Manila Standard Today -- Monday (January 07, 2013) issue

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKWEATHER Latest LPA to affect Visayas, Mindanao THE low pressure area (LPA) near Mindanao has entered the Philippine area of responsibility and will hit Eastern Visayas and Mindanao, the state weather bureau said Sunday. According to Pagasa forecaster Ricky Fabregas, the LPA is expected to bring rains of five to 15 milimeters Next page Standard TODAY Manila Vol. XXVI No. 275 16 Pages, 3 Sections P18.00 Monday, January 7, 2013 BUSINESS Ongpin sells PBCom stake B1 www.manilastandardtoday.com • [email protected] 13 killed in gunbattle Aquino firm vs death penalty By Joyce Pangco Pañares PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will not change his stand against the re-imposition of the death penalty following the shooting rampage in Cavite that left nine people dead including the gunman, an official said on Sunday. “The position of the President as far as the death penalty is concerned has not changed,” deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said. “The President is not for the death penalty. The position of the President is that the effective deterrence against crime is the knowledge that there will be certainty of punishment.” Mr. Aquino’s stand against the death penalty jives with the position of the Catholic Church on the matter. And like the Catholic Church, Mr. Aquino is also against divorce as proposed by some legislators, although he approved of the Reproductive Health bill and signed it into law despite the Catholic Church’s opposition to it. The calls for a total gun ban and to re-impose the death penalty started after the gunman, Ronald Bae, who was apparently intoxicated and drug-crazed, shot eight people including a Next page Cops, soldiers clash with armed men in Quezon ARMY special forces and police killed 13 suspected criminals in a fierce gunbattle Sunday in Luzon in the latest violence to erupt in the country in the last week. A police officer was wounded in the shootout, which took place in the coastal town of Atimonan in Quezon, about 140 kilometers southeast of Manila. The gunmen, who were riding in two black SUVs, opened fire on about 50 army soldiers and police when they were flagged down at a highway checkpoint in Atimonan, sparking the firefight, said Lt. Col. Monico Abang, who led the Army platoon in the clash. Gunmen also fired from a third van but turned around and managed to escape, he said. Quezon provincial police chief Valeriano de Leon said 11 gunmen died at the scene of the clash. Two others died while being brought to a hospital, he said, adding that government forces found two assault rifles and eight pistols used by the gunmen. He said the fatalities were members of a highly organized crime group known for their gun-for-hire activities. Next page Mother and daughter. Relatives of Jan Monica, 4, look at her remains and those of her pregnant mother Ria in Kawit, Cavite. Mother and daughter were two of the eight people shot and killed by Ronald Bae before policemen shot him down on Friday. Inset is John Paul Lopez, the man accused of reloading Bae’s pistol. BULLIT MARQUEZ, AP Gunman’s aide faces multiple-murder raps By Francisco Tuyay THE alleged accomplice of the gunman who shot dead eight people in Kawit, Cavite, on Friday before police shot him down had tested positive for drugs, police said on Sunday. But they said John Paul Lopez, who was seen helping load the gun of Ronald Bae, protested his innocence and said he did what he did because Bae had threatened to kill him if he refused to follow his orders. Senior Supt. Dionisio Borromeo told ANC News that there were witnesses saying that Lopez, a house caretaker, was indeed Bae’s accomplice. “We are evaluating all the evidence,” Borromeo said. “We are about to file a multiplemurder case against John Paul.” Also on Sunday, Caloocan police said they had dug up three more slugs in the area where Next page CA rule crucial to Garcia’s poll bid By Christine F. Herrera THE United Nationalist Alliance on Sunday urged the Court of Appeals to rule on the suspension of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to clear the “gray areas” before the election period begins Jan. 13. The secretary general of the opposition alliance, Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, said without a court ruling, the Commission on Elections would not know whether to allow Garcia to campaign for a House seat under the UNA banner. “How will the Comelec treat Governor Garcia’s candidacy? Will her name be even included in the official ballot? We, at UNA, want to know that because we only have a few days to know what the government is really up to,” Tiangco said. Garcia has remained holed up in her office since the Palace suspended her on Dec. 19, saying she would fight to keep the mandate that Cebuanos had given her in the last election. Tiangco said once the election period begins on Jan. 13, all suspension cases will be put on hold to prevent them from being used against any candidate. During the same period that lasts until June 13, the government is also not allowed to promote or hire personnel. “We believe the suspension order against Governor Garcia cannot and should not be implemented because apart from it being politically motivated, it was based on flimsy grounds and was not officially served,” Tiangco told the Manila Standard. Tiangco maintained that only a photocopy of the suspension order, as alleged by Garcia, was brought Next page Tiangco Four dead in new US shooting incident AURORA, Colo.— A gunman barricaded inside his Colorado home fired shots at police from a secondstory window before he was killed as SWAT officers stormed the home Saturday. Once inside, they found the bodies of three other adults, authorities said. The suspect, whose name was withheld by police, held officers at bay for nearly six hours after neighbors reported gunfire at 3 a.m. inside the modest townhome in the Denver suburb of Aurora, said police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson. It wasn’t known if officers shot the suspect or if he shot himself. Investigators said two men and a woman appeared to have been killed before officers arrived. The suspect shot at police who approached the front of the home with an armored vehicle and who fired tear gas around 8:15 a.m. He was killed when he fired at officers from the second-story window about 45 minutes later, Carlson Next page said. Church prays for end to Cebu political crisis By Joyce Pangco Pañares RELIGIOUS leaders in Cebu on Sunday offered prayers and called on provincial officials to end the political crisis brought about by a conflfict between a suspended governor, who has barricaded herself inside her office, and the Acting Governor trying to take full control of the province. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his Sunday homily, said the conflict between suspended governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Acting Governor Agnes Magpale has “put Cebu in a bad light.” “My only prayer is that we hope this crisis would be resolved the sooner the better. It affects us in many ways. Cebu is presented as rather a troublesome region,” Next page Palma said. P60k pay for govt docs eyed SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a bill seeking to increase the salary of government doctors to over P60,000 a month and give them additional benefits in a bid to stem the steady exodus of Filipino physicians to countries that offer high-paying jobs. Trillanes said Senate Bill No. Next page ANALYSIS No easy ride for Aquino in 2013 By Francisco S. Tatad AS 2013 kicks in and the old leaders of Southeast Asia and the incoming leaders of China, Japan and South Korea try to figure out strategic paths for their respective countries, President Beningo Aquino III will most certainly be focused on nothing more important than the midterm May elections. These will involve 12 of the Senate’s 24 seats, all 286 or more seats in the House of Representatives, and all local government positions except those in the barangays. The presidency and the vice presidency will not be at stake in these elections. Aspirants will have to wait for 2016. Logically this should mean, especially in the absence of nation candidates from the opposition, that Aquino’s performance or non-performance would not be a major issue in the campaign. But recent developments may have made that impossible. He cannot avoid scrutiny; it will be no easy ride for the happy-golucky bachelor-president. His problem may not come from any of the candidates. They will mostly be interested in winning and will rather sup with the devil than risk being tagged as “an anti-Aquino candidate” and targeted for “special operations” by Malacanang’s political war machine. In a less than honest machine-run election, which the best informed technology experts have learned to expect, that could mean certain defeat for the highly principled but imprudent. Continued on page A5 Another case of shooting. A police officer works at the scene of an apparent murder-suicide, which officials said left four people dead inside a home in Longmont, Colorado, on Dec. 18. Weld County sheriff’s spokesman Tim Schwartz said dispatchers heard the woman who called 911 scream ‘No, no, no,’ and then they heard a gunshot. Schwartz said a man then grabbed the phone and said he was going to kill himself, and the dispatchers heard another shot. AP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A2 MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 ManilaStandardToday News other violent incidents that have revived calls for tighter gun control in the country. A man who reportedly was drunk and high on drugs killed eight people before being gunned down by police Friday in Kawit, Cavite. A 7-year-old girl died a day after being hit in the head by a stray bullet while watching fireworks with her family on New Year’s Eve outside their home in Caloocan city, despite a highprofile government campaign against powerful firecrackers and celebratory gunfire by Filipinos to welcome 2013. Meanwhile, in Kidapawan City, police said a powerful bomb had been defused outside the main police station on Sunday. Investigator Ryan Batilo said the bomb, consisting of two 60mm mortar rounds wired to a battery and a cellphone, was found and disarmed near the gate of the police station. Batilo said police closed a main road as ordnance experts defused the bomb, which was wrapped in used clothes. The site is near the city jail, which has come under attack from Muslim militants attempting to free their detained comrades. Police said last month that they had received intelligence of possible bombing plots by Muslime Militants in some southern cities. Jim Gomez, AP, with Florante S. Solmerin and Francisco Tuyay [email protected] Aquino... pregnant woman and a 7-yearold girl before he was shot dead by police in Kawit, Cavite, on Friday. At least eight other people were wounded in the shooting rampage, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said. Two children were also killed on New Year’s Eve: a five-yearold boy and a seven-year old girl who were both hit by stray bullets. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has already asked the government to consider a total gun ban nationwide. CBCP president Archbishop Jose Palma said the government should also be stricter in approving licenses to carry firearms. In November, similar calls to re-impose the death penalty were made after the murder of a 20-year-old woman who graduated with honors from the University of Sto. Tomas. But Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said only the faithful and diligent enforcement of the laws would deter criminals. And Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said a total gun ban would not prevent a repeat of the shooting rampage in Cavite but instead would exacerbate the peace-and-order problem in the country. He said that, even today, responsible gun owners were no match for the heavily armed criminals that the government seemed helpless to stop. “If we outlaw guns, then only the outlaws will have guns,” Sotto said. “The citizenry will be at the mercy of criminal elements with high-powered guns at their disposal.” The group Pro-Gun Philippines, an association of gun owners, said it also opposed the calls to ban guns. “Licensed gun owners are not the problem. What should be banned are the criminals and loose firearms,” Ernesto Tabujara III, the group’s acting secretary general, told ANC News. “The gun ban would affect only the law-abiding citizens who are not really the problem because they do not commit crimes. “As long as the wielders of the permits to carry [guns] are responsible people, they should be allowed [to carry guns].” Malacañang on Saturday downplayed the calls to President Aquino to set an example by giving up his gun collection following the rampage in Cavite. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the more pressing concern was to urge the police to “quicken” their response time during emergencies following the accusations the police in Cavite were slow in responding to Bae’s shooting rampage. Mr. Aquino’s critics should engage him on policy issues instead of criticizing him on a personal level, Valte said. In Congress, lawmakers, like Mr. Aquino, were also lukewarm to the calls to revive capital punishment. Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Sherwin Tugna said the death penalty was not the antidote to heinous crimes. He said the stricter implementation of gun laws and the successful prosecution of irresponsible gun owners remained the most potent solution to the problem. “I believe that our prosecution and judicial systems are not yet ready for the death penalty,” he said. Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said many studies had shown that the death penalty did not deter criminals. With Macon Ramos-Araneta Valley will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Northern Luzon will continue to have occasional rains due to the effects of the northeast monsoon. The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will be spared from the effects of the potential cyclone. The weather bureau said that moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. It issued gale warning as strong to gale force wind associated with the surge of northeast monsoon is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon. Pagasa also advised fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the sea and alerted larger sea vessels against big waves. 13... “They rolled down their windows and started firing, so we had to retaliate,” Abang said by cellphone from the scene of the clash. “They were clearly outnumbered and outgunned.” A police colonel was shot in the hand and foot and taken to a hospital, de Leon said. Abang said the Army and police set up a checkpoint along the highway after police received a tip-off from an informant that gunmen involved in illegal drugs, gambling and kidnapping for ransom would pass through Atimonan. The shootout followed two Biazon adopts new tack CUSTOMS Commissioner Ruffy Biazon says his agency has developed a more effective program that will enable the government to effectively implement a comprehensive response to smuggling. He told Cabinet Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras in a recent meeting that his program was aimed at harmonizing and coordinating a holistic response to smuggling. Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Biazon and Almendras had met to discuss the problem of smuggling, and that he was satisfied with the action taken by Biazon. “I have spoken to Customs Commissioner Biazon about smuggling and he is already taking action on it,” Almendras said. “They already had some confiscation in the past, but are now aiming for a more effective program.” Biazon said Customs had carried out successive operations that led to the confiscation of smuggled items and other contrabands since he assumed his post. He assured Almendras that his agency would further increase its vigilance against smuggling. Lacierda said Customs under Biazon had been doing its job to prevent smuggling and catch smugglers. “Whether it is outright or technical smuggling, he [Biazon] has stated that he will be very vigilant in curbing smuggling,” Lacierda said. backfire on her she attributes it to other people,” Garcia said. “She wants to evict me by cutting off water and power. When her announcement caused a lot of backlash from our own people, with a lot of political commentators underscoring the cruelty of her statement, she is now attributing it to the media,” she said. Garcia said the alleged surveys cited by Magpale were made by “radio blocktimers,” who were “on the take.” “I dare her to conduct an independent survey and see for herself the real sentiments of the Cebuanos,” Garcia said, addding that when people heard about the threat to bill her for use of water and electricity, many offered to contribute one peso each to pay for the bills. lice chief James Melad to relieve Kawit Police chief Joel Saliba for his slow response to the emergency as claimed by Cavite Gov. John Vic Remulla. Shortly after the incident, police searched Bae’s house and found an AK-47 Russian automatic rifle and a 45 pistol, all licensed. He also had a licensed M-16 rifle but the weapon was missing. With Gigi MuñozDavid the townhome may have been inhabited by the gunman, the gunman’s wife, her father and another man. The shootings occurred about four miles southeast of the Aurora Mall, where 12 people were killed and dozens were wounded by a gunman at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” on July 20. The man charged in that shooting, James Holmes, goes to court Monday for a preliminary hearing in which prosecutors will present their case against him. The July shootings prompted Gov. John Hickenlooper—just before the Newtown, Conn., massacre—to say it is time to debate gun control. It’s expected to be a heated topic at the Colorado Legislature this year. Aurora, just east of Denver, is one of Colorado’s largest and most diverse cities with more than 335,000 residents. It is home to Buckley Air Force Base as well as the sprawling University of Colorado Health Sciences Center campus, where James Holmes studied neuroscience before the movie theater shootings. Patient from Jolo. Personnel of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau examine the injuries of a 10-foot-long saltwater crocodile in Quezon City after it arrived from Jolo, where it was captured by fishermen last month. MANNY PALMERO Latest... per hour and thunderstorms that may trigger flashfloods and landslides, particularly in the Caraga and Davao regions. Fabregas said the LPA might intensify into a tropical depression and if it does, it will be locally named Biasing, the second tropical cyclone to enter the country for this year. The potential cyclone, he said, may also dissipate since the cloud was disorganized. Pagasa’s bulletin Sunday afternoon said the LPA was last seen 700 kilometers southeast of Mindanao embedded along the intertropical convergence zone which is affecting Mindanao. Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Cagayan Church... Haniel Jose Taganas, pastor for the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Bradfor United Church also called for peace and said the people of Cebu “were suffering because of what’s happening with our government.” “This is not the time for quarreling; this is the time to settle things up. I call on both sides to settle things not just for the sake of your leadership, but for the people, for the sake of God,” Taganas said. Garcia has been living in her office at the Capitol for the past 19 days in defiance of her suspension by Malacanang for alleged abuse of authority. She questioned her The slugs were found in the area where Juan Agos and three other people had fired their guns to toast the New Year. The four have been charged with illegal gun discharge resulting in homicide. Meanwhile, the traumatized residents of Tabon-1 village in Kawit, Cavite, the scene of Bae’s shooting rampage, on Sunday sought police protection claiming dozens of drug-crazed people were roaming their vilprompted government doctors to leave in favor of greener pastures, making the Philippine the second-largest exporter of physicians, next to India as reported by the World Health Organization. “Consequently, the exodus of doctors in the last five years is exacting a toll on the country’s already second-rate health service. The ratio of doctor vis-à-vis patients in the Philippines is one doctor per 28,493 patients, a far cry from the ideal 1:1000 ratio prescribed by the WHO,” Trillanes said. Trillanes also proposed in the bill an annual loyalty pay equivalent to P50,000 to public doctors, who have rendered at least three consecutive years of service. The legislation proposes a transportation sum of P10,000 to P18,000, depending on the municipality, a food stipend of P5,000 to P12,000 and medical allowance ranging from P5,000 to P10,000 a month. Trillanes also seeks to provide educational grant not exceeding P200,000 for government physicians, who have rendered at least five years of continuous service. suspension at the Court of Appeals and asked for a restraining order, claiming it was illegal and arbitrary. Magpale, the vice governor who was designated by Malacanang to take over as Acting Governor, has been engaged in a word war with Garcia and politicians from different political persuasions have also waded in and joined the conflict. Magplae has been under pressure to boot out Garcia from the Capitol. In her latest barrage against the suspended governor, Magpale said a survey made by radio announcers showed that Cebuanos want her to cut the electricty and power supply to the office of suspended governor to force her out of the Capitol. lage and threatening their safety. The police sent a team to the area and also ordered a manhunt for the people suspected of pushing drugs there to prevent a repeat of the rampage that killed eight people and injured 12 others. “They have requested police security because they fear an imminent threat to their lives,” Rafael said. Fear is said to be still reigning “The radio stations here are conducting surveys. One of the most popular suggestions is to cut power and water,” Magpale said. She reiterated her call on Garcia to step down and end her self-imposed stay inside the capitol and to join President Aquino’s campaign for good governance. “I am inviting the governor to step down peacefully and join the matuwid na daan (straight path). Just please observe the rule of law and join the daan matuwid,” Magpale said. Garcia instead turned the tables on Magpale and called the Acting Governor as “over-acting governor.” “This Magpale has this bad habit of making a statement and then when she realizes it would in Tabon-1 due to the presence of people who, like Bae, are in the illegal drug trade. They are said to be freely roaming the area and targeting mostly students. Rafael said they were watching the movements of the suspected drug pushers in Cavite who are on the list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency the National Police. Bae’s shooting rampage prompted Southern Tagalog Poare, but we obviously want to confirm their identities with the coroner,” said Carlson, who declined to release the relationship between the victims and the shooter. Officers evacuated neighbors’ homes during the standoff and used a bullhorn to communicate with the gunman, urging him to surrender. Next-door neighbor Melissa Wright, a nurse who treated victims of the July movie theater shootings in Aurora, said she was in her second-floor bedroom when she saw the gunman start shooting from his own bedroom window. She said she didn’t know what he was shooting at, and that she quickly dropped to the floor. “I hit the ground pretty fast,” Wright said. Wright said she slid on her belly to the first floor of her home and told police what she saw upstairs. Officers quickly entered her home. Wright said she knew the gunman as Sonny Archuleta— a name used by police officers trying to negotiate with the man with the bullhorn. Wright said CA... to the Office of the Governor that was not received by Garcia, prompting the regional director of the Interior and Local Governments Department to simply post it outside her door. Garcia has questioned the suspension order before the appeals court. The UNA has accused the ruling Liberal Party and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II of being behind the move to neutralize Garcia and to name a Liberal Party member, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, as acting governor, giving them effective control over the province just ahead of the elections. Magpale is the running mate of LP gubernatorial bet Hilario Davide III, who ran but lost to Garcia in the 2010 polls. Davide is the LP’s provincial chairman in Cebu. Tiangco said the CA has scheduled oral arguments on Jan.10 to deliberate on the merits of the suspension order issued by President Benigno Aquino III based on charges of abuse of authority after Garcia allegedly blocked the release of the budget for the contractual employees hired by the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez. “We want the gray area on Governor Garcia’s suspension order straightened out, Tiangco said. “What happens if after the oral arguments on Thursday, the CA fails to make a ruling? The issue on whether the suspension order was officially served or not would be unresolved. The issue also on whether there was basis for the suspension order would remain hanging,” Tiangco said. Gunman’s... 7-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella was felled by a stray bullet as she and her family watched fireworks outside their home on New Year’s Eve. Caloocan City Police spokesman Jack Candelario said the three slugs were now being examined in case one of those was the one that killed Ella. P60k... 319 aims to address the alarming exit of doctors and its repercussions by increasing the salary of government physicians. He said his proposal “also aims to afford our government doctors the right to a decent pay and benefits long withheld from them.” The basic salary of doctors in local government hospitals is pegged at grade 16, or about P26,878 a month, while the pay of those conferred by the Health Department is fixed at grade 21, or P39,493. “This does not do justice to our hardworking doctors who have spent years in their studies and whose duties go beyond the normal eight-hour workload,” said Trillanes, chairman of the Senate committee on civil service and government reorganization. Trillanes wants to adjust the minimum base pay of physicians working in government to not lower than a salary grade of 27, or P62,670 a month. Trillanes said the low pay had Four... “After we arrived on scene, there were no more shots fired up until he fired at us,” Carlson said. “During this time he was all over the house. He moved furniture. He was throwing things. He was agitated. He was irrational.” A large front window was missing in the two-story townhome, the window’s mini-blinds in disarray. Bullet holes marked two upstairs windows, and neighbors milled about outside. A fifth person escaped unharmed and called police to report that she saw three people inside the home who “appeared lifeless,” said Carlson, who declined to elaborate about the woman’s escape. A motive for the killings was unknown, and police had yet to say what weapon or weapons were used. Investigators wearing gloves and carrying evidence bags were going over the crime scene. Police declined to release the victims’ names. “We have an idea of who they CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK [email protected] ManilaStandardToday News By Eric Apolonio and Jess Malabanan MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 A3 Banner year for Clark Clark International Airport posted a record 1.3 million passengers in a year in 2012 and reached in the same year the five million mark since it started commercial operations in 2003, officials said on Sunday. Clark International Airport Corp (CIAC) President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Luciano said the increase was caused by a surge in budget travel by domestic passengers. “Clark Airport achieved an unprecendented growth on the strength of budget travel that encouraged passengers coming from Northern and Central Luzon and as far as Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog,” Luciano said. Records show Clark Airport attracted 1,312,979 passengers last year, surpassing the 769,109 passengers in 2011. International passengers accounted for 77 percent of the volume, or 1,013,096 passengers compared to 725,023 passengers in 2011. The airport is home to at least eight budget carriers such as Air Asia Philippines, Air Asia Berhad Malaysia, Cebu Pacific Air, Airphil Express, Seair-Tiger Airways, Jin Air, Zest Air, and Legacy Airlines that include Asiana Airlines of South Korea and Hong Kong-based Dragonair. Luciano said Clark became attractive as an alternate to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport when the airlines started flying passengers outside of Metro Manila. He said he expected the growth to be sustained in 2013 as connection with Metro Manila improved with a dedicated regular first class bus service that will start on January 15 from Trinoma Mall in Quezon City direct to Clark with a budget fare of P200. The Trinoma Malll has provided comfortable and fully furnished waiting lounge for Clark-bound passengers and three bus companies will operate the Trinoma-Clark run, Luciano said. “For the first time in its 17 year history, our company will post a very positive balance sheet,” Luciano said. “Clark was a dormant airport from its inception in 1995 up to 2002 when United Parcel Service chose Clark as its Intra-Asia Hub. In the last quarter of 2003, the commercial passenger operations in Clark started with the introduction of international passenger charter flights of Asian Airlines of Korea to Clark,” Luciano said. Alternate airport. Aerial view of the Clark airport runway, which has become an alternate for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Photo below shows US Ambassador Harry Tomas at the airport lounge waiting for his flight. At right is airport president Victor Jose Luciano. Foreigners seek longer stay in PH By Vito Barcelo A GROWING number of foreigners sought extention of their stay in the country last year beyond the 21-day allowed by law for tourists and 59 days for visarequired entries, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David said the number of foreigners who extended their stay was 13 percent higher at 172,055 in 2012 compared to 151,913 in 2011. “Our country remains a favorite tourist destination and many foreign visitors are opting to stay here longer not only for vacation or to visit our tourist attractions, but also to explore business investment opportunities,” David said. Foreign tourists are allowed to stay in the country for 21 days wihtout a visa, but they must apply for extention of their stay beyond the period. The same rule applies to foreigners who enter with a visa and allowed to stay for 59 days. The BI gives two months extention, which should be renewed every two months. Foreigners are allowed to stay in the country for a total of only 16 months. BI visa extention office acting chief Julius Cortez said tourist extentions were highest last January, July, August and December with more than 15,000 applications, and the lowest was in April with only 12,000 applications. “All of them will be extended before the lapse of their authorized stay so long as they do not violate the conditions of their stay and pay the required fees to the bureau,” Cortez said. The Department of Tourism expected to attract as much as 4.5 million foreign tourists into the country. Last January to June, the DOT recorded 2.1 million tourist arrivals --- mostly from South Korea, United States, Japan, China and Taiwan. There ahs also been a steady arrival of tourists from neighboring countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the DOT said. PDEA to field more K-9s in public places By Jonathan Fernandez THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will tap trained dogs from the private sector to bolster its canine service on detection of illegal drugs in public areas such as schools, parks, and bus stations, a senior official said on Sunday. PDEA head Arturo Cacdac said training of the dogs will also be heightened with continuous training, using discarded pieces of evidence from the courts to be used as training aids. “Public places such as schools and other establishments where illegal drugs are smuggled and transited, will be duly covered with the presence of more quality drug detection dogs,” Cacdac said. “Withe more K-9s,we will be able to cover wider areas in our illegal drug detection efforts,” he said. PDEA has a total of 15 highly trained dogs of various breeds under its Special Enforcement Service K-9 unit. Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard turned over to PDEA 20 Belgian Mallinois puppies to boost its canine unit. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A4 MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor Opinion The senseless shootings have triggered calls for a total gun ban, which the Palace has been less than enthusiastic to support. A day after Stephanie Nicole was shot, an opposition lawmaker called on President Benigno Aquino III, a gun enthusiast, to set an example and give up his own collection as part of an intensified campaign against the indiscriminate use of firearms. It was not the first time the President was asked to take action. On Jan. 30, 2011, gun-control advocates wrote Mr. Aquino to ask him to support a bill that had been languishing in Congress since 2010. The Citizen Protection Act, they said, would bring down gun-related crimes and help the police and communities in their peace-keeping efforts. But the President, an avid sports shooter who is adept at using pistols and rifles, did little to heed that call, and today, at least nine people, including two 7-year-old girls, lie dead from gunshot wounds. In the wake of the recent deaths, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption again challenged Mr. Aquino to review the policies on gun ownership and control. A total gun ban, the group said, is the only way to lower gun-related deaths. Sadly, the [email protected] EDITORIAL MOST of us were horrified at the news, believing such incidents could only happen elsewhere, and that our culture was somehow immune to the periodic eruption of gun-related violence that plagued other countries. That belief was shattered Friday, when a failed politician, emerging from a drug and alcohol binge, went on a killing spree in his old Kawit, Cavite neighborhood, entering several houses and shooting everyone inside, including children and a pregnant woman. Responding police killed the gunman, but not before he took the lives of eight of his neighbors. Among Giving up the gun the casualties was a 7-year-old girl who was shot inside her home. The girl fs 2-year-old sister and 4-yearold brother, who was the gunman’s godson, were wounded and in critical condition. The pregnant woman died after being shot in the stomach, and her 6-month-old fetus also died. A less uncommon but no less tragic death was suffered three days earlier by 7-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, killed by a stray bullet that penetrated her skull during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Police have yet to find the irresponsible gun owner who mindlessly discharged his firearm and ended the young girl’s life. initial response from a Palace spokesman has been tepid, denying that Mr. Aquino’s fondness for guns would affect national policy, but offering precious little to prove that reforms in gun control were forthcoming. Unlike the United States, which is saddled with a constitutional guaranty of the right to bear arms, we face no legal impediments to imposing a total gun ban. We already do it every three years, and do it rather successfully, during elections. To protect the lives of the vast majority of us who choose not to carry firearms, we need to extend that ban. With leadership from the top, this might yet be possible. The State and higher education PENSÉES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO THE Constitution of the Republic does not provide for State control of higher education. In fact, control in even its most benign form would be antithetical to a clear constitutional grant of academic freedom the parameters of which are, by now, well established in jurisprudence, both local and foreign. With good reason then does Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ advance the argument that the law purposely designed the Commission on Higher Education to be a “weak agency” so that there would be no derogation at all of the academic freedom that guarantees the flourishing of universities and colleges in their role of being centers of higher education as well as of research. In fact the community of scholars and professors that a university is should be as independent as possible for such is the demand of scholarship and of academic pursuits. Lately, the Commission on Higher Education promulgated CHED Memorandum Order No. 46 that announces what it professes to be its benevolent intentions: bringing Philippine higher education to world-class standards, but this in itself already rests on the wrong assumption: that the State can and should, by regulation, bring higher education to global standards. The incentives given researchers and yes, the very space within which professors can teach without having to bother with an intrusive bureaucracy are what can bring Philippine higher education to international standards. Truth to tell, basic and higher education have suffered immensely from the successive, unending and flippant experiments by those who head the regulatory agencies, including the mandating of subjects, curricula and even syllabi! In fact, at present, aside from deciding which operate as colleges or universities and which do not, CHED determines how subjects are taught (it forbids, for example, e-delivery of courses), who should teach (its innumerable memoranda on standards prescribe the qualifications of professors and instructors -- with the result that those with PhDs are preferred, no matter how miserable they may be as teachers, over those with real expertise and with a genuine knack for instruction), and determines who should be taught, regulating classsizes for example -- all clearly trespassing the margins of academic freedom. And now it proffers Outcomes-based and Typology-based Quality Assessment. The whole concept of Quality Assessment initiated, engineered, monitored and administered by CHED violates the intendment of the constitutional guarantee of academic freedom. At the time that an institution applies for a permit to operate, CHED’s effort at assuring itself of quality education should already be at work. If CHED did not accomplish this when it issued permits and recognitions, why should it now think that by overhauling the entire higher education system through what it surreptitiously labels “Quality-Assessment” it will be able to achieve what it should have done in the very first place at the permit and recognition phases? The memorandum also attempts to usurp the role of voluntary accreditation. If CHED implements this scheme, voluntary accreditation will be superfluous as it is CHED’s scheme by which institutions are ranked, classified and characterized. This negatives the voluntary character of accreditation. It preempts voluntary accreditation schemes, subjecting all to the uniform typologizing of the CHED, vertical, horizontal or diagonal! The Constitutional guarantee of academic freedom insulates higher education institutions principally against government intrusion into academe. Noteworthy is the fact that in prescribing the State’s role over education, the word “control” will not be found. But when the memorandum seeks to determine which institutions shall be professional institutions, colleges or universities by standards set by the CHED then the State through CHED intrudes into the very heart of the organization and operation of academic institutions. If the CHED rues the proliferation of universities, it has only itself to blame. No institution ever becomes a university without CHED’s fiat. As for state universities and colleges, unless the CHED can find some way of limiting legislative power to create universities, there is no way CHED can stay the hand of Congress when it legislates into existence a state university or college. Curiously, while CHED professes that it rejects that one-size-fits-all approach to higher education that is in effect what it accomplishes through this ill-advised memorandum: In laying down the strict boundaries between different types of institutions and the minimum criteria each must meet, it is imposing one size on all. What happens to those institutions that now enjoy “college” or “university” status but do not meet the ambitious schemes of the assailed CHED Memo? In this respect, CHED is in a bind. If it re-classifies them, such an adverse action would violate the long entrenched principle of respect for vested rights. The right to the status of “college” or “university” vests the moment the CHED confers the category or title and can be revoked only for violation of the very grounds on which grant of the title rested, but not on the retroactive application of new standards and criteria. On the other hand, if new universities and colleges must comply with the newly-prescribed quality- assessment standards, while already established colleges and universities are not required to, one will have the unequal application of the laws: there will be one set of colleges of universities complying with new QA standards, and others abiding by older standards. We have exhibited tolerance for self-regulation in several areas of national life. Movie directors and producers, for example are, to a considerable extent, self-regulating. But if we rightly recognize the art thrives only when artists are free, why does CHED not seem to get the point that academe flourishes only when academics are free. The moral lesson should be clear: Just as scientists should never be told how to do science and what science should be busy at, academics should not be told how to go about their business, least of all by government. Self-regulation will also effectively deal with a concern that has been CHED’s constant and ready pretext for intervention: the protection of public interests. In the first place, it is fallacious to make of CHED the exclusive repository of the standards of quality. Who ordained the bureaucrats of CHED the supreme arbiters of quality in education? In the second place, the academic institutions will be vigilant and jealous about keeping their ranks untainted by counterfeits and frauds. And finally, the public itself should be trusted to make judgments about which institutions to trust and which to eschew. If we trust the electorate to choose a president for the country and to elect into the chambers of Congress those who craft our laws, why should we not trust the public to make decisions about which institutions should educate their children? Educators are right to be indignant over CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, and they are right about taking steps to see to its recall or rescission. The clear message should be sent: The sacred grooves of academe are for academics into which the pettiness and silly minutiae of State intrusion are most certainly unwelcome! [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Control even in its most benign form would be antithetical to the constitutional grant of academic freedom. El Presidente 2016? COUNTER-POINT INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has not shown any indication that he feels insecure that some of his party mates in the ruling Liberal Party (LP) are already looking at Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Aguinaldo Abaya as the more viable presidential candidate for the 2016 elections. But we cannot blame some of Roxas supporters for being disappointed at the emergence of Abaya. They are looking forward to a “rematch” between Roxas and Vice President Jojo Binay who edged Roxas for the vice presidency despite the impressive win of Roxas’ running mate President Benigno Aquino III. The problem of the LP is many of their own party members are unsure if Roxas has any chance at all of beating the popular and formidable Binay who has apparently solidified his political base even under the Aquino administration. As housing czar and as the presidential adviser on overseas Filipinos, Binay has been constantly in the limelight and his poll rating is the highest among the top government officials. Understandably the LP is looking at alternatives to run for president in 2016 and Abaya is emerging as the rising star of the LP and the Aquino administration. In fact, no less than President Aquino himself has fuelled the speculation that Abaya is being considered as the LP’s viable alternative to Roxas as presidential candidate. Mr. Aquino said during the proclamation rally of the candidates for the provincial elections in the prov- ALVIN CAPINO ince of Cavite that Abaya could be the next President of the Philippines. On stage with President Aquino and Abaya at that time was Roxas who many people still assume will be the LP standard bearer for the 2016 elections. Abaya says the President was just joking when he made the “Baka ikaw na rin ang susunod na magiging pangulo” remark but it would seem, according to sources, that some Malacanang people are taking Mr. Aquino’s statement seriously. Some of them are now gravitating towards Abaya who is the acting president as well as secretary general of the LP. For many LP members, Abaya is an acceptable alternative to Roxas because of his solid credentials. He has impeccable academic background. He finished his grade school at De La Salle University. He was a scholar and honor student at the elite Philippine Science High School. He was accepted at the Philippine Military Academy and was selected to go to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis where he got a BS degree in Mathematics. He completed his law degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School. He was aide-de-camp to President Cory Aquino after his return from the US and he retired from active service in the Philippine Navy as Lieutenant Commander. After retiring from military service, Abaya went to politics and succeeded his father Rep. Plaridel Abaya as congressman of the first district of Cavite and he was chairman of the powerful Committee on Appropriations before his appointment to the Cabinet. He can boast of having two revolutionary heroes from both sides of his family. From his father’s side, his great grandfather is the Ilocano revolutionary hero Isabelo Abaya who founded the town of Candon. From his mother’s side, he is the direct descendant of the President of the first Philippine Republic Emilio Aguinaldo. His mother Consuelo is the daughter of Emilio Aguinaldo Jr. If and when he runs for President, his Aguinaldo connections could be both an asset and a liability for Abaya. Reactions to the Manila Film Festival movie “El Presidente” shows ho controversial President Aguinaldo was. Some people resented how the Supremo of the Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio, was treated in the movie. Debates on how Bonifacio was treated unfairly and brutally by Aguinaldo’s men have been revived. Aguinaldo, inevitably, will become an issue in case of an Abaya candidacy. The issue that the Filipino people rebuffed Aguinaldo when he ran against Pres. Manuel Quezon for the presidency of the Philippine Commonwealth is expected to be revived. In that election, Quezon obtained 695,332 or 67.99 percent of the votes versus the 179,349 or 17.54 percent vote of Aguinaldo the former president. His presidential rivals are expected to revive the issue of his great grandfather as a Japanese collaborator. This is unfair but that is a political reality. An entry in Wikipedia online reads: “During the Japanese occupation, Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese, making speeches, issuing articles and infamous addresses in support of the Japanese – including a radio appeal to Gen. Douglas MacArthur to surrender... After the American retook the Philippines, Aguinaldo was arrested along with several others accused of collaboration with the Japanese and jailed for some months in Bilibid prison.” Talking about political reality, is a clash between Roxas and Abaya inevitable? It could happen and it could happen soon. ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO RAMONCHITO L. TOMELDAN CHIN WONG/ RAY S. EÑANO JOEL P. PALACIOS MARLON C. MAGTIRA ROGELIO C. SALAZAR President & CEO Publisher FRANCIS LAGNITON Managing Editor ARMAN ARMERO Associate Editors LEO A. ESTONILO ROMEL J. MENDEZ News Editor ROBERTO CABRERA Online Editor Senior Deskman Senior Deskman Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer Standard TODAY Manila Published Monday to Sunday by Kamahalan Publishing Corporation at 3rd Floor Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas corner Perea Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone CLIMACO E. CALIWARA Controller ANITA F. GREFAL Treasury Manager MA. EDITHA D. ANGELES Advertising Manager EDGAR M. VALMORIDA Circulation Manager numbers 659-4830 to 32 (connecting all departments), 659-4827 (Editorial), 6594803, 659-4802 (Advertising), 527-5016 (Sales and Distribution/Subscription) and 527-2057 (Credit and Collection). Fax numbers: 659-4804 (Advertising) and 5276406 (Subscription). P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: mst@ manilastandardtoday.com MST ONLINE can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers PPI MEMBER [email protected] ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor Opinion ANALYSIS MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 A5 An amnesia for tragedy RESILIENT people in disaster areas can cope with a host of diseases except one. And that is the amnesia on their plight that may plague the rest of the country. When the next news cycle shifts to a new tragedy, the catastrophe of the month becomes ancient history, the travails of its victims a fading memory in a nation glued to the next installment of a people’s unending heartbreaks. This is what is happening in Pablohit areas. Scan the news, and there’s scant reportage on it. It is a place in which the dictum “out of TV, out of mind” rings true. But while the rest of the nation can manifest attention deficit disorder on Pablo flattened areas, the government cannot. TV vans can dart out of onceGround Zero areas, but government should not. The question now is what form of long-haul assistance can be instituted in places like Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental? Making people line up for a bag of groceries is an intervention with a shelf life shorter than pan de sal’s. One good suggestion is to enroll Pablo victims in the government’s P44-billion conditional cash transfer program. Government is actually creating 800,000 new slots next year, which will hike the total CCT berths to 3.8 million. These additional slots can certainly accommodate the poorest of Pablo victims under a system that is sustained and organized unlike the unpredictability of relief distribution that depends on private sector compassion. If poverty is the yardstick in choosing CCT beneficiaries, then people who have lost everything except the threadbare shirt on their backs more than qualify for inclusion. It is also worth mentioning here than in many countries where variants of CCT were implemented, disaster victims were treated as one sector to be helped. The P1,200-monthly stipend may not amount to much but it certainly is better than the occasional help that comes in a plastic bag. *** While deaths from stray bullets have dwindled over the years, it’s always heartbreaking to learn that precious lives were again taken away in exchange for a fleeting moment of braggadocio. There were seven-year old Stephanie Nicole Ella in Caloocan City and four-year old Ranjelo Nemor in Mandaluyong City. There could be more cases of stray bullet killings last New Year’s Eve that have yet to be reported. But even one casualty is a cause for alarm. One dead from a stray bullet should be a cause for outrage, especially when the victims are very young and so innocent. This could only mean that beasts among us still roam the street thinking they could always get away with it. Perhaps, they operated under the No easy ride… Continued from page 1 But other parties, convinced that the real opposition must now come from the people rather than from any of the competing but complicit political parties and politicians, could provide whatever is lacking. That is where the anti-reproductive health, prolife and profamily forces could come in. They could start by campaigning, as they had vowed to do so, against politicians who took part in railroading the RH bill for violating their constitutional rights as Filipinos and disrespecting their religious belief, culture and consciences as Catholic Christians. Then they could transform their anti-RH campaign into an anti-Aquino campaign. They could question his moral authority to govern, just as in 1986 the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines questioned Ferdinand Marcos’s moral authority to remain in office after winning the controversial Feb. 7, 1986 snap presidential election. That statement, it will be recalled, came after Marcos “won” the elections against Corazon Aquino, the Malacañang incumbent’s late mother, under highly disputed circumstances. It paved the way for the “EDSA revolt” which installed Mrs. Aquino as revolutionary president, after losing very badly to Marcos. An anti-Aquino campaign would not at all be easy to wage. He commands the nearly slavish support of the commercial media whose businessmen-owners have become part of the ruling power elite; and he appears to have become “the new American boy” who—in the eyes of his adversaries—will go to any lengths to advance the interests of his patrons, in exchange for the protection they once extended to Marcos, Suharto, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, and Hosni Mubarak. But the campaign could, at the very least, deprive Aquino of significant public support on major issues, and make it hard, if not impossible, for him to govern. So deep is the grievance created by the foreign-instigated RH bill that it may have radicalized even the most moderate Catholic Christians. Aware of this, and unwilling to inflame further the anger in the streets, Aquino signed the RH bill into law on Dec. 21, without any live TV coverage or public announcement. The signed bill is now denominated as Republic Act No. 10354 and is supposed to take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. But to its swelling horde of opponents, it is an unjust and invalid law and will remain so, even after its “promulgation.” To them, promulgation merely completes the attack on the constitutional rights of Filipinos, and the religious belief of Catholic Christians, who constitute at least 85 percent of the country’s 95 to 100 million people. They will single out Aquino for retaliation. As one online article puts it, “Mr. President, you have wronged the Filipino people—big time.” The first taxpayers’ lawsuit and petition for a restraining order against RA 10354 has been filed before the Supreme Court by the lawyer-couple James and Lovely Ann Carlos Imbong. Many more could follow suit. This case could become one of the most celebrated ever to come before the High Court. But outside of the lawsuits, the challenge will certainly be waged by other means. Some of the bloodiest conflicts in history have been fought on religious grounds, and political persecution has not caused devout Christians to shirk from donating their own lives. Thus the anti-RH forces have rejected Malacañang’s appeals for “healing”. The war Aquino had decided to wage on Catholics has just begun, they said; he has earned every right to reap everything he has sown. The confrontation—for that is where it is heading—could take many forms. But whatever form it takes, peace will not break out. Passive resistance could take the form of civil disobedience and propaganda warfare, but active resistance could go far beyond. It could lead to the physical and spiritual cleansing that many Filipinos, weary of the totally unprincipled, corrupt and perverse politics that has long governed the nation, have often wondered about and seem eager to embrace as part of their personal search, and the nation’s search, for meaning. The propaganda war could start by challenging all of the administration’s self-proclaimed notions about itself and its adversaries, routinely reinforced by the various official instruments of political propaganda, including the regularly recurring mind-conditioning surveys and blatantly