CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACKStandard TODAY Manila Vol. XXVI No. 248 20 Pages, 4 Sections P18.00 Wednesday, December 5, 2012 PABLO BATTERS SOUTH; 33 DEAD IN ITS WAKE ONE of the strongest typhoons to hit the Philippines this year barreled across the Visayas and Mindanao on Tuesday, killing at least 33 people— including 20 soldiers--and forcing more than 50,000 to flee from inundated villages. The weather bureau said Typhoon Pablo—international name Bopha— would continue to batter many areas in the Visayas and Mindanao today before leaving the Philippines on Friday. Weathermen said Pablo had weakened slightly, but American meteorologists on Tuesday said the storm had reached super typhoon status comparable to a Category 5 cyclone in the Western hemisphere. Vice President Jejomar Binay appealed to residents in the areas in Pablo’s path to heed authorities when asked to evacuate evacuate landslideand flood-prone areas. He assured the residents affected by the storm that they would be assisted by the Office of the Vice President. “I am calling all Filipinos to heed the calls of their local municipal officials, especially on their evacuation order,” Binay said. “We should not let another Typhoon Sendong to happen again.” Next page www.manilastandardtoday.com •
[email protected] Nature’s fury. One of the Expedition 34 crew members aboard the International Space Station captured the still image at left of super typhoon Bopha on Dec. 2, while the pictures above and at right show the destruction wrought by the storm. Priests text-blast solons Govt unfazed by Sino Lawmakers warned: Voting for RH bill a mortal sin By Christine F. Herrera and Macon R. Araneta ‘bridgehead’ in PH sea CATHOLIC bishops and their allies in ConSurvey says By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Philippine government said on Tuesday that the was prepared to protect its oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea in the wake of reports that China planned to proceed with its gas exploration and other developments in the contested waters. According to the Xinhua News Agency, the “development process” in the South China Sea will act as a “bridgehead” for the country to build itself as a “maritime power.” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said that the country has been upgrading its maritime capability to be able to defend the country from any aggressive action by other countries. “Our constitution mandates the state to secure the integrity of our national territory and protect the nation’s resources in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone” Hernandez said. Next page gress succeeded Tuesday in delaying a vote on the reproductive health bill for the second day running, with the prelates mounting a text campaign that warned lawmakers that voting for the measure was tantamount to committing a mortal sin. The session Tuesday lost valuable time when a quorum was reached late – at 6:30 p.m. and was delayed further when anti-RH lawmakers took over the rostrum and demanded that the transcript of Monday night’s deliberations be printed out and given to all members before they continued the period of amendments. Another roll call was made at 9:30 p.m. for another quorum for nominal voting. Anti-RH lawmaker Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez also complained that the RH bill was unconstitutional because it provided P5 billion for the procurement of contraceptive devices that would be distributed nationwide, an affront to the “sensibilities” of Catholic parishioners. The bishops, led by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes, also made their presence felt in the session hall as they sent word that they were keeping score of how each lawmaker voted. They also demanded that voting be nominal, a longer process that allows each lawmaker to explain his vote. Next page teenagers favor RH bill By Rio Araja METRO Manila teenagers support the passage of Reproductive Health Bill because it would address the problems caused by runaway population growth such as poverty, slow economic growth and environmental degradation, according to a new survey released by the Social Weather Station (SWS) on Tuesday. SWS President Mahar Mangahas said 83 percent of young people with ages ranging from 15 to 19 were aware of the Church’s intervention in the affairs of the government on the issue of reproductive health-care and Next page family planning. China blasts US over Daioyu row By Maricel V. Cruz CHINA-UNITED States frayed relations was strained further after Beijing on Tuesday blasted the US Senate for amending a legislation affirming that the Daioyu Island, which the Japanese calls Senkaku, falls under the authority of a USJapan security pact. In a report by the Xinhua News Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China expresses its “serious concern” and “firm opposition” over the latest US move. “The Chinese side expresses serious concern and firm opposition to the U.S. Senate’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which involves the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets.” The US Senate, which passed the bill last week, said that while it “takes no position” on the ultimate sovereignty of the Daioyu Islands, has noted that Japan has the rights of administration Next page Sereno calls in sick amid ‘illegal’ order By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno did not attend a full session of the Supreme Court on Tuesday, when her fellow magistrates voted to suspend the implementation of her decision to reopen a judicial office in the Visayas. Sereno had called in sick, and Tuesday was the first time she missed an en banc session since her appointment to the top judicial post in August. She had issued a special order designating Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as acting chief justice until her return, and Carpio duly presided over the en banc deliberation. A highly-placed source said the justices were supposed to tackle Sereno’s order reviving the Regional Court Administration Office in Cebu City that they did not vote on and thereNext page fore was illegal. Move to shift sin tax burden bared By Macon Ramos-Araneta TWO senators on Tuesday said moves were afoot to shift the burden of new sin taxes from alcohol to tobacco, but both refused to say where they got their information. “I understand that some functionaries in the government are toying with the idea, maybe due to policy considerations or pressure,” said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. “The burden will be passed to tobacco farmers who will be hurt more.” Senator Ralph Recto said he also heard Next page New policy. Immigration officials on Tuesday implemented a Foreign Affairs circular saying no Philippine visa of any kind will be stamped on all regular passports issued by China at all the country’s airports. ERIC APOLONIO Palace: Peace deal with MILF will pass muster By Joyce Pangco Panares MALACAÑANG declared on Tuesday the Aquino Administration was confident its framework agreement with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which would lead to creation of Bangsa Moro homeland in Mindanao, will pass constitutional scrutiny. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said charges that the new agreement was similar to the botched agreement on ancestral domain that the Supreme Court struck down in 2008 was wrong. “The government panel was very mindful of what happened in the past,” Valte said. “Every step they took was mindful of the mistakes of the past. We are confident that it will pass constitutional scrutiny.” Two groups have asked the Supreme Court to stop implementation of the framework agreement, which they Next page CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A2 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday News tal affairs. This alone is a grave threat to our nation as virtuous Filipinos and an attack against the institution of marriage not to mention its attack against life. Please protect the dignity of the Filipinos and please keep the unborn safe from any possible threat. I pray that you do your best to junk the RH bill. Maraming salamat po!” the bishops’ text messae said. Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat said the pro-RH lawmakers respect the opinion of the Catholic bishops but that they also expect that the bishops respect their positions. At 8:05 p.m., nominal voting to reject another of Garcia’s killer amendments was 100-74. Earlier, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II urged anti-RH lawmakers to allow the plenary voting to proceed without further delay, saying they had nothing to fear if they indeed had the numbers to strike the bill down. Lawmakers opposed to the reproductive health bill on Monday night delayed the process of amendments by at least four hours, delivering a lengthy speech on the West Philippine Sea dispute and making a belated appeal against a decision by the House to accept a substitute bill last week. The President met with congressmen Monday, urging them to push the vote through. But newly installed Manila Archbishop Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Tuesday appealed to lawmakers to give ample time for the deliberations, even though discussions have been going on for more than a year. In a statement, Tagle appealed to lawmakers not to rush the passage of the RH bill. On Monday, about 500 anti-RH demonstrators trooped to the House of Representatives to register their
[email protected] Priests... Despite the delays, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. remained positive that the bill could be put to a vote before Congress goes on a Christmas break Dec. 21. He admitted, however, that the results of nominal voting were “very close” so far. Pro-RH lawmakers claimed an early victory Monday by voting down an appeal by Palawan Rep. Dennis Socrates 99-90 (not 91 as earlier reported) to overturn last week’s approval of a substitute RH bill aimed at winning over critics of the measure. Later, when anti-RH lawmaker Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia introduced a “killer amendment” aimed at defanging the bill, it was voted down 91-75. “The votes of the pro-RH held while that of the antis dwindled,” Belmonte said. But Belmonte acknowledged that the “very slim margin” foreshadowed a close fight. Both sides, he added, were mounting a serious campaign to win over votes. As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, lawmakers were still tacking the second paragraph of the second page of the RH bill, which has a total of 27 pages. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the principal author of the bill, denounced the “dilatory antics” of the anti-RH legislators as “abusive of and offensive to the rules of the House.” “The rules were made for orderly procedure and should not be used as a shield or sanctuary for inordinately delaying tactics just to derail legislation, which is the patent objective of the oppositors of the RH bill,” Lagman said. He said his colleagues were tired of the protracted ploys of anti-RH congressmen, which uselessly prolong the proceedings and burden them with quixotic incursions. “The results of the viva voce and nominal voting last Monday show that the RH advocates and supporters invariably win the vote,” Lagman said. “If the anti-RH Representatives persist in throwing monkey wrench killer amendments which have no prospect of being adopted, then the House leadership is justified to move for the termination of the period of individual amendments,” Lagman said. The Catholic bishops and their supporters kept up the pressure on the congressmen by texting them not to vote for the RH bill. “Dear Sir, Greetings of Peace and Goodwill! With utmost hope I send you this message praying that you will protect us from the RH bill and vote against it. Clearly the bill promotes promiscuity enabling access to just about anyone open to extra-mari- opposition to the bill. In the Senate, the period of amendments continued, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile seeking to delete the words “safe and satisfying sex” because they were “uncomfortable.” Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano replied, however, that senators were “elected to be uncomfortable.” The principal author of bill, Cayetano’s older sister Pia Cayetano, replied: “What’s wrong with safe and satisfying sex?” Enrile’s amendment was put to a vote and rejected 11 to 6. Earlier, another anti-RH senator, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III questioned the Health Department’s budget, saying it allotted P500 million for the purchase of contraceptives and only P31 million to promote natural family planning. With Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo Govt... “We have been upgrading our capabilities and endeavoring to build a minimum credible defense position,” he added. Hernandez’ statement came following China’s announcement that it was looking at producing 15 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the South China Sea by 2015. Beijing’s energy administration said it was proceeding with the oil exploration since based on its projected figures, China’s oil consumption is expected to reach 230 bcm by the end of 2015. In a separate report, the Xinhua News Agency said that the provinces and special administrative regions in south China have agreed to hasten the development of the South China Sea. It added that the members of the Pan-Pearl River Delta region, which has led China’s export-oriented economy for nearly three decades, signed a cooperative agreement to develop the South China Sea during the eighth PPRD Forum held in Hainan Province from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. The report added that fishery will be prioritized in the development process, including the establishment of joint fishing fleets and fishery supply bases in the city of Sansha. The development process was contained in a signed cooperative agreement to develop South China Sea, where it also plans to build itself as a maritime power. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, meanwhile, said that China’s gas exploration project was acceptable “if it was within the exclusive continental shelf as provided by the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea. “[It is acceptable] if China is within its rights to extract its projected volume of natural gas from its exclusive continental shelf as defined by Unclos,” he said in a text message. The Chinese energy administration, however, did not specify in its plan which particular parts of the sea it intended to exploit for gas. China’s gas exploration plans was the latest of a series of aggressive moves aimed at asserting its claim over the contested waters, following its issuance of an e-passport stamped with the map of the South China Sea based on its nine-dash line, and a new maritime regulation allowing Beijing’s naval forces to intercept foreign vessels when entering what it claims to be its territory. Vice-President Jejomar Binay said Beijing’s new maritime regulation was a “possible curtailment of maritime navigation.” in Misamis Oriental, Ramos said. He said the death toll was expected to rise once soldiers and police gained access to some far-flung villages isolated by floods, fallen trees and downed communications. Regional disaster-response officer Liza Maso told The Associated Press by telephone that she was trying to confirm an Army rxeport that a flash flood washed away a truck carrying an undetermined number of people in New Bataan town, also in Compostela Valley. But Ramos confirmed that 20 soldiers died in Compostela Valley after they were swept away by the currents of a swollen river. While some 20 typhoons and storms normally lash the archipelago nation annually, the southern provinces being battered by Pablo are unaccustomed to fierce typhoons. A rare storm that took the area by surprise last December killed more than 1,200 people and left many more homeless and traumatized. Officials were taking no chances this year, and President Benigno Aquino III made an appeal on national TV Monday for people in {ablo’s path to move to safety and take storm warnings seriously. “This typhoon is not a joke,” Mr. Aquino said after meeting top officials in charge of disaster-response. “But we can minimize the damage and loss of lives if we help each other,” he said. Mr. Aquino outlined preparations, including evacuations and the deployment of Army search and rescue boats in advance. The AP, with Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, Eric B. Apolonio, Joel E. Zurbano, Francisco Tuyay, Jonathan Fernandez and Ronald O. Reyes 60 percent or P24 billion. In contrast, the House version of the bill aims at a total tax take of P31 billion, but puts most of the burden on tobacco companies, which will account for P26.8 billion, while the alcohol industry chips in only P4.48 billion. Differences between the two versions are scheduled to be reconciled in the bicameral conference committee. On Tuesday, the PhilTobacco Growers Association again attacked the Aquino administration for protecting sugarcane farmers while punishing tobacco workers with high taxes. He also supported the government’s decision not to stamp visas on new Chinese passports which show islands in the disputed area as part of China. “Our President has asked for an explanation. What does this policy of boarding and inspecting all ships in the area really mean? It appears to be contrary to the concept of free maritime navigation,” he said. He added that the decision not to stamp visas on the new Chinese passports was the right thing to do, since doing such would be equivalent to recognizing China’s claim on the islands included in the map reprinted on the passport. “We are not stamping our visas on these passports because that would be tantamount to recognizing their claim,” he said, adding that other countries who are claimants to the area have also done the same. On Monday, the country’s immigration bureau started implementing its new policy of not stamping Philippine visa not only on China’s e-passport but also on the old Chinese passport. In issuing the new immigration policy in his memorandum to all BI field personnel, Commissioner Ricardo David cited Foreign Service Circular No. 211-12 issued earlier by the Foreign Affairs Department. The circular directed consulates in Chinese territories and the BI not to stamp Philippine visa on Chinese passport, but instead stamp it on a separate form to be attached to the passport. David said the directive applies to all BI stamps, including arrival, departure, conversion, downgrading, and extension stamps, the immigration chief said. He, however, clarified that the directive does not apply to diplomatic, official and service passports of PROC officials. The Foreign Affairs Department, meanwhile, allayed fears that the new policy on Chinese passport may seriously affect the country’s tourism industry. Hernandez said the 200,000 Chinese nationals who visited the country last year was but a small percentage of the total 4-million foreigners who visited the country in the same period. “It will not impact tourism... [In fact] last year there were only 200,000 Chinese nationals who came to the Philippines,” Hernandez said. “We are promoting people to people exchange as we have been trying to emphasize that the other aspects of bilateral relations should move forward that’s why we don’t think this would affect tourism,” he added. Hernandez said that he remains confident that the country will still attract a higher number of tourists due to the extensive campaign of the Department of Tourism, which earlier said that the number of tourists could exceed the 4-million mark this year. “The numbers of tourist will be getting higher because of our campaign and because of the decision of both governments to move forward” he said. Hernandez explained that the new rules on passport does not mean that the Philippine government was stopping Chinese nationals from visiting the country’s top tourists destinations. “We are not stopping anyone. There’s only a new simple procedure which will be done on our part,” said Hernandez, who added that Chinese nationals are welcome to visit the country. Based on a report by the DOT, tourist arrivals reached a record high of 3.92 million or almost 4-million foreigners in 2011. The majority of tourists were Koreans with almost 24 percent of last year’s volume or 925,204 arrivals, followed by visitors from the United States at 16 percent or 624,527 arrivals, and the Japanese with 10 percent of 375,496 tourists. With Vito Barcelo and Eric Apolonio Palace... claimed was similar to the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, which the Court dedclared in 2008 as unconstitutional. The International Ministries for Perfection and Party Against Communism and Terrorism claimed the framework agreement seeks to establish a Bangsamoro political entity, which was similar to the agreement on ancestral domain. President Aquino denied the two agreements were the same and said the negotiating panel took efforts to correct the limitations and weaknesses of the old agreement. “There are two significant concessions on the part of the MILF. One is a limitation of the areas that they want as part of the new political entiry. But, more importantly, everybody will have to give their consent by way of a plebiscite and they decide whether they opt to join the new political entity,” Aquino said. He said under the framework agreement, the Bangsamoro will have as its core territory the present composition of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao. “It should be pointed out that it is a very matrue perspective, and it is a very doable perspective in terms of delineating the territories that would be part of this new political entity,” Aquino said. The petitions filed at Supreme Court named as respondents Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and members of the negotiating panel led by Marvic Leonen, who was appointed by Aquino to the tribunal last week. Leonen, who will be part of the Court that will rule on the petition, has said there is no assurance that the proposed territorial composition of the Bangsamoro will be the one to be presented to the people in the plebiscite. “It is very clear that the democratic mandate is necessary. The legal or the constitutional requirement of an organic act ... is that there will be a plebiscite in the areas to be included (in the Bangsamoro homeland),” Leonen said. Pablo... In other developments: • Poor visibility forced airlines to cancel 130 domestic flights as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday • The Coast Guard said 3,000 passengers were stranded in Manila, Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao on Tuesday. Pablo slammed into Davao at dawn, its ferocious winds ripping roofs from homes and its 500-kilometer-wide rain band flooding low-lying farmland. The storm, packing winds of 160 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 195 kph, toppled trees, triggered landslides and sent flash floods surging across the region’s mountains and valleys. In the gold-mining province of Compostela Valley, the fierce wind and rain forced a wall of mud and boulders to cascade down on a house, killing three children. Their bodies were wrapped in blankets by their grieving relatives and placed on a basketball court in Maparat village. “The only thing we could do was to save ourselves. It was too late for us to rescue them,” said Valentin Pabilana, who survived the landslide. In nearby Davao Oriental, a poor agricultural and gold-mining province about 1,000 kilometers southeast of Manila, an elderly woman was killed when her house was struck by a tree felled by howling wind, said Benito Ramos, an ex-Army general who now heads the government’s disaster-response agency. A man died a few hours later when a tree knocked him down while he was traveling on a scooter on a road China... over the territory and that “unilateral actions of a third party” would not affect its position. Hong, however, claimed that the Daioyu Island and its affiliated islets have always been the inherent territory of China since ancient times, and China has undisputed sovereignty over the Daioyu Islands. Jin Canrong, an American studies professor and deputy dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin Univesity of China in Beijing, said that the US bill shows Washington’s actual partiality “behind its seemingly neutral posture.” According to the U.S. bill, any armed attack “in the territories under the administration of Japan” would be met under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The US has a similar treaty with the Philippines called the Mutual Defense Treaty, which both parties signed in 1951, six years after World War II. The US, however, has yet to make amendments to the treaty in the light of the country’s own territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea. Hong described the US Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the US and Japan as a “product of the Cold War era”, and added that it “should not go beyond bilateral scopes, nor undermine the interests of a third party. Hong added that the US “should not send out signals that conflict with each other and hopes that the US would “proceed from the general situation of peace and stability of the region”, “keep its words” and “do more things that are conducive to peace and stability in the region.” In Congress, Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara, chair of the House committee on foreign affairs, said that the USJapan security treaty may not be applicable to the Philippine setting. “Kailangan muna natin pag-aralan ang ginawa ng Japan,” Bichara told the Manila Standard. He said the House of Representatives of cannot legislate a similar measure to reaffirm its claim over the disputed West Philippine Sea. “If we legislate a similar bill, ibig sabihin parang inamin natin na hindi tayo sigurado na sa atin ang terroritory,” Bichara said. House Assistant Majority leader Sherwin Tugna said “it will be better if we resolve the issue of the West Philippine Sea multilaterally with other interested countries. Mangahas said only 14 percent of respondents are voters, 24 percent are not registered voters and 62 percent are below 18 or non-voters. “This issue [on reproductive health] is not age related. I am just assertive that age is not a factor for a vote. Some cannot vote yet, but they are voters in the future,” he said. The Forum for Family Planning and Development President Benjamin de Leon said the bill will not be a factor in the mid-term elections in May and politicians should not fear the Catholic church. “There is no Catholic vote, but there is an RH vote,” De Leon said. Bicol Rep. Edcel Lagman said most local candidates “hide their position on the RH bill for fear of losing votes in next year’s elections.” The House contingent will be headed by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad, Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, Camarines Sur Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella; and House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez. Ungab said the House and Senate panels will hold their bicameral meeting today at 10 a.m. With Maricel Cruz Survey... “They believe in birth spacing by three years, limited number of children (through family planning) and government intervention (to address overpopulation). They see overpopulation a serious social problem,” Mangahas said. The Survey of Adolescents on Population, Reproductive Health, HIV-AIDS and Gender was made from October 26 to 28 on 600 respondents. It was commissioned by the advocay group Forum for Family Planning and Development, Inc. The results were released as Congress went through the final phases of the controversial RH Bill that has polarized the nation. The Roman The group’s leader, Saturnino Distor, said the sugarcane farmers supply the basic ingredients for liquor and distilled spirits. Distor added that moves to adopt the skewed House version of tax sharing betrayed the Palace’s “hidden agenda” to favor the alcohol industry in the new sin tax bill. “Why is it that the Palace always punishes tobacco farmers? Is it because our President is a hacindero and he needs to protect the interests of the Cojuangco family?” Distor said. He recalled that the Central Azucarera de Tarlac, a sugar refinery controlled by the family of President Benigno Aquino III, had even Catholic Church has openly opposed the bill and threatened to use the pulpit to campaign against politicians supporting the bill. The survey said 87 percent of the respondents want the government to provide services to the poor who want to use family planning methods, and improve facilities in health centers. Students must be given health education in school and young men and women given access to family planning, 84 percent of the respondents said. At least 59 percent said an unwed and pregnant teenager must not stop going to school despite her situation, but 43 percent consider as abortion the use of condoms, pills and other contraceptives. lobbied against the new sin taxes. At that time, the House bill still considered a 50-50 tax sharing arrangement, but when the bill was finally approved, it was skewed heavily in favor of the alcohol industry, Distor said. Senator Franklin Drilon has committed to keep the burden sharing at 60-40, with the tobacco industry accounting for the larger share. Enrile on Tuesday reminded Drilon about his promise during a caucus on the sin tax bill. On Monday night, the House of Representatives named the members of its panel to the bicameral conference committee on the sin tax bill. Sereno... Sereno had designated Project Management Office head Geraldine Econg as head of the office, and she even went to Cebu on Thursday to officially open the office. But the source said the full court did not approve the reopening of that office, and that what the Court had agreed upon on Nov. 27 was to study the proposal to revive it for two months. The source said several justices were ready to question Sereno’s order, but Carpio convinced them to reset the voting on it next week, when Sereno would possibly be present. The full court then agreed to stop implementing Sereno’s order and designated Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. to tell Econg not to assume her post yet. The source said Sereno went to the chambers of Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo Brion and Martin Villarama Jr. on Monday to try to explain how the loopholes in her order could be fixed. “But I think they were not convinced. They really want her to explain her action before the en banc. This is the first time this happened to a chief justice,” the source said. Move... about the new efforts to reduce the tax take from the alcohol industry, from P16 billion to P11 billion, and shifting the burden to the tobacco industry. Neither Enrile nor Recto would say where their information came from, or vouch for the accuracy of the reports. Under the Senate version of the sin tax bill, the government hopes to generate P40 billion in new taxes from the alcohol and tobacco industry, with the former accounting for 40 percent or P16 billion and the latter taking up CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Standard Manila
[email protected] TODAY ManilaStandardToday News CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 A3 IN BRIEF Top physicians named A LEGEND in public health and community development, a warrior against childhood cancer, a genderinclusive reproductive health advocate, and a health educator—they are among the awardees for this year’s search for The Outstanding Filipino Physicians organized by the Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines and San Miguel Corporation. The 2012 awarding ceremony for TOFP will be held on Dec. 5, Wednesday night at the Centennial Ballroom of the historic Manila Hotel with VicePresident Jejomar Binay as keynote speaker joined by Health Secretary Enrique Ona ( a 2007 TOFP awardee), JCI Senate President Antonio H. Cerilles, San Miguel Corporation president and CEO Ramon S. Ang, and TOFP 2012 national chairman Gonzalo T. Duque. As envisioned by the JCI Senate Philippines, TOFP aims to instill patriotism among medical professionals by giving due recognition to those who chose to serve their fellow Filipinos and offer their expertise to the needy. The search is anchored on the Jaycee tenet: “Serving and caring for our countrymen are the best works of life.” Among the awardees for this year is former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan who is recognized as an “eminent Filipino physician” along with nonagenarian physician, Dr. Thelma Clemente of the Capitol Medical Hospital. Another awardee is Dr. Julius A. Lecciones known for his inspiring work on childhood cancer. Other outstanding physicians are: Dr. Edmyr M. Macabulos, Dr. Roque Rosendo, Dr. Romulo Lacson, Dr. Erlinda de los Reyes, Dr. Josephine Jabonillo, Dr. Astom Fernando, Dr. Ignacio Moreno, Dr. Mary Ann Luis and Dr. Yul Raquintan. Scam victims urged: Move on By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey Requejo VICTIMS of the P12-billion scam allegedly pulled off by the Aman Futures Group were urged to move on because there was no way they could recover their money, according to an official of the Anti-Money Laundering Council. Another supposed victim of the scam implicated Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and City Treasurer Flornina Gerona in the pyramiding scheme of which Manuel Amalilio was the alleged founder. The anti-money laundering council only managed to freeze the company’s P200 million in assets as against the P12 billion the Aman Group collected from 15,000 investors, said Vicente Aquino, executive director, during the hearing conducted by the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries. He said the council could only freeze that much in banks and leasing companies since Amalilio fled to Malaysia with the lion’s share of the money. The House conducted the hearing in response to a resolution filed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who blasted the National Bureau of Investigationd and the Securities and Exchange Commission for its failure to prevent the supposed scam. “You have to be proactive. The reason why we have things like these is because SEC has not been proactive but reactive,” said Rodriguez on Aman Futures which operated in February 2012 and started in wet markets with vendors and tricycle drivers as investors. The firm allegedly gave their investors 30 to 80 percent return on investment over eight to 20 days which enticed thousands, initially in Pagadian City and later on in Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga, and Cebu City. NBI Director Nonatus Ceasar Rojas admitted that they had a hard time investigating the Aman Futures registered before the SEC in June 22, 2012 because the investors were initially happy with the results. While the NBI started the inquiry in June, a complaint was lodged only in October resulting in the filing a case against Aman Futures in the Pagadian City Prosecutor’s Office. NBI Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez claimed investors were reluctant to give information on Aman Futures because they were warned that their investment would be affected. Rodriguez lamented the failure of the SEC to investigate the firm despite the Securities Regulation Code which gives SEC the powers to inquire without a complaint. “Let us not wait for people to come to you. That is the reason why we felt that you were sleeping on the job,” Rodriguez said after SEC allegedly played a “waiting game” when it just started the inquiry in August. Meanwhile, SEC chairman Teresita Herbosa said the NBI should made an entrapment operation and cited the failure of the local government units to monitor the problem early. “We cannot possibly watch each and every person trying to deposit money somewhere and see if they’re putting their money in an investment scam. The better measure is to heighten public awareness,” Herbosa said. The NBI disclosed that over 11,000 complaints have been filed against Aman Futures. These complaints came on top of the charges of syndicated estafa filed against Co and Gerona. Late-filing senatorial bet gets Comelec OK By Joel E. Zurbano THE Commission on Elections has allowed a member of a religious-backed party to run for senator after his certificate of candidacy was rejected for not meeting the deadline of filing. Israel Virgines of Bangon Pilipinas was the last senatorial aspirant to arrive on Oct. 5 but the commission refused to accept his COC, saying it was filed beyond the prescribed period. Bangon Pilipinas was founded by Jesus is Lord Fellowship leader Eddie Villanueva who ran for president in 2010. In his petition, Virgines said he was on his way to the Comelec main office in Manila but got caught in heavy traffic due to a rally along Roxas Boulevard. Virgines was allowed to participate in the May 13, 2013 polls because he had the capacity to mount a nationwide campaign as a senatorial candidate, according to Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. A licensed professional teacher, Virgines also ran as senatorial bet of Bangon Pilipinas on May 10, 2010 with Villanueva as standard bearer. Aside from Virgines, the Comelec also allowed 32 other candidates to run for senators, including those running under the Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino Jr. and United Nationalist Alliance coalition party of Vice President Jejomar Binay. At least 50 of the 84 persons who filed COCs were found to be nuisance candidates. The commission en banc cited as basies for disqualification 1) not shown genuine interest or seriousness to run for the position of senator; 2) not nominated by a political party or are not supported by a registered political party with a national constituency have not shown or proven their capacity to independently wage a national campaign; and 3) by other circumstances or acts which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for senator. Marcos bill resets barangay, SK polls THE Senate committee on local government, chaired by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., has approved the bill seeking to fix a 5-year term of office for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. Their current term is good for 3-years. Senate Bill 3296, introduced by Marcos, also calls for the extension of the term of barangay and SK officials, elected during the Oct. 25, 2010 elections, up to Nov. 30, 2015. In lieu of the synchronized barangay and SK elections to be on Oct. 2013, the Marcos bill proposes to give these officials until the last Monday of October 2015 and every five years thereafter. In his statement, Marcos said his bill would save billions of pesos for the government, which could be used to fund other aspects of national development. He pointed out that the estimated P3 billion required to finance the barangay and SK elections every three years, “is so enormous to escape public scrutiny and consideration in the light of our budgetary constraints.” Macon Ramos-Araneta Bridge project. Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson (right) and former Finance chief Margarito Teves act as resource people during a public hearing on the accountability of public officials with Senator Serge Osmena presiding. The hearing focused on the P111-billion bridge projects carried out by the past administration. LINO SANTOS CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A4 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday Adelle Chua, Editor Opinion the issue be settled by nominal voting, a process that gives each of the more than 200 congressmen three minutes to explain his vote. Although Socrates eventually lost the vote 99-91, his exercise wasted another two hours of the plenary’s time. This exercise was capped by Garcia’s efforts afterwards to question the rules. The opponents of the Reproductive Health bill will no doubt praise the four lawmakers and claim that they were merely using all the legal tools at their disposal to register their opposition. To do so, however, would be a mockery of our democratic system, which requires our elected representatives to make the difficult decisions that affect our progress as a people. In a democracy, conflicting views are discussed and then settled with a vote, with the majority prevailing. Throwing senseless obstacles in the way of this process is the antithesis of this democratic approach. It also betrays cowardice on the part of the foot-dragging lawmakers, born of a lack of conviction that their best arguments will win out. In the midst of these shenanigans, a spokesman for the Catholic Church weighed in by demanding
