BusinessMirror March 05, 2020 by BusinessMirror

LOAN NEGO SUSPENSION ORDER LIFTED By Samuel P. Medenilla

Duterte had ordered the suspension on August 27, 2019, after expressing his outrage against the UNHRC resolution proposed by representatives from Iceland, urging UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet to compel the Philippine government to give a comprehensive report on the alleged widespread extrajudicial killings in the country. The Iceland resolution drew the support of 18 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

@sam_medenilla

R ESIDENT Duter te on Wednesday finally lifted the suspension of the country’s signing of or negotiations for loans and grants with countries that cosponsored and/or voted in favor of the July 11, 2019, resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The announcement on the lifting of the suspension was contained in a memorandum signed and issued by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea on February 27, 2020.

Thursday, March 5, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 147

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PHL eyes loan as WB preps $12-B virus fund T

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario & Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

HE World Bank has made available $12 billion worth of immediate support for countries in their response to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a development that Manila welcomed, as it is in talks with donors for a planned loan package for the coronavirus outbreak and “similar events.” In a statement, the Washington-based lender said the fasttrack financing is designed to help member-countries take effective action to respond to and, where

possible, lessen the tragic impacts posed by Covid-19. T he funds w ill be used to strengthen health systems, provide better access to health ser-

vices to safeguard people from the epidemic, strengthen disease surveillance, bolster public health interventions and work with the private sector to reduce the impact

“Please be informed that such directive [issued on August 27, 2019] is hereby lifted, effective immediately,” Medialdea said in his February 27 memorandum. The lifting will allow the government to get loans and grants from the aforementioned countries provided these go through the “necessary approvals, authorities, and clearances” from concerned government agencies and authorities. The development comes amid Duterte’s recent statement that the country is now striving to achieve a more independent foreign policy, particularly when it comes to securing its borders.

Pass money-laundering amendments now–AMLC By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

“We are currently in discussions....on a loan package with multilateral agencies, and this announcement of WB [World Bank] is certainly welcome.” —Dominguez

on economies. Meanwhile, in Manila, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said in a Viber message to reporters, “We are currently in discussions...on a loan package with multilateral agencies, and this announcement of WB [World Bank] is certainly welcome.” See “WB,” A2

DOF won’t give up on Citira despite tight sked

@joveemarie

HE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Wednesday called on Congress to immediately pass the bill amending the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to address strategic deficiencies in the country’s law. At the hearing of the House

Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, AMLC Executive Director Atty. Mel Georgie Racela warned that failure to amend the weak areas in the AMLA may place the Philippines in the grey-list jurisdiction and even face blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The FATF publicly identifies Continued on A2

Overcoming ‘Sinophobia’ Rene E. Ofreneo

laborem exercens

enophobia, the “stigmatization” of foreigners or ethnic/cultural communities in society, has been rising in many parts of the world. It is most pronounced in Europe and North America, where migrant workers are blamed by populist politicians as the reason for widespread unemployment and the diminishing quality of life of the “native” citizens. To endear himself to his xenophobic political base, Donald J. Trump is even aggressively pushing for the building of a 900-mile wall between the United States and Mexico, to prevent Latino migrant workers from South America from reaching the land of milk and honey. Somehow, Trump has forgotten that America is a land of migrants and that America’s rise on the world stage was due to the collective labor of migrant families, past and present. Continued on A7

VEN with just a week left before Congress goes on a break, the Department of Finance (DOF) is not backing down on its push for the passage of the bill rationalizing incentives as it is determined to convince the Senate leadership to prioritize the measure. This, even after Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that they may delay action on the pending economic bills, including the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira), should the situation worsen amid the coronavirus outbreak. “We are requesting the Senate leadership to consider prioritizing Citira,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez said in a Viber message to reporters. The measure, approved by the House of Representatives last year and now just awaiting Senate approval, will cut corporate income tax to 20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, and overhaul incentives granted to investors. However, Congress is set to go on a break from March 14 to May 3. See “Citira,” A2

PESO exchange rates n

RUSH-HOUR BLUES Motorists chafed in heavy traffic along Edsa-Balintawak in Quezon City on Wednesday after a contractor closed off a portion of the busy thoroughfare as part of the construction works for the Skyway Stage 3 project. NONOY LACZA

Domestic liquidity expands faster in January–BSP

ASH circulating in the economy grew faster in January, compared to the level seen in December 2019, due largely to the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut the overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) facility and reserve requirement ratio. The BSP reported that the country’s domestic liquidity—broadly measured as M3— expanded in

January by 11.9 percent to about P12.8 trillion. The rate of expansion is faster than the 11.3-percent recorded in December 2019. A growing cash supply is often beneficial for an expanding economy such as the Philippines, as it provides fuel to the productive sectors of the country. An excessively slow growth in M3 could be detrimental to growth

especially if it is not enough to fund economic activities. An excessively high cash supply growth, meanwhile, could stoke inflationary pressures and pull up prices. Security Bank economist Robert Dan Roces said the continuous rise in the country’s cash supply is proof that the cuts implemented by the BSP are “optimal.” See “Domestic liquidity,” A2

US 50.6860 n japan 0.4732 n UK 64.9490 n HK 6.5229 n CHINA 7.2657 n singapore 36.5278 n australia 33.3615 n EU 56.6416 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5102

Source: BSP (4 March 2020)

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A2 Thursday, March 5, 2020

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‘PHL REIT market cap could be at $7B-$11B’

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

HE country’s real-estate investment trust (REIT) market has the potential to reach $7 billion to $11 billion, or between the size of Malaysia and Thailand, according to a senior official of one of the Philippines’s leading banks.

WB. . .

Continued from A1

Aside from the coronavirus outbreak, Dominguez said the planned loan package could also be used for “similar events.” Meantime, Dominguez said they are “preparing the appropriate fiscal responses” to cushion the economic impact of the outbreak. While they have yet to determine the expected impact of Covid-19 on the economy, Dominguez said they are closely monitoring the effects of the contagion on tourism, as well as the supply chain of key industries. The finance chief also expressed confidence that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is already evaluating various alternatives and will pursue the appropriate

measures to protect the economy. “I am certain that the Monetary Board is ready, as well as with measures to counter the ill effects of Covid-19,” he added.

‘Fast, flexible response’

In Washington, World Bank Group President David Malpass said, “We are working to provide a fast, flexible response based on developing country needs in dealing with the spread of COVID-19,” adding, “This includes emergency financing, policy advice and technical assistance, building on the World Bank Group’s existing instruments and expertise to help countries respond to the crisis.” The World Bank said the Covid-19 support package will make available initial crisis resources of up to $12 billion in financing—$8 billion of which is new—on a fast-track basis.

Domestic liquidity. . . The BSP attributed the acceleration in money supply growth to the strong demand for credit during the period. Preliminary data released by the BSP showed that the outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks grew by 11.6 percent in January, faster than the 10.9-percent expansion in the previous month. Broken down, loans from universal and commercial banks for household consumption

Continued from A1

went up by 40.1 percent in January, from 27.5 percent in December due to faster growth in credit card and motor vehicle loans. Also, loans for production activities expanded 8.8 percent in January. The figure, however, is slower than the 9.1 percent posted in December 2019. According to the BSP, the sustained increase in production loans was driven primarily by lending to the following sectors: real-estate

“There’s a lot of potential. Interesting proxies for this potential in the Philippine REIT market are Malaysia and Thailand, which have been growing their REIT markets for the past five to seven years. These two countries have about $7 billion and $11 billion, respectively, of market capitalizations of REITs, which I think the Philippines is also capable of achieving,” Reginaldo Cariaso, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) senior vice president, said. Thailand, which has an economy double of that of the Philippines, has about a REIT market size of $12 billion and oil-producing Malaysia

at $7 billion. “We have a larger population and our GDP is growing faster than Malaysia and Thailand. BPO and shared services are bigger in the Philippines and our domestic consumption is strong. There is sig-

The largest chunk of the amount will come from the International Finance Corp. (IFC) worth $6 billion. This includes $2 billion that will be obtained from existing trade facilities. The rest of the package will come from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) worth $2.7 billion; funding from the Bank’s existing portfolio, $2 billion; and $1.3 billion from the International Development Association (IDA). “The bank will also include policy advice, and technical assistance, drawing on global expertise and country-level knowledge,” the World Bank said. The package will provide grants and lowinterest loans from IDA for low-income countries and loans from IBRD for middle-income countries, using all of the bank’s operational instruments with processing accelerated on a

fast-track basis. The IFC, the World Bank Group’s privatesector arm, will provide its clients with the necessary support to continue operating and to sustain jobs. IFC will work with commercial bank clients to expand trade finance and working capital lines. It will also directly support its corporate clients—with a focus on strategic sectors including medical equipment and pharmaceuticals—to sustain supply chains and limit downside risks. Last week, ADB approved another $2 million to help developing countries in Asia and the Pacific contain the outbreak of COVID-19. This doubled its support efforts to prepare and build resilience to pandemics. Prior to last week, the ADB already announced $2 million worth of funding to respond to Covid-19.

activities (20.5 percent); financial and insurance activities (16.2 percent); electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (8.2 percent); information and communication (18.6 percent); and construction (15.5 percent). Bank lending to other sectors also increased during the month, except those to manufacturing (-2.9 percent), mining and quarrying (-11.6 percent), and other community, social and personal activities (-34.8 percent). “It appears, however, that the segment of

Mr. de la Cruz [referring to a representation of a Filipino retail consumer] is more ratesensitive, jumping at the chance to secure a loan to help fund purchases, such as a car or a home with real sector data [car data] supporting the rebound in lending to this segment,” said ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa. “Going forward, Mr. de la Cruz will continue to help shore up lost capital formation momentum and, in return, play a part in 2020’s recovery, coronavirus notwithstanding,” he added.

Citira. . .

Continued from A1

Peza backs move

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Director General Charito B. Plaza has thrown her support behind Sotto’s statement, arguing that exporters are injured by the global slowdown in the production of raw materials following the shutdown of the factories in China due to the spread of the virus first detected in Wuhan. Despite this, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua stood firm that passing the Citira as soon as possible is still the best way to go to attract investments that are coming out of China as a result of the US-China trade war. Comparing the incentive offerings under the Citira and the tax perks offered by Thailand amid the trade war, Chua said those under the Citira are “at the very least on a par with, if not more generous and competitive compared to, those of Thailand.” He cited “a recent report that Thailand is offering a 50-percent income tax discount for five years to qualified high-tech firms, subject to conditions such as a minimum level of investment of 1 billion baht [or around $32.7 million] and investment commencement in 2021. Relocating companies to Thailand will face a 10-percent tax on net income, instead of the regular 20-percent tax.” Besides citing “the Philippines’s talented English-speaking work force and young robust market, which are the main attraction to investors,” Chua stressed that the “competitive tax incentive system under Citira will help draw in investments that are coming out of China as a result of the US-China trade war.” Moreover, Chua said the Senate version of Citira also offers two options for companies seeking to apply for incentives. The first option is to enjoy an income tax holiday (ITH) for two to four years followed by a special tax rate on gross income for three to four years. The special rate will be increased from the current 5 percent of gross income to 8 percent in 2020; 9 percent in 2021; and 10 percent in 2022, he said. “In total, enjoyment of the ITH and special rate will initially be granted for five to eight years, and can be extended by up to 12 years total, which is longer than the five-year period

“Equity investors will be attracted to REITs’ higher dividends, lower volatility, and moderate growth [and] fixedincome investors....to REITs’ stable dividend income, higher yields and potential for hedging against inflation.”—Cariaso

offered by Thailand,” Chua said. “This special tax regime will still be in lieu of all national and local taxes, allowing investors to push down overall business costs and meet bottom-line commitments.” In fact, he added, “the 8-percent tax on gross income is almost an 8-percent tax on net income as many firms no longer report indirect cost to take advantage of the incentives system to lower their tax due.” On the other hand, the second option is for investors to avail themselves of the regular corporate income tax rate with generous enhanced deduction for five to eight years, which may be extended by three or four years at a time, for a total duration of 12 years, Chua said. “Many of these additional deductions are not present in the current incentive system in the Philippines and in other countries. Citira precisely includes them to directly address some of the constraints in doing business in the Philippines while making our proposed incentive system under Citira more competitive than our neighbors,” he said. “Citira also includes a provision where the President can approve special incentives if the current package is not sufficient to attract the largest investors. That is how we aim to attract them when Citira is passed,” Chua said. With foreign direct investment pledges in the Philippines more than doubling last year to P390 billion versus P183 billion recorded 2018, Chua said this “strong performance” is a “positive signal that the international community continues to regard the Philippines as one of the prime investment destinations in Asia.” The sooner Citira is passed, “the sooner these investments will materialize,” the DOF official said. However, stakeholders have raised concern over the measure, warning of a looming capital flight if tax perks, particularly the 5-percent tax on gross income paid in lieu of local and national taxes are lifted. The looming capital flight is projected to result in job losses, according to industry groups. Estimates by the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines put job losses at over 700,000 once the Citira bill is passed and investors flee, but the DOF is disputing the basis of that estimate. Bernadette D. Nicolas

nificant potential for office, retail and commercial growth, as well as industrial, logistics and infrastructure, if we execute successfully,” he said. Cariaso, who has already arranged some REIT deals in the region prior to joining the Ayala-led BPI, said REIT is a welcome addition to the Philippines’s financial market, particularly in maintaining a robust equities environment. Cariaso noted that in general, REITs are less risky than equities, which makes them attractive to less risk-averse investors. REITs, however, are still considered more risky vis-à-vis fixed-income securi-

ties, like bonds and treasury bills. “Equity investors will be attracted to REITs’ higher dividends, lower volatility and moderate growth while fixed-income investors will be attracted to REITs’ stable dividend income, higher yields and potential for hedging against inflation,” he said, but added that REITs are “boring” securities because rents do not typically rise that often. The government has approved the amended REIT guidelines, with Ayala Land Inc. signifying its intent to offer the country’s first REIT listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Pass money-laundering amendments now–AMLC Continued from A1

jurisdiction that have strategic anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing (AML/ CFT) defiencies. According to AMLC, deficiencies and legislative amendments should include tax crimes and proliferation financing under AMLA.

Bulk cash smuggling

Meanwhile, the AMLC is targeting to submit to the House of Representatives “as soon as possible” a draft of the bulk cash smuggling law similar to the United States as authorities deal with the grave implications of reports that millions in foreign currencies are routinely being brought into the country. Despite this, Racela, however, said the existing AMLA is already “sufficient” to address the issue. “The current AMLA is sufficient to address this concern. But we have been instructed by the [House] Committee on Ways and Means to draft a ‘bulk cash smuggling law’ similar to the US, which will pass the burden to the passenger to prove that the source of funds came from legitimate sources,” Racela said in a message to the BusinessMirror. In a January 29 report to the Department of Finance, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Philippine laws on undeclared foreign currencies are “not categorical, and sanctions provided are not deterrent enough,” unlike in other countries like the United States where such attempts to underdeclare or not declare currency is defined as bulk cash smuggling, and the penalties are far more severe than those provided under Philippine laws. In the same report, the BOC revealed that around $370 million or P18.74 billion were brought into the country by two syndicates identified as “Rodriguez Group” and “Chinese Group,” and these money couriers, who were paid from P12,000 to as high as P50,000 per flight, were able to “escape detention” because they were allegedly escorted by members of law-enforcement agencies. On Tuesday, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Joey Salceda added two more groups to these: the “Singapore Group” and the “Hong Kong Group.” The disclosure came amid rising concerns on the presence and operations of Chinese-dominated Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in the country, which have expanded alongside an increasing tally of crimes involving Chinese POGO workers and personalities, including kidnapping and prostitution. Asked how would the alleged money-laundering issue impact foreign investments into the country, Racela said: “To be honest, nothing, because our framework is the same as other

jurisdictions, i.e., just declare it accurately, and bring in and out foreign currencies. Moreover, Racela assured the public that the AMLC is working closely with local and international counterparts to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. Since August 2019, Racela said the AMLC and the intelligence community have been investigating the issue and have alerted all relevant government agencies, including the BOC, Bureau of Immigration and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In relation to bringing foreign currency, he said they have also identified the “regulatory gaps in the BSP circular.” To address these gaps, Racela said AMLC is pushing for the revision of the foreign currency declaration form (FCDF) to include pertinent information. Moreover, he said the submission of FCDFs must also be mandatory in all ports of entry not just in terminals 1 to 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and that the declaration must be “under oath.”

Lack of coverage

Racela said there is also lack of coverage of real estate under the AML/CFT regime and the absence of a framework for the implementation of targeted financial sanctions for proliferation financing. Racela added that AMLC, as an investigator, does not have ample investigate powers and the AMLC should have the power to preserve assets subject of freeze orders, or asset preservation order or authority to retain forfeited assets. He said there is also no prohibition of injuction against the freeze and forfeiture power of the AMLC under law. “If the AMLA amendements are not passed, the Philippines will be grey-listed. The FATF will come up with an action plan, which is required to be implemented within definite time lines. This will again include legislative amendments to address deficiencies,” Racela said. “Failure of a gray jurisdiction to implement the FATF action plan will result in more countermeasures, and even black-listing,” he added.

Implications

Being restored to the grey list will give the country problems, such as higher cost of transacting with foreign financial insitutions, Racela said. The grey listing will also reduce international trade and invite economic sanctions. “For OFWs, this means less money for their families. For business, this means higher cost of business and higher production cost,” he added. With Bernadette D. Nicolas

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DOLE ‘scales down’ OFW deployment to Kuwait anew

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is poised to issue a new order to “scale down” the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to Kuwait after its government imposed additional requirements to travelers entering the Gulf country due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After consulting the Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA), L abor Si lvest re H. Bello III said he will be issuing an order within the week “slowing down” the issuance of overseas employment certificates (OEC) of all OFWs bound for Kuwait so they will not be affected by the additional requirement. The OEC is a documentary requirement for Filipinos before they are allowed to work abroad by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). “I think a month of delay will be reasonable,” Bello said at news conference on Wednesday. He said the order will affect all job categories of OFWs bound for Kuwait. The labor chief stressed the measure is a not in retaliation to the Kuwaiti government’s announcement that starting March 8, it will require travelers coming from 10 countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases, which includes the Philippines, to present a medical examination certificate proving that they are free from COVID-19 before they are allowed of entry to Kuwait. Bello said they recognize the right of the Kuwaiti government to enforce the precautionary measure. However, he noted, such may entail an additional burden for OFWs bound for Kuwait. “So if the order [related to the certificate] will prevent our workers from going there, they might as well go to other countries, where there are not much requirement. So we have to scale down in Kuwait,” Bello said. Bello added that the order will be lifted once the Kuwaiti government removes its medical certificate requirement for Filipino travelers. To recall, POEA has just lifted the partial deployment ban for Kuwait last month after the Kuwaiti government finally held accountable the suspected killers of the Filipino household service worker Jeanelyn Villavende. The case of Villavende, as well as incomplete implementation of the 2018 Philippine-Kuwait Memorandum of Agreement prompted the government to impose deployment restrictions in Kuwait on January.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, March 5, 2020 A3

Amid global virus spread, DTI chief sees ‘silver lining’ for PHL By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Wednesday that the global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be a bane for public health and tourism industry but may turn up to a boon to the country's manufacturing sector.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said some companies operating in China, which have their operation interrupted because of COVID-19, are now considering expanding their supply chain to other countries in Asia. He said among the prime candidates for their expansion are Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. “We might not be on the top of

their mind, but definitely, we are on their mind when it comes to their expansion [plans],” Lopez said. “They see the [business] reforms that we’re doing in the Philippines, which is good for investment,” the trade chief added. He said some automobile and electronics, and appliances manufacturers have expressed interest in operating in the country.

PNP imposes tight inspection of cars entering police camps By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

HE Philippine National Police– Highway Patrol Group (PNPHPG) has issued at least 100 citation tickets against drivers, most of them policemen, for traffic violations inside police camps across the country as the leadership imposed tight inspection of all vehicles entering camps. The inspection, which did not spare Camp Crame on Wednesday, was implemented following strict orders of PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa against the use of policemen of recovered and vehicles on the alarm list, a practice that was once rampant among members of operating units. “Nationwide, and in all of the camps of the PNP, more than 12,000 motor vehicles have been inspected, but only more than 100 were issued citations or temporary operator’s permit for violation of RA 4136, or the Traffic Code,” said HPG Direc-

tor Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz. Earlier, Gamboa reiterated an existing policy of the PNP against the use of seized vehicles due to complaints by owners that their vehicles recovered or seized during police operations and were supposed to be used as evidence are being used by policemen. Most of the recovered vehicles were stolen from their original owners and a number of policemen have been charged for violating the standing policy. During the inspection at Camp Crame on Wednesday, HPG operatives thoroughly checked every vehicle that entered the compound of the general headquarters of the PNP, ensuring that their papers are in order and sparing not even those sporting a police decal. “We are doing this, as much as possible, on a daily basis in order to check the orders of the chief PNP that no policeman would use any recovered or ‘alarmed vehicle.’ This is also to ensure that all vehicles, es-

Additional DOH funds for COVID-19 stall in House

HE supposed “coup” attempt involving the House leadership has reportedly caused the delay in the approval of the Department of Health’s P2-billion supplemental budget to combat the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In a media briefing on Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, however, refused to admit that the approval of the budget was affected by the squabble in Congress. “We already sent [follow-up] letters but there were changes in the committee chairmanships and we were told to write another follow-up letter to them,” Duque said, referring to the two bills filed in Congress to give an additional P2 billion to the DOH for its campaign against the deadly virus. On Tuesday, Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab was removed as House appropriations panel chairman and was replaced by ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Yap. Pending the budget approval,

the department said it has “enough budget” at the moment, but would be needing the P2 billion soon. The supplemental budget is supposed to be used to purchase surgical masks and personal protective equipment of some 5,000 health workers at the frontlines of fighting COVID-19. Likewise, he revealed that Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, during the cabinet meeting on Monday, said that they can use close to P530 million in the DOH’s available budget meantime. Meanwhile, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that one Filipino, from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship, quarantined at the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City (NCC) was rushed to the hospital due to diarrhea, one of the symptoms of COVID-19. She said that 15 others quarantined at NCC who showed symptoms of the disease have all tested negative. They are set to end their 14-day quarantine on March 11. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

pecially those entering Camp Crame are registered,” Cruz said. “No one is exempted here, even those that have a decal. The decal issued by the camp commander is only for security purposes, but this is about registration and status of the vehicle,” Cruz added, noting the HPG had also been deputized by the Land Transportation Office to implement traffic regulations. Last month, the HPG arrested a policemen while carrying the lockdown inspection at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office 3 in Pampanga after it found him driving a vehicle on the alarm list. The policeman, whom Cruz did not identify, was charged before the prosecutor’s office in the province and HPG operatives also recovered the vehicle that he was using, which turned out to have been stolen in La Union from its owner who is from Tarlac. Cruz said the HPG is currently keeping at least 600 recovered vehicles at its impounding area in San Pedro, Laguna.

In a related development, Lopez said COVID-19 has affected the companies that rely on imported products coming from China, particularly from the province of Hubei, considered as the epicenter of the virus. “Based from import figures, the containers [arriving from China] was reduced by more than one half,” Lopez said.

PHL relaxes travel ban to S. Korea By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday announced the partial lifting of the travel ban to South Korea. In a news statement, the BI said the move was in compliance with the order from Malacañang, as recommended by aresolutionfromtheInter-AgencyTask Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). In the said resolution, outbound travel restrictions to South Korea imposed on Filipinos are partially lifted, except for those traveling to North Gyeongsang province, Daegu and Cheongdo. As a result, Filipinos tourists may now travel to Korea, except to the areas of concern, provided “that they execute a declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved,” amid the COVID-2019 outbreak. “Another development is that dependents of Filipinos who are permanent resident visa holders in South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau shall be allowed to travel to said jurisdictions,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said, adding the

elected officials, 225 foreigners, 193 included on wanted lists, 86 uniformed personnel, 61 armed group members and 10 prominent personalities. Authorities also arrested 228,678 individuals involved in illegal drugs during the said period. As of January, the consolidated report showed that 5,601 drug suspects have died during 157,275 anti-illegal drug operations. From July 2016 to January 2020, authorities also arrested 2,915 minors. This can be broken down into 1,619 pushers; 768 possessors; 364 users; 144 visitors of drug den; seven drug den maintainers; 10 drug den

“This is the best course of action that the IATF-EID sees best to prevent the further spread of the disease, and we are duty-bound to implement it for the protection of all our kababayan.” —Morente

move of the IATF-EID is meant to ensure that families remain intact during the outbreak. The existing temporary travel ban for South Korea covers all foreign nationals coming from North Gyeongsang province, Daegu and Cheongdo. Exempted from the ban are Filipinos and their spouse or children, foreigners with Philippine permanent resident visas and members of the diplomatic corps. The agency, however, stressed that the travel ban in China, where the virus originated, remains in full effect. “This is the best course of action that the IATF-EID sees best to prevent the further spread of the disease, and we are duty-bound to implement it for the protection of all our kababayan,” Morente said.

Davao City Hall reminds bizmen: Comply with drug-free ordinance By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—Business establishments seeking to renew their permits with city hall must comply with the anti-illegal drug ordinance that mandates a drug-free workplace and a treatment, or prevention plan. T he Cit y A nti-Dr ug Abuse Council (Cadac) has urged businesses to comply with the provisions of City Ordinance 0506-13, which requires businesses employing 10 or more workers to create a drug-free workplace program and treatment or prevention plan. Kenneth Tee, Cadac technical adviser community-based rehabilitation and after-care, disclosed that only 2,600 companies have followed the requirement from among the 15,000 businesses that have applied for business renewal. The city has almost 70,000 businesses as of 2018. “To those who have not complied,

we have given them until this year to have their training,” Tee said. The ordinance requires businesses to create an assessment team, which consists of a human resource manager, employer’s representative, safety officer, health officer and worker’s representative, the Philippine Information Agency said, quoting the Cadac. The assessment team shall undergo training at the accredited service providers, which include Ateneo de Davao, Holy Cross of Davao College, University of Mindanao and University of Immaculate Conception, it added. After training, employees will undergo drug testing. Companies should formulate a drug-free workplace program aligned with the Department of Labor and Employment. They should also formulate a three-year drug treatment and prevention Plan. After complying with these requirements, the business establishments will be issued a certificate of compliance by the Philippine Drug

Almost 9,000 high-value targets nabbed in anti-drug operations–PDEA

LOSE to 9,000 high-value drug targets (HVTs), or personalities, across the country have been arrested since the start of the Duterte administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs in mid-2016, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday. Based on real numbers data, PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said a total of 8,811 HVTs were arrested from July 1, 2016 to January 31, 2020. The figure included 3,439 HVTs arrested from high impact operations, 2,559 targetlisted suspects, 726 drug group leaders/ members, 350 government employees, 306

Currently, he said the affected companies are still expected to operate normally until this month. However, he said many of them would not be able to do so if the effects of the COVID-19 to trade will persist in the next six months. He said they are consolidating the amount of losses incurred by companies, which rely on the supply chain from China.

employees, two cultivators, and a runner. A total of 508,364 drug surrenders attended and completed recovery programs. Authorities dismantled a total of 508 drug dens and 14 are clandestine shabu laboratories from July 2016 to January 2020. Various types of illegal drugs worth P42.13 billion were seized and this amount includes P32.92 billion worth of shabu. At least 15,748 out of the 42,044 barangays (villages) have been declared drugcleared as of January 31, 2020. Carreon said aligned with President’s vision of a drug-cleared country by 2022, PDEA intensified the implementation of the

Barangay Drug Clearing Campaign. “We are freeing every barangay from illegal drugs. We are turning citizens to become resistant to drug abuse. We are transforming the negative impacts into positive opportunities for drug offenders. We are winning the drug war,” Carreon said in his presentation during the launch of the Duterte Legacy campaign at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City last January. He added that PDEA, as the lead agency against illegal drugs, adopted a threepronged strategy in the national anti-drug campaign which focuses on reducing its supply, demand and harmful effects. PNA

Enforcement Agency. The Davao extension office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, meanwhile, appealed to file their audited financial statements and general information sheets ahead of the deadline. Katrina Jamilla Ponco-Estares, SEC-Davao acting director, has advised companies to file their annual reports “ahead of schedule to avoid long queues.” “Every year, we notice a spike of filers at the last day of their filing schedule. To avoid overcrowding, we are encouraging them to file early. Avoiding the last-minute rush could also mean we have the time to sit down and review the completeness of their reportorial requirements,” Estares said. She said however, that acceptance and receipt by the commission of the financial statements “shall be without prejudice to the fines that may be imposed for any material deficiency, or misstatement that may be found upon evaluation of the specific contents, thereof.”

TheBroa

Business

Thursday, March 5, 2020

PHL staging profitable, culturally

By Cai U. Ordinario

PART of the Filipino left for dead for over four decades is re-emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

Philippine culture and investments have been marred by the edifice complex borne of a dark past. But years of neglect did not deter industry stalwarts from finding ways to survive. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is in the middle of a much-need facelift while private theater halls such as Resorts World Manila have found new ways to cater to the Filipino’s artistic palate. However, amid the pomp and splendor, the problems of neglect and underinvestment have crept up and the government is playing catch-up hoping that its efforts will make it before curtain call.

Culture in PDP

THE Duterte administration rode on a banner of change and one of the primary reforms it introduced, particularly in the crafting of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, is the creation of a separate chapter for culture. The latest PDP is the only medium-term socioeconomic blueprint—the crafting of which began after the Second World War—to include a special focus on culture. Previous PDPs, including that of the Marcos administration, included culture only as a part of social welfare and education priorities. Part of the reason for including a focus on culture, Rosemarie G. Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said, is the findings from the “AmBisyon2040.” The survey for this government “vision statement” showed that a “high-trust society” is needed to achieve the aspirations of Filipinos for themselves and their nation. Edillon, the Neda Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, added that creating a focus on culture allowed the government to bring together the “main actors on culture into the discussion on development planning.” “Culture is part of development,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said. “What we’re trying to do now is make up for past neglect.”

Addressing gaps

THE Marcos administration has been known for its edifice complex that, in some way, benefitted arts and culture. However, the investments did not go beyond the infrastructure. Pernia said this is something the current administration aims to correct. He said by creating a separate chapter on culture in the PDP, the government can closely address the gaps created by years of neglect, particularly on soft infrastructure projects. Part of the “soft” strategies to bring culture into the foray is to liberalize access to information on Filipino culture; institutionalize and intensify heritage conservation plans and programs; and, mainstream cultural education in all levels, including technical, vocational and higher education systems. These soft strategies will still be accompanied by infrastructure support. Edillon said despite the impressive CCP Complex and other cultural and artistic venues, the country only has 513 libraries, 120 museums and 11 performance venues. Based on the PDP, this will be addressed through the development of cultural assets across the country as well as the establishment of historic and cultural complexes nationwide for education, entertainment and tourism.

“Creativity needs an outlet for expression. In the PDP update, we noted the lack of venues or facilities in the country that can serve this purpose,” Edillon said. “We are also promoting ‘STEAM’, or ‘STEM’ [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] with an A, for Arts.”

Investments, buildings

BASED on the Public Investment Program (PIP), the government intends to spend a total of P16.64 billion on various culture-related projects and programs in the medium term. Of this amount, around P3.79 billion is allocated for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to finance projects and programs. The largest amounts would be allocated for the rehabilitation and conservation of the Manila Metropolitan Theater (MET) worth P718 million and workshops on different art forms worth P446.94 million. The BusinessMirror’s attempts to reach the NCCA were not reciprocated. The amount allocated for culture also includes an investment of P2.45 billion for the CCP. The bulk of the amount will fund the construction of an Artist’s Center worth P959.5 million and a new Performing Arts Theater worth P919.6 million. The Artist’s Center is a threestory arts building that will contain studios and rehearsal halls for the training of artists in the performing arts. The new Performing Arts Theater, meanwhile, will be a two-story medium-sized theater with a seating capacity of 1,000 people. “Cultural structures, such as museums, cultural centers, archives, libraries, art galleries and other cultural facilities, will be made more inclusive in order to allow for dialogue and cultural exchange,” the PDP stated. “Such facilities allow for the continuity of the intangible cultural heritage, practices as well as other creative expressions,” the document read.

Underfunded

WHILE institutions like CCP receive funding from the government, they are still required to raise funds for their other needs that the budget from the government does not cover. In an interview, CCP Vice President for Finance and Administration Rodolfo G. del Rosario said they still need to generate money for the salaries of CCP workers. This is usually generated from the lease of its land and other properties such as the Folk Arts Theater (FAT), as well as assistance from the NCCA, either in cash or in kind. Del Rosario said the biggest expense of the CCP, apart from capital outlay, is the maintenance of the entire complex. This means paying for security, utilities, engineering and janitorial services, theater crews and creative production. He added that the CCP provides financial subsidies to its resident companies such as Ballet Philippines, the Philippine Ballet Theater, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG), among others. The total cost to CCP for this support is around P3 million a year, which has recently been raised to P6 million a year starting 2019. On top of this support, the CCP is also mandated to extend P5 million a year to the Bayanihan Dance Troupe by virtue of Republic Act 8626, which designated Bayanihan as the country’s National Folk Dance Company.

DESIGNED by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, the Tanghalang Pambansa (Theater of Performing Arts) is the flagship venue and principal offices of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, housing three major performing arts venues, one theater for film screenings, galleries, a museum and the center’s library and archives. JON BILOUS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Under Section 7 of the law, the amount of P5 million will be automatically included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), or the National Budget, for the Bayanihan Dance Troupe.

Outlays, overhead

DATA provided by the CCP showed that its budget has been increasing but the actual amount of what is granted is always lower than what was approved, at least for the past five years. For example, in 2018, the budget of CCP was around P543.45 million but the actual amount that was spent was P473.02 million. In 2017, there was a significant reduction in its budget given that the approved amount was P1.09 billion; but the actual amount only reached P407.84 million. Del Rosario explained this was largely due to the inability of the CCP to undertake a major project: that of building the Artist’s Center. This resulted from the government’s shift to a cash-based budget system where all the funds need to be used for projects within the year, otherwise agencies risk losing their allocation. Del Rosario said the system is the main challenge but he said it was the way it should be given the financial requirements of the government. He said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured them that should they ask for the P500-million capital outlay for the Artist’s Center, the request would be granted. In an ideal world where CCP gets what it wants, Del Rosario said the institution would have an an-

nual budget from the government of around P450 million, including all repair works. This would cover for the maintenance and operating expenses worth P300 million; equipment upgrade, P30 million; and repairs of buildings, P100 million annually for five years.

Raising cash

DEL ROSARIO explained that the CCP just completed a building audit and, based on the findings, the institution would require P500 million to do all building repairs. He, however, knows the government will not be able to give that amount immediately in one calendar year. This amount does not yet include the need for CCP to raise an additional P300 million for the salaries of its employees annually from its revenue-generating activities. This means to be able to run the entire institution for a year, it will require a budget of P730 million. Del Rosario said the plans laid out under the PIP for the CCP will give the institution the financial freedom that has evaded it for decades. He said the CCP has not really been able to support itself. It is no secret that ticket sales have not been able to sustain the beloved institution. “It’s a given that you cannot earn from arts and culture; I think that’s the biggest challenge,” De Rosario said. “You don’t earn from ticket sales; never, never.” A BusinessMirror estimate of a private company’s ticket sales, however, may prove Del Rosario wrong.

‘C

ulture is part of development. What we’re trying to do now is make up for past neglect.”

—Socioeconomic Planning Secretary

Ernesto M. Pernia

Indeed, the Resorts World Manila (RWM) may have finally found a way to make ticket sales matter.

Doing musicals

THE RWM found the secret in Filipino culture itself. Chief of RWM’s performing arts company Menchu LauchengcoYulo told this newspaper that the mandate of Alliance Global Group Inc. Chairman Andrew L. Tan is to showcase Filipino culture in everything that the company does. This changed the direction of RWM from performing foreign musicals to creating their own brand of theater productions. The first time they noticed they decided rightly to take this direction, Lauchengco-Yulo said, was when they did the musical Bituing Walang Ningning. Adapted from the movie of the same title, Bituing Walang Ningning was one of the first Filipino musicals that RWM invested in. “We noticed that the musical was able to attract a different market composed of theater goers who were not really patrons of musical theater but were fans of the movie,” according to Lauchengco-Yulo. She added theater goers also included those who were fans of Willy Cruz,

composer of the song of the musical’s eponymous title. Lauchengco-Yulo said what the musical taught them was majority of Filipinos had a difficulty connecting with a foreign production. It wasn’t until RWM did Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical that opened the floodgates for more Filipino musicals in the repertoire of RWM, Lauchengco-Yulo told the BusinessMirror.

Initiation

LAUCHENGCO-YULO said staging the Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical was their own initiation into mounting an original production using only songs that were familiar to all Filipinos. She said production meetings would usually involve a dance with Post-It notes while placing songs to parts of the storyline they created. “It made us realize the beauty within an original piece and how connected Filipinos were to stories and songs they could relate to,” Lauchengco-Yulo said. “It was a massive hit, so much so that we almost ran for two years, off and on,” she told the BusinessMirror. “It was interesting because we would have a meet-

aderLook

sMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace | Thursday, March 5, 2020

ly rich future for performing arts PHOENIX SEEN RISING FROM DEMOLITION OF TANGHALANG BALAGTAS BUILDING

THE Folk Arts Theater

RAMON F. VELASQUEZ/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS CC BY SA 3.0

THIS year, a Marcos-era icon will fall—the Folk Arts Theater (FAT), or the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas. The building, named after the premier Filipino poet, will be replaced with a New Performing Arts Theater, which is a two-story medium-sized theater. It will have a 1,000-seating capacity. The demolition of the FAT is only one of the components in the redevelopment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex estimated to cost anywhere between P40 billion and P50 billion. In an interview with the BusinessMirror, CCP Vice President for Administration and Finance Rodolfo G. del Rosario said the project will be undertaken as a joint venture and that the CCP is now looking for private-sector companies to partner with. Under the JV arrangement, the company that will win the bidding for the redevelopment project of the CCP Complex will be given a 50-year concession. In exchange for this concession, the private-sector firm will share a still-to-bedetermined portion of its earnings with the CCP. In time, the CCP can redevelop its land and earn from the proceeds, particularly where commercial establishments will be placed. “We are thinking of asking up-front money from the developer and maybe yearly revenue. That will be the steady source of income for CCP and eventually we were hoping that we would be financially capable of subsidizing ourselves, without asking funding from the government. That’s the intention of CCP’s Asset Development Program,” Del Rosario said. The redevelopment of CCP has been on the table for many years but it took a while because of the case against Republic Real Estate Corporation (RREC) which was finally resolved by the Court of Appeals in 2009. The appellate court ruled in favor of CCP by stopping the Pasay City government and RREC from selling the lots within the CCP Complex over the government’s alleged failure to pay the reclamation costs made by RREC. While the CCP won the case, Del Rosario admitted that the case became a major hindrance to the redevelopment of the complex since investors shied away from giving the project a second look given the pending case at the time. Moving forward, the plan is to look for a single company to develop around 46 hectares of land. This is the ideal situation for CCP given that it only needs to talk to a single company and the design of the complex will be consistent. But if this is not possible, the CCP is willing to break down the development of the complex into clusters. Whatever the outcome will be, these efforts are being undertaken to improve the complex and work toward the development of CCP into a venue similar to Esplanade in Singapore and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. “We want to unburden the government, sooner or later, we want to unburden them. We just want to free CCP from asking too much from the government,” Del Rosario said. Cai U. Ordinario

and-greet after and people come up onstage, they would tell us: ‘You know we came here because we’re fans of the Eraserheads. We had no idea that it would be like this.’” “They had no idea; they were first timers in the theater. And some people came back three times, some people flew from abroad. We were overwhelmed. We had no idea of the impact that Huling El Bimbo had,” Lauchengco-Yulo added. She said she was surprised of the fame showered upon her by the hoi polloi. “Literally, when you walk down the street, and this has never happened before, I go to a parlor and it’s the hairdresser cutting my hair saying ‘I saw you in Huling El Bimbo’ or I go to a medical center in the mall and the secretary said [the same thing]. This is a crowd that would never watch Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang or Annie. So we realized: ‘Wow, we found this niche in the market,’” Lauchengco-Yulo continued.

Numbers

ACCORDING to Lauchengco-Yulo, the production ran 113 shows and every single one of these shows was a full house. The RWM Newport Performing Arts Theater has a seating capacity of 1,500. Based on BusinessMirror’s research, the ticket prices reached P1,000 for Bronze; P1,800 for Silver; P2,500 for Gold; P3,000 for VIP; and, P3,500 for SVIP. This means the average ticket price is around P2,360; a figure the RWM didn’t provide. The BusinessMirror estimated that at the lowest ticket price of

around P1,000, this translates to ticket sales worth P169.5 million. But, at the average ticket price, BusinessMirror estimates that ticket sales could reach P400.02 million—certainly no small change for the performing arts. RWM didn’t comment on the figures and BusinessMirror’s calculation. With the enormous success of Huling El Bimbo: The Musical, Lauchengco-Yulo said RWM will be staying in this direction for now. She added that the Philippines has a very rich culture offering a wealth of material such as stories and songs that RWM can use in future productions. The company is already in the thick of preparing its next major production titled Bongga Ka ’Day. Bongga Ka ’Day would also use Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and an original storyline, similar to Huling El Bimbo. This will likely be followed by other similar productions, four of which are already in consideration, Lauchengco-Yulo said.

Artistry, talent

BUT Filipino culture expressed through storylines and songs is not the only ingredient that makes these types of production a success; there’s also Filipino talent. Lauchengco-Yulo said the artistry of Filipinos was never an issue because they have exceptional talent. What is lacking is the technique, which is a product of good training, she explained. Thus, RWM created the Original Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA) Foundation, an organization that sponsors around 50

espite the impressive CCP Complex and other cultural and artistic venues, the country only has 513 libraries, 120 museums and 11 performance venues. students enrolled in performing arts courses. Some of the partner institutions of the foundation include Meridian International (MINT) College, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, and Saint Scholastica’s College. RWM explained in a recent statement that the OPPA “aims to cultivate Filipino talent by supporting the local industry through grants and scholarships, providing artists with avenues and opportunities for development and elevating standards and capabilities by providing global expertise and resources.” Lauchengco-Yulo said the OPPA can also pave the way to create “triple threats” in the performing arts. She explained these triple threats are hard to come by and many artists in the country are good singers, good dancers or good actors; but one is never as good in all three. Triple threats will allow future Filipino productions to prosper since it will open the doors to greater fusion in art forms in theater productions. One of the things that allow RWM to mount unique productions and support students is being primarily an entertainment desti-

nation in itself. The company has a casino as well as shopping and dining options in just one location.

Right investment

RWM Director for Corporate Communications Jose Edwiniel Guilas said that despite the success of Huling El Bimbo, the company still does not rely on ticket sales alone to support its theater productions. Guilas said corporate sponsorships and partnerships also allow the company to support these kinds of productions. In terms of challenges, Guilas said this differs from one production to another. Each production has its own budget and this is based on expenses that are production-specific. In some instances, the company mounts a foreign production, which is still done by RWM to cater to the international palate of theater goers. Guilas said this will, of course, include costs such as rights to mount the production and, in some cases, inviting foreign artists to grace the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage. “I believe that it’s still the local productions that we spend the most on,” Guilas said. “[Having said] that, you actually put your money on the things that you value more.”

Apart from the annual budget set aside to mount world-class productions, Guilas said another thing that is going for the company is the growing theater market in the Philippines. This has allowed RWM to invest not only in its own productions but to finance the OPPA. Ensuring the artistic side of each production is an investment on its own. Guilas said mounting world-class productions entail cost and these investments will pay off, similar to what happened to Huling El Bimbo. If anything, Guilas said mounting Huling El Bimbo was an affirmation that RWM made the right investment to gamble on an original production. “It’s an affirmation that this can be done. Mounting world-class musicals, performances, can actually be done,” Guilas said. “Our vision to bring both Broadway and Las Vegas to the Philippines via Resorts World via this parcel of land in Pasay can actually be done. It’s not just an impossible dream.”

Integration

IN August last year, President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11392 or the National Performing Arts Companies (NPAC) Act, which aims to provide guaranteed funding for national performing arts companies. Based on the law, a National Ballet/Contemporary Dance Company, a National Theater Company and a National Orchestra will receive P10-million worth as annual budget for five years. This means a chosen company will receive a total of P50 million each for five years. Further, a National Choral Company and National Indigenous Performing Ensemble will each receive P5 million per year for five years. The law also states that a maximum of three applicants from each of the performing arts companies shall qualify for an annual P1million subsidy, renewable upon evaluation of their performance, research, documentation and commissioned work. Guilas said the government’s investment in the performing arts is a step toward the right direction. Becoming an NPAC is a major boost to these companies’ finances. If one of the CCP’s resident companies becomes an NPAC in its field, it will receive P10 million annually compared to only P1 million per year under the existing arrangement. “It’s going to be a boost on the kind of theater that the public is going to get. If you are not yet an established PAC [and] you’re a small group, then it could actually encourage you to make yourself an accredited or established performing arts company,” Guilas said. “It would encourage greater competition in the industry, which will redound to the benefit of the viewing public.”

Organizational matters

HOWEVER, some in the artistic community and academe have reservations on the kind of impact this new law will have on the local theater scene. Professor at the University of the Philippines Asian Center Matthew Constancio M. Santamaria said the law merely focuses on financing but does not address other pertinent issues in the performing arts, particularly within the parameters of defining what these NPACs are. One example would be in naming an NPAC for a National Indigenous Performing Ensemble. Santamaria said this could be a Rondalla ensemble. He explained that if this, however, were to be interpreted in Southern Philippines parlance this would be a Kulinta ngan ensemble, which will likely not be named. One of the reasons for this is that a Kulintangan ensemble comes in many different forms, making it difficult to choose, he told the BusinessMirror. Santamaria said another ques-

tion is who will name these companies. Without a proper structure in place, the choice may be marred by controversy. Some groups may get the upper hand because of their proximity to the capital or the powers that be. “The dancers of Pangalay or Igal will also not benefit from this law. So what am I saying? Perhaps it is time to think in terms of structures; instead of budgets. And the structure may be is to make sure that the regions should have its own cultural policymaking bodies. But at the same time, the region should be given the power to name their regional artists who later on perhaps can be ushered to the national limelight and become national artists and national companies,” Santamaria explained. “In other words, maybe it’s time to move away from governance through committee work which is NCCA and CCP. Maybe it is time to think very, very seriously about a Department of Culture with regional branches that have regional mandates,” he added.

Bills filed

BASED on the PDP 2017-2022, one of the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration is to establish the Department of Culture. With this, the government aims to reorganize the NCCA into a Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA). The proposed law will also define its power and functions and strengthen the National Endowment for Culture and the Arts. There is one such bill filed at the Philippine Senate, Senate Bill 833 introduced by Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara. The bill includes Santamaria’s recommendations as well as the supervision of a dozen attached agencies, including the CCP, the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and other similar bodies. Under the proposed law, the DCA will receive no less than P2 billion from the GAA in the next fiscal year succeeding the passage of the law. The bill is still pending at the committee level at the Senate. At the House of Representatives there are currently four bills filed to create the Department of Culture: House Bill (HB) 00021, HB00634, HB01078,and HB05436. These bills are still pending at the committee level and were referred to the Committee on Government Reorganization and secondarily referred to the Committees on Basic Education and Culture. “There is a lot to think of in terms of structure,” Santamaria said. “[The Philippines is] a culturally diverse country with more than 70 major languages. How come everything is centralized? How come we are governing through committee work?”

Money last

WHILE some may view the creation of a Department of Culture as an additional expense or another layer in the bureaucracy, Santamaria said the primary loss that the State should focus on is the slow but sure withering away of cultures and traditions. He added that another danger that could befall the country is that “cultural homogeneity” will reign simply because the views of only a few will be heard. Santamaria said regions must have a voice and that Manila should only be “a venue of regional competition.” Clearly, financing is important for many performing arts groups or other culture-oriented groups to take their work further and to preserve what is existing. But in a culturally diverse country such as the Philippines, not all the problems and gaps can be resolved by paying for solutions. In a country whose economy thrives on consumption, some would still like to believe that Filipino artistry and culture is not for sale; and should remain that way forever.

A6 Thursday, March 5, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

How do you solve a problem like PSALM?

he controversy surrounding the inability of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) to collect billions of overdue accounts from independent power producer administrators and electric cooperatives recently hugged the headlines. Ippas and electric cooperatives reportedly have a combined obligation of P59.23 billion as of December 2018.

PSALM took over the assets and debts of Napocor when Congress passed the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), or Republic Act 9136. As of 2019, PSALM was able to trim its debt to about P424.8 billion from P1.2 trillion in 2003. However, due to its failure to collect overdue accounts from Ippas and power cooperatives, it was forced to borrow P23 billion in 2018, and $1.1 billion more last year from foreign lenders so it could service its dollar and yen-denominated loans. This has set back the government by P2.62 billion per year in interests, guarantee fees and other finance charges. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, chairman of the state-run firm’s Board of Directors, lamented that “all these borrowing costs could have been used by the government for the construction of public-school classrooms, or to build roads and bridges.” He instructed PSALM to relentlessly pursue collection efforts against these Ippas, and use all remedies available to protect the rights of the government and the Filipino people. However, some of the Ippas are contesting in courts or in arbitral tribunals the amounts due. In his BusinessMirror column, (See, “House probes PSALM books; SMC cries foul,” in the BusinessMirror, February 27, 2020) Val Villanueva said a recent congressional hearing to ascertain the financial stability of PSALM, initiated by the House of Representatives’ Good Government Committee, headed by Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, in conjunction with the House Committee on Public Accounts, headed by Anakalusugan Party-list Group Rep. Michael T. Defensor, has reportedly pried open an interlocking web of relationship between Congress’s officials with oversight powers over the energy industry and companies that are blamed for keeping the government deep in debt. Certain quarters from the energy sector, however, were wondering why the joint committees have to conduct another hearing on the same subject matter when PSALM already told the House Committee on Energy, chaired by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, that they couldn’t disclose the details of the collectibles because of the pending cases. They said PSALM’s presentation at the Energy Committee hearing in September 2019 was the same presentation recently given to the two committees. Right now, the prudent thing to do since some of the companies are contesting the collectibles in court is to wait for judgment. San Miguel Corp., whose Ilijan Power Plant was named as one of the companies, with an alleged unpaid obligation of P23.94 billion to the government, has urged government agencies to respect the rule of law. “Let us not undermine the integrity of the court. We would always choose to be on the side of law, instead of presenting a good yet misleading story. Let us stick to the facts of the case, and let the court decide,” SMC President and COO Ramon S. Ang said. Ang is reacting to a series of news stories quoting the Department of Finance as running after SMC over its alleged unpaid debts to PSALM. The case has been pending with the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court since 2015. Most everyone knows that vague rules and discretion given to regulators often breed corruption. Taxpayers pray for the speedy resolution of all PSALM cases, and that concerned officials must do their part to avoid different interpretations in computing generation payments. Power companies must not be given any reason to question in court their correct generation payments. The P2.62 billion per year in interests and other finance charges that PSALM is passing on to taxpayers can become a heavy cross in the long term. It’s an unwanted burden the Filipino people would rather not have to bear.

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The Fed fight against COVID-19 John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

n Tuesday morning, March 3, the US Federal Reserve met in “emergency session,” which is outside of the normally scheduled Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings. The Fed reduced its benchmark interest rate by 0.50 percent. This policy change was “aimed at shielding the US economy from disruptions caused by the global spread of COVID-19.” This is the first time that the US central bank has made a move like this since the financial crisis in 2008. A reduction in interest rates is supposed to be positive for stock prices. This is based on the premise that the Fed, in effect, would be putting more money into the economy, which would flow into stock prices. After the Fed announced the policy change, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained about 300 points or about 1 percent over the previous day’s close. However, by the end of the day’s trading session, the DJIA lost 785 points or 2.94 percent. The immediate reaction from both ordinary market watchers and some in the financial press was that the rate cut failed. Unfortunately, the markets are much more complicated

and subtle. It would be really nice if the markets operated on “A+B=C,” but nothing could be farther from the truth. There were several purposes of the rate cut. Note also that the Euro Stoxx 50 index of the top companies around Europe went up 1 percent. The French, German and London stocks exchanges were also 1 percent higher. This happened because the rate cut decreased the value of the US dollar, which is “good” for European stocks. So the Fed dropped interest rates to shield the US economy. Good luck with that. Cheaper money will not translate into economic activity if the COVID-19 apocalypse hits the US like it has China, South Korea and Japan. But the Fed had to show

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that it was doing something. Most people do not realize that the stock market is a game—sometimes you want to be doing what everyone else is doing, and sometimes you don’t. If everyone is buying, prices will go higher and that is where you want to be. Other times you want to go against the crowd. With the market shooting up after the Fed announcement, the smart traders realized two things earlier than the rest. The first is that “interest rates don’t cure the COVID-19 and interest rates do not repair supply chains” in the words of Obama’s chief economic advisor Larry Summers. The Fed really did not need to cut interest rates but

The 24-million-peso question

Founder Publisher

The immediate reaction from both ordinary market watchers and some in the financial press was that the Fed rate cut failed. Unfortunately, the markets are much more complicated and subtle. It would be really nice if the markets operated on “A+B=C,” but nothing could be farther from the truth. There were several purposes of the rate cut. Note also that the Euro Stoxx 50 index of the top companies around Europe went up 1 percent.

spox

he Statement of Contributions and Expenditures, or SOCE, is in the news again as the coverage of the issue du jour expands into new areas, following the recent Senate hearing on the matter. Let’s summarize. After the 2016 National and Local Elections, the campaign of then President-elect Duterte submitted its SOCE. According to this document, the Duterte campaign had spent a total of P371,461,480.23, making him the fourth-highest spender in that elections. Of the P371.4 million spent, the Duterte campaign reported that about P343,690,727.34 had been spent for what the official SOCE form describes as “newspaper, radio, TV and other advertisements to promote the candidacy, including web site/Internet ad placements.” This represents the bulk of the claimed total campaign expenditure of P371.4 million, but it still falls within the spending cap for presi-

dential candidates in 2016 when we had 54,363,844 registered voters going into the elections. This meant that the presidential candidates— Duterte included—were allowed to spend P543,638,440. Lately, however, it has been pointed out that a possible overspending violation may have been committed, based on, first, that the SOCE contained reporting that indicated P151 million was paid to a specific network, for political advertising; and second, that at a recent Senate hearing, representatives of that same network claimed to have received a total of approximately P175 million from the Duterte campaign, for television ads. Taking these two premises together, it would seem like a P24-million discrepancy pops out.

The real 24-million-peso question is the seeming disconnect between what the campaign apparently reported it spent on television ads— approximately P151 million— versus the claim made during the Senate hearing, to the effect that closer to P175 million was actually paid for those ads. Interestingly, comparisons are being made to the case of a governor who claimed to have spent a little over a million pesos in political ads, but later was proven to have actually paid close to P20 million. As a result, the governor was kicked out of office for election overspending. Let’s dispose of the comparison first by saying there can be none. The unseated governor’s fault was that he spent far more than he was allowed to under the law. In fact, the overspending charge was brought up in a case for disqualification filed before election day—long before he even had to file a SOCE. In the case of the Duterte campaign, it appears that none of the reported numbers would support a charge that the campaign spent more than it was “allowed to under the law.” In 2016, we had 54,363,844 registered voters going into the elections. This meant

could have met and reported that they are monitoring the situation closely. Instead, the attitude spread through the market that by lowering rates, maybe the COVID-19 apocalypse could really happen and maybe the Fed knows something we don’t. The biggest risk was always that by acting too proactively and aggressively, the Fed would signal that the situation is worse than feared. The second problem is that if the economic situation globally is potentially so bad, why aren’t the major central banks working in coordination? The G7 could have talked on the phone and the Fed could have issued almost a joint statement of how the central banks were going to “shield the global economy.” In two weeks, the FOMC will meet on schedule and what will they do then? Another rate cut if US COVID-19 cases increase? Issue a “keep calm and carry on” statement? What happened on Tuesday is that the Fed added to the markets’ perception that it is not credible and either has no clue how, or no ammunition, to influence the economy.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Visit my web site at www.mangunonmarkets.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stockmarket information and technical analysis tools provided by the COL Financial Group Inc.

that the presidential candidates— Duterte included—were allowed to spend P543,638,440. And since, as shown by its SOCE, the Duterte campaign reported only P371.4 million in expenditures, it seems fairly certain that no case for overspending can actually be made here, and consequently no parallel can be drawn with the case of the overspending ex-governor. The real 24-million-peso question, therefore, is the seeming disconnect between what the campaign apparently reported it spent on television ads—approximately P151 million—versus the claim made during the Senate hearing, to the effect that closer to P175 million was actually paid for those ads. Sorting that out would require both sides to present evidence for their respective positions, in the appropriate legal venue. To date, however, no request for an investigation or complaint for alleged overspending has been formally filed with the Comelec Campaign Finance Office, which has jurisdiction over cases involving the SOCE. nnn

Voter registration is ongoing, and will continue until the end of September 2021, at Comelec field offices nationwide. Registration days are every Monday to Saturday (including holidays), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Overcoming ‘Sinophobia’ The road to Easter Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo

Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco Jr.

LABOREM EXERCENS

Alálaong Bagá

Continued from A1

N Europe, xenophobia has become Islamophobia. Migrant workers and refugees from Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Turkey and so on have been the object of xenophobic attacks; verbal and physical. Right-wing politicians and political parties have been accusing the hapless refugees as breeders of terrorists, and have been heaping all kinds of abuses against these refugees. In the process, they fan hatred that is not likely to disappear in the hearts of the children of these refugees. The right-wingers are nurturing the seeds of future conflicts.

Overseas Filipino workers have not been spared from xenophobic attacks and discrimination. OFWs in Europe have often been accosted by right-wingers with questions, such as “Why are you here?” or “Why are you still here?” These right-wingers do not understand or appreciate the migration equation that OFWs, with their talents and skills, help enrich the country hosting them. The OFWs who leave the Philippines for greener pasture overseas happen to be the most educated, or the most skilled or the most talented. It is very rare to find any OFW without any skills qualifications. Now, back to xenophobia. It takes other forms. In India, the populist nationalist Hindu leader, Narendra Modi, has allowed his BJP followers to lynch the Moslem minority, thus dividing the country of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawarharal Nehru along sectarian and religious lines. Why is he doing that? One explanation is that the Modi administration failed to meet the ambitious social and economic targets it set during his first term, which ended in 2019. Like the rightwing politicians in other countries, Modi is using the sectarian divide as a convenient excuse to justify his mailed-fist style of governance in his second term. But here in the Philippines, one special form of xenophobia is developing—“sinophobia.” More and more Filipinos are annoyed by the influx of Chinese pogo and other workers, who are behaving like they own the Philippines. A concrete expression of Filipino resentment against the Chinese migrant workers is the refusal by some taxi drivers to accept Chinese passengers in the Mall of Asia area and in the larger Pasay-Parañaque-Las Piñas area. In Mariveles, Bataan, where there are thousands of Chinese workers, it is reported that a number of Filipino tricycle drivers have also been refusing to take in Chinese passengers. One reason is the so-called fear of contamination from coronavirus. But a more compelling reason: the haughty and arrogant behavior of the Chinese workers, many of whom are working without any legal papers. According to DOLE, there are over 100,000 pogo workers. However, estimates by Leechiu Property Consultants put the number anywhere from 400,000 to 500,000. The problems being created by the pogo workers in Metro Manila are well publicized: prostitution, investment scams, kidnapping, murders, etc. The only segments of Philippine society happy to welcome them are the condo owners and operators, some of whom even tried to push out existing Filipino tenants or rentiers to give room to the higher-paying POGO workers. This is why many Filipinos were happy to see the Philippine Senate doing a fine job exposing the dirty side of the pogo business. Sen. Risa Hontiveros exposed the pastillas web of corruption involving immigration and airport officials. The pastillas system explains the unimpeded flood of tens of thousands of Chinese workers in the last three years. Now, it is Sen. Richard Gordon leading the inquiry, this time on the unproductive nature

of Chinese investments (meaning limited jobs for Filipinos) and on the transformation of the Philippines as a money-laundering center for Chinese criminals. His conclusion: pogo investments are not good for the Philippine economy. We fully agree. The Chinese government apparently agrees, too. China is recommending the closure of the pogos, which are considered illegal in China. It has also announced a measure canceling the passports of pogo workers. However, there is another problem related to sinophobia. Many Filipinos are lumping the “Tsinoys,” meaning Filipinos of Chinese descent, together with the new Chinese arrivals without any distinction. Both the Tsinoys and the new Chinese arrrivals are seen as belonging to one undivided community, with common interests. Nothing can be further from the truth. Tsinoys are Filipinos who happen to have Chinese blood running in their veins. They are born in the Philippines and are raised as Filipinos, not as Chinese from the mainland. The reality is that there had been waves of Chinese immigration in the Philippines. Even before Ferdinand Magellan landed in Central Visayas, Chinese merchants, coming mainly from the coastal provinces of China, had been trading with the different “baranganic” societies of the archipelago, with the Chinese merchants bringing in various wares in exchange for agricultural products of the pre-Spanish baranganic societies. After she succeeded in consolidating its rule over the archipelago, Spain transformed the Philippines into a transhipment center of goods exchanged between Acapulco, Mexico, and China; with the latter exporting silk and various oriental products, while the former sending silver and metal products. At any rate, centuries of Chinese immigration also means centuries of intermingling and intermarriages. This is why it is safe to say there is Chinese blood in most Filipinos. Chinese mestizos, who were able to acquire education during the latter part of Spanish rule, even joined the propaganda movement against Spain. One of them was Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero. Some Filipino national leaders also have identifiable Chinese lineage. At least three past Filipino presidents belong to this category: Sergio Osmeña, Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino. In the 1950s to 1960s, during the “golden” decades of Philippine industrialiation, the Tsinoys spearheaded the development of the various “new and necessary” industries demanded by the nationalistic Central Bank Governor Miguel Cuaderno. These included the textile, chemical, plastic, auto assembly and other industries. The point is that the Tsinoys played a positive central role in building up the Philippine economy in the postwar independence period. The problem is how can the Tsinoys continue with this role at a more productive level given the complexity of the economy today and the presence of Chinese investors and workers from the mainland? More in the next issue.

ollowing the tensions of the temptations in the desert, we are led by the Church to another corner of the wilderness, the mountain top, to contemplate Jesus in glory (Matthew 17:1-9), and thus be enabled to take on the trials we are to bear on the road to Easter.

In His Father’s glory Jesus had just announced to His disciples His approaching passion (16:21) and the conditions of discipleship, which means self-denial and the taking up of one’s cross (16:24). He also informed them of His eventual return “in His Father’s glory” (16:27). Now, the three disciples who were to witness the agony of Jesus in the garden (26:36ff) were given a glimpse of Him in that glory, a vision that anticipated the triumphant appearance of Jesus at the end of time on the last day. On a high mountain, where humans ascend and God descends to meet, the face of Jesus “shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.” The divine

presence is indicated by the luminous cloud and glory (shekinah) as in the meeting tent of the Israelites in the desert. As at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the voice from the cloud echoes the designation of the chosen servant foretold in Isaiah (42:1). The beloved servant’s mission of suffering and death (Isaiah 50:4-9) makes the association with Jesus more obvious. The strong invitation “Listen to Him,” as one should listen to wisdom (Proverbs 5:7; Sirach 6:35) presents Jesus as the embodiment of wisdom, the teacher of God’s mysteries. Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, by their presence testify that Jesus as divine wisdom

Thursday, March 5, 2020 A7

is the fulfillment and conclusion for which both the law and the prophets have waited. Jesus is the ultimate Word of God, once and for all, that is the key to everything spoken earlier (Hebrews 1:1-2).

Do not be afraid

The three disciples were not mere spectators of the transfiguration of Jesus. They found themselves overshadowed by the bright cloud, immersed in the divine presence. They were addressed by the voice from the heavens to listen to Jesus the Word incarnate. They fell prostrate before the divine in fear; Peter called Jesus “Lord” in adoration. And the vision of Jesus in glory is not only a special favor but a responsibility, as well. This Jesus later on after the resurrection and on another mountain in Galilee would delegate to them: “All power in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). Terrified and felled, the disciples were told, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” They have a mission to carry out, and they still have to go

through the trials of the passion and death of Jesus. To preach the crucified and risen Lord to the world in season and out of season is their mission as the community of disciples. The vision of Jesus in glory is to stimulate the disciples’ zeal, and to renew the faith and hope of the ecclesial community. Alálaong bagá, we cannot be just lost in wonder of Jesus in glory. To build tents there on the mountain must not mean residency, for we have work to do down on the plains and in the valleys. We are under way on the road to Easter, and we are not just groping in the dark in pains. The mountaintop is aglow, and the luminous cloud brightens the way. The glory of Jesus enfolds us, and the voice of the Father resounds in our hearts: “This is my beloved Son... listen to Him.” Indeed, we need wisdom and deeper reflections on the mystery of the Savior subjected to suffering and death by His enemies and raised by God on the third day. Listening to Him, we know that to follow Him, one must, likewise, deny oneself and take up the cross. Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.

Leaders who act like outsiders invite trouble By Noah Smith | Bloomberg Opinion

enator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently declared himself to be an antiestablishmentarian. Populism seems to be the order of the day. President Donald J. Trump, the ideological diametric opposite of Sanders, was elected over the protests of his party’s elder statesmen and media kingmakers. Meanwhile, political movements arise from the groundswell of popular energy coursing through society. Google employees staged a walkout in 2018 to protest the company’s handling of sexual misconduct cases. Other tech companies are feeling the heat from workers angry over political and cultural issues. Rebellions from the ranks have torn apart organizations in the worlds of romance writing, knitting, young adult novels, science fiction and many more. Within media organizations, employees challenge executives. In the economics profession, Twitter users have brought broad public attention to issues of racism and sexism, and right-wing economists have targeted professors they don’t like. This extraordinary trend of rankand-file members challenging the leaders of their organizations goes beyond simple populism. There may be no word for this trend in the English language. But there is one in Japanese: gekokujo. Gekokujo technically means “the low overcoming the high,” and it traditionally was used to describe various rebellions. But in the 1920s and 1930s, the term took on a new and special meaning when it was applied by adherents of the so-called Imperial Way movement. This movement, which envisioned a utopian militarist society, was made up largely of juniorlevel military officers who openly flouted their superiors. They launched several coup attempts in the 1930s, targeting political and business

leaders for assassination (they once even plotted to kill the visiting Charlie Chaplin, but failed). Most of these attacks were only lightly punished because popular sentiment favored the plotters; after a short stay in jail, many coup leaders were released to plan the next uprising. Only after a final cataclysmic confrontation on February 26, 1936, were the Imperial Way fanatics finally suppressed with decisive force on the orders of the emperor himself. But the damage the Imperial Way did to the Japanese Empire was much greater than its failed coups might suggest. Gekokujo enthusiasts in Japan’s Kwantung Army disobeyed orders and took it upon themselves to start a war in Manchuria that led to that province’s conquest and put

Japan on a terminal collision course with China. The Imperial Way faction’s constant popular agitation for use of military force and expansion probably pushed the defenders of the existing military hierarchy, sometimes called the control faction, toward a more aggressive foreign policy; this eventually led to the disaster of World War II (in which gekokujo enthusiasts committed various atrocities). The modern American enthusiasm for overthrowing existing hierarchies from within, but aided by popular sentiment from without, seems like a less violent echo of Japan’s 1930s gekokujo. Just as coup plotters received light sentences because of popular sympathy from outside the military, supporters of internal revolts at companies, universities, political parties and professional associations now take to Twitter to rally support for their causes. The explosions of online outrage make administrators, executives and other authority figures reluctant to take a hard line against their rebellious subordinates for fear of boycotts, membership or enrollment losses, or negative publicity. As journalist Ezra Klein has noted, Twitter is especially effective for this tactic because journalists themselves spend so much time on the platform. But Twitter isn’t the only place gekokujo can erupt; Reddit, Facebook groups, anonymous forums and other outlets are also capable of incubating backlashes and pressure campaigns. The practice of calling in support

from the online public extends across partisan and ideological lines. It has been used to attack gender and racial discrimination but was also partly responsible for the rise of Trump. The only unifying constant is the everpresent threat of a large and angry crowd that gives authority figures pause about cracking down on upstarts within their organizations. Often this is a good thing, because authority figures tend to abuse their power if left unchecked. Sometimes it’s a bad thing; as former CIA analyst Martin Gurri has argued, constant popular anger can paralyze institutions and make it impossible for them to function. The real danger of gekokujo, however, comes from the establishment’s response to the threat. Eventually, party bosses, executives and other powerful figures may get tired of being pushed around. At that point, there might be a general crackdown on social media and freedom of expression. Even more dangerous, the powers that be might seek to divert the popular energy of gekokujo by starting a war, a wave of repression or some other mass conflict. Again, Japan’s example is instructive. Ultimately it wasn’t the zealots of the Imperial Way faction, but the supposed moderates of the control faction who led the Japanese Empire into the terrible war that would be its undoing. Popular attacks on the establishment can be frightening, but even more frightening is what happens when the establishment finally decides to show the people who’s the boss.

Iran’s secret nuclear past is now coming into focus By Eli Lake

Bloomberg Opinion

ive years ago, as the United States was hammering out the final details of the Iran nuclear deal, negotiators relented on a key demand: Iran would not have to account for the possible military dimensions of its past nuclear activities. This bargain was enshrined in a December 2015 report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, which closed the longstanding investigation into Iran’s nuclear program. Now it appears that investigation is reopened. Bloomberg News is reporting that the agency has rebuked Iran for stonewalling inspectors with new questions about Iran’s past nuclear-weapon work. The agency says that Iran now possesses 1,021 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, up from 372 kilograms last fall. This news is disturbing but not

unexpected. The Iranian regime had announced that it was turning on its cascades of centrifuges last year during heightened tensions with the US. President Donald J. Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, and six months later began ratcheting up the secondary sanctions on Iran’s oil sector that the 2015 bargain had lifted. The bigger news is about Iran’s past nuclear program. A report from the agency to member-states says that Iran “has not provided access to the agency to two locations,” according to Reuters, nor has it “engaged in substantive discussions to clarify agency questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.” All of this reads like a replay of the standoffs between Iran and the international community in the 2000s, when weapons inspectors tried to gain access to military installations and other sites. A key difference is

that, this time around, the IAEA has a road map of Iran’s past nuclear weapons work. In 2018, Israel publicized the findings of a daring raid into a warehouse outside of Tehran that included blueprints, videos and other documents that detailed Iran’s past nuclear weapons program. The Israelis have shared the intelligence with the US, as well as the IAEA. “Everything the Israelis found in the nuclear archives prior to 2004 shows Iran had a full-fledged nuclear weapons program,” says Andrea Stricker, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The regime was making progress, and “sought to hide and disguise parts of the program from the world.” These are uncomfortable facts for proponents of the 2015 nuclear deal. President Barack Obama’s former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, for example,

is focusing instead on Iran’s tripled uranium stockpile, blaming Trump’s decision to exit the deal for Iran’s recent breakout. That’s an easy story to tell. But the IAEA’s renewed questions about Iran’s past work on building nuclear weapons muddy the narrative. Why did the Obama administration give Iran a pass for its history of deception and defiance of the IAEA? If Iran truly had given up its ambitions to build a weapon, why would it take such pains to preserve its plans and blueprints in a warehouse? These are important questions both for Trump, who has said he hopes to renegotiate a better nuclear deal, and for Democratic presidential candidates, who have pledged to reenter the old one. Whoever wins the election in November, he should make sure the next nuclear deal with Iran requires the regime to fully account for its secret nuclear history.

A8 Thursday, March 5, 2020

DOLE eyes ₧2B for virus-displaced labor

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now seeking an additional P2-billion budget to provide aid to workers who will be displaced because of the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“It may take some time if we go to Congress for supplemental budget. It will be faster if we will make the request to the Office of

the President,” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello said in a press conference. Labor Undersecretary Ana C.

Dione said they will use the amount to beef up their Adjustment Measures Program (AMP). If approved, she said the fund will allow the agency to provide financial aid to affected workers in the form of a subsidy. The budget request is expected to be submitted to the Office of the President within the week.

Local impact

The global spread of Covid-19 is currently threatening the operations of many tourism-related establishments, as it drastically cut down the number of travelers going into the country. As of March 3, Labor Assistant Secretary Officer in Charge

“It may take some time if we go to Congress for supplemental budget. It will be faster if we will make the request to the Office of the President.“— Bello

Dominique R. Tutay said 35 tourismrelated firms, which employ 3,255 workers, have already informed DOLE they will be implementing flexible work arrangement. The companies are based in regions 6, 7 and 12. Under f lexible work arrangement, she said, companies can adopt a reduced workweek, work

Tourism industry ‘bleeding’ from Covid-19 By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

‘W

E’RE bleeding.” Thus was the lament of Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III in a press briefing Wednesday, as he described the impact of the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak on the country’s tourism industry. He acknowledged that many tourism stakeholders, such as hotels and resorts,

have already asked some of their staff to take their forced leaves while guests were still minimal, due to the travel bans on China, Hong Kong and Macau. “A few tour operators who are dependent on the Chinese market have also temporarily suspended operations,” he added. Unfortunately, he noted, “the markets we thought would hold out [like Europe and North America] are also canceling their visits [to the Philippines].” He cited his own company, Rajah Tours Philippines, which has to refund P2 million to

NORTHEAST MONSOON AFFECTING EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON LOW PRESSURE AREA 745 KM EAST SOUTHEAST OF HINATUAN, SURIGAO DEL SUR as of 4:00 pm - March 4, 2020

a 33-person group from Stanford University who canceled their tour to the Philippines slated next week, owing to Covid-19 concerns. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, for her part, said the raw data they received from the Bureau of Immigration showed a 41.4-percent drop in foreign arrivals in February, compared to February 2019. January 2020 still posted an 9.8-percent increase in foreign arrivals, however. Also, based on reports from the Department of Tourism’s (DOT’s) regional

offices, she said hotels and resorts in Boracay Island have recorded a 40-percent drop in occupancy; those in Cebu, a 27-percent dip; and in Bohol, a 40-percent decrease, as well. DOT data showed there were 138,737 foreign tourists in Boracay alone, for January and February, a substantial 36-percent drop from the arrivals in the same period last year of 216,756. For domestic travelers, however, there was a 6.3-percent increase to 117,359 arrivals in the first two months of the year, compared to 110,406 arrivals in the same period in 2019. Romulo Puyat convened the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) on Wednesday to discuss ways for government agencies to work together and cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry. Other Cabinet secretaries who attended the TCC were Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Silvestre Bello III of the Department of Labor and Employment. At the meeting, the TCP submitted its “wish list” of measures that government can implement to help alleviate the current plight of the tourism sector. Among these are: ■ Waiving of airport terminal fees; ■ Discounted landing and parking fees for airlines “to keep their costs low and pass on savings to consumers;” ■ Temporary waiving of visa fees for countries that still need to pay them when their residents head to the Philippines; ■ Temporary deferment of applicable taxes on designated stakeholders for a predetermined period of time; ■ Low-interest loans or credit facilities which can be tapped by stakeholders in a “precarious position,” subject to their eligibility; among others. Romulo Puyat told the BusinessMirror, the TCC “will definitely endorse everything” on the TCP’s wish list, adding she will discuss with Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III those items that will need his concurrence, such as proposed tax breaks. “But for some taxes imposed by the municipalities, I’ve already spoken with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines to take a look at what they can defer imposing,” to help out the tourism stakeholders in their respective areas, she said. As this developed, the DOT is allocating some P6 billion in funds “that will span international and domestic promotions, infrastructure, and regional tourism development,”boosting its partnership with the tourism sector, and help speed up their recovery from the Covid-19 impact. Romulo Puyat said these funds are cobbled from existing budgets from its various offices like the Tourism Promotions Board, etc. Among the programs and projects to be funded this year are: development of new campaign for domestic travel, P421 million; creation of “engaging content,” targeting emerging markets unaffected by Covid-19, P467 million; participation in international travel shows and market development initiatives, P725 million; waiving of participation fees in international travel trade shows for the private sector, P11.2 million; night-rating of secondary airports, P1.6 billion; training, orientation, response and protocols for Covid-19 preparedness, P850 million; assistance for LGU’s developing tourism masterplans, P400 million; and LGU-identified resilient infrastructure development and expansion projects, P2.28 billion.

rotation, forced leave, or even allow employees to work from their homes to minimize their costs. Tutay said another 20 establishments implemented a temporary suspension of operations, which involves a little over 300 workers due to the effects of Covid-19.

Isolated case

Outside the country, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Hans J. Cacdac reported at least 40 overseas Filipino workers (OFW), who were already displaced as their nonresident employers leave Covid19-hit Hong Kong.

Of the case, he said, 35 were initiated by their employers. While the retrenched OFWs have the option to transfer to another employer in Hong Kong, most of them, Cacdac said, returned home to await their new job visas. He said they are ready to provide aid to affected workers either through financial aid or through livelihood assistance. Bello noted the reports of displacement in relation to Covid-19 remain isolated for now. However, he gave assurances the government has the necessary reintegration program in place in case there is an increase in the number of OFWs seeking repatriation due to Covid-19.

HOUSE HEARS ABS-CBN CASE ON MAR. 10 AS 13 SENATORS ADOPT RESO

MAJORITY of senators on Wednesday adopted a resolution authorizing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries/affiliates, pending renewal of its franchise by Congress. This, as the leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday announced that it would conduct its first meeting next week on the 11 pending bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. At least 13 senators led by Sen. Pia S. Cayetano introduced Senate Resolution 344 expressing the sense of the Senate authorizing the NTC to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN Corp., as well as its subsidiaries and/or affiliates ABS-CBN Convergence Inc., Sky Cable Corporation, and Amcara Broadcasting Network Inc., under such terms and conditions as the NTC may deem necessary, “until the Congress’ final disposition of the franchise renewal bills.” Apart from Cayetano, other senators who signed up as cosponsors of Senate Resolution 344 expressing the sense of the Senate are: Administration Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence T. Go, and Senators Imee R. Marcos, Ramon Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, Cynthia Villar, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Juan Edgardo Angara, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay and Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri.

House sets hearing

In a news conference, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is set to hear the 11 measures on Tuesday, March 10. “I’d just like to announce that Chairman [Franz Alvarez], as chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, released a notice today that on March 10, 2020, at the Belmonte Hall, South Wing Annex, we will be taking up the 11 bills concerning the ABS-CBN Corp.’s renewal of franchise,” Cayetano said. According to Cayetano, the meeting would focus on the submission of position papers

and to ensure that the NTC will allow the ABS-CBN’s operations pending the approval of its franchise bills. “So that it would be clear to the NTC that the [franchise bills] are already pending and being taken up by the committee. They should not shut it down. Or they should grant the network a provisional authority,” Cayetano said. During the meeting, Cayetano said the panel will also lay down the ground rules to prevent making the hearing a “circus.” Cayetano said that the ABS-CBN officials are not yet invited to the first hearing as it will focus on the chamber’s instructions to the NTC. Earlier, the House Franchise committee wrote the NTC enjoining the agency to grant the network a provisional authority to operate effective from May 4, 2020 until such time that the Congress has made a decision on its application. The ABS-CBN franchise is set to expire on May 4, 2020, because RA 7966 stipulates that the franchise became effective 15 days from the date of its publication, which was April 19,1995. The Alvarerz committee has informed the NTC that it has started deliberating on ABS-CBN application for the renewal of its franchise. The panel earlier instructed all interested parties to submit their position papers for or against ABS-CBN’s application within a period of 60 days from February 24, 2020. The letter underscored that the House of Representatives has the exclusive original jurisdiction and authority to act on franchise applications.

Provisional authority

In the same letter, the panel also enjoined the NTC to grant ABS-CBN Corporation’s subsidiaries and /or affiliates, whose franchise applications are pending deliberation with the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, the same provisional authority. The subsidiaries and/or affiliates are: ABS-CBN Convergence Inc., Sky Cable Corporation and Amcara Broadcasting Network Inc. Butch Fernandez and Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

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In the ad material of Notice of filing of application for Alien Employment Permits published on December 20, 2019, the company address of Gao, Renwei, Xiao, Yan, Qiu, Xiyang, Wang, Zhulin, Zhang, Yaoyao, Shan, Yukun, Zhang, Li, Huang, Weilong, Chen, Shili, Xie, Ruijin under NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION should have been read as NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION located at 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Quirino Ave., Tambo, ParaÃ±aque City, Metro Manila and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE NCR Regional Office located at 967 Maligaya St., Malate, Manila, within 30 days after its publication. Please inform DOLE NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

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Meralco-Solar power-supply deal okayed By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the power deal between the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp. (SPTANC). Meralco said on Wednesday that the commission’s decision on the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) application was promulgated on February 28, more than three years since the PSA was executed. The PSA is valid for 20 years. The approved rate is P5.39 per kilowatt hour (kWh), subject to 2 percent annual escalation as provided in the PSA. Meralco said the PSA was executed in support of renewable energy and the rate approved by the ERC is significantly lower than the prevailing solar feed-in-tariff rates, which is P8.69 per kWh. Under the PSA, SPTANC will sup-

ply 25 megawatts (MW) from its solar farms in Tanauan, Batangas, and another 25MW from its solar power plant in Naic, Cavite. Meanwhile, the ERC has set on March 26 the hearing on SPTANC’s application to develop and own a dedicated transmission facility to connect its Tanuan solar plant to Meralco. “In order to ensure unhampered supply of electricity, particularly in Luzon, SPTANC has undertaken to construct and own the transmission lines which will connect its Tanuan Power Plant by a bus-in scheme to Meralco’s CIP2 115kV line,” SPTANC said in its application filed

with the ERC. The said transmission line will terminate at a constructed 115kV switching station located in Calamba, Laguna. This station serves to accommodate the said lines that will cut-in to Meralco’s 115kV line. “Finding the said application to be sufficient in form and in substance with the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and presentation of evidence on March 26, 2020 at 2 p.m., at the ERC hearing room,” the ERC order stated. Meralco sources additional peaking capacity through bilateral power supply contracts to ensure continuous and reliable electricity for its customers. The company has a legislative franchise to operate and maintain a distribution system in cities and municipalities of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal and some areas in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga.

Meralco networks crew are seen replacing a 60-foot pole along Eulogio Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C5) in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City, in this 2017 file photo. MERALCO PHOTO

‘PHL could earn $650M from 5G’ By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

NCONSTRAINED Filipino telco service operators may rake in some $650 million in additional revenues by 2025 by offering 5G to both consumers and enterprises, a study commissioned by multinational technology firm Cisco revealed. In the study titled “5G in Asean: Reigniting Growth in Enterprise and Consumer Markets,” the Philippines ranked fourth out of six nations in Southeast Asia to harness the potential of 5G, a new wave of Internet connectivity that is seen to enable various practical use cases because of its speed, lower latency, reliability, and security. The study showed that in an ideal setup, the total value at stake for the Philippines is between $500 million and $650 million in 2025. This assumes that factors relating to 5G’s unconstrained success are present. To achieve this, the study recommended telcos not to engage in a price war, push for regulatory action for frequency allocation and ease of doing business, develop consumer propositions to capture consumers, conduct collaborative enterprise pilots, and foster a partner ecosystem. “The numbers are based on pub-

licly available data and data coming from telcos and industry — $650 million is unconstrained potential, meaning all factors are put in place,” Cisco Asean President Naveen Menon told reporters in a news briefing on Wednesday. Based on the study, the total Asean revenue potential for unconstrained development, launch, and commercial use of 5G is at $5.8 billion in five years. Indonesia came in first with a maximum potential of $1.83 billion, Thailand came in second at $1.17 billion, trailing behind it is Malaysia with $900 million, followed by the Philippines at $650 million, Singapore came in fifth at $510 million, then Vietnam at $300 million, and the rest of Asean at $375 million. The BusinessMirror estimated that based on the chart provided the Philippines may contribute about 11 percent of the total revenue potential in the market. C i sco M a n a g i ng D i rec tor Dharmesh Malhotra noted that these estimates are affected by three factors: population, availability of frequencies, and technological differences. “Asean is a very diverse market, and the potential for each country is different depending on the uptick from technology and the number of people using it, as well as the avail-

ability of spectrum,” he said. According to the study, 5G penetration in major countries in the region should reach as much as 40 percent by 2025, while the Philippines will have about 15-percent penetration. The total number of 5G subs in the Asean region is expected to move past the 200-million subscriber mark by the same year.

Timing

Menon noted that the expected rollout of 5G services comes at a perfect time for telecom operators, explaining that the usage of cellular data is growing rapidly as users consume increasing amount of services and content on their personal devices. “At the same time, enterprises are looking to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is underpinned by Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, 3D Printing, Advanced Robotics and Wearables, to boost growth. The successful adoption of these technologies is largely dependent on the underlying connectivity,” he said. “This provides a huge opportunity for telecom operators to increase their presence in the enterprise market and sustain their long-term growth,” he added. The entire region is expected

to spend as much as $14 billion to develop 5G technologies for both consumers and enterprise. Filipino telcos are expected to allot roughly $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion for their 5G deployment. Cisco Philippines Managing Director Karrie Ilagan noted that her group is seeing “encouraging” developments in the Philippines today. “Digital transformation has been a big theme in the Philippines. Businesses across the country, are looking to leverage advancements in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enter a new phase of expansion,” she said. Ilagan added that rollout of 5G services will play a key role in accelerating the adoption and bring substantial benefits to the enterprises. Consumers are also eagerly waiting for 5G rollout for enhanced experience with content consumption on their personal devices. “Together, these trends will play a key role in boosting Philippines’s economic growth in the coming years,” she said. Still, all these can only be achieved if the developments are unconstrained and that the currently problematic regulatory environment— including the ever-pervasive redtape—has been improved and addressed.

Walter Mart to open more shopping malls By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

alter Mart is expected to operate at least 40 outlets by the end of this year, as the firm sets its sights on opening six additional branches across Luzon in the fourth quarter. Walter Mart General Manager Rosemarie D. Caalam bared the firm is slated to launch four new shopping malls in the final quarter of the year, all in Luzon. If things go its way, the mall operator might even open two more outlets to expand its operations to 41 branches. However, Caalam did not share the exact locations of the new Walter Marts to give way to the promotion campaigns the management will initiate for each expansion. “We will be opening toward the last quarter, hopefully, the official number really is four, but we see two more happening. That’s a total of six,”

Caalam told reporters on Monday. “We are currently 35 [outlets], and then we are opening the six. We will end the year, hopefully, by 41. The sure there will be the four because the two others are new developments, [but] we are really very excited to open more,” she added. Asked why all Walter Marts are in Luzon, including the expansions, Caalam explained the firm is trying to capture all the opportunities in this island. She said outlets in rural areas, as well as some in Metro Manila, are performing strongly, and that is reason enough for the management to put all of its business on this part of the country. “We are a Luzon-based supermarket, that’s why everything will be in Luzon. I think we have so much opportunity here and we would like to capture the opportunity first in Luzon,” the Walter Mart executive said. “There is much opportunity in pocket areas in the provinces, as well

as in Metro Manila.” Proof to this growth, she disclosed—although with no exact figure—that Walter Mart’s revenue last year rose beyond the country’s GDP growth. For the full year of 2019, the economy grew 5.9 percent, the slowest pace since 2011’s 3.7 percent. Further, the growth allowed Walter Mart to open three additional branches last year: in Subic, Zambales, in Balanga, Bataan and in Batangas. Sought for the firm’s growth factors, Caalam said the shopping mall had to undergo rebranding last year that included hiring new endorses for both online and offline platforms. She explained it was crucial for Walter Mart to go online to increase awareness among consumers. The efforts, however, failed to push Walter Mart into the circle of leading shopping malls in the Philippines, but the management appears to be okay with

it for as long as outlets are ahead of competitors in target markets. “We are still not in the top three. If you look at per community base, we can actually compete well, especially in the provincial,” Caalam said. “I don’t want to give any numbers where we rank, but, so far, in the communities we operate, we’re good,” she claimed. “It’s a business imperative to always be very competitive. In some of our markets, yes, we are [leading].” On Monday Walter Mart and the Department of Trade and Industry launched the fifth Go Lokal! branch of the shopping mall at W Mart Macapagal in Pasay City. Go Lokal!, the government’s retail store for local brands, now has 123 outlets nationwide, showcasing the products of more than 200 entrepreneurs. As the program’s 16th retail partner, Walter Mart is set to introduce more Go Lokal! stores in its 35 branches across Luzon.

Bloomberry income rises by 38% last year By VG Cabuag @villygc

loomberry Resorts Corp., the operator of Solaire Resort and Casino, said its net income grew by more than a third last year to P9.92 billion, from P7.16 billion in 2018, despite incurring foreign exchange losses and higher interest expenses. “I am pleased to report another record year of profits for Bloomberry. Despite increasing competitive pressure, Solaire maintained its market-leading position and has again proven itself as the premier integrated resort of the Philippines,” said Enrique K. Razon Jr., Bloomberry chairman and CEO. Net profit in the fourth quarter was P1.4 billion, higher by 87 percent compared to P725.1 million in 2018. “We are off to a rough start in 2020 as we contend with the tourism impact of an official world health emergency. However, we remain steadfast and aim to demonstrate our resilience by working towards another year of operating excellence,” said Razon. “We continue to focus on

our next leg of growth as work on Solaire North progresses smoothly. We are on track to complete the project in the second half of 2023,” he added. In 2019, total gross gaming revenue at Solaire was P59.8 billion, an increase of 17 percent from P51 billion in 2018. Solaire’s VIP volume in 2019 declined by 5 percent to P771.4 billion. However, VIP gross gaming revenue increased by 20 percent to P26.2 billion from the previous year’s P21.8 billion, mainly from its higher win rate of 3.4 percent compared to 2.69 percent in 2018. Mass table drop and electronic gaming table coin-in at Solaire reached P51.5 billion and P255.1 billion in 2019, increasing by 15 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared to the 2018 figures. Growth in the mass market continues to be supported by robust domestic and international discretionary spending. Mass table revenue increased to P16.7 billion in 2019, higher by 10 percent compared with P15.3 billion in 2018. Electronic machine gaming revenue was P16.8 billion, an increase of 21 percent from P13.9 billion in the previous year.

Top developer takes over GA properties in Pampanga

ABALACAT CITY—There’s light at the end of the tunnel for buyers of the Xevera housing projects in Bacolor, Pampanga and Barangay Tabun here, as well as the Sameera socialized housing project straddling the boundary of Angeles City and Mexico, Pampanga. Westchester Realty Corp., a subsidiary of the RGV Group of Companies, has taken over properties owned by Globe Asiatique (GA) for P2.2 billion which is due in 24 months to the Pag-IBIG Fund. The fund put up the said properties for bidding in December last year. During the flag raising ceremony at the City Hall here on Monday, veteran property and housing developer and former congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia, chair of the RGV Group of Companies, announced the official takeover and immediate rehabilitation the Xevera housing in Bacolor and Mabalacat and the Sameera project. The city hall was donated by GA owner Delfin Lee and is located inside Xevera Mabalacat where the gathered city hall employees and Xevera residents cheered the announcement. The declaration was preceded by the signing of the Deed of Conditional Sale last month between the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) and Westchester. The recent development is good news for about 4,700 home buyers of the GA properties after its owner Delfin Lee was involved in an alleged P6.6-billion housing loan anomaly in 2014 where he faced syndicated estafa charges.

Lee said he requested and was given assurance by Valencia that Westchester would allow Xevera homeowners to have the right of first refusal before offering their properties to outsiders. Valencia said he will abide by the agreement which is subject to four conditions--to pay Pag-IBIG P2.2 billion in 24 months, rehabilitate the facilities and amenities of the Xevera housing projects as well as Sameera, rehabilitate the houses in the properties, and to put into order the accounts of the homebuyers which have been mismanaged in the last decade. Valencia said his company will invest an initial P1 billion for the improvement of the properties to “bring back its lost glory” and another P1 billion later. He recalled that he was here during its inauguration on January 25, 2009 which was aired live on television. Xevera was then touted as the best community in the Philippines. Valencia chaired the committee on housing and urban development in congress for six years and was the principal author of Republic Act 9679, or the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009. He said they have already started processing the documents of homebuyers as he encouraged other homebuyers to immediately visit their local offices at Xevera. “Home ownership is never a privilege but a right by any qualified home borrower or buyer,” he said. As for Lee, “it’s time to move on,” said Valencia. Ashley Manabat

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 4, 2020

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

136.8 77.05 24.9 6.31 10.8 55.45 11.82 27.85 110.3 19.8 155.2 57.45 0.78 17.82 3.14 0.38 752 0.72 154 1725 1.12

137 77.75 25 8.46 10.82 56.1 11.98 28.15 125 19.98 155.6 57.55 0.79 17.9 3.69 0.385 829.5 0.74 155 1750 1.16

136.7 78 24.8 8.46 10.82 54.7 11.98 28.15 110.2 19.8 154.5 57.45 0.79 17.96 3.1 0.38 753 0.71 160.1 1750 1.15

137.9 78.3 24.9 8.46 10.88 56.1 11.98 28.25 110.2 19.98 156.8 57.6 0.79 17.96 3.7 0.385 753 0.74 160.1 1750 1.19

135.1 76.45 24.75 8.46 10.8 53.75 11.98 27.85 110.2 19.8 153.5 57.3 0.79 17.9 3.08 0.38 752 0.71 155 1750 1.12

136.8 77.75 24.9 8.46 10.8 56.1 11.98 28.15 110.2 19.98 155.6 57.45 0.79 17.9 3.7 0.385 752 0.72 155 1750 1.18

2374800 1809740 9200 100 133900 2702740 4000 539700 580 21000 432040 42150 50000 41300 21000 30000 120 65000 5220 45 352000

324994874 140200244 228460 846 1449280 148561497 47920 15182175 63916 416514 66924512 2420193 39500 739626 65540 11450 90260 46820 823586 78750 398900

-29169972 -50002110 -79500 -357008 -8116383 7651300 -406614 -30650782 -658377 -739626 -720 -12720 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 2.03 2.05 2.08 2.08 2.02 2.05 603000 1227650 1.02 1.08 1.02 1.04 1 1.02 282000 282840 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 27.4 27.5 27.3 27.95 27 27.5 2257300 62096060 BASIC ENERGY 0.2 0.208 0.202 0.209 0.2 0.208 2570000 515480 17.1 17.3 17.76 17.76 17.1 17.1 4164800 71826148 FIRST GEN 61.5 63.5 61.05 63.55 61.05 63.5 129410 8031770 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 262.2 267.4 260 267.4 257.6 267.4 261620 69062774 MANILA WATER 11.94 11.96 12.02 12.1 11.88 11.94 907600 10873954 3.37 3.38 3.38 3.39 3.37 3.37 2055000 6936780 PETRON 3.57 3.72 3.26 3.58 3.26 3.58 25000 83100 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.2 10.48 10.2 10.48 10.2 10.48 71500 748600 26.35 26.5 26.2 26.5 26.15 26.35 633100 16650065 PILIPINAS SHELL 8.77 8.78 9 9 8.78 8.78 246800 2187396 SPC POWER 14.08 15.1 15.1 15.1 15.1 15.1 100 1510 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 6.68 6.98 7.17 7.17 6.52 6.98 1316800 9129959 AXELUM 2.32 2.34 2.44 2.48 2.31 2.32 3582000 8396980 14.4 15.68 14.4 15.6 14.4 15.6 200 3000 CNTRL AZUCARERA 14.2 14.44 14.22 14.24 14.2 14.2 2747600 39055152 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 4 4.19 4 4.19 4 4.19 5000 20570 7.44 7.45 7.52 7.52 7.2 7.44 258100 1885398 DNL INDUS 8.11 8.12 8.05 8.15 8.05 8.11 745400 6029701 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 70.65 71.7 70.4 72.35 70.4 71.7 266050 19051811 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.61 0.64 0.63 0.64 0.61 0.64 662000 414500 1.63 1.64 1.7 1.75 1.6 1.64 27693000 45531890 FRUITAS HLDG 172 174.6 168.7 174.6 167.2 174.6 869400 148264727 JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG 6.15 6.5 6.15 6.15 6.15 6.15 1700 10455 8.06 8.1 8.29 8.3 8 8.1 490500 3,968,764( MAXS GROUP 0.134 0.157 0.15 0.15 0.121 0.134 470000 62730 MG HLDG 1.82 1.83 1.82 1.84 1.8 1.82 379000 690300 PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.9 8 8.08 8.08 7.9 8 181800 1452439 ROXAS AND CO 1.5 1.55 1.5 1.57 1.5 1.55 741000 1140070 4.96 5 5 5 5 5 2000 10000 RFM CORP 0.116 0.12 0.116 0.12 0.116 0.12 400000 47600 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 130.1 130.9 134.2 134.2 129.1 130.9 1631650 212831633 VITARICH 1.1 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.1 1.1 1045000 1159160 58.9 63 58.85 58.85 58.85 58.85 200 11770 CONCRETE A CEMEX HLDG 1.25 1.27 1.31 1.31 1.25 1.25 13841000 17612170 EAGLE CEMENT 10.18 10.2 10.5 10.5 10.2 10.2 191900 1992920 7.76 7.8 7.82 7.82 7.71 7.8 512200 3995045 EEI CORP 13.14 13.2 13.2 13.2 13 13.14 2009100 26336224 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 12.1 12.14 12.3 12.5 12.02 12.14 1414900 17205622 PHINMA 9.59 9.65 9.65 9.65 9.6 9.65 11000 106045 0.85 0.87 0.89 0.89 0.88 0.88 2000 1770 TKC METALS 0.94 0.95 0.93 0.96 0.93 0.94 178000 166950 VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA 2 2.07 2.01 2.01 2 2 60000 120400 3.83 3.88 3.9 4.2 3.65 3.83 25708000 101415130 EUROMED 4.62 4.9 4.97 5 4.97 5 15000 74870 LMG CHEMICALS 3.12 3.36 3.45 3.45 3.38 3.38 6000 20490 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 4.75 4.85 4.85 4.85 4.85 4.85 1000 4850 GREENERGY 1.27 1.28 1.26 1.3 1.24 1.28 3902000 4952280 4.54 4.61 4.61 4.61 4.5 4.54 783000 3550600 INTEGRATED MICR 1.11 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.12 1.12 278000 315070 IONICS SFA SEMICON 0.98 1.01 1.05 1.06 0.96 1 1020000 1011690 CIRTEK HLDG 6.81 6.82 7.21 7.21 6.75 6.81 977900 6753612

-50810 16755195 -34487866 -1020433 9834708 218570 5045480 -11110810 1731424 -1510 6094598 -3180320 373596 187771 -786662 -2634260.5 -577630 6463369 1,338,791.9996) -9750 -196410 -765740 -9500 -24000 -61218109 1616690 199446 -25740 -10546076 -15964608 109980 -4850 -3788410 -965690 10000 -25870

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.69 0.67 0.69 2199000 1498740 9.65 9.66 9.71 9.71 9.66 9.66 8100 78416 ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP 664 665.5 657 671.5 651.5 665.5 321040 212689020 ABOITIZ EQUITY 45.6 46 43.7 46 43.6 46 959000 43659525 9.93 9.94 9.94 9.95 9.83 9.93 8023500 79527741 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 2.1 2.11 2.1 2.1 2.03 2.1 201000 415010 AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR 6.1 6.38 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 37200 226920 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.65 0.68 0.64 0.69 0.64 0.69 72000 47950 0.88 0.89 0.89 0.89 0.88 0.88 1099000 976620 ATN HLDG A 6.12 6.13 6.05 6.2 6.05 6.12 2387700 14614996 COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG 5.31 5.32 5.36 5.36 5.2 5.32 11331600 59972172 FILINVEST DEV 11.64 12.08 11.98 11.98 11.64 11.64 18300 216888 0.219 0.236 0.217 0.23 0.217 0.23 850000 195330 FORUM PACIFIC 721 748.5 718 748.5 715 748.5 59580 43864810 GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT 70 71 67.05 71 65.6 71 1914240 131652954.5 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.8 6.49 6.49 6.49 6.49 6.49 350000 2271500 0.455 0.465 0.455 0.455 0.45 0.455 1170000 532300 LODESTAR 3.7 3.71 3.71 3.71 3.7 3.7 427000 1582390 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 9.2 9.34 9.3 9.34 9.05 9.34 1627700 15,090,575( 0.57 0.6 0.56 0.6 0.56 0.6 379000 222470 MABUHAY HLDG 3.4 3.44 3.35 3.54 3.33 3.44 73544000 253210200 METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG 4.08 4.29 4.38 4.38 4.15 4.29 13000 56100 1.01 1.04 1.05 1.15 0.99 1.04 757000 822650 PRIME MEDIA 0.96 1.04 1.04 1.16 0.95 0.95 210000 225110 SOLID GROUP 152 175 170 175 170 175 200 34860 SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS 945 947.5 960 977 921 945 447420 419946985 SAN MIGUEL CORP 126 126.5 128 128 125.1 126.5 265190 33519704 0.79 0.8 0.8 0.86 0.78 0.8 639000 516490 SOC RESOURCES 136 154.9 139 154.9 135 154.9 2190 313405 TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS 0.212 0.227 0.226 0.226 0.226 0.226 50000 11300 0.169 0.173 0.174 0.179 0.169 0.173 10240000 1,745,510( ZEUS HLDG

-19345240 11836780 19997798 -37080 226920 -132550 -34011282 -36296 -115000 4016620 -8330657 -2271500 -866870 9,113,686.9996) -27600 -15236210 -24940 -92410 -177760910 -10243811 -3290 -90660 1,166,310.0001)

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.68 0.72 884000 621710 7.22 9.24 8.8 8.9 8.8 8.9 1700 15050 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 39.95 40.75 39.4 40.75 39.25 40.75 10981200 441361150 ARANETA PROP 1.31 1.4 1.39 1.4 1.26 1.35 534000 693700 1.58 1.59 1.58 1.6 1.58 1.59 742000 1180770 BELLE CORP 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.87 0.7 0.74 66057000 53244690 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.76 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.79 4000 3160 0.162 0.165 0.163 0.165 0.163 0.165 150000 24670 CROWN EQUITIES 6.14 6.35 6.1 6.35 6.02 6.35 55400 335605 CEBU HLDG 4.55 4.56 4.59 4.59 4.54 4.55 74000 336940 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.485 0.49 0.49 0.495 0.485 0.485 978000 480280 CYBER BAY 0.32 0.35 0.32 0.33 0.32 0.32 1370000 441500 16.8 17.1 16.98 17 16.64 17 405700 6874488 DOUBLEDRAGON 8.31 8.35 8.45 8.45 8.3 8.35 174800 1458687 DM WENCESLAO FILINVEST LAND 1.26 1.27 1.25 1.27 1.23 1.27 9954000 12454700 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.98 1 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 258000 252840 14.18 14.2 14.1 14.2 14.1 14.18 640800 9094764 8990 HLDG 0.93 0.95 0.94 0.95 0.93 0.95 339000 318100 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.72 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.76 1000 760 3.5 3.51 3.52 3.53 3.45 3.5 16816000 58902450 MEGAWORLD 0.18 0.181 0.185 0.185 0.175 0.181 6910000 1236230 MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES 0.4 0.43 0.395 0.43 0.395 0.43 120000 50950 2.05 2.06 2.05 2.06 2.04 2.06 1051000 2152440 PRIMEX CORP 23.05 24.5 23.1 24.5 22.45 24.5 1377400 32659350 ROBINSONS LAND 0.32 0.325 0.295 0.37 0.295 0.325 10620000 3578700 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.92 1.97 1.98 1.98 1.97 1.97 10000 19780 3.03 3.07 3.05 3.07 3.05 3.07 28000 85560 SHANG PROP 2.3 2.35 2.34 2.35 2.3 2.35 40000 93500 STA LUCIA LAND 38.9 39.5 39 39.5 38.5 39.5 14554000 566409770 SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS 4.95 5.04 4.91 5.07 4.91 5.05 4300 21485 1.62 1.64 1.58 1.68 1.56 1.62 1117000 1792060 SUNTRUST HOME 6.44 6.5 6.67 6.77 6.39 6.5 1806300 11717728 VISTA LAND

-63700 15050 62163610 36450.0001 131940 -175870 23040 22830 -4455 4672720 -564251 -826140 -196000 -399876 -307940 -128650 6983550 -18221530 -692040 -5808111

SERVICES ABS CBN 21.6 21.75 22 23.5 21.5 21.75 1273500 27968930 5.24 5.25 5.3 5.3 5.24 5.25 523700 2747241 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.46 0.48 0.44 0.51 0.43 0.46 7500000 3555850 10.52 11.98 10.54 11.98 10.52 11.98 1200 12774 MLA BRDCASTING 1836 1850 1830 1854 1817 1850 42950 78994485 GLOBE TELECOM 1004 1015 1000 1015 990.5 1015 71995 72554220 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.043 0.046 0.045 0.046 0.044 0.046 3200000 142800 DFNN INC 3.44 3.99 3.99 3.99 3.99 3.99 40000 159600 1.2 1.49 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 6000 7200 IMPERIAL 0.093 0.094 0.094 0.094 0.093 0.094 960000 90040 ISLAND INFO ISM COMM 1.71 1.72 1.54 1.72 1.53 1.72 52434000 87217660 NOW CORP 1.96 1.97 2 2 1.93 1.96 1045000 2037270 0.205 0.215 0.211 0.215 0.204 0.205 1530000 321660 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.3 2.31 2.3 2.34 2.26 2.3 1230000 2815230 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 7.15 7.2 7.3 7.3 7.2 7.2 4700 33940 17.5 18.48 17.5 17.5 17.5 17.5 20000 350000 ASIAN TERMINALS 3.41 3.47 3.4 3.43 3.32 3.4 250000 846000 CHELSEA 74 74.75 77.1 77.2 73.5 74.75 130120 9735889 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 105.7 105.8 105.9 106.5 104.1 105.7 2865780 302848701 12 12.36 12.38 12.38 12.38 12.38 200 2476 LBC EXPRESS 0.81 0.91 0.82 0.91 0.81 0.91 84000 68330 LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA 8 8.01 7.96 8.06 7.88 8 3787500 30254703 METROALLIANCE A 2.66 2.67 2.85 3.3 2.67 2.67 49762000 151509140 2.78 2.79 2.8 3.24 2.78 2.78 1582000 4807570 METROALLIANCE B 6.7 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.7 6.8 5800 38970 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 0.99 1 1.02 1.02 0.99 1 431000 431310 1.36 1.43 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.34 1000 1340 ACESITE HOTEL 0.037 0.038 0.036 0.039 0.036 0.037 8200000 303700 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.55 0.58 0.54 0.58 0.53 0.58 595000 333300 WATERFRONT IPEOPLE 7.21 8.2 7.17 8.24 7.17 8.24 800 5950 0.51 0.52 0.52 0.53 0.52 0.52 1509000 784710 STI HLDG 2.44 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.44 2.44 118000 289160 BERJAYA 7.61 7.63 8 8 7.52 7.63 7610400 58746998 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.98 2.03 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.98 2000 3960 1.87 1.89 1.9 1.9 1.85 1.87 313000 587300 LEISURE AND RES 0.455 0.46 0.46 0.485 0.45 0.46 5380000 2466850 PREMIUM LEISURE ALLHOME 9.9 9.98 9.8 9.98 9.71 9.98 927300 9209917 METRO RETAIL 1.58 1.59 1.61 1.62 1.58 1.59 2575000 4119610 35.7 36 36.2 36.3 35.4 36 763100 27465070 PUREGOLD 61.2 61.5 62.25 63.1 61.2 61.5 625150 38706382.5 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 150 155 157.9 158 140.1 150 27370 4108397 SSI GROUP 1.78 1.8 1.84 1.86 1.77 1.8 2180000 3917060 18.04 18.08 18.1 18.1 17.96 18.08 600200 10814444 WILCON DEPOT 0.4 0.405 0.41 0.43 0.4 0.4 11020000 4566800 APC GROUP EASYCALL 6.6 6.99 6.74 7 6.5 6.99 17600 121275 404 413 410 410 410 410 200 82000 GOLDEN BRIA 2.67 2.97 2.97 2.97 2.97 2.97 1000 2970 PAXYS 0.28 0.285 0.26 0.285 0.26 0.285 9120000 2518100 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 8.26 8.65 8.64 8.64 8.6 8.6 16600 143220

26150120 7680987.5 -4400 111720 1919010 38729.9998 350000 -555942.5001 21022867 982149 -59780 -515860 -16016237 -454110 -22000 -1697005 -1840710 -3498670 -16200917 -122986 858730 27562.0003 342650 -100 -

MINING & OIL

ATOK 10.82 11 11.42 11.42 10.8 11.42 400 4506 APEX MINING 1 1.01 1.02 1.03 0.99 1.01 863000 873220 -298000 ABRA MINING 0.0012 0.0013 0.0013 0.0013 0.0012 0.0012 23000000 27900 2.2 2.3 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19 3000 6570 ATLAS MINING 0.265 0.275 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 70000 18900 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.68 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.68 2.8 449000 1243540 840000 DIZON MINES 6.46 6.47 6.49 6.6 6.45 6.47 3600 23288 0.89 0.94 0.93 0.94 0.89 0.89 12921000 11815290 -7927870 FERRONICKEL 0.196 0.197 0.197 0.197 0.195 0.196 100000 19540 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.089 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09 0.09 710000 63900 0.089 0.094 0.096 0.096 0.094 0.094 80000 7660 LEPANTO B 0.0072 0.0075 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 1000000 7300 MANILA MINING A 0.61 0.62 0.62 0.62 0.61 0.61 101000 61620 MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA 2.07 2.08 2.14 2.14 2.08 2.08 11059000 23040780 -19347620 PX MINING 2.81 2.89 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.8 513000 1452270 19.4 19.42 19.3 19.6 19.12 19.42 452700 8767844 634659.9998 SEMIRARA MINING 0.0046 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 5000000 24000 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 6.46 6.5 6.46 6.58 6.21 6.58 287700 1824520 -487 0.0093 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 2000000 19200 ORNTL PETROL A 0.0098 0.01 0.0099 0.01 0.0099 0.01 4000000 39900 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 6.1 6.18 6.4 6.5 6.05 6.18 106000 651165 5760 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 99 100 99 99 99 99 39300 3890700 AC PREF B1 502 506 502 505 502 505 270 135600 503 504.5 503 503 503 503 50 25150 AC PREF B2R 101.5 103 103 103 103 103 10 1030 CPG PREF A 101.1 102.8 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 100 10110 DD PREF FGEN PREF G 107 108.2 107.1 107.1 107 107 3250 347765 502 505 502 502 502 502 100 50200 GLO PREF P 998 1000 999 1000 998 1000 1180 1179390 -660000 GTCAP PREF A 100 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 25180 2520518 MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3B 106 107.5 107.5 107.5 107.5 107.5 300 32250 1010 1035 1010 1010 1010 1010 460 464600 PCOR PREF 2B 1050 1052 1050 1050 1050 1050 1500 1575000 PCOR PREF 3A 1065 1100 1065 1065 1065 1065 50 53250 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C 77.6 77.95 77.7 77.95 77.7 77.95 1220 94834 75.45 75.75 75.7 75.75 75.7 75.75 1000 75725 SMC PREF 2D 76.5 77.2 77 77.2 77 77.2 2950 227540 219820 SMC PREF 2F 75.2 75.7 75.7 75.7 75.7 75.7 280 21196 SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H 76.1 76.3 76.1 76.1 76.1 76.1 2000 152200 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 17.5 18.6 18.74 18.74 17.5 17.5 650300 11,712,590( 10,694,757.9996) GMA HLDG PDR 5.1 5.26 5.09 5.09 5.05 5.05 6800 34364 WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.98 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 30000 30300 SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 2.51 2.53 2.6 2.65 2.45 2.51 237000 599790 49200 KEPWEALTH 8.02 8.12 8.05 8.15 8.02 8.02 17200 138305 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 882000 663590 XURPAS EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 103.2 104 103.4 103.5 102.3 103.2 45860 4719462 19456

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Taal eruption, COVID slash sales of Hyundai in January

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

ales of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines slumped by doubledigits in January, reflecting the automotive industry’s bad start for the year due to the eruption of Taal Volcano and the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (Hari) on Tuesday disclosed January sales declined 27.61 percent to 2,045 units, from 2,825 units during the same month last year. The firm reported double-digit drops on all three segments, blaming this on the negative impact of the Taal eruption and the coronavirus outbreak. Sales of passenger cars fell nearly 33 percent to 967 units, from 1,443 units, while those of light commercial vehicles declined by 20 percent to 1,053 units, from 1,315 units.

Further, Hari sold just 25 units of commercial vehicle in January, compared to the 67 units it did last year. The vehicle distributor said, however, it is anticipating this bracket to rebound over the next months, as it started delivering orders of Hyundai H-100 Modern Jeepney Class 1 and HD50S Modern Jeepney Class 2 to transport cooperatives around the country. Hari President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo attributed the firm’s dismal performance in January to the challenges posed by the

SFA Semicon taps Ecolife for ESG initiative By VG Cabuag @villygc

outh Korean firm SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. on Wednesday said it signed a deal with advocate Ecolife Foundation to build its capability in the development and performance monitoring of key sustainability areas within the company’s value chain system. The consultancy agreement covered the conduct of a half-day session with the firm’s officials. “The sustainability governance workshop is a decisive step towards not just compliance to the directive of the Securities and Exchange Commission for the disclosure of the economic and environmental, social and governance [ESG] impact of SFA but also the development of sustainability management system in the company,” company Treasurer and Compliance Officer Caroline

S. Sicat said. The sustainability training workshop was conducted by Juan Reyes Jr., Ecolife chairman, and assisted by Investor Relations Consultant Claro Ganac and Regina Reyes, Ecolife Director. Ecolife is the partner institution of the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in the Executive Diploma Program on Sustainability Management, a three-module program that encompasses sustainability management, ESG systems and sustainability accounting and reporting. The Clarkfield-based SFA is one of the country’s leading semiconductor assembly and test companies with exports of DRAM and flash memory products worth over $2.5 billion annually. It is part of the SFA Group, a regional player in semiconductor equipment and engineering systems and semiconductor based in South Korea.

Fruitas to expand offerings with grilled chicken concept

ruitas Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said it will launch two new concepts, a fresh store concept under the Babot’s Farm brand and, a grilled chicken concept. The company said Babot’s Farm will initially have three major verticals of fresh products in its own portfolio, including its buko beverage line, a new soy line under Soy and Bean, which will initially include fresh soy milk, tofu, taho, and soy-based ice cream. The company said it is also entering the grilled chicken business, which it will offer through its kiosk network or by independently setting up strategic stores. It will leverage its recent acquisitions, Heat Stroke Grill and Kuxina

Ihaw Na. Chicken has proven to be the leading protein offered in food service in the Philippines and Fruitas believes it can carve a niche in this wide and fast-growing market segment, the company said. “Babot’s Farm is a collection of fresh products which Fruitas is excited to serve to Filipino consumers. Our mission is to make fresh products easily accessible to Filipinos, thus bringing the farm closer to them,” company President and CEO said Lester Yu. “We are equally excited with our impending entry into the chicken business. We are confident that we can enter the market in a cost-effective manner yet come up with a well-loved product,” he said. VG Cabuag

Taal eruption and the spread of COVID-19. “The Taal ashfall and [coronavirus] later in the month caused a temporary setback, dampening demand and supply chain disruptions, making 2020 a less resilient year,” Agudo said in a statement. “But given the Philippines’s stable economic fundamentals—a stable exchange rate, strong private consumption, lower inflation and interest rates, and robust public spending—the impact of these factors can be well managed,” she added. The Taal eruption compelled several industry players to temporarily shut down their dealerships and assembly plants in the Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog regions. Likewise, consumers are reportedly taking a conservative approach in buying big-ticket items, including automobile, in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. In the case of Hari, delays in its importations are starting to affect inventory, as ports here and abroad tighten their inspection measures as part of government precaution.

mutual funds

Hyundai Motor Co., where Hari sources its units, is dealing with setbacks after setbacks in its production in South Korea, as it got hit by a shortage in auto parts due to factory shutdowns in China, the origin country of the respiratory illness. On Friday Hyundai Motor had to close a factory in South Korea after one of its workers tested positive for COVID-19, halting the manufacture of popular models, such as the Palisade SUV. Following the news, shares of the vehicle assembler ended down by over 5 percent, while the wider market concluded the day down 3.3 percent. In spite of the early year disruptions, Agudo said Hari will be catching up over the next months by introducing new models and services relevant to its customers. Last year Hari’s sales slipped by over 6 percent to 33,763 units, from 35,956 units in 2018. The firm’s lone bright spot in 2019 was the commercial vehicle segment, as both the passenger car and light commercial vehicle brackets did not do well last year.

March 4, 2020

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 220.79 -13.88% -4.33% -4.82% -12.35% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.1312 -27.61% -6.8% -6.64% -18.15% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0799 -22.86% -8.44% -7.28% -16.27% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7633 -16.53% n.a. n.a. -14.91% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7501 -9.8% n.a. n.a. -11.68% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.6919 -12.28% -2.99% -4.43% -11.94% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.7391 -12.7% -6.93% n.a. -13.41% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 91.06 -26% n.a. n.a. -11.87% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.5049 -11.43% -2.43% n.a. -13.21% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 469.29 -11.04% -2.94% -4.1% -11.92% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,8 0.9392 n.a. n.a. n.a. -8.82% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1315 -11.07% -2.55% -3.16% -12.08% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 33.239 -11.35% -1.58% -3.02% -12.29% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.8893 -10.76% n.a. n.a. -12.65% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.5369 -10.68% -1.78% -2.48% -13.14% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 757.45 -10.63% -1.82% -2.64% -13.14% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7166 -19.24% -5.48% -6.41% -15.83% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.6356 -12.78% -2.41% -3.35% -13.63% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8692 -10.89% -2.04% n.a. -13.15% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.2319 -9.55% -0.02% -1.45% -11.53% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 101.6584 -10.31% -1.17% -1.73% -13.08% ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $0.9607 -4.06% 1.82% -1.11% -6.58% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.3014 4.25% 5.86% n.a. -5.61% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.4877 -11.95% -4.59% -5.36% -4.81% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.0378 -9.76% -3.53% -3.17% -6.57% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.4638 -4.59% -0.44% -3.46% -6.37% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,5 0.2036 n.a. n.a. n.a. -10.9% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.8746 -0.41% 0.86% -0.8% -4.51% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.5462 -0.66% -0.56% -2.02% -6.41% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 15.8684 -1.79% -0.68% -2.12% -6.44% -1.53% -6.61% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 1.9852 -5.53% -1.14% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5365 -5.63% -0.6% -2.01% -8.47% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9508 -1.71% n.a. n.a. -6.39% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,2 0.8945 -6.56% n.a. n.a. -10.23% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,2 0.884 -7.52% n.a. n.a. -10.99% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8744 -7.86% -1.84% -3.53% -10.3% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03916 9.63% 3.53% 2.21% 2.43% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $0.994 1.23% 2.62% -0.16% -4.23% 4.97% 2.65% -3.52% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.7732 4.3% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,7 $1.1159 4.72% 3.19% n.a. -1.14% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 359.78 4.06% 2.78% 2.3% 0.55% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9111 2.53% 0.48% -0.52% 0.48% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.1435 4.97% 5.18% 5.16% 0.87% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2432 4.41% 2.3% 1.81% 0.82% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3704 6.39% 2.3% 1.41% 0.48% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4134 12.4% 2.66% 0.93% 1.52% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.8041 6.22% 3.04% 1.36% 0.42% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 0.9764 7.31% 1.71% 0.19% 1.25% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1066 9.59% 4.51% 2.39% 1% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7102 8.67% 3.88% 1.9% 0.53% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $472.28 4.53% 2.75% 2.7% 0.87% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є220.92 2.82% 1.67% 1.26% 0.54% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2152 5.35% 3% 2.44% 0.66% 1.2% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 3.6% 1.32% 0.39% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.1213 6.76% 1.8% 0.29% 2.38% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4646 10.81% 4% 3.01% 2.53% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0608767 5.71% 2.31% 1.88% 0.93% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2734 11.9% 3.76% 2.95% 3.09% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 126.6 3.88% 2.98% 2.25% 0.65% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0325 2.91% n.a. n.a. 0.6% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2625 6.27% 3.22% 1.76% 0.46% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2715 3.64% 2.96% 2.46% 0.55% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0407 2.01% n.a. n.a. 0.34% Feeder Fund Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,4 $0.97 n.a. n.a. n.a. -2.02% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Launch date is January 3, 2019. 2 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 3 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 4 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 5 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 7 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. 8 - Launch date is December 09, 2019. "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa. com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

The World BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Powell’s misfire fuels rally in Asian bonds

ndonesian bonds led a rally in Asian debt markets after the Federal Reserve’s emergency interest rate cut failed to restore confidence among investors in the world’s biggest economy. W hile Asia is just as exposed to the financial fallout of the coronavirus, the focus on Wednesday turned to the higher returns that come with the region’s riskier bonds. Indonesia’s benchmark 10-year bonds surged, sending yields down 20 basis points to a low of 6.59 percent. South Korean debt was also in the spotlight, with the nation’s threeyear yield falling to a record amid speculation the central bank will follow the Fed in easing policy. Inflation-adjusted 10-year yields across 23 emerging markets averaged 0.69 percent at the end of February, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That gave them a 188 basis points advantage over developed markets, many of which are mired by deeply negative real yields. With US interest rates tipped to go lower still, the yield differential is coming back into play for Indonesian bonds, said Frances Cheung, head of Asia macro strategy at Westpac Banking Corp. in Singapore. Fed funds futures suggest there may be another 75 basis points of cuts coming for US interest rates this year. Central bank rate cuts are also on the cards in Asia, adding to the urgency of investors snapping up bonds in the region now. Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol held an emerging meeting with senior officials on Wednesday. Korean rate markets signal a cut of more than 25 basis points over the next three months. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati called for other nations to follow the US in delivering an emergency rate cut. The government is working on a second stimulus package to shore up Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. “At the moment, markets are reflecting the increased possibility of local central banks easing following the Fed,” said Dushyant Padmanabhan, strategist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Singapore. Speculation of policy easing in the region’s developed markets was also evident in price moves on Wednesday. Australia’s benchmark bond yields set fresh record lows while overnight index swaps are priced for the central bank to lower rates another 25 basis points in April after a cut this week. It was the same picture in New Zealand, where money markets indicate more than an 80 percent chance of a 50 basis point cut this month. Investors have also priced in around 10 basis points of cuts by April for the Bank of Japan, despite concerns that any cut would come with very painful side effects. Bloomberg News

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Coronavirus spread prompts Fed to slash rates in surprise move

ASHINGTON—In a surprise move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a sizable half-percentage point on Tuesday in an effort to support the economy in the face of the spreading coronavirus. Chairman Jerome Powell said at a news conference that the virus “will surely weigh on economic activity both here and abroad for some time.” It was the Fed’s first move since last year, when it reduced its key short-term rate three times. It’s also the first time it’s cut rates between policy meetings since the 2008 financial crisis, and it is the largest rate cut since then. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which had been down as much as 356 points shortly before the Fed’s announcement, initially jumped on the news. The surge was short-lived. By late afternoon, the Dow had tumbled more than 600 points in a sign of nagging worries about economic damage from the virus. Still, on Monday, the Dow had rocketed up nearly 1,300 points—its largest percentage gain since 2009. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note briefly fell below 1 percent for the first time ever. Investors around the world bid up bond prices—which move in the opposite direction of yields—as they sought safety from the stock market’s turmoil. The fear that coursed through financial markets after the Fed’s announcement underscored the worry that there are limitations to what the Fed and other central banks can do to resolve a crisis of this kind. Powell acknowledged as much when he observed that the “ultimate solution to this challenge will come from others, most notably health professionals.” Indeed, the Fed’s announcement of a steep rate cut signaled its concern that the coronavirus,

which is depressing economic activity across the world, poses an escalating threat and could trigger a recession. Rising uncertainty about how and when the threat will be resolved is pressuring markets. Powell said that since last week, when several Fed officials had said they saw no urgent need to cut rates, “we have seen a broader spread of the virus.” “So, we saw a risk to the economy, and we chose to act,” he added. At the same time, Powell sought to balance those concerns by noting that US economy remained sturdy, with unemployment low and consumer spending solid. “The economy continues to perform well,” he said. “We will get to the other side of this.” The Fed’s statement announcing its rate cut said it would “act as appropriate to support the economy,” which economists saw as a sign it’s leaning toward an additional rate cut, perhaps at its next policy meeting in two weeks. Emergency cuts like Tuesday’s have typically been followed by further reductions soon afterward. Tuesday’s move, which the Fed’s policy committee backed unanimously, lowered its benchmark rate to a range of 1 percent to 1.25 percent. On Tuesday, Australia’s central bank announced that it was cutting its official rate by a quarterpoint to a record low of 0.5 percent and cited the coronavirus’ “significant effect” on the economy as the reason. Just as in Australia, central banks in Japan and Europe have almost no more room to provide stimulus through rate cuts because their benchmark rates are at or near zero—or even below.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on Tuesday, to discuss an announcement from the Federal Open Market Committee, in Washington. In a surprise move, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a sizable half-percentage point in an effort to support the economy in the face of the spreading coronavirus. Powell noted that the coronavirus “poses evolving risks to economic activity.” AP/Jacquelyn Martin

The result is that pressure is rising on governments across the world to supply economic help through tax or spending policies. China has taken action on several fronts to ease credit and stabilize the world ’s secondlargest economy in the face of the coronavirus. Members of the US Congress are finalizing a $7.5 billion emergency bill to fund the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in a rare act of bipartisan cooperation. The legislation would speed development of a coronavirus vaccine, pay for preparedness by states and localities, help other countries fight the outbreak and seek to ensure that the vaccine is affordable when it’s ready, though that could take a year. Powell acknowledged that there are limits to the Fed’s influence to deal with the economic repercussions of the virus—from closed factories to canceled business travel to disrupted company supply chains. But he said lower rates can help keep credit flowing, particularly to struggling businesses already laden with debt that would otherwise face higher borrowing costs. And he suggested that the Fed’s intervention would boost consumer and business confidence, and provide “a meaningful boost to the economy.” Many economists do see some benefit from the Fed’s move.

“The Fed obviously cannot address the virus itself by cutting rates, but they can hope to shortcircuit the potential for a negative response in financial markets that could make the economic impact of the virus even worse,” said Eric Winograd, senior economist at AB. Across the world, business is slowing and in some places stopping altogether as a consequence of the virus. Factories in China have been struggling to grind slowly back to life. Many European vacation destinations have been all but deserted as leisure and corporate travel has diminished. A nd major compa nies around the world bracing for the risk that the economic landscape could worsen before it improves. Indeed, Powell noted that “you are hearing concerns from people in the travel business, the hotel business and things like that.” “We expect that will continue and probably will grow,” he said. Google told its 8,000 full-time staffers and contractors at its European headquarters in Dublin to work from home on Tuesday. Irish news reports have said that a Google staffer is being tested for coronavirus. But the company issued only a brief statement that said it was continuing to take precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of its work force. President Donald J. Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the Fed

and Powell in particular for not cutting rates more aggressively, doubled down in a new tweet after the Fed’s announcement, saying, “More easing and cutting!” Powell said the central bank is focused on its goal of supporting the economy and said, “We’re never going to consider any political considerations whatsoever.” Earlier on Tuesday, seven major economies had pledged to use “all appropriate tools” to deal with the spreading coronavirus but announced no immediate actions. The group of major industrial countries, referred to as the G-7, said it was “ready to take actions, including fiscal measures where appropriate, to aid in the response to the virus and support the economy.” The joint statement from the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada followed an emergency conference call among the finance ministers and central bank presidents, led by Powell and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. The G-7 has issued similar joint statements during periods of extreme market turmoil, such as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 2008 financial crisis. Last week, the Dow plunged 14 percent from recent highs, its worst week since the 2008 global financial crisis. Global agencies have indicated this week that there will be a significant economic impact as the virus spreads. On Monday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said that the coronavirus, which was first detected in China but has now spread to 60 nations in Europe, the US, Latin America and other parts of Asia, could cause the world economy to shrink this quarter for the first time since the international financial crisis more than a decade ago. The OECD lowered its forecasts for global growth in 2020 by half a percentage point, to 2.4 percent— and said the figure could go as low as 1.5 percent if the outbreak is sustained and widespread. There are signs that the outbreak has begun to ebb in China. AP

Tensions rise as U.S. death toll from coronavirus reaches 9

EATTLE—Tensions over how to contain the coronavirus escalated on Tuesday in the United States as the death toll climbed to nine and lawmakers expressed doubts about the government’s ability to ramp up testing fast enough to deal with the crisis. All of the deaths have occurred in Washington State, and most were residents of a nursing home in suburban Seattle. The number of infections in the US overall climbed past 100, scattered across at least 15 states, with 27 cases in Washington alone. “What is happening now in the United States may be the beginning of what is happening abroad,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noting that in China, where the outbreak began more than two months ago, older and sicker people are about twice as likely to become seriously ill as those who are younger and healthier. Most cases have been mild. The nursing home outbreak apparently seeded the first case in North Carolina, authorities said. A Wake County resident who had visited the Washington state nursing home tested positive but is in isolation at home and is doing well, according to the North Carolina governor’s office. In suburban Seattle, 27 firefighters and

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, (right), talks with reporters as Washington State Health Officer Dr. Kathy Lofy looks on at left on Tuesday, following a private tour of the International Community Health Services Clinic in Seattle’s International District. Inslee urged people to wash hands frequently and practice other measures of health hygiene during the COVID-19 outbreak and told people to stay home from work and public events if they don’t feel well or have any symptoms of illness. AP/Ted S. Warren

paramedics who responded to calls at the nursing home were tested for the virus on Tuesday using a drive-through system set up in a hospital parking area. Thirty-year-old firefighter Kevin Grimstad took care of two patients January 29 at Life Care Center in Kirkland. He is among 10 from the Kirkland Fire Department who developed symptoms after calls to the nursing facility. Grimstad, his wife and six-month-old son have taken turns recovering from fevers, coughs and congestion. They’re all feeling better, but wish they knew more about the virus. “It’s crazy. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed

like a foreign thing and now we’re getting tested,” Grimstad said. “If I was exposed a month ago, the problem is more widespread than we know.” In the nation’s capital, officials moved on a number of fronts. A bipartisan $7.5 billion emergency bill to fund the government’s response to the outbreak worked its way through Congress. The Federal Reserve announced the biggest interest-rate cut in over a decade to try to fend off damage to the US economy from the factory shutdowns, travel restrictions and other disruptions around the globe. On Wall Street,

stocks rallied briefly on the news, then went into another steep slide, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 785 points on the day, or 2.9 percent. “We have seen a broader spread of the virus. So, we saw a risk to the economy and we chose to act,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said. Also, the Food and Drug and Administration sought to ease a shortage of face masks by giving health care workers the OK to use an industrial type of respirator mask designed to protect construction crews from dust and debris. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill expressed skepticism about US health officials’ claims that testing for the new virus should be widely available soon. CDC test kits delivered to states and cities in January proved faulty. Authorities have said labs across the country should have the capacity to run as many as 1 million tests by the end of the week. But testing so far has faced delays and missteps, and “I’m hearing from health professionals that’s unrealistic,” Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington State said at a Senate hearing. The chief of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Stephen Hahn, said the FDA has been working with a private company to get as many as 2,500 test kits out to labs by the end of the week. Each kit should enable a lab to run about 500 tests, he said. But health officials were

careful about making promises. “I am optimistic, but I want to remain humble,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC. In Washington State, researchers believe the virus may have been circulating undetected for weeks. That has raised fears that there could be hundreds of undiagnosed cases in the area. But some people who want to be tested for the virus in the state are encountering confusion, a lack of testing options and other problems as health authorities scramble to deal with the crisis. “The people across my state are really scared. I’m hearing from people who are sick, who want to get tested and don’t know where to go,” Murray said. “It’s unacceptable that people in my state can’t even get an answer as to whether or not they are infected.” AP

The World BusinessMirror

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Impact of spreading virus on businesses and economy

he World Bank announced on Tuesday that it is making $12 billion available to provide immediate support to low-income countries dealing with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. World Bank President David Malpass said the money will go to help developing nations strengthen their health systems that are fighting an epidemic that has already spread to more than 60 countries. “The point is to move fast,” Malpass told reporters. “Speed is needed to save lives.” Of the $12 billion in support, $8 billion represents new funds and $4 billion is being re-allocated from existing programs, Malpass said. The World Bank funds are designed to help countries detect when the virus crosses their borders and purchase medical equipment to treat any outbreaks.

Public forums

The 189-nation International Monetary Fund and its sister lending organization, the World Bank, announced on Tuesday that they will replace their regular spring meetings in Washington with a “virtual format” in response to the coronavirus. In a joint statement, IMF Ma n ag i ng D i rec tor K r i st a l ina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass said their decision was being made given “growing health concerns related to the virus.” The two global lending organizations normally hold an annual

spring meeting in Washington, where they both have their headquarters. This year’s meeting had been scheduled for the week of April 13. The statement said that the agency would fully employ their Information Technology facilities “to the fullest” to allow member countries to hold essential policy consultations that would have taken place in person.

Corporate travel

Due to the coronavirus threat, Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are requiring executive approval for air travel, with few exceptions. In a memo to employees on Tuesday, Ford CEO Jim Hackett said the company would ban all but essent ia l t ravel t hrough March 27. The decision will be reviewed weekly. Fiat Chrysler is telling employees that all travel must be pre-approved by a leadership team member “and that travel be prioritized to essential needs only.” The restrictions are among the most severe with regard to US corporations. Hackett said in the memo that the decision was based on statements by government infectious disease specialists. T he memo said exceptions would have to be approved by senior management. They have

Forced online by virus, China’s schools run into censors

EIJING—Less than 30 minutes into a lecture on bioinformatics, Chu Xinjian’s class was abruptly cut short. It was the first day of an unusual semester. Across China, schools are shut indefinitely in a bid to contain a new virus that has killed some 3,000 people. Chu’s class was one of tens of thousands of courses, from grade school to university, that have been forced online. Chu’s professor was painstakingly sending voice recordings to the class group chat when, without warning, the system disbanded the group for violating China’s Internet regulations—a pervasive, almost mundane part of life under Communist Party rule. The students were puzzled. Was it because of something about the subject matter? Bioinformatics is the science of collecting and analyzing complex biological data. “I’m not sure exactly what phrases triggered it,” said Chu, who recounted the incident. “I guess we touched on some sensitive topic.” Major social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter are blocked in China, while homegrown ones such as Weibo and WeChat are heavily monitored and scrubbed for offensive content by the state Cyberspace Administration and police. Now, the sudden arrival of public education onto platforms that are generally the domain of celebrity livestreamers has thrown the controls into stark relief. Classrooms are confronting the ubiquity and often arbitrary nature of the ruling Communist Party’s online censorship. Biology courses have been blocked for “pornographic content.” History and politics classes are among the most vulnerable;

subjects such as the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward are regularly censored in classes and online discussions. Daily life in the world’s most populous nation has undergone a radical transformation in the past six weeks. Once-bustling streets are empty, fast-food restaurants offer only takeout service and group activities have been replaced with remote everything—remote work, remote fitness class, remote schooling. “Classes have stopped but learning will not,” the Education Ministry said in a February notice. It has established 24,000 free online courses on 22 web platforms, covering both undergraduate and vocational disciplines. Yet, many lesson plans have been stymied by the country’s strict online regulators. Louis Wang, a middle school history teacher in northeast China, said his workload has ballooned because of an arduous approval process for online classes. While teachers have some leeway to facilitate spontaneous discussion in a classroom setting, online classes can be recorded, with the potential for clips to be taken out of context and circulated online. “Every word that is spoken in a video recording must be pre-approved,”Wang said. For him, that means writing wordfor-word his entire lecture—about 5,000 Chinese characters—for review by school administrators. Even seemingly non-controversial statements can run afoul of the censors. Wang said one of his colleagues, a politics teacher, was trying to upload a document for his students with “socialism with Chinese characteristics” in its title. The phrase was championed by former leader Deng Xiaoping and is still frequently used by the government today. AP

to be essential to company operations and be tasks that can only be done in if the traveler is physically present. Exceptions also cannot create an unacceptable health risk. They may be granted for something like the start of vehicle manufacturing, according to the memo. “We ask that you look out on your calendar at least 90 days and find creative ways to complete work without traveling or having people needlessly come to us,” Hackett’s memo said, encouraging use of video conferences, telephone conversations and e-mail. On Sunday, Twitter tightened its guidance for employees on travel, but it was not an outright ban.

Tv and parks

Conferences going dark

Capitalists’ woodstock

A dobe says it ha s c a nceled t he i n- person version of its epony mous Summit, scheduled for Ma rc h 29 to Apr i l 2 in L as Vegas, due to concer ns about COV ID -19. More than 20,000 people were expected to attend the conference, which will be held as an “online experience” this year, the company said. The move comes as trade events, conferences and other gatherings are being canceled—or moved online—around the world due to fears about the fast-spreading virus. Google, meanwhile, said it is canceling its annual developers conference, Google I/O, that was to be held starting May 12 in Mountain View, California, due to concerns about coronavirus. The company may consider “other ways to evolve Google I/O,” a spokeswoman said, suggesting it could hold digital events. Google has also halted international travel for all employees.

NBC parent company Comcast said that because of insurance and the way contracts are written, NBC won’t suffer losses if the Olympics are canceled, but it will miss out on ad-driven profits, which were $250 million for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Comcast also said that the closure of the Universal Studios Japan theme park for two weeks will hurt a key NBC-Universal profit measure by an additional 7 percent to 9 percent in the first quarter. The company also had to suspend construction of Universal Studios Beijing, but Comcast CEO Brian Roberts says “we’re back working” and expects to open the park on time in May 2021. Investor Warren Buffett’s company plans to hold its annual meeting on May 2 regardless of the status of the ongoing virus outbreak that began in China. Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement that the size of the meeting, which typically attracts roughly 40,000 people, could change this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, but the company plans to go ahead with the event in Omaha, Nebraska. “The scope of the meeting and associated activities may be modified by circumstances at the time, but we have no present plans to do so,” Berkshire Hathaway said. The meeting attracts throngs of people who want to listen to Buffett and Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger answer questions over several hours. The meeting itself will again be broadcast online by Yahoo Finance, so investors don’t have to travel to hear Buffett’s and Munger’s answers. AP

Editor: Angel R. Calso

UN: World’s biggest humanitarian crisis

NITED NATIONS—The top UN humanitarian official for Syria said Tuesday the crisis in northwest Idlib where nearly 1 million people have fled to avoid escalating hostilities is “probably the biggest crisis we have in the world today.” Kevin Kennedy said that despite a massive relief operation, the needs are overwhelming and “we have a long, long way to go.” He said in a video briefing from the region that he got a first-hand look at the situation on Monday along with representatives from six UN agencies who visited a camp about seven kilometers inside Syria. Kennedy said they saw the massive needs and “the trauma that these people are living in—the newly displaced or [those] there for some time.” Although the camp was established three years ago and was fairly well supported by several non-governmental organizations and the Turkish Red Crescent, Kennedy said, “conditions there were very, very difficult—the sanitation, the shelter, the health facilities were not available.” He said about 30 percent of the nearly 8,000 people there were new arrivals. “What was really striking was you could stand there and look out at the hills surrounding this camp and there were thousands of people clustered—not in camps, (but) with individual tents, or many without tents, living under trees or just out in the open—and it gives you a real feel for the full dimensions of this crisis and the enormous human need,” Kennedy said. He said the other striking thing is that over half the nearly one million displaced people—probably 600,000—are children, who are caught in a very barren landscape in austere conditions, with little to do and very little education available, “and are just sitting there hoping something will happen.” Kennedy, the UN regional hu-

manitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis, said women colleagues on Monday’s mission spent time talking to displaced women, many of them widows. He said they told him “some people were so desolate, in despair, they couldn’t say a word.” “They just sat in these individual tents, and just were speechless, and these were Arab speakers so it wasn’t a question of language, it was just a question of giving up,” he said. Kennedy said he thought the UN mission “gave at least a small signal of hope to people that amidst this crisis the UN is there.” The UN representatives also visited Bab al-Hawa hospital, one of the three major hospitals in Idlib, he said. Kennedy said doctors told him that in the first 10 days of February “they received the number of trauma cases that they normally receive in a month’s time, and most of those were people—many women and children, who had been struck by high explosive things.” He praised Turkey for also treating many of the victims. Last week, the UN appealed for $500 million for the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria. On Tuesday, US Ambassador Kelly Craft, who was visiting one of the two Turkish crossing points for aid deliveries into Syria, announced that the Trump administration was giving an additional $108 million in humanitarian aid to Syria. Kennedy also welcomed the United Kingdom’s announcement Tuesday of an additional 89 million pounds. UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said in a statement from near the Turkish border that an estimated 2.8 million people in northwest Syria need humanitarian aid and with $500 million “we will be able to reach 1.1 million of the most vulnerable.” So far, he said, more than $300 million has been received or pledged by donors. AP

UN agency: Iran nearly triples stockpile of enriched uranium

IENNA—Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium since November in violation of its deal with world powers, UN atomic watchdog agency said on Tuesday, while raising new questions about possible nuclear-related activities and undeclared nuclear material at three locations. The International Atomic Energy Agency made the statement in a confidential report distributed to member countries that was seen by The Associated Press. The agency said as of February 19, Iran’s total stockpile of low-enriched uranium amounted to 1,020.9 kilograms (1.1 tons), compared to 372.3 kilograms on November 3, 2019, noted in its November report. The current stockpile puts Iran within reach of the amount needed to produce a nuclear weapon, which it insists it doesn’t want to do. The nuclear deal that Iran signed in 2015 with the United States, Germany, France, Britain, China and Russia, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, allows Iran only to keep a stockpile of 202.8 kilograms. The JCPOA promised Iran economic incentives in return for the curbs on its nuclear program, but since President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal unilaterally in 2018, Iran has been slowly violating the deal’s restrictions. With the violations, Tehran has said it hopes to put pressure on the other nations involved to increase economic incentives to make up for hard-hitting sanctions imposed by Washington after the American withdrawal. In a second report issued Tuesday, the IAEA said it had identified three locations in Iran where the country possibly stored undeclared nuclear material or undertook nuclear-related activities without declaring it to international

The European Union’s Political Director Helga Schmid and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, wait for a bilateral meeting as part of the closed-door nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday. AP/Roland Zak

observers. It said it had sent questions to Iran in three separate letters, but Tehran maintained it wasn’t obliged to respond. The IAEA asked for access to two of the sites, but was denied. The activities at all three sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s. According to the Washington-based Arms Control Association, Iran would need roughly 1050 kilograms (1.16 tons) of low-enriched uranium—under 5 percent purity—and would then need to enrich it further to weapons-grade, or more than 90 percent purity, for a weapon. With the nuclear deal in place, Iran’s socalled breakout time—the period Tehran would need to build a bomb if it choose—

stood around a year. As Iran has stepped away from the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, it slowly has narrowed that window. However, that doesn’t mean that Iran would immediately rush toward a bomb if all materials were in place. Prior to the nuclear deal, Iran enriched its uranium up to 20 percent, which is just a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent. In 2013, Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was already more than 7,000 kilograms (7.72 tons) with higher enrichment, but it didn’t pursue a bomb. Iran has been violating other restrictions in the JCPOA, including the stock of heavy water it is allowed and the number and type of centrifuges it operates.

It has announced the violations as they have occurred, and allowed IAEA inspectors access to verify them. Iran has also said the measures are all reversible if it gets the economic incentives it needs. In the latest case, Ali Asghar Zarean, an aide to Iran’s nuclear chief, on Jan. 26 announced that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile had exceeded 1,200 kilograms (1.32 tons). “Iran is increasing its stockpile of the enriched uranium with full speed,” he said. So far, the pressure from Iran has failed to produce the economic incentives from the JCPOA countries that Tehran has hoped for. The European nations involved in the deal—Germany, France and Britain—in January invoked a dispute resolution mechanism, designed to resolve issues with the deal or refer them to the U.N. Security Council, which could result in a “snap-back” of international sanctions. The three sites in Iran cited by the UN agency, where nuclear activities were thought to be, date from before the JCPOA was signed. They come in addition to one outside Tehran where the IAEA had previously said that uranium particles of man-made origin had been discovered and hadn’t been declared, which appeared to confirm allegations made by the US and Israel about Iran having a secret nuclear warehouse. The agency said Tehran responded to its latest concerns in a letter on Jan. 28 that “Iran will not recognize any allegation on past activities and does not consider itself obliged to respond to such allegations.” The IAEA responded that its requests for clarification were in line with Iran’s broader commitment to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities and weren’t tied into the JCPOA provisions. AP

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Award-winning PHL rice eyes export market soon By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

LT R A - PR E M I U M rice producer Chen Yi Agventures Inc. (Chen Yi) on Wednesday revealed that it plans to export its product, which has been adjudged the “third-best” rice in the world, to Asia and Middle East this year to capitalize on the growing demand for the high-quality staple abroad. Less than a year of its presence in domestic market, the Leyte-based rice producer is now eyeing to venture into the world market, which its executive noted is “lucrative” with the correct market, quality and price. “We are looking at exporting. That’s in the plan, to export. The quality of our rice was named third-best in the PHOTO BY ROY DOMINGO world, so why not?” Chen Yi President Rachel Renucci-Tan said Metro Manila, which will expand in a news briefing on March 4 in to over 150 by April, including Makati City. those based in the City of Dreams, Rennuci-Tan’s disclosure came a Amanpulo Resort, and Shakey’s, few months after the firm’s Dalisay among others. rice product was hailed as the third Patrick noted that high-quality best rice in the world at the 2019 rice, such as Thai rice, abroad—like World Rice Conference that was held those sold in Hong Kong, China and for the first time in the Philippines Japan—fetches on average $1,200 last November. per metric ton. “This is the first time that the Rachel said Dalisay rice products Philippines was recognized as best are often sold out in supermarkets rice in the world. We should be proud in Metro Manila, which she noted of it,” she said. is growing fast. French-Italian Patrick Fran Rachel said they were able to ençois Renucci, Rachel’s husband, tice consumers to shift to Dalisay pointed out that the growth of rice due to its superior quality and their ultra-premium rice product price point, which is cheaper comhas been “exponential” since gopared to other premium rice sold in ing on sale in supermarkets only the domestic market. in September 2019. She added that their target mar To date, Dalisay Rice is being sold ket for their ultra-premium rice are in over 150 supermarkets, and this those belonging to the Classes A, B is expected to increase to over 180 and C of the society. this month, across Metro Manila, Chen Yi said they supply at least according to documents provided 100 metric tons per month and by the firm. this could easily rise to 500 metric Furthermore, the Chin Ye group tons in the coming months due to said Dalisay Rice is now also beadditional orders from restaurants ing used in 50 restaurants across and supermarkets.

DOE CLEARS 9 FIRMS’ POWER PROJECTS FOR CONDUCT OF GRID IMPACT STUDY By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Department of Energy (DOE) has recently cleared the power projects of nine power firms for the conduct of a gird impact study (GIS). These power projects could generate 2,820.5 megawatts (MW) of capacity for the country. The 1,100-MW natural gas-fired power plant project of Batangas Clean Energy Inc., a company controlled by taipan Lucio Tan, is the biggest project in the DOE’s OctoberNovember 2019 list of companies issued with clearance for GIS. A clearance for the conduct of a grid impact study is necessary for a power firm before it can proceed with the construction of its power project. The LNG terminal and power plant will be put up in Pinamucan, Batangas City. Batangas Clean Energy is a joint venture of Gen X Energy, Llc and LCT Energy and Resources Inc.

Construction is targeted next year, with completion being eyed in 2025. Next in the list is 1,200-MW Maragondon 2 (600 MW) and Maragondon 3 (600 MW) solar power project of Solar Philippines Tanuan Corp. in Cavite. Up next is the 118.5-MW coal power plant of Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) of the Alsons group. The other power projects include the 72-MW Palauig solar plant of Shizen Inc.; 60-MW Sta. Rosa solar project of Terasu Energy Inc.; 55-MW San Ildelfonso solar power plant of Team Energy Corp., 40-MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of Phinma Energy Corp.; 32-MW diesel power plant of Phinma Energy; 23-MW biomass plant of Central Azucarera de San Antonio; and the three BESS projects (40 MW each) of Universal Power Solutions. BESS can store energy via use of a battery technology and can be used at a later time.

Thursday, March 5, 2020 B5

DENR’s Cimatu warns quarry firms encroaching on Masungi Georeserve By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

NVIRONMENT Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has issued a stern warning against quarry operators reportedly encroaching on conservation areas in the province of Rizal. He said erring quarry companies may face closure and their permits revoked should they continue to threaten protected areas covered by environmental laws. On Tuesday, Cimatu had to skip the World Wildlife Day celebration at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center to conduct a site inspection in the Masungi Georeserve in the town of Baras, which is being threatened by a quarry firm. Verifying reports that a quarry company had started to put up barb wires to fence off a 500,000-hectare portion of the ecotourism and conservation site, Cimatu vowed to conduct a thorough investigation. “Aside from closure, we will summon and give them notice of violation with what they did here,”Cimatu said in a statement. The DENR chief was responding to an appeal made by the management of Masungi Georeserve against Rapid City Realty and Development Corp. who had allegedly employed heavily armed members of the Special Action Force (SAF) to harass their volunteers. Rapid City Realty and Development Corp has an existing Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) granted by the DENR in 1998. It is now being looked into by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Cimatu’s instructions. Learning of the abuses committed by quarry companies in Rizal, Cimatu had instructed the MGB to scrutinize the MPSAs of two other quarrying firms— Quarry Rock Group Inc., and Quimson Limestone Inc.—which along with Rapid City are operating within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape using the MPSAs they secured in the late 1990s. DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, who accompanied Cimatu during the inspection, said the DENR chief led the dismantling and seizure of the barbed wires that were hammered into several Tibig trees in the area. “Secretary Cimatu has already ordered [issuance of a] notice of violation to Rapid City and wants all quarry companies there to undergo investigation. If there’s a violation, he is really going to cancel their MPSAs. He got mad upon seeing the barb wires nailed to those trees when we went there to

FRAMED by the iconic spider web-like cocoon, a group of local tourists takes a break at a suspended walkway at Masungi Georeserve (right). At left, Secretary Cimatu leads removal of barbed wire. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

investigate, especially because the area is a Protected Area,” Antiporda told the BusinessMirror. The notice of violation, he said, signals the start of “due process,” adding that “as much as possible, he wants the MPSA canceled,” he said. In a statement, Cimatu expressed exasperation that quarry companies continue to threaten important watersheds. “This is a watershed, and also a protected area,” Cimatu pointed out. “We have already identified this as a protected area and these mining companies are within the protected area.” Some mining companies, including quarry companies, however, have prior mining rights over vast tracts of land prior to the enactment of the Republic Act 7586 of 1992 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act or even prior to the declaration of some areas that are rich in biodiversity as a national park or critical habitat which makes them off-limits to destructive development activities. Mining companies and conservation advocates have been clashing over legal issues hounding the Nipas Act and Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine

Mining Act of 1995, as some MPSAs overlap or are even wholly within a declared Protected Area. An MPSA usually granted to a mining or a quarry company has a validity of 25 years from the year it was granted. Since Rapid City’s MPSA will soon expire and is subject for renewal, Cimatu assumed that the fencing off was intended for the expansion of its property. “The company’s MPSA is due for renewal, that’s why it is expanding. I’m sure it would seek [an] extension of the MPSA, but I will not allow any more extensions here,” Cimatu pointed out. He added: “In fact, I’m even considering a closure of this MPSA. There is no such thing [as allowing] a mining company—either metallic or non-metallic—to have mining operations in this area.” Meanwhile, Cimatu directed Rizal Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (Penro) Isidro Mercado to expedite the establishment of a satellite office in Masungi Geopark to strengthen the protection of the nature park and surrounding protected areas.

Greenpeace nixes ‘nuclear power,’ urges DOE to go for renewable energy

NSTEAD of going for clean, renewable-energ y sources, the government through a proposal by the Department of Energy (DOE), may soon expose the people to the inherent and the serious dangers of “nuclear power,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia has warned. Greenpeace was reacting to Malacañang’s announcement that the DOE, led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, has submitted a proposed Executive Order to include nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. Instead of exposing Filipinos to such unnecessary risk, Greenpeace said the DOE should heed Duterte’s order and fast-track the development of renewable-energy sources in phasing out “dirty” coal in the country’s current energy mix. “Greenpeace condemns this latest move by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to include nuclear power in the Philippine energy mix. This is an underhanded maneuver that blatantly disregards any attempt at consultation even while proposing to expose the

Filipino people to the inherent and serious dangers of nuclear power,” Greenpeace Philippines Campaigner Khevin Yu said in a statement. According to Yu, nuclear power is the most dangerous source of electricity, and throughout their lifecycle, nuclear plants contribute significantly to climate change. In fact, he said, in other parts of the world, nuclear facilities are being decommissioned and phased out from energy plans. There is also broad recognition that nuclear is the most expensive option for power generation—capital costs are astronomical and construction delays last as much as 17 years. Moreover, the industry still has no solution to the safe and permanent storage of radioactive spent fuel, he said. According to Greenpeace, Germany has in fact started decommissioning its nuclear plants while Switzerland has banned the construction of new nuclear plants. On the other hand, Spain plans to close all their existing plants. In France, one plant began construction in 2007,

but because of delays and safety precautions that usually hound all nuclear power construction, it is not expected to be finished until 2024, Greenpeace said. According to Greenpeace, which advocates the development of clean, renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind power, the nuclear industry still hasn’t solved the problem of storage of highly radioactive spent fuel and water. “Clearly, there is no compelling nor rational explanation of why the DOE should recommend the uptake of nuclear energy in the Philippines. Nuclear power will bring more problems and debt to the Filipino people. The DOE’s proposed EO is anti-Filipino: magdudulot ito ng malaking pahirap at parusa para sa mga Pilipino [It will bring a lot of misery to Filipinos],” he said. Yu reminded the DOE chief of directive, in his State-of-the-Nation address, to promote renewable energy. “The DOE must focus on ensuring the country is on the path to a massive uptake of renewable energy as the best solution to en-

ergy security and the climate crisis. RE is the most abundant source of power, the safest, the cheapest and the least carbon-intensive. The country’s untapped renewable-energy potential is vast and capable of supplying energy 24/7: studies peg wind potential at 76,600 MW, and ocean tidal and wave energy potential at 170,000 MW. The DOE also recognizes the country’s immense solar potential which can offer a power generating capacity of 4.55.5 kWh per square meter per day. Just harnessing renewables alone can supply the projected additional demand of 43,765 megawatts by 2040 identified by the DOE. “At a time when RE technology is clearly on the rise, peddling nuclear power is plain irresponsible and irrational. We are calling on President Duterte to put a stop to the DOE’s nuclear madness and direct the agency to truly focus on promoting RE, not only because it is the rational thing to do, but also [because] it is the best decision that he can do for current and future generations of Filipinos,” he concluded. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Implement motorbike crime prevention law now–Gordon N

OW is the right time to implement Republic Act (RA) 11235, or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law, as the number of crimes committed by riding-in-tandem assassins continues to rise, Sen. Richard J. Gordon said on Wednesday. During the continuation of the investigation on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law, Gordon,

chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said the 15 individuals from the Bureau of Corrections who were killed were mostly done in by riding-in-tandem criminals. The most recent case was the assassination of BuCor legal service chief Atty. Fredric Anthony Santos, who was shot dead in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City by un-

identified riding-in-tandem hitmen last month.

Kim Chiu shooting

JUST this morning, three cases of riding-in-tandem attacks were reported, including the incident involving Filipina actress Kim Chiu. According to reports, her vehicle was fired on by two gunmen onboard a motorcycle in

Quezon City. They quickly sped away, and police probers found seven slugs at the scene, a busy corner at Katipunan and C.P. Garcia Avenues. Gordon reiterated the need to immediately implement RA 11235 that aims to secure the public from crimes committed using motorcycles. Thus, he called on the Land Transportation Office to come up with its implement-

ing rules and regulations so that the law can be implemented right away. “Riding-in-tandem assassins are still terrorizing the country. There is no time to tarry; there is an urgent need to implement this law to stop these crimes. [We whould not be gunned down so easily. We cannot accept here in the Senate a non-solution of those crimes. More people have been killed

by riding-in-tandem than coronavirus and that is not funny],” Gordon said, in a mix of English and Filipino. According to news monitoring by Gordon’s office, 64 riding-in-tandem cases in the country were tallied from January 1 to March 4 of this year alone. Most of the victims are civilians (37 cases), while 12 victims were government employees.

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Kaspersky achieves ISO 27001 certification American Chamber of Commerce Visayas announces Eastern Communications as First Associate Partner

At the AMCHAM general membership meeting, from left: AMCHAM Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe, Eastern Communications Strategic Segment Marketing Head Tonie Casas, Cebu Sales Head Mark Pepino, AMCHAM Visayas President Brian Connelly, and Eastern Communications Segment Marketing Manager JV Suarez .

HE American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AMCHAM) Visayas Chapter introduced Eastern Communications as the first Associate Partner for the Visayas region during the recent General Membership Meeting at the Bai Hotel in Cebu. Through this partnership, Eastern Communications aims to build strong

relationships with the AMCHAM members by helping them harness the full potential of technology to address current challenges and to enhance business performance. AMCHAM Visayas is a private association which promotes and develops trade, commerce, and investment between the US and the Philippines. The organization has been striving to contribute

to the Philippine economic growth for the socioeconomic development of Filipinos, specifically the Visayas region. “Eastern Communications is here to help address the varied connectivity needs of businesses today as we expand our connectivity services in the Visayas region. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Visayan community while catering to the fast-rising emerging business segments in the region,” shared by Eastern Communications Strategic Segment Marketing Head Tonie Casas in his speech during the meeting. For more than 140 years, Eastern Communications has evolved into a full-service provider of world-class telecommunications and ICT solutions. Providing an extensive portfolio of services that include data, internet, voice, managed services, data center and cloud services and cyber defense services, Eastern continues to be the solutions partner of choice for the biggest industry players in the country. For more information about Eastern Communications’ services, visit eastern. com.ph.

Mandaluyong City's GBEST launched

HE City of Mandaluyong under the leadership of City Mayor Carmelita Abalos, recently launched and made available the online Green Building Efficiency Self-assessment Tool (GBEST). This milestone in environmental initiatives aims to assist professional building designers and property developers in green building clearance requirements to further hasten the process of compliance certification in the City by simply accessing the City website. The tool serves as a pre-assessment platform to aid designers by having them fill-out all measures and the system indicates if they either pass or fail. If eighty percent (80%) of applicable mandatory measures are complied with, the applicant may proceed to the city for filing and processing of application for the Green Building PreCompliance Certificate (GBPCC). This exemplary public service is an innovation under City Ordinance No. 709, S-2018 that mandates the adoption of the second and updated version of the 2014 Green Building Regulations of Mandaluyong City found in the manual issued by the City Planning and Development Department (CPDD). In addition, the soft copy of this manual was made available online in the website. ThelaunchwasheldattheMandaluyong City Center for Excellence last November 25, 2019 led by Mayor Carmelita Abalos in attendance together with CPDD Head Engineer Arman Comandao, Architect Abraham Raposon, Carmencita Cruz, Orlando Fumera, Michelle Nitro, Emp.

SO/IEC 27001 is the most widely used information security standard prepared and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. It includes requirements on how to implement, monitor, maintain, and continually improve an Information Security Management System (ISMS) within the context of the organization and its business needs. Conformity with

Dream Cruises voluntarily suspended operations of Genting Dream from Singapore

UE to the ongoing concerns surrounding the current 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Dream Cruises has announced the voluntary suspension of Genting Dream’s operations from Singapore from 23 February, 2020 until 27 March, 2020. “Dream Cruises has made the difficult decision to suspend it operations from Singapore as a measure to help curtail the spread of COVID-19 and as a result of the tightening travel restrictions that have been enacted by various countries,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President, Dream Cruises. “Guests who are booked on any of the cancelled itineraries will be contacted and provided with a variety of compensation options including to defer their cruise to a future sailing or, if needed, to cancel their cruise for a full refund.” As the health and safety of guests and crew are of top priority for Dream Cruises, from the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, the company has been working closely with the various local and regional authorities in implementing precautionary measures across its fleet based

upon official updates, including boarding restrictions on Genting Dream in accordance with the Singapore government’s policies. To safeguard the well-being of its guests and crew, Dream Cruises has also implemented various precautionary measures across its fleet including health and temperature screening for all embarking guests and crew members before every sailing, as well as stringent sanitization and enhanced disinfection protocols, especially in high hand-touch areas, on board its ships. As well, crew members on duty are required to wear masks and other appropriate gear including disposable gloves and complimentary facial masks for passengers are available upon request. “We have been extremely grateful for the support we have received from our guests and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this suspension has caused. Dream Cruises is excited for the return of Genting Dream and to welcome more guests on board to sample our signature service that’s Asian at Heart, International in Spirit,” added Goh.

Mandaluyong City GBEST launched. Mayor Carmelita Abalos presents a copy of Ordinance No. 709, S-2018 with City Planning & Development Officer Arman Comandao at the launching of the online Green Building Efficiency Self-Assessment Tool.

Erickson Dela Rosa and Robert Lagarto. Representatives of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) graced the occasion. Mayor Abalos said, “This initiative is testament to our commitment to protect the environment by taking into serious consideration a whole building approach in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings and the immediate surroundings that mitigate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of these structures; and our online GBEST facility makes compliance much more convenient to developers and stakeholders.” The GBEST online facility provides specific guidelines on how to achieve green

building status for structures within the City based on the following criteria: efficient use of energy, water and other resources; use of renewable energy, such as solar energy; pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of reuse and recycling; good indoor environmental air quality; the use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable; overall consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation; consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation; and lastly, design that enables adaptation to a changing environment. To learn more about GBEST and other City environmental efforts, log in to www. mandaluyong.gov.ph.

Agoncillo family, McDonald’s encourage kids to discover love for reading

ELEBRITY couple Judy Ann Santos Ryan Agoncillo and their youngest kid, Luna, graced the book reading activity hosted by global brand McDonald over at Fully Booked in BGC. With kids present, the couple read an exciting wilderness adventures with the Treetop Twins and their discoveries about the Polar Bear. Do you know that its skin is black and

Eugene Kaspersky holding ISO 27001 certificate

this internationally recognized standard lies at the core of Kaspersky’s approach to managing information security, proving the completeness and rigor of security controls. At the same time, they provide clients with an additional level of assurance. Certification was validated following an assessment done by the independent certification body TÜV AUSTRIA. It covered management systems of the delivery of malicious and suspicious files using the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) infrastructure, as well as safe storage and access to these files in the company’s Distributed File System (KLDFS). This includes the company’s data centers in Zurich, Switzerland; Frankfurt, Germany; Toronto, Canada and Moscow, Russia. Certification is publicly available in the TÜV AUSTRIA Certificate Directory and also on the Kaspersky website. The ISO 27001 audit is yet another step in the Global Transparency Initiative. Announced in 2017, it aims to further ensure its partners and customers that the company’s products and services are the best when it comes to protection from cyberthreats. It also treats customer data with the highest level of respect and care. In 2019 the company achieved the SOC 2 Type 1 audit, issued by one of the Big Four accounting firms, confirming that the development and release of Kaspersky’s AV databases are protected from unauthorized changes by strong security controls. To read more about the latest updates of the Global Transparency Initiative, please visit https://www.kaspersky.com/transparency-center

the color of its fur is transparent and not white? So those were some of the trivias. “We are excited to join McDonald’s through the Happy Meal Readers program – a project that’s focused on encouraging close family bonding through bookreading and storytelling. This is something that we do as a family, and we’re happy to share this experience with more Filipino

families,” shared the couple during the event. Even how busy they are with their careers, Juday said she really finds time to read with her kids even just on bedtime before they doze off to sleep. This habit of reading, she said, has rubbed on the kids who are growing up to love books. Ryan and Juday would love to share this a positive signal for families with kids. For them to read books and less on tinkering with the gadgets. McDonald’s Happy Meal Readers program offers a book as an option for every Happy Meal purchase. The program’s goal is to create more opportunities for memorable experiences shared over storytelling,The Happy Meal Readers book options will be available year-round, starting February 21, 2020, and kids can look forward to collecting a total of 12 hard bound books lined up for release this year.

CHS GOLDEN HOMECOMING YEAR OF HS BATCH '70. The College of the Holy Spirit celebrated its golden homecoming year on February 20, 2020. The alumni, from left (seated): Marlo Dadia, Annie Cabarrus, Cory Varela Luarca, Merchitas Cuervas Larrauri, Alice Cruz; (standing): Felee Achacoso, Loulette Canteras Quinio, Vickie Nadurata Caro , Helen Reyes Garcia, Dolette Miraflor Gonzales and Panchita Ablaza

Singlife Philippines is one step closer to unlock the potential of money for everyone

N important milestone has passed for Singlife Philippines after receiving the license to operate as a life insurance company from the Insurance Commission (IC) on February 17. “I’m very grateful to Commissioner Dennis B. Funa and the people in the IC for the fast turnaround of our license application,” Singlife Philippines President & CEO Rien Hermans shares. “We submitted all the requirements for our license only last mid-December, and we actually have the license framed in our office barely two months after.” Apart from the usual documents for corporations and a detailed business plan, it is a requirement for every new insurance company to have an unimpaired capital of at least Php 1 billion to ensure contract liabilities can be met. After receiving Php 1.3 billion from its shareholders Singapore Life Pte Ltd., Di-Firm, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Singlife Philippines cleared all the requirements and passed the mark. Singlife Philippines is not just another life insurance company. Aligned with its vision to unlock the potential of money for everyone, the company’s objective is to broaden the penetration of life insurance in the country.

Current penetration of individual life insurance products is still low at 6% of the insurable population and is expected to double or even triple in the medium-term, based on experience elsewhere in the region. Regulators recognize the change in customer demands, the need for financial inclusion, and the benefits technology can offer. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) support for electronic fund transfer services such as PESONet and InstaPay and regulation on e-wallets are testaments to this fact, just as the IC’s push for microinsurance and support for new digital players like Singlife Philippines affirm the same. Com. Funa and the IC welcome the entry of Singlife in the market. He states: “technology has underpinned the consistent, continuous growth of the insurance industry in the Philippines. Singlife’s philosophy – of making insurance customer-centric and efficient through technology – is a game changer for the evolving needs of a digital, progressive middle class who expect to be served real time and in a fair manner.” With the license received, Singlife Philippines is targeting to launch its first product in April.

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Virus forces Africa hoops to push back season

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oncerns surrounding the coronavirus have forced the postponement of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) season, which was to start later this month. No rescheduling plan was announced. A total of seven African nations—Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Angola, Tunisia, Morocco and Rwanda—were to play host to games during the inaugural season. The virus, COVID-19, has been found in four of those countries so far: Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria. The first confirmed case in Senegal was announced just this week, and with the first BAL games to be played there, the league had little choice but to call off plans to play. “Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the coronavirus, the BAL’s inaugural season will be postponed,” Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall said. “I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled.” Fall’s statement only said the league would be launched “at a later date.” Fears over the virus have wreaked havoc on countless sporting events around the globe, some canceled altogether, others being played with no fans present. It has prompted concerns that the Tokyo Olympics will not be held as planned this summer, though officials have stressed that the games are still slated to go on—for now. The news of the African league’s postponement came one day after the National Basketball Association told players to avoid high-fiving fans and strangers, and avoid taking any item for autographs, the league’s latest response in its ongoing monitoring of the viral outbreak. The league, in a memo sent to teams on Sunday and obtained Monday by The Associated Press, offered 10 recommendations to players with hopes of decreasing risks of getting the virus—among them, not taking items, such as pens, markers, balls and jerseys from autograph seekers. AP

| Thursday, March 5, 2020

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

MEN work at a construction site with the Olympic rings in the background at Tokyo’s Odaiba district. AP

By Yuri Kageyama & Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

OKYO—Japan’s Olympic minister said Tuesday the contract to hold the Tokyo Games only specifies the event has to be held during 2020. Seiko Hashimoto’s response to a question in the upper house of parliament implies the Olympics could be held later in the year and would not have to start on July 24 as planned. The Paralympics open on August 25. The Tokyo Olympics are being threatened by a fast-spreading virus that has been blamed for 12 deaths in Japan and has shut down most schools, sports competitions and Olympic-related events in the country. The virus that started in China has been detected in at least 70 countries, with more than 90,000 cases and 3,100 deaths reported. “The IOC [International Olympic Committee] has the right to cancel the games only if they are not held during 2020,” Hashimoto told parliament. “This can be interpreted to mean the games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year.” However, the suggestion of a possible change of plan was quickly batted back at a meeting of the IOC’s executive board in Switzerland. “We are going to have the games on the 24th of July,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said at a briefing. IOC President Thomas Bach and Tokyo organizers have repeatedly said they expect the Olympics to open on schedule. Others have suggested the spreading virus could force cancellation, postponement or moving events to other cities. The IOC issued a statement earlier Tuesday expressing “full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, taking place from July 24 to August 9, 2020.” Bach then made the unusual move of stepping out from the first day of a two-day meeting at IOC headquarters in Lausanne to make a statement. “I would like to encourage all the athletes to continue their preparation for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 with great confidence and with full steam,” he said. Bach also praised a panel created last month that brings together the WHO, public authorities in Japan, and Olympic officials in Tokyo and Lausanne. In an interview last week with only Japanese media, Bach had declined to “fuel the flames of speculation” about

MAGINE an NCAA Tournament with no fans in the arenas. What normally would be thought an impossibility isn’t so far-fetched as the United States and the rest of the world attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. An advocacy group for college athletes has urged the NCAA to consider holding its winter sports championships with no fans, and the idea has not been dismissed out of hand. “If you can think of it, it’s something that we’ve gone through an analysis around,” NCAA Chief Operating Officer Donald Remy told Bloomberg News on Tuesday. ”We’ve contingency planned for all circumstances.” The NCAA declined further comment to The Associated Press on the possibility of no fans in the stands. Presumably, the games still would be televised. The virus has sickened more than 92,000 people and killed 3,100 worldwide, the vast majority of them in China. Nine people have died in the US, all in Washington state. Most cases have been mild. Later Tuesday, the Stanford athletic department announced the school’s emergency coronavirus task force has recommended postponing or adjusting events on campus between March 4 and April 15. Stanford said it plans to “limit the number of attendees at our competitions in order to allow for sufficient social distancing.” Stanford’s women’s basketball team is ranked No. 7 in the AP poll and was listed by the NCAA on Monday as one of the 16 teams that would potentially host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA offers an early look at the possible top seeds in the tournament,

POSTPONEMENT LOOMS

JAPAN Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto: The games can be postponed as long as they are held during the calendar year. AP

reports of cancellation or postponement. Hashimoto was asked if she believed the Olympics should be held even if the coronavirus outbreak is worse than it is now. “We are making the utmost effort so that we don’t

have to face that situation,” she said. Any decision to move the games back would impact international broadcasters, who would have sway over any changes. The International Olympic Committee gets 73 percent

of its $5.7 billion income in a four-year Olympic cycle from selling broadcast rights. About half of that TV income is from American network NBC. NBC parent company Comcast said that because of insurance and the way contracts are written, NBC won’t

suffer losses if the Olympics are canceled. But Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said the company would miss out on ad-driven profits, which was $250 million for the 2016 Rio Olympics. He did not address the possibility of postponement of the games during his remarks at an investment conference Tuesday. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were held in October. But the games have now shifted to summer, largely because it’s the only time slot open for sports broadcasters. North America in the fall is filled with the NFL, college football, baseball, basketball and hockey. Europe is jammed with soccer in England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy, not to mention rugby and cricket where those sports are popular. Former IOC Vice President Dick Pound told The Associated Press in an interview last week that a decision about the Olympics probably has to be made in the next several months. Kevan Gosper, another former IOC vice president and now an honorary IOC member, also said cancellation was feasible. The Olympics have been canceled only three times, all during wartime. Tokyo organizers on Tuesday were forced to call off a Paralympic wheelchair rugby test event following suggestions from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to hold down large crowd events for several weeks. Tokyo organizers have 17 test events remaining on their schedule. The last one is to end on May 8. Most are small events featuring only local athletes. The most significant is a gymnastics test on April 4 to 6 that is expected to have non-Japanese athletes competing. Japan’s professional baseball league is playing preseason games in stadiums without fans, and the soccer J-League has suspended play until March 18. The famous Tokyo Marathon was held on Sunday with only a few hundred elite runners, instead of a public party for 30,000 participants.

NCAA TOURNAMENTS WITH EMPTY ARENAS?

An advocacy group for college athletes has urged the NCAA to consider holding its winter sports championships with no fans, and the idea has not been dismissed out of hand.

known as a reveal. Also Tuesday, the NCAA announced it has established an advisory panel of medical, public health and epidemiology experts and NCAA schools to address the virus, also known as COVID-19. NCAA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Hainline will lead the group. “The NCAA is committed to conducting its championships and events in a safe and responsible manner,” Remy said in a statement. “Today we are planning to conduct our championships as planned; however, we are evaluating the COVID-19 situation daily and will make decisions accordingly.” Hainline said the advisory group will make recommendations on competition based on evolving medical protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health and state and local authorities. “We are in daily contact with the CDC and are advising leadership on the Association’s response to this outbreak,” he said. The NCAA generates nearly $1 billion a year, most of it coming from the men’s basketball tournament through media rights fees, corporate sponsorships and ticket sales. Total attendance for the 2019 tournament was 688,753, an average of 19,132 per game. The Final Four at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis drew 72,711 for the semifinals and

72,062 for the championship game. Attendance for the 2019 women’s basketball tournament was 274,873, an average of 6,545 per game. The men’s tournament is scheduled to open March 17 and the women’s tournament begins on March 20. The men’s Final Four will be played the first weekend in April at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the women’s Final Four is set for Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The NCAA wrestling tournament is March 19 to 21 at US Bank Stadium, the first time the event has been held in a football stadium. The tournament is expected to break the attendance record of 113,743, set in Cleveland in 2018. Conference basketball tournaments are set to begin next week, and the Big East, Pac-12, Mountain West, West Coast and Western Athletic conferences said in statements to the AP that they are proceeding as if their tournaments will go on but monitoring the situation. The WAC noted that if its tournament is not completed, the tournament’s No. 1 seed will advance to the NCAA Tournament as the league’s automatic qualifier. Sporting events across the globe have been canceled or contested with no spectators allowed in stadiums or arenas. Ramogi Huma, executive director of the National College Players Association, urged the NCAA and the schools to take steps to protect athletes. AP

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C2 Thursday, March 5, 2020

OCONER, NAVY

PHL Cuppers brace for Tsitsipas

HE Philippines will try to a hatch a few surprises when it clashes with world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas and a heavily favored Greece on Friday in the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs at the Philippine Columbian Association’s Plaza Dilao courts in Paco, Manila. “We know they are tough especially with a world class player like Stefanos Tsitsipas,” said Francis Casey Alcantara, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist who will lead the country’s campaign. “But we will do our best to make the country proud,” he added. The Philippine team is also composed of Jeson Petrombon, Ruben Gonzales, AJ Lim and Eric Olivarez Jr. with Chris Cuarto as non-playing captain. Tsitsipas missed his sixth title as professional

REIGN SUPREME By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

IGAN CITY—George Oconer and his Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance teammates put the finishing touches on their Ronda Pilipinas campaign by again dominating Wednesday’s Stage 10 criterium raced over this heritage city’s cobbled roads. But what was supposed to be a ceremonial ride for the eventual champions turned out otherwise with the riders from continental team 7-Eleven Cliqq Air21 trying to salvage whatever was left to be contested in the race that celebrated its 10th anniversary. But there was no denying the 28-year-old Oconer of the general classification crown and the cool P1 million purse that he banked later in the day. Oconer, son of two-time Olympian Norberto, finished safely at 16th in the 26-rider first bunch in the criterium where the 68 survivors—from the starting field of 88— riding the 2.7-km circuit for 40 minutes before going for stage honors in a 3-lap finale. Jan Paul Morales copped his third stage victory and with another former champion Ronald Oranza and Junrey Navarra finishing

behind him, guaranteed a 1-2-3 Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance finish to punctuate just how strong the Navymen were in the race that started 11 days ago in Sorsogon and covered a total of 1,341 kms. “I waited so long for this moment. This is very special,” said Oconer, who was congratulated at the finish by Standard Insurance Group Chairman Ernesto “Judes” Echauz. “But I couldn’t have won this one if not for my teammates. They helped me throughout the race,” said the rider from San Mateo (Rizal), a mainstay of the national team. Oconer amassed 32 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds in running away with the champion’s trophy in the event that brought the riders over 14 provinces in Luzon. Oranza was one minute and 19 seconds behind for second place, and nine seconds further back was another Navyman, Ronald Lomotos. The results were a beauty to read for Echauz and coach Reinhard Gorantes— Navymen John Mark Camingao, Navarra and El Joshua Carino, the former Le Tour de Filipinas titlist, occupied the next four

slots in the top 10. Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance was unreachable in the overall team classification with its 33:28 lead over Go For Gold. The team trophy was worth P200,000. 7-Eleven, despite its gallant effort in the final stage behind captain Felipe Marcelo’s near relentless effort, found itself in fourth place behind Army-Bicology. Adding spice to the Navymen’s celebration were their victories in Sprint—Morales—and Mountain Classification—Carino. Go For Gold’s Daniel Ven Carino prevented a Navy sweep by bagging the Under-23 Classification crown. Felipe initiated a frantic effort by 7-Eleven for either a stage victory or a better team classification finish by carrying the peloton for much of the 40-minute ride in the criterium. Santy Barnachea gathered everything from his 43-year-old legs but faded from the tip of the peloton. The race’s inaugural champion later announced his retirement.

Padilla snatches 3 titles in Liloy

udy Ann Padilla achieved what she had failed to do the last time out, sweeping three girls’ singles titles while young Pete Bandala matched his two singles-two doubles title haul to dominate the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPSPEPP) Mayor Roberto Uy Jr. national age group tournament in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, over the weekend. Padilla, 14, survived Christine Gulagula, 4-0, 1-4, 10-6, in the semis then foiled doubles partner AJ Acabo, 6-4, 6-2, to claim the 16-under plum she missed in Sindangan last week. The Ozamiz City ace earlier toppled Gulagula, 6-4, 6-0, to rule her age-group for the second straight week then held off Acabo again, 6-3, 6-3, to clinch the 18-under trophy and complete a rare three-peat in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop. Bandala, a rising star from Dipolog City, also kept his win run going, scoring a 4-1(ret.) win over Adrian Albata in the 10-under unisex finals then blasting Wyn Sanchez, 6-1, 6-2, to pocket the boys’ 12-under title in the tournament held in honor of the city mayor

GEORGE OCONER and the Philippine NavyStandard Insurance team dominate the 10th Ronda Pilipinas.

Wave of surfers’ support seals Tahiti as 2024 Olympic venue

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks on the coronavirus outbreak and the Tokyo 2020. AP

AUSANNE, Switzerland—The surfing events at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held on the other side of the world in Tahiti. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed off Tuesday on Paris organizers’ wish to send surfing competitions more than 15,000 kilometers away to the Pacific island instead of using France’s Atlantic coast. Olympic leaders were won over despite IOC President Thomas Bach initially saying last year that he preferred keeping athletes closer to the host city. Paris officials told IOC executive board members Tuesday they found “overwhelming support” among the surfing community for going to Tahiti. “The (board members) were convinced by the enthusiasm of the Paris 2024 presentation,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. “They assured us, and went through sustainability and, importantly too, the popularity among athletes.” The competition venue will be the village of Teahupo’o on the southwest coast of the

French Polynesian island. A Paris proposal for the downtown Place de la Concorde to host urban sports—such as 3-on-3 basketball, breakdancing and sports climbing—was also approved. In other business, senior weightlifting official Tamas Ajan resigned his honorary IOC membership amid an investigation of alleged corruption at the sport’s governing body, which he has led for 20 years. Adams said Ajan offered his resignation to protect his sport while also rejecting all allegations made against him. Ajan was implicated by German broadcaster ARD in doping cover-ups and financial irregularities linked to weightlifting’s share of Olympic revenues in Swiss bank accounts. The 81-year-old Hungarian official has stepped aside from his International Weightlifting Federation duties while Canadian law professor Richard McLaren leads the investigation. Ajan has been an honorary member of the IOC since 2010 and previously was a full member for 10 years. AP

Paschall, Warriors stun Nuggets

ENVER—Eric Paschall scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, Andrew Wiggins turned in a double-double and the Golden State Warriors rallied to stun the Denver Nuggets, 116-100, also on Tuesday night. A 16-point underdog, the Warriors were down 77-65 with 5:08 left in the third quarter. They went on a 43-15 run to take control and win for just the second time in 11 games. “It was beautiful to watch,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. “These guys have gotten so much better and it was great to see them rewarded for their efforts.” Wiggins finished with 22 points and 10 assists for the Warriors. Dragan Bender scored 14 on the last day of his 10-day contract. “We played great as a group,” Paschall said. “We did all the right things and we were aggressive on what we needed to do.” Will Barton and Paul Millsap each had 18 points as the Nuggets fell behind the Los Angeles Clippers

INCENTIVE FOR DIAZ 8990 Holdings

Inc. awards Olympian weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz with a P500,000 check for his victories in the 30th Southeast Asian Games and the Weightlifting World Cup in Rome, Italy. Diaz previously received a house and lot at DECA Clark Resort and Residences from 8990 and is also a home owner at Urban DECA Tower EDSA. Photo shows (from left) 8990 Holdings Inc. head of sales Dennis Lim, general manager Ma. Rhena Caceres and CEO Alexander Ace Sotto, Diaz, coach Julius Irvin Naranjo, 8990 Holdings Inc. general manager Andrew Entote and chief financial officer Roan Buenaventura-Torregoza.

for the second seed in the Western Conference. Nikola Jokic scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds in a perplexing loss on the heels of beating the defending champion Toronto Raptors. Denver coach Michael Malone warned his team not to overlook the 14-48 Warriors, who took the Nuggets to overtime on Jan. 16 in San Francisco before losing. It was another headscratching home loss for the Nuggets, who’ve also dropped games to Atlanta and Cleveland. “Whether we let our foot off (the gas) or thought they were just going to go away, I’m not really sure,” Malone said. “Our defense right now is nonexistent from top to bottom. We have to find a way to fix that in a hurry.” Jordan Poole hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to end the third quarter to give Golden State the lead and the team carried the momentum into the fourth. The Nuggets, who led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, fell to 24-8 at home. They were

a National Basketball Association-best 34-7 at the Pepsi Center a season ago. Even more alarming, Denver is 3-3 since the All-Star break. “It’s a bad stretch,” Jokic said. “Or maybe that’s us? You never know.” In Los Angeles, Anthony Davis scored 18 of his 37 points during a phenomenal secondquarter surge, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers, 120-107, on Tuesday night. LeBron James had 22 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who moved to 47-13 with their ninth win in 10 games. Davis hit four 3-pointers while going 13 of 19 from the field and grabbing 13 rebounds. The Lakers needed every bit of their All-Stars’ brilliance to hold off a solid effort by the undermanned Sixers, who played without injured starters Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson. AP

after falling to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship a few days ago but should draw most of the attention because of his strong play. Joining Tsitsipas are his younger brother Petros, Michael Pervolarakis and Markos Kalovelonis while Dimitris Chatzinikolaou is the skipper. The Filipinos will also try to rely on the home court edge and use it to pull the rug from under Tsitsipas and the Greeks. “Hopefully, the home court advantage will help us,” said Cuarto. The team draw is set on Thursday. The first two singles are scheduled on Friday while the doubles and reverse singles are slated Saturday.

and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president and CEO Bobby Castro. Bandala later linked up with Steph Omos to bag the 10-unisex doubles crown with an 8-3 rout of Alyssa Ignacio and Kevin Gallenero then teamed up with Penshoppe Erquita to crush Reynan Patangan and Sanchez, 8-2, for the 14-under trophy. In other singles results, Oroquieta, Misamis Oriental’s Cielo Gonzales rolled past Marlyn Mesiona, 6-1, 6-1, for the girls’ 12-under crown; Eric Tangub, from Tukuran, Zambo del Sur, overpowered Nash Agustines, 6-1, 6-4, for the boys’ 18-under title while Agustines, also from Oroquieta, won the 16-under trophy with a 6-2, 6-4 romp over Lanao del Norte’s Aslan Carbonilla, who copped the 14-under crown with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Dave Palanas. Padilla also ended up with four titles as she and Acabo took the 18-under doubles plum with an 8-5 reversal over top seed Sydney Enriquez and Gulagula. The other doubles winners were Nash Agustines and Aslan Carbonilla (boys’ 18-under) and Cielo Gonzales and Gulagula (girls’ 14-under).

Director Spike Lee (left) argues with security officers at the Madison Square Garden. AP

Director Spike Lee: I’m done watching Knicks at Madison Square Garden

EW YORK—Spike Lee still has his courtside seat, though the New York Knicks had to tell their superfan to find another way to get there. Lee said he won’t be sitting there the rest of this season, anyway. The Oscar-winning writer-director told ESPN on Tuesday he wouldn’t be attending another Knicks home game this season after a disagreement with Madison Square Garden officials a night earlier over which elevator he could use. “I’m done for the season. I’m done,” Lee said on the program “First Take” while wearing a Knicks hat. A video circulated online during New York’s 125-123 victory over Houston on Monday showing Lee getting frustrated and yelling at Garden security outside an elevator, leading to confusion that he may have been thrown out of the building. However, a Knicks spokesman said that was untrue and that it was simply an issue of Lee using the wrong entrance. Lee said he had has been using the employee entrance on 33rd Street for more than two decades as a season ticket holder. The Knicks wanted him to use the entrance for celebrities,

which is two blocks away. But Lee said he had already had his ticket scanned so he refused to leave, fearing that he wouldn’t be allowed back in. He said he told security to “arrest me like my brother Charles Oakley”—a reference to the former Knicks forward’s ejection from a game and ensuing arrest in 2017. A judge dismissed Oakley’s lawsuit against executive chairman James Dolan and Madison Square Garden last month. He said the incident with Lee, whom he has known since his time as a player in New York, was another bad scene for NBA fans. “Spike means a lot to New York. All the boroughs. He’s a game changer for black movies, black superstars. He gave a lot of people chances to better themselves. This wasn’t fair,” Oakley told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “You’re cheating the people of New York when you do something like that to a New York native. I know he was born in Georgia but he’s been here long enough.” Lee said he was not told when the elevator policy changed, adding that he used the employee entrance just last week for another event. “They never said when the thing changed, so

why not call me?” Lee said. “When my deposit’s due, this astronomical price for Knicks tickets and I’m one day late, my phone is ringing off the hook.” Lee has long been one of the Knicks’ most visible and demonstrative fans. He spoke to Dolan at halftime Monday and was still in his sideline seat in the fourth quarter. The Knicks said Lee and Dolan had resolved the issue at halftime, though Lee disputed that. “I’m being harassed by James Dolan and I don’t know why,” he said. The Knicks responded with a statement that included a photograph of Lee and Dolan shaking hands at the game. “The idea that Spike Lee is a victim because we have repeatedly asked him to not use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance—which is used by every other celebrity who enters The Garden—is laughable,” the Knicks said. “It’s disappointing that Spike would create this false controversy to perpetuate drama. He is welcome to come to The Garden anytime via the VIP or general entrance; just not through our employee entrance, which is what he and Jim agreed to last night when they shook hands.” AP

Iranian judo champ gets new nationality

AUSANNE, Switzerland—The former world champion in judo who fled Iran last year in a dispute over competing against Israelis has been cleared to represent a new nation ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Saeid Mollaei’s change of nationality to Mongolia from refugee status was approved Tuesday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Mollaei’s switch did not need permission from Iranian Olympic officials, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. The 2018 world champion went into hiding in Germany after defying Iranian team orders to lose intentionally during the defense of his title. Mollaei claimed he was ordered to avoid facing

a high-ranked opponent from Israel. Iran has not recognized Israel for more then 40 years and enforces a policy of boycotting competitions against its athletes. The International Judo Federation (IJF) suspended Iran’s national federation in October until it received assurances to let its judokas accept bouts with Israeli opponents. The Iranian judo body has an April 8 appeal hearing against the IJF at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Majlinda Kelmendi, the first athlete from Kosovo to win an Olympic Games gold medal, meanwhile, recently unveiled a statue of herself in her hometown of Peja. AP

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Thursday, March 5, 2020

DUTCH SHOWS WAY Tessa Jazmines tessa4347@gmail.com

PART OF THE GAME

SOUTHWOODS AHEAD BY 5 PTS

ANCIED Manila Southwoods held sway on a day of survival at unforgiving Marapara on Wednesday, pooling 122 points to take a slim five-point lead over Luisita after 18 holes of the 73rd Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub in Bacolod City. Aguri Iwasaki, a Japanese set to make his pro debut in the Asian Development Tour next month, was the only player in the talented field to break par, shooting a one-under 70 worth 37 points to anchor the Carmona-based squad even as defending champion Cebu Country Club also struggled over at Binitin in Murcia town while playing in the Founders Division. Yuto Katsuragawa closed out with an uncharacteristic bogey 6 and signed for 30 points, with young Josh Jorge shooting 28 and Vince Lauron, the comebacking veteran, chipping in 27 to round out scoring for Southwoods, which threw away the 21 of Santino Laurel. Luigi Guerrero fired 33 points, Dan Cruz had 31, Jondie Quibol 28 and Ronel Tagaan 27 for the 117 of Luisita, which lost two points on a penalty after Tagaan was penalized for holing out for a double bogey on the par-4 17th. “We’re happy with how things turned

out, considering how tough the conditions were,” Southwoods team official Jerome Delariarte said. “It was very difficult out there and our players performed well enough to put the team in the lead.” Mark Dy and Jon Alvarez accounted for 31 points each, Marco Mendoza fired 29 and Cebu CC counted the 21 of Martin Mendoza to trail the Championship division pace by six. Cebu won the overall title last year also by coming from the lower division, and pulling off that feat once again here would make the club the only team to do it twice. Aguinaldo was the first to achieve it in 1988. Del Monte trailed Southwoods by 16 points heading into Day 2 at Binitin after Rolando Bregente, who scored 31, failed to get enough support with Julius Langamin and Rene Langamin shooting 26s and Joel Bernaldez 23. “I think that this is the first time that we’ve come within five points of Southwoods,” Luisita nonplaying captain Jeric Hechanova said. “Considering that our top 3 players didn’t score that much, we’re OK with how (the first round) turned out.”

BAUTISTA BEATS WILY JAPANESE IN QUALIFIERS I an Clark Bautista pulled the rug from under multi-titled Japanese Hayato Tsutsimi with a split decision victory to enhance his chances of qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Asiana and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament on Tuesday at the Prince Hamzah Sports City in Amman, Jordan. The 25-year-old Bautista escaped with scores of 29-28, 28-29, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28 in his men’s featherweight clash with the former International Boxing Association youth world champion. Bautista, a 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) gold medalist, will next face Thailand’s Chatchai Butdee, the No. 3 in the division. “I really focused on this fight. The Japanese is strong and skillful,” said Bautista, who will be out to avenge his loss to Butdee in last December’s 30th SEA Games. Baustista and Tsutsumi battled on even terms in the first two rounds with the Japanese utilizing his reach advantage with his jabs. But Bautista countered every punch Tsutsumi threw at him, scoring accurate and aggressive hits in succeeding rounds. Head Coach Ronald Chavez said that if his

boxer from Negros Occidental fights the way he did against the Japanese, he could dispose of the Thai, a former Olympian. World women’s featherweight champion Nesthy Petecio will face Sri Lanka’s Kirismi Langkapurayalage and Riza Pasuit will battle Saya Hamamoto of Japan on Wednesday. The tournament ends on March 11. It was supposed to be held in Wuhan, China, in February but was brought to Jordan because of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Also seeking Tokyo 2020 berths are world middleweight silver medalist Eumir Felix Marcial, flyweight Carlo Paalam, light welterweight James Palicte and flyweight Irish Magno. A total of 221 male and female boxers from 35 countries are entered in the qualifiers. Chavez is the men’s head coach, while Reynaldo Galido subbed for Head Coach Nolito Velasco in the women’s side. They are assisted by Roel Velasco and Elmer Pamisa, and foreign consultant former Australian Head Coach Don Abnett. Those who fail to qualify in the tournament will have a last chance in May at the World Qualifiers in Paris, France. Ryniel

Berlanga

Guido Van der Valk wrests a three-stroke lead over Ira Alido in The Country Club Invitational. NONIE REYES

uido Van der Valk flashed superb iron game to birdie the first two par-5s then barely survived the howling wind that stymied the opening round bids of the rest at the finish, wresting a three-stroke lead over Ira Alido in The Country Club (TCC) Invitational at the TCC course in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on Wednesday. Trading length for accuracy on a long, treacherous course, the Manila-based Dutchman unleashed a couple of solid iron plays that produced birdies on Nos. 2 (622 yards, 50 feet) and 8 (588 yards, two-putts from the fringe), both par-5s. But he bogeyed the backside’s two par-3s, including the long No. 11 when the wind was at its fiercest, and the signature No. 17 on a threeputt miscue that negated his other birdie from 10 feet on No. 13. Still, his 34-37 card stood out in hot, blustery conditions on an exacting course where bogeys are the norm rather than the exception, seizing a three-shot cushion over Alido, who fumbled with a double-bogey and three bogeys against three birdies but still grabbed second spot at 74 in the P5 million event kicking off the 2020 Philippine Golf Tour. “You never expect to shoot under-par on this course...it’s just so long (7765 yards) and I don’t think any golf course comes close anywhere I had played, so you have to grind it out,” said the 40-year-old Van der Valk, sixth in this event ruled by absentee Kim Joo Hyung and winner of the Cebu leg, both last year. Tony Lascuña, champion here way back in 2004, missed wresting second place with a double-bogey mishap on the water-laced 18th, long regarded as one of the toughest closing holes in Asia, dropping to joint third at 75 instead

with Ferdie Aunzo, Jay Bayron, Zanieboy Gialon and Rupert Zaragosa. Albin Engino also yielded a stroke on No. 17 while American Lexus Keoninh bogeyed Nos. 14 and 15 that typified the elite field’s struggle on the Tom Weiskopf-designed course that puts every pro’s golfing skills to ultimate test that also saw the select field make 2 or 3-club adjustments to battle the wind and tackle the long course. They wound up with identical 76s. Frankie Miñoza, the only other former winner in the field made up of the Top 30 players in last year’s PGT Order of Merit rankings, groped with two double bogeys and a couple of bogeys against a birdie but still lay just six strokes off Van der Valk at 77 in a tie with fellow Del Monte ace Clyde Mondilla. Winner here with a two-over total in last year’s Solaire Philippine Open, Mondilla looked headed for a strong start with two birdies against a bogey in the first seven holes. But the recent record playoff winner of the Pradera Verde Classic closed out his frontside stint with back-toback bogeys. He birdied the par-5 10th to stay at level par but came in ruffled by the wind, dropping strokes on Nos. 13 and 14, double-bogeying the 16th before holing out with another bogey for a 37-40. The rest all vowed to come up with big adjustments in today’s second round in a bid to stay in the race for the top P1.5 million purse in this golfing major put up by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) President and Chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father, ICTSI founder Don Pocholo. Michael Bibat bogeyed two of the last four for a 78, the same output put in by Fidel Concepcion, Reymon Jaraula and Spain’s Marcos Pastor, while multi-titled Jhonnel Ababa also dropped three strokes in the last three holes, including a closing double-bogey, to fall to joint 16th at 79 with Art Arbole, Rufino Bayron, James Ryan Lam, Rene Menor, Gerald Rosales and Nilo Salahog.

GOLD SPONSORS

Auto Nation Group President Felix Ang and ANG Chairman Greg Yu (sixth and seventh from left, respectively) pose with officials of the Gold sponsors of the 15th MercedesTrophy Golf Invitational during the Sponsors and Champions Night at Makati ShangriLa last Monday. They are (from left) Myke Soon of Remy Martin, Security Bank’s Rafael Simpao, Abe Abarquez of Cole Hann, Michelle Suarez and Kristin Tiongco of Boss, Primal Enterprise Corp.’s Paul Tecson, Enrico Micu of Boysen and Sanjiv Vohra of Security Bank. The annual event, featuring Mercedes-Benz owners and clients, will be held March 16 at Santa Elena Golf Club.

Chicano, Banzon prevail in Subic

OUTHEAST Asian Games gold medalist John Leerams Chicano of Team Apollo Petroleum Jelly and Lyllian Grace Banzon of Team Sante Barley dominated the Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020 held recently at the Subic Bay Freeport. Chicano was untouchable in the men’s standard distance (1.5-km swim, 40-km bike

and 10-km run) race in two hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds to handily win the 25-29 agegroup title. Ronald Molit came next in 2:23:47 to also top the 35-39 division while 18-24 champion Joshua Alexander Ramos was third with 2:25:00. Banzon (30-34 champion) won the women’s event with a time of 2:41:08, with Ines Santiago

(35-39 placing second in 2:41:59 and Amanda Carpo (45-49 titlist) third in 2:48:16. Team Sante Barley emerged as team champion with a 12:44:16 clocking whole, the relay winners included Maxi Atletika-Zalora 2 (All-Female), Maxi Atletika Multisports D (AllMale) and Fitness First- Salice (Mixed). “This is our first triathlon and we are very happy about the big turnout,” Apollo Petroleum Jelly Brand Manager Jamie ReyesOmorogbe said.

Lady Bulldogs stun Tigresses in five-set thriller

NATIONAL University’s Ivy Lacsina (16) and Joni Anne Chavez(8) try to block University of Santo Tomas’s Ennajie Laure. ROY DOMINGO

ational University (NU) shocked last year’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas (UST), 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-13, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippine Season 82 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Congolese rookie Margot Mutshima made her presence felt, while Ivy Lacsina and Risa Sato provided support for the Lady Bulldogs, who capitalized on the Golden Tigresses’ blunders in the thrilling decider. The 6-foot-2 Mutshima scored 23 points on 23

attacks and three service aces, while Lacsina and Sato had seven blocks each to help NU withstand the offensive charge of UST which was led by the returning Eya Laure. “The players were nervous. It took us time to recover,” said NU Head Coach Norman Miguel, stressing that the Lady Bulldogs were clearly in disarray in the opening frame. “We got our rhythm back and, fortunately, we got it right in the final frame.” Joni Chavez had 21 excellent sets and Jeniffer Nerva collected 20 digs and 20 receptions for NU. The Golden Tigresses committed multiple

errors at the start of the fifth set, allowing the Lady Bulldogs getting to post a 7-2 lead. Imee Hernandez and Laure pulled UST to within 8-9, but Mutshima doused the rally with crucial hits. Eya Laure had 20 points, Hernandez tallied 18 and EJ Laure finished with 17 points. Defending champion NU survived a strong challenge from UST to score a 27-25, 23-25, 2519, 27-25 victory in the men’s contest. Nico Almendras had 20 points and 14 excellent receptions for the Bulldogs, while Ed Camposano added 19 points highlighted by four blocks.

Give me an E The eSports industry has grown tremendously over the years, and guess what. It’s still growing. Increasing viewership has richly contributed both to its popularity and revenue. Brands, recognizing the potential of engaging a large and dedicated audience, are investing in eSports. By 2021, market intelligence firm Newzoo predicts that the annual growth rate of eSports will be approximately 14 percent, with 250 million eSports enthusiasts and 307 million casual viewers for a total audience of 557 million. So phenomenal is eSports growth that the world’s most popular sports brands, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and ONE Championship, among others, have their eSports leagues and series, respectively. In the 30th Southeast Asian Games, eSports became an official part of the competition. More recently, eSports gained ground in the country with the launch of the largest interschool eports program, which is looking at the participation of 1,000 teams from 200 schools with the opportunity to train, compete, be coached, win scholarships and become bemedalled eSports athletes. Fresh from its organizing stint in the SEA Games eSports competition, Mineski Global has set its sights on developing the school eSports landscape by partnering with the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) to transform eSports into a world-class, big-league competitive sport in schools nationwide. Mineski and the PCCL will manage and organize the new National Interschool Cyber League (NICL) and also create a sustainable and multipronged eSports program nationwide under the banner of the Youth ESports Program (YEP). “The continued growth and development of eSports in the country presents us with another avenue for excellence, sportsmanship and inclusion. ESports advances not just skills but also values of hard work and determination among all players,” said Mineski Global CEO and founder Ronald Robins. The PCCL, meanwhile, will offer member-schools a chance to participate in the new league and develop their own comprehensive eSports programs in collaboration with Mineski. The PCCL has a long track record in national collegiate basketball championships and has recently recalibrated its program to include a wider list of activities to help spur participation among students and institutions. “This is the future of sports and competition. ESports is more inclusive than other sports and will help lead even more of our new generation to play competitively and responsibly in tournaments and engage in activities at par with the rest of the world,” Rey Gamboa, PCCL Chairman, said. The PCCL is best known for bringing together leagues, such as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (CESAFI). In 2019, PCCL hosted the Digital Games Championship, its maiden foray into eSports which saw 108 teams from various schools participate. A team from the University of the East won the championship. For this year, Mineski has drawn up a comprehensive schedule of activities to engage students not just in competition but also in training, coaching, and developing full careers in eSports. Besides tournaments, there are plans for on-campus activities that will help promote careers in eSports, responsible gaming and other eSports-related topics for students. The First Asian Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) Academy, based in Tanuan, Batangas is one of the pioneers in offering an eSports curriculum to its students. “We’ll be exploring ways of training and motivating athletes for careers in eSports. This program will also promote eSports as a legitimate part of the school curriculum and reveal the positives it can bring to the table,” said PCCL ESports President Chot Reyes. “The same way basketball grew from the grassroots level, we’re now excited to promote and grow eSports in the country,” he added. The five-time PBA Coach of the Year and basketball coaching legend is expected to bring eSports to new heights. A Filipino champion gamer, CEO Robins established Mineski Global and its related business units from an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. He hopes to cultivate this as well among young Filipino gamers. “There will be a platform for eventual careers as eSports athletes or within the eSports ecosystems like game designers, content creators, product managers, event managers, and business developers, to name a few,” he said. ESports took the limelight in last year’s Southeast Asian Games, with Filipinos like Caviar “Enderr” Acampado from Team Liyab leading the national eSports team to several victories. Acampado is the lone Filipino gold medal individual winner at the games while Team Philippines won the overall eSports title. Another standout e-athlete was noted shoutcaster Em “Kaysiya” Dangla, who advocates female representation in eSports. Looks like eSports is here to stay. It’s “the big one” that we didn’t see coming and ain’t scared about.

‘DEATH SENTENCE’ FOR FOOTBALL? UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin: When purpose over profit becomes profit over purpose, it is time to raise the alarm. AP

Sports BusinessMirror

Juventus’ Paulo Dybala reacts after missing a chance to score during his team’s match against Lyon at the Lyon Olympic Stadium in Decines, France, recently. AP

| Thursday, March 5, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Spain: Games against Italian teams to be played without fans

ADRID—Spanish authorities said Tuesday that major soccer games involving Italian teams will be played in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus outbreak, including the second leg between Valencia and Atalanta in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Spain’s Health Ministry said the Europa League game between Getafe and Inter Milan in southern Madrid on March 19, will also be played without fans. The first leg will be on March 12, in Italy. The Valencia match against Atalanta will be played at Mestalla Stadium, on March 10. Atalanta won the first leg 4-1 in Italy.

A Spanish journalist who regularly covers Valencia was believed to have been infected with the virus during the trip to Italy for the first leg. The club eventually suspended all media access to its coaches and players, keeping them from speaking to journalists in news conferences and mixed zones before and after matches. A couple of basketball games between Spanish and Italian clubs this month also will be played in empty venues. In Milan, Italian Cup semifinal between Juventus and AC Milan scheduled for Wednesday, in Turin, has been postponed indefinitely as part of measures to stop the

Liverpool loses again, this time to Chelsea

ONDON—Liverpool was eliminated from the FA Cup on Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea as a run of poor results continued for Jürgen Klopp’s team. Willian opened the scoring thanks to a goalkeeping blunder from Adrian before Ross Barkley scored a solo goal for Chelsea’s second. In two weeks, Liverpool has gone from looking near unbeatable in all competitions to losing three of its last four games. “It went our way for so long because we defended so well. Teams usually don’t get a lot of chances against us,” Klopp said. “No, we have to admit that in the last three games we’ve conceded too many goals, that’s true.” First Atletico Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 meeting on February 18, then Watford stunned the Reds 3-0 to end an unbeaten run in the Premier League that had lasted more than a year. And now Chelsea extended Liverpool’s 14-year wait for an FA Cup title. Willian’s goal followed some uncharacteristically sloppy defending from Liverpool. Fabinho’s fumbled clearance allowed Willian to shoot from the edge of the box. Adrian, starting in place of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson, seemed to have caught the ball before it bounced off his hands and into the net. Back in Chelsea’s lineup after being dropped for five games, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga showed his skills with a triple save to deny first Sadio Mane, then Divock Origi, then Curtis Jones. In the 64th, Barkley collected the ball inside his own half then drove forward in between two defenders before scoring with a shot from outside the area. Minutes earlier, Mason Mount had hit the crossbar with a free kick, while Olivier Giroud could have added a third goal for Chelsea late in the game. Despite Liverpool’s poor second half, Klopp defended his players’ performance. “We did well tonight but we weren’t good enough. The performance tonight was completely different from Watford,” Klopp said. “Against Watford it was bad, but tonight was not bad. That performance tonight I’m not concerned about, that’s football.” It wasn’t all good news for Chelsea. Willian and Mateo Kovacic both went off injured. “Both of them have Achilles issues. So Willian hopefully is not too bad, that’s what he’s reporting,” Lampard said. “Kovacic was slightly worse, but hopefully not too drastic; we’ll see.” The join a growing list of Chelsea players nursing problems, among them N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy Abraham and Christian Pulisic. Chelsea is next in action against Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. Also, Newcastle reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006 as two goals from Miguel Almiron proved just enough to see off West Bromwich Albion 3-2. Newcastle led 3-0 before West Brom, the leader of the second-tier Championship, scored twice in the latter stages to threaten a comeback. Sheffield United needed an extra-time goal from veteran striker Billy Sharp to beat Reading 2-1. David McGoldrick had scored his first goal for Sheffield this season to give his team the early lead, but Reading leveled with a George Puscas penalty just before halftime. AP Chelsea’s Ross Barkley celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge Stadium, in London, on Tuesday. AP

spread of the virus outbreak in Italy. Serie A made the announcement late Tuesday— less than 24 hours before the second-leg match was scheduled to kick off. The first leg ended 1-1. Ten Serie A matches throughout northern Italy have also been postponed over the past two weekends. Nearly 80 people have died and more than 2,000 have been infected in Italy by the COVID-19 virus. The other Cup semifinal between Napoli and Inter Milan in Naples, on Thursday, is still set to be played as scheduled. Napoli won the first leg 1-0. AP

By Rob Harris

The Associated Press

MSTERDAM—Asserting the power of European soccer, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin warned that Fifa’s attempts to radically change several club competitions would be a “death sentence” for football. With Fifa President Gianni Infantino in the audience, Čeferin told the UEFA congress on Tuesday he was not “ashamed” European soccer was so successful. Fifa has tried to gain a greater foothold in the club game, with Infantino trying to raise finances to attract the biggest names to an enlarged 24-team Club World Cup, which could threaten UEFA’s popular Champions League competition. Plans for a global clubs’ league from Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez also emerged after he met with Infantino in December. Čeferin said it was an “inalienable right” for UEFA and other confederations to organize their own competitions. “The principles of solidarity, of promotion, relegation and open leagues are also nonnegotiable,” Čeferin said. “Our principles, history, tradition and structure have enabled football to dominate other sports, and enabled European football to dominate the rest of the world. Calling them into question would be a death sentence for our sport.” The future format of the Champions League is also being debated with opposition growing in the last year to a concept to turn Europe’s elite competition into a largely closed one. “If our success enables us to defend with strength, conviction and legitimacy the European sport model, based on promotion and relegation and the principle of solidarity, we can be proud,” Čeferin said in Amsterdam. “If our success enables us to ward off threats that appear on the horizon, we can be proud. These threats are alarming and we need to anticipate the worst if we are to prevent it. “When purpose over profit becomes profit over purpose, it is time to raise the alarm. Football is not simply a business like any other. It has a history, tradition and structure that must be respected. “ Čeferin tried to distance himself from dramatic attempts to transform the soccer landscape in a speech to officials from the 55 UEFA member-nations and leaders from other confederations. “No football administrator, no matter the size of ego,

should think we are the stars of the game. Because we are not,” Čeferin said, without naming anyone. “We are the guardians of a legacy. We are guardians, here to protect the game, its players and its history.” After what appeared like criticism of Infantino’s strategy at Fifa by Čeferin, the world body used its Twitter account to link to its president’s speech by stating he “stressed the need for cooperation” over determining the future of football.

FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY

Čeferin was tight-lipped at the congress on Manchester City being banned from European competitions for two seasons for “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play rules by overstating sponsorship revenue in its accounts and breakeven information. With Abu Dhabi-owned City appealing against the punishment, Čeferin said he had to “respect the system” but suggested there could be future changes to the rules that restrict the spending by clubs, regardless of their owners’ wealth. “It’s too early to say how it will look like in the future,” Čeferin said. “But we are thinking about it and we probably will have to adapt it. It was very successful as a system...and now we will probably have to adapt to different times. But it’s again, too early to share it with the public. Our experts are discussing it and it will not happen very soon.”

CHARGED EXECUTIVE

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain who also runs Doha-based broadcaster beIN, took part in the two-day UEFA meeting as an executive committee member despite being indicted recently as part of a five-year Swiss corruption investigation linked to Fifa World Cup television rights. “The charges of bribery are off,” Čeferin said. “On the other charge, we have presumption of innocence as a very important thing. We are awaiting how things develop.” Al-Khelaifi, who denies wrongdoing, was charged with inciting then-Fifa Secretary-General Jerome Valcke “to commit aggravated criminal mismanagement.” Al-Khelaifi was accused of allowing Valcke to use a luxury villa on the Italian island of Sardinia rent free in 2014 and 2015. At the time, Valcke had some influence over Fifa broadcast deals, including an extension of beIN’s Middle East rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups.

Peace

EAR God, we earnestly seek the peace we cry in this time of need, oh God! See what is happening in the Middle East and the super power country in the west? Very alarming and tragic indeed! Come to our rescue and save us all. “Now [may] the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means...2 Thessalonians 3:16. We bow and adore You for this Promise, oh Lord. Our trust and hope rest on You, oh God. We praise and glorify You for ever and ever more. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

Life BusinessMirror

❶ ❶ THE unique

combination of geothermal wonders, Maori art, craft and culture makes Te Puia a very special place to visit

❷ VISITORS of

all ages can wonder at the dark canopy covered with living lights at Waitomo

❸ CHILDREN

love to get lost in Wanaka Puzzling World’s great maze, solve problems in the puzzle center and enjoy optical illusions which appear to defy gravity, physics and common sense

❹

THE Weta Workshop studio tour reveals secrets behind the making of much-loved films, such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia.

❺

GET off the beaten track and explore the snow covered hills of the Pisa Range

REELING: DANCE ME TO THE END OF LOVE: CINEMA REHIYON CLOSES IN NAGA D4

Thursday, March 5, 2020

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❹

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New Zealand: A family destination for adventure thrills F

OR Filipinos, there’s nothing more valuable than spending quality time with the whole family which is made all the more special while traveling. But when you’ve got a large family to accommodate, it can be a struggle to plan out activities suited for everyone, toddlers and grandparents included! Fortunately, New Zealand has no shortage of experiences and wonder awaiting every kind of traveler. Whether it’s a stroll through a unique world of bubbling mud and towering geysers, or experiencing unique local culture, there’s something for each and every person in your family. ■ EXPLORE THE GLOWWORM- AND TROLL-FILLED CAVES OF WAITOMO. Traveling by boat into spectacular underwater caves illuminated by glowworms is an experience unique to New Zealand, and visitors of all ages can wonder at the dark canopy covered with living lights. For youngsters seeking thrills, Waitomo also offers the Troll Cave experience, an interactive cave tour encouraging kids to search for something big, ugly and mean—Tom the troll. While the quest can be a bit scary initially, with flooding rooms and collapsing walls, those who dare to try something new will find themselves braver than before after accomplishing their task. Waitomo Adventures is located in 1227 Waitomo Valley Road, Waitomo. For more information on all the tours offered, visit www.waitomo.co.nz. ■ CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH GAMES AND ILLUSIONS AT WANAKA PUZZLING WORLD. The Puzzling World in Wanaka has been challenging people’s wits since 1973. Children love to get lost in the great maze, solve problems in the puzzle center and enjoy optical illusions which appear to defy gravity, physics and

common sense. The smallest members of the family can find themselves appearing “taller” when they go into a room which uses a technique featured in The Lord of The Rings in creating the illusion of tall and tiny people. Even the cafe and toilets are filled with games and discoveries. In the Illusion “Roman Toilets,” visitors are told, “Don’t be shy, take a seat alongside our ‘Romans’ and snap yourself within the scene—pants on please!” Puzzling World’s countless holograms, puzzles and illusions provide an unforgettable experience of both education and entertainment. The Puzzling World in Wanaka is located in 188 Wanaka-Luggate Highway, Wanaka 9382. For more information on opening hours and ticket prices, visit www.puzzlingworld.co.nz. ■ LEARN ABOUT MAORI CULTURE AND MARVEL AT NATURAL WONDERS AT ROTORUA’S TE PUIA. The unique combination of geothermal wonders, Maori art, craft and culture makes Te Puia a very special place to visit. A stroll around Rotorua’s Te Whakarewarewa Valley in Te Puia is almost as fascinating as a trip to the moon. Children can visit the bubbling mud pools or watch the world-famous Pōhutu Geyser catapult water 30 meters into the air. Te Puia is also the home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where children, or Tamariki in Māori, can watch master carvers and weavers at work, and hear the guides share stories passed down from their ancestors. In the evening, visitors are invited to a feast, which begins with a traditional welcoming ceremony by fierce warriors called pōwhiri. This is followed by a rousing concert, where kids can join the performers onstage to learn the haka

Māori dance or poi performance, where a ball of flax is swung rhythmically on a string. For more information on the different experiences available at Te Puia, visit www.tepuia.com. ■ GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES IN WELLYWOOD’S WETA WORKSHOP. Wellington’s Weta Workshop is the stuff of big dreams for young kids as New Zealand’s renowned special effects and props company. Cinephiles can go on a journey from Middle-earth to Thunderbird’s Tracy Island and beyond. Snap a photo with life-sized statues and find souvenirs to take home. But the movie magic doesn’t end there. The Weta Workshop studio tour reveals secrets behind the making of much-loved films, such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia. The tour allows visitors to get up close and personal to the artistry behind 20 years of Weta creativity, while learning about the processes that turn imaginary worlds into reality, making it a cool opportunity for creative kids of any age to see costumes and creatures, and handle props. The Weta Workshop is open daily, except on Christmas Day, from 9 am to 5:30 pm. For more information on tours and prices, visit bit.ly/39lCaaB. ■ WINTER WONDERLAND IN QUEENSTOWN AND WANAKA. Queenstown and Wanaka offer the perfect base for families looking to make long-lasting memories while also enjoying winter wonderland scenery and New Zealand’s famous Kiwi hospitality. Queenstown and Wanaka share four major ski fields—all with naturally formed, diverse terrain to choose from. Closest to downtown Queenstown is Coronet Peak, which offers visitors a unique night skiing experience, called Park after Dark. A 45-minute drive from Queenstown brings visitors

to the Remarkables mountain range. The alpine terrain, north-facing slopes, a dedicated learning area, lessons, kids club and free day lift passes for under 10s make this ski-field a great place for families and novices to get their first taste of a fun-packed snow adventure. Just 35 minutes from Wanaka is Treble Cone, whose legendary long uncrowded slopes, offpiste terrain and views offer a unforgettable snow experience on the biggest ski area in the South Island. Finally, set in between Queenstown and Wanaka, Cardrona Valley has two ski areas that cater to everyone from first-timers and families, to experienced skiers, with its abundant wide open trails that meander across three bowls as well as a worldclass terrain park, and comprehensive children’s facilities including four centers and slopes dedicated to under-fives. For those who don’t feel up for some heart-racing skiing, Queenstown has an array of beautiful scenic walks, local wineries, fine dining establishments and historical attractions including the 103-year-old steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, which takes visitors on regular scenic tours of Lake Wakatipu. Meanwhile in Wanaka, go on The Chondola at Cadrona for a bit of sightseeing while staying warm and dry the whole way up, or get in some snowshoes—a great way to get off the beaten track and explore the snow covered hills of the Pisa Range. TIP: The official Queenstown website hosts up-tothe-minute snow reports, including webcam shots updated every 15 minutes, temperatures, snow levels and road conditions, for The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone. To view the report page, visit www.queenstown.com/snow-reports. ■

Celebrities join DOT’s call for every Filipino to ‘Save Our Spots’ in new video CONTINUING the movement for responsible tourism and sustainability, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched a new video in the “Save Our Spots [SOS]” campaign featuring an ensemble of Filipino celebrities who have personally dedicated themselves to advocating for the protection, and preservation, of the Philippines’s natural wonders and cultural heritage sites. Celebrities Angie Mead King, Erwan Heussaff, Nico Bolzico, Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico, Andi Eigenmann, Dimples Romana, Piolo Pascual,

Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Joyce PringTriviño, Matteo Guidicelli, Antoinette Taus, Marc Nelson, Iza Calzado, Kim Atienza, Ria Atayde and Luis Manzano have all rallied together with the DOT to enlighten both Filipino and foreign tourists on how to practice sustainable and responsible tourism as they travel the country. These small steps toward sustainability include picking up any trash one sees both at home and at tourist spots; respecting locals and their heritage sites; being open, warm, and welcoming to Filipino and foreign tourists; opting for

reusable instead of disposable items; biking and walking more; using less electricity; and more. “Every little act we and our fellow Filipinos do goes a long way in making sure the beauty of the Philippines lasts forever, and we are extremely blessed that our local celebrities are with us in our vision,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat. “There are no better people to help enlighten our countrymen about what they can do than the personalities they look up to.” SOS is part of DOT’s overarching

campaign for sustainability in the country, called “More Fun Forever,” which aims to inspire tourists, businesses and local communities to have a long-term view on tourism by protecting destinations and our natural resources. SOS specifically focuses on educating tourists on how to be better travelers. You can do your part in protecting, maintaining and beautifying the Philippines’s tourist sites so they can last. More information about the SOS campaign is available at www.philippines.travel/ saveourspots.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Entertaining BusinessMirror

This delicious pasta and shrimp dish will take you to Venice SPAGHETTINI with Shrimp, the recipe for which appears in the cookbook Tasting Italy. AP

By America’s Test Kitchen The Associated Press

HOME of the world-famous Cajun flavors, Popeyes has opened its newest store at Robinsons Place Manila. The opening of its 11th store was made more special by PWD and senior citizen employees who served flavorsome food and led fun games for the guests. Diners were treated to Popeyes’s signature Southernstyle fried chicken and iconic menu items like Cajun fries, fish and shrimp burgers, and the well-loved spaghetti that is exclusive to Popeyes Philippines stores. Shown on photo are Popeyes Philippines Multiunit Manager Joseph Paterno (from left), operations manager Chuck Rivera Reduta, COO Rami Chahwan, PWD and senior citizen staff Edward Capuli, Margarita Naluz and Maria Soccoro Naluz, and Kuya J Group Marketing Director Ton Gatmaitan.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kevin Connolly, 46; Matt Lucas, 46; Eva Mendes, 46; Dean Stockwell, 84.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Listen to what others have to say, and offer suggestions that are reasonable. Your input will determine who joins forces with you. If you apply pressure, expect to go it alone. An impulsive move will backfire. HHHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Physical problems will occur if you overdo it. Don’t let anyone coerce you into doing something that isn’t healthy. Indulgent behavior on your part or on the part of someone you hang out with will lead to regret. HH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the plunge and follow your heart, your intuition and your emotions. Express your feelings and discuss plans with someone you want to get into a joint endeavor with. Enjoy the journey. An unusual suggestion will surprise you. HHHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): One step at a time. If you rush into something, you will face unexpected changes that will result in adversity. Be upfront about what you want to see happen, and don’t get involved or take on someone else’s battle. HHH

Once bubbling subsides, return skillet to medium heat and simmer for five minutes. Strain wine mixture through fine-mesh strainer into large bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids. (You should have about 2/3 cup wine mixture.) Wipe skillet clean with paper towels. Heat remaining oil and garlic in now-empty skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 30 seconds. Add reserved wine mixture and 1/2

teaspoon salt and bring to simmer. Add shrimp, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until just opaque, about two minutes. Off heat, stir in parsley, butter and lemon zest. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat. Adjust consistency with reserved cooking water as needed. Season with pepper to taste. Serve with lemon wedges. n

Raising the steaks at BGC

POPEYES OPENS AT ROBINSONS PLACE MANILA

By Eugenia Last

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Choose options that won’t cement you into something you may decide you don’t want to do. Leaving room to make adjustments will ensure you can take advantage of a last-minute change of plans you want to make. HH

SPAGHETTINI WITH SHRIMP Servings: 6-8 Start to finish: 30 minutes

Heat 1/4 cup oil in 12-inch skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp shells and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn spotty brown, two to four minutes. Off heat, carefully add wine.

Today’s Horoscope

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Look at your options and concentrate on what’s most important to you. If you try to take on too much this year, you will end up scrambling. Choose wisely, and call in favors if it will help you reach your target. Keep your emotions under control and your eyes fixed on what you are trying to achieve. Avoid impulsive decisions. Your lucky numbers are 7, 10, 18, 22, 25, 38, 43.

EAFOOD has always been central to Venetian cuisine. The earliest Venetians were skilled fisherman and their diet relied heavily on the bounty found in the city’s lagoon ecosystem. And while the Veneto may not be as famous for pasta dishes as some other regions, spaghettini con le schie is a Venetian celebration of the uniquely delicious small shrimp found in their waters. While shrimp of this size found stateside are often unappealing (lacking in flavor and quality), we loved the sweet, briny flavors and ease of this dish, and decided to develop a simple shrimp pasta that would taste just as good in our kitchens. We began by halving large shrimp, which have reliably good flavor. We then reinforced the shrimp presence by first cooking the shrimp shells in oil and wine. Shrimp shells are rich in glutamates, which add meaty depth, as well as volatile fatty acids, which generate fresh, delicate flavors when cooked. The result was a deeply flavored shrimp sauce. Some garlic, butter, lemon zest and fresh parsley were all we needed to finish this flavorful weeknight dish.

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 pounds large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and halved crosswise, shells reserved 1 cup dry white wine 5 garlic cloves, minced Salt and pepper 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus lemon wedges for serving 1 pound spaghettini or thin spaghetti

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IMAGINE a steak served just the way you like it—the meat tender, moist and flavorful, but with a smoky finish that teases the senses. This is what cooking with the Mibrasa oven can do, a new method and equipment from Spain brought by George Town’s Super Steak so diners can enjoy eating their meat more. This new restaurant, recently opened, is brought to foodies by George Pua, the same man behind KPub BBQ, Ogawa traditional Japanese restaurant, Oppa Chicken, Rico’s Lechon and Thai BBQ. It is poised to make dining out a more immersive and appealing experience with its revival of a tried-and-tested cooking technique, but updated to fit the contemporary diner’s taste and lifestyle. Unlike the use of electricity or gas, the Mibrasa oven uses charcoal to cook food, taming the fire to simultaneously grill and roast meat, seafood and even vegetables to bring out their rich flavors. Yet, unlike the lengthy cooking time that using charcoal typically entails, Mibrasa ovens are quick and efficient, distributing heat evenly and keeping it consistent. Indeed, diners don’t have to wait long to enjoy their steaks. According to Chef Jin, “I glaze our steaks with brown butter, with the aromas of garlic and thyme.” Diners are then given a hot stone along with their medium rare steaks to customize how they prefer their meat to be done. The Mibrasa method is also perfect for seafood because

it keeps all their flavor and freshness intact. “You can taste the flavor of the sea like no other, and experience that great quality of the dish you ordered,” says Chef Jin. “Veggies also get that crunch, color and smoky balance of flavors that satisfy your palate with every bite. Everything we cook in the Mibrasa oven achieves a different level of deliciousness with that smoky element.” George Town Super Steak can be indulged in at One Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll avoid being taken advantage of or pushed into something that is costly or unsafe if you are upfront about what you want, what you are willing to do and what you expect in return. Communication can save the day, so start talking. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You may feel like making a change, but the obstacles you face will make it difficult. Take care of responsibilities before you take on something new. You stand a better chance if you go solo when it comes to personal adjustments. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Communicate, interact with the people you encounter and consider the information you gather. You’ll come to a conclusion regarding your health and personal connection to someone who brings out the worst in you. HHHHH

i j

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think twice before you follow someone down a dark path. False information and ulterior motives are apparent, and someone trying to take advantage of your kindness and generosity will break your trust. HHH CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The past holds memories and experiences that will help you forge into the future with certainty, integrity and the ability to get ahead. Don’t allow anyone to misdirect you or get in your way. Do your own thing. HHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take better care of yourself, your health and your emotional well-being. Stay focused on what you can do to make your life and the lives of those around you better. Offer help, not conflict, and avoid a confrontation. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Slow down. Take better care since minor accidents or sicknesses will set you back. Keep your life simple, and don’t take on more than you can handle. Protect your reputation by offering the truth with facts to back your accusations. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are sensitive, caring and demonstrative. You are helpful and generous.

‘after dark’ BY MARTHA KIMES The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Circular earring 5 Words before “PASS GO” 10 “Waterloo” band 14 ___ Turnblad (lead role in Hairspray) 15 Run for your wife? 16 Cause of goosebumps 17 Campus military org. 18 Part of a long list in many drug commercials 20 Neither profited nor lost 22 Sausage servings 23 Farm measure 24 Limit, informally 25 1980s TV series with a KITT car 30 Storyline shape 33 Small role for a big star 34 Garments that may run 35 Child’s first card game, maybe 36 FedEx alternative 37 Borscht ingredients 39 Showed up 40 Friend 41 Heavenly bear 42 Opinions

43 Devious 44 Cloak-and-dagger figure 47 Cow’s mouthful 48 Foot-long item? 49 Its tech hub is Bangalore 52 Fulfills 57 What’s full of cold cuts? 59 Egg-shaped tomato 60 Dangle 61 Hideaways 62 Furry creature from Endor 63 Cookie with an annual mystery flavor 64 ___ & Young 65 Lighten, as a burden DOWN 1 Parsley, sage, rosemary or thyme 2 Air freshener target 3 Not fooled by 4 Mail boxes? 5 Mojave, for one 6 Literary Twist 7 Lymph ___ 8 More than ajar 9 Casual shirt 10 Stick on

1 “___ there, done that” 1 12 Rear 13 Graphic design and others 19 1970s jeans style 21 Alexa’s smart speaker 24 Room littered with toys, e.g. 25 Keurig machine inserts 26 Stuffy-sounding 27 Hint at 28 Start of a rumor 29 Nickname for Dorothy 30 No longer sleeping 31 Microwavable noodle dish 32 Feature of a blue jay’s head 37 Born’s partner 38 Key pushed in desperation 39 How some hens are raised 41 Ordinary 42 New Mexico art colony 45 Perfume ingredients 46 Craving 47 Phillips 66 competitor 49 Texter’s “If you ask me” 50 Warm, in a guessing game 51 Native of Copenhagen

52 The Lion King villain 53 Related (to) 54 The Hawkeye State 55 Angsty teens, perhaps 56 Sushi go-with 58 ___ Miss

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

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Parentlife BusinessMirror

Thursday, March 5, 2020

SOUVENIR plates from my 35th birthday party with quotes I live by, and a promotional poster of Crash Landing On You.

I-Parent: Achievements, goals and ‘Crash Landing On You’ MOMMY NO LIMITS

MAYE YAO CO SAY

mommynolimits@gmail.com

ARCH is the month of graduation ceremonies and recognition days for most schools. It is also Women’s Month. I thought it best to focus this month on the topic of achievements. This week, let me start with my ongoing series I-Parent. When one hears the word “achievement,” it is closely associated with getting an award or recognition. There are also occasions when we are asked, “What have you achieved so far in your life?” Usually, the thought of achievement brings pressure or fear regarding “nonachievement.” So, how important is it really to have achievements? From what I have observed, and from my own experience, the importance of gaining achievements based on the definition above is very much rooted in each person’s family dynamics. I grew up in a household where achievement, especially in academics, was important. We saw the diplomas from prestigious universities of our relatives. We hear the accolades for our aunt who was a CPA top-notcher. I saw how happy my family was whenever I brought home medals from school. It was also quite normal to hear from my mom in gatherings saying she liked her daughters competing with each other. So, achievement in our household meant getting a lot of awards in school. Real-life and school are quite different. In school, there is a grading system as a point of reference. In

real-life, who sets these parameters? How important is it to have goals? I believe that as kids, goals or paths set by our elders are essential because, in general, parents would always want the best for us. But once we reach adulthood, we must seek and find our own “why.” Why do we exist? What is our reason to wake up each morning? What is the right path for us? In the most ideal circumstance, our parents’ goals might even end up being our own. Still, the process of selfdiscovery must be done. A good friend, Lea Disini told me a few years back how she was amazed that I knew exactly what I wanted back in high school, after I brought her to our warehouse and sold her a puzzle. I revealed to her that I actually felt quite lost most of my teen years.

This might sound funny, but if you ask me what was at the top of my dreams as a child, it was to find love and build the most loving family. But even as a child who was third-born, I took the responsibility of keeping our family together very seriously. Every parental argument jolted me to find ways to keep my parents together. When there were sibling iniquities, I took steps to balance and lobby for fairness with my parents. My family was the motivation of my hard work in school and, eventually, at work. After college, my dream was to become a humanrights lawyer. I actually wanted to live a life in the United States. In the end, familial responsibilities took the front seat. But I do not have any regrets, because I knew I made the right choice at the right time. My

goals have also evolved and merged. I know that behind my wanting to be a humanrights lawyer was the desire to make a difference. After years of searching and help from people, I slowly discovered that I can achieve this through my dad’s business, and my love for education. And amid all these, God gifted me with a husband in the oddest of circumstance. I just finished watching the Korean series Crash Landing On You on Netflix last weekend. This tells the love story of Yoon Se-ri, a highly successful South Korean businesswoman, and Ri Jeong-hyeok, a highly respected North Korean army officer. I feel this series is a good illustration on accomplishment—how varied the ways one can get there, and how the meaning of accomplishment changes in time. Yoon Se-ri’s pursuit of accomplishment is focused on being successful outside of the family business. Her brothers’ sole goal throughout their life has been to be chosen as their father’s successor. Yoon Se-ri chooses to work hard to in the hope of becoming her father’s choice of successor, while the brothers engage in schemes to mask their incompetence. For me, the greatest accomplishment of Yoon Se-ri in this series is not her financial success. It is her being able to overcome, through the help of Ri Jeong-hyeok, not knowing why she was even borne. It is hard for me to imagine the years she spent on resenting her own birth date and, at one point, even wanting to end her life. It took a lot of will, a good heart and the humble acceptance of help from good people that life purposely introduced to her at the most unusual circumstance. Having meaningful goals keeps us in tune with our own rhythm. It fuels our grit. It is able to drown out external expectations. It is able to recognize the state of non-finality because life is a work-inprogress. Eventually, our goals become more about our emotional state. Then it turns to daily “wins” that build us to be better versions of ourselves—and a better version of the life we are gifted to live. n

Tutoring kids who don’t need it is a booming business in affluent areas By Pawan Dhingra Amherst College MANY relatively well-off parents drive their kids to special activities after school. On top of trips to soccer practices and games or piano lessons and recitals, they increasingly make one more stop—a trip to their local after-school tutoring center. In most cases these children don’t attend underfunded schools or need help competing with those in affluent districts. Nor are they high-school students looking to boost their SAT or ACT scores before applying to college. They are typically doing just fine at their schools, or are ahead of their classmates. And yet, they get private long-term tutoring on a regular basis. I’ve been researching this intensive after-school tutoring, which I call “hyper education,” for eight years. It’s becoming a more common extracurricular activity for children of all ages. Even if public schools provided the same quality of education for all, which is demonstrably not the case, I fear that this trend is increasing the advantages that the children of affluent families already have over their peers. TUTORING FRANCHISES TUTORING, of course, has long been commonplace within and outside of American schools to help kids who are struggling to keep up in class. While forprofit tutoring businesses have been in the United States for decades, they have grown over the past two decades in urban and suburban communities alike. Franchised chains of after-school learning centers, such as Kumon, Sylvan, Kaplan and Mathnasium, operate in over 50 countries. Parents pay these multinational corporations around $200 per month for each child to get math, reading and other kinds of lessons once or twice a week with their own curriculum and homework assignments intended

to be more challenging than what is offered by the schools. While researching for my book Hyper Education: Why Good Schools, Good Grades, and Good Behavior are Not Enough, I interviewed more than 100 Asian American and white families with children in elementary or middle school, whose kids go to after-school tutoring centers or participate in academic competitions, or do both. Most live in Boston suburbs, but some reside elsewhere in the US. Nearly all of these children attend high-performing public schools. I also spent time in after-school learning franchises, and interviewed around 30 educators inside and outside the public school system. TRAFFIC PATTERNS NO longer reserved for Manhattan families angling to get their toddlers and preschoolers into elite kindergartens, more and more families from a wide array of backgrounds enroll their kids in tutoring centers. While there is no hard data yet available regarding exactly how many children are getting this type of instruction, I believe it is safe to say the number is growing as parents with disposable income spend increasing amounts of money on their children to give them ever more advantages. These educational franchises advertise as serving students not only struggling in academics but also those who are “already ahead in math.” Business is booming for Kumon, which has seen its revenue grow 60 percent in the past decade. Mathnasium, one of its top competitors, is one of North America’s fastest-growing franchises. A mother of children attending public schools in the Boston suburbs observed that one tutoring center is so popular that the town “had to change traffic patterns” to accommodate during drop-off and pickup times. No child is too young to start, it seems. Junior Kumon targets children starting at age three.

They teach these little kids how to recognize letters, numbers, patterns and shapes. I even saw a child in diapers who was enrolled at a Kumon center. GETTING FURTHER AHEAD PARENTS are keeping their kids enrolled in nonremedial tutoring for years if they feel like it’s getting results. “We just kind of kept her in the program, because it was working,” the mother of a fifth grader told me. “It seemed like the public school math program just wasn’t anywhere near stretching her capability to do math. So, it felt, like let’s keep doing this.” Children enrolled in after-school academics can get confused about which kind of learning matters more. For instance, a fourth-grade student mentioned that her regular teacher counted her private math center assignments as satisfying her school homework. That raises good questions about which curriculum was more relevant and conducive to her learning. Despite this industry’s growth and what parents may believe, the effects of tutoring generally are mixed. Troublingly, educators believe that the growth of private tutoring is contributing to a sense of academic pressure that can contribute to emotional problems, even for kids who aren’t getting this extra instruction. The students who take classes outside of school “make other kids feel bad, because they’re brighter, more capable, and they do more, and they can do it faster,” a Boston-area elementary school principal told me. As a result, I’m seeing a growing education arms race, of families feeling pressured to ensure their kids learn enough to be above their grade level and ranked at or near the top of their classes. This is starting at younger and younger ages. Hyper education is growing. And as it does, it’s seriously changing what it means to go to school and be a child.

THE CONVERSATION

SANICARE BUILDS NEW CLASSROOMS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL IN COTABATO

IN General Santos, Cotabato, the teachers and students of Lagao 2nd Bo. Elementary School received a precious gift that will be treasured by many generations to come. Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc. (SCPA, www.scpa. com.ph), makers of Sanicare, Femme, Cheers, Tisyu and many more, partnered with The Hope Foundation and the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide two new classrooms that were turned over to the school last December. For the longest time, teachers and students there were just making the most out of the makeshift classrooms that were not conducive for learning. “Tuwing umuulan, tumutulo ang [tubig sa] bubong,” Jillian says, a Grade 2 student. “Nahihirapan din kaming makinig sa teacher. Hindi kami makapag-aral ng mabuti dahil mainit,” shares another student, Alimar. The teachers were having a hard time as well because of how close the so-called classrooms were to the highway. “Nahihirapan kaming turuan ang mga estudyante dahil sa ingay mula sa sasakyan na dumadaan, at hindi kami nagkakarinigan,” recalls Amor Pajada, a Grade 1 adviser. With these two new classrooms, an air of optimism has filled the campus of Lagao 2nd Bo. Elementary School. “Tuwang-tuwa po kami dahil magkakaroon na kami ng bagong classroom. Hindi lang po ito para sa amin, para sa mga estudyante din namin ito,” says Janet Nunez, a Grade 2 teacher. The young learners can now listen easily to their instructors and participate in class activities because of the comfort that the new space gives. “SCPA has always been committed to improving the quality of life of every Filipino whether in the hygiene products we offer them or in the programs we support,” says Lea Sio Pacis, SCPA marketing director.

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Dance me to the end of love: Cinema Rehiyon closes in Naga REELING

TITO GENOVA VALIENTE

titovaliente@yahoo.com

T started with a dance on February 24 and closed with a dance. Along the way, many things happened, many other things began and a few little things ended. The city saw the lovely dancers from Camarines Sur High School but the dance really started right when the delegates—mainly filmmakers and film scholars—stepped out of the Villa Caceres Hotel and made the short walk to the Naga City People’s Hall. At the tail end of the parade was RoxLee—Roque Lee, or “Aba” to those who knew him from way back—returning to the city of his birth, bringing with him not one but three films. They were what you might call “experimental films” but, for many of these young filmmakers, they were films, great films from a pioneering artist. Well, aren’t all good artists pioneering? RoxLee had strips of films he was brandishing as if chasing bad spirits (people with bad tastes?) away. Reaching the entrance of the Naga City Hall, he joined the young dancers going through their graceful

BLIND SPOT BRUCE C.

JUST FRIENDS

SHE is a beautiful and sexy lady who took social media by storm. There are reports that she is an heiress and she does look like one. But there are also rumors that she is involved with a rich and married politician, and there are even pictures of them allegedly in the same place to prove it. The guy is married to a showbiz figure. According to netizens, the relationship has been going on for quite a while based on social-media interactions. On the other hand, there are those who defend the two. They say that if the lady and the politician are indeed involved with each other, the latter has long been separated from his wife and he is free to date anyone. The sexy lady is single. There are also stories that they are longtime friends. We really

motions to welcome us all. Soon, the French critic and curator Max Tessier was there with him throwing caution to the wild wind as young boys and girls tried very hard to bring them into their dance. We all entered by regions and by functions and obsessions—committee members, programmers, cultural workers. Vice Mayor Nene de Asis made an impassioned welcome speech as she lauded the efforts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), with generous assistance from the Film Development Council of the Philippines, to bring regional cinemas to the city of Naga in particular and to Bicol in general. Then the two films of RoxLee were screened to open the 12th edition of Cinema Rehiyon. Teddy Co, outgoing chairman of the Executive Cinema Committee of NCCA delivered his piece, which he ended by stripping the t-shirt for 2019 and to reveal the one for 2020. There were more dances and more drinks. The event had an auspicious beginning. The newly restored Ibong Adarna, credited both to Vicente Salumbides and National Artist for Cinema Manuel Conde, honored the beginning of the second day for the regional gathering of filmmakers. Released in 1941, the film entertained the crowd and proved that classic cinemas are timeless. The afternoon of the next day, a side-event called the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival Film Criticism Workshop commenced. A parallel screening of shorts from various places in the regions started screening. The delegates would motor on the evening of the don’t know the full story, so let’s wait for it to unfold. Only time will show us the truth.

BREATHING PROBLEMS

THE two senior actresses have a project together. They aren’t strangers to each other as they have worked together many times in the past, starting when they were very young. Actress A, the older one, has reportedly been complaining that Actress B’s breath has been bothering her. Actress A is known for being hygienic, orderly and feisty. This is not the first time that she has complained about something in the said project. She has had something to say about everything and everyone, and that is sad. The project heads are now thinking of ways to fire her because her ways have been agitating her coworkers. While it is true that Actress B has bad breath, it is not something to be bitchy about as she and Actress A don’t have a kissing scene. Sure, they have scenes together but Actress B is not the only person in show business to have bad breath.

THE LOVE THAT NEVER WAS

THE absence of a female celebrity at the wedding of someone who was said to be one of her closest friends is quite telling. Based on this, the rumors that the celebrity and the groom were once an item seem to

second day to the Provincial Capitol of the Province of Camarines Sur for the welcome party given by the governor. A musical presentation honored the delegates. Jay Altarejos would signal the start of the third day with his Pink Halo-Halo. Shot in Ticao Island and with dialogue in the language of that island, which is a mix of Waray, Bicol and Hiligaynon, the film is a coming-of-age tale. At the end of the screening, the film director had an intimate talk with the mostly senior high-school students. The discussion became intense when the film director spoke about how militarization never solved the problems then and how it will never solve any problems presently. The entire team of John Denver Trending, including its young lead actor, Jansen Magpusao, came to grace the screening of the said film. Even as this was showing, short and full-length films were being screened simultaneously in three separate venues in Ateneo de Naga Campus. Arnel Barbarona’s Kaaway sa Sulod and Jet Leyco’s For My Alien Friend—poles apart in approaches— disturbed the audience as did the short films selected for this film conference. Each night, the delegates and participants spent their hours along Magsaysay, a street of café, bistro, beer and assignations. The sili reared its splendid head by appearing in the brews of Ibalon Craft Beer. After the mall screenings, filmmakers would proceed to a place called Colonial Grill to taste their sili ice cream in different levels of hotness. There was, however, a different heat emanating from Savage Mind, a bookstore-cum-cultural hub,

and Peninsula. Managed by Kristian Cordero, a multi-awarded writer and a SEAWrite awardee, and Randy Dagooc, filmmaker and editor, respectively, the two places were sites of reruns of short films and documentaries. And free sili beer. Lester Valle and Carla Ocampo, activistfilmmakers, had conversations at Savage Mind regarding their documentary There is No Rape in Bontoc and short film Tokwifi. The filmmakers woke up early on February 28 to make a trek up to the base of Mount Isarog, a volcano that looms over the city. They planted trees and visited the hot spring in the area. There, RoxLee and Ligaya Rabago did performance art. Then, there RoxLee stripped down to expose his body and soul. Dance, politics and cinema would burnish the splendor of the closing day. Atsay, starring Nora Aunor and directed by Eddie Garcia, two Bicolano cinema giants, was the closing film. After the certificates were given and the Journal of Bikol Studies, which focuses on Nora Aunor, was launched during the closing ceremonies in the Ateneo de Naga, Dr. Noel Volante, the Festival Director, shouted to welcome two “newlywed couples.” As customary in the land, the bride and groom danced the Pantomina, a wedding dance where a couple mimics the mating gestures of two birds. As the dance progressed, Bicolano participants initiated the act of pinning money on the couple. The start-up fund gathered was then given to Mindanao filmmakers, the next site of the 13th Cinema Rehiyon, a symbolic turnover of an event that many wish would last for more years. ■ be true. The groom reportedly deemed it wise not to invite the celebrity out of respect for his bride and his former friend. The truth about the relationship is that the celebrity and the now-married guy once had a mutual understanding but work and other factors kept them apart and they just stopped being close. After that, they fell in love with different people. According to friends of the guy, he realized that he and the celebrity were very different from each other and that it’s one of the reasons why they parted ways.

ACTOR NEVER LEARNS

THE actor never made it big because, according to rumors, he was very loose when giving out favors to gay men who wanted his company. That was OK when he was a starlet but he continued with his ways even when his career was already picking up. He cavorted with everyone who was interested, including members of the movie press and even people who worked for the network he is under contract with. Of course, these people would brag and tell others about their conquests and how much (in this case, how little) they paid him. This is how people formed the impression that the actor was “cheap” and would do it with just anyone. It’s too bad the actor is being slutshamed for this as he has many other things going for him, such as being talented, kind and good-looking.

Envoys&Expats

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Thursday, March 5, 2020 E1

Dutch envoy: Catalyst of resiliency, sustainability

By Recto L. Mercene

@rectomercene

HE Kingdom of the Netherlands is a small country in Europe, but packs the economic, technological and cultural wallop representative of the entire continent.

It leads the world in agriculture, technology, human resources, and most everything that others could only envy—or perhaps aspire for. On the cultural front, the Netherlands has produced eminent painters such as the likes of Van Gogh, Vermeer, Bruegel and Van Buren, among others. Yet, Ambassador Saskia de Lang says her nation of 17 million people (slightly larger than Quezon City’s 13 million), spreads the gospel of progressive developments far and wide. She said they have the largest port and gateway in Europe—Rotterdam—where a distribution system allows the Dutch to deliver goods to the rest of Europe. (Editor’s note: For March, ENVOYS&EXPATS will present three female ambassadors in celebration of Women’s Month, with de Lang opening the trifecta of features.) The envoy elaborated that their iconic windmills are not simply a picture-perfect representation of her country, but to manage a perennial occurrence: “We live in the delta at the end of the [River] Rhine, with parts of the country lying below sea level. So we have to pump water out all the time, as we have done so from centuries ago.”

She noted that the first institutions in her country were those geared toward that purpose, “because the [surrounding] water imposed on us to work together, and not fight nature. And it’s not enough for just one person, or just one piece of land to [prevent flooding]. We have to do it on a scale of an entire region.” According to the envoy, maintaining the water situation in her country, with some parts occasionally submerged in water, has absolutely defined our character: that of being resilient. But at the same time, managing water also meant delimiting some parts of our country. We don’t just build everywhere, (as our country adheres to zoning.) The ambassador explained that some parts were designed for nature and would remain that way, while others are developed for economic uses.

Working with PHL

THIS mindset, however, is not exclusively for the Netherlands’s own benefit, as their embassy in Manila actively promotes a sustainability mindset. In the Philippines, d e Lang elaborated that her government imparts knowledge

and technologies “for sustainable development: living with nature, building with nature, protecting your country with [the help of] nature—not going against [it, but working with it.]” By adopting centuries of learning, she approvingly agrees that “[using] that kind of solution, is less costly in the end, easier to maintain, [and uses less] materials or construction stuff.” This same mindset enables the Netherlands, together with its surrounding “low countries,” to develop coastal areas for protection. The Dutch emissary expounded: “We try to use the current of the sea to move sand along the coast in specific ways. We try to direct it, and to build a natural protection for the coast. This is the kind of knowledge we like to share.” Locally, de Lang volunteered that her country has developed the Butuan coastal-protection program that is now being finalized. “In the Philippines, many islands are situated at a very low level, vulnerable to natural phenomena such as typhoons and tsunamis. We think that our knowledge is useful in protecting your country.” The Dutch envoy added that while serving her tour of duty, she would visit places that the Netherlands is actively engaged in, discussing pertinent matters with the Philippine Reclamation Authority. “We’re also working with the National Economic and Development Authority, who consulted the PRA on the Manila Bay reclamation master plan.” “Such will address [management issues on waste, water and sewage.] It will also tackle subjects, like the

informal settlements in the area. It will focus on the management of marine environment in the bay, and the future of the fishing sector.” “It’s a vast array of subjects that will be addressed,” de Lang commented on the prospects of such huge developments for Metro Manila, now a bustling metropolis of some 15 million to 20 million inhabitants. The ambassador could not resist pointing out that this massive undertaking might take decades to see completion. “It is an [extremely] important joint effort, where we will bring-in our experts on this kind of situation.”

Sowing superb seeds

AFTER the United States, the European country is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural goods, which account for nearly one-fifth of Dutch commodity items sold overseas. The ambassador, likewise, mentioned that the family of Simon Groot, founder of East-West Seed, helped her country develop its strong agricultural origins, which he now shares with the world, including the Philippines. A vegetable breeder, Groot is a recipient of the 2019 World Food Prize Laureate—the Nobel Prize in agriculture: “[Groot is] a sixth-generation seed producer. His professional practice has been a long tradition in the Netherlands. He first came to the Philippines in 1982 and developed seeds which can adapt to the local climate and in a way, resilient [to] moisture, bugs and plant diseases.” She goes on to say that Groot started his company in the Philip-

pines (in cooperation with the Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam and Filipino seed trader Benito Domingo, according to the company web site). His influence soon spread to Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) India, Tanzania, Guatemala, “providing high-quality seeds, so farmers could increase their productivity and income.” The Philippines and the rest of Asia owe their hybrid vegetable varieties to Groot. He developed Jade Star, a hybrid ampalaya (bitter gourd); pumpkins; tomatoes; and several other leafy vegetables like kangkong (swamp cabbage). Yet, for all their widespread presence in the Netherlands, their many names have probably contributed to the ordinary Filipinos mistaking their products as coming from other places on the planet.

Holland and the Netherlands

THE Pinoys are not alone in this confusion. A ditty explains it all: “Welcome to the great nation of Holland: Where the tulips grow, the windmills turn, the breakfast is chocolatey, the people industrious, and the sea tries to drown it all.” As explained, “There is no country called Holland, with reference to ‘North and South Holland.’ The official name of the country is the ‘Kingdom of the Netherlands.’ People who live in the Hollands are called ‘Hollanders,’ but all citizens of the Netherlands are also called ‘Dutch’— as is their language. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is located in the province of North Holland; while The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and parliament,

is in South Holland.” De Lang cleared the misconception: “The Netherlands is the country. Amsterdam is the official capital; The Hague, administrative capital; and Rotterdam, the economic heart of the country.” Amsterdam is also home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during World War II. Painters Rembrandt and Vermeer in the 17th century dominated the “Golden Age” of art. Meanwhile, “Rotterdam is really the heart of our economy,” she proudly declared. The Netherlands’s second-largest city after Amsterdam is also known as the home of Erasmus University, its riverside setting, lively cultural life, maritime heritage and modern architecture.

Seafaring with Filipinos

DESPITE their geographical distance, the Dutch diplomat said the Philippines and the Netherlands’s bilateral links “are very multifaceted, covering the areas of government-togovernment, business-to-business and people-to-people relations.” “Our two countries have very strong ties. We work very strongly together, and interdependent, because Filipino seafarers sail in our ships [as crew members],” she shared with ENVOYS&EXPATS. The Netherlands’s current demand for seafarers is huge that it continues a naval tradition that dates back to the 17th century, when it competed head-on with Spain and Portugal—the largest maritime powers of the world. Continued on E3

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PHL, Netherlands hold inaugural consultations

OREIGN Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director for General Political Affairs Matthijs van der Plas convened the inaugural Philippines-Netherlands Bilateral Consultations on January 30 in The Hague. Attendees included Ambassador to the Philippines Saskia de Lang, Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary of European Affairs Ma. Amelita C. Aquino, and Deputy Director for Asia and Oceania Arjen van den Berg. The representatives of the two countries had fruitful conversations and shared insights on regional developments, as well as bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, security and maritime affairs.

During his visit, Manalo also met the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok. In addition, a dinner was also tendered with the Dutch business community comprising privatesector representatives from a variety of sectors, such as water management, banking and infrastructure. Nearing 70 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the Netherlands, the importance of continuously nurturing linkages and exploring mutual interests was emphasized.

THE Netherlands Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Matthijs van der Plas (left) and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo. DFA

Embassy in The Hague, Knights of Rizal translate ‘El Fili’ T

HE HAGUE—The Philippine Embassy in The Hague, together with the Knights of Rizal (KoR)-The Hague Chapter, jointly introduced the first-ever Dutch language version of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel El Filibusterismo on February 6 at the Museum Sophienhof. Rizal’s novel was translated to De Revolutie: Een Filipijnse Roman by Dutch writer, translator and publisher Gerard Arp of Arpenco Publishers. The translation is a follow-up to the earlier launch of the Dutch version of Noli Me Tangere (Raak me niet aan!) in June 2019, also translated by Arp. Philippine Ambassador to The Hague Jaime Victor B. Ledda provided a brief background on Rizal and relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands. He highlighted some letters of Rizal to Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt where the hero indicated, among others, his keen interest to study Dutch, his desire to meet renowned Dutch scholar of Asian languages in Leiden University, Dr. Hendrik Kern, and his regard for the writings of the Dutch about the Philippines. The featured lecturers were avid researcher on Rizal and a KoR member in Belgium, Lucien Spittael; and Multatuli Society’s Jan Mulder. Spittael discussed the life and works of Rizal when he lived in Europe in the 1880s. For his part, Mulder, in his presentation, titled “The ‘Fili’ in its time,” made an overview of the sociopolitical developments in Europe and its colonies in the late 19th century, then shared observations about the similarities in the novels of Rizal and of Dutch historian Eduard Douwes Dekker (under the pen name, Multatuli). Originally written in Spanish in 1891, the first Dutch translation of the book was published by Arp in December 2019. He expressed appreciation for all the support he had received for his work on the translation of the novels of Rizal, then presented a copy to Ledda. Aside from the Filipino community, members of the diplomatic corps and academe, KoR members based in Brussels, Belgium, were also on hand to congratulate its “brother” chapter in The Hague for the successful conduct of the launch. DFA

DUTCH writer, translator and publisher Gerard Arp (left) and Philippine Ambassador to The Hague Jaime Victor B. Ledda JOFELLE TESORIO/DFA

THE first-ever Dutch language version of El Filibusterismo (De Revolutie: Een Filipijnse Roman) THE HAGUE PE/DFA

ARP (third from left) and Ledda (third from right) with the Knights of Rizal in Europe.

JOFELLE TESORIO/DFA

Foreign affairs usec meets Dutch bizmen

PHILIPPINE officials led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (front row, sixth from left) and Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda (front row, second from left), with representatives of Dutch companies and organizations during the business networking dinner. THE HAGUE PE/DFA

HE HAGUE—Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor B. Ledda, Philippine Trade and Investment CenterBrussels Commercial Counsellor Benedict Uy, and Philippine Agriculture Office to the European Union in Brussels Agriculture CounsellorDesignate Jerome Bunyi cohosted a business dinner on the occasion of the visit of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo to the Netherlands on January 30 at the Saloon Queen Emma of Hotel Des Indes. Guests comprised of representatives from various economic sectors, including banking, water ma nagement, inf rastr ucture, shipbuilding, agriculture, maritime services, importation and distribution, retail trade

and information technology. Manalo updated the Dutch business representatives on economic developments in the Philippines, and encouraged them to participate in one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. The undersecretary informed them about the encouraging discussions at the inaugural Philippines-Netherlands bilateral consultations. In 2018, the Netherlands was ranked as the Philippines’s 13thlargest trading partner out of 222 countries; 10th-biggest export market out of 213; and 24th-largest import supplier out of 198. Dutch companies have strongly contributed to the commercial ties that nurture linkages between the Philippines and the Netherlands. DFA

&Expats

envoys.expats.bm@gmail.com |Thursday, March 5, 2020 E3

WOMEN POWER

PHL leads UN talks on reshaping economic devt via empowerment of women in science

EW YORK—Socioeconomic Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro delivered her keynote speech at the Fifth International Day of Women and Girls in Science at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on February 11 and 12. The assembly brought together high-level representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector to discuss the interlinkages between gender inequality, specifically in science, digital and technological revolution, as well as agricultural sustainable development. “We remain steadfast in further promoting the participation of women in our economy,” Na-

varro said in her keynote statement at the high-level session, “Reshaping economic development through empowerment of women in science.” “The 2020 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report notably highlights that in the East Asia and Pacific Region, the Philippines ranked second in closing the gender gap, [narrowing it by 78.1 percent],” the undersecretary noted in her statement, addressing representa-

SOCIOECONOMIC Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro delivers her keynote speech at the Fifth International Day of Women and Girls in Science. NEW YORK PM

tives of member-states, UN agencies, civil society organizations and

the private sector. She also highlighted Philippine

Vow to deploy more women peacekeepers renewed

EW YORK—Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for United Nations and Other International Organizations (UNIO) Noralyn Jubaira-Baja reaffirmed to the United Nations on February 18 the Philippines’s commitment to deploy more women peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping missions at all levels and in leadership positions. Speaking at the opening of the 2020 Special Committee on UN Peacekeeping Operations (C34) Substantive Session, Baja said the commitment was in line with the UN, as well as the Philippines’s women, peace and security agenda. “We remain committed to increase the participation of women in uniformed roles, and support the call to integrate gender perspectives

in all aspects of peacekeeping. The deployment of more women peacekeepers is a key component in generating specialized, high-performing capabilities for UN peacekeeping,” the assistant secretary said. Baja also outlined three other priority themes of the Philippines under the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations, a new framework for this year’s substantive negotiations chaired by Canada. She expressed the country’s support to the need for tailored, context-specific peacekeeping approaches to protect civilians, particularly women and children; provide adequate predeployment preparations and in-mission training of personnel; as well as for the zero-

UNITED Nations and Other International Organizations Assistant Secretary Noralyn Jubaira-Baja delivers the Philippine statement at the General Debate of the 2020 C34 Substantive Session. NEW YORK PM

tolerance policy and victim-centered approach on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. “The Philippines also supports calls for a strengthened role for the

Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations under the purview of the UN Security Council,” the assistant secretary pointed out. A subsidiary body of the General Assembly, the C34 is comprised of 154 memberstates, including all troop- and police-contributing countries (T/PCCs). Scheduled until March 13, the session will cover four more thematic elements, namely politics, partnerships, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, as well as safety and security. Since 1963, the Philippines has actively engaged in 21 UN peace operations, which included peacekeeping and special political missions in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. The Philippines ranks 87 out of 118 T/PCCs as of December 31, 2019. DFA

Dutch envoy: Catalyst of resiliency, sustainability Continued from E1

De Lang volunteered that the high demand for Filipino seafarers served as impetus to establish a state college-maritime school, the Palompon Institute of Technology. Being supported by the Dutch Shippers Association, it is mandated to provide higher vocational, professional and technical instruction, as well as training in trade and industrial education, including other vocational courses in maritime and professional degrees, including engineering. She confirmed, “The Philippines is one of the very few countries in the world we have annual maritime consultations. We have a lot in common in that specific sector.”

Corporation mindset

WHILE it is often said that there’s a Filipino seaman in every commercial ship that sails the seven seas, it is also a fact the Netherlands is the Philippines’s largest investor from Europe. The Netherlands’s top envoy to the Philippines beamed with pride that products originating from her country have found a captured, loyal market in the archipelago: “[They may not realize it, but brands, such as] Alaska, Royal Dutch Shell, Uni-

AMBASSADOR of the Netherlands Saskia de Lang: Our two countries have very strong ties. We work very strongly together.

lever, Philips and many others have their headquarters in the Netherlands. European Union companies have also decided to establish their main office in our country for taxation purposes.” Queried as to what she attributes the superb achievements and competitive advantages of the Netherlands to, she opined: “There’s something integrated in our way of thinking and doing. When [our] companies go abroad, they compete with each other. But sometimes, they also need to work together to present themselves abroad [by creating a coalition.].

That way, they’ll be stronger.” She cited as an example their offshore sector, “where you have different parts of technologies that were developed in Rotterdam. Sometimes, companies compete, but [the rest of the time], they work together on bigger projects. Not one company can finalize on its own, so this ‘mindset of corporation’ creates the strength of our competitiveness.”

Trade and tourism

AMONG the Netherlands’s top exports are machinery, mineral fuels and oil, machinery, various equip-

ment, optical items, technical and medical apparatus, vehicles, plastic articles, organic chemicals, iron and steel, among others. We arrived at a point in our conversation to be updated on the Netherlands being big on ideas and achievements: “We’re among the highest in the world [and] in Europe, a very comfortable place to be,” De Lang illustrated. “But that also means if you are in the Netherlands, it is relatively more expensive living there.” Visitors to Amsterdam swear that wine is cheaper than water there, which goes for about P300 per liter (the equivalent size in Manila costs just about P25). A glass of wine, however, could be had for as little as €3 (about P180). The Netherlands was visited by 19 million tourists last year, and while the European country is a popular destination for millions of tourists, the ambassador opines that it has become necessary to bring them out of the most popular cities and see other important destinations. For Filipinos planning to fly in, her advice is that “they should also consider visiting other sites outside of Amsterdam, where the canals and museums are, like Leiden.”

laws, policies and initiatives in promoting economic empower-

ment of women through science, technology, and innovation, including the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 which “lays down many strategies related to science, technology and innovation which are imperative due to the rapid advances in technology brought [about] by Industry 4.0.” Navarro also emphasized the Philippines’s efforts in advocating for policy reforms, including expanded maternity and paternity leaves, as well as stronger enforcement of the telecommuting law to encourage women to remain in the labor force even during their peak child-bearing age and counter stereotyped gender roles—factors that affect female labor-force participation. Complementing these policy reforms is the passage of the Innovative Startup Act and the Philippine Innovation Act that addresses the issue of funding. DFA

Women empower Kuwait overseas voter registration

FILIPINAS register as voters for the 2022 national elections at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait. KUWAIT PE

UWAIT—The first month of overseas voter registration conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait from December 16, 2019, to January 16, 2020, saw an overwhelming number of female registrants, with 1,115 out of the 1,355 new overseas voters exercising the right of suffrage. According to Vice Consul and Resident Election Registration Board Chairman Charleson C. Hermosura, women empowerment was evident at the early stage of the overseas voter registration, as they went to “great lengths to empower themselves politically, in the same way that women provide economic empowerment through their remittances to their families in the Philippines.” “Many overseas Filipino workers, especially women, are clearly taking advantage of their chance to register in order to choose who will manage their invaluable economic contributions back home,” the vice consul said. “It also allows

them to choose who they think will best build and lead our country in 2022 and in the years to come.” In a statement, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. and Consul General Mohd. Noordin Pendosina N. Lomondot commended the embassy’s first pool of registrants and encouraged more Filipinos in Kuwait to participate in the important political exercise that fulfills ones civic duty to the Philippines. Apart from the 1,300-plus new overseas voters, 307 more Filipinos in Kuwait also availed themselves of other overseas-voting services, such as recapturing of biometrics, transfer of voter registration records, application for reinstatement in the national registry of overseas voters, application for correction of wrong entries, misspelled names, change of name in the National Registry of Overseas Voters, withdrawal of overseas voter application for registration/certification, application for reactivation of voter registration records and application for change of address in Kuwait. DFA

Filipina actress in new West End musical lead role

ONDON—Filipino-British actress and singer Christine Allado has captured the leading role in The Prince of Egypt, a new musical scheduled to hit West End’s Dominion Theatre. Allado was set to play the role of Tzipporah, the wife of Moses, while her costar Luke Brady will essay the starring role in the production directed by Scott Schwartz. “[Her] performance in the musical [is] another testament that Filipino talent is indeed world class,” Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio M. Lagdameo said. Allado gained fame for her role as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the highly acclaimed West End musical Hamilton: An American Musical. Her performance has earned rave reviews from various reputable US- and UK-based publications. She has also starred as Vanessa in the Olivier

CHRISTINE Allado performs during the press launch of The Prince of Egypt. ENCORE RADIO/DFA

award-winning production by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In the Heights, and as Maria in BBC’s 60th anniversary production of the West Side Story.

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BILATERAL COOPERATION

Envoy: PHL, US preparing VFA alternative

MBASSADOR of the Philippines to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila and Washington, D.C., are now in talks to come up with an agreement in lieu of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “We are now in the process of trying to find ways—that means, to be able to see how we can either come up with something similar,” Romualdez said during a forum in Makati City, “perhaps again, still following the President’s thinking about the

sovereignty issue…” He said they are looking at the country’s agreement with Japan and Australia as a template for the new deal replacing the VFA. “We probably will have something, maybe within the next two or

AMBASSADOR Jose Manuel Romualdez updates on the bilateral relations between Manila and Washington, D.C. KRIS CRISMUNDO/PNA

three months; maybe, as we continue our conversations with our friends in Washington, D.C., and also how Ambassador [Sung] Kim will let us know what the feeling is at this time,”

the Philippine ambassador added. The envoy said the government has to look into continuing the presence of the US Special Forces in Mindanao because of the security

situation in the southern part of the country. Once both sides have crafted the new deal, it will be presented to the President, Romualdez said. “It’s unfortunate that the President has decided not to attend the [US-Asean] summit in Las Vegas, [where he would have been] able to have a face-to-face meeting with President Trump. And that would have been an opportunity for him to be able to really discuss this,” he said. He added that Duterte is prepared to speak to anyone from the US government who will come to the country. “But bear in mind that the VFA is not really the end-all and beyond. I think there are many other relationships that we can [workout] outside

of this VFA,” Romualdez said. He noted that the relationship between the Philippines and the US will continue despite many challenges in the past. “Any country around the world will agree that the US is a major [power] that no one can ignore, including China. So, with that in mind, we continue to forge ahead with the kind of relationship that we’re trying to develop, considering all of these things that are happening,” Romualdez said. Early last month, Duterte ordered the termination of the military pact. It is deemed revoked in six months after the US government has received the notice from the Philippine government on February 11. Kris Crismundo/PNA

PHL, Russia bat for ‘equal, robust’ partnership R

ATHER than a military alliance, the Russian government is pushing for a robust partnership with the Philippines, Ambassador Igor Khovaev said. “I would like to point out that the goal of our common work here is not trying to contain someone, or to create some sort of alliance. In Russia, we have no appreciation of military alliances because in the best case, they provide security for a selected few member-states at the expense of others,” he said during a speech on the occasion of the Russian Armed Forces Day in Makati City. Khovaev said Russia prefers establishing “equal partnerships” in the region, where a “fair system” is in place to guarantee the same level of security for all the players in the international arena. “Any country can agree or disagree with us. We don’t criticize others for their de-

cision to build a military alliance. That’s [part of] their sovereign rights. But as for us Russians, we always offer a robust, equal partnership—not a military alliance,” he explained.

fora in Russia, Khovaev claimed. “We have already initiated a number of joint military-technical projects, but to tell you the truth, the full potential of our cooperation has yet to be explored. It is indispensable, because we have common threats and challenges, including terrorism, international drug trafficking and piracy at sea,” the Russian envoy closed.

‘Effective defense partnership’

AT present, Khovaev said Manila and Moscow have already developed ties that could serve as a foundation for an effective defense partnership in the future. “Now, our two nations have very favorable preconditions to build a robust strong partnership for many years ahead, for the future generation. It’s a unique chance in the history of our bilateral relationship, and this chance must not be missed,” Khovaev said. “Once again, we are talking about the partnership between two equal sovereign independent states. The keyword is ‘equal.’”

‘Russians are coming’ AMBASSADOR Igor Khovaev

In the past, the Philippines and the Federation of Russia have conducted joint military drills, and have also witnessed a number of port calls both countries’ navy ships. High-level delegations from the Department of National Defense have also attended significant military events and

MEANWHILE, Khovaev has confirmed that Russia will be deploying one of its submarines for the International Fleet Review (IFR) in the Philippines this May. “Yes, for the first time—but as partners and friends. I would be happy to invite you to visit the Russian submarine just to communicate with the Russian seamen, and you will see that all of them are normal, friendly people. So [the] Russians are

coming, but as friends and partners,” the Russian diplomat said, and added that the vessel would be part of a detachment of his country’s naval ships. The IFR, to be held in Manila Bay waters near Corregidor and Bataan, is an international maritime exercise that aims to strengthen mutual trust and confidence, as well as cooperation among navies from around the world. The event is one of the highlights of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), which the Philippines is hosting for the first time from May 19 to 21. Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Philippine Navy Flag officer in command, earlier said the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) will lead the Philippine Navy contingent to the IFR. He estimated that at least 24 navies and their representatives will attend the WPNS and the IFR. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

PHL, China link-up vs illegal gambling, telco fraud, etc T HE Chinese Embassy said Manila and Beijing are working closely to combat illegal online gambling and telecommunication fraud in the Philippines. “The Chinese government always requires Chinese citizens overseas to abide by local laws and regulations, and not to work illegally in foreign countries,” the embassy pointed out in a statement. It said it has repeatedly issued consular reminders and has been keeping close communications with the Philippine government regarding the matter. “The Chinese side would like to continue to work closely with the Philippines

to combat crimes such as telecommunications fraud, illegal online gambling, money laundering, illegal employment, kidnapping, extortion, torture, murder, etc., so as to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of nationals of the two countries, and to promote the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation,” it added. Reports earlier said China had threatened to cancel the passports of Chinese nationals involved with Philippine offshore gaming operators, or Pogo, if they did not return home. The embassy did not specifically say it canceled the documents, but confirmed that some of its citizens have already been

barred from exiting China over telecommunication fraud. “In order to crack down on cross-border telecommunication fraud crimes, the Ministry of Public Security of China has obtained a list of Chinese nationals suspected of committing long-term crimes [of the said nature] abroad, who are classified as the persons prohibited from exiting [our country] according to the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China,” it said. The embassy added such operations are aimed at Chinese nationals who have committed telecommunications fraud crimes in different countries. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

PHL-Japan partnership ‘stands test of time’

NDER the Reiwa era, the Philippines-Japan engagement is seen to increase its intensity. Manifested in the milestones it achieved in the past few years, Ambassador Koji Haneda said the two countries’ partnership has proven it is one that “stands the test of time.” “The 30 years of the Heisei era brought about the ‘Golden Strategic Partnership’ between Japan and the Philippines. In the new era of Reiwa, we will engage in our best efforts to further promote stronger ties with the people of the Philippines,” Haneda said in the latest issue of Japan Bulletin, a publication produced by the Japanese Embassy in Manila. The commitment was echoed during the celebration of Emperor Naruhito’s birthday in a reception in Makati. “Japan’s keen support to the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program remains on top of our priority [list],” he said. “We cannot wait for our joint efforts to come to fruition, in projects like the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway, and Metro Rail Transit-3 rehab, which will help mitigate congestion.”

Infra and peace

THE Metro Manila Subway, to be equipped with Japa-

nese technologies—including flood damage control measures and seismic design, will stretch about 30 kilometers, connecting major business districts from Quezon City to Taguig City. The subway’s partial operation is targeted by mid-2022, and full operation in 2025. Similarly, Tokyo’s commitment to the Mindanao Peace Process stays. “The more progress we see in the peace process, the more we will strengthen our assistance in all of Mindanao,” the envoy pointed out. Japan has contributed a total of $463 million to peace and development in the island-region, according to the embassy. During the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January 2019, Tokyo sent its monitoring mission led by Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Norikazu Suzuki. In February 2019, former Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono also reaffirmed Japan’s support to the capacity building of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, as well as the normalization and the socioeconomic development in the region. On security cooperation, Haneda shared that patrol vessels, high-speed boats and naval aircraft

from Japan have already brought “tangible results” in maintaining peace and order on Philippine waters. Last year, the Japanese and the Philippine coast guards jointly held multiple exercises in the cities of Zamboanga and Davao, where 44-meter class patrol vessels, procured through Japanese official development assistance loan, participated.

Friendship in harmony

“OURS is a partnership that stands the test of time,” Haneda maintained. “It remains steadfast through the changing of seasons; it rises above time. Our friendship is the kind that translates into actual commitments in a variety of forms.” The ascension of Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum Throne in May 2019 marked the start of the Reiwa era, which means “beautiful harmony.” The period succeeded the Heisei era under former Emperor Akihito. “The friendship between Japan and the Philippines has continued to prosper throughout the years,” the ambassador averred. “I am convinced that an everlasting and beautiful harmony will continue to flourish in both our countries as we work together with one accord.” Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA