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Vol. XXVI No. 148 12 Pages, 2 Sections P18.00 Tuesday, August 7, 2012

CBCP: May God have mercy on our Congress

By Maricel Cruz and Vito Barcelo
THE Catholic Church on Monday tried but failed to stop the House of Representatives from ending the plenary debate on the Reproductive Health bill, that its describes as anti-Catholic. May God have mercy on our Congress, said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo as the House prepared to go into second reading, a crucial stage that would make passage of the bill almost inevitable. The aim of the bill is to decrease the countrys population by killing babies or preventing them from being born, which brings forth a culture of death and darkness of sin, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said. Lagdameo and Bastes are ranking members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, which has been ghting the Malacaang-backed bill. As President Aquino summoned 182 lawmakers to Malacaang on Monday, the CBCP sent them the image of the Virgin Mary and exhorted them to dump divorce, euthanasia, abortion, total populaNext page tion control and homosexual unions.

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Conscience vote wins

House ends RH debate as ayes overwhelm nays in viva voce voting
By Maricel Cruz, Christine F. Herrera and Joyce Pangco Paares

So ordered. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (inset) bangs the gavel to end the debate on the Reproductive Health bill. LINO SANTOS

THE House of Representatives on Monday voted overwhelmingly to end the plenary debates on the Reproductive Health bill, setting the stage for a vote on 2nd reading and dealing a blow to the Catholic Church, which has lobbied heavily against the measure.

Voting viva voce, the lawmakers carried the motion of House Leader Neptali Gonzales II to end the period of debates on the consolidated version of the bill, which will be known as the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011, if it is passed. The supporters of the bill threw the opposition off balance by pushing for the termination of the debates Monday instead of Tuesday as scheduled. Some 249 of the 285 lawmakers were present, including

former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who opposes the bill. Gonzales said the decision to move the vote up was made at a caucus in the Palace by Liberal Party leaders and members. President Benigno Aquino III met earlier in the day with some 182 lawmakers in a bid to push the bill forward. The closed-door meeting lasted about an hour. With Mondays vote, Gonzales said, the House will form a special committee to work on the

amendments to the bill for second reading, which is expected in the next few days. But in the plenary, Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco demanded that they hold a nominal vote, causing a suspension of the session. The anti-RH lawmakers led by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, and Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay accused the House leaders of rushing to end the plenary de-

bates that began in May 2011. Rodriguez said he had yet to nish questioning the bills authors, while Bagatsing said it was unlucky to vote on Aug. 6 because that was the number of the devil. Magsaysay accused the Palace of railroading the bills approval and asked why lawmakers were in a hurry to end the debates that started more than a year ago. She also said the decision to move up the vote by a day was a sign that the House was under Malacanangs thumb. Next page

IBP junks De Limas plea, Touchdown! NASA rover Curiosity lands on Mars JBC defers shortlist vote
By Rey E. Requejo
THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Monday denied an appeal from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to dismiss the two disbarment cases led against her so she could remain in the running for chief justice of the Supreme Court. The rejection came as the eight-member Judicial and Bar Council again deferred voting on a shortlist of candidates that it will submit to President Benigno Aquino III because one of its members, Senator Francis Escudero, missed the oral interviews with the 20 candidates and needed time to familiarize himself with their qualications. The council agreed to move the voting--and a decision on De Limas fate--to Wednesday from Monday after Escudero said he wanted to examine the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth and bank accounts of the candidates before voting on them. Some members also wanted to read the IBP resolution on De Limas appeal before the vote. In a closed-door meeting, the IBP governors led by national
Next page

Renegade Moro rebels attack military camps

By Florante S. Solmerin and Joyce Pangco-Paares
THE followers of a rogue Moro rebel commander who has been disowned by the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launched simultaneous attacks late Sunday that stretched until Monday morning on several military detachments at the fringes of the Camp Omar Complex in Maguindanao, which is host to one of the biggest MILF camps in Mindanao. The rebels attacked the detachments of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Cabengi village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Bagan village in Guindulungan, and the villages of Meta and Maitumaig in Datu Unsay. Next page

Mars landing. Top

photo shows an artists rendering of the rover Curiosity examining a rock on Mars. Photo below shows the Mars Science Laboratory team in Pasadena, California, reacting to Curiositys Mars landing. AP

Latest clash in Mindanao justies Japan loan pullout Bolts Olympic party may only be beginning
By Christine F. Herrera
THE latest attack by the Moro rebels led by Umbra Kato in Maguindanao justied the pullout of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which withdrew the $159million or P6.2-billion grant for irrigation projects in Mindanao due to the peace-andorder problem there, Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones said Monday. Palmones asked the Ofce of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, led by Teresita Deles, to explain what the government did with the P1.74-billion budget insertion for peace and order. Next page LONDONLegs churning fast, arms swinging high, Usain Bolt nally made it to warp speed a few steps past the halfway point of the Olympic 100 meters. Emerging from behind, he put clear daylight between himself and the eld. Now he was racing against the clock, not the competition. Then, I thought, World record, Bolt said. But it was too late to do anything about it. And so the Jamaican simply had to be satised with the second-fastest time in history--9.63 seconds-another gold medal and, of course, the comfort of knowing hell have another chance to rewrite the record book very soon. Undeterred from his goal of be
Next page

THE US National Aeronautics and Space Administrations Curiosity rover landed safely on Mars after a 352-million-mile journey and a harrowing plunge through the planets atmosphere dubbed 7 Minutes of Terror. The vehicle, loaded with the most-sophisticated instruments ever used off Earth, touched down at 1:32 a.m. New York time. Scientists developed the $2.5 billion mission to help determine whether Mars has an environment that can support life. Curiosity landed at a site called Gale Crater, at the foot of a 5.5-kilometer high mountain. The crater spans 96 miles, an area about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, according to NASA. Because of its low elevation, water on Mars would probably have pooled in the crater. Orbiting probes suggest there may be water-related clay and minerals. Curiosity is loaded with equipment to allow analysis of air, rock and soil samples. Im thrilled, said Bobby Braun, a professor of space technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology, who was NASAs chief technologist in 2010-2011. Im ecstatic. I can barely talk because Ive been screaming. We were tense here, but the mission went like clockwork.

Next page

Solon: Stop begging US for help on shoal dispute

By Maricel V. Cruz
TWO lawmakers on Monday said Manila should not expect allout support from Washington and even from its fellow-members in the Association of Southeast Nations on the South China Sea Next page issue because the United States was heavily indebted to China and most of the Asean memberstates had trade relations with Beijing. The US reportedly owes China tril- Attack craft. The new Philippine-made lions of dollars while Multi-purpose attack craft at the Navy headthe Asean countries quarters in Manila. DANNY PATA have trade relations with China, said Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano, a member of the House committee on national defense. How then can we expect these nations to help us out in our conict when they have to protect

Worlds fastest. Usain Bolt of Jamaica wins the gold medal in

the 100-meter dash and scores the second-fastest time in history of 9.63 seconds.

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Latest...
Was it not only two weeks ago that President Benigno Aquino III boasted that the crime rate was going down? We demand to know what happened to the P1.74 billion budget for peace and order, Palmones said. The national government did not even have the temerity and the courtesy to inform Congress about the P1.74-billion insertion. It was not even included in the proposed Malacaang budget. The amount was not even deliberated upon by Congress, and we were just surprised that this had been inserted when President Aquino signed the 2012 budget into law. Palmones tirade followed the lawmakers denouncement of the government on Sunday over its plan to re some 11,000 agrarian reform employees by October as its rice self-sufciency program suffered a serious blow from Japans decision to yank out $159 million in funding for irrigation projects in Mindanao as a result of the peace-and-order problems there. AA Kasosyo Rep. Nasser Pangandaman and Palmones said the mass ring of personnel from the Department of Agrarian Reform was an offshoot pof the governments failure to provide a safety net for them. On Monday, more lawmakers intervened and led House Resolution 1616 to save the jobs of the 11,000 agrarian reform employees starting October and questioned the governments decision to reduce the funding for land distribution to P18 billion from P33 billion. They said the reduction in the budget showed land distribution was not a priority of the Aquino administration despite President Benigno Aquithe opportunity to air their side. The build-up to this weeks vote was marked by intense lobbying on both sides. Gonzales said the sugestion to move the vote forward to Monday actually came from Paraaque Rep. Roilo Golez, an anti-RH congressman, to avoid an acrimonious environment. It was the consensus that we better avoid the clash between the pro- and anti-RH supporters in Tuesdays voting. Baka magkabatuhan pa diyan, Gonzales said, referring to the possibility of violence from either camp. At the session hall, House security separated the pro- and antiRH supporters. The purple-clad pro-RH supporters were seated at the North Gallery, while the antiRH supporters wearing red sat at the South Gallery. Mrs. Arroyo, in a red suit, was accompanied by her sons Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Macapagal and Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo. Gonzales said he could not say when the amendments to the bill would be scheduled. Lets take it one day at a time, he said. Earlier, Liberal Party Senator Franklin Drilon said the Senate

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CBCP...
A similar bill is being considered in the Senate, and a bicameral committee will have to approve a nal version that will then be presented to President Aquino for signing into law. Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the soul of the nation was at stake with the passage of the RH bill, which will give Filipinos access to all methods of family planning, including the use of contraceptives. It is very clear it is a western capitalist imposition for their own interests and not of the Filipino people. It is a subtle way of foreign imperialism, Bagaforo said. The CBCP accused Malacaang of blackmailing lawmakers by threatening to cut off the pork barrel of those who would vote against the measure. A lawmaker admitted receiving huge pressure from Malacaang to favor the bill. There will be projects for my district that will be compromised if I will not vote for the bill, a CBCP ofcial said. He declined to identify the congressman. The Catholic Church, which favors the rhythm method, says the bill will turn the country into a big market for condoms, contraceptives, contraceptives, abortifacients and sterilization agents. In an editorial in its CBCP News on-line, the group said it would be patently unconstitutional for the State to be part of a program of contraception, even if its only purpose were to prevent one solitary woman from conceiving.

Pass it now! Women from the Akbayan Party express their support for the Reproductive Health bill in front of the House of Representatives. MANNY PALMERO

Solon...
their relations with China? Its quite pathetic for us to even seek their help. Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, said the US could not be blamed for its safe response to the countrys plea for assistance. Maybe the US is our longtime ally, but the issue that is at stake here is about protecting personal interests, Acop said. Albano said Manila should stop begging and learn to ght for itself. We should stop our practice of begging for help and hiding behind stronger economies when things get rough for our country, he said. We cannot and should not always run to others for help. Its time we [fought] our battle on our own.

The two lawmakers statements followed reports that three high-ranking Chinese ofcials had slammed the US for criticizing Beijings decision to establish a military garrison in the newlycreated Sansha City. US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell had said over the weekend that Beijing raised the tension in the region when it established Sansha City and its military garrison to defend its sovereignty over the disputed islands. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Kunsheng said Ventrells remarks completely ignored the facts, deliberately confounded right and wrong, and sent a seriously wrong signal, which is not conducive to the efforts safeguarding the peace and stability of the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacic region. We urge the US to correct its mistake and respect Chinas sover-

eignty, Zhang said. Qin Gang, a ministry spokesman, on Saturday accused the US of selective blindness as certain countries had escalated the disputes by opening oil and gas blocks, threatening Chinese shermen, and illegally appropriating territory. And why has the United States chosen to speak out all of a sudden to stir up trouble at a time when the countries concerned in the region are stepping up dialogue and communication to resolve disputes and calm the situation? Qin said. On Sunday, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Fu Ying said in an interview with the Xinhua News Agency that China was ready to talk with the Asean on a code of conduct in the South China Sea when conditions are ripe, and that the issue should be addressed and solved only by the parties directly concerned.

no IIIs promise that land would be distributed and the distribution would be nished on or before he stepped down. On eve of the third anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with reforms, Butil Rep. Agapito Guanlao joined Pangandaman and Palmones in looking for other agencies that could absorb the employees to be affected by the mass ring. We cannot accept that 11,000 families will lose their jobs only because the government believes it will nish the land distribution by 2014, Guanlao told the Manila Standard. He said the government might be able to nish distributing 640,000 hectares by 2014, but the post-land distribution services and adjudication of cases remained. We are proposing a program that the employees would be absorbed by other agencies such as the Department of Justice since there are agrarian reform cases that are pending, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture, Guanlao said. Only 3,000 of the 10,973 Agrarian Reform employees would be absorbed by the Agriculture Department. Majority of the 10,973 employees are in their 50s. Some may be offered a retirement package but those who would want to remain in public service, we have to nd a position for them, Guanlao said. The mass ring was supposed to be discussed by the House committee on agrarian reform, led by Negros Oriental Rep. Pryde Henry Teves, but Teves and the authors of the measures were caught in trafc on their way to Congress from a luncheon meeting with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacaang.

IBP...
president Roan Libarios unanimously voted to throw out De Limas appeal after nding she offered no new arguments to warrant a reversal of the IBPs earlier decision to launch a fullblown investigation of the complaints against her. The two disbarment cases accuse her of defying an order from the Supreme Court and disrespecting then Chief Justice Renato Corona by calling him a lawless tyrant. The pending cases threaten De Limas bid to become chief justice because the Judicial and Bar Councils rules say that any candidate facing administrative or criminal charges will be disqualied. In a last-minute bid to avert her possible disqualication, De Lima on Aug. 1 asked the IBP, the national association of lawyers, to reverse its decision to investigate the disbarment cases led against her. She argued that the Supreme Court did not explicitly state in its July 3 resolution that it found merit in the disbarment cases when it referred the matter to the IBP. She also argued that as the alter ego of President Aquino, she too was immune from criminal and civil suits. In ruling against her appeal, the IBPs board members said they could not dismiss the cases because the Supreme Court had already found basis to have them investigated further, and had ordered the IBP to do so. If a disbarment complaint is led with the [Supreme Court] and the high court refers it to the IBP for investigation, there is presumption that the [high court] has already found basis, otherwise the Supreme Court

would have summarily dismissed the case, Libarios said. IBP spokeswoman Trixie Cruz-Angeles also dismissed De Limas assertion that she was immune from suits as a member of President Aquinos Cabinet. She cannot raise the argument that shes immune from law suits since theres no law which indicates that the alter egos of Presidents can enjoy the same privileges that are accorded to our countrys leaders, Angeles said. De Lima cannot be shielded by President Aquinos immunity from suit even though shes an alter ego of the President. With its decision, the IBP would nish its investigation of the cases by September or October, Angeles said. A member of the council, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., said the disbarment cases could disqualify De Lima under current rules. However, he said, there was a pending proposal to amend the rule to make them more equitable. He also said the council had yet to decide on an appeal led by De Lima. Although the IBP had already junked the Justice secretarys appeal, the council would consider her petition separately, he said. Escudero, on the other hand, said the disqualication rule would apply to De Lima unless the IBP dismissed the cases by some miracle in time for her inclusion on the list. But De Lima said she remained hopeful. Still, two opposition lawmakers, Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, urged De Lima to drop her bid and focus instead on doing her job as Justice secretary. With Maricel V. Cruz

Conscience...
The House leadership just showed that now that Congress is under the Executive branch and is not a co-equal branch, she said. But the 11 members of the minority who met with the President, led by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amita Villarosa, and Davao del Sur Rep. Mark Cagas, also agreed to end the period of debate, said Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, a member of Mr. Aquinos Liberal Party. Evardone also said the President had assured lawmakers at Mondays lunch meeting that he would respect divergent views when Congress moved to discuss the proposed amendments to the bill. Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, meanwhile, accused the antiRH lawmakers of trying to derail the bill by asking repetitive questions during the plenary debates. He said Congress needed to come up with a national policy on reproductive health, and that the Catholic Church should be able to respect its mandate. The presiding speaker, Camarines Sur Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella, said Mondays vote did not reect the merits or demerits of the bill, but only

whether the House would end the period of debates. Earlier, the bills principal author, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, said the President had suggested that the members of the House vote according to their conscience. Lagman said that would mean the lawmakers would have to nd the courage to make a decision and not to be cowed by intimidation of the threat of reprisals at the polls. The President also cautioned that the bahala na attitude results in inordinately large families, and that presidential prescription adopts the call for children by choice, not by chance, Lagman said. Mr. Aquino expressed his desire that Congress move on to the next step in the legislative process, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. The President echoed the view that the responsible parenthood measure had been discussed thoroughly over the pass several years, Lacierda said. The President expressed his opinion on the...bill and had a healthy discussion with congressmen with different persuasions and positions. All sides were heard and considered. Even minority congressmen and those opposed to the measure were given

would await the results of the House vote before proceeding with its version of the bill. Drilon said the Senate terminated its plenary debates when it adjourned in May. In the Senate, we are in the period of amendments. My position is we vote on the Senate version once the House would act on the RH bill, he said. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is against the bill, wants to reopen the period of debates. Also on Monday, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, a network of more than 30,000 evangelical congregations, reiterated its call for the immediate consolidation and passing of House Bill 4244, more commonly known as the reproductive health bill. We call on our legislators to end the debates and to vote for its approval. We wholeheartedly support President Aquinos statement that Perhaps the debates should end and Congress can decide, once and for all, on the responsible parenthood bill, said Bishop Efraim Tendero, national director of the group. In contrast to the Catholic Church, the group said the RH bill was prolife, pro-development and pro-poor. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Bolts...
coming a living legend, Bolt returns to Olympic Stadium on Monday to receive his medal. A day later, hell begin running in his favorite race, the 200. His victory in the 100 on Sunday against training partner Yohan Blake, Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay and the rest of the star-studded eld promptly and emphatically shut down all the questions about his tness and dedication--questions that only grew louder after losses to Blake in both sprints ve weeks ago at Jamaicas Olympic trials. At the trials, when Yohan Blake beat me twice, it woke me up, opened my eyes, Bolt said. It was like he came, knocked on my door and say, Its an Olympic year, are you ready? I just really refocused and got everything together and came back ready. In their rst rematch, Bolt beat Blake by 0.12 seconds--a comfortable margin but hardly wide enough to ignore his countryman and training partner, who is more than three years younger and pushing him in ways few people thought possible. When the 200 heats start Tuesday, Bolt again gures to get his biggest challenge from Blake, the runner he nicknamed The Beast. Bolts world record is

