Funds: SR2012-08-007077 Duration : 15cd Materials Purchase: Diesel, Gasoline & kerosene Approved Budget Of Contract (ABC) Php 708,996.20 Non-Refundable Fee Php 500.00

Approved by: (Sgd.) MARIETTA D. ECARMA BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) WILFREDO AV. ENCISO, CEO VI District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1 & 6, 2012)

Purchase: Php 225,869.00 Shovel, Lagarao, Rake crewbar, wheel borrow (heavy duty), Nylon Cord #300 hacksaw blade, carborandum sledge hammer, 8mm dia RSB, tie wire, 6mm Marine Plywood Purchase Php 238,515.37 Measuring wheel, rubber shoes, long sleeve shirts pearsing cap, reflectorized vest with DPWH & RBIA Logo, steel tape(5m) Aluminum straight edge, measuring wedge scale template, Computer Inks and bond paper Purchase: Php 333,634.65 (800mmx1200mm) Hi-Intensity Prismatic reflective sheet (Type IIDPWH Standard) Electrocut film (Computer Aided Vinyl cutting) 1.6 Galvanized Iron Sheet (signface only)

Php 500.00

Php 500.00

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Rizal 2ND Engineering District Westbank Road, Manggahan Floodway, Brgy. Rosario, Pasig City
INVITATION TO BID
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Rizal II District Engineering Office, through the FY 2013 Regular Infra intends to apply the sum of Twenty One Million Eight Hundred Twenty Four Thousand Six Hundred Thirty Four Pesos and 08/100 (P 21,824,634.08) to payments under the contract for various infrastructure projects listed below. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1. Contract ID: Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Works: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration : 12 DO 0110 Widening of Tanay-Sampaloc Road, K0057+(-685) K0071+510.93 Tanay, Rizal (Intermittent Section) Installation of Reinforced Lined Canal, Base Preparation, Widening/Concreting of Road P 21,824,634.08 139 Cal. Days

Php 500.00

5. Repair/maintenance of Purchase: National Roads and Bridges Six (6) units grass cutter Davao City (Purchase of Grass (Heavy duty)TD40 Cutter) Davao City Source of Funds: SR2012-08-006920 Duration: 15cd 6.Repair /Maintenance of National Roads and Bridges Davao City (Purchase of Maintenance Supplies) Source of Fund: SR2012-04-003627 Duration: 15cd 7.Repair/Maintenance of National Roads & Bridges (Purchase of Item 310) Source of Fund: SR2012-02-002120 Duration: 15 cd 8. Purchase of Supplies/ Materials, Equipment & Equipment and others for Planning & Design Section (PDS) DPWH-DCDEO Davao City Source of Fund; ABM-R0XI-12-0003838 Duration: 15 cd 9.Purchase of Supplies/ Materials, equipment and Others for Planning & Design Section (PDS), DPWH-DCDEO, Davao City Source of Fund: ABM R0XI-12-0003878 Duration: 15cd

Php 206,064.00

Php 500.00

Purchase: Php 209,498.40 Rubber shoes, reflectorized vest with DPWH Logo (lay-out attached), rubber boots, rain coat with pants with print DPWH Purchase: Item 310 Php 276,045.20

Php 500.00

Php 500.00

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Rizal II District Engineering Office now invites bids for the above stated projects. Bidders must have an experience of having completed at least one (1) contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH, Rizal II District Engineering Office, BAC Secretariat Office, Brgy. Rosario, Pasig City, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M.. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Thousand Pesos Only (P 20,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the DPWH, if available, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The DPWH, Rizal II District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 7, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the DPWH Rizal II District Engineering Office BAC Secretariat Office, which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on December 20, 2012 until 10:00 A.M. All bids 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 representatives who choose to attend at the address below on December 20, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DPWH reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: FRANCISCO F. CRUZ BAC Chairman Attention: Head, BAC Secretariat DPWH, Rizal II DEO Brgy. Rosario, Pasig City Tel. No. 900-1928

Purchase: Tracing paper 36 in x 150 ft tracing rolled

Php 195,888.00

Php 500.00

1. Receipt of LOIs from Prospective Bidders 2. Issuance of Bidding Documents 3. Receipt of Bids 4. Opening of Bids

Deadline: Dec. 11, 2012 - 5:00 PM Nov. 29 Dec. 18, 2012 - 9:00 AM Dec. 18, 2012 Dec. 18, 2012 -10:00 AM -10:15 AM

Purchase: Php 289,605.57 Tracing paper, technical pens ink plotters, lettering set triangles, scribers & T-squares

Php 500.00

Interested Suppliers/Contractors must submit their Letter of Intent together with their updated basic requirements such as PCAB License, business permit indicating in the locality and tax clearance certificate from Bureau of Internal Revenue as a pre-condition desiring to enter into or participate in any contract per Executive Order No. 398, Department Order No. 7 series of 2005 dated February 8, 2005 and to facilitate eligibility checking on or before @ 12:00 P.M. Dec. 11, 2012 at BAC-TWG Secretariat, implementing agency DPWHDavao City District Engineering Office, L. Ma. Guerrero St., Davao City. Preferably, a supplier/contractor who wish to intent for supplying the various construction materials, hardwares, auto supplies and etc. must have their fixed establishment at the locality. And for those contractors on labor/equipment must have their PCAB License pursuant to IRR-A of R.A. 9184. The prospective bidder or its duly representative shall certify under oath that each of the updated documents submitted is an original copy or a true and faithful reproduction or a copy of the original. Bid documents will be issued to eligible supplier/contractor who had submitted and updated the eligibility requirements pursuant to Section 23, I.R.R. R.A. 9184 on prescribed date and time, bid documents will be available on the schedule dates from November 28-Dec. 11, 2012 at the BAC-TWG/Implementing Agency with a non-refundable fee as stated above. Interested bidders shall submit their technical and financial proposals with the corresponding attachment of bid security, a sworn Statement attesting compliance to the responsibilities of a prospective bidder and Disclosure and provisions under Section 47 of the act in relation to other provision of R.A. 3019 to the Chairman, Bid and Award Committee (BAC), DPWH-Davao City District Engineering Office not later than Dec. 11 , 2012 until 2:00 P.M. and shall be opened on the same time and date. All particulars relative to Eligibility, Bid Bond, Performance Bond, Pre-bid Conference, Bid Evaluation and Award of Contract shall be governed by the provisions of R.A. 9184 and its implementing rules and regulations. The Government reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any minor defect therein, and accept the offer most advantageous to the Government. The DPWH assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify the bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the Bidding Documents (BDs) in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, including the eligibility requirements. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification. Prospective bidders may download the Letter of Intent (LOI) from the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The BAC will issue hard copies of LOI Forms at BAC Office Bohol 3rd District Engineering Office Brgy. Sawang, Guindulman, Bohol, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of PhP200.00 each for Advertisement No. A-122-12; Php700.00 for Advertisement No. A-125-12; and PhP1,300.00 each for Advertisement Nos. A-120-12., A-123-12 and A-124-12. Prospective bidders that will download the LOI forms shall pay the same amount upon submission of their accomplished LOIs at the same address. Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents (BDs), if available, from the DPWH website. The BAC will also issue hard copies of the BDs at the same address to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable fee as scheduled in each contract. Prospective bidders that will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees upon the submission of their bids. Bids must accomplished by a bid security in any acceptable form in the amount stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. The Bohol 3 rd District Engineering Office Brgy. Sawang, Guindulman, Bohol reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) AFIALITA M. DANIEL Engineer III BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) EDILBERTO R. ATIVO District Engineer
(MST-DEC. 1, 2012)

Approved by: (Sgd.) FRANCISCO F. CRUZ Asst. District Engineer Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Noted by: (Sgd.) ERIC A. AYAPANA Engineer IV OIC, District Engineer
(MST-DEC. 1, 2012)

Approved By; (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. YEE Engineer III Chief, Matls. Testing & Qlty. Control Section (BAC Chairman) Noted By: (Sgd.) LORNA T. RICARDO District Engineer
(MST-Dec. 1, 2012)

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WORLD
Manila Standard TODAY
overwhelmingly to recognize a Palestinian state, but the Palestinians still face enormous limitations: They dont control their borders, airspace or trade, they have separate and competing governments in Gaza and the West Bank, and they have no unied army or police.
In an extraordinary lineup of international support, more than two-thirds of the world bodys 193-member states approved the resolution upgrading the Palestinians status from an observer to a nonmember observer state on Thursday. It passed 138-9, with 41 abstentions. The vote was a victory decades in the making for the Palestinians after years of occupation and war. It was a sharp rebuke for Israel and the United States. The United States and Israel immediately criticized the vote. Todays unfortunate and counterproductive resolution places further obstacles in the path of peace, UN Ambassador Susan Rice said. Todays grand pronouncements will soon fade and the Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and nd that little about their lives has changed save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded. Calling the vote meaningless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Abbas of spreading mendacious propaganda against Israel in a speech he rejected as defamatory and venomous. The resolution in the UN today wont change anything on the ground, Netanyahu said. It wont advance the establishment of a Palestinian state, but rather, put it further off. The vote grants Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an overwhelming international endorsement for his key position: establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, the territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. A Palestinian ag was quickly unfurled on the oor of the General Assembly, behind the Palestinian delegation, after an electronic screen lit up with the nal vote. AP

B4

SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012

CAIROIslamists approved a draft constitution for Egypt early Friday without the participation of liberal and Christian members, seeking to pre-empt a court ruling that could dissolve their panel with a rushed, marathon vote that further inames the clash between the opposition and President Mohammed Morsi. The move advanced a charter with an Islamist bent that rights experts say could give Muslim clerics oversight over legislation and bring restrictions on freedom of speech, womens rights and other liberties. The draft must now be put to a nationwide referendum within 30 days. Morsi said Thursday it will be held soon. The Islamist-dominated assembly that has been working on the constitution for months raced to pass it, voting article by article on the drafts more than 230 articles for more than 16 hours. The lack of inclusion was on display in the nationally televised gathering: Of the 85 members in attendance, there was not a single Christian and only four women, all Islamists. Many of the men wore beards, the hallmark of Muslim conservatives. For weeks, liberal, secular and Christian members, already a minority on the 100-member panel, have been withdrawing to protest what they call the Islamists hijacking of the process. This constitution represents the diversity of the Egyptian people. All Egyptians, male and female, will nd themselves in this constitution, Essam elErian, a representative of the Muslim Brotherhood, declared to the assembly after the last articles were passed just after sunrise Friday. AP

Egypts Islamists approve charter

UN vote recognizes state of Palestine; US opposes

NEW YORKThe United Nations has voted

A Palestinian girl waves a ag during a rally supporting the Palestinian UN bid for observer state, in the West bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 29. The Palestinians are certain to win UN recognition as a state but success could exact a high price: delaying an independent state of Palestine because of Israels vehement opposition. AP

N. Korea readies rocket launch that could alarm China

WA S H I N G T O N S a t e l l i t e photos indicate North Korea has moved two sections of a longrange rocket in preparation for a launch that would alarm both its adversaries and lone ally China. But North Korea has yet to announce its plans, leaving some uncertainty whether and when it will proceed with a launch that would be sure to draw international condemnation. The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said Thursday the recent activity at the Sohae site on North Koreas northwest coast suggests it could be ready to launch a three-stage rocket by the end of the rst week in December. A commercial satellite photo taken Monday shows two long trailers, likely used to carry the first two stages of a rocket, according to an analysis written for 38 North, the institutes website. The trailers are parked near the main missile assembly building, where it says rocket stages would be checked before moving to the launch pad for takeoff about a half-mile away. In April, North Korea red a rocket from the same site in a failed attempt to launch a satellite into space, drawing U.N. censure as that technology can be easily converted into use for missiles. The launch dashed prospects for a resumption of international aidfor-disarmament talks. South Korean ofcials conrmed Thursday there are signs of preparations at the rocket site. A launch in the next few weeks would be seen in Seoul as timed for South Koreas Dec. 19 presidential election. Victor Cha, a former White House director of Asia policy, said Pyongyang has a track record of reacting to elections in both the US and South Korea in provocative ways, most recently when President Barack Obama took ofce in 2009. North conducted a rocket and nuclear test within four months. AP

Strauss-Kahn, NY hotel maid to settlesource Obama meets Romney

NEW YORKFormer International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a hotel maid who accused him of trying to rape her have reached an agreement to settle her lawsuit, likely ending a legal saga that forced the one-time French presidential contenders resignation and opened a oodgate of accusations against him, a person familiar with the case said Thursday. Details of the deal, which comes after prosecutors dropped related criminal charges last year, werent immediately known and likely will be veiled by a condentiality agreement. That could prevent the two from speaking publicly about a May 2011 encounter that she called a brutally sudden attack and he termed a consensual moral failing. Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn and the housekeeper, Nassatou Diallo, made the as-yet-unsigned agreement within recent days, with Bronx Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon facilitating that and a separate agreement to end another lawsuit Diallo led against the New York Post, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private agreement. A court date is expected next week, though the day wasnt set, the person said. Strauss-Kahn lawyer William Taylor III declined to comment. Lawyers for the housekeeper didnt immediately respond to phone and email Shown are former International Monetary Fund chief leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn on May 19, 2011 (left), and Nassatou Diallo on July 28, 2011, in New York. AP messages. AP

for White House lunch

WASHINGTONPresident Barack Obama and former Republican rival Mitt Romney met for a private lunch at the White House on Thursday, their rst meeting since the Nov. 6 election, fullling a promise Obama made in his victory speech. Romney left after just over an hour. The White House said the lunch focused on Americas leadership in the world and the importance of maintaining that leadership position, and the two pledged to stay in touch. The president noted that Gov. Romney did a terric job running the Olympics and that that skills set lends itself to ideas that could make the federal government work better, which is a passion of the presidents, White House spokesman Jay Carney said. Obama and Romneys meeting was likely their most extensive

private talk to date. They had only a handful of brief exchanges before the 2012 election, and their campaign interactions were largely conned to the three presidential debates. Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom called it a very friendly lunch. They spoke about some of the big challenges facing America, and it gave Governor Romney the opportunity to personally congratulate President Obama for the success of his campaign. For Romney, it was a day of closure after a hard-fought campaign. Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan, his former running mate, met earlier in the day to talk about economic challenges facing Washington, a Ryan aide said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the aide was not authorized to discuss the private discussions. AP

Shoppers keep habits after Bangladesh fire

NEW YORKBefore purchasing a shirt, shoppers will run their hands over the fabric, look at the price tag and wonder how it will hold up in the washing machine. Some might even ask if it makes them look fat. The one detail, however, that is rarely considered: What are the conditions like for the workers making the shirt? A horric re that raced through a Bangladesh garment factory Saturday, killing 112 people, has put the spotlight at least temporarily back on those workers and their sometimes treacherous work environment. The factory, owned by Tazreen Fashions Ltd., made clothing for several retailers around the globe including Wal-Mart, Sears and The Walt Disney Co. All three companies have distanced themselves from responsibility for the incident, saying they didnt know that their subcontractors were using the factory. Holiday shoppers have also maintained their distance from the tragedy. Truthfully, I hadnt even thought about it, said Megan Miller of Philadelphia as she walked out of the Disney Store in Times Square. I had Christmas on my mind and getting my kids something from New York. Shoppers from Cincinnati to Paris to Singapore all said the same thing: They were aware of the fatal factory re, but they werent thinking about it while browsing stores in the days since. Brand name, t and above allprices were on their minds. AP

Santa showers $100 bills on storm-hit NJ, NY

NEW YORKA wealthy Missouri man posing as Secret Santa stunned New Yorkers on Thursday, handing $100 bills to many in Staten Island who had lost everything to Superstorm Sandy. The Kansas City businessman is giving away $100,000 this holiday season, and spent the day in New Jersey and New York giving away thousands. But he says money is not the issue. The money is not the point at all, said the anonymous benefactor as he walked up to surprised Staten Island residents and thrust crisp bills into their hands. Its about the random acts of kindness. Im just setting an example, and if 10 percent of the people who see me emulate what Im doing, anybody can be a Secret Santa! A police motorcade with sirens took him across the borough, passing a church ripped from its foundations and homes surrounded by debris. At a nearby disaster center run by volunteers, a woman quietly collected free food and basic goods. Has anyone given you any money? he asked her. No, replied Carol Hefty, a 72-year-old retiree living in a damaged home. Here, he said, slipping the money into her hand. But this isnt real money! said Hefty, glancing at the red Secret Santa stamped onto the $100. It is, and its for you, he tells her. She breaks down weeping and hugs him. And so it went, again and again. Secret Santa started his daylong East Coast visit with stops in Elizabeth, N.J. Keeping close watch over the cash handouts was his security entourage police ofcers in uniform from New York and New Jersey, plus FBI agents and former agents from various states. Some have become supporters, wearing red berets marked with the word elf and assisting Santa to choose locations where people are most in need. He himself wears an elf cap and a red top, plus blue jeans. AP

A wealthy philanthropist from Kansas City, Missouri, known as Secret Santa, distributes $100 bills to needy people at St. Josephs Social Service Center in Elizabeth N.J., Nov. 29. AP

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