false propaganda in the conscript media. Under the circumstances, the anti-Aquino forces may have to rely more on the social media and invent and develop other alternative media of communication. Through these means they could insist that the records be open on Aquino’s true mental and moral fitness to discharge serious official responsibilities to the nation. Aquino successfully dodged this issue during the 2010 campaign simply by not responding to it. However, given the continuing pattern of unusual presidential behavior, the issue cannot be avoided indefinitely. It is not fair that Aquino be talked about as one afflicted with Asperger’s syndrome, a special type of autism, if in fact he is not. But the nation could be facing a clear and present danger if in fact he is, and he remained in office without getting sufficient medical help for it. Asperger’s syndrome refers to disorders in children first studied by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger in 1944. It gained popularity in the 80s. According to the online medical literature, it is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Those afflicted with it generally avoid eye contact or the stare of others, even when shaking hands with another. They talk almost obsessively about a favorite subject, no matter how unimportant. They tend to verbalize their internal thoughts, and drift into prolonged one-sided conversations. They may exhibit an awkward walk, and may be overstimulated by strong lights and loud noises (like the now-banned motorist’s wangwang). Going out of the church during a Mass to smoke and chat with one’s entourage during the homily or holy communion may be a sign of poor religious formation rather than autism, but all this could be thrown into the analysis of abnormal behavior. Malacañang, the Cabinet and Congress have a duty to make sure that any baseless charge of insanity against the President is effectively put down as pure slander or figment of the imagination. The nation must be assured that despite his bad smoker’s cough and the persistent rumors of autism, Aquino is in good health, and nowhere near the case of England’s King George III, who suffered a fit of insanity in 1788, recovered for a while, then went permanently mad and had to be locked away at Windsor Castle until his death in 1820. But they must be prepared to do their duty if there is indeed basis for the rumors. Under the Constitution, majority of all the members of the Cabinet could effectively put the President away simply by transmitting to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and functions of his office. Assuming Aquino is shown to be free of any dementia, the nation will still need to be informed what exactly are the things he believes in, if any, and what his view is of the human condition, the moral and social order, the Constitution, the rule of law and such specific issues as the separation of Church and State, the natural institution of marriage and the family. Given all the hype about his so-called “daang matuwid” (the straight path), it will be necessary as well for the nation to see whether he has indeed curbed official corruption at the highest level, as his official propagandists claim, or whether a new kleptocracy has merely refined the art of stealing and perfected the coverup. Has he been true to his promise that no presidential kin or cronies would be involved in influence peddling, smuggling, illegal gambling, government reinsurance, overpriced foreign-supplied steel ports and bridges, military arms purchases? What exactly are the facts? Having sworn as President “to preserve and defend the Constitution, do justice to every man and consecrate myself to the service of the nation,” and as commander-in-chief of all the Armed Forces, “to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory,” what secret commitments has he made to involve his government in the conflict of the big powers without need of a treaty as required by the Constitution, or the knowledge of Congress which alone has the power to declare the existence of a state of war? Has he unilaterally committed himself to be on the frontline of the US pivot to Asia, as reported, in order to respond to any aggressive Chinese policy toward the Philippines, or has he done so purposely to make himself Obama’s fair-haired boy in the region? What is his real motive in allowing the most notorious foreign population controllers to use his government in order to wage war on human life, marriage and the family in the Philippines, in violation of the Constitution, culture, religious belief and conscience of Filipinos? As the politician look to the May elections, the anti-Aquino forces could insist that Aquino guarantee the nation a clean, orderly and credible electoral process. For the past two and a half years, virtually all the information technology (IT) experts who had monitored the 2010 elections have tried to reopen that process, convinced that it was abnormally flawed. Nothing they have done or said during this period ever attracted the proper attention anywhere, beginning with the conscript press. Before the New Year, however, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, CBCP president, promised to take a serious look into their complaints about the precinct count optical scan machines, which the Commission on Elections has acquired from the Venezuelan company Smartmatic for the May 2013 elections. The anti-Aquino forces should insist on revisiting the 2010 process, even at the risk of confirming their worst first about the hitherto unquestioned victory of the nation’s first machine-elected president. [email protected] PLUMBLINE PASTOR APOLLO QUIBOLOY borrowed comfort that “riding in tandem” assassins are attacking almost daily with no suspects being caught or landing in jail. Why not fire a gun to the air, impress my peers, and escape accountability when death results from it? For a single pleasure of firing a gun to welcome the New Year, we allowed young innocent lives to pay for it. For the entertainment of our kumpadre, we happily pulled the trigger and killed people who don’t necessarily share our rabid romance with the guns. The persons behind the trigger may have thought it would bring them better luck if their gunshots – instead of cheap watusi - would greet the New Year. The persons who pulled the trigger thought being in the state of drunken stupor is an excuse to be stupid to fire a gun. But in doing so, they wiped out any luck of their victims since, to borrow the words of Obama, there will be no graduations and weddings ahead of them. The perpetrators’ luck should end soon when he or she is finally sent to jail. *** Some of us would instantly blame the proliferation of guns for this New Year onslaught. Responsible gun owners would naturally fret and protest. Government regulatory offices would perfunctorily announce remedial measures. Debates on banning guns would preoccupy the nation for a while. And everything will soon be forgotten until the new batch of mayhem and dead bodies roll by during the May 2013 elections. Guns are guns. Some say it’s the people owning them that should be held responsible. But sometimes, behind every gun – licensed or not - is an insecure braggart or coward. And I know people who used guns to hide their insecurity and inadequacy. Government could just not regulate insecurity and stupidity. Nicole and Ranjelo did not need to die because their neighbors went reckless by firing a gun into the air. They could be still alive today had our homes and society succeeded in nurturing caring individuals who would think a thousand times before pulling the trigger for their sheer amusement. But whatever gun control reform measures will be implemented, it should be within the canopy of improving peace and order. Absence of the latter would send a father to the gun store for a firearm that would be his protection of last resort in a neighborhood marauded by AkyatBahay gangs. Peace and order, which means the certainty of arrest and conviction of criminals, remains the most effective deterrent to gun ownership. And lastly, any gun control drive should begin with the confiscation of the 160,750 loose firearms as estimated by the PNP. If they have counted the beans so to speak with that precision, then they certainly know where they are. Anger won’t reduce gun violence By Stephen Carter SUPPORT for stricter US gun laws hasn’t jumped as fast or as far in recent weeks as many liberals had hoped and expected. If you’re wondering why, maybe the reason is the shakiness of the public’s trust in government itself. After the horrific murders last month at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown,Connecticut, guncontrol advocates confidently predicted that a wave of revulsion would sweep the nation. We would, in the popular argot, “hit the reset button,” beginning a fresh debate on new terms. It hasn’t happened that way. Consider a recent roundup of opinion surveys. In the USA Today-Gallup Poll taken just a week after the shooting, when one would expect the largest emotional effect, support for “more strict” gun control in the abstract was at 58 percent, compared with 43 percent about a year earlier. On specifics, 74 percent opposed a ban on private ownership of handguns, and 51 percent opposed a ban on private ownership of assault weapons. (There’s more support for posting armed guards in schools than for limiting access to assault weapons.) Sure, advocates can try to twist these polls into policy preferences. In truth, although the data reflect what might prove to be temporary majorities for such measures as banning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, one searches in vain for a mandate in support of policies many gun-control advocates prefer. The urgency seems to have gone out of the argument. Even the news media seem to have grown bored by the whole thing. No trust People will tell pollsters that the widespread availability of certain types of weapons makes the nation more dangerous rather than safer, but they don’t support measures to curtail their use. If Newtown hasn’t pushed the numbers much, why not? One plausible explanation is a lack of trust in the people who would be doing the regulating. The Gallup Organization has been measuring Americans’ trust in their government since 1997. Last year, only half of Americans said they generally trust the federal government to do the right thing on domestic policy—a significant improvement over the 43 percent figure a year earlier, but nowhere near the heights of trust one saw in President Bill Clinton’s second term and President George W. Bush’s first. Sad to say, the lack of trust has been well earned. Consider the recent negotiations over the “fiscal cliff.” Although the last-minute deal has its defenders, it nevertheless showcases the federal government at its least competent. Reform of entitlements and the tax code is left for later. Increasing the debt limit is kicked down the road. And, as usual, the legislation was too long for members to read before they were required to vote. None of this helps to improve the image of Washington. We are now approaching four years since the US Senate enacted a budget. The last was in April 2009. And bear in mind that federal law requires an annual budget. Imagine the ire of the senators toward a private firm that treated legal requirements so casually. Amid such ineptitude, “Trust us, we’ll protect you,” isn’t a very persuasive case to make to the tens of millions of Americans who have guns—often very powerful ones—in their homes. And directing fury at gun owners for their lack of trust isn’t likely to increase their faith in government. As a general proposition, arguments born of emotion are not likely to be well thought out—or to persuade those not already on board. Yet anger has been very much the style of the case for gun control over the past few weeks. Not funny Thus columnist Donald Kaul, writing in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, has earned harsh but entirely understandable criticism for this bit of cruel nonsense: “I would tie Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, our esteemed Republican leaders, to the back of a Chevy pickup truck and drag them around a parking lot until they saw the light on gun control.” Kaul is trying without success to be funny, and no doubt the violence of the imagery is intended as ironic. But the irony fails, probably because of the anger that the columnist himself admits. What the polling data teach is that anger isn’t working. Most people are angry at the shooter and at society. They’re not particularly angry at supporters of gun rights. Few groups this side of the nowmoribund Moral Majority seem to excite as much ire and hatred among liberals as the National Rifle Association. Most Americans feel otherwise. In a Gallup poll released last week, the NRA received a 54 percent favorable rating. By comparison, as of this writing, the Real Clear Politics average of President Barack Obama’s approval rating stands at 53.4 percent. For Congress, the figure is an abysmal 18 percent. In other words: The NRA is as popular as the president, and three times as popular as Congress. The Democrats, who read polls very well, have no doubt come to see that the firearms issue offers less political advantage than they’d hoped. In a Pew Research Center poll taken two weeks ago, respondents were asked if either party “could do a better job reflecting your views about gun control.” Twentyseven percent said the Republicans could; 28 percent said the Democrats could. The same poll asked about the influence of the National Rifle Association on policy. Some 36 percent said the NRA had too much influence, and 47 percent said the group had the right amount or too little. These numbers suggest that directing hatred and invective toward either the NRA or the gun owners it represents is not, to say the least, a winning strategy. Nor should it ever be: In a democracy, invective is not a proper form of political argument. There is a reasoned case to be made for reducing access to certain firearms, as there is a reasoned case to be made for many a controversial policy. But we don’t live in a reasonable era. We live in an era of fury and invective, of applause lines and slogans. Maybe the poll numbers on gun control will serve to remind us that until our politics are able to rise above the nonsense, trust in government will continue to fall. Bloomberg OUT OF THE BOX Ms. Jimeno’s column will resume next week. RITA LINDA V. JIMENO A6 MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 ManilaStandardToday News Mondero identified Eliot from a photograph as the person who reportedly dealt directly with Ortiz, who is still at large, together with several other respondents. Criminal charges were also filed by the NBI against other respondents – Lawrence Yurong; a certain “alias Bong”; Fernando Fransisco also known as Pando; Armando Mondero; Jerry Duenas; a certain “Reggie”; a certain “Kumander Rico”; a still unidentified minimum security prison inmate-mayor of the NBP; and, Go’s own cook, who is also unidentified. Go and his nephew-nurse Clemence Yu disappeared from the NBP on Aug. 14 and appeared two days later. Go, who was suffering from colorectal cancer, said he was kidnapped. [email protected] Go’s abduction bucked By Rey E. Requejo IN BRIEF Quiapo procession to worsen gridlock EXPECT gridlock in Manila on Wednesday, the feast day of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo district, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said. Chairman Francis Tolentino said traffic congestion is unavoidable due to the huge gathering of devotees. He said about 1,100 MMDA employees will be fielded to help in traffic management, public safety and emergency response along the procession routes. Tolentino said the Metro Parkway Clearing Group led by Francis Martinez would do a clean-up drive right after the festivities. Assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos, during the agency’s weekly radio program over dzBB, told motorists to avoid parking in Quiapo and its nearby areas. Rio N. Araja THE camp of Eliot Maguan, younger brother of slain De La Salle University student Eldon Maguan, has vowed to debunk the allegation that he was behind the abduction of businessman Rolito Go, his brother’s killer, inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa last year. Go, who shot Eldon over a traffic altercation in San Juan in 1991 for which he was convicted, is a livingout prisoner at the national penitentiary’s minimum security compound when he was kidnapped by several men on August 14, 2012. Last month, the Department of Justice subpoenaed Eliot to attend the preliminary investigation on Wednesday at 2 p.m. to answer the admission of self-confessed kidnapper Armando Mondero, who claimed to have seen him talking to the kid- nap group’s alleged financier, Emilio Ortiz, an engineer. But Maguan’s lawyer Jose Flaminiano claimed that they have yet to receive the subpoena or any charge sheet against Eliot. Flaminiano accused Go’s counsel, Claire Castro, of linking Eliot without any solid basis. “It has no sense and no logic because the convicted murderer failed to file any complaint or charges against my client, Eliot since the very beginning and up to now,” he said. Castro earlier claimed that Mondero had identified Eliot in a preliminary investigation hearing on Dec. 17 last year. Mondero surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation to become a state witness. C-5 pipelaying starts tonight MANILA Water starts pipelaying works along C-5, also known as Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, at 10 p.m. tonight. The service upgrade is made in coordination with Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways-Quezon City Second Engineering District, the company said in an emailed advisory. “Working hours will be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day. Only one lane will be closed during pipelaying works. All four lanes of C5 will be remain passable during the day,” it said. Pipelaying works will start at C5 Southbound fronting Mercury Avenue, crossing to the other side of the road, continuing to C5 Northbound lanes. The DPWH will do asphalt overlaying works along C5 in front of Nuvo City, stretching to JM Basa Street. Morists, commuters and other road-users are advised to take alternate routes to avoid congesting the work site. “We apologize for the inconvenience,” the company said. “This is part of our service improvement programs to ensure 24/7 water service to our customers.” Aurora Pacific ecozone pressed HUNDREDS of supporters of Aurora Pacific Ecozone Freeport Authority marched to the provincial capitol from Casiguran to denounce groups opposing the project which is dubbed as the first green econozone in the Pacific rim. The pro-Apeco rallyits were led by Conchita Descarga, president of the Samahang Katutubong Dumagat sa Aurora along with Casiguran barangay leaders and Dumagat chieftains led by Joel Guerra. The marchers also denied allegations of landgrabbing, displacement of tribal fihermen and intrusion into ancestral domains. The ecozone is designed to develop the eastern corridor of Luzon by opening it up to investors in manufacturing, tourism and other economic drivers. Fire hits Makati condo Fresh start. House Assistant Minority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Martin ‘FM’ Romualdez starts the year with an outreach to more than 600 beneficiaries coming from the different towns in need of hospitalization, medicines, educational, transportation and burial assistance. The distribution was held at his Congressional Sub District office on Real St., Tacloban City. Antipolo barangay head opposes takeover ANTIPOLO CITY—At least 200 supporters have joined San Luis Barangay Chairman Andrei Zapanta to oppose councilman Crisol Cate to takeover his office amid moves to suspend him. Zapanta, a lawyer, said Cate along with kagawad Catalina Hernandez, Ronaldo Porras, Melchor Majait and Allan Vernaula sought to enter the barangay hall allegedly to serve an order from the Sangunniang Panlunsod. “They are trying to enforce a desicion that has become final and executory,” he said in a statement. According to Zapanta, City Ordinance 94-2001 is supposed to take effect 15 days after receipt of the decision and up to know he has yet to receive his copy. “Kaya itong 15-day period hindi pa nagsisimula (The period has not yet begun).” He said Cate should honor the Temporary Restraining Order issued by Vice Executive Judge Ruth Cruz- Santos of the Regional Trial Court on Jan. 2, 2013. “This development is plainly political harassment,” Zapanta said, adding that he was being singled out for his resolve to be with Mayor Lino Leyble in fighting for and protecting the rights of Antipolo residents. “Why the haste to take up a case that we know is simply trumped up when the council has to deal with more pressing issues such as passing the Annual Investment Program?” he said, citing long-pending cases of other village heads as well. Zapanta backs the re-election bid of Leyble while Cate is identified with Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III alongside Vice Mayor Susan Say. TENANTS of a 38-storey condominium building in Makati City were evacuated Sunday after a small fire hit a unit on the 31st floor. Fire Marshall Ric Perdigon said no one was reported hurt when Unit 3112 of the West Ayala Tower along Gil Puyat Avenue was hit by the blaze before 11 a.m. Firefighters were able to put out the fire in a few minutes. He said investigation showed the cause was a shortcircuit in an electrical socket. Occupants of the adjacent units who saw smoke alerted the hotel management which called the fire department. Perdigon said the unit had no tenant at the time. The evacuated tenentats were allowed to return after the fire was declared out.Ferdinand Fabella Eco art fest set at Conspiracy Garden AN art exhibit and music fest fundraiser for Save Philippine Seas’ Pawikan Watchers program opens on Jan. 19 at the Conspiracy Garden Cafe, Quezon City. EndDanger, which features mixed media artworks from the group Artists for Nature and performances from Itchyworms and Flying Ipis, calls attention to the growing problem of animal endangerment in the Philippines and encourages the community to get involved in conservation and protection efforts. Although gifted with a rich and biologically diverse ecosystem, from lush forests to a vibrant marine life, our country’s natural resources have significantly dwindled over time. Animal species, are under increasing threat from habitat destruction, pollution and commercial exploitation. Many are now in the verge of extinction. The artists and organizers behind EndDanger seek to raise funds for one of the Philippines’ most threatened species, the pawikan. Proceeds from the event’s ticket sales will go to the Pawikan Watchers training program, which Save Philippine Seas— an independent movement that fights abuse of our aquatic resources through legal discourse and social media— launched in cooperation with the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines EndDanger is sponsored by Numa, Ministry of Mushrooms, Holy Carabao, and San Miguel Corporation, and is done in partnership with WhenInManila.com, Clean Up Philippines, EcoSys Foundation, Green Fins, Society for Sustainable Tourism and Development Inc., Sea News Network, and UP Green League. Conspiracy Garden Café is located at 59 Visayas Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City. For opening night tickets or more information, please contact Wendi Garcia at +639162742859 or <[email protected]>,<www.facebook.com/ artistsfornature> and < www.twitter.com/artists4nature> for updates. Children’s treat. Parañaque Councilor Benjo Bernabe joined by his spouse Kristine and children makes his traditional visit at the St. Rita Orphanage in Barangay BF Homes to spread holiday cheers. Bataan 2nd district Rep. Albert Garcia welcomes Miss Universe 2012 Runner-up Janine Tugonon, a native of Orion town, during her visit to the Bataan capitol. BUTCH GUNIO Beauty at home. BDO volunteers turn over multi-purpose village hall THE newly built BDO Multi-Purpose Hall in Camia Homes in Barangay 185 Malaria Area, Caloocan City, was recently turned over to the Kapitbahayan Camia Homes Association Inc. in time for the holiday festivities. The hall was fully furnished with furniture, sound system, comfort rooms and kitchenette. The opening was led by Jesus Tirona, BDO Foundation Trustee; Justiniano Erico de los Reyes, Couples for ChristANCOP Tekton Foundation president; Archie Gambayan, CFC Chapter 7-C head; Nick Olivar, CFC Cluster 7 head; and BDO Foundation officers Rose Espinosa and Lenie Aldea. The hall was blessed by was officiated by Rev. Fr. Bobong Francisco. The symbolic key was received by Antonio Milano, president of KACAHAI. The hall will serve the multifunctional needs of homeowners for their social, religious and other community activities. It was built for almost P600,000 from donations and fund raising of BDO volunteers, who helped at the site on weekends. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK [email protected] ManilaStandardToday Riera U. Mallari, Editor Sports MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 A7 Gallinari’s 26 points lift Nuggets DENVER— Kenneth Faried shook off a stomach bug to help the Denver Nuggets shake off a rare home loss. After missing the team’s morning shootaround because of the illness, Faried scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds as the Nuggets pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 11091 on Saturday night. ‘’I got some medication to help my stomach and also help the dehydration. It paid off a lot,’’ Faried said. ‘’I was able to come out and play, but I still felt kind of queasy. They said it was up to me at game time, but I’m not going to miss no games.’’ Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points and Andre Iguodala added 18 points for the Nuggets, who had intense, focused practices in the aftermath of their eightgame home winning streak being snapped by Minnesota on Thursday. ‘’It hurt because we knew we could play a lot better and we feel we had a game stolen from us,’’ Iguodala said. ‘’Focus was really good at shootaround and I think it carried over to the game.’’ The Nuggets extended their recent success against Utah at home, winning for the eighth time in the past 10 meetings between the teams at the Pepsi Center. ‘’It was a bounce-back game played the right way, with passion and intensity,’’ Nuggets coach George Karl said. ‘’I thought we got everything we wanted to do. We were executing our offense very well and they didn’t get anybody hot. Defensively, we were sound the whole game, it broke (open), and fortunately we had an easy one.’’ Paul Millsap had 15 points to lead the Jazz, who were without center Enes Kanter (ankle) and guard Mo Williams (right thumb surgery). Leading by four at the break, the Nuggets stretched their advantage to 60-47 by outscoring the Jazz 11-2 to start the third quarter, culminating the run with a 3-pointer by Ty Lawson, who finished with 14 points, and a driving dunk by Iguodala. AP Runners negotiate the down ramp of the Edsa/Roxas Blvd. flyover at last year’s Yakult 10 Miler. This year’s 24th Yakult 10 Miler on March 17, starting from the Vicente Sotto St. of the Cultural Center Complex in Pasay City will use the entire southbound side of Roxas Blvd. from P. Burgos in the City of Manila up to MIA Road in Paranaque as its race route. Some 4,000 runners are expected when registration ends on March 13. Yakult 10 MILER’s 24th staging on March 17 YAKULT Philippines Inc. announced the staging of the country’s pioneer and premier 10 -mile race, the Yakult 10 MILER on March 17. Now on its 24th year, the event which will be held at the Cultural Center Complex grounds in Pasay City, is the longest running 16K race in the country. According to Michael Ong, Yakult Phils., Inc. sales and planning manager, registration is on going at four Mizuno Outlets: Trinoma Mall, 916 6495; SM Megamall, 634 6293; Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City, 856 1432 and at SM Mall of Asia, 915 1946. Registration fees are P500 for the 16K run and P450 for the 5K and 3K runs ,inclusive of a running singlet issued upon registration and with all finishers receiving an additional finishers’ t-shirt and a bottle of Yakult, the unique health drink with lacto bacilli shirota strain. Cash prizes plus trophies and Yakult gift packs await the top five finishers of the 16K run. The 5K and 3K top three finishers will receive medals and Yakult gift packs. Although the 3K run is open to individuals 18 years and above, top finishers awards will only be for kids 6 to 9 years old and 10 to 12 years old. In last year’s edition of the Yakult 10 MILER, Kenyans dominated the top five finishers, with Benjamin Kipkazi running off with the championship trophy, Willy Rotich, coming in second, Samson Tuwie, third, and Eliud Kering, fifth. The lone Filipino, who managed to enter the magic circle of five is Eduardo Buenavista, who finished fourth place. Like in the men’s division, two female Kenyans dominated the distaff side with Irine Kipchumba finishing first followed by compatriot Susan Jemutai in second place, Christabel Martes, third, Miscelle Gilbuena, fourth and Janette Agura in fifth place. Hornets stun Mavs in Nowitzki’s 1st start DALLAS (AP) -- Having Dirk Nowitzki back in the starting lineup was a significant step for the Dallas Mavericks. Eric Gordon’s first start of the season for New Orleans had a much better ending. Gordon, who like Nowitzki missed time recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, completed a three-point play with 4.7 seconds left in overtime Saturday, lifting the Hornets to a 99-96 victory. Though Gordon was 4-of-13 shooting in only his third game this season, he made the biggest basket of the night on a bank shot from the top of the circle after he got Darren Collison in the air and drew the foul. He then sank the free throw. ‘’On that last one, I was starting to feel it a little bit. . I kept on playing and taking jump shots,’’ Gordon said. ‘’It’s definitely a confidence booster to do well in overtime, especially for such a tough shooting night, it felt good to overcome it.’’ After a timeout, O.J. Mayo was beyond the 3-point line when Gordon went up the air and by him. Gordon’s foot made contact with the ball, knocking it loose. Instead of a foul, officials called it a kicked ball. Dallas got one more chance but Vince Carter’s shot from the right corner ricocheted off the rim. Soon after the game, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban tweeted: ‘’Im sorry NBA fans. Ive tried for 13 yrs to fix the officiating in this league and I have failed miserably. Any Suggestions ? I need help.’’ Nowitzki had a team-high 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting in 34 minutes, his most extensive action this season. He missed a free throw with 18 seconds left in regulation that would have put the Mavericks ahead by a point. ‘’Obviously, I’m not quite there yet, it’s still a work in progress, V-League polling set THE on-line polling for the Shakey’s V-League slogan contest will start Thursday, with two season passes plus other fabulous prizes up for grabs in the promo put up to further drum up interest in the 10th year staging of the league’s premier women’s volley league. The selection committee, composed of Sports Vision officials and their partners, picked up five from more than a thousand entries submitted last month with the winner to be decided by the on-line poll. To vote, log on to www.v-league.ph. The on-line voting will run until Jan. 25. The top five entries, selected based on their originality, creativity and relevance to the first 10 years of the league, which revived women’s volley in 2004, are Shakey’s V-League: One Decade, One League; Shakey’s V-League – There’s noTEN like it; Shakey’s V-League: A Spike of Volleyball Fun and Passion; Shakey’s V-League: A Decade of the Best in Philippine Women’s Volleyball; and A decade of Shakey’s V-League: Where the spirit of volleyball lives on. Live More Run at Nuvali on Jan. 19 SMART Communications, Inc. is inviting families, barkadas and runners of all ages to participate in a different kind of running event that should bring the fun back in “fun run”. Smart is welcoming 2013 with the Live More Run happening on Jan. 19, 3 p.m. at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The Live More Run is 5-kilometer lifestyle, sports, arts and music run that will culminate in a post-run party. “We organized the Live More Run for us to celebrate new beginnings this 2013,” said Noel Lorenzana, Smart’s Executive Vice President and head of Wireless Consumer Division. “This is for all of us who wish to make the most of the new year by enjoying life, celebrating relationships, and living more.” The Live More Run is an untimed running event, which has no age limit. This run will involve the use of a lot of multi-colored powder which the participants can use to make larger than life works of art, and will make the runners experience an “extremely colorful” dash. New schedule of horse races leads to confusion at betting stations CONFUSION reigned in all the off-track betting stations while the horseowners, the major investors in the local horseracing industry, expressed apprehensions on the future of their earnings as the new schedule of races was implemented late last week. The new scheduling of races, which was approved by the Philippine Racing Commission, also marred the mass resignation of betting machine tellers employed by both clubs. With the two racetracks – San Lazaro Leisure and Business Park of the Manila Jockey Club and the Santa Ana Park of Philippine Racing Club – hosting simultaneous races starting last Thursday, the bettors in the various OTBs got caught in the mad confusion as two sets of night races were held one after the other. The same simultaneous races were repeated over the weekend. The new schedules were approved with the entry of a new racetrack in the country – the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas. The bettors had to scramble in choosing their respective bets since instead of the former interval of 30 minutes per race, they were pruned down to 15 minutes. “We were really caught unaware of this thing. This is very confusing to ordinary racing aficionados, who wanted to enjoy the races leisurely. You have to get two sets of racing program and had to carefully study your choices before you place your bets. Baka doon ka sa kabilang karerahan mataya. Magulo ‘yan, nakakahilo! ” said one racing fan in one OTB. Another veteran racing aficionado said the new scheduling of the races should undergo an intensive study first in order to see how it shall affect the industry. “The Philracom should have spearheaded a study on how this simultaneous racing will affect the local horseracing industry. With the confusion in various OTBs recently, it only goes to show that the racingfans were not properly informed.” Many OTBs were also seriously affected after more than 180 employed tellers resigned from their respective clubs, leaving many betting machines without any teller last Thursday. Also, many OTBs, which only have one telephone connection for their betting machine, have to choose only one racing club to service their clients, leaving the other club out for the rest of the day. What made matter worst was the halving of the gross sales in both racing clubs. Last Thursday’s sales at PRCI reached only P10.2 million, while MJCI posted only P9.5-million, a far cry from their usual P21 million average per night racing day. A continued decline on their respectively gross sales will surely affect their company’s coffer since they would continue to spend the same amount of expenses every day that they host races. Although winning horses have guaranteed prizes for that particular week, many horseowners are already raising howl with the way that drop in sales in one particular racetrack would affect the prizes for those horses coming in from second to fourth places. Since prizes from second to fourth placers are not guaranteed, the drop in sales late last week and in the future, if the new scheduling of races continues, will drastically affect the horseowners’ take if their horses would come in for the money. “We hope the authorities would come to their senses. The way they implemented this simultaneous races it will certainly do more harm than good for the local horseracing industry. The addition of a new racetrack in the country is a very welcome news for us. We need more new racing facilities for our growing industry. But the way the new scheduling of races is done, it would surely kill the industry,” said one horseowner, who asked for anonymity. Global joins Asian meet REIGNING United Football League Cup champion Global FC will see action in the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup 2013. AFC general secretary Alex Soosay informed Philippine Football Federation general secretary Ed Gastanes of their decision in a letter recently. Global FC, which became the first team to represent the Philippines in the tournament, will first see action in the group stage set from May 2 to 12. The finals is from Sept. 23 to 29. The tournament is organized for ball clubs coming from emerging countries in Asia. Around 12 clubs are initially listed, including club teams from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyztan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan. Peter Atencio A poem as old as time I Enjoy your achievements as a wholesome discipline, be gentle bumped into Dean Tony Abad AL S. MENDOZA gin. can’t wait for the circus to be- well as your plans. with yourself. again, my bosom buddy for dec- ALL THE WAY AN emerging star (Rain or Shine) versus an established power (Talk ‘N Text). That’s the show set to unfold starting day after tomorrow in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup best-ofseven finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Rain or Shine has only won one title thus far as against the cache of crowns already stashed away by Talk ‘N Text. With multiple title-winner Norman Black as TNT coach, Yeng Guiao appears puny as Rain or Shine coach. But history tells us that in almost every championship showdown, statistics do not matter much anymore. Very often, heart harks and the one with the biggest heart will, in all likelihood, prevail in the end. * * * * * NOT for anything, but let me digress a bit and allow me to reprint here a poem that is as old as time. In a sense, my way of meeting the New Year: With optimism, of course. Enjoy “Desiderata” “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for, always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and, everywhere, life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever labors and aspirations. In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace within your soul. With all it sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” This poem was found hundreds of years ago from a junkyard or something. Unsigned. It is God’s gift of all time. Cheers to the author! Cheers to the founder! Cheers to us, keepers of the faith! * * * THAT’S IT. Was I glad I ades. A former law dean of Far Eastern University and Adamson University and who is now with the Legal Education Board, Dean Abad was at the “17th” birthday bash of Danny Dalena on Jan. 4. Danny’s sister, the warm-hearted Ate Marina, is married to Dean Abad. Almost, Dean Abad and I see each other only once a year— at Danny’s birthday party. In that last party that was well-hosted as usual by Danny’s beloved Nini, were familiar faces like Gilda Cordero Fernando, Jingjing PantojaHidalgo, Sol F. Juvida, Marra Pl. Lanot, Pete Lacaba, Ding Marcelo, Fernando Modesto, Krip Yuson, Jimmy Abad, Willie Nep and Recah Trinidad. Danny’s other siblings Ate Gloria, Nene and Rey were also there. Missed were Erwin Castillo and Pepito Aguila, who were indisposed like Francis Serrano and Greg Brilliantes. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK NBA HOME TEAM IN CAPS Boston 89 ATLANTA 81 NY Knicks 114 ORLANDO 106 INDIANA 95 Milwaukee 80 BROOKLYN 113 Sacramento 93 Houston 112 CLEVELAND 104 Portland 102 MINNESOTA 97 New Orleans 99 DALLAS 96 (OT) SAN ANTONIO 109 Philadelphia 86 DENVER 110 Utah 91 LA CLIPPERS 115 Golden State 89 Sports Manila Standard TODAY The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, reported late Friday that Armstrong has told associates he is thinking about the move. However, Armstrong attorney Tim Herman says that the cyclist hasn’t reached out to USADA chief executive Travis Tygart and David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency. A USADA spokeswoman declined comment on Saturday, while Howman was quoted by the Sunday Star-Times in New Zealand, where he is vacationing, saying Armstrong has not approached his group. USADA stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles last year and issued a report portraying the cyclist as the leader of a sophisticated doping operation on his winning teams. Public confessions and apologies have been the route of redemption for several athletes who have gotten in trouble. For example, Tiger Woods said he was sorry for cheating on his wife in televised speech, and baseball slugger Mark McGwire eventually admitted to steroid use. Yet Armstrong faces serious CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK LOTTO RESULTS 6/49 0 0 0 0 0 0 P11.7 M+ 3 DIGITS 0 0 0 2 EZ2 0 0 Riera U. Mallari, Editor [email protected] [email protected] A8 MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 Lance to admit doping charge? AUSTIN, Texas—Lance Armstrong may be considering a change in course, dropping his years of denials and admitting that he used performance-enhancing drugs - though whether such a move would help him is uncertain. legal entanglements those megastars didn’t, and a confession to doping could end up complicating matters for Armstrong - not making them easier. The U.S. Department of Justice is considering whether to join a federal whistle-blower lawsuit filed by former Armstrong teammate Floyd Landis alleging fraud against the U.S. Postal Service during the years the agency sponsored Armstrong’s teams. A Dallas-based promotions company has also said it wants to recover several million dollars paid to Armstrong in bonuses for winning the Tour de France. And the British newspaper The Sunday Times is suing to recover about $500,000 paid to Armstrong to settle a libel lawsuit. Armstrong has testified under oath that he never used performance-enhancing drugs, which could theoretically lead to charges if he confessed. Former U.S. track star Marion Jones spent several months in federal prison for lying to investigators about her drug use. And after so many years of vehement denials and sworn statements that he never doped, at this point, what would Armstrong gain from a confession? There would be no guarantee that his personal sponsors would return or that the public would accept it. Is the public even interested in an Amrstrong confession? Gene Grabowski, executive vice president of Levick, a Washington, D.C.-based crisis and issues management firm, said ‘’it may be too little, too late because he’s been denying it for so long.’’ A confession would only work to salvage Armstrong’s reputation if he accepted full responsibility and blamed no one else, Grabowski said. And it would have to include some public act of atonement. ‘’If he does all three, he has a shot,’’ Grabowski said. ‘’You have to show people you are willing to pay a price.’’ The New York Times reported the 41-year-old Armstrong may be considering a confession in an attempt to reduce his lifetime ban from cycling and Olympic sport so he can return to competing in triathlons and elite running events. Armstrong lost most of his personal sponsorship worth tens of millions of dollars after USADA issued its report and he left the board of the Livestrong cancerfighting charity he founded in 1997. He is still worth about a reported $100 million. Livestrong might be one reason to issue an apology. The charity supports cancer patients and still faces an image problem because of its association with its famous founder. AP Lance Armstrong is shown here carrying the American flag in Paris after winning his seventh straight Tour de France cycling race. The New York Times reported that Armstrong was thinking of admitting the doping charges leveled against him. AP Resma posts golden net double ROXANNE May Resma collared the 18-under and 16-under girls’ singles titles to lead the winners of the 24th Andrada Cup National Age Group Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday. Living up to her top billing in the 16-U, Resma disposed of No. 5 Khim Iglupas, 6-4, 6-2, to set the tone for her crowning glory in the last day of the ranking Group 1 tournament. Some three hours after her romp, Resma took the court anew and played like a true No. 1 seed in the centerpiece 18-U, where she nipped Isabella Orteza, 7-5, 6-3, to complete a golden double. Meanwhile, fourth Stefan Suarez created an upset of sorts in the 16-U boys’ singles finale as did Mikaela Vicencio in the 12-U girls’ singles of the event sponsored by by Dunlop Fort All Court Balls, Philippine Sports Commission, First Solid Group, St. Luke’s Medical Center and Sagip Bayan Foundation. Fourth seed Suarez upended No. 3 Eric Olivarez, Jr., 6-0, 7-6 (5), to seize the 16-U crown while Vicencio stunned No. 1 Carlyn Bless Guarde, 6-0, 6-3, for the 12-U diadem. They were joined in the winners’ circle by Diego Dayrit, Janus Ringia, Bryan Otico, Monica Therese Cruz, and Andrew and Jose Cano, who all received their awards from commissioner Buddy Andrada of the Philippine Sports Commission under whose name the event was held. Dayrit topped the 10-under unisex play via a 7-6 (5), 6-3 dispatching of Alexandra Eala while Ringia trounced Michael Eala, 7-6 (4), 6-3, for the 12-U boys’ singles plum. Seventh seed Otico edged No. 2 Emmanuel Vacalares, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, to reign in the 14-U boys’ hostilities as Cruz ruled the distaff side via a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 dispatching of Frances Angela Santiago. The Canos hacked out a 2-6, 6-2 (10-4) victory over Kyle Joseph and Brysl Libao to dominate the 18-U boys’ doubles diadem. Andrew Cano and Olivarez, Jr. were disputing the premier 18-U boys’ singles title at presstime. WBC can’t reverse decision By Ronnie Nathanielsz WORLD Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman said he cannot reverse the board of governors’ decision to allow champion Xiong Zhao Zhong of China to have a voluntary title defense before facing mandatory challenger and silver champion Denver Cuello of the Philippines. There was a flurry of exchanges between Cuello’s promoter and trainer, former boxer Aljoe Jaro and Sulaiman following the WBC board of governors’ decision effectively over-ruling an earlier commitment that the Filipino would get a mandatory title shot at the winner between Zhong and Mexico’s Javier Martinez Resendiz in Kunming, China last Nov 24. Cuello stepped aside to allow that fight to happen at the request of Sulaiman and payment of a fee of $25,000, but Jaro made it clear he was not willing to step aside again. In his latest email to Sulaiman, who accused Jaro of attacking him, Sulaiman said “I have no authority to modify the convention decision,” Sulaiman said. “When there was the request from the champion (for a voluntary defense), there was no one representing Denver, nor one single person who would oppose the request.” Sulaiman said that for that reason, a vote was taken and the request was unanimously approved. However, Sulaiman said while the voluntary defense was approved, there was “a definite and absolute condition that the winner will meet Denver next. The voluntary defense will take place in March, with the free negotiations with Denver starting the next day of the fight, with whoever might be the winner.” Murray claims Brisbane tennis crown BRISBANE, Australia—His voice cracking, an emotional Andy Murray used his victory speech to offer encouragement to an absent friend. Murray kicked off 2013 with a successful defense of his Brisbane International title, holding off Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (0), 6-4 on Sunday. ‘’I’d like to dedicate this victory to one of my best friends,’’ Murray said. ‘’Thank you very much. He’s back home watching and, you’re going to get through.’’ He signed what appeared to say ‘’For You Perched’’ on a small plaque after the match, but wouldn’t disclose the identity of his friend. Murray began his breakthrough season in 2012 by winning in Brisbane and tacked on careerchanging titles at the London Olympics and U.S. Open. The Australian Open starts Jan. 14, and Murray heads to the first major of the season without the enormous pressure he had a year ago. The 76-year drought for British men at the majors is over, so he doesn’t have to answer those questions now. The 25-year-old Scot started slowly against Dimitrov and had to recover breaks in both sets. He was happy with the payoff from his concerted efforts to work on playing aggressively. ‘’I got off to not the best start and he was playing very aggressive, and by the end of the first set I had turned the tables,’’ he said. ‘’It’s a change of mentality really, and that doesn’t happen in a few weeks. It’s taken time to believe that that’s the right thing to do, to be aggressive.’’ Meanwhile, in Doha, Qatar, Richard Gasquet won the Qatar Open for his eight career title on Saturday, coming from a set down to beatNikolay Davydenko 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Having pulled out of the Sydney tournament because of elbow trouble, Gasquet said he will be ready for the Australian Open. The win in Qatar will give him a much-needed boost. AP TNT in finals. Three Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters Ranidel De Ocampo, Kelly Williams and Larry Fonacier gang up on a driving Sonny Thoss of Alaska in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Cuneta Astrodome. The Texters won, 83-78, to advance to the finals against Rain or Shine. Pacman’s allies lash out at media By Eddie Alienea BAD. Unfair. Unethical. These, in a nutshell were the immediate reaction of Manny Pacquiao’s close allies on the opinion expressed by a pair of Filipino physicians and carried by media outfits, saying that the Filipino ring icon showed early signs of Parkinson’s disease. “Hindi maganda (bad),” said former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson on the opinion made by Filipino neurologist Dr. Rustico Jimenez and Dr. Racquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist. “The two famous physicians might have only expressed their opinions, as they themselves admitted. What was bad though was that media blew the reports out of proportion, and it could destroy a man’s life,” Singson said. “What hurt even further was that reports that emanated here in our country was picked up by the foreign media, including the websites,” Singson, one of Paqcuiao’s closest friend. “Sana naman, hindi muna inilabas, tutal hindi naman opisyal at wala ni isa sa dalawang doktor ang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na maexamine si Manny.” He added: “Kesyo na-suspend na raw si Manny and worse, baka daw hindi na bigyan ng lisensya na lumaban sa US. Look at what irresponsible reporting is doing to Manny, who many of us Filipinos consider a national treasure.” Singson clarified that Pacquiao’s “suspension,” meted out by the Nevada Athletic Commission, was only a precautionary measure. Rex “Wakee” Salud, another Pacquiao adviser, said that Pacquiao doesn’t deserve the bad press. “Marami na siyang nagawa para sa bayan. Dapat naman sana irespeto natin ‘yung mga nagawa niya,” Salud noted. “Now that the man is down, niyayapakan pa natin. Ganu’n na ba tayo kasama?” Salud said he was with Pacquiao right after his KO defeat and in the boxer’s flight to Manila and he did not notice anything wrong with his friend. Dr. Randy Molo, head of the Philippine Center of Sports Medicine of the Philippine Sports Commission, for his part, said the statements by Dr. Jimenez and Dr. Fortun can be considered “unethical.” “For the record, I have high respect for both, but even if those statements came as a result of a thorough examinations, they should not have been aired in public because those will come in the form of privileged information between physicians and patients,” Dr. Molo said. “Because opinion nga lamang, the more they should not have been made public without the consent of the patient, in this case Manny.” Pacquiao CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Business Manila Standard TODAY Ray S. Eñano, Editor [email protected] Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor; [email protected] MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 B1 Ongpin sells entire holdings in PBCom By Jenniffer B. Austria EDC plans to build geothermal portfolio By Alena Mae S. Flores LISTED Energy Development Corp., an affiliate of First Gen Corp., plans to boost its geothermal portfolio this year through local and international joint ventures, a company official said over the weekend. “We will continue to build our portfolio of growth opportunities through partnerships... We are open to forging partnerships in geothermal projects both locally and internationally,” Energy Development president Richard Tantoco told reporters. Energy Development is engaged in the exploration and development of geothermal fields, as well as the operation and maintenance of power plants feeding on the renewable fuel and with an aggregate capacity of 1,130 megawatts. Energy Development officials said in September the company was looking at 17 new projects to boost its power portfolio over the long term, with the bulk coming from geothermal projects. Geothermal will make up 70 percent of the new projects, which also include wind and solar stations. Energy Development is looking at 12 sites for possible geothermal development, including five expansion and two development projects, and five in frontier areas. The company, meanwhile, is pursuing geothermal projects overseas. The company plans to drill two wells in Chile in the next two years and pursue opportunities in Peru under an agreement signed with Canada’s Alterra Power Corp. in October. The agreement allows Energy Development to conduct exploration field works and due diligence on Alterra’s geothermal concession in Chile and five areas in Peru. EDC will study the development of Alterra’s Mariposa geothermal project in Chile and five of Alterra’s Peruvian concessions. FORMER trade minister and tycoon Roberto Ongpin sold out his entire holdings in Philippine Bank of Communications to his nephew to spare the bank from “any untoward action by the Monetary Board.” Ongpin, who earlier resigned as director and co-chairman of PBCom, sold his stake in the bank to PBCom chairman Eric Recto for P860 million. Ongpin stepped down from the bank after criticizing the Bangko Sentral’s Monetary Board for deferring his nomination to the board of PBCom. “Since I have made public my criticism of the Monetary Board action in deferring my election to the board of PBCom, I believe that it is not sufficient that I only resign all of my positions in the bank but dispose of my shareholdings as well. I think that if I were to remain a major shareholder of PBCom, it is only natural to expect that there would be a bias by the Bangko Sentral against PBCom,” Ongpin said. “Therefore, in order not to unfairly prejudice the bank, I have decided to sell all my shareholdings in PBCom,” he added. Ongpin said he sold 6,131,801 common shares and 15,358,446 preferred shares of PBCom representing 12.45 percent of the share capital of the bank to Recto in a special block sale transacted on the stock exchange on Jan. 4, Ongpin sold his shareholdings at P40 apiece, a large discount to the market price of the stock, but which allowed him to make a small profit, based on his original acquisition cost of the shares in 2011. PBCom was last traded on Wednesday when it closed at P79.80 per share. Ongpin said he agreed to be paid on an installment basis. “Since Eric doesn’t have P860 million lying around, I had to give him terms where he paid me a downpayment of 10 percent amounting to about P86 million and the balance payable in three equal annual installments,” he said. Ongpin said while he regretted selling out because of the strong potential of the bank to become successful, he said he should undertake a “financial sacrifice because of his decision to criticize the Bangko Sentral’s action against me.” “I have obligated myself to sell all my stockholdings, thus cutting off all ties with the bank, and allowing it to continue on its path to becoming one of this country’s strongest banks,” Ongpin said. Ongpin said Friday he would file a case against Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. for freezing his assets. Ongpin said he was suing Espenilla due to his contradictory positions surrounding the transactions made by the Development Bank of the Philippines with companies owned by