CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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House okays bill to check spread of HIV
For antagonizing allies,
LP break-up predicted
Top cop orders police
to hit hard on felons
Magpale hit
for closing
media units
Comval still
danger zone;
area expects
wet Xmas
UNAs big
guns back
Cebu gov
Provincial visit. Police chief Alan Purisima (right) troops the line in Ca-
banatuan City before attending a conference on the peace-and-order
situation in the province. MANNY PALMERO
Showing next. Rio Locsin (top) waves to the crowds watching the parade of oats (bottom) featuring the
entries to this years Metro Manila Film Festival that will be shown starting Dec. 25. SONNY ESPIRITU AND
DANNY PATA
By Francisco Tuyay
THE government has advised
the thousands of people dev-
astated by Typhoon Pablo in
Compostela Valley and Davao
Oriental to take precautions as
the rain to be brought by a low-
pressure area could cause ood-
ing and landslides in those areas
on Christmas Eve and Christ-
mas Day.
The National Disaster Risk Re-
duction and Management Council
said the people in the danger ar-
eas should prepare for a possible
evacuation to safer places in case
that was necessary.
The council also ordered all
its regional ofces in the areas
to be affected by the low-pres-
sure area to monitor the distur-
bance and to get ready for any
emergencies.
You are reminded to dissemi-
nate all vital information to local/
community leadersparticularly
those in the devastated areas in
Eastern Mindanao and part of the
Visayas, Disaster Council head
Benito Ramos said.
Let us untiringly aim for zero
casualties.
The Disaster Councils regional
ofce in Eastern Visayas, mean-
while, has exhorted government
agencies and the public to donate
in cash or in kind to help the vic-
tims of Typhoon Pablo.
By Joyce Pangco Paares
and Christine Herrera
THE House of Representatives
has passed on second reading a
measure that seeks to revamp the
AIDS prevention law, but it will be
unnecessary for President Aquino
to undergo tests to determine in-
fection with the virus that leads to
the incurable disease to promote
its objectives, a lawmaker said on
Sunday.
LPG-MA party-list representa-
tive Arnel Ty said movie person-
alities would be more effective in
mounting the campaign against
the human immunodeciency vi-
rus (HIV) to dispel the sitgma as-
sociated with testing.
Off-hand our showbiz celeb-
rities might do a much better job
not only at encouraging voluntary
HIV-testing by young sexually
active Filipinos and other at risk-
groups, but also in raising public
awareness of the ailment and pre-
vention, Ty said.
The House approved on second
reading House Bill 6751, which
directs the multi-sectoral Philip-
pine National AIDS Council to
draw up a six year program with
denite targets to reverse the av-
erage 62 percent annual increase
since 2010.
A national alliance of gay
groups has proposed that Aquino
take the HIV test mount the cam-
paign ainst AIDS.
The bill revamps the outmoded
14-year-old AIDS Prevention and
Control Act, mandating force-
ful new strategies to suppress the
spread of HIV. The virus spreads
through sexual contact, mostly
male-to-male sex and via needle-
sharing among drug users.
We have very high hopes that
the bill, once nally enacted with
POLICE chief Alan Purisima
ordered on Sunday his men in
Northern and Central Luzon to
hit hard on private armies,
crime syndicates and criminals in
a move to secure a peaceful mid-
term elections in May 2013.
In his rst provincial sortie since
assuming the top post of the Phil-
ippine National Police last week,
Purisima told his commanders in
the region to double-up on the cam-
paign against loose rearms.
He said spot gun check and mo-
bile checkpoint operations, espe-
cially in crime-prone areas, must be
boosted as a prevemtive measure
against election violence next year.
Purisima discussed local se-
curity issues ahead of the May
election with his regional com-
manders who assured him that
all security steps are in place in
accordance with the overall plan
for SAFE (Secure and Fair Elec-
tions) in 2013.
By Christine F. Herrera
THE opposition has predicted the
breakup of the Liberal Party coali-
tion at the rate the LP was antago-
nizing its allies in vote-rich prov-
inces such as Cebu and Pangasinan,
a lawmaker said Sunday.
House Minority Leader Danilo
Suarez said the minority bloc and
the opposition believe all parties
that coalesced with the Liberals
would be campaigning for their
respective senatorial candidates
on their own.
The minority bloc and the
opposition do not see all LP co-
alition senatorial candidates to
be campaigning together. Each
party would be campaigning for
its own senatorial bets at the rate
the LP leadership is antagonizing
the allies in the coalition, Suarez
told the Manila Standard.
Suarez also belittled the LPs
hold over the coalition consider-
ing that no original LPs were
elded in the slate.
Suarez cited the cases of the
Nationalist Peoples Coalition
and National Unity Party, whose
local ofcials were allegedly be-
ing politically persecuted by the
LP leadership, headed by Presi-
dent Benigno Aquino III and
Interior and Local Governments
Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
The LP coalition was launched
on Oct. 1 at Club Filipino with no
less than the President and Roxas
presenting its senatorial slate. The
coalition was composed of the
Liberals, Akbayan, NPC, NUP,
www.manilastandardtoday.com mst@mstandardtoday.com
TODAY
Standard
Vol. XXVI No. 264 16 Pages, 3 Sections
P18.00 Monday, December 24, 2012
Standard
By Francisco Tatad
WHAT is meant to be a law on re-
productive health is a far cry from
the original bill that was led in
the House of Representatives and
the Senate, and which terried
men, women and children who
read it. The nal amendments
on the bill and the work done by
the bicameral conference com-
mittee to harmonize disagreeing
provisions from the two Houses
considerably improved the leg-
islations language and content.
But the basic constitutional prob-
lem remains; thus, it remains null
and void, as far as its critics are
concerned. This will have to be
the burden, if ever, of a Supreme
Court challenge.
In an attempt to make the doc-
ument read not like a population
control measure, references to
entities identied with population
control have been deleted. Faith-
based communities are given a
role, along with non-governmen-
tal and womens organizations,
in addressing womens health
needs. Abortifacients are gener-
ally excluded from a womans
anti-pregnancy diet. The role of
parents in the sex education of
their children is recognized. The
need to improve maternal health
care facilities is conceded.
But the fact that the State
would still require everyone to
practice birth control negates all
efforts to make the enactment
acceptable to its opponents. To
them their constitutional objec-
tion has not been met. Incor-
porating various constitutional
provisions on the sanctity of
human life, the family and mar-
riage in the Declaration of Policy,
which were not in the original
bill, should have made the enact-
ment constitutional, if the rest of
the document conformed to the
former. But the Declaration says
one thing and the operative pre-
scription says another.
Continued on page A5
Who will deliver the nation from those foreign forces?
Next page
ANALYSIS
They came here to support my stand,
that I should stay on, Garcia said in a
phone interview with Manila Standard.
The opposition triumvirate arrived at
the capitol around 11 a.m. and heard Mass
with Garcia and her supporters. They con-
cluded their talks at about 2 p.m.
The governor said she and her supporters
will be spending Christmas in the capitol until
the Court of Appeals rules on her petition for a temporary
restraining order against her suspension.
Garcia has remained holed up in the capitol for six days
now, with acting Gov. Agnes Magpale holding ofce at the
legislative building instead.
Estrada questioned the timing of the suspension, which
would effectively remove Garcia from ofce as it would
expire in June, when a new governor would have already
By Christine F. Her-
rera and Bart Ochea
MEDIA organizations on Sun-
day condemned the shutting
down of Sugbo TV and Sugbo
News, saying their closure on
the orders of Vice Gov. and now
acting Gov. Agnes Magpale was
arbitrary.
Next page
Next page
By Joyce Pangco Paares and Christine F. Herrera
THE leaders of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance
Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada,
and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrilethrew their support
Sunday behind Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who continues
to defy a six-month suspension ordered by the Palace.
For Gwendolyn. Former President Joseph
Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate
President Juan Ponce Enrile, and Rep. Pablo Garcia
are shown here at Cebus provincial capitol sup-
porting suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
News
ManilaStandardToday mst.daydesk@gmail.com DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A2
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Agency
praises
Customs
vigilance
THE Department of Trade
and Industry has com-
mended Customs Commis-
sioner Ruffy Biazon for his
agencys campaign against
counterfeiting and piracy,
which it says has led to the
confiscation of counterfeit
products worth over P1 bil-
lion in the past 11 months.
Ricardo Blancaflor, di-
rector general of the de-
partments National Com-
mittee on Intellectual
Property Rights, said the
Bureau of Customs seized
P1.1 billion worth of pi-
rated and counterfeit goods
from January to November
this year, and that those
were the biggest so far.
The performance of [the
Bureau of Customs] as of
November 30, 2012 is 22.05
percent of the total confisca-
tion of the [Committee on
Property Rights] worth P4.98
billion, Blancaflor said.
In this regard, we would
like to commend the offi-
cials and personnel of the
Intellectual Property Unit of
the Bureau of Customs for
this excellent performance.
Blancaflor praised Bi-
azon and his men for their
active role in the govern-
ment campaign against
piracy and counterfeiting.
We believe that their
performance should merit
a distinction from the Bu-
reau, Blancaflor said.
Top...
Meantime, Secretary Mar
Roxas of the Department of
Interior and Local Govern-
ment hailed on Sunday the
removal of Pangasinan police
chief Mariano Luis Versoza
as a big step in ridding the
province of illegal gambling.
Senior Supt. Versozas
removal from his post is a
big step in the many series
of steps we intend to take to
crack down on jueteng and
other forms of illegan gam-
bling. This is meant to send
a clear meassage that we
are going all out in the fight
against jueteng, Roxaz said.
Versoza was relieved of his
position last December 18 in
one of the last directives is-
sued by former PNP chief
Nicanor Bartolome. Versoza
is now assigned to the PNP
Holding and Administrative
Unit Directorate for Per-
sonnel and Records Man-
agement in Camp Crame.
Roxas earlier made public
his dissatisfaction over Verso-
zas inaction against the illegal
numbers game in his area even
as he claimed that Pangas-
inan was already jueteng-free.
The disclosure of Bugal-
lon Mayor Rodrigo Orcuna
that jueteng was still much
prevalent in Pangasinan led
to the plunder complaints
against Gov. Amado Espino.
Conval...
Pablo made landfall on
Dec. 3 and then swamped
Compostela Valley and
Davao Oriental the next
day, killing 1,067 people,
affecting 6.24 million oth-
ers, destroying 178,000
homes and causing damage
worth P34 billion billion.
Ramos said the
death toll from the su-
per storm could approach
2,000 because 834 peo-
ple remained missing.
The areas hit hard by Pablo
remained on red alert as Ra-
mos predicted that Davao
Oriental and Compostela
Valley would be cloudy with
occasional light to mod-
erate rain today, Monday.
Those areas could experi-
ence heavy rain on the 25th
and the 26th as a result of
the effects of the low-pres-
sure area, but disaster of-
ficials were hoping that the
weather disturbance would
not develop into a storm
and add to the misery of the
people hit hard by Pablo.
The weather bureau said
the rain brought by the
low-pressure area would
be felt starting today in
the eastern sections of the
Visayas and Mindanao.
Weather forecaster Christ
Perez said the weather dis-
turbance had a small chance
of becoming a tropical cy-
clone, but it would still bring
scattered showers in Eastern
Visayas, Northern Mindanao
and the Caraga region and
Davao on Christmas Day.
The Budget Department
on Friday said it had already
spent P6 billion to help repair
the damage caused by Pablo.
Budget Secretary Floren-
cio Abad said his department
could spend another P8 bil-
lion to P9 billion if necessary.
Usually, for relief op-
erations the disbursement
is immediate, but for re-
construction it takes a
little longer, Abad said.
The Environment Depart-
ment, meanwhile, said it
would be donating confis-
cated logs to the victims of
Typhoon Pablo to help them
rebuild their homes. With
Jonathan Fernandez, Ron-
ald O. Reyes, Anna Leah Es-
trada and Othel V. Campos
For...
Nationalista Party and Laban
ng Demokratikong Pilipino.
In the case of the NPC, Suarez
said the party, which was found-
ed by the Presidents uncle busi-
nessman Eduardo Cojuangco,
made a stand that the probe over
the alleged P1-billion jueteng
kickbacks involving Pangasinan
Gov. Amado Espino was politi-
cally motivated.
NPC spokesman and Valen-
zuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said
the party was standing by Espino
in the midst of controversy sur-
rounding his alleged involve-
ment in the operation of illegal
gambling in his province.
Gatchalian described Espino
as a member of good standing
and has a long and distinguished
track record as a public servant.
The NPC is solidly behind
Governor Espino who has been
dragged into this controversy not
by his own doing but by some
people who were out to destroy
his good name and reputation
Gatchalian said.
The NPC is taking a care-
ful look on the allegations
hurled against him by Bugallon
Mayor Rodrigo Ordua and his
henchman, and it appears that
they are nothing but mere al-
legations because they failed
to present any solid proof to
back up their claims Gatchal-
ian noted.
Gatchalian expressed confi-
dence that once given the chance
to air his side, Espino would be
able to vindicate himself and
clear his name.
He said it was not farfetched
that politics could be the real rea-
son behind these attacks against
Espino.
Let us not forget that elec-
tions are coming, and given the
huge advantage that he enjoys
over his perceived opponents as
evidenced by the latest survey
results, it is not hard to think that
politics could be the reason be-
hind all these (attacks), Gatch-
alian said.
Espino is seeking a third and
last term and is pitted against Al-
aminos City Mayor Hernani Bra-
ganza, the ruling Liberal Partys
gubernatorial bet.
Gatchalian also noted it will
be hard to topple Espino because
39 of Pangasinans 48 town and
city mayors are NPC members
and are therefore supporting the
incumbent governor.
Suarez also said the politi-
cal standoff in Cebu had the LP
allies in NUP quietly protest-
ing the move to suspend for
six months Gov. Gwen Garcia,
whose father, Cebu Rep. Pablo
Garcia was NUP president.
Suarez said while the NUP
did not field its own senatorial
candidates, the party was quietly
protesting the political perse-
cution in deference to the NUP
president.
During the Club Filipino
launch of the LP coalition, Gar-
cia was conspicuously absent
with NUP vice president and
Dasmarinas City Rep. Elpidio
Barzaga, Jr. signing the coalition
agreement on behalf of the NUP.
During negotiations on wheth-
er or not to coalesce with the LP,
Barzaga acknowledged that lo-
cal politics in Cebu and in other
vote-rich provinces would pose a
big problem for the coalition.
Barzaga cited Cebu, with a
voting population of 2.4 million,
as an example.
Magpale...
The National Union of Jour-
nalists of the Philippines and the
National Press Club said there
was absolutely no justification
for Magpales order closing the
two media outfits that they said
had deprived the Cebuanos of
the developments in the ongo-
ing standoff at the provincial
capitol, where Gov. Gwendo-
lyn Garcia has been fending off
Malacaangs attempts to drive
her out of office as a result of her
six-month suspension for alleged
abuse of authority.
President Benigno Aquino III
has designated Cebu Vice Gov.
Agnes Magpale as acting gov-
ernor, but Garcia has defied his
suspension order and barricaded
herself inside her office.
Garcia, who is running for
congresswoman of Cebus third
district, has called the order a
power grab and an attempt by the
ruling Liberal Party to gain con-
trol of Cebu in preparation for
the May 2013 elections.
This cannot be allowed to
pass unchallenged. We will con-
sult legal experts on the possi-
bility of filing charges against
Magpale, said Veronica Uy, an
NUJP official.
We question the arbitrariness
of the closure order, NPC direc-
tor Marlon Purificacion said.
Magpale should have at least
conducted first an investigation.
Even if these media outlets were
government-run, there is no justi-
fication to deprive our colleagues
of their jobs and subject them to
fears and worries on whether or
not they would still have a job af-
ter the Christmas holidays.
News reports from Cebu said
Magpale had ordered the uplink
Internet connection of the local
cable television station cut and the
booth padlocked, the NUJP said.
The reports said the Sugbo TV
crew had also been barred from
continuing to cover the situation
in the provincial capitol.
There is absolutely no justi-
fication for Magpale or anyone
from whichever side of the sorry
political mess Cebuanos are being
forced to endure to order the clo-
sure of these or any media outlets,
the NUJP said in a statement.
Doing so is outright illegal
and violates the Constitutional
guarantee to a free press and the
peoples right to know. We de-
mand that Malacaang impose
sanctions on Magpale for this as-
sault on these basic rights.
Magpale has confirmed the
closure of the 24-hour Sugbu TV
pending a review of its expenses.
Sugbu TVs programming in-
cludes news and features on Ce-
bus tourist destinations, heritage
sites and trends, but its critics
claim that it has only been pro-
moting Garcia.
The station, launched in 2008,
is a project of Garcias. Garcia
said she was saddened for Ce-
buanos as a result of what was
happening, and that she hadnt
expected Magpale would close
the station.
Police have been posted at
Sugbo TVs office and at its air-
conditioned container van next
to a satellite dish since Friday to
secure its equipment. Both have
been padlocked.
Says an advisory on SkyCa-
bles Channel 14: Informing
all our subscribers and viewers:
Sugbu TV is off the air because
SkyCable is not receiving any
signal from Sugbu TV satellite
from their studio at the provin-
cial capitol.
Magpale said Sugbu TVs 35
casual workers, whose contracts
would end on Dec. 31, had been
advised to return to work after
Christmas.
She said that the province was
paying $14,000 a month for the
satellite uplink of Sugbo TV and
P100,000 a month to SkyCable.
The NUJP called on its col-
leagues in Cebu and elsewhere
to condemn this outrage and
demand that the rights of our col-
leagues in Sugbo TV and Sugbo
News be respected and demand
that the news outlets of the capi-
tol cater to the interests of Ce-
buanos and not to any official.
We are concerned that the
news outlets will be among the
casualties in the ongoing po-
litical impasse at the provincial
capitol. The closure of the news
outlets has also put in question
the fate of its staff.
Purificacion said politics
should not be used against any
media outlets as a reason behind
their closure.
It is bad enough that there is
an ongoing standoff in the Cebu
capitol. But to involve the media
outlets and make them casualties
in the political intramurals is an-
other matter, Purificacion told
the Manila Standard.
If that was Magpales mes-
sage to discipline the media that
give adverse reports against the
administration, then that is con-
demnable. Closing them arbi-
trarily antagonizes the rest of the
media across the country.
Purificacion also said that the
NPC and the NUJP in calling for
the rest of the journalists to make
the official media outlets of the
local governments to cater to
their constituents and not to their
officials whims.
Whats the guarantee that
Magpale would not make it a
condition that for the Sugbo TV
and Sugbo News to be reopened,
the official provincial govern-
ments media outlet should only
report her side of the story? That
would be very unfair to the Ce-
buanos, Purificacion said.
Reporters from the media out-
lets said Magpale would make a
decision on whether those outlets
would be reopened after Dec. 26.
UNA... ...
been installed after the May
2013 midterm elections.
Both Binay and Enrile ap-
pealed to the government to
follow the rule of law and not
forcibly enforce the suspen-
sion order since Garcia has al-
ready filed an appeal before the
Court of Appeals, the governors
lawyer, Christina Frasco, said.
In Manila, the secretary-gener-
al of the opposition alliance de-
nounced what the called a power
grab and political persecution.
The visit by the three top
leaders of the opposition group
was a message to Malacanang
that they should not harm the
governor by physically re-
moving her from office, said
Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco.
The UNA bigwigs are
in Cebu to send this mes-
sage across and rally behind
Governor Garcia, he said.
Frasco added: They issued
a strong voice of support for
Governor Garcia. They said the
governor should continue to hold
ground and defend the mandate
given to her by the Cebuanos.
Senate President Enrile, in
particular, said that since matter
has been submitted to the court,
Malacaang, the Department
of Interior and Local Govern-
ment, and Magpale must re-
spect the rule of law and must
refrain from imposing the sus-
pension order, Frasco added.
Frasco, who is Garcias
daughter, also scored the ad-
ministration for its grave po-
litical harassment of her mother.
Presidential spokesman Edwin
Lacierda, however, countered
that it is Garcia who should step
down and obey the rule of law.
Based on what we have
heard, the suspension has popu-
lar support among the people
of Cebu based on the local
survey. And, as a governor,
we certainly would encour-
age Governor Garcia to follow
the process, Lacierda said.
Asked where he got his sur-
vey results, Lacierda denied it
was a Palace-commissioned poll.
Thats the report that we are
getting from Cebu. We didnt
conduct the survey itself, but
we get a report from Cebuthe
local dailies that are conduct-
ing surveys, he said. We cer-
tainly would encourage her and
all executive officials to follow
the rule of law. She has already
filed her petition. No TRO was
issued by the Court of Appeal
and, therefore, the suspension
stands, the Palace official added.
But Frasco said Lacierda does
not have his ears on the ground.
He has not heard the cries
of the Cebuanos. The entire
province of Cebu is standing
by Governor Garcia, she said.
The province still has no act-
ing vice governor after provin-
cial board member Julian Daan
defied a DILG memorandum
designating him to the position.
Daan is a party mate of Garcia
under the One Cebu Party. Gar-
cia earlier issued an executive
order telling all local department
offices not to obey Magpale.
The DILG retaliated by is-
suing a statement to all banks
not to honor the signature
of the suspended governor.
Garcias younger brother said
the pressure being exerted by
the DILG and the Liberal Party
made the capitol look like it
was placed under martial law.
This is a naked show of brute
force on the part of the LP. This
looks like martial law, with em-
phasis on the Mar, the younger
Garcia earlier said, referring to
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.
Magpale, on the other
hand, praised the police for
maintaining peace and or-
der despite the tensions at
the Cebu provincial capitol.
Garcia was suspended over a
case filed by the late Vice Gov-
ernor Gregorio Sanchez Jr..
The suspended governor said
the Palace order was patently
illegal since it violated the Lo-
cal Government Code, which
states that the Office of the
President must release a decision
30 days after an investigation.
The investigation was ter-
minated Aug. 31, 2011 so 30
days after that, we should have
had a decision, but the decision
came out Dec. 17, 2012, thats
474 days later, Garcia said.
She also cited Administra-
tive Order 23 which states
that upon transmittal of the re-
cords from the DILG, the Of-
fice of the President again
has within 30 days to decide.
The records from the late In-
terior Secretary Jesse Robredo
were transmitted July 26, 2012.
There should have been a deci-
sion 30 days right after but this
came out Dec. 17, 2012, which
is 144 days later, she added.
Tiangco said Binay, who was
in India, was in contact with
Garcia and flew on a private
chartered flight to Cebu Sun-
day morning after returning to
the Philippines Saturday night.
He also said the three leaders
protested the government turning
the capitol grounds into a garri-
son, with firearm-bearing police
barring people from holding vig-
ils and blocking them from enter-
ing the building where the gov-
ernor has holed up for six days.
Tiangco said Binays daughter
and UNA senatorial bet Nancy
and her fellow candidate, for-
mer senator Ernesto Maceda,
also showed up at the capitol.
President Aquinos aunt
and UNA senatorial candi-
date Margarita Cojuangco was
the first UNA senatorial can-
didate who stayed with Gar-
cia Thursday to block any at-
tempt by the government to
remove her from the capitol.
Tiangco said the UNA leaders
believed that the suspension for
six months would render Garcia
powerless during the run-up to
the elections next year and give
the LP effective control over the
vote-rich province after Vice
Gov. Agnes Magpale, an LP offi-
cial, was named acting governor.
Magpale is the running mate
of LP provincial chairman Hi-
lario Davide III, who ran but
lost to Garcia in the 2010 polls.
Garcia, whose term ends in
2013, opted to seek a House seat
while her brother Cebu Rep. Pablo
John is running against Davide.
The Garcias are run-
ning under the UNA banner.
In a statement issued Sun-
day, Davide criticized the UNA
leaders and Garcia for defy-
ing a lawful suspension order.
Nothing can be clearer: the
UNA brand of politics is diamet-
rically opposed to the agenda of
change that every Filipino, fore-
most of them President Aquino,
is trying to espouse, Davide said.
Tiangco said Binay, who talked
to Garcia while he was in India
on Dec. 19, expressed alarm that
Garcia was being subjected to
the same political tactics that had
been used against him by former
President and now Pam-
panga Rep. Gloria Ma-
capagal Arroyo in 2007.
Binay, then Makati mayor, was
suspended by the DILG upon the
orders of the Office of the Ombuds-
man on May 6, 2007days before
that years electionspending in-
vestigation that he placed ghost
employees in Makatis payroll.
Tiangco said UNA believed
that Roxas was using his vast
powers to dig up old complaints
against local officials and use these
cases to harass and intimidate.
Roxas denied that the suspen-
sion was politically motivated.
Roxas and Binay were bitter ri-
vals in the 2010 vice presidential
race. Binay won against Roxas by
730,000 votes, prompting Roxas
to accuse Binay of cheating. The
electoral protest remains pend-
ing before the Supreme Court.
In Palayan, Nueva Ecija, Sena-
tor Francis Escudero defended
Roxas from accusations that he
was using his position to harass
local chief executives who do
not belong to the Liberal Party.
At a press conference, Escu-
dero said Roxas could not be ac-
cused of harassing Garcia and
Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino.
In fact, the case against Gar-
cia was recommended by (former
Secretary Jesse Robredo) so he
has nothing to do with it, he said.
Vice President Jejomar Binay,
along with his political allies, have
flown to Cebu, apparently in sup-
port of embattled Cebu Governor
Gwendolyn Garcia, who has
been suspended by the Office of the
President due to allegations
of encroachment of legisla-
tive powers, grave miscon-
duct, and abuse of authority.
This, despite the various av-
enues for recourse afforded
to them by the legal system.
As the Aquino administra-
tion has repeatedly said: kung
wala siyay kasal-anan, wala
siyay angay ikabalaka. Let
the process run its course;
we all have to bow before the
law. With Ferdie Domingo
House...
the help of the Senate, will take
our fight against AIDS to the
next level with highly concen-
trated actions, Ty said.
He said the bill seeks to im-
prove the living conditions of
HIV-positive people and give
them access to treatment, care
and support and it sets tougher
penalties to those who violate
their rights to confidentiality.
While the spread of HIV has
slowed down in many parts of
the world, it has been growing
at an alarming rate in the Phil-
ippines, Armenia, Bangladesh,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz-
stan, and Tajikistan, according to
the World Health Organization.
A total of 2,761 infections
were discovered nationwide
from January to October this
year, up 48 percent versus 1,869
cases for the same period in
2011. The Aids Council warned
that up to 46,000 Filipinos could
be diagnosed with HIV by 2015.
At the rate new cases are be-
ing uncovered, the Philippines
could be spending up to P1 bil-
lion annually by 2015 just to pro-
cure the anti-retroviral drugs for
Filipinos with HIV, according to
Dr. Edsel Salvana, a specialist in
infectious disease medicine.
At Malacanang, presiden-
tial spokesman Edwin Lacierda
said the implementing rules and
regulations for the newly-signed
sin tax law will be released this
week to ensure it would take ef-
fect on January 1, 2013.
But the Department of Finance
is still to approve the draft, which
was prepared by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue, Lacierda said.
Once approved, the IRR will
be published and it will take ef-
fect immediately, he said.
The new law was expected
to raise additional P33.96 bil-
lion taxes for the government
with P23.4 billion coming from
cigarettes, P6.06 billion from
distilleld spirits, and P4.5 billion
from fermented liquors.
President Aquino allayed fears
of tobacco farmers that they
would bear the brunt of the new
law, saying additional funding
has been alloted for their liveli-
hood support.
At least 80 percent of the in-
cremental revenues will be al-
located for universal health care
program and 20 percent for na-
tionwide medical assistance and
health enhancement facilities
program.
News
ManilaStandardToday
mst.daydesk@gmail.com DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A3
Stop case
vs Arroyo
Pampanga
residents
Old age payment urged
Toxic toy make-ups
sold in Divisoria
P8.8b released for classrooms
By Ferdinand Fabella
AN anti-toxic group warned
Christmas shoppers on Sunday
against toy make-up cosmetics
containing high levels of poison-
ous mercury that pose danger to
the health of girls playing Miss
Universe.
The Eco Waste Coalition said
it bought in Divisoria stores 10
samples of toy face powders,
lipsticks, blush-on and other
cosmetics and laboratory tests
showed the products contained
mercury content beyond the al-
lowable limits set by the gov-
ernment.
Children, particularly girls,
are unknowingly exposing
themselves to mercury and other
toxic metals when they play ac-
tress, princess or Miss Universe
and apply unsafe cosmetics to
their faces and lisps, sasid Ai-
leen Lucero of the EcoWaste
Coalitions Project Protect.
The make-up sets could cause
skin discoloration, rashes, scar-
ring and damage the kidney.
The products have no informa-
tion about their manufacturer or
distributor in the label.
Laboratory tests showed mer-
cury in eight of the 10 samples
were in the range of 3.7 to 554
parts per million (ppm), which
exceeded the governments al-
lowable limit of 1 ppm for cos-
metics. The products sell from
P10 to P50 each.
Lucero said among the prod-
ucts they tested was Pretty
Girl makeup set, which did not
mention the excessive levels of
mercury in the lisptick, 554 ppm,
and blush-on, 198 ppm.
Another product Fashion
Girls makeup set was found to
contain 179 ppm of mercury, but
it claimed in its lable it was de-
signed to be safe and harmless,
Lucero said.
EcoWaste warned shoppers
against buying the following toy
make-ups: Wink Club Beauity
Series (small), which has 4.4
ppm mercury; Wink Club Beauty
Series (big), 4.1 mercury; Dream
Girl Make-up Set, 3.9 ppm mer-
cury; Dream Angel Make-up Set
3.7 mercury.
Wheres Santa Claus? A boy runs to his home at the foot of Santa Claus Mountain, a limestone forma-
tion in Mount Dakiwagan in Kapangan, Benguet. The mountain got its name from the encircled outline,
which residents said resembled Santa Claus DAVID CHAN
Marcos, chairman of the committee on Local
Government, proposed that barangay ofcials and
personnel, including the tanods, health and day-care
workers, and members of the Lupon ng Tagapa-
mayapa, be provided lump sum retirement pay of
equal to one year salary or amount not exceeding
P100,000.
Your Committe on Local Government recog-
nized the basic premise that barangay ofcials are
inadequately compensated by government, and
thus there is a need to ll that inadequacy, Mar-
cos said.
Marcos is the author of the Senate Bill 3187 that
seeks to amend Section 393 of Republic Act 7160 or
the Local Government Code of 1991. The bill has
been reported to the plenary for rst reading.
The lowest-paid barangay workers, the tanods,
get about P5,000 a month. The elected barangay
chairman receive a salary ranging from P15,000 to
P18,000, depending on the size of the barangay.
Marcos, in his sponsorship speech, said baran-
gay ofcials and personnel would be entitled to
lump sum retirement pay when they are at least
60 years old and have served a minimum of nine
years.
The bill recommends the creation of a Barangay
Retirement Fund (BRF), which will be funded from
investments of the one percent of the National In-
ternal Revenue Allotment share of the local govern-
ment units.
The BRF will be administered by the Department
of Interior and Local Government, Marcos said.
He called on Congress to pass the measure as
a recognition to the hard work and sacrices and
the risks that they face in dealing with all types of
people as ofcials and workers in the basic unit of
government.
Marcos said quick passage of the bill would be
a form of recognition to retiring barangay ofcials
for their invaluable service to their constituents.
By Macon Ramos-Araneta
THE lowest paid workers
in government, the
700,000-strong barangay
ofcials, deserve to get lump
sum retirement pay if they
meet certain requirements
when they bow out of
service, Senator Ferdinand
Bongbong Marcos, Jr. said
on Sunday.
THE government has released
P8.81 billion to the Education
Department (DepEd) for de-
sign and construction of 10,680
classrooms, furniture and toilets
in 14 regions of the country to
address the need for school fa-
cilities and tap the private sec-
tor in delivering services to the
people, Budget Secretary Flor-
encio Abad said on Sunday.
He said DepEd was now au-
thorized to implement phase two
of the Public-Private Partnership
for the School Infrastructure
Project, which involves con-
struction of the classrooms and
other facilties.
Engaging the private sector
is key in achieving this, as it will
allow the Administration to opti-
mize the resources and capacities
of the private sector, all the while
delivering critical goods and ser-
vices to the Filipino people,
Abad said in a statement.
The current classroom
shortage was estimated at more
than 50,000. The DepEd, which
has been pursuing partnerships
with local governments and the
private sector, was programmed
to build 15,000 classrooms this
year.
But in many areas public
school administrators needed to
be more creative because they
lack space for new classrooms.
In these schools, teachers need to
adopt double and triple shifts to
accommodate students because
of lack of space where they can
build classrooms.
Abad said the government
prefer Build-Transfer partner-
ship with the private sector in
building classrooms, which is
cost efcient because it will
eliminate the cost of nancing
and maintenance.
Build-Transfer contracts
have been shown to be more
successful at attracting bid par-
ticipants to a particular proj-
ect, Abad said.
If we have a larger show of
hands from the private sector,
that means that were looking
at a more competitive pool of
bidders and that, consequently,
the government stands to get a
very fair price for the execution
of a project, Abad said.
He said that with more
private sector players involved
in major public programs, the
Administration can expect
infrastructure development
in the country to proceed at a
brisk pace.
The spending uptick and em-
ployment opportunities generat-
ed by this will allow us to ensure
inclusive growth in the country,
where more Filipinos stand to
benet from the Administra-
tions socio-economic develop-
ment platform, Abad said.
Marcos
Wheres the line? Senior citizens seem unable to hold the line as they queue to get a box of groceries during a gift-giving program at the
Cultural Center by 1 Lambat party-list. DANNY PATA
By Rey Requejo
RESIDENTS of the second dis-
trict of Pampanga have asked
the Supreme Court to stop the
trial in the Sandiganbayan
against their representative, for-
mer President Gloria Arroyo,
and allow her to perfrom her
duties as member of Congress,
their lawyers said on Sunday.
Four residents of Lubao, in
a motion for intervention led
last Friday, said they are being
deprived of due representation
in Congress because of ques-
tionable indictment of the for-
mer president, according to
lawyer Vinalyn Potot-Baluran.
The intervenors have a right
to be represented in the House
of Representatives through
petitioner Arroyo, said Potot-
Baluran citing the petition led
by Rico Ocampo, Eugene Paul
Ponio, Marcelo Valencia and
Joaquin Manalac.
Known allies of President
AquinoJaime Regalario, Risa
Hontiveros-Baraquel and Da-
nilo Limled plunder charges
against Arroyo for alleged mis-
use of Philippine Charity Sweep-
stakes Ofce funds amounting to
P365.9 million. Last week, Ar-
royo asked the Supreme Court to
order the Sandiganbayan to stop
hearing the case.
Arroyo claimed PCSO
vouchers show she did not par-
ticipate in its transactions. She
described the charges as po-
litical harassment and that the
evidence presented failed to es-
tablish elements of plunder.
The residents said the issue
of undue deprivation of rep-
resentation is guaranteed by
law and that their representa-
tive was deprived of due pro-
cess when she was arrested a
day before a hearing was set on
her motion questioning the Om-
budsmans ndings of probable
cause against her.
FR. RANHILIO
CALLANGAN AQUINO
PENSES
Opinion Adelle Chua, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
mst.lettertotheeditor@gmail.com DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A4
WE have seen the drama played
out before.
A local government execu-
tive is suspended but refuses to
vacate the seat of power. The
ofcial and supporters barricade
the capitol while the national
government appoints a replace-
ment. Eventually, despite the
deance of the local ofcial, the
power of the national govern-
ment prevails, and the suspen-
sion order is imposed.
This certainly looks like the
scenario that will play out in
Cebu, where the elected gover-
nor, Gwen Garcia, has holed up
in the provincial capitol, refusing
to recognize the authority of her
replacement, Agnes Magpale.
The circumstances around the
suspension order in Cebu, how-
ever, are suspicious at best.
First, the order comes just
ahead of the 2013 mid-term
elections, and seems designed
to neutralize a political force
opposed to the ruling Liberal
Party. It does not help that the
Local Government secretary
who ordered the suspension is
also the president of the Lib-
eral Party. Some Liberal Party
functionaries have denied this
allegation but the impression
remains, bolstered by the sus-
pension of another non-Liberal
governor in Pangasinan.
Second, the administrative
case against the governor is two
years old, and the complainant,
the former vice governor, has
already died. Those who are
familiar with the slow pace of
justice will not be surprised by
this development, but the tim-
ing of the suspension order, two
years late in time for next years
election, is highly suspect.
Nor have the recent moves of
the acting governor engendered
much public trust and condence.
Several days after the suspension
order, the acting governor ordered
the closure of a cable TV station
and a magazine that were cover-
ing the stand-off at the capitol.
Regardless of her motives, the
closure of media outlets triggers
alarm bells that this administra-
tion has something to hide.
Reacting to the questions
raised in Cebu, a spokeswoman
for the Palace says that nobody
is above the law. The correct
course of action for the sus-
pended governor, she says, is
to take her case to courta step
that Garcia has already taken.
Still, the administration has
nobody else to blame if its politi-
cal opponents are none too keen
about entrusting their fate prima-
rily to the courts. This was, after
all, the same administration that
exed its political muscles to oust
a sitting chief justice so as to re-
place him with a more pliable and
politically allied replacement. If it
was able to do that in the highest
court of the land, wont it also
be able to impose its will on the
lower courts?
From all angles, it seems, the
x is in.
Suspicious circumstances
Incarnation
THAT is a powerful, provocative term that
sums up Christianitys core belief -- the
almost impossible concept of the divine
in the human. It is the great paradox of
Christianity, and what Viscount de Cha-
teaubriand calls its genius, to be able to
make of what borders on blasphemy the
cornerstone of belief. All other articles
that Catholics profess would be incom-
prehensible or, in the very least, collapse
into impertinence, were it not for the in-
carnation. Because of it, the death of Je-
sus was more than the death of any other
man, no matter how heroic, no matter how
self-sacricing. Because of it, Matthews
genealogy is extreme-
ly instructive: While
he goes Pedro was
the father of Tomas
who was the father
of Crispin who was
the father of Andres,
when he is two gen-
erations away from
the Lord, he writes
thus: ...Matthan the
father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of
Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom
Jesus was born, who is called the Mes-
siah. He would have had no reason to
break the succession: Jacob was the father
of Joseph, the father of Jesus, except that
Matthew had to proclaim: Jesus was not
Josephs son. Jesus was born of Mary,
whose husband was Joseph. Something
other than human action was at work in
respect to the Messiah. Because of
the incarnation, the Church is no mere
organization that enjoys personality
only when the SEC says it does, and its
sacraments, more than ceremony and
ritual, but real saving acts.
Breathlessly -- and, sadly, often mind-
lessly -- we breeze through the words of
the Nicene Creed: I believe in one Lord
Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of
God, born of the Father before all ages,
God from God, light from light, true God
from true God, begotten, not made, con-
substantial with the Father, through him
all things were made. For us men and for
our salvation he came down from heaven
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of
the Virgin Mary and became man. But
almost every term, every carefully crafted
phrase bears with it decades if not cen-
turies of debate, often acrimonious and
divisive, on the mystery of Jesus Christ,
disputes that set up bishop against bishop,
and nally divided the Church between
East and West. Arius and Nestorius, and
others after them, were condemned as
heretics, but that was because the church
then was struggling to enunciate what she
believed and found it necessary to reject
propositions that muddled, rather than clar-
ied. But in kinder light today, we should
consider them as enthusiastic preachers
and thinkers who struggled with the mys-
tery that eternally bafes: Jesus, the Christ.
Our society is secular, I have often ad-
mitted that, and I have written and lectured
on the consequences of a secular state that
we have, by popular at, established.
But more than harboring, in Habermas
words, an awareness of what is missing,
a secular society is one that is not qualied
to pronounce on the merits or demerits of
religion, nor to stigmatize its pronounce-
ments as nonsensical. A secular society,
like ours then, is one that should allow
proclamation of the incarnation, and to
allow that it be offered as an interpreta-
tion of the mystery that strikes all, except
those who, a priori, exclude the possibil-
ity of mystery (and this kind of a priorism
is difcult to separate from irrationality).
But it also behooves the Christian who
proclaims the incarnation to be intellectu-
ally responsible for what he proclaims and
to be prepared to show that he is not re-
telling the ancient tales of gods who don
the habiliments of humanity and walk
among the sons and daughters of men to
return to Olympus with lurid reports on
the debauchery and stupidity of which
they have been rst-hand witnesses.
Incarnation is saturated phenomenon
in a sense simpler than and yet owed to
Marion: it forces itself upon us as fact,
and does not await our judgment of ap-
proval. In the life of Jesus, we are given
a brief Galilean vision of the Divine. In
his revolutionary message that preaches
the indefeasibility of love, in a life of total
generosity that put no importance on hu-
man hierarchies and
inverted all orders
of honor and pre-
cedence, in a death
that came as a con-
sequence of solidar-
ity with our human
condition as well as
humble acceptance
of the wages of the
order he had come to
establish that was so contrary to the order
that the powers of the day had to defend
(both religious and political powers), we
see a man totally taken up by God, totally
prehending God -- and also prehended by
God -- so that all who encountered him
encountered God. Jesus was a theophany
of a personal kind. In his person, he was
Gods very presence.
And so it could not have been the
case, the apostolic community and the
evangelists thought, that nothing at all
distinguished his birth from the birth of
any Juan, Tomas or Pablo. Different, but
born to be the same, because this is what
solidarity with the power to save -- and
not only the capacity to commiserate
-- demands. What good would it do to
have Jesus indistinguishable from any of
us, and then to glorify him as a fellow-
sufferer with us? That would merely
add one more suffering fellow to this
mass of suffering humanity. But when
you have one with the capacity to bring
promise suffering with those who suffer
then faith, hope and love are not only
theological, but rational virtues!
So let us continue pondering the shep-
herds, warming to that lovely scene of a
mother lovingly gazing upon her Son, and
Joseph, standing guard over the mother
and the Divine Infant. We will genuect
with the shepherds, still bearing lambs
and leading sheep, wondering that ox and
ass recognize their Lord while learned and
wealthy men and women do not. And let
us be sure that we have hung the lovely
statues of the angels -- because this is
exactly the point to it all: It is a human
scene, all too human, yet one suffused
with wonder, for the heavens open and
the angels sing as God, in an inimitable
way, manifests in the esh his delight
at being with the sons and daughters of
man! A blessed, God-lled Christmas to
all -- and yes, I will insist on Christmas,
and not toe the senseless, insensitive and
really stupid line of striking out Christ and
using the utterly bland substitute Happy
Holidays. For those who do not believe,
there is plainly nothing to celebrate -- no
reason for a holiday -- and we will respect
them for that, as they must respect us in
what we rejoice in and hold dear!
rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph
rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph
rannie_aquino@yahoo.com
EDITORIAL
Commissioner Biazons unblemished record
IN HIS 14-month stint as chief of the
Bureau of Customs, Commissioner
Ruffy Biazon has shown an unblem-
ished record.
His record is unblemished by any
success of meeting the monthly collec-
tion targets set for his Bureau, which
together with the Bureau of Internal
Revenue, is one the two major revenue
generating agencies of the government.
This straight 14-month failure to
meet collection targets must already be
a record. Based on his track record, Bi-
azon will set the bar very high so that no
other commissioner who would come
after him would break his record of un-
derperformance.
The last time the Bureau of Customs
met its revenue targets was in March
2011 during the time of the much-ma-
ligned predecessor former Commission-
er Lito Alvarez, who now appears to be
a better commissioner.
Biazons PR machine is working
hard to cover up his abject failure to
meet his collection targets. We have
been regaled in the past several weeks
with stories and photos of Biazons
successful anti-smuggling campaign
the latest of which was the apprehen-
sion of smuggled plywood.
Before that it was Peking duck,
ukay-ukay, garlic and onion. Biazons
publicity people even tried to make a
big thing about how illegal drugs with
a street value of more than P500 million
have been apprehended by the Bureau
of Customs during Biazons watch.
All these publicity stunts about Bi-
azons smuggling apprehensions, how-
ever, do not even begin to cover up
the fact that he has failed in his most
important task which is to collect rev-
enues for the government.
As of November, Biazons shortfall
already stands at P52.07 billion. The
revenue target of the Bureau of Customs
from January to November is P316.94
billion but its collection is only P264.86
billion.
This shortfall is already more than
what the government wants to get from
the revised sin tax law. In fact the sin
tax law, which will cause so much un-
employment and displacements in the
local cigarette and alcohol industries, is
not needed at all if only Biazon had the
competence to meet his targets.
The news reports quoting Biazon as
saying that he is condent that the BOC
would meet collection targets for 2012
are nothing but braggadocio, of course.
To do this, Biazon would have to collect
P82.21 billion to meet BOCs collection
target of P347.07 billion for 2012.
Ever since he became Customs Com-
missioner, Biazon had been whining
about the collection targets set for the
Bureau by the Development Budget Co-
ordination Committee which, according
to him in a recent interview, was really
stiff and sort of unrealistically high.
Biazon is a former congressman and
he should now that DBCC is an inter-
agency committee composed of tax col-
lection and revenue collection experts
tasked to set targets for revenue collec-
tion agencies in order to justify the na-
tional budget that the executive depart-
ment has asked Congress to approve.
If what Biazon is saying is true -- that
the collection targets set for the BOC is
unreasonable -- then he is saying in ef-
fect that the national budget is based on
unrealistic revenue targets.
Biazon brags that while its true he
has not met his monthly revenue targets,
he has registered collection increases
based on a year-on-year collection. But
even that is not true anymore. In No-
vember, the BOC reported a shortfall
of P6.17 billion collecting only P24.11
billion as against its target of P30.28 bil-
lion. The November collection is lower
than last years November collection of
P25.51 billion.
The honorable thing for Biazon to do
if he is really convinced that the revenue
targets were unreasonable is for him to
quit and give President Benigno Aquino
III the option to replace him with some-
body who will be able to deliver.
But despite his failure to meet his
revenue targets, which is the main job of
the Customs commissioner, he appears
bent on staying on as Customs chief for
reasons we can only guess.
The issue of the gross failure of Bi-
azon to meet his revenue targets is a
concern not only of the President but of
the general public as well.
Biazons failure to meet his target
has national implications. Because of
his revenue shortfalls, government is
forced to borrow money and to impose
other revenue measures like the sin tax.
If Biazon was working in the private
sector, he would have been red already
long ago for his failure to meet the quota
set for him. He would have not lasted
more than six months if his collection
targets have not been met.
Biazon has not met his targets for
even just a single month ever since he
was appointed in August 2011. Unfor-
tunately for us, he is still there.
Mr. President, isnt it about time that
you consider replacing him?
ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher
RAMONCHITO L. TOMELDAN Managing Editor
CHIN WONG/ RAY S. EANO Associate Editors
JOEL P. PALACIOS News Editor
ROGELIO C. SALAZAR President & CEO
MEMBER
Philippine Press Institute
The National Association
of Philippine Newspapers PPI
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ALVIN
CAPINO
COUNTER-POINT
Let us continue
pondering the
shepherds.
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A5 Opinion Adelle Chua, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
mst.lettertotheeditor@gmail.com
FILIPINO women, especially those in
the poor sectors of society, have good
reason to be joyous this Christmas. The
RH bill is nally just a pencil stroke away
from becoming a law. Despite its having
been watered down, the law will, at least,
offer couples the freedom of choice on
how many children to have; the spacing
between their children and access to
allowed methods of contraception. With
President Benigno Aquino IIIs push to
get this landmark
l e g i s l a t i o n
moving in
Congress, he has
clinched his place
in history.
But Filipino
women have yet
another reason
to celebrate.
The study made
and published
recently by the
Global Network
of Women
Pe a c e bui l de r s
and the Center for Peace Education,
states that Newsweek ranked the
Philippines as the 17th best country
for women. One reason for this is the
extensive number of Philippine laws
and policies protecting and promoting
womens rights. Some of these laws
are the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of
1995, the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, the
Rape Victims and Assistance Act of
1998, the Anti-Trafcking in Persons
Act of 2003, the Anti-Violence Against
Women and their Children Act of 2004,
and the Magna Carta of Women which
was passed into law in 2009.
Unlike their counterparts in such
countries as India (ranked by Reuters in
June 2012 as the worst place for women
among the worlds top 19 economies),
Pakistan, China, African nations and
Arab countries, Filipino women enjoy
equal opportunities in education,
property ownership and inheritance
rights as men. They also enjoy nearly
equal opportunities in employment and
participation in governance. In India,
Pakistan and China, male offspring are
preferred. Thus, the practice of female
infanticide and abortion of female
fetuses continues unabated resulting
in the huge disparity in the number
of males than females. Because of
this, rape and gang rape of women are
prevalent in India as well as sharing of
wives by brothers and the trafcking
of women. Whats worse, when a
woman is raped in India, Pakistan and
most Islamic states, she is prosecuted
for adultery and punished by lashes,
imprisonment, sometimes, even stoning
to death, for shaming her family.
Filipino women should also
celebrate because the Philippines is
the rst in Asia and the 18th in the
world to draw up a national action
plan to implement the United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1325
passed in the year 2000 enjoining
all member nations to work for the
protection of women. The monitoring
research done by Global Network
for Women Peacebuilders and the
Center for Peace Education on the
implementation of the Security
Council Resolution reveals that there
was an increase in the participation
of women in senior positions of
governance from 2010 to 2011. The
index of women in the senior sectors
in the justice sector also increased
from 35 per cent to 37 per cent in
2011, the highest posted among the
three branches of government. In fact,
this year, the rst female Supreme
Court Chief Justice of the Philippines
was appointed by President Aquino.
It is signicant to note, however,
that the participation of women is
lowest in local governments with
only 16 per cent of women. This is,
perhaps, a remnant of the old notion
that men are still superior to women
in policymaking
and governance.
What is positive,
however, is
that womens
v i s i b i l i t y
i n c r e a s e d
in peace
n e g o t i a t i o n s
and processes.
The head of the
legal team and
the secretariats
of the
government in
the negotiations
with MILF and the NDF are women.
Also, an all-woman team was formed
in Mindanao to monitor compliance
of armed parties to their agreement to
respect human rights and international
humanitarian laws. This
development is meaningful because
women are natural peacemakers in the
home and in communities.
What I found particularly signicant
in the study was that sex- and gender-
based violence in the armed conict
areas of Mindanao decreased from
2010 to 2011. Unless only the reporting
but not the actual occurrence of such
cases went down, the gures are
encouraging because sex- and gender-
based violence has systematically
become a weapon of war and conict.
Consider these gures. About 20,000
to 50,000 women and girls were raped
by Serb soldiers and the police during
the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina
in the early 1900s. In Rwanda some
100,000 to 250,000 women and girls
were raped during the three months of
genocide in 1994. More than 60,000
women were raped during the civil war
in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002.
In the war in Liberia (1989 to 2003)
more than 40,000 women were raped
while up to 60,000 were victims of
sexual assault and rape in the war in
the former Yugoslavia (1992 to 1995).
At least 200,000 women and girls were
raped in the Democratic Republic of
Congo during the past 12 years of war.
As an instrument of war, rape is used to
degrade, humiliate and cause suffering
to a people and to impregnate women
to make them bear children whose
bloodline belongs to the enemies. The
ethnicity of a nation is thus obfuscated.
Remembering how women have
suffered and continue to suffer around
the globe should make Filipino women
count their blessings while striving to
break more glass ceilings to attain real
equality with the male gender.
A very merry Christmas to all!
Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit:
www.jimenolaw.com.ph
Reasons
to celebrate
ANALYSIS
Filipino women
must count their
blessings.
By A. Gary Shilling
MOST of us still look at China, the worlds
second-largest economy, as the undisputed
leader among major developing countries.
In the long run, however, Im betting on
India to emerge as the more signicant
global economy.
Those who are dazzled by
China often forget that much of the
rapid growth before 2008 was caused
by the shift of global manufacturing
from Europe and the U.S., not by
domestic-oriented activity. Chinas
economy remains export-driven, with
consumers accounting for only 38 percent
of gross domestic product, far below the
levels of many developing and developed
countries.
Chinese leaders are working to shift
toward a more domestically directed
economy. They want households to
spend more and save much less than the
current rate of almost 30 percent. One of
the reasons that savings play such a big
role is the high value Confucian society
puts on providing for ones family. The
Chinese also save to pay for education
for their children and to cover health
care and retirement costs because there
is no equivalent of Medicare and Social
Security.
In 2010, the Chinese government
promised basic health care for all by
2020. Thats eight years from now, and
basic care remains pretty basic. In some
rural hospitals, a practical nurse is the
most highly trained medical practitioner.
Higher wages
China has also increased minimum
wages 20 percent to 30 percent in the last
year to enhance consumer incomes and
purchasing power. Yet higher pay, notably
for factory workers producing goods
for foreign companies, is driving low-
skilled manufacturing jobs to cheaper
venues such as Vietnam, Bangladesh
and Pakistan.
Furthermore, Western companies are
increasingly resisting the requirement
that they transfer technical expertise to
Chinese partners as the price of setting
up production facilities in China. There
is a widespread belief that much of the
success of Chinese manufacturers is due
to such voluntary technology transfers or
outright theft of intellectual property.
China recently reduced its target for
real GDP annual growth to 7.5 percent
from 8 percent. That target is probably
too high as Chinas one-child policy leads
to a population decline, especially among
new labor-force entrants. The number of
15- to 24-year-olds is already dropping
and this group is projected to account for
150 million people in 2030, compared
with 250 million in 1990. As a result,
Chinas labor force between the ages of
15 and 65 is expected to peak in 2014.
Chinas ample labor has increased GDP
growth by an estimated 1.8 percentage
points annually since the 1970s, but the
contraction will cut into growth by 0.7
percentage point by 2030. At the same
time, better conditions in rural areas have
reduced the availability of cheap labor in
coastal cities.
By contrast, India has had no effective
constraints on population growth. China
still has the advantagewith 1.34 billion
people last year, compared with Indias
1.24 billionthough not for too much
longer. Furthermore, the age distribution
of Indias population is better because of
Chinas one-child policy, which is now
being reconsidered in view of its negative
consequences for the countrys long-term
labor force and economic growth. This
means that the dependency ratio, the
proportion of children and senior citizens
to working-age people, is expected
to continue falling in India in coming
decades and to increase in China.
Younger population
Younger people, of course, tend to
be more geographically mobile, exible
in terms of occupation and creative. But
these advantages only translate into
greater productivity and economic
growth if these workers have the right
education and training as well as job
opportunities.
Several centuries of British
colonial rule left India with a vigorous
democracy and a parliamentary form of
government. As in the U.S., these kinds
of institutions are very well adapted
to running a large, religiously diverse
country where the central government
is constrained by increasingly
powerful states and weak coalition
governments. China, however, remains
centrally controlled, with the Communist
Mao Dynasty, as Ive dubbed it, simply
replacing the dynasties of old.
The British also left India with a railway
system that enabled the relatively easy
movement of people and goods in that vast
country. By contrast, China doesnt grant
resident status to farmers who move to
urban areas in search of work.
And, of course, the British gave India
the English languagevery useful in
todays world and a unifying force in
a country with hundreds of languages
and dialects. India also inherited a legal
system that is very different from the
Communist Party-dominated courts in
China, which feature show trials and
foregone convictions, as demonstrated
by the recent trial and conviction of Gu
Kailai, the wife of the disgraced party
leader Bo Xilai.
India is also home to a number of large,
sophisticated companies, such as Tata
Group, that can compete globally. China,
meanwhile, is burdened with government-
controlled banks and other hugely
inefcient state-owned enterprises that still
produce a signicant share of GDP and
employ a quarter of the workforce.
Indians have a natural bent toward
technology, as was pointed out to me by the
U.S. ambassador to India when I visited
him in his New Delhi ofce in 1986. The
ability of Indias many engineers and
scientists to communicate in English
is also a big help. Furthermore, the
booming information-technology sector
relies more on new technologies such
as satellite transmission than it does on
Indias utilities and inadequate basic
infrastructure. Bloomberg
Why India will displace China as the global growth engine
Continued from page 1
Throughout the debates in Congress,
and in the predominantly pro-RH press,
the bills sponsors and proponents
avoided the constitutional issue
altogether simply by attacking the Church
teaching on the evil of contraception and
sterilization and by focusing instead on
various peripheral issues where they
tried to demonstrate the need for an
RH law. They succeeded in framing the
debate according to their agenda, and the
two sides ended arguing the economic,
demographic, and scientic aspects of
the issue, but never its constitutionality.
One side argued that the country was
poor because of its large population and
that an RH law was needed to slow
down the birth rate and solve poverty.
The other side tried to demonstrate that
the annual birth rate of 1.9 percent was
already low, and going down further
still, but that even if it were not so, a high
birth rate or a large population was not
bad for the economy, as convincingly
demonstrated by China with 1.6 billion
people, and India, with 1.1 billion.
One side argued that the bill was
needed to prevent 10 to 11 women from
dying during pregnancy or childbirth
every day. The other side tried to show
that the gures were highly inated3
or 4 seemed more likely, but that
whatever their numbers, maternal death
rates could be reduced to zero not by
bombarding women with contraceptives
and sterilization agents, but simply by
improving health care before, during
and after pregnancy.
One side argued that the legislation
was needed to give women free access
to contraception and sterilization, as
if they had no such access yet. The
other side pointed out that there was
no law that prohibited contraception
and sterilization, and that women and
men were already freely contracepting
and getting sterilized, and that the
contraceptive prevalence rate among
women already stood at 51 percent.
One side rejoined that the poor could
not afford contraceptives, and so the bill
was needed to provide the poor with
contraceptives and sterilization agents.
The other side pointed out that the State
was not a welfare state, and that it had
no obligation to provide anybody with
contraceptives to prevent pregnancy,
which is not a disease. If the State
had any special obligation to the poor, it
should be to provide medical assistance
to those who are suffering from cancer,
heart and respiratory diseases, diabetes,
tuberculosis and any of the killer
or common diseases before it could
possibly consider providing them with
contraceptives.
One side argued that the bill was
needed by those who disagreed with
the teaching of the Catholic Church
that contraception and sterilization are
intrinsically evil, and that non-passage
of the bill would violate their rights
and lead to the Church dictating on
the policies of government. The other
side replied that since those who did
not accept the Catholic teaching were
already free to practice contraception
and sterilization, non-passage of the RH
bill would not take anything from them,
while passage of the same would injure
the right of Catholics to practice what
they believe.
The Catholic Church does not want
the State to become an enforcer of her
religious teaching or moral doctrine,
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu, the
president of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines, pointed
out in a letter to the congressmen; all
she is asking is that Congress not enact
a law that tramples upon the religious
belief of Catholics.
This was how the RH bill was
debated, up to the last minute when the
congressmen and senators explained
their votes. One senator, a self-
proclaimed master of progressive
theology, whatever that meant, went
out of her way to claim that the Church
teaching on contraception was in error,
as though legislators had a right or duty
to pass upon the rightness or wrongness
or even the wisdom of any Church
teaching or religious belief, and that
the real purpose of the RH bill was to
cure that error in the teaching of the
Catholic Church.
She went further by suggesting that
the Pope in his earlier years as theologian
had taken an position on the primacy
of conscience, which was markedly
different from the Churchs or his own
current teaching on the same subject.
This was an obvious misrepresentation,
since there has been no change in the
Popes position nor in the Church
teaching with respect to the primacy of
conscience, properly understood.
In the end, the law will be judged
not on the basis of whether it is found
to be wise or unwise, popular or
unpopular, in full accord with Senator
Miriam Defensor Santiagos individual
interpretation of Scripture or theology,
but on the basis of whether it is
constitutional or not.
If the Constitution did not exist, the
issue to be resolved would be a purely
moral onewhether the State has a
right or a duty to organize the private
lives of families and individuals up to
the most intimate details. Since both the
individual and the family, which is the
basic unit of society, precede the State,
the answer should presumably be clear
to all that the State does not have the
right or the duty to do so.
As the Constitution is clear on
this issue, one only needs to read the
provisions exactly as they are written to
see if the enactment is constitutional or
not.
The most quoted of these provisions
is Sec 12 of Article II, which provides:
The State recognizes the sanctity
of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution. It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception.
The natural and primary right and duty
of parents in the rearing of the youth for
civic efciency and the development of
moral character shall receive the support
of the Government.
Under that provision, the Supreme
Court, if asked, will have to rule whether
the State as protector of the life of the
unborn is also the protector of the process
of conception, or whether it has the right
or the duty to become simultaneously the
provider and promoter of contraception.
Does the sentence, It shall equally
protect the life of the mother and the life
of the unborn from conception mean
exactly what it says, or does the second
part of that sentence mean the State
shall protect the life of the unborn from
conception, provided they survive the
States program of contraception?
Unless that is what the Constitution
is saying, the States involvement in
any ofcial program of contraception,
regardless of all the socially
benecial reasons given for such
involvement, would appear to be clearly
unconstitutional.
Further, Sec 3 (1) of Article XV
provides: The State shall defend: (1)
The right of spouses to found a family
in accordance with their religious
convictions and the demands of
responsible parenthood. Related to this
are two other provisions, namely, Sec.
6 of Article II, which provides, The
separation of Church and State shall
be inviolable; and Sec 5 of Article
III, the Bill of Rights, which provides,
No law shall be made respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof.
Under those provisions, the Court
will have to rule whether the State has a
right or a duty to pass upon the religious
belief of any religious community, and
to declare it to be in error, if it does
not agree with it, exactly as Senator
Santiago would want to, or whether the
States only right or duty in this instance
is to recognize a communitys religious
belief and to respect it, pursuant to the
separation of Church and State, and not
try to change it or inveigh against it.
For a while the pro-RH advocates
succeeded in showing that not every
Catholic practiced what the Catholic
Church was teaching the faithful about
contraception, and there were legislators
like Congressman Edcel Lagman,
principal author of the RH bill in the
House, Congresswoman Janet Garin,
one of its co-authors, Congressman
Rodolfo Biazon and so many others, who
were willing to claim they were Catholic
but were more prepared to listen to the
foreign population controllers than to
their own Church on the morality of
using contraceptives.
That gave people the wrong
impression that the Church teaching
on contraception and sterilization,
as contained in Pope Paul VIs 1968
encyclical Humanae Vitae, and
elaborated upon in several papal
documents since then, was under review
by Congress, and that Congress had
the power and the authority to review
it. Some politicians showed utter lack
of understanding of the basic principles
of Church-State affairs by faulting the
Church for interfering in State matters,
when it was the lawmakers trying to
meddle in what was strictly Church and
family matters.
Attempts by the Catholic clergy,
religious and laity to explain Church
teaching on contraception and
sterilization only encouraged ill-
informed legislators and the press to
insist that the RH bill was about the
right of women and men to practice
contraception and sterilization, rather
than about the attempt by foreign
population controllers to impose
population control upon the country by
having the government claim a right it
does not have, to prescribe birth control
to all as a natural component of what the
Constitution describes as the inviolable
autonomous social institution of marriage.
Largely because of President
Aquinos docility to his foreign patrons
and his coercive and corruptive inuence
on Congress, the bill won the vote in
the two Houses, even though there were
fewer congressmen who voted for the
bill than the combined total of those
who abstained and those who voted
against it. It will now be the task of the
Supreme Court, when asked, to deliver
the nation from the naked imposition of
those foreign forces, or the people will
have to act themselves.
fstatad@gmail.com
Who will deliver the nation from those foreign forces?
RITA LINDA
V. JIMENO
OUT OF THE BOX
PASTOR APOLLO
QUIBOLOY
PLUMBLINE
News
ManilaStandardToday
mst.daydesk@gmail.com DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A6
Prison reform lined up

IN BRIEF
Country
club vows
to uphold
its rules
Aggabao to complete third term
Globe spreads yuletide cheers
Hotel sale blocked
ABOUT 5,000 families have a rea-
son to hope amid the loss caused
by the recent weather disturbance,
assured of assistance from Globe
Telecom along with other groups.
Relief is being extended to resi-
dents to meet their for food and
water requirements in two of the
hardest hit provinces in Mindanao,
according to Rob Nazal, head of
Globe Corporate Social Responsi-
bility.
We saw the devastating trail of
destruction which Typhoon Pablo
left in Davao Oriental and Compos-
tela Valley. The people there need
our help now, he said. So aside
from relief operations, Libreng
Tawag centers, and ICT support
that Globe is providing, we are also
encouraging everyone to do his or
her share by giving time, effort or
money.
Donations can be sent via GCASH
electronic wallet by entering
DONATE<amount><MPIN>Pablo
before sending to 2882.
Singapore Telecommunication
Limited donated P500,000 to the
relief operations through Globe
Bridging Communities, the com-
panys outreach program.
Nazal said Globe has been
backing up the Department of
Social Welfare and Development
Region 11 field operations, De-
partment of Education Disaster
Risk Reduction Management
central office, and Oxfam Phil-
ippines with information and
network support through mobile
phones, prepaid load, and Text-
Connect on updates from field
relief operations.
Through DSWD Secretary
Corazon Soliman, Globe employ-
ee-volunteers were enlisted to
help repack goods similar to what
was done for victims of Habagat
in August this year.
For everything that you pack,
that would mean a warm cloth for
someone who is cold, lling the
stomach of someone who is hun-
gry, assuring a family that they
have food in the next three or four
days, she said.
It is important that we continue
to exert our effort and volunteer or
time and strength.
DAGUPAN CITYThe bid-
ding over the seven-story
McAdore Hotel here has been
stayed by the Regional Trial
Court.
In her order, Acting Pre-
siding Judge Emma Torio of
Branch 40 said the court re-
solved to grant the motion in
the higher interestof substan-
tial justice.
The temporary restraining
order prevents the sale of the
property on a 5,113- square
meter lot in the citys prime
commercial zone.
The Ofce of the City May-
or asked the Sangguniang Pan-
lunsod for authority to negoti-
ate a sale after a buyer offered
P70 million.
But the council found the
amount way below the ap-
praised value of at least P180
million, according to Vice
Mayor Belen Fernandez who
presides over the Sanggunian.
Sanggunian secretary Ryan
Ravanzo led a petition for re-
lief over a special session held
last April while Fernandez was
abroad on ofcial business.
The mayor was authorized
to sell the McAdore Internal
Palace in a resolution signed at
the time by nine councilors.
Seasons giving. Paraaque City under Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. distributes Christmas gift
packs in Barangay La Huerta led by Councilors Benjo Bernabe and Eric Baes, joined by former 1st
Dist. Rep. Eduardo Zialcita.
1899 heroes. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista leads the commemoration of the 113th rear of the Battle of San Mateo
at the Gen. Licerio Geronimo Park in Barangay Bagong Silangan. The QC government and the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines invited former Tarlac governor Margarita Tingting Cojuangco to keynote the anniversary of a key battle against
American occupation forces where Gen. Henry W. Lawton was killed in action. Also present are Councilors Roderick Paulate and
Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla; QC Police director Supt. Mario dela Vega; NHCP senior curator Brian Paraiso and other ofcials.
Toll-free expressway
MOTORISTS using the grade and
the 16.2-kilometer Buendia-Alabang
Luzon Expressway from Alabang to
Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and the 42-
km Star Tollway from Sto. Tomas
to Batangas City will enjoy toll-free
travel starting at 10 p.m. on Dec. 24,
2012 until 6 a.m. the following day;
and from 10 p.m. on Dec.31 to 6 a.m.
on Jan. 1, 2013.
This was announced by the
Skyway O&M Corp., the Manila Toll
Expressway Systems Inc., and Star
Tollway Corp., the operators of the
Skyway System, SLEX and STAR,
respectively.
For assistance or to report stalled
vehicles and emergencies, motorists
can call Skyway System hotline 776-
7777; SLEX hotline 0917-OUR-SLEX
(687-7539); and STAR emergency
hotline 0908-865-STAR (7827).
Chiz: No Enrile coup
PALAYAN CITYSenator Francis
Escudero shrugged off talks about an
impending ousted of Senate President
Juan Ponce Enrile.
I dont think so, Escudero said
when asked his take on the claim of one
of his collegues about a power play in
the upper chamber.
There is no issue against Senate
President Enrile and they dont have the
numbers to remove him.
Escudero was here in Nueva Ecija
as guest during the Christmas Party
organized by mayoral bet Rianne
Cuevas in Barangay Concepcion.
He was referring to the statement
attributed to Sen. Edgardo Angara about
a changing of the guard for now.
Escudero said pronouncements
against Enrile were contrary to the spirit
of the Yuletide Season.
Magpapasko, ano ba siya (Its
Christmas time, whats he up to)?, he
said. Ferdie G. Domingo
Sound design award
THE Japan Institute of Design
Promotion has conferred the G mark of
design excellence on Yamaha digital
mixing consoles, a timely tribute to
the companys 125
th
year.
Masafumi Ito, of the design
laboratory welcomed the commendation
in the tradition of technical innovation.
It is a great honor that our exhaustive
efforts to create a professional tool
that would provide the best possible
sonic experience for both audience and
performers in concert halls and theaters
has been recognized, he said.
The judges cited the CL series
for use tin live concert and other
performances.
The natural word body can
withstand repeated transportation
and setup cycles, displaying a user
interface that is easy to understand
while allowing speedy, error-free
operation.
Survival gear. PMFTC Inc.
President Chris Nelson (left)
and Marikina City Mayor Del
De Guzman hand out Flood
Emergency packs to displaced
folk of Barangay Nangka,
Marikina City. The Embrace
project, in partnership with the
American Chamber Foundation
and city hall, distributed
survival kits for contingengies
in the future.
By Kate Brenda Gaudia
SANTIAGO CITY-Rep. Giorgidi
Aggabao, of the Nationalist Peoples
Coalition, is completing his thrid term
as Isabelas 4th district lawmaker
while his nephew seeks a seat here as
councilor.
A graduate of the Ateneo Law
School, he was top 10 in the 1980 bar
examinations before practicing as a
trial and corporate lawyer.
Residents recognize Aggabao for
infrastructure built across the prov-
ince particularly the Ilut Bridge in
Cordon, the landmark gateway to
Isabela.
To boost agriculture and farmers
lives, he pushed for water impound-
ing projects in communties such as
Anonang, host barangay of Vulcan
Mines.
Through his priority development
fund, Aggabao, 54, helped planters ob-
tain dryers for their harvest.
A La Sallete High School alumna,
he is the son of the late Judge Vicente
Aggabao who served from the 1950s to
the 80s.
Nephew Vinchy Aggabao, a nurs-
ing from La Sallete University, opted
to serve his fellow Isabelans instead of
working abroad.
An NPC stalwart, Vice Mayor Ama-
dor Gaffud is running for board mem-
ber. A member of the Junior Chamber
of Commerce, he is the grandson of the
late Gov. Primo Gaffud, on of Isabelas
founding fathers.
CHAIRMAN Robert John So-
brepea vowed to discipline
violators of the by-laws, rules
and regulations of Southwoods
Golf and Country Club.
He said member Chris
Carreon, allegedly of the
Southwoods Reform Group,
was suspended over 140 ques-
tionable proxy votes during the
Board of Directors election.
Carreon was found out when
Union Bank, the Clubs Stock
and Transfer Agent, disallowed
proxies submitted by their group
and the members for whose sig-
natures were not authenticated.
Sobrepea said the Club
has implemented the policy of
mailing prenumbered proxy
forms directly to members in-
volved, as practiced by Manila
Polo Club.
He said other Reform
Group members composed of
Mari Antunez, Jimmy Gosiaco,
Hanson So, Boy David and Er-
nie Salazar, have likewise been
suspended.
Board Secretary Marisse
Agustin claimed she was har-
rassed when she refused to yield
taped Minutes of proceedings.
This 2013, Southwoods
members can expect that man-
agement will ght all attempts
to frustrate free and honest elec-
tions in Southwoods, Sobrepe-
a said. The current manage-
ment has worked very hard to
establish Southwoods as one of
the best golf clubs with all the
right processes in the country.
Agustin said Atuez also
took a temporary restrain-
ing order to prevent the latest
board election.
Gigi Muoz David
By Joyce Pangco Paares
President Benigno Aquino
III wants the next head of
the Bureau of Corrections to
reform the prison system.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the
statement Sunday, without conrming that Mr. Aquino
has accepted the resignation of retired Gen. Gaudencio
Pangilinan who has been on leave of absence.
Certainly the President is looking for someone
who can x the problems in the penal system. he
said. That is what he is looking for (in the next Bu-
Cor chief)..
But he quickly claried that he has yet to get in-
formation on whether the President has acted on Pan-
gilinans quitting his post as reported by the Depart-
ment of Justice last Friday.
resignation papers.
Lacierda conrmed that the department, which
has administrative supervision over Bucor, is plan-
ning to clean up the penal system.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima intends to throw
the book at those responsible for all the various she-
nanigans that have been happening in the National
Bilibid Prisons, he said.
Pangilinan went on indenite leave after the ab-
duction of inmate Rolito Go inside the prison com-
pound in Muntinlupa City.
Convicted for killing La Salle student Eldon Ma-
guan over a trafc altercation in 1991, he went miss-
ing last August 14 but reappeared more than 24 hours
later.
De Lima said at least six applicants are vying for
the BuCor top post, but she indicated option to scout
for talents.
Pangilinan was appointed in June last year to re-
place former director Ernesto Diokno, who was re-
moved from the post after the unauthorized trip of
former Batangas governor and convicted killer An-
tonio Leviste.
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
A7 Sports Riera U. Mallari, Editor
ManilaStandardToday
sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
AL S. MENDOZA
ALL THE WAY
Onyot

TWENTY years ago today, An-
tonio Lascuna was in Vancouver,
Canada. He was with the Philip-
pine Team to the World Team Golf
Championship.
But wait a minute.
There was this practice, tradi-
tion, that all members of a Philip-
pine golf team dispatched to do bat-
tle overseas are bundled up for the
journey, but given no assurance that
each one of them is assured of a slot
in the squad.
It is but usual that the whole team
ies to the designated battleground
days before the tournament.
The reason is simple: Practice
rounds for the team members are
necessary to acclimatize them to the
host countrys weather, not to men-
tion that they also need to be famil-
iarized with the course where action
is to take place. In golf, familiarity
of the course is virtually 90 percent
of the game plan.
October was the month of hos-
tilities in the World Team Golf and
winter in Vancouver is extremely
nippy and deathly cold.
I know that aside from Lascuna,
also in that 1992 team were Cas-
sius Casas and Vince Lauron. The
names of the other two, I cant re-
member now. Were they Bong
Lopez and Mars Pucay?
Anyway, what I wont forget till
the end of time is this: On the eve
of the rst day of action at Vancou-
vers Marina Bay Golf Course, one
of the players was declared an alter-
nate. Meaning, he wont play in the
tournament.
Benny Gopez, the chief of del-
egation as he was then the secretary
general of the National Golf Asso-
ciation of the Philippines headed
by Eduardo Ermita, was tasked to
make the announcement: Antonio
Lascuna was it.
The late Rod Samson, then an
NGAP director, said to Lascuna:
Dont feel sad. You are and will
always be part of the Philippine
Team.
Freddie Primo Mendoza, the
team manager, said to Lascuna:
Remain proud. The pride and glo-
ry of this team will always be with
you.
Jake P. Ayson, the now-retired
NGAP executive director, said to
Lascuna: In the eyes of the Fili-
pino people, you are part and parcel
of this great Philippine Team.
When others might have felt re-
jected and downtrodden, and might
even sulk, not Lascuna.
Affectionately called Onyot,
Lascuna never showed signs of de-
spondency, nor sadness.
Always in high spirits, Onyot did
his best to help in whichever way
he could to ensure that everything
went smoothly as his teammates
prepared for battle. He was the rst
to wake up in the morning to offer
his services: Prepare coffee, set up
the table for breakfast at the house
the team was renting, even pluck
out the shoes of the players.
But what impressed me most
was, while I usually did the cook-
ing for the team and the entourage
(ahem!), Onyot did the dishes tire-
lessly. That was usually Jake P. Ay-
sons job in many of our previous
jousts overseas but, no, this time,
Onyot took care of that.
Twenty years later, Onyot, now
42, is at the top of the heapthe
Order of Merit winner in the an-
nual local golf tour after ruling the
Wack Wack leg on Saturday worth
P450,000.
Also nishing decently at No.
12 in the tough 2012 Asian Tour,
Onyot is now a certied million-
aire, an established superstar of the
game.
Theres a line in the Good Book
that says the one who loves sitting
in the front row would, in the end,
usually end up last. And the one
seated at the back would, in the end,
end up rst.
From down up to the pedestal.
From Row 4 to Row 1.
Thats Onyot for you. A lesson
in humility.
* * *
ALL IN. Best wishes and con-
gratulations to John and Priscilla
(Pobre) Rebollida, who tied the
knot on Dec. 22. Pareng Orly
and Mareng Paz, Johns proud
parents, were all smiles during
the wedding rites solemnized by
Fr. Brian of Our Lady of Rem-
edies Chapel at Don Enrique
Hts. Commonwealth Ave., QC.
Cheers!... Also, cheers to Big Ben
and Zhazha (Reynales) Terrado
for saying I dos, also on Dec.
22. Big Ben was one of my top-
notch sportswriters when I was
the Sports Editor of the Philip-
pine Chronicle (after my similar
stint at the Inquirer). With both
weddings held simultaneously
in the afternoon, I had Coach
Dayong represent me as one of
the Ninongs in Big Bens big
dayaffording me the chance to
be present as Ninong also to John
and Priscilla, beside Ninang Sol.
Cheers!
Filipino
bets to
train early
for SEAG
Lions win
Suzuki Cup
soccer title
Mavs waive Fisher at veteran guards request
La Salle girls retain Best Center tiara
Doubts hound injured Rafa
Golf kings. Headed by former Congressman Ace Barbers (standing, fth from left), Team Surigao won three division championships Fil-A, Am-A and Fil-E
and placed second runner-up in Fil-C in the recently concluded 63rd Fil-Am Invitational Tournament in Baguio City. Other members of the team are (from)
Epy Quizon, Benny Hurtado, Hebert Magsino, Bing Alcantara, Mon Capistrano, Efren Alvez, Allen Buan, Ed Lopez, Carlo Paquing, (below) Marlon Leano, John
Bertiz, Ariel Javelllosa and Vic Se. Not in photo are Jorge De Castro, Rene Estepa, Cesar Lacuna, Nong Madrid, Ely Polinag, Banjo Navarro and Ed Brocal.
DLSZs Jel Aliiah Jajurie (right) protects the ball from Miriam College-As
Nina Andrea Juan in the WBL 13-under category nals. DLSZ won, 39-33.
THE girls from the De La Salle Zo-
bel 13-under category proved their
mettle by successfully defending
their title against Miriam College
team A in the Womens Basketball
League championship held at the
Jacinto Tiu Competition Court in
Xavier School, San Juan.
DLSZ defeated Miriam College
team A with the score of 39-33 to
win the 13-under category title for
two years straight.
Bernice Marie Therese Paraiso
scored a game-high 13 points, with
seven coming in the fourth quarter
to lead LSGH to the title, while Jel
Alliah Jajurie added eight markers.
Miriam Colleges Hannah Mad-
amba led a valiant effort for her
team as she scored 14 points.
Meanwhile, the other Zobel team,
this time in the 17-under competi-
tive category, trounced their sister
school La Salle College-Antipolo
with the score 61-38 to claim the
title. Kathleen Therese Nuez led
all scorers with 24 points. She was
also awarded the MVP award for
the said age category.
In the 17-under developmental
category, St. James Academy of
Malabon emerged victorious against
Assumption College-Antipolo with
a lopsided score of 38-17. Genna
Cruz led St. James balanced offen-
sive attack with 9 points.
In the college division, Philip-
pine Womens University eked out
a narrow title-clinching victory
against the University of Santo To-
mas Lady Tigresses with the score
of 46-45.
Nikka Andrea Tupaz scored 19
points to lead the Lady Patriots and
was awarded the MVP trophy.
Third-place nishers went to As-
sumption Antipolo in the elemen-
tary category, Miriam College in
the 17-under competitive, Jose
Abad Santos Memorial School in
the 17-under developmental, and
University of the Philippines in the
college category.
Sportsmanship awards were
handed out to St. Pedro Poveda
College, St. James Academy of
Malabon, and La Salle College
Antipolo in the 13-under, 17-under
developmental and 17-under com-
petitive categories, respectively.
DALLASThe Dallas Maver-
icks waived Derek Fisher on Sat-
urday at the request of the veteran
guard, who said he was having a
difcult time being away from his
family in Los Angeles.
The Mavericks announced the
move four days after the 38-year-
old Fisher strained a tendon in his
right knee in a game against Phila-
delphia.
Fisher, a 16-year veteran who
won ve championships with the
Los Angeles Lakers, was a free
agent when the Mavericks signed
him because of injuries, a lack of
depth and spotty play at point guard.
He started his rst game with
Dallas a day after his rst practice
and averaged 8.6 points and 3.6
assists in nine games.
In a statement, Fisher said the
recovery time on the knee strain
would be about two weeks, and
he wanted to return home. Fisher
thanked Mavericks owner Mark
Cuban for granting the request.
I have made decisions in the
past, leaving money and opportu-
nity on the table, and I will need to
do that again, Fisher said. My
family is my priority and that is
where I choose to be.
Darren Collison started the rst
16 games at point guard before Dal-
las signed Fisher. Dominique Jones
had a season high in minutes the
past two games, topped by 32 in Fri-
days 92-82 loss to Memphis. Jones
tied his career high with 13 points
against the Grizzlies.
Rodrigue Beaubois is the third
point guard for Dallas.
Point guard was one of the big-
gest questions for the Mavericks
entering the season after Deron
Williams chose to stay with the
Brooklyn Nets and Jason Kidd
signed with the New York Knicks
after saying he planned to rejoin
Dallas. Kidd helped lead the Mav-
ericks to the 2011 NBA title. AP
By Peter Atencio
AS early as November, Fili-
pino athletes have began pre-
paring for the 2013 Southeast
Asian Games in Myanmar.
Top ofcials of the Philip-
pine Sports Commission said
this as the agency monitored
the progress of preparations
for the biennial meet.
We have actually worked
with the budgets for 2013
with most of the sports, fo-
cusing primarily on those
that have participation in
the SEA Games. We want to
work with our priority ath-
lete program, at maaga pa
lang pinapaalam na namin sa
lahat that the PSC, through
the chairman, is already do-
ing something to ensure that
the athletes get trained ear-
ly, said Commissioner Jolly
Gomez.
Gomez got an idea of the
progress of the training when
he went up to Baguio City last
month to observe athletes in
track and eld, who are deep
doing their daily workouts.
So, as we start 2013, its
really our way to tell the ath-
letes, to wake them up. To say
start training already, added
Gomez.
Around 32 events are con-
rmed to be included in the
SEA Games.
Among the Olympics
sports in the calendar are
diving, swimming and water
polo, archery, athletics, bad-
minton, basketball, billiards
and snooker, baseball, canoe-
ing, chess, cycling, equestri-
an, football, futsal, golf, gym-
nastics, judo and karatedo.
Also included are bowling,
shooting, table tennis, lawn
tennis, taekwondo, tradi-
tional boat racing, volleyball,
weightlifting and wrestling.
An allocation of around
P500 million has been set
aside for games.
Most of the amount, ac-
cording to Garcia, will be
spent for the buildup, with
most of the national athletes
expected to go full blast with
their preparations in the sec-
ond week of January.
By Peter Atencio

THE Singapore White Lions
took a 0-1 loss to Thailand in the
second leg of the 2012 Asean
Football Federation nals at the
Supachalasai Stadium in Bang-
ko last Saturday.
But the White Lions still went
on to claim a record fourth title
on a higher aggregate score.
The Thais entered the match
with a 1-3 decit after Singa-
pore won the rst leg at the Jalan
Besar Stadium in Singapore.
This time, the Thais dominat-
ed the contest and scored when
Kirati Keawsombat headed in a
Theerathon Bunmathan corner
kick in the 45th minute, right
before the halftime interval.
The White Lions then held
their ground in the second half
despite intense pressure from the
home side in the closing minutes.
They went on to claim their
fourth crown on a 3-2 aggregate
victory.
Their aggregate matched their
tally when they last took in 2007,
also beating the Thais in the nals.
Why not (call ourselves
the best team in the region)? I
think we deserved the title. We
dominated the rst game and
scored enough goals to win the
title, said White Lions coach
Radojko Avramovic in an arti-
cle and post-game interviews,
which appeared in the tourna-
ments ofcial Website.
I have my doubts. Its normal.
We are talking about a knee, so of
course I am afraid to see how it is
going respond, Nadal told Canal
Plus television Friday. But I can
only trust my doctors and believe
in myself and that everything will
be all right.
The 26-year-old Spaniard is
set to play an exhibition tourna-
ment in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 27.
It will be his rst action since he
was sidelined with tendinitis in
his left knee after a second-round
loss to 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol
at Wimbledon in June.
The injury prevented Nadal
from defending his Olympic sin-
gles gold at the London Games,
where he was supposed to be
Spains ag bearer in the open-
ing ceremony. He also had to pull
out of the U.S. Open and Spains
Davis Cup nal against the Czech
Tiamson
rips Eala
for crown
GABRIEL Tiamson put one
over top seed Miko Eala,
hacking out a 6-4, 6-2 de-
cision to capture the boys
12-and-under title in the
Philippine Sports Commis-
sion-Philippine Tennis As-
sociation Age-Group Tennis
Championships at the Rizal
Memorial Tennis Center over
the weekend.
The second seeded Tiam-
son, playing out of De La
Salle-Zobel, broke the fan-
cied Eala once in the open-
ing set then used a variety of
shots to dominate the second
en route to the straight-set
victory.
Eala, however, salvaged
the 10-unisex crown, blank-
ing Juan Miguel Jugo, 6-0,
6-0.
Jan Godfrey Seno took the
boys 14-under diadem with
6-2, 6-0 win over Justine
Prulla, while Betto Orendain
repulsed Stefan Suarez, 6-4,
3-6, 6-4, to cop the 16-under
plum.
John Maverick Victoria,
however, foiled Orendains
bid for a second title as he
fashioned out a 7-6(2), 6-4
win in the 18-under nals to
share the honors with Rox-
anne Resma, who took the
girls premier crown with a
6-0, 6-1 rout of Ma. Domin-
ique Ong.
MADRIDAfter a seven-month hiatus
nursing a hurt knee, Rafael Nadal is wary
about his upcoming return to the tennis
court and believes it may be some time
before he is back in top form.
Republic, which his teammates
lost without him.
The 11-time Grand Slam win-
ner and former No. 1 player said
his knee had improved over the
last two months after making frus-
tratingly little progress during the
summer.
Even so, he acknowledged that
he may have to skip some more
events to get back to full speed.
Im prepared to accept that
at the start my knee might not re-
spond well and I may have to take
it easy, mixing periods of play and
rest for the rst three months, he
said.
Nadal said that he wanted to play
at Indian Wells and Miami with the
goal of being completely t by April
to play at Monte Carlo, a clay-court
tournament he has dominated for
eight consecutive years.
The Abu Dhabi tournament fea-
tures a six-man eld that includes
top-ranked Novak Djokovic and
No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain.
In Melbourne Australia, Vera
Zvonareva has withdrawn from
the Australian Open in January
with a right shoulder injury.
The two-time Grand Slam run-
ner-up made the announcement on
her Facebook page Friday, saying
I will not be able to go to Aus-
tralia this year ... my body is not
100 percent recovered.
The Russian also missed the
U.S. Open this year because of a
viral illness and the French Open
with the same shoulder injury.
Ranked as high as No. 2 but
now 49th, Zvonareva lost the
2010 Wimbledon nal to Ser-
ena Williams and that years U.S.
Open nal to Kim Clijsters.
The Australian Open begins in
Melbourne on Jan. 14.
Meanwhile, a tennis referee
whose career was almost ended
by a charge that she murdered her
husband with a coffee cup has been
reinstated after the charge was dis-
missed for lack of evidence.
Lois Goodmans attorneys said
Friday in Los Angeles that the
U.S. Tennis Association approved
her to resume judging matches in
2013. The organization conrmed
her reinstatement. AP
sports@manilastandardtoday.com sports_mstandard@yahoo.com
Sports
Manila Standard TODAY
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
MONDAY
A8
Riera U. Mallari, Editor
LOTTO RESULTS
6/49 000000
3 DIGITS 000
2 EZ2 00
P11.7M+
NBA HOME TEAM IN CAPS
Detroit 96 WASHINGTON 87
ATLANTA 92 Chicago 75
MIAMI 105 Utah 89
Indiana 81 NEW ORLEANS 75
HOUSTON 121 Memphis 96
Cleveland 94 MILWAUKEE 82
DENVER 110 Charlotte 88
PORTLAND 96 Phoenix 93
LA Lakers 118 GOLDEN STATE 115
(OT)
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Lakers edge Warriors
by 3 in Nashs return
Late surge fuels ICTSI golfers banner season
By Jeric Lopez
AFTER exploding for 34 points
in Game 2, James Yap expects a
tougher climb ahead against the
physical Rain or Shine defense.
Yap, who starred in San
Mig Coffees 106-82 equalizer
against Rain or Shine last week,
expects the
Elasto Paint-
ers defense
to adjust and
tighten up on
him.
M a g -
aadjust yung
defense nila
sa akin for
sure, said
Yap. Dapat
medyo may
variety din
ako para kahit
paano hindi
pr edi ct abl e
yung offense
ko
Despite a
battered right
knee, Yap is
still trying his
best to boost
the Mixers
campaign.
K a s i
semis na ito,
wala ng ex-
cuse para sa amin. Ang hirap
makarating dito. Kaya ko na-
man maglaro kaya 100 percent
pa rin dapat, he said.
The two-time former Most
Valuable Player even shared his
adjustments in his approach in
facing Rain or Shines physical
defense.
Tinignan ko yung laro ko
noong unang game, parang pi-
napahirapan ko yung sarili ko.
Medyo pilit kaya nag-adjust
ako. More on jumpshots ako,
tapos drive lang pag may op-
portunity.
San Mig Coffee mentor Tim
Cone shared
his sentiment
on why Yap
broke loose the
past game.
Our adjust-
ment in match-
ups is key.
The smaller
line-up helped
him (Yap) get
better shots
a l o n g s i d e
more scoring
threats, said
Cone.
The highly
contested best-
of-seven se-
ries between
the Mixers
and the Paint-
ers is all even
at 1-1 after
two grueling
games.
Game 3 is
set tomor-
row in a special Christmas-day
schedule with the victor getting
an important leverage.
The other semis series be-
tween defending champion Talk
N Text and Alaska is likewise
tied at 1-win apiece.
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
FORMER World Boxing Coun-
cil yweight champion Malcolm
Tunacao scored a seventh-round
knockout of Mexicos Christian
Esquivel in a title eliminator to
earn a crack at World Boxing
Council bantamweight champion
Shinsuke Yamanaka.
The 30-year-old Yamanaka won
the vacant title when he stopped
Esquivel in the 11th round and
has successfully defended the title
against Vic Darchinyan of Aus-
tralia and Tomas Rojas of Mexico.
The title eliminator was held in
Kobe, Japan from where Tunacao
has been ghting for the past sev-
eral years.
The 35-year-old Filipino south-
paw dominated the ght against the
26-year-old Esquivel and under the
open scoring system of the WBC,
led 40-36 on the scorecards of all
three judges after four rounds.
A vicious right hook going into
the nal minute of the seventh
round dropped Esquivel with the
referee not bothering to count as
the Mexican remained motionless
on the canvas for several minutes.
Esquivel was rushed to the hospital
for a mandatory post-ght checkup.
The ofcial time was 2:10.
With the win, Tunacao im-
proved his record to 32-2-3, with
20 knockouts, while Esquivel fell
to 25-4 with 18 knockouts.
After avenging Manny Pac-
quiaos stunning loss to Medgoen
Singsurat with a rst-round
knockout in Thailand on May 19,
2000, Tunacao unexpectedly lost
his title to Thailands Pongsak-
lek Wonjongkam by a rst-round
knockout in only his second title
defense on March 2, 2001.
A former Oriental and Pacic
Boxing Federation champion, Tu-
nacao has waited patiently for more
than a decade for another shot at a
world title and a chance to become
a two-division world champion.
So much for an adjustment
period.
Bryant had 34 points and 10
rebounds, Nash nished with 12
points and nine assists in his rst
game in almost two months,
and the Los Angeles Lakers
rallied from 14 points down in
the fourth quarter to beat the
Golden State Warriors 118-115
in overtime on Saturday night.
Its easy. Its very easy. Its
beyond easy, Bryant said about
playing with Nash, who had
missed 24 straight games while
recovering from a small fracture
in his lower left leg. You put
two guys together who can do
opposite things and it ts ex-
tremely well. When I get a re-
bound, I look to get the ball in
his hands because I know I will
be getting an easy shot.
While defense remains an issue
for the Lakers, the offense had no
problems in Nashs return.
Metta World Peace and Nash
each made a go-ahead 3-pointer
in the nal minutes of regulation
before the Warriors came back.
World Peace scored 20 points,
and Nash converted a step-back
shot for the nal basket in over-
time to lift Los Angeles to its
fourth straight victory.
This one had 20 lead changes,
eight ties, and a sellout crowd of
19,596 cheering every posses-
sion as if it was the last one.
To play 40 minutes after
seven weeks was more than I
could ask for, Nash said. I
felt in a decent rhythm. I feel
positive about it. Well see (Sun-
day). Ill have to keep working
on it. I know it will be sore and
painful but Im used to that.
As well as the Lakers looked
at times, the Warriors seemingly
had the game in their hands.
Jarrett Jack scored 29 points
and David Lee had 20 points
and 11 rebounds in a disappoint-
ing collapse for Golden State,
which had won 11 of 14 to get
off to its best start in 20 years.
As so often has happened in this
one-sided California rivalry,
though, the Lakers took over
when it mattered most.
Rockets win
In Houston, Houston coach
Kevin McHale gured the best
way to beat the Memphis Griz-
zlies was to get down the court
before they could get their dom-
inant defense set.
His plan worked perfectly.
James Harden scored 31
points with eight assists, and
the Rockets earned their third
straight win, 121-96 over the
Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Memphis entered the game al-
lowing an NBA-low 89.2 points
a game. But the Grizzlies had no
answer for Harden. He did all his
scoring in the rst three quarters
and reached at least 20 points for
an eighth straight game.
Its easier getting them early
than it is going against the de-
fense and trying to get something
in the last ve seconds of the shot
clock, McHale said. Thats
where they really get into you.
Houston used a big run mid-
way through the second quarter to
take the lead, and didnt trail after
that to break a four-game winning
streak by the Grizzlies. AP
Tuacao earns crack at world crown
Yap expects tougher
defense from Rain
A STIRRING ve-win streak in a
six-week stretch late in the season
turned what had seemed to be a me-
diocre campaign by the ICTSI-The
Country Club ladies squad into a re-
markable season.
Jayvie Agojo sparked the season-
ending blast with a victory in the
Santi Cup, the ladies championship
of the Putra Cup, in Indonesia last
September, before Cyna Rodriguez
(Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open),
Dottie Ardina (Cangolf Amateur and
Taiwan Amateur Open) and Princess
Superal (Malaysian Juniors Open)
followed suit.
After a fourth-place nish in In-
donesia Open that broke the run,
Ardina took the Penang Amateur
Open title then led a stirring sweep
of the ICTSI-TCC bets along with
Superal and Sarah Ababa of the
three titles in the Singapore Juniors
Championships early this month.
All told, the team racked up 23
victories, including nine by Superal
and seven by Ardina, while making
an impact in a series of US tourna-
ments and in Australia, where it im-
pressed even the national team from
Down Under after Ardina set a new
course record 65 at the Dunes.
It was actually a season marked
by a number of feats capped by
Ardinas rise to number 45 in the
womens world amateur golf rank-
ings where she moved four rungs
after leading the teams sweep in
Singapore.
In fact, the top seven Filipino
players in the list are all ICTSI-TCC
members, including Superal, who
rose from 120 to No. 109, Agojo
now at 148 from 155, Mia Piccio
from 172 to 165, Rodriguez at 248
from 256, Sarah Ababa at 401 from
440 and Lovelynn Guioguio from
487 to 474.
Dottie is slowly but surely
climbing to the elite circle while
Princess is vastly improving and
theyre raring to get go next year,
said ICTSI team coach Bong
Lopez, who has tapped new re-
cruits in tall and promising Sophia
Chabon from Cagayan and Abbey
Arevalo from Manila.
Ardina and Superal are also ex-
pected to gain more points pending
the result of their Singapore romp.
The ICTSI coaches cited the ef-
forts of ICTSI PR manager Nar-
lene Soriano for her all-out support
and trust in the teams program as
well as that of ICTSI chief Ricky
Razon, who has provided the in-
spiration while reminding them of
the importance of putting and short
game.
Hes on top of the program.
Though he is a very busy man, Mr.
Razon always sees to it that hes
keeping track of the progress of the
players, said ICTSI coach Nestor
Mendoza.
Despite falling short at the Tran-
sNational Championship in South
Carolina, a major part of the US
Womens Amateur series, where she
lost to Aussie top player Breanna
Elliot in the nals, Superal gained
precious ranking points that put her
within the top 100 in the world.
By nishing second in a strong
tournament, Princess earned a re-
markable 104 points in the Royal
and Ancient World Rankings. She
also made it to the US Girls nals
in Lake Merced, California, added
Mendoza, impressed with Superal
transformation from a so-so player
to a top-caliber shotmaker.
After she joined the team in Jan-
uary, it took her only four months
of swing change and ne-tuning to
emerge the countrys No. 2. She also
jumped from No. 300 to No. 120 in
the world ranking and shes now at
No. 109, said Lopez.
Agojo also made it to the LPGA
Taiwan pro tournament while Rod-
riguezs big win in Hong Kong hint-
ed at another explosive comeback
by the former Philippine Ladies
Open champion.
DECEMBER 24, 2012
Point guard Steve Nash (right) is embraced by his Los Angeles teammate Kobe Bryant after the Lakers beat the
Golden State Warriors, 118-115, in overtime. AP
Rain or Shines Jireh Ybanez (left)
tries to stop San Migs James Yap.
Badminton winners. Philippine Badminton Association honorary
chairperson Amelita MingRamos (seated, center) is shown with Police
Gen. Federico Laciste Jr. (right), head of the PBAs Bagong Bida Grassroots
Program, and Conrado Co of the PBA training committee (left), along with
the winners, headed by two-division champion Monica Arianne Rivera, of
the PBA Ming Ramos Victor Youth Non-Ranking Championships 2012 at
Jump Smash Badminton Court in St. San Francisco Del Monte, QC recently.
OAKLAND, Cali-
forniaSteve Nash
sliced through the
lane, broke down the
defense, and cre-
ated shots for Kobe
Bryant time and
again, just the way
he has for teammates
throughout his bril-
liant 17-year NBA
career.
Ardina
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
B1
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Business
Manila Standard TODAY
Ray S. Eano, Editor business@mst.ph
Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor; extrastory2000@gmail.com
IN BRIEF
Peza poised to meet
12% growth targets
New Meralco supply
deals to reduce rates
Agriculture wants biodiesel blend increased to 5%
PSE COMPOSITE INDEX
Closing December 21, 2012
OIL
PRICES
TODAY
P584-P695
LPG/11-kg tank
P47.15-P53.07
Unleaded Gasoline
P38.40-P41.05
Diesel
P40.30-P52.20
Kerosene
P27.20-P31.00
Auto LPG
FOREI GN EXCHANGE RATE
Currency Unit US Dollar Peso
United States Dollar 1.000000 41.0580
Japan Yen 0.011850 0.4865
UK Pound 1.628200 66.8506
Hong Kong Dollar 0.129039 5.2981
Switzerland Franc 1.097213 45.0494
Canada Dollar 1.012761 41.5819
Singapore Dollar 0.820883 33.7038
Australia Dollar 1.046901 42.9837
Bahrain Dinar 2.65240 108.9043
Saudi Arabia Rial 0.266660 10.9485
Brunei Dollar 0.817528 33.5661
Indonesia Rupiah 0.000104 0.0043
Thailand Baht 0.032669 1.3413
UAE Dirham 0.272257 11.1783
Euro Euro 1.324700 54.3895
Korea Won 0.000931 0.0382
China Yuan 0.160508 6.5901
India Rupee 0.018255 0.7495
Malaysia Ringgit 0.327439 13.4440
NewZealand Dollar 0.832709 34.1894
Taiwan Dollar 0.034471 1.4153
Source: PDS Bridge
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Friday, December 21, 2012
5,823.940
26.20
HIGH P41.060 LOW P41.160 AVERAGE P41.133
5200
4460
3720
2980
2240
1500
1200
VOLUME 687.950M VOLUME 867.800M
PESO-DOLLAR RATE
40
42
44
46
48
Closing DECEMBER 21, 2012
P41.070
CLOSE
Convergys
to launch
Megamall
call center
PLDT, Teleena launch phone service in Europe
P1-b FEU loan. Far Eastern University Inc. signed a P1-billion ve-year term loan with Bank of the Philippine Islands. FEU will use proceeds of the loan partly to nance
expansion in Metro Manila. Shown during the signing ceremony are (from left) BPI Capital Corp. vice president Sonny Urcia, BPI Capital Corp. president Cecille Tan, FEU president
Michael Alba, BPI executive vice president Alfonso Salcedo, FEU chief nance ofcer Juan Miguel Montinola and BPI senior vice president Angie Santiano.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
MANILA Electric Co., the largest pow-
er distributor, said a new power supply
agreements with ve energy producers
will reduce electricity rates by an average
of P0.50 per kilowatt-hour next year.
Meralco president and chief
executive Oscar Reyes said with
the transition supply contracts
with state-owned National
Power Corp. set to expire
next year, the company would
replace them with agreements
with generating companies.
With the TSCs expiring,
some TSCs are being replaced
by our PSAs. We had contracted
up to 2,880 MW [megawatts]
for a period of seven years.
Its a good contract for our
customers, Reyes told reporters
over the weekend.
Meralco signed the contracts
with South Premiere Power
Corp. (1,180 MW), SEM-
Calaca Power Corp. (210 MW
to 420 MW), Masinloc Power
Partners Co. Ltd. (330 MW to
430 MW), Therma Luzon Inc.
(350 MW) and San Miguel
Energy Corp. (200 MW to 500
MW).
Reyes said the company
was hopeful the generation
charge from the new supply
contracts on average, will
be as competitive if not more
competitive than existing
sources, which means that these
new PSAs will help us contain
if not reduce the generation cost
component.
He said the optimistic
scenario was as much as P0.50
per kWh lower based on certain
scenarios.
Meralco said in an earlier
statement it negotiated new
supply agreements consistent
with its mandate for least-cost
supply.
The PSAs are the result of
extensive negotiations with
power generation companies
and are projected to reduce the
generation charge component of
the bills of Meralco customers.
We leveraged on our large
customer base to hammer out
the best deal with the power
generation companies for our
customers, Meralco senior
vice president Alfredo Panlilio
said.
In accordance with existing
regulations, we have led the
PSAs with the Energy Regulatory
Commission for its approval
and we are hopeful to get them
approved before the TSC expires
on Dec. 25, he said.
The new PSAs together
with Meralcos other bilateral
contracts will account for about
95 percent of the requirements
of Meralco customers in 2013
with the remaining supply
requirements to be sourced from
the wholesale electricity spot
market.
Our newly-signed PSAs
minimize volatility and we
enjoin our customers to be energy
efcient especially during peak
periods from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
to minimize Meralcos exposure
to high WESM prices, Reyes
said.
By Julito G. Rada
THE Philippine Economic Zone
Authority said over the weekend
it is on track of meeting the
growth targets for exports,
investments and employment in
2012 amid the improved business
environment.
Peza promotions group head
Elmer San Pascual said the
agency was condent of
attaining the 12-percent growth
for investments, exports and
employment by the end of the
year.
We expect to achieve our
[growth] target of 12-12-12,
for investments, exports, and
employment, San Pascual said in
an interview, although the agency
was still consolidating data before
announcing the ofcial gures.
All the big-ticket projects that
we were expecting were almost
in, although not yet complete.
But these projects [were] worth
billions of pesos, San Pascual
said.
He said the agency would
disclose its growth targets for
2013 once all the needed data
were consolidated.
Peza said despite the decline
in electronic shipments in
the third quarter, investment
commitments still managed to
grow as other sectors remained
bullish of better exports in the
coming months.
Among the exports that posted
positive results were activated
carbon, metal components,
bananas, ignition wiring sets and
other wiring sets used in vehicles,
aircraft and ships, pineapple and
pineapple products, tuna and
woodcrafts and furniture.
Peza also noted an expansion
trend in ecozones not only in
electronics but in other sectors
as well. The Japanese led in
terms of new investments made,
followed by the Americans and
other nationalities.
Peza was aiming for a P323
billion worth of investments in
2012, a 12-percent increase over
P288 billion in 2011.
The agency aggressively
conducted marketing and
investment missions overseas
to attract more investors into the
country.
THE Energy Department is
studying a proposal from the
Agriculture Department to increase
the biodiesel blend to 5 percent
from the present 2 percent.
There is a request by Secretary
Proceso Alcala to increase the
mix of biodiesel from the current
2 percent to 5 percent, Energy
Secretary Jericho Petilla told
reporters.
A request from DA is to
increase the biofuel mix because
of the pending problem on the
prices of copra right now. Were
actually reviewing just to make
sure there is no impact towards
the consumers, Petilla said.
He said both departments were
computing whether the higher
blend would result in higher
pump prices for diesel.
It will also probably
accelerate the move to actually
increase the indigenous portion
of our fuel so were thinking
about that now, increasing
it. Were making a study but
nothing is nal, Petilla said.
He said the use of biofuels,
both for biodiesel and bioethanol,
had improved as oil companies
consistently complied with the
mandated biofuel blends.
Stakeholders in the coconut
industry urged the government to
increase the biodiesel blend to 5
percent to spur the development
of the industry.
Rafael Diaz, managing
director of the Asian Institute
of Petroleum Studies Inc., said
a 5-percent biodiesel blend
would require a feedstock of 350
million liters per year, replacing
the same amount of imported
diesel valued at P12.25 billion.
The onset of B5 [biodiesel
5] provides a huge local demand
for the coconut industry, promote
investment and develop a high-
value export product, Diaz said.
He said a 5-percent biodiesel
blend would establish a
local market for 350 million
liters annually of coconut oil
amounting to P12.6 billion that
would recirculate in the coconut
industry.
Alena Mae S. Flores
By Lailany P. Gomez
A WHOLLY-OWNED subsidiary
of Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Co. teamed up with
a European services provider
to operate a mobile virtual
network.
PLDT Global president Alex
Caeg said in a statement the
partnership with Teleena, the
MVN enabler of Vodafone in the
United Kingdom, would benet
Filipinos based in the UK.
Representatives from PLDT
and Teleena also launched
the homegrown Smart Pinoy
SIM card to serve the Filipino
community in the UK.
The alliance of the two
rms has brought forth to the
Filipinos a well-differentiated
product that brings the unique
Smart experience and a slew
of services familiar to them,
Caeg said.
These product features include
local and international Pass-
a-load and E-Load services,
affordable Data bundles, a free
24/7 Filipino-speaking customer
service and access to the Smart
Pinoy Store.
Caeg said a key feature of the
service was the affordable call
and text rates to the Philippines
and within the UK.
Calling their loved ones
back home on PLDT landlines,
they can make 0.04p/minute
calls through the Sulit TipIDD
feature, giving them more
time to catch up with relatives
despite the distance. SMART
Pinoy subscribers can also make
calls to any Philippine mobile
number at 0.13p/minute without
any minimum top-up. They can
also send text messages to that
to any mobile number in the
Philippines at 12p per SMS, he
said.
CONVERGYS Corp. said
over the weekend it will open
its 18th contact center in the
country in January next year.
The Cincinnati-based
company, a leader in customer
management, said in a
statement the newest facility
would occupy over 180,000
square feet on four oors at
SM Megamall in Mandaluyong
City, one of the largest shopping
centers in the world.
Convergys said it would start
recruiting employees to ll
hundreds of positions for the
new facility supporting clients
in multiple industries.
It said the site in Mandaluyong
would be an ideal location, where
employees could benet from
the convenience of being at the
epicenter of activity in the city.
It also said a new bus terminal
at the base of the building
would provide safe, convenient
and reliable transportation for
its employees to travel between
their homes and work.
Convergys, considered one
of the largest private sector
employers in the Philippines,
was named BPO Employer of
the Year at the ICT Awards
Philippines in 2012.
Julito G. Rada
Ancillary charges
NATIONAL Grid Corporation of
the Philippines is rationalizing its
ancillary service charges to lower
the cost to consumers, a ranking
company ofcial said over the
weekend.
We in NGCP are bringing
down the prices for ancillary
services so we are rationalizing it
so that I think in very short time,
you will see that we will be saving
a lot of money for the consumer,
National Grid president Henry Sy
Jr. said.
Ancillary charges are pass-
through cost to National Grid but
the countrys transmission operator
wants to bring them down so that
consumers will enjoy lower rates.
The Grid Code denes
ancillary services as support
provisions necessary to sustain the
transmission capacity and energy
essential in maintaining the power
quality, reliability and security of
the grid.
The ancillary services aim
to maintain the load generation
balance of the system.
Because it is just pass through
us... it doesnt matter to us, we
will see substantial savings from
there, Sy said.
Alena Mae S. Flores
Abra disconnection
AP RENEWABLES Inc. has
issued a fth disconnection notice
to Abra Electric Cooperative after
the utility failed again to fulll
its commitment to the power
generation company.
AP Renewables said in a
statement it scheduled the
disconnection at 12 noon of
Dec. 27.
As much as we want to continue
supplying power to the people
of Abra, the continued failure of
Abreco to follow its obligations
has forced us to issue this ve
disconnection notice, Aboitiz
Power senior vice president Juan
Alfonso said.
AP Renewables suspended
power deliveries to Abreco due
to pending nancial obligations
amounting to P20.2 million and
non-compliance to the settlement
agreement on Dec. 10.
Power was reconnected the
next day after payment for past
due billing was made.
AP Renewables as an additional
condition required Abreco to pay
its November billing in regular
installments starting Dec. 12 until
Dec. 24.
Alena Mae S. Flores
Business
ManilaStandardToday
business@mst.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
B2
M
S
T
WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW
DECEMBER 17-21, 2012 DECEMBER 10-14, 2012
STOCKS CLOSE VOLUME VALUE CLOSE VOLUME VALUE
FINANCIAL
Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 72.20 32,725,220 2,325,629,047.50 72.90 19,965,890 1,493,442,681.00
Bank of PI 95.45 6,999,450 656,204,751.00 94.60 6,335,490 1,605,132,513.00
Bankard, Inc. 0.69 461,000 319,200.00 0.70 435,000 303,440.00
China Bank 55.00 346,150 19,035,545.50 55.65 303,600 16,914,624.00
Citystate Savings 28.00 2,200 53,600.00
COL Financial 19.38 299,500 5,755,632.00 19.96 63,100 1,261,105.00
Eastwest Bank 29 5,118,000 148,541,585.00 29.15 5,940,400 171,469,505.00
Filipino Fund Inc. 10.24 15,900 173,808 10.30 1,000 10,292
First Abacus 0.75 2,000 1,500.00 0.75 95,000 71,250.00
First Metro Inv. 80 10 800.00 89 110 9,790.00
I-Remit Inc. 2.66 64,000 171,100.00 2.80 264,000 724,190.00
Manulife Fin. Corp. 510.00 2,180 1,096,770.00 490.00 3,040 1,494,700.00
Maybank ATR KE 22 31,600 680,960.00 23.3 65,100 1,451,175.00
Metrobank 101.70 25,976,730 2,157,834,343.00 100.50 17,225,250 1,770,454,484.00
Natl Reinsurance Corp. 1.78 910,000 1,582,960.00 1.78 385,000 673,420.00
Phil Bank of Comm 72.00 3,170 228,372.00
Phil. National Bank 89.00 6,205,920 544,767,391.00 92.70 9,601,980 881,627,590.50
Phil. Savings Bank 96.00 376,050 33,675,825.50 88.90 2,530 219,526.50
Philippine Trust Co. 64.00 12,000 759,000.00
PSE Inc. 410 60,150 24,402,668.00 410.4 106,160 44,303,650.00
RCBC `A 57 935,770.00 54,139,411.00 58.6 2,765,660.00 160,801,075.50
Security Bank 160.5 1,909,930 308,690,509.00 161 2,679,600 436,482,737.00
Sun Life Financial 1010.00 1,190 1,195,350.00 1015.00 5,810 5,861,680.00
Union Bank 114.00 636,480 72,483,544.00 114.50 826,630 94,619,071.00
Vantage Equities 2.37 874,000 2,051,270.00 2.34 1,762,000 4,717,740.00
INDUSTRIAL
Aboitiz Power Corp. 36.9 17,813,000 650,293,815.00 36.8 13,083,800 485,533,240.00
Agrinurture Inc. 7 112,700 776,072.00 7.18 722,900 5,006,205.00
Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.99 7,305,000 14,555,360.00 2.03 12,926,000 26,609,620.00
Alphaland Corp. 27.4 19,500 488,505.00 27 3,700 102,120.00
Alsons Cons. 1.26 7,739,000 9,815,550.00 1.30 3,425,000 4,506,340.00
Asiabest Group 18.88 28,300 503,930.00 19.4 97,600 1,723,602.00
Bogo Medellin 520.00 43,728 765,547.00 86.00 10 860.00
Calapan Venture 4.05 18,000 146,800.00 4.1 388,000 1,597,390.00
Chemphil 102.9 110 11,029.00
Conc. Aggr. `A 64.00 830 53,630.00 65.00 6,250 405,300.00
Chemrez Technologies Inc. 2.95 1,035,000 3,062,220.00 3.03 2,106,000 6,379,590.00
Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 21.6 479,900 9,620,020.00 18 963,100 16,646,048.00
DNL Industries Inc. 4.4 32,296,000 143,217,742.00 4.47 124,539,000 551,103,150.00
Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 6.75 112,594,400 758,981,669.00 6.75 122,983,700 840,554,756.00
EEI 9.98 6,388,200 63,230,570.00 10.00 6,935,300 68,761,396.00
Euro-Med Lab. 1.80 19,000 35,110.00 1.85 72,000 129,960.00
Federal Chemicals 10.20 6,500 65,242.00
First Gen Corp. 22.5 16,548,800 374,622,835.00 22.65 8,443,700 193,547,445.00
First Holdings A 88.4 2,592,400 231,081,710.00 88.4 2,614,350 234,166,670.50
Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 17.50 8,000 138,380.00 17.20 108,900 1,866,546.00
Greenergy 0.0220 1,382,000,000 30,215,200.00 0.0230 4,365,700,000 103,354,400.00
Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.70 25,000 342,486.00 13.70 6,601,900 86,879,828.00
Integ. Micro-Electronics 4.21 1,036,000 4,279,500.00 3.95 233,000 927,170.00
Ionics Inc 0.640 602,000 375,820.00 0.630 595,000 388,200.00
Jollibee Foods Corp. 107.00 2,950,540 313,530,406.00 107.10 3,519,390 377,079,990.00
Lafarge Rep 10.9 4,300,600 46,054,410.00 10.8 4,071,200 43,036,566.00
Liberty Flour 45.00 500 22,500.00 41.50 500 20,750.00
LMG Chemicals 1.85 2,349,000 4,442,830.00 1.86 2,190,000 4,073,030.00
LT Group 12.74 11,302,200 142,462,424.00 12.6 6,103,700 77,627,844.00
Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. 1.6 4,000 6,400.00 1.61 29,000 45,690.00
Manchester Intl. A 12.8 1,157,300 15,972,668.00 15.52 10,093,500 167,179,908.00
Manchester Intl. B 13 577,000 8,037,812.00 15.2 4,363,000 76,093,154.00
Manila Water Co. Inc. 31.95 14,543,000 465,054,625.00 31.55 8,430,200 268,797,495.00
Mariwasa MFG. Inc. 5.04 8,001,000 45,291,432.00 4.24 126,079,000 382,998,350.00
Megawide 17.700 1,630,200 27,982,470.00 16.900 1,867,000 28,062,548.00
Mla. Elect. Co `A 262.00 1,943,540 504,035,392.00 258.00 2,274,800 592,944,834.00
Pancake House Inc. 7.80 31,100 242,428.00 7.90 6,000 47,300.00
Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 6.15 32,792,900 192,170,795.00 5.7 19,943,500 116,062,415.00
Petron Corporation 10.34 11,876,800 123,560,040.00 10.46 13,093,300 137,421,004.00
Phinma Corporation 10.90 97,100 1,103,390.00 10.90 11,900 131,720.00
Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 9.00 1,329,600 11,903,178.00 9.10 1,180,700 10,720,299.00
RFM Corporation 4.90 54,199,000 250,722,850.00 4.43 23,072,000 99,296,620.00
Roxas and Co. 3.1 54,000 167,190.00 3.5 3,000 10,500.00
Roxas Holdings 3.1 1,140,000 3,946,110.00 3.2 982,000 3,242,940.00
Salcon Power Corp. 4.7 2,579,500 12,460,330.00 5.1 757,000 3,762,110.00
San Miguel Brewery Inc. 30.00 148,300 4,695,915.00 34.00 177,100 6,023,460.00
San Miguel Corp `A 102.80 3,720,560 382,354,133.00 105.90 3,292,030 353,121,024.00
San MiguelPure Foods `B 242.8 128,040 30,986,696.00 242 609,920 146,405,994.00
Seacem 2.25 1,642,000 3,159,430.00 1.50 653,000 951,580.00
Splash Corporation 1.79 203,000 357,540.00 1.77 146,000 260,400.00
Swift Foods, Inc. 0.145 4,820,000 709,100.00 0.150 6,550,000 990,980.00
TKC Steel Corp. 1.69 162,000 275,440.00 1.79 737,000 1,266,420.00
Trans-Asia Oil 1.15 18,811,000 21,212,130.00 1.11 15,799,000 17,502,700.00
Universal Robina 81.50 5,651,720 450,191,937.50 78.00 9,413,860 750,531,933.00
Victorias Milling 1.3 16,033,000 20,514,210.00 1.28 61,823,000 83,056,690.00
Vitarich Corp. 0.95 32,387,000 33,301,360.00 0.9 15,342,000 14,703,840.00
Vivant Corp. 11.18 70,316,100 493,650,176.00 6.90 43,000 295,250.00
Vulcan Indl. 1.45 2,875,000 4,218,370.00 1.48 10,784,000 16,221,640.00
HOLDING FIRMS
Abacus Cons. `A 0.68 21,924,000 14,588,160.00 0.66 9,171,000 6,077,250.00
Aboitiz Equity 51.50 12,427,200 647,602,229.00 50.90 6,149,350 314,583,798.50
Alcorn Gold Res. 0.1410 1,275,800,000 177,686,510.00 0.1370 2,306,030,000 321,473,000.00
Alliance Global Inc. 16.50 53,013,100 864,208,024.00 16.40 54,594,600 896,070,406.00
Anglo Holdings A 2.12 685,000 1,447,530.00 2.18 1,726,000 3,701,870.00
Anscor `A 5.16 1,428,300 7,678,950.00 5.70 2,314,200 13,176,838.00
Asia Amalgamated A 4.90 1,316,000 6,600,722.00 5.20 3,632,000 18,870,190.00
ATN Holdings A 0.99 262,000 249,640.00 0.93 401,100 549,120.00
ATN Holdings B 0.98 798,000 736,410.00 1.04 872,000 858,750.00
Ayala Corp `A 527 3,427,470 1,742,779,551.00 493 3,776,540 1,931,846,972.00
DMCI Holdings 56.10 4,741,000 258,708,382.00 52.90 6,962,230 370,685,095.50
F&J Prince A 2.8 132,000 372,600.00 2.9 360,000 1,022,000.00
F&J Prince B 2.95 10,000 29,500.00 2.95 20,000 59,000.00
Filinvest Dev. Corp. 4.60 10,563,800 65,996,580.00 4.69 4,606,000 22,408,630.00
Forum Pacic 0.230 50,000 11,500.00 0.240 460,000 100,640.00
GT Capital 645 412,560 272,462,420.00 677.5 826,570 544,287,785.00
House of Inv. 6.30 329,900 2,111,212.00 6.40 1,001,000 6,435,803.00
JG Summit Holdings 39.20 6,606,500 254,262,460.00 38.90 9,252,900 357,830,560.00
Jolliville Holdings 6.2 10,400 67,200.00 6.75 27,100 184,350.00
Keppel Holdings `B 4.7 25,000 115,500.00 4.4 15,000 66,000.00
Lopez Holdings Corp. 6.32 10,384,600 65,595,739.00 6.35 20,643,800 131,214,867.00
Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.96 3,474,000 3,357,440.00 0.97 1,772,000 1,730,090.00
Mabuhay Holdings `A 0.400 50,000 19,400.00 0.380 673,900 257,650.00
Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.79 285,000 509,530.00 1.81 2,097,000 3,691,460.00
Metro Pacic Inv. Corp. 4.39 129,825,000 575,836,550.00 4.49 124,960,000 567,493,900.00
Minerales Industrias Corp. 6 884,400 5,336,075.00 6.1 2,871,100 17,575,147.00
MJCI Investments Inc. 6 50,100 184,070.00 5.63 105,500 628,804.00
Pacica `A 0.0500 22,740,000 1,142,410.00 0.0510 290,610,000 16,404,250.00
Prime Media Hldg 1.280 10,000 12,820.00 1.410 122,000 161,580.00
Prime Orion 0.570 509,000 284,340.00 0.590 2,213,000 1,256,140.00
Seafront `A 1.85 322,000 520,730.00 1.85 161,000 267,000.00
Sinophil Corp. 0.315 26,290,000 8,635,850.00 0.330 25,560,000 8,159,350.00
SM Investments Inc. 889.50 2,886,730 2,445,999,125.00 844.00 1,405,320 1,218,235,005.00
Solid Group Inc. 2.03 6,146,000 12,699,680.00 1.95 2,341,000 4,603,710.00
South China Res. Inc. 1.04 1,016,000 1,056,860.00 1.08 530,000 562,480.00
Transgrid 375.00 220 99,260.00 425.00 120 51,150.00
Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2700 1,690,000 426,600.00 0.2550 680,000 174,450.00
Wellex Industries 0.2950 21,530,000 6,576,300.00 0.3050 4,060,000 1,227,800.00
Zeus Holdings 0.340 15,170,000 5,540,650.00 0.335 4,280,000 1,476,400.00
P R O P E R T Y
Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 17.00 141,200 2,400,440.00 17.10 96,700 1,651,118.00
A. Brown Co., Inc. 3.00 1,052,000 3,099,780.00 2.95 860,000 2,553,410.00
Araneta Prop `A 0.820 9,190,000 7,195,990.00 0.710 1,524,000 1,087,540.00
Arthaland Corp. 0.178 2,220,000 394,190.00 0.179 4,440,000 802,810.00
Ayala Land `B 26.80 51,087,400 1,332,665,750.00 25.05 73,331,100 1,877,565,550.00
Belle Corp. `A 4.88 1,074,791,000 5,077,114,550.00 4.68 53,509,800 257,516,479.00
Cebu Holdings 4 1,029,000 4,139,060.00 4.17 262,000 1,089,970.00
Cebu Prop. `A 5 500 2,500.00
Centennial City 1.42 19,763,000 27,987,020.00 1.4 9,226,000 12,961,090.00
City & Land Dev. 2.40 43,000 101,020.00 2.45 149,000 341,160.00
Cityland Dev. `A 1.12 2,812,000 3,150,320.00 1.12 94,000 106,050.00
Crown Equities Inc. 0.065 500,000 31,640.00 0.067 3,010,000 190,400.00
Cyber Bay Corp. 0.81 2,867,000 2,499,290.00 0.79 5,477,000 4,348,910.00
Empire East Land 1.000 98,596,000 101,863,710.00 1.080 131,205,000 145,127,480.00
Eton Properties 2.81 115,000 328,430.00 2.90 45,000 130,500.00
Ever Gotesco 0.385 119,870,000 46,689,250.00 0.355 73,860,000 26,685,700.00
Global-Estate 1.90 9,006,000 17,397,140.00 1.96 16,190,000 32,075,730.00
Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.49 56,428,000 84,788,590.00 1.51 63,752,000 98,927,810.00
Highlands Prime 1.99 48,000 87,110.00 1.80 4,000 7,200.00
Interport `A 1.25 1,787,000 2,064,430.00 1.18 1,471,000 1,747,940.00
Keppel Properties 2.60 6,000 15,600.00
Megaworld Corp. 2.76 289,369,000 796,839,680.00 2.8 395,461,000 1,113,483,460.00
MRC Allied Ind. 0.1550 18,440,000 2,876,900.00 0.1550 255,040,000 40,291,990.00
Phil. Estates Corp. 0.6500 103,271,000 76,434,510.00 0.7800 18,602,000 14,446,960.00
Phil. Realty `A 0.450 1,620,000 728,550.00 0.450 410,000 183,750.00
Primex Corp. 3.60 794,000 2,946,760.00 3.21 20,000 63,080.00
Robinsons Land `B 21.00 15,201,100 316,788,365.00 21.35 34,278,000 722,447,470.00
Rockwell 2.51 7,332,000 18,237,360.00 2.63 5,794,000 15,445,560.00
Shang Properties Inc. 3.05 1,580,000 4,741,800.00 3.00 345,000 1,035,570.00
SM Development `A 5.90 11,949,500 70,509,170.00 5.95 3,733,100 22,263,929.00
SM Prime Holdings 16.52 79,832,400 1,274,850,002.00 15.94 55,467,600 880,294,268.00
Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.68 5,938,000 3,975,900.00 0.68 1,242,000 850,340.00
Starmalls 3.96 117,000 461,670.00 4 160,000 632,360.00
Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.540 2,138,000 1,181,270.00 0.560 1,245,000 702,720.00
Vista Land & Lifescapes 4.750 71,761,800 349,293,381.00 5.050 54,029,700 272,776,149.00
S E R V I C E S
2GO Group 1.88 397,000 741,080.00 1.75 213,000 378,210.00
ABS-CBN 33.55 535,900 17,636,975.00 32.3 960,700 31,368,665.00
Acesite Hotel 1.24 293,000 356,570.00 1.26 625,000 783,960.00
APC Group, Inc. 0.820 270,402,000 225,408,980.00 0.780 126,416,000 97,311,100.00
Asian Terminals Inc. 9.7 54,400 523,330.00 9.6 12,700 121,920.00
Bloomberry 12.98 38,273,000 493,705,928.00 13.10 27,637,100 365,912,668.00
Boulevard Holdings 0.1350 180,690,000 25,082,290.00 0.1410 202,480,000 29,545,940.00
Calata Corp. 3.9 15,640,000 64,211,710.00 4.88 10,241,900 53,524,449.00
Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 62.00 1,646,160 100,029,737.00 60.00 2,549,700 154,728,276.00
Centro Esc. Univ. 11.92 4,800 52,430.00 12.4 10,600 131,220.00
DFNN Inc. 4.30 450,000 1,863,570.00 4.35 1,235,000 5,460,720.00
Easy Call Common 2.94 185,000 513,940.00 2.30 137,000 298,280.00
FEUI 1080 2,400 2,537,900.00 1080 2,450 2,571,345.00
Globe Telecom 1078.00 668,785 732,671,015.00 1109.00 289,535 328,373,560.00
GMA Network Inc. 9.00 3,899,800 34,951,549.00 8.80 1,659,000 14,490,895.00
I.C.T.S.I. 74.05 7,170,000 511,695,138.50 69.7 9,407,930 667,944,745.00
Information Capital Tech. 0.405 280,000 106,800.00 0.385 950,000 363,100.00
Imperial Res. `A 7.50 15,700 99,736 8.00 422,500 3,677,183
IPeople Inc. `A 9.3 389,500 3,541,269.00 9.5 10,138,200 86,176,047.00
IP Converge 3.15 1,493,000 4,531,940.00 2.95 2,294,000 6,702,810.00
IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.025 792,400,000 20,817,100.00 0.026 1,475,300,000 40,373,200.00
IPVG Corp. 0.54 14,299,000 8,068,910.00 0.58 17,738,000 10,522,680.00
Island Info 0.0480 18,920,000 983,760.00 0.0530 333,550,000 22,343,320.00
ISM Communications 2.3000 363,000 796,340.00 2.1900 325,000 724,810.00
Leisure & Resorts 8.00 3,195,400 24,803,075.00 7.80 5,171,000 39,608,820.00
Liberty Telecom 2.40 80,000 185,980.00 2.30 138,000 334,810.00
Lorenzo Shipping 1.32 11,529,000 15,227,200.00 1.7 11,000 17,280.00
Macroasia Corp. 2.50 24,000 59,510.00 2.70 13,000 34,710.00
Manila Bulletin 0.73 219,000 158,020.00 0.73 623,000 449,640.00
Manila Jockey 2.66 1,409,000 3,596,120.00 2.65 1,787,000 4,802,180.00
Metro Pacic Tollways 5.50 3,700 20,350.00 5.99 2,000 11,980.00
Pacic Online Sys. Corp. 13.9 441,900 6,115,216.00 13.8 131,600 1,827,016.00
PAL Holdings Inc. 4.70 850,000 4,089,640 5.00 464,700 2,331,665
Paxys Inc. 2.98 12,091,000 36,469,490.00 3.18 32,226,000 106,468,570.00
Phil. Racing Club 9.5 1,010,000 9,593,100.00 9.5 1,070,900 10,174,496.00
Phil. Seven Corp. 78.00 9,260 752,790.00 80.00 362,550 28,958,906.00
Philweb.Com Inc. 12.26 10,852,600 133,822,736.00 12.44 8,412,000 104,270,144.00
PLDT Common 2570.00 905,885 2,320,548,640.00 2560.00 743,785 1,939,090,640.00
PremiereHorizon 0.335 4,640,000 1,532,550.00 0.320 10,090,000 3,217,100.00
Puregold 32.30 6,725,500 222,896,545.00 33.80 10,564,800 358,020,045.00
STI Holdings 1.07 46,473,000 49,259,430.00 1.07 134,227,000 146,351,090.00
Touch Solutions 7.54 23,338,100 232,921,745.00 9.46 15,646,300 112,583,063.00
Transpacic Broadcast 2.1 60,000 120,560.00 2.06 15,000 31,000.00
Waterfront Phils. 0.420 1,780,000 729,050.00 0.420 2,380,000 972,400.00
Yehey 1.400 1,500,000 1,989,230.00 1.400 8,567,000 13,236,820.00
MINING & OIL
Abra Mining 0.0056 1,025,000,000 5,831,100.00 0.0057 317,000,000 1,801,600.00
Apex `A 4.60 1,066,000 5,049,990.00 4.85 398,000 1,876,240.00
Apex `B 4.60 22,000 102,600.00 4.80 40,000 186,280.00
Atlas Cons. `A 18.80 6,183,100 115,035,022.00 18.96 7,676,300 142,862,618.00
Atok-Big Wedge `A 22.00 150,158,400 2,508,103,889.00 23.50 14,100 325,240.00
Basic Energy Corp. 0.270 11,470,000 3,041,150.00 0.270 7,820,000 2,158,100.00
Benguet Corp `A 18.6 261,200 4,776,100.00 19.2 55,400 1,052,620.00
Benguet Corp `B 18 30,000 540,000.00 18.2 23,300 435,420.00
Century Peak Metals Hldgs 0.86 4,121,000 3,576,360.00 0.9 6,639,000 4,795,180.00
Coal Asia 1.03 11,556,000 11,934,390.00 1.06 22,549,000 23,651,480.00
Dizon 15.28 55,500 826,740.00 15.28 289,900 4,360,998.00
Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.5 3,824,000 1,928,110.00 0.52 7,092,000 3,621,570.00
Lepanto `A 1.000 132,133,000 132,842,130.00 0.990 87,254,000 85,659,630.00
Lepanto `B 1.090 23,534,000 25,259,350.00 1.090 67,524,000 70,104,990.00
Manila Mining `A 0.0580 523,260,000 30,261,020.00 0.0580 909,150,000 54,120,310.00
Manila Mining `B 0.0580 237,260,000 13,776,320.00 0.0590 360,940,000 21,348,950.00
Nickelasia 16.06 4,986,200 80,209,944.00 16.12 4,916,900 79,422,926.00
Nihao Mineral Resources 4.9 541,600 2,693,127.00 4.99 2,794,200 14,153,000.00
Omico 0.5800 1,424,000 796,870.00 0.5700 823,000 479,460.00
Oriental Peninsula Res. 3.480 2,593,000 8,980,270.00 3.350 4,185,000 14,311,090.00
Oriental Pet. `A 0.0200 142,600,000 2,711,400.00 0.0190 352,800,000 6,706,500.00
Oriental Pet. `B 0.0200 25,100,000 507,000.00 0.0200 15,000,000 300,100.00
Petroenergy Res. Corp. 5.90 160,800 956,294.00 5.99 82,800 492,688.00
Philex `A 14.96 13,616,200 205,180,732.00 14.98 31,614,600 459,907,676.00
PhilexPetroleum 29.3 687,200 19,835,500.00 29.5 1,371,600 38,983,190.00
Philodrill Corp. `A 0.038 1,567,000,000 62,518,400.00 0.039 1,727,800,000 67,300,400.00
PNOC Expls `B 40 4,800 194,500.00
Semirara Corp. 230.00 1,315,090 299,172,624.00 222.00 410,270 90,302,484.00
United Paragon 0.0170 431,600,000 7,337,500.00 0.0180 38,200,000 664,800.00
PREFERRED
ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 33.55 4,918,900 160,425,050.00 31.9 3,970,300 127,870,725.00
Ayala Corp. Pref `A 522 1,180 616,260.00 520 970 503,200.00
First Gen G 105 191,800 20,134,900.00 105 11,810 1,240,050.00
First Phil. Hldgs.-Pref. 103.5 42,200 4,322,825.00 102 24,790 2,528,580.00
GMA Holdings Inc. 9.3 19,287,300 176,808,699.00 8.91 16,245,200 143,829,597.00
PCOR-Preferred 107.7 18,640 2,011,401.00 108.5 174,670 18,909,709.00
SMC Preferred A 74.95 647,910 48,515,384.00 75 7,478,190 560,857,813.50
SMC Preferred B 74.2 53,320 3,946,836.50 75.25 62,120 4,673,780.50
SMC Preferred C 74.5 658,030 34,482,930.00 77.5 70,900 5,395,545.00
SMPFC Preferred 1016 9,280 9,388,980.00 1007 4,785 4,846,745.00
Swift Pref 1.45 1,000 1,450.00 1.25 34,000 45,350.00
WARRANTS & BONDS
Megaworld Corp. Warrants 1.8 4,544,000 7,890,070.00 1.78 12,690,000 22,354,590.00
Megaworld Corp. Warrants2 1.66 297,000 501,400.00 1.8 160,000 276,800.00
S M E
Ripple E-Business Intl 10.5 1,067,800 9,668,140.00 5.29 35,000 180,080.00
Market expected
to trade sideways
WEEKLY MOST TRADED
STOCKS VOLUME
Philodrill Corp. `A 1,567,000,000
Greenergy 1,382,000,000
Alcorn Gold Res. 1,275,800,000
Belle Corp. `A 1,074,791,000
Abra Mining 1,025,000,000
IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 792,400,000
Manila Mining `A 523,260,000
United Paragon 431,600,000
Megaworld Corp. 289,369,000
APC Group, Inc. 270,402,000
STOCKS VALUE
Belle Corp. `A 5,077,114,550.00
Atok-Big Wedge `A 2,508,103,889.00
SM Investments Inc. 2,445,999,125.00
Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 2,325,629,047.50
PLDT Common 2,320,548,640.00
Metrobank 2,157,834,343.00
Ayala Corp `A 1,742,779,551.00
Ayala Land `B 1,332,665,750.00
SM Prime Holdings 1,274,850,002.00
Alliance Global Inc. 864,208,024.00
The center of the celebration
THE birth of Jesus is one of two central
events in Christianity, the other being His
Resurrection. Jesus birth on a borrowed
stable in a manger sends out a clear message
of simplicity and humility, with which the
Prince of Peace came forth into this world.
Sans the fun fare and articial glitters, only
the Star of Bethlehem and the countless stars
in the heavens glistened and stood witness to
His proverbial coming, heralded by a choir of
angels. His rst guests on the eve of His birth
were simple folks, the shepherds.
The reason for the season
Reecting on this scene of the rst
Nativity, I realize how far-off our Christmas
celebrations have become. In the Philippines,
in particular, the beginning of the ber
months marks the start of the countdown to
Christmas day. The large shopping malls,
in particular, and Filipino households, in
general, start putting up Christmas decors
and begin playing Christmas songs. As
early as September, holiday decors start
competing with the ornate owers and
candles that accompany the celebration of
All Souls Day on Nov. 1. Many people
start reviewing and updating their gift lists
and begin early with their shopping to avail
of discounts and freebies and to avoid the
dense crowd that accompanies the month
of December. There are those who eagerly
anticipate an out-of-town or out-of-the-
country trip with family or grand reunions
with relatives and friends, with promo
ights booked several months ahead. There
are others who start planning out how to
spend their hard-earned 13th month pay to
get the most for their money in Divisoria,
the bargain capital of the country.
The more enterprising rent stalls in tiangges
and night markets to take advantage of
the prevailing shopping mood. Without us
noticing it, commercialization and short-
lived pleasure from material acquisitions/
possessions succeeded in veering our attention
away from the Real Reason for the season,
which is Jesus, Gods gift to humanity. It is
sad how our current age has come to associate
Christmas with new clothes, material gifts,
parties, holiday travels and other things
temporal that would come to pass.
It is no coincidence that Advent comes in or
is sandwiched between the Feast of Christ the
King in all His splendor, and birth of the Infant
Jesus in all His deprivation. The sharp contrast
seems to remind us to pause a while, and
reect on going back to the basics. After all,
the Reason for the Season is coming to bring
forth the Good Newsnot about temporal
comfort brought forth by new discoveries
and inventions, not about the victory from
worldly battles and competitions, but the
Good News of our salvation. The Advent
season is characterized predominantly by
longer periods of darkness or longer evenings
to dramatize the eventual coming of the Light
of the World. Amidst all the dark forces that
plague the world todayvices, corruption,
distorted values, passion for worldly goods
and earthly power, culture of deaththere
forebodes the coming of the Prince of Light,
Hope, Peace and Lovetimeless gifts to
humanity packaged in the Worlds Number
One Child, as one milk commercial would
advertise.
Going back to basics
How do we go back to the basics when
we have already gotten so used to all
the trimmings of modern Christmas
celebrations? How can we observe the
season in such a way that we can really make
the Child Jesus, the center of the celebration
and make Him truly happy? Tonight, as
we gather around the family Noche Buena
table, let us not forget to put Jesus at the
center of our revelry. Let us invite Him into
our hearts that He may freely move within
us and our households to direct us on how
we can put our priorities in place, and be His
willing messengers of the hope, joy, peace
and love that He brings forth in abundance
to those who are willing to receive and share
them to those in most need.
A blessed and meaningful Christmas
and a year of bountiful blessings ahead to
everyone!
Br. Ricardo Laguda FSC is president of De
La Salle University. He can be reached at
br.ricky@delasalle.ph.
The views expressed above are the authors
and do not necessarily reect the ofcial
position of De La Salle University, its faculty,
and administrators.
BR. RICARDO
LAGUDA FSC
GREEN LIGHT
By Jenniffer B. Austria
STOCKS are expected to move side-
ways in the shortened trading period this
week, as concerns over the US scal
cliff could temper the traditional window
dressing in the last week of December.
The market is closed Monday
and Tuesday for the Christmas
celebration.
AB Capital Securities said
investors would likely focus on
the risks of scal cliff, which
could lead to higher taxes and
spending cuts in the already
struggling US economy.
Analysts also said share prices
remained expensive despite
the recent technical correction,
which could temper investor
appetite.
Markets are pricing in
an earnings growth of 30.43
percent and 17.51 percent for
2012 and 2013, respectively,
as represented by the premium
to the mean valuation multiple.
The implied earnings growth
of valuations is higher than the
projected growth in earnings,
AB Capital said.
AB Capital said the
benchmark index seemed to
form a new range of 5,600
points to 5,860 points.
We expect the index to
descend next week given the
short trading week and persisting
external risk on top of hefty
valuations. We continue to prefer
acquiring shares selectively
given the elevated valuations,
AB Capital said.
The PSEi gained 116 points,
or 2.1 percent, last week to
close at 5,823.94 as investors
welcomed the move of Standard
& Poors Ratings Services to
raise its rating outlook to positive
from stable, due to the countrys
political stability and better
economic numbers.
The outlook upgrade boosted
optimism the Philippines will get
its rst investment grade rating
next year.
The Philippines is currently
rated a notch below investment
grade by S&P, Moodys Investors
Service and Fitch Ratings.
The World Bank also raised
its growth forecast for the
Philippines for 2012 and
2013, due to strong economic
expansion and political stability.
It expects the economy to grow
by 6 percent this year and 6.2
percent in 2013.
The upward adjustment in the
World Banks growth forecast
for the economy came after the
government reported a surprising
7.1-percent economic growth in
the third quarter.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF
_________________________________

SCN CASE NO. _________
to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant
to Republic Act No. 9139.
x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
PETITION
Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139,
petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to
become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and
respectfully declares:
1. My full name is TEJPAL S. GILL but I have also
been known since childhood as _____Tej_____ , or I
have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s)
______N/A______.
2. My present place of residence is 1901 Luzon Avenue,
Sampaloc, City/Municipality of Manila, Province of ______,
and all my former places of residence are (please indicate
periods of residence):
1951 Honradez Ext., Samp. Mla. (Jan. 24, 1979 to Jan. 1980)
410 B. 3rd St., Honradez St., Samp. Mla. (Jan. 1980 to May 1981)
599 Altura St., Sta. Mesa, Mla._(May 1981 to Oct. 1984)
3. I was born on Jan. 24, 1979, in Manila, I have been
a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a
citizen or subject of India.
4. My father's name is Sukhdip Singh and he was born
on Sept. 18, 1954 in Manila. He is a citizen or subject of
Philippines. My mother's name is Kuljit Kaur and she was
born on March 29, 1958, in Punjab, India. She is a citizen
or subject of India.
5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is
_N/A_ and from which I derive an average annual income
of N/A, inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.
My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful
occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average
annual income of P _N/A_.
Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark
(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from
the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from
submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years
because I am a college degree holder [please state (1)
degree obtained: _Doctor of Medicine_, (2) name of
school:_University of Perpetual Help Las Pias City_ and
(3) year graduated:_2006 who cannot practice my profession
(the practice of which requires a government licensure
examination) by reason of my citizenship.
6. My civil status is Single. I was married on N/A in N/A.
My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on
N/A in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently
resides N/A.
7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage
was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment
dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular
court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and
my spouse died on N/A in N/A.
8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and
places of birth and residences are as follows:
Name Date of Birth Place of Birth Residence
9. I received my primary and secondary education from
the following public schools or private educational institutions
duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture
and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government
and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school
curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race
or nationality:
Name of School Place of
School
Dates of
Study
Highest Grade
Completed
UST ELEMENTARY Manila 1985-1991 Graduate
UST HIGH SCHOOL Manila 1991-1995 Graduate
UST COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Manila 1995-1999 B.S. BIOLOGY
10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any
of the following dialects of the Philippines: Tagalog.
11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the
following public schools or private educational institutions
duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture
and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government
and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school
curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race
or nationality:
Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark
Name of Child Name and Place of
School
Date of
Enrollment
12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good
moral character. I believe in the principles underlying
the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a
proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period
of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the
constituted government as well as with the community in
which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have
evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs,
traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the
qualifcations and none of the disqualifcations under Republic
Act No. 9139.
am not opposed to organized government or affliated
with any association or group of persons who uphold and
teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I
am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of
violence, personal assault or assassination for the success
and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist
nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not
been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any
incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am
a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and
grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or
subjects thereof.
13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen
of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever
all allegiance and fdelity to any foreign prince, potentate,
state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to India of which at
this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously
in the Philippines from the date of the fling of this petition
up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.
14. My character witnesses are Dr. Leoncio D. Caringal
and Atty. Andres C. Mendoza both Filipino citizens, of
legal age, and residing at 414 T. Anzures St., Sampaloc,
Mla and No. 439 3rd St., Honradez Ext. Sampaloc
Manila respectively, who have executed sworn statements
attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together
with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b)
detailed statements on the dates they frst came to know
me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the
reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the
number of times they have acted as character witnesses
in other petitions for naturalization.
15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of
this petition are the dupIicate originaIs or certied
photocopies of the following documents (please check
the appropriate box):
[ ] a. Petitioner's birth certifcate
[ ] b. Petitioner's alien certifcate of registration (ACR)
[ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certifcate of residence
(NBCR)
[ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certifcate, if married
[ ] e. Death certifcate of his/her spouse, if widowed
Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark
[ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or
granting legal separation, if such was the fact
[ ] g. Birth certifcates of petitioner's minor children
[ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children
[ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children
[ ] j. Affdavits of fnancial capacity by the petitioner,
dul y support ed by bank cert i f i cat i ons,
passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of
ownership of other properties
[ ] k. Affdavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses
who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation
in petitioner's place of residence
[ ] l. Medical certifcate from a government hospital
stating that petitioner is not suffering from
mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs
or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she
is not afficted with acquired immune defciency
syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious
disease.
[ ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the
petitioner from the school/s he or she attended
in the Philippines
[ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor
children are enrolled in public schools or private
educational institutions duly recognized by the
DECS, where Philippine history, government
and civics are taught and prescribed as part of
the school curriculum and where enrollment is
not limited to any race or nationality
[ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three
years
[ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax
for the past three years
16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in
support of his/her petition:
Request Letter: Clearances NBI, BARANGAY, POLICE
& COURT CLEARANCE
My Father's Certicate of NaturaIization
Income Tax Returns for the Past (3) years, Bank
Certicates & Property papers of my parents.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be
conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions
of Republic Act No, 9139.
Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this _____ day of
________, 20 _____.
TEJPAL S. GILL
Name and Signature of Petitioner
Address: 1901 Luzon Avenue,
Sampaloc, Manila
Telephone Number: _______________
Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
CITY/MUNICIPAL OF MANILA ) S.S.
I, TEJPAL S. GILL of legal age and a resident of 1901
Luzon Ave., Sampaloc Manila, after being duly sworn,
depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have
read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition
and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true
of my own knowledge.
TEJPAL S. GILL
Name and Signature of Petitioner
SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Manila this
24
th
day of Nov., 2012.
Doc. No.
Page No.
Book No.
Series of
SCN FORM NO. 1
(R.A. NO. 9139)
(MST-Dec. 17, 24 & 31, 2012)
NOTICE OF LOSS
(MST-Dec. 10, 17 & 24, 2012)
Not i ce i s her eby
given that this Stock
Certifcate No. 154732
(5 shares) with Bank of
the Philippine Islands
were decl ared l oss
under Affdavit of Loss
executed by Rolando
R. Per ez bef or e
Notary Public ATTY.
GERVACIO B. ORTIZ,
JR. as per Doc. No. 93;
Page No. 20; Book No.
VLIX; Series of 2012.
Business
ManilaStandardToday business@mst.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
B3
PSE: More firms widen float
Graft raps vs. BFAD officials junked
Scaled-down budget eyed Melco
offering
readied
WASHINGTONPresident Barack
Obama has scaled back his ambitions
for a sweeping budget bargain with
Republicans. Instead, hes calling for
a limited measure sufcient to prevent
the government from careening off the
scal cliff in January by extending tax
cuts for most taxpayers
and forestalling a painful
set of agency budget cuts.
In a White House
appearance Friday,
Obama also called on
Congress to extend jobless
benets for the long-term
unemployed that would
otherwise be cut off for 2
million people at the end
of the year.
If Obama and Congress
cant reach a deal by
Dec. 31, the so-called
scal cliff looms.
Some $536 billion in
tax increases, touching
nearly all Americans
would begin to take effect in January,
because various federal tax cuts and
breaks expire at years end. Also, about
$110 billion in spending cuts divided
equally between the military and most
other federal departments would also
be automatically triggered.
The fear is that the combination of
tax increases and spending cuts would
push the fragile US economy back into
recession.
Obamas announcement was a
recognition that chances for a larger
agreement before years end have
probably collapsed. It also suggested
that any chance for a smaller deal may
rest in the Senate, particularly after the
collapse of a plan by Republican House
Speaker John Boehner to permit tax rates
to rise on million-dollar-plus incomes.
In the next few days, Ive asked
leaders of Congress to work toward a
package that prevents
a tax hike on middle-
class Americans,
protects unemployment
insurance for 2 million
Americans, and lays the
groundwork for further
work on both growth
and decit reduction,
Obama said. Thats
an achievable goal.
That can get done in
10 days.
Maybe, maybe not.
The latest plan faces
uncertainty at best in the
sharply divided Senate.
Republican leader
Mitch McConnell of
Kentucky, who wields great power
even in the minority, called Friday for
Senate action on a House bill from the
summer extending the full menu of
President George W. Bush-era tax cuts.
He promised that it will take Republican
votes for anything to clear the Senate,
where 60 votes are required to advance
most legislation. Democrats control 53
votes.
Boehner, giving the Republican
weekly radio address, said, Of course,
hope springs eternal, and I know we
have it in us to come together and do
the right thing. AP
MACAU-BASED casino
operator Melco Crown
Entertainment Ltd. is set to
conduct a mandatory tender offer
to the minority shareholders
of Manchester International
Holdings Inc.
Manchester said in a disclosure
to the stock exchange MCE
Philippines Investment Ltd. and
MCE Philippines Investments
No. 2 Corp., which are owned
by the Melco group, would make
an offer to acquire the remaining
28.58 million common shares of
Manchester.
The shares comprise 6.94
percent of the total outstanding
capital stock of the company.
The tender offer was triggered
by Melco groups acquisition
of a 93.06-percent stake in
Manchester through a block sale
Thursday.
Major shareholders of
Manchester, namely Interpharma
Holdings and Management
Corp. and Pharma Industries
Holdings Ltd., signed a binding
agreement to sell their combined
93.06-percent stake in the
company to the Melco group
for P1.259 billion, or for P3.28
apiece. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Ofce of the Ombudsman
junked a graft case led by a former
distributor of Red Bull Supreme
energy drink against two ofcials
of the Bureau of Food and Drugs,
saying the grant of certicate of
product registration has nothing to do
with intellectual property rights.
In a seven-page decision
promulgated on November 9, 2012,
the Ombudsman dismissed the case
led by Energy Food and Drinks Inc.
against Nazarita Tacandong, former
acting director IV of BFAD, and
Emilio Polig, former chief of legal
and information division of BFAD.
Energy Food accused Tacandong
and Polig of violating the anti-graft law
when they approved the application
for certicate of product registration
of Maryland Distributors Inc., the
new exclusive distributor of Red
Bull as authorized by Thailand-based
manufacturer T.C. Pharmaceutical
Industries Company Ltd.
There is no iota of evidence
showing probable cause to indict
respondents for violation of [the aint-
graft law], the Ombudsman said.
The decision stressed that Energy
Foods own product registration
had nothing to do with intellectual
property rights. The Ombudsman
said the law does not confer any
intellectual property rights on
the grantee of a certicate of
product registration. It said the
requirement of registration of
imported product in BFAD was
merely intended to ensure that the
customers are adequately protected
from adulterated, misbranded
and otherwise substandard food
products.
The Ombudsman noted that under
a BFAD directive, the specic
requirements for the registration of
imported food and food products did
not prohibit the issuance of another
CPR of the same imported product.
The Ombudsman said the
complainant also failed to point out
any law or BFAD rules prohibiting the
issuance of a CPR because of issues
on distributorship agreement over an
imported product. The Ombudsman
said registration of imported product
was allowed regardless of whether
or not the same is covered by an
exclusive distributorship agreement.
Respondents were able to prove
that MDIs CPR was issued in the
regular performance of duty by
public respondents. MDI was able to
submit all the required documents for
the issuance of a CPR, it said.
In its complaint, Energy Food
claimed the BFAD ofcials conspired
and confederated with MDI for
issuance of the latters CPR, despite
Energy Foods claim that it owns the
intellectual property rights over Red
Bull in the Philippines.
T.C. Pharmaceutical terminated
its distribution contract with Energy
Food effective October 31, 2008 and
appointed MDI as the new importer
of Red Bull in the Philippines on
May 22, 2009. On May 26, 2009,
MDI applied for issuance of a CPR
and submitted all the requirements
prescribed by BFAD.
The BFAD ofcials, however,
denied any wrongdoing and claimed
BFAD could only refuse registration
when the application dossier did not
meet and satisfy the standards and
requirements or there was a court
order enjoining it from registering
the product.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Philippine Stock
Exchange said more
companies have complied
with the minimum public
oat required on listed
issues.
The exchange said only 12 companies
as of Dec. 21 failed to meet the minimum
public ownership requirement from 25 on
Dec. 7.
Selling by principal shareholders of their
holdings to the public has resulted in increased
compliance with the MPO requirement. This
is consistent with the intent of the rule to put
more shares in the hands of the investing
public, PSE president and chief executive
Hans Sicat said.
The 12 that needs to widen their public
oat to at least 10 percent are Alphaland
Corp., Manchester International Holdings
Inc., Southeast Asia Cement Holdings
Inc., PAL Holdings Inc., Allied Banking
Corp., Maybank ATR Kim Eng Financial
Corp., San Miguel Brewery Inc., PNOC
Exploration Corp., San Miguel Properties
Inc., Philcomsat Holdings Corp., Cosmos
Bottling Corp. and Nextstage Inc.
The companies have up to Dec. 31, 2012 to
comply with the minimum public oat.
We have been receiving inquiries from
investors on this issue and we continue to
urge the investing public to remain watchful
of developments on this matter, Sicat added.
The PSE requires publicly-listed
companies to have a minimum of 10 percent
oat, exclusive of any treasury shares.
The rule aims to provide a fair and efcient
facility for price discovery and ensure that
sufcient liquidity exists in the stock market.
Immediately after Dec. 31, 2012, the PSE
will impose a trading suspension on the
shares of non-compliant companies for a
period of not more than six months, or until
June 30, 2013.
If after June 30, 2013, a listed company
remains non-compliant, the listed companys
shares shall be delisted.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue, as
contained in a recent ruling relating to the
public ownership rules, will impose a capital
gains tax and a documentary stamp tax on
non-compliant companies for every sale of
shares after Dec. 31, 2012.
After Dec. 31, 2012, a capital gains tax
equivalent to ve percent of the net capital
gains amounting to
not over P100,000
will apply while a 10-
percent capital gains
tax will be charged
on the excess.
In contrast, trading
of shares of listed
companies at the
PSE are subject only
to a tax equivalent
to 0.50 percent of
the transaction value
levied on the seller.
Aid to farmers. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (second from right) hands over farm inputs and tools that
form part of an initial P35 million worth of assistance to families affected by typhoon Pablo through Compostela Valley
Gov. Arturo Uy (second from left) and Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario (right), in simple ceremonies held in
Nabunturan, Compostela Valley. With them (from left) are DA Davao regional director Constancio Maghanoy Jr., DA
Davao regional technical director Norlito Agduyeng, DA assistant secretaries Edilberto de Luna and Dante Delima, and
DA Region 12 director Amalia Datukan (partly hidden).
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
B4
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IN BRIEF
Manila Standard TODAY
WORLD
Egypts draft charter gets yes vote
Pope pardons ex-butler who leaked documents
Tibet
keeps
ancient
heart
Toad gets
celebrity
treatment
Foreigners blamed for corruption
Obamas in Hawaii for Christmas break
CAIRO Egypts Islamist-backed
constitution received a yes
majority in a nal round of voting
on a referendum that saw a low voter
turnout, but the deep divisions it has
opened up threaten to fuel continued
turmoil.
Passage is a victory for
Islamist President Mohammed
Morsi, but a costly one. The
bruising battle over the past
month stripped away hope that
the long-awaited constitution
would bring a national consensus
on the path Egypt will take after
shedding its autocratic ruler
Hosni Mubarak nearly two years
ago.
Instead, Morsi disillusioned
many non-Islamists who had
once backed him and has become
more reliant on his core support
in the Muslim Brotherhood and
other Islamists. Hard-liners
in his camp are determined
to implement provisions for
stricter rule by Islamic law in
the charter, which is likely to
further fuel divisions.
Saturdays voting in 17 of
Egypts 27 provinces was
the second and nal round of
the referendum. Preliminary
results released early Sunday by
Morsis Muslim Brotherhood
showed that 71.4 percent of
those who voted Saturday said
yes after 95.5 percent of the
ballots were counted. Only
about eight million of the 25
million Egyptians eligible to
vote a turnout of about 30
percent cast their ballots.
The Brotherhood has accurately
predicted election results in
the past by tallying results
provided by its representatives
at polling centers.
In the rst round of voting,
about 56 percent said yes to
the charter. The turnout then
was about 32 percent.
The results of the two rounds
mean the referendum was
approved by about 63 percent.
Morsis liberal and secular
opposition now faces the
task of trying to organize
the signicant portion of the
population angered by what it
sees as attempts by Morsi and
the Brotherhood to gain a lock
on political power. The main
opposition group, the National
Salvation Front, said it would
now start rallying for elections
for the lawmaking, lower
house of parliament, expected
early next year.
We feel more empowered
because of the referendum.
We proved that at least we
are half of society (that)
doesnt approve of all this. We
will build on it, the Fronts
spokesman, Khaled Daoud,
said. Still, he said, there was
no appetite at the moment
for further street protests.
The new constitution
would come into effect
once official results are
announced, expected in
several days. When they are,
Morsi is expected to call for
the election of parliaments
lawmaking, lower chamber
no more than two months
later. AP
VATICAN CITY--Pope Benedict
XVI granted his former butler
a Christmas pardon Saturday,
forgiving him in person during a
jailhouse meeting for stealing and
leaking his private papers in one
of the gravest Vatican security
breaches in recent times.
After the 15-minute meeting,
Paolo Gabriele was freed and
returned to his Vatican City
apartment where he lives with
his wife and three children. The
Vatican said he couldnt continue
living or working in the Vatican,
but said it would nd him housing
and a job elsewhere soon.
This is a paternal gesture
toward someone with whom the
pope for many years shared daily
life, according to a statement from
the Vatican secretariat of state.
The pardon closes a painful
and embarrassing chapter for the
Vatican, capping a sensational,
Hollywood-like scandal that
exposed power struggles, intrigue
and allegations of corruption
and homosexual liaisons in the
highest levels of the Catholic
Church.
Gabriele, 46, was arrested May
23 after Vatican police found
what they called an enormous
stash of papal documents in his
Vatican City apartment. He was
convicted of aggravated theft by
a Vatican tribunal on Oct. 6 and
has been serving his 18-month
sentence in the Vatican police
barracks.
He told Vatican investigators
he gave the documents to Italian
journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi
because he thought the 85-year-
old pope wasnt being informed
of the evil and corruption in
the Vatican and thought that
exposing it publicly would put
the church back on the right
track. AP
BEIJINGThe government
of Tibets capital city has
begun a seven-month, 1.2
billion yuan ($196 million)
project to help preserve
Lhasas ancient heart.
State-owned China
Tibetan News, citing a city
government news conference
from Friday, said the project
will update the Barkhor areas
infrastructure, including
water, sewer and electrical
lines. The government also
will build heating facilities,
remove re hazards, improve
sanitation services, regulate
signs and dismantle illegally
built structures.
Believed to date back to the
seventh century, the Barkhor
has been built around Tibets
holiest shrine, the Jokhang
Temple. It is one of the most
vibrant areas in Lhasa, where
monks, pilgrims, residents and
tourists mingle. Barkhor Street
which circles the temple
is a pilgrim route, but it is also
known for shopping among
tourists as it is lled with
vendors selling traditional and
religious artifacts.
The city will provide
free space to 2,956 Barkhor
vendors at one of the citys
prime locations to help
minimize losses during the
construction, China Tibetan
News said.
The temple has been a
symbolic center of ongoing
Tibetan protests against
authoritarian Chinese rule,
and the Barkhor was a center
of Tibetan unrest in 2008 that
left at least a dozen people
dead, just months before
Beijing hosted the countrys
rst summer Olympic
Games. AP
KABUL, AfghanistanAfghani-
stans president accused on Saturday
the countries that fund his govern-
ment and military with enabling the
widespread corruption that under-
mines his efforts to establish rule of
law in the war-wracked country.
Graft and payoffs are widely
recognized as a major problem
facing Afghanistan as the govern-
ment works to establish authority
over a volatile country and win the
trust of the people over from the
Taliban insurgency. The country
regularly ranks among the most
corrupt in the world in indexes and
nearly every Afghan has stories of
having to pay a bribe to a police
ofcer or a government ofcial.
International donors have long
argued that they are trying to help
Karzais administration clean up
the endemic corruption but are
stymied by his unwillingness to
prosecute political allies. Karzai
in turn has repeatedly said that
he has not been given the ability
to control the billions of dollars
owing in to Afghanistan from
foreign countries and so has not
been able to police the funding.
Corruption in Afghanistan is a
reality, a bitter reality, Karzai said
in a nationally televised speech.
The part of this corruption that is
in our ofces is a small part: that
is bribes. The other part of corrup-
tion, the large part, is hundreds of
millions dollars that are not ours.
We shouldnt blame ourselves for
that. That part is from others and
imposed on us. AP
JOHANNESBURGThey
say cats have nine lives. Now
a Chinese toad has joined that
club of wily survivors.
South Africans are marvel-
ing at the endurance of a toad
that got trapped in a cargo ship-
ment from China to Cape Town
after jumping into a porcelain
candlestick that was made there.
South African ofcials report-
edly planned to put down the
creature, fearing it would cause
harm as an invasive species if it
were let go in the wild.
But the toad got a last-minute
reprieve. Mango Airlines, a South
African airline, transported the
toad on Friday to Johannesburg
for delivery to an animal sanctu-
ary after ofcials decided to nd a
way to let the globe-trotting toad
live. The two-hour ight was a
breeze compared to the trip from
China, an odyssey of many weeks
and thousands of kilometers across
the Indian Ocean.
Airline spokesman Hein
Kaiser said the toad got rst-
class treatment, sitting in the
cockpit in a transparent plas-
tic container with escort Brett
Glasby, an animal welfare
inspector. There was even a
mock ceremony in which the
toads boarding pass was hand-
ed to Glasby.
He was the star of the show
on the ight, Kaiser said of
the amphibious passenger. I
think every passenger stopped
to have a look.
On landing in Johannesburg,
the toad, dubbed Jack B Nimble,
was brought out of his container
for a celebrity-style photo call.
It belongs to the Asian Gold
Toad species, which breeds
during monsoon season. It is
believed to have survived the
trip from China by hardening
its skin to prevent it drying out
and also slowing its breathing
and heart rate, methods that
help the species survive in
times of drought. AP
KAILUA, Hawaii President
Barack Obama and Michelle
Obama wished Americans a
Merry Christmas and happy
holidays as their family arrived
in Honolulu to spend their
festivities where he was born
and raised.
In the presidents weekly
radio and Internet address,
he said the U.S. should give
thanks for veterans and their
families and asks Americans to
say a prayer for all our troops
including those spending the
holiday in Afghanistan.
Air Force One touched
down in Honolulu minutes
after midnight local time on
Saturday. The first family
departed the plane and
traveled quickly to their
vacation house in the beach
town of Kailua, a scenic,
sleepy beach town on the
east side of Oahu.
Kailua is roughly 12 miles
(19 kilometers) from downtown
Honolulu. Obamas vacation
house sits near a Marine base,
on the north end of a beach
popular among windsurfers and
paddle surfers.
As the president and his
family departed Air Force One,
Obama had shed the jacket
he was wearing when he left
Washington and was in a dress
shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
White House ofcials say the
presidents vacation itinerary
doesnt include any scheduled
public events.
No return date has been
given by the White House.
Obama himself said earlier
Friday that since a deal hasnt
been reached in Congress
on legislation to prevent tax
increases and expiration of
long-term unemployment
benets he would be returning
to Washington after Christmas.
In the Republican address,
House Speaker John Boehner
urged Democrats to work with
Republicans in Congress on
spending cuts and tax reforms.
He says, Hope springs
eternal. AP
NKorean leader wants
more powerful rockets
SEOULNorth Korean
leader Kim Jong Un has called
for the development of more
powerful rockets after last
weeks successful launch of a
satellite into space.
The Norths ofcial media
said Saturday that Kim made
the call at a banquet for
rocket scientists Friday in
Pyongyang.
The Dec. 12 launch of a
long-range rocket put the
countrys rst satellite in
orbit. The United States,
South Korea and others have
condemned the launch as a test
of ballistic missile technology
banned under UN Security
Council resolutions.
Kim had already called
for sending more scientic
satellites into space on the day
of the launch. But his speech
on Friday marks the rst time
he is explicitly calling for the
advancement of his countrys
long-range rocket program. AP
Emperor turns 79
amid aging Japan
TOKYOJapans Emperor
Akihito, celebrating his 79th
birthday, says hes concerned
about the countrys aging
population.
As he marked his birthday
Sunday, Akihito sympathized
with the elderly in the countrys
snowy northern region who
are facing their second winter
since the 2011 earthquake and
tsunami devastated the area.
Akihito and Empress Michiko
spent nearly two months
last year visiting disaster
evacuees.
Akihito also said his recovery
from heart bypass surgery last
February has taught him that
exercise is important for the
elderly to stay t.
He also acknowledged
becoming more prone to
tripping in recent years while
hiking. AP
Holiday high. A window cleaner dressed as Santa Claus tidies up a shopping mall in Tokyo on Sunday. AP
Rocket debris. In this undated photo released by the South Korean Defense Ministry Dec. 21, 2012, taken
at an unknown location, investigators examine parts of a rocket launched last Dec. 12 by North Korea,
which was found in the Yellow Sea, off Gunsan. AP
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Manila Standard TODAY
fashion beauty health wellness DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
C1
W
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GIFT GUIDE
Find the right gift to give to
your loved ones this season
as we present this years
holiday gift guide.
Gianna Maniego, Editor
Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor
A merry pink
CHRISTMAS
THERES no better way to cel-
ebrate the happiest day of the
year than giving recognition to
two recent events which were
staged for a laudable purpose.
But, before I give you details
of those events, let me take this
opportunity to wish all of you,
dear Readers, the best that life
can bring. May your Christmas
be as happy and as delightful
as you have imagined it to be,
in the company of your loved
ones! Let me also hasten to add
a sincere THANK YOU for all
the messages, comments, sug-
gestions and kind words you
took the time to send me. It
feels great to know that I have
become a happy part of your
Monday habit.
Avon in pink
Avons 2012 Manila Walk
and Run drew almost 20,000
friends who joined the event
to express their support for the
brands Kiss Goodbye to Breast
Cancer (KGBC) campaign.
Leading the Pink Brigade was
Avon Philippines President and
general manager Kanwar Bhu-
tani and 2012 KGBC celebrity
ambassador Sarah Lahbati,
who were also joined by fellow
celebrities Lucy Torres-Gomez
and Richard Gomez, Alice
Dixson, Bb. Pilipinas Janine
Tugonon, as well as repre-
sentatives from partner estab-
lishments GMA Network, SM,
Ford Philippines, The Penin-
sula Manila and the Philippine
Cancer Society.
Kapuso celebrities Lyn
Ching-Pascual, Arnold
Clavio, Susan Enriquez,
Luanne Dy and Love Anover
hosted the program which
featured an invocation by
Rachel Soliven, a personal
testimony by breast cancer
survivor Amy Tan, and a brief
speech by Bhutani, followed by
the awarding of the top nishers
of the 5K and 10K events.
This years KGBC event,
themed Lets Walk the Talk,
celebrates its 20th anniversary
worldwide, and reminds Fili-
pinos the importance of early
detection in battling this life-
threatening condition.
Deliciously pink Rustans
Rustans Supermarket and
Dove launched their partner-
ship campaign, In The Pink
Of Health, to drive awareness
and support for one of the most
pressing health issues of Fili-
pino women today. The Deli-
ciously Pink event introduced
their fundraising initiative that
benets the ICanServe Founda-
tion, an advocacy group cham-
pioning early breast cancer de-
tection.
Donnie Tantoco, Rustans
Supercenters, Inc. president,
tagged the event as a celebration
of life, beauty and health. Uni-
lever Philippines vice-president
for Customer Development
Carl Cruz concurred, much to
the delight of ICan Serve Foun-
dation vice president Nikoy de
Guzman.
Also in attendance were
event host and Dove endors-
er Angel Jacob, Shangri-La
Plaza executive vice-president
and general manager Lala Fo-
jas, and ICanServe Founda-
tion founding president Kara
Magsanoc-Alikpala, among
many others who enjoyed
the Deliciously Pink menu of
pink chicken lily sandwiches,
strawberry-lled cupcakes with
cream cheese frosting, salmon
gravlax with condiments, pink
and green macaroons, and other
pink sweet treats.
Bulletin board
Superdry Arrives. One of
the most awaited British fash-
ion brands has nally set foot in
the country. Superdry opened
its rst store at Bonifacio High
Street Central and launched
its latest collection, lled with
amazing acts, directed by Rob-
by Carmona. With the col-
lection inspired by Japanese
graphics, a grafti artist drew
Superdrys logo on the entrance
wall. Chillectro band Techy Ro-
mantics performed songs from
their albums, and The Philippine
All Stars captivated the guests
with their hip-hop number. Su-
perdry head of International Re-
tail Operations Brian Nebozuk
introduced brand ambassadors
top model Pauline Prieto, fash-
ion blogger David Guison, and
events host Tricia Centenera.
The brand, exclusively distrib-
uted by Stores Specialists, Inc.,
fuses Japanese graphics, vintage
Americana and the nest British
tailoring.
----------O----------
YOUR WEEKEND
CHUCKLE:
BUMPER STICKER ON A
SENIOR CITIZENS CAR: At
my age, Getting Any? means
sleep!
----------O----------
For feedback, Im at bobzo-
zobrado@gmail.com
Gifts only the super-rich
CAN AFFORD
By Ed Biado
THE shaky economy has taken a toll on everyone and even the luxury
industry is cautious. Is the proverbial one-percent still rich enough
to buy a million-dollar watch or a G6? Perhaps, although it doesnt
mean that they are looking to unload that amount of cash. But maybe
the one-percent of the one-percent will.
Lets open the 2012 Neiman
Marcus Christmas Book and fast
forward to the Fantasy Gifts sec-
tion, which features nine luxury
packages with prices ranging
from $30,000 to $1.09 million,
to see what these exaggeratedly
wealthy people are probably get-
ting for Christmas this year.
What is apparent in the current
issue is that its a bit tamerand
maybe a bit less imaginative and
excessivethan in previous years.
For $30,000, you can avail of the
Annie: The Musical Walk-On
Role package, including a walk-
on role on the staging of the Annie
musical, dinner with the producer
and six show tickets so your loved
ones can witness your big stage
debut.
Meanwhile, $70,000 will fetch
you a limited-edition hand-num-
bered and signed copy of artist
Robert Wilsons Snowy Owl
video portrait set against a Carl
Maria von Weber soundtrack. If
thats too inexpensive for you
and you prefer something more
interactive, theres the $90,000
Arcade PS Trunk custom-made
by Pinel & Pinel with PlaySta-
tion 3 consoles, peripherals and
Sony 3D TV. Those who want
the adrenaline rush to be physi-
cal and not virtual might want to
check out the Jetlev R200 pack-
age worth $99,500, including a
jetpack and a boat unit complete
with accessories.
Six-digit options begin at
$100,000 with the Heritage Hen
Mini Farm. The package is com-
posed of your very own fully-
furnished Heritage Hen Farm
multilevel dwelling setup and two
custom-designed and installed
raised vegetable or herb garden
beds. Next up is the Bulleit Woody
Tailgate Trailerliterally a bar
on the move. The Brad Ford-
designed trailer, worth $150,000,
is decked with a years supply of
Bulleit Bourbon and Rye and a
Sony entertainment system so that
you can take the party with you
wherever you go.
Got a quarter of a million
dollars to throw around? Spend it
on a private dinner for 10 prepared
by chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel
Boulud, Richard Rosendale and
Jerome Bocuse. The night will be
arranged by a professional event
planner, with Bertha Gonzalez
hosting a tequila tasting. Guests
will go home with a personalized
bottle of Casa Dragones tequila
with their names inscribed.
Or maybe just get a new car.
The 2013 Neiman Marcus Edi-
tion McLaren 12c Spider is
available for $354,000.
That leads us to the most ex-
pensive item in the Christmas
Bookthe Van Cleef & Arpels
Poetic Wish Watches & Trip
package starting at $1,090,000. A
pair of exquisite timepieces, the
his-and-hers diamond-encrusted
watches with innovative move-
ment are a technological and
design feat. The package also
comes with two business-class
plane tickets to Paris and Gene-
va for a horology tour complete
with luxury accommodations,
dining experiences and entertain-
ment of your choice.
Turn to C2
Lala Fojas (external
vice president/general
manager, Shangri-
la Plaza Corp), Carl
Cruz (vice president
Customer Devt, ULP)
Nikoy De Guzman
(vice president,
ICanServe Foundation)
and Donnie Tantoco
(president, RSCI)
Kara Magsanoc-
Alikpala
(Founding
president,
ICanServe
Foundation)
Donnie V. Tantoco (president,
RSCI), Carl Cruz (vice president
Customer Devt, ULP), Lala
Fojas (external vice president
and general manager, Shangri-
la Plaza Corp), Danica Caynap
(customer business manager,
ULP), Geraldyn Perez (key
customer executive, ULP) and
Richard Velasquez (customer
business mgr, ULP.)
Chef Rob shows how to choose
and prepare best Christmas ham
Amy Tam, a breast
cancer sufferer,
is honored by
Avon Philippines
president and
general manager
Kanwar Bhutani
after bravely
sharing her
experiences with
the disease.
The Philippine
Army marching
band led the
Avon Walk
and brought
energy and
excitement to
the supporters.
CHEF Rob Pengson has
recently visited leading su-
permarkets to demonstrate
how Premium Cut hams are
made.
The noted chef, instruc-
tor and restaurateur also pro-
vided an informative demon-
stration of how hams should
be prepared and served dur-
ing his visits at Holiday Ham
carving stations at SM Su-
permarket in North EDSA,
Quezon City, SM Megamall
in Pasig City, and SM Maka-
ti.
Chef Rob began the lively
interaction with shoppers
by deboning a porks whole
hind leg, which he says pre-
mium hams are made from.
There is more avor from
the hind leg, he explains.
He then educated the
participants about ham nets.
The only way to ensure
that your Christmas Ham is
made from one whole bone-
less meat is to look for net
marks, he says.
Chef Rob says wide net
marks are different from
stocking marks in hams.
Hams cooked in stockings or
plastics may not be whole-meat hams, theyre usually made from small pieces of meat
from the different parts of pork. Molded hams cannot be cooked in ham nets because
the pieces of meat may fall off.
He also described how whole-meat hams are smoked in ham nets and simmered in
special sauces.
After the meat preparation demonstration, Chef Rob provided tips on how to serve
the ham. He says hams are best enjoyed simply prepared
Before sampling out hams to participants, Chef Rob challenged the audience to a
quiz and gave out whole Holiday Ham packs to those who provided correct answers.
A brief run through of Chef Robs demonstration will be aired on morning TV
programs Umagang Kay Ganda and Unang Hirit, for the benet of those that did not
catch the live demonstration.
Superdry head of
International Retail
Operations, Brian
Nebozuk and SSIs Mike
Huang
Superdry brand
ambassador David
Guison
Superdry brand
ambassador Tricia
Centenera
Kanwar Bhutani, delivers a rousing speech
to the Avon Goodble to Breast Cancer
campaign supporters
Kanwar Bhutani, Bob
Briddon senior vice
president, and president
Asia Pacic at Avon
products, Inc., KGBC
ambassador Sarah Lahbati
with KGBC advocates Alice,
Dixon, Lucy Torrest-Gomez,
and Richard Gomez rally the
crowd before the start of
the Walk.
The US$89-million
worth Gulfstream 6650
Ultralong range
Jetlev
R200
Van Cleef & Arpels Poetic
Wish watches and trip
package
The 2013 Neiman Marcus Edition-
McLaren 12C Spider
Robert Wilsons Snowy
Owl video portrait
MONDAY C2
DECEMBER 24, 2012
Gianna Maniego, Editor
Dinna Chan Vasquez, Assistant Editor
ManilaStandardToday
#lovemy
fashion beauty health wellness
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standardlifestyle@gmail.com
MAGNUM
on the runway
By Dinna Chan Vasquez
Magnum presented some of Ma-
nilas best designers at the MOA
Atrium during the Philippine Fash-
ion Week.
An authority on indulgence and
style, Magnum selected a creative
assembly of designers to push vi-
sual pleasure to its peak by forecast-
ing fashion through a Visions and
Trends collection.
More than up for the challenge
were the likes of fashion sages Bo
Parcon, Enrico Carado, Jaki
Penalosa, Jan Garcia, Jot Losa,
Mark Tamayo, Oz Go, Santi Ob-
cena and Xernan Orticiowhose
innovative designs left onlookers
feeling like they were born several
decades too early. Even the Ready
To Wear collections would have im-
pressed a kings royal tailor because
the designers Dave Ocampo, Emi
Alexander Englis, Jian Lasala,
John Guarnes, John Herrera and
Paul Herrera know exactly what
it means to be both daringly mod-
ern, and timelessly stylish. And as
a grande nale, the models walked
down the runway dressed in John
Guarnes Magnum inspired collec-
tion of modernly seductive cuts and
rich chocolate hues.
Guests enjoyed the velvety,
smooth goodness of free-owing
Magnum Ice Cream. Everyone sa-
vored Magnums signature thick,
crisp, Belgian chocolate coating and
delicate vanilla ice cream lling as
well as their newest avor Choco-
Cappucinoa winning combination
for a truly luxurious treat t to be
served at a royal court.
THERE is no doubt that Magnum is one of the
most important brands to have been launched in
2012. Magnum was on everybodys lips, liter-
ally and guratively. Stores ran out of stocks
and people hoarded the ice cream treat.
For pearly white teeth
all year round
Christmas is the time for feasting and can
put a toll on your oral health because of
plaque buildup. So make the switch from
manual brushing to SoniCare EasyClean
toothbrush that gives you better plaque
removal while helping to whiten teeth.
Its patented sonic technology drives
uid between teeth and along the gum
line to access the hard to reach area
of the mouth. The EasyClean also fea-
tures the ProResults interchangeable
brush heads that aids in plaque removal.
Instill healthy brushing habits at an early age
with SoniCare for Kids. Its age-appropriate brush
heads are specically designed to gently clean and
protect teeth at key developmental stages of your lit-
tle one. It also has two kid-friendly power modes that
adapt to give a gentle clean that is ideal for differ-
ent ages. To keep kids interested, its KidPacer feature
gives fun and engaging musical tones to encourage
them to brush the front and back of their upper and
lower teeth within the dentist recommended dura-
tion of two minutes.
By Ed Biado
THE Philippine fashion
scene wasnt very exciting
in 2012. Fashion weeks were
almost exact facsimiles of
the previous year, and most
independent designers didnt
really come out with new
ideas. In fact, what we saw
on their runways, weve seen
in Milan, New York and Paris
a season or two ago.
Providing some semblance
of excitement were casual
fast-fashion brands with
international superstars as
endorsers. Zac Efron, One
Direction, David
Archuleta, Jessica
Sanchez, Bruno
Mars, Lee Min
Ho, Ian Somer-
halder, Adam
Levine and Mario
Maurer, among
other big names in
the entertainment industry,
lent their faces and bodies to
longtime competitors Bench
and Penshoppe. Did their ef-
forts pay off?
Well, aside from trending
on Twitter, their respective
marketing and advertising
campaigns seemed to do
little to entice the regular
consumer. What appeared
to influence the impression-
able market were fashion
bloggers-slash-stylists, who
had fresh ideas but ended
up dressing the same way as
one another. In 2012, they
were the go-to guys and
girls for social media cam-
paigns.
On the streets, the rage
was all about the hi-lo skirt,
which clearly isnt for ev-
erybody, but most girls
donned them anyway. They
also continued to gravitate
toward the reliable leg-
gings, which came in every
conceivable color that the
ladies wore to every occa-
sion. Guys opted for drop-
crotches and folded jeans to
expose the ankleanother
look that isnt flattering on
all shapes and sizes.
The archetype hipster look
remained popular, with its
skinny jeans, vintage tees
and the occasional plastic-
framed specs. But instead of
trusty old Chucks, other shoe
designs were seen, like in-
dustrial boots, plain canvas,
polished leather sneaks and
some odd styles. Even in the
sweltering heat, a
lot of young people
insisted on wearing
sweaters, jackets
and blazers to add
oomph to their out-
ts.
Watches are
slowly getting back
in style. And the trend is
color, color and more color.
Toy Watches, Lego watches
and Swatches in a plethora
of hues are big sellers among
the youth. Affordable options
from Tomato and Artwork, as
well as Ice Watch knockoffs,
were likewise popular.
The latest addition to
the Manila ensemble is the
headphone. This year, it
became an important acces-
sory to complement certain
street looks as users chose
bigger and more noticeable
models, like the ones from
Beats, over small and dis-
creet pieces.
Will these trends endure
till next year? Or will we
shake it up and do a ward-
robe overhaul? Well, Manila,
thats up to you.
(Tomorrow: The year in so-
cial media infamy)
gift guide
Gifts...
From C1
But wait, you aint seen nothing yet. Be-
cause these options are somewhat frugal (and
by that, we mean for the one-percent of the
one-percent), lets peek inside the December
issue of luxury magazine Robb Report for a
more fantastical holiday gift selection.
Imagine a gentlemans closet, but not just any
closet. This one is designed by Gordon Stein.
Its fully automated by a smart butler inter-
face technology. It has six clothing modules, a
Cognac-and-cigar bar, a coffee bistro, a watch-
display tower, a safe room, a golf simulator and
an audiovisual setup. It comes pre-stacked with
a weeks worth of made-to-measure RTW pieces
from Ermenegildo Zegna. This international-
man-of-style package costs $2 million and up.
Of course, a true gentleman needs to have
a comprehensive wine cellar with a few rare
bottles to show off. Try 300! For $1.75 million,
you will receive a collection of rare Bordeaux
wine with cases of 1961, 1982, 1990, 2000 and
2005 vintages from the ve rst-growth cha-
teaux. Get ve of your closest pals for a trip
to Paris and Bordeaux via a round-trip private
charter on a Gulfstream GV to experience luxe
accommodations, a bespoke cooking class
with chef Laurent Andre, limo service, pri-
vate art tour, spa treatment, location dining and
a three-day Bordeaux wine tour. Youll also get
a one-year membership to Soutirage Primeur.
Other incredible items in the Robb Re-
port list include a Lamborghini Sesto El-
emento racecar plus VIP participation and
experience package ($2.35 million); two
bespoke complicated Montblanc time-
pieces and experience ($1.8 million); a
hand-carved 19th-century billiards table
from MS Rau Antiques with artisan Rich-
ard Black cues and private lessons from
Mike Massey ($1.2 million); a 15th-cen-
tury Buddha carved from a 70-plus-carat
Burmese ruby ($4.3 million); a package of
two Shelby cars, the Cobra and the 1000
($3.2 million); and a 30-carat D-awless,
Type IIA Golconda cushion-cut diamond
($7 million and up).
Wish-list suggestions in the tens of
millions are a Hermann Tilke-designed
custom private racetrack plus residence,
guesthouses, tennis courts, swimming
pool and airstrip ($35 million and up); a
170-foot hybrid yacht from Feadship and
Dobroserdov Design ($44 million and
up); and a pair of private planes, the Gulf-
stream G650 ultralong-range and G280
super-midsize ($89 million and up).
For more information on the goods and ser-
vices mentioned in this story and other super-
expensive gift ideas, go to neimanmarcus.com,
robbreport.com and robbreportcollection.com.
Five Days of Yearend Review:
The year in Manila street fashion
Take a journey at Rustans
RUSTANS Department Store fullls every fashion savvys dreams of
a breathtaking holiday journey as the Ladies Department takes its
women around the world with a luxurious wardrobe selection and
array of one of a kind gift items from all over the globe.
Transport to old China with famed celebrity designer Ta-
dashi Shojis pieces, inspired by the Golden Age of Shang-
hai. Boasting of everyday elegance and practical versatility,
Halston heritage and T Tahari makes fashion seem effortless.
Meanwhile, Natori ies you to a Mongolian dessert with her
soft, kimono style wrap dresses and tops.
Steal the attention and
be a show stopper with bold
creations from Carolee and
Criselda. Sexy cutouts, satin and sparkly silks
wont fail to make you feel extra glamorous
for this Yuletides celebrations.
Dont forget your trinkets, valuables
and baubles. Carry them in style with
the newest it bag, Fendi2Jours, from
Fendi and Longchamps new iconic line
LM Cuir.
Rustans also made sure men didnt go unnoticed as this season. Rustans
menswear offers a carefully curated collection of top-notch brands that will
impress even the pickiest male shopper. Men can choose from exclusive
brands such as Pedro Del Hierro, Hackett London, Cutter & Buck, Facon-
nable, Alex Cannon, Rudy Project, Le Sport Sac, Lexdray, Miguel
Bellido, and Tommy Bahama.
The exclusive and fashionable selections are complemented
by Rustans multi-branded offering of footwear, bags and ac-
cessories, with famed brands such as Fratelli Rossetti, Allen
Edmonds, Tie Bar and J-Fold.
And, for that special gift to that extra special man of your
life, Discovery Shop, designed as a gentlemans nook, offers a
collection of unique gifts and novelty nds. The specialty shop of-
fers a multitude of novel gifting items, such as gadgets, travel acces-
sories and bar ware. Coveted pieces that will make men drool include
vintage model boats, airplanes and other pieces reminiscent
of times past from renowned makers Wolf Designs, Hemisferium,
Luckies London, Authentic Models, Ravi Solution, and Whisky
Stones.
As a thank you to you lovely shoppers,
Rustans will swathe your lovely presents
in a special gift wrapping paper bag, to
complement the seasons holiday spirit.
Find your perfect match
Share the Xperia way by giving your family
and friends their perfect Xperia lifestyle com-
panions via the Xperia ChristMATCH Promo. Purchase any of the participating Sony Xperia Smartphones
from the brands latest seriesthe Xperia ion, Xperia P, Xperia sola, Xperia U, and Xperia J, among others, at Sony
Xperia experience shop or participating dealer shops and get a P500 Sony Accessory Gift Voucher, which may be used
to purchase any of Sony Xperias must-have phone accessories the best-selling Sony SmartWatch or the Sony Smart
Wireless Headset Pro.
Indeed Christmas truly becomes the ultimate Season of Sharing at Sony Xperia, making the brand the Filipinos
perfect match for great holiday gift choices. Promo runs until 16 January 2013.
Experience the Sony Season of Sharing and the power of One Touch at the following Xperia concept stores:
Metro Manila - Glorietta, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Midtown, SM Fairview, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia,
and SM North EDSA; Luzon - SM Bacoor, SM Baguio, and SM San Fernando; Visayas Ayala Center Cebu, and SM
Cebu; and Mindanao Abreeza Davao and Gaisano Mall Davao.
Gift items
from Memo
This holiday season,
Memo provides a number
of choices for gift items
you can give during cor-
porate events that let your
co-workers know you ap-
preciate their hard work.
You can choose from tum-
blers printed with witty
quotes that inspire hard work or gift sets for men
and women. The gift sets include freshly scented
body crme and a bottle of feminine spray fragrance
for the women or shaving gel and a bottle of mascu-
line fragrance for the men.
For any parent, their
childs safety is top pri-
ority. But with so much
chores and errands to be
done around the house,
it often seems impossi-
ble to be able to monitor
ones baby while doing
other tasks.
Philips Avent brand ambassador Maricel Laxa-Pang-
ilinan offers a solution for moms who have their hands
fullthe Philips Avent Video Monitor. Maricel explains
that with the video monitor, We can keep a close eye
on Solana and know whenever she needs something. It
also lets me tend to other things at home, allowing me
to multi-task.
The high-tech video monitor features a 100% se-
cure connection so youre assured of a direct and
private access to your babys video feed; an infra-red
night vision feature for round the clock monitoring; a
high resolution LCD screen; easy to position camera;
three soothing lullabies to help baby go to sleep; and
a digital link conrmation to ensure that you are con-
nected to your baby.
Baby sense
A precious Merry Christmas
Naughty or niceShow the special lady in your life
just how much of a gem she is. Give her something
shiny and true, this season! Feel the jewelry rush in any
of the Metro stores in Colon, Mandaue, Ayala Center
Cebu, Legazpi, Lucena, Market! Market!, Angeles, Toledo,
Alabang Town Center, Maasin, and Naga.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
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Manila
Standard
TODAY
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Public Work and Highways
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
Cebu 2
nd
District Engineering Offce
Lawa-an, City of Talisay, Cebu

December 20, 2012
INVITATION TO BID
The DPWH, Cebu 2
nd
District Engineering Offce, through its Bids and Awards
Committee (BAC), invites contractors to apply to bid for the following
contract(s):
Contract ID: 12 HE - 0043
Contract Name: Construction of Carcar Bypass Road
Contract Location: Carcar City, Cebu
Scope of Work: Improvement of Existing Drainages and Waterways
Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Php 37,500,000.00
Contract Duration: 219 calendar days
Cost of Plans & Bid Documents: Php 20,000,00
Source of Funds: FY 2013
Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding
procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules
and Regulations.
To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent
(LOI) and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with
DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation,
cooperative, or joint venture with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost
of this contract, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC
within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least
equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will
use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary
examination of bids.

Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for
registration to the DPWH-POCW Central Offce before the deadline for the
receipt of LO. The DPWH POCW-Central Offce will only process contractor's
applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the
Contractor's Certifcate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be
downloaded at the DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph.
The signifcant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown
below:
1.
Receipt of LOI from Prospective
Bidder
December 21 December 28, 2012
2. Issuance of Bidding Documents December 21 January 07, 2013
3. Pre-bidding Conference December 28, 2012 @ 10:00am
4. Receipts of Bids January 09, 2013 @ 8:00 10:00am
5. Opening of Bids January 09, 2013 @ 10:00am
6. Venue BAC Ofce, Cebu 2
nd
DEO
The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD's) at
Cebu 2
nd
District Engineering Offce, Lawa-an, Talisay City, Cebu upon payment
of a non-refundable fee. Prospective bidders may also download the BDs, if
available, from the DPWH web site. Prospective bidders that will download the
BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission
of their bids Documents. 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
specifed in the BD's in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC
Chairman. The frst envelope shall contain the technical component of the
bid, which shall include the eligibility requirements. The second envelope shall
contain the fnancial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the
Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the
post-qualifcation.
The DPWH Cebu 2
nd
District Engineering Offce 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.
(Sgd.) HELEN GRACE B. YAP
BAC Chairman
Approved by:

(Sgd.) DAISY B. TOLEDO, D.M.
District Engineer
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Public Works and Highways
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
Surigao del Sur 1
st
Engineering District
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur
INVITATION TO BID
The Bids and Awards Committe (BAC) of the DPWH - Surigao del Sur 1
st
Engineering District
Ofce, Tandag City through the SARO No. & SARO No. , invites contractors to bid for
the aforementioned projects:

Contract ID : 12NH 0074
Contact Name : Package 1 - Construction of School Buildings
Construction of 1 Storey-2CL Cabangahan ISS,
Cantilan
Construction of 1 Storey-2CL Palasao ISS, Cantilan
Construction of 1 Storey-1CL Parang NHS, Cantilan
Construction of 1 Storey-3CL Don Gonzalo Puyat
MES, Carmen Construction of 1 Storey-3CL Gacub
ES, Carmen
Contract Location : Cantilan & Carmen, Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work :
earthworks, concrete works, reinforcing steel bars,
trusses, roong, masonry works & other provisions
Approved Budget for the
Contract (ABC) : Php 6,921,164.66
Contract Duration : 60 C.D.
Cost of Bidding
Documents
:
Php 10,000.00
Contract ID : 12NH 0075
Contact Name : Package 2 - Construction of School Buildings
Construction of 1 Storey-3CL Agsam ES, Lanuza
Construction of 1 Storey-2CL Agsam ES, Lanuza
Construction of 1 Storey-2CL Agsam ISS, Lanuza
Construction of 1 Storey-1CL Libas PS, Lanuza
Contract Location : Lanuza, Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work :
earthworks, concrete works, reinforcing steel bars,
trusses, roong, masonry works & other provisions
Approved Budget for the
Contract (ABC) : Php 6,237,402.35
Contract Duration : 60 C.D.
Cost of Bidding Documents :
Php 10,000.00
The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of R.A.
9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid.
To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bidding
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 similar contract costing
at least 50% of ABC within period of 10 years, and (e) 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 Offce before the deadline for the receipt of LO. The DPWH POCW-Central
Offce will only process contractor's applications for registration with complete requirements and
issue the Contractor's Certifcate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at
DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph.
The signifcant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:
Activities Schedule
1. Issuance of Bidding Documents December 22January 10, 2013
2. Pre-Bid Conference December 28, 2012@ 9:00 a.m.
3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI from Prospective Bidders January 08, 2013@ 10:00 a.m.
4. Receipt of Bids Deadline: January 10, 2013@ 8:45 a.m.
5. Opening of Bids January 10, 2013 @ 9:00 a.m.
The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD's) at DPWH Surigao del Sur 1
st

Engineering District Ofce. 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 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 specifed in the BDs in
two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The frst envelope shall contain the
technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall
contain the fnancial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated
Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualifcation.
The DPWH Surigao del Sur 1
st
Engineering District Ofce reserves the right to accept or
reject any bid, to annul the bidding process at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby
incurring any liability to affected bidder/s.

Approved by:

(Sgd.) AGUSTIN R. ESTAL, MPA
Engineer III
(BAC-Chairman)

(MST-DEC. 24,2012)
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Public Works and Highways
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
Surigao del Sur 2
nd
District Engineering Offce
Bislig City
Telefax (086) 853 4308
INVITATION TO BID
(Re- Advertisement)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Surigao del Sur 2
nd
District
Engineering Offce, Bislig City, invites contractors to bid for the aforementioned projects:
Contract ID: 12NI0038
Contract Name: Package 1
- Construction of 1 Storey- 3 CL, Salvacion PS, Lingig, SDS- P 1,877,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 3 CL, Tagbobo PS, Lingig, SDS- P 1,867,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2 CL, Napanpanan PS, Lingig, SDS- P 1,252,000.00
- Construction of 1 CL, Handamayan ES, Lingig, SDS- P 709,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL Maubgob PS, Lingig, SDS- P 692,000.00
- Construction of 1 CL, Sta. Maria PS, Lingig, SDS- P 692,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1 CL, Sunrise- Campo PS, Lingig, SDS- P 702,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1 CL, Tagpupuran ES, Lingig, SDS- 722,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 310 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 8,513,000.00
Contract ID: 12NI0039
Contract Name: Package 2
- Construction of 1 CL Kinder, Puerto PS, Bislig City- P 892,000.00
- Construction of 1 CL Kinder, R. Castillo PS, Bislig City- P 892,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Danipas NHS Labisma Annex, Bislig City- P 1,249,000.00
- Construction of 1 CL Kinder, Sanyata ES, Bislig City- P 892,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 190 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 3,925,000.00
Contract ID: 12NI0040
Contract Name: Package 3
- Construction of 1 Storey- 3 CL, Hinatuan NCHS- Cambatong NHS Annex, Hinatuan, SDS- P1,827,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Dugmanon NHS, Hinatuan, SDS- P 1,262,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Hinatuan NCHS Roxas NHS Annex, Hinatuan, SDS- P 1,242,000.00
- Construction of 1Storey- 2CL, Mahayahay PS, Hinatuan, SDS- P 1,250,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey-1 CL, Almaria PS, Hinatuan, SDS- P 692,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Plateau PS, Hinatuan, SDS- P 701,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1 CL, Rocky PS, Hinatuan, SDS- P 682,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 310 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 7,656,000.00
Contract ID: 12NI0041
Contract Name: Package 4
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Kahayagan NHS, Tagbina, SDS- P 1,272,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Osmea ISS Bldg., Tagbina, SDS- P 1,258,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Quarry 1 IS, Tagbina, SDS- P 1,342,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Quezon ISS, Tagbina, SDS- P 1,292,000.00
- Construction of One (1) CL, D.L. Osano, Maputi NHS, Tagbina, SDS- P 698,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Doa Carmen NHS, Tagbina, SDS- P 698,000.00
- Construction of One (1) CL, Malixi ISS, Tagbina, SDS- P 668,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, San Vicente II NHS, Tagbina, SDS- P 678,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1 CL, Sta. Juana NHS- Jobar NHS, Tagbina, SDS- P 688,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 310 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 8,594,000.00
Contract ID: 12NI0042
Contract Name: Package 5
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Doa Carmen ES, Tagbina, SDS- P 1,259,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, San Isidro PS, Tagbina, SDS- 1,245,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, 3- K ES, Tagbina, SDS- P 689,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Katipunan ES, Tagbina, SDS- 689,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Libuacan PS, Tagbina, SDS- 682,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Mabuhay PS, Tagbina, SDS- P 672,000.00
- Construction of 1 CL, Batunan PS, Tagbina, SDS- P 682,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Sayon ES, Tagbina, SDS- P 672,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Sta. Fe PS, Tagbina, SDS- P 685,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Sta. Cruz ES, Tagbina, SDS- P 660,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Tuburan PS, Tagbina, SDS- P 676,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 1CL, Ugoban ES, Tagbina, SDS- P 682,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 310 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 9,293,000.00
Contract ID: 12NI0043
Contract Name: Package 6
- Construction of One (1) CL, Tambis NHS, Barobo, SDS- P 698,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Gamut ES, Barobo, SDS- P 1,259,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, San Vicente ES, Barobo, SDS- P 1,225,000.00
- Construction of 1 Storey- 2CL, Wakat ES, Barobo, SDS- P 1,225,000.00
- Construction of One (1) CL, Amaga ES, Barobo, SDS- P 660,000.00
- Construction of 1Storey- 1CL, Nuevo Paraiso ES, Barobo, SDS- P 672,000.00
Contract Location: Surigao del Sur
Scope of Work: BIL- Buildings/Industrial Plant-LOW Rise
Contract Duration: 250 CD
Approved Budget for
the Contract (ABC): Php 5,739,000.00
The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of
R.A.9184. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid.
To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bid
documents and must meet the following major criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino
citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative or joint venture, (c) with PCAB
license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (d) completion of a similarcontract 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 to10% of ABC.
The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary
examination of bids.
Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the DPWH-
POCW Central Offce before the deadline for the receipt of LO. The DPWH POCW-Central Offce
will only process contractors' applications for registration with complete requirements and issue
the Contractor's Certifcate of Registration (CRC). Registration Forms may be downloaded at the
DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph.
The signifcant times and deadlines of procurement activities are shown below:
1. Issuance of Bidding Documents December 21- January 10, 2012 (2:00 P.M.)
2. Pre-Bid Conference December 28, 2012 (10:00 A.M.)
3. Deadline of Receipt of LOI fromProspective Bidders January 8, 2012 (5:00 P.M.)
4. Receipt of Bids January 10, 2012 (8:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.)
5. Opening of Bids January 10, 2012 (2:00 P.M.)
The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD's) in the amount of Ten Thousand
Pesos (10,000.00) for the projects with Contract ID Nos.: 12NI0038, 12NI0040- 12NI0043 and
Five Thousand Pesos for the Project with Contract Id No.: 12NI0039 at DPWH, Surigao del
Sur 2
nd
District Engineering Offce, Bislig City. 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 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 specifed in the BD's in
two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The frst envelope shall contain the
technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall
contain the fnancial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated
Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualifcation.
The DPWH, Surigao del Sur 2
nd
Engineering District, Bislig City reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process anytime prior contract award, without thereby
incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.
Approved by:


(Sgd.) ANASTACIA C. SALAS
Chief, Construction Section
Chairman, BAC
Noted:
(Sgd.) EULOGIO D. MILLA
OIC District Engineer

(MST-DEC. 24,2012)
(MST-DEC. 24,2012)
(MST-DEC. 24,2012)
(MST-DEC. 24,2012)
MARLON C. MAGTIRA, Section Editor
CHRISTIAN CARDIENTE, Asst. Editor
3D cinema, home video, TV rise
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
C3
Tech
ManilaStandardToday
THE global 3D consumer market is
thriving in a dynamic environment marked
by clear and discernible growth across
its major platforms, including cinema,
home video and pay-TV video on demand,
with international markets continuing to
make major contributions to the industry,
according to research rm IHS.
Worldwide metrics are on
the rise for 3D technology as
a whole. The number of 3D
screens is up fourfold over a
period of three years, while
3D box office climbed in the
double digits from 2010 to
2011.
The 3D home-video market
is also showing strong growth,
bucking the overall trend of
a declining physical video
market, with US spending on
Blu-ray 3D nearly doubling in
2012 from last years levels.
More 3D TV channels
worldwide are likewise now
available, including one just
launched in China, with plenty
of potential for expansion in
the years ahead for 3D Video-
on-Demand service.
In an age where consumers
have at their easy disposal
a virtual treasure trove of
entertainment options to
draw from, the encouraging
growth of the 3D medium is
remarkable to behold, said
Tony Gunnarsson, analyst for
video at IHS Screen Digest.
The continuing expansion
of the industry is especially
significant when one considers
that 3D is but a small niche of
overall digital viewing, and
that consumers have to shell
out considerably more money
for 3D products, which are
priced at a premium and not
necessarily an easy sell in
these economically uncertain
times.
3D cinema shows growth in
both revenue and number of
new screens
The number of 3D screens
worldwide has grown
dramatically in three years,
rising by more than a factor of
four from approximately 9,000
screens at the end of 2009 to
43,000 by the third quarter this
year.
The US continues to have
the lions share of 3D screens,
followed by China, France,
the United Kingdom and
Germany.
Meanwhile, global 3D box-
office revenue hit $7.0 billion
in 2011 the last full year for
which full figures are available
up 16 percent from $6.0
billion in 2010. 3D accounted
for 22 percent of total world
box-office receipts in 2011, up
from 19 percent the previous
year.
In particular, 3D is stabilizing
in mature cinema markets like
the US, where its share of the
overall box office is no longer
growing as rapidly compared to
the earlier years of the format
or in other countries where 3D
cinema is just taking off.
Increasingly, 3D revenue
prospects rely on the quality
of the 3D film slate, and
the wealth or relative
dearth of titles during a
particular period could spell a
big difference in 3D revenue
prospects in the mature cinema
markets.
3D screen growth is also
slowing dramatically in the
developed regions, where
exhibitors have already made
a significant investment in 3D
screen infrastructure.
The opposite is true in
China and other emerging
international markets, where the
continued expansion of new-
cinema screen infrastructure
as well as the subsequent up-
conversion rate from 2-D to
3D is pushing further growth
of 3D screens.
Overall, international
markets continue to account for
a rising share of the worldwide
3D box office 73 percent in
2011, up from 66 percent in
2010 and 54 percent in 2009,
with the balance held by North
America.
3D home video defies overall
down trend of physical video
market
In the 3D home-video
segment, the US continues to
make up the largest market
for Blu-ray 3D (BD 3D),
equivalent to 51 percent of
global BD 3D spending.
And while both value and
volume for traditional physical
video are decreasing, BD 3D
is an exception to the trend,
with forecasts showing strong
growth even out to 2016.
Spending by US consumers
on the medium is up 94 percent
this year from 2011 levels, to
$220 million, with BD 3D unit
sales set to climb 105 percent,
to 9.9 million units.
Despite the relatively
small market for BD 3D, the
format plays an important role
for overall physical video,
Gunnarsson noted.
BD 3D is already being
marketed as the ultimate
home-video experience, and
studios are pricing 3D home-
video well above Blu-ray 2-D
versions.
Growth is also forecast for
the BD 3D home-video market
in the three big European
markets of the United Kingdom,
Germany and France.
Trends in 3D broadcast and
VoD show promise
A total of 37 unique
dedicated 3D channels have
been launched worldwide since
2010, plus another 38 dedicated
3D event broadcasts.
Nonetheless, 3D TV launches
slowed considerably in 2012,
due to uncertainty about
investing in, and maintaining,
dedicated linear 3D channels.
On the plus side were the
positive developments on
programming, such as the
formation of 3Net, a joint
venture among Sony, Imax
and Discovery to focus on 3D
output including documentaries
and other niche genres.
Some pay-TV operators
have also sought to provide
3D movies on a Video-on-
Demand basis. Movies and
documentaries not live or
original content are the
basis for 3D VoD, but the
overall limited slate as well as
the higher price of 3D video-
on-demand (VoD) movies
as much as 30 percent over
HD titles may serve to
discourage some consumers
from adopting the service in
the short term.
Even so, the 3D VoD market
will overcome such obstacles
in the years ahead. US
consumers, for instance, will
spend $76.1 million for 3D
VoD by 2016, up from $11.1
million this year.
European viewers,
meanwhile, will fork out $32.4
million, compared to just
$3.5 million during the same
period.
Newsbytes.ph
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
DECEMBER 24, 2012 MONDAY
C4
Isah V. Red, Editor standard.showbiz@gmail.com
showbitz
Manila Standard TODAY
ISAH V.
RED
SIMPLY RED
Lost Commands Dennis Trillo, Paulo
Avelino, Martin Escudero and JC Tiuseco
The Metro Manila Film Festival,
the biggest event for the local
movie industry unspools tomorrow,
Christmas Day, and ends eight days
after New Year next year.
And anticipation is high among
stars whose movies are entered in
the festival that fuses commercial
viability and cinematic quality,
perhaps the rst in the world.
Among those who looks forward
to the box ofce results of the lmfest
is Senator Ramong Bong Revilla,
Jr. whose Si Agimat, Si Enteng
Kabisote, at Si Ako, is touted to be
the frontrunner in the annual box-
ofce race.
Revilla believes Christmas is for
children. And Si Agimat, Si Enteng
Kabisote at Si Ako.
Is the kind of lm they will look
forward to watching during the
holidays.
We started shooting even before
the MMDA announced who would
qualify for this years festival, says
Revilla, because we wanted to make
sure that the movie would be superior,
not only in the performances of the
stars but in its technical aspects most
importantly.
He said that the CGI alone
required a lot of time in preparation
and in syncing it with the lm.
The lm was shot in the most
awesome places in the Northern part
of the Philippines and elsewhere.
The production also shot in sound
stages, and the CGI effects were done
abroad.
The lm boasts magical powers
children with not just one, but three
worlds represented by the three lead
characters. The worlds of Diwatara,
Enkantasya and Amuleto complement
magically the planet and the people.
It took no less than ve
companiesImus Productions,
OctoArts Films, M-Zet, APT
Entertainment and GMA Filmsto
complete the lm.
A day before the opening, Revilla
wishes for it to top the box ofce.
We have worked so hard for the
movie, and we want the audience to
enjoy it. Thats our Christmas gift for
them, he says.
Revilla on the Telco
refund
The Senator from Cavite insists
the Telcos must return the monies
they overcharged subscribers.
In a statement, he says, Rather
BONG REVILLA
Agimat
will top box ofce
condent
ONE day more,
as the song goes
in the musical Les
Miserables, and the
race to the top of
the local box ofce
begins.
than dillydallying, the Telcos must
oblige to the refund directive of the
NTC (National Telecommunication
Commission) as soon as possible
if they do not want to lose their
customers. The government had
already spoken. They should not wait
for public outrage to arise before
they act. Considering the nancial
difculties nowadays, cellphone
subscribers whether post-payers o
pre-payers are eagerly waiting to
receive the refund.
The proper government regulator
has already issued its order and they
should comply. If they dont, I, as
chairman of Senate Committee on
Public Services, will initiate a review
of the Telcos franchises as this may
be a ground for their revocation.
Dapat agarang isauli sa
pinakamadali at maayos na paraan
ng mga telcos sa kanilang subscribers
ang sobrang isiningil nila. Magandang
pamasko ito sa publiko. Ang mga
ganitong positibong bagay ang dapat
natatanggap nila at dapat pagtuonan
ng pansin ng pamahalaan, hindi mga
panukalang gaya ng text tax na
magdaragdag pa ng panibagong
pasanin sa kanila.
The Senator is not kidding, we
think.
Regal: Studio
for all stars
This holiday season, Regal
is the true home of starsfrom
all networks.
Regal producer Mother
Lily Monteverde has always
taken pride in the fact that
she can easily work with
the biggest stars from the
countrys top networks:
ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and
TV5. Mother Lily also
has the foresight to sign
up TV stars before they
make it big in the movies.
After all, Shake has
become an annual tradition
that allows the whole
barkada, and the entire
family, to troop to the
moviehouseto shake,
rattle and roll in pure
delight.
Shake will continue
to be the movie-of-choice
among the young and young-
at-heart this Christmas
seasonespecially since the
industrys most seasoned and
most promising stars are in the
cast of the consistent festival
topgrosser.
Its the unmistakable Regal
touch.
A perfect example is Chito
Roos Shake, Rattle and Roll: The
Invasion, Regals entry in this years
Metro Manila Film Festival.
The latest Shake features
veterans and newcomers alike,
and gathers Kapamilya, Kapuso and
Kapatid stars.
Only Mother Lily could pull off
such a casting coup.
Moreover, Shake also
showcases the works
of the countrys top
screenwri t ers:
Ricky Lee,
Roy Iglesias
and Rody
Vera.
We want-
ed to make
sure that we
had the best
stories for this
years Shake
which is consid-
ered the agship
project of Regal,
said Mother Lily.
It all begins with a
good story, after
all.
Another secret of the Shake
franchise is its stellar cast, which
always combines tried-and-tested
professionals with fresh discoveries.
In Lees Pamana episode,
Direk Chito and producer
Roselle Monteverde
had the brilliant idea
of casting the stars
of the original
Shake movie:
Janice de Belen,
Arlene Muhlach
and Herbert
Bautista.
It was a tting
homage to the
rst Shake, which
is regarded as a
modern classic
by cineastes, said
Mother Lily.
The three
veteran actors
shared the
screen
with newbies Ivan Dorschner,
Empress Schuck, Gerald Pesigan,
Anna Vicente and Fabio Ide, along
with seasoned performers Dennis
Padilla and Dimples Romano in
Pamana.
It was also tting that in the second
episode, Iglesias Unwanted, a
Kapamilya and a Kapuso were cast
as the lead stars.
Imagine that, the host of Showtime
and the star of Yesterdays Bride
sharing the big screen together.
ABS-CBNs Vhong Navarro and
GMA 7s Lovi Poe gamely shared
the screen with CGI creatures, too.
They were pros. They rose
to the challenge of interacting
with and reacting to imaginary,
computer-generated creatures,
said Direk Chito. The shoot was a
breeze because of Vhong and Lovis
professionalism.
Also in the cast of
Unwanted are TV5s Eula
Caballero with ABS-
CBNs Albie Casio and
Chokoleit.
The third episode,
Veras Lost Command,
was the most daunting,
as it topbills the
most-sought-after
hunks in show biz:
Dennis Trillo of
GMA 7, Paulo
Avelino of ABS-
CBN and Martin
Escudero of
TV5, ably
s u p p o r t e d
by Rommel
Padilla, Chris
Pas t ur an,
JC Tiuseco,
E l l a
Cruz and
Ma k i s i g
Morales.
It proved
c h a l l e n g i n g
juggling the schedules
of the lead stars, Direk
Chito admitted.
Making matters more
arduous, the action-thriller is
mostly set in the rainforests of
Subic.
It was physically gruelling.
Mentally draining, said Direk
Chito.
Fortunately, Direk Chito,
like Regal, doesnt shy away
from challenges, no matter how
daunting.
Chito and I think that the latest
Shake is the most ambitious, in
terms of scale and story. The cast
alone is the biggest weve had so
far, said Mother Lily.
Bong, Vic, Juday
not scared of
Sisterakas
SEN. Bong Revilla, Vic Sotto and
Judy Ann Santos, the main stars of
the fantasy-action-comedy Si Agimat,
si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako are un-
fazed by Kris Aquinos prediction
that Sisterakas with AiAi delas Alas
and Vice Ganda will end up as the
top grosser in the forthcoming Metro
Manila Film Festival.
The two big-budgeted potboil-
ers are expected to slug it out at
the box-ofce when the annual lm
fest opens tomorrow. In her movies
press con, Kris was quoted as saying
that if in 2010 and 2011, her movies
ranked third and second, respective-
ly in the nal tally, this time, it will
lead the pack.
If thats what she said, so be it.
Lets respect it, says Vic.
Well, for one, its hard to predict
things, Bong states. Personally, I
want all the lms to make a big kill-
ing at the tills. This would be very
healthy for the industry. If the pro-
ducers would be able to recover their
investments, then, they will continue
doing projects. This means more job
opportunities for industry workers.
But going back to Kris, her pre-
diction might be wrong! Ha-ha-ha!
No, just joking. As Ive said earlier, I
wish that all the entries this year fare
well at the box-ofce.
With regards to this issue, I
would rather keep mum and will
just pray that well get the top spot,
avers Juday.
Given that all the entries have their
respective strengths, what do they
consider as their advantage?
Oh, I think our offering has all
the makings of a real blockbuster.
Considering the cast, story, special
effects and budget, youll know
right away that this is no ordinary
movie. Its scope is encompassing,
Vic explains.
True! seconds Bong. Weve
maximized everything here: the fun,
action, effects, etc. We made sure that
it exceeded our last screen partner-
ship which was Si Agimat at si Enteng
Kabisote, the festival top grosser two
years ago. I have faith in our fresh
combination with Judy Ann. Accord-
ing to many, claiming would make
your wish come true. So now, I claim
that Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at
si Ako will become number one!
As for Judy Ann: I believe that if
youve enjoyed doing the movie and
your goal is to deliver only the best en-
tertainment to the public, then, I dont
see why success wont be given to you.
I feel so positive about our offering.
Im sure it will be a hit not only for the
kids but the whole family as well!

Kapamilya or Kapatid
It cant be denied that Dennis Trillos
star shone brightest when he became
a GMA-7 ward some seven or eight
years ago. An original ABS-CBN tal-
ent, he rose to leading man status when
the Kapuso gave him huge projects like
Gagambino, Zaido and Magdusa Ka, to
name a few. At present, he is one of the
main leads of the Filipino adaptation of
the hit Koreanovela Temptation of Wife
opposite Marian Rivera.
Now that his contract with GMA
will expire next year, many wonder
if he will sign a new considering the
network swapping among contempo-
rary stars nowadays.
Its still early to say what will
happen. Of course, when my contract
with them expires, there will be ne-
gotiations. I dont know. Many things
can still happen in the remaining one
year I have with them. Ill just play it
by ear. I will let my manager (Popoy
Caritativo) handle that, he states.
Just in case he decides to leave
GMA, the remaining options are
ABS-CBN and TV 5. Which is more
appealing to him?
Personally, Ill go for ABS-CBN.
Not for anything else but youll think
of your mileage. I think Channel 2
shows are also doing well, ratings-
wise because of their reach even in re-
mote provinces. Thats my foremost
consideration, if ever.
JOSEPH
PETER GONZALES
SHTICKS
SRR XIV Pamana episode stars Arlene
Muhlach, Janice de Belen and Herbert
Bautista