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Manila, PHILIPPINES Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

Vol 1 No 28 P15

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Television host Luis Manzano de-nied rumors that he is dating actressJennylyn Mercado out of pity.

“We’re very very happy. Wala akongpakialam sa ganun. I have no time forthem. And I never will have time forthem. I don’t care... Life is better with-out them, ‘yung people na nanghihilapababa. Intrigues is part of life, perohating is not. Ang mga intriga na iyan,life is so much better without them,”he said.

To prove to the people that they areenjoying a happy relationship, Manzanoand Mercado were together at the re-cently concluded Entertainment PressGolden Screen Awards.

“Sabi nga namin, we weren’t hidinganything naman. It’s something verynice, that we get to attend functionslike this one na magkasama,” saidManzano.

The TV host said that while theyare both in show business, they stillprefer to keep some parts of their livesprivate.

“Kahit nasa industriya kami, we’dlike to keep na kung ano mang meronkami on the personal side of our lives,”he said.

Meanwhile, actor Dennis Trillo wasalso at the event. Trillo is Mercado’sformer boyfriend.

Asked what he thinks aboutManzano and Mercado’s relationship,Trillo said: “Huwag na lang natin pag-usapan iyan.”

Jennylyn-Luisrelationship notborn out of pity

Aquino confident Senate will appreciatemerits of impeachment case against Corona

President Benigno S. Aquino III is confident the Senate will similarly vote to impeach Su-preme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona based on the Articles of Impeachment the LowerHouse had endorsed to the Senate.

In an interview, the President said the senators will appreciate the impeachment case leveled at Corona based on itsmerits.

“Tama sigurong sabihin [na] may kumpyansa ako doon sa mga hinain na kaso. ‘Yung Articles of Impeachmentembodies ‘yung paniniwala nating kakulangan sa pamumuno ni Ginoong Corona at ‘yung mga pinaggagawa po [niya]na naaapektuhan ang sambayanan,” the President said.

“So…it follows [na] kung matibay ‘yung kaso at inaasahan natin ‘yung mga senador, ang mga hinalal na kinatawanng ating taumbayan, ay susunod naman sila sa tugon ng ating mga boss,” he added.

The House of Representatives on Monday impeached Corona after 188 Congressmen signed the Articles ofImpeachment against him for culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and the betrayal of publictrust.

Meanwhile, Aquino stepped up his attacks against Corona just shortly after the articles of impeachment against thechief justice were transmitted to the Senate. PRESIDENT NOYCJ CORONA Cont’d on page 2

Villar seeks early approval of billsupporting Filipinos’ creativity

Senator Manuel Villar has pushed for the early approval of the bill that willsupport the creative industry in the country.

“The bill will uplift the state of our Philippine design industry by establish-ing a design-led economy where we may generate jobs and livelihood for ourpeople, maintain our competitive edge in the global market, and echo ourcollective pride in our culture and heritage,” Villar said during his sponsorshipof Senate Bill No. 3071, or the Philippine Design Competitiveness Act.

The bill seeks to institutionalize a national design policy framework toallow the country to move forward in terms of design initiatives, innovationsand competitiveness.

Villar, chairman of the Committee on Trade and Commerce, said this bill“is a focused, strategic, integrated and cohesive master plan for our designindustries to thrive efficiently.”

“The Philippines is a rich breeding ground of creative talents. Creativity isa unique gift of every Filipino. It is our asset, our national pride,” he added.

Coinciding with the sponsorship of the bill, the trade committee mounted afour-day exhibit entitled “Philippine Design in Retrospect” showcasing theamazing talent and creativity of Filipino designers, luminaries, and up-and-coming in their respective fields.

Villar noted that despite the abundance of creative talents in the country, thePhilippines is trailing behind its Asian neighbors. He said homegrown talentsare being pirated by other countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia andIndonesia.

“This puts a strain on our creative manpower, thereby weakening ourcompetitive edge in the global market,” he added.

“Design as a tool to accelerate economic development and social progressis a concept pioneered by the United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland. InAsia, it has been embraced by Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and South

Korea. We cannot stand idle for an-other minute while these countrieshave pushed their national design ef-forts into high gear,” Villar said.

The bill will put in place an en-abling environment that “will allowthe various sectors of the design in-dustry to increase productivity, en-hance visibility in the global market,boost competitiveness and improvethe level of innovation of our creativepeople.”

Among the features of the bill are the following: (1) The rebirth of theProduct Development and Design Center of the Philippines into the DesignCenter of Philippines to renew the commitment not only to promote anddevelop the local design industry, but also to create that awareness in peoplethat design fosters innovation and sustainability, and strengthens local busi-nesses and society. (2) Institutionalization of the intellectual property protec-tion in the field of design for Filipino creative designers and manufacturers.The presence of a comprehensive and strong implementation of IP protectionis one of the factors considered by both local and foreign investors in estab-lishing start-up companies that could increase the level of innovation in thecountry. (3) The promotion of Design Education at all levels throughout thecountry to instill the importance and appreciation of Filipino culture in design.Design Education is envisioned to infuse the values of discipline, productivityand innovation among the youth, industry leaders, design practitioners andprofessionals, and the academe.

Press Release

SEN. MANNY VILLAR

Lawmakers push for ‘green tech’Lawmakers urged the government

to intensify its research and develop-ment (R&D) program on the creationof new technologies on renewableenergy, carbon emission reductionsystem and other scientific studiesthat would expedite the country’s fullshift towards green technology.

“Green tech is the wave of the fu-ture. That’s where everyone’s goingand the opportunities for this field isvast and limitless. We’ve got to step

up in our effort to discover new hori-zons in green technology,” said IloiloRep. Jerry Trenas.

He noted that a special fund shouldbe set aside by the government forR&D projects that promotes the useof locally available and renewableresources that can be tapped to ad-dress the growing concern over cli-mate change.

Such fund, Trenas said, can beCont’d on page 2

Philippines, China to put up jointwebsite for media, tourism promo

The Philippines and People’s Republic of China are working for the creation of ajoint website and people-to-people exchanges to further improve mass media andinformation technology in both countries, Presidential Communications OperationsOffice (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said.

Coloma made this statement following his meeting last month with the ChinaInternational Publishing Group (CIPG) and China Internet Information led by HuangYouyi for the joint project.

Coloma invited the Chinese delegation to explore partnership between the Philip-pines and China in information management as well as sharing and developmentbetween the two countries.

Based on the proposal, the Philippine-China website will host information ontourism, current news, culture and education, partnerships and joint projects orprograms and developments in information and communication technology (ICT).

Cont’d on page 2

MAJA: Very much at it wiith BF

PAG

E 6

President Benigno S. Aquino III poses for a photo souvenir with the organizers of the Bulong Pulungan Annual Christmas Party and Recognition Day for Outstanding Public Servants and PrivateIndividuals at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Tuesday (December 06). The Bulong Pulungan media forum was founded in 1986 by a group of journalists from differentpublications.

85% of P72-B disbursement acceleration plan already released

THE NATIONMetrEx: RP’s 1st & only WEEKLY Broadsheet Newsmagazine

2 Dec.19 - Dec. 26, 2011

Aquino called Corona as former President Arroyo’s “disciple” (“alagad”), enumeratingcases in which Corona had voted in Mrs. Arroyo’s favor.

Aquino cited, among others, Corona’s vote in declaring as unconstitutional the executiveorder establishing the Truth Commission and the issuance of the temporary restraining orderagainst the travel ban on Mrs. Arroyo.

“Sa ganitong lantarang pagtanggal ng piring ng katarungan, kailangan po nating tanunginang sarili: hanggang kailan tayo magtitiis, hanggang kailan tayo uunawa, hanggang kailantayo magpapasensya? Sobra-sobra na ang ebidensya; aasa pa ba tayong magbabago si GinoongCorona?” Aquino said in a coalition caucus held in a hotel in Mandaluyong City.

“Naging kumbinsido po tayo na pagdating kay Ginang Arroyo, walang tama o malingkinikilala si Ginoong Corona. Walang patutunguhan ang ating pagsisikap kung bago pa mantayo dumulog sa husgado ay kargado na pala ang timbangan. Malinaw po ang katotohanan: SiGinoong Corona ay itinalaga sa Korte Suprema, hindi bilang alagad ng katarungan, kundibilang alagad ni Ginang Arroyo.”

Aquino said that Corona is compromising the high court’s integrity by preventing efforts tomake the former president accountable. Aquino noted that Arroyo and Corona’s ties go a longway back.

“Para po sa kanya, mukhang sapat na ang samahang ito para paulit-ulit na isangkalan angintegridad ng Korte Suprema. Hindi po ako ang sumisira sa kanyang institusyon; sa kanyangpagtanggi na panagutin si Ginang Arroyo, inuubos ni Ginoong Corona ang dangal ng KorteSuprema,” Aquino said.

Aquino also riled against the Supreme Court’s reversal in recent cases involving cityhoodand the Flight Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines (FASAP), saying thesedecisions had implications on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

Aquino described the Court as “pugad ng katiwalian.” (nest of corruption).“Hindi po tayo magpapamana sa susunod na salinlahi ng isang Korte Supremang pugad ng

katiwalian,” Aquino said.Time to face the musicDirectly addressing Corona, Aquino said the impeachment process would allow Corona to

answer the charges filed against him.“Ginoong Corona: Sa Kongreso at Senado, harapin mo ang pinagmulan ng poder mo: Ang

taumbayan,” Aquino said.Aquino took the opportunity to thank members of the House of Representatives who signed

the impeachment complaint against Corona. Present were not only partymates of Aquino inthe Liberal Party but also members of other parties as well. Legislators previously associatedwith former President Arroyo were also there.

“Ipinakita ng ating lehislatura ang kakayahang ipagtanggol ang interes ng sambayanannang walang paliguy-ligoy, nang may katapatan sa tungkulin, at nang may pagkilala sapagdurusang dinaraanan ng taumbayan, na siya ninyong kinakatawan,” Aquino said.

Neither did Aquino give a direct answer on whether he had a direct hand in the impeach-ment of Corona.

“Nang-awat pa ako at some point in time at dumating nga ‘yung punto na napakarami na ngebidensya na talagang napasang-ayon na ako na talagang hindi na pwedeng panatilihin ‘yungsuffering o paghihirap na nai-inflict sa ating bayan,” he said.

Aquino said Corona’s impeachment should not create a “chilling effect” on other justices ofthe high court.

“Simple lang naman po ito e: kaya n’yo bang panindigan ‘yung desisyon ninyo? Kung tamaang ginawa ninyo eh ‘di maski saang korte sila dalhin ay kayang panindigan ‘yon. Pero kunghindi kayang panindigan, doon ka siguro kakabahan. Okay? Sabi nga ng mga nakakatanda saatin: bato-bato sa langit, ang tamaan na lang ang mamroblema,” he said.

If given the chance to appoint one, Aquino believes that the next chief justice would not bebeholden to him.

“Bakit hindi ninyo tingnan ‘yung mga na-appoint ko na? Mayroon bang beholden? Havethey voted every time in our favor? Or perhaps even the perception of what I would havewanted as far as a decision is concerned?” Aquino said.

Aquino confident Senatewill appreciate merits... From page 1

sourced from R&D funds and from moneys raised from carbon trading, with the specificobjective of developing a clean, renewable and infinite source of energy; alternative materialsfor building and infrastructure thereby reducing the country’s dependence on raw materialssourced from mine extractions.

“Since environment protection is the main objective of green science, our goal in our R&Dprogram is to supplement existing renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence onfossil fuel and at the same time develop materials and even additives that can reduce ourdependence on logging and mine extraction,” the Iloilo solon said, as he noted that there areexisting researches on the development of composite materials that would soon replacetraditional building materials.

Trenas said the utilization of new technologies to maximize the use of alternative energyand the development of new materials and techniques that makes exclusive use of recyclablesand biological scraps would greatly help not only in protecting the environment but also ingreatly improving the people’s way of life.

He cited as an example the possible development of pre-fabricated structural foundationsthat utilizes agricultural waste products such as corn cobs and husks, and even possibly waterlilies, and the possible development of the Pasig River system as a hydro-power facility.

“Apart from energy, the key areas in green technology would involve buildings, waste andwater management and transportation. We have to develop our own green technology in theseareas using resources that are renewable and infinitely available to us here in the Philippines,”he said.

For his part, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo proposed for the institutionaliza-tion of cutting-edge advanced energy and green building technologies in the country.

“The country should prepare the next wave of design and construction professionals toimprove the energy efficiency and productivity of our nation’s buildings,” stressed Arroyo,author of House Bill 5220.

He recalled that during the latest Annual General Membership Meeting of the PhilippineGreen Building Council (PhilGBC) held in Makati City, British experts from building anddesign companies shared their latest and most innovative environmental technologies withlocal counterparts.

“Part of its global commitment to address alarming trends of climate change, the UnitedKingdom was reportedly seeking to bring to countries like the Philippines cutting-edge envi-ronmental technologies particularly in building designs,” he said.

Arroyo is proposing that such initiative be worked out by mandating the Department ofEnergy (DoE) to partner with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in awardinggrants to university programs related to design and construction of high performance build-ings.

High performance building means that can integrate and optimize all major high-perfor-mance building attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, andoccupant productivity.

Lawmakers push for ... From page 1

Aside from the Philippine-China website,Coloma also highlighted the importance ofpeople-to-people exchanges. Both parties alsoplan to have exchanges between media, jour-nalists and information and communicationofficials.

Collaborative efforts are also being workedout for book publishing, with CIPG being oneof the largest importer and exporter publish-ing companies in China. The Philippines andChina could produce books regarding eco-nomic and cultural history shared by bothcountries.

During their visit, Youyi and his grouptoured the Malacanang Museum and theBangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). BSP offi-cials introduced the country’s culture by show-casing the Philippine currency and the BSPcultural museum to the visiting Chinese del-egation.

Philippines, Chinato put up joint...

From page 1

DSWD, AFP build day carecenters, housing units in ARMM

The Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD-National), DSWD-Au-tonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao(DSWD-ARMM) and the Department ofNational Defense through its National De-velopment Support Command(NADESCOM), an infrastructure and devel-opment arm of the Armed Forces of the Phil-ippines (AFP), entered into a tripartite part-nership for social development projects in fiveprovinces in ARMM.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and AFP Major General Carlos B.Holganza inked the memorandum of under-

standing (MOU) on this partnership at theDSWD central office in Batasan Hills, QuezonCity.

The partnership aims to provide better ser-vices to the public, especially those in de-pressed and conflict affected areas in ARMM.It is also geared towards enhancing militarysupport on community development programsin the countryside.

The social service projects include the con-struction of day care centers in the provincesof Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Suluand Tawi-Tawi in ARMM, as well as con-struction of 100 modified shelter units in

Kabuntalan, Maguindanao. Construction ofthe day care centers and modified shelters isexpected to be completed by 2012.

The DSWD will provide funds toNADESCOM based on the approved workprogram and budget. They will also providetechnical assistance in the social preparationactivities as well coordination with concernedpartner-agencies, DSWD-ARMM and LGUs.

NADESCOM, on the other hand, shall bein-charge of the construction of day care cen-ters and modified shelter units.

“We hope that through this partnership, wecan strengthen and extend wider peace andcommunity development in the countryside,especially in Southern Philippines,” Secre-tary Soliman said.

IT’S CHRISTMAS: A traffic enforcer dressed as Santa Claus directing traffic in Manila.

AMAZED SCHOOL CHILDREN enjoythe view at Ocean Park what with a maintenance crew wearing a Santa Claus costume.

BUSINESS & POLITICSMetrEx: RP’s 1st & only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

3Dec. 19 - Dec. 26 , 2011

Senate approves additional P6.39-B budget for NPCThe Senate unanimously approved on

Tuesday on third and final reading Senatejoint resolution No. 13 increasing the corpo-rate operating budget of the National PowerCorporation (NPC) from P7.57 billion toP14.96 billion for 2011.

Senator Franklin Drilon, sponsor of SenateJoint Resolution No. 13, said the additionalbudget was necessary to allow the state-owned firm to continue servicing its off-gridareas.

As of September this year, Drilon ex-plained, NPC had spent P7.07 billion of itstotal budget of P7.58 billion, leaving only P503,281 for its operational expenses.

“Additional budget of P6.39 billion is nec-essary to cover NPC’s requirements for fuel,

purchasing power, rental of generating sets,new power provider subsidy, debt service andcapital expenditures,” Drilon said in his spon-sorship speech.

Likewise, Drilon said NPC needed to settleits debt amounting to P3.22 billion, which itincurred in 2009 and due for payment.

“It is necessary for the Senate and theHouse of Representatives to increase NPC’soperating budget for fiscal year 2011 fromP7.58 billion to P13.97 billion,” Drilonstressed.

According to Drilon, the approval of thesupplemental budget shall be subjected tocertain conditions. For instance, he explained,NPC will not be allowed to augment or re-align its budget for the current year. It shall

“enter into obligations only to the actual cashreceipts” and shall prioritize expenses for fueland purchases power cost, generating setrental, net subsidy, capital outlay and otherexpenditures.

He said NPC will immediately settle itsdebt amounting to P3 billion as soon as it willreceive money from the national government.

“In no case shall (NPC’s) supplementalbudget or any savings be used for the pay-ment of salaries, advances of representationand transportation expenses or other personalallowances and benefits,” Drilon stressed.

Certified as urgent by President BenignoAquino III, the measure was introduced bySenate President Pro-Tempore JinggoyEstrada. SEN. DRILON SEN. ESTRADA

Aquino vows to pursuemodernization plans of AFP

President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed topursue changes in the Armed Forces of thePhilippines by not only strengthening its pro-curement processes but by also closely scru-tinizing the quality of the gears, weapons andequipment purchased by the military.

The President said that “through this toughprocess, the lives of our valiant soldiers de-fending the people will not be wasted due todefective gears.”

“Kaya naman sisiguraduhin natingmaayos, hindi lamang ang procurement nginyong mga armas at kagamitan, kundi angmismong kalidad ng mga uniporme, bala,armas, sasakyan at iba pa ninyongpangangailangan,” the President said in hisspeech keynoting the change of commandceremonies in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon Cityon Monday.

“Batid kasi nating buhay, kaligtasan, at kalayaan ng mamamayang Pilipino ang nakatayarito. Sa pamamagitan ng ating Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program, sisiguruhinnating hindi tayo malalagasan ng kawal dahil lamang sa luma at depektibong kagamitan,” hesaid.

He added that the government has also “upgraded” the benefits of the men in uniform toinclude education and housing.

“Sa pamamagitan naman ng mga education at training programs, itutugma natin sa panahonang mga reporma ng AFP, at i-aangat ang antas ng kakayahan at kaalaman ng kasundaluhan,upang makasabay sila sa husay at teknolohiyang militar ng ibang mga mas modernongbansa,” the President said.

He pointed out that more than 8,000 personnel have already availed while some 7,000 moreare lined up for the government’s housing program.

“Maghahanap pa tayo ng ibang mga paraan upang masiguro na habang ginugugol ninyoang inyong oras at pagod sa pagbabantay sa pambansang kaligtasan, doble-kayod din angpamahalaan sa pagtutok sa pangangailangan ng kasundaluhan,” the President said.

PRESIDENT NOY

DOTC: Infra projects in full swing in ‘12It’s full steam ahead next year for the half-a-trillion-pesos worth of infrastructure projects

earmarked by the PNoy government. Department of Transportation and Communications(DOTC) Secretary Mar Roxas said many of these projects are aimed at providing a safe,affordable, and reliable public transportation system nationwide, and are currently in variousstages of implementation.

Roxas said the DOTC is planning these projects using a deliberate, well-thought-of, andstep-by-step approach, which is in line with the government’s “Matuwid na Daan” advocacy.This means, he said, that extraordinary diligence is being exercised by the DOTC for all itsinfrastructure projects, particularly the repair works for Ninoy Aquino International AirportTerminal 1 (NAIA T1), and the problematic and “reconfigured” North Rail project.

NAIA Terminal 1The DOTC-Manila International Airport Authority’s P1.2-billion NAIA T1 Rehabilitation

Plan, which will undertake structural and aesthetical improvements of the country’s currentgateway, is now among the priority projects of the government. A team of consultants fromSingapore’s Changi Airports International inspected the terminal recently to study the passen-ger flow, and identify key areas and facilities that need improvement.

The DOTC also harnessed the best architects, engineers, and designers available, includ-ing P2, an engineering firm that did the initial structural studies of NAIA T1; the Asian Instituteof Technology, which made the computer simulations relative to the airport’s structural integ-rity; the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines; and Aliling and Associates, theDOTC’s principal consultant on the rehabilitation plan.

“The electromechanical and functional flaws of NAIA T1 are now being carefully re-viewed,” Roxas said. “Once we receive the findings early next year, the ‘pukpukan’ at theterminal will commence.”

Roxas also assured that the Philippine government is pushing through with the developmentof the North Rail project in line with plans of making Clark Airport the country’s majorgateway.

“We’re fixing NAIA Terminal 1, spending a total of one billion pesos, of which roughlyP350 million will be used for structural retrofitting because the building is 30 years old. Wehave to spend money because we’re here for another five to seven years [before the transferto Clark],” he said.

North RailRoxas and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao had a few meetings after

President Benigno Aquino met up with Chinese President Hu Jintao in September this year toflesh out the instructions of the two state leaders, but work on details of the project was left toboth the presidents.

The meetings with Ambassador Liu are preparatory in order to ensure that DOTC’s upcom-ing meeting with Chinese ministers will be as productive as possible.

The Department of Environment and Natu-ral Resources (DENR) is suspending all ac-tivities relating to land titling in areas proposedfor declaration into protected areas (PAs).

The suspension is based on DENR Memo-randum Order (MO) No. 2011-04, which pro-vides the guidelines in regulating all activi-ties, projects, and land uses in all areas pro-posed for inclusion in the National IntegratedProtected Areas System (NIPAS).

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said themove is to “ease environmental pressurecaused by human settlements on areas thatnaturally maintain ecological processes, pro-vide life support systems, and preservebiodiversity.”

Under the order, the suspension shall coversurvey and processing of all public land ap-plications for titling purposes. Paje, however,clarified that the suspension shall only be ef-fective on the actual date of submission ofthe draft proclamation by the DENR’s re-gional office, which has jurisdiction over thearea, to the DENR central office in QuezonCity.

Also suspended starting on the same dateis the processing of applications for lease,license, or permit of any project or activitywithin the identified area, as well as the ac-ceptance of new applications “except forprojects that are compatible with the objec-tives of the NIPAS.”

In cases, however, where the Office of thePresident decides to disapprove the proposedproclamation, the DENR shall lift the sus-

DENR prohibits land titling in proposed protected areaspension on said activities.

In line with this, Paje ordered land man-agement officers from the DENR’s field of-fices and the Land Management Bureau toensure that survey and administrative titlingactivities comply with MO 4. “Any respon-sible officer or personnel who fail to comply[with MO 4] shall be penalized accordingly,”the DENR chief warned.

PAs, as defined in Republic Act No. 7586or the NIPAS, are portions of land and waterwith unique physical and biological signifi-cance, managed to enhance biodiversity, andprotected against destructive human exploi-tation. PAs are categorized as nature or re-source reserves; natural parks, monuments,

or biotic areas; wildlife sanctuaries; protectedland or seascapes; or, as established by law,conventions or international agreements.

Data from the Protected Areas and Wild-life Bureau (PAWB) of DENR indicate thatthere are currently 239 PAs included in theNIPAS, covering a total area of 5.4 millionhectares. Of the total, 111 have already beenofficially declared, encompassing a total areaof 3.5 million hectares.

Of these declared PAs, PAWB DirectorMundita Lim said 82 are terrestrial PAs, witha total area of 2.1 million hectares, of which374,908.5 hectares are within alienable anddisposable lands.

Press Release

A little too late for them supporters of former PGMA.

OPINIONEWSMetro Express: PH’s 1st & only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

4 Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

The Metro Express is a weekly broadsheet newsmagazine published by el amigomedia solutions and distributed widely in Metro Manila at LRT/MRT Stations, the Houseof Representatives, the Senate and other government offices. For press, photo releasesand advertising inquiries, text or call Hotlines Globe 0915-5517486 and Smart 0949-1661022. Emails: esns03@yahoo.com & 2011metroexpress@gmail.com.

Ismael ‘El’ AmigoEditor

Fitzgerald CecilioAsst . Ed i tor

Benjie AlejandroEdi tor ia l Contr ibutorColumnist

el amigo media solutionsPublisher

Your comments/shoutouts on issues are welcome here.Please send them through esns03@yahoo.com

and we’ll have them published PRONTO!

EDITOR’S NOTE: All commentaries and or opinions submitted by colum-nists and herein published shall remain as personal opinion of writers. Assuch, these cannot and never be construed nor considered as similar tothat of this publication (Metro Express)’s stand on issues discussed. Bethat as it may, Metro Express shall not be held liable on any legal issuesrelated/pertaining to, or any column/commentaries that may appear herein.

ISMAEL A. AMIGO

1ST-APLUMA

CHANCES AREFormer President Joseph Estrada once branded the sage men and

women of the Supreme Court as “hoodlums in robes” but grave as hisaccusation was, libel charges escaped him, spared owing maybe of hisChief Executive status then.

But the good men and women in robes only bided their time and whenthe opportunity came for them to pin him down,

Estrada went tumbling down and PGMA, now CGMA, was swiftlysworn into office via Chief Justice Davide then.

Even during her tenure, PGMA also experienced first-hand the supremepower throughout the land that the Supreme Court possesses or have.

The SC shoot contracts after contracts Malacanang had before duringPGMA’s time whatever international repercussions they may have.

Now, CGMA could only hoper she’ll be dealt with a more friendly cardyes, from no other than personages she appointed before.

Xmas bonus

Government employees are assured of a White Christmas what withPresident Aquino’s announcement that the national government would giveP10,000 in additional holiday bonus to each one of the 1.17 million civilservants, including those hired on temporary, casual or contractual basis.

But wait, here’s the kicker: Malacanang said the full amount will only begiven to employees who had rendered at least four months of service as ofNovember 30.

This would be “on top of the (13th month pay and the P5,000 cash gift),there is a P10,000 productivity enhancement incentive (PEI), which is dueto be given by December 15,” Mr. President said.

Nice, eh?

Satisfaction survey

Malacanang’s feeling of Christmas generosity may be attributed to P-Noy’s latest so-so rating that says more and more Pinoys believe that lifewould be better in the next 12 months to come, meaning in the nextchapter of our lives or in 2012.

Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted the survey from Sept. 4 to 7of which found 39 percent of respondents believe or expect that the qualityof their lives would improve (“optimists”) in the next 12 months.

Pessimists only had a nine percent share expecting their lives wouldonly get worse or for a net score of 30.

Take note, the said survey was higher than the 36 and 35 percentoptimism recorded in June and March, respectively.

On Quality Of Living

For the information of everyone, Imperial Manila ranks 128 out of 221cities in the world. This is again based on a survey by Mercer’s 2011Quality of Living ranking highlights.

Supreme powerSaid Quality of Living Survey is

based on political and socialenvironment, medical and healthconsiderations, public services andtransport, consumer goods,economic environment, socio-cultural environment, schools andeducation, natural environment,recreation and housing criteria.New York serves as the base cityfor the ranking.

More spending

We really hope for a better 2012if Malacanang will make good withits promise to spend more in 2012.

When money flows by a drip, life would really be agonizingly slow to allof us Filipinos especially when there are but a little amount of publicservices are flowing on a snail pace.

If there are no infrastructure projects flowing from your congressmanchances are there is but a little job available to townspeople and localeconomy also screeches to a halt.

Now this is the very reason, Malacanang is stepping up spending nextyear particularly on infrastructure development.

Take it from PS Edwin Lacierda: “We’re going full blast by 2012 andwe expect more PPP projects coming out… both from the Department ofPublic Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department ofTransportation and Communications (DOTC).”

One of this is the government’s plan to bid out this year the Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway Road construction project and the Metro RailTransit (MRT) project.

There are already interested bidders for the Daang-Hari project and it isexpected to be awarded before year’s end the PS says.

Tthe Department of Education (DepEd) is also looking on PPP for theconstruction of more classrooms, he added.

“The respective Cabinet members will be announcing the forthcomingPPP projects,” he said.

Also, Lacierda said, the government has instituted reforms so it canscrutinize projects in the pipe line while at the same time ensuring speedyimplementation.

According to the government, projects that could still be included in the2011 bidding list will be the P6.8-billion New Bohol (Panglao) airportproject, the P8.85-billion LRT Line 2 East extension, the P83.25-billionLRT Line 1 South extension, the P4.14-billion Puerto Princesa airportdevelopment project, the P450- to P675-million-a-year LaguindinganAirport O&M contract, and the P6.88-billion New Legazpi airportdevelopment.

So there, let’s wait and see…Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

The battle between Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Chief Justice Renato Co-rona has begun. It has started with the exchange of verbal fireworks. How-ever, everything would come to a head in a few days time when the Senateconvenes itself as an impeachment court.

This would, perhaps, outstage the current telenovela craze as what happenedduring the impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada.

By Flon Faurillo(Bulatlat.com) Benguet to end year with positive retained earnings

Benguet Corporation (Benguet) has disclosed it expects to end 2011 withpositive retained earnings.

This is the result of the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commis-sion (SEC) on December 5 for Benguet to implement a quasi reorganizationand equity re-structuring, paving the way for the company to totally wipe outits retained earnings deficit of P2.16 billion.

Under said SEC approval, the equity restructuring involves the offsetting ofthe company’s additional paid-in capital against the deficit, while quasi reor-ganization entails the zeroing out of the deficit balance by charging against ita portion of the appraisal increment account.

Considering that Benguet expects to end 2011 with over a billion in netincome, the company will close the year with a healthy retained earnings

position.It hopes to sustain profitability through its enhanced gold and nickel opera-

tions.Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez, Benguet’s president and chief executive

officer, said the company will focus in 2012 on the development of its goldtailing reprocessing project and the further expansion of the Acupan mine, asgold is seen to hover above $ 1,500 per ounce in the near term.

Furthermore, Benguet is currently developing the infrastructure and sup-port facilities required for its expanded nickel operations.

With bright prospects looming in its horizon, the company has lately beenreceiving financing offers for its various projects and has regained access tothe credit markets.

The country’s total external trade in goods for the first semester rose by10.3 percent to $ 55.26 billion from $ 50.26 billion during the first semester lastyear, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said.

The NSO attributed the growth to the 15.6 percent positive growth of thetotal imports to $ 30.501 billion from $ 26.377 billion during the first semesterof 2010.

Receipts grewMeanwhile, total export receipts grew by 4.3 percent to $ 24.757 billion

from $ 23.741 billion during the first semester of 2010.The balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) for the Philippines registered a $

5.744 billion deficit in the first semester of 2011 from $ 2.636 billion deficit inthe same period last year.

Accounting for 71.2 percent of the aggregate export revenue in the firstsemester of 2011, receipts from the top ten exports totaled to $ 17.632 billion,posting a 1.5 percent negative growth from $ 17.903 billion during the firstsemester in 2010.

Top earnerElectronic Products continued to be the top earner for the first semester of

2011 with 51.1 percent of the total exports or a decline of 10.8 percent from $14.173 billion to $ 12.638 billion in the first semester of 2011.

Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories followed with a share of 3.7percent and an aggregate receipt of $ 917.00 million or 13.6 percent higherthan the 2010 first semester’s value of $ 807.48 million.

Ranked thirdWoodcrafts and Furniture ranked third with a share of 3.4 percent, posting

an increase of 67.8 percent to $ 849.50 million from $ 506.35 million in thefirst semester of 2010.

Coconut oil, also with share of 3.4 percent, ranked fourth with export re-ceipts of $ 848.29 million or 48.2 percent higher from the 2010 first semestervalue of $ 572.23 million.

5th top exportCathodes & Sections of Cathodes, of Refined Copper contributing 2.6 per-

cent of the total export receipts, was the Philippines’ fifth top export in the firstsemester of 2011 with sales amounting to $ 634.84 million, reflecting anincrease of 69.9 percent from $ 373.73 million during the first semester of2010.

Top 10 tradingThe country’s top ten trading partners for the first semester of 2011 posted

a total trade value of $ 41.570 billion or 75.2 percent of the total.This comprised a total export receipt of $ 20.241 billion or 81.8 percent of

the total exports and total import bill of $ 21.329 billion or 69.9 percent of thetotal imports.

PHL external trade ingoods up 10.3% in 1H

THE METROPOLISMetrEx: 1st & only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

5Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

Aquino leads Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives AwardsPresident Benigno S. Aquino III led the

awarding ceremony for the winners of the2011 Lupong Tagapamayapa IncentivesAwards (LTIA) acknowledging the role oflocal leaders in administering justice in thecountry.

In his speech following the grant of theawards, the President said lack of judges inthe country’s courts results to delays in courtproceedings, taking heavy toll on people seek-ing justice.

However, because disputes are initially re-solved in the lowest level with the help of theLupong Tagapamayapa, the President said itprevents cases from piling up in the courts.

“Kaya naman nagpapasalamat ako satagapagtaguyod ng pagdiriwang nating ito,partikular na sa Department of Interior andLocal Government, sa pangunguna ngmagaling na lider natin na si Secretary JessieRobredo,” he said in his message.

“Sa pagkilala po ninyo sa mga katangi-tanging Lupong Tagapamayapa, hindi lamangkayo sumasaludo sa kanilang mga sakripisyoat ambag sa kaayusan sa lipunan, nabibigyandin natin ng insentibo ang ating mga ehemplona magpatuloy sa kanilang makabuluhangserbisyo-publiko,” the Chief Executive added.

The awards also unite other governmentagencies for a more effective grant of justice

to people seeking it, he said.He congratulated the awardees for their

effective services in the performance of theirduties.

“Taus-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sainyong maayos at epektibong serbisyo sapagpapatibay at pagsasabuhay sa mgaadhikain ng Katarungang Pambarangay at sainyong pagiging malikhain at maparaan bilangmga tagapamagitan tungo sa pag-aayos samga di pagkakaunawaan sa inyongnasasakupan,” the President said.

“Nais po nating maghari ang katarungansa bansa at katuwang natin ang LupongTagapamayapa bilang isa sa mga instrumentong kaayusan at pagkakaunawaan ng mgaPilipino. Sa tulong at gabay ninyo sa problemang inyong nasasakupan, nakatutok tayo samas mabibigat na problema ng ating bansa atsa pagtataguyod ng kapakanan ng masnangangailangan,” he added.

The Lupong Tagapamayapa IncentivesAwards was established pursuant to Execu-tive Order 394, Series of 1997, in recognitionof the Lupon’s contribution in the promotionof Katarungang Pambarangay (KB) objec-tives.

It aims to strengthen the effectiveness ofthe Katarungang Pambarangay as an indig-enous mediation structure capable of resolv-

ing disputes within a community to avoidlengthy court trials.

The grant of awards is based on the fol-lowing criteria: Efficiency in operations, ef-fectiveness in securing the objectives of theKP, creativity and resourcefulness of theLupons.

This year’s competition covered 39,348lupons nationwide for the period July 2009 toDecember 2010.

There are 48 national finalists from the 57target Lupon finalists in 16 regions that com-peted in this year’s LTIA in the following cat-egories: Highly Urbanized Cities, ComponentCities, First to third Class Municipalities andFourth to Sixth Class Municipalities.

This year’s winners include the LupongTagapamayapa of Barangay Adlaon, CebuCity, for Highly Urbanized Cities category;Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Tuyo,Balanga City, Bataan, for the Component Cit-ies category; Lupong Tagapamayapa ofBarangay Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz for theFirst to Third Class Municipalities category;and Lupong Tagapamayapa of BaranagayQuezon, Mainit, Surigao del Norte for Fourthto Sixth Class Municipalities category.

Each of the four national awardees re-ceived a presidential trophy and cash fromthe DILG.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)will lease, through bidding, the commercialspaces at the country’s two mass rail systemsto interested companies.

In a bid bulletin, LRTA said it is invitinginterested persons or entities to submit ex-pressions of interest to lease commercialspaces at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines1 and 2.

“Any firm or entity interested to partici-pate in the bidding must submit a formal ex-pression of interest to lease... on December13,” LRTA said.

The authority said the award of the con-tract should be made to the proponent withmost advantageous offer.

“LRTA reserves the right to accept or re-ject any or all proposal(s) without thereby in-curring any liability to the affected propo-nents,” the LRTA said.

LRTA posted a gross revenue fare collec-tion of P 1.87 billion as of end-October thisyear.

Last year, LRTA posted a total of P 2.23billion gross revenue collection.

Earlier, the LRTA announced the P 1.06-billion renovation and capacity improvementof LRT Line 1.

The first phase of the project amounted toP 381 million, which involves the replace-ment of the 23 kilometers out of the 40 railtracks that were installed 30 years ago.

The second phase amounted to P 150 mil-lion, which involves the replacement of 1,760granty anchor bolts.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced over the weekendthe release of the fund for the compensation package of 3,100 retired employees of theagency.

“Matatanggap na nila ang kanilang gratuity pay starting this week. Naaprubahan na ito ngDepartment of Budget and Management (DBM) for release. At ginagawan na natin ng paraanna ma-expedite ang release dahil napakatagal na nila itong hinihintay since 2007. (They willget their gratuity pay starting next week after the DBM approved the release. And we willexpedite the release because they have been waiting for so long since 2007),” MMDAChairman Francis Tolentino said.

“Nagulat pa nga ako nang magsagawa sila ng rally noong kakaupo ko lang dahil di ko paalam na may ganito palang problema (I was surprised that they rallied against me when Iassumed office because I didn’t know that there was this problem),” he added.

Tolentino said they have already informed the retired employees of the good developmentand that they were told to report to the MMDA’s main office in Makati City on Monday to getthe schedule of when they will get their retirement pay.

“Sa Lunes ng umaga ay mamamahagi kami ng coupon sa lahat ng mga nagretirong kawaning ahensiya na magiging batayan nila kung kailan nila kukuhanin ang kanilang benepisyo (OnMonday morning, we will give coupon for all retired employees of the agency to serve asbasis when they can get their benefits),” the MMDA chief said.

First to receive the retirement pay would be those who retired from the agency the earliest(in 2007), although Tolentino said they expect all retirees would get their due before the end ofthis month.

MMDA bares release ofcompensation package fund

Press Release

President Noy shakes the hand of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II as hepresents the Exemplar Award during the Bulong Pulungan Annual Christmas Party and Recognition Day for Outstanding Public Servantsand Private Individuals at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Tuesday (December 06). The Bulong Pulunganmedia forum was founded in 1986 by a group of journalists from different publications.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her present state.

Govt to bid out lease on commercial spaces at LRT

President Benigno S. Aquino III shares the stage with the winners of the 2011 The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awards for a photo souvenir in a ceremony at the Rizal Hall of the MalacañanPalace on Wednesday (December 07). In photo are Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Dr. Raul Destura, Maria Antonia Gregorio Arroyo, Calapan City Mayor Paulino SalvadorLeachon, Edgar Sia II, Antonio Tiu and Gerard Joseph Salonga. The TOYM Awards is the Philippines’ most prestigious awards search recognizing young men and women whose selflessdedication to their profession or vocation has resulted in significant contributions to the welfare of their countrymen and our country at large as well as to the advancement of their respectivefields of endeavor.

The third phase would be the procurementof modified bogie frames of LRT 1 Light Rail

Vehicles for P 184 million.While the rehabilitation of the 21 dilapi-

dated units of LRT 1 LRVs amounted to P150 million.

Perennial breakdowns at LRT could be athing of the past amid rehabilitation plans.

METRO EXPRESS NEWSMAGAZINE6 Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

FAITH, HEALTH, EVENTS, PLACES & PEOPLE

Jesus’ amazingsalvation

“By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, andreceived what God had promised them” (Hebrews 11:33)

Please pray for those who are far away from hearing about Jesus. Jesuscame for the sick, not the healthy; the sinners, not the righteous. Pray thatGod would give every Christian access to the hearts of unbelievers to tellabout Jesus’ amazing salvation and forgiveness.

I want to hear from you! What issues are most important to you? Whatdo you need help with and want to see at www.godlife.com ? Every daythis week, I will be asking you at our Facebook page for your thoughts anddreams and needs. Get the daily posts by “Liking” our page! Thanks!

Just Keep Swimming. When I was little, my parents made me go toswimming lessons. I was so afraid that I got sick to my stomach every time Istood in front of the pool. But I had a nice coach who wanted to give methe accomplishment of swimming the entire pool. It was so long! Therewas no way I thought I could do it, but here’s what he would do: He wouldstand in the shallow-end of the pool and invite me in. “Just swim to me,”he said. Ok, that I can do. But then he would move back a little farther.“Just keep swimming, Amy. Don’t stop paddling.” I swam a little more. Hekept doing this until suddenly I was at the end. I was so amazed—I neverdreamed I could do that! He helped me the entire way with his closeness,the promise of his reach to save me, his encouraging voice saying, “Justkeep swimming.”

That’s what faith is. It is the continual reach to get something great. Trythis with me now, even though it seems a little silly: Reach out your handas far as it will go, as if for something just at the edge of your grasp. I wantyou to remember that feeling as we read about one unlikely woman’samazing reach of faith:

As Jesus went with him, He was surrounded by the crowds. A woman inthe crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and shecould find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of Hisrobe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressingup against You.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched Me, for Ifelt healing power go out from Me.” When the woman realized that shecould not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in frontof Him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched Him andthat she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” He said to her, “yourfaith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Jesus said it was her faith that made her well, showing how much Godvalues faith. Imagine this woman’s obstacles: all the crowds, the largermen, the people who disdained her because of her sickness, and thecountless disappointments of failed cures. But to push through the crowds,bear the shame, and reach out to Jesus, she had to believe that what wason the end of her reach was worth it: that Jesus had the power no oneelse had. This is the essence of faith. “And it is impossible to please Godwithout faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that Godexists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Maybe you’ve been treading water awhile in the pool of your promise.You haven’t quite given up, but you don’t feel you have the strength tokeep paddling. God wants to help you today. Just like my swim coach wasthere to help me if I got tired or scared, God is near you to uphold you andencourage you to keep going. 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, Heremains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.”

God wants you to know today that He is faithful when you are faithless,and He wants to help get you to the other side to receive your promise.Reach out today and tell Him, “Help! I want to keep kicking. Please give meYour strength.”

So this week, let’s all pray together—for ourselves and each other—that:1. God would renew the vision of the promise He has given us2. We would reach out to God to receive His strength to keep going in

faith3. Global Media Outreach would reach those we haven’t been able to

reach beforeWhy don’t you post about the promise you are believing for at the

GodLife Prayer Wall? We can all pray for each other and see God help us asa united group get to the other side.

Your Friends at GodLife.com

Manila, Philippines—The PhilippineJunior Golfers brought another honor to thecountry by topping three divisions in therecent 3rd BMW Guam Junior Golf LeagueTournament last December 17 and 18 at theLeo Palace Resort in Yoña, Guam.

Aidric Chan ruled the boys’ 10 andbelow, Kyla Nocum in the girls’ 10 andbelow and Arnie Taguines in the girls’ 8 andbelow. Samantha Martirez, meantimeplaced second in the girl’s 14 and below inthe annual event which lured by juniorgolfers from Guam, Saipan, Marianas,Micronesia, Korea and the Philippines.

“Na inspire po ako sa nagawa ni Kuya(John) Lester (Lagman) kahit natamaansiya ng bola ay tinapos pa din niya angtorneo sa Malaysia,” said Aidric , a grade 4pupil of Ateneo referring the bronze medalfinish of his best friend John LesterLagman who averted what could have beena medal shut-out in junior golf by capturing

Pinoy junior golfers net3 golds, 1 silver in Guam

Marlon Bernardino

the bronze in the 10th Sutera HarbourJunior Amateur Open 2011 in KotaKinabalu, Malaysia last December 5 to 6.

“Kaya talagang pinagbutihan ko laro kodito sa Guam at nagbunga naman po.”added Aidric , also the 2010 champion whois celebrating his 11th birthday onDecember 23.

He was coached by Juanito“Pago”Pagunsan, father of Juvic, who wasnamed the Players’ Player of the Year atthe Asian Tour Awards Gala to go with theprestigious Order of Merit crown held at theSt. Regis Hotel last Sunday in Bangkok,Thailand.

“Kahit medyo madugo, pinaghirapn nganak ko makarating sa kinalalagyan niyalast year kaya kami sumubok atnagtagumpay muli...kung nakasama naminsa Guam si (John) Lester (Lagman) aymalamang isa pang gold ang napanalunannatin,” Chan’s father, Deo.

John Lester failed to compete in thisyear’s 3rd BMW Guam Junior Golf LeagueTournament due to earlier commitment toplay in the Secretary of National DefenseGolf Cup held at the Veterans Golf Club inQuezon City. Lagman, the 12-year-oldnephew of businessman Mikee Romero,topped the Secretary of National DefenseGolf Cup tournament sponsored bySecretary of National Defense VoltaireGazmin in close cooperation with VeteransGolf Club GM Brig. Gen. Patrick Madayag(ret.).

The Philippine Junior Golfers arepreparing for the junior world qualifying thiscoming April 2012 in San Diego and USKids Qualifying tour on May in NorthCarolina, USA.

All of them are schedule to play in thePhilippine International Jungolf Tournamenton January 2012 in Manila.

INSPITE of a slow star, John LesterLagman managed to keep his cool under pres-sure from golfers way older and more expe-rienced bagging the over-all champion in thejust concluded Secretary of National DefenseGolf Cup held at the Veterans Golf Club inQuezon City, over the weekend.

The 12-year-old nephew of sportsman/businessman Mikee Lagman Romero, play-ing under the banner of Eastridge Golf andVeterans Golf Club, is the youngest to play atthe tourney and even got the longest driveaward. Department of National Defense Un-dersecretary for Civilian Veterans and Re-serve Affairs, & Spokesman Eduardo Batacand Veterans Golf Club GM Brig. Gen.Patrick Madayag (ret.) presented the award.

Secretary of National Defense VoltaireGazmin was there (Golf Cup) in the earlymorning but has to leave for CDO Calamityto help the victims of the flood. Veterans golfhelps and assists in the medical of the veter-ans patients.

"Because of his attitude and character to-wards the game, John Lester is for sure to bethe boy to watch this coming 2012 in golf atthe age of 12," said former DOTC ActionCenter head Jon Jon Lagman, father of JohnLester.

It shall be recalled that John Lester avert-ed what could have been a medal shutout injunior golf as he capture the bronze in the10th Sutera Harbour Junior Amateur Open

Veterans Golf Club General Manager Brig. Gen. Patrick Madayag (ret.) congratulates the winner in 12-year-old John Lester Lagman.

Lagman tops in Gazmin Golf Cup

2011 was held last December 4 and 5 at theSutera Harbour Golf & Country Club in KotaKinabalu, Malaysia.

John Lester tallied 154 (80-74) en route tothe coveted bronze medal. Aaerishna Shah-sthy Balakrishnan of Malaysia won the goldwith 147 (74-73) followed by Suzairi IqmahRahim of Malaysia with 150 (75-75) for thesilver medal.

The reigning two-time Echiverri Golf over-

all champion hopes to carry the momentumwhen he compete in the Philippine Interna-tional Jungolf Tournament on January 2012set in Manila.

Other tournament line-up for Lagman arethe 2012 Scottish Junior Golf Tournament onMarch in Scotland, Junior World Qualifyingtour on April in San Diego and US Kids Qual-ifying tour on May in North Carolina, USA.M. Bernardino

The Philippine Memory Team recently paid a courtesy call to Vice President Jejomar "JoJo" C. Binay at his Coconut Palace office inPasay City. From left are Christopher Carandang, Erwin Balines, head coach Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., sportsman/businessmanHermie Esguerra, Vice President Jejomar "JoJo" C. Binay, Johann Randall Abrina, Team Manager and Delegation Head Aurelio "Reli"de Leon, Axelyancy Cowan Tabernilla, Roberto Racasa and Mark Anthony Castaneda. Dubbed as the Philippine Charity SweepstakesOffice-Mandaluyong-Bagong Henerasyon Philippine Memory Team, the PMT finished with a silver medal in the team competition duringthe 20th World 'Olympic' Memory Championship (WMC) at the Mount River Resort Hotel in Guangzhou, China last December 9. Asidefrom the team silver, the Pinoys also won an individual bronze medal.(photo by Mark Anthony Adarlo)

Actor Matteo Guidicelli has belied the ru-mor that he and actress Maja Salvador havebroken up.

“Wala lang, nagulat lang ako. Ang bilis langkumalat, ‘di ba? Ang bilis lang kumalat ngmaliit na stories,” Matteo said.

Guidicelli said that the two of them are stilltogether but he admitted that they are cur-rently going through a rough patch.

“You know little arguments right [here] andthere, pero okay naman [kami]. ‘Di ba it’snormal in a relationship?” he said.

According to Guidicelli, he and Salvadorhave not yet talked about their issues due totheir busy schedules.

However, he keeps his hopes up that theywill be able to overcome this challenge intheir relationship.

Matteo denies split with Maja

“I’m sure Maja and I will fix whatever it is,and [there’s] nothing to worry about,” he said.

Lorna proud and happy lola

ACTRESS Lorna Tolentino is a proud andhappy lola as the girlfriend of her eldest son,Rap, recently gave birth to a baby girl.

“Sino ba naman ang hindi magiging happysa experience na iyon? Pakiramdam ko nga,ako nga ang nanganak eh. Ganun ang feelingyata na mayroon ka nang apo kasi nare-remi-nisce mo ang lahat ng nangyari nung nagbuntiska at nanganak ka.”

Tolentino was also inside the operatingroom when Rap’s girlfriend was giving birth.

“I was really inside together with Rafaelsa operating room. Ako ang nagpi-picture, si

Rafael ang nag-video,” she said.According to Toletino, they timed the

baby’s arrival at exactly “11-11-11” becauseit was the favorite number her late husband,

actor Rudy Fernandez.“We parang planned na since Rudy’s fa-

vorite number is 11, so tiniming namin na 11-11-11. Yun pala due na talaga siya kasi nung

night pa lang na pumasok sila sa hospital,medyo sumasakit na ang tiyan niya. So duena talaga siya, so it’s really 11-11-11. But wetimed it na maging 11 a.m.,” she said.

BUSINESS & POLITICS 2MetrEx: 1st & Only Weekly Broadsheet Newsmagazine

7Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

region, specifically Vietnam and Cambodia.He noted that government investment agencies should not compete with

each other, but with Vietnam and Cambodia which are now developingtheir economy faster than the Philippines does.

According to Garcia, the Philippines’ foreign direct investment (FDI) lastyear reached only less than a billion dollars, while Vietnam made US$4billion.

“We should take a closer look at what the other countries are offering, sothat we may, at least, have equal footing,” he said.

IPAs are tasked to formulate and develop strategies to position thePhilippines as among the prime investment destinations in the worldthrough the creation of the PIPP, which serves as the blueprint in creating aworld-class brand image of the Philippines based on promotional approach-es of image building, investment generation and investment generation.

Among those who attended the PIPP meeting were executives from theBoard of Investment (BOI), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA),SBMA, Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Cagayan Economic ZoneAuthority (CEZA), Regional Board of Investments of the ARMM, andAuthority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB).

Garcia told IPA executives that during Pres. Aquino’s visit to China, itwas learned that there were about US$13 billion worth of potentialinvestment waiting to be tapped.

“Although they are all merely potential investments, if we makeourselves competitive, we might be able to get them all. And they all will becoming to us,” he stressed.

”So, just imagine the multiplier effect of that (US$13-billion worth of)investment when it would come to the Philippines. Wow, we would gothrough the roof,” Garcia said.

In concluding his address, the SBMA official also remarked that thePhilippines is in a prime position to compete, and that investment promotionis one of the factors that can help the country accomplish its economicgoals.

“The urgency is already there, and the investors who are really interest-ed to come to the Philippines are there. So, all we have to do is make ithappen,” Garcia said. (Press Release)

SBMA bats... From page 8

85% of P72-B disbursement acceleration plan already releasedIn line with its goal to step up government spending before the year-end, the

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that P61.28billion or 85 percent of the P72.11-billion Disbursement Acceleration Plan hasalready been released to agencies and government-owned or -controlled cor-porations (GOCCs) as of December 6, 2011.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad confirmed that ofthis amount, P41.66 billion had already been disbursed by agencies and GOC-Cs since October 12, when the President approved the Disbursement Accel-eration Plan. This is about P15 billion or 56 percent higher than the P26.64-billion disbursement level as of November 8.

“The DBM is now targeting further funding releases in the amount of P4.1billion and a minimum of P5 billion in actual disbursements to reach 65percent of the Disbursement Acceleration Plan (DAP) by mid-December, asearlier committed to the President,” Abad said.

Abad said national government departments and agencies are now work-ing with the DBM to seriously address the bottlenecks in fund utilization. Headded that with the DAP in full swing, the DBM is also keeping a closer watchon the implementation of priority programs and projects by government agen-cies.

DAP projects with notable disbursements during the period include the

National Housing Authority with P11.050 billion, as well as the P970-millionequity infusions for credit insurance and mortgage guaranty operation of theHome Guaranty Corporation (P400 million) and Trade and Investment De-velopment Corporation of the Philippines (P570 million), and the establish-ment of centralized credit information system amounting to P75 million.

Significant cash releases have also been given to Department of Health(P294 million) for the hiring of nurses and midwives, P2.75 billion supportfund for local government units (LGUs), and the P331 million for the Depart-ment of Science and Technology for the purchase of three Doppler radars andestablishment of National Meteorological and Climate Center.

Ford Philippines has reported that its November 2011 retail sales jumped66 percent year-on-year to 842 units, led by the popular Ford Everest and thecontinued success of the fuel-efficient All-New Ford Fiesta.

Sales of Everest soared in November to 363 units, increasing an outstand-ing 208 percent over the same month last year, and marking the vehicle’sstrongest single sales in a month since it launched in the Philippines in 2003.

Also fueling the company’s strong November performance was the excep-tional All-New Fiesta with 228 units, reaching sales of over 3,800 units sinceits launch just over a year ago.

“Our current lineup offers customers in the Philippines a range of safe andfuel efficient vehicles with a host of smart technologies. Our sales so far thisyear, and in November in particular, are testament to the fact that Ford ismeeting the needs of Filipino customers,” said Randy Krieger, president,Ford Group Philippines.

Ford retail sales up 66% to 842 units in NovemberNow on its second month of availability, the highly-anticipated All-New

Ford Explorer is redefining the SUV segment in the Philippines with sales of55 units in November, significantly exceeding the company’s expectations.

“The All-New Explorer brings many industry-first features and technolo-gies such as MyFord Touch to the local market,” said Krieger. “We areencouraged by the demand for this fantastic SUV and would like to thank ourcustomers for their continued patience as we work hard to meet the growingnumber of reservations.”

Ford’s overall sales year-to-date continued to lead the industry, rising 51percent year-on-year to 8,805 vehicles, helping Ford to remain the fastestgrowing automotive brand in the Philippines this year.

“With the introduction of the All-New Ford Ranger in early 2012, we will begiving customers even more choices for class-leading, fuel efficient vehiclesthat offer unrivalled capability, performance and convenience,” Krieger said.

NTC approves Bayan assets sale to MTIThe National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it has approved

the sale and transfer of the wireless landline assets of Bayan Telecommuni-cation Inc. to Multimedia Telephony Inc.

“We approved it in our recent en banc. Our legal department is now prepar-ing the decision, but it is approved already,” Gamaliel Cordoba, NTC chiefsaid.

Cordoba added that Bayan and MTI earlier secured an approval from therehabilitation court “so, we gave our approval.”

As part of the rehabilitation plan approved in 2004 by the regional trial courtin Pasig City, the company’s total debt was set at $325 million to be paid overa period of 19 years.

Bayan paid a total of P6.74 billion worth of debts that have been paid tocreditors since the company underwent rehabilitation in July 2004.

The company stopped making interest payments in 2001 owing to recur-ring losses, forcing it to seek rehabilitation.

Bayan earlier said the sale of its wireless landline assets is part of the

Lopez-led telecommunication firm’s strategy to exit from rehabilitation.Bayan’s wireless landline system uses a CDMA (code division multiple

access) platform, the same technology MTI uses to deliver its local exchangeservice.

MTI had said the acquisition of Bayan’s assets will not result in their con-solidation or merger, nor would it destroy the separate and distinct judicialpersonality of each.

MTI earlier said another Lopez-led company, Sky Vision, has expressedinterest in infusing capital in, and extending technical assistance to the former.

Sky Vision operates Sky Cable.Under the mutual understanding between the two companies, MTI can

access the extensive fiber optic infrastructure of the cable operator as well asits content.

MTI had said its parent firm Columbus and STT, one of the largest stock-holders of Singaporean telecom Star Hub Ltd., plans to infuse additionalcapital in the Philippine firm.

PHL’s end-Nov. ’11foreign reservesup 26% to US$ 76.35B

The Philippines’ gross internation-al reserves (GIR) expanded by 26.05percent year-on-year to US$ 76.35billion as of November 2011, theBangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)reported Wednesday.

The country’s end-November 2010GIR stood at US$ 60.57 billion, datareleased by the central bank showed.

The latest foreign reserves figureis also slightly up month-on-month by0.69 percent from last October’s US$75.83 billion.

BSP Governor Amando TetangcoJr. attributed the rise in GIR to theincome of the central bank’s over-seas investments as well as its for-eign exchange operations.

He also traced this to the foreigncurrency deposits by authorized agentbanks (AABs) and that of the nation-al government (NG) in the BSP andthe revaluation gains on central bank’sgold holdings.

“These inflows were partially off-set, however, by payments by the NGand the BSP for their maturing for-eign exchange obligations,” he said.

Tetangco said the latest foreign re-serves of the country is enough tocover 11.2 months worth of importsof goods and payments of servicesand income.

Also, it is equivalent to 10.7 timesthe country’s short-term foreign lia-bilities based on original maturity and6.5 times based on residual maturity,which the BSP defines as the “out-standing external debt with originalmaturity of one year or less, plus prin-cipal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and privatesectors falling due within the next 12months.”

Davao City – Given the current se-curity situation in Mindanao, the Min-danao Development Authority (Min-DA) has set up a coordinated mecha-nism that aims to actively engage thesecurity sector in the island’s overallstrategic development direction.

Following a series of consultationsand coordination with the Departmentof Interior and Local Government(DILG) Regional Offices in Mindan-ao, and Balay Mindanao Foundation,the AFP’s Unified Area Commandsin Mindanao as well as the PNP’sDirectorate for Integrated Police Op-erations in Mindanao (DIPO), a Min-danao Peace and Development Se-curity Committee (MPDSC) underMinDA was created to consolidateMindanao-wide issues and concernsthat impact peace and developmentsecurity.

“We are taking every availableopportunity to engage all key stake-holders as possible in the discussionof issues and in the pursuit of lastingpeace and accelerated developmentforMindanao,” said MinDA chairLuwalhati Antonino at the MPDSCOrganizational and 1st Principals’Meeting held recently in Davao City.

“This is a major endeavor to linkdevelopment with peace and securityso that we would be able to promotegreater stability all across Mindanao,as a precursor to spurring more eco-nomic activities,” Antonino told a gath-ering of provincial governors and re-gional representatives from the secu-rity sector.

MinDA formscommittee onMindanao-widesecurity mechanism

President Noy and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., pose with the awardees of the Recognition and Natatanging Paglilingkod Awards for aphoto souvenir during the 23rd Urban Poor Solidarity Week and Awarding Ceremony at the Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace Friday (December 09).Upper photo shows P-Noy delivering his message for the same event.

Manila, PHILIPPINES Dec. 19 - Dec. 26, 2011

Vol 1 No 28 P151st Alliance of Provincial News

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SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)has disclosed a two-point program which is expected to put the Subic Bay

Freeport in a more competitive investmentposition over its Asian neighbors.

In a meeting with executives of theInvestment Promotion Agencies (IPA)composing the Technical Working Group ofthe Philippine Investment Promotion Plan(PIPP), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garciasaid that he is now working on two pointsthat will encourage investors to come in.

The first point, he said, is the rationaliza-tion of investment incentives, which, whenapproved, will be given to all investors

SBMA bats for 2-ptprogram to attractmore investors

equally by all investment promotionagencies in the country.

“Here at the SBMA, we are not allowedto offer income tax holidays and that is adisadvantage [on our part] versus thePEZA (Philippine Economic Zone

Authority). The incentives for investorsshould be the same as with the otheragencies. Otherwise, investors will withdrawtheir proposals because we don’t haveincome tax holidays,” Garcia said.

Second, Garcia said that his administra

tion is currently working onmaking the incentives in Subiccompetitive with the incentivesgiven in other countries in the

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