him in 2009. “Espenilla has caused my reputation the gravest damage by his signing an ex-parte petition with the Court of Appeals that my bank accounts be frozen,” Ongpin said. PH steps up drive vs. smugglers, tax cheats By Anna Leah Estrada THE government has filed 140 tax evasion cases, 107 suits against smugglers and 55 charges against 59 erring employees since the start of the new administration in a bid to reduce leakages in revenue collections due to graft and corruption, the Finance Department said over the weekend. The Revenue Integrity Protection Service, Finance’s anti-graft body, has so far secured 62 suspensions and 21 dismissals against erring employees. Finance said since the inception of the Run After Tax Evaders, or Rate, program in 2005, the previous administration filed 127 tax evasion cases with total tax liabilities of around P7.03 billion. The tally compares with the Aquino administration’s 140 cases in two-and-a-half years with total tax liabilities of about P44.27 billion, as of Dec. 13. “This stark improvement during the Aquino administration is due to [Bureau of Internal Revenue’s] aggressive filing of tax cases every other Thursday. We will continue to investigate and hammer down on tax evaders especially selfemployed professionals, who dishonestly report their tax returns,” BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said. RIPS has filed 55 cases under the Aquino administration, or around three-fourths of the 74 cases the previous government lodged in six years from May 2003 to June 2009. The total number of RIPS cases filed as of last year exceeded the 21 cases filed in 2011. The number of RIPS cases notably tripled from 2011 over 2010. TV firms ranking IN BRIEF Starbucks soon in Vietnam. In this photo taken Jan. 5, 2013, customers drink coffee on Trieu Viet Vuong Street in Hanoi, Vietnam. Starbucks announced last week it would enter Vietnam in early February with a café in Ho Chi Minh City. But the Seattle-based company faces a unique market in Vietnam, where French-inspired coffee culture reigns supreme; two homegrown chains have established presences; and family-run sidewalk cafés are as ubiquitous as noodle shops. AP Oil imports increase 8.8% to $10.3b BSP refining regulation OIL imports rose 8.8 percent in the first nine months of 2012, owing to higher demand and volatile world crude prices. Data from the Energy Department showed the oil import bill reached $10.3 billion in the January-September period, up from $9.4 billion in the same period in 2011. Shipments also rose 6.1 percent to 89.6 million barrels in the ninemonth period from 84.4 million barrels of oil sourced abroad in the same period in 2011. Crude oil cornered the bulk of the oil imports, with 47.9 million barrels worth $5.5 billion, while finished products accounted for $4.75 billion accounting for 41.7 million barrels. Meanwhile, oil exports reached $861 million accounting for 7.5 million barrels, lower than the 12.62 million barrels of oil exported in the same period in 2011. This placed net imports in January to September at $9.4 billion, higher than $8 billion recorded in the first nine months of 2011. The government aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel. The Energy Department seeks to have 30 percent of all public utility vehicles running on alternative fuels by 2030 to promote energy security and cleaner fuels. The agency also stated in a report that 14 years after the implementation of the Republic Act No. 8479 or the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, a total of 1,896 players were engaged in various activities in the oil industry such as marketing, distribution and storage of petroleum products as of September. Last year, some P42.52 billion were invested in various downstream oil projects that could provide additional jobs and greater accessibility to quality petroleum products. The department said it was closely monitoring actual oil price movements, both in the international and domestic markets to prevent unreasonable adjustments and abuses. The agency spearheaded the creation of review committee/ study on the implementation of the Oil Deregulation Law, with closer focus on oil pricing. The committee found that the Oil Deregulation Law’s goal of increased competition and thus fair price was being achieved. It said the deregulation measure resulted in increased responsiveness of local pump prices to world oil prices and there was nothing extraordinary about the movements of local pump prices in the country. Alena Mae S. Flores Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, January 4, 2013 Indonesia Thailand UAE Euro Korea China India Malaysia New Zealand Taiwan Rupiah Baht Dirham Euro Won Yuan Rupee Ringgit Dollar Dollar 0.000104 0.032971 0.272287 1.305400 0.000941 0.160506 0.018360 0.330033 0.832570 0.034502 0.0042 1.3450 11.1077 53.2525 0.0384 6.5477 0.7490 13.4634 33.9639 1.4075 Source: PDS Bridge to tame market volatility THE Bangko Sentral said it is ready to implement more measures to check any excess reaction of the financial market to global developments. Bangko Sentral Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. made the statement over the weekend following reports the US Federal Reserve might end the bond-buying program in the last part of 2013. Tetangco said the Fed’s decision would influence investors’ appetite for equities in emerging markets and affect capital flows to the Philippines. “Sometimes market overreact. This is why BSP is watchful of the conduct of domestic market participants and will try to refine regulation so they become more aware of the inherent riskiness of transactions they enter into,” Tetangco said. The bond-buying program aims to lower the long-term borrowing costs of the US and involves $40 billion a month to buy mortgage debt, boosting liquidity and stocks not only in the US but also in other countries. Some members of the Federal Reserve’s policymaking committee reportedly wanted to end the Fed’s bond-buying program by the end of the year. The Fed also said it would keep a key interest rate at nearly zero as long as the unemployment rate was above 6.5 percent and inflation expectations stayed below 2.5 percent a year. “Like all prudent decision makers, the Fed has guideposts for policy programs. The ultimate impact of its decision on the asset purchase on domestic conditions would depend on how foreign investors appreciate Fed’s actions,” Tetangco said. Anna Leah G. Estrada RIVAL broadcast companies ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. both claimed top ranking in TV viewership in 2012. GMA 7 said it scored an average total day household audience share of 34.4 percent last year, over ABS-CBN’s 31.5 percent and TV5’s 15.1 percent on the back of strong afternoon block. It said the airing of the Pacquiao-Marquez 4 and Pacquiao-Bradley fights emerged as the two most watched programs in 2012, across urban Luzon and Mega Manila. Meanwhile, Lopez-controlled ABS-CBN said its average national audience share in June to December reached 42 percent, higher than GMA 7’s 31 percent based on Kantar Media data. The Kapamilya network claimed that it remained unbeatable in primetime or from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight with 48percent share over Kapuso’s 28 percent. It said Nonito Donaire’s fight against Mexican Jorge Arce garnered the network a 29.7percent national TV rating, while Janine Tugonon’s stint at the Miss Universe 2012 pageant enjoyed a 22.8-percent national TV rating. GMA said in 2013, it is set to roll out new lineup of programs starting with the fantasy drama Indio, the network’s most expensive drama program to date. Lailany P. Gomez Rice smuggling RICE traders, millers and farmers asked the government to act immediately and decisively against rampant rice smuggling in the country. “Farmers fear that prices for locally-produced grains would drop further. Millers are not buying because they cannot compete with the sheer volume of smuggled rice that has been flooding the market,” said Abono party-list chairman Rosendo So. So and Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile met a group of traders, millers and farmers who complained about the unabated rice smuggling that gravely affected their businesses and production. Congress is continuing its investigation on recent illegal shipments of Indian and Vietnamese rice. So said the rampant smuggling of rice, most of them from China, was also prevalent at the ports in Mindanao, particularly in Davao and Cebu, where the staple food was being misdeclared as slag, wood wall, tiles or ukay. Records showed that smuggled rice from Mindanao were being shipped to Luzon and sold by unscrupulous rice traders for P1,200 per sack, way below the usual price of P1,400 a sack. Othel V. Campos E ATE PSE COMPOSITE INDEX F OREIGNUnitXCHANGE RPeso Currency US Dollar Closing January 4, 2013 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 0.011471 1.610600 0.129017 1.079331 1.012556 0.815993 1.051635 2.652661 0.266667 0.812678 40.7940 0.4679 65.7028 5.2631 44.0302 41.3062 33.2876 42.9004 108.2127 10.8784 33.1524 5200 4460 3720 2980 2240 1500 1200 P584-P695 LPG/11-kg tank P47.15-P53.07 Unleaded Gasoline OIL PRICES TODAY PESO-DOLLAR RATE Closing JANUARY 4, 2013 40 42 44 46 48 P38.40-P41.05 Diesel P40.30-P52.20 Kerosene P27.20-P31.00 Auto LPG P40.910 CLOSE 37.40 5,971.45 HIGH P40.810 LOW P40.910 AVERAGE P40.856 VOLUME 1443.900M CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK B2 MONDAY Business W Stock market likely to test 6,000 points JANUARY 7, 2013 ManilaStandardToday STOCKS [email protected] [email protected] By Jenniffer B. Austria consolidate this week, although there is a possibility the benchmark index may surpass the 6,000-point level for the first time as overall developments remain positive. AB Capital Securities said investors were likely to search for a new catalyst as the optimism brought about by the passage of a measure to resolve the fiscal cliff in the US was already priced in last week. Analysts expect the release of local economic data such as gross international reserves and foreign direct investments to be positive and help boost the market this week. Concerns overseas, such as the slowdown of other emerging economies, the European debt crisis and the possible end of Federal Reserve bond buying in the US may adversely affect sentiments. “On the technical side, we see that the index is poised to test the psychological 6,000 level. PSEi has stayed on a bullish regression channel since 2009 and has stayed at the upper portion of that channel. Momentum indicators are still diverging from the index implying that pullbacks are still probable,” AB Capital said. AB Capital said the PSEi was currently trading at 16.83 times 2013 earnings, implying that markets were pricing in an earnings growth of 20 percent in 2013, which was higher than consensus estimates. Given the liquidity in the market, the index will likely sustain its growth momentum. The local bourse last week extended its rally by registering new all-time highs in the first three trading days of the year as continued improvement in economic fundamentals as well as favorable interest rates boosted investors’ appetite. The PSEi added 158 points or SHARE prices are expected to 2.7 percent last week to close at 5,971.45 on Jan. 4, after the US Congress approved a measure to increase the US credit ceiling, tax more wealthy Americans and cut spending to avoid financial and economic recession. Net foreign buying totaled to P2.25 billion last week while average daily turnover was 27 percent higher than the previous week. “The PSEi managed to avoid the general downtrend in Asia, an encouraging sign for the sustainability of last year’s impressive performance. These positive developments, including favorable inflation data, help support our good start to the year,” PSE president and chief executive Hans Sicat said. The government reported that average inflation in 2012 slowed to 3.2 percent from 4.6 percent recorded in 2011. The 3.2-percent average inflation rate in 2012 was within the Bangko Sentral’s target range of 3 percent to 5 percent. Inflation rate stood at 2.9 percent in December, although slightly faster than the previous month’s 2.8 percent on higher food, beverage and tobacco prices. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bankard, Inc. China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. Maybank ATR KE 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. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Calapan Venture Chemphil Conc. Aggr. `A’ Chemrez Technologies Inc. Cirtek Holdings (Chips) DNL Industries Inc. Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. 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 LT Group Manchester Intl. “A” Manchester Intl. “B” Manila Water Co. Inc. Mariwasa MFG. Inc. Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pancake House Inc. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. RFM Corporation Roxas Holdings Salcon Power Corp. San Miguel Corp `A’ San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l. 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 F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific 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 Pacific Inv. Corp. Minerales Industrias Corp. MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ Seafront `A’ Sinophil Corp. SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings Human resources in modern times THE saying “HR is a thankless job” may sound cliché, but upon reflection, it was indeed true. This is a career when designing your to do’s may seem to be an everyday challenge; a moment that you can utter “nothing is final until it happened yesterday.” High expectations Most industries treat their HR as a service department tasked with feeding their needs and whims; a department most neglected, yet all employees never fail to remember. This is the group that takes care of every unheard voice and yet still receives clamors for something beyond the capacity. The anticipation is so high yet the tools are scarce. How can HR be an asset if expectations are high but lacking in full-on support? As said by Wiki, Human Resources is the set of individuals who make up the workforce of an organization, business sector or an economy. They are the center of excellence that empowers everyone in the company to perform their duties and responsibilities as best they can. As the title “human resource” emphasizes, it is a function that provides a holistic approach to creating the envisioned perfect employee or person for the job—for the company. Their mandate covers the mental, emotional, ethical and sometimes even the spiritual aspect of the employees. They are, after all, the asset that can bring success to the mission and vision of the company. HR in the recent past Nonetheless, this is not the case. HR was often seen as a one-stop shop and the one department for all labor-related tasks. Such action results in treating HR practitioners as mere administrators and facilitators of “rush” requests. Therefore, strategic vision was lost and partnering never happened. We have tended to forget that HR people are also employees themselves. They also have different needs for their own personal growth and satisfaction in the company. At the same token, they are also expected to follow and abide by the company’s rules and regulations. Sounds fair, but it in reality, they can only wish they receive the treatment they are giving to others. At some point, HR became the “follower” rather than game changer of the organization. They are the ones who tolerated the situation and accepted what was ordered. They did not inflame curiosity amongst management nor driven GREEN LIGHT KRISTIAN JEWEL P. TAIÑO innovation. HR appeared to be a dull career. This is why many shifted out of HR careers or even changed industry. They found HR boring, powerless, and even stagnant. Evolution of HR However, this is no longer the scenario and HR has evolved dramatically over time. HR has allowed the creation of strong organizations by providing strategic partnerships with management and employees. It has developed mature managers and leaders. Management, including the supervisors up to the executive team, is now honed with people skills that makes them more competitive and at par with the strong leaders in other markets. This gives them the compelling rationale how critical their roles are in the success of the company. HR empowers each manager to handle people in accordance to the company’s standards and ethical norms. Here in the Philippines, it is our culture that helps us embrace the ethical norms and standards and live with it. Companies and industries make it a point to comply regardless of their national origin. This compliance creates the backbone of the policies and procedures of each company. These policies allow the companies to respect the rights and meet needs of their employees and its environment. HR practitioners are no longer hidden in the backrooms of companies. They are the visible primary ally of every department in providing strategic support that help change the mindset, perception and behavior of the organization. Kristian Jewel P. Taiño (itsme_kristian@ yahoo.com) is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. She is currently working for Avon Cosmetics Inc. as a full-time Human Resources Business Partner. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and administrators. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Cebu Prop. `B’ Centennial City 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’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Development `A’ SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes 2GO Group ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP Converge IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPVG Corp. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Pacific Online Sys. Corp. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Puregold STI Holdings Touch Solutions Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils. Yehey STOCKS Oriental Pet. `A’ Greenergy Philodrill Corp. `A’ Alcorn Gold Res. United Paragon Manila Mining `A’ Megaworld Corp. Manila Mining `B’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Trans-Asia Oil VOLUME 803,400,000 781,400,000 672,300,000 469,240,000 354,600,000 296,600,000 267,178,000 237,620,000 175,700,000 171,605,000 WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS PLDT Common Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Megaworld Corp. Metrobank Globe Telecom Ayala Land `B’ Alliance Global Inc. Metro Paci c Inv. Corp. VALUE 1,131,436,470.00 953,913,587.50 941,308,105.00 863,664,450.00 784,331,690.00 776,884,582.00 675,980,080.00 600,853,645.00 569,272,480.00 522,445,410.00 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 Coal Asia 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’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp. Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp. United Paragon ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `A’ First Gen G First Phil. Hldgs.-Pref. GMA Holdings Inc. PCOR-Preferred SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMPFC Preferred Swift Pref Megaworld Corp. Warrants Megaworld Corp. Warrants2 Makati Fin. Corp. Ripple E-Business Intl M S T JANUARY 2-4, 2013 CLOSE VOLUME 74.50 97.85 0.71 54.90 2.05 27.50 19 31.85 10.28 2.79 525.00 25 101.80 1.74 79.80 93.45 105.00 417 59.3 160.9 1010.00 113.00 2.43 37.95 8.4 2.01 1.29 19.3 4.49 125 65.00 2.90 27 4.36 6.87 10.26 2.30 12.38 23.05 90.2 17.98 0.0210 12.90 4 0.640 107.60 11.3 2.82 13.48 16.9 16.7 32.45 6.9 18.720 270.00 6.10 7.62 6.65 10.40 10.90 9.05 4.93 2.93 4.6 105.40 242 1.75 0.152 1.71 1.31 87.00 1.5 1.02 9.00 1.49 EEKLY STOCKS REVIEW VALUE FINANCIAL 953,913,587.50 480,457,148.00 5,650.00 13,529,330.50 189,840.00 13,750.00 6,087,370.00 137,220,995.00 13,344 353,590.00 1,192,840.00 672,695.00 776,884,582.00 802,570.00 115,125.00 202,853,790.50 14,570.00 21,144,884.00 63,174,587.00 209,433,539.00 2,734,180.00 99,840,701.00 641,420.00 205,202,290.00 2,008,310.00 3,773,540.00 2,395,770.00 529,676.00 506,050.00 20,600.00 650.00 1,748,430.00 6,255,220.00 56,025,080.00 383,075,754.00 25,572,104.00 1,280,110.00 1,516,542.00 130,075,530.00 144,207,466.50 252,984.00 16,461,300.00 1,994,162.00 520,780.00 103,040.00 145,009,055.00 39,295,802.00 10,670,600.00 71,723,838.00 30,202,086.00 18,953,102.00 415,200,920.00 20,518,649.00 32,873,194.00 461,014,544.00 7,929.00 48,462.00 57,264,931.00 56,342,888.00 405,328.00 15,440,514.00 20,046,731.00 271,940.00 424,430.00 183,948,681.00 19,591,762.00 303,980.00 380,070.00 222,510.00 225,745,670.00 236,697,562.00 46,109,140.00 6,237,550.00 128,464.00 4,897,860.00 72.80 95.00 0.70 54.60 2.00 28.00 19.48 29 11.20 2.79 505.00 24.6 102.00 1.7 72.00 91.00 100.00 416 60 156 995.00 112.70 2.42 36.95 8.4 1.97 1.29 19.4 4.39 14,458,310 2,486,390 550,000 519,860 1,839,000 500 661,500 1,180,800 10,700 382,000 840 204,000 6,901,320 1,912,000 2,000 1,786,830 254,190 40,030 999,860.00 1,793,950 380 208,570 2,596,000 9,148,600 2,409,200 3,592,000 6,277,000 105,800 10,000 DECEMBER 26-28, 2012 CLOSE VOLUME VALUE 1,052,028,067.00 237,359,671.40 384,500.00 28,523,405.00 3,723,210.00 14,000.00 12,741,236.00 34,244,385.00 110,076 1,042,080.00 428,250.00 4,870,845.00 707,638,575.00 3,299,450.00 144,000.00 162,955,894.50 25,083,782.50 16,721,544.00 58,417,416.00 283,413,965.00 379,410.00 23,585,085.00 6,263,930.00 338,380,075.00 18,496,528.00 7,098,430.00 8,046,490.00 1,984,788.00 41,210.00 64,000.00 2,367,950.00 4,174,010.00 59,863,530.00 239,820,812.00 20,813,291.00 14,460.00 172,807,535.00 155,086,415.50 3,755,030.00 3,793,800.00 10,304,628.00 472,510.00 91,350.00 291,662,963.00 80,116,010.00 1,414,290.00 261,475,508.00 17,674,446.00 15,292,978.00 283,655,495.00 14,050,245.00 19,997,762.00 210,995,194.00 23,310.00 114,587,181.00 71,019,324.00 1,474,734.00 1,784,830.00 61,229,480.00 127,200.00 634,380.00 107,183,863.00 6,734,328.00 689,840.00 766,990.00 88,260.00 22,867,140.00 229,049,147.00 31,874,680.00 2,682,380.00 594,940.00 3,258,590.00 12,954,930 4,965,330 8,000 246,780 96,000 500 320,300 4,444,800 1,300 128,000 2,320 27,200 7,612,980 462,000 1,450 2,183,190 140 50,660 1,065,970.00 1,304,220 2,700 884,140 263,000 5,441,200 237,800 1,889,000 1,849,000 27,800 119,000 170 10 599,000 240,200 12,787,000 55,745,900 2,483,100 583,000 129,000 5,653,500 1,591,300 14,800 781,400,000 151,100 132,000 161,000 1,358,230 3,456,600 4,515,000 5,305,500 1,939,200 1,195,700 12,927,700 3,037,300 1,756,600 1,719,250 1,300 6,300 8,687,400 5,422,400 36,900 1,713,800 4,110,800 91,000 93,000 845,910 80,450 174,000 2,580,000 130,000 171,605,000 2,727,010 31,749,000 6,124,000 14,600 3,325,000 INDUSTRIAL 64.00 2.96 25.8 4.4 6.75 10.10 1.80 1,000 811,000 174,500 13,625,000 35,674,900 2,077,100 8,000 22.3 90 17.80 0.0220 14.00 3.98 0.630 102.00 11.7 1.83 13.38 12.12 12 32 5.85 18.400 260.60 7.78 6.52 10.46 11.70 9.03 5.00 2.95 4.5 105.40 244 1.7 0.141 1.75 1.16 83.85 1.39 0.94 9.01 1.40 7,670,600 1,729,930 218,000 177,300,000 753,500 118,000 145,000 2,804,910 7,202,300 761,000 19,393,300 1,541,200 1,329,500 8,874,300 2,259,500 1,097,700 806,680 3,000 18,305,300 6,832,800 141,900 198,200 12,446,000 42,000 139,000 1,027,980 27,620 402,000 5,380,000 52,000 19,898,000 2,753,160 23,173,000 2,827,000 64,900 2,290,000 0.69 53.50 0.1400 16.84 2.20 5.45 5.20 0.96 0.95 544 55.90 3.3 4.79 0.245 674 6.41 40.35 7.3 4.5 6.52 1 0.410 1.88 4.90 6.01 6.15 0.0500 1.300 0.550 2.36 1.93 0.315 912.00 2.08 1.10 0.2500 0.3000 0.360 4,650,000 3,543,990 469,240,000 33,819,600 11,707,000 450,600 493,700 7,503,000 2,724,000 1,759,770 6,724,590 2,000 905,000 10,000 552,990 122,600 4,498,400 47,500 3,000 13,631,500 3,162,000 60,000 3,214,000 110,092,000 883,600 115,600 5,870,000 15,000 5,357,000 16,000 9,000 590,000 958,860 2,390,000 1,074,000 50,000 3,780,000 3,600,000 HOLDING FIRMS 3,146,020.00 189,240,023.50 66,394,150.00 569,272,480.00 26,337,770.00 2,432,764.00 2,586,381.00 6,973,690.00 2,479,300.00 941,308,105.00 373,985,364.50 6,360.00 4,329,140.00 2,450.00 366,671,280.00 774,228.00 180,253,625.00 339,600.00 13,700.00 88,139,176.00 3,105,120.00 24,000.00 6,076,590.00 522,445,410.00 5,327,502.00 697,296.00 294,500.00 19,470.00 2,949,900.00 40,060.00 15,750.00 189,350.00 863,664,450.00 4,878,630.00 1,184,600.00 12,500.00 1,134,200.00 1,332,000.00 0.67 52.95 0.1450 16.76 2.16 5.17 4.80 0.99 0.97 517 53.95 2.99 4.94 0.200 620 6.29 39.50 5.7 6,409,000 3,671,330 779,720,000 21,197,800 1,396,000 131,600 386,000 7,341,000 601,000 1,033,360 2,756,530 47,000 12,649,000 500,000 207,220 4,488,600 2,764,000 5,000 8,613,300 2,291,000 40,000 650,000 38,931,000 656,700 9,500 2,390,000 2,000 112,000 460,000 610,000 751,620 793,000 300,000 1,070,000 880,000 90,000 4,411,540.00 193,242,306.50 112,538,840.00 351,988,510.00 2,931,830.00 680,690.00 1,914,250.00 6,845,520.00 578,620.00 536,855,645.00 150,248,068.00 136,360.00 59,532,630.00 106,150.00 132,534,595.00 28,042,457.00 107,397,210.00 28,500.00 54,545,636.00 2,209,560.00 14,000.00 1,173,690.00 173,444,200.00 3,871,907.00 55,214.00 117,700.00 2,560.00 61,600.00 845,550.00 193,150.00 665,597,675.00 1,594,860.00 312,000.00 293,750.00 258,000.00 30,600.00 6.28 0.96 0.350 1.85 4.45 5.97 5.74 0.0500 1.280 0.550 1.74 0.315 882.00 1.98 1.04 0.2750 0.3000 0.340 17.20 3.08 0.800 0.184 26.60 4.89 4.2 5.1 5.1 1.57 2.40 1.13 0.068 0.79 1.080 0.395 1.96 1.56 1.99 1.23 2.25 3.06 0.1470 0.6400 3.54 21.50 2.58 3.10 6.03 16.70 0.7 3.95 0.570 4.850 14,600 3,171,000 2,479,000 560,000 21,775,200 10,479,000 395,000 40,000 20,000 60,701,000 76,000 368,000 240,000 12,052,000 120,473,000 35,650,000 5,055,000 63,736,000 25,000 299,000 33,000 267,178,000 35,560,000 21,638,000 395,000 12,583,500 1,183,000 343,000 3,915,900 21,475,900 401,000 52,000 1,259,000 32,240,000 80,000 1,160,400 165,000 26,549,000 76,400 2,900 18,863,400 76,340,000 1,770,000 1,170,930 100 250,000 34,000 25 620,525 1,127,900 1,627,590 2,732,800 738,000 175,700,000 19,330,000 11,380,000 80,000 3,392,400 60,000 57,000 5,000 494,000 2,136,000 120,000 992,000 1,005,300 5,800 7,042,600 431,705 30,930,000 12,520,300 44,130,000 3,889,700 2,000 310,000 326,000 PROPERTY 241,790.00 9,849,760.00 1,993,980.00 102,680.00 600,853,645.00 51,068,120.00 1,647,820.00 204,000.00 102,000.00 90,393,870.00 180,810.00 417,440.00 15,740.00 9,497,370.00 127,177,060.00 13,983,650.00 9,855,570.00 99,524,660.00 49,750.00 363,670.00 74,250.00 784,331,690.00 5,283,130.00 14,056,570.00 1,406,200.00 267,225,815.00 3,007,960.00 1,053,820.00 23,459,772.00 355,676,260.00 272,180.00 203,770.00 688,480.00 156,543,760.00 17.00 3.01 0.810 0.178 26.45 4.86 4 71,000 3,663,000 2,854,000 700,000 17,837,300 8,492,000 504,000 1,207,112.00 10,780,140.00 2,170,310.00 124,600.00 472,386,065.00 41,474,880.00 2,021,770.00 28,029,130.00 252,080.00 2,736,480.00 301,870.00 650,940.00 169,082,370.00 32,273,100.00 15,586,720.00 36,110,030.00 532,150.00 1.48 2.36 1.16 0.069 0.81 0.990 0.400 1.96 1.49 1.24 19,036,000 108,000 2,441,000 4,510,000 818,000 171,219,000 77,570,000 8,167,000 24,001,000 432,000 2.77 0.1520 0.6500 20.75 2.43 3.04 5.89 16.50 0.66 3.98 0.540 4.860 85,858,000 20,600,000 15,592,000 238,558,680.00 3,193,660.00 10,239,400.00 7,287,700 3,447,000 17,000 632,000 33,181,400 14,000 296,000 416,000 48,023,000 153,635,450.00 8,339,310.00 51,470.00 3,743,382.00 556,372,416.00 9,320.00 1,173,420.00 225,060.00 231,076,520.00 1.75 38 1.25 0.830 9.71 26 13.70 0.1350 3.83 62.00 11.92 4.68 2.55 1080 1078.00 9.50 74.8 9.4 3.5 0.026 0.68 0.0590 2.3400 8.26 2.43 1.3 2.68 0.78 2.85 14.04 2.95 9.54 90.00 13.00 2650.00 0.355 32.25 1.04 9.98 2.55 0.405 1.280 SERVICES 136,310.00 43,076,925.00 208,850.00 22,551,860.00 741,217.00 75,400.00 258,171,460.00 10,304,200.00 6,791,100.00 72,714,522.50 1,192.00 1,170,120.00 87,070.00 26,000.00 675,980,080.00 10,696,795.00 122,359,322.50 25,411,915.00 2,556,120.00 4,580,600.00 12,608,880.00 626,250.00 191,830.00 28,284,296.00 143,240.00 76,600.00 12,880.00 378,570.00 5,999,680.00 1,689,856.00 2,972,980.00 9,550,577.00 539,035.00 90,117,186.00 1,131,436,470.00 10,480,750.00 405,266,390.00 46,319,210.00 34,392,691.00 5,050.00 124,500.00 416,500.00 1.62 33.85 1.2 0.820 9.65 28 13.20 0.1320 3.98 61.85 11.92 4.52 2.60 1080 1092.00 9.18 74 9.3 3.34 0.025 0.59 0.0480 2.5900 8.30 2.40 1.45 2.69 0.73 2.74 14.08 2.96 9.5 92.00 12.56 2530.00 0.330 33.00 1.02 7.51 2.26 0.410 1.250 927,000 292,300 378,000 15,614,000 609,100 6,200 11,884,300 230,260,000 3,828,000 273,310 1,700 2,596,000 24,000 250 169,595 1,968,900 2,821,090 10,000 400,000 155,500,000 8,625,000 3,570,000 1,144,000 4,200,800 6,000 