Touchdown...
Hundreds of spectators, many carrying cameras, gathered in sultry weather in New Yorks Times Square to witness the event, which was broadcast on a large electronic screen overhead. The crowd erupted into applause and chanted NASA! NASA! when Curiositys safe landing was conrmed. An electronic sign below carried the message: Congratulations Curiosity on your successful landing on Mars. I wanted to see the landing in an intensely social atmosphere, said Max Juren, 31, from Austin, Texas, wearing a tinfoil hat for the occasion. I would rather see billions of dollars spent on exploration than a single cent on war. I am happy they succeeded. I was nervous. The one-ton rover touched

down after hanging by ropes from a rocket backpack. The descent was tracked by the Mars orbiter Odyssey, which was able to almost immediately relay to scientists on earth black-and-white sheye images of the planet received by the Canberra, Australia, antenna station of NASAs Deep Space Network. Its a really big step outwards, and the only place we can look is out, said Jim OReilly, 20, from Redding, Connecticut, who joined the crowd at Times Square. NASA dubbed the period from entry to touchdown the 7 Minutes of Terror in a video describing the event. The spacecraft entered the atmosphere and decelerated quickly, deploying a parachute. It then separated into parts, one of which was a hover craft with rockets. Bloomberg

19.19, but Blake has the secondfastest mark at 19.25. Blake said there was no shame in losing to a man like Bolt. And, like Bolt, he doesnt consider this Olympics anywhere near over. Im not disappointed, Blake said. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You never know what can happen. I think the 200 meters will be interesting. American Wallace Spearmon should be the other prime contender in that race. In the 100, it was Gatlin and Gay whove been crisscrossing the world, trying to convince themselves and anyone else who would listen that they stood a chance against The Worlds Fastest Man. Gay, who has worked hard to recover from right hip surgery over the last year, was crying hard after the race. Inconsolable. I tried my best. I came up short. Thats all I had, he said. Gatlin was more moved by the occasion than sad about nishing third. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist served a four-year doping ban that kept him out of the Beijing Games and he has fought hard since his return to restore both his reputation and his form. All the while, he kept his perspective about how the sprint world had changed in the time he was away. AP

Renegade...
They also red guns and mortars at the headquarters of the 1st MIB and the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Shariff Aguak and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in Cabengi village in Datu Saudi Ampatuan. Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the attacks were launched by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement of Ameril Umbrakato. The attackers were Moro rebels and followers of Umbrakato. These rebels are the usual spoilers of the peace talks here in Mindanao, Ardo said. An AP report, quoting Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, said at least three people were killed and eight were wounded in the attacks. Those killed were members of the 200-strong rebel group, and a villager who was hit by a stray gunre. Malacaang vowed go after the Umbrakato-led group. The BIFM is not part of the MILF and thus is not covered by any ceasere agreement, presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles said on Monday. Denitely, our government forces are ready for the necessary defensive actions to protect and ensure the welfare of communities should the perpetrators launch

attacks again. Pursuit operations are being conducted to bring them to the bar of justice. Maguindanao police chief Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac said the encounter started at midnight Sunday between the Army and the BIFM. Umbra Kato was linked to attacks in Mindanao in 2008 after the Supreme Court rejected a deal awarding territory to the separatist MILF. The MILF leadership later expelled Umbrakato after he refused to support the resumption of the MILFs peace talks with the government. There were reports that Umbrakato died of stroke shortly after he was expelled, but that was quickly denied by his family. Pintac said Sundays attackers cut off power in at least 11 towns and burned at least two houses. They also displaced thousands of residents in North Cotabato and Maguindanao. Reports said the Army was now coordinating with the MILF to ease the tension in the affected areas. Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the MILF was helping to provide information on the presence of the attackers. Military sources say Umbrakato has more than 1,000 armed followers who were formerly members of the MILFs 106th base Command.

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itself, is already a problem. Talking about ceasefire without even talking about the preconditions poses difficulty for us, Lacierda said. Government chief negotiator Alexander Padilla earlier said he would raise the attack on the presidential convoy with his NDF counterparts when both sides meet again for informal talks in Oslo tentatively scheduled next month. Padilla described the attack as disturbing even if President Benigno Aquino

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

A3

Aquino prefers to have truce with Reds in place

By Joyce Pangco Paares

THE Aquino administration said it will be preferable to have a ceasere agreement with the New Peoples Army in place as the government continues to try to talk peace with the NPA allies the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front.
Palace ofcials made the Security Group Friday in Albay. statement after four suspected Presidential spokesman members of the NPA red at Edwin Lacierda cited the a convoy of the Presidential ceasere pact between the

government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that has signicantly reduced the number of armed encounters in Mindanao. If you want to have a peace agreement, it would be preferable if it was held with a ceasere in place, Lacierda said on Monday. But the CPP-NPA-NDF has not (agreed to that)... Theres primarily a difficulty right now as to meeting the tables and discussing furtherthat alone, in and of

III was not in the convoy. Padilla said he remained hopeful that the informal talks being scheduled by the Norwegian third party facilitator in September will push through. He said the government will once again urge the CPPNDF to consider signing a ceasefire agreement during the meeting. Both sides last met in June for a two-day informal meeting in Oslo, ending a 15-month impasse in peace negotiations.

Padilla

Red tape hinders growth, says NEDA

By Macon Araneta
RED tape, the cost of doing business and getting licenses, are among the factors the Philippines has been lagging behind Vietnam in terms of foreign investments, the countrys top economist said on Monday. As the Senate began its twoday brieng on the proposed P2-trillion budget, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile quizzed NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan on the reasons for Vietnams success in attracting foreign investors. Balisacan said foreign investments are rapidly growing in Vietnam because it is much easier to do business in that country than in the Philippines. He said dealing with government people in the country is another factor for the slow economic growth. The NEDA chief mentioned administrative and decision efciencies, adding that the time to make decisions in Vietnam is much shorter. Balisacan noted that Vietnam has managed to improve tremendously by improving infrastructure developments which he described as very impressive. Enrile pressed on for the type of restrictions, and Balisacan referred to constitional restrictions. Enrile, who has been in the forefront of amending the economic provision in the 1987 Constitution, did not discuss these restrictions at length. Before being questioned by Enrile, Balisacan pointed to Vietnam as model for economic growth. Balisacan said that over the last 10 years, our economy managed to grow only at 4.7% on the average. Because the population was growing at roughly two percent a year, Balisacan said the country was able to increase per capita income by only 2.7 percent a year. Thats how slow the growth was compared to the 5 to 7% a year economic growth in Vietnam, indonesia, Thailand and China, said Balisacan. If you look at our prole of growth in the per capita income in the pattern of the Philippines during the last 20 year, were crawling like that, whereas our neighbours are moving very fast, said Balisacan.

Angara hopeful on data privacy

SENATOR Edgardo Angara on Monday expressed condence President Aquino would sign the proposed Data Privacy Act into law but was quick to point out that having it enacted would only be the rst step. Getting it enacted is only the rst step albeit a very vital one, said Angara, chairman of the science and technology committee. Angara, who is in Singapore for the Microsoft Southeast Asia Privacy Dialogue, stressed the country needed to step up efforts to protect personal information transmitted via the Internet and other information and communications technologies. The measure was recently transmitted to Malacanang for the Presidents signature. Angara said government agencies and private enterprises must look into how they can incorporate international privacy principles into their systems and internal policies to ensure the smooth implementation of the law. For sure, some signicant changes will have to be made, but that only makes it important for us to start working on them as early as now, said Angara. Macon Araneta

Values formation. President Aquino answers questions during a dialogue with parent-members of the PAREF Southridge School at the Malacaan Palace on Monday. PAREF Southridge School was founded in 1979 by the Parents For Education Foundation Inc.which envisioned a group of schools that would offer values-based information during the formative years of children. MALACAANG PHOTO BUREAU

IN BRIEF
Aviation body paves way for Airasia
THE Civil Aviation Board said today that AirAsia, Inc. has obtained a certicate of public conveyance and necessity to operate domestic and international ights for the next ve years. CAB executive Director Carmelo Arcilla told Manila Standard that the board approved the airlines CPCN Thursday during its regular meeting. Despite the opposition of four local based carriers -- PAL, Cebu Pacic, ZestAir and Airphil Express -- the CAB board composed of representatives from the Tourism and Transportation and Communications departments and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines approved Aiasias CPCN applications after the airline complied with the foreign equity limits. Airasia Philippines maintained that only 40% of its total equity is owned by Malaysias AirAsia Bhd., and the 60 percent majority are owned by its Filipino partners; businessmen Antonio O. Cojuangco III, Michael L. Romero and its Chief Executive Ofcer, Marianne B. Hontiveros each owning a 20% stake. Eric Apolonio

117 solons push for freedom of info bill

By Maricel V. Cruz
A TOTAL of 117 lawmakers on Monday signed a manifesto in support to the swift passage of the Freedom of Information bill which had been pending before the committee on public information at the House of Representatives. Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Taada III, principal author of the measure, said the manifesto was intended to prod the House leadership to work double time on the approval of the measure. With 117 members, I think the Speaker will be convinced to call for a hearing of the House committee on public information, Taada told. The Speaker can order immediately for hearings to proceed, Taada added. reporters. Taada said they would submit the manifesto to Belmonte to make him aware of the overwhelming number of lawmakers who support the passage of the measure. The FOI bill, which seeks to provide the people with access to information such as government documents upon formal request, triggered debates in the House, with one Aquino ally accusing another any way to the FOI bill. ally with delaying the passage In fact, I am fully behind of the measure. the spirit and intend of the Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner measure. It is just that there are Baguilat Jr., one of the major contending issues and concerns proponents of the bill, said that need to be resolved rst that the delaying and I believe that those istactics employed sues can be hammered by the panel out in a caucus of the chairman, Easleaders and members ter Samar Rep. of the ruling coaliBen Evardone, tion, Evardone prevented Contold reporters. gress from Evardone contributing said that a mato the govjority coalition e r n m e n t s caucus on the supposed matter is necanti-corruption essary to expedrive. dite the process. He (Evardone) It will also prehas postponed and de- Taada vent heated, spirited layed committee deand highly divisive deliberations over the past two bates in the committee level years, the latest is the Aug. 7 and in the plenary, Evardone meeting agreed upon with the explained. authors. But Baguilat did not buy Is he truly for FOI or is he Evardones excuse. allowing himself to be used How can the representaby former allies in the past tives in Congress talk about administration to torpedo the a bill in a caucus when it has bill, just like what they did in not even been presented in the the 14th congress, Baguilat plenary? There is no need for a added. caucus until it is reported out of But Evardone said that Ba- the committee and this has not guilats accusation was base- been done. Urgent steps now less and misplaced, stress- have to be taken if we are to ing that he was not opposed in fulll our mandate to the people, said Baguilat. Once the coalition partners decide on the nal version of the bill, Evardone assured that the process would be smoother and speedy. Baguilat, meanwhile, said that the passage of the FOI bill would contribute to the campaign against corruption of the Aquino administration. He said that the measure would give concerned citizens access to vital information that they would need to ensure that public ofcials are held accountable at all times. Yet despite the importance of the bill, Baguilat said that Everdone was not doing eough to push it through. The manifesto carried the signatures of the 14 principal authors of the bill, namely, Taada, Reps. Juan Edgardo Angara of Aurora, Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa City, Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, Winston Castelo of Quezon City, Cinchona Cruz-Valdez and Sherwin Tugna of CIBAC partylist, Rachel Marguerite del Mar of Cebu, Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon, Karlo Alexie Nograles of Davao City, Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina City, among others.

Cosmetics traders defy FDA prohibition

DESPITE government warnings, several skin whitening products that contain large amounts of mercury are still being sold openly in cosmetic stores and shops in Baclaran, one the countrys bargain stores. The EcoWaste Coalition conducted test-buys over the weekend and found that at least six of the 50 brands of skinlightening products banned by the Food and Drugs Administration can be easily bought at Baclaran Terminal Plaza and Baclaran Chinese Drugstore. Aileen Lucero, the groups Safe Cosmetics Campaigner, said FDA has banned such products last year for containing mercury beyond the allowable limit of 1 part per million (ppm). On Saturday, Lucero said members of their team went to Baclaran and managed to buy several banned products. The group also purchased four other skin whitening products with incomplete or misleading labels in violation Consumer Act of the Philippines. In its advisory on August 4, 2011, FDA warned that the 50 listed products pose imminent danger or injury to the consuming public and the importation, selling, or offering for sale of such is a violation the FDA Act of 2009. Ferdie Fabella

Hope springs for Canadian wannabe

FILIPINOS seeking permanent residency in Canada should not lose hope in fulfilling their dream, despite the recent enactment of a law authorizing the Minister of Immigration to terminate the processing of all pending Federal Skilled Workers applications filed before Feb. 27, 2008. Some 280,000 FSW applicants worldwide, with an estimated minimum of 10 percent from the Philippines, are affected by this radical change in Canadas immigration rules, according to a group of lawyers who are out to challenge the legality of the move. Lawyer Gerard Algarra of Algarra Miranda & Giron Law Offices, disclosed that one of the most noted Canadian Immigration lawyers, Cecil L. Rotenberg, has assembled a battery of the best immigration lawyers in Canada to represent in court those affected FSW applicants. Algarra said the class suit being initiated against the Federal government seeks to compel the latter to continue processing the affected pending applications. They were already able to obtain a 90-day reprieve from June 2012 wherein the government agreed not to implement the return of these applications. He explained that within the 90-day period, the court has given the lawyers 60 days to le a Certication Motion to determine the validity of instituting a class action suit. If they win that round, the major legal battle will begin and the Canadian lawyers are positively hopeful that they will be able to secure a decision favorable to the affected applicants, Algarra explained. Arman Armero

Budget update. The administrations economic managers meet

with senators on the proposed 2013 budget. They are, from left, Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares, and Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon. EY ACASIO

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TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor

Opinion
to form associationsdo not engage in violent initiations that hurt aspirants physically, emotionally and psychologically. Should there be such violence, the Anti-Hazing law mandates that those who participated in the iniction of harm as well as the groups ofcials be made accountable. The penalties range from four years to life, depending on the gravity of the harm. Many say the law is inadequate. Already, some lawmakers have called for its review and amendment. Let us hope they will follow through on these initiatives even after public interest has shifted to other news. It is now time to recognize that in order to defeat hazing, the public must go to the other end of the spectrum. We must try to understand why young people who are otherwise intelligent, condent and promising voluntarily put themselves in harms way and willingly undergo violent episodes for the sake of friendship or afliation. Families, rst and foremost, must be the ones providing support and encouragement to their children in the most challenging

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EDITORIAL

Tell me who your friends are

nominees to the chief justice post to the President, and the struggle to cope with the incessant rain and ooding. Add another week, and more issues will vie for the publics attention. Soon, Marcos death will be forgotten until another victim is found badly beaten. We know this feeling too well. Earlier this year, a similar outrage was sparked by the death of Marvin Reglos from the same law school. Schools are tasked with ensuring that fraternities and sororities protected by the right phase of their studies and their entry into adulthood. Young people must not feel that mere association, more than individual hard work, will tide them over. Worse, if such a group deliberately hurts them or makes them suffer, it is not worth being identied with it in the rst place. We must work on strengthening the institutions of the law and of the academe, but let us not forget that we have to empower individuals who make their own decisions and chart their own fates.

ANOTHER young man died of hazing last week. As the family of San Beda College of Laws Marc Andrei Marcos mourns his passing, the public is again talking about how hazing is a menace, how the perpetrators need to be made accountable, and how the law needs to be strengthened to prevent further violence and death. The other tragedy is that all of this is eeting. Even now, the issue competes with the termination of the debates over the reproductive health bill, the presentation of the short list of

Aquinos women
LOWDOWN
TWO women closely identied with the Aquino administration are hogging the headlines these days. But its hard to tell if Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and professional activist Rissa Hontiveros are ghting for whats right or merely seeking what they think they deserve, based on allconsuming personal ambition and a need for self-aggrandizement. De Lima cannot disguise her overweening desire to become the next chief justice of the Supreme Court. And now that it has come to light that President Noynoy Aquino himself is backing her bid for the highest position in the Judiciary, it appears that her condence is not at all unfounded. It is doubtful if De Limas latest reversal, when the Integrated Bar of the Philippines yesterday rejected the justice chiefs motion to hold in abeyance the disbarment proceedings against her, will dissuade her from her quest. Especially now that Aquino himself has admitted that the government has been helping De Limas defend herself against the disbarment complaints against her, the justices secretarys unwavering belief that she deserves the chief justiceship is unlikely to be shaken. Why De Lima cannot see what others have repeatedly pointed out is the great mystery. De Limas performance as justice secretary can be summed up by her uninching will to do what Aquino wantsan attribute which has directly led to the ling of disbarment proceedings against her. Her disobedience of a Supreme Court order stopping her from letting Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leave the country, her unseemly remarks against former Chief Justice Renato Corona and her testimony against Corona in the latters Senate impeachment trial would not only force a more sensitive to quit seeking the top judicial position; as it is, these actions have also led to the formal demands that she be disbarred and a scenario where the top magistrate has also been removed from the rolls as a lawyer. Why Aquino refuses to face up to the reality that his justice secretary is probably the most unqualied of the 20 nominees and least worthy of the post he seeks for her, only Aquino knows. It would be supremely ironic except to Aquino and his justice chief, naturallyif the only noteworthy things De Lima ever did would ultimately disqualify her for the position she now so brazenly seeks. *** Meanwhile, someone should tell Hontiveros that RH doesnt stand for her initials alone. In the overheating debate about reproductive health, Hontiveros has distinguished herself by converting a legitimate debate into a partisan political exercise with her memorable line that a Congress vote
JOJO A. ROBLES

For De Lima and Hontiveros, nothings going to keep them from getting what they rightly deserve.

on the RH bill is a vote for Arroyo. De Lima, at least, enjoys the full trust and condence of Aquino himself. Hontiveros, despite her numerous attempts, never even got appointed to Aquinos Cabinet or any other government post. All Hontiveros has is the backing of a top palace functionary now being accused in blind items all over the media of raising funds for her upcoming Senate run by shaking down ofcials at the Bureau of Customs. Oh, and lets not forget that Aquinos chief political adviser, Ronald Llamas, has taken the Catholic bishops to task, as well, for contradicting his close friend Hontiveros in the RH debate. That Hontiveros is practically dying to land a major government position cannot be denied. After she failed to secure a seat in the Senate in 2010 and failed again to secure a senior government position when the ban on appointing election losers expiredHontiveros was included in the Liberal Partys midterm Senate lineup. This explains why Hontiveros has decided to milk the RH issue for all its worth by contributing her particular brand of anti-Arroyo politics in what should be a medical, ethical and policy debate. Almost singlehandedly, Hontiveros dumbed down the RH debate by reducing it to the petty politics of vindictiveness something that her audience of one in Malacaang must certainly be applauding, even if the pro-RH groups have sought to distance themselves from her action almost immediately. But a woman has got to do what a woman has got to do. And as far as both De Lima and Hontiveros are concerned, nothing is going to keep them from getting what they rightly deserve. And they should really get whats coming to thembut not, if there is any justice, according to their own overblown appreciation of their own worth. *** The justice department, in a resolution promulgated July 25, has reversed the Pasig City prosecutors nding of probable cause to charge former Ambassador Francisco Ortigas III and his executive assistant Maria Antonia Legarda with concubinage. The case was led by Ortigas wife of 43 years, Susana Mardigal Bayot. The DOJ resolution was specic in reminding the Pasig City Prosecutor that the purpose of a preliminary investigation is to secure the innocent against hasty, malicious and oppressive prosecution and protect him from open and public accusation. The admonition conrms allegations that the preliminary investigation was conducted in haste and did not give the accused an opportunity to properly debunk the charges. The DOJ resolution directed the Pasig City prosecutor to withdraw the case led against Ortigas and Legarda and report action taken within 10 days.

Thumbs down on RH
AS THE likelihood of a nal showdown in Congress over the reproductive health bill ripens into a certainty today, it may be timely to review the key arguments why everyonenot just Catholics and other like-minded Christiansboth inside and outside Congress, ought to reject this bill: RH is unnecessary. As an economist friend who works in a foreign bank pointed out to me: Contraceptive devices like condoms, IUDs, pills, tubal ligations, and vasectomies are not illegal in our country. You can hear radio commercials and see billboards on Edsa advertising condoms. Government is free to spend as much as it wants to provide contraceptive information and products to the people. RH punishes freedom of religious belief. But despite the legality of contraception, and recent surveys that show the majority of our people in favor of it, RH advocates still want the protection of a coercive law. This is amply provided by the bill in its current form, which penalizes the following acts: Any health care provider who refuses to provide information and access to the full range of family planning methods prescribed by the bill, or refuses to perform those procedures, or refuses to refer the patient to another health care provider Any person who maliciously engages in disinformation about the bill (the question is: who is authorized to nd malice in a given situation, and on what grounds?) The penalties are imprisonment for up to six months and a ne of up to P50,000. If you the conscientious objector are a public ofcial, you will be dismissed from ofce and forfeit your retirement benets. If you are an alien,
Senior Deskman Senior Deskman Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

BYPASS

GARY OLIVAR

you will be deported immediately after serving your sentence. The Church-approved method of natural family planning (NFP) can be just as effective as articial contraception. One German study reports a failure rate of only 0.4 percent for NFP, compared to 0.6 percent for articial methods. In another 3-year study of nearly 6,000 women, NFP was found to be 99.86 percent effective. As reported in Wikipedia, a recent WHO study of nearly a thousand fertile women from different countries found that 93 percent of them could accurately interpret their bodys reproductive signals, regardless of education and culture. An NFP-based policy that appeals to the better nature of husbands by persuading them to respect their wives judgment, has got to be superior to one that panders to mens appetites by making sex-on-demand more convenient for them. Unintended, but unsurprising, consequences of contraception. The economist George Akerlof has said that widespread contraceptive use leads to more premarital sex, more fatherless children, more single mothers, more poverty, more abortions decline in marriage, less domesticated men, more crime, more social pathology, more children. (Akerlof, Yellen and Katz, An Analysis of Outof-Wedlock Childbearing in the United States, Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1996. Akerlof, Men Without Children, The Economic Journal, 1998) This is the less attractive face of the Westespecially the United Statesthat the developing world is familiar with. One might argue that it will take decades before these problems of the advanced countries become ours as well. To which I would reply: Then why even start down that road if its just a matter of time? Instead, lets be forewarned and use all that time to fashion a better alternative. That alternative is already at hand the so-called demographic dividend. A Bloomberg story the other week talked about how jobs are slowly leaving
Manila

the ageing workforces of North Asia in favor of the demographically booming countries of Southeast Asia. The chief economist of Japanese trading giant Itochu claims that the demographic dividend is over for Japan and Korea, and it will be over for China soon. Its happening now in the Asean area, and it will continue for some time. A Singapore-based economist of US investment bank Merrill Lynch describes the Philippines as a standout beneciary of a bigger labor pool. Lets harvest the demographic dividend instead of wasting it. A 2001 study by the US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) denes this dividend as most of a countrys population being in the working ages of 15-64 years. This will increase productivityIF supported by policies that promote health, family, labor, nancial and human capital. Unfortunately, the President has chosen to take the opposite tack. As the Asian Wall Street Journal eloquently stated in its review of the Presidents latest Sona: [Aquinos] promotion of a reproductive health bill is jarring because it would put the Philippines in danger of following Chinas path into middle-income development followed by a demographic trap of too few workers. The Philippines doesnt have too many people, it has too few pro-growth policies. It would be a pity if one reason the Presidents position has hardened on the RH bill is just because of his predecessors newly public opposition to it. Now he stands willing to spend P13.7 billion on RH, a huge sum of money that an editorial cartoon in Sundays Inquirer says could be better spent on books, classrooms, jobs, housing, food, medicines, roadsprecisely the kinds of productivity-improving, pro-growth policies that the experts are recommending. For once, Ill have to agree with the Inquirer. gbolivar1952@gmail.com

ROGELIO C. SALAZAR President & CEO FRANCIS LAGNITON ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher ARMAN ARMERO RAMONCHITO L. TOMELDAN Managing Editor LEO A. ESTONILO CHIN WONG/ RAY S. EANO Associate Editors ROMEL J. MENDEZ JOEL P. PALACIOS News Editor ROBERTO CABRERA CLIMACO E. CALIWARA Controller ANITA F. GREFAL Treasury Manager

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ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor

Opinion
EAGLE EYES
THE Judicial and Bar Council, having nished its public interview of the 20 aspirants for the chief judicial post, is now set to come out anytime soon (if it did not yet do so yesterday before this column was submitted) of its short list of nominees from which the President will appoint the next chief justice. With the multitudinous issues and problems facing the Judiciary, the next chief justice will soon nd out that being the chief magistrate is not only about prestige, perks, power and authority. More than anything else its all about xing and ne-tuning a rickety judicial system that dispenses justice all throughout the archipelago. Clogged dockets, delays in court processes, corruption, inadequate logistical support and infrastructure are but some of the intractable challenges that the brand new chief will have to face. The ultimate objective is to come up with radical and enduring reforms that will result in inexpensive, accessible, credible and efcient justice system. This is easier said than done because these problems even after so many measures have been and are being adopted, persist. Often, they deteriorate. How do you explain for instance the prevailing perception that justice can be bought, or that obtaining justice under the current set-up is too expensive and time consuming which is of course detDEAN TONY LA VIA

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

A5

A tipping point for Aquino

TO THE POINT
THE United Nationalist Alliance has rmed up 10 slots out of its senatorial ticket. They are Loren Legarda, and Greg Honasan, both re-electionists; Jackie Ponce Enrile, Senate President Juan Ponce Enriles son; San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, former President Erap Estradas son by San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez; former Senator Migz Zubiri; former presidential aspirant Dick Gordon; Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia; Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay; former Senator Ernesto Maceda; and Joey de Venecia, son of former Speaker Joe de Venecia. That leaves UNA, which presents itself as the alternative rather than the opposition, two more slots to nalize. One slot is being reserved for Nancy Binay, Vice President Jojo Binays daughter. The last slot is being reserved for reelectionist Chiz Escudero if he decides to join the UNA, rather than the Liberal PartyNacionalista PartyNationalist Peoples Coalition, an administration coalition. As it looks, seven or even eight of them might win. Wanna bet? On the part of the administration coalition, unless Escudero jumps to UNA, the following are more or less the bets: Escudero; Alan Peter Cayetano; Koko Pimentel; Jun Magsaysay; Bam Aquino; Cynthia Villar, wife of outgoing Senator Manny Villar, NP president; Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, son of outgoing Senator Ed Angara; former party-list Rep. Riza HontiverosBaraquel; Quezon Rep. Erin Taada; Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva; Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Antonio Trillanes, a reelectionist. Biazon, who ran in 2010 but lost, is not sure if he wants to run again. In his place, if he decides not to run, are Ace Barbers of the NP; Deputy Customs Commissioner Danny Lim; and Movie and Television Ratings and Classication Board Chairman Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares. From where I stand, only three or four of these names look like they can win. *** There are religious, economic, social and political issues involved in the controversial reproductive health bill. From a religious point of view, the bill is simply not acceptable. We have heard the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines speak: Contraception is corruption. I subscribe to this stand. If there are people who call themselves Catholics but insist on the
EMIL P. JURADO

The seniority tradition

rimental to the cause of the poor and the underprivileged? Many innovative and effective measures have been adopted over the years to remedy the situation, including the promotion of alternative modes of dispute resolution, creation of small claims courts and other specialized tribunals, and the adoption of rules in order to address particular areas of dispute and concerns like the Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, the writs of amparo, habeas data and the like, not the least of which are the dismissal and other lesser sanctions meted by the Court on erring judges and court personnel. While these remedial measures are commendable in themselves, there still remains the feeling that our justice system needs serious xing if not a drastic overhaul. As we can see the job awaiting the chief justice is not for the faint-hearted, the pessimist, the slothful and most of all the mediocre. It is suited only for one possessed with strong leadership qualities, impeccable record of competence, integrity, probity; one who meets the highest standards of competence and knowledge of the law, and better than average administrative skills. For sure, all of those who will make the JBC short list will have, in varying measures, these qualities. But there is one other quality that may prove to be critical if one is to function well as chief and this is experience. In this regard, the most senior among them, hopefully Justice Antonio T. Carpio, have a decisive advantage over the outsiders. An experienced leader, Carpio knows the ins and outs of the trade; he can be relied upon to act decisively in times of crises. His long institutional memory guides him to avoid the pitfalls of his calling and pursue what is benecial to the institution he serves. In short, he has had hands-on experience of what works and what does not. There is another reason that the seniority tradition makes good sense in choosing a chief justice to avoid excessive politicizing of the process. Former Energy Secretary Lotilla, in his letter declining his nomination to the post, wrote: The tradition of seniority has a way of muting political ambitions and insulates to some degree the ofce of Chief Justice from the patronato system. Over the long term, particularly under future presidencies whose virtues we are unable to anticipate at this point, adherence to the principle of seniority may still be our best option. Restoration of the tradition, which is entirely of Philippine innovation, would then shift the national focus to the quality of every future appointment to the Court, and away from the position solely of the Chief Justice. Would not this be in better keeping with the collegial character of the Republics Supreme Court? Most Presidents of the Philippines, including President Corazon C. Aquino, followed the seniority tradition. In the recent past, only Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo disregarded the tradition. Which example will President Noynoy Aquino emulate? Facebook Page: Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

If you dont believe what the Pope says, dont call yourself a Catholic.

use of contraceptives, they are hypocrites! If you dont believe what the Pope says, then dont call yourself a Catholic. I am a Catholic and I dont want the government to use the taxes I pay for something I do not believe in. For one thing, poverty is not caused by overpopulation. Poverty is caused by the migration of people to the urban centers. Santa Banana, why make free choice a state policy when liberty and freedom are invested in every man? It is also an economic and social issue. How do you think the country is surviving? Through the $19 billion annual remittances of the 10 million or more overseas Filipino workers, that is. If not for them, children of farmers, shermen, policemen, soldiers, people in the rural areas, the country will continue to be the sick man of Asia. Yes, we are the 12th most populous country in the world. But look at China with its 1.2 billion people it is now an economic giant! And here at home, while the National Capital Region is the most populated region, it is also the most progressive. Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda have the least people on earth, and look at them impoverished. Population control is in fact an American policy for developing economies like the Philippines. This is echoed by the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization and the World Bank. Washington wants to control our population because it wants to control our natural resources for its own interests. It knows that when there are more young people, gaining control will be more difcult. Why do you think President Aquino is pushing for population control? He wants to get the support of Washington through grants, aid, and the like! He also wants to get the backing of the US in dealing with Chinas bullying in the West Philippine Sea. There is a well-funded multinational pharmaceutical lobby so that Filipinos would buy condoms, IUDs, pills and other means of contraception by making them essential medicines as stated in the bill. Our politicians will rise and fall on the RH bill. This will denitely be an election issue when they try to convince the people to vote for them anew. This could also be the tipping point of the Aquino administration. They say 70 percent of Filipinos are for the RH bill. I will not believe that until we are told of the surveys methodology. What kind of questions were asked? Who paid for the surveys? What kind of leader depends on surveys and popularity? That makes President Aquino a mere follower!

Judgment day
ARE WE THERE YET?
THE House of Representatives put to a vote Monday whether or not debates on the controversial RH bill should be terminated. In the almost ten years that the measure has been tossed arounddebated, dissected, torn apart, prayed over, deferred, resurrected, amendednothing that has not already been discussed has been brought forward. Nothing. Were still rehashing the same myths and facts that have already been placed under various magnifying glasses since the measure was rst brought up more than a decade ago. There is nothingabsolutely nothing - that can still be negotiated on without reducing the bill to a useless jumble of meaningless words. There is no argument that has not been raised yet, not a single data that has not been analyzed extensively and bent to suit a specic perspective. The proponents of the bill have already bent over backwards so many times to accommodate those who oppose it. For instance, there is now absolutely no doubt that the proposed reproductive health bill makes a rm stand against abortionit now categorically says abortion is illegal. And yet, the bishops still continue to attack the bill as a step towards condoning abortion in the country.

BONG C. AUSTERO

All the arguments against the RH bill have already been answered point by point. A counter opinion has been presented for every opinion expressed against it. In fact, the level of discussion has already reached acrimonious as those arguing for or against have long ago reached a stalemate on the specic points of the debate and there is no other recourse but to attack each other personally. I have been advocating for the passage of the RH bill and I have already written extensively about my reasons for supporting the measure. I have listened to the arguments of those who are diametrically opposed to my views. I recognize that it all boils down to personal choice. I was in Zamboanga over the weekend where, while doing the touristy stuff, I got caught in the middle of a prayer rally organized by the Church in Fort Pilar, one of the most historic places in the city. I sat through the whole proceedings as members of the local clergy took turns denouncing the provisions of the bill, grudgingly acknowledging that the church has every right to air out its objections to the measure. I didnt take it against the church that it tried to rally the faithful in a last-ditch effort to make itself heard. But I balked when the priests started dropping veiled threats directed at congressmen. I think resorting to blackmail is the most insidious form of corruption. Where is the morality in disrespecting the intelligent and in-

formed choices that people make? If we truly live in a democracy, we should now allow the process to take its course. Everyone with a stake in the measure has already said his or her piece. Its time to put the matter to a vote. Our legislators have been tasked to decide on the matter; lets allow them to do their jobs. I dont have inside track on how the voting on the actual passage of the bill will turn out. Theres a part of me that remains condent that many of our congressmen will vote based on what is ultimately for the better good. I will not hold grudges against congressmen who will vote against the RH bill regardless of their motivation. I hope the church does the same. While I believe that the passage of the RH bill would be a welcome development for the vast majority in this country, I do not necessarily think that the country will crash if it doesnt become a law. The government is not exactly without options available to it to still pursue meaningful programs. Conversely, I do not think that the moral ber of Philippine society will rip apart and that well all be doomed if it does get passed. The experts have spoken. The pundits have exhausted every known argument at hand. The preachers have ponticated. The faithful have said their prayers. Its time for our legislators to vote. Its time for democracy to be respected. Its time for our legislators to manifest the stuff they are truly made of.

UN Statement on the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act Bill
MORE than 40 years ago, during the International Year for Human Rights, the Philippines joined the global community in proclaiming that individuals have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children. Since then, the Philippines has ratied international conventions that recognize these rights, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The Philippines also became a signatory to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, among others. In 2000, along with 191 other UN member states, the Philippines committed to fully support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) when it signed the Millennium Declaration. MDG 5, which aims to reduce maternal death and provide universal access to reproductive health, is, however, the goal that is least likely to be achieved by the Philippines by 2015. In the recent Family Health Survey (FHS), which was conducted in August-September 2011 with a recall period of six years for the data, it was estimated that for every 100,000 live births, there are 221 women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. This was a 36% increase from the 2006 Family Planning Survey data, which showed 162 estimated deaths per 100,000 live births. The FHS also estimated that, across all regions in the Philippines, the number of girls 1519 years old who have delivered live births was 54 per 1,000 live births from 39 in 2006. For the 20-24 age group, the increase was to 159 per 1,000 live births from 149 in the 2006 survey. Having extensively studied the provisions of the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act bill, the United Nations in the Philippines views that the proposed law will fundamentally enable the government to meet its commitments to its citizens. It will also aid President Benigno Aquino III to deliver on his obligations as articulated in his Social Contract with the Filipino people. As in many other countries where similar policies have been introduced, enacting a law that would address the reproductive health needs of the Filipino people would, over time, vastly improve health and quality of life and support development through: Giving couples information about and access to voluntary family planning methods Helping couples space pregnancies more effectively so as to reduce the risk of premature birth and low birth weight Making it less likely that mothers and infants will die during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after delivery Reducing the increasingly worrisome spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among young people Promoting breastfeeding Preventing teenage pregnancy by educating schoolchildren in an age-appropriate manner about normal human development, including reproductive health Allowing poor women to exercise their right to have the number of children that they want Crucially, by preventing unintended pregnancies, a reproductive health law would help prevent recourse to lifethreatening abortions. The current high economic growth of more than 5% per year promises to lift millions of Filipinos out of poverty. But hopes of future prosperity could turn to dust if the country is not able to deal with the population growth by giving men and women access to the information and means to freely and responsibly exercise their human right to have just the number of children they want. If current trends continue, as the country grows richer, the number of people living in poverty will increase. At present, about 20 million Filipinos live in slum conditions. Urban population is growing at a rate of 60%, and it is estimated that by 2030, 75% of the Philippine population will be living in urban areas. While cities may look better off on the average, deeper in-city analysis exposes the urban poor to be among the most vulnerable to natural disasters and economic shocks. As important as it is to point out what the bill addresses is to clarify the misinformation about it. The United Nations is confident that enacting the bill would not lead to the imposition of coercive measures such as a two-child policy. The United Nations has long resolved that given correct and appropriate information on family planning, individuals and couples will be able to exercise their exclusive right to determine their family size. The United Nations also believes that apprehensions such as exposure of people to risks of contraceptive use, encouragement of sexual promiscuity and legalization of abortion have no basis. Instituting a reproductive health policy is consistent with the governments duty under the Constitution to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. In its working group session last May, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which examines the human rights performance of all 193 UN member states, noted the lack of access to reproductive health services, especially among the poor, in the Philippines. The working group recommended that the country adopt a national reproductive health policy and intensify efforts to meet the MDG5 on maternal mortality, including ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The countrys human rights performance will once again be assessed at the UPR plenary session at the Human Rights Council in September. The United Nations is mandated to serve the people of the Philippines. It takes seriously its mandate to work with the government and all other stakeholders for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the advancement of public health. Reproductive health is not about population numbers. It is about ensuring a life of health and dignity. Issues around the reproductive health bill have been addressed and claried for over a decade now. Time spent discussing these issues repeatedly is measured by the lives of the 15 women we lose to maternal deaths every day. Everyone must come together to secure a better future for all Filipinos, especially the young and future generations, and there is no better time than now. Current circumstances present this opportunity, and it is in the hands of policy-makers to make it happen.

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TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

ManilaStandardToday

News

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Monsoon pounds Luzon

By Jonathan Fernandez

IN BRIEF
Immigration goes online
THE Bureau of Immigration has turned to social media to give the public easier access to information about the bureaus programs, activities and services, according to Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David. David said he recently issued a memorandum order instructing the BIs information and communications technology section to create Facebook and Twitter accounts. It will also enable us to receive feedbacks from the public to help us improve our services, the BI chief added. Lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI spokesperson, said the bureaus Facebook fan page can be accessed at https:// facebook.com/OfficialBureauofImmigration while its Twitter account is on https://twitter.com/immigrationPH. The two social network accounts are administered and maintained by the BI national operations center and all its contents and updates will be approved either by David or BI Associate Commissioner Siegfred Mison, who is in charge of the ICTS. Mangrobang added that she, being the bureau spokesperson, and BINOC head Rodolfo Gino are also authorized to approve the posting and uploading of information to the said websites. Vito Barcelo

ALTHOUGH there was no tropical cyclone in Philippine jurisdiction, a low-pressure area strengthened the southwest monsoon on Monday and pounded the western areas of Luzon and the Visayas, causing the evacuation of more than 5,000 people in Metro Manila, according to civil defense authorities.
The Ofce of Civil Defense reported that at least 5,148 people in Navotas, Malabon, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Manila and Muntinlupa where rushed to evacuation centers after the heavy rain lled Ambuklao, Binga, San Roque and Ipo dams, forcing authorities to release water. The La Mesa dam in Quezon City also reached spilling level, prompting authorities to issue ashood warnings to residents in Fairview, Sta. Quiteria and San Bartolome and Quirino Highway in Quezon City; Valenzuela, Malabon and along the North Luzon Expressway near the Tullahan River. Authorities said 690 people in Navotas were still at evacuation centers at press time; 140 in Malabon; 1,344 in Valenzuela; 1,583 in Quezon City; 1,034 in Marikina; 260 in Manila; 97 in Muntinlupa. The rain also caused the suspension of classes at all levels and ash oods in low-lying areas in the metropolis. Executive Director Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council urged the public to remain vigilant against

At the monsoons trail. Thousands of people are crammed at an evacuation center in Quezon City after authorities released water from ve dams in Luzon, including the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City (inset), due to the heavy monsson rain that pounded the western part of Luzon and the Visayas on Monday. Manny Palmero
ashoods and landslides because of the lingering bad weather that continue to dump heavy rains and continue to claim lives as well due to drowning. As of today, weve recorded additional fatalities from drowning incidents. So the death toll is already 50, Ramos said. Ramos said the Department of Public Works and Highways was closely monitoring the situation of major roads linking the Cordillera Administrative Region. There are two sections of the road in Benguet and Mt. Province that were already totally closed to trafc because of rockslides and landslides. Theres another major road section linking the

Korean nabbed for cash

Ilocos region and Mt. Province that was also closed to trafc, Ramos said. Based on the NDRRMCs latest report, most of the recent fatalities were from Ilocos Sur, Palawan, and Southern Leyte provinces. (Of the 50 dead), 30 are related to drowning, 11 are due to fallen trees and the others are related to landslide and electrocution, the report said. The lingering monsoon affected at least 193,682 families, or 867,799 people in 1,230 villages in 151 towns and 288 cities in 35 provinces. Of these, 2,875 families, or 12,238 people are being served in 78 evacuation centers. Damage to property was estimated at P339,806,796.20, including P124,475,384 in infrastructure and P214,799,410.20 in agriculture. At least 1,246 houses were destroyed while 6,609 were damaged. Weathermen said they are presently tracking down the low-pressure area because it may turn into a cyclone, but they cannot say so far if the new weather disturbance will develop into a storm. Forecaster Ricky Fabregas said distubrance will be named Helen if it intensies into a cyclone. With Rio N. Araja, Florante S. Solmerin and Gigi Muoz-David CUSTOMS ofcials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 conscated around P300,000 from a Korean who failed to declare the cash upon his arrival on Monday. Customs supervisor Gil Calixihan said that Korean national, identied as Jongho Park 41, failed to declare the Philippine money when he arrived with other three companions. Park, on the other, said that he didnt know that bringing in and out of the country more than P10,000 is prohibited and needed a central bank permit. The bureau conscated the money in excess of P10,000 in favor of the government but he can appeal it to the BSP. Park said that he was not able to change his American dollars to Philippine pesos in Korea before his departure and the money will be used for playing golf and diving with his three other companions. Eric B. Apolonio

Sandigan excuses ill Arroyo

By Merck Maguddayao
THE Sandiganbayans Fourth Division excused former President and current Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday from having to appear in the pretrial hearings of the plunder charges against her over the controversial $330-million ZTE national broadband network deal. The anti-graft courts fourth division, comprised of Associate Justice Gregory S. Ong as chairman, Associate Justice Jose Hernandez as senior member and Associate Justice Maria Cristina Cornejo as junior member, excused the former leader after she briey appeared in a wheelchair with an intravenous line attached to her arm. Doctors said the former president is suffering from acute cervical and lumbar pain. Arroyo was with her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo when Ong said she didn not have to attend the pretrial hearings in that condition, but she had to sign a special power of attorney and was made to promise that she will appear if the court requires. The court is set to continue pre-trial hearings until August 25 and has set the trial proper to begin on Oct. 1. The plunder charges were supposed to have been handled by the courts Fifth Division, but it was transferred to Ongs Fourth Division after government lawyers asked that the charges against her be consolidated with raps led against former elections commisisoner Benjamin Abalos. Arroyos lawyer Jose Flaminiano said the former President was told by doctors to rest after she complained of back ache last week. She was earlier rushed to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center after reportedly choking on pieces of melon and meat and has purportedly made arrangements to be transferred to the Makati Medical Center. She was allowed to post a P1-million bail last month over electoral sabotage charges led against her before a Pasay City court which also allowed her to be detained at the St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig City then at the VMMC in Quezon City.

3 more suspects in hazing death

By Florante S. Solmerin
ALTHOUGH police are still clueless on the whereabouts of prime suspect Gian Angelo Velus, lawmem have identied at least three more suspects in the hazing incident that resulted in the death of San Beda law student Mark Andrei Marcos at a farm in Dasmarias City last week. Cavite police director Senior Supt. John Bulalacao admitted that investigators still have not leads on where to nd Velus who failed to appear before the authorities to shed light on his supposed involvement in Marcos death on July 29 due to an initiation hazing of the Lex Leonum fraternity. He (Gian) is still at large, Bulalacao curtly said when asked about the senior law school student of San Beda Collega Alabang and Lex Leonum ofcer, who was tagged as a suspect along with Velus family maids Soledad Sanda and Marlen Guadayo. But the police will also le charges against Velus father, former Dasmarias City councilor Angelito Ethan Velus, one Cornelio Marcelo, a certain Mark and 30 to 35 John Does who were allegedly involved in the hazing incident that occurred at the farm owned by the Velus family. We will be ling [the charges] later this week or early next week. We are not rushing this because we need a strong and air-tight case, said Bulalacaos spokesman Supt. Romeo Desiderio, adding that the charges will include murder and violation of Republic Act 8049, or the Anti-Hazing Law. Desiderio said there are now six people who have been identied as prime suspects in the case that apparently involved at least eight neophytes, including law students Ephraim Daniel Lara and Christopher Ryan Maranan. Desiderio said Lara and Maranan have agreed to turn witness and have helped authorities identify the people involved in the hazing incident, but he also urged the other victims to surgace and cooperate with the police so that they will not be mistakenly charged. Thats not yet nal; we are still drafting and it is still being reviewed by our legal team, Desiderio said. We need the other neophytes and other victims to surface and cooperate. Marcos, a rst year law student at the San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa City, was allegedly subjected to hazing on the night of July 28 inside the ve -hectare farm of the Velus family in Dasmarinas City. The owner of the place where the hazing [was] conducted shall be liable as an accomplice, especially when he has actual knowledge of the hazing conducted [at the farm] but failed to take any action to prevent the [illegal activity], Desiderio said. The two house maids, identied as Guadayo and Sanda, allegedly tried to hide Gians involvement in the hazing and even helped bring Marcos to hospital. Like Gian, they are also missing.

Suspect tests drug-positive

THE suspected car smuggler who was arrested in Cagayan de Oro last August 4 tested positive for the use of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Jose Gutierrez said Monday. According to Gutierrez, a report from the Philippine National Police-Crime Laboratory Ofce showed that the urine specimen of Lynard Allan Bigcas was positive for shabu. Bigcas was arrested by PDEA operatives shortly after he gured in an accident while doing a motorcycle stunt at Velez Street in Cagayan de Oro City. PDEA agents were on their way back to ofce when suddenly a big motorbike tumbled over in front of their vehicle. They asked for Bigcass license but the suspect failed to present it although he claimed that it was inside his pick-up truck. Jonathan Fernandez

New districts spawn race of dynasts in QC

By Rio n. araja
THE creation of two new legislative districts in Quezon City appears to have apparently spawned political dynasts and the citys veteran politicians have wasted no time in buying houses in the new districts so they will qualify to run in the next elections. The family of Councilor Candy Medina, for instance, will eld the councilors father, former councilor Eric Medina, is eyeing the congressional seat of the new District 5. On the other hand, Kit Belmonte, former Magdalo lawyer and nephew of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., will reportedly run against Candy Medina in the second district. The councilors uncle, retired police colonel Raul Medina, will also run as councilor for the fth district. The Medalla family, which counts incumbent Councilor Alyson Medalla of the second district, will eld former councilor Ramon Toto Medalla, Alysons father, in the fth district while Alyson will seek reelection in the same district. But Alysons grandfather, former councilor Marcing Medalla, will supposedly run for either Districts 2, 5 or 6. The son of erstwhile mayor Ismael Mathay, former congressman Chuck Mathay, is also eyeing to run for the congressional seat of District 2. Incumbent Councilor Godofredo Liban, the patriarch of the powerful Liban clan, will run in District 5, and not in his current District 2 while his son, Godofredo Voltaire Liban will try to make a comeback either in District 5 or District 6. Councilor Rachel Malangen of District 4 is supporting the political bid of her father former three-term councilor Restituto Malangen in District 5. The older Malangen reportedly had acquired a new house in District 5. Lala Sotto, the daughter of Sen. Tito Sotto, a three-term councilor in District 3 and vice mayor, will supposedly joine the race in District 6. She is the sister of incumbent Councilor Gian Carlo Sotto of District 3. District 2 Rep. Winston Castelo, the brother of former District 4 representative Nanette Castelo-Daza, will also seek re-election. His wife, former child actress and now District 2 Councilor Precious Hipolito-Castelo, will seek reelection in the same district.

Print Philippines 2012. Ric Tansipek, president of the Print Industry Assn of the Philippines Inc., explains to television program host Toti Casino the features of the exhibit that will be held from Sept. 19 to 22 at the World Trade Centre at Roxas Blvd. Tansipek emphasized the need for local printers to cope with digital innovations as a key to competitiveness and survival and the event shall put emphasis on bringing together major players and partners in the printing industry. Interested parties may email piap_org@yahoo.com or call (+63916)854-5420.

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sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

ManilaStandardToday Riera U. Mallari, Editor

Sports
to face Donaire. Arum, who is arriving with his wife Lovee in Manila on Wednesday, conrmed to Manila Standard the change of opponent for Donaire. It should be a terric ght. The co-feature between undefeated World Boxing Association lightweight champion Brandon Rios (30-0-1, 23 KOs) and rugged undefeated Mike Alvarado (33-0, 23 KOs) should be an unbelievable ght, said Arum. Nishioka was at ringside when Donaire won the IBF title with a comfortable 12-round decision over South African champion

TUESDAY

AUGUST 7, 2012

A7

Coach E classes resume Arce out; Donaire fights Nishioka instead on Aug. 18 in 5 venues By Ronnie Nathanielsz
MORE than 100 students graduated in the rst quarter of the Coach E Basketball School on Aug. 5 at the Xavier School in San Juan. These students, who attended classes in Clubsixfty in Libis, Quezon City, The Zone in Makati, San Beda College in Alabang, Ateneo de Manila in Loyola, and Xavier School, trained for eight sessions and were selected to take part in different modules according to their skill level. They had the opportunity of experiencing excellence in Coach E Basketball, which is now celebrating its eighth year. The school boasts of its low coach-student ratio. Young players who would like to raise their game to the next level can attend in Coach Es second-quarter classes beginning Aug. 18, with Saturday classes in The Zone in Makati, Club Sixfty in Libis and San Beda Alabang (10 to 12 noon). Classes in Ateneo will also start its Saturday classes on the same day from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday classes will be held on Xavier School starting Aug. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. Parents can call Coach-E Basketball School at tel. nos. 684347 and 6311195 or mobile no. 09088846947. You can also e-mail us at info@coach-e.com. To know more about Coach-E Basketball School, you can also visit our website at www.coache.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/coachebasketballschool) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/coachebball). WORLD Boxing Organization/ International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will now face Japans classy World Boxing Council super champion Toshiaki Nishioka at the Home Depot Center in Carson City on Oct. 12. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum planned to match Donaire against Jorge Arce on that date, but the Mexican reportedly requested a postponement because he rst wanted a tune-up ght, although the Manila Standard learned he was asking for too much money Jeffrey Mathebula, who broke his jaw as he result of the beating he received. Nishioka even entered the ring and exchanged pleasantries with Donaire and later told the Manila Standard he wants to ght the Filipino next. For his part, Donaire said he believes Nishioka is the best ghter in the 122-pound division, indicating he wants to prove himself against the Japanese southpaw. Donaire noted that Nishioka had proven himself in this weight class to be the real champion and he wants to win another title in his unication quest, before moving

up to the featherweight division. Nishiokas last ght was an impressive 12-round unanimous decision over former champion Rafael Marquez, brother of Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez, on Oct. 1, 2011, but a one-year layoff before ghting Donaire doesnt seem to bother the Japanese. Nishioka won the interim World Boxing Council title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Thailands Napapol Sor Rungvisai on Sept. 15, 2008 and then beat Genaro Poblanito Garcia by a 12th round technical knockout on March 1, 2009 to conrm his hold on the title.

From anguish to elation

WIMBLEDON, EnglandAndy Murray put his hands over his face when it was over, then crouched down as Centre Court roared. He quickly popped back up and went to the net to shake Roger Federers hand.
One month after anguish at Wimbledon, it was elation in the Olympics - all in the same spot. Murray used an aggressive approach to beat Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 for the mens singles title, delighting a partisan crowd that had watched the dour Scotsman wilt in his biggest matches all too often. Not this time. Sundays victory marked a career breakthrough for Murray. He has dropped all Murray four of his Grand Slam nals, three against Federer, including the devastating loss at the All England Club a month ago. It has been the best week of my tennis career by a mile, Murray said. Ive had a lot of tough losses. This is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon nal. Ill never forget it. Murray won nine consecutive games to take control, breaking Federers serve four times in a row. He erased all nine break points he faced. He never looked back, Federer said. His credit for getting in the lead and using the crowd to come through. He did an unbelievable job. Federer was going for a career Golden Slam but settled for silver - his rst singles medal in his fourth Olympics. Dont feel too bad for me, he said. I felt like I won my silver, I didnt lose it. So I feel really happy. Murray became the rst British man to win the gold in singles since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. He also picked up a silver in mixed doubles when he and Laura Robson lost to Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi of Belarus 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (8). In the days rst match on Centre Court, womens singles champion Serena Williams teamed with sister Venus to win their third career doubles gold medal. They defeated Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-4 under the retractable roof. Serena became tennis rst double gold medalist at an Olympics since Venus won singles and doubles at the 2000 Sydney Games. The sisters also won the doubles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And with Sundays victory, each has a record four Olympic tennis gold medals. Crazy, Serena said. Im always copying her. I forgot that she did it in Sydney and I do it here. Were the same doubles team, we just split this to singles, so its cool. Mike Bryan won his second medal of the weekend when he and U.S. teammate Lisa Raymond took the bronze in mixed doubles, which was back in the Olympics for the rst time since 1924. Bryan and his brother Bob won the gold in mens doubles Saturday. Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova of Russia took the bronze in womens doubles, while Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina nished third in mens singles. AP

IN BRIEF
Huey, pal win DC netfest
FILIPINO-AMERICAN netter Treat Conrad Huey and British partner Dominic Inglot snagged their rst doubles title in the Association of Tennis Professional World Tour last Sunday. They turned back Kevin Anderson and Sam Querrey 7-6 (7), 6-7 (9), 10-5, in the mens doubles nals of the Citi Open in Washington, DC. According to the ATP website, Huey and Inglot won nine more points than the South African-American duo to prevail after one hour and 55 minutes. Both teams went one for four on their break point chances. We came up with some big returns when we needed to and got a lot of balls in play. That was our biggest focus to try to keep making them play and getting as many points as we could, said Huey. Peter Atencio

Lions, Bulldogs score

THE defending champion San Beda Red Lions and the National University Bulldogs pulled off contrasting wins in the 10th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City. The Red Lions got 18 points from Van Abatayo as they prevailed over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-64. The Bulldogs held off a late rally by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws to pull off a 65-60 triumph. This enabled the Red Lions and the Bulldogs to gain a share of the early lead of Group A with the San Sebastian Stags-A.

RSA with NBA champion coach. Philippine Airlines president Ramon S. Ang recently

welcomed Miami Heat champion coach Erik Spoelstra during the Filipino-American mentors National Basketball Association Trophy Tour in the Philippines. Spoelstra thanked Mr. Ang, also San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating ofcer, for his support to the trip and his dedication to the game of basketball through SMC-owned teams Petron Blaze Boosters, Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and B-MEG Llamados in the Philippine Basketball Association and the San Miguel Beermen in the Asean Basketball League. Photo shows Spoelstra receiving a miniature model of PALs signature airplane from Mr. Ang.

Gesta gets lightweight title shot

MERCITO No Mercy Gesta, who kept his undefeated streak going with a dominating performance that ended with a ninth-round technical at 2:59 of the round over American Ty Barnett at the Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas last Saturday, is being given a shot at International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez of Mexico later this year. I want him (Gesta) to ght Miguel Vazquez as soon as possible. I talked to Vince Parra (his co-manager and trainer) and they are going to get a nutritionist to make sure he can do 135 pounds and if they can, I will make that ght in October-November, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told the Manila Standard. Parra, in a separate interview with the Standard said: We are excited at the prospect of ghting Vazquez, but there are small issues with the weight but that is something that can be addressed. We know we can make the weight but we want to make sure he is going to make it without a problem. Parra admitted that its been a couple of years since Gesta made the 135 limit ofcially. Hes grown up since then, but we can go out and make some changes in his diet and make sure that hes going to be a 100 percent at 135. We dont want to come in and not make weight and since we nally have this opportunity we dont want to go in less than 100 percent, said Parra. The 25-year-old Vazquez is 510 tall and will enjoy a three-inch height advantage over Gesta. The Mexican has a record of 31-3 with 13 knockouts and won the vacant IBF title with a unanimous 12-round decision over Ji Hoon Kim on Aug. 14, 2010. Ronnie Nathanielsz

Forum resumes today

THE Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum resumes its weekly session today with newly crowned Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup champion Rain or Shine as special guests at Shakeys UN Ave. branch. Assistant coach Caloy Garcia will accompany players and other members of the Elasto Painters team in the 10:30 a.m. session that was put off for the past two weeks to give way to the coverage of the 2012 London Olympics. Rain or Shine is fresh from bagging its breakthrough league title Sunday following a hard-earned 83-76 win over B-MEG in the deciding Game 7 of the title series. Also appearing in the public sports program aired live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 and presented by Smart, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Shakeys, are board members of the Interscholastic Athletic Association, and boxing promoter Bebot Elorde.

Resuello keeps Bridgestone Superbikes lead Legaspi

ANGELES CITYYoung ace Raniel Resuello of Kawasaki Racing Team-Castrol-Motolite proved hes the biggest star in the new era of Philippine motorcycle racing following another impressive double-title feat recently in the fourth leg of the 2012 Bridgestone Philippine Superbikes Championships at the Clark International Speedway here. The 21-year-old Resuello unveiled another dominant show, dictating the tempo from start to nish to capture both the Superbikes Expert/Open and the Superbikes Intermediate crowns of this event sanctioned by Superbikes Racing Association, with Bridgestone as the ofcial Superbikes tires. Posting the fastest time of 2:04.140 in the qualifying time trials, he still managed to chip off his time to a blazing 2:03.845 on the fth lap to pull ahead of the pack and complete the 20-lap race on a full 4.2 km-track in 20 minutes and 57.379 seconds, 4.582 seconds ahead of overall runner-up Marvin Mangulabnan. Resuello clinched the Superbikes Expert/Open plum over Toti Albertio of Ducati-Access Plus and third placer John Defensor and later claimed the Superbikes Intermediate title over Marvin Mangulabnan and Anthony Roman. Mangulabnan bagged the Superbikes Novice crown over Roman and third placer Erwin Agra, while Alberto likewise claimed the Superbikes Masters Open diadem over Defensor. It was actually the third win for Resuello in four races as he hiked his total to 97 points and pad his margin to 19 against Roman, whos second overall with 78 points. Mangulabnan closely trailed with 76 points, while Alberto and Defensor follow with 73 and 68 points, respectively. Resuello also kept the top spot in the Intermediate division with 97 points against Roman and Mangulabnan, who were tied in second with 82.

4th place in US golf

Pampanga crowned BIR chess champion

BIR Pampanga crowned itself as BIR Chess King after ruling the 2012 BIR Anniversary Chess Tournament held recently at the BIR National Ofce, Diliman, Quezon City. The kabalens of Regional Director Araceli Francisco topped the team race by scoring 12 points in the ve-round swiss system tournament. Organized by the BIR Chess Club, headed by Reymarie T. de la Cruz, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa, Quezon City led by its President Ruleo Badilles, together with Grandmaster Eugene Torre and Regional Director Jonas DP Amora, the chessfest drew 44 participants from Revenue Region Nos. 4 (Pampanga), 5 (Caloocan), 6 (Manila), 7 (Quezon City), 8 (Makati City), 9 (San Pablo City) and the LIG, ISG and OG teams of the National Ofce. At the end of the hostilities, Team Pampanga composed of Noel Miranda (ELO 1905), Peter Noel Nuez, Reynaldo Tamayo and Alfredo Macapinlac, Jr. emerged as team champion by scoring 12 points out of a possible 15 points. Team Makati of Philip King Cartagena, Roel Dagan, Domingo Estacion and Reynaldo Arciaga came in second with 11 points followed by Team San Pablo City of Ernesto Abibas (ELO 2060), Bernardo Sison, Leonardo Dominguiano and Conrado Gregorio with 9 points. Miranda and Nuez of Team Pampanga were declared cochampions in the individual rapid chess tourney. They both scored 5 points and were dead-even after ve tie-breaks. Estacion of Team Makati nailed the second spot while Cartagena, also of Team Makati, salvaged third place.

Brooklyn Net coming

THE seven-foot Brook Lopez, who averaged 19.2 points during the regular season of the National Basketball Association, will be here to attend NBA 3X Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall from Aug. 17 to 19. Lopez, who plays center, recently re-signed with the Brooklyn Nets, will make appearances in the NBA event and interact with fans through clinics and community events. Other basketball events will include a Sprite Slam Dunk contest, Sprite Skills Challenge and the KFC Bucket 3-Point Shootout. Peter Atencio

Chess legend and Grandmaster Eugene Torre (seated, second from left), poses with the members and ofcers of the BIR Chess Club during the 2012 BIR Anniversary Chess Tournament.

MISSY Legaspi was the lone shining light for a beleaguered Philippine contingent at the 2012 US Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, NC. Legaspi leaned on a strong rst day to nish -1 (69-72-74 = 215) and hold on to fourth place in the Girls 10 Years Old division. Jed Dy, the teams only returning world champion and the prohibitive favorite to repeat at the Boys 8 Years Old, ran into trouble even before the rst ball was hit off the tee, as he was slapped with a ve-stroke penalty by missing his tee time by a few minutes after a thunderstorm delay during the rst round. Dy could not make up the huge decit despite the best score in the third day nishing at ninth with a +6 total (42-3834 = 114). Samantha Marie Bruce, the only other returning Top 5 nisher from the previous year, struggled to nish at 12th place (75-74-75= 224) in a strong Girls 11 Years Old division, where only six strokes separated 4th to 12th places. Yuka Saso nished 17th in the same division (77-76-75 = 228) to round up the Top 20 awardees.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

WEAR YOUR FLAG PROUD

LONDON (AP) -- There was no mystery as to which team Varun Pemmaraju was supporting: His American ag was tied around his neck, the Stars and Stripes oating like a cape behind him. I was going for the Superman, Captain America-look, said the beaming 19-year-old computer science and chemical engineering student from San Jose, California. I thought America was a little underrepresented. Patriotism and the Olympic games have long gone together, but gone are the days when one just waved a ag. Now ags are worn.

Sports
Riera U. Mallari, Editor

Manila Standard TODAY sports@manilastandardtoday.com sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

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LOTTO RESULTS

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

Caluag welcomes challenge

LONDONLeft to carry the load for embattled Team Philippines following the ouster of boxer Mark Barriga, BMX rider Danny Caluag remains unfazed and ready to embrace the enormous challenge that lies ahead in the 30th Olympic Games.
Its an honor and Im very aware of that challenge. All my teammates, including the two in track and eld, who are still competing are very supportive of me. I appreciate it, said Caluag, who plunges into his rst Olympic foray three days from now. Actually, two other Filipino athletes in long jumper Marestella Torres and 5000-meter bet Rene Herrera have yet to see action, but both are given a very slim chance of guring in the medal ght, given the depth of the eld in their respective events. But that cant be said of the 25-year-old Caluag, who is expected to do well, despite competing against a eld teeming with big names in his sport, led by No. 1 Sam Willoughby of Australia, second-ranked Connor Fieldes of the United States and defending champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia. Theyre practically the same people who I know, whom I competed with, said Caluag as mechanic and girlfriend Stephanie listened. Theyre nothing new to me. Its not like something that I need to be scared of. On Sunday evening, Caluag, accompanied by mechanic Stephanie and coach James ichardson, walked inside the BMX venue inside the Olympic Park, a 450-meter tack featuring a ride down an 8-meter high ramp, then a dirt circuit that has a banked corner, s-bend transfer and jumps mark. Oh, its fantastic, Caluag said of the track, taking a few moments before he could say the words. The son of Filipino parents from Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, who migrated to the US before he was born, Caluag found himself the only remaining athlete capable of ending Team Philippines run of disappointments since the Sydney Olympics after Barriga lost to Kazakhstans Birzhan Shakypov in a controversial bout on Saturday. But Caluag is welcoming the big challenge like a man. Thats a duty I have to perform. I know its tough, but my team has worked it out and we are expecting for the best, said Caluag.

Players, coaches and owners of Rain or Shine, led by businessmen Raymond Yu and Terry Que, celebrate the Painters rst-ever PBA crown. Rain or Shine beat B-MEG for the Governors Cup title, four games to three.

Coach Guiao praises Elasto Painters heart

By Jeric Lopez
THEY dared to dream and did whatever it took to make that dream nally come true. The road was long and hard, but the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters made sure that all the investments they made were worth it as they achieved their ultimate goal as a franchisebecome the champion of the Philippine Basketball Association. Six years is a long time, but obviously, it is well worth the wait. For a tough and hard-to-please mentor, Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao didnt hold anything back in praising the entire team after accomplishing what they never stopped chasing. Araw-araw nakikita ko yung team and alam kong malaki ang puso nila. Alam kong gusto na nila manalo. Ako din matagaltagal na rin hindi nagcha-champion. At least, I know how it feels to be like a champion again, said a jubilant Guiao. What better way to win your rst championship than to beat one of the leagues perennial contenders? Rain or Shine nished off B-MEG, 4-3, in Game 7 Sunday night, 83-76, to win the 2012 PBA Governors Cup its rst title right on its rst nals appearance. It was a dream for six years. It took a lot of effort and planning. It took young guys with a lot of heart and determination. That dream nally came to fruition, said Guiao, who is still in disbelief how his squad was able to beat a team loaded with all the tools and talent. I just dont know how we beat them (Llamados). They are more talented, they are bigger and they have every advantage. Im just happy that were able to do it. Even team owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que couldnt hide their emotions after seeing the fruits of their labor as their team got over the hump at last. We dared to dream and now we nally accomplished our goal to win a championship here in the PBA, said Yu. Masayang masaya talaga ako sa nagawa ng team namin, added Que. This is indeed a whole new experience for the team. Every player on the roster, including import Jamelle Cornley, won the rst professional championship in their careers.

Marestella vows to do better this time

LONDONLooking cool, feeling relaxed and staying focused. Thats long jumper Marestella Torres on Monday as she watched track and eld action on television at the Village in the company of shooter Brian Rosario and swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, a picture of one who looks very capable of doing better the second time around. Ive trained for this one for so long. I know I will do good this time, said Torres in Filipino, on the eve of her second Olympic stint. Honestly, the eld is too strong. But youll nd me in the eld on Tuesday doing my best. The 31-year-old Torres will try to slay the ghost of a horrendous showing four years ago in Beijing, while going for a new personal best when she competes in the long jump at 7 p.m. Tuesday (2 a.m. Wednesday in Manila) against a eld, which she knows is too formidable to beat. The former Asian champion has trained long and hard for this one, working out here and competing there as she aims to come up a respectable showing in the 30th London Games and nally bury the memory of her Beijing debacle. In the last Olympics, Marestella nished 34th in a starting cast of 38 with a poor jump of 6.17 meters in a campaign which she said was marked by a lot of disruptions. The qualifying jump to select the nalists is 6.70 meters, a distance which Marestella has yet to achieve since winning the last Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia last year with a jump of 6.71 meters. But that doesnt worry Marestella a bit. Thats the target, and I believe I can make it, said the 32-year-old Marestella, who, like the rest of the eld, has three attempts to do it in the qualifying round The 2009 Asian long jump queen, a native of San Jose, Negros Oriental, who has been with the national team since 1999, doesnt mind having to contend with the superstars in the sport, saying shell just go there and do her thing. I dont look at their records, she said. When we are all there in the eld, anything can happen. You can never tell, said Torres.

Patriots clobber Stallions

THE La Salle Dasmarinas Patriots leaned on a strong start and the hot shooting of its point guard to put away the Manuel L. Quezon University Stallions, 90-58, yesterday in the 11th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association mens basketball tournament at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Paranaque. The Patriots got big baskets from sentinel Clifford Castro in the rst quarter as they posted their rst win in two outings in this Games Thursday cagefest (DLSU-Dasma Gym) 10 a.m. OC vs MLQU supported 11:30 a.m. DLSU-D vs PSBA 1 p.m. CCP vs EAC-Cavite by Mikasa and Molten Balls. Castro red 23 points, including six of his seven treys in the rst period, allowing the Patriots to quickly decide the outcome of the contest. He shot four triples in the last 2:40 of the rst quarter for the Patriots, who took a 26-14 spread and never looked back. Jeoffrey Acain contributed 17 and Roy Rivera had 14 for the Patriots. Windell Bumanglag showed the way for the Stallions with 23 points, but he was held to just ve in the third and limited to just a basket in the last period. Patriots coach Macky Torres said the teams 1-2-2 defense throughout the game kept the Stallions from scoring their second win.

Chiefs use size to upset Altas

By Peter Atencio
THE Arellano University Chiefs relied on the inside game of John Pinto and Prince Caperal to post a stunning upset yesterday in the 88th National Collegiate Athletic Association mens basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan. Their efforts rewarded the Chiefs with a 63-54 victory over the University of Perpetual Help Altas. The 21-year-old Pinto rose to the occasion and opened the door for a lot of opportunities for the Chiefs to shine in the fourth quarter. He hit seven of his 15-point output in the last 10 minutes, while Caperal produced 12 points and 10 boards. Pinto also dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, as he even outperformed Altas big man Femi Babeyemi, who had 13 points and 10 boards. The presence of Pinto and Caperal in the shaded lane paid off in the last period as their presence forced the Altas to commit 11 turnovers in the last 1:22. The Altas, who were held to just 10 points in the nal canto, dropped to their third loss in nine games, now behind the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, who are in second at 6-2. Tied on top of the standings are the San Bed Red Lions (6-1) and the San Sebastian Stags (6-1). The other teams include the Letran Knights (4-3), College of Saint Benilde ((3-6), Arellano (3-5), Mapua (2-5), Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-7) and Lyceum (2-5). Outrebounded, 39-57, the Altas were holding on to a 50-49 edge when the Chiefs turned the tables on them for the last time, behind penetrations from Caperal and John Bangga. Their baskets sparked a decisive 13-2 blast which handed the Chiefs a 62-52, spread going into the nal minute. We played good defense down the stretch. We limited them to 10 points, which was the key down the stretch, said Chiefs coach Koy Banal. In the junior division, Jon Macasaet shot 13 points and Onyok Velasco had 12 for the San Sebastian Staglets, who marched to their eighth straight win with a 67-54 thumping of Mapua.

Rivera, Tsui share karting spotlight

CJ Tsui of Industria Racing and Milo Rivera of FERN-C Racing split honors after ruling separate races in the 2012 KF2-KF3 Cup Series recently at the Carmona Racetrack. The 17-year-old Tsui showed big promise as the next big karting star on his debut season in the KF2 class, with his consistent driving and nerves of steel against the veterans in Round 3 of this series sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and sponsored by Yokohama the ofcial tires, Coca-Cola, Sparco, Vivere the ofcial home of Asian karters, Motorstar and Aeromed. Rivera, who ruled the Philippine leg of the Asian Karting Open, staged a rousing comeback from the tailend to claim victory in Round 4. Cebuano Jette Calderon of Red Bull Supreme-Industria Racing and Estefano Rivera of FERN-C Racing also shared honors in the KF3 division. Calderon turned back Rivera in Round 3, but the latter got back at the former in Round 4 as he dictated the tempo throughout. Raymond Cudala of FERN-C Racing checked in third in both races, with Daniel Miranda of Cebuana Lhuillier-Marcelo Racing and Joseph Marwin Rojo of Industria Racing nishing fourth and fth, respectively. Milo Rivera actually controlled the tempo in the early goings of Round 3, enjoying a wide distance against Tsui and Industria Racing teammate Bobby Domingo until the 13th lap, where a loose, worn-out tire caused him to spin out and take the early exit. Domingo made a big move on the 12th lap to wrest second place from Tsui and soon took over the pole on the 14th lap after Riveras ouster. Seeing a big chance for the win, Tsui aggressively stuck close behind Domingo and took the timely maneuver to grab the CJ Tsui (left) and Milo Rivera (right) split honors in the KF2 class recently in Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2012 KF2-KF3 Cup Series. lead for good.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Business
Ray S. Eano, Editor Manila Standard TODAY Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor
extrastory2000@gmail.com

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

B1

Philexs mine to remain closed

By Dexter A. See

TUBA, BenguetThe operations of Philex Mining Corp., the countrys largest mining company, will remain shut down pending an assessment of the damage in one of its tailings ponds and until the facility is completely rehabilitated.
We have been coordinating closely with government ofcials, and we can assure the public that we will not reopen Padcal mine until after we have assessed the damage and put in place rehabilitation steps, said Michael Toledo, senior vice president for corporate affairs of Philex. Toledo assured the public that the water and sediments leaking from one of its tailings pond were non-toxic and that the incident had not resulted in any injury. Philex temporarily stop operations in its Padcal Mine at midnight Wednesday, as two weeks of heavy downpour from typhoons Ferdie and Gener caused an unusual accumulation of rainwater in the tailings pond. Philex president and chief operating ofcer Eulalio Austin said Friday his team had successfully placed concrete

stopper boards at the penstock area of Tailings Pond No. 3. I could now say that the sinkhole has been completely sealed as of 8:30 a.m., Austin said in a report from the Padcal mine. We will conduct full assessment of the measures that need to be undertaken for rehabilitation, including the clean-up of affected waterways. All of us at Philex are mindful of doing the right thing. We will stand by our commitment to being a responsible mining corporation, Austin said. Philex chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said in a press conference Friday the company was more concerned of the response procedures at the mine site rather than revenues. Philex is cutting the spillway level toward 605 milliliters and constructing a land bridge to reach the sinkhole.

We will continue the construction of the land bridge, so that we could backll the site of the sinkhole with boulders as insurance, Austin said. Pangilinan said Philex had notied concerned local government units about the incident. He also said that Philex Mining had sent out letters to suppliers and buyers, informing them of a one-month turnaround time, meaning the company would meet Aug. 7 deliveries but not those scheduled for September. Philex lawyer Eduardo Aratas, meanwhile, belied text messages being circulated by unscrupulous individuals that the tailings pond had burst and that mass ooding and toxic waste were expected to contaminate the bodies of water downstream.With Jenniffer B. Austria, Othel V. Campos

IN BRIEF
Accenture expanding in PH
ACCENTURE Philippines will increase its investments in the Philippines and plans to put up more branches in the country. We remain bullish in the Philippines and we are increasing our branches from the current 14, Manolito Tayag, country managing director, said during a press brieng in Makati on Monday. Accenture Philippines operates three business outsourcing centers in Makati City, two in Taguig City, one in Pasig City, three in Quezon City, three in Mandaluyong City and two in Cebu City. Tayag said the country remained one of the most attractive outsourcing destinations in the world, with good IT infrastructure and the peoples afnity to western culture. These are the things that make us bullish and continue to invest in the Philippines, Tayag said. Tayag said the expansions for now would be concentrated in Metro Manila and Cebu. He declined to cite the total amount of new investments this year. Tayag said Subic could also be a possible expansion site in the future, amid government plans to groom the free port as a prime IT-BPO hub. Julito G. Rada

Higher Meralco rates seen in August

CONSUMERS of Manila Electric Co. will receive higher power bills this month, the third consecutive month that rates have gone up, due to the shutdown of the Malampaya gas eld and forced closure of some coal plants in July. Meralcos generation charge is currently pegged at P6.4549 per kWh from P6.1375 per kWh in June and P5.5983 per kWh in May. An industry source said Malampayas shutdown to give way to maintenance operations had forced First Gas Power Corp. to use the more expensive liquid fuel from July 13 to July 21. First Gas, which operates the 1,500-MW Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo natural gas plants in Batangas, supplies power to Meralco. The source said the Malampaya shudown also affected the 1,200MW Ilijan combined cycle power plant, prompting Meralco to purchase power from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market to ll in the shortfall. WESM prices rose after the Malampaya shutdown created a tight power supply situation, which was aggravated by the unexpected closure and reduced generation from Luzons coal plants. WESM is a venue where electricity produced by generating companies is centrally coordinated and traded similar to other commodities in a market of goods. Alena Mae S. Flores

MetroPac launches ADRs

METRO Pacic Investments Corp., the local unit of Hong Kongs First Pacic Co. Ltd., on Monday launched its depository receipts program aimed at widening its investor base. Metro Pacic said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it tapped Deutsche Bank to launch its American depositary Receipts Level 1 Program. Metro Pacic president and chief executive Jose Ma. Lim said the plan was in line with the companys thrust to broaden investor base by making its stock available to the widest possible audience. An ADR is a stock that trades in the United States but represents a specied number of shares in a foreign corporation. ADRs are bought and sold on American markets just like regular stocks, and are issued or sponsored in the US by a bank or brokerage. Level 1 ADRs are found on the over-thecounter market and are an easy and inexpensive way to gauge interest for securities in North America. Metro Pacic has investments in power distribution, infrastructure, hospitals and water utility. Metro Pacic reported net prot of P1.57 billion in the rst quarter of the 2012, up 91 percent from P820 million a year earlier, as a result of higher earnings from units Manila Electric Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

20th year. The Philippine Stock Exchange kicked off on July 27 the celebrations commemorating the exchanges 20th anniversary through a traditional bell-ringing ceremony. The celebrations will culminate in December with the PSEs rst Bell Awards for corporate governance. Former President Fidel Ramos (third from left) leads the ceremony after playing a vital role in the unication of the PSEs predecessor bourses. With him (from left) are PSE president and chief executive Hans Sicat, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, former prime mInister Cesar Virata and PSE director Francis Chua.

91-day Treasury bill rates decline to near record low

By Maria Bernadette Lunas
RATES of 91-day Treasury bills dropped to an average of 1.495 percent in Mondays auction, or near the record-low of 1.428 percent registered in the Jan. 9 tender this year. The government raised P7.1 billion from the sale of Treasury bills, as high liquidity drove investors and funds to scramble for the short-term investment outlet. The fundamentals are very good and obviously, investors are looking for this type of short-term placement, National Treasurer Roberto Tan told reporters. The 91-day debt instrument yielded an average rate of 1.495 percent, or 30.5 basis points lower than 1.8 percent when the paper with the same tenor was auctioned a fortnight ago. Tenders for the three-month debt paper were oversubscribed at P5.77 billion, with the auction committee accepting P1 billion of the scheduled offering. The average rate of the 182-day T-bills slipped 32.2 basis points to 1.795 percent from 2.117 percent when the six-month debt paper was last sold. Demands from investors reached P10.6 billion, or more than four times of the programmed debt sale of P2.5 billion for the six-month debt security. Tan attributed the lower rates for both tenors to better economic and scal indicators. Rate of the 364-day government security, meanwhile, averaged at 2.422 percent, or an increase of 14.3 basis points from 2.279 percent in the last auction. Foreign and local investors tendered P4.93 billion for the one-year debt paper, with the auction committee accepting just P3.6 billion against the P4-billion offer. Tan said the high liquidity in the nancial system might prompt the government to borrow more in the domestic credit market. The liquidity is there, theres room for more domestic borrowing, but rst it will have to be a decision, a policy decision from scal managers, Tan said. The government plans to tap 75 percent of its borrowings requirements in the domestic market and 25 percent from abroad.

Aboitiz Power posted P12.2-b profit in 6 months

By Alena Mae S. Flores
ABOITIZ Power Corp. on Monday reported a net income of P12.2 billion in the rst six months of the year, up 15 percent from P10.6 billion year-on-year, due to higher electricity demand following higher temperatures during the dry season. Aboitiz Powers parent rm, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., meanwhile, ended the rst half with a consolidated net income of P11.8 billion, up 16 percent on year, boosted by the higher earnings of the power unit. Aboitiz Power said core net income in the rst half amounted to P11.5 billion, up 16 percent on year. Aboitiz Power posted a net income of P6.6 billion in the second quarter, up 20 percent, on the back of a non-recurring gain of P442 million following the revaluation of consolidated dollar-denominated liabilities and placements. Aboitiz Powers generation business contributed 89 percent or P11.3 billion to the total earnings, up 11 percent. The hotter climate was one of the factors that led to the increase in power requirements. The groups average price for its power increased by 7 percent on year during the rst half, the company said. The average selling prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market rose 42 percent due to the tight power supply situation. The power generation business recorded an income contribution
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, August 6, 2012
Indonesia Thailand UAE Euro Korea China India Malaysia New Zealand Taiwan Rupiah Baht Dirham Euro Won Yuan Rupee Ringgit Dollar Dollar 0.000106 0.031706 0.272264 1.238000 0.000882 0.156919 0.017937 0.320051 0.817528 0.033424 0.0044 1.3294 11.4158 51.9081 0.0370 6.5795 0.7521 13.4194 34.2781 1.4014
Source: PDS Bridge

of P6.3 billion, a 19-percent increase in the second quarter after the higher power demand and tight supply. The completion of the rehabilitation of all three units of the Ambuklao and one unit of the Binga hydropower plants, coupled with the commercial operation of the 4-MW Irisan Greeneld hydropower plant, resulted in a marginal increase in Aboitiz Powers attributable capacity to 2,350 MW as of endJune.

Transportation auctions airport project contracts

By Lailany P. Gomez
THE Transportation Department will bid another set of airport development projects in the south worth at least P160 million. The department said in a notice published Monday it would bid out the civil works for the three airportsSan Vicente in Palawan, Kalibo in Aklan and Sanga-Sanga in Tawi-Tawi, including contracts for airside development and improvement of terminal facilities. The department has allocated the bulk of the budget, or P72.35 million, for the completion of San Vicentes runway extension, concrete paving of runway and removal of a hill obstruction. The budget also covers the construction of vehicular parking area, perimeter fence, and pedestrian and vehicular gates. This represents another phase in the airport development in San Vicente. A month ago, the DoTC also announced bidding for the construction of a new passenger terminal building in the same area, Transportation Department said in a statement. San Vicente is touted as the next big tourist destination in the Philippines. Apart from its proximity to El Nido, San Vicente boasts of a 14kilometer stretch of white sand beach.

E ATE PSE COMPOSITE INDEX F OREIGNUnitXCHANGE RPeso Currency US Dollar

Closing August 6, 2012
United States Japan UK Hong Kong Switzerland Canada Singapore Australia Bahrain Saudi Arabia Brunei Dollar Yen Pound Dollar Franc Dollar Dollar Dollar Dinar Rial Dollar 1.000000 0.012729 1.564000 0.128954 1.030184 0.998203 0.805283 1.055632 2.652661 0.266652 0.802053 41.9290 0.5337 65.5770 5.4069 43.1946 41.8537 33.7647 44.2616 111.2234 11.1805 33.6293 5200 4460 3720 2980 2240 1500 1200

P584-P695.00 LPG/11-kg tank

P47.15-P53.07 Unleaded Gasoline

OIL PRICES
TODAY

PESO-DOLLAR RATE
Closing AUGUST 6, 2012
40 42 44 46 48

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

P41.835
CLOSE

5,284.16

1.75

HIGH P41.700 LOW P41.850 AVERAGE P41.791 VOLUME 728.920M

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B2 TUESDAY

Business Market closes flat, MST BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW ignores Asian rally
AUGUST 7, 2012 ManilaStandardToday
52 Weeks

extrastory2000@gmail.com

High

Low

THE stock market closed nearly at

Monday, ignoring the rally in regional stocks and the positive US payrolls report that showed American employers adding 163,000 jobs in July from 64,000 in June.
Commission conrmed it was probing the company for possible price manipulation. Victorias Milling Co., a sugar renery owned by tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, surged 16.3 percent to P1.50, while sister unit Tanduay Holdings Inc. gained 5.7 percent to P11.50. Tanduay jumped last week after the largest Philippine rum maker said it will become a company that will own and hold the assets of its owner billionaire Lucio Tan. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications company,

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 1.75 points, or 0.03 percent, to 5,284.1. Losers edged gainers, 83 to 79, with 42 issues unchanged. Overseas funds were net buyers of $59 million of local stocks last week, exchange data showed. Policy actions have helped the economy grow and remittances and fund inows will sustain the pesos gains, Bangko Sentral Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. said. Calata Corp., a distributor of feeds and fertilizer products, jumped 19.5 percent to P7.10 after sinking 26 percent Thursday after the Securities and Exchange

led losers, dropping 1 percent to P2,730. Asian stock markets, meanwhile, rose sharply Monday, boosted by strongerthan-expected US hiring for July following three months of weak job gains. Investors scooped up shares on news that the pace of hiring in the worlds biggest economy was improving and after a softening of Italys and Spains sovereign bond yieldsa sign of less worry about those economies. That helped dispel fears that the 17nation euro currency union could face a breakup as it wrestles with a massive debt crisis. I think people are no longer worried that the eurozone will collapse, so condence has returned to the market, said Francis Lun, managing director of Lyncean Holdings in Hong Kong. With AP

70.50 76.80 1.82 595.00 1.95 23.90 20.70 89.00 3.26 681.00 98.00 3.06 126.00 77.80 95.00 500.00 45.50 155.20 1240.00 140.00 2.06 35.50 13.58 23.90 1.70 48.00 1.65 138.00 2.96 250.00 3.07 9.70 7.00 6.75 25.00 18.00 78.55 30.90 0.02 12.36 7.40 2.35 120.00 8.40 1.90 3.20 3.19 26.00 15.30 295.00 12.20 3.00 17.40 14.94 3.78 6.50 33.00 132.60 1.90 2.44 0.250 5.30 1.41 69.20 5.50 1.12 18.00 1.22 1.18 59.90 0.019 13.70 2.97 5.02 6.98 3.15 4.16 485.20 64.80 5.20 0.98 520.00 5.22 36.20 4.19 5.17 6.21 1.54 0.91 3.82 4.65 6.24 7.50 0.0770 0.82 0.490 750.00 1.78 1.57 0.420 0.620 1.370 3.34 0.83 0.218 22.85 5.62 9.00 5.60 5.66 2.90 1.50 0.127 1.11 0.90 0.310 3.06 1.44 3.80 2.14 2.33 0.42 0.990 3.50 18.86 7.71 2.70 8.95 18.20 1.03 4.55 4.50 4.72 42.00 18.98 10.92 102.80 0.5300 24.00 86.90 9.70 5.90 1270.00 11.00 77.00 0.98 6.80 4.70 34.50 3.87 0.0760 5.1900 3.79 11.12 3.85 3.96 0.84 3.15 22.95 8.58 3.32 60.00 17.88 2886.00 0.48 30.10 4.75 3.30 0.79 0.0083 6.20 6.22 25.20 48.00 0.380 30.35 34.00 2.51 61.80 1.21 1.82 2.070 0.085 0.087 36.50 12.84 1.100 8.40 0.032 28.95 48.00 0.062 257.80 0.029 47.90 580.00 18.00 11.02 116.70 80.00 1050.00

46.00 50.00 0.68 370.00 1.42 12.98 18.50 50.00 1.91 450.00 60.00 1.30 45.00 41.00 63.50 204.80 25.45 77.00 890.00 58.00 1.43 26.50 8.00 11.98 0.97 25.00 1.08

45.00 2.12 41.00 2.30 7.41 4.83 2.80 5.80 12.50 51.50 22.50 0.0099 7.80 3.80 0.74 80.00 1.04 1.11 1.05 1.08 18.10 8.12 215.00 7.50 1.96 9.70 8.05 1.01 2.90 26.50 110.20 1.25 1.80 0.112 3.30 0.90 37.00 1.05 0.310 2.55 0.70

Security Bank Savings, formerly Premiere Development Bank, opens its doors in prime branch locations under a new name after receiving approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bangko Sentral. SBS operates 38 branches strategically located in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Quezon provinces. The thrift bank, acquired by Security Bank Corp., is expected to accelerate activities and services in pursuing the banks goal of broadening its branch network, scaling up its loan portfolio and expanding its customer base.

Savings bank renamed.

Killer app
IN an old episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, the cast of the iconic Seinfeld TV show get together for a reunion. The year is 2009, and we learn that George Costanza has made a fortune by developing an iPhone app called iToilet, which tells you the location of the nearest public restroom. Sadly for George, he loses all his money by investing it with the king of ponzie schemes, Bernie Madoffa cautionary though hilarious tale for technology entrepreneurs who hope to hit it big by creating the next killer app. Of course, the thought that even a loser like George can strike it rich by developing a phone application isnt all that far-fetched these days, with smart phones outselling PCs since 2011, and with our growing obsession to share everything over the Internet. All you need is a good idea and the determination and skills to pursue it. For 24-year-old Garrett Gee, a FilipinoAmerican now based in San Francisco, that meant being able to start his own company with two school buddies in Provo, Utah, while he was still studying industrial and graphic design, computer science and entrepreneurship, and playing soccer at Brigham Young University. His idea: using mobile transaction technologies such as QR codes (similar but more versatile than barcodes) to connect the real and digital worlds. At a recent roundtable discussion organized by the US Embassy in Manila, Gee shared his story and some early lessons he learned after scaring up $1.7 million in initial funding from the likes of Google and other Silicon Valley investors. When I rst came across QR codes about a year ago, I thought it was brilliant. I thought it was some sort of magic that information was on a piece of paper and now its in my phone, Gee said. I thought it was so cool that I decided to do a little research on it. What Gee found was that while the QR technology (invented by a subsidiary of Toyota of Japan) was versatile, applications that used it were poorly designed and difcult to use. You had cool technology but poor design, so my goal was to create a product that was as beautiful and simple to use as the technology was brilliant and cool. In early 2011, Gee and university friends Kirk Ouimet and Ben Turley founded Scan Inc., and created two products: a Web site (http://www. scan.me) that could create customized QR codes for individuals and companies, and a free iPhone application that could read the codes. The application grew far more popular than Gee expected. I remember the day Scan went live in the Apple App Store and I took a picture of it so I could show my friends and jumped up on a table at a

CHIN WONG

DIGITAL LIFE

party telling everyone there to download my app. And I was very excited because I got 12 people to download my app, thinking thats not bad for one night. The next day, however, Gee and his partners found that 2,000 people had downloaded the app. The next day, it was 5,000, and by the end of the week, 10,000 a day. By the end of the year, it became clear that Scan would overshoot its modest goal of 1 million downloads by a mile. Today, the company has 10 million users in 77 countries, and made the application available on Android devices as well. The applications popularity made it possible for the three young kids from a small town in Utah to generate $1.7 million in seed money in exchange for 20 percent of the company. This, in turn, has allowed them to hire more people and move to a fancier and more strategically located ofce in San Francisco. Gee had three lessons to share from his rst year as a technology entrepreneur: be yourself, do what you love, and develop real skills. Be yourself. Potential investors would look at me and say, Omigosh, youre just a kid. So in some meetings, I tried to act more experienced than I was, and they could see right through me and turned us down, Gee said. They were more likely to say yes when I was true to myself. Do what you love, Gee continued. This is the most blessed part of this experience because while my friends and family think Im working 24x7, I feel I have not worked a day in my life because Im doing what I love. Finally, Gee urged budding technology entrepreneurs to develop real skills. This is near and dear to me. Do your best to develop real skills because thats your plan B, he said, recalling how he honed his skills as a freelance Web designer before starting Scan Inc. With more enthusiasm than any hardened cynic can curb, Gee also encouraged local startups to pursue their dreams. [Information to build] 99 percent of the skills we needed could be found online. All you need is access to the Internet. If you want to build something and sell it to the world, you can do it. Nothing Ive done cant be done by a student here. Column archives and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

0.65 35.50 0.014 8.00 1.80 3.00 0.260 1.49 2.30 272.00 30.50 3.30 0.10 455.40 2.94 19.00 2.27 2.30 4.00 0.61 0.300 1.790 2.56 2.55 1.22 0.045 0.44 0.285 450.00 1.00 1.14 0.101 0.620 0.185 1.70 0.38 0.150 13.36 3.08 2.26 2.00 0.80 1.20 1.07 0.060 0.67 0.54 0.10 1.63 0.98 1.21 0.65 1.51 0.168 0.080 2.08 10.00 2.51 1.80 6.00 10.94 0.64 1.80 2.60

1.20 28.60 1.60 7.30 4.12 10.2000 6.66 62.00 5.40 1.45 831.00 6.18 43.40 0.36 4.30 2.00 0.036 1.00 0.042 2.550 1.62 5.90 2.60 2.70 0.57 1.10 14.20 4.60 1.05 18.00 12.10 2096.00 0.25 10.68 3.30 2.40 0.27 0.0038 3.01 3.00 14.50 20.00 0.148 19.98 14.50 1.62 5.68 0.50 0.9000 1.0200 0.042 0.042 15.04 2.13 0.008 2.99 0.012 18.50 3.00 0.017 161.10 0.014 27.30 535.00

T RADING S UMMARY
FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

SHARES 9,989,868 275,655,790 115,214,504 231,797,826 129,558,638 1,131,663,613 1,893,880,239

VALUE 502,552,496.05 1,067,814,359.87 721,105,435.26 894,349,685.58 1,105,786,452.06 260,763,985.56 4,552,372,414.38

FINANCIAL 1,330.00 (down) 4.16 INDUSTRIAL 7,894.48 (down) 16.90 HOLDING FIRMS 4,444.90 (up) 22.74 PROPERTY 2,016.68 (up) 13.81 SERVICES 1,786.24 (down) 16.03 MINING & OIL 22,402.81 (down) 33.19 PSEI 5,284.16 (down) 1.75 All Shares Index 3,512.56 (up) 6.55 Gainers: 79; Losers: 83; Unchanged:42; Total: 204

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `A First Gen G 12.50 First Phil. Hldgs.-Pref. 6.00 GMA Holdings Inc. 107.00 PCOR-Preferred 74.50 SMC Preferred 1 1000.00 SMPFC Preferred

M S T
MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2012
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63.00 74.60 0.72 477.00 2.05 22.45 19.60 72.00 2.52 435.00 99.60 2.00 75.00 74.80 87.00 379.00 44.95 148.00 890.00 101.00 1.75 34.30 8.60 20.00 1.41 29.30 1.41 25.00 51.00 2.38 139.50 2.55 9.73 5.74 7.23 9.70 18.00 77.45 20.00 0.0150 12.80 4.20 0.620 102.50 10.00 2.00 1.50 2.70 2.57 25.95 16.62 273.00 10.20 3.59 10.10 8.49 3.94 5.20 34.10 112.00 2.50 1.78 0.140 11.50 1.18 59.50 1.50 0.570 9.01 0.96 0.16 (0.60) 2.86 (0.21) 3.02 (2.18) 0.51 0.00 1.20 (3.33) (0.15) (1.48) 2.04 (0.27) 1.16 (2.82) 2.16 (1.33) (1.11) 0.40 (6.91) 0.88 (0.58) 1.52 2.17 0.00 0.00 (3.85) 0.00 0.00 (1.06) 0.00 0.00 (2.55) (1.63) 0.00 (2.17) 0.26 0.00 (6.25) 1.75 (1.18) 0.00 (2.94) 9.17 (0.50) 2.74 6.30 0.00 1.17 0.12 3.02 (2.86) 5.28 0.60 (0.12) 1.03 0.19 (0.29) (0.44) 4.60 0.56 0.00 5.70 0.00 (0.58) 16.28 0.00 (5.06) (1.03)

Trade/Buying
(24,537,787.00) 28,698,019.00 (559,290.00)

NetForeign(Peso)

Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bankard, Inc. China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. COL Financial Eastwest Bank First Metro Inv. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp. Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alaska Milk Corp. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alphaland Corp. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Bogo Medellin Calapan Venture Chemphil Chemrez Technologies Inc. Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Federal Chemicals First Gen Corp. First Holdings A Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Lafarge Rep LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. Manchester Intl. A Manchester Intl. B Manila Water Co. Inc. Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A Pancake House Inc. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. RFM Corporation Salcon Power Corp. San Miguel Brewery Inc. San Miguel Corp `A Seacem Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Tanduay Holdings Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Indl. Abacus Cons. `A Aboitiz Equity Alcorn Gold Res. Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A Asia Amalgamated A ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacic GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A Lopez Holdings Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. Mabuhay Holdings `A Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Metro Pacic Inv. Corp. Minerales Industrias Corp. MJCI Investments Inc. Pacica `A Prime Orion Sinophil Corp. SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B Belle Corp. `A Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Highlands Prime Interport `A Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Primex Corp. Robinsons Land `B Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Development `A SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Vista Land & Lifescapes

2GO Group ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Easy Call Common Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Information Capital Tech. IPeople Inc. `A IP Converge IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPVG Corp. Island Info ISM Communications JTH Davies Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp. Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Pacic Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Puregold Touch Solutions Transpacic Broadcast Waterfront Phils.

Abra Mining Apex `A Apex `B Atlas Cons. `A Atok-Big Wedge `A Basic Energy Corp. Benguet Corp `A Benguet Corp `B Century Peak Metals Hldgs Dizon Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A Lepanto `B Manila Mining `A Manila Mining `B Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A Philex `A PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A Semirara Corp. United Paragon

FINANCIAL 64.20 62.30 75.65 74.50 0.72 0.72 478.00 477.00 2.12 2.05 22.95 22.45 19.86 19.50 72.00 72.00 2.55 2.40 435.00 435.00 102.50 99.45 2.00 1.98 75.00 75.00 75.40 74.20 87.00 87.00 392.00 372.00 44.95 44.00 151.00 147.00 900.00 890.00 101.20 100.50 1.75 1.73 INDUSTRIAL 34.00 34.60 34.05 8.65 8.63 8.60 19.70 20.00 19.50 1.38 1.45 1.40 29.30 29.30 26.10 1.41 1.43 1.38 26.00 26.85 24.50 51.00 51.20 51.00 2.38 2.38 2.38 141.00 139.50 139.50 2.55 2.55 2.55 9.73 9.73 9.20 5.89 5.96 5.60 7.35 7.35 7.15 9.70 9.70 9.70 18.40 18.88 17.94 77.25 79.00 77.40 20.00 20.00 20.00 0.0160 0.0160 0.0140 12.58 12.98 12.70 4.25 4.20 4.20 0.620 0.670 0.620 105.60 105.60 102.00 9.16 10.38 9.30 2.01 2.12 2.00 1.46 1.50 1.50 2.54 2.71 2.57 2.57 2.59 2.57 25.65 26.00 25.60 16.60 17.10 16.60 265.00 274.00 265.00 10.50 10.20 10.20 3.41 3.61 3.43 10.04 10.20 10.08 8.50 8.50 8.40 3.90 4.10 3.93 5.19 5.50 5.20 34.20 34.20 34.00 112.50 112.80 111.90 2.39 2.62 2.44 1.77 1.83 1.78 0.140 0.142 0.138 10.88 11.90 10.84 1.18 1.18 1.18 59.85 59.85 59.05 1.29 1.50 1.27 0.570 0.580 0.570 9.49 9.80 9.01 0.97 0.97 0.96 HOLDING FIRMS 0.92 0.99 0.93 48.20 48.75 47.40 0.0180 0.0170 0.0170 11.04 11.30 11.14 2.00 2.00 1.91 4.70 4.75 4.75 5.00 5.05 5.00 2.55 2.56 2.10 3.40 3.45 2.87 430.00 440.60 431.00 57.60 58.10 57.00 4.20 4.31 4.15 0.250 0.220 0.216 548.00 555.00 547.00 5.08 5.01 5.00 33.45 33.55 32.75 2.80 2.97 2.70 4.20 4.60 4.60 5.70 5.70 5.53 1.06 1.08 1.06 0.450 0.480 0.470 2.31 2.35 2.29 4.20 4.25 4.13 5.38 5.35 5.20 9.66 9.50 7.20 0.0550 0.0540 0.0540 0.465 0.485 0.460 0.330 0.330 0.330 751.00 760.00 753.00 1.70 1.88 1.63 1.18 1.17 1.16 0.2300 0.2310 0.2300 0.3050 0.3350 0.3050 0.400 0.420 0.400 PROPERTY 2.55 2.50 2.48 0.600 0.600 0.600 0.175 0.175 0.175 22.40 23.40 22.40 4.90 4.95 4.89 5.55 5.80 5.52 5.04 4.90 4.90 1.41 1.43 1.38 2.55 2.65 2.50 1.19 1.28 1.23 0.077 0.080 0.075 0.81 0.82 0.79 0.860 0.880 0.860 0.195 0.202 0.193 2.00 2.05 1.92 1.33 1.36 1.33 1.69 1.88 1.69 1.25 1.33 1.25 2.23 2.27 2.22 0.1510 0.1570 0.1510 0.6700 0.7400 0.6700 3.79 4.03 3.75 19.00 19.30 19.00 4.00 4.63 4.20 2.68 2.81 2.68 6.26 6.35 6.26 13.80 13.98 13.66 0.73 0.76 0.74 4.12 4.05 4.00 4.500 4.660 4.460 SERVICES 1.70 1.70 1.70 31.50 33.00 30.80 1.48 1.48 1.10 8.83 9.30 9.10 10.00 10.18 9.99 0.1100 0.1140 0.1010 5.94 7.10 6.10 68.90 68.90 68.20 5.95 5.99 5.95 2.50 2.40 2.40 1150.00 1170.00 1140.00 10.36 10.46 10.26 72.00 72.00 71.00 0.410 0.405 0.405 6.70 7.00 7.00 2.15 2.16 2.01 0.040 0.039 0.039 1.02 1.02 1.01 0.0460 0.0480 0.0480 3.0800 3.1000 2.8100 2.50 2.79 2.60 8.42 8.50 8.17 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.80 2.89 2.80 0.79 0.74 0.71 3.82 4.08 3.00 14.08 14.16 14.00 7.14 7.18 7.16 3.15 3.20 3.06 66.00 66.00 65.00 15.86 16.00 15.72 2758.00 2770.00 2730.00 0.330 0.335 0.330 27.40 28.30 27.45 3.54 3.53 3.53 2.73 2.88 2.88 0.450 0.450 0.435 MINING & OIL 0.0040 0.0041 0.0040 5.00 4.99 4.93 5.00 5.00 4.95 17.30 17.32 17.26 27.95 27.95 27.95 0.250 0.255 0.250 24.80 23.20 23.20 24.00 23.80 23.80 1.26 1.26 1.20 28.50 29.00 27.00 0.57 0.58 0.56 1.210 1.230 1.200 1.260 1.310 1.270 0.0670 0.0670 0.0650 0.0670 0.0670 0.0660 26.60 27.00 25.85 9.70 9.80 9.20 0.7000 0.6900 0.6900 4.920 4.980 4.220 0.0180 0.0180 0.0170 19.96 20.70 19.86 38.00 37.90 36.60 0.050 0.051 0.050 227.00 227.00 226.00 0.0150 0.0170 0.0160 PREFERRED 29.50 30.00 28.70 555.00 544.00 544.00 102.80 103.50 103.00 103.50 103.40 103.40 10.30 10.40 10.20 111.10 111.10 111.00 75.10 75.10 75.10 1025.00 1030.00 1025.00 62.90 75.05 0.70 478.00 1.99 22.95 19.50 72.00 2.49 450.00 99.75 2.03 73.50 75.00 86.00 390.00 44.00 150.00 900.00 100.60 1.88

1,504,300 1,170,820 31,000 4,320 290,000 6,800 1,791,300 1,320 84,000 90 641,120 1,781,000 530 116,670 10 15,970 1,491,400.00 597,460 100 435,460 26,000

(25,245.00) 14,730,482.00 12,000.00 (8,233,250.50)

(3,900,742.00) 134,410.00 11,601,160.00 (2,104,373.00) 221,716.00 2,948,190.00 14,650.00

330,300 45,000 13,400 929,000 600 2,349,000 116,500 500 11,000 10 120,000 700 28,111,000 478,200 10,000 5,391,700 491,830 100 122,700,000 1,158,900 2,000 532,000 137,150 1,696,900 1,496,000 50,000 13,000 8,000 1,019,200 177,100 203,050 1,000 27,400,000 287,800 86,300 5,963,000 7,600 135,200 126,070 23,895,000 204,000 4,270,000 21,921,700 50,000 896,290 21,118,000 489,000 5,700 30,000

76,500.00

(50,076,745.00)

25,005,842.00 5,375,852.00

(525,000.00) 2,330,052.00 (6,144,987.00) 6,730,332.00 2,120.00 12,684,440.00 17,925,540.00 9,354,450.00 (255,432.00) (1,329,600.00)

3,994,432.00 24,568,490.00 1,380.00 859,486.00 (3,311,581.50) (522,450.00) 5,700.00

0.94 48.75 0.0170 11.20 2.00 4.75 5.00 2.10 3.10 438.60 57.10 4.30 0.216 548.00 5.00 32.80 2.97 4.60 5.53 1.06 0.480 2.29 4.15 5.20 7.48 0.0540 0.460 0.330 758.00 1.87 1.17 0.2300 0.3150 0.405

2.17 1.14 (5.56) 1.45 0.00 1.06 0.00 (17.65) (8.82) 2.00 (0.87) 2.38 (13.60) 0.00 (1.57) (1.94) 6.07 9.52 (2.98) 0.00 6.67 (0.87) (1.19) (3.35) (22.57) (1.82) (1.08) 0.00 0.93 10.00 (0.85) 0.00 3.28 1.25

54,796,000 339,900 100,000 6,631,200 285,000 250,000 127,200 1,121,000 630,000 387,540 744,240 1,705,000 160,000 49,980 15,000 1,035,500 11,000 6,000 2,929,400 907,000 200,000 2,357,000 13,461,000 98,000 361,500 4,780,000 240,000 2,450,000 120,470 6,037,000 27,000 340,000 5,770,000 940,000

(9,800.00) 1,551,440.00 (5,393,188.00) (475,000.00)

(29,150.00) 15,010,428.00 (882,932.00) 5,585,630.00 6,909,960.00 (2,224,705.00) (9,449,037.00)

(1,936,510.00) (8,955,570.00) (802.00)

30,332,390.00 4,213,460.00

2.49 0.600 0.175 22.70 4.90 5.52 4.90 1.38 2.60 1.24 0.080 0.80 0.860 0.195 1.99 1.35 1.85 1.27 2.24 0.1520 0.7000 3.90 19.08 4.31 2.81 6.27 13.80 0.75 4.05 4.500

(2.35) 0.00 0.00 1.34 0.00 (0.54) (2.78) (2.13) 1.96 4.20 3.90 (1.23) 0.00 0.00 (0.50) 1.50 9.47 1.60 0.45 0.66 4.48 2.90 0.42 7.75 4.85 0.16 0.00 2.74 (1.70) 0.00

44,000 50,000 800,000 15,598,600 5,222,000 214,600 29,000 4,493,000 162,000 211,000 3,000,000 5,831,000 5,799,000 130,000 2,155,000 23,986,000 44,000 473,000 29,678,000 3,360,000 56,974,000 44,000 347,400 3,980,000 2,157,000 439,000 3,061,400 432,000 302,000 12,749,000

160,980,905.00 2,441,450.00 169,500.00 8,380.00

130,220.00 (1,385,460.00) (1,208,890.00) 11,927,170.00

14,650,930.00 36,240.00 462,300.00 (3,902,956.00) 357,800.00 1,678,760.00 1,092,480.00 9,586,084.00 20,100.00 4,402,250.00

1.70 0.00 31.00 (1.59) 1.22 (17.57) 9.30 5.32 10.02 0.20 0.1100 0.00 7.10 19.53 68.45 (0.65) 5.96 0.17 2.40 (4.00) 1150.00 0.00 10.26 (0.97) 71.30 (0.97) 0.405 (1.22) 7.00 4.48 2.10 (2.33) 0.039 (2.50) 1.02 0.00 0.0480 4.35 3.1000 0.65 2.65 6.00 8.39 (0.36) 2.80 0.00 2.80 0.00 0.71 (10.13) 3.17 (17.02) 14.16 0.57 7.17 0.42 3.06 (2.86) 66.00 0.00 16.00 0.88 2730.00 (1.02) 0.335 1.52 28.10 2.55 3.53 (0.28) 2.88 5.49 0.435 (3.33) 0.0041 4.93 4.98 17.32 27.95 0.250 23.20 23.80 1.26 27.30 0.58 1.210 1.300 0.0670 0.0670 25.90 9.35 0.6900 4.400 0.0170 20.00 37.40 0.050 226.00 0.0160

2,000 167,200 2,765,000 1,200 7,038,900 31,990,000 3,730,200 137,490 20,300 6,000 55,745 393,600 1,114,940 90,000 7,140,000 56,000 20,300,000 54,000 100,000 80,000 3,369,000 749,200 11,000 29,000 20,000 32,092,000 42,900 26,100 2,460,000 10,480 1,355,000 102,850 410,000 11,853,300 4,000 1,000 400,000

12,440.00 (858,152.00) (539,288.00) 835,095.50 (15,606,470.00)

(24,288,045.50)

(402,343.00) 4,621,200.00

855,000.00 601,100.00 (10,989,242.00) (221,823,540.00)

87,454,735.00 (36,000.00)

2.50 (1.40) (0.40) 0.12 0.00 0.00 (6.45) (0.83) 0.00 (4.21) 1.75 0.00 3.17 0.00 0.00 (2.63) (3.61) (1.43) (10.57) (5.56) 0.20 (1.58) 0.00 (0.44) 6.67

73,000,000 25,100 24,400 299,000 200 970,000 100 1,200 558,000 86,800 4,036,000 4,350,000 2,588,000 11,890,000 10,700,000 515,800 446,900 150,000 8,942,000 82,500,000 5,314,400 253,500 903,090,000 81,820 21,700,000

1,646,760.00 5,590.00 120,000.00 104,035.00 57,000.00

(91,740.00) (1,011,815.00) (30,464.00) 229,960.00 (28,948,968.00) (261,755.00) (2,498,000.00) (3,023,244.00)

28.90 (2.03) 544.00 (1.98) 103.50 0.68 103.40 (0.10) 10.26 (0.39) 111.00 (0.09) 75.10 0.00 1030.00

220,700 80 53,000 60 1,155,000 84,900 2,500 0.49

(6,056,280.00)

31,370

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

adv.mst@gmail.com
Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan

ManilaStandardToday

Classifieds
Republic of the Philippines

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

B3

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Public Works and Highways

Region VI - Guimaras Engineering District San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras

Department of Public Works and Highways

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

For fast ad results, please call 659-4803 or 6594830 loc 303

PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN
BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC) 2 Floor Malong Building, Capitol Compound Lingayen, Pangasinan Tel. No. (075) 542-6918 Website@biddingandawards.pangasinan gov.ph, E-mail address: ebmendoza57@yahoo.com
nd

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

The DPWH Region VI - Guimaras Engineering District, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the following contract: 1. Contract I.D. No.: Name of Project: 12GE037 Rehabilitation/Reconstruction/Upgrading of Damaged Paved National Roads (Intermittent Sections) (National Arterial Road) Guimaras Circumferential Road (San Antonio-Igdarapdap Sect.) Nueva Valencia, Guimaras K0073+340 K0074+960 Brief Description: Road Upgrading Approved Budget for the Contract: P 48,499,962.63 Contract Duration: 140 C.D. Cost of Bid Documents: P 20,000.00

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan Engineering District, Kalibo, Aklan through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply for eligibility and, if found eligible, to bid for the hereunder contract: 1. A. Contract ID B. Contract Name : 12GA0078 : Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement of Aklan East Road C. Contract Location : Odiong Road Section Altavas, Aklan Km. 315+500 - Km.316+700 w/ Exception D. Contract Duration : 60 CD E. Brief Description : Asphalt Overlay on Existing Concrete Pavement, (1,119.33m Long, 0.05 thk) with thermoplastic Pavement markings F. Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) :P 9,900,000.00 G. Source of Fund : BMB- 12 -0013052

INVITATION to BID
The Province of Pangasinan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/ manufacturers/distributors/contractors to bid for the project/s described hereunder: Project No. 1 Name of Project : Location Source of Fund : : Delivery of 474 M.T. Asphalt Pre-Mix and 20 Drums Emulsified Asphalt, (refer to bid documents) PGO, Lingayen, Pangasinan (for use in Improvement of road Network at Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital, Tayug, Pangasinan) Constn/Rehab./Upgrading of Provl govt, Hospital & other Vital Devt Projects (PR# 2012-07-6035) P 2,895,000.00 Delivery of 340 M.T. Asphalt Pre-Mix (Special) and 21 Drums Emulsified Asphalt (refer to bid documents) PGO, Lingayen, Pangasinan (for use in Improvement/Blocktopping of NRSCC Compound, Lingayen, Pangasinan) School Board (PR# 2012-06-4785) P 2,444,400.00

Approved Budget for the Contract : Project No. 2 Name of Project : Location :

Prospective bidders shall have experience in undertaking similar project within the last ten (10) years with an amount of at least 50% of ABC and have key personnel and equipment (owned, leased or under purchase) available for the prosecution of the project. Contractors/applicant who are interested in the DPWH civil works are required to register in the DPWH National Registry for Civil Works Contractors prior to the schedule of submission of bid. Those already registered shall keep the records current and updated prior to the schedule of submission of bid. Contractors eligibility to bid on the project will be determined using the DPWH contract profile eligibility process and subject to further post-qualification. Prospective bidders must register with the Philippine Government Procurement System (Phil GEPS) as part of the eligibility documents under Section 23.6 and 24.71 of the IRR-A. LOIs shall be personally submitted by the Authorized Liason Officer as specified in the Contractors Information (CI) which is part of its CRC. Original CRC and valid IDs will be required for verification. Submission of LOIs by person with a Special Power of Attorney shall not be allowed, and mailed LOIs will not be accepted. All particulars relative to Eligibility, Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR). The complete schedule of activities are shown below: Activities 1. Submittal of Letter of Intent 2. Issuance of Bid Documents 3. Pre-Bid Conference 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids Schedule Deadline: August 15, 2012 not later than 12:00 noon Deadline: August 22, 2012 before 10:00 A.M. August 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. August 22, 2012 not later than 10:00 A.M. August 22, 2012 as soon Eligibility Result of Contractors will be received by the Office from BAC Region VI.

The BAC will conduct this public bidding in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation Part A. To be eligible 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 the DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership/corporation with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to a ABC, or credit line commitment/cash deposit certificate for at least 10% of the ABC. The DPWH will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check, preliminary examination of bids, evaluation of bids, post-qualification, and award. Unregistered contractors, however, may submit their LOIs simultaneously with their applications for registration, to the DPWH, Aklan Engineering District, Kalibo, Aklan before the deadline set below for the receipt of LOIs. The DPWH Central BAC-TWG will first process the contractors applications for registrations and issue the Contractors Certificate of Registration (CRC) before processing their LOIs. The DPWH Central BAC-TWG will process only those with complete registration requirements. The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below: BAC Activities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Receipt of LOIs from Prospective Bidders Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Receipt of Bids until Opening of Bids Schedule Aug. 3 - Aug. 17,2012 Aug. 3-Aug. 23,2012 Aug. 13, 2012 Aug. 24, 2012 Aug. 24, 2012 Time 8:00 AM-5:00PM 8:00 AM-5:00PM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 2:00 PM Place BAC Secretariat BAC Secretariat DPWH Conference Rm. DPWH Conference Rm. DPWH Conference Rm.

Source of Fund : Approved Budget for the Contract :

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, organizations with at least sixty (60%) of the interest belongs to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizen/organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. The bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. All particulars relative to the Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, pre-Bidding Conference/s, Evaluating of Bids, Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (as amended). The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Opening of Bids 4. Bid Evaluation 5. Post Qualification 6. Notice of Award Schedule August 3, 2012 August 23, 2012 August 10, 2012; 10:00 am August 23, 2010; 10:00 am August 24, 2012 August 27, 2012 August 29, 2012

The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two separate sealed envelopes at the abovementioned address. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms. Late Bids shall not be accepted. Bid Documents can be availed at the BAC Office, 2/F Malong Building, Capitol Compound, Lingayen, Pangasinan upon payment to the Provincial Treasurers Office the amount of P1,000.00 Accreditation Fee for new bidders, and a non-refundable amount of P3,000.00/bidder/project for Project No. 1 & 2 to the Provincial Treasurers Office. Prospective bidders shall submit their Bid Documents to the BAC Office at the same address. The Province of Pangasinan assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation for their bids. Moreover, the Province of Pangasinan reserves the right to reject any or all bid proposals, or declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract, and makes no assurance that contract shall be entered into as a result of this invitation without thereby incurring any liability in accordance with RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Approved by:

Prospective bidders may download the Registration and LOI Forms from the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The BAC will issue hard copies of LOI Forms at DPWH, Aklan Engineering District, Kalibo, Aklan. Prospective bidders that will download the LOI forms shall pay the same amount upon submission of their LOIs. Prospective bidders shall submit their accomplished LOIs and obtain the results of the eligibility check 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 eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P10,000.00 for Bidding Documents, Eligible bidders that will download the BDs from DPWH website shall pay the said fees upon the submission of their bids. The DPWH, Aklan Engineering District, Kalibo, Aklan, 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.) RAFAEL F. BARAAN Provincial Administrator BAC Chairman

(MST-Aug. 7, 2012)

Bid documents will be available upon payment of a non-refundable amount to the DPWH-Guimaras Engineering District Cashier. The DPWH-Guimaras Engineering District reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process any time prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. (SGD) RAFAEL RIORITO O. ESTORQUE BAC Chairman Noted: (SGD) ROLANDO P. UBALDO OIC-District Engineer
(MST-Aug. 7, 2012)

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS

Rizal I District Engineering Office Barangay Calumpang, Binangonan, Rizal

(Sgd.) DENNIS C. FUENTES Engineer III BAC - Chairman Office Tel. No. (036)268-1692 NOTED: (Sgd.) ABRAHAM C. VILLAREAL OIC-District Engineer
(MST-Aug. 7, 2012)

INVITATION TO BID
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Rizal First District Engineering Office, through the CY 2012 Deped Regular School Building and M.V.U.C., invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects: 1. Contract ID Contract Name : 12DN0083 : Construction of Two (2) Storey Two (2) Classroom San Juan E/S Unit 1 Contract Location : Cainta, Rizal Scope of Work : Construction of 2-Storey 2-CL School Building Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 4,156,482.32 Contract Duration : 90 C.D. : 12DN0084 : Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom Bagong Nayon 1 E/S Contract Location : Antipolo City Scope of Work : Construction of 2-Storey 4-CL School Building Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,192,317.47 Contract Duration : 120 C. D. : 12DN0085 : Construction of Two (2) Storey Four (4) Classroom Pag-asa NH/S Contract Location : Binangonan, Rizal Scope of Work : Construction of 2-Storey 4-CL School Building Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 6,633,704.20 Contract Duration : 120 C.D.

Republic of the Philippines

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

Department of Public Works and Highways

Albay 1st Engineering District Airport Site, Legazpi City

2. Contract ID Contract Name

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
Contract ID Contract Name

INVITATION TO BID
The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the DPWH- Albay 1st Engineering District, Airport Site, Legazpi City, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned project (s): #12-F-A-0042 Rehab. Of Flood Control System along Bulawan River Contract Location San Roque Section, Malilipot Albay Scope of Work Const. of River Control & Rech. Of River Course Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) P18,430,000.00 Contract Duration 180 CD Cost of Tender Documents P10,000.00 The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) , purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) Completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years and, (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central 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 procurement activities are shown below: Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders Receipt & Opening of Bids August 7-29, 2012 August 16, 2012 at 10:00am August 23, 2012 at 10:00am August 28, 2012 at 2:00pm

3. Contract ID Contract Name

: : : :

12HD0046 Road Opening Farm-to-Market Road Calambua to Sab-a, San Remegio, Cebu Road Opening

4. Contract ID Contract Name

e. Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php9,598,965.42 f. Contract Duration g. Funding Source h. Bid Document Fee : : : 110 Calendar Days Fund 101 (DA Project) Php10,000.00

: 12DN0086 : Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement of MarikinaVictoria-Valley-Antipolo Road. Km. 29+340 to Km. 30+249 (with exception) Brgy. Dela Paz and San Isidro. Contract Location : Antipolo City Scope of Work : Asphalt Overlay, Reblocking and Pavement Marking Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 9,899,963.15 Contract Duration : 70 C.D.

The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of R.A. 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOl) together with a copy of Contractors Profile (present original copy for authentication) and current Mayors Permit issued by the municipality or city where the principal place of business, 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, (f) Copy of Accreditation Certificate of Materials Engineer (present original copy for authentication), and (g) CY 2011 CPES Rating. 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 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. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids July 19 to August 7, 2012 July 25, 20 12 at 2:00 P.M. August 1, 2012 August 7, 2012 until 2:00 P.M. August 7, 2012 after 2:00 P.M.

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 DPWH-POCW 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: 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt of LOIs from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids : : : : : August 06, 2012 to August 18, 2012 August 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. August 14, 2012 to August 20, 2012 August 27, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. August 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

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.

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at DWPH-BAC Office, DPWH-Albay 1st Engineering District Airport Site, Legazpi City, upon payment of a non-refundable fee as stated above. Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents, from the DPWH Website, if available. Prospective bidders that will download the Bidding Documents from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their bid documents. The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open only to interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. 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 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, 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 the post-qualification. The DPWH- Albay 1st Engineering District, Airport Site, Legazpi City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime prior Contract Award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BDs) at Rizal I District Engineering Office, Barangay Calumpang, Binangonan, Rizal, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php5,000.00) for Item No. I and TEN THOUSAND PESOS (Php 10,000.00) for Item No.2 to 4. 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 be accompanied by a bid securi ty, 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 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 the post-qualification. The Rizal First District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. Approved by: (Sgd.) ESMERALDO S. SARMIENTO BAC - Chairman Noted By: (Sgd.) EDGARDO P. PERALTA District Engineer
(MST-Aug. 7, 2012)

Approved by: (Sgd.) RICHEL A. VILLEGAS BAC Chairman NOTED: (Sgd.) WILFREDO AV. ENCISO, CEO VI District Engineer
(MST-Aug. 7 & 12, 2012)

(Sgd.) RAFAEL B. PRESBITERO OIC, Assistant District Engineer Chairman, BAC APPROVED: (Sgd.) ROBERTO M. RITO OIC, District Engineer
(MST-Aug. 7, 2012)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B4

TUESDAY AUGUST 7, 2012

Provinces
Manila Standard TODAYEdited by Leo A. Estonilo
www.manilastandardtoday.com leoestonilo@gmail.com

50 convicts moved to military camp

By Florante S. Solmerin

AT LEAST 50 convicts have found

Former Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III shows their complaint afdavit he led Monday before the Ofce of the Ombudsman against Gov. Aurelio Umali for alleged misconduct in ofce and other offenses. MANNY PALMERO

Case led.

a new home inside the 33,000-hectare headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Division located in Jamindan, Capiz.
carpenters, masons, furniture makers, and wood carvers. Mabanta said the bureau will have supervision over the prisoners including the provision of their subsistence. While undergoing transition, reformation and rehabilitation as they are about to fulll the required years of stay, the inmates will also help in the maintenance of the immediate cantonment area of the camp such as cleaning the surroundings which have been done by soldiers assigned in the Camp. We welcome the BuCoR inmates in their transition to a life outside the prison. Their presence will also boost our manpower where soldiers who usually do the maintenance of cleanliness can now be shifted to equally and more important tasks to fulfill our mandated mission, Mabanta said.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., commander, said the prisoners came from the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog under the Bureau of Corrections. He said the transfer to military camps was part of the pronouncement of President Benigno Aquino III last Jan. 27 to decongest prisons of the bureau, an attached agency of the Department of Justice. Mabanta said the transfer of inmates to a stockade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is authorized by Section 3, Chapter 5, part II of the corrections and based on a memorandum of agreement. These are the chosen inmates and well disciplined who have two to three years in prison and then they will be freemen, he said. Some were convicted for murder, homicide, robbery, among others. But these inmates were also skilled workers because some of them were

Ayala Cebu sets P1.9m to build classrooms

By Gigi Muoz David
THE Department of Education welcomes to its TEN Moves campaign to build 10,000 classrooms across the country the Ayala Business Club Cebu and its pledge of P1,898,300 to the advocacy. Cebu being one of the countrys highly urbanized areas and center for trade and industry in the Visayas region has One of the Philippines highly urbanized areas and a center for trade and industry in the Visayas region is making a signicant move in support of TEN Moves. Lawyer Manuel Gordon, president of the Ayala Business Club Cebu, one of the prime movers of the campaign in the area said their support is one step to ensuring that Filipino children have a solid education foundation, through environments that support and encourage learning regardless of their age, heritage, or location. The department has received a lot of response from local corporations and organizations. Through TEN Moves, every Filipino can make a crucial investment in the educational future of Filipino children everywhere, Gordon said. Joining Ayala Business Club are Bank of the Philippine Islands-Cebu, Marriott Hotel-Cebu City, Cebu Holdings Inc., Globe Telecom, Honda Cars-Cebu Inc., and Isuzu-Cebu Inc. DepEd said at least 2,741 classrooms have been pledged for TEN Moves mother campaign, Bayanihang Pampaaralan, with 880 classrooms delivered. Education Secretary Armin Luistro commended the Cebu business community for their contribution. TEN Moves campaign is the campaign of the Filipino people, he said. The continued outpouring of support from individuals, the academe, non-government organizations, the private sector, and local governments is testament to the possibilities that we can achieve for our children, if we all work together.

IN BRIEF
Jumbo Jenra Mall hosts Sun Shop
SUN Cellular opens the latest The S un Shop Express

Property owners get eTitle for only P700

By Jonathan Fernandez
SER John Pastrana, chief of the Micrographics and Computer Division of the Land Registration Authority said property owners can have their tiles secured for P700 under the Electronic Certicate of Title program. Compared to manual documents, land owners can have their eTitles in two to three days. For P700, the public would have current, complete and accurate online information on titles, according to Pastrana. No one can tamper the titles in the computer, he said. The LRA launched eTitle in November last year to reduce, if not stop, the rampant counterfeiting of land titles. With the Land Titling Computerization Project, it is envisioned that a query on the status of a land title can be made anywhere, anytime from any of the various Register of Deeds nationwide, Pastrana said. He said one must have a veried petition for Voluntary Standardization of Certicate of Title signed by the registered owner, copy of any government-issued identication cards and duplicate Certicate of Title, special power of attorney and notarized board resolutions as required.

at the Jumbo Jenra Mall in Sindalan, City of San Fernando. The newest branch offers a wide range of postpaid, prepaid, broadband and international services that customers can choose from, as well as customer service representatives attending to every need of clients across Pampanga province. Along with our networkwidening projects, we also prioritize the need to make our products and services closer to our customers, says Faraday Go, Sun Cellulars vice president for Retail Management and Corporate Sales. Even those from the neighboring towns like Mexico, Bacolor, Apalit and Guagua can get in touch with us more conveniently when it comes to their mobile needs and after-sales service. Sun Cellular is a member of the PLDT Group.

Truck ban lifting to favor freeport

Outreach. Las Pias City former Representative Cynthia Villar, guest of honor, greets wellwishers after a
meeting with town executives led by Unisan Mayor Nonato Puache and village heads of Bondoc Peninsula in Quezon assisted by Governor David Suarez during an outreach program. BENJIE ANTIOQUIA

Cutting-edge surgery minus scalpels

CITY OF MALOLOS--A 38year-old American seaman on a short visit to relatives here kept to his itinerary despite undergoing abdominal surgery. Barely 24 hours after doctors worked on his inguinal hernia at Sacred Heart Hospital and Diagnostic Center, the patient was cleared to leave and catch up with his ship in Europe. Dr. Deogracias Alberto Reyes is a Laparoscopic specialist doing minimally invasive surgery. After less than 12 hours from surgery, my patient asked me if he could already be discharged because he has to catch a plane and rendezvous with their company ship so that he can begin to work, he said. I asked him how he felt and he told me that he was doing well and only felt as if he did a lot of sit-ups. Reyes, 42, said cutting-edge surgery is also done CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK to deal with appendicitis, colon cancer, tubal ligation and many other cases. He said the procedure involved using medical video and surgical attachment inserted through the belly button. We no longer need scalpels or scissors to cut patients skin, thus the healing period is shortened, he said. This way, they dont have to stay long at the hospital for their recovery period, thus minimizing their hospital bills and medical expenses. Reyes also practices St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City and at The Medical City in Pasig City. His father, Dr. Alberto Reyes, is Sacred Heart medical director. Dr. Deo said Laparoscopic surgery was rst used in France in 1992. Sacred Heart Hospital acquired the technology in 2005 following his specialization in Scotland from 2004 to 2005. Orlan L. Mauricio

Food security starts in the countryside

GOVERNMENT has to look after the interests of farmers and sherfolk in the countryside to achieve food security, said Senator Francis Pangilinan. In a statement, Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, cited the need to include in the national budget crop insurance for our farmers, and also insurance for our sherfolk. Every year we are ravaged by typhoons and the subsequent oods and destruction that go with them. It is high time we come up with a comprehensive insurance coverage plan for our crops, and even for our farmers and shermen themselves, he said. He said the government will save more in the long run as it secures the livelihood of our agricultural communities. He also said it would be nearly impossible to achieve food security and food self-sufciency if the countrys farmers and sherfolk remain impoverished. We should work hard toward giving our farmers and sherfolk the same prosperity that farmers in countries like Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and China are now starting to enjoy, he said. We need to break away from the status quo as it has taken us nowhere in the past several decades. We must come up with radical solutions to address and eventually resolve those issues that ail the countrys agriculture and sheries sector. Meanwhile, Pangilinan said the main challenge for cassava farmers in Barangay Sta. Elena, San Pablo, Laguna is sustaining their income outside of the harvest season. The cassava planting and harvesting cycle usually takes eight months, within which there is very little income to be made. Macon Ramos-Araneta

MARIVELESForeign and local firms in the Bataan freeport will see faster shipment of their products and materials with a new schedule for heavy vehicles plying the zigzag road here. Mayor Jesse Concepcion said the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan proposed an alternative to truck ban which from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are studying the schedule, he said. The initial plan is by hour. The heavy vehicles will ascend for an hour and stop for the next. Concepcion said locators have complained about production backlogs because of the eight-hour downtime in deliveries. With the new schedule, nished materials will be transported quicker to Manila and to other destinations, he said. Vice Mayor Victoriano Isip said the Sangguniang Bayan supported the move to ease traffic flow for cargo haulers. Luis Gonzales, municipal administrator, said another option would be to order heavy trucks to use Barangay Sisimans bypass road whose hazardous sections have been rehabilitated. Butch Gunio