Businessmirror october 25, 2015 by BusinessMirror

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n Sunday, October 25, 2015 Vol. 11 No. 17

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PHL will sustain growth–BSP

week ahead

ECONOMIC DATA PREVIEW

By Bianca Cuaresma

HE Bangko Sentral expressed optimism that the country will be able to sustain its above-the-longterm average growth in the third quarter of this year, as early indicators show robust economic activity in the months of July to September this year.

China move shows global reliance on low rates to lift economy

Local currency n Previous week: The local currency followed a depreciating trend during the week, starting trade at the base of the 46 territory in the previous week. In particular, the peso hit 46.07 to a dollar on Monday, and then slumped to 46.21 to a dollar on Tuesday. A similar decline in value was seen on Wednesday, when the peso declined further to 46.47 to a dollar; and on Thursday, when the peso fell at 46.64 to a dollar. The peso closed trading at 46.44 to a dollar on Friday. The average trade value for the week was at P46.366, while the total traded volume surged to $4.233 billion. n Week ahead: Markets are likely to take cue on the coming meeting of the United States Federal Open Market Committee toward the end of the week, and speculation surrounding what the Fed might do will likely prevail over the most of the market sentiment during the week.

Domestic liquidity (September) Friday, October 30 n August M3: Cash circulating in the local economy grew faster in August this year—but remained in the single-digit territory rate during the period. Data from the central bank showed that domestic liquidity—broadly measured as M3—grew by 9 percent in August. This is a slightly faster growth from the 8.4-percent growth seen in July 2015. In absolute terms, money supply in the country hit P7.8 trillion in August this year. n September M3: The September domestic liquidity is expected to be broadly in balance with the steady pace seen in the previous months. In its inflation report for the third quarter, which was recently published, the BSP said that its outlook on domestic liquidity “continues to keep pace with the overall requirements of the economy.” Bianca Cuaresma

BusinessMirror media partner

vehicle sales continued to be robust during the first two months of the third quarter. alysa salen

In its recently released quarterly inflation report, the central bank said that economic indicators, particularly on the demand side, reported “positive prints” in the third quarter of the year— pointing to the state of the country’s economic activity during the period. In particular, the BSP said that vehicle sales and energy sales continued to be robust during the first two months of the third quarter, as latest data showed. Sales of new vehicles grew

by 19.8 percent in the first two months of the third quarter of 2015, from the same quarter in the previous year. The BSP noted that the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) attributed the continued growth in car sales to the introduction of new car models, continuous marketing efforts and attractive financing programs of industry players. Meanwhile, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) total energy sales for See “Growth,” A2

Bank-secrecy law not for criminal purpose

DO Unibank Inc. said the bank-secrecy law remains relevant, as it encourages more deposits and ensures that legitimate money is kept. “The bank-secrecy law is not for criminal purpose. It [gives] freedom to keep funds the way people want these to be kept. I wish they [government regulators] can understand what [the banks’] clients need, and so it [law] [should be crafted so that it] will attract more deposits,” BDO Chairman Teresita Sy-Coson told the BusinessMirror. When sought for comment about the government’s move to eliminate bank secrecy for tax purpose, she said, “in the international area, that [bank secrecy] has

PESO exchange rates n US 46.5280

SY-COSON: “In the international area, that [bank secrecy] has been there. There’s bank secrecy everywhere.”

been there. There’s bank secrecy everywhere.” “There’s already a compliance structure in it—there’s also the antimoney-laundering [law], know your customer [KYC]; there’s a lot of documents required. I don’t know what’s the other purpose for this,” she said. See “Bank Secrecy,” A2

A high-speed train leaves the Beijing South Station for Shanghai during a test run on June 27, 2011. Beijing wants to move the country away from an overreliance on exports and often-wasteful investment in housing, factories and infrastructure projects, such as roads and high-speed trains. Instead, China is seeking slower but more sustainable growth driven by consumer spending. AP/Alexander F. Yuan

EIJING—China’s sixth interest-rate cut in a year shows how hard it is to keep the world’s second-biggest economy growing vigorously while attempting one of history’s most audacious economic transformations. The country’s central bank on Friday announced cuts in benchmark interest rates on loans and deposits. The moves by the People’s Bank of China are the latest sign that the world’s major central banks remain committed to unusually low rates to try to spur economic growth. This week the head of the European Central Bank (ECB) made clear that the ECB is weighing further steps to ease borrowing rates. And next week the Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold its key rate near zero, where it has remained for seven years. China’s latest rate cut came four days after the government reported that growth had slowed to a six-year low of 6.9 percent from July through Sep-

tember. The Chinese economic slowdown has unnerved investors around the world, hurt countries that had prospered by supplying China with raw materials and weighed on global growth. China’s deceleration is partly deliberate. Beijing wants to move the country away from an overreliance on exports and often-wasteful investment in housing, factories and infrastructure projects, such as roads and high-speed trains. Instead, China is seeking slower but more sustainable growth driven by consumer spending. Recent economic figures reflect the transition. In September growth in factory output slowed to 5.7 percent, from August’s 6.1 percent. See “China,” A2

n japan 0.3855 n UK 71.6392 n HK 6.0036 n CHINA 7.3187 n singapore 33.3821 n australia 33.5555 n EU 51.7066 n SAUDI arabia 12.4111

Source: BSP (23 October 2015)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Sunday, October 25, 2015

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BSP sees accelerated mobile payments China… Continued from a1

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has monitored the growing trend for mobile financial service (MFS) usage and is taking steps to ensure that this will not be used in suspicious transactions like money laundering. Melchor Plabasan, acting deputy director and head of the central bank’s Core Information Technology Specialist Group, said the BSP maintains a safe and efficient payment system and ensures financial stability of the banking industry through adoption of a robust technology risk-management system. He said G-Cash and Smart Money and the banks’ mobile-banking usage are growing fast. “We are duty bound to ensure that MFS are not used for money laundering, terrorist financing and other unlawful activities,”

Plabasan said. “Given all these initiatives, we expect the transition from cash-heavy to cashlight society. We can’t do away with cash. Ultimately the objective is the transition of the 10 percent to 20 percent of payments to electronic form from the traditional cash and check,” he told the BusinessMirror. Some of the issues raised were the need to have an evolving regulatory framework capable of addressing the growing concern brought about by innovation. “What we have is a regulatory regime that is flexible and cautious, which allows innovation to flourish in a safe, sound and sustainable manner,” he said. He added that the mobile financial companies and the technology were integral part of the financial-inclusion advocacy of BSP.

Bank secrecy… Amending the law is more of a concern of the depositors, she added. She did not categorically say that she was against the amendment of the law, and her only comment was, “it depends on what they want to achieve.” “Would you like everything to be known, like in the Facebook? It’s like an open book in the Facebook, do you like it? Is it part of privacy issue?,” she said. Bankers Association of the Philippines President Lorenzo V. Tan earlier said amending the bank-secrecy law should be meant to align with the global best practices, in terms of greater transparency and compliance with Financial Action Task Force requirements and in the context of the upcoming Asean Banking Integration Framework by 2020. “This requires a lot of work in terms of

Continued from a1

having tight controls by authorities to prevent abuse and to address other security issues by depositors on the use of information on bank deposits, to ensure continued confidence by the depositing public to keep funds in the country,” Tan, who is the president and CEO of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said. During the recent 28th Philippine Economic Briefing, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima stressed the need to eliminate bank secrecy for tax purposes. “We’re one of three countries in the world that still have bank secrecy or have not lifted it for tax purpose. The other two were Lebanon and Switzerland. We need to make tax evasion a predicate crime. We’re one of the two countries in the world, the other is Lebanon, where tax evasion is not a predicate crime,” Purisima said.

BSP Bank Officer-Inclusive Finance Advocacy staff Rochelle Thomas said the central approach of the central bank is the openness to innovation. She said this regulatory openness should be about willingness to dialogue with the market, understand the risk that this innovation poise and adequately manage those risks. “If the regulator is comfortable with the business model and how to manage the risks that are attendant to this product and business model, then that gives us confidence to approve it. For example, the GCash,” she said during the recent Mondato Summit Asia. “We’re working on cashless ecosystem. We partnered with banks for cash in. You can transfer money from your bank account to mobile money account. You can

Growth…

use G-Cash to send money and it’s really efficient to manage your account,” Mynt President and CEO John Rubio said. Mynt, the financial technology arm of Globe Telecoms, has several partner banks that include its affiliate bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, PS Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and, soon, Security Bank. The telecommunication companies were working on the interoperability of G-Cash and Smart Money to meet the deadline set by the central bank in January 2016. Ultimately, they will form part of the National Retail Payment System, or NRPS, a single integrated solution for clearing, settlement payment operation and switching of transactions that is being handled by BancNet.

Continued from a1

July to August grew by 9.3 percent, higher compared to the 1-percent growth reported in the same period a year ago. The central bank also said that energy sales from all sectors expanded with year-on-year growth rates of 11.7 percent, 9.7 percent and 6.5 percent for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, respectively. The average capacity utilization of the manufacturing sector also sustained its robust level in the first two months of the third quarter of the year. Consumer expectations, as measured by the quarterly survey done by the central bank, also showed an improved outlook for the third quarter of the year, specifically citing availability of more jobs; increasing family income due to salary increases and better harvest, high

production of goods and stronger business activity; and lesser debt payments as sources of their optimism. In contrast, however, the country’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI)— while still above the 50-point expansion threshold—declined in August this year to hit 56.01. “All the sectors posted modest performance during the month that pulled down the overall PMI. It has been the case that the overall PMI decelerates in the third quarter prior to the holiday months. In the fourth quarter of 2015, respondentcompanies expect the index to show faster expansion,” the central bank said. This seasonality was also seen in the business expectation survey for the third quarter of the year, where it yielded a less optimistic outlook for the third quarter.

At the same time, retail-sales growth rose to 10.9 percent from July’s 10.5 percent. Ecommerce spending surged 36 percent in the third quarter over a year earlier. But the growth in consumer spending and services is not entirely offsetting the decline in older industries. As a result, overall growth is slowing, raising fears of job losses and unrest. The government is stepping in to try to keep official measures of growth close to 7 percent. The Chinese central bank said it will reduce the benchmark rate on a oneyear loan by 0.25 percentage point to 4.35 percent, effective on Saturday, and cut one-year deposit rates by the same margin to 1.5 percent. The bank also freed up more money for lending by reducing the level of reserves Chinese banks are required to hold. “There still exists some downward pressure on China’s economic growth,” the People’s Bank of China said in a statement. “We need to continue to use monetary policy tools to strengthen economic structural adjustment and create a good monetary and financial environment.” The rate cut “is not a cure for all their ills,” says Ajay Rajadhyaksha, head of macro research. Chinese consumers save too much and spend too little, Rajadhyaksha says, so the country needs “consumers to start spending more, a lot more, and quickly.” Beijing has also started a mini-stimulus program to boost the economy through public works projects. David Dollar, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, says that given the difficulty of managing an ambitious transition, Beijing might want to give itself more leeway—broadening its target for annual economic growth to 6 percent to 7 percent instead of shooting for 7 percent. “It’s easier to rebalance at 6 than at 7,” he says. AP

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DENR to inventory, recover logs, uprooted trees

NVIRONMENT Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has ordered an inventory of logs and uprooted trees swept away by the floods caused by Typhoon Lando. Paje said that the logs, which could have been cut down by illegal loggers before the typhoon, if any, as well as uprooted trees, will be salvaged and used to reconstruct damaged homes in affected areas, particularly in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija. “An inventory of the logs is now ongoing as ordered by President Aquino, and the damaged trees will be inventoried and geo-tagged, as well,” he told the BusinessMirror in an interview. The geo-tagging and inventory of fallen or uprooted trees, he said, will make sure that the logs to be brought out of forests will not exceed the estimated volume of logs that can be produced from the number of uprooted trees, Paje said. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Paje said, will donate the salvaged logs and trees to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as ordered by Aquino. The DSWD is the agency in charge of assisting typhoon victims. “The recovered logs can be used to help affected families rebuild their homes,” he said. Paje had already gave instructions to the DENR’s regional directors in typhoon-affected areas, including CAR, Regions 1, 2 and 3, to submit an assessment report, including inventory of recoverable trees within 10 days. Aside from Aurora and Nueva Ecija, the typhoon also battered the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Abra and Catanduanes. However, he said that logs washed near homes of typhoon victims are better left to be salvaged by the victims. “Only those far from homes, such as those washed along rivers, should be recovered and turnedover to the DSWD,” he said. Meanwhile, Paje said that teams from the DENR regional and provincial offices had been dispatched to look into reports that some of the logs swept away by flash floods during the onslaught of the typhoon were cut down by illegal loggers. “I received reports that the trees have roots. This means that they may have been uprooted. But still, I am not ruling out illegal logging,” he said. However, Paje said that illegallogging syndicates operating in the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija have been neutralized. Both provinces are no longer on the DENR’s list of illegal logging hotspots. He said that illegal-logging activities have been dramatically reduced since Aquino imposed a total log ban in natural forest and residual forests. The total log ban in natural and residual forests reduced illegal-logging hot spots to 23 from 197 in 2010. Paje, meanwhile, appealed to local governments and the general public to help the government fight illegal- logging activities. “If they see any heavy equipment used in illegal logging, they can report it to us. They can even confiscate these equipment if they are being used to cut down trees,” he said. Meanwhile, Director Ricardo Calderon of the DENR’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB) said the uprooting of trees as a result of landslides is expected, especially during excessive rainfall. A forester, Calderon said trees can be uprooted as the soil loosens by excessive rainfall. “It happens. These trees may have been uprooted because of the rainfall induced by the typhoon,” he said. Calderon, also the national coordinator of the National Greening Program (NGP) said that he had also asked NGP partners to help DENR teams from the Regional and Provincial Offices conduct a damage assessment of NGP sites in affected areas.

Sunday, October 25, 2015 A3

SAP to SMEs: Invest in ‘digital economy’ to stay in the game

By Roderick L. Abad

INGAPORE—In today’s hyperconnected world, digitization is the way to survive, especially for start-ups or small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as they compete not only among themselves but also to the bigger players as well, global enterprise-application software provider SAP said.

During the company’s just-concluded media summit here, SAP Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) President Adaire Fox-Martin said that gone are the days of the so-called industrial economy, when everything was done in a manual way, or the whole series of mechanical-based process had enabled the movement of goods and services. It’s initial transition to the information-technology (IT) economy that took much of the manual process and put it into a computer-based programmatic approach, likewise, is now a thing of the past. “The first wave [of this transformation] really delivered some various significant process benefits, as people began to operationalize some elements of their value [proposition] and their product life-cycle chain,” Fox-Martin explained. Then came the rise of the Internet economy, which she said had created the mechanism, whereby information became readily available and consumers began connecting and driving choices in a

very different way in terms of the goods, products and services that they wish to participate in. Next was the knowledge economy, or the exchange of information, which the latter itself became the currency of such. “In the past 10 years or so, the adoption of these new technologies has truly accelerated. We are now on the brink of what we believe as the third IT transformation,” Fox-Martin said. “We think that it represents a significant economic opportunity for companies that are involved in the digital economy [DE], because by 2020 the size of it is anticipated to be around $90 trillion,” she added. To stay relevant in this regime, they must start to invest in technology and embrace the various digital trends that come their way. From the firm’s perspective, the company president noted the five key trends that are driving or underpinning the DE framework: hyper-connectivity, super computing, cloud computing, smarter world and cybersecurity.

Cebu ready to host Asean 2017 summit

LAWMAKER on Saturday said that Cebu is prepared to host the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in 2017. House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr. of the First District of Cebu said that should organizers prefer to hold the meeting outside Manila, Cebu can manage the hosting of the summit. “Manila and Cebu are the only two places in the country that managed to host an Asean summit in the past,” Gullas said. It will only be the third time for the Philippines to host an Asean summit. The country hosted the Third Asean Summit in Manila in 1987 and the 12th Asean Summit in Cebu in 2007. “If the Philippines will be hosting two Asean summits back-toback in 2017, then we are hoping that Cebu will get the chance to host one of the two meetings,” the lawmaker said. Asean groups Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Gullas, however, said it is not clear yet whether the Philippines will be hosting two Asean summits one after the other in 2017, or just one meeting. “Since 2009 the 10 members of Asean have been holding two summits every year—one in the first half of the year, the other in the second half—but always in one host country,” he said. Myanmar hosted the 24th and 25th Asean summits in 2014. Malaysia is hosting the 26th and

27th summits this year. Laos will host the 28th and 29th summits in 2016. “Cebu is always ready to host high-level international gatherings. We have more than enough convention facilities for the meetings and plenty of hotel accommodations for delegates,” Gullas said. The lawmaker also said that Cebu international gateway is also being upgraded for any international event. Gullas was referring to the construction of a new terminal for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The airport’s old terminal, which is being renovated, will eventually service only domestic flights by 2018. Meanwhile, Cebu recently hosted three separate meetings of the finance, transportation and energy ministers from 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec). At the close of the Apec finance ministers’ meeting last month in Cebu, Gullas added that Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima had said the Philippines will be hosting the Asean summit in 2017. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

“That’s what's happening, I think, from technology-trend perspective,” Fox-Martin pointed out. Location-wise, she sees APJ is so promising that this is where the “center of gravity” in the global economy will be shifting in the future. “The region itself is so dynamic and so exciting, and growing at such a [fast] pace,” she said. “It is predicted that over the next 25 years, APJ will actually [become the] equivalent of three euro zones of the global economy, and many millions will join the middle-class as a result of that.” Approximately, there are more than 500 million middle-class people alone in the region this year—equal to the total population of the European Union to date. “So, you can begin to see the importance of the rising and emerging middle class here in APJ,” he said. Also, more than half of the top 500 fastest-growing companies in the world are not just located, but are also digital-industry players within the region. “So it’s a combination of what we’re seeing emerging from the digital economy and the opportunities that are present in the region that we’re in, as well as the

growth dynamics of that region, and how these two things come together to create opportunity and challenges for companies to address,” he said. With the massive growth potential of APJ in DE, small-scale enterprises are, likewise, encouraged to continue digitizing their businesses to stay ahead of the curve and become not just the regional, but also global winners themselves. Of late, SMEs account for 97 percent of all businesses and employ half of the workforce in the region, according to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group. They contribute 20 percent to 50 percent of APJ’s GDP and employ over 50 percent of the labor sector. “The DE is actually relevant for SMEs as it is for big business. It allows them to compete and grow a lot more quickly than they could through manual processes,” SAP APJ Senior Vice President for Global Partner Operations Anthony McMahon told the BusinessMirror. What's alarming though is that SAP found out in a study that less than a quarter of APJ SMEs consider themselves as “early adopters” of technology, or ready to embrace some of those digital trends.

“A lot of SME customers know that they need to invest in technology, and they know that they’re operating in a DE. But many of them, traditionally, may not have invested heavily in technology,” he said. It’s not because they need to have a big funding upfront, he noted. Like their big counterparts, they refuse to do so if they don’t have a clear return on investment (ROI). “They are the same, if not sometimes more demanding for the ROI. And in many cases of multigenerational families with established businesses, they have to make sure that they’re doing the right insight business strategy from one generation to the next,” McMahon said. He pointed out that they just need to begin with the digital mindset and simplification so as to compete in a DE. “And it’s happening now. If you get to start a business, you need to think about not just the solution, product or service, but also the environment that you’re operating in.Your business plan must capture how you will compete and thrive in a DE. But if you’re a startup not thinking that way, then I think you have challenges, he added.

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

A4 Sunday, October 25, 2015 • Editor: Dionisio L. Pelayo

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MMDA sets clearing of Edsa, Mabuhay lanes

ROM November 2 up to January next year, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, composite traffic and clearing operations teams of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), local governments and the National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will clear Edsa and the Mabuhay lanes of all forms of obstruction that impede the flow of people and traffic, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said over the weekend. Almendras said that after a series of technical working group meetings w ith traffic bureau heads and representatives from local governments, the HPG and the MMDA, traffic authorities saw the need “to undertake the tremendous task of clearing Edsa and Mabuhay lanes along secondary roads in Metro Manila of unsightly and disorderly rundown structures, ambulant vendors, road impediments, illegally parked motor vehicles, sidewalk blockades

and arrest violators of local and MMDA traffic ordinances.” Given the state of this network of interconnected roads, Almendras said the government will strictly enforce all traffic rules and regulations without letup for the duration of the t wo mont h long c lear ing and cleanup operations. “Pasensiyahan tayo, but this is a response to the complaints of our people, for some, a cry of help for their government to come to their

San Juan police chief nixes calls to include city on list of poll hot spots

HE police chief of San Juan rejected calls to include the city on the list of election hot spots. Senior Supt. Ariel C. Arcinas said that as of the moment, San Juan remains peaceful with no record of election-related violence. Arcinas said reports reaching his office indicate that the camp of Vice Mayor Francis Zamora is asking for the declaration of San Juan as a hot spot. Zamora is running against relectionist Mayor Guia Gomez, the mother of Sen. Joseph Victor Estrada. “I see no reason to declare San Juan as a hot spot. I think that came from the fact that this is the first time that there is a political rivalry [between the Zamoras and the Ejercito-Estrada]. That is not our call but the local Commission on Elections office. But as of now I can say that San Juan is very peaceful,” he added. Likewise, Zamora claimed that he seldom goes to his office at the city hall fearing for his “security and safety” and that of his wife and children. “My every move is being monitored. There are CCTV [closed-circuit

television] cameras monitoring my movements, as well as those who visit my office, the employees and even those who want to have a picture with me,” Zamora said. However, the claim of Zamora was refuted by Emil G. Solisa, officer in charge of the city government’s General Service Office. “Actually, when this building was constructed three years ago, there were already CCTVs and these were installed in the hallways, exits, entrances but not inside offices except for the Office of the Treasurer. There is no way na kakabitan namin bawat opisina,” Solisa said, adding that the CCTV cameras were not installed to monitor Zamora alone. “Impossibleng mangyari iyan [monitor Zamora]. Baka si Mayor Guia pa kasi mayor namin siya,” he added. For her part, Gomez laughed off the allegations of Zamora. “He’s saying he is afraid to go to his office here because of his safety and security?Heisbeingmonitored?Wearenot monitoring him and he is free to receive any visitors in his office and we don’t prohibit anyone, any employee from visiting him,” Gomez said. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

aid because Edsa and the streets of Metro Manila have come to symbolize the horrors of congested roads, traffic moving at a snail’s pace or even stops to a standstill,” he said in a media briefing. He added that law enforcers are constrained to implement all these traffic measures to preclude a “carmageddon” of sorts along major and inner roads of the metropolis.

Almendras said the traffic initiatives that will be implemented by the interagency group include removal of: All illegally parked motor vehicles on Edsa and secondary streets of Mabuhay or Christmas lanes will be towed away and violators will be apprehended and slapped with corresponding fines and penalties.

Philippines News Agency

AVAO CITY—The Supreme Court (SC) has sustained the order of the Court of Appeals (CA) affirming a ruling of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) directing the University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC) to pay some P11 million to union members who staged a strike during the 1990s. In a 22-page decision, the Court also ordered UIC to pay P30,000 each to 11 “confidential employees” who were terminated from their jobs without complying with procedural processes. Ofelia Diapuez, Melanie de la Rosa, Angelina Abadilla, Lelian Concon, Mary Ann de Ramos, Zenaida Canoy, Alma Villacarlos, Paulina Palma Gil, Jose Boston, Gemma Galope and Leah Cruza were dismissed by the UIC management after they refused to give up their membership with the UIC Teaching and Non-Teaching Employees UnionFederation of Free Workers . The SC’s Third Division composed by Associate Justices Francis Jardeleza, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Martin Villarama, Diosdado Peralta and Jose Portugal Perez reversed the findings of the DOLE and the CA that the employees have the right to join the labor union since they did not hold managerial functions. The case stemmed from the Notice of Strike (NOS) filed by the UIC union workers on June 20, 1994, on the grounds of bargaining deadlock and unfair labor practice allegedly committed by the school’s management.

Ambulant vendors with their pushcarts on Edsa. Their wares will be confiscated if they refuse to cooperate, under existing local government unit ordinances. Some U-turn slots that have been found to be unnecessary along Edsa and other major thoroughfares. These will be replaced with more efficient signal light system. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

MCIA 18th best gateway in Asia By Lorenz S. Marasigan

ASSENGERS who used the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) have agreed that the air hub is the 18th best gateway in Asia this year, a recognition that came as a surprise to its operator. Louie B. Ferrer, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) president, said being ranked as 18th among the top airports in Asia by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports is a motivation for the management to work harder in making the aviation hub a world-class facility. “Our focus has been to implement functional improvements at the terminal, and it’s good to hear that our passengers are already experiencing the shift toward an improved experience at MCIA,” he said. “This is just the beginning. This ranking motivates us to work even harder in making MCIA one of the best airports in the world.” Ferrer said his company’s goal of transforming the airport into one of the world’s best is a “highly

achievable objective” since the foreign partner, GMR group of India, operates two top airports in the world—Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport and Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. “Working with a world-class operator like GMR gives us the confidence that we will attain our objective of being ranked as one of the best, if not the best, airport in our category,” he said. GMCAC is now operating with a new, more accurate baggage reconciliation system. The company has also installed brand-new ergonomic seats in the predeparture lounges and a standardized publicannouncement system has been issued to airport stakeholders. New universal check-in counters and self check-in kiosks are now in operation in order to accommodate more passengers at peak operating hours. New flight information displays have also been installed throughout the terminal. The company has committed to renovate the decades-old termi-

SC rules in favor of striking workers of Davao university By Jessie L. Casalda

Troops arrest 4 suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu

But the impending strike was averted as the DOLE had immediately assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute to settle it amicably. The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) had immediately called for a conference between the unionized workers and the school management wherein after negotiations, both parties agreed to grant increase to the workers—75 percent of increment on the tuition for the first year, 80 percent on the second year and 80 percent on the third year. But in return, UIC demanded that the employees who worked as secretaries, registrars, accounting and guidance counsellors be excluded from the union since they were considered as confidential employees. Both parties, however, opted to settle the issue through voluntary arbitration procedure wherein the dispute will be settled by a panel of arbitrators accredited by the NCMB. On November 8, 1994, UIC got a favorable decision from the arbitrators and the 11 employees were considered confidential employees and the motion for reconsideration filed by the union was also junked by the arbitrators. With the decision of the arbitrators, UIC gave the 11 workers the option to choose between keeping their position or resigning from the union, but when they chose both, the school management gave them notices of termination on February 21, 1995. On March 28, 1995, the Dole ordered UIC to reinstate the employees but UIC appealed the order. However, the CA denied UIC’s

appeal on October 8, 2001. The SC, in its order dated January 24, 2005, also affirmed the CA decision. On January 20, 2006, the labor department issued a resolution ruling that the 11 workers were illegally dismissed and directed the school management to reinstate the workers and pay them backwages and benefits. Meanwhile, a second NOS was filed by the union on January 20, 1995, and eventually, workers went on strike, but the DOLE also assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute and enjoined the parties to desist from all acts which might exacerbate the situation. During the negotiations, a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was signed, which also resulted in a “Net Incremental Proceeds Case” after the DOLE ordered UIC to distribute the amount of P11,070,473 equally to the employees. Two cases then raised before the CA, the net incremental proceeds filed by UIC and the illegal dismissal issue filed by the 11 employees. The appellate court favored the union as it junked the petition filed by UIC and also declared illegal the dismissal of the 11 workers. Aggrieved by the decision, UIC raised the issue before the SC, which issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the CA decision. But after assessing the arguments interposed by both parties, the Court ruled to sustain CA’s decision on net incremental proceeds but modified the decision on the illegal dismissal issue. The SC also lifted the TRO it earlier issued against the CA decision.

nal through progressive facelift works, to reduce congestion in passenger processing areas and to enhance the ambience of the terminal areas. In November last year company officials promised to deliver three key improvements in their first year: manage passenger congestion in key airport areas, enhance terminal ambience and improve customer service. Ferrer believes they were able to achieve all these and more, he said. “Reaching 18th is a testament to the collaboration between all airport stakeholders in the public and private sectors. We’re proud to be working with people who share the same vision for excellence and passenger service,” Ferrer said. The consortium won the right to construct a new world-class international passenger terminal building by 2018. Among the improvements listed in the pipeline is the equipping of the immigration section with passport readers and computers and its relocation to a larger area.

A MBOA NG A C I T Y— Gover nment forces arrested four suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as the offensive against the bandits continues in the hinterlands of Sulu. Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, identified the suspects as Al-Majir Jajiri, 27; Salip Tamad Sakirin, 31; Bagin Hamsi, 28; and Pola Jumadil, 49. Arrojado said the suspects were arrested around 9:45 a.m. on Saturday in Sitio Puti Sapah, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu. Arrojado said the suspects were detained and placed under investigation to determine their real identities since Jajiri and Sak ir in claimed to be village watchmen (barangay tanod ) of Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul. He said the troops have recovered from the possession of Jumadil two identification cards bearing two different names. He said an ID issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development indicated her name is Pola Jumadil, while a voter’s ID showed she is Ahajani Pula Amilussin. He noted the suspects were arrested near the clash site between the Scout Rangers and ASG bandits, led by Radullan Sahiron, on Thursday afternoon i n B a ra ngay Bu h a ng i n a n , Patikul. “The presence of [the] same [people] at the operational area especially near an ASG lair and encounter sites...considering the ongoing operations and fire missions their place of residence is questionable,” Arrojado said. Government forces have launched operations targeting the ASG senior leaders, as well as their foreign cohorts in Sulu. Arrojado said the military has coordinated with the police for further investigation of the suspects. He said the suspects will remain in detention “until such time that their identities are validated.” PNA

Gordon to govt: Pay nurses their due under the law

HILIPPINE Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon has vowed to ensure that government nurses receive the higher compensation due them mandated by a law passed 13 years ago. Gordon said he will personally examine and, if need be, work for the amendment of the 2017 budget for the Department of Health (DOH) in the Senate to ensure the law is properly implemented. Gordon made the assurance earlier this week in his keynote speech at the Philippine Nurses’ Association (PNA) national convention held in Davao City attended by some 1,000 PNA officials and nurses. Gordon said the entry-level salary for nurses working in the government remains at Salary Grade 11, which provides a monthly pay of P18,549. In contrast, Republic Act 9173, or the Philippine Nursing Act for 2002, mandates “the minimum base pay of nurses working in public health institutions should not be lower than SG 15.” Gordon said the law clearly calls for government institutions to pay nurses an entry-level salary of P24,887. But because this has yet to be implemented even after 13 years, nurses in the Philippines are among the lowest-paid government workers. Gordon said the law’s non-implementation has also caused private nurses to rank among the lowest-paid employees in the country, with some nurses hired through the so-called job order system and getting as low as P5,000 a month.

“I find it sad that the government has not given the plight of our nurses priority, given their sacrifice and importance to society. The families of our nurses, some of whom sold their carabaos to send their children to nursing school, should have already been enjoying the benefits of the law for these past 13 years.” Gordon noted that nursing was among the noblest professions whose members are given due importance in other countries. He said the PRC which he chairs gives its doctors and nurses a very fair compensation package commensurate to their service. “Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling for public service under the most hazardous conditions. We should give them their due under the law, and we will see to this when the DOH budget for 2017 passes through the Senate.” Gordon said Filipino nurses are among the world’s best and remain in popular demand abroad where many have gone due to the lower pay in the country. Gordon has a good working relationship with Filipino nurses, having set up two hospitals in Olongapo City and protecting their rights by spearheading the investigation of fly-by-night nursing schools under the 14th Congress. Currently, the PRC has a memorandum of agreement with the UP School of Nursing in a joint training program for disaster nurses, one of the most specialized and highest-paid categories for nursing. The PRC is also in partnership with the Japanese Red Cross to provide more equipment and training for nurses in the Philippines and Japan. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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12 cities set 100% renewable-power targets

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY—At least 12 cities in five countries have pledged in their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to shift to 100-percent renewablepower sources to help fight climate change as early as this year. These cities’ ambitious but doable goals are contained in the carbon Climate Registry of the Carbon Disclosure Project through the NonState Actor Zone for Climate Action (Nazca). Nazca registers commitments to climate action by companies, cities, subnational regions and investors to address climate change. The cities’ commitments are also contained in the September 2015 update of the publication “Unlocking Ambition: Top Corporate and Sub-national Climate Commitments” published by The Climate Group, a PDF copy of which was emailed to this reporter by Nazca’s Ian Ponce through John Hay, com-

munications officer of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Leading the pack is the city of Aspen in Colorado, United States best known for its posh ski resorts, which has committed to get 100 percent of its power from renewable sources before the end of this year. Aspen’s 100-percent renewable goal is just one component of its larger strategy to reduce both operational and community-wide greenhouse-gas emissions 30 percent below 2004 levels by 2020 and 80percent below 2004 levels by 2050. This goal was proposed 10 years ago as part of the city’s

“Canary Initiative,” which “identifies Aspen and other mountain communities as canaries in the coal mine with respect to their sensitivity to the effects of climate change.” Aspen is the first of four US cities that have set the ambitious but doable shift to 100-percent renewable energy (RE). As of September, Aspen had been using about 75-percent to 80-percent RE. The city of Burlington in Vermont, US, has targeted 2020 as the year it will achieve its goal of getting 100 percent of its energy demand from renewable-power sources. It plan to achieve this “through ownership and development of biomass, hydroelectric, wind and solar-power generation sites,” according to the UNFCC web site. Another US city is Samta Monica in California, which set to get all its power demand from renewable sources by 2025. San Francisco, also in California, planned to achieve the shift to 100-percent renewable-power sources by 2020. It pledged to

“supply 100 percent of city-wide electricity demand with renewable sources by 2020 through hydroelectric, solar and biogas facilities, and distributed generation.” The other eight cities that have set 100-percent renewable power targets are Oslo in Norway, which planned to achieve the goal by 2020; Copenhagen, Denmark, 2025; Malmö, Sweden, 2030; Säffle, Sweden, 2030; Växjö, Sweden, 2030; Stockholm, Sweden, 2040; Gävle, Sweden, 2050; and Vancouver, Canada, 2035. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Change Janos Pasztor, and other climate-change experts hail these cities commitments, especially since cities are an integral part of the solution in fighting climate change. Scientific estimates show that cities are responsible for 75 percent of global carbon-dioxide emissions, with transport and buildings being among the largest contributors. And these 12 cities are just the pioneers around the world that have woken

up to this fact and are taking up the challenge to go green. In a video posted on the Facebook account of the UNFCCC, Pasztor warned that “if we don’t address climate change, the chances are we may roll back the many developments we have achieved in the last 20 to 30 years.” “There are increasing studies and increasing experience in many parts of the world which demonstrate that economic growth and addressing climate change do not need to be antagonistic to each other. There are countries, like Denmark, that have grown enormously but have kept their emissions below than what it was before,” he said. These cities’ 100-percent renewable-power target is hoped to encourage other cities, regions, investors and individuals to do all they can and lay firm commitments in the hoped-for legally binding agreement against climate change during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the 1992 UNFCCC in Paris in December. Bong Fabe

House bill regulates transport network services T O level the competition in the transportation industry in the interest of the commuting public, a measure regulating the operation of transportation network vehicle services (TNVS), such as Uber and GrabTaxi, has been filed at the House of Representatives. House Bill (HB) 6160, authored by Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, seeks to define the nature of transportation network companies (TNCs) and TNVS. Gatchalian said TNCs are classified as public-utility vehicles and sets the contract of carriage from the time a passenger makes a prearranged ride with the TNC and ends when the passenger arrives at his or her destination. The bill also requires TNCs to “disclose their fare-calculation method” in their application service or web site, as well as provide a picture of the driver and the vehicle’s plate number.

Under the bill, transportation network drivers are required to issue electronic receipts for passenger safety and taxation purposes. The TNCs are, likewise, prohibited from accepting drivers who have been convicted of reckless driving, driving without license or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs and evading arrest or detention, the bill said. HB 6160 was filed in wake of Department Order (DO) 2005-011 issued by the Department of Transportation and Communications to modernize and improve transportation services. The DO intends to tap the innovative use of technology to facilitate ride-sharing services between a transportation network driver and a passenger. It allows transportation network companies to operate in the Philippines and facilitate transactions between a transportation network driver and a passenger. It also provides the guidelines for the se-

LTO tightens rules on issuance of professional drivers’ licenses By Lorenz S. Marasigan

HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) is moving to amend the rules governing the issuance of driver’s licenses to streamline the application process and to better guarantee that drivers are fit and capable of holding such licenses. Under the amended rules, which will be formalized in administrative orders to be issued next week, the agency will be impose higher standards and requirements for professional driver’s license (PDL) applicants, with a view to restricting the industry to truly qualified drivers. For instance, applicants for PDLs to operate light vehicles must have had a valid student permit for at least six months prior to the application. In cases of heavy vehicles, the PDL applicant must have either a valid nonprofessional driver’s license for at least one year prior to the application, or a valid professional license to operate light vehicles for at least six months prior to the same. Currently, a five-month holder of a student permit or a four-month holder of an nonprofessional driver’s license may apply for a PDL. At the same time, the agency is tightening its eligibility criteria by disqualifying PDL applicants who have had two or more citations for reckless driving during the validity period of their existing license. This

is meant to “incentivize” disciplined, law-abiding, and orderly driving among would-be PDL applicants. Currently, licenses have a threeyear validity period reckoned from the holder’s date of birth. Under this new system, a nonprofessional and a professional driver’s license holder who did not commit any violation during the three-year validity period will be entitled to a five-year validity period for his or her next license upon renewal. For those who have committed a violation, they will be eligible for the regular three-year validity period only upon renewal. These restrictions will apply to the four types of PDL examinations: those for tricycles, for light vehicles, for heavy vehicles, as well as for conductors. “The revised rules will serve two purposes: first, they will better ensure the fitness and capability of license cardholders to drive on our streets; and second, they will streamline the application process and make it more convenient for the public,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya said on Friday. For the convenience of applicants, the LTO will begin accepting medical certificates issued by any duly-licensed and practicing physician, instead of restricting these to accredited doctors stationed at its offices.

lection and accreditation of drivers. However, Gatchalian said the DO has faced heavy opposition since its promulgation. “Taxi operators allege that it offers unfair competition in favor of TNCs and TNVS because they are not subject to the same regulation as that of taxis. Some congressmen also expressed their reservation citing issues on liability and tax collection,” he added. “It is our intention to ensure that regulation is not a hindrance, but continues to be the safety net that the public can rely on for its protection,” Gatchalian said. The lawmaker added that the emergence of TN VS prov ides commuters more choices in their daily commute. “The additional competition in the transportation industry will compel existing taxi operators to improve their service in terms of convenience, safety and efficiency,” he said. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

MMDA sets cleanup of Metro cemeteries

HE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will begin on Monday its annual cleanup drive in some public and private cemeteries and memorial parks in the metropolis in preparation for the observance of the All Saints’ Day on November 1. Scores of the agency’s Metro Parkway Clearing Group (MPCG) personnel will be deployed to various cemeteries in the metropolis to spruce up the tombs and immediate areas of the burial grounds in time for the annual commemoration of the All Saints’ Day when the majority of Filipinos pay respect and flock to the graves of their loved ones. Aside from the cleanup campaign, MMDA will also deploy numerous personnel to manage the flow of traffic in critical areas in the metropolis, such as bus terminals, as people will

rush to go to the provinces during All Saints Day observance. MMDA’s yearly cleanup campaign is part of the yearly “Oplan Kaluluwa” program, which will run from October 23 until November 3. MPCG personnel will be deployed the following cemeteries in Metro Manila during the cleanup drive: Caloocan City-La Loma Cemetery; Mandaluyong CityMandaluyong Cemetery (Aglipay); San Felipe Neri Catholic Cemetery (semi-public); Manila-North Cemetery and South Cemetery; Marikina City-Barangka Cemetery; Parañaque City-Loyola Memorial Park, Manila Memorial Park ad Palanyag Public Cemetery; Pasay City-Sargento Mariano Public Cemetery; Pasig City-Baraks and Roman Catholic Cemetery; Pateros-Aglipay Cemetery (M. Lozada Street), San Joaquin Cem-

etery (M. Almeda Street) and San Roque Cemeter y (E. Hermosa Street) Quezon City-Bagbag and Baesa cemeteries; San Juan CitySan Juan Cemetery; Taguig CityHagonoy Cemetery and Libingan ng mga Bayani; Valuenzuela CityArkong Bato, Palasan Cemetery and Karuhatan Cemeter Muntinlupa City-Soldiers Hill Cemetery; Las Piñas City-Saint Joseph Public Cemetery and Malabon CityTugatog Cemetery. The MMDA will dispatch traffic personnel, as well as members of the Anti-Jaywalking Unit and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group at the Araneta-Cubao bus terminal, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue Cubao bus terminals, Edsa Pasay-Taft bus terminals, Sampaloc bus terminals, Dangwa terminal and Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Sunday, October 25, 2015 A5

PCCI asks ERC to keep power rates stable, competitive

hilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to beware of proposals to change the rules of retail competition in the power industry as these proposals would trigger higher billings for small electricity consumers. “ERC would be very well-advised if it focuses its capability and resources in addressing the more important challenge of how to achieve a sustainable power supply and competitive price,” PCCI President Alfredo M. Yao and Director for Energy and Power Jose A. Alejandro said in a letter to ERC Chairman Jose Vicente B. Salazar. The Philippines’s total power demand is only 15,000 megawatts (MW), they wrote, adding that the Philippines also has the lowest per-capita power consumption and the lowest per-capita GDP, the seventh-highest tariff or power cost in the world and, therefore, among those with the lowest annual foreign direct investment in the region. “We are, therefore, really a still ‘developing economy,’” the PCCI officials said. “Any thought beyond that is a mirage.” “In addressing the current power situation and challenges we have today, any proposed solution should be, as the saying goes, ‘simple, focused and sweet.’ The ERC should not allow itself to be distracted by any propositions that are applicable to larger and more sophisticated economies. A proposal to allow a distribution utility (DU) through their retail electricity supplier (RES) to directly supply electricity to a large power consumer or “contestable account” (CA) outside its franchise coverage would create an unstable power distribution and demand projection and development, Yao and Alejandro wrote. The DUs must be required to focus their skills and resources in achieving an efficient distribution system and operation. Utilities should be given ample opportunity and encouraged to keep the CAs in their area through good service and, maybe, better price. “Every DU must focus itself in improving and enhancing its system and services and inviting as many CAs in its area instead of going around peddling power and sniping at the CAs of another,” Yao and Alejandro said. “Having too many RES in a small market of 15,000 MW peddling around in this small market demand is definitely going to bring up power cost,” Yao and Alejandro said. Every RES is a “profit center” and, therefore, would be a burden to the consumers. In their letter to the ERC chairman, the PCCI officials said the ERC would be well-advised not to get into such unnecessary nitty gritty tasks of controlling and policing CAs and RES. The competitive selection process that is being proposed and discussed is, indeed, a good concept that may be viewed as only one step of many toward achieving true competition and transparency. But this should be evaluated well and not “rushed,” considering the peculiar local landscape of transmission, distribution and generation. The Department of Energy and the ERC should be well-advised to take its time to study how to optimize the concept. Lenie Lectura

Cebu Pacific warns vs fraudulent use of tickets, IDs

EBU Pacific (CEB) said its personnel recently intercepted passengers who attempted to use tickets booked in the name of other persons. These passengers presented fake identification cards which were allegedly provided by unauthorized travel agencies who sold them confirmed CEB tickets with bookings under different names. The airline has demanded travel

agencies involved to stop from engaging in these unlawful acts as soon as possible. The airline has also reported to the National Police passengers who

presented fake identification cards in an attempt to use tickets booked in the name of other passengers. In a statement, the airline reminded the travelling public that passengers and travel agencies who engage in these fraudulent transactions may be subjected to civil and criminal actions under the laws, and may face imprisonment of up to 20 years.

It are encouraged passengers to book flights only through the official CEB web site, Cebu Pacific Mobile App, reservation hotlines, and to transact with legitimate sales agents. Passengers may also check CEB’s latest seat sales and promos by signing up for CEB’s newest lifestyle rewards program, GetGo, or by following CEB’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages. Recto Mercene

A6 Sunday, October 25, 2015 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

editorial

Prospects for the BPO, OFW and related sectors

F the industries in our economy, the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is one of the fastest growing. A recent report anticipates that in the next few years, BPO revenues will surpass overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) remittances. Already, in 2014, BPO revenues totaled $21.3 billion, only a few billion dollars short of the OFW remittances of some $25 billion. In terms of productivity, the BPO sector is way ahead of OFW’s, generating much higher incomes per worker than OFWs. This is a good thing in more ways than one. The BPO is part of what we call our GDP. It has forward and backward linkages in this GDP as with the construction sector and the machine-technology sector. It contributes to the expansion of these sectors in terms of employment and economic viability. Its contribution to the economy consists not just of earnings of employees, but of earnings of entrepreneurs and owners, purchases of local products, as well as taxes paid to the government. This rapid growth of BPO brings to mind a related matter. Whatever has happened to our medical-tourism program, whose objective is to attract retirees and senior citizens from affluent countries to spend their retirement in the Philippines? If BPO is equivalent to foreign importers importing our tech-savvy people and infrastructure and paying us those dollars, so is our medical-tourism program a way of foreign senior citizens importing our medical professionals, clinical services and infrastructure, and paying us precious foreign exchange. We need to activate and expand this program. OFW is a good thing, but it is inferior to BPO as a contributor to our economy. OFW is an appendage of foreign economies. Because it is income earned by Filipino nationals in whatever part of the globe they are, it is part of our gross national product, now called gross national income. It has no linkage whatsoever with domestic industries. Its contribution to national income consists solely of earnings of employees. This income is remitted straight to OFW families, who spend it on local goods and services as part of consumption expenditures on our GDP. In terms of employment-absorbing capacity (the opposite of productivity), however, OFW is indisputably superior to BPO, employing 11 million to BPO’s slightly more than 1 million. Workers in the BPO and OFW sectors consist of what economists call “noncompeting” groups—groups of people who are not in competition with each other. Workers in OFW jobs do not necessarily qualify for jobs in the BPO sector, and vice versa. The expansion of BPO will not solve the OFW employment problem. But jobs in the medical-tourism sector will offer excellent opportunities for those who are currently overseas. OFWs can readily take up these jobs. It seems late in the hour, but this time seems as good as any to revitalize those programs in our economy that will generate job opportunities, not just for those of our working people who are abroad but also for those who are right here at home.

A textbook war divides S. Korea By Donald Kirk

Los Angeles Times, TNS Forum

EOUL—For years, the South Korean government and private Korean organizations have objected to Japanese textbooks that convey a rather sunny version of Japan’s imperial and colonial history. Now, a textbook controversy is turning Koreans against Koreans, and exposing deep divisions in Korean life. All sides acknowledge that young South Koreans need some understanding of what’s going on in North Korea, but how should high schools portray life on the other side of the border? Should they depict their neighbors as enemies or victims? Is objectivity even possible? The government’s National Institute of Korean History, convinced it’s the arbiter, plans to replace existing textbooks with an authorized “correct history textbook” by March 2017, leading some to accuse the government of spreading propaganda while trampling on freedom of expression and discussion. Conservatives say the liberal scholars who wrote the existing textbooks have tended to ignore the darker aspects of the North Korean dictatorship, while liberals accuse conservatives of wanting to “demonize” the North. One particularly spirited argument revolves around what textbooks teach high-school students about juche, or self-reliance, North Korea’s avowed national philosophy. Conservative critics say that almost all school texts present juche positively, in the language of North Korean propaganda. They worry that students might grow up admiring North Korea for a philosophy that’s observed mainly in the breach because North Korea relies on China

Gospel

Sunday, October 25, 2015

for virtually all of its oil, half of its food and much else. Conservatives are just as outraged by the way some textbooks explain the origins of the Korean War. They cite passages in which the authors hold both sides responsible for the North Korean invasion of South Korea in June 1950 that resulted four days later in the capture of Seoul. Liberals, meanwhile, say conservatives want a sanitized version of history. If the government sticks with its plan, they believe that would set a terrible precedent and compromise independent scholarship. The controversy harks back to the bad old days when dictatorial presidents with military backgrounds not only controlled what was taught in schools but also imposed censorship on newspapers and jailed outspoken foes of the regime. Park Chung-hee, who seized power in 1961 and ruled with increasing firmness until his assassination in 1979, was probably the toughest. He, of course, is the father of the current president, Park Geun-hye. Park is by no means as harsh as her father. She has not suggested amending the “democracy constitution,” promulgated seven years after Park’s successor, Chun Doo-hwan, suppressed the bloody Kwangju revolt in May 1980. Still, she is firmly identified with the conservative party that controls the National Assembly, and she personally ordered the drive to purify school textbooks. Her self-interest aligns with conservative objections to the way some textbooks describe the history of “dictatorship” in the South— a reference to her father’s 18 years and five months in power before his assassination—while playing down his contributions to the economy. For liberals, battling dictatorial rule after the Korean War, winning the right to elect representatives and

ND they came to Jericho; and as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, Bartimae’us, a blind beggar, the son of Timae’us, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

resisting government meddling with textbooks is all part of a continuum, an unending struggle or protest against repression. The situation, however, is more complex than this narrative allows, more multifaceted. North Korean schools obviously do not provide young students with anything like an objective version of the Korean War or life in the South. The North vilifies Park and talks of driving her from power. More than 1.1 million North Korean troops linger above the demilitarized zone that’s divided North from South since the Korean War. It refuses to stop fabricating nuclear warheads while developing missiles for launching them against targets near and far. In this context, is it reasonable for textbook writers in South Korea to insist on a fair, even sympathetic, portrayal of North Korea? School kids, say southern conservatives, need to comprehend the dangers that confront them. The back-andforth is not going to stop any time soon. More than 50,000 people have signed a petition against the “correct history” plan, and textbook authors have joined in a lawsuit against the government, accusing authorities of trying to brainwash the young. The matter will also come before the people in election campaigns. The debate bears certain parallels to textbook controversies in the United States. What should Americans be taught about the Vietnam War, or the legacy of American slavery and the civil-rights struggle or, for that matter, wars against Native Americans? These questions reflect the difficulties of judging textbooks everywhere. For Koreans, 65 years after the devastation of the Korean War, the issues are not only sensitive but ongoing, part of everyday reality on a divided peninsula.

And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, He is calling you.” And throwing off his mantle, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately, he received his sight and followed Him on the way.—Mark 10:46-52

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Sunday, October 25, 2015 A7

#abstain4president2016 B

Free Fire

By Teddy Locsin Jr.

OYCOTT is the lazy way out of lousy electoral choices. Plus it has been interpreted as lazy opposition. A responsible citizen should take the trouble to cast her ballot, even if only to say she likes none of the choices. To be sure, before automation, leaving a blank on the ballot might get it filled by cheats at the polls. I doubt that happened. Retail cheating is slow; wholesale cheating by changing totals is quicker. But with automation, the voter can deny an entire set of lousy candidates and not vote at all. We, the people, must not settle for the least bad of all bad choices. We deserve better. With automation, our rejection will be read as blank by the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) and our abstention, if large-scale, will be reflected in overall very small numbers of votes. How? Do not shade any circle for a post, be it for president, vice president, senator, governor any position at all. What does that achieve? First what does it not achieve? Zero votes for a position, even for

president, will not invalidate an election. And, by the way, the likelihood of zero votes is zero. There is family. A few votes will still elect the candidate who got the most of the few votes cast for the post. What does that achieve? It achieves what was not possible before: The proclamation by proactive rejection that none of the above were good enough to vote for. That means, the winner only got the most of the few votes cast for that post. And that means that right after the elections, the position is up for grabs; not just in the next election but in a recall if it is local. If it is national, the small winning senators know that they will be beaten in the next election unless they perform well and get the support they did not get in the elections. If the president is elected by a small vote, his influence-peddling friends are on notice—that if they build up law practices, steal the budget, corner mining concessions, and rig the bids, they put in peril a sitting-duck president. And that sends a signal to the

army that their commander in chief is on parole. And that, in turn, puts the president on notice that if he gets lazy, arrogant, or in any way bastos, not even a suck-up media can save him or her—if it is a she elected by a majority of a very, very small vote. So, if you are not happy with the choices, not just for president, but any post, do not vote for any of them. Subscribe to the smartest idea since Mang Inasal: #abstain4president 2016. If the Commission on Elections says this cannot be done, I will slap them. I am telling you it can. I also wrote the automation law. Abstention is an option the PCOS makes real. It prepares the ground for correcting an election of poor choices, not in three years or six but the day after the polls close. It is time for the people to take back govt. What else does #abstain4president2016 achieve? It assures campaigns that respect the intelligence of voters. It demands from the candidates a good reason to vote for rather than to vote to reject them all.

We do not have to be resigned to the last choice left after (1) an unpopular candidate is abandoned by his sponsor; (2) another is disqualified; (3) yet another detained; and (4) the latest one is confined again in a hospital. We need not vote for a candidate just because he or she leads in the surveys. Yes, Filipinos tend to vote for candidates that many will already vote for. Yes, they will most likely win, though one mistake will erase any lead, however long. But with abstention the most popular candidate will win by the skin of his teeth—or by the skin of her lovely lips, if at all. No candidate can rely on the claims that are fueling the current campaign for top national posts. Example, if one belongs to the party in power, it will cheat to stay in power. Or if one stole enough, he or she can cheat like the party in power; although history shows that those who take never give back. Short arms cannot reach into deep pockets. Or one will win because the others are unthinkable choices. The threat of a massive abstention electing only small winners

does not spell weak government. It spells elected officials too weak politically to abuse their positions financially. By constitutional definition, every president is strong. But abstain from voting for president and other posts, and the winners will be too weak to risk stealing, laziness, indifference to commuters or coming up with an idea so crazy as to let men die without lifting a finger to save them. It will force the candidates to explain why they deserve not just to win, but to get more than the most of the fewest number of votes cast overall. It will force the candidates to commit clearly on tough issues. It will stop them from speaking in slogans, and compel them to buy more air time to explain what the slogans stand for, thereby improving the chances of staff in the media getting better bonuses this Christmas. And finally, it will force the voters to think hard whether any candidates are worth voting for at all, because the legal and viable option there is to reject them all.

What China’s rate cut will and won’t do R Bloomberg View

By Mohamed A. El-Erian

elated headlines dominate this morning’s financial media, and understandably so. The country’s surprise decision to cut interest rates, together with strong tech earnings, has contributed to an impressive surge in stocks in Europe and the US. Only a few weeks ago, concerns about China’s economy led to a sharp fall in equity markets around the world, so it should come as no surprise that global investors welcome a new monetary stimulus there. After

all, the country’s economy is large, systemically important and a notable driver of corporate earnings for many multinational corporations. Yet, it is important to remember what can and cannot be achieved by this policy move. China’s interest-rate cut will help loosen monetary conditions there, improving the prospects for financial assets in the country. By helping domestic consumption at the margin and by alleviating some debt concerns, today’s action by the Chinese central bank could also facilitate

structural reforms that are essential to stabilize China’s economy and restore growth momentum. The interest-rate cut is yet another indication that a large percentage of the world’s central bankers are still both willing and able to inject liquidity in response to economic and/or market air pockets. These undoubtedly strong signals should not obfuscate, however, the considerable challenge China faces in using monetary policy to fuel economic growth. Officials are ob-

viously willing to pull the levers of monetary policy, but that does not guarantee any effectiveness. The connection between China’s interest rates and economic growth is far from perfect. The nation needs tricky structural re-orientations over the course of years, with a significantly greater dependence on domestic consumption. And China’s financial sector is already burdened by pockets of excessive indebtedness. Given the country’s far-fromopen capital account, the effect of a

Chinese rate cut on the global economy is far from clear. This is in contrast to Europe and the US, where any liquidity injection would normally spill over to foreign markets. Markets are right to welcome the China news as confirmation that the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the People’s Bank of China and other central banks remain their best friends. But what markets really need is a transition away from this liquidity assistance, toward genuine growth.

What Obama’s Afghanistan troop decision means for America By James Jay Carafano

The Heritage Foundation/TNS Forum

N response to what he called a “fragile” security situation in Afghanistan, President Obama recently announced plans to leave about 5,500 US troops there when he leaves office. Yet more Americans paid attention to who was voted off “The Voice.” Many of us treat the battles in the birthplace of 9/11 like most other foreign policy issues—omething for Washington to worry about. But we ought to pay more attention. Our troops are still in harm’s way. It’s still a dangerous part of the world, and there are no guarantees that squabbles over there won’t spill over here. So what should we make of Obama’s decision not to call it a day in Afghanistan? Interestingly enough, pundits did not always give the answers you’d expect.

Conservative scholar Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute declared the president’s half-measures in the country have “charted a course toward yet another disaster in South Asia.” But liberal Tom Hayden of the Peace and Justice Research Center was no happier, complaining, “It’s time to strip the Obama sticker off my car.” He wants the troops out altogether. The very leftleaning Sen. Bernie Sanders supported the president’s decision. Lisa Curtis, a regional expert at right-leaning Heritage Foundation, agreed. “Obama has made the right choice in extending the US troop presence in the country,” she wrote. There’s a reason, though, that the politics of the experts in this case says so little about their comments. The political stakes in the president’s decision are pretty small. Polls show that a majority of Americans on both sides of

the political aisle support continuing a US presence in Afghanistan. Disagreements among opinion-makers reflect more the debate over what happens next in Afghanistan than the specifics of the president’s decision. On the one side are analysts, who, no matter how they frame their views, generally agree the US needs to stick around and probably do more. That view is shared by many worldwide, including most North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, as well as Afghanistan’s most important neighbors, Pakistan and India. On the opposing side, whether they support troop withdrawal, are those looking for a way out. No one is debating that the situation in Afghanistan could deteriorate badly again: The Taliban would like to come back. Al-Qaeda would love to raise its flag again. The Islamic State would like to supplant them

both. Given their druthers, there is no reason to believe Afghanistan couldn’t once again become as dangerous as it was on September 10, 2001. The question is whether there’s anything America can do about it. In the military, there is a standard for measuring whether it makes sense to try a plan. It’s called the suitable, feasible, acceptable test. Your plan is suitable if it will actually solve the problem. It’s feasible if you have the resources and it can be done. It’s acceptable if the people who have to support it are willing to do so. Americans are over the wave of anti-interventionism and isolation that swirled around the country after the anguish of the Iraq War. They have now seen retreating and indifferent leadership and how both leave matters just as appalling as if you tried to invade every country. They’re ready to support a plan

that makes sense. While the picture isn’t pretty in Afghanistan, the Afghans have shown they’re willing to fight for their future. They want and deserve our support. That leaves the question of whether there is a suitable plan to get there from here. Unfortunately, Obama doesn’t have one. But leaving US troops in the country gives the next president a chance to craft one. Coming up with a sustainable strategy, however, will demand more than just addressing the troop situation in Afghanistan. The next occupant of the Oval Office will face grave security challenges in Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific. The new president will also have to rebuild the military to make it equal to the task. What Obama’s decision mostly tells the next president is that Americans are ready to lead again. And that, at least, is good news.

Women, science and sexual harassment By Laura Lopez

Los Angeles Times/TNS Forum

ARLIER this month, news broke that astronomy Prof. Geoff Marcy, who discovered some of the first planets beyond our solar system, was formally investigated by the University of California, Berkeley and found guilty of repeated sexual harassment and sexual assault of female students from 2001 to 2010. Despite these findings, UC Berkeley did not terminate Marcy’s position, inciting anger both within and outside the

university. Following numerous calls from the astronomy community encouraging stronger disciplinary action, Marcy announced last Wednesday his intention to resign. While Marcy’s departure means he can no longer harm students, the problem of sexual harassment in academia, particularly in the sciences, is much larger than any individual offender. Marcy’s story parallels that of popular Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics Prof. Walter Lewin who, in a formal investigation nearly one year ago, was found to have harassed at least 10 students. And one recent survey of

anthropologists and archaeologists found that 70 percent of women respondents said they were sexually harassed and 26 percent sexually assaulted as trainees doing fieldwork. The apparent frequency of sexual harassment spurs an important question: Why aren’t there more stories like Marcy’s in the news? That is to say, why aren’t more women reporting, leading to more investigations and more national attention to the problem? The answer stems from the power dynamics within academia and, the fact that women are vastly underrepresented in the sciences. Men occupy most senior

positions. For example, among physics faculty in the US, only 8 percent of full professors are women. Some departments have no women on the faculty, and others have so few that an undergraduate student may never take a science course taught by a female professor. (I did not.) The absence of senior women has a palpable effect on the treatment of junior women. In my experience, they are often regarded as outsiders, and their opinions are frequently overlooked. This climate makes it difficult for a female target to come forward, especially if her harasser is a senior male professor. Her first

concern is whether anyone will believe her. If she reports harassment to other faculty members (who are also likely to be men), will they accept her story or dismiss it? The latter is more likely. The senior professor is their colleague and friend with whom they have worked for decades. He is a respected and productive scientist who is awarded large grants to support their department, and he has likely trained many (also male) researchers who have gone on to successful careers. The alleged target, a woman, is young and unfamiliar. They may feel they owe her nothing.

Sports BusinessMirror

A8 | S

unday, October 25, 2015 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

THRILLERS MARK OPEN ROYALS RETURN

TO WORLD SERIES

OP juniors Airah Albo and Sarah Joy Barredo hacked out a pair of come-from-behind three-set thrillers to set up a showdown for the Open women’s singles crown in the Bingo Bonanza National Open Badminton Tournament at Glorietta 5 Atrium in Makati City on Saturday. The fourth-ranked Albo ended the unranked Mariya Sevilla’s run of impressive victories with a 16-21, 2114, 21-10 decision, gaining a crack at her first major championship against a fellow Philippine Badminton Association (PBA)-Smash Pilipinas standout seeking to claim the country’s top ranking. Like Albo, Barredo worked her way back into the game with a big win in the second set, then wore down last year’s tormentor Gelita Castilo in the decider to snare a 18-21, 2116, 21-17 victory in the other semis clash of the centerpiece division of the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza and sanctioned by the PBA headed by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and Secretary-General Rep. Albee Benitez. Albo and Barredo, members of the Philippine team that won the 2015 Sudirman Cup world team Group IV event in May, dispute the crown in Sunday’s finals starting at 2 p.m., also at Glorietta 5, with the mixed doubles to be followed by the women’s and men’s singles and women’s and men’s doubles, according to the organizing EventKing Corp. Barredo, a former double gold medalist in the Philippine National Games, also upended Castilo in the finals of the FDG Cup in July after the latter humbled the former in the finals of the Bingo Bonanza National Open revival last year. But for a while, Castilo appeared headed for a repeat of her last year’s feat, taking the opening set only to falter in the second in the face of Barredo’s strong fightback on a superb all-around game. The duo traded smashes and drop shots in the decider before Barredo unleashed a strong finishing kick to snatch the 65-minute victory. Defending champion Mark Alcala of Allied-NVBA and R-Jay Ormilla of PBA-Smash were disputing the first finals berth in the Open men’s singles at press time along with top seed Kevin Cudiamat and Frell Gabuelo clashing for the other championship seat. Also being disputed are the finals berths in the Open women’s and men’s doubles pitting Keshya Hanadia and Marissa Vita of Indonesia against Danica Bolos and Jennifer Cayetano, and Alyssa Leonardo and Thea Pomar versus Aires Montilla and Kristelle Salatan; Joper Escueta and Ronel Estanislao battling it out with Carlos Cayanan and Paul Pantig and Christian Bernardo and Alvin Morada squaring off with Peter Magnaye and Paul Vivas. Three setters marked the penultimate playdate of the

ANSAS CITY, Missouri—Lorenzo Cain sprinted home from first base on Eric Hosmer’s single in the eighth inning, Wade Davis weathered a 45-minute rain delay and a white-knuckle ninth, and Kansas City beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, on Friday night to earn its second straight trip to the World Series. Davis retired Blue Jays star Josh Donaldson on a grounder with runners on second and third to end Game Six of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The Royals open the World Series on Tuesday night at home against the New York Mets. A year ago, they lost in Game Seven to San Francisco. “We came in with one goal and that was to get back to the World Series. It can’t be any better than this,” Cain said. Jose Bautista’s second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the top of the eighth, lifted Toronto into a 3-3 tie. But any momentum Toronto might have had was washed away when a line of rain swept through town, sending players and fans scurrying for cover. After the delay, Cain promptly worked a leadoff walk from closer Roberto Osuna, and Hosmer followed with a clean single that Bautista fielded down the right-field line. Rather than hit the cutoff man, though, Bautista threw to second to keep Hosmer to a single. That gave the speedy Cain, running full speed the entire way and being waved home by third-base Coach Mike Jirschele, enough time to beat the relay throw from second base with a textbook slide that ignited a sellout crowd.

ADAMSON U STUNS LA SALLE

ALYSSA LEONARDO and Alvin Morada in action in the mixed doubles event on Saturday. NONIE REYES

top-ranking tournament backed by official equipment Victor PCOME and official sports drink Gatorade with PBA-Smash Pilipinas standout Estanislao and Vita ousting last year’s Open mixed doubles champions Vivas and Eleanor Inlayo. Estanislao and Vita, who bundled out top seed Paul Pantig and Thea Amor in the quarters, recovered from a close first-set setback and took the next two to complete a 19-21, 21-16, 21-2 victory and advance to the finals against the second-seeded pair of Alvin Morada and Leonardo, also of PBA-Smash, hacked out a 21-16, 17-21, 21-12 victory over Magnaye and Jessie Francisco.

Cignal shoots for first-round sweep

LL eyes will be on the Cignal HD Spikers as they go for a sweep of the first round of eliminations against RC Cola Air Force Raiders on a Sunday doubleheader in the 2015 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The HD Spikers shoot for their fifth-straight victory at 1 p.m. The Philips Gold Lady Slammers, on the other hand, gun for their fourth win in five games in the 3 p.m. match against the Foton Tornadoes. Cignal beat Foton, 25-20, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23, on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan to go unbeaten in the interclub tournament presented by Asics and backed by Milo

with Mueller, Mikasa and Senoh as technical partners and TV5 as official broadcast partner. Ariel Usher powered Cignal in that match with 29 points off 26 spikes, two blocks and an ace. “Sobrang bilib ako sa kanila [imports], not only in their skills but also their attitude. They are good players and they have the heart to help the team, kahit na down ’yung mga players sila talaga ’yung mga nagsasabing keep going,” Cignal Head Coach Sammy Acaylar said. The Raiders, meanwhile, are on a twogame skid—falling to the Lady Slammers, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 8-15, on Thursday despite the 27-point outing of Morales. Lance Agcaoili

COACH TIM FACES STAR

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Marie Lina Isabel Molde (10) breaks the defense of Philippine Coast Guard’s Melet Clarete (2) and Cindy Valencia (7). NONOY LACZA

ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel begins a new era under new Coach Tim Cone as it battles Star in the main game of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Title-less for nearly a decade, the Kings brought in the 18-time champion Cone to end their misfortunes with the American mentor facing his former team Hotshots in the 5:15 p.m. encounter. Rain or Shine, on the other hand, seeks the solo lead against Mahindra at 3 p.m. The Elasto Painters, who beat the Star 96-87 at the start of the 41st season on Wednesday, activated rookie Josan Nimes in lieu of the injured Paul Lee. Cone led the Hotshots to five PBA titles before transferring to Ginebra, which last hoisted the 2008 Governors’ Cup under Coach Jong Uichico. “It’s been a long break and it feels good to get back at it. It’s always tough to face your former players and it is especially hard to face them in your first game, but we’re all excited to get going,” Cone said. “Just like everyone else, I’m curious to see how our guys respond. This is the first baby step of our journey together,” he added. The Kings are parading three rookies in former National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson, Denice Villamor and Aljon Mariano and acquired Joe Devance in a trade during the off season. Head Coach Jason Webb and the Star were actually in control in their game versus Rain or Shine but were unable to finish strong. They could not afford to do that against the crowd-darling Kings. Rain or Shine, meanwhile, shoots for a 2-0 start against the Enforcers (formerly Kia) with Nimes, the Mapua standout whose team fell short in their Final Four drive in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, debuting in the league. “We’ll try to survive without Paul and keep ourselves in contention,” said Guiao, who will be missing Lee for at least four weeks due to a partial tear in his ACL. “It’s also an opportunity for our rookies to step in his shoes.” Mahindra beefed up its rosters by adding veterans in Paolo Hubalde, Nino Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos through off-season trades. The squad pulled off a couple of surprises last seasons and active Assistant Coach Chito Victolero will again bank on the backcourt tandem of LA Revilla and Hyram Bagatsing. Joel Orellana

TIGHT FINISH FOR LADY MAROONS

AGELESS Asi Taulava of NLEX gets entangled with Frank Gola of Blackwater in Friday night’s game won by the Road Warriors, 90-86. NONOY LACZA

“I was hustling all the way,” Cain said. “I don’t know what happened I just kept going.” Then it was up to Davis, who got the Royals out of a jam in the eighth, to finish it off. Davis gave up a single to Russell Martin and walked Kevin Pillar before striking out pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro. After stolen bases put runners on second and third, Davis struck out Ben Revere, then got Donaldson on a bouncer to third. Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar was voted the ALCS Most Valuable Player after going 11 for 23 (.478). And for the fifth time in two years, the Royals clinched a postseason series at home. “They made a run at it,” Toronto Manager John Gibbons said. “I really couldn’t be more proud of our guys. They laid it out every day, they’re great competitors and a fun bunch, fun to be around every day.” Ben Zobrist and Mike Moustakas homered, and Alex Rios also drove in a run for Kansas City, which ended an embarrassing 29-year postseason drought just last season. The Royals eventually swept their way to the World Series, where they succumbed to the Giants in Game Seven with the tying run standing 90 feet away. Kansas City will try to do one win better against the Mets. The Royals last won the crown in 1985. For the Blue Jays, it was a frustrating ending to a late-season surge that ended their own postseason drought dating to 1993. They had rallied from a 2-0 series deficit against Texas in the divisional round, then staved off elimination against the Royals in Game Five in Toronto. AP

NIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) displayed grace under pressure and pulled through in a tight finish in the third set for a 25-20, 25-22, 27-25 victory over Coast Guard on Saturday to grab the solo lead in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City. After snatching a come-frombehind four-set win over the Navy Lady Sailors two weeks ago, the Lady Maroons took command this time and warded off the Lady Dolphins’ series of rallies with clutch hits, including in the extended third frame, to fashion out the 78-minute victory. Isabel Molde punched in 15 points, while Justine Dorog crushed Coast Guard’s defense with 11 hits in a two-set stint, and the Lady Maroons pounced on their rivals’ poor reception to pick up 10 aces that helped anchor their second straight victory in the seasonending conference of the league, sponsored by Shakey’s and presented by PLDT Home Ultera. Not only did UP wrest the solo lead from fancied Army and PLDT Home Ultera, it also put the Lady Maroons on course for a crack at one of the semifinal berths in the short single round robin elims among six teams. UP also virtually knocked Coast Guard off the Final Four race with a third straight defeat in the tournament, backed by Mikasa and Accel.

“We just stayed focused especially in critical moments,” said UP Coach Jerry Yee, who is using the tournament as part of the team’s buildup for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) wars early next year. Meanwhile, action heats up on Sunday as Army and PLDT Home Ultera collide at 3 p.m. in what could be a preview of the championship, capping another weekend of volley festival where matches are aired live over GMA News TV Channel 11. Navy and Kia Forte mix it up in the 12:45 p.m. opener of another explosive twin bill in the league where it all started and organized by Sports Vision. But PLDT will continue to miss the services of Ateneo ace and back-to-back UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez, who needs two more weeks to heal an upper back pain she sustained during her UAAP beach volley stint last weekend. UP also kept drawing big games from comebacking leader and noted blocker Katherine Bersola, who chipped in five hits in her second game since being sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament injury early in the year. Bersola scored eight points, including four blocks, in UP’s 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 win over Navy in the conference inaugurals on October 10. Skipper Rossan Fajardo paced Coast Guard with nine points, but failed to draw solid backup from the rest of the Lady Dolphins with Sam Dawson scoring eight and Mary Rosale and Hyrize Macabuhay adding six hits apiece.

By Joel Orellana

DAMSON University crawled back from a 16-point deficit in the second half and stunned De La Salle, 75-74, to end a seven-game skid in Season 78 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball action on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Soaring Falcons leaned on Joseph Nalos and Papi Sarr in their searing fourth-quarter comeback and handed the Green Archers a damaging loss. Nalos returned from a one-game suspension and tallied a career-high 20 points, on top of four rebounds and six assists, while Sarr was again steady with 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead their team to its only second win in 11 matches. For De La Salle, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow as it dropped to 5-5, now only one game ahead of defending champion National University (NU) for the No. 4 spot with a 4-6 mark. “We had a tough loss last time so sabi ko sa players to forget about it and move on,” said Adamson University’s rookie Coach Mike Ferwin, referring to their tough 79-81 overtime loss to the Bulldogs where a controversial foul on Jerome Garcia in the closing seconds of regulation allowed NU to send the game to overtime. The graduating Nalos was not around in that loss to the Bulldogs to serve his suspension for a disqualifying foul on Ateneo’s Vince Tolentino. He returned with a mission against De La Salle, helping the Soaring Falcons to erase a 14-point deficit in the final eight minutes and completed the comeback with Sarr delivering the game-winning free throws. “He’s a fighter. Gusto niya bumawi kasi last time hindi siya nakatulong sa team dahil sa suspension,” added Fermin, whose win surpassed the team’s 1-13 campaign last year under Kenneth Duremdes. Nalos and Sarr combined for 22 points in the fourth period, outscoring the whole De La Salle team which scored just 15. Behind Prince Rivero’s inside incursions, the Green Archers threatened to pull away, increasing their lead from 37-34 at halftime to 59-43 with 2:38 left in the third period, before settling for a 59-48 margin entering the final period. Thomas Torres hit a triple and Jeron Teng scored on a drive to give De La Salle a 64-50 spread before Nalos scattered 10 in the Soaring Falcons’ 14-1 assault to slice the lead to 64-65 with 5:23 remaining in the game. The Green Archers got some separation with three quick points, 68-64, but Nalos and Sarr again joined forces for a 9-3 run to grab the lead at 73-71 with 2:13 ticks left. Rivero, who finished with a career-best 23 points, tied the game for the last time with an under the goal stab at 73, then both teams exchanged empty possessions with Torres, Teng and Andrei Caracut misfiring for De La Salle. Sarr broke the deadlock with two free throws off Jason Perkins’s foul, 75-73, and Rivero had the chance to tie the game as he was sent to the free-throw area. He made the first but missed the second and the Green Archers got a break after Rivero’s second attempt as the referees called for a double-lane violation with the possession arrow pointing to the Taft-Based team with 8.5 seconds left. But La Salle came out empty as Caracut fumbled a bit and had to take a hurried shot at the top of the key and missed the target completely.