27,000 13,000 21,000 1,625,000 186,600 1,404,000 1,028,000 11,870 5,887,800 314,780 550,000 5,103,100 31,525,000 638,500 13,000 1,100,000 352,000 1,576,030.00 9,851,990.00 450,240.00 12,788,700.00 5,878,270.00 170,100.00 157,206,636.00 30,945,920.00 14,984,960.00 16,922,214.00 19,976.00 11,321,260.00 61,170.00 258,295.00 186,621,515.00 17,908,869.00 209,006,748.50 93,000.00 1,308,160.00 3,950,100.00 4,780,980.00 171,270.00 2,921,200.00 34,553,156.00 14,380.00 39,150.00 33,990.00 14,970.00 4,417,810.00 2,625,248.00 4,195,270.00 9,767,350.00 1,039,314.00 73,013,888.00 803,963,770.00 181,500.00 165,651,450.00 32,706,160.00 4,808,139.00 27,800.00 444,800.00 454,150.00 0.0057 4.45 4.80 19.50 21.20 0.285 19 19.8 0.87 1.03 15.50 0.52 1.050 1.160 0.0610 0.0630 16.6 5 0.5600 3.350 0.0210 0.0200 6.20 15.50 29.2 0.041 238.00 0.0180 166,000,000 172,000 20,000 5,268,600 8,200 41,220,000 12,100 29,100 4,155,000 24,951,000 68,400 1,908,000 95,152,000 24,350,000 296,600,000 237,620,000 1,450,100 472,500 269,000 959,000 803,400,000 122,100,000 123,500 12,759,900 464,100 672,300,000 2,155,170 354,600,000 3,861,400 1,660 85,870 26,110 12,946,600 11,580 946,330 73,490 85,260 160 10,000 MINING & OIL 937,600.00 765,470.00 96,000.00 102,064,676.00 162,932.00 11,707,750.00 233,350.00 533,810.00 3,490,290.00 25,552,890.00 1,042,646.00 972,390.00 98,511,450.00 27,859,520.00 17,706,040.00 14,631,830.00 23,975,058.00 2,382,930.00 147,800.00 3,181,470.00 16,084,100.00 2,563,200.00 761,685.00 195,528,784.00 13,531,120.00 27,616,500.00 509,755,082.00 6,382,100.00 144,415,720.00 871,310.00 8,879,449.00 2,690,520.00 123,005,215.00 1,251,195.00 70,974,385.00 5,511,140.00 6,362,380.00 162,400.00 13,130.00 0.0055 4.45 4.60 18.70 19.90 0.270 19 20 0.84 1.02 15.10 0.5 1.000 1.100 0.0600 0.0620 16.1 4.99 0.5700 3.100 0.0190 0.0200 6.10 14.98 29.95 0.039 233.40 0.0170 34 520 101.5 103.5 9.32 108 75 75 74.5 1018 328,000,000 189,000 2,000 2,600,900 47,700 1,390,000 29,800 1,000 585,000 12,241,000 46,600 2,406,000 54,358,000 22,697,000 1,042,370,000 984,720,000 1,879,800 257,700 901,000 4,154,000 15,800,000 6,900,000 37,100 4,420,800 555,300 509,500,000 731,080 10,800,000 4,247,600 600 135,870 23,600 2,791,900 7,370 744,320 20,860 48,100 6,430 1,809,700.00 850,310.00 9,200.00 48,771,744.00 963,846.00 375,300.00 595,200.00 20,000.00 495,550.00 12,647,060.00 701,594.00 1,217,870.00 53,812,740.00 24,935,550.00 61,865,870.00 60,320,960.00 30,248,020.00 1,298,645.00 513,570.00 13,434,160.00 302,300.00 138,100.00 224,530.00 65,899,654.00 16,433,360.00 19,889,900.00 169,544,492.00 189,500.00 143,393,130.00 312,400.00 13,756,585.00 2,438,920.00 25,961,514.00 797,169.00 55,808,529.50 1,548,631.50 3,587,128.50 6,538,655.00 216,540.00 61,250.00 141,810.00 306,860.00 38 525 103.5 102 9.55 108.3 74.9 74.95 75 1015 1.3 PREFERRED 1.96 1.95 2.3 9.3 1,541,000 186,000 1,000 20,200 WARRANTS & BONDS 2,889,530.00 337,300.00 2,300.00 174,806.00 1.71 1.75 2.3 8.5 126,000 35,000 58,000 38,200 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK [email protected] [email protected] Manila ManilaStandardToday Business plastic blown film line. Films produced with Bionolle Starcla™, when exposed to soil, fresh water, seawater, compost, landfill and activated sludge, fully decompose into water and carbon dioxide. It is currently used in mulching films, as well as garbage, compost and shopping bags. Studies show that the global production capacity for eco- MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 B3 D&L signs deal to produce, distribute eco-friendly plastics By Jenniffer B. Austria A UNIT of D&L Industries Inc. has signed an agreement with Japan’s Showa Denko K.K. to produce and distribute biodegradable and disposable plastic products in the local and export markets. D&L subsidiary D&L Polymer Colours Inc. will provide a full scope of services, including export distribution and local sales. The contract is valid until Nov. 19, 2013, with a provision for a yearly automatic renewal. Exports started in December 2012 after D&L Polymer’s first shipment to Japan. Showa Denko is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. The company makes petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment (hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials (ceramics, carbons). The product, Bionolle StarclaTM, is a starch-based material that is fully biodegradable and compostable. StarclaTM is designed to run on conventional friendly plastics is expected to jump fourfold in five years from 1.2 million metric tons in 2011 to 5.8 million tons in 2016. Bionolle StarclaTM is the latest addition to D&L’s line of eco-friendly products. D&L Polymer is the only company in the Philippines engaged in the production of biodegradable compounds. “Bionolle StarclaTM will breathe new life into the plastics industry, which has lost almost 40 percent of its business to the bans,” said Lester Lao, managing director of D&L Polymer. “At the same time, we are also complementing the paper industry as we help them enhance their products and still be environment-friendly. It’s like having the best of both worlds,” he said. BCDA: Big firms keen on 33-hectare property joint venture corporation. the Bonifacio Naval Station and BCDA said it would hold a pre- Philippine Marine Corps of the bid conference on Jan. 18, 2013 Philippine Navy. STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and at 1 p.m. at the BCDA Corporate The land was transferred and Center to discuss inquiries from subsequently titled to BCDA Development Authority expects top interested bidders. for disposition pursuant to foreign and local real estate firms to join The property is composed of the BCDA charter, which the auction for a 33.1-hectare property in lands presently occupied in part was passed into law in 1992 by the Army Support Command during the administration of Taguig City. and Special Services Unit of the the late President Corazon “We are optimistic that the BCDA also said the terms of Philippine Army and in part by Aquino. top real estate companies, both reference for the bidding can be foreign and local, will participate purchased until Feb. 15, 2013. Republic of the Philippines in the bidding of Bonifacio BCDA Asset Disposition Department of Public Works and Highways South Pointe,” BCDA president Program Committee chairman Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Engineering Office and chief executive Arnel Nena Radoc said interested OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Paciano Casanova said over the bidders can submit their letters of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay weekend, adding the country’s intent to her office at the BCDA Invitation to Bid economic fundamentals pointed Corporate Center in Bonifacio to a healthy and promising real Global City and purchase the The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Deportment of Public Works and Highways, Zamboanga Sibugay 1 District Engineering Office. through CY 2013 Basic Education Facilities Fundestate environment this year. terms of reference for a nonRegular School Building, Program (RSPB). invites contractors to bid for the following projects, viz; BCDA published the terms of refundable fee of P500,000, or I. a. Contract I.D. No. : 13JI0003 b. Contract Name : Cluster 1 - Construction of Classroom, in the the bidding for a joint-venture $12,200. Municipalities of Buug, Diplahan, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay partner to develop the property BCDA said the variable 3.1.A. Construction of 1 Classroom @Bulaan PS, Bulaan, Buug in local and foreign papers. component of the financial bid ABC: Php 645,050.00 3.1.B Construction of 1 Storey 3 Classrooms @ Manangon ES. Manangon, Diplahan The BCDA invited bidders to must be no less than P13.2 billion, ABC: Php 1,702,350.00 3.1.C Construction of 1 storey 2 Classrooms @ Goling ES, Goling, Diplahan apply for eligibility and submit or approximately $323,498,748 ABC: Php 1,163,030,00 3.1.D Construction 1 Storey 2 Classrooms @ Molagac ES, Molagoc, Diplahan proposals for a 55-percent share based on an exchange rate of ABC: Php 1,168,850.00 in an incorporated joint venture, P41:$1. The agency also said the 3.1.E Construction of 1 Classroom @ Butong PS, Butong, Diplahan ABC: Php 645,050.00 in which the BCDA will hold variable component would be in 3.1 F Construction of 1 Classroom @ PNOC Village PS, Diplahan ABC: Php 645,050.00 a 45-percent share. The joint addition to the fixed component 3.1.G Construction of 1 Classroom @ Lobing PS, Lobing, Diplahan ABC: Php 645,050.00 venture will own and develop the of P8.6 billion, which would be 3.1.H Construction of 1 Classroom @ Gaulan NHS, Gaulan, Diplahan ABC: Php 645.050.00 property. used as working capital of the 3.1.I Construction of 1 storey 3 Classrooms @ Buntong ES, Buntong, Malangas Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Tel. No. (+63 2) 928-8642 / 928-8937 Fax No. (+63 2) 920-1635 E-mail: central @ mgb.gov.ph InvItatIon to BId for 2012-06-512: One (1) Lot Supply of Labor and Materials for the Drydocking/Repair of 500GRT Research Vessel, RPS Explorer 1. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, through the Continuing Appropriation for CY 2012 intends to apply the sum of Seven Million Pesos (PhP7,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Lot Supply of Labor and Materials for the Drydocking/Repair of 500GRT Research Vessel, RPS Explorer. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau now invites bids for Supply of Labor and Materials for the Drydocking/Repair of 500GRT Research Vessel, RPS Explorer. Delivery of the Goods is required for CY 2013. Bidders should have completed, within Two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Mines and Geosciences Bureau and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours, from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on January 7 to 25, 2013 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (PhP4,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 5. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 11, 2013 at 2:00PM at Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before January 25, 2013 at 1:30PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on January 25, 2013 at 2:00PM at Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted. 7. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: By Julito G. Rada 2. 3. st 6. 8. 3.1.J 3.1.K 3.1.L c. d. e. f. g. II. a. b. ABC: Php 1,702.350.00 Construction of 1 Storey 2 Classrooms @ Bacao ES, Bocco, Malangas ABC: 1,163,030.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Palalian PS, Palalian, Molongos ABC: 645,050.00 Construction or 1 Classroom Kigay ES, Kigay, Malangas ABC: 645,050,00 : : : : : Zamboanga Sibugay Construction of Classroom Php 11,414,960.00 270 Calendar Days Php 10,000.00 Leopoldo T. Virtucio Executive Officer, BAC Secretariat MGB-CO Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telefax No: (02) 928-8649 Email address: [email protected] Website: www.mgb.gov.ph (SGD) ELMER B. BILLEDO, Ph.D. BAC Chairman (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) Contract Location Scope of Work ABC Contract Duration Cost of Bidding Documents Contract I.D. No. Contract Name Republic of the Philippines : 13JI0004 : Cluster 2 - Construction of Classroom in the. Municipalities of Alicia, Imelda and Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay Department of Public Works and Highways OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Daet, Camarines Norte 4.2.A 4.2.B 4.2.C 4.2.D 4.2.E 4.2.F 4.2.G 4.2.H 4.2.I 4.2.J Construction of 1 Classroom @ Bagong Buhay, Bagong Buhay. Alicia ABC: Php 654,750.00 Construction of 1 storey 3 CIassrooms @ Tampalan ES, Tampalan, Alicia ABC: Php 1,702,350,00 Construction of 1 Storey 2 Classrooms @ Kapatagan ES, Kapatagan, Alicia ABC: 1,163.030.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Alegria ES, Alegria, Alicia ABC; Php 645.050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Balugo ES, Balugo, Imelda ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Bolungisan ES, Bolungisan. lmelda ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction or 1 Classroom @ Canaan PS, Canaan, Imelda ABC; Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Fatima ES, Fatima, Payao ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Kulisap ES, Kulisap, Payao ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Payao NHS–Dalama Annex, Dalama, Payao ABC: Php 645,050.00 Zamboanga Sibugay Construction of Classroom Php 8,035,480.00 35 Calendar Days Php 10,000.00 invitation to Bid The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Camarines Norte Engineering District, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects: Contract ID Contract Name 13FC0001 DRAINAGE AND PROTECTION WORKS ALONG NATIONAL ROADS FY 2013 Contract Location : First Legislative District, Camarines Norte K0269+709-K0269+749, K0283+672-K0283+714 and K0288+803-K0288+823 Scope of Work : 102 ln.m., Drainage and Protection Works Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 8,818,277.81 Contract Duration : 180 C.D. Source of Fund : Tender Documents : Php 10,000.00 Contract ID Contract Name 13FC0002 REHAB./IMPROVEMENT OF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND SLOPE PROTECTION WORKS ALONG TAGAS-POBLACION MAGANG NATIONAL ROAD (CY 2013) Contract Location : Tagas-Poblacion-Magang Road Scope of Work : 620m, Drainage System Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : Php 8,819,692.32 Contract Duration : 180 C.D. Source of Fund : Tender Documents : Php 10,000.00 The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of R.A. 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC, and (f) Prospective Bidders must submit complete List of Equipment to be used for above Projects. The said List of Equipment must be owned/leased by the bidder itself (g) all interested Bidder/s who wish to participate in this competitive bidding are required to have an Actual Site Inspection (ASI) on the above mention projects. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWHPOCW Central Office will only process contractors’ applications for registration with complete requirements and issue the Contractor’s Certificate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. The significant times and deadlines of procurements activities are shown below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders Receipt of Bids Opening of Bids From JANUARY 03 - 28, 2013 JANUARY 10, 2013 @ 2:00 P.M. JANUARY 10, 2013 until 10:00 A.M. JANUARY 28, 2013 until 10:00 A.M. JANUARY 28, 2013 @ 2:00 P.M. : : : : Metrobank search. The Metrobank Foundation Inc. invited different sectors of the society to submit nominations in its Search for Journalists of the Year award. Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña (center) promotes the search to Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila (right) and Fr. Nono Alfonso, S.J. of Jesuit Communications Foundation. The deadline for submission of nominations is on or before Jan. 31. c. d. e. f. g. III. a. b. Contract Location : Scope of Work : ABC : Contract Duration : Cost of Bidding Documents : Contract I.D. No. Contract Name : 13JI0005 : Cluster 3 - Construction of CIassroom in the Municipalities of Mabuhay, Talusan and Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. 4.2.A 4. 2.B 4. 2.C 4. 2.D 4.2. E 4.2.F c. d. e. f. g. OceanaGold pursues more village projects AUSTRALIAN miner OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. will implement more community projects to improve environmental conditions and quality of life of the people living in the immediate area where it operates. Brenan Lang, general manager of OceanaGold Didipio project, said citizens of Didipio and surrounding communities in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino welcomed the start of OceanaGold’s mining activity. The people, according to Lang who led a company team that assessed community reaction to the start of mining operations, are pleased over the completion of an all-weather road that links the mine site to the town and other areas, and the launch of a treeplanting program that could turn into a large-scale reforestation effort. “But what really excites the local communities exceedingly has been the direct and indirect creation of employment and business opportunities associated with the mining operation. Hundreds of families in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino have at least one family member associated directly with the mine or to a business that is providing the mining operation with services or supplies. This has already made significant impact on economic landscape of these communities,” Lang said. “We need free medicines as our local government cannot provide sufficient medicines to us. Senior citizens in our town as you see have hypertensions, poor eyesight and sagging teeth,” added Clarita Tinoyan, president of the Federation of Kasibu Senior Citizen Associations. OceanaGold’s Didipio mine is expected to be productive for at least 16 years. OceanaGold expects Didipio mine to produce 50,000 to 70,000 ounces of gold and 15,000 to 18,000 tons of copper in 2013. Commissioned in November 2012, the company is the first mining tenement in the country to operate under a financial or technical assistance agreement. The mine is expected to produce an average of 100,000 ounces of gold and 14,000 tons of copper a year. Construction of 1 Storey 2 Classrooms @ Tandu-Camot ES. Tandu-Camot, Mabuhay ABC: Php 1.246,450.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Kauswagan ES, Kauswagan, Mabuhay ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Looc-Barlac ES, Looc-Barlac, Mabuhay ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Bualan ES, Bualan, Talusan ABC: Php 645,050.00 Construction of 1 Storey 4 Classrooms @ Olutanga CES, Olutanga ABC: Php 2,341,580.00 Construction of 1 Classroom @ Esperanza ES, Esperanza, Olutanga ABC: Php 645,050.00 : : : : : Zamboanga Sibugay Construction of Classroom Php 6,168,230.00 210 Calendar Days Php 10,000.00 Contract Location Scope of Work ABC Contract Duration Cost of Bidding Document 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 bids. To bid for this contract, a contractor must purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino Citizen or 75% Filipino-owned Partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture. (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract. (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (e) Net Financial. Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC. or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility cheek and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors. however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH·POCW Central Office. The DPWH-POCW Central Office will only process contractors applications for registration with complete requirements and issue the Contractor’s 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 Receipt of Bids Opening of Bids January 7, 2013 - January 24, 2013 January 11, 2013 10:00 A.M. January 24, 2012 10:00 A.M. January 24, 2012 2:00 P.M. The- BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Zamboanga. Sibugay 1st District Engineering Office (DEO), Diplahan. Zamboanga Sibugay, upon payment of a non-refundable fee. Prospective bidders may also download the BD’s from the DPWH website if available. Prospective Bidders that will download the Bid 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 BD's. Bids must accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms 05 specified In the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post-qualification. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st at District Engineering Office, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay reserves the right to accept or reject any bid to annul the bidding process at anytime prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. Approved by: (Sgd.) Atty. ROMEO A. SALADAGA, CE Chief, Maintenance Section (BAC Chairman) Noted: (Sgd.) REYNERIO P. ALCACHUPAS OIC District Engineer (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BDs) at the Office of the BAC, DPWH, Daet, Camarines Norte, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of (see cost of tender documents above). Prospective bidders may also download the BD’s from the DPWH website, if available. Prospective bidders that will download the BD’s from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their bids Documents. The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s. Bids must accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post-qualification. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Camarines Norte Engineering District reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidders. (Sgd.)RICARDO L. PACARDO OIC-Asst. District Engineer BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.)SIMON N. ARIAS OIC-District Engineer (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WORLD B4 Manila Standard TODAY MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 US pushes to finish Afghan dam KAJAKI—In the approaching twilight of its war in Afghanistan, the US is forging ahead with a giant infrastructure project long criticized as too costly in both blood and money. It’s a $500 million effort to refurbish the massive Kajaki dam and hydro-electric power system with an extensive network of power lines and transmission substations. It is supposed to bring electricity to 332,000 people in southern Afghanistan, increase crop yields and build up a cohort of trained Afghan laborers in a region badly in need of them. But completion, which originally was envisaged for 2005, now is projected for some time in 2015, the year after most combat troops will have left the country. And there are some crucial ifs: If a convoy carrying 900 tons of concrete can make it up a dangerous road to the dam site without being attacked by the Taliban. If the Afghan army can hold out in an area that took thousands of U.S. Marines to secure. If the Afghan government can take on the management of the dam. “It’s a long-term bet. I’ve said to people: We have to be patient and we have to persevere,” said Ken Yamashita, the head of USAID in Afghanistan. The desire to succeed is understandable. The Kajaki dam on the Helmand River symbolizes for both the Afghans and their American backers what they had hoped the infusion of US troops and cash would produce nationwide: an Afghan government that can provide for its people and in turn count on its support against the Taliban insurgency. The US has spent $22.34 billion on governance and development in Afghanistan since it invaded the country following the Sept. 11 attacks, much of that on projects to build roads, schools, power plants and irrigation systems. In the past two years alone, $800 million was earmarked for infrastructure projects. Kajaki is also a symbol of the American presence in Afghanistan dating back to the 1950s and the Cold War. That was when the US built the original dam, with a powerhouse added in the 1970s. But before the three turbines could be installed, the Soviets invaded and construction stopped. The dam was still squeezing out a bit of power in 2001 when the US attacked and, ironically enough, bombed the dam’s power transmission line. In the latest phase of the Kajaki saga, fighting as well as limited oversight of spending has led to huge delays and cost overruns. Now Helmand province, home of the dam, is seeing the first and largest wave of US troop reductions, with 10,000 of 17,000 US Marines already gone. That means most of the Kajaki project is going forward with Afghan forces providing nearly all the security in an area that was a Taliban stronghold until a year ago.AP This Nov. 15, 2012 aerial photo shows the Helmand River in Helmand province, south of Kabul. AP Chavez’s allies re-elect legislative chief Missoni missing in Venezuela VITTORIO Missoni and his partner are missing in Venezuela after the small plane they were traveling in vanished, the Italian fashion house said yesterday. The company is working with the Italian foreign ministry in aiding the searches under way, Sumirago-based Missoni SpA said in a statement. Two other passengers and two crew members were aboard, Venezuelan authorities said. Reports have identified Missonis partner as Maurizia Castiglioni. The plane left the archipelago of Los Roques for the Caracas airport at 11:29 a.m. local time on Jan. 4, Justice and Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said in a telephone call on state television in Venezuela. The craft was last reported 18 kilometers from Los Roques, he said. In accordance with international aviation norms, it is declared officially disappeared, Reverol said. Venezuela sent two planes and two patrol boats to locate the missing craft. Missonis younger brother, Luca, was traveling to Venezuela yesterday, the Associated Press reported. The fashion brands founder Ottavio and his wife Rosita were at their home in Italy, awaiting information on the search, AP said, citing Corriere della Serra. The Missoni fashion house began in 1953, when Ottavio and Rosita set up a workshop in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, according to the companys website. Vittorio, Luca and their sister Angela eventually became owners of the company, which lists Madonna and Jennifer Lopez among its celebrity clients. Bloomberg CARACAS—Allies of cancerstricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday chose to keep the same National Assembly president a man who could be in line to step in as a caretaker leader in some circumstances. The vote to retain Diosdado Cabello as legislative leader signaled the ruling party’s desire to stress unity and continuity amid growing signs the government plans to postpone Chavez’s inauguration for a new term while he fights a severe respiratory infection nearly a month after cancer surgery in Cuba. The opposition and some legal experts have argued that if Chavez is unable to be sworn in as scheduled on Thursday, the president of the National Assembly should take over on an interim basis. Cabello’s selection quashed speculation about possible political reshuffling in the midst of Chavez’s health crisis, and it came as Vice President Nicolas Maduro joined other allies in suggesting that Chavez could remain president and take the oath of office before the Supreme Court later on if he isn’t fit to be sworn in on the scheduled date. “It strikes me that the government has decided to put things on hold, to wait and see what happens with Chavez’s health and other political factors, and figure out the best way to insure continuity,” said Michael Shifter, president of the InterAmerican Dialogue think tank in Washington. “Maduro and Cabello are clearly the key players within Chavismo today, each heading separate factions, but for the time being the idea is to reaffirm both and project a sense of unity.” Cabello, a former military officer who is widely considered to wield influence in the military, was re-elected by a show of hands by Chavez’s allies, who hold a majority of the 165 congressional seats. Pro-Chavez party leaders ignored calls to include opposition lawmakers among the legislative leadership, and opposition lawmaker Ismael Garcia said the choices represented “intolerance.” None of the opposition lawmakers supported the new legislative leaders. AP In this Oct. 11, 2012 photo, a Saudi customer discusses his purchases at a jewelry shop in the gold suq, or market, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The price of gold in Dubai is fixed daily and items are sold by weight. with little or no or little charge for the often exquisite workmanship.AP Dubai makes bid to be City of Gold DUBAI—The capital of the United Arab Emirates is sometimes called the “City of Gold” because of its stunning growth from a sleepy Gulf port to a world-famous business crossroads in the space of a single generation. Its nickname has a literal meaning for traders in the precious metal. The city is building itself up as a center for the gold trade, between sources in Africa and consumers in the rising economies of China and India. Dubai now has about a 29 percent market share of global gold trade with nearly 1,200 tons worth about $41 billion changing hands at the city’s gold markets, according to the gold industry website bullionstreet. com. That’s up from around $6 billion worth traded in the emirate in 2003, said Malcolm Wall Morris, chief executive of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, set up by the emirate to oversee the trade. “There’s no doubt the geographical location of Dubai has played an