[email protected] EDITORIAL DISGRACEFUL is the word that best describes the dilatory shenanigans of Reps. Dennis Socrates of Palawan, Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite, and Pablo Garcia of Cebu in the House of Representatives. In a session Monday night, all four lawmakers, staunch opponents of the Reproductive Health bill, did their level best to delay a vote on the long-overdue measure, which seeks to give all Filipinos access to information about legal and safe family planning methods. For one night, they succeeded. First, Rodriguez chewed up Cowards and hypocrites more than an hour on a completely unrelated topic in a privilege speech, aided by his accomplice, Remulla, who took up even more time to “question” his colleague. This abuse of parliamentary privileges, commonly known as filibustering, gave way to another shameful attempt by Socrates to delay the proceedings further, insisting that the plenary take back its vote last Monday to approve the use of a substitute bill designed to be more palatable to its opponents. When his colleagues questioned the propriety of his appeal— coming as it did one week after the vote was taken—he demanded —needlessly—that Congress use nominal voting on the RH bill. The suggestion seemed to be the height of hypocrisy, when its allies in the House and Senate were doing all they could to prevent such a historic a vote. The RH bill in one form or another has been with us since 1998. In all these years, Congress has never been able to bring it to a vote because of the threats from the Catholic Church and the dilatory tactics of its allies. Enough is enough. This issue has divided us long enough, and it is time for this Congress to show some courage. It is time for them to vote. Whom does Congress represent? LOWDOWN PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino wants Congress to “do the difficult thing,” which is voting as he wishes on the controversial reproductive health bill. I agree that it is difficult to do something just because the President wants it done—especially for a lawmaker who knows that his true job is to act as the representative of his or her constituents. Unfortunately, most congressmen seem to find it the easy thing to do, this job of finding out what Aquino wants and then to proceed to give it to him. So that’s not really hard, especially since Aquino has already called two caucuses of his House allies to pressure them into passing the RH measure as soon as they can. No, the really difficult thing is to have your own mind as a lawmaker and then to stick to your guns as the President buys off your colleagues with pork barrel funds and other enticements, as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is finding out. Enrile, of course, is once again said to be in danger of losing his post as head of the Senate because of his position against the RH measure. Aquino has already perfected the use of his department’s power over the lawmakers’ pork as a club to pummel them into toeing his line, whatever the issue. And nearly everyone in the House and many in the Senate are only too willing to roll over and vote like the Palace wants them to, on key measures where Aquino’s will is unequivocal (like it is on the RH bill) just to receive the rewards he promised. And Aquino firmly believes that the passage by Congress of the RH bill is going to end the divisiveness that Malacañang’s insistence on approving the bill has wrought. Like his conviction that Congress exists to do what he wants, if it is made to understand that he holds their funds in his hands, Aquino is once again very much mistaken if he thinks the competing sides on the RH issue will just suddenly shut up, when a statesponsored family planning program is made into law. On the contrary, one can reasonably expect the Catholic Church, which is against the RH bill, to ramp up its opposition to Aquino’s policies even after the RH law is passed. And because Aquino has so openly declared his position in favor of the measure, which the Church opposes on doctrinal grounds, he will have to live with more division, instead of less, when the bill is passed. JOJO A. ROBLES Congress has decided that it is no longer the Palace’s coequal and has been reduced to waiting to do what Aquino wants. And passing the measure, even in the Senate where opposition to RH is strong, is what it’s all about, in Aquino’s mind. Everything else is unimportant to the Palace. All it takes to get things done in Congress, after all, is to find what the congressmen and senators will demand from the Palace in exchange for being its rubber stamp. That’s never been hard to figure out. *** But believing that it is Malacañang that sets the legislative agenda for Congress can be a difficult job, too. Take a look at what Senator Franklin Drilon is doing, acting like he is the go-to guy of the palace in the Senate, whenever the need arises for Congress to get something done on Aquino’s behest. D r i l o n , who is already overloaded with work as chairman of the Senate committee that scrutinized Aquino’s trillionpeso budget proposal for next year, still found the time and energy to take over from Senator Ralph Recto in order to give Aquino the “sin tax” law the Palace wanted. The man just never gets tired in the service of Aquino. Indeed, the rumor that Enrile is about to be removed as Senate president has a lot to do with the prevailing wisdom that, if the palace wants to get something done in that chamber, it goes to Drilon. For instance, it was Drilon who first called for the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, when the Palace decided that it was time to remove the top magistrate; Drilon has never found a piece of legislation or initiative backed by the palace that he didn’t like. Presumably, Aquino will get what he currently wants from Congress – the passage of the RH bill – if only Drilon were the head of the Senate. And Drilon has always positioned himself as the chief Senate hit man of every administration since Cory. If Drilon now wants to stage a comeback as Senate president, promising to get Aquino’s RH bill passed, Enrile may find himself out of the SP’s office faster than he can say “boo!” It’s that simple. It is merely pathetic that Congress has, by and large, decided that it is no longer the Palace’s co-equal and that it has now been reduced to waiting for what Aquino wants. In the case of the RH bill, which is presumably causing the same division and heated debates in every lawmaker’s congressional district, just like it has throughout the nation, Congress is abdicating its role to represent the people. It has merely become the lapdog of Malacañang, waiting eagerly for the bones that he throws Congress’ way, if it does Aquino’s bidding. A ripple of concern IS CHINA testing US resolve in the South China Sea territorial issue? China’s announcement that its navy would board, search and expel foreign vessels plying waters in the South China Sea deemed under its sovereignty has sent a ripple of concern in Asian capitals and in Washington. The warning came even after Beijing’s repeated assurances of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea to the international community. The threat of gunboat diplomacy followed closely the newly designed Chinese passport with a map showing disputed territory in the South China Sea as part of its domain. This has raised the hackles of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei which have overlapping claims with China. Even India which has a border dispute with China joined the chorus of protests when China included Arunachai Pradesh and the Himalayan region of Aksai China in the map of the new Chinese e-passport. In a tit-for-tat move, Indian consular and immigration agents now stamp visas on Chinese passports with India’s own map showing the two disputed areas as theirs. The Philippines, worried about repercussions if it followed India’s lead, would merely issue visas to Chinese in a separate form. The weak-kneed Department of Foreign Affairs’ reaction encourages China to bully us even as our defense department waits for instruction from the Palace on how to handle the latest Chinese provocation. BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO The US State Department said it would talk to Chinese authorities about the threat to freedom of navigation. Two earlier meetings with Chinese Embassy officials in Washington failed to give clear answers about the Chinese intent on their new passports with embossed map claiming sovereignty over the entire South China Sea. The conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, meanwhile, has cautioned the US about including China in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) strategic naval exercise. Held every two years, the last one in August around Hawaii, the global exercise promotes inter-operational cooperation in protecting and keeping open international sea lanes “In light of recent Chinese actions in the South China Sea, it might pose a problem to include China in RIMPAC which will surely send Chinese intelligence agents as participants,“ wrote Dean Cheng and Derek Sissors in a Heritage Foundation paper. The Philippines, with a navy bordering in virtual reality, sent personnel as observers in the RIMPAC exercise attended by some 25,000 participants from countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Most countries sent naval personnel together with their ships, submarines and aircraft. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta extended the invitation to China to participate in RIMPAC during a visit to Beijing in September. What was Panetta thinking before he asked China to join RIMPAC? Didn’t he get a briefing from national security before embarking on his Asian swing in September? Recall that Chinese advances were made as early April when China sent armed ships to Scarborough Shoal to prevent Philippine authorities from confiscating marine resources illegally taken by Chinese poachers within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone. China has taken the Philippines to task for “twisting and misinterpreting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas to suit its sovereignty claim on historical Chinese territory.” A Chinese spokesman even called President Aquino “rude” for speaking out and denouncing the Cambodian sleight of hand during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Summit to slip a consensus NOT to internationalize the South China Sea issue. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, as everyone in Asean knows, is a Chinese puppet and will do anything at Beijing’s bidding. This month, the Philippines will host Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei at a meeting in Manila to discuss their overlapping claims in the South China Sea and forge a common stand in the face of Chinese provocation and bullying. We can expect Beijing to say the Manila meeting is being orchestrated by Washington to build a ring of steel to contain China’s rise. Actually giving rise to alliances in the Asia- Pacific region is China’s aggressive moves in the region. South Korea, Australia and Japan (which also has a simmering territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands) might join an alliance to check Chinese expansionism. Containing China is not the intent of the US and the Asia Pacific countries. It is China that is isolating itself. It’s almost an act of self- immolation. Such a shame after the goodwill generated by the Chinese organizers’ excellent handling of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. 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 EVERYMAN WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 A5 As 2012 ends, China tweets Doomsday By Adam Minter ON THE morning of Dec. 1, “Mayans” entered the trending-keyword list on Sina Weibo, China’s leading Twitterlike microblog. This was not exactly surprising: For years, China’s netizens have been obsessed with Mayan prophecies supposedly suggesting the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012. (Or, perhaps, Dec. 22 in China, if time zones are accounted for.) By the morning of Dec. 3, “the end of the world” had become the No. 2 topic of conversation on Sina Weibo, with an endless stream of Mayanrelated tweets that, at their peak, were coming several per second. It’s difficult to judge how many Chinese netizens believe the Mayan prophecies and how many see them merely as a platform for weak humor. There are strong cases for both perspectives, with humor taking the lead. “If the Mayans are right, I won’t pay my credit card bill,” is a popular quip, as is “I won’t study for final exams.” Nonetheless, it’s not hard to find evidence that the Mayan prophecy enjoys some credibility in China. Over the last century, the Chinese have known their share of tragedy, catastrophe and natural disaster, and an understandable thread of pessimism runs through the national character. Thus, it’s perhaps no accident that a Sina Weibo account registered to “Secret Mayan Prophecy” currently has 1.2 million followers (who are perhaps attracted to the animated exploding Earth featured atop the account page) of its occasional tweets of supporting evidence for the prophecy. Flood preparation Likewise, highly unscientific online polls consistently register widespread belief in the prophecy. In the early evening of Dec. 3, a poll at Sina Weibo had 3,404 voting that they felt the Mayans were right, and 1,646 voting that the Mayans got it all wrong. Nobody can say for sure whether Chinese netizens are lying on these polls. But out in western China, a retired construction contractor is spending his life savings building an ark to help him survive what he believes are prophesied floods. Those floods aren’t Mayan prophecies, but rather the means by which the Earth is destroyed in “2012,” a big-budget American disaster epic from 2009. In the film, the Mayan prophecy, and scientific measurements, inspire world leaders to commission arks designed to save a very select group of humans, wildlife and cultural relics from Dec. 21’s plagues. To accomplish this daunting construction contract in time, the world’s powers—and director Roland Emmerich—make a choice that flatters Chinese sensibilities: They build the arks in Tibet, utilizing Chinese laborers. When the floods come, those Chinese-built arks save humanity. No surprise, “2012” was a box-office hit in China, and, ever since, the Mayan disaster prophecy and 2012 jokes have been fixtures on China’s microblogs. On Nov. 20, the film was re-released to Chinese theaters in a 3D version, and its success, as well as the arrival of December, appears to be the best explanation for why the Mayans are suddenly atop trending-keyword lists. Of course, not everyone in China views the end times as a disaster or a joke. China being China, some tweeters see the impending apocalypse as nothing more than an opportunity for a sale. “There are around 10 days left until the world ends!” tweeted a small-town Honda dealership in Guangdong province on Dec. 2. “Which car do you want to take with you?” Wang Tao, a popular entrepreneur and angel investor, took this as an opportunity to speculate on the stock market: “There are only 20 days left in the final countdown of Mayan prediction of the end of world! What’s your opinion on how far the Chinese stock market will drop? Will the Shanghai Index drop to 1,500 points?” Political points The impending end has also been used to make political points. Many netizens—and, apparently, many stateowned news organizations—thought that three major infrastructure and building “collapses” that took place in China on Nov. 29 had an uncanny resemblance to comic book visions of the end of the world (probably inspired by Emmerich’s “2012”). City Express, a popular, stateowned evening newspaper in Zhejiang province, tweeted photos of the collapses with this commentary: “Today three major collapses happened nationwide. 1. A sink hole opened near the Palace Station of the Nanjing Metro Line 3 and a bus filled with passengers fell into it … 2. In Xiamen, the Jiangjun Temple Road collapsed and four cars were destroyed; 3. At the Guangzhou headquarters of Hainan Airlines a portion of the construction collapsed, burying alive a father of twins. PS: This convinces one to believe in the Mayans!” The intent of this tweet is a matter of some controversy. Some netizens see it as an attempt to shake off blame for poor infrastructure. “This is a man-made disaster,” wrote one user in the comment thread beneath the City Express tweet. A second expressed outrage that the Mayans would even be invoked under such circumstances: “Taking this kind of thing as an excuse for shoddy engineering?” More likely, though, the comments are over-interpreting what is actually intended as a pointed critique of the local governments and contractors thought to be responsible for China’s shoddy buildings. As a state-run newspaper, City Express wouldn’t really dare to criticize so directly (or generally), so it has used the most convenient platform available: Mayan prophecy. In the hours and days following its tweet, several other news organizations posted their own versions of the same tweet to their Sina Weibo accounts, including the Shanghai Evening Post, a paper owned by Shanghai’s Communist Party Committee. That’s a powerful, if subtle endorsement of a sentiment that couldn’t otherwise be written and tweeted so directly. Still, most of the Mayan prophecy tweets driving this topic to the top of China’s trending-topic lists are neither political nor particularly subtle. Instead, they announce what believers and nonbelievers alike will do before the end. Here and there, a different perspective emerges. Microblogging monk On Nov. 27, a Chinese expatriate in Germany logged into his Sina Weibo account, troubled. His timing was good: Master Yancan, a popular microblogging Buddhist monk (he has 4.3 million followers on Sina Weibo) was just then taking 20 minutes worth of tweeted questions from anyone who cared to ask. The expat posted this curious query: “Master, this year is the end of the world. But if it’s not, what should we do?” Master Yancan, who also serves as vice president of Hebei province’s government-chartered and run Buddhist Patriotic Association, needed only one minute to come up with an answer. It likely stands as the first instance of a Chinese official at any level expressing public confidence (even if perhaps joking, which is a genuine possibility for the puckish monk) in the truth of the Mayan prophecy: “Post more weibos to celebrate the end of the world. Let’s live tweet it together with joy. Isn’t it a new festival?” Master Yancan might yet turn out to be wrong about the end of the world, but on one matter he’s certain to be right: The countdown to doomsday is guaranteed to be tweeted—in Chinese. Bloomberg Republic of the Philippines or Haring Bayang Katagalugan? By Nelson Flores WHAT’s in a name? This was the response I got when I asked a friend about the possible relation between the name we know all over the world as Filipinos and the current state of our national identity. It is generally accepted that through names, a person, place or thing, can be visualized. The way we say a name could also convey our emotions and relational intimacy. No wonder sales persons try as much as possible to use the name or nickname of a prospective client in a bid to ingratiate themselves to their potential buyer and make a successful deal. The use of first names or nicknames suggests a sense of equality and trust. Thus, for a stranger like a sales person, to call someone or a potential client using his name or nickname could sometimes be very offensive. Not only does it assume social equality but the presence of a history of personal intimacy that may not actually exist. We are trained from birth to react to names. Thus a speaker, whenever he names an individual, will surely command the attention or response of that person. At that moment, the speaker exercises subtle power over the person he named even if for a brief moment. The way names are said also communicate emotions and correspondingly arouse certain emotional response. Names give us the power to imagine things or recognize an abstract concept like God. It could make us grasp a complex situation or make our relations easier to come by. This is true in all cultures. For some, names are so sacred and powerful that they could not be liberally invoked. For example, believers of the Christian faith are commanded in Exodus 20:2-17, Exodus 34:11-27 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 that: “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.” Movie personalities recognize the power of names. A chosen screen name could significantly account for a box office hit or a flop. It could make stars or prevent the take off of a movie career. Significantly, politicians also knew the power of names hence much of their efforts during the span of their public careers are directed in establishing name recalls in their respective districts or turfs. As there is power in invoking names, giving names, on the other hand, is also a powerful tool as it is an expression of dominion. According to theologians, Adam was given the power to name all the animals in Eden to show his dominion over them. J. Hampton Keathley III, a religious author, said “naming carried special significance. It was a sign of authority and power. This is evident in the fact that God revealed His names to His people rather than allowing them to choose their names for Him. This is also seen in the fact that God often changed the names of His people: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel. Note also how this concept of authority and power is seen when Nebuchadnezzar changed the names of Daniel and his three friends.” Keathley further explained that it is an old idea that names are fixed. For example, once you are named, you will be that name no matter what you may call yourself. The author also said that “in many cultures, the power to name a thing is the power to control or even create it.” This is also an underlying reason why the Popes and sometimes monarchs assume a different name when coming into power—so that none, including their parents, could have dominion over them. The Spaniards were exercising the power of dominion when they named our island paradise Las Islas Filipinas in honor of their monarch, King Philip II, shortly after they discovered it in 1521. The Spaniards, however, never called us Filipinos but Indios, a racial slur. Even when the term Filipino was first officially used in the early 1800, it only meant to identify the Spaniards who were born here in the islands (insulares) and only later the rich and few educated natives and Chinese mestizos (illustrados). Filipino was a very exclusive term. The Spaniards who were born in the Iberian Peninsula were called peninsulares. The peninsulares and the insulares were “locked in mortal combat” because the former looked down on the latter. The execution of Frs. Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora on Feb. 17, 1872 was the result of that titanic clash. It is therefore twisted on the part of the dictatorial regime of Emilio Aguinaldo to continue honoring our Castilian conquerors by adopting the name they gave the islands even after we gained independence in 1898. Aguinaldo and his minions apparently became so enamored with the Filipino label they completely ignored the historical context of the term. Unlike Aguinaldo, the father of the 1896 Revolution, Andres Bonifacio called all islanders from Luzon to Mindanao, Tagalogs and the nation Haring Bayang Katagalugan. Bonifacio instinctively perceived the danger in adopting the Spanish name for the islands. Aguinaldo’s fatal act of naming our country Republica Filipina subconsciously transformed our national psyche into one that gleefully accepts the propriety of domination by a foreign power. It corroded the essence of our national identity creating confusion as to who we really are. One of the manifestations of this corruption of national identity is the unending debate over the use of either English or Tagalog as our national language in the islands. Furthermore, this corruption of our national psyche made it very easy for the traditional elites (most of whom are now called trapos or traditional politicians) to collaborate with the Americans and later the Japanese, who lorded over us after our Spanish masters. I am sure these “national leaders” would once more be willing to act as accomplices in the event that our islands are again openly dominated by another foreign power (China for instance). It seems that we are the only nation in the world who honored our conquerors by adopting the name given to our place of habitat. I think there is no selfrespecting leader of a nation who ever did that. Until we can break the Malolos Congress set upon us it is least likely that we be free of our colonial mentality. In the meantime, I prefer to be called Tagalog in honor of Bonifacio, the first true revolutionary president of the islands. Nelson F. Flores is senior associate editor of Fil-Am Press. He is based in Houston, Texas. Doomed by dull content and isolation By Ryan Nakashima, Ap Business Writer LOS ANGELES—It was too expensive. It lacked editorial focus. And for a digital publication, it was strangely cut off from the Internet. That’s the obituary being written in real time through posts, tweets and online chats about The Daily, the first-of-its-kind iPad newspaper that is being shut down this month. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. said Monday that The Daily will publish its final issue on Dec. 15, less than two years after its January 2011 launch. The app has already been removed from Apple’s iTunes, where it once received lukewarm ratings. The Daily had roughly 100,000 subscribers who paid either 99 cents a week or $40 a year for its daily download of journalism tailored for touch screens. But that wasn’t enough to sustain some 100 employees and millions of dollars in losses since its launch. At the time of its debut, News Corp. said The Daily’s operating costs would amount to about half a million dollars a week, or around $26 million a year. When News Corp. launched The Daily, it was touted as a bold experiment in new media. The company hired top-name journalists from other publications, such as the New York Post’s former Page Six editor, Richard Johnson, and said it poured $30 million into the newspaper’s launch. Now, the company is acknowledging that The Daily no longer has a place at News Corp., which is being split in two to separate its publishing enterprises from its TV and movie businesses. Murdoch said in a statement that News Corp. “could not find a large enough audience quickly enough to convince us the business model was sustainable in the long-term.” Some employees are being hired in other parts of the company. Critics say The Daily’s day-to-day mix of news, opinion and info-graphics wasn’t that different from content available for free on the Internet. And despite a high-profile launch that drew lots of media attention, the publication failed to build a distinctive brand. There was no ad campaign touting its coverage and stories weren’t accessible to non-subscribers, so it didn’t benefit from buzz that comes from social networks like Twitter and Facebook. Trevor Butterworth, who wrote a weekly column for The Daily called “The Information Society,” says the disconnect between the app and the broader Internet curtailed its reach. He “They ignored the obvious, which was the Web,” Haughey says. Although many people are foregoing buying a laptop for the lightweight convenience of a tablet, the day hasn’t arrived yet when all online access will come through apps rather than the Web. “Maybe in five or 10 years, the Web will be less important,” he says. “For now it seems like they were missing out.” It may also have been a problem that News Corp. launched The Daily from scratch into an environment where readers tend to gravitate toward trusted sources and established brands. According to a 2011 Pew Research Center survey, 84 percent of mobile device users said a news app’s brand was a major factor in deciding whether to download it. One of the intangible challenges The Daily had was standing out in a sea of online journalism, both paid and free. Some national newspapers, such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, have carved out a niche with informed coverage of sometimes complex topics and have gained paying digital subscribers by limiting the number of free articles they offer online. Gannett Co., which publishes USA Today and about 80 other newspapers, has succeeded in raising circulation revenue at local papers by putting up so-called online “pay walls,” taking advantage of the fact that there are few alternative sources of coverage for certain communities. Without a unique coverage niche or a local monopoly, The Daily was caught between two worlds. By being digital-only, the publication didn’t have a defined coverage area. It was “in competition with everybody and everything,” says Joshua Benton, director of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University. Yet it failed to carve out its own niche in that larger universe, he says. “Its lack of editorial focus played a role,” Benton notes. “It was sort of a pleasant, middle-brow, slightly tabloidy mix of news and features. And there’s lots of that available for free online. I would imagine if ‘The Daily’ were starting again now, they would invest more in establishing their brand identity early on.” AP Mr. Tatad’s column will resume next week. FIRST THINGS FIRST FRANCISCO S. TATAD Mr. Jurado’s column will resume next week. TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO was laid off in July when the publication shrank from 170 workers to about 120. As part of the purge, The Daily cut its dedicated opinion section and dropped sports coverage in favor of using a feed from its News Corp. sister outfit, Fox Sports. “Stories weren’t widely shared or widely known,” says Butterworth. “It felt like I was writing into the void.” When it launched, The Daily was meant to take advantage of the explosion of tablet computer sales, and the notion that people generally read on them in the morning or evening, like a magazine. But each issue came in a giant file—sometimes 1 gigabyte large— and took 10 or 15 minutes to download over a broadband connection, which is unheard of for news apps, says Matt Haughey, the founder of MetaFilter. com, one of the first community blogs on the Internet. Because the stories weren’t linkable, The Daily didn’t benefit from new Internet traffic that would have come from content aggregators like Flipboard and Tumblr. A6 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday News tance to the committee. Malacañang has been lukewarm to a bill extending the CARP for another five years, insisting that the government is on target in completing land acquisition and distribution under the existing law. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all notices of coverage should have been issued before CARP expires. “Even if we have reached the June 2014 deadline, as long as the notices of coverage have been issued, the process will continue,” Valte said. DAR will finish issuing notices of coverage for landholdings 10 hectares and above by December 2012. “As for landholdings below 10 hectares, DAR’s target is to finish issuing notices of coverage by July 1, 2013,” Valte added The CARP law was enacted during the administration of then President Corazon Aquino and was then hailed as a landmark social justice legislation, but the law contained a loophole for stock distribution option that allowed Hacienda Luisita, the vast sugar estate owned by the Cojuangco family, to be exempted from being parceled out to farm workers.
[email protected] Land reform body formed By Joyce Pangco Pañares IN BRIEF Road works suspended ROAD diggings and excavations way across Metro Manila have been suspended effective midnight of Dec. 10 until midnight of Jan. 4, 2013 to ease congestion caused by increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the holidays. Chairman Francis Tolentino said the temporary moratorium is in response to the public’s call to improve the Christmas traffic situation caused by various road diggings and repairs. However, flagship projects of the government, emergency leak repairs or breakage of water lines of Manila Water and Maynilad are exempted from the moratorium. The MMDA chief said violators of the said prohibition will be fined with not less than P3000 but not more than P10,000, or imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than six months, or both fine and imprisonment as decided by the court. Rio N. Araja PRESIDENT Aquino has created an inter-agency committee to ensure continued support for the government’s land acquisition and distribution even after the expiration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in 2014. Under Administrative Order No. 34, Mr. Aquino said the delivery of support services and agrarian reform beneficiary development must continue to ensure that the gains of CARP, which should be completed by June 30, 2014, will be sustained. “There is a need to create a committee to undertake a study on the institutional arrangements that will ensure the continuity and streamlining of land distribution and management, the delivery of agricultural support services, and the resulting reorganization and rationalization of concerned government agencies,” the President said. Some 900,000 hectares are still up for distribution under CARP and the inter-agency body has been tasked to study the transition plan for the post-CARP scenario. Necessary executive issuances or legislative measures based on the findings of the study may also be formulated by the body. The body will be headed by the National Economic and Development Authority director general while the secretaries of agrarian reform, agriculture, environment, justice, and budget and the administrator of the Land Registration Authority will serve as members. Mr. Aquino also asked the Development Academy of the Philippines and the Career Executive Service Board to provide full support and assis- Model slay case stands THE Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Tuesday junked a plea to dismiss the charges against the principal suspects in the Julie Ann Rodelas slaying. Branch 223 Judge Caridad Walse Lutero upheld the argument of Pete Principe, the victim’s lawyer, that the arrest of Fernando Quiambao Jr. and his model-girlfriend Althea Altamirano was a hot-pursuit operation and was not unlawful. Quiambao through his lawyers Frederick Angel and Alejo Mathias Terencio asked Lutero to quash the abduction and murder suits filed against him on the ground that the two were arrested without an arrest warrant. Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has expressed alarm over the ballooning deficit of the Home Guaranty Corporation which it said “continues to cast doubt on its ability to provide a viable shelter program” for poor Filipino families. “HGC has been continuously incurring losses since 2002, the year when it first floated the zero-coupon bonds…. From 2002 to 2011, (HGC) has been adversely affected by the financial charges that bond flotations entailed,” said Supervising Auditor Teodora Lacerna in the COA Report for 2011. Of the P22 billion zero bonds floated, the HGC netted P12.136 billion, the report added. COA said the HGC’s accumulated deficit is now at P12.771 billion and had been operating on a negative working capital since 2004 with current liabilities at P6.102 billion exceeding its current assets of P3.172 by P2.928 billion as of Dec. 31, 2011. “HGC’s accumulated deficit of P12.771 billion continue(s) to cast doubt on its ability to provide a viable shelter program for the homeless, ” the COA reported. Because of the losses that started in 2002, HGC’s net worth went down to just P2.953 billion in 2010. At the end of 2011, while its net worth went up to P4.605 billion, it is due to a donated capital from the Urban Bliss projects which was recorded in December 2011. The COA said it is doubtful that HGC will be able to perform its mandate since its total guarantees has amounted to P78.339 billion, or 20 times more its net worth of just over P4 billion. HGC has unpaid guaranty obligations at P3.484 billion while outstanding debenture bonds totaled P1.908 billion, P1.307 of which will mature in 2012. Because of the obviously misguided engagement in a zero bond float, the COA suggested that HGC stop its bond floatation initiatives and just accelerate its disposition of foreclosed assets so it can pay off its ballooning debts. Agency’s loss now at P12B Salceda hails growth LEGAZPI CITY—The Philippine economy posted an unprecedented 7.1 percent growth during the third quarter of this year, so far the highest in the ASEAN, a sign it has become a new tiger economy in Asia, according to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, a noted economist. Salceda, a former economic adviser to Philippine presidents, cited data released by the National Statistics Coordination Board, saying the “domestic economy accelerated for the third quarter to 7.1 percent this year from the 3.2 percent last year.” The release said the growth was “beyond expectation” and was “driven by the services sector with robust performances in other sectors. Salceda, often referred to as the ‘Green Economist‘ who had been a financial analyst before joining politics, said the third quarter “is a defining moment in our economic history and we can truly assert that the Philippines has become a tiger economy of Asia.” Asia’s next top model. Model Stephanie Retuya (second from left) is flanked by fashion photographer Todd Tyler (left) and model mentor Joey Mead-King (2nd from right), judges of the fashion reality television show, Asia’s Next Top Model, during a press conference to promote the show at Victoria Court in Pasay City . At right is Victoria Court managing director Ian King. LINO SANTOS Valenzuela council delays biogas plant projects By Gigi Munoz-David THE 15-hectare private property that Valenzuela City has been using free-ofcharge as a garbage dump for the past 14 years has become the tipping point for waste-to-fuel conversion facilities that have been envisioned for the area. The property, located at Barangay Ligunan, is owned by Geospecialists Inc. and was borrowed in 1998 by then mayor Jose Emmanuel Carlos to serve as the city’s dumpsite until it was shut down in 2011. But the city council is now considering to expropriate the land at P700 per square meter, or a total consideration of P105 million, so that it could be converted to loading site for garbage trucks. Land values at the area are now around P3,000 per sqm, or P450 million for the entire dump. Moreover, the land is also being eyed by a joint venture between Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and British firm Gazasia Ltd. to be converted into a biomethane plant, which is part of a $150-million investment deal that was forged when President Aquino visited the United Kingdom in June. The agreement covers the development of plants to create liquid biomethane from organic waste and it is now undertaking site investigations and modelling to identify the most viable sites for plant construction, one of which was Barangay Ligunan. Aside from the Aboitiz-Gazasia proposal, property owner Geospecialists Inc. is also proposing to put up its own biomethane plant on a joint and cooperative basis, according to its lawyer Timothy John Batan According to Batan, the project will enable the city to address its solid waste management requirements, reduce its greenhouse emissions, control pollution and its adverse health effects and reduce transportation cost by using LBM-fuelled vehicles. “The project will be entirely financed, developed, constructed, and operated by private sector proponents,” Batan said, adding that the project will be at no cost to the city government. “Joint venture partner benefits, such as sharing of project royalties, increase in tax revenues, reduction of local government expenditure for local solid waste management, and job generation for city residents” will be enjoyed by the city, he added. After Batan submitted Geospecialists proposal, Councilor Antonio Espiritu on Monday called for the indefinite deferment of the expropriation. “Now, that we have already received the proposal of the private lot owner, the councilors agreed to look into the documents and later come up with ‘win-win’ policy,” Espiritu said. At least three councilors have already expressed opposition to the expropriation proposal – Ritche Cuadra, Katherine Pineda, Cecil Mayo – while Councilors Shalani Soledad-Romulo, Lorena Natividad-Borja, Adrian Dapat, Cora Cortez, Marlon Alejandrino and Kate Galang-Coseteng said they still have to look into the proposal. Comelec ‘massacre’ decried CAGAYAN Rep. Juan “Jack” C. Ponce Enrile, Jr. urged the Commission on Elections to be “fair and consistent” in its task of accrediting and de-listing groups qualified to run under the “partylist” system. “While everyone agrees that it is about time to cleanse the party-list system of the rich and the powerful masquerading as genuine representatives of our marginalized sectors, the Comelec’s effort leaves much to be desired and much to complain about,” Enrile said. “As it is, last week’s ‘massacre’ of the partylist rank includes the ‘guilty,’ those that raise suspicion and the ‘innocents’ as well,” the congressman added. Enrile, a leading senatorial candidate under the United Nationalist Alliance, was referring to last week’s release by the Comelec of 37 party-list groups that it said cannot participate in next year’s elections. The list comprises the largest number of party-list groups that the poll body determined to be unqualified to run for one reason or another. In particular, Enrile cited the case of the ‘Butil Farmers Party’ that represents farmer and peasant interests in Congress. It has been an accredited partylist since the 1998 elections. Another group, ‘Binhi’ (Partido ng Magsasaka para sa Magsasaka), which was also previously accredited to represent farmers in Congress was also de-listed by the Comelec. “The Comelec can claim that it is doing a ‘great job’ in putting ‘sanity’ and credibility back in our party-list system but if we go by the track record of those it has included in its ‘hit list,’ it includes groups like Butil that has already proven its genuine concern for one of the most underrepresented sectors in our society, our farmers,” Enrile said. Enrile also warned that unless the Comelec gets its act together in dealing with the party-list issue, it might be hobbled by court litigation from performing its principal task, which is to conduct orderly and credible elections. “We cannot afford a ’50-50’ situation whereby half of the time of the Comelec is spent justifying its acts before the courts and the remaining half in overseeing the election that has always been problematic to begin with,” he said. Christmas cheer. Vice President Jejomar Binay talks with cancer-stricken children and their mothers during a giff-giving activity of the New Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. at the National Children’s Hospital on E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
[email protected] ManilaStandardToday Riera U. Mallari, Editor Sports WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 A7 Batang Pinoy games reset ILOILO CITY—Organizers of the On your mark. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista prepares to fire the starting gun for some 4,000 runners in the 5-kilometer edition of the 4th QC International Marathon at the Quezon Memorial Circle along Elliptical Road corner Philcoa Road. The 42-kilometer road race, which covered a major part of Commonwealth Avenue and La Mesa Eco-Park, attracted about 12,000 runners, event organizers said. Also at the kickoff are Aldrin Cuña, the Mayor’s chief of staff, plus officers of the Executive Runners Club Philippines Inc. and members of the race organizing committee. Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Olympic Committee Batang Pinoy 2012 National Finals called off the games on Wednesday due to inclement weather. Overall project director Atty. Jay Alano said on Tuesday that matches in eight sports were postponed because of the threats of Typhoon Pablo which is expected to hit the Visayas region today. Games are expected to be resumed on Thursday. “Just for the safety of the participants, we decided to cancel all the games tomorrow because we expect the typhoon to hit the province on Wednesday,” said Alano, who already met the tournament directors for the new schedule of the competition. “We have to make sure the safety of everybody here that’s why we reached with that decision. It’s for the good of everybody,” she added. Games in athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, lawn tennis swimming, table tennis and taekwondo, were scheduled on Wednesday in Day One of the event created for athletes aged 15 and below. Iloilo City was placed under Signal No. 2 yesterday after Typhoon Pablo hit the northern part of Mindanao and the weather is expected to be stormier today. But the opening ceremonies pushed through Tuesday afternoon though the organizers transferred the venue from the Iloilo Sports Complex to the nearby covered basketball court with PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez leading the opening rites. The welcome dinner prepared by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog for the delegates also pushed through Tuesday night. Estrope, Guarde top tennis tilt JOHN Emmanuel Estrope overpowered John Otico, 4-2, 4-0, to capture the boys’ 18-andunder crown and lead the local bets’ romp in the Philta-Palawan Pawnshop Regional Age- Group Championships presented by Babolat at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Club in Sultan Kudarat last weekend. Estrope, a native of Isulan, toppled top seed Mikho Ringian, 5-3, 4-2, in the semis before stamping his class over Otico in the finals of the premier division of the fourday tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Technosports and held for the first time in this progressive province. “The whole province of Sultan Kudarat wants to thank Philta, Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat for this project which is a big help to our young players who didn’t have to go far to play in top-level tournaments,” said Gov. Teng Mangudadatu. Caryn Bless Guarde, meanwhile, lived up to her billing as she topped the girls’ 12-and-under class with a 4-2, 4-0 victory over Kate del Socorro while fellow Isulan bet and top seed Mark Alfred Directo beat Eric Comendador, 4-1, 4-0, to bag the boys’ unisex crown. Precian Rivera also shared the spotlight by sweeping two titles, edging Sharyl delos Santos twice, 5-3, 5-4(2), in the girls’ 18-and-U finals and 4-2, 1-4, 108, in the 16-and-U category. Alano said close to 1,000 athletes who are gold and silver medalists in the five qualifying legs, were already here and they expect the number to double as flights of other delegates on Tuesday were cancelled also because of the bad weather. Laguna, the Southern Luzon leg champion, is the defending overall titlist in the POC-PSC National Finals, which returned in the sporting scene last year. Naga City hosted the previous National Finals. Out to unseat them are the 300-man strong Pangasinan, the overall champion in the Northern Luzon leg champion. A total of 107 local government units (LGUs) are competing here, 15 from the National Capital Region, 30 from Mindanao, 19 from Northern Luzon, 30 from Southern Luzon and 19 from Visayas. The POC-PSC Batang Pinoy National Finals 2012 also aims to identify fresh talents and be part of the national team for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China. Colegio San Agustin O’Halloran, Miller rule Vaseline XTERRA tossers score 3rd win COLEGIO San Agustin sustained its top form and waylaid Pasay City West High School, 25-20, 25-14, to move within a win from sweeping Pool B of the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League NCR leg at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Sunday. Ana Gopico, Samantha Torres and Julia Morado combined for 25 hits, including 12 kills, and five blocks as the CSA belles survived a tough first set duel before coasting to another sweep for their third straight victory and closer to the semifinals. Angelicum College bounced back from an opening day setback to CSA as it blasted St. James Academy-Malabon, 25-8, 25-10, also in Pool B action of the event sponsored by Toby’s Sports, Mikasa as official ball, Tune Hotels as official residence of the Tournament of Champions, Asics and Volley Prep. Carla Sandoval and Melanie Torres delivered nine attacks between themselves while Cristine Alvarez and Dianne Ong had six kills and two blocks for Angelicum. Gen. Pio del Pilar National HS also stayed in the semis hunt in Pool A as it held off MGC New Life Christian Academy, 25-20, 25-20. Angelica Anoya and Louise Imperial scored 17 and 14 points, respectively, for the GPP tossers, who improved to 2-1 for a spot in the crossover semis. Also held simultaneous with the NCR leg are the other regional qualifiers with the winners advancing to the Tournament of Champions set Jan. 22-26, 2013. They include the Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and Mindanao. Spicing up the T-of-C is the participation of Australia’s Victoria High School team, according to tournament director Johanz Buenvenida. PROFESSIONAL triathletes Mathieu O’Halloran and Joseph Miller proved to be the best pair and emerged as the top winners both in the overall race and in the All Male category in the recently concluded Vaseline Men XTERRA Putik Pare Team Duathlon. This year, more than 100 pairs competed in the All Male, All Female and Mixed categories. Held at Clark Freeport, Pampanga, Putik Pare is the third and final leg of the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-road Triathlon Series. The race involved two-member teams who had to go through a grueling 18-kilometer mountain bike ride, a 10-kilometer trail run, and one final challenge that sets the race apart from other duathlons—a mud pit that they had to traverse together. O’Halloran and Miller finished the race in 1:45:44 and were followed by Jhomilodin Lucman and Roldan Antonio who clocked in at 1:50:38. In 3rd place were celebrity triathlete Matteo Guidicelli and Noel Salvador who ended with a time of 2:02:16. Aside from ranking 2nd and 3rd in the overall race, Lucman and Antonio and Guidicelli and Salvador also earned 2nd and 3rd spot, respectively, in the All Male division. Taking the reins in the All-Female category were Senator Pia Cayetano and Myla Miranda, who finished with a time of 3:03:50. Trailing them in 2nd place were Bernice Francisco and Cecille Ty who clocked in at 3:51:30, and in 3rd place was the pair of Janice Tanada and Jean Claire Pineda who ended the race in 3:57:51. IN BRIEF Hope wins PSSBC crown HOPE Christian High School crowned itself as the first champion team of the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship by downing National Collegiate Athletic Association runner-up San Sebastian College, 84-74, in a one-game face-off Monday at The Arena in San Juan. From the onset, it was apparent that Hope Christian was more determined to raise the championship trophy as it got off to a rousing start, through the hot shooting of eventual Most Valuable Player Clint Dolinguez, John Apacible and Jollo Go. But complacency nearly spoiled its coronation as perhaps the country’s finest high school squad by allowing the Staglets, who advanced to the finals by stunning NCAA champion San Beda, to rally furiously from a 12-point deficit to move dangerously within 73-72. But in the end, Hope Christian’s steely resolve proved to be too much for the Staglets to match with Apacible, being eyed by a top University Athletic Association of the Philippines school, coming through with clutch baskets to finally take the fight out of the Recto-based squad in the tournament that drew the best teams from NCAA, UAAP and the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association. “I’m happy the boys managed to pull this victory. We played aggressive but got tired. Still the defense was there and we managed to sustain it until the end,” said coach Stevenson Tiu. The title win—worth P30,000—was the second straight for the Bernard Yangmanaged Hope Christian after ruling the Fr. Martin juniors’ division last month. Meantime, San Beda repeated over Letran, 76-69, to finish third. “I want to thank the NCAA, UAAP, Tiong Lian and the other board members for their cooperation and support that made this league successful. More than showcasing the players ability and winning the title, it is the goal of PSSBC to develop the proper conduct among players in the high school we did,” said league chairman Cecilio Pedro who is also the No. 1 backer of Hope Christian. Vaseline Men XTERRA Putik Pare all male category second placers Jhomilodin Lucman and Roldan Antonio (left), first placers Mathieu O’Halloran and Joseph Miller (center) and third placers coach Noel Salvador and Matteo Guidicelli are shown at the podium. Former Milo Marathon kings, queens vow to reclaim throne A SEA of green will sweep the streets of Manila once again, as over 19,909 runners are expected to join the 36th MILO Marathon National Finals on Sunday. Organizers reported that they reached the 200,000 target headcount set at the start of the season, providing a thrilling conclusion to a successful nationwide marathon event. Rivalries will run deep among the country’s top qualifiers as they race against competitive foreign talent in the men’s and women’s division races. Last year, Marathon Queen Mary Grace de los Santos crashed foreign competition and led a cast of Filipina runners towards a 1-2-3 finish, while Marathon King James Tallam led Kenyan and Ethiopian runners to a massive 1-2-3-4 finish in the men’s division race, sparking a heated rivalry among local veterans. This year, former Milo Marathon rogate (USA) x Passing on Passion (AUS); (5) Tensile Strength—4YO bay colt / 55 kgs., Owner: Felizardo R. Sevilla Jr., Jockey: Jeffril T. Zarate, Trainer: Manuel M. Vicente, Pedigree: Kangoo (IRE) x Real Storm (AUS); (6) Chevrome—3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Wilfredo S. Yason, Jockey: John Alvin Guce, Trainer: Jose Angel L. Mijares, Pedigree: Conquistarose (USA) x Hantuchova (NZ); (7) Steel Creation—3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Bienvenido Pierre M. Niles III Jockey: Mark A. Alvarez, Trainer: Francisco C. Niles, Pedigree: Reenact (AUS) x Asap (AUS); (8) Cinderella Kid—3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Nathaniel G. Velasco, Jockey: Fernando M. Raquel Jr., Trainer: Jose Mario Paulo S. Jacob, Pedigree: Kafwain (USA) x End Sweep’s Girl (USA). According to race analyst and TV commentator lawyer Will de Ungria this race is seen as a “showdown between this year’s Triple Crown Champion, Hagdang Bato, and 2011 PCSO Presidential Gold Cup and 2012 PCSO Silver Cup champion, Magna Carta.” He added that Hagdang Bato has Kings and Queens return to reassert their dominance on their home soil. Winners Julius Sermona (1:13:02, Angeles), Cresenciano Sabal (1:13:55, Cagayan de Oro) and Eduardo Buenavista (1:13:29, Tarlac) are among strong contenders in the 42K men’s division race. suffered only one loss in its career, and has clocked a snappy 2:07 in the 2,000 meters in the 3rd leg of the Triple Crown, the championship series for elite local 3YO that he swept this year. On the other hand, says de Ungria, “Magna Carta…has shown everyone that it likes the distance, having won all three of the last 2,000-meter races it ran, most recent of which was the Philracom Ambassador Eduardo M. Conjuangco, Jr. Cup held last November 18 at San Lazaro Leisure Park where Magna Carta notched a 2:06’ victory over a game Tensile Strength. “If we follow the clock alone, then we can already put Magna Carta at an advantage. The trouble is, Magna Carta will be carrying 58 kilos, three and one-half kilos heavier than the handicap weight of Hagdang Bato.” All things considered, this is not only a historic event but also bodes to be a most spectacular face-off between the best Philippine-bred 3YO (Hagdang Bato) and most accomplished island-born (Magna Carta), both at the peak of their powers. *** Email:
[email protected], Blog: http://jennyo.net, Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @jennyortuoste The Ruby Gold Cup THE HOARSE WHISPERER RACING fans have less than a week to wait for the eagerly anticipated 40th running of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Presidential Gold Cup. The Ruby Anniversary edition of this iconic race will be run over 2,000 meters and is set for Dec. 9 at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite, coincidentally with the Philtobo Grand Championship Day and its slew of stakes races. Held for the first time in 1973, the PCSO Presidential Gold Cup was met with “wide spontaneous acclaim,” according to the message of then-PCSO Chairman-General Manager Nereo C. Andolong printed in the souvenir magazine for the second running of the race. He added that he hoped the race “will become truly part of Philippine sports tradition.” It has, not only as a “classic event” but is now recognized in the international racing scene as the Philippines’ G1 stakes race. JENNY ORTUOSTE Chairman Andolong’s objective for the event was the same as it is today —“to serve the lofty purposes of national sports development” and to “elevate horseracing and horse-breeding to a rightful position of respect in the country.” The official starters for the Ruby Gold Cup are: (1) Purple Ribbon— 3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Herminio S. Esguerra, Jockey: Valentino R. Dilema, Trainer: Ruben S. Tupas, Pedigree: Account of Grace (USA) x Feverishly (AUS); (2) Magna Carta—4YO bay colt / 58 kgs., Owner: Michael Dragon T. Javier, Jockey: Jesse B. Guce, Trainer: Raymundo R. Henson, Pedigree: Woodman (USA) x Pledge The Fifth (USA); (3) Hagdang Bato—3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Benhur C. Abalos, Jockey: Jonathan B. Hernandez, Trainer: Ruben S. Tupas, Pedigree: Quaker Ridge (USA) x Fire Down Under (USA); (4) Pleasantly Perfect—3YO bay colt / 54.5 kgs., Owner: Divina Y. Dy, Jockey: Patricio R. Dilema, Trainer: Rodolfo G. Mendoza, Pedigree: Inter- Altas, Chiefs prevail THE University of Perpetual Help-A Altas and the Arellano University Chiefs got big points from Earl Thompson and John Pinto, respectively, last Sunday in the 9th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament. Thompson fired 16 points for the Altas, who started their Group A campaign by upsetting the defending champion San Beda Red Lions, 64-56, at the Trinity University of Asia gymnasium in Quezon City. Pinto hit 18 points for the Arellano University Chiefs, who stopped the Informatics Icons, 79-64, and this earned them their second win in three games also in Group A. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK NBA HOME TEAM IN CAPS Portland 118 CHARLOTTE 112 (OT) DETROIT 89 Cleveland 79 NEW ORLEANS 102 Milwaukee 81 DENVER 113 Toronto 110 LA Clippers 105 UTAH 104 Orlando 102 GOLDEN STATE 94 Sports Riera U. Mallari, Editor Manila Standard TODAY
[email protected] [email protected] 6/49 00 00 00 00 00 00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00 00 00 00 00 00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00 00 00 00 00 00 3 DIGITS 00 00 00 2 EZ2 00 00 LOTTO RESULTS A8 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 Pacquiao ready for Marquez By Ronnie Nathanielsz FIGHTER of the Decade Manny Pacquiao looked ferocious as he wound down training at the Wild Card Gym on Monday, prior to driving to Las Vegas in a Team Pacquiao convoy arriving around 10 p.m. Pacquiao battles ing lethal comMexican legend binations,” said Juan Manuel MarCastillejo, who quez for the fourth has covered most time on Sunday at of Pacquiao’s the MGM Grand training and fights Garden Arena in a through the years. fight to be telecast Pacquiao by Solar Sports also met with over GMA-7 and US Democratic for Filipino comcongresswommunities abroad by an-elect from ABS-CBN’s The Hawaii’s 2nd Filipino Channel. District, Tulsi A B S - C B N ’s Gabbard after Dyan Castillejo Representative-elect Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) winding up his told the Manila presents Manny Pacquiao with a flag that was training at the Standard that flown over the Hawaii Capitol, along with an Wild Card. Pacquiao sparred honorary certificate. AP Gabbard, who four rounds with young Jesse Roman and is the first Hindu to be elected to the US trainer Freddie Roach was happy over Congress, presented Pacquiao with a the aggressive attitude of his ward, who, US flag that was flown over the Hawaii despite hurting his sparring partners, has State Capitol, along with an honorary continued to go after them, in contrast certificate. with his past tendency to ease off. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley and fellow “Manny is looking ferocious and in spar- NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller trained ring, he still goes after his opponents. He is with Pacquiao in a 30-minute special that demonstrating a killer instinct and is throw- will air Thursday on TNT. On to the semis. NLEX’s Garvo Lanete (center) and Cagayan Valley’s Joashua Webb and Jason Melano chase the looseball in a PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup game won by the Road Warriors, 84-75, at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City. NLEX earned a spot in the semifinals following its seventh consecutive win and 24th straight overall. Alaska Aces aim for Top 6 finish By Jeric Lopez TWO teams already in the quarterfinals aim to strengthen their positioning, while one squad will do everything just to barely make its first playoffs’ appearance in the homestretch of the elimination round of the 2013 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Caught in a wild logjam in the middle of the heap, Alaska (7-6) and Petron Blaze (6-7), both safely in the quarters, will figure in an all-important showdown at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, that will most likely determine their places in the next round. Before that, Air21 (4-9) fights for its life and is in a must- win situation against already-ousted Global Port (111) at 5:15 p.m. The Aces are currently tied at Nos. 4 to 6 with Barangay Ginebra and Meralco, who hold the same record as them. A key win today will ensure them a Top 6 finish, avoiding the one spot the Boosters will try to get out of. ‘’We will put ourselves in a good situation if we win today since everyone is trying to avoid a twiceto-beat disadvantage in the quarterfinals,’’ said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo, whose Aces are on a twogame winning streak courtesy of the continued rise of rookie sensation and Player of the Week Calvin Abueva. ‘’I have a feeling we’ll get a shot at a best-of-three.’’ Currently holding the seventh seed, Petron Blaze will unleash all its power just to have a chance to get out of that position when the dust clears. The seventh seed will face a twiceto-beat disadvantage heading to the next round against the second seed, that’s why the teams in the middle want to avoid that spot by finishing strong in their last assignments.\ Teams three to six will figure in best-of-three affairs in the quarters instead. Azkals to play at home pitch By Peter Atencio THIS time around, the Philippine Azkals will have a chance to play against an opponent, with conditions favoring them in the first leg of their 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup semifinals. In 2010, the Azkals were forced to play their home match right at their foe’s home pitch in Jakarta. A crowd of more than 80,000 screaming fans backed the Indonesians at the Bungkarno Stadium when they played the Azkals, who lost out to them twice in the semis. That will change this time. A newly refurbished pitch awaits the Philippine Azkals when they start using the Rizal Memorial football stadium for training today, four days before they clash with the Singapore Lions in their first-ever home game on Saturday at 8 p.m. Over the past weeks, work has been done on the pitch by contractors, who maintain the allweather fairways of Sta. Elena golf course in Cabuyao, Laguna. The Philippine Sports Commission, through chairman Richie Garcia, made sure of this, with contractors exerting efforts to make it even better than the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. James top sportsman MIAMI—When LeBron James learned he was Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, the Miami Heat star was surprised. Not because he thought his achievements in 2012 weren’t worthy, but because he figured what happened in 2010 was still holding him back. Apparently, that’s no longer the case. The magazine announced its annual choice Monday, with James becoming the first NBA player to win the award since Heat teammate Dwyane Wade in 2006. ‘’I remember just like yesterday when I signed here and basically, like the roof caved in,’’ James told The Associated Press, referring to the fallout from his infamous ‘’Decision’’ to leave Cleveland for Miami in 2010. ‘’To see that I and my team and everyone around me was able to patch that roof up, to come to this point, to come to this point and receive such a prestigious award, it’s huge.’’ AP Surigao grabs lead BAGUIO CITY—Ramon Capistrano scored a two-over 71 for 34 points and led Team Surigao I to 121 points and a one-shot lead on overnight leader Haciendas De Naga in the Fil-A division of the 63rd Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at Camp John Hay. Six shots behind Hacienda at third spot after the first round, the Surigao team worked like a well-oiled machine as it got a 30 from Roy Abalos, and a 29 and 28 from Ed Lopez and Carlo Packing, respectively, for a two-day total of 234. Bong Sison scored 33 points and led Haciendas de Naga to 114 and a 233 total. The team got a 30 from Junie Fontanilla, a 27 from Park Jong Won and a 24 from Bobby Inigo. Joel Yamyamin had 27 points to lead Rural Bankers I to 107 points and a 223 total at third spot. Villa Cacho was the biggest mover after Jeff Bernaldez assembled a 34 for the team’s 116 and 223 total, while Philippine Navy had a 33 from Carlos Packing as the team made 114 and joined the traffic jam at third with 223 points. Retired police general Villamor Bumanglag had a 27 and led Benlife Golf Team I to a 96 for a two-day total of 187 and an eight-shot lead in Am A. With the 26 of Joey Solis, the 22 and 21 of Chez Roque and Peter Murray, the team padded its lead by another two shots over Team Surigao I, which hit a 94 after Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers fired 27 points, with Efren Alvez for the team’s 179 points. Cage champs. Mayor Del Guzman (center), together with Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz (2nd right), hands the trophy and cheque amounting to P150,000 to members of the champion team, Hobe Bihon during closing ceremonies of the second DELeague Open Invitational Basketball Cup at the Marikina Sports Park last Sunday. Together with De Guzman are (from left) Hobe Bihon team owner Bobby Co, team manager Francisco Boyet Ocampo, and Councilor Ronnie Acuña. Cabrera dominates Red Bull race SEAOIL-DC-KART PLAZA karter Gabriel Tayao Cabrera scored a double victory by the topping the FK expert and Formula SQ 125 expert crown in the 2012 Red Bull Race Off at Kart Trak Boomland. “Practicing only thrice on an SQ kart, I was challenged with the reverse grid system in the finals despite also being the only kid racing against older and more experienced rivals. Boomland is a very technical track, where skills counted more than engine power. It was a good chance to test how sharp my natural instinct is in terms of driving skills without the help of a professional coach,” said the 12-year-old racer. Cabrera dominated the Red Bull race with a best time of 30.7, just .2 seconds off the best ever recorded time by the SQ veterans in previous karting series. “SQ 125cc kart is a big jump from the 60cc Mini-ROK kart I’m used to. I only relied on my technical crew, led by veteran tuner Sonny Suba, RR Suba, Joesefilo Bariquit and Richard Gordon to brief me on how to tune an SQ engine, ” said Cabrera, who is leaving for Indonesia next week to compete as one of the top 5 Mini-ROK contenders in the 2012 Asian Karting Open Series. Cabrera’s exceptional feat in the Red Bull event caught the attention of Winds Formula’s Japanese scouts and was promptly offered the opportunity to test drive their openwheel cars. WFP heads the Philippine FP1600 series and is currently on the lookout for talented open-wheel drivers, who can compete in Japan’s 2013 S-FJ Series, a stepping stone to formula cars. Cabrera likewise has been previously offered by Kuwayama Racing Japan to compete in the Yamaha SL Series in Japan next year. Gabe Cabrera (third from left) is joined by members of his team (from left) Sonny Suba, Joesefilo Bariquit, RR Suba, Anthony Delda and Richard Gordon. 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] million kilograms per year, or equivalent to one million cases. Each case weighs three kilos,” Pascual said. ABI chief operating officer Michael Tan said once Creamy Delight established its foothold in the market, followed by the setting up of a manufacturing facility, the joint venture would “eye other Asean markets.” Tan said AB planned to establish a manufacturing plant in Laguna, possibly in Cabuyao. Creamy Delight is considered Spain’s top quality yogurt. Creamy Delight, priced 40 to 50 percent cheaper than other brands, has a distinct taste and sweet combination. Pascual said the advanced technology that involves pasteurization would allow the yogurt to be available in sari-sari stores without being refrigerated. Creamy Delight is made from 100-percent fresh premium imported milk collected daily from the fields of Spain and controlled by quality standards. WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 B1 Spanish group, ABI form dairy company By Julito G. Rada DAIRY products maker Grupo Leche Pascual of Spain and Asia Brewery Inc. of taipan Lucio Tan formed a joint venture company that will distribute Creamy Delight yogurt in the Philippines. GLP president Tomas Pascual said the group teamed up with ABI to form AB Pascual Foods to take advantage of the rosy outlook for the Philippine yogurt market. “We see a very good potential for [Creamy Delight] yogurt in the Philippines because of the big gap in daily yogurt consumption here,” Pascual said. Pascual said the newly-formed company, created on a 50-50 equity sharing, would distribute pasteurized yogurt through sarisari stores nationwide. He said it was possible the company would manufacture yogurt in the long run once AB Pascual Foods stabilized its presence in the local market. “Right now, AB will import from Spain approximately 2.6 San Miguel bares plan to invest in natural gas By Cecilia Yap company expanding into energy and aviation, has picked a target in the gas industry for its planned $5-billion acquisition, president Ramon Ang said, unveiling the area of investment for the first time. “It’s in the energy sector— gas,” Ang told reporters late Monday, saying San Miguel is one of two remaining bidders. “If the investment is successful, every peso we put in can earn 10 to 20 pesos in three years. These are the types of investments we’re looking for.” The acquisition underscores a push by San Miguel, the Philippines’ largest company and brewer of the century-old namesake beer brand, to expand outside its main businesses in pursuit of higher sales. San Miguel’s plan to spend $5 billion on an acquisition was unveiled by Ang on Oct. 20. The brewer made an initial offer, with an eye to getting on the final list of potential buyers, Ang said at the time, adding that the deal may be completed this year. Neither the target or the industry were identified at that point. SAN Miguel Corp., the food and drink Natural gas assets up for sale in Asia include a stake in the A$23 billion ($24 billion) project being developed in Australia by ConocoPhillips and Origin Energy Ltd. ConocoPhillips and Sydney-based Origin are working with JPMorgan Chase & Co. to sell 15 percent of their liquefied natural gas development in the state of Queensland to help fund the venture, Origin said in August. San Miguel’s shares rose to P109 but has lost 7 percent this year. Natural gas currently accounts for 2,700 megawatts of power generation, or 29 percent of total capacity, in the Philippines, according to the Energy Department. To fuel its energy needs, the Philippines will need 17,750 megawatts of additional capacity by 2030, according to the department. San Miguel’s purchases outside food and drinks will help lift sales to $20 billion this year—at least three years ahead of target—and are projected to reach $30 billion by 2017, Ang said on April 26. The company owns most of Petron Corp., the largest oil refiner, and is the country’s biggest electricity producer through unit SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. “If folded into San Miguel’s power unit, an energy investment overseas would increase investors’ appetite for the power unit’s planned initial public offering,” Wealth Securities Inc. analyst Bernard Avinante said by phone. San Miguel bought almost half of Philippine Airlines Inc. and lowcost affiliate Air Philippines Corp. in April. A Petron affiliate bought most of Esso Malaysia Bhd. the previous month. Bloomberg PSE chief sees index climbing to 6,000 PHILIPPINE Stock Exchange chairman Jose Pardo said Tuesday the PSEi, the 30company benchmark index, may top 6,000 points soon. “We may attain the 6,000 mark sooner than later,” Pardo said in a speech during the PSE 2012 Bell Awards, as he cited the overall favorable economic environment. Pardo said because of the PSEi’s strong performance, the local stock market was recognized as the best performing in the world. The PSEi on Tuesday closed above the 5,700-point level for the first time as investors purchased blue chip stocks amid the positive outlook on the domestic economy. The benchmark index gained 33.58 points or 0.6 percent to settle at 5,706.28. All of the market’s indices ended in the green. This was the 34th time the market posted a record high. Foreign funds in the stock market boosted the peso to a four-year high last week. The strong peso contributed to the rise in the country’s gross international reserves. The Bangko Sentral said it revised the GIR forecast for 2012 to $83 billion from the previous estimate of $77.5 billion to $78 billion. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said for 2013, the foreign exchange reserves were expected to reach $86 billion. Tetangco, speaking during an interview at the Child and Youth Finance Regional Meeting for Asia and Pacific, said the GIR forecast was revised as a result of higher balance of payments surplus in 2012. “The effect carries over to 2013 GIR,” Tetangco said. Jenniffer B. Austria, Anna Leah G. Estrada IN BRIEF Cagayan gas prospect FRONTIER Oil Corp. is optimistic about the strong gas potential at the Nassiping-2 well prospect in Gattaran, Cagayan under Service Contract No. 52. “Results and gas-flows observed during the operations have strongly increased our confidence in the potential for a gas discovery at Nassiping,” Frontier chief executive Kris Fellowes said. Acid simulation program utilizes acid to improve the flow of fluids or gas. The program is for improving the flow in carbonate reservoir. Frontier said that during the program, gas flows were consistently detected at the surface of the area. The company now plans to mobilize a rig to the project site to remove the well obstruction and complete the stimulation program. The company said discussions with rig suppliers were ongoing in preparation for the early 2013 continuation of operations. The rig will be used to test a prospective gas-bearing zone. Alena Mae S. Flores Mining fees to be doubled THE government will double the application fees for all major mining permits next year to increase its revenues from mining, an official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau said Tuesday. “We’re hoping we could impose a 100percent increase in fees from mining permits. We already have an idea on how to do this. This has to be approved by the bureau first,” MGB tenements division manager Levy Teodoro said in an interview. Teodoro, however, conceded his division could not automatically impose the planned increase in permit fees until the national government approved and implemented a financial regime that was fair to both the government and the mining sector. The MGB’s tenements division currently imposes a minimum fee of P60 per hectare for renewal of exploration permits and P70 to P100 per hectare for occupational fees. Occupational fees are P70 per hectare if outside the mineral reservation area and P100 if within the mineral reservation area. A mining company pays occupational dues once it is granted a mining permit under the minerals production sharing agreement or a financial and technical assistance agreement. “As of now, these [fees] are all subject for review but the increase is mandatory,” said Teodoro, referring to the provisions under the implementing rules and regulation of Executive Order No. 79. Othel V. Campos PSE thanksgiving. President Aquino starts the traditional ringing of the bell during the 20th anniversary thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Philippine Stock Exchange. The PSE announced the winners in the first 2012 Bell Awards for Corporate Governance during the anniversary celebration. With Aquino (from left) are PSE president and chief executive Hans Sicat, PSE chairman Jose Pardo and Vice President Jejomar Binay. PSALM may extend electricity contract By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. will likely extend the transition supply contract of Manila Electric Co. with National Power Corp. by another two months, an official said Tuesday. “It will be discussed by the board but we’re looking to extend until February. Two months extension only [but] it will be taken up by the board,” PSALM president Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. told reporters. PSALM manages the assets and liabilities of state-owned Napocor. PSALM earlier extended Meralco’s transition supply contract with Napocor until Dec. 26 this year, or three months after the implementation of retail competition and open access, whichever comes first. Meralco purchases a large portion of its power requirements from Napocor through the transition supply contracts. Open access allows large power users to choose their own suppliers and is expected to bring down rates of large customers due to market competition. The ERC has set the initial implementation of the open access regime on Dec. 26, which signals the start of the six-month transition. A trial run will be in place by March 26 with the full implementation set on June 26, 2013. Meralco asked PSALM for a six-month extension of the transition supply contract covering 320 megawatts to coincide with the full implementation of open access by June. Meralco’s transition supply contract orginally ended on Dec. 26, 2011. It was extended for another year on the concerns of industries and large power users. AGI earmarks P40b; Megaworld, other units expanding By Jenniffer B. Austria ALLIANCE Global Group Inc., the listed holding company of business tycoon Andrew Tan, plans to increase capital spending to more than P40 billion next year on robust outlook on the domestic economy. Tan said in an interview at the sidelines of the Philippine Stock Exchange 2012 Bell Awards all the company’s units would increase capital investments because of expansion plans. “All the units combined, we should be incurring a capital Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Indonesia Thailand UAE Euro Korea China India Malaysia New Zealand Taiwan Rupiah Baht Dirham Euro Won Yuan Rupee Ringgit Dollar Dollar 0.000104 0.032637 0.272264 1.305600 0.000923 0.160568 0.018295 0.328839 0.820883 0.034401 0.0043 1.3340 11.1285 53.3651 0.0377 6.5631 0.7478 13.4410 33.5528 1.4061 Source: PDS Bridge expenditures of more than P40 billion for tourism, real estate and consumer goods. All of them are expanding. We are very bullish about the economy. This year we are doing very well. I think next year we will continue to do very well,” Tan said. Alliance Global business units include Megaworld Corp., Global Estate Resorts Inc., Emperador Distillers Inc., Golden Arches Development Corp., the master franchise holder of fastfood giant McDonalds, and Travellers International Holdings Inc., E ATE PSE COMPOSITE INDEX F OREIGNUnitXCHANGE RPeso Currency US Dollar Closing December 4, 2012 United States Japan UK Hong Kong Switzerland Canada Singapore Australia Bahrain Saudi Arabia Brunei Dollar Yen Pound Dollar Franc Dollar Dollar Dollar Dinar Rial Dollar 1.000000 0.012164 1.609300 0.129044 1.080497 1.005227 0.820681 1.042209 2.652520 0.266660 0.817327 40.8740 0.4972 65.7785 5.2745 44.1642 41.0876 33.5445 42.5993 108.4191 10.8995 33.4074 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 DECEMBER 4, 2012 40 42 44 46 48 P38.40-P41.05 Diesel P40.30-P52.20 Kerosene P27.20-P31.00 Auto LPG P40.870 CLOSE 33.58 5,706.28 HIGH P40.860 LOW P40.950 AVERAGE P40.914 VOLUME 736.350M which operates the integrated entertainment and gaming complex Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. Despite concerns of possible oversupply in the market, Tan remains robust on the property sector due to a low interest rate environment. “At the moment, what we can see is a lot of our buyers are end-users. It’s not speculative in nature. These are people who need a home and they buy a home. They are putting their money in a quality home and they are doing their best to keep up with their amortization,” Tan said. “The market is still fundamentally very strong partly because the interest rates are very low and affordable and that is one key driver for real estate,” he added. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK B2 WEDNESDAY Business Bull run continues; MST BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW index exceeds 5,700 DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday 52 Weeks
[email protected] [email protected] High Low THE stock market climbed Tuesday for the seventh straight day, lifting the Philippine Stock Exchange index past the 5,700-point mark for the first time. production, property and resorts and casinos, advanced 2.5 percent to P16.30. Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which is into power, banking and transportation, rose 2.4 percent to P52.25, while Universal Robina Corp., the biggest producer of snacks, climbed 3.4 percent to P80.60 A weaker-than-expected US manufacturing report, meanwhile, sent the rest of Asian stock markets down Tuesday. US manufacturing shrank in November to its weakest level since July 2009. The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of manufacturing conditions fell 49.5 from October’s 51.7. Numbers above 50 signal The Phisix rose 33.58 points, or 0.6 percent, to a new high of 5,706.28, with all sectors registering gains. Gainers edged losers, 76 to 75, with 56 issues unchanged. Investors have been picking up local stocks after the Philippines reported a 7.1percent increase in thirdquarter gross domestic product, faster than its Southeast Asian neighbors. SM Prime Holdings Inc., operator of the country’s biggest retail chain, rose 2.7 percent to P16.60. BDO Unibank Inc., the largest bank, added 1.3 percent to P72. Alliance Global Group Inc., which has investments in a fastfood chain, liquor growth, while those below indicate contraction. One reason for the downturn, the trade group said, was that businesses are concerned about the so-called fiscal cliff, which is a package of tax increases and government spending cuts that will take effect in 2013 unless lawmakers take action. Worries about automatic tax increases cut demand for factory orders and manufacturing jobs. President Barack Obama and Republican lawmakers have yet to work out a budget deal as the clock continues ticking toward the year-end deadline. Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney, said that while most analysts think US political leaders will negotiate some kind of deal before the deadline, there will still be some degree of tax increases and spending cuts that will impinge on the growth of the world’s no. 1 economy. With AP, Bloomberg 70.50 77.45 1.82 595.00 2.20 23.90 20.70 650.00 39.20 102.50 3.06 77.80 500.00 45.50 155.20 1100.00 140.00 2.06 35.50 13.58 1.70 1.62 138.00 300.00 144.00 2.75 9.74 6.41 7.77 3.80 19.40 79.30 27.00 0.02 13.10 6.00 2.35 120.00 91.25 8.40 3.20 3.19 27.45 6.95 18.10 280.60 12.20 3.65 16.00 14.94 4.42 6.50 34.60 129.20 3000.00 2.62 2.44 0.196 2.88 1.41 69.20 5.50 0.77 18.00 1.22 1.18 59.90 0.019 13.70 2.60 5.02 6.98 2.98 4.16 485.20 64.80 4.19 5.20 556.00 5.22 36.20 4.19 6.21 1.54 0.91 3.82 4.65 6.24 9.66 0.0770 2.20 2.40 0.490 760.00 2.71 1.57 0.420 0.620 0.980 48.00 3.34 0.83 0.195 24.15 5.62 9.00 2.85 2.91 1.50 0.092 1.11 0.94 3.80 0.310 2.74 1.44 2.14 2.34 0.36 0.990 0.67 38.10 4.33 19.94 7.71 2.85 8.95 18.20 0.91 4.55 0.64 4.66 4.72 42.00 18.98 0.78 10.92 102.80 0.5300 24.00 82.50 10.60 9.70 1172.00 1270.00 11.00 77.00 4.70 34.50 3.87 10.30 3.70 4.08 22.95 8.58 3.39 10.00 71.00 17.88 2886.00 30.15 4.75 3.30 0.79 0.0083 6.20 20.80 48.00 0.345 29.00 34.00 2.23 61.80 1.21 1.81 2.070 0.085 0.840 36.50 12.84 1.100 8.40 0.032 0.033 7.05 28.25 48.00 0.062 257.80 0.029 50.00 580.00 103.50 109.80 11.02 80.00 1050.00 1.31 46.00 50.00 0.68 370.00 1.42 13.80 18.50 420.00 3.00 60.00 1.30 41.00 210.00 29.45 77.00 879.00 58.00 1.43 26.50 8.00 0.97 1.08 45.00 41.00 42.00 2.30 7.41 4.83 2.80 1.00 12.50 51.50 17.50 0.0110 7.80 3.80 0.61 80.00 25.00 1.04 The genesis of ‘deposit substitutes’ THE issuance by the Finance Department of Revenue Regulations No. 14-2012 on November 7, 2012 caused not a slight tremor in the financial districts. Businessmen, especially the underwriters, have all along been secure in the thought that “public” meant at least 20 people. For this reason, devices were concocted to execute borrowings which, although large in total amounts, were nevertheless small in terms of people borrowed from. For as long as the number of lenders were small, which was uniformly defined as less than 20, the disclosures and other safeguards, designed to protect the presumably unsophisticated investor did not kick in. The premise is that the 19 lenders who had the capacity to pick up the receivable at such huge amounts each were, or at least ought to be, financially sophisticated enough to make their own analysis and evaluation of the investments being offered to them. Hence, there was no need to treat them like they were babes in the woods. It came to pass that in those days the approach of money managers and advisers to the allegedly sophisticated 19 or less investors was to convince them to not deposit their moneys in the bank. Bank deposits were the relationship of choice for the financial hoi poloi, they who did not have the learning to understand the intricacies of investing. But for the sophisticated 19 or less, the relationship would be through banker’s acceptances; promissory notes; repurchase agreements; certificates of assignments or participations, both with recourse; and other documents which despite their high fallutin names were of course, merely debt instruments. These documents were in lieu, or in place, of deposits; hence they came to be called “deposit substitutes.” Thus, the term “deposit substitute” as a legal term, is in my mind a Philippine invention. It was written into the law upon the recommendation of the Joint IMF-CBP Banking Survey Commission on the Philippine Banking System, co-chaired by Dr. Armand Fabella. The Commission submitted its recommendations to Central Bank of the Philippines Governor Gregorio S. Licaros on January 25, 1972 in advance of the full report. The idea was to have the recommendations considered by the Monetary Board early enough and in time for submission of amendatory legislation to Congress which was then in session. Apparently not too many, except, as now revealed in his autobiography, Juan Ponce Enrile, were unaware of the martial law that was to be declared about eight months later. It was the general observation of the Commission that “more recently, the alternative forms of deposits and placements appear to have benefitted primarily the large well-entrenched corporate entities with foreign affiliations, their creditworthiness having been more easily established. Also, the rise of new forms of financial intermediation, in terms of financial instruments and institutions, has created a gray area of regulation.” Among those gray areas of regulation was the inability of the Central Bank to effectively take control of the volume of money generated by the credit operations of the financial system due to the lack of clear authority to impose reserve requirements and interest rate ceilings on alternative forms of raising funds from the public. Explaining Recommendation 17, the Commission observed that the so-called “deposit substitutes are alternative forms of liabilities which partake of the nature of deposits.” This functional identity, notwithstanding, however, the Commission further noted that “They are not at present included among deposit liabilities subject to reserve requirements.” This was the reason why “banks and non-bank financial institutions have increasingly resorted to attracted these deposit substitutes and to issuing a variety of debt instruments to document the transactions.” It was in the context of this need to make more effective the monetary control of the Central Bank that “deposit substitutes” was defined by the Commission as “alternative forms of obtaining funds from the public, other than bank deposits, through the issuance, endorsement, and acceptance of debt instruments for the borrower’s account, which may include but need not be limited to, bankers acceptances, promissory notes, participations, certificates of assignments, and similar instruments with recourse, and repurchase agreements.” The recommendation of the Commission first became part of banking law when the definition of “deposit substitute was written into the Central Bank Act as Section 100A by Section 52 of Presidential Decree No. 72 issued on November 29, 1972. With this entry, it was inevitable that the term “deposit substitute” would also get into tax law. The term “public” was defined, under Section 22(Y) of the National Internal Revenue Code, for purposes of taxation, as “twenty (20) or more individual or corporate lenders at any one time.” Section 2 of Revenue Regulations No. 14-2012 thus did no more than return to the original and consistent core thinking on “deposit substitutes” when the term became part of the Philippine legal landscape. It was no more than a return to basics. No need nor occasion for the financial community to belly ache. (For comments, e-mail me at
[email protected].) THE TRUST GURU GERRY GERONIMO 1.32 1.08 18.10 0.75 8.12 215.00 7.50 1.96 9.70 8.05 1.01 2.90 26.50 110.20 800.00 1.25 1.73 0.112 1.99 0.90 37.00 1.05 0.320 2.55 0.77 0.65 35.50 0.014 8.00 1.80 3.00 0.260 1.49 2.30 272.00 30.50 1.03 3.30 455.40 2.94 19.00 2.27 4.00 0.61 0.300 1.800 2.56 3.40 1.22 0.045 1.20 1.01 0.285 450.00 1.08 1.14 0.101 0.082 0.380 18.00 1.70 0.42 0.150 13.36 3.08 2.26 1.35 1.20 1.05 0.060 0.67 0.54 2.90 0.10 1.63 0.98 0.65 1.51 0.150 0.089 0.41 12.60 2.10 10.00 2.51 1.81 6.00 10.94 0.64 1.80 0.45 2.60 T OP G AINERS STOCKS Bogo Medellin Chemphil Asian Terminals Inc. Manchester Intl. "B" Global-Estate Jolliville Holdings Seacem Manchester Intl. "A" IPVG Corp. ATN Holdings, Inc. Close (P) 69.80 103.00 10.50 6.50 2.00 7.50 1.60 6.31 0.64 1.11 Change (%) 20.34 14.44 14.13 8.51 8.11 7.91 6.67 6.05 4.92 4.72 T OP L OSERS STOCKS Mabuhay Holdings `A' Prime Media Hldg Atok-Big Wedge `A' F&J Prince 'A' Benguet Corp `A' Liberty Flour Cebu Holdings IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Asia Amalgamated A Interport `A' Close (P) 0.320 1.080 23.05 2.60 19.00 44.00 4.18 0.024 4.15 1.11 Change (%) (20.00) (10.00) (7.80) (7.14) (5.94) (4.35) (4.13) (4.00) (3.49) (3.48) 1.20 24.80 1.05 0.45 7.30 4.45 0.1010 5.20 60.80 8.20 5.44 11.70 831.00 6.18 43.40 1.75 0.036 1.00 5.90 2.60 1.21 13.80 5.35 1.05 5.00 18.00 12.10 2096.00 10.68 3.30 2.42 0.34 0.0038 3.01 14.50 20.00 0.170 19.98 21.20 1.05 T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS PROPERTY SERVICES MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL SHARES 17,635,993 299,218,379 599,099,068 933,076,262 242,548,685 1,000,792,540 3,092,370,927 VALUE 1,396,274,758.45 1,689,230,232.034 1,435,902,713.59 2,453,846,222.935 1,110,982,940.414 204,031,872.19 8,290,268,739.614 FINANCIAL 1,521.99 (up) 8.06 INDUSTRIAL 8,874.57 (up) 27.41 HOLDING FIRMS 5,017.08 (up) 31.27 PROPERTY 2,206.95 (up) 25.91 SERVICES 1,721.31 (up) 4.7 MINING & OIL 18,010.89 (up) 130.74 PSEI 5,706.28 (up) 33.58 All Shares Index 3,676.53 (up) 15.31 Gainers: 76; Losers: 75; Unchanged: 56; Total: 207 6.96 0.50 1.0600 1.0900 0.042 0.570 15.04 2.91 0.008 2.99 0.014 0.014 5.10 18.40 3.00 0.017 161.10 0.015 23.05 535.00 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Ayala Corp. Pref `A’ First Gen F 100.00 First Gen G 101.50 First Phil. Hldgs.-Pref. 6.00 GMA Holdings Inc. SMC Preferred A 74.50 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C 1000.00 SMPFC Preferred 0.62 M S T TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012 Previous STOCKS Close High Low Close Change Volume 72.00 96.00 0.71 55.25 2.00 20.00 28.30 480.00 21.40 98.75 1.70 86.90 394.00 56.05 164.70 985.00 114.00 2.25 36.50 6.67 2.16 1.30 18.20 69.80 103.00 65.00 3.09 17.00 6.95 9.30 1.80 22.90 91.70 17.50 0.0230 13.46 3.94 0.620 107.00 10.38 44.00 1.86 13.00 6.31 6.50 31.80 3.20 16.320 266.00 8.20 5.75 10.42 9.10 4.10 4.80 34.00 109.00 241.00 1.60 1.77 0.156 1.87 1.12 80.60 1.31 1.12 8.00 1.64 1.34 1.05 1.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.25 (1.23) 0.47 (0.25) (0.58) (1.64) (0.10) 0.99 (0.18) (1.01) 1.88 (0.88) 0.97 (2.06) (0.46) (0.76) 1.11 20.34 14.44 0.00 0.32 0.71 (0.57) 1.09 0.00 (0.43) (0.05) (2.67) 0.00 2.28 0.25 0.00 0.94 2.77 (4.35) (0.53) (0.61) 6.05 8.51 (2.00) 0.00 (0.12) (2.06) (1.09) 4.17 (0.57) 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 6.67 1.14 0.65 (1.06) 0.00 3.40 3.97 (2.61) (2.44) (1.20) % Net Foreign Trade/Buying 164,228,246.50 38,680,741.50 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI Bankard, Inc. China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. Inc. COL Financial Eastwest Bank Manulife Fin. Corp. Maybank ATR KE Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp. Phil. National 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 Bogo Medellin Chemphil Conc. Aggr. `A’ Chemrez Technologies Inc. Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Greenergy Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals LT Group Manchester Intl. “A” Manchester Intl. “B” Manila Water Co. Inc. Mariwasa MFG. Inc. Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pancake House Inc. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petron Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils. RFM Corporation Salcon Power Corp. San Miguel Brewery Inc. San Miguel Corp `A’ San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Seacem 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. GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings 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 Seafront `A’ Sinophil Corp. SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings 71.05 95.00 0.70 55.25 2.00 20.00 27.95 486.00 21.30 99.00 1.71 88.35 394.40 55.50 165.00 995.00 111.90 2.27 FINANCIAL 72.25 96.20 0.71 55.70 2.02 20.20 28.30 480.00 21.40 98.90 1.70 88.40 394.60 57.00 165.80 1010.00 114.40 2.31 71.05 93.00 0.71 54.50 2.00 19.80 27.65 480.00 21.40 98.55 1.70 86.90 393.00 55.60 164.50 985.00 112.00 2.25 35.90 6.22 2.16 1.30 17.80 61.95 103.00 64.45 3.30 16.50 6.88 9.20 1.80 22.90 91.70 17.50 0.0220 13.16 3.93 0.620 105.00 10.00 44.00 1.85 13.00 6.00 6.02 31.75 3.20 16.300 265.00 8.20 5.60 10.22 9.00 4.06 4.75 34.00 108.50 240.40 1.50 1.76 0.156 1.87 1.12 78.10 1.25 1.11 7.90 1.64 4,764,030 2,072,330 250,000 30,150 60,000 27,300 2,236,900 10 5,500 4,672,610 327,000 1,172,540 8,480 195,910.00 743,820 40 136,730 42,000 1,194,944.00 199,000.00 13,520,770.00 (126,189,470.00) (5,718,868.00) 1,721,780.00 5,666,381.50 10,265,296.00 (9,950.00) 1,096,590.00 109,160,945.00 (201,963.00) (92,220.00) (376,370.00) 598,180.00 36.15 6.81 2.17 1.31 18.00 58.00 90.00 65.00 3.08 16.88 6.99 9.20 1.80 23.00 91.75 17.98 0.0230 13.16 3.93 0.620 106.00 10.10 46.00 1.87 13.08 5.95 5.99 32.45 3.20 16.340 271.60 8.29 5.52 10.48 9.01 4.10 4.80 34.00 108.90 241.00 1.50 1.75 0.155 1.89 1.12 77.95 1.26 1.15 8.20 1.66 INDUSTRIAL 36.50 6.81 2.22 1.32 18.26 69.80 103.00 65.00 3.09 18.10 7.01 9.40 1.81 23.25 92.50 17.80 0.0240 13.46 3.94 0.620 107.00 10.48 44.00 1.87 13.14 6.82 6.50 33.10 3.20 16.400 270.40 8.20 5.90 10.58 9.15 4.12 4.80 34.00 109.00 242.00 1.60 1.78 0.165 1.89 1.13 81.00 1.33 1.16 8.20 1.66 4,353,000 154,400 825,000 642,000 36,900 610 10 50 198,000 74,600 48,751,400 481,800 17,000 2,542,500 503,290 5,600 174,600,000 4,500 17,000 8,000 686,040 9,991,200 4,600 116,000 1,994,800 81,500 90,300 3,509,700 3,000 331,100 1,195,620 600 11,647,000 9,885,800 254,800 67,000 29,000 44,300 767,240 1,910 225,000 38,000 7,260,000 45,000 1,538,000 1,614,720 11,602,000 1,842,000 61,500 768,000 5,048,000 3,144,150 527,140,000 14,030,400 135,000 195,200 25,000 66,000 234,000 550,390 2,448,430 18,000 435,000 132,550 2,700 1,587,400 10,200 1,920,400 1,172,000 20,000 117,100 29,906,000 1,195,000 2,500 200,000 5,000 15,000 3,540,000 301,330 604,000 100,000 520,000 870,000 2,350,000 1,857,883.00 648,500.00 34,146,765.00 (2,235,224.00) (75,850.00) (2,632.00) (3,940.00) 3,863,972.00 11,423,818.00 618,452.00 12,780.00 (38,339,790.00) (815,000.00) (32,074,262.00) 1,771,747.00 (36,021,082.00) 454,778.00 8,200.00 (25,433,163.00) 15,000.00 (16,750.00) 25,780,508.50 132,000.00 220,640.00 0.68 51.00 0.1410 15.90 2.02 5.15 4.30 1.06 1.17 496.00 54.75 2.80 4.61 598.00 6.19 35.90 6.95 6.38 0.99 0.400 1.80 4.45 6.40 5.66 0.0460 1.200 1.78 0.305 868.00 1.89 1.08 0.2550 0.3100 0.335 17.00 3.10 0.700 0.177 23.85 5.12 4.36 1.41 2.26 1.09 0.067 0.79 1.030 2.91 0.350 1.85 1.56 1.15 2.62 0.1590 0.7500 0.445 25.00 2.90 19.06 2.88 2.90 5.80 16.16 0.66 3.61 0.540 5.070 HOLDING FIRMS 0.68 0.66 52.75 50.65 0.1450 0.1420 16.30 15.88 2.03 2.00 5.25 5.10 4.18 4.05 1.12 1.00 1.14 1.05 505.00 492.00 54.75 54.50 2.80 2.60 4.80 4.65 603.50 591.00 6.05 6.05 36.90 36.00 7.65 7.50 6.43 6.31 1.01 1.00 0.320 0.320 1.84 1.76 4.51 4.40 6.40 6.29 5.66 5.66 0.0460 0.0460 1.090 1.080 1.75 1.75 0.310 0.305 868.00 860.00 2.00 1.90 1.08 1.08 0.2550 0.2500 0.3100 0.2950 0.350 0.340 PROPERTY 18.50 16.70 3.10 2.98 0.750 0.700 0.177 0.177 24.00 23.40 5.20 5.09 4.30 4.15 1.42 1.39 2.32 2.12 1.09 1.08 0.067 0.067 0.81 0.79 1.030 1.010 2.91 2.91 0.360 0.345 2.04 1.85 1.60 1.56 1.13 1.10 2.64 2.59 0.1590 0.1570 0.7800 0.7500 0.450 0.440 25.00 25.00 2.99 2.47 20.10 19.00 2.98 2.88 3.00 2.90 5.92 5.80 17.02 16.20 0.66 0.65 3.60 3.60 0.540 0.540 5.080 5.040 0.68 52.25 0.1420 16.30 2.00 5.20 4.15 1.11 1.13 498.00 54.60 2.60 4.70 593.00 6.05 36.65 7.50 6.41 1.00 0.320 1.77 4.42 6.40 5.66 0.0460 1.080 1.75 0.305 860.00 1.97 1.08 0.2550 0.3100 0.350 17.10 3.07 0.700 0.177 23.90 5.10 4.18 1.42 2.32 1.09 0.067 0.81 1.030 2.91 0.350 2.00 1.58 1.11 2.62 0.1590 0.7700 0.440 25.00 2.99 19.80 2.88 3.00 5.84 16.60 0.66 3.60 0.540 5.050 0.00 2.45 0.71 2.52 (0.99) 0.97 (3.49) 4.72 (3.42) 0.40 (0.27) (7.14) 1.95 (0.84) (2.26) 2.09 7.91 0.47 1.01 (20.00) (1.67) (0.67) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (10.00) (1.69) 0.00 (0.92) 4.23 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.48 0.59 (0.97) 0.00 0.00 0.21 (0.39) (4.13) 0.71 2.65 0.00 0.00 2.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.11 1.28 (3.48) 0.00 0.00 2.67 (1.12) 0.00 3.10 3.88 0.00 3.45 0.69 2.72 0.00 (0.28) 0.00 (0.39) 68,497,415.50 (343,850.00) (57,711,494.00) 19,570.00 99,096,216.00 (17,401,215.00) (126,860.00) 31,627,315.00 (34,415,580.00) 8,969,301.00 4,443,500.00 (860,052.00) (1,038,500.00) 5,559,470.00 48,750.00 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Empire East Land Eton Properties Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld Corp. MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 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 38,100 375,000 142,000 20,000 12,786,300 6,596,500 270,000 3,694,000 88,000 21,000 120,000 1,047,000 599,693,000 1,000 7,960,000 38,262,000 48,926,000 230,000 40,336,000 1,000,000 2,764,000 260,000 1,500 20,000 8,738,300 532,000 406,000 1,344,000 44,774,900 160,000 61,000 200,000 9,604,800 42,130.00 13,431,180.00 2,836,059.00 818,800.00 (2,326,800.00) (21,800.00) (49,990.00) 36,000.00 (8,869,000.00) 7,810,800.00 39,384,830.00 35,000.00 50,462,214.00 1,137,263.00 259,377,800.00 (66,000.00) (3,442,969.00) 2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. DFNN Inc. Globalports Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. IP Converge IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPVG Corp. Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Jockey Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common Puregold STI Holdings Touch Solutions Transpacific Broadcast Waterfront Phils. Yehey 1.95 31.50 1.28 0.620 9.20 13.86 0.1560 6.00 63.00 11.50 5.15 19.00 1120.00 8.62 71.00 2.63 0.025 0.61 8.54 2.48 2.70 13.88 5.05 3.24 9.31 81.50 13.28 2530.00 33.30 1.13 4.01 2.06 0.425 1.220 0.0058 4.52 17.34 25.00 0.270 20.20 19.00 0.92 1.07 16.22 0.50 0.880 0.980 0.0600 0.0590 15.78 4.90 0.5800 3.110 0.0190 0.0200 5.93 12.60 27.25 0.038 222.00 0.0180 SERVICES 1.95 1.95 32.00 31.50 1.28 1.24 0.650 0.620 10.50 9.70 14.32 13.88 0.1560 0.1540 6.13 5.95 63.10 62.55 11.48 11.48 5.28 4.80 19.00 18.90 1121.00 1110.00 8.90 8.62 71.00 70.80 2.60 2.55 0.026 0.024 0.65 0.58 8.65 8.48 2.47 2.47 2.68 2.65 13.96 13.90 5.08 5.00 3.25 3.15 9.31 9.31 83.00 79.00 13.40 13.22 2546.00 2524.00 33.30 32.80 1.16 1.10 4.01 4.00 2.05 2.05 0.420 0.405 1.260 1.200 1.95 32.00 1.28 0.640 10.50 14.00 0.1540 5.99 62.70 11.48 5.08 19.00 1110.00 8.90 71.00 2.60 0.024 0.64 8.50 2.47 2.67 13.90 5.01 3.19 9.31 80.55 13.30 2542.00 32.95 1.11 4.00 2.05 0.420 1.220 0.0058 4.53 17.32 23.05 0.270 19.00 19.00 0.93 1.07 15.68 0.51 0.910 0.980 0.0590 0.0590 16.06 4.90 0.5800 3.130 0.0190 0.0200 5.86 12.92 27.00 0.039 220.00 0.0180 0.00 1.59 0.00 3.23 14.13 1.01 (1.28) (0.17) (0.48) (0.17) (1.36) 0.00 (0.89) 3.25 0.00 (1.14) (4.00) 4.92 (0.47) (0.40) (1.11) 0.14 (0.79) (1.54) 0.00 (1.17) 0.15 0.47 (1.05) (1.77) (0.25) (0.49) (1.18) 0.00 0.00 0.22 (0.12) (7.80) 0.00 (5.94) 0.00 1.09 0.00 (3.33) 2.00 3.41 0.00 (1.67) 0.00 1.77 0.00 0.00 0.64 0.00 0.00 (1.18) 2.54 (0.92) 2.63 (0.90) 0.00 1.92 0.00 0.47 0.00 1.87 0.34 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.27 85,000 248,700 147,000 10,255,000 271,100 20,446,400 13,830,000 1,315,300 397,820 3,100 314,500 8,400 72,945 1,089,200 1,208,060 349,000 102,300,000 7,337,000 772,200 4,000 165,000 14,950 33,500 1,369,000 1,100 5,700 1,180,800 131,595 1,013,900 74,826,000 5,000 500 350,000 169,000 (1,132,000.00) 1,930,220.00 (62,960,158.00) (46,700.00) (217,270.00) (320,588.00) (685,800.00) 2,643,131.00 (16,861,665.00) (2,048,500.00) (1,622,550.00) 15,444.00 10,720.00 35,120.00 324,555.00 (8,649,174.00) 9,551,800.00 (12,609,540.00) (20,991,840.00) Abra Mining Apex `A’ 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 MINING & OIL 0.0058 0.0057 4.53 4.53 17.38 17.30 23.05 23.05 0.275 0.270 19.00 19.00 19.00 19.00 0.93 0.92 1.09 1.07 16.28 15.60 0.51 0.50 0.930 0.860 1.010 0.960 0.0600 0.0590 0.0600 0.0590 16.18 15.80 5.50 4.89 0.5900 0.5800 3.250 3.100 0.0200 0.0190 0.0200 0.0200 5.86 5.85 13.16 12.60 27.25 26.35 0.040 0.038 222.20 219.60 0.0190 0.0180 PREFERRED 32.00 522.00 107.00 105.00 103.50 8.75 75.00 75.50 75.55 1008.00 123,000,000 9,000 880,800 3,500 400,000 26,000 2,000 131,000 3,480,000 111,300 517,000 27,892,000 10,851,000 355,890,000 51,000,000 237,100 271,000 823,000 499,000 105,900,000 40,400,000 14,700 3,143,400 334,900 117,400,000 91,080 155,100,000 1,675,600 250 10 1,220 50 955,700 223,720 10 69,810 1,225 4,946,130.00 (38,000.00) 63,100.00 503,840.00 (278,000.00) (2,206,580.00) (49,760.00) 17,448,208.00 643,140.00 (975,000.00) (15,380,462.00) (23,476,000.00) 31.30 522.00 106.50 105.00 101.60 8.70 75.00 75.50 75.50 1008.00 1.58 31.30 520.00 107.00 105.00 103.50 8.60 74.95 75.50 75.45 1006.00 31.90 522.00 107.00 105.00 103.50 8.73 75.00 75.50 75.50 1008.00 1.60 4,683,755.00 (16,636,510.00) (25,200.00) 717,000.00 Megaworld Corp. Warrants WARRANTS & BONDS 1.60 1.58 1,450,000
[email protected] [email protected] Manila ManilaStandardToday Business WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 B3 BoI defends granting of perks to Thai firm By Julito G. Rada THE Board of Investments defended Tuesday the granting of tax incentives to the P2.3billion integrated project of Thai company Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corp., saying it is consistent with the investment priorities of the government. Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Adrian Cristobal, however, said the agency would meet with the Agriculture Department and stakeholders from the poultry, hog, and feeds industry this week to clarify the issues on the registration of the poultry project. “We welcome the ongoing discussions among stakeholders of the poultry, hog, and feeds industry. The outcomes of these discussions will help us review and study closely the opportunities and gaps in the industry,” Cristobal said. Hog raisers and poultry growers earlier criticized the government for allowing Charoen Pokphand to enjoy tax incentives, saying the move could kill the local agricultural sector. Cristobal said the registration of Charoen Pokphand was consistent with the Investments Priorities Plan, the country’s blueprint for investment promotions, where agriculture or agribusiness was included as one of the preferred investment activities. The Thai project includes parent stock farms in Tarlac and Bulacan as well as a hatchery in Nueva Ecija, and broiler farms in Bulacan. The farms are expected to produce up to 21,847 metric tons annually and would begin operations in February 2013. CPFPC is a unit of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Co. Ltd. Forbes honors SMDC. SM Development Corp. was recently honored by international publication Forbes Asia as one of the ‘Best Under A $Billion’ companies in Asia Pacific. Forbes Asia’s ‘Best Under A Billion’ list honors public companies in the Asia-Pacific region that have shown resiliency against the backdrop of a precarious global economy, with annual revenues recorded between $5 million and $1 billion, have positive net income and have been publicly traded for at least a year. Shown receiving the award is SMDC vice chairman and chief executive Henry Sy Jr. (second from right) during the ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore on Nov. 29. With him are (from left) Lee Yi Shyan, senior minister of state, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development of Singapore; Christopher Forbes, vice chairman of Forbes Media LLC; and Steve Leonard, corporate senior vice president of EMC Corp. BSP plans to limit peso forwards By Clarissa Batino THE Bangko Sentral is looking at measures to Ceaseless carping FOR those who are determined to be disagreeable and disbelieving from the onset, no amount of explanation is ever possible. This seems to be the case with Smartmatic critics who continue to demonize the Venezuelan firm that supplied the precinct count optical machine during the May 2010 elections, Happy Hour sources said. This time, it’s the source code and the US lawsuit involving Dominion Voting Systems that they’re carping about. No wonder even Commission on Elections chair Sixto Brillantes has grown weary, accusing these critics of “cherry picking” and engaging in selective interpretation of legal proceedings. During the joint congressional oversight committee hearing last week, one of the “anti-Smarmatic” grumblers even went so far as to characterize the technology company as a mere marketing agency— exposing the kind of ignorance that usually afflicts those who engage in baseless accusations. Smartmatic Asia president Cesar Flores naturally bristled, pointing out that the person has not conducting thorough research to get the facts straight. As for the source code, sources said records would show that it was turned over to the Comelec, encoded in two compact discs and placed in a small safety deposit box with the hash codes locked and sealed with four Comelec stickers, then placed in a safety deposit box inside the Bangko Sentral. In a word, these disputed source codes were signed, sealed and delivered. Smartmatic and Comelec critics, however, gloss over the fact that they were the ones who purposely chose to snub the source code review arranged by the poll body. Why? Because they didn’t like it that Comelec imposed strict procedures for the review—like a body search, a nondisclosure agreement, submission of the review method by an interested party and other guidelines meant to prevent anyone from tampering with the source code in any manner, not to mention “pirate” a copy. Any half-wit would understand why companies are very protective of their technology and thus would take every security precaution against tampering, stealing, and unauthorized copying of proprietary technologies or plans or designs and the like. As for the Dominion lawsuit, Smartmatic lodged the complaint because the former breached an earlier licensing agreement and is undermining Smartmatic’s reputation and relationships with clients. The two companies executed a license agreement back in April 2009, expanding it in October that same year to grant Smartmatic the global license to “make, have made, use, import, offer for sale and sell” voting systems utilizing Dominiondeveloped technologies. Corollary to the agreement, Dominion was required to place in escrow in the US an “additional” copy of the code. Dominion’s refusal to provide an “additional”—meaning extra copy—of the source code is just one of the many violations that are now the subject of litigation in the US. This same lawsuit will not impact the integrity of the 2013 elections since the significant modifications required by the Comelec have already been complied with in 2011, sources disclosed. But like they say, no amount of explanation will suffice for anyone who has made up his mind to close his mind. Which is why critics will probably continue to find something new to complain about, determined to carp till kingdom come. Argumentum ad nauseam As expected, opponents of the Reproductive Health bill engaged in delaying tactics once again, delivering kilometric speeches on another issue and “cherry picking,” to borrow the words of Comelec chief Sixto Brillantes. And so they derailed the process, acting like the proverbial ostriches burying their heads in the sand and refusing to acknowledge the RH bill as urgent. These people probably couldn’t care less that women are dying everyday due to childbirth-related causes, many of them poor, and ignorant about the dangers of giving birth year in and year out without proper healthcare supervision. But the anti-RH bill people definitely love children, and it’s likely they are not bothered that more and more kids are born to couples that could hardly afford to clothe and feed, much less send them to school. Why, it’s such a happy sight to see children—even street children begging for food and a few coins from drivers and passengers. As for rising HIV cases, well, we want the Philippines to have global recognition, don’t we? So some people probably see it as a matter of distinction that a UNAIDS report included the Philippines in an elite list of nine countries where HIV/AIDS infections have increased by 25 percent in the past 10 years. According to reports, there are now over 11,000 HIV cases recorded in the country, and it’s possible that the number could reach 46,000 in the next three years. Never mind that the RH bill can also help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Senator Miriam Santiago is raring to butt heads over the RH bill—but it would be impossible to do it with the critics and opponents doing the ostrich. Happy Hour Nibbler: Happy Hour friends spotted former Manila Congressman Harry Angping at the SRC/AFPOCS (School for Reserve Commission/Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Candidate School) alumni Christmas party held at the Villamor Golf Club over the weekend. Apparently, Angping was adopted by OCS Class-07. Seen hobnobbing with Angping is DND Information Management chief and SRC/AFPOCS board chairman Nebuchadnezzar Alejandrino and alumni president Lt. Col. Arnulfo Ferdinand Bajarin. Cheers, gentlemen! ### For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may e-mail to
[email protected]. help deal with rising inflows, which may include new limits on currency forwards, amid the fastest economic growth in two years. South Korea tightened limits on the amount of foreign-exchange forward positions banks are allowed to hold from Dec. 1 as gains in the won threaten exports. The peso’s rise is a worry and will hurt exporters and overseas remittances, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Nov. 28. The Bangko Sentral ordered banks to set aside more funds to cover risks on currency forwards this year. In July, it banned foreign funds from its special-deposit accounts that pay more than government Treasury bills. It cut the overnight borrowing rate four times in 2012 to a record 3.5 percent to help reduce the appeal of the nation’s higher-yielding assets. The central bank next meets on Dec. 13. “The BSP is going ahead of the curve to prepare and set up other “It looks like there is less need to stimulate the economy from the monetary policy perspective,” Governor Amando Tetangco said in an e-mailed reply to questions, adding that changes to the reserverequirement ratio for lenders and capital controls won’t be necessary at this stage. He said the Bangko Sentral was reviewing the risk premium on forwards as one of its tools and is in discussions with banks. Forwards are agreements to buy or sell assets at a set price and date. Non-deliverable contracts are settled in dollars and are favored by many investors because funds don’t have to be deposited and registered locally. The peso climbed to the strongest level in more than four years on Nov. 29, a day after the Philippines reported a 7.1-percent increase in third-quarter gross domestic product, faster than its Southeast Asian neighbors. prudential tools in anticipation of further inflows,” said Ricky Cebrero, executive vice president and head of the Treasury Group at Philippine National Bank in Manila. “The tools it had used have been effective in quelling the rapid appreciation of the peso.” A one-way bet that the currency will strengthen against the dollar, carried out through the NDF market, may be “destabilizing” should conditions reverse, the central bank said on Oct. 28, 2011, when it ordered the higher capital charge effective at the start of 2012. “The general idea is to allow those who wish to operate in this market to do so but with risk guidelines that manage the overall exposure in NDFs and the attendant systemic risk,” Tetangco said. “The other tools we have put in place have so far been effective in maintaining relative stability in the exchange markets and keeping the asset markets from stretched valuations.” The ideal situation is for capital inflows to end up in new factories or used to buy new machines to support the government’s infrastructure program, Tetangco said. “In this way, productive capacity actually increases.” Bloomberg CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WORLD Manila Standard TODAY would build on a strike by the nation’s judges. The planned strikes and march raise new fears of unrest, threatening to derail the country’s transition to democratic rule. “Egypt is a big ship in high seas, and no one should stop its captain from taking it to the shore,” said Morsi’s legal adviser, Mohammed Gaballah, defending his boss. “The ship must keep moving under any conditions,” he told The Associated Press on Monday. The country’s judges have already gone on strike over Morsi’s Nov. 22 decrees that placed him above oversight of any kind, including the courts. Following those decrees, a panel dominated by the president’s Islamist supporters rushed through a draft constitution without the participation of representatives of liberals and Christians. Only four women, all Islamists, attended the marathon, all-night session. Morsi has called for a Dec. 15 national referendum to approve the constitution. An opposition coalition dominated by the liberal and leftist groups that led last year’s uprising had already called for a general strike Tuesday and a large demonstration against the constitutional process and Morsi’s decrees. Newspapers plan to suspend publication, and privately owned TV networks will blacken their screens all day. Monday’s front pages of Egypt’s most prominent newspapers said, “No to dictatorship” on a black background, with a picture of a man wrapped in newspaper and with his feet shackled while he squatted in a prison cell. AP B4 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 UN pulling Egypt’s political crisis widens with planned general strike staff from Damascus BEIRUT—Fighting between rebels and government forces raged near the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday, forcing an inbound commercial jet to turn back while the UN said it was withdrawing staff because of deteriorating security conditions. Lebanese security officials said Jihad Makdissi, a polished Foreign Ministry spokesman known for defending the regime of President Bashar Assad in fluent English, flew from Beirut to London. But it was not immediately clear whether he had defected. The fighting over the past few weeks in and around Damascus has been the most serious in the capital since July, when rebels captured several neighborhoods before a swift government counteroffensive swept them out. The spike in violence recently is concentrated in the ring of mostly poor suburbs around Damascus but often bleeds into the capital itself as rebels bring their fight closer to Assad’s seat of power. Assad’s forces have so far repelled major rebel advances on the capital, though their hold may be slipping. “The security situation has become extremely difficult, including in Damascus,” said Radhouane Nouicer, the UN’s regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria. Nouicer said the UN was withdrawing most of its international staff from Syria due to security issues, adding that up to one quarter of the 100 international staff working for several UN agencies could leave by week’s end. There are about 900 more local staff working for the UN in Syria, officials said. UN teams are also stopping most staff trips outside Damascus. AP CAIRO—Egypt’s political crisis is widening, with plans for a huge march and a general strike Tuesday to protest the hurried drafting of a new constitution and decrees by President Mohammed Morsi that gave him nearly unrestricted powers. Morsi also faces the prospect of wider civil disobedience as media, the tourism industry and law professors pondered moves that Israel feels heat from allies over West Bank settlements JERUSALEM—Israel rejected a wave of American and European condemnations Monday over plans to build thousands of new homes in West Bank settlements, vowing to press forward with the construction in the face of widespread international opposition. IN BRIEF UN wants Israel’s nuclear facilities inspected Japan’s campaign starts TOKYO—Leaders for Japan’s biggest political parties are kicking off the campaign for parliamentary elections to be held in less than two weeks with visits to nuclear crisis-hit Fukushima prefecture. Nuclear energy and the economy are key issues in the Dec. 16 election, which is widely expected to send Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s unpopular Democratic Party of Japan to defeat after three years in power. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party is leading in the polls, but is unlikely to win a majority of seats in the lower house of parliament. The most likely outcome of the election is a coalition government whose makeup is far from clear. Polls show more than 40 percent of voters don’t know which party they’ll support in the election. AP A view of the Jewish West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, with E1 as background, near Jerusalem. Israel on Sunday roundly rejected the United Nations’ endorsement of an independent state of Palestine, and announced it would withhold more than $100 million owed to the Palestinians in retaliation for their successful statehood bid. Israel has a master plan to build 3,600 apartments and 10 hotels on the section of territory east of Jerusalem known as E1. The Palestinians have warned that such construction would kill any hope for the creation of a viable state of Palestine. AP NEW YORK—The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Israel to quickly open its nuclear program for inspection and backing a high-level conference to ban nuclear weapons from the Middle East which was just canceled. All the Arab nations and Iran had planned to attend the conference in mid-December in Helsin- ki, Finland, but the United States announced on Nov. 23 that it wouldn’t take place, citing political turmoil in the region and Iran’s defiant stance on nonproliferation. Iran and some Arab nations countered that the real reason for the cancellation was Israel’s refusal to attend. The resolution, approved Monday by a vote of 174-6 with 6 ab- stentions, calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty “without further delay” and open its nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Those voting “no” were Israel, the US, Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. Resolutions adopted by the 193-member General Assembly are not legally binding but they do reflect world opinion and carry moral and political weight. Israel refuses to confirm or deny it has nuclear bombs though it is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal. It has refused to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, or NPT, along with three nuclear weapon states—India, Pakistan and North Korea. AP Quake hits Alaska ANCHORAGE—A strong earthquake Monday was felt over a 175-mile (280-kilometre) swath of Alaska, including the state’s largest city, but there were no immediate reports of damage beyond items knocked off shelves. The Alaska and West Coast Tsunami Warning Center said the magnitude-5.8 earthquake occurred at about 4:45 p.m. and was centred about 30 miles (50 kilometres) northwest of Anchorage. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center said the centre was 27 miles (43 kilometres) west of Anchorage. Guy Urban, a geophysicist at the tsunami warning centre, said the quake wasn’t expected to generate a tsunami. He said the centre had reports of residents feeling the quake throughout the Anchorage metro area and beyond. It was also felt as far south as the fishing community of Homer, 125 miles (200 kilometres) southwest of Anchorage, and in Willow, 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of the city. AP MEXICO CITY—Software company founder John McAfee said Monday he has fled from Belize using a bizarre ruse, adding yet another chapter in what threatens to become one of the biggest media fugitive frenzies since O.J. Simpson led police on a low-speed chase in 1994. McAfee claimed in a blog posting he had evaded authorities by staging an elaborate distraction in neighboring Mexico. In an email to The Associated Press, McAfee confirmed a posting to his Web site in which he described, in what appeared to be joking tones, how he mounted the ruse. “My ‘double,’ carrying on a North Korean passport under my name, was detained in Mexico for pre-planned misbehavior,” McAfee wrote in the posting, “but due to indifference on the part of authorities (he) was evicted from the jail and was unable to serve his intended purpose in our exit plan.” It was a turn typical of the bizarre saga of the eccentric anti-virus company founder wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of fellow American ex-pat Gregory Viant Faull, who was shot to death at the Belize island where they both had homes in early November. AP McAfee says Pope Benedict joins tweeting masses he left Belize, VATICAN CITY—Benedict XVI, the pope known for his hefty volumes of theology and lengthy encyclicals, is now trying brevity—spreading the faith through his own Twitter acstill running count. The pontiff will tweet in eight languages starting Dec. 12 using his personal handle (at)Pontifex, responding live to questions about faith during his weekly general audience, the Vatican said Monday. Within 10 hours of the Vatican’s announcement, Benedict had already garnered nearly a quarter-million followers on the English version of (at)Pontifex alone, with thousands more following him in the eight other language accounts. All that, and he hadn’t sent a single tweet. Pope Benedict XVI touches a touchpad to send He may never hit the 1 billion faithful that the Catholic Church a tweet for the launch of the Vatican news information portal ‘www.news.va’, at the Vatican counts around the globe, but he’s odds-on to get 1 million followers in this June 28, 2011 file photo. AP by the end of the year, British bookmakers Ladbrokes said. AP The announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was likely to deepen a rift that has emerged between Israel and some of its closest allies following the UN’s recognition of a Palestinian state last week. The UN decision appears to be fueling a tougher international line against Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israeli ambassadors were summoned for consultations in five European capitals, and European officials warned of other potential measures against Israel. In Washington, the US said the Israeli actions were “especially damaging” to peace prospects. Italian Premier Mario Monti and French President Francois Hollande issued a joint statement saying they were “deeply worried” by Israel’s settlement plans. The two men, meeting in Lyon, France, called the Israeli decisions “serious and illegal” and a “serious obstacle” to Mideast peace. Netanyahu, however, showed no signs of bending. His office said Israel would continue to stand up for its interests “even in the face of international pressure, and there will be no change in the decision taken.” Europe could potentially play a strong role in any international action against the settlements. Europe is Israel’s largest trade partner, and Israel has a partnership with the EU giving its exports preferential status. But divisions within Europe could make it difficult to take any concerted action. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has a close relationship with Israel, and given its history as the perpetrator of the Holocaust, it is unlikely to take any strong action against the Jewish state. AP Will and Kate expecting a baby, UK palace confirms LONDON—Britain doesn’t have to wait any longer: Prince William’s wife, Kate, is pregnant. St. James’s Palace made the announcement Monday, saying that the Duchess of Cambridge—formerly Kate Middleton—has a severe form of morning sickness and is currently in a London hospital. William was at his wife’s side. The news drew congratulations from around the world, with the hashtag “royalbaby” trending globally on Twitter. The couple’s first child will be third in line to the throne— behind William and his father, Prince Charles—leapfrogging the gregarious Prince Harry and possibly setting up the first scenario in which a female heir could benefit from new gender rules about succession. The palace would not say how far along the 30-year-old duchess is, only that she has not yet reached the 12-week mark. Palace officials said the duchess was hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that affects about 1 in 200 women and can lead to dehydration or worse if left untreated. They said she was expected to remain hospitalized for several days and would require a period of rest afterward. Until Monday’s announcement, the duchess had shown no signs of being with child. She was photographed just last week bounding across a field clad in black high-heeled boots as she played field hockey with students at her former school. AP Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, left, plays hockey during her visit to St. Andrew’s School, where she attended school from 1986 till 1995, in Pangbourne, England, on Nov. 30. The Duchess of Cambridge has gone back to school. The royal, formerly known as Kate Middleton, played hockey and revealed her childhood nickname— Squeak—when she returned to her elementary school for a visit Friday. AP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Gianna Maniego, Editor Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor Manila Standard TODAY sha.re/ home work relationship WEDNESDAY
[email protected] DECEMBER 5, 2012 C1 ROBINSONS Malls treats shoppers into a mighty underwater adventure at Bikini Bottom with Spongebob and the gang with a series of live shows these months of November and December. Patchy the Pirate will be on hand to welcome everyone. As a special treat, he’ll perform the Spongebob theme song so you can sing along with him, too. Spongebob gets the sea sandwich party started as he presents the Krabby Patty, a hysterical sea-silly dance that will shake your bottom like ya pants are square. “Kids will have fun learning this silly dance and later on in the show, lucky kids will have their chance to throw on a snorkel and join in the underwater sea-liness,” says Arlene Magtibay, general manager for commercial centers, Robinsons Malls. Not to be outdone, Squidward stops being so grumpy as he, too, has prepared a solo dance — “Dance of the Ailing Krabby Patty” — a jerky, awkward, comical squiddy-dance that will sure take the nation by storm. But beware, the evil Plankton has hatched a plan to steal the Krabby Patty. Will Spongebob be able to save the day and return the greatest sandwich in the seven seas? Find out at the Spongebob Live Event at Robinsons Malls. Shows are scheduled at 2 and 4 p.m. The series of live shows kicked off on November 30, Friday at Robinsons Magnolia and on the following day at Robinsons Place Manila and on December 2 at Robinsons Place Pangansinan. On December 7 and 22, the characters take center stage at Robinsons Galleria and will tour Robinsons Malls’ outlets in Lipa, Dasmarinas Cavite, Starmills Pampanga, Sta. Rosa Laguna, Novaliches, Imus Cavite, Angeles Pampanga, Metro East Pasig, Manila and Magnolia. Mark these dates: December 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 23. Meet and Greet sessions will be held in Robinsons Ilocos Norte on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at Robinsons Otis and Robinsons Place GenSan, Dec. 7 and 8 in Robinsons Place Tacloban and Robinsons Place Iloilo, Dec. 9 and 14 at Robinson Place Bacolod and Robinsons Place Dumaguete and on Dec. 15 and 16 at Forum Robinsons and Robinsons Place Palawan. Shoppers can meet, greet, and take photos with the characters after each performance. “Spongebob and his friends, Patrick Star, Squidward and Patchy the Pirate treats the entire family to a merry good time,” relates Magtibay. The Sights and Sounds of Christmas @ Robinsons Malls As part of the festivities, there will also be Holiday Laser Light Shows on Dec. 8 at the al fresco area of Robinsons Magnolia, and a Giant Lantern Festival at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga. Held annually at the grounds of Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, the traditional Giant Lantern Festival Competition will be held on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Daily Giant Lantern Exhibitions will be held from Dec. 16 to 23, Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, 2013 at 7 p.m. The Marvelous Sounds of Christmas features the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra on Dec. 2, Sunday at Robinsons Magnolia; Koro Ilustrado on Dec. 8 at Robinsons Magnolia a Choral Festival at Robinsons Place Manila (Dec. 12 to 20th), Robinsons Galleria (Dec. 14 to the 21st), Forum Robinsons (Dec. 16 to 22nd), Robinsons Metroeast (Dec. 17 to the 19th, Dec. 21 up to 23rd) , Robinsons Place Pangasinan (Dec. 15 to 23rd) and Robinsons Place Palawan (Dec. 15 to 17th and 19 to 23rd); and Viva Christmas Concert on Dec. 2, Sunday at Robinsons Nova Market, Dec. 9, Sunday at Robinsons Magnolia and Hallmark Music and Memories Concert and grand finals at Robinsons Place Manila on Dec. 18. A grand fireworks display will cap the events in several malls. Robinsons Malls go the extra mile this Christmas. For a minimum purchase from participating outlets of Robinsons Malls nationwide, a shopper may redeem an Robinsons Malls eco bag. “We’re doing this in support of the government’s drive to promote recycling and saving the environment by saying ‘no’ to plastics,” explains Magtibay. Patrick Star and Spongebob Squarepants SPONGEBOB and FRIENDS Robinsons Land Corp.’s celebrity endorser Solenn Heussaff (extreme right) and singer Karylle (extreme left) join in celebrating the Holiday Season at Robinsons Malls during the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony held at Robinsons Magnolia. Also present during the lighting ceremony were (from left) Carina Ventura, Robinsons Magnolia’s Group Property manager, Lourdes Alano, VP for Corporate Lease, Arlene Magtibay, RLC’s Commercial Center’s Division general manager and Tommy Lee O, VP for Property Management. at Robinsons Malls THE Philippine´s biggest annual wine extravaganza called Grand Wine Experience was back last month for its 12th edition subtitled Full Expression. The event held again at the Marriott Grand Ballroom the second year in a row caused quite a gridlock in the Resorts World Manila area that extended to all main roads within the area. I was stuck myself for at least 45 minutes just at the normally reliable southbound Skyway to Terminal 3 route. I wonder how departing airline passengers rushing to all the three airport terminals on that November 16 late afternoon felt while sweating it out and worrying about their flights in traffic. But for us going to feast on the 500+ wines and the huge buffet, the traffic was the small sacrifice to another night of wanton disregard for wine abuse and healthy diet! This time, the Grand Wine Experience started promptly at 5pm. And like a good restaurant mealtime business, did 2 to 3 covers throughout the evening. People came and went, as if taking turns helping themselves to the superfluous food, but sadly on the wine side, many sure bet premium wines were already consumed by 8pm (about the time I got in). No more Outer Limits from Montes, Castillo Ygay from Marques de Murrieta, Armagh from Jim Barry and others. But no one was fretting, as there were abundance of more good wines to experience and try for the first time. Some early birds did stay behind for the raffle which again gave round trip tickets to Europe and other Asian destinations. The major prizes were raffled off past 10pm already. By then, I had more than my share of wines, and my share of conversations with local wine trade people and some of the foreign wine principals in attendance. Here below (in order of tasting) are some of the wines I enjoyed immensely during this hedonistic food & wine evening, courtesy of my trusty red notebook. Ernie Els Signature 2009, Stellenbosch, South Africa – `this is a new brand acquisition from Best Brands Beverages of Edna Diaz, and it has the former world´s No. 1 and South Africa´s own golfing sensation´s label; Signature is the alpha wine of the range, and I was very fortunate to have Edna stash a bottle for me to try on my first wine drinking foray that evening; this is a five varietal Bordeaux blend of Medoc composition: 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 percent Merlot, 5 percent Cabernet Franc, 5 percent Malbec and 5 percent Petit Ver- The Grand Wine Experience Marriott Hotel lobby display Full expression Sip by Sip The Ernie Els Signature wine from South Africa has the `hole-in-one´ winning taste (pun intended) sherwin lao dot; lovely nose of vanilla and licorice, mediumfull bodied with silky approachable tannins, long and luscious berries at the finish; I could not have hoped for a better first wine to drink´ St. Clair Premium Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand – `after having around five whites that were all nice, including the always reliable St. Clair Premium Sauvignon Blanc, I came across this unoaked Chardonnay that extremely appealed to me; lovely scintillating nose, ripe peach, white pepper, semi-dry, nice mouthfeel, minerally, and with long lemon peel finish— better than the oaked Chardonnay version in my deaux France - `while I would have preferred the Pauillac Grand Cru Classe wines (who does not) which I did not encounter at this year´s Grand Wine, I met Wilfried Bourceau, South East Asia manager of Dubos Frere & Cie – big Bordeaux negociant; and he had me try three of his best Bordeaux wines in the event; and this one from Pauillac was by far the best for me; complex nose, tobacco leaves, pencil shavings, mocha, chocomint, black fruits are more in backdrop than forwardly integrated, silky tannins, excellent mouth feel, and a dry bold finish´ Napa Angel Cabernet Sauvignon by Montes 2007, Napa Valley, California USA - `I wanted so much a Napa wine and I ended up with an unlikely brand, from Chile´s top premium winery Montes; I had this same wine a few times already, and it The Petit Figeac 2008 was one of my top 3 favorites of remained as vivid as my last recollection; this wine the evening is composed of 90 percent Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and 10 percent Sonoma Syrah; this is as good of a fruit bomb as any Napa you can find, rich and viscous, vanilla, black currant, eucalyptus, peppercorn, tasty sweet ripe tannins on the palate, and a long cassis-like finish´ Seppeltsfield Cellar No. 9 Muscat Rutherglen, Barossa Valley, South Australia – `as I wind down that evening I wanted to end strong, but avoided the whisky and cognac, so I ended up with this sweet dessert wine from Australia´s most renowned fortified wine maker; made from Brown Muscat, dark golden rod color, brandy-like nose, peach flambé, honey, raisins, spicy wood, rich and boldly flavorful on the palate, and maraschiWilfried Bourceau, South East Asia no cherries at the end; I could not have ended by drinking spree better´ Manager for Dubos Frere & Cie Congratulations once more to the Joseph siblings: Bobby, Ralph, Ronnie and Raymond for opinion.´ another hugely successful Grand Wine Experience. Petit Figeac 2008, St. Emilion, Bordeaux France Everyone left the Marriot Hotel forgetting about - `like most St. Emilion fan I love Chateau Figeac, how atrocious traffic was that fateful night, yours but prices across all vintages have become too pro- truly included! hibitive; good thing there is the Petit-Figeac; which is by far not cheap but has been an extremely good For comments, inquiries, wine event coveralter-ego (borrowing the term from Chateau Palmer age, wine consultancy and other wine related – which I will cover on my column next week) of concerns, please e-mail me at protegeinc@yaFigeac; warm pie crust nose, fig, chocolatey, very hoo.com . I am a proud member of the Federasatin like texture with tantalizing juicy acids, su- tion Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains per length from mid-palate to finish, a fantastic St. du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV since 2010. Emilion by any lofty standard´ You can also follow me on twitter at www.twitChateau Haut dela Becade 2007, Pauillac Bor- ter.com/sherwinlao. THE DON’TS OF HOLIDAY DECORATING Ed Biado enumerates the don’ts of decorating your home this Yuletide Season ENERGETIC EUGENE Eugene Domingo chooses an LPG brand that is trusted and safe S AT’ WH IDE INS CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ManilaStandardToday Gianna Maniego, Editor Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor C2 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 home work relationships
[email protected] sha.re/ New lifestyle card from Citibank, Megaworld A PARTNERSHIP between the country’s foremost credit card issuer and leading real estate developer is seen to give rise to a new mall experience for the Filipino consumer. The Megaworld Citibank Card is the latest product in Citibank’s successful portfolio and offers the best way for anyone to enjoy the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls as well as its various townships. The much-anticipated partnership between Citibank and Megaworld Corporation raises the bar on credit card benefits instantly available to customers, and brings unique privileges suited to the clientele of Megaworld’s various property developments. “Our line-up of co-branded credit cards has maintained leadership status on various fronts - travel, rewards, shopping and wellness to name a few. We are excited to enter the realm of lifestyle communities and to provide the needs of customers in this segment together with our valued partner—Megaworld,” announced Sergio Zanatti, consumer business manager for Citibank in the Philippines. “The new Megaworld Citibank Card will enable customers to make the most of the livework-play environment that we have built into our townships. We are glad to partner with Citibank to deliver a full lifestyle experience and offer more benefits to our valued customers of our mixed residential, office and leisure hubs,” said Kevin Tan, first vice president of Megaworld Corp. Customers have the advantage whenever they use the new card at the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. Enjoy up to 5 percent rebate at participating establishments in Eastwood City, Burgos Circle, Newport City, Venice Piazza and Lucky Chinatown. This means savings from shopping, dining and purchases at the grocery in these townships. They also get to feel the difference of carrying the new Megaworld Citibank Card because every P2,500 spend anywhere, entitles cardholders to a free movie ticket or free parking at the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. The rush is on for Tattoo Black AFTER the launch of Tattoo Black, described as the future of broadband technology, Makati residents are now rushing to grab their own Tattoo Black devices, powered by the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology of Globe that boasts of the fastest speeds and premium service. Pumping up the excitement even more, Tattoo Black is giving away exclusive VIP passes to the hottest parties featuring world-class DJs such as R3hab, Porter Robinson and Grammynominated DJ recordproducer Dirty South for every Tattoo Black subscription. “Tattoo Black is the best in its class. Nothing comes close to the speed and premium service that it offers. Tattoo Black deserves a celebration that features equally world class acts such as these internationally-renowned DJs who rock the international party scenes,” explains Dong Ronquillo, head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband. Subscribers may choose from two plans to experience the speed and premium service of Tattoo Black. Plan 1799 comes with a free Tattoo LTE stick that runs to speeds of up to 28 Mbps. It also comes with a dedicated hotline, priority servicing in stores and a host of perks and privileges. Depending on the subscriber’s lifestyle, Plan 1799 is upgradeable in terms of speed, device and service. Plan 2499 is Tattoo Black’s complete LTE offer that comes with a Tattoo LTE Superstick, a WiFi sharing device for up to five devices with base speed of up to 42 Mbps. Elite Premium Services await Tattoo Black 2499 subscribers. They will have their own Relationship manager, dedicated hotline, priority servicing in Globe stores, personal concierge, perks and privileges, priority reservation on Globe/ Tattoo devices and exclusive access to Tattoo events. As part of its exclusive treat, new Tattoo Black Plan 1799 subscribers get two tickets to the sizzling December 5 Republiq parties of top international DJs R3Hab, one of the proponents of the modern “dutch house” subgenre and Porter Robinson, a cult sensation for his charttopping electrohouse mixes. Tattoo Black Plan 2499 subscribers get two tickets each for both the R3Hab and Porter Robinson gigs and the December 19 Republiq party of Australia’s hottest DJ/ remixer and record producer Dirty South capping the year in the most spectacular beats and the hippest parties Tattoo is known for. Tattoo Black is initially available at the Globe stores in Rockwell, Greenbelt 4, Ayala Triangle, SM Makati and Glorietta 3. Key commercial and residential areas in Makati are the first to enjoy the speed and reliability of Globe 4G LTE. THE DON’TS OF holiday DECORATING lights (around P500) that you can use for many Christmases to come. Regular lights may be cheaper (P100 and up) but they are not energy-efficient. Another great way to save money is to make decorations and ornaments yourself. Get the whole family to participate and bond over the activity. (Tip: Use an old tablecloth as a tree skirt instead of buying a new one. You just have to cut out a circular hole in the middle and embellish the fabric accordingly.) Don’t overdecorate. A common misconception in decorating for the holidays is “more is more.” However, that has the tendency to look stuffed, cluttered and tacky. Just like in fashion, after putting a look together, remove an item or two to avoid the appearance of too much. Don’t decorate just one area or corner. Not overdecorating doesn’t mean that you should put everything in one corner and neglect the rest of the space. That just looks off and your decorated corner will be severely out of place. Spread out your decorations throughout the room for a cohesive and complete look. The merry vibe should be everywhere the eye can see. Don’t let the kids do the decorating on their own. Sure, Christmas is for kids and that’s why you’re letting them have all the fun in setting up the tree, even if they’re making a total mess out of it. It’s all in the spirit of the season, after all. But without supervision, they can break ornaments and hurt themselves or get electrocuted when working on the lights. Don’t throw anything away. The great thing about holiday decor is their ability to be repurposed. Those old baubles that don’t fit the color scheme of your tree can be beautifully arranged on a bowl and stationed somewhere else. Or maybe you can bunch them up with a string to hang on the front door in place of a wreath. Or you can simply keep them for next year. Even ribbons that were used to tie up gifts can be given a new role—they’re a nice touch on baskets or any other item that you want to look festive. By Ed Biado ONE of the joys of Christmas is the process of decorating your home. From being regular, you see it slowly transform into your very own fantasy world of sorts. From the rustic to the modern, from the low-key to the extravagant, from the storebought to the handcrafted; each has their own version of a merry and inviting space. But there are some rules to follow in ensuring that nothing goes to waste, including money and energy, and everything looks perfect. Don’t overspend on materials. Unless you’re going for an entirely new and very specific theme, reuse old decor and look for vintage pieces from your grandparents’ stash. The thing worth spending on is a string of energy-saving LED Christmas FOR someone so busy, Eugene Domingo does not show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. If her accomplishments and projects for 2012 alone will be used as gauge, then it looks like she has more to offer to the entertainment industry. Her vibrant personality is what made Solane (formerly Shellane) pick the now internationally renowned comedienne as its brand ambassador. Burning passion Onscreen, Eugene has always projected herself to be someone who is always brimming with energy. She has kept movie goers watching, and critics here and abroad recognizing her talent as a consummate entertainer. This year, she has won the People’s Choice Award for Best Actress in the 6th Asian Film Awards, considered as the Oscars of Asia. Her movie Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme became the 2nd highest grossing movie of the year when it earned more than P100 million pesos within two weeks of its premier. Plus, she starred in a movie musical featuring the songs of Eugene the APO Hiking Society, and the stage adaptation of the movie Bona, which was a landmark film in the 70s for superstar Nora Aunor. So how does she manage to keep such a tight schedule? “Hindi ko pinagsasabay-sabay ang shoot or rehearsal dates. Kailangan talaga months before naka-schedule na. Mabilis ako magdesisyon para tuloy-tuloy lang (My schedule requires months of planning),” Eugene shares. Life at home At home, Eugene’s zest for life helps keep her spirits high in the same way that she is passionate at work. She admits that cleaning and fixing her cabinets is one of her hobbies, which is a chore to most people. Eugene is just as meticulous in the kitchen, going for products that are reliable and have proven to Energetic have good quality. “Birthday gift ko sa sarili ko is yung cookware na di na kailangan lagyan ng water or oil. It’s from Italy and ang bigat-bigat niya but you are so sure that it’s going to last a lifetime,” she describes. When Solane approached her to be its brand ambassador, Eugene’s decision was easy and fast. “Lumaki ako na Shellane ang gamit namin, so I know I can rely on its quality even after they changed their name to Solane,” she explains. This affirms her premium on safety especially since she lives in a condo. Solane’s free signature 7-point Safety Check, performed by the Hatid-Bahay riders right in front of the customers, assures her that LPG-related accidents will not happen. “Actually that’s the most important na hindi dapat kalimutan. You should not only care for yourself and your family but also your neighbors. Anytime, pwede ka magkaroon ng aksidente if you are not safe so don’t take that risk,” cautions Eugene. Clean water for Christmas BRITA, the world's leading brand in household water filter systems, launched recently its Christmas offer dubbed Marella Water Filter Systems Christmas Pack. The Yuletide promo comes in four stylish and funky colors—Mint, Lavender, Rose and Orchid. Each pack priced at P 1,400.00 comes with one extra filter cartridge free of charge. Brita Water Filter Systems are distributed nationwide by Mayon Consolidated Inc. The promo pack, which is available at all leading department stores, is ideal for gift-giving this Christmas season. The choice of smart moms TO make the right choices for their families, smart moms rely on two things: Research and instinct. Because moms want only the best for their children, they always want to be sure that they are making informed decisions. And when it comes to cough remedies, they have found Ascof to be the safe and effective alternative to chemical medications. Ascof salutes these smart moms who not only trust their instincts but also consult their doctors and do their homework to make sure that their kids get only the best care. Kathy Santiago took a pre-med course in college, which she followed up with a course on Nursing. She has two children aged 10 and 9, and currently works at a BPO, where she leads a team in monitoring health claims for a US –based health company. “I found out that Ascof Lagundi also has delicious syrup flavors. As a mom with a medical background, I know all about the side-effects that some chemical preparations may have, especially for small children – that’s why I choose to use Ascof.” Eleanore Chua, a Pagcor employee, grew up in a household where the default solution was chemical-based medicines. But when she became a mom, she discovered natural options that can be used as safer remedies. “We’ve tried so many medicine brands on my two and a half year old son. One time, he had a persistent cough that did not get better after four days of using a chemicalbased brand. You know what, my son’s cough got better after I changed brands! I like the fact that it is natural and safe. Kaya ngayon, the rest of the family uses Ascof too!” Kathy Santiago with her kids. “As a mom with a medical background, I know all about the side-effects that some chemical preparations may have, especially for small children – that’s why I choose to use Ascof.” CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Marlon Magtira, Editor email:
[email protected] ManilaStandardToday Tech ManilaStandardTODAY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 C3 Pope Benedict XVI gets personal Twitter account VATICAN CITY —Benedict XVI, the pope known for his hefty volumes of theology and lengthy encyclicals, is now trying brevity — spreading the faith through his own Twitter account. someone in his name tweeted daily during Lent, part of the Vatican’s efforts to increase the church presence in social media. A personal Twitter account for the 85-year-old Benedict has been the subject of intense speculation ever since, and Monday’s news conference was packed, a strong indication of the interest it has generated. Greg Burke, the Vatican’s communications adviser, said the handle (at)Pontifex was chosen because it not only means pope in Latin, but also bridge-builder, suggesting unity. How often will the pope tweet? “As often as he wants,” Burke said, though he noted somewhat sarcastically that the pope, who still writes longhand, doesn’t check his (nonexistent) Blackberry obsessively during meetings “like the rest of us.” “He’s not that kind of person. He’s not walking around with an iPad. But all the pope’s tweets are The pontiff will tweet in eight languages starting Dec. 12 using his personal handle (at)Pontifex, responding live to questions about faith during his weekly general audience, the Vatican said Monday. Within 10 hours of the Vatican’s announcement, Benedict had already garnered nearly a quartermillion followers on the English version of (at)Pontifex alone, with thousands more following him in the eight other language accounts. All that, and he hadn’t sent a single tweet. He may never hit the 1 billion faithful that the Catholic Church counts around the globe, but he’s odds-on to get 1 million followers by the end of the year, British bookmakers Ladbrokes said. The pope sent his first tweet last year from a generic Vatican account to launch the Holy See’s news information portal, and the pope’s words,” Burke said. While the pope will push the button himself on Dec. 12, subsequent tweets will be sent by someone in the Vatican’s secretariat of state. They will, however, all be approved by the pope, officials said. “It’s always going to have his engagement and his approval,” said Monsignor Paul Tighe, the No. 2 in the Vatican’s social communications office. “Not physically, but from his mind.” Questions for the inaugural papal tweet can be submitted to (hash)askpontifex, and the pope will likely respond to three to five of those sent from around the world, Burke said. Subsequent tweets are expected to remain spiritual in nature, taken from his teachings or homilies. By late Monday, many of the questions sent in were jokes and criticism, including of the church sex abuse scandal — tweets the pope will likely never see. Currently a host of Twitter accounts use the pope’s name, purporting to be his personal account. The (at)Pontifex account, however, is certified as the only official papal Twitter feed, Tighe said. Twitter spokeswoman Rachael In this June 28, 2011 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI touches a touchpad to send a tweet for the launch of the Vatican news information portal “www.news.va”, at the Vatican. The Vatican said Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, that Pope Benedict XVI will start tweeting in six languages from his own personal handle (at) Pontifex, on Dec. 12. The pontiff will be using a question and answer format in his first Tweet, focusing on answering questions about faith — in 140 characters. Horowitz declined to comment on whether the strong interest in the launch of the pope’s handle would break any records, saying Twitter doesn’t track the number of followers for individual account-holders. But she noted in an email that religious content on Twitter “punches above its weight” in terms of interest and engagement. Religious leaders, for example, get one retweet for every 500 followers, whereas a musician gets one for every 30,000 followers. Don’t expect the pope himself to necessarily be retweeting, however. He doesn’t plan to follow anyone other than himself, simply because it would be impossible to avoid offending people he didn’t follow, Burke said. Papal tweets will be sent simultaneously in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Polish and Arabic. Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli, the president of the Vatican’s social communications office, said he hoped to add Chinese. He stressed that the papal tweets aren’t to be considered infallible teachings, merely “pearls of wisdom” in the pope’s own words. The Vatican has been increasing its presence in social media, using YouTube channels and Facebook pages for special events and Twitter to engage believers and nonbelievers alike, particularly the young. The Vatican decided against using a personal Facebook page for the pope because they thought it was too personal an interaction and would require more manpower to keep updated. AP iPhone 5 hits local shelves Dec. 14 APPLE yesterday announced iPhone 5 will be available in the Philippines beginning December 14, with more than 50 additional countries being added in December. iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless—all while delivering even better battery life. iPhone 5 is currently available in 47 countries around the world including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan and the UK. iPhone 5 comes with iOS 6, the world’s most advanced mobile operating system with over 200 new features including: Shared Photo Streams, Facebook integration, all-new Maps app, Passbook organization and even more Siri features and languages. iPhone 5 comes in either black & slate or white & silver for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model, $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available through the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4S is available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 is available for free with a twoyear contract from participating carriers. While local carriers have yet to announce details of subscription plans tied with the unit, Globe Telecom had already put up a pre-order p a g e , together with details of iPhone 5 subscription offers, over at www.globe.com. ph/iphone5. IBM boosts presence in Central Luzon ANGELES CITY, Pampanga —IBM today announced the opening of a new branch office in Clark, Pampanga to increase its support for clients and partners in Central Luzon, one of the fastest growing regions in the Philippines. The new office follows the recent opening of a new branch in Davao and is part of the company’s commitment and continued expansion to increase presence in the fastest growing markets in the world. “2012 has been an important year for IBM in the Philippines. Not only have we marked 75 years of business transformation, but with new offices in Pampanga and Davao, we also intensified our focus to expand further beyond Metro Manila,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer of IBM Philippines. “These locations play a key role in our growth market strategy and support our smarter planet journey with our clients and business partners in the Philippines. Central Luzon is an important market for IBM as it plays a key role in the economic development of the Philippines. The region has vast potential for economic expansion given its strategic location, world class infrastructure and attractive business environment. It has two of the country’s premier economic zones – Clark and the Subic Freeport Zone, and other industrial areas that generate jobs and foreign exchange. Composed of seven provinces: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, the region has an international airport, a seaport, industrial and agricultural areas, tourism and leisure sites and a number of related industries. “We recognize the increasing demands and challenges faced by businesses here. It is our commitment to work more closely with our customers and empower them to transform through innovation,” added Winhoffer. IBM’s commitment and focus in Region III reaches beyond traditional business frontiers – it extends to the community. The company regularly partners with local ICT groups, government, business chambers and academic institutions to actively promote and harness technology to support the region’s business and economic growth. EPSON unveils new dot matrix printers EPSON recently introduced its next-generation narrow carriage dot matrix models: the Epson LX-310 and LQ-310. These new printers are upgraded versions of its best-selling LX-300 and LQ-300 models, and feature greatly improved speed and reliability. Both the new printers feature a 128KB input data buffer memory that is double that of their predecessors. This enables the 9-pin LX-310 and the 24-pin LQ-310 to achieve high printing speeds of 357 and 416 characters per second respectively at 12 CPI – or almost 40 percent faster than their predecessors. Both models have posted improved reliability ratings that are 67 percent higher than their predecessors. These new models are rated for a mean time before failure (MTBF) of 10,000 POH (power on hours) compared to the older models’ 6,000 POH. “Millions of our customers around the world have grown to depend on the high performance and reliability of Epson’s dot matrix printers. We are confident that these new improved models will first surprise them, and then go on to set new industry benchmarks for speed and reliability,” said Noelle Gonzalez of Epson Philippines. Available nationwide, the Epson LX-310 is currently priced at PhP8,995 while the Epson LQ-310 is at PhP11,095. Customers who will buy the LX310 and LQ-310 from December 2012 until January 31, 2013 will be given an extra ribbon. Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, Country General Manager for IBM Philippines reads a statement to the media during the opening of IBM Office in Clark, Pampanga. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK C4 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 Manila Standard TODAY Isah V. Red, Editor
[email protected] showbitz SIMPLY RED ISAH V. RED Cinemanila 14th edition with bigger events CINEMANILA International Film Festival celebrates its 14th year back at the Market! Market! Cinemas, in Taguig in partnership with the Taguig City Government through the leadership of Mayor Laarni Cayetano. This year’s festival will run today until Dec. 11 featuring over 40 films from over 20 countries all over the world. These films range from established and rising talents of the local indie scene to award-winners from prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Jeonju and Busan. International line-up. Headlining the international line-up is Cannes 2012 Palme d’Or winner Amour by Michael Haneke, Olivier Assayas’ Venice International Film Festival entry Something in the Air and Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s Cannes 2012 main competition entry, In Another Country. In the international competition line-up are 36, from up-andcoming Thai director Nawapol Thamrongrattanarit, Juvenile Offender by Kang Yi-kwan from Korea, The Great Cinema Party by Raya Martin from the Philippines, Kayan by Maryam Najafi from Lebanon, Television by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki from Bangladesh and Post Tenebras Lux by Carlos Reygadas from Mexico. In Another Country stars Captive French actress Isabelle Huppert while Juvenile Offender stars Korea’s “Techno Queen,” Jung-Hyun Lee. Made in Manila. Part of this year’s strong line-up is the made in Manila program featuring the most recent works of modern Filipino independent master filmmakers Lav Diaz, Raya Martin and Sherad Anthony Sanchez. Diaz’s Florentina Hubaldo, CTE comes home to Philippine audiences fresh from Rotterdam, Edinburgh, and from winning the NETPAC (Network for Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award at the Jeonju International Film Festival. Martin’s The Great Cinema Party is one of three new films in the Jeonju Digital Project. It will premiere in the Philippines, along with Florentina and Sanchez’s Rome International Film Festival CINEMAXXI entry, Jungle Love, through Cinemanila. Very Thai. Cinemanila will also showcase six Thai films in the Very Thai program: Distortion by Nonzee Niimibutr, the new Jan Dara featuring Mario Maurer by ML Bhandevanop Devakula, Antapal (The Gangster) by Kongkiat Khomsiri, Home by Chookiat Sakveerakul who is also the director of the Mairo Maurer starer Love of Siam. Documentaries. In the 2012 documentary exhibition line-up are Give Up Tomorrow by Michael Collins, Harana by Benito Bautista, Lightness & Weight (In the Time of Nuclear Radiation) by Rey Ventura and The Bladed Hand: The Global Impact of Filipino Martial Arts by Jay Ignacio. Special Program. Lav Diaz’s Batang West Side returns to the silver screen at Cinemanila this year, also the Diaz’s tribute documentary to the late film critic Alekis Tioseco, Pagsisiyasat sa Gabing Ayaw Lumimot. Cinemanila 2012 will also screen Manuel Conde’s 1950 film Genghis Khan and Mario O’Hara’s lost telesine, Pusang Gala. Tributes. Cinemanila’s central theme in 2012 is paying tribute: to those who have passed on and to people who have been part of the festival in the last 14 years. These names are commemorated in all of the festival’s artworks. There will also be tributes to Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Mario O’Hara and indie movie producer Tony Veloria. Events. This year’s edition will feature the usual outdoor screening of local shorts from the Young Cinema section. The Young Cinema Night, as it’s called, will be at the Bonifacio High Street lawn on Friday, Dec. 7. The awards night, on the other hand, will be a harana-inspired red carpet event at the Bonifacio Global City on Saturday, Dec. 8. This time, she sizzles in GMA Network’s Pahiram Ng Sandali, the series that premiered on Nov. 26, and is now the talk of the town. And that is all because of Tolentino’s compelling performance as Janice Alvaro, a tabloid editor married to a topnotch lawyer, Philip, played by Christopher de Leon. Maryo J. Delos Reyes, who directs the series, is very happy to work with Tolentino again. They did Diosa in the past, and the romance-fantasy catapulted her to star status. And his opus, Magnifico, gave him grand slam victory in 2004. When Tolentino signed with GMA Network a couple of months before Pahiram ng Sandali, she said she was aching to work in a drama series again. “I am an actor and I have to do what I should be doing,” she said indirectly referring to what she had been doing months before she leap back to GMA-7 from TV5. Not working in a drama series or movie is very difficult indeed for someone who has grown up knowing only one thing…acting. In Pahiram Ng Sandali she is drawn to Alex Santiago, played by the network’s matinee idol Dingdong Dantes who plays a rookie photojournalist in the company owned by his estranged father, Larry Gomez (Mark Gil). While Janice and Alex nurture their illicit affair, her daughter, Cindy, played by Max Collins of Coffee Prince fame, is carrying the torch as well for Alex. That complicates even more his life already spoiled by the fact that her mother (Sandy Andolong) resents his working at his father’s company. More so when he finds out that Philip is having an affair with an ambitious lounge singer, Baby (Alessandra de Rossi). LORNA TOLENTINO proves she’s a valuable talent for GMA 7 ANY network will do anything to hire Lorna Tolentino. And that’s exactly what happened in the last decade. She hopped from one station to the other, but eventually returned to the Kapuso network, after staying as Kapatid for a year. And previously, she was also a Kapamilya. She is one talent that carried the badges of the three networks at different times. and television. Today, he plays the half brother of Dingdong Dantes in Pahiram ng Sandali. He says, “I’m still a bad guy here, but a wealthy bad guy, in a suit and leather shoes. I will be competing for attention for my father’s attention with Dingdong.” Not bad for someone who started playing roles as kidnapper, thief and every thing that you can find in the rubbish of a decadent society. Sese is very grateful to Maryo de los Reyes who believes in his talent and what he can contribute to Pahiram Ng Sandali. He hopes the audience this time, particularly the fans of Dingdong Dantes, don’t take the rivalry between him and their idol too passionately personal. More than a billion women continue to experience violence, abuse and exploitation globally. Reported cases of women and children victims of rape and incest in the Philippines have reached an alarming level. On Feb. 14, 2013, Filipino women in the Philippines and in more than 20 other country-destination of Filipino women OFWs will strike, dance and rise. The campaign One Billion Rising—Philippines will be a venue to show strong cohesion among Filipino women, in strong solidarity with women from other countries. On this day, national barriers will fade as women the world over will strike, dance and rise against violence against women. One Billion Rising—Philippines (OBR-Ph) will be distinguished by the synchronous dancing of women in factories, schools, farms, the streets, in schools, in communities, in market places and many other places, to a unique Filipino rhythm and choreography. It will mobilize hundreds of thousands of women, men and children who are one with the struggle to uphold and respect women’s rights, especially the women from marginalized classes of Philippine society. Our OBR Philippines theme song: “Isang Bilyong Babaeng Babangon”—created and performed by Amber Davis and Marcy and Top Loudbox, with lyrics by Merlee Jayme —and original choreography by Nancy Crewe will be one of the creative highlights of the campaign. The award-winning Ad Agency—DM9JaymeSyfu—will be creating original videos for the OBR Philippines campaign, and many Philippine celebrities, artists, leaders and thinkers have already signed on to be part of this oncein-a-lifetime event that will help ensure a future for our Filipina women and children. The objectives of One Billion Rising Philippines: 1. Undertake a mass education movement on VAW over 3 months (November 2012 to January 2013). 2 . Mobilize t h e big- ‘One Billion Rising’ Neil Ryan Sese Tolentino is very excited to find out how the relationships among the characters in the series develop in the next coming weeks. Take a second look at Neil Ryan Sese, the man who captivated us in Munting Heredera as a nurse who becomes the tormentor of Camille Prats and Mark Anthony Fernandez. His performance was so believable the audience wanted to smash his face when they see him in person. But Sese, in real life, is a nice guy with a passion for acting seen in every work he did both in the movies Neil Ryan moves up from minor to major gest number of Filipino women rising up and striking out against all forms of VAW from the broadest possible sections of Philippine society. 3. OBR as avenue for organizing marginalized women, to defend and uphold their rights. 4. Achieve concrete gains for women victims of various forms of VAW. WITHOUT WANG NICKIE WANG 2 What is the future of OPM? and yet they still receive anemic and lukewarm response from the public. Case in point, over the weekend, Asap 2012 staged its annual fest that recognizes local music artists whose albums were able to reach gold and platinum status. This is the same episode of the Sunday musical show that dedicates most of its time to Pinoy music and its artists. The big winners were Rico Blanco and Jovit Baldivino. To date, Rico’s 2008 album Your Universe has sold over 75,000 units or certified quintuple platinum. Meanwhile, Jovit’s debut album, called Faithfully, released in 2010, has been certified triple platinum by Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). Instead of being delighted of this feat achieved by these music talents, it’s depressing to know that it took their album years to be part of the elite circle of most successful locally produced records. Gone are the days when it only takes a few days for an album to be certified gold and a few weeks to reach platinum status. It’s also good to note that these were the times when an album needed to sell 20,000 physical units before it could be awarded with gold certification. Now that it only takes 7,500 unit sales for a gold certification, many local artists still struggle to achieve it. While it’s true that piracy and illegal music downloading sabotage album sales and OPM has a direct competition with foreign music, these concerns have been in existence. Local artists have all the support they needed from the higher ups and authorities, what really missing is the quality of their products. Going back to the Platinum Circle Awards winners, most of the winners were obvious fans of recycled music. They love OPM music tremendously that every time they launch an album majority if not all the tracks are covers and revivals. If they haven’t noticed, this is the trend of the entire decade. It makes sense when we say the life of OPM depends on the classics or on the songs revived by contemporary artists as this strongly indicates that OPM is far from over, it is just going nowhere. And for us to steer OPM back on the right track, we badly need new contents, original materials with unquestionable quality and television shows (which we currently don’t have) that serve as platform for innovative Pinoy music. WE wouldn’t how people will gain access to music after a few years or so. Sophisticated smart phones have already killed iPods and mp3 players. Majority of media consumers prefer listening to music using their mobile phones with their playlist downloaded directly from the Internet using the same device. Compact discs are fast-becoming irrelevant, too. These are just few of the many issues that confront OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and the music industry in general. Since time immemorial, OPM artists have been asking for public help. “Please buy and support OPM,” has been their mantra whenever they answer questions thrown by the press or simply when promoting an album. They keep on telling how beautiful Filipino-composed songs CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan Classifieds ManilaStandardToday
[email protected] OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 D1 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 2nd Street, Port Area MANILA NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately. ERRORS & OMISSIONS Invitation to Bid Contract ID No. 12OO0023-Proposed 99.80 L.M. Lambingan Bridge, Brgy. Concepcion, Malabon City 1. The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWHNCR), through the General Appropriations Act intends to apply the sum Php 94,081,652.17 being The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed 99.80 L.M. Lambingan Bridge, Brgy. Concepcion, Malabon City. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region, now invites bid for the Proposed 99.80 L.M. Lambingan Bridge, Brgy. Concepcion, Malabon City. Completion of the Works is 360 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 costing at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non – discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184) otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Contractors/applicants who are interested in the DPWH civil works are required to register prior to the set schedule of submission of bid while those already registered shall keep their records current and updated. Contractor Profile Eligibility Process (CPEP) and subject to further post-qualification. Information on registration can be obtained at DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph or Central Procurement Office (CPO), 5th Floor, DPWH Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders at the National Capital Region, 2nd Street, Port Area, Manila upon payment of non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00). 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 the bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6. The Department of Public Works and Highways will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 14, 2012 at 10:00 am at Department of Public Works and HighwaysNational Capital Region, NCR Conference Room, 2nd Street, Port Area, Manila which shall be open to all interested parties. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Bids must be delivered on or before December 27, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region BAC Secretariat Office, 2nd Street, Port Area, Manila. 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 will not be accepted. 9. The DPWH-NCR 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. Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2012 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contracts: Ref. No. Projects ABC/ Source Duration of Funds (P) (c.d.) 20,040,640.06/ NG Subsidy 19,997,545.20/ NG Subsidy 17,000,000.00/ NG Subsidy 15,000,730.00/ NG Subsidy 16,878,844.00/ NG Subsidy 210 Required Work Description PCAB License At least Cat. Land development & “B” & Med “A” road works for Roads At least Cat. “B” & Med “A” for Roads At least Cat. “B” & Med “A” for Building At least Cat. “B” & Med “A” for Roads At least Cat. “B” & Med “A” for Building Land development & road works Construction of duplex houses Land development & road works Construction of 2-storey buildings Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) Oriental Mindoro * Occidental Mindoro * Marinduque * Romblon* Palawan NOTICE OF FILING APPLlCATlON FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP) Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have with this Regional Office Application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s: Name and Address of Company/Employer CORAL BAY NICKEL CORP. Bgy. Rio Tuba, Bataraza Palawan Thank you. Very truly yours, For the Regional Director: (Sgd.) ATTY. ALVIN M. VILLAMOR Assistant Regional Director Name and Citizenship of Foreign National Position and Brief Description of functions Technical Advisor Production Shift Coordinator 2. 5. 7. 8. 10. For further information, please refer to : The BAC Secretariat National Capital Region 2nd St. Port Area, Manila Tel. No. (02) 3043893 (Sgd,) AUDENCIO B. REYES Chief, QAHD Chairman, NCR-BAC NOTED: (Sgd.) REYNALDO G. TAGUNDANDO Regional Director (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office Guinlajon, Sorsogon City INVITATION TO BID FOR 13FK0007 Construction/Widening/Upgrading of Access Road to Tourist Destination (Butanding) Donsol, Sorsogon Sta. 3+276.60-Sta. 5+726.60 The Department of Public Works and Highways, Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City, through the GAA-2013 intends to apply the sum of Php46,500,115.65 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 13FK0007- Construction/Widening/Upgrading of Access Road to Tourist Destination (Butanding)Donsol, Sorsogon Sta. 3+276.60-Sta. 5+726.60.Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City now invites bids for Conc. Of 2.5 km. of Road, Road Bed width of 10.0m. & Pavement width of 6.70m; Construction of 2 units double Barrel Box Culvert.; Reinforced Concrete Pipe Culvert Riprap & Grouted Riprap. Completion of the works is required _270 CD_. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (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 form Department of Public Works and Highways, Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 12:00 noon – 1:00pm to 5pm. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php25,000.00. 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 than the submission of their bids. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon City will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Department of Public Works and Highways, 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon 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 December 26, 2012 at 10:00 am at DPWH Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office. 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 bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office, Guinlajon, Sorsogon 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 contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: MARIA INES M. APIL (BAC Secretariat) DPWH, Sorsogon 1st DEO Guinlajon, Sorsogon City 0917-9949378-(globe)
[email protected] (Sgd.) ARTURO N. LEE OIC Asst. District Engineer (BAC Chairman) NOTED: (Sgd.) ROMEO D. DOLOIRAS District Engineer (MST-DEC. 3, 2012) 2012- NHA-Nasipit Sunrise Village 105 Phase I, Brgy. Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (Region 13) 2012- Villa Alto Housing Project, Brgy. 106 East Poblacion, Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte (Region 9) 2012- Construction of 240 Housing 107 Units (Duplex Type 24 sq. m.) at Brgy. Mangingisda, Puerto Princesa 2012- Land Dev’t. ofLegaspi City Res. 108 Project, Brgy. Rizal and Dapdap, Legaspi City, Albay 2012- Const. of 2 Units Two-Storey 109 6-Classroom School Building at Emigdio A. Bondoc High School, Brgy. San Roque, San Luis, Pampanga and at San Simon High School, San Simon, Pampanga 2012- Const. of 2 Units Two-Storey 110 6-Classroom School Building at Macabebe High School, Brgy. San Roque, Macabebe and at Sta. Maria High School, Brgy. Sta. Maria, Macabebe, Pampanga 2012- Improvement of Road Leading 111 to AFP/PNP St. Matthew Heights Housing Project Phase 1, Sampaguita St., Brgy. San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan 2012- Core House Const. and Survey 112 Works at Prieto Diaz Res. Project, Brgy. Diamante, Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon City 2012- Const. of 1 Unit Covered 113 Court/Multi-Purpose Center, Pampanga Housing Project, Brgy. Pandacaqui, Mexico Pampanga 2012- Const. of 1 Unit Covered 114 Court/Multi-Purpose Center, Madapdap Resettlement Project, Phase 3, Brgy. Dapdap, Mabalacat, Pampanga 2012- Const. of 1 Unit Covered Court/ 115 Multi-Purpose Center, Acli, Resettlement Site, Acli, Mexico, Pampanga 2012- Const. of 1 Unit Covered Court/ 116 Multi-Purpose Center, NHAArayat Res. Project, Brgy. San Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga 2012- Repair of Riprap Slope 117 Protection of BagongSilang Phase XI Malaria Area, Tala LD Village, Senate and Congress Villages, Caloocan City 2012- NHA-Tandag Resettlement 118 Project, SitioMabua, Balilahan, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur (RE-BID) 1. MR. YUKIHIRO GODA 165 240 If you have any information/objection to the abovementioned application/s please communicate with the Regional Director. 150 150 (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) Office of the President of the Philippines Malacañang BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE 16, 878,844.00/ NG Subsidy 150 At least Cat. Construction of “B” & Med “A” 2-storey buildings for Building INVITATION TO BID The Office of the President, through the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, automotive manufacturer and authorized franchised dealers to submit bids for the following projects, to wit: Purchase Project Approved Budget Request (PR) for the Contract No. 12-08-5470RB 1. One (1) Lot Supply and Php1,680,400.00 Delivery of Assorted Gifts of the President NonRefundable Bid Fees Php5,000.00 12,000,000.00/ Trust Fund/ General Fund OP 11,989,536.29/ NG Subsidy 6,056,268.00/ NG Subsidy 45 At least Cat. Roadworks “C & D” & “Small B” for Roads At least Cat. Construction of houses “C & D” & “Small B” for Building At least Cat. Construction of building “C & D” & “Small B” for Building At least Cat. Construction of building “C & D” & “Small B” for Building At least Cat. “C & D” & “Small B” for Building At least Cat. “C & D” & “Small B” for Building At least Cat. “C & D” & “Small B” for Irrigation and Flood Control At least Cat. “C & D” & “Small B” for Roads Construction of building 150 150 Bid Documents are available from December 3– December 20, 2012, upon payment of non-refundable fees stated above, from 8:00AM to 12:00N and from 1:00PM to 5:00PM, Monday to Friday, and up to 9AM on the last day of the issuance and acquisition of bid docs, at the BAC Secretariat Office, RM 118, First Floor Mezzanine, Mabini Hall Bldg., JP Laurel St.,San Miguel, Malacañang, Manila (Tel. No. 784-42-86 loc. 4161). A pre-bid conference for the purpose will be held on December 6, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Executive Secretaries Hall and Gallery, 4th Floor, Mabini Hall Building, Malacañang, Manila. Only those who have purchased bidding documents will be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference. Deadline for the submission of the Bid/Tender Documents/Forms is on December 20, 2012 Thursday at 10:00AM at the BAC Secretariat Office, RM 118 First Floor Mezzanine, Mabini Hall Bldg., JP Laurel St.,San Miguel, Malacañang, Manila. The opening of bids will be held on the same day, December 20, 2012, Thursday at 10:05AM at the Executive Secretaries Hall and Gallery, 4th /F Mabini Hall Bldg., Malacañang, Manila. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. All particulars relative to eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post-qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Revised IRR. The Office of the President-Bids and Awards Committeereserves 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. (Sgd.) Atty. MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) 6,056,268.00/ NG Subsidy 150 6,056,268.00/ NG Subsidy 6,056,268.00/ NG Subsidy 6,570,121.42/ Corporate Receipts 7,521,908.30/ NG Subsidy 150 150 Construction of building 115 Riprapping works 230 Land development & road works Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited project. Completion of the Works is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (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. A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/ authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI), presentation of original PCAB License, Contract Agreement and Certificate of Completion/Acceptance for completed similar project/s and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P17,500.00 for Ref. Nos. 2012-105 to 110; P12,500.00 for Ref. Nos. 2012-111 to 112 and P10,000.00 for Ref. Nos. 2012-113 to 118 at the Office of the NHA-BAC Secretariat, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on December 05, 2012. Deadline of submission of LOI is on December 12, 2012. The BAC Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX No. 929-8016. The NHA will hold a Pre-bid Conference on December 13, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.at the NHA Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN ONLY to bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered at the NHA Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon Citynot later than 9:00 a.m. on the dates specified below. Schedule of opening of bids: December 27, 2012 - Ref. Nos. 2012-105 to 2012-108, 2012-111 to 2012-112 and 2012-118 December 28, 2012 - Ref. Nos. 2012-109 to 2012-110 and 2012-113 to 2012-117 All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount as stated in Bid Data Sheet (BDS). Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The NHA 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/s. (Sgd.) FROILAN R. KAMPITAN Assistant General Manager/ Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) Republic of the Philippines BARANGAY SAN LORENZO Mauban, Quezon INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of Sangguniang Barangay of San Lorenzo, Mauban, Quezon, through Trust Fund, invites contractors to bid for this project; Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Contract Duration - Construction of Shoreline Protection - Sitio Aluhin Malaki, Barangay San Lorenzo Mauban, Quezon - Riprapping - P750,000.00 - 60 calendar days 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) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership/corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (b) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below : 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids December 05-21, 2012 December 07, 2012 2 10:00 A.M. December 17, 2012 December 21, 2012 @ 2:00 P.M. December 21, 2012 @ 2:15 P.M. The BAC will issue Bidding Documents at the Barangay Hall of Barangay San Lorenzo, Mauban, Quezon, upon payment of non-refundable fee of One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000.00). 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 acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the Bidding Documents (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 the post-qualification. The Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay San Lorenzo, Mauban, Quezon, reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and to annul the bidding process at any time prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. (Sgd.) NILDA M. TALABONG BAC Chairman (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK D2 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday Classifieds ANNEX “A”
[email protected] Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan Department of Public Works and Highways BATAAN FIRST DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Roman Expressway, Mulawin, Orani, Bataan Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Palawan First District Engineering Office Roxas, Palawan Republic of the Philippines INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee of the DPWH – Bataan 1st District Engineering Office, through the FY 2012, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects: Contract ID: Contract Name: 12CA0098 Preventive Maintenance of Calaguiman Vicinal Road 1. KO 123 + 000 – KO 124 + 038 2. KO 124 + 038 – KO 124 + 802 3. KO 129 + 090 – KO 129 + 668 Samal, Bataan Asphalt Overlay Php 23,745,740.00 60 Calendar Days 12CA0099 Preventive Maintenance of Junction-Layac-Balanga-Mariveles Port Road 1. KO 102 + (-104) - KO 102 + 809 2. KO 105 + 058 - KO 105 + 626 3. KO 105 + 626 - KO 105 + 823 4. KO 105 + 823 - KO 106 + 269 5. KO 108 + 320 - KO 110 + 000 6. KO 111 + 000 - KO 112 + 000 7. KO 118 + 272 - KO 119 + 000 8. KO 119 + 000 - KO 120 + 000 9. KO 121 + 000 - KO 121 + 721 Hermosa, Orani and Abucay, Bataan Asphalt Overlay Php 48,355,140.00 120 Calendar Days December 03,2012 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Region IV-B, MIMAROPA Mindoro Occidental District Engineering Office OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro December 03, 2012 Republic of the Philippines INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Award Committee (BAC) of the DPWH, Palawan 1st District Engineering Office, Roxas, Palawan, invites prospective contractors to apply to bid for the following project; 1. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work Approved Budget for the Contract Contract Duration : : : : : : 12EE0097 Repair/Rehab./Improvement of Roxas-Taytay National Road Section KO 142+094 – KO 143+228 Roxas, Palawan Roxas, Palawan Repair/Rehab./Improvement of Road P9,899,582.92 81 calendar days 1. INVITATION TO BID The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, through the General Appropriations Act of CY-2012 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract/s for the hereunder project/s. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Contract Duration Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location Scope of Work : : : : : : : : : : 12EB0296 Construction of Pasugui Flood Control (Pasugui Section Phase 2) Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Construction of 148.00 L.M. Gabion Revetment P 9,699,996.09 189 C.D. 12EB0297 Construction of Mompong Flood Control (SahingBarokan Section) Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Construction of 112.00 L.M. Gabion Revetment with 2 sets x 80.00 m Gabion Spurdike P 9,699,996.51 189 C.D. 1.1 a. b. c. d. e. f. 1.2 a. b. c. d. e. f. 2. Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Contract ID: Contract Name: The BAC will conduct the procurement process In accordance with the Revised IRR of R.A. 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid. To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, 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 nondiscretionary pass/ fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH POCW-Central Office wi ll 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. 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: December 04, 2012 Time: 2:00 PM Date: December 20, 2012 Time: Until 1:30 PM Time: 2:00 p.m. To: Date: Time: Date: Date: December 26, 2012 December 12, 2012 5:00 p.m. December 27, 2012 December 27, 2012 Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Approved Budget for : the Contract (ABC) Contract Duration : 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) Certificate of Safety Officer Seminar from DOLE, f) PHILGEPS Order Form (DRL), g) Latest CPES Rating and (h) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The LOI must be submitted by the Authorized Liaison Officer as specified in the Contractor’s Information (CI). Submission of LOI by person with Special Power of Attorney shall not be allowed. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH POCWCentral 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: The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, through the General Appropriations Act of CY-2012 now invites bids for above projects. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules 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. 3. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from December 05 -11, 2012 from the address below from and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of P 10,000.00 each. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Receipt of LOIs from Prospective Bidders Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Receipt of Bids Opening of Bids Deadline: December 05-27, 2012 Until 10:00 AM From : December 05-27, 2012 Until 10:00 AM December 14, 2012 @02:00 P .M. Deadline: December 27, 2012 Until 10:00 AM December 27, 2012 @ 10:00 AM 6. The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at DPWH-Bataan First District Engineering Office, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P 20,000.00 as per Dept. Order No. 52 series 2011. 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 postqualification. The DPWH-Bataan First District Engineering Office reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) FERMIN Q. CRUZ, JR. BAC Chairman Noted By: (Sgd.) WILFREDO S. MALLARI District Engineer (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at DPWH, Palawan 1st District Engineering Office, Roxas, Palawan, upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Php,10,000.00 project. 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 opened 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 wilt be awarded to the Lowest calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and post-qualification. The DPWH, Palawan 1 District Engineering Office, Roxas, Palawan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. st The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 A.M. on December 14, 2012 at BAC Office, MQC Building, DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, which shall beopen to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 10:00 A.M. on December26, 2012 at BAC Office, DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount (a) Cash or cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank., two percent (2%) of the ABC; (b) Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank, two percent (2%) of the ABC; (c) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security, five percent (5%) of the ABC; (d) Any combination of the foregoing, proportionate to share of form with respect to total amount of security; and (e) Bid-Securing Declaration. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 7. 8. 9. Bid opening shall be on 2:00 P.M. on December 26, 2012 at BAC Office, MQC Bldg., DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro 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: GERARDO D. CLEMENTE Engineer III DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO Km. 407 Airport Road Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro Tel. & Fax No. (043)-711-1012 Email Address:
[email protected] (Sgd.) GERARDO D. CLEMENTE BAC CHAIRMAN 10. Approved: (Sgd.) FLORIPE R. CABASAL Engineer III BAC-Chairman (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Laguna III District Engineering Office Region IV-A San Pablo City Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City Republic of the Philippines Invitation to Bid The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Laguna III District Engineering Office San Pablo City Region IV-A, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to bid for the following contract(s) : 1. Contract ID: 12DP0131 Contract Name: Repair/rehab. impvt. Of San Pablo-Rizal-Nagcarlan-Liliw Road (S0581LZ) K0086+400 to K0088+500 with exceptions. Contract Location: San Pablo-Rizal-Nagcarlan-Liliw Road (S0581LZ) K0086+400 to K0088+500 Scope of Work: Asphalt overlay of Road, Length=0.450 km width= 6.10 meters and Length =0.564 km width =10.00 meter Approved Budget for the Contract: P9,899,624.56 Contract Duration: 60 c.d Cost of Bid Document: Php 10,000.00 The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid. To bid for the 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 ten(10) years, and (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least equal to 10% of the 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-Central Procurement Office (CPO) before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH Central Procurement Office (CPO) will only process contractor’s 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. 2. 3. 4. Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Receipt of Bids Opening of Bids From Dec. 3, 2012 Dec. 27, 2012 Until 10:00AM December 15, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. December 27, 2 012 until 10:00 AM December 27, 2 012 after 2:00 PM INVITATION TO BID The Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) Regional Office No. 10, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply to bid for the following projects funded under CY 2012 Regular Infrastructure Program, to wit: 1. Contract ID: Contract Name: 12K00168 Construction of Maluko Bridge along Sayre Highway, Bukidnon (Phase I) Contract Location: Bukidnon Brief Description: Construction of Bridge Appropriation: P 30,000,000.00 Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): To be announced on Pre-bid Conference Contract Duration: To be discussed on Pre-bid Conference Cost of Plans & Bid Documents: P 25,000.00 12K00169 Clearing/Imprvt/Upgrading of the following sections along Iligan-Bukidnon Road (Sta. Felomina-Bonbonon–DigkilaanRogongon Road) a) Landslide Area, Km. 1553+000 – Km. 1559+000, with exceptions b) Landslide Area, Km 1559+000 – Km. 1565+000, with exceptions c) Landslide Area, Km. 1565+000 – Km 1573+000, with exceptions Contract Location: Iligan City, LDN Brief Description: Clearing/Imprvt/Upgrading of Road Appropriation: P 60,000,000.00 Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): To be announced on Pre-bid Conference Contract Duration: To be discussed on Pre-bid Conference Cost of Plans & Bid Documents: P 50,000.00 1. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Region IV-B, MIMAROPA Mindoro Occidental District Engineering Office OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro December 03, 2012 Republic of the Philippines RE-INVITATION TO BID The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, through the General Appropriations Act of CY-2012 Priority Development Assistance Fund(PDAF)intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract/s for the hereunder project/s. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 1.1a. Contract ID b. Contract Name : : 12EB0207 Cluster 1211-3: Construction of various Multi-Purpose Buildings a) Brgy. Barahan, Sta. Cruz, b) Brgy. Tanyag, Calintaan, c) Brgy Iriron, Calintaan, d) Brgy. Buenavista, Sablayan, e) Brgy. Sta. Teresa, Magsaysay and f) Brgy. Iling, San Jose Occidental Mindoro a) Construction of one (1)-8.0m x 8.0m MPB, b) Construction of one (1)-8.0m x 8.0m MPB, c) Construction of one (1)-8.0m x 8.0m MPB, d) Construction of one (1)-17.0m x 32.5m MPB, e) Construction of one (1)-19.10 m x 29.50 m MPB, and f) Construction of one (1)-17.0m x 32.5m MPB P 11,797,845.10 FY 2012 RA 10155 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) 240 C.D. 2. Contract ID: Contract Name: c. Contract Location d. Scope of Work : : e. Approved Budget : for the Contract (ABC) f. Source of Fund : g. Contract Duration 2. : 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 these contracts, 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, and (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration, to the DPWH-POCW, Central Office before the scheduled date of bidding. 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 procurement activities are shown below: 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline of Receipt LOI from Prospective Bidders 4. Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids December 5, 2012 to December 27, 2012 @ 12 noon December 12, 2012 @ 2:00PM December 27, 2012 @12:00 noon December 27, 2012 from 8:00AM-12:00 noon 2:00 PM on December 27, 2012 3. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, through the General Appropriations Act of CY-2012 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAP) now invites bids for above projects. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. The BAC will issue hard copies of Bid Documents at DPWH, Laguna III District Engineering Office, BAC Secretariat Office, Brgy. Del Remedio, San Pablo City upon payment of a non-refundable fee for bidding Documents. Prospective Bidders may also download the BD’s from the DPWH website, if available. Prospective Bidders that will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their bid documents. The Pre-bid Conference shall be open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section. 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the Bidding Documents (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. Interested contractors are also required to present the originals of their Contractor’s Registration Certificate (CRC) to the BAC for authentication, together with the printed copy of the Philgeps Order Form (Documents Request List-DRL). The DPWH, Laguna III District Engineering Office, San Pablo City reserves the right to accept or reject any bid , to annul the bidding process any time prior to Contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidder/s. For further information, please refer to: JOVEN M. CALABIA BAC Chairman Attention: Head, BAC Secretariat DPWH, Laguna III Region IV-A San Pablo City Tel. No. (049)5628-114 (Local 48811) Approved by: (Sgd.) JOVEN M. CALABIA Engineer III Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Noted: (Sgd.) POL M. DELOS SANTOS OIC-District Engineer (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) Interested bidders may obtain further information from Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from December 05 -11, 2012 from the address below from and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of P 10,000.00. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 5. 6. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindorowill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 A.M. on December 14, 2012 at BAC Office, MQC Building, DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, which shall beopen to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 10:00 A.M. on December 26, 2012 at BAC Office, DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount (a) Cash or cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank., two percent (2%) of the ABC; (b) Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank, two percent (2%) of the ABC; (c) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security, five percent (5%) of the ABC; (d) Any combination of the foregoing, proportionate to share of form with respect to total amount of security; and (e) Bid-Securing Declaration. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at DPWH-Regional Office No. X, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City, upon payment of a non-refundable fee as stated above. Prospective bidders may also download the BDs from the DPWH website, if available. Prospective bidders that will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their bid documents. Bids must be 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 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 Contractor’s Registration Certificate (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 postqualification. The DPWH-Regional Office No. 10 reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. Approved by: (Sgd.) EFREN A. BERBA, CEO VI OIC, Assistant Regional Director BAC-Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) EVELYN T. BARROSO, Ph.D. Regional Director (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) 7. 8. 9. Bid opening shall be on 2:00 P.M. on December 26, 2012 at BAC Office, MQC Bldg., DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO, Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Mindoro Occidental I District Engineering Office, Mamburao, Occidental Mindororeserves 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: GERARDO D. CLEMENTE Engineer III DPWH, Mindoro Occidental I DEO Km. 407 Airport Road Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro Tel. & Fax No. (043)-711-1012 Email Address:
[email protected] 10. (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) (Sgd.) GERARDO D. CLEMENTE BAC CHAIRMAN CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
[email protected] Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan ManilaStandardToday Classifieds Department of Public Works and Highways Davao del Norte District Engineering Office Km. 48, Brgy. Canocotan, Tagum City Republic of the Philippines WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 D3 For fast ad results, please call 659-48-30 local 303 or 659-48-03 LUNGSOD NG MAKATI Bids and Awards Committee J.P. Rizal St. corner F. Zobel St., Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988 www.makati.gov.ph REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately. J.P. Rizal St. corner F. Zobel St., Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988 www.makati.gov.ph LUNGSOD NG MAKATI BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XI, Davao del Norte District Engineering Office, through the 2013 SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects: 1. Contract ID: 12LC0215 Contract Name: CLUSTER A 1. Const. of 1 CL School Building at Barobo ES, Talaingod 2. Const. of 1 CL School Building at Tibucag ES, Talaingod 3. Const. of 1 CL School Building at Mangulibas, Kapalong 4. Const. of 3 CL School Building at Dona Carmen Soriano NHS, Kapalong 5. Const. of 1 CL School Building at Camoning ES, Asuncion 6. Const. of 1 CL SShOol Building at New Santiago ES, Asuncion Contract Location: Davao del Norte Scope of Works: Const. of School Building Approved Budget for the Contract ( ABC ): Php. 5,721,000.00 Cost of Bid Documents: Php. 5,000.00 2. Contract ID: 12LC0216 Contract Name: CLUSTER B 1. Const. of 1 CL School Building at San Miguel PS, San Isidro 2. Const. of 4 CL School Building at Linao NHS, San Isidro 3. Const. of 3 CL School Building at Linao ES, San Isidro 4. Const. of2 CL School Building at Sawata NHS, San Isidro 5. Const. of 1 CL School Building at Mamangan ES, San Isidro Contract Location: Davao del Norte Scope of Works: Const. of School Building Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php. 7,221,000.00 Cost of Bid Documents: Php. 5,000.00 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 contact, 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 with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH-POCW-Central Office will only process contractors’ application 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: ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE November 29, 2012 to December 18, 2012 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2012 at the District 2. Pre-Bid Conference Engineer Conference Room 12:00 Noon, December 10, 2012 3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders 2:00 p.m. on December 18, 2012 4. Receipt of Bids 2:00 p.m. on December 18, 2012 5. Opening of Bids The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’ s) at DPWH-Davao del Norte District Engineering Office upon payment of non refundable fee. 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 purchase the BD’s. Bids must accompanied by a bid security, ill 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 enveloped 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, Davao del Norte District Engineering Office reserves the right ·to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time prior contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. Approved by: (Sgd.) LIBERATO S. TAN, JR. Asst. District Engineer (BAC Chairman) (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) ERRATUM In re: Invitation to Bid, Scheduled Pre Bidding Conference on December 10, 2012, 10:00 a.m. and Opening of Bids on December 21, 2012, 10:00 a.m. Instead of Pre Bidding Conference on December 06, 2012 and Opening of Bids on December 20, 2012, which was published in this newspaper on its issue of November 28, 2012 1. Various materials for replacement of defective parts and accessories of chillers for New Makati City Hall Building P8,679,358.00 2. Christmas Decors for Installation at various Parks and Center Island Post of Makati City P5,744,400.00 3. Production and Staging of New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration P15,201,935.03 (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) INVITATION TO BID The City Government of Makati, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/manufacturers/distributors/ contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder projects: NO. NAME OF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LOCATION APPROVED BUDGET 1 Various materials for replacement of defective parts and accessories of chillers for New DEPW P8,679,358.00 Makati City Hall Building 2 Christmas Decors for Installation at various Parks and Center Island Post of Makati City OM P5,744,400.00 3 Production and Staging of New Year's Eve Countdown Celebration OM P15,201,935.03 Prospective Bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examinations of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-Qualification of the Lowest Calculated Bid shall be conducted. All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES 1. Pre-Bidding Conference at BAC Conference Room, 9th Floor 2. Opening of Bids at BAC Conference Room, 9th Floor SCHEDULE December 10, 2012 (10:00 A.M.) December 21, 2012 (10:00 A.M.) NOTICE OF MERGER OF ATLAS AGRICULTURAL AND MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND MANOLO REALTY, INC. Notice is hereby given that the Articles and Plan of Merger of ATLAS AGRICULTURAL AND MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (the "Surviving Corporation") and MANOLO REALTY, INC. (the "Absorbed Corporation") have been approved in meetings duly called for the purpose, by majority vote of the respective Board of Directors and by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock of said Surviving Corporation and Absorbed Corporation. Notice is likewise hereby given that the aforesaid Articles and Plan of Merger shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval. This announcement shall serve as notice to all parties concerned of the legal effects of the Plan of Merger between the abovementioned corporations and the legal dissolution of the Absorbed Corporation. Corporate Secretary ATLAS AGRICULTURAL AND MERCANTILE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION MANOLO REALTY, INC. (MST-Nov. 28 & Dec. 5, 2012) Bidding Documents will be available only to Prospective Bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of ______________________to the City Government of Makati Cashier. (fee for Bid Documents) (Procuring Entity) The City Government of Makati assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify (Procuring Entity) bidders for any Expenses Incurred in the preparation of the bid. The City of Makati reserves the right to disqualify any or all proposal, to waive any defects or informalities therein and to accept such proposal as may be considered most advantageous to the Government. Approved by: (Sgd.) Atty. ELENO M. MENDOZA, JR. Chairperson (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR Engineer’s Hill, Baguio City Cordillera Administrative Region Republic of the Philippines BID BULLETIN No. 23 This Bid Bulletin No. 23 dated December 3, 2012 is issued to modify or amend items in the Bid Documents. This shall form as an integral part of the Bid Documents. REVISED CONTRACT NAME, FUND, AND APPROVED BUDGET COST (ABC) 1. Contract ID Contract Location From ALICE C. GOHOC : 12PO0046 : Leonard Wood Road, Pacdal, Baguio City CONTRACT NAME To South Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office General Santos City November 29, 2012 KAGAWARAN NG PAGAWAIN AT LANSANGANG PAMBAYAN Republika ng Pilipinas Construction of NTC – TRACE BLDG NTC-Center For Excellence – Phase III PHASE III Leonard Wood Road, Pacdal, Baguio City Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City FUND INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) South Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office, General Santos City through the CY 2012 Flood Control (Local Fund), PAMANA Peace Process Fund, CY 2012 PDAF-(LH) Projects, invites contractors to bid for the following projects: 1. a. b. c. d. Contract ID: Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: 12MB0092 Repair/Improvement of Flood Control and Drainage Structures, Brgy. Tinagakan, General Santos City Construction of Checkdam (45 ln.m.), Construction of Concrete Revetment (15 ln.m. bothside) P 7,716,648.37 P 10,000.00 90 cal. Days CY 2012 Flood Control(Local Fund) 12MB0093 Construction of Multi-Purpose Building at Purok Bangsamoro, Brgy. Calumpang, General Santos City 5 Unit Trusses with Purlins w/ Primer Painted & Pre-Painted Rib Type Roofing, Covered Court Flooring -24m x 18m w/ Flooring (0.10thk.), 10 Columns P 2,999,998.78 P 5,000.00 75 cal. Days PAMANA Peace Process Fund 2011 12MB0094 Lagao Drainage along Digos-Makar Road, Brgy. Lagao, General Santos City Construction of Concrete CHB with Concrete Cover (120 x 1.30 x 1.60m) P 1,999,961.52 P 5,000.00 50 cal. Days CY 2012 Flood Control(Local Fund) 12MB0095 Construction of Multi-Purpose Building, Tiongson Street, Brgy. Lagao, General Santos City Excavation Works: Wall Footing for Ramp and Landings, Septic Vault; Embankment: Ramp and Landings; Concrete Works: Flooring @ Ramp and Landings, Columns @ 2nd Floor and Roof Beams; Ceramic Tiles: Floor Tiles Ground Floor Office only, floor and Wall Tiles Cr Ground Floor; Masonry Works; Ramp and Landings; Roofing Works Pre-Painted with Steel Trusses, Rafters and Purlins; Septic Tank; Roughing Ins/ Lighting Fixtures; Ground Floor; Wires, Cables and Wiring Devices; Ground Floor, Panel Board and Boxes: Second Floor; Plumbing Works: Floor Drains, Faucet, Shower Head and Valve, Grab Bar P 1,399,997.53 P 5,000.00 60 cal. Days CY 2012 PDAF-(LH) From NTC - CAR To Unprogrammed Fund, FY 2011 GAA RA 10147 2. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location : 12PO0049 : Road Upgrading (Gravel to concrete) of Shilan – Beckel Road, K0261+(-201)–K0261+(156), K0261+000–K0261+201, K0261+447– K0263+000, and K0263+156–K0263+200 (I.S.) : La Trinidad, Benguet APPROVED BUDGET COST From To Php 50,904,630.00 Php 50,891,019.54 e. Approved Budget of the Contract: f. Cost of Bid Documents: g. Contract Duration: h. Source of Funds: 2. a. Contract ID: b. Contract Name: c. Contract Location: d. Scope of Work: e. Approved Budget of the Contract: f. Cost of Bid Documents: g. Contract Duration: h. Source of Funds: 3. a. Contract ID: b. Contract Name: c. Contract Location: d. Scope of Work: e. Approved Budget of the Contract: f. Cost of Bid Documents: g. Contract Duration: h. Source of Funds: 4. a. Contract ID: b. Contract Name: c. Contract Location: d. Scope of Work: 3. Contract ID Contract Name Contract Location : 12PO0050 : Road Upgrading (Gravel to concrete) of City Limit – Sto. Tomas Road, K0258+740K0259+277 and K0260+878-K0262+470 : Tuba, Benguet APPROVED BUDGET COST From To Php 55,281,270.00 Php 51,991,249.49 For guidance and information of all concerned. (Sgd.) CONSTANTE R. SARMIENTO Chief, Maintenance Division BAC Chairman For The Supply of Various AFCS Spare Partsunder PR No. RS1-0912-293 and ITB No. 1210-316-01R Schedule of Activities: Pre-Bid Conference Submission and Opening of Bids - December 12, 2012 @ 10:00 A.M. Cafeteria, LRTA Line 2-Depot, Santolan, Pasig City - December 28, 2012 @ 9:00 A.M. Cafeteria, LRTA Line 2-Depot, Santolan, Pasig City InvItatIon to BId (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Civic Drive, Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), through its Corporate Budget for the Calendar Year 2012, intends to apply the sum of a Total of THREE MILLION FOURTEEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN AND 72/100(Php3,014,327.72)PESOS ONLY being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) inclusive of All Duties and Taxes and/or Other Charges to payments under the afore-mentioned contract/s. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Delivery period is required on or before 6 months upon receipt of Purchase Order. LRTA now invites bids from Interested Bidders with the following details: Bid Security ** Description QTY (PCS) Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Cash/CC-MC Bank draft/ guarantee or CLC (2%)* 1 ROLLER / REFERENCE NO, 4GV32.43 2 SPRING SUPPORT / REFERENCE NO. 4FC341071S1 3 EXTERIOR FLANGE / REFERENCE NO. GV32-49 4 DISPLAY PCB / REFERENCE NO. 4JC129560 5 BOLT BUMPER / REFERENCE NO. A111200479 6 SUPPORT ASSY / REFERENCE NO. 4FT61.316S1 7 STACKER SENSOR CLIP/ REFERENCE NO. 4DZ21.506 8 HANDLE ASSEMBLY/ REFERENCE NO. 3GG1122435 9 FLAP, STAINLESS STEEL REFERENCE NO. 3GF14.450 10 AXLE / REFERENCE NO. 4GG11.520 11 AXLE / REFERENCE NO. 4GG11.535 12 FLAP GUIDE (ENTRY) / REFERENCE NO. 4GF12.560 13 PLATE / REFERENCE NO. 4GG111075 14 PRESSURE ROLLER / REFERENCE NO. 4JB11.102 or its approved equivalent 15 GEAR / REFERENCE NO. 4GF12.415 16 PINION / REFERENCE NO. 4JC11..10 or its approved equivalent 17 GUIDING ROLLER / REFERENCE NO. 4FC12.47 or its approved equivalent ELECTROMAGNET SPRING COMP. / 18 REFERENCE NO. A111200484 or its approved equivalent SHOCK ABSORBER CAM SPRING 19 / REFERENCE NO. 0/0208/040 or its approved equivalent TOTAL 100 10 125 8 40 5 60 15 8 25 25 26 15 50 12 10 50 25 40 Php452,679.00 Php15,401.60 Php741,393.75 Php172,430.16 Php14,631.60 Php7,289.40 Php112,279.20 Php427,161.45 Php124,547.04 Php92,534.00 Php33,410.25 Php120,503.76 Php71,506.65 Php68,784.50 Php440,539.56 Php55,955.40 Php37,912.50 Php18,289.50 Php7,078.40 Php3,014,327.72 Php9,053.58 Php308.03 Php14,827.88 Php3,448.60 Php292.63 Php145.79 Php2,245.58 Php8,543.23 Php2,490.94 Php1,850.68 Php668.21 Php2,410.08 Php1,430.13 Php1,375.69 Php8,810.79 Php1,119.11 Php758.25 Php365.79 Php141.57 Php60,286.55 Php22,633.95 Php770.08 Php37,069.69 Php8,621.51 Php731.58 Php364.47 Php5,613.96 Php21,358.07 Php6,227.35 Php4,626.70 Php1,670.51 Php6,025.19 Php3,575.33 Php3,439.23 Php22,026.98 Php2,797.77 Php5,000.00 Security: Surety bond (5%)* Cost of Bid Documents INVITATION TO BID (ITB No. 12-009) The Food and Drug Administration, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites agencies/ suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project Location : : Procurement of Two (2)-Year Janitorial Services for the FDA Central Office Food and Drug Administration Civic Drive , Filinvest Corporate City Alabang, Muntinlupa City Approved Budget for the Contract : Php5,371,678.86 e. Approved Budget of the Contract: f. Cost of Bid Documents: g. Contract Duration: h. Source of Funds: 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), purchased bid documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with the DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership/corporation, cooperative or joint venture, (c) with PCAB applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (e) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The DPWH POCW-Central Office will only process contractors’ applications for the 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: BAC ACTIVITIES 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2.Site Inspection/Pre-Bid Conference 3. Receipt of Bids 4. Opening of Bids SCHEDULE From: November 29, 2012 to December 28, 2012 Time & Date: December 20, 2012 @ 8:30 AM /1:30 PM. Respectively Deadline: December 28, 2012 @ 10:00AM. Time & Date: December 28, 2012 @ 2:30 PM The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Posting of ITB 2. Issuance of Bid Documents 3. Pre-Bid Conference 4. Deadline of Submission and Receipt of Bids 5. Opening of Bids Schedule 04-10 December 2012 04-26 December 2012 14 December 2012 - 9:30 A.M. BAC Room, 3/F FDA Annex Building, 27 December 2012 - 9:30 A.M. c/o BAC Secretariat Room 106, FDA Main Building 27 December 2012 - 9:30 A.M. BAC Room, 3/F FDA Annex Building Civic Drive, Filinvest City Alabang, Muntinlupa City Php1,895.63 Php914.48 Php353.92 Php150,716.39 Php5,000.00 . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 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”. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Three Thousand Five Hundred Pesos Only (Php3,500.00). The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open to all interested parties; however, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents may participate in the discussion at said conference. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Food and Drug Administration, please call BAC Secretariat at Trunkline No. 857-19-00 local 1051/1052; or visit FDA website at www.fda.gov.ph. The Food and Drug Administration 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. NOTE: 1.) Only Proprietors/Project Managers/Project Engineers and Materials Engineers are allowed to attend the Site Inspection and Pre-bid Conference. The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at DPWH-South Cotabato SDEO GENERAL SANTOS CITY, upon payment of a non-refundable fees of the amount stated above for the Bidding Documents. Prospective bidders may also download the BD’s form the DPWH website if available. Prospective bidders that will download the BD’s from the DPWH website shall pay said fees on or before the submission of their bids Documents. 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 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 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 evaluation and post-qualification. The DPWH South Cotabato Sub-District Engineering Office, General Santos City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime prior Contract Award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. (Sgd.) EVELYN E. DUARTE Engineer II/Chief, Maintenance Section BAC Chairman Approved: (Sgd.) MANGOLAMBA D. HADJI ALI Engineer V/Acting Head (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) * The complete technical specification is available in the Bidding Documents. *Only those issued by universal or commercial banks ** In lieu of Bid Security, bidder may submit Bid Securing Declaration pursuant to Section 27.5 of RA9184 and its IRR Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-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. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders commencing on December 05, 2012 until not later than the deadline for the submission and receipt of bids at the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of PhP5,000.00 only. Pre Bid Conference shall be open to all interested Bidders. Bidders who have not purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate and may raise their queries or clarifications therein. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to raise or submit written queries/ clarifications after the Pre Bid Conference. Submission and Opening of Bidswill publicly be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend. 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 theInstructions to Biddersand the Bid Data Sheet. LRTA reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, 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: Mr. Eduardo A. Abiva Head, BAC Secretariat Administration Bldg., LRTA Cmpd., Aurora Blvd. Tramo, Pasay City Tel. No. 853-0041 – 50 loc. 8314 Email Address:
[email protected] Facsimile No. 853-0041 – 50 loc. 8417 (Sgd.) Mr. LUTGARDO C. NAVARRO Chairman, Bids & Awards Committee (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) 03 December 2012. (Sgd.) GOMEL C. GABUNA BAC Chairperson MST – Dec. 5, 2012 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK D4 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012 ManilaStandardToday Classifieds
[email protected] Page Compositor: Diana Keyser Punzalan DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office Candon City, Ilocos Sur Republic of the Philippines REMINDER MST Classified Ads section requires a Two ( 2 ) d a y C U TOFF PERIOD on all ITBs, BID BULLETIN, NOTICES and REOIs prior to publication date(s). Department of Public Works and Highways NORTH MANILA ENGINEERING DISTRICT Republic of the Philippines Invitation to Bid For Construction of Binnuyog Bridge (TACLIN ARC) Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur Contract ID No. 12AD0145 1. The DPWH-Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office, through ARISP 3 (JICA) intends to apply the sum of TWENTY EIGHT MILLION NINETEEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR PESOS ONLY (Php28,019,984.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contract for the Construction of Bunnuyog Bridge (TACLIN ARC), Banayoyo, Ilocos Sur with contract ID No. 12AD0145. Bid received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The DPWH- Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office now invites bids for the Construction of Bridge. Completion of the Works is 180 cal. 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. Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH- Ilocos Sur 2nd 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 Php 20,000.00. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the DPWH, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6. The DPWH Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 6, 2012, 10:00 A.M. at the DPWH Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office, Office of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Candon City, Ilocos Sur, which shall be open only to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered on or before December 18, 2012, 10:00 A.M. at the DPWH Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office, Office of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Candon City, Ilocos 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 aforesaid address. Late bids shall not be accepted. 8. The DPWH reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Arnel H. Gabuat Head, BAC Secretariat DPWH Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office, Candon City, Ilocos Sur Tel. No. (077) 742-6082 (Sgd.) RENATO G. GAGNO BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) RAY A. ELAYDO District Engineer (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) 2. 3. Nagtahan, Sta. Mesa, Manila DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Quezon II District Engineering Office Dalahican Road, Lucena City Republic of the Philippines 5. INVITATION TO BID The DPWH North Manila Engineering District, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites contractors to bid for the following projects; 1. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Bid Documents: 2. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Bid Documents: 3. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Bid Documents: 4. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Bid Documents: 5. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: 12-OE0150 Construction/Rehabilitation of Multi-purpose Buildings at Zone 25-40, District III and M.L. Quezon High School Manila Construction/Rehabilitation of School Bldgs. Php7,272,987.45 120 cal. days Php 10,000.00 12-OE0151 Repair/Rehabilitation/Improvement of Street with exceptions Sta. Cruz, Manila Repair/Rehab/Improvement of Road Php9,999,920.54 120 cal. days Php 10,000.00 12-OE0152 Raising of Grade of A. Mendoza Street with Drainage Improvement District III, Sta. Cruz, Manila Raising of Grade w/Drainage Improvement Php17,938,135.13 120 cal. days Php 25,000.00 12-OE0153 Desilting/Cleaning of Drainage Main (RCBC) Blumentritt Interceptor and Replacement of Damaged R.C. Manhole Cover Manila Desilting/Cleaning of Drainage Main Php19,664,493.43 130 cal. days Php 25,000.00 12-OE0154 Asphalt Overlay with Drainage Improvement along Aurora Blvd. District III, Sta. Cruz, Manila Asphalt Overlay w/correction using rotamilling machine A. Mendoza INVITATION TO BID The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Quezon II District Engineering Office through D.A-FMR CY 2011,PDAF 2012, & Reg. Infra CY 2013 intends to apply the sum of Eighty eight million two hundred forty nine thousand nine hundred twenty eight pesos and 34/100 (P 88,249,928.34) to payments under the contract for Contract ID Nos. 12DJ098 to 12DJ0108: CLUSTER - VI et;al. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Quezon II District Engineering Office now invites bids for the following Contract ID Nos. : 1. 12DJ0098 - CLUSTER VI a) Concreting of Farm to Market Road at Brgy. San Andres, Candelaria,Quezon b) Concreting of Farm to Market Road at Brgy. Malabanban Sur, Candelaria,Quezon c) Concreting of Farm to Market Road at Brgy. Sta. Catalina Sur, Candelaria,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 7,499,993.86 2. 12DJ0099 - CLUSTER VII a) Concreting of Farm to Market Road at Brgy. Mayabobo, Candelaria,Quezon b) Concreting of FMR at Brgy. Malabanban Norte, Candelaria, Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 4,999,998.54 P 2,499,995.22 P 2,499,999.32 P 2,499,999.32 7. P 2,499,999.22 P 2,499,999.32 9. 3. 12DJ0100 – CLUSTER VIII a) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Masin Sur, Candelaria,Quezon P 999,994.98 b) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Sta. Catalina Norte, Candelaria,Quezon P 999,997.22 c) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Quipot, Tiaong,Quezon P 999,993.94 d) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Buliran, San Antonio,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 3,999,983.14 4. a) b) c) 12DJ0101 – CLUSTER IX Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Bignay 2, Sariaya,Quezon Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Bucal, Sariaya,Quezon Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Janagdong 1, Sariaya,Quezon d) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Janagdong 2, Sariaya, Quezon e) Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Manggalang I, Sariaya,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 4,999,982.43 5. a) b) c) d) e) f) 12DJ0102 – CLUSTER X Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Gibanga, Sariaya,Quezon Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Ibabang Dupay, Lucena City Concreting of Brgy. Road at Brgy. Cotta, Lucena City Construction of Multi-Purpose Pavement at Brgy. Isabang, Lucena City Construction of Multi-Purpose Pavement at Brgy. Dalahican, Lucena City Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 4,999,975.96 12DJ0103 P 999,996.07 P 999,997.57 P 999,995.16 P 999,995.57 P 999,998.06 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS Region IV-B MIMAROPA OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR EDSA, Quezon City Republic of the Philippines Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php20,404,238.51 Contract Duration: 90 cal. days Bid Documents: Php 25,000.00 Bidder must own asphalt plant or has a MOA with an asphalt plant for particular project 6. Contract I.D. No. Contract Name: Contract Location: Scope of Work: Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Contract Duration: Bid Documents: 12-OE0155 Raising of Grade with Drainage Improvement at Laon-Laan St. Sampaloc, Manila City Raising of Grade with Drainage Improvement Php24,134,770.16 200 cal. days Php 25,000.00 P 999,996.25 P 999,997.23 P 999,998.02 P 999,995.98 P 499,997.35 P 499,991.13 6. December 05, 2012 INVITATION TO BID FOR Concreting of Bahile -Macarascas -Sabang Road (Sta. 41+534 to Sta. 45+516), Puerto Princesa City 1. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Region IV-B, intends to apply the enumerated sum of P77,374,971.47 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Concreting of Bahile -Macarascas -Sabang Road (Sta. 41+534 to Sta. 45+516), Puerto Princesa City / 13E00030. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Department of Public Works and Highways, Region IV-B, now invites bids for: Removal of existing asphalt pavement, foundation fill, pipe culvert and drainage excavation, embankment (from excavation), selected borrow for topping, aggregates sub·base course, PCCP @0.23m and 0.15m thick, reinforcing steel, structural concrete class B, pipe culverts @910mm and 1220mm diameters Class C, grouted riprap class A, stone masonry, trees, reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings (yellow and white), mobilization and demobilization, facilities for the engineers and other general requirements. Completion of the works is required 127 calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Projects. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary ‘pass/fail’ criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the ‘Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH-Region IV-B 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 Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00) per project. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the bidding documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6. The DPWH Region IV-B will hold a Pre·Bid Conference on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Office, DPWH Region IV-B, EDSA, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before December 27,2012 until 10:00 a.m. only. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount states in ITB Clause 18, or a Bid Securing Declaration in a duly accomplished form issued by the GPPB per Resolution No. 03-2012. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late Bids shall not be accepted, The significant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below. 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Receipt of Bids 4. Opening of Bids 8. December 05-27, 2012 December 13, 2012 December 27, 2012 @ 10:00 a.m. December 27,2012 @2:00 p.m. Procurement will be conducted through Open Competitive Bidding procedures in accordance with the IRR of R.A. 9184, as amended. Bids in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract shall automatically be rejected at the opening of the bid. Prospective Bidders must submit LOIs and/or application for eligibility and latest Class “A” documents are to be accepted by the BAC together with the Bids and other relevant documents on or before the deadline for submission of Bids and Original Receipt (OR) for payments of bidding documents together with the certified true copies of the following documents and present their original for authentication purposes: 1. 2. Legal Documents: a) DTI Business Name Registration or SEC Registration Certificate or CDA; b) Valid and Current Mayor’s Permit/Municipal License; Technical Documents: a) Valid Joint Venture Agreement, in case of joint venture and Eligibility Docs of each member; b) Valid PCAB License and Registration c) Certificate of Materials Engineer Accreditation and Identification duly certified by the Authorized Managing Officer (AMO) d) Certificate of Attendance of the Authorized Managing Officer with the List of Attendees to the AMO seminar to validate attendance e) Certificate of Attendance of Safety Officer in DOLE Seminar f) Phil-GEPS Order Form (Document Request List) g) CPE’s rating for the 1st Quarter; Financial Documents: a) Prospective Bidders Audited Financial Statement for the preceding calendar year which should not be earlier than 2 years from the date of submission; b) Prospective bidders’ computation of its NFCC. – Construction of Protection Wall along Maharlika Highway Lalig Bridge, KO094+635 Tiaong,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 2,940,000.00 – Construction of Protection Wall along Tiaong-Dolores Road, KO100+100-KO101+000 (w/exception), Tiaong,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 3,920,000.00 – Construction of Protection Wall along Maharlika Highway,Masin, KO105+000-KO106+500 (w/exception), Candelaria,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 5,880,000.00 – Widening of San Juan-Candelaria Bolboc Road, KO129+760KO128+500 (w/exception) Candelaria,Quezon Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 19,600,000.00 7. 12DJ0104 8. 12DJ0105 9. 12DJ0106 2. 10. 12DJ0107 - Widening of MSR-Old Route, KO126+147-KO134+658 (w/ exception) Lucena City Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 28,910,000.00 – Repair/Re-Wiring of Electrical System of DPWH Quezon 2nd District Engineering Office at DPWH Compound, along Dalahican Road, Brgy. Ibabang Dupay, Lucena City Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : P 499,994.41 3. 11. 12DJ0108 Bidders must have an experience of having completed at least One (1) contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Upon submission of Letter of Intent dated December 4-21, 2012, interested bidders may obtain further information from DPWH, Quezon II District Engineering Office, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 A.M – 5:00 P.M A complete set of bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of One thousand Pesos (1,000) for projects 1M and Below, Five thousand Pesos (5,000) for above 1M to 5M Projects, Ten Thousand Pesos (10,000) for above 5M up to 20M Projects, & Twenty thousand pesos (20,000) for projects above 20M up to 50M. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the DPWH, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids. The DPWH, Quezon II District Engineering Office will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 12, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at the DPWH Quezon II DEO Conference Room, which shall be open to all interested parties. Bids must have delivered to the address below on December 27, 2012 until 2:00 P.M. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representative who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The DPWH reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: JEREMIAS B. LICAS JR. BAC Chairman Attention: Head, BAC Secretariat DPWH,Quezon II District Engineering Office Dalahican Road, Lucena City Tel. No. (042) 373- 4252 Approved by: (Sgd.) JEREMIAS B. LICAS JR. Chief, Construction Section Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Noted by: (Sgd.) CELESTIAL S. FLANCIA (MST-Dec. 5, 2012) 3. The deadline for submission of the above documents will be at exactly 10:00 a.m. on December 20, 2012. Late submission will not be accepted. The contractor must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with the DPWH & PHILGEPS (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of the contract, and (d) NET Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment at least equal to 10% of ABC. Bidders shall state a complete technical description of their pledged equipment, whether owned or leased, such as but not limited to the engine number, year model chassis number, plate number, production capacity and load capacity. In addition, the bidder is also required to state the particular place or site where the equipment is located for inspection purposes,pursuant to D.O. 58, s, 2012 and to comply with the requirement of D.O. # 9, s, 2012. Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Office which will only process contractor’s applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractor’s Certification 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: 5. Deadline of LOI Submission of Letter of Intent (LOI) Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline of Bid Receipt Opening of Bids 7. 5:00 P.M. December 14, 2012 November 29, 2012 - December 20, 2012 10:00 A.M. December 6, 2012 10:00 A.M. December 20, 2012 2:00 P.M. December 20, 2012 The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at the North Manila Engineering District, upon payment of a non-refundable fees, i.e. For Item 1& 11 P1,000.00 ; For Item 2 , 3& 11 P5,000.00; For Item__4 to 6___: P10,000.00; For Items 7 to 10 P25,000.00. 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 bid documents. The Pre-Bid conference shall open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s. Bids must accompanied by a bid security in the amount and acceptable form, stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration per GPPB Resolution # 03-2012 dated 2/24/12, adopting the required format. The North Manila Engineering District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid to annul the bidding process any time prior to Contract Award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s. The DPWH Region IV-B 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 inforrnation, please refer to: APPROVED: (Sgd.) JULIET M. FAJARDO BAC Chairman NOTED: (Sgd.) ROGELIO S. CRESPO District Engineer (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) 9. RENATOL.ESCUADRO Chairrnan, Bids and Awards Committee DPWH Region IV-B EDSA, Quezon (Sgd.) RENATO L. ESCUADRO Tel No. 481-0360 BAC Chairman (MST-DEC. 5, 2012) Documents Similar To Manila Standard Today - Wednesday (December 5, 2012) IssueSkip carouselcarousel previouscarousel nextJumaa Prayer 12 October12Frequently Asked Questions on the GPH-MILF Ceasefire MechanismsNorth Cotabato Digest(9)ARTICLE II.docxNot All Silence is PeacefulGRP-MILF Agreement on Civilian Protection ComponentArticle 7 Compiled Digested CasesCDB Vol. 3 No.64 (02.05.2013)The_Cycle_of_Militarization_Demilitariza.pdfCompilation of Case Digest (Consti 1)Defense of the Stand of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines2014 SONA Technical ReportPNOY Report2017-12-14 TOR for the GPH-MILF Communications Committee.pdfmar05.2015 cDeclare March 6 as National Day of Healing for UnityColumnsEveronn Apr11CREWUS Trading Note August 11 2016digestSaln007-ANG PUE & CO. vs. Sec of Commerce and Industry 5 SCRA 645 (1962)James d.hodgson, Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor v. University Club Tower, Inc., 466 F.2d 745, 10th Cir. (1972)SEC Concludes Digital Tokens Are Subject to Securities LawsListen Up Introductory Presentation[1]SEC complaint against UNOSENATE HEARING, 108TH CONGRESS - THE STATE OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRYS2328_promesa_jun_2016sept17_House to probe unstable security situation in MaguindanaoNoticeMore From Manila Standard TodaySkip carouselcarousel previouscarousel nextThe Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 8, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 28, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 2, 2015)Manila Standard Today -- Business Weekly Stock Review (May 25 -29, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 1, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 9, 2015)The Standard - Business Weekly Stocks Review (June 7, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 27, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 25, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 22, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 3, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 26, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 4, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 29, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (June 5, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 7, 2015)Manila Standard Today -- Busines Weekly Stock Review (May 4-8, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 11, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 14, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 18, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 21, 2015)Manila Standard Today -- Business Daily Stock Review (May 08, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 12, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 19, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 15, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 20, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 5, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 6, 2015)The Standard - Business Daily Stocks Review (May 13, 2015)The Standard - Business Weekly Stocks Review (May 17, 2015)Footer MenuBack To TopAboutAbout ScribdPressOur blogJoin our team!Contact UsJoin todayInvite FriendsGiftsLegalTermsPrivacyCopyrightSupportHelp / FAQAccessibilityPurchase helpAdChoicesPublishersSocial MediaCopyright © 2018 Scribd Inc. .Browse Books.Site Directory.Site Language: English中文EspañolالعربيةPortuguês日本語DeutschFrançaisTurkceРусский языкTiếng việtJęzyk polskiBahasa indonesiaSign up to vote on this titleUsefulNot usefulYou're Reading a Free PreviewDownloadClose DialogAre you sure?This action might not be possible to undo. Are you sure you want to continue?CANCELOK