important factor,” he said. Dubai’s tax-free status has made it one of the cheapest places to buy gold in the world. The emirate has set up gold refineries and vaults and jewelrymaking facilities, importing gold including scrap from India and melting it down to produce gold bars. At the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, traders and speculators buy and sell the metal on the futures market. AP Vatican card ban leaves visitors cashless A SUSPENSION of electronic payments in the Vatican City is threatening finances in the worlds smallest state as thousands of pilgrims and tourists are forced to use cash only in museums and shops with yearly sales of more than $100 million. Credit and debit card payments as well as cash withdrawals remained suspended in the papal state for a fourth day after the Bank of Italy refused a request by the operator, Deutsche Bank AGs Italian unit, to keep providing the services. The central bank acted because the Vatican doesnt comply with international money laundering rules, a Bank of Italy official said. We expected to buy tickets with the credit card, but we had to use the cash which is a problem for us as we will now have less money to use for the rest of the day, said Zhou Lingli, an university student from Zhejiang, China, before entering the Vatican museums, which includes the Sistine Chapel decorated by Michelangelo. The sale of memorabilia, postage stamps and admission tickets to the Vatican museums is the main source of revenue for the Holy See apart from investments and donations. The Vatican museums alone, with over 5 million visitors, had sales of 91.3 million euros ($119 million) in 2011, according to a July 5 statement from the Holy See. The interruption to electronic payment services will be brief, the Vatican, which is home to Pope Benedict XVI and is located in central Rome near the Tiber river, said in a statement. Cash withdrawals from machines operated by the Vatican bank IOR are not affected, a Vatican spokesman, who declined to be named, said. Tourists will be able to buy tickets for the Vatican museums online until Jan. 15, he said. The ban also affects souvenir and book shops within the 0.2 square-mile papal state. Items to be paid in cash at the Vatican museums gift shops include a hand-painted miniature of Fra Angelicos painting of the Virgin Mary with diamonds and 18karat gold frame bearing a tag price of 430 euros and a 720-euro medal depicting late Pope John Paul II weighting 21 grams. Many people complained because they didnt have enough cash at hand, a shop assistant, who declined to be named, said. AP GENEVA—The world’s largest and most powerful atom smasher goes into a 2-year hibernation in March, as engineers carry out a revamp to help it reach maximum energy levels that could lead to more stunning discoveries following the detection of the so-called “God particle.” With the reopening of its $10 billion proton collider in early 2015, the stage will be set for observing more rare phenomena — and unlocking more mysteries, said James Gillies, chief spokesman for the European particle physics laboratory known as CERN. The Large Hadron Collider under the Swiss-French border will operate for two more months then shut down through 2014, allowing engineers to lay thousands more superconducting cables aimed at bringing the machine up to “full design energy,” Gillies told The Associated Press on Friday. Physicists at the European Center for Nuclear Research, known by its French acronym CERN, won’t exactly be idle as the collider takes a break. There are still reams more data to sift through since the July discovery of a new subatomic particle called the Higgs boson — dubbed the “God particle — which promises a new realm of understanding of the universe. For the next two months, the Large Hadron Collider will be smashing protons with lead ions, then undergo several weeks of testing before it shuts down. The collider launched in September 2008, but had to be switched off just nine days later when a badly soldered electrical splice overheated, causing extensive damage to the massive magnets and other parts of the collider some 100 meters below the ground. It cost $40 million to repair and improve the machine. Since its restart in November 2009, the collider has performed almost flawlessly and the power produced has been ramped up to ever-new record levels, creating a treasure trove of new data to sift through. AP “God particle” N RIEF finder for rehab Cat used in Brazil prison smuggling SAO PAULO—Guards thought there was something suspicious about a little white cat slipping through a prison gate in northeastern Brazil. A prison official says that when they caught the animal, they found a cellphone, drills, small saws and other contraband taped to its body. Alagoas state prisons spokeswoman Cinthya Moreno says that the cat was caught New Year’s Eve at the mediumsecurity prison in the city of Arapiraca. The O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper reported Saturday that all of the prison’s 263 inmates are suspects in the smuggling attempt, though it says a prison spokesman said “It will be hard to discover who is responsible since the cat does not speak.”AP I B India being accused of cross-border raid ISLAMABAD—The Pakistani military is accusing forces from neighboring India of crossing the boundary between the two sides’ forces in Kashmir and attacking a Pakistani border post, killing a soldier. The military’s public relations office said in a statement Sunday that another Pakistani soldier was critically wounded in the incident early Sunday. They said troops are still exchanging gunfire in the area. They said the raid crossed the “line of control” dividing the Indian and Pakistani sides of Kashmir, a flashpoint of violence between these two neighbors for decades. Both claim the region as their own. A 2003 cease-fire ended the most recent round of fighting. Each side occasionally accuses the other of violating it by lobbing mortars or shooting across the LOC, but accusations of crossborder raids are rare.AP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK #lovemy Manila Standard TODAY fashion beauty health wellness MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 Gianna Maniego, Editor Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor C1 John Varvatos, Hugo Boss Bottled Sport, Ralph Lauren Polo, Calvin Klein Eternity Acqua, United Colors of Benetton Let’s Move 10 DIFFERENT SCENTS for today’s multifaceted man By Ed Biado CHRISTMASTIME may be over, but it doesn’t mean that we should stop giving gifts (and a gift guide doesn’t hurt for future reference). So if you’re looking for the perfect present for a man in your life, including yourself, if you’re a guy, look no further than the nearest department store, such as SM, for a wide range of options for every desire. If you pass by the fragrance section, you’ll be greeted by an infusion of different scents that just smells too good to ignore. Scents, of course, make fantastic gifts and all you have to know which one to get. There are, after all, hundreds of different choices, from the sporty to the refined, from the playful to the serious, from the classic to the contemporary. In picking the right bottle, it all boils down to the wearer’s specific personality, lifestyle and preference. Don’t rush it and take your time to decide which one is the best fit—sample as many scents as possible. (Tip: Don’t forget to take a whiff of coffee beans, which are available at the perfume counters, in between fragrance samples to clear your sense of smell.) But if you’re still undecided, here are 10 suggestions: 1. Always a classic, Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio (50ml P3,500, 100ml P4,700) is summery and doesn’t take itself too seriously. With floral top notes of jasmine and rosemary, the scent is balanced out by middle notes of persimmon and marine. It lingers with woodsy and earthy strains of cedar, patchouli, white musk and rock rose. The ladies love it for its light and refreshing appeal, and was chosen as the Best Men’s Fragrance by Women’s Health magazine. 2. Calvin Klein Eternity Acqua (50ml, P3,498; 100ml, P4,698) is an update to the semi-dated Eternity for Men. It’s modern, aquatic and woodsy. It starts off green with chilled cucumber, citrus cocktail, water lotus and watery green leaves, transitions into the exotic-ness of plum, pepper, red berries, lavender and white cedar and settles with sandalwood, guaiac wood, patchouli and musk. 3. For something tried and tested, go for Jovan Black Musk for Men (88ml, P700). It has all the traits of an old-world gentleman: mysterious, sexy, darkly sensual and very masculine 4. Something that exudes with confidence is Hugo Boss Bottled Sport (50ml, P 3,950; 100ml, P 4,950). Citrus and spice intertwine at the top with grapefruit, yuzu and pink peppercorn. The full-bodied middle is composed of lavender, cardamom and aldehyde and it quietly ends with vetiver, tonka bean and patchouli. 5. Unleash your man’s inner Indiana Jones with the John Varvatos signature scent (75ml, P3,450; 125ml, P4,650). Its spicy sensuality is derived from exotic top notes of medjool, date fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and West Indian tamarind tree leaves; and unusual middle notes of coriander seed templar, clary sage flower, and Indian Ajowan. The base, auramber, vanilla CO2, balsams, eaglewood, vanilla and black leather, lends considerable heft and stability. 6. The different variants of Playboy (100 ml, P495) are all about seduction and being a “ladies’ man, man’s man, man about town,” a la Catcher Block from the movie, “Down With Love.” There’s one for every guy who aims to seduce; each taking cue from cosmopolitan, edgy and spirited lifestyles. 7. The young and active guy would love multiple sprays of Benetton Let’s Move (40ml, P950; 100ml, P1,450). It has an athletic and outdoorsy quality, thanks to a blend of fruity, spicy and woodsy notes that fade into one another. 8. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Sport (75ml, P3,950; 125ml, P4,900) combines sharp top notes—green apple, mint, mandarin orange and cedar—that gives way to spiciness— sage and ginger—and ends up musky and woodsy—fern, amber, musk, sandalwood, patchouli and oakmoss. The effect is smooth, masculine and subtle. 9. A little edgy and a whole lot of modern, Ducati (50ml, P1,600; 100ml, P2,200) is a soft fragrance with hints of fruitiness and greenery. Palpable from the top are grapefruit and Angelica leaf while the middle is accented by papyrus, nutmeg and a tinge of fig leaf. The musky end is anchored by guaiac wood and driftwood. 10. David Beckham Homme (50ml, P1,800; 75ml, P2,300) is evocative of everything a sports star should be: charismatic, sophisticated, wildly active and well-rounded. The scent’s fine blend of grounded woodsy notes are enhanced by fresh invigorating spices. All the fragrances mentioned in this article are available at SM Department Store. Adidas Ice Dive Bvlgari Man John Varvatos Davidoff Cool Water Eau de Lacoste Collection Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Blue Calvin Klein Eternity Aqua Playboy Malibu Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio A fashionable year THE fashion-forward denizens of the metropolis had so much to be happy about because the past year highlighted new fashion trends that have made waves in the other fashion capitals of the world. Here are some details of one of last-year’s events that awed Manila’s well-heeled. TRESemme’s finest Although the brand is recognized for its reputation as being the authority in quality hair care, its thanksgiving dinner was attended not only by hair stylists and make-up artists, but it also had the social circuit’s top personalities, models, fashion designers and the media. Designers Cary Santiago, Francis Libiran, JC Buendia and Jun Escario showcased five of their latest creations, complemented by various hairstyles created by the TRESemme Team which is composed of the local fashion industry’s big names—The Backstage Onlooker Kelly Misa, The Style Arbiter Liz Uy, The Creative Virtuoso Raymond Gutierrez, and the Tres Aficionados Tinette Puyat, Victor Ortega and Jing Monis. The show also featured the Professional Models Association of the Philippines’ ( P M A P ) members who all looked so avant garde in their red ensembles. W h a t Unilever Philippines Head of PR Personal Care Apples Aberin Victor Ortega with Katrina Holigores Robbie Carmona, Ann Esteves and Rajo Laurel Bela Padilla and Neil Arce Benjamin Alves Bubbles Paraiso Fashion designers JC Buendia, Francis Libiran and Jun Escario were met with a warm round of applause as they walked down the runway. The TRESemme Style Team: Tres Aficionados Tinette Puyat, Victor Ortega and Jing Monis, The Creative Virtuoso Ramond Gutierrez, The Style Arbiter Liz Uy and The Backstage Onlooker Kelly Misa FASHION DON’TS IN 2013 Leave all the fashion faux pas in 2012 behind and swear to never ever wear them again this year. made the occasion even more memorable was the four-course dinner prepared by no less than chef extraordinaire Margarita Fores, served to the tune of the 50s’ top hits dished out by the up-andcoming band, SINYMA. Headlining the event were TRESemme brand manager Ann Esteves and Unilever Philippines head of PR Personal Care Apples Aberin who were both at the forefront to welcome the enthusiastic crowd. Bulletin Board Dermcare Luxe in CDO. With over 20 years of experience in beauty pampering services, Dermcare Luxe opened its fourth branch recently at the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, with the customary ribbon-cutting ceremonies led by congressmen Benjo Benaldo and Rufus Rodriguez, and Dermcare president and chief operating officer Zenaida Palisoc. The new beauty spot is best known for its facial and body scrub, relaxing European massage, hair waxing, painless hair removal, non-invasive hair reduction, and body slimming by cavitation. Its other branches are at The Block in SM North EDSA, Ayala Center Cebu, and SM North Wing also in Cebu. Photo on this page shows Palisoc and Rodriguez (3rd and 4th from left, respectively) during the ceremony. For more information, log on to www. dermcareprofessional.com YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE: Surveys can sometimes be funny. If “4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea,” does that mean that 1 out of 5 ENJOYS it? ----------O---------For feedback, I’m at [email protected] S AT AT’’ WH WH Congressman Rufus Rodriguez (center) cutting the ribbon assisted by Paulina Gotil Go of Pearlmonte Hotel and Zenaida E. Palisoc Dermcare president/CEO, Antonio de Venecia managing director, Rhea Marie Buenviaje marketing manager and Joseph Palisoc area manager IDE INS CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK C2 ManilaStandardToday Gianna Maniego, Editor Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 #lovemy Spiked shoes fashion beauty health wellness [email protected] beauty memo By Dinna Chan Vasquez Wedge sneakers STOP WEARING By Ed Biado The year 2012 was not without fashion faux pas. Today, we’re remembering some of its ugliest moments and trends that we hope never to see in 2013 (and ever again). Spikes. Metallic accents are fun, edgy and add character to an outfit. But if a single item is made out of them entirely, it’s not very pretty. And if those studs happen to be spiky, then no one should be allowed to wear them. An example is this one shoe filled with spikes—not just cutesy spiky elements, but spikes that are so pointed, it actually hurts to touch them—that I recently saw at The Ramp by Crossings. Vagina shorts. It seems like a lot of girls enrolled at the Miley Cyrus School of Classy Dressing last year because, you know, no one does classy better than Hannah Montana herself. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear short shorts, but denim cutoffs that are cut way too short that the front pockets are visible below the hem are just slutty, slutty, slutty. Mullet skirts. A plea to designers: STOP. A plea to consumers: STOP. Printed denim. On teenage girls, they’re cute and adorable. On a grown woman, it’s silly. No, hideous. Printed leggings have to go too, sorry. Peplums. The reason that peplums haven’t been used in fashion for a long time is that they’re not for everyone. Yet, last year, designers brought back the look and plastered them on almost every conceivable skirt. And it wasn’t pretty, unless you’ve got the body of Gisele. And no, you don’t have the body of Gisele. Neon. Katy Perry is a pop star. She has the privilege to be outrageous and shower herself in neon from head to toe. What’s your excuse? Wedge sneakers. Not everything on the red carpet is worth emulating, especially when it’s an experiment gone bad. Wedges, good. Sneakers, good. Wedge sneakers, on the other hand, are among the worst footwear hybrids there are. So please, don’t even. Got anything to add to this list? Tweet me @EdBiado. Is it a stain or a balm? JUST Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, another brilliant product from Revlon is both. I have always been wary of lip and/or cheek stains because with my coloring, the color pay-off is usually very poor. But Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is another story. It claims to be a lightweight stain but it's actually very pigmented and just because of that, my frustrations over stains are now officially over. Revlon describes Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain as "a pampering balm and a lightweight lipstain, together in one fantastic product!" And it really is! The product is very moisturizing and glides on easily. There's not tugging involved, which is expected when you are using a pencil Here's one other thing I love about this product: its crayon-like form is retractable, so you only need to twist the bottom to get more of this wonderful lipstain. It comes in 12 shades, Honey, Crush, Darling, Cherish, Lovesick, Sweetheart, Smitten, Charm, Rendezvous, Romantic, Previous, and Adore. I have Sweetheart, which is a lovely fuschia pink that stays on your lips for hours even after you've eaten. Sweetheart is the first shade that I tried and I fell in love with it to the point that I didn't even try all the other colors. It looks like lipstick when you first apply it, but as it wears off it just looks like your lips are that colour. "Stain" is the perfect word to describe it. It lasts for hours, and it's definitely "kissable" as well, as it won't come off your lips. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain is priced at P575 at major retail outlets nationwide. THESE 2012 LOOKS FASHION trends come and go. Some are fabulous and we want them to stay forever. Others, we easily get tired of because everybody jumps on them too quickly. Then, there are those that just make you go, “Why is that even popular?” Mullet skirt Peplums Vagina shorts Printed denim Urology and Stone Center opens in Cardinal Santos Medical Center CARDINAL Santos Medical Center celebrated a major milestone when it opened its Urology and Stone Center. With the new patient area, Cardinal Santos adds a full range of services in urology and stone condition management that includes urologic oncology, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, endourology and laparoscopy, neurourology, voiding dysfunction and urodynamics, female urology, pediatric urology, renal transplantation, male health and erectile dysfunction, and male factor infertility to among its specialties. Lawyer Pilar Nenuca Almira, president and chief executive of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, said the urology section has been in the planning and development stage for several months. Although there previously was a similar unit at CSMC, the annex stands out with the diversity and comprehensiveness of the urological services now being offered. “It’s the thrust of Cardinal Santos Medical Center to offer complete services. Our consultants have been very aggressive in putting this together. We have a complete array of services, and the center is equipped with all modern equipment to address urologic health concerns – both for men and women,” said Almira. The center is staffed by the most respected urology practitioners in the country who were trained here and abroad in the many sub-specialties of urology, with some not only active in the medical field but in academe, as well. An important feature of the new center is the ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) machine that uses sound waves to break a kidney stone into very small pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract and out of the body. Cardinal Santos Medical Center is one of the leading hospitals in the Philippines in the fields of neurosurgery and neurology, cardiology, cancer care, and minimally invasive surgery. The hospital employs a comprehensive care approach to all specialties Cardinal Santos Medical Center is a modern, tertiary hospital and academic institution managed by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC). Its sister companies include: Makati Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, De Los Santos-STI Medical Center, Riverside Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital, Meralco, Maynilad Water Services, and Manila North Tollways Corporation. WHAT’S a base note? What’s the difference between musky and woody? Which of the designer names do women really like? And since when does channel number 5 make perfume? If you are looking at gifts for your gals over in the fragrance section. If you’re like most men, though, you may find it a bit overwhelming, if not downright confusing. But fear not fragrance shoppers. If you’re reading this, you’re already on the right scent. SM Department Store’s Beauty Section has got it all for you. Let’s start by matching the fragrance to her personality. This, in a way, can make your gift even more special: it shows that you took the time and effort to get to know her well. Remember to note her fashion sense, her hobbies, and all possible likes, and dislikes. For the princess D&G Light Blue has fruity top notes with strong middle notes that are floral and woodsy, ending with heavy woodsy and musky notes, that are a match for more assertive Princesses. Versace Yellow Diamond Yellow Diamond's rich fragrance bestows upon its wearer a shimmering elegance that calls to mind the luster of the finest diamond. The top notes are a perfect melding of fresh lemon, bergamot, neroli, and pear sorbet, while its heart beats with orange blossom, freesia, mimosa, and water lily. Beneath it all lies a base of amber, precious musk and guaiac wood. Body Luxuries Signature Body Mist – Japanese Cherry Blossom, Black Amethyst, Dark Kiss offers a range of delicate mists Lavishly spritz on your body to lightly scent the skin with scents that play from seductive, mysterious to floral scent. For the career woman Lady Gaga has been described as surprisingly safe and middle-of-the road, for a fragrance named after a controversial celebrity. However, the fragrance does impress in several ways. It combines dark notes from Belladona, a sensual accord from honey, saffron, and apricot; and balances these with the lighter notes of tiger orchid and jasmine sambaci. RL Big Pony for Women 1,2,3,4. All four variants share Finding the right fragrance for her related characteristics, with notes that range from the fruity to the floral. These fragrances are all about confidence. They’re suited for dynamic, courageous women who don’t shy away from risks—that said, it’s also for occasions of spontaneity and seduction. Kylie Minogue is a mix of floral and fruity notes, woods and gourmand vanilla is lightly touched with cotton candy. The top notes are passion fruit, and freesia, with Australian sandal wood, patchouli and vanilla in the base. Victoria’ Secret Pure Seduction (red plum and freesia), Endless Love (apple blossom & ylang-ylang) These two fragrances are infused with aloe vera & chamomile for conditioning and calming effects, which result in nothing less than sensual overload. Pure Seduction features red plum and freesia notes, while Endless Love carries fuses together apple blossom and ylang-ylang. For the vixen Armani Code Luna is comfy and pleasant. While Armani has described it as possessing magic and mystery, wearers tend to like the citrusy and creamy accords. While “lemon and vanilla” are not in the official fragrance notes list, wearers do use these to describe the scent that they like most about Armani Code Luna. Givenchy Play is enjoyed by wearers for its fresh, predominantly floral scent. There seems to be no neutral response to this fragrance, as reviews tend to either like or hate it. In general, wearers appreciate the accent of spiciness (from the pink peppercorn) that pleasantly complements the florals. It’s liked as a light fragrance for everyday wear. It’s a more mature scent that subtly seduces rather than overwhelms. Body Fantasies is a fragrance that combines the clean scents of creamy vanilla, jasmine, fresh apples, and white musks. It boasts of a long lasting fragrance while giving out a light, clean, fresh and energizing scent. Katy Perry Purr/Meow. Two fruity, floral treats with woodsy notes. Either one is sure to be a sweet treat, perfect for the youthful wearer with a cheeky Cristine Reyes is new Calayan endorser A BIGGER and better Calayan Surgicentre Corp. welcomed the New Year with a bang as the group launched introduced Cristine Reyes as its a new endorser and offered a preview of the new products, endorsers, and other surprises to come. This followed a corporate restructure which saw more professionals and a team of experts in the medical and business world coming on board to become part of one of the leaders in the country’s cosmetic surgery and dermatology industry. In a corporate re-launch held at Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Cristine was formally welcomed to the Calayan family. The actress joins Boy Abunda, Luis Manzano, Billy Crawford, Bianca Gonzalez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Mariel Rodriguez, Ronnie Liang, Gardo Versoza, Valerie Concepcion, Bangs Garcia, Kim Atienza, Hon. Kring-Kring Romualdez and Valenzuela City Councilor Kate Coseteng as Calayan endorser. Dr. Manny Calayan said as 2013 rolls in, Calayan Surgicentre Corp. will begin rolling out several launches from the first through the fourth quarter of the year. Aside from the new endorsers, products, and services, the company will also launch a new theme song, a new Web site, a new music video and a new TV commercial. Calayan Surgicentre Corp. aims to continue leading the way in the Philippines’ cosmetic surgery and dermatology industry. The company was one of the first in the country to use the Resurface Treatment System, a breakthrough in the field of cosmetic dermatology. Calayan Surgicentre Corp. is also the first ambulatory clinic in the Philippines to earn an ISO 9001:2000 certification for world class service. Calayan has branches in Legaspi Village, Makati; Timog Ave., Quezon City; and Los Angeles, California. Michael Kors goes bold and geometric MICHAEL Kors brightens up NY Fashion Week with bold hues and brave geometry done with his intrinsic polish in his Spring 2013 collection, showcased on September 12th at the Lincoln Center, New York City. Seen front row and center are some of the designers’ most wellknown fans—Catherine ZetaJones, Marisa Tomei, Camilla Belle, Katharine McPhee, and many others reveled in the designer’s confident showing of colour, calculated use of geometric patterns such as stripes and houndstooth, and clever juxtaposition of athletic chic and MOD sleek with oversized eyewear paired with sharply tailored pieces. Architectural and graphic, zesty and packing undeniable amounts of punch, each piece exuded the brand’s signature glam and sexy with conviction and bravado. This season, third party online outlets also had the privilege of taking the show to their followers with the live feed embedded on their own sites. Here is Kors' inspiration for Spring 2013 in his very own words, and his hand-picked Top 5 looks from the collection: "Geometric glamour …graphic stripes…optical checks…sharp tailoring …the trim spring coat… the leggy suit…bold shades of sun, palm and sky…crisp navy, white and crimson…graphic combos of black and white…digital images of shimmering pools and cloud streaked skies…the structured satchel…metallic and lucite accents on streamlined shoes…the oversized goggle...the sculptural belt… the modernist watch… architectural polish" CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK [email protected] Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan ManilaStandardToday Classifieds Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Region X BUKIDNON 3RD DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE Office of the District Engineer Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 C3 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Region VI- Western Visayas ILOILO CITY DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Fort San Pedro Road, Iloilo City Republic of the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur Republic of the Philippines INVITATION TO BID for Contract ID:13GJ0002- Concreting of Farm to Market Road, Brgy. Navais Section, Mandurriao, Iloilo City The Department of Public Works and Highways, Iloilo City District Engineering Office, through the DA-FMR 2013 intends to apply the sum of FIVE MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED EIGHTY-TWO THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX PESOS AND 23/100 (P 5,882,326.23) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Contract ID:l3GJ0001Concreting of Farm to Market Road, Brgy. Navais Section, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Iloilo City District Engineering Office, now in vites bids for the Concreting of Farm to Market Road, Brgy. Navais Section, Mandurriao, Iloilo City(Concreting of Road). Completion of Works is required FORTY-FIVE(45) Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the implementing Rules and Regulations(lRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to the citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways, Iloilo City District Engineering Office, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TEN THOUSAND PESOS (P 10,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhiIGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Iloilo City District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 16, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. at the Office of the BAC, Iloilo City District Engineering Office, Fort San Pedro Road, Iloilo City which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before January 28, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. Department of Public Works and Highways, Iloilo City District Engineering .office, Fort San Pedro Road, Iloilo City. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. “LOIs andlor applications for eligibility and latest Class “A” documents are to be accepted by the BA C together with the Bids and other relevant Documents on or before the deadline for submission of Bids. “ Bids will be opened on January 28, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the presence of the bidders representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Head of the Procuring Entity, DPWH-Iloilo City District Engineering Office, Iloilo City, reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidders. For further information, please refer to: FEMA G. GUADALUPE Department of Public Works and Highways Iloilo City District Engineering Office Fort San Pedro Road, Iloilo City Tel No. : 033-33 73263 Fax: 033-33 78387 (Sgd.) FEMA G. GUADALUPE BAC Chairman (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) INVITATION TO BID The DPWH, Bukidnon 3rd District Engineering Office, Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply to bid for the following contract(s): 1. Contract ID : Contract Name : 12KC0062 Cluster “E” Construction of various School Building at Municipality of Malitbog, Bukidnon Municipality of Malitbog 1.) Const. of 1 Story – 2CL San Luis NHS, Malitbog P1,121,000.00 2.) Const. of 1 Story – 1 CL & 1 CL Kinder Alangilan ES, Malitbog 1,526,000.00 3.) Const. of 1 Story – 1CL & 1 CL Kinder Comocomo PS, Malitbog 1,526,000.00 4.) Const. of 1 Story – 1 CL & 1 CL Kinder Kilabing PS, Malitbog 1,526,000.00 5.) Const. of 1 Story – 1 CL & 1 CL Kinder Patac PS, Malitbog 1,526,000.00 6.) Const. of 1 Story – 1 CL & 1 CL Kinder San Migara ES, Malitbog 1,526,000.00 7.) Const. of 1 CL Kinder Impahanong ES, Malitbog 904,000.00 8.) Const. of 1 CL Kinder Kalingking ES, Malitbog 884,000.00 9.) Const. of 1 Story – 1 CL Laparan ES, Malitbog 652,000.00 Total 11,252,000.00 Scope of Work : Construction of School Building with an area of 7.0m x 9.0m (56 sq.m.)/Classroom Contract Location : Malitbog, Bukidnon ABC : Php 11,252,000.00 Cost of Bidding Documents: Php 25,000.00 Contract Duration : 120 Calendar Days Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/ fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH, Bukidnon 3rd District Engineering Office, Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH, Bukidnon 3rd District Engineering Office will only process contractors’ applications for registration with complete requirements and issue the Contractor’s 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 Biddings Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids From: Jan. 4, 2013 to January 22, 2013 January 11, 2013 , 10:30 am January 17, 2013 Deadline: January 22, 2013, 10:00am January 22, 2013, 10:30am I N V I TAT I O N T O B I D Construction of Classroom in Areas Experiencing Acute Classroom Shortage 1. The Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office, through the CY 2013 Regular School Building Program intends to apply the sum of Nineteen Million Eight Hundred Ninety Nine Thousand (P19,899,000.00) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 13FD0003– Construction of Classrooms in Areas Experiencing Acute Classroom Shortage Cluster II: Elementary and Secondary Schools at Libmanan, Pasacao and Minalabac, CamarinesSur. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office now invites bids for the Const. of sixteen (16) units, 7x9 Modified School Building 1.)Candami ES, Libmanan North;2.)Mambalite ES, Libmanan North;3.)Padlos ES, Libmanan North; 4.)Inalahan ES, Libmanan North; 5.)Eduardo Agomaa HS, Libmanan; 6.) Carmel HS, Libmanan; 7.)San Isidro HS, Libmanan; 8.)Dr. Nelson Mejia HS, Libmanan; 9.)Mantalisay HS, Libmanan; 10.)Bahay PHS, Libmanan; 11.)Don Teofilo H. Dilanco HS, Libmanan; 12.)Mambayawas HS, Libmanan; 13.)Don Jose Ursua ES, Libmanan South;14.)Loba-Loba ES, Libmanan South; 15.) Northern Plain HS, Libmanan;16.)Villa Socorro ES, Libmanan Southand Const. ofeight (8) units, 7x18 Single Storey School Building 1.)Tampuhan ES, Libmanan North; 2.)DalupaonNHS(Tinalmud Annex PHS), Pasacao; 3.)Palong PS, Libmanan; 4.)Camdilancha ES, Libmanan; 5.)Sta Cruz ES, Libmanan; 6.)Antipolo ES, Minalabac; 7.)Camambugan ES, Libmanan; 8.) San Juan NHS, Libmanan. Completion of the Works is required 120calendar days upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed at least one (1) contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. LOIs and/or applications for eligibility and latest class “A” documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of Bids. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from January 04, 2013 – January 24, 2013 at 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of ₱25,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids. 6. The Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Officewill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 11, 2013 at 10:00am at BAC Office, DPWH, Cam Sur 1st DEO, Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur, which shall beopen to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before January 25, 2013 at 10:00 am at BAC Office, DPWH, Cam Sur 1st DEO, Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 8. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post qualification. The Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: SALVACION LORA C. DELEÑA BAC Vice Chairman DPWH, Cam. Sur 1st DEO, Baras, Canaman, Cam. Sur (Sgd.) MECHELIN E. MAGDARAOG BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) RODY A. ANGULO OIC, District Engineer (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) 2. 3. 5. 7. The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BDs) at DPWH, Bukidnon 3rd District Engineering Office, Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, upon payment of a non-refundable fee (refer above). Prospective bidders that will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their bid 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 BDs in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post-qualification. The DPWH, Bukidnon 3 District Engineering Office, Dicklum, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. rd 9. 10. (Sgd.) RONALD T. GEMPISAO Engineer III Chief, Planning & Design Section BAC Chairman (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) Republika ng Pilipinas Republika ng Pilipinas Republika ng Pilipinas Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig (NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION) Urdaneta, Pangasinan Tel./Fax No. 075-568-2308; 568-8442; 568-4876 Department of Agriculture Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig (NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION) Urdaneta, Pangasinan Tel./Fax No. 075-568-2308; 568-8442; 568-4876 Department of Agriculture Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig (NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION) Urdaneta, Pangasinan Tel./Fax No. 075-568-2308; 568-8442; 568-4876 Department of Agriculture InvItatIon to BId no. 018 ConstruCtIon of duMuloC rIs (CaBatuan daM) Phase II The National Irrigation Administration, through the General Appropriation Act of 2013 intends to apply the sum of THIRTY-FOUR MILLION THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE & 02/100 (Php34,317,325.02) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Dumuloc RIS (Cabatuan Dam) Phase II with Contract No R1PIMO-13-01-018. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1. The National Irrigation Administration now invites bids for the Construction of Dumuloc RIS (Cabatuan Dam) Phase II under GAA 101. The project is located in Bugallon, Pangasinan with the description of work of Road System. Completion of the Works is required within One Hundred Fifty (150) calendar days. 2. Bidder must have an experience of having completed, within a period ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, must be at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from National Irrigation Administration, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan (office of the Head, BAC Secretariat) and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 PM: A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the above address and upon payment at the NIA Cashier of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of THIRTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php35,000.00). Issuance & Availability of bidding documents is from the first day of advertisement/ Posting of Invitation to Bid/ Request for Expression of interest until submission and receipt of bids. The National Irrigation Administration will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 10, 2013, 2:00 PM at the NIA-Regional Office Conference Room, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan which shall be open to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 10:00 AM, January 25, 2013 at the address below. Opening of Bids will immediately follow in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the NIA-Region I Conference Room, Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Late bids shall not be accepted. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. InvItatIon to BId no. 032 ConstruCtIon of naguIlIan CIs The National Irrigation Administration, through the General Appropriation Act of 2013 intends to apply the sum of TWELVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX & 00/100 (Php12,444,336.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Naguilian CIS with Contract No R1-LUIMO-13-01-032. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1. The National Irrigation Administration now invites bids for the Construction of Naguilian CIS under GAA 101. The project is located in Naguilian, La Union with the description of work of Diversion Works, Canal & River Embankment Protection & Canalization. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. Bidder must have an experience of having completed, within a period ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, must be at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from National Irrigation Administration, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan (office of the Head, BAC Secretariat) and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 PM: A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the above address and upon payment at the NIA Cashier of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TWELVE THOUSAND PESOS (Php12,000.00). Issuance & Availability of bidding documents is from the first day of advertisement/ Posting of Invitation to Bid/ Request for Expression of interest until submission and receipt of bids. The National Irrigation Administration will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 10, 2013, 2:00 PM at the NIA-Regional Office Conference Room, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan which shall be open to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 2:00 PM, January 28, 2013 at the address below. Opening of Bids will immediately follow in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the NIA-Region I Conference Room, Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Late bids shall not be accepted. InvItatIon to BId no. 033 ConstruCtIon of MaMat-Ing/tuddIngan CIs The National Irrigation Administration, through the General Appropriation Act of 2013 intends to apply the sum of SIXTEEN MILLION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO THOUSAND EIGHT & 46/100 (Php16,652,008.46) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Mamat-ing/ Tuddingan CIS with Contract No R1-LUIMO-13-01-033. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1. The National Irrigation Administration now invites bids for the Construction of Mamat-ing/Tuddingan CIS under GAA 101. The project is located in Naguilian, La Union with the description of work of Canalization & Canal Structures. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. 2. Bidder must have an experience of having completed, within a period ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, must be at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from National Irrigation Administration, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan (office of the Head, BAC Secretariat) and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 A.M to 5:00 PM: A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the above address and upon payment at the NIA Cashier of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of SEVENTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (Php17,000.00). Issuance & Availability of bidding documents is from the first day of advertisement/ Posting of Invitation to Bid/ Request for Expression of interest until submission and receipt of bids. The National Irrigation Administration will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 10, 2013, 2:00 PM at the NIA-Regional Office Conference Room, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan which shall be open to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered on or before 2:00 PM, January 28, 2013 at the address below. Opening of Bids will immediately follow in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the NIA-Region I Conference Room, Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. Late bids shall not be accepted. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. 2. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 5. 6. 7. 6. 7. 8. 7. 8. 9. 8. 9. 10. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. 11. All bids must be accompanied by a Certificate of Site Inspection issued by the implementing office. 12. The National Irrigation Administration reserves the right to reject bids, declare a failure of bidding, and not to award the contract without incurring any liability if the funds/allotment for the project to be bid has been withheld or reduced through no fault of its own. 13. Awarding of Contract shall be held in abeyance prior to receipt of the Agency Budget Matrix (ABM) or Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the full cost of the project. For further information, please refer to: 9. 10. All bids must be accompanied by a Certificate of Site Inspection issued by the implementing office. 11. The National Irrigation Administration reserves the right to reject bids, declare a failure of bidding, and not to award the contract without incurring any liability if the funds/allotment for the project to be bid has been withheld or reduced through no fault of its own. 12. Awarding of Contract shall be held in abeyance prior to receipt of the Agency Budget Matrix (ABM) or Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the full cost of the project. For further information, please refer to: ENGR. MYRNA C. MARTINEZ - Head BAC Secretariat NIA-Regional Office No. 1 Barangay Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Telefax No: (075)568-8442 E-mail address: [email protected] (Sgd.) ROBERTO Q. ABULE BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) MANUEL L. COLLADO, CESO IV Regional Manager A (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) 10. All bids must be accompanied by a Certificate of Site Inspection issued by the implementing office. 11. The National Irrigation Administration reserves the right to reject bids, declare a failure of bidding, and not to award the contract without incurring any liability if the funds/allotment for the project to be bid has been withheld or reduced through no fault of its own. 12. Awarding of Contract shall be held in abeyance prior to receipt of the Agency Budget Matrix (ABM) or Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the full cost of the project. For further information, please refer to: ENGR. MYRNA C. MARTINEZ - Head BAC Secretariat NIA-Regional Office No. 1 Barangay Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Telefax No: (075)568-8442 E-mail address: [email protected] (Sgd.) ROBERTO Q. ABULE BAC Chairman Noted: ENGR. MYRNA C. MARTINEZ - Head BAC Secretariat NIA-Regional Office No. 1 Barangay Bayaoas, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Telefax No: (075)568-8442 E-mail address: [email protected] (Sgd.) ROBERTO Q. ABULE BAC Chairman Noted: MANUEL L. COLLADO, CESO IV Regional Manager A (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) (Sgd.) MANUEL L. COLLADO, CESO IV Regional Manager A (MST-Jan. 7, 2013) CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK C4 MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2013 Manila Standard TODAY Isah V. Red, Editor [email protected] showbitz ISAH V. RED SIMPLY RED GMA International SIMPLY RED GMA International, the business unit managing the distribution of GMA Network’s international channels— GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International—capped another year with successful events. “Our efforts to carry out our mission of making Filipinos abroad closer to home were certainly seen and felt by viewers from different parts of the world,” said GMA International Vice President and Head of Operations Joseph T. Francia on the different 2012 activities that his team spearheaded and participated in. “Along with our continuous expansion efforts, we remained actively involved in all kinds of festivities reminiscent of Filipino traditions and culture,” adds Francia. Through GMA Pinoy TV, the country’s longest-running noontime variety program Eat Bulaga held shows in San Francisco and London in March and November, respectively. The show brought its trademark games and segments that were well received by the game audience. GMA International was also at the heart of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in various parts of the US, Canada, Middle East, and the Asia Pacific Region in June. GMA sent some of its biggest stars— Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Dennis Trillo, Aljur Abrenica, Rhian Ramos, Jennylyn Mercado, Rachelle Ann Go, and Lovi Poe—to spark Filipino pride in said events. In September, GMA Pinoy TV celebrated its 7th anniversary by bringing Manny Many Prizes to Los Angeles, California. Around 5,000 spectators filled the Gibson Amphitheatre at the Universal Studios to see the MMP barkada led by Manny Pacquiao to- Another busy year for ISAH V. RED gether with Paolo Contis, Pekto, Onyok Velasco and Gladys Guevarra. The event was highlighted by Pacman’s generous gesture to help an 87year old woman, who was living alone in an old garage most of her life in the United States, go home to her family in Nueva Viscaya. Pacquiao also gave away thousands of dollars worth of prizes to the lucky winners. Joining the MMP hosts in this grand spectacle were Dingdong Dantes, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heussaff, Rochelle Pangilinan, Elmo Magalona, Julie Anne San Jose, and Manny’s wife, Jinkee. GMA International also supported different Pinoy gatherings all throughout the year such as the 20th FilCom Fiesta in Hawaii with Richard Gutierrez, Jay R and Krista Kleiner, Philippine Fair in San Diego with Rhian and Aljur, and the Piyesta Pinoy Sa Chicago and PhilFest in Tampa, Florida with Jay-R and Krista. The team also made its presence felt at the Adobo Festival with Rachelle Ann and Steven Silva, the first ever Dialogue to Diaspora Conference in Rome with Rachel Ann, OPM Festival in Vancouver with Rachel Ann and Janno Gibbs, PAFCOM Parade with Jay-R, Kris Lawrence and Krista, among other significant events sponsored by GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International. The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) recognized last year GMA International after winning six EMMAs (Excellence in Multi-Cultural Marketing Awards) for its marketing initiatives. This was the most number of awards won by GMA so far in the Manny Many Prizes in LA (inset Pacquiao gives an elderly lady fare money for her to return home) competition, and the first time that it brought home two first place trophies. “We are overwhelmed by the continuous support of our subscribers and valued industry partners from all over the world. We look forward to sharing more successes and milestones in 2013 with them,” ends Francia. GMA’s international channels now have an estimated audience of over been for the network and the talent management she could be wandering around the streets of Lebanon or Switzerland wherever her parents are? Most recently, she has not reporting for work, saying she’s going back to Switzerland to continue her studies. Here’s what the network that gave her the chance to be on camera has to say. therefore, currently under investigation and the network is still studying on what actions to take.” According to the grapevine she is signing with Annabel Rama, mother of her boyfriend Richard Gutierrez. If that is so, GMA Network should compel Rama to just buy out her contract. For heavens sakes, just let her go wherever she wants to go. It’s as if she feels she’s that important to the network. Pinoy Fiesta in Toronto with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera two million worldwide, and the Network’s expansion efforts in 2013 will take the three channels to even more territories in Canada, the US mainland, Europe, and Asia. What’s wrong with Sarah Lahbati? She has been posting messages on her Twitter account badmouthing GMA Network and GMA Artist Center. Has she forgotten that had it not Sarah, problem child Eat Bulaga in London “Last December, Sarah Lahbati unilaterally decided to take a leave of absence of one month from GMA Network, because she said she wanted to de-stress and unwind. Due to vague reasons, GMA Network management decided to disapprove the leave of absence. While work in the industry can be stressful (as in any business), management believes that this is not only unavoidable in most cases, but also a part of what one does as a professional and/or performing artist. Her leave of absence was also disapproved because of her pending obligations (i.e. Party Pilipinas, ongoing promos and other endorsement commitments). However, on the evening of Jan 2, she tweeted that she will be going to Switzerland to study, despite the disapproval in December. The GMA Network insists that this is in violation of her contract, because she has to perform and appear in programs and events assigned to her, and make herself available to faithfully and promptly fulfill all engagements contracted for her by GMA. At the same time, she has yet to address the issue of her walking out during taping, which caused the production team to pack-up, and incur an additional cost of P500,000. She is Expect more shocking revelations and twists on GMA’s Temptation of Wife as the highly-anticipated return of Marian Rivera’s character as the feisty Chantal will be revealed in the episodes this week. Avid viewers of the series will have more reasons to stay glued to their favorite primetime drama as the grand revelation and big comeback of Angeline (Marian) will finally happen. She transforms into a strong and cunning woman and will now be known as Chantal Gonzales. Marian is overwhelmed and very happy by the positive reviews and comments she has been receiving for her performance in the series. She expresses her excitement on portraying the challenging role of her alter ego, Chantal, and promises that the succeeding episodes will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. “Mas daring at sophisticated na Marian ang mapapanood nila bilang Chantal at dapat nilang abangan ang kanyang pagbabalik sa mga nanghamak at nanakit sa kanya.” Angeline is grateful to Yolanda (Ayen Munji-Laurel) for helping in her planned revenge against the Salcedos and most especially to Heidi (Glaiza de Castro). As she embraces her new identity, Chantal gets to spend more time with Nigel (Rafael Rosell) who starts to fall in love with her. Meanwhile, Heidi is devastated after learning that she is not pregnant but has a cyst in her ovary. She will still have nightmares of Angeline, and thinks she is still alive after the police couldn’t find her body. How will Marcel react to a woman who looks exactly like his supposed dead wife, Angeline? And when fate begins to favor the once oppressed Angeline, how will she turn the tables on Marcel (Dennis Trillo) and Heidi who once betrayed her? Temptation of Wife airs weeknights after Pahiram ng Sandali on GMA Telebabad. Angeline’s Revenge on Temptation of Wife SHTICKS JOSEPH PETER GONZALES Lucky to be in Kapamilya’s top morning show of its popularity. I’m really proud to be part of the cast. It’s a privilege. “To be honest, I’m a regular follower of the soap. Yes, no kidding! Jodie knows that I’m a big fan of Be Careful with My Heart. I love the story and the characters are cute and lovable!” Speaking of character, his role will somehow shake the blossoming sweetness between “Maya” and “Sir Chief.” “In a way, I’ll be completing the love triangle among us three. It will definitely add spice and excitement to their romance. I’ll bet the viewers will be delighted with the surprising twists as the story progresses.” Many say that with the nature of his role, it’s inevitable that he will get the ire of the Maya-Sir Chief fanatics. Isn’t he bothered? “I’m not! There should be no cause for alarm. If analyzed, my character is not really a ‘contravida.’ In fact, it’s because of my role that their chemistry will be further strengthened. “Luckily, at this point, I haven’t received any negative feedback yet or fans approached me and said that they hate me. Ha-ha-ha! So far, kibitzers on the set don’t have any violent reaction. Instead, they like my chemistry with Jodie!” Luis avers. Apart from Be Careful with My Heart, the articulate host-actor is also juggling his time among three other programs. “Of course, there is Deal or No Deal, which is doing well. I’m also part of Pilipinas Got Talent and a new game show called Minute to Win It.” Considering his heavy work load, it can be said that Luis is one of the Kapamilya’s busiest talents. “I’m simply grateful! I’m looking at a very hectic first quarter of 2013. I just hope that I’ll be in tip-top shape to put up with its demands,” he ends. LUIS Manzano admits his elation with his recent inclusion in the toprating ABS-CBN morning show Be Careful with My Heart headlined by Jodie Sta. Maria and Richard Yap. “Well, who wouldn’t be?” he says. “The program is such a hit. In fact, it will air until June next year as a proof CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK