BusinessMirror October 28, 2019 by BusinessMirror

REFORMS IN PROCUREMENT LAW EYED

SEA GAMES TEST EVENT

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

The Philippines’s Leonard Grospe competes in the men’s high jump during the test event for the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the world-class Athletics Stadium of the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, on Sunday.

HE Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office (GPPB-TSO) is eyeing amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act, including the introduction of a new term for the award of contracts, to ensure that the government would get the best value for its money. GPPB-TSO Executive Director V Atty Rowena Candice M. Ruiz said that during the last Cabinet meeting, President Duterte expressed support for GPPB’s proposal to adopt the change in the term “lowest calculated and responsive bid” to “most advantageous bid.”

NONIE REYES

Under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, contracts shall be awarded to the bidder with “lowest calculated and responsive bid.” “At present there is a misconception that government buys only the cheapest because under the law the term lowest calculated and responsive bid was used in determining award of contracts. To clarify this inaccurate perception of our bidding rules, the GPPB-TSO has been emphasizing in our many training programs that the term connotes, the lowest and responsive bidder should be chosen, not merely the lowest,” she said in an email interview with BusinessMirror. However, Ruiz said the misconception still persists because of the challenges

faced by procuring entities in identifying the correct technical specifications for a procurement project. Along with capacitating procuring entities in the preparation of technical specifications so they do not end up with poor quality and substandard products and services, Ruiz admitted that there is a need to change the mindset of procurement professionals in government through changing the term under the law. “To further enhance these initiatives and institutionalize the importance of providing the correct technical specifications, the GPPB has proposed for the adoption of the term “most advantageous bid” which would refer to the See “Procurement,” A2

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Monday, October 28, 2019 Vol. 15 No. 18

Economic Cha-cha set for Dec House debate C

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

ITING the need to liberalize the restrictive economic policies of the Philippines, the chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments said the House of Representatives will start in December the plenary debates on the measure amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the panel chairman, said there is already “a large consensus” in favor of amending the

Constitution by lifting the restrictive economic provisions of the 32-year-old Charter. “In December, the committee

will approve [at least] these economic amendments and it [the measure] will be brought to the plenary for debates,” he added.

The age of the 1987 Constitution, the

economic provisions of which are deemed too restrictive by both local and foreign businessmen.

Before transmitting the amendments to the Constitution or the economic Charter change to the plenary, Rodriguez said his committee will first hold regional consultations on the measure. See “Cha-cha,” A2

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‘LGU BLOCKADE ON PORK PRODUCTS MAY CAUSE CONGESTION AT PORTS’ By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) warned of possible port congestion if local government units (LGUs) continue to block the entry of pork-related products, particularly imported ones, as such may result in more containers parked in ports. CCAP President Anthony S. Dizon said the continuous ban by LGUs on the entry of pork-related items such as processed meat products, have a “far-reaching effect on overall local economic activity” due to the limited distribution of goods. Since meat processors, from small-scale to big firms, have limited distribution of products,

ADB pitches $37-B fund for agri R&D, rural devt, water mgt

By Cai U. Ordinario

See “Agri R&D,” A2

PESO exchange rates n

See “Pork,” A6

Digital shift seen to push EODB rank

@caiordinario

F gove r n me nt s i nvest a n add it ion a l $36. 9 billion in agriculture research and development, rural development and water management annually, countries will be able to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This was according to an Asian Development Blog authored by ADB Rural Development and Food Security Thematic Group Chief Akmal Siddiq, and Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist Abul Basher. This amount covers a $1.3-billion annual increase in agricultural research and development investment; water management, $20 billion; and rural infrastructure, $15.8 billion. “[This] will reduce the number of food-insecure people in the countries studied by another 3 million due to the interlinkage of multiplier effects of these subsectors. As a result, total food-insecure people in 2030 will be at 180 million, which will be 4.2 percent of the projected population,” Siddiq and Basher said.

then their imported raw materials could be left parked in ports, Dizon explained. “Manila is still the central point of receiving for pork products from abroad and the most important stepping stone for distribution of locally-manufactured products,”he told the BusinessMirror in a recent interview. “The biggest problem is that pork products are not moving, especially between province to province [due to the bans]. Further, this time of the year we are supposed to move products intended for the holiday season, but we cannot,” he added. If the current market situation persists, then port congestion is probable in the next two to three months, Dizon said.

THANKS, AMB. ZHAO The Philippine Silk Road International Chamber of Commerce, chaired by Dr. Francis Chua, hosted a farewell dinner for Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua at Marriott Hotel on October 26. Photo shows Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (seventh from left) presenting a token of appreciation to Ambassador Zhao (eighth from right) on behalf of PSRICC. Also in photo are officers of PSRICC.

HE government’s move to shift its transactions and services to online will pay dividends for the Philippines, as it should improve the country’s ranking in competitiveness surveys next year, a financial technology firm said over the weekend. Voyager Innovations Inc. and PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea said adopting digital payments in government systems is a “critical component” in simplifying procedures to start a business in the country. Such innovation, he added, can be used in many transactions, such as obtaining permits and paying taxes. “Payments complete a cycle for setting up or doing a business in the country, especially when applying for permits or remitting taxes, which is why having digital payments acceptance in the online Continued on A10

US 51.0610 n japan 0.4701 n UK 65.6338 n HK 6.5150 n CHINA 7.2227 n singapore 37.4540 n australia 34.8083 n EU 56.7032 n SAUDI arabia 13.6148

Source: BSP (25 October 2019 )

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, October 28, 2019

‘More firms skirting DOLE order to regularize workers’ By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

ORE companies are now trying to circumvent the regularization orders of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) by retrenching their contractual workers. Among the erring firms, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) told the BusinssMirror, is a multinational garments firm based in the Laguna International Industrial Park, which dismissed 200 of its contractual workers to avoid regularizing them. “They were directed by DOLE region 4-A to be regularized but lately were terminated by their manpower agency and service cooperative and [are] therefore out of work,” FFW President Sonny Matula told the BusinessMirror in an SMS. He said the garment company is currently appealing the regularization order at the Office of

Cha-cha. . .

Continued from A1

“Our Committee on Constitutional Amendment has conducted three hearings already last September. In November we will have regional consultations,” he added. According to Rodriguez, such economic Charter amendments will allow more foreign investments and increase employment in the Philippines.

Constraints to growth

Earlier, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC), which backed the economic Cha-cha, said restrictions on foreign investment make the economy less competitive by imposing constraints to growth that result in lower investments, fewer jobs, poorer infrastructure and less inclusive development. The group said the Philippines is one of the most restrictive countries in 11

Procurement. . . Continued from A1

bidder who is responsive to the technical specifications required by the procuring entity and with most competitive price, thereby ensuring for the government the best value for our money,” she said. While she described the procurement law as “one of the best in the world,” Ruiz conceded that there is still room for improvements. “If we are to make government procurement on time; as planned; and work as expected, it is incumbent upon the GPPB to provide the enabling environment for this,” she said. The shift in the term, she said, will not only manage the risk aversion of procuring entities which are “too often very cautious” of disallowances from Commission on Audit (COA), but would also strengthen and solidify the effectiveness of the current procurement law. “The President likewise sees this as an avenue to further prevent corruption of procuring entities by unscrupulous bidders,” she said. Sought for comment on GPPB’s proposal to change the term under the law, COA Director IV Aida Maria Ayaso-Talavera said this“might actually improve the procurement decisions if we have better evaluation parameters.” “Lowest cost does not always mean most advantageous. A lowest-priced

the Labor Secretary.

Order enforcement

Matula said it is just one of several cases they are now handling as more companies resist enforcement of the regularization order of DOLE by firing their contractual workers. This includes 16 workers of a Catholic school in Manila and 123 contractual employees of a paper production firm in Central Luzon. FFW is now calling on DOLE to implement the provision of Executive Order (EO) 51 issued by President Duterte on May 1, 2019, which states that the termination

sectors measured by the World Bank in its “ Investing Across Borders 2012” report that surveyed 105 economies. JFC recommended the removal of the restrictions at the earliest date, saying this can best be accomplished by deleting the restrictions without adding the phrase“unless otherwise provided by law”—a shortcut earlier suggested by some lawmakers, including Rodriguez. The group also noted that there have been major economic changes since the 1973 and 1987 constitutions were drafted. Rodriguez said these constitutional amendments will further improve the rank of the Philippines in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business (EODB) report as proven by the 29-notch leap from 124th to 95th in the annual report. For his part, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said the lifting of restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution will greatly boost the economy, as the constitutional

pen that hardly writes will turn out to be a more expensive procurement since another procurement has to be made sooner,” Ayaso-Talavera told the BusinessMirror. However, she said the parameters should be well-defined and implementable. Meanwhile, Redempto Parafina, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific Foundation Inc, said “using most advantageous” would “probably be discretionary”so there is a need to watch out for the criteria used for discretion. “Discretion in procurement decision-making is a major cause of concern as it makes the process more vulnerable to abuse and corruption,” Parafina said. However, he said non-discretionary process must also be put in check so it does not stifle innovation. “PHL procurement law is internationally recognized as gold standard as far as regulatory framework is concerned. In other countries, advantageous is usually qualified as economically advantageous. We need to know what the government wants to use as qualifier for advantageous,” he said. Ruiz, however, disagreed with the perception that there would be discretion on the part of government when this change in the term is adopted. “No, because there is no discretion given. The decision to award is based on the technical specifications pro-

of employees while the order of regularization is on appeal will make the order final and executory. It also appealed to the department to be more transparent in disclosing its data on its regularized workers to labor unions and federations. “The unions need to be informed of the order of regularization so that they could act when employees ordered to be regularized are terminated from employment,” FFW said.

Open position

The Department of Labor and Employment admitted that many companies are questioning its regularization orders, which covers about 200,000 contractual workers, before the courts. Labor officials earlier said this could have been addressed with DOLE’s proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Employers Confederation of Philippines (Ecop). Under the accord, Ecop would facilitate the regularization of contractual workers among its members in tranches in exchange for a temporary exemption from labor inspection. Labor groups, including FFW, initially opposed the MOU.

restrictions represent the biggest source of rigidity. Deputy Speaker Michael Romero said the Philippines’s ability to leapfrog into the circle of nations with the best ease of doing business systems in place, as well as the positive peace and order situation will boost investors’ confidence—making economic progress “sweet and very long” for the country.

Pending measures

In the 18th Congress, there are several pending measures seeking to amend certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution. These measures seek to amendment Articles VI (Legislative Department), X (Local Government), XII (National Patrimony), XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports) and XVI (General Provisions) of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. One of these measures—House Concurrent Resolution 1—is authored by Rodriguez. According to Rodriguez, he

vided by the procuring entity, and only those that qualify or are responsive to this may be considered for award of the contract,” she said. Aside from this, she said the GPPB is also looking into other amendments to the procurement law as they embark on a regional consultation workshop with all the procurement stakeholders to gather feedbacks and suggestions that would be useful for the improvement of the current law and its implementing rules and regulations. Ruiz said they are also continuously looking at the procurement performance and compliance of procuring entities to provide measures in addressing gaps in the procurement law. The agency will use the inputs gathered in the regional consultation workshop and the conduct of a comprehensive assessment of the Philippine Public Procurement System using the Methodology for Assessment of Procurement System (MAPS) in crafting the possible proposed bill that will enhance and improve the current law and its IRR. “There are other proposed enhancements; however, these are still being studied and I would not want to preempt the results of the study. We want the proposed bill to be evidence-based, that is why,” she said. “Moreover, the results of the regional consultation fora and MAPS… will shape and inform the bill that the Executive will endorse to Congress,” she added.

However, Matula said recently more labor unions are now becoming open to the idea. “At present, there are unions who agreed on voluntary regularization by batches as to avoid litigation.... We also support voluntary regularization, but we are against [DOLE giving] immunity on [labor] inspection,” Matula said.

Submitted for consideration

Still, Matula said EO 51 is just a band-aid solution and reiterated their demand for the passage of the pending Security of Tenure (SOT) bill to finally resolve legal questions on what positions can be legally contracted out. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said they have already submitted their working draft to the office of Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea for comments. Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo Benavidez said the draft could still change based on the inputs from workers and employers, which they are still collating. He said they hope to complete the final draft of the SOT before the end of the year. “Currently it has no takers, meaning no senator or congressman has expressed interest to sponsor it,” Benavidez said.

considered the version of the Consultative Commitee in filing the measure. The Consultative Committee, chaired by former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, and its senior member, the late former Senate President Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr., led the review the 1987 Constitution. It transmitted to the Office of the President its proposed changes to the Charter in July 2018. Its main provision is to create 18 federated regions with more autonomy to control and utilize their revenues. The Rodriguez resolution seeks to amend the provisions of the Constitution, particularly Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 7, Section 10, Section 11, of Article XII or the National Patrimony and Economy by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law.” These amendments seek to relax the restrictive foreign ownership to attract more foreign direct investment. Besides amending the economic provisions of the Charter, Rodriguez’s resolution also seeks a presidential bicameral-federal system of government.

BIR. . .

Continued from A16

2007 and 2008. Based on its review of the decision issued by the CTA First Division, the Court said the issues raised by Gaw pertained solely to the inclusion of taxable year 2007, as falling within the term “unverified prior years,” in the Letter of Authority (LOA) and resulting assessment issued by the BIR. “It is settled that when an LOA authorizes an examination for a taxable year and ‘unverified prior years,’ in contravention of Revenue Memorandum Order No. 43-90, it is not void in its entirety and shall be valid as to the declared taxable year,” the SC explained. “It is for this reason that the CTA First Division correctly limited its disposition to the cancellation of the deficiency income tax assessment for taxable year 2007 amounting to Pl,295,855,151.89,” it added. The BIR has accused Gaw of misdeclaring his real-estate acquisitions as sales of “capital assets,” instead of ordinary assets, thus allowing him to pay only a 6-percent capital gains tax, instead of a 32-percent income tax and a 12-percent VAT.

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APPEALS COURT DENIES PECO’S T.R.O. BID, CASE VS. MORE NOW WITH SC By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Court of Appeals(CA) has denied the petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and petition for a writ of preliminary injunction filed by Panay Electric Co. (Peco) against the expropriation of its assets by More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE). In its 19-page resolution, the 18thdivision of the CA in Cebu City said last October 3, “the applications for TRO/ WPI in both CA G.R. SP Nos. 12900 and 12913 are denied.” “Peco’s contentions fail to convince us to grant its prayer for a preliminary injunctive relief,” said CA Associate Justice Alfredo Ampuan. The same order stated, “as long as MORE has a valid legislative franchise as a distribution utility, it may exercise the power of eminent domain as provided for under Section 23 of the Epira.” Peco has argued that if MORE takes over the former’s assets, this will result in grave and irreparable damage as it will cease operation should the expropriation proceed, “plunging the entire City of Iloilo into darkness by transferring Peco’s assets to MORE.” PECO’s franchise to distribute electricity in Iloilo has expired. It still operates in Iloilo after it was allowed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to continue distributing electricity up to two years to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity in Iloilo City. The provisional certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) issued by the ERC is valid until MORE, the

Bazaar. . .

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in Pasay City; the Steps Mission Foundation and the Sayaw Foundation that teaches out-of-school youth to learn ballet skills. The International Bazaar, now on its 53rd year, has taken on as theme, “Show the World, Show You Care.”

Agri R&D. . . Continued from A1

“However, some of the poor will benefit slowly, if at all, from these investments. Some of them will remain vulnerable to economic shocks to become food-insecure again. These groups will need targeted income-generating measures and safety nets, at least during economic shocks,” they added. Based on the estimates, an additional investment in agricultural research and development would reduce the number of malnourished children by an additional 2.2 million in the developing countries. This would be greater compared to increased investments in irrigation development and expansion along with improvement of water efficiency. The impact would more “modest” since irrigation affects only a limited area of crops compared to research and development, which also directly impacts livestock. An annual increase of investment in irrigation infrastructure by $7 billion, and water efficiency by $13 billion, will reduce the number of food-insecure people by 28 million and reduce agricultural water use by 7 percent; thus making more water available for alternative uses. Investments in rural infrastructure that facilitate transport, processing, storage and marketing of food also contribute to food security. The results suggested that South Asia can reduce the number of foodinsecure people by 29 million by increasing annual investment in rural roads by about $2.4 billion, in rails by $0.5 billion, and in rural electricity by $1.71 billion. Further, East Asia can also reduce the number of food-insecure

legislative franchisee, has established and can fully operate its own distribution system. The CA, however, does not see an urgent necessity for the preliminary injunctive writ. Besides, the court said, Peco admitted that its application for the renewal of its franchise had not been acted and its current operation anchored on the CPCN. “Peco’s apprehension of its closing business is not actually attributable to the expropriation proceedings of the issuance of a writ of possession in MORE’s favor, but instead, to the nonrenewal of its franchise. “As far as Peco’s fear of having Iloilo City plunged into darkness, suffice it to say that MORE is actually averting the same by pursuing its obligations as the grantee of a legislative franchise to operate as a DU in the area,” the court said. The CA noted that only the Supreme Court can stop the implementation of any portion of Epira, which includes the power of eminent domain by DUs in their franchise areas. The other members of the CA’s 18thDivision, Associate Justices Edgardo Delos Santos and Marilyn Lagura-Yap, concurred in Justice Ampuan’s ponencia. For its part, Peco said the CA’s denial of its petition to suspend or stop the expropriation case filed by MORE is already moot and academic. “The Court of Appeals case is already moot and has been overtaken by events because the matter is now with the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land,” said Peco legal counsel Atty. Estrella Elamparo.

According to Locsin, entrance tickets to the bazaar are sold at P150.00, while donor cards cost P 250.00. These are sold at Tesoros Store in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, and at the Special Projects Unit at the sixth floor of the DFA Building on Roxas Boulevard Pasay City and at the PICC gate on the day of the International Bazaar. For inquiries, please call 833-1320 04 or send email at ibf.dfa@gmail.com. people by 22 million by increasing annual investment in these sectors by $4 billion, $0.8 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively. The authors also said developing countries in the study can reduce the number of food-insecure people by 67 million through increasing annual investments in rural infrastructure by about $16 billion distributed over rural roads ($8 billion), rail ($2 billion), and rural electricity ($6 billion). These increases will also reduce the number of malnourished children by about 2 million. “[Our study analyzed] the impacts of investments in agricultural research and development, improvement of water management, and infrastructure to reduce marketing costs and postharvest losses,” Siddiq and Basher said. “The results indicate it is possible to achieve SDG 2 by reducing the number of food-insecure people to below 5 percent of the total population by nearly doubling annual investments in these areas by 2030,” they added. Under the current growth trend, Siddiq and Basher said the number of undernourished people in developing Asia will decline to 362 million. Even neutralizing climate change would only bring the number to 324 million by 2030. However, the reductions in the number of malnourished people would not be enough to meet SDG 2. The number of undernourished people in the region would still be higher than 5 percent of total population. This is also higher than the goal put forward by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) and World Food Program (WFP).

The Nation BusinessMirror

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, October 28, 2019 A3

Airport, MMDA, LGUs bare ‘Undas’ plans A

VIATION and local government agencies have started issuing public advisories to ensure an orderly flow of people and vehicles as the nation observes the 2019 Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day starting Friday. The general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), Ed Monreal, on Sunday advised outbound passengers to be at their assigned airport terminals three hours before the scheduled departure of their international flights and two hours for domestic flights. Besides the Miaa, local carriers led by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) expect a large volume of passengers traveling to the provinces during this year’s Undas. Monreal also advised passengers to check their flight status and terminal assignment before heading to the airport by clicking the Flight Status Tab in the PAL web site and other airlines, or by calling (02) 8855-8888, then pressing 2 for Arrival and Departure Information at Terminal 2. “Flight information is available two days before until two days after flight departure,” he said. PAL passengers may check in via Web, mobile, or airport kiosks (available in Naia T-3, Cebu, Bangkok and Caticlan Airport Terminals) to avoid possible long lines at the airport. The full list of prohibited items may be found on PAL’s web site, www. philippineairlines.com. Travel-related concerns may be

tackled through PAL’s 24-hour Reservations Hotline—(02) 8855-8888. Travel updates will also be posted on PAL’s Facebook page.

MMDA policy

FROM October 31 to November 4, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a “no day off, no absent” policy for traffic enforcers. MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said the agency will set into motion an operations plan to ensure an orderly observance of Undas. Over 2,300 agency personnel will be deployed in key areas in Metro Manila upon the reactivation of Oplan Kaluluwa 2019 from October 30 to November 4, Lim said. In order to accommodate more passengers going to the provinces and back, the MMDA suspended the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or number coding, for provincial buses on October 31, Thursday and November 4, Monday. The number coding scheme for both private and public vehicles is automatically lifted on November 1, Friday. Members of the Traffic Discipline Office shall be posted on major thoroughfares, bus terminals and other transport hubs; and monitor major cemeteries, including Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park and San Juan Public Cemetery. “We shall conduct random/on-

the-spot breathalyzer tests on bus drivers to determine whether or not they are under the influence of alcohol. Should they fail, they will not be allowed to drive unless they take a rest,” Lim added. The Road Emergency Group shall set up public assistance centers and preposition ambulances at Manila North Cemetery, Loyola Memorial in Marikina, Bagbag Public Cemetery, San Juan Public Cemetery, Philtranco in Pasay and Araneta Terminal Station to provide public assistance and rescue services. Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group shall provide assistance to commuters; help carry baggage of passengers at bus terminals and ensure the orderliness of the roads and sidewalks. The Metro Parkway Clearing Group shall be responsible for the cleanliness in the surroundings of cemeteries before and after November 1. Tasked monitoring groups are members of Metrobase Command Center, Digital Media Group and operators of the mobile Metrobase Command Centers—Agila 1 and Agila 2, for emergency and security surveillance operations.

Marikina’s plans

IN Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro has ordered all concerned departments to ensure security measures and traffic rerouting schemes on all roads leading to the five cemeteries in the city are in place for November 1 and 2.

NORTHERN RICE

Using recycled sacks, a grains trucking crew in Cabatuan, Isabela province, up north fastens the ropes, binding a truckload of rice due for delivery in Metro Manila. The Isabela Provincial Government with support from the Department of Agriculture (DA) recently launched the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program. CEASAR M. PERANTE

Recently, Teodoro led the inspection of Loyola Memorial Park, Barangka Municipal Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery and Our Lady of Abandoned to make sure these have been cleaned and have undergone repairs. As early as three weeks before Undas, the mayor said they began

gearing up for the influx of people on Undas. Teodoro has formed “Oplan Undas” Task Force, chaired by Councilor Manny Sarmiento, with members from the Marikina City Police, Office of Public Safety and Security, City Health Department, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Office -Marikina Rescue 161, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, all stationed in the five cemeteries. From noon of October 31 until 6 p.m. of November 3 (Sunday), traffic on selected roads in Marikina will be rerouted. The rerouting scheme may be seen on Marikina PIO Facebook page. Recto L. Mercene and Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

The Nation BusinessMirror

A4 Monday, October 28, 2019

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₧130M worth of equipment from China to be installed in state-run radio stations A

Marital spat delays flight

By Recto Mercene

@rectomercene

TATE-OWNED radio stations around the country will be getting a facility upgrade after the government received a donation of radio broadcast equipment from China worth more than P130 million.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Friday said that Radyo Pilipinas (RP) stations across the country will be getting a revamp as most of its radio broadcast equipment already need replacing. “We conceptualized the radio rehab program after going around the country and seeing that the status of our radio stations under the Philippine Broadcasting Service are not as inviting anymore,” José Ruperto Martín M. Andanar, PCOO chief, said. “I am happy to announce that we are launching the radio rehabilitation

program here in Butuan City. This is the first time that we are doing this.” Andanar thanked the Chinese government for its donation, which included booth sound panels, microphones, headphones and radio consoles. He earlier said the first station to undergo rehabilitation will be RP-Butuan. The PCOO eyes to rehabilitate ten RP AM stations and four RP FM stations nationwide. Aside from Butuan, among those mentioned to be part of the radio rehabilitation pro-

gram are stations in Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Cebu, Tawi-Tawi and Batanes. Andanar said that the equipment for the AM stations are courtesy of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines HE Zhao Jianhua. The equipment for the FM stations are included in the P130-million donation signed last week. The donation was among the six bilateral documents signed between the Philippines and China during the state visit of Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua in the country from October 22 to October 24.

Additional fees to hike ‘Govt inaction’ on land reclamation number of illegal OFWs activities on Manila Bay criticized By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ECRUITERS warn that the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) going abroad legally would further dip by next year if the imposition of additional predeployment charges for them takes effect. The warning was issued on Sunday after the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) announced that it is eyeing to enforce its premium adjustment by January 2020. The said adjustments include making PhilHealth premium payment a requirement for overseas employment certificate (OEC) issuance—a document issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to a Filipino before they could be allowed to work abroad. “The insistence of the government to implement the mandatory contributions will discourage many new workers to apply for jobs offered by the recruitment industry,” Emmanuel S. Geslani, a consultant for recruiters, was quoted in a statement as saying. To recall, the recruitment industry also rejected the similar planned premium collection scheme from the Social Security System (SSS).

Repressive charges

LBS E-Recruitment Solutions Corp. President Lito B. Soriano said they are against the ”repressive” additional charges for departing newly hired OFWs. Soriano said these workers are unlikely to afford the said payments since they have yet to even earn their first salary abroad. Recruiters and migrant advocates

said forcing workers to pay the predeployment SSS and PhilHealth fees will make more Filipinos consider using illegal channels, where they are not usually charged any payments, to work in other coutnries. In 2017, the number of deployed OFWs abroad already declined by 3.19 percent to 2 million from 2.1 million in 2016. POEA has yet to release the complete annual deployment figures for 2018 and 2019. There’s no official number for Filipinos who work abroad illegally.

Draft guideline

THE PhilHealth and the SSS is currently working with a technical working group of the Department of Labor and Employment on how to collect premiums without it being a burden for OFWs, especially new hires. Specifica l ly in the case of PhilHealth premium collection scheme, Silvestre H. Bello III, Labor secretary and POEA Governing Board chairman, said they are now drafting the “implementing guidelines” related to the implementation of the scheme. “Further collaboration is needed with PhilHealth to raise concerns of the stakeholders in the overseas industry,” Bello told the BusinessMirror in a SMS citing the result of their “pre-POEA Governing Board meeting” last week. Until the guideline is completed, Bello said they could only “assist PhilHealth in the information drive to remind OFWs to pay for their [PhilHealth] contributions.” The PhilHealth management earlier said its open to a more flexible premium payment arrangement for OFWs.

“Even by DENR’s own account, Cavite is one of the resource-rich areas situated along Manila Bay and, yet, reclamation activities are already taking place in the province.” “This clearly is...a violation [of the] Supreme Court order to preserve and restore the deteriorating Manila Bay.”–Hicap

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

HE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) slammed what it calls “government inaction to stop the massive landreclamation activities in Bacoor and Cavite City along the historic Manila Bay. In response to what the group described as apathy shown by concerned government agencies on the massive destruction of coastal and marine ecosystems, coastal communities in Bacoor launched the Manila Bay Watch Reporting, which aims to closely monitor and expose reclamation activities in the Cavite coastal areas. “If officials [of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)] have no plans of going outside their comfortable offices, [fishermen] would be the ones to take the task of monitoring these environmentally destructive projects. Ultimately, their inaction will only prove that all the blabber about Manila Bay rehabilitation

early this year, is just a ploy of the Duterte government,” Fernando L. Hicap, national coordinator of Pamalakaya, said in a statement. Members of Pamalakaya in Bacoor City and environmental group Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC) conducted on Sunday an on-site investigation on a fishpond adjacent to Manila Bay where land reclamation, also called dump-and-fill activity, has been reported last week. According to Pamalakaya, the project details and permit, if there is any, for the land-reclamation activities were not disclosed to the public. Because of this, the group is holding the Manila Bay Task Force (MBTF) led by the DENR accountable. The group alleges that the MBTF’s inaction is a dereliction of their duty and mandate to rehabilitate Manila Bay and protect the newly discovered live corals in Cavite Province. Aside from land reclamation in Bacoor, the group recently reported ongoing land reclamation activities near Sangley Point, a naval base in Cavite City. Created by virtue of Administrative Order 16, the MBTF is tasked to expedite the rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Unfortunately, Pamalakaya said the DENR, which is leading the special task force, is seemingly “forsaking its duty to protect Manila Bay against destructive projects.” Pamalakaya cited the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Develop-

ment Bureau’s (ERDB) report and discovery of live coral covers in the Southern part of Manila Bay. The DENR also claimed that 72 percent of the estimated reef area in Manila Bay is found in Cavite. “Even by DENR’s own account, Cavite is one of the resourcerich areas situated along Manila Bay and, yet, reclamation activities are already taking place in the province,” Hicap said. “This clearly is…a violation [of the] Supreme Court order to preserve and restore the deteriorating Manila Bay.” He added that “the discovery of live corals in the southern part of Manila Bay was an indicator that the bay is still alive and well, and rehabilitation is feasible only if there are a political will and sincerity from the enforcing agencies, with the holistic participation of the fishing communities that genuinely advocate the restoration of our traditional fishing grounds.” According to Hicap, small fishermen were evicted from their homes and traditional fishing grounds to pave way for reclamation projects intended for commercial and business establishments. He said no less than 26,000 fishing and coastal families in Cavite are facing the looming threat of dislocation courtesy of reclamation. Hicap vowed to oppose “this grand sellout of Manila Bay and conversion of our communities in a form of reclamation galore at all cost.”

Air Force tests F-50 fighter jets by bombing WWII Filipino veteran awarded suspected NPA guerrilla camp in N. Samar congressional medal in Texas

ILIPINO World War II veteran Jose Manzano-Somera, 92, was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by the United States’s Congress. Texas Rep. Roger Williams awarded the medal to Manzano-Somera in a ceremony held in Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, on October 25, according to an article published in the Stars and Stripes web site. Manzano-Somera was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth and daughter, Josephine Manzano-Stettler. The conferment of the award is part of the implementation of the Filipino World War II Congressional Medal Act signed by former US President Barack Obama in December 2016. Manzano-Somera is one of the 260,000 Filipino war veterans who fought alongside American troops during the war between July 26, 1941, and December 31, 1946. From August 1946 to April 1949, Manzano-Somera enlisted as a private in the New Philippine Scouts of the US Army, a unit that helped track down and eliminate bands of Japanese fighters who refused to surrender. A decade after his service, Manzano-Somera took advantage of an offer for US citizenship. He now lives in Georgetown, Texas. PNA

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

HE Philippine Air Force tested its new F-50 fighter jets that dropped 500 pounds of bombs on Saturday an area in Northern Samar that the military said was used by communist guerrillas as a camp. The reported encampment of the New People’s Army (NPA) was obliterated, according to Capt. Reynaldo C. Aragones Jr., spokesman of the Army’s Eighth Infantry Division. Aragones said the “surgical strikes” were carried out by the Air Force’s newest fighter jets that bombed Barangay Caputoan, Las Navas, Northern Samar. The military said about 50 rebels led by a certain Ceriaco Jerusalem occupied the camp. Aragones added that while bodies were to be unearthed yet, they believed the NPA sustained casualties, as shown by bloodstains along the routes leading away from the destroyed camp, as reported by pursuing ground troops. “Upon the conduct of bomb damage assessment in the impact area by ground troops [on Sunday], the

surgical air strike resulted to the obliteration of makeshift huts in the rebel camp and initial recovery of evidences of NPA activities,” Aragones said in a statement. The military said soldiers also recovered 11 civilian backpacks, three military-type backpacks, seven hammocks, two sacks of rice, assorted food supplies, a box of dried fish, two sacks of land mine, three mobile phones with chargers and an ICOM radio. Likewise, a laptop, a landline tester, 11 flash drives, four SIM cards, two external drives, assorted blasting caps, a roll of detonating wire, several ammunition for various type of firearms, magazines, homemade bombs, two anti-tank landmines and assorted medical supplies were also discovered. Aragones added that ongoing search and pursuit operations by troops under the 803rd Infantry Brigade are being sustained to ensure the NPA guerrillas are caught. Meanwhile, a soldier was killed while another one was wounded after two firefights broke out between soldiers and rebels at Barangay Suquib in the municipality of Besao, Mountain province, on Thursday, a belated

report from the military said. Based on a report provided by the 702nd Infantry Brigade, the first encounter occurred at around 2:20 p.m., while the second clash broke out at around 4 p.m. the same day. The encounters happened just around 2 kilometers apart. Major Amado C. Gutierrez, spokesman of the Seventh Infantry Division, said the rebels encountered by soldiers belong to a unit of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, operating in the tri-boundaries of Abra, Mountain province, and Ilocos Sur. Gutierrez said that a few weeks before the clashes, the 702nd Brigade intensified its combat operations in the whole of Region 1 and in parts of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, including the province of Abra and the municipalities of Besao and Tadian, Mountain province. “We will not allow our setbacks to deter us from our goal of totally putting an end to the local communist armed conflict. With the people on our side, we will continue to pursue the terrorists until we achieved our objective,” Gutierrez quoted 7th ID Commander Major Gen. Lenard T. Agustin, as saying.

SAUDI Arabian plane was delayed 30 minutes prior to takeoff Friday because of a Riyadh couple who had a marital spat aboard flight SV 871. The incident occured while the plane was about to be pushed back by a service tug from bay 12 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1. Airport authorities said the couple, a Filipina and her Middle Eastern husband, engaged in a heated argument for several minutes. Airline staff reported to the police and said the couple’s quarrel had fellow passengers worry the argument would escalate and turn physical. The police gathered the couple were leaving Manila unceremoniously because the husband’s visa is about to expire. Sensing the verbal argument appeared to be far from being resolved, the cabin crew stepped in to pacify the couple and after the woman complained of chest pain and shortness of breath. The airport medical team rushed to the aircraft and the hysteric woman was given first aid. The airport physician pronounced later that the Filipina is fit to travel despite being “disruptive” and the plane was allowed to fly. Scheduled to takeoff at 3:42 p.m., the plane eventually left the runway at 4:15 p.m. Recto Mercene

RCMW touts success of HIV awareness tack

O help curb the country’s fastrising incidence of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the Rotary Club of Makati West (RCMW) visited select college campuses to educate students about HIV and make testing easier for them by bringing it right in their campuses. With funding support from the Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Singapore West, RCMW launched the #ScrewAIDS campus caravan during World AIDS Day on December 1, 2018, in partnership with The Red Whistle and Love Yourself, and both are collaborative platforms for people and organizations to come together and show their support to those living with HIV and AIDS. The caravan’s most recent stop this September was at PATTS College of Aeronautics in Parañaque City where 1,800 students attended the program, of whom 1,511 students were administered with the Rapid Test for HIV, bringing to over 4,000 the total number of students who benefited from the campaign through educational dialogues, HIV screening (with strictly confidential results), and counseling. “We thank everyone for a successful HIV education and testing caravan here at PATTS College, where we got more students to know more about HIV and get tested for it. Thanks for being part of our efforts to really do all that we can to screw AIDS,” RCMW former President Dave Caldwell said. The caravan started going around select public-college campuses early this year with 1,400 students participating in the program and 1,073 students availing of the free HIV testing during its first campus tour in Taguig City University on February 12, 2019. Meanwhile, 646 students attended the seminar while 1,080 students got tested for HIV at the University of Makati on February 27 and March 20, 2019. The caravan will roll out in more schools this year. Also a partner of the campaign is integrated marketing communications firm DDB Group Philippines, which, through its corporate social responsibility arm DDB Cares, is helping the campaign gain traction. For his part, RCMW President Eric Tensuan thanked partners and the academe for supporting the campaign that has brought accessible HIV-AIDS education and testing to the youth.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, October 28, 2019 A5

DA told to accredit private labs for ASF testing

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to allow private laboratories to conduct tests on blood samples from hogs following the outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in several areas in Luzon.

PCSP made this proposal in a letter to Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) OIC-Director Ronnie Domingo. The group of veterinarians said allowing private laboratories to conduct ASF tests will avoid backlogs and prevent trade disruptions. The group also supported the government’s requirement of negative ASF test for farms that need shipping permits. This, the PCSP said, will ensure that only “apparently healthy” and ASF-negative pigs are harvested. PCSP said government must recognize and accredit private diagnostic laboratories capable of performing the ASF PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to be utilized for ASF diagnostics. The PCSP proposed this as an interim measure while the DA-BAI

is improving the capabilities of Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RADDLs). “[The PCSP urges] DA-BAI to hasten the improvement of capabilities in RADDLs, but in the interim, recognize the ASF PCR tests of BAIaccredited private laboratories to avoid backlog of test result release and hasten the flow of commerce by allowing farmers to enjoy the seven-day validity of their shipping permits,” the group said in the letter dated October 7, but made public on its web site recently. The PCSP said several hog raisers have “raised concerns on receiving their tests results after three days of submission.” The PCSP noted that the delay “shortens the validity of their shipping permits that are valid for only seven days from

A FEMALE hog tends to her piglets in this BusinessMirror file photo.

date of submission.” The DA said it is experiencing backlogs in laboratory tests as the BAI is not only conduct tests on samples from quarantine zones but

Govt must accelerate spending to spur economic growth–Angara By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

HE Duterte administration was prodded over the weekend to accelerate government spending in the last quarter, as this will enable the economy to grow at a higher rate by year-end. Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said there is a need to step up fund disbursements “to make up for delays” in completing key infrastructure and social projects within the year. He said implementing agencies must use their annual allocations to help the administration attain its growth target for 2019. Angara pressed implementing agencies concerned to act quickly after the Department of Budget and Management confirmed that nearly 96 percent of the P3.662trillion 2019 national budget has been released last month.

The senator recalled that the Duterte administration’s economic managers earlier set a growth target of 6 percent to 7 percent for 2019, but even a lower target is now in danger of being missed “because of the late budget approval and delays in project implementation.” Angara said government agencies concerned must exert all effort to “provide the service that our people deserve” by catching up on spending even though there are just two months left in the year. He added that “not just infrastructure but also on the delivery of social services have faced delays,” noting that for the poor families, “every bit of help they can get from the government means a lot to them and goes a long way to making ends meet.” Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, noted that according to the Department of Fi-

nance, infrastructure spending has already reached 92 percent of the full-year target as of end-September while total disbursements has hit 98 percent of the target. “It is encouraging to see that we are finally addressing the problem of underspending, which has plagued us since the previous administration. But we should always strive to hit our targets, especially when it comes to spending on infrastructure,” he said. The senator stressed that “spending on infrastructure creates jobs and has a cascading effect across various industries, all of which spurs economic growth.” Angara recalled that growth slowed to 5.5 percent in the second quarter due to the delay in the enactment of the national budget but the economic managers are optimistic it will rebound to 6 percent in the third quarter.

PSA: Ocean economy’s contribution to GDP shrank in 2018 By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

ESPITE being an archipelago, the Philippines has become less reliant on ocean-based economic activities to boost economic expansion, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Based on PSA data, gross value added (GVA)—the value of output less the value of intermediate consumption—of ocean-based industries only accounted for 3.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018. This is lower than the 3.7 percent posted in 2017 and 2015; 3.9 percent in 2014; 4 percent in 2013; and 4.3 percent in 2012. In 2016, the GVA was also at 3.6 percent. “The Ocean Economy refers to economic activities, such as the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, related to or conducted in, near, or found in the seas,” PSA said. “[The Ocean Economy] is defined as the sum of the value added of ocean-based industries.” Among the industries, PSA said ocean fishing accounted for the largest share of value added to the ocean

economy. Ocean fishing makes up for 29.1 percent of ocean-based industries. PSA data showed that the manufacture of ocean-based products accounted for the second-largest share to total ocean-based industries at 16.2 percent. Coastal hotels make up the thirdlargest share of value added to the total ocean economy at 14.2 percent. Figures from the PSA also indicated that the country’s ocean economy expanded by 7.8 percent at current prices last year. However, the figure was slower than the 10.2 percent recorded in 2017. The growth rate in 2018 was the second-highest in five years. In 2013, ocean economy grew 2.6 percent; 2014, 5.8 percent; 2015, 0.2 percent; and 2016, 6.6 percent. “Value added from these industries increased by 7.8 percent amounting to P622.2 billion, from P577.4 billion in the previous year,” the PSA said. The ocean economy’s growth in 2018 was driven by coastal construction, which recorded the highest growth rate at 158.3 percent, from 1.4 percent in 2017, followed by Offshore and Coastal Mining and Quarrying, which expanded by 19.9 percent in

2018, from 17.7 percent in 2017. The PSA said coastal construction covered the construction of seaports, lighthouses, and other structures that aid maritime travels. The statistical agency also said the offshore and coastal mining industry covered the offshore oil and gas extraction activities, as well as the mining of salt. Among the industries under the ocean economy, marine insurance contracted by an annualized rate of 7.6 percent last year, while Maritime Safety, Surveillance and Resource Management declined by an annualized rate of 1.5 percent. The PSA said marine insurance covered the insurance of ships, passenger of maritime transports, and insurance of freight. Maritime safety, surveillance and resource management, PSA said, covered government services aimed at the management, protection, utilization and preservation of marine and coastal resources. The performance of maritime education was also lackluster for the third consecutive year in 2018, when it contracted by 0.8 percent. However, the rate was slower than the 25.7 percent recorded in 2017 and 14.5 percent in 2016.

also from hog raisers, especially commercial ones, that are in need of ASF-free certification. Late last month, the DA permitted commercial raisers to transport

hogs from their farms even if they are located within the 1-kilometer (km) control zone for as long as their animals are free from ASF. The DA issued Administrative Or-

der (AO) 10 which outlined the new guidelines covering the movement of live animals from swine farms within the 1-km zone of areas struck by ASF. The measure is meant to avert supply disruptions and price spikes, according to sources familiar with the matter. The order, dated September 25, effectively amended the government’s protocol on controlling and containing the spread of the fatal hog disease as stipulated in its contingency plan. Under AO 10, moving out of live hogs intended for slaughter in commercial farms from the 1-km zones should be permitted if laboratory tests conducted on the pigs for two consecutive weeks reveal that the animals are negative for ASF. The PCSP also proposed that the DA-BAI “waive” its practice of having personnel “to witness the sample of blood collection.” The group said DABAI personnel should just “wait at the gates and allow internal farm personnel to collect the blood samples.” “The licensed farm veterinarian/ consultant will attest to the correctness of sampling. The PCSP will be willing to assist farmers in this regard,” it said in its letter. The letter was signed by PCSP President Dr. Zoilo Lapus and PCSP Specialty Board Chairman Dr. Tomas Acorda. The PCSP is the country’s leading group of Filipino swine practitioners/veterinarians.

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‘SC ruling to boost PCC’s fight vs cartels’ By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

HE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) can now do surprise inspections on businesses under investigation for suspected involvement in anticompetitive practices. The PCC got a boost from the Supreme Court after it issued rules governing the conduct of searches and inspections. The issuance enabled the implementation of Section 12(g) of the competition law, strengthening the PCC’s capacity to carry out dawn raids on entities alleged of breaching antitrust regulations. Under the Philippine Competition Act, the PCC is permitted to inspect business premises and other offices, land and vehicles used by a firm, and where the agency reasonably suspects that documents relevant to the investigation, such as books and tax records, are kept, in order to prevent these files from getting removed, tampered with or destroyed. However, as the initial line of

Section 12(g) states, the antitrust regulator can only conduct such inspections “upon order of the court.” With the SC issuance, the PCC can carry out dawn raids on suspected businesses starting November 16. Dawn raids, or surprise inspections, are widely used among competition authorities globally to uncover pieces of evidence in aid of investigation and prosecution of anticompetitive deals and practices, particularly cartels and abuses of dominant position. PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan explained the agency can now intensify its case building against competition law violators with the rules on dawn raids in place. Information subject to inspection are books, tax records, documents, papers, accounts, letters, photographs, as well as files stored in computers and gadgets. Balisacan said surprise inspections are crucial in investigating businesses allegedly involved in anticompetitive practices, such as cartels, which can jack up prices and hurt consumer interests.

“Cartels operate on clandestine agreements or so called gentleman’s agreements that ultimately affect prices and hurt consumer welfare. With the rules on dawn raids now in place, this will intensify PCC’s case building, uncover anticompetitive behavior and pin down such whitecollar crimes covered by the Philippine Competition Act,” Balisacan said in a statement last Friday. Any person or entity who fails to comply with an inspection order may be cited for contempt in court that can result in fine, imprisonment, or both. Inspection orders applied at special commercial courts in Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Pasig, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro can be executed across the country. Otherwise, the inspection order can only be enforced within the territorial coverage of the special commercial court that issued it. Balisacan expressed his gratitude to the high court for issuing the rules on dawn raids, saying it expanded the PCC’s available tools to go after competition law violators.

“The PCC extends its profound thanks to the Supreme Court for strengthening our armory of investigative tools to detect, investigate and prosecute anticompetitive agreements and conduct. The rules strike a balance between due process and public interest in enforcing the competitive law,” the PCC chief said. Dawn raids can be maximized by the PCC in its investigation of anticompetitive practices in the rice sector, which the agency is watching closely for possible collusion or abuse of dominant position from within its players, particularly middlemen. Balisacan last week said the competition body is intensifying its probe on rice to identify if the sector is infested by cartels. Competition officials find it irregular that palay prices are declining at a steep rate but retail prices are not. He said the implementation of the rice trade liberalization law should cheapen the staple to as low as P27 per kilogram, but prices have yet to come near that level nearly eight months after the measure was passed in March.

Japan Tourism Awards hails PHL for Boracay rehabilitation

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) was recognized by the prestigious Japan Tourism Awards (JTA) for its role in the temporary closure of the world-famous Boracay island to rehabilitate it from overtourism. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat personally received the Excellent Partner Award from the JTA during the opening ceremonies of the Japan Tourism Expo (JTE) held at the Hyat Regency Hotel in Osaka, Japan. The award-giving body cited the socially advanced initiatives of the DOT by taking a high risk of closing and pursuing a cohesive effort to implement the physical, social, environmental and social recovery of the world-renowned resort island. Puyat said she is “elated” with the recognition that came on the heels of the World Travel Awards’ hailing of the DOT as Asia’s Leading Tourism Board. “We share this award with the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government]. Our combined efforts in the rehabilitation of Boracay is still a work in progress, but already we are seeing the rewards. Recently, Boracay was recognized as Asia’s Top Reader’s Choice Award by Conde Nast Traveler,” said Puyat. Boracay Island, dubbed by many international travel publications as “one of the best beaches in the world”, was closed for six months last year, to rehabilitate the island. These rehabilitation plans included the cleaning of Bulabog Beach, which was contaminated by high levels of fecal coliform bacteria; clearing of the easement zone along the main white beach; widening of the main road and construction of a circumferential road; and reclaiming of the island’s wetlands, The preeminent award-giving body recognizes the efforts of

Pork. . .

pose lockdowns and strangle, then there’s a possibility that containers that arrived in Manila may not be able [to go] to their respective destinations. There would be port congestion,” he said. Meanwhile, he said, “a lot of shipments” are still arriving. “The estimated arrivals of pork products is roughly at least 500 containers a month. And if all of those are stalled, then the cumulative effect would be we...a port congestion situation in 60 or 90 days.” The real concern, he said, stems from the defiance of the LGUs to abide by the Department of the Interior and

Manila, private firms launch plastic waste program to save Pasig River

HE Manila City government, in partnership with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) and various private companies, on Saturday launched an incentivized plastic waste collection program as part of efforts to address the country’s waste problem and save Pasig River from pollution. Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna said the community-based program dubbed as “Kolek, Kilo, Kita para sa Walastik na Maynila” aims to maintain a healthy relationship among residents, the local government unit (LGU) and private partners in protecting the environment. “Residents here are encouraged to collect their light plastic wastes and surrender it to the Unilever Philippines, every kilo of plastic waste corresponds to a P10 worth of Unilever’s home care products as their incentive,” Lacuna said. “This is [a] partnership along with [Mayor Isko Moreno’s] ‘May Pera sa Basura Program,’ the residents will be compensated but not in [monetary form]. Instead, they will be getting usable products,” she added. Lacuna reiterated Moreno’s call for proper waste disposal and solid waste management. Unilever Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Benjie Yap said collection centers are installed in every barangay accessible to the residents. The collection of the plastic waste materials will be twice or once a month depending on the agreed schedules of a certain barangay and Unilever counterparts. Yap added the company will be accepting plastic waste productsregardless of its brand, as long as these are recyclable. “To make sure that plastics will not end up in the oceans and landfills instead will be converted into fuel, residents can also benefit from the product incentives. So we are appealing to everyone to support this program,” he said. Unilever Philippines has been doing the same measure through its “Misis Walastik Program” where single-use sachets are converted into chairs, cement pavers and fuel for energy.

Mea nwhi le, Renato Sunio, president of Republic Cement, said everybody has a crucial role in environmental protection. “Our part in this endeavor is to help lessen community waste products going to the garbage landfills, the Republic Cement supports the program by contributing to the recycling process,” he said. All collected plastic wastes from Unilever Philippines will be transferred to Cemex and Republic Cement for an alternative waste management solution in which plastic wastes are converted into fuels. “We call it coprocessing, we will be collecting waste products that can be burned to create cement, that’s our contribution to the environment,” Sunio added. In cement kiln coprocessing, plastic materials are burned to a temperature as high as 1,400 degrees Celsius. When processed, raw products, such as calcium carbonate, silica along with fuel processed into a kiln, create cement. Sunio envisioned a waste-free Manila through collection and recycling waste products. Meanwhile, Barangay Chairman Bobby Hernan of Balut, Tondo, admitted discipline is important to achieve an environmental-friendly community. “We are not only maintaining cleanliness in the area, but we also help our residents to gain from this program,” Hernan said. Every last Saturday of the month, barangay officials collect plastic wastes from the residents, he said. The program was piloted at 36 barangays of Tondo and Punta, Santa Ana. It would also be done at the creek-nearby (estero) communities based on the PRRC’s recommendations. Based on the 2017 Solid Waste Report of the Senate Economic Planning Office, the country’s waste generation increased to 40,087.45 tons in 2016, with an estimated average per capita waste generation of 0.40 kilograms per day. The report also said the National Capital Region generated 9,212.92 tons of solid waste per day in 2016. PNA

Water firms. . .

TOURISM Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat (center) received the certificate of commendation from Hiromi Tagawa (left), chairman of the Tourism Expo Japan Organizing Committee. DOT PHOTO

tourism organizations around the globe that contribute to the development and expansion of the industry also honoring exceptional efforts of groups towards sustainable tourism development.

The awarding took place on the sidelines of the Third Tourism Expo Japan Ministerial Round Table in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization where the tourism chief was invited to be

one of the panelists. The expo was attended by ministers of Tourism from all over the world, executives from international tourism organizations and governors of prefectures of Japan.

bans are lifted because your goods are farther away [from] destinations,” he said. Dizon explained that meat processors and manufacturers, either smallscale or big firms, are now feeling the impact of the LGU bans since they cannot distribute their products stored in cold storages. The BusinessMirror first reported last month that processed meat such as hot dogs and bacon, from big firms like San Miguel Food and Beverage, CDO Foodsphere Inc. (CDO) and Pampanga’s Best, were disallowed in some Luzon provinces amid ASF scare. Recently, the DILG issued an order that urged LGUs to lift the bans imposed

on processed meat products as long as international conditions are met. However, LGUs, such as those in Bohol and Cebu, have pronounced that they will not comply with the order in order to protect their local hog industries from the dreaded ASF. Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) President Jesus C. Cham said their distribution of meat products, particularly pork-related items, is limited to areas which do not have standing bans. The ASF is a fatal disease to hogs with a mortality of up to 100 percent, with no known vaccine yet, and no cure. However, the ASF poses no threat to human health.

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“If this happens for much longer and LGUs continue to im-

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Local Government (DILG) order to lift the ban on processed meat products containing pork materials. Due to this, Dizon said manufacturers may not even be able to transport their cargo from the ports to cold storages, majority of which are located in areas that have imposed lockdowns, like Laguna and Cavite. Dizon said meat processors are also left with few options to address the issue, which he pointed out could be costly for them. “Presumably you’ll store your imported goods in Manila because it doesn’t have a tight lockdown. But that would represent additional logistical costs for you in the future once the

In August, the SC upheld a 2009 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) order penalizing the two water suppliers and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for violating Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. The SC imposed a total P1.84 billion in combined fines. “In fact, over the years, they’ve invoked their need to provide sewerage networks and wastewater treatment facilities to borrow cheap funding from abroad for ‘green’ projects. We don’t know what they did with the money,” Atienza said. According to Atienza, they may be having problems meeting their twin obligations to deliver round-the-clock running water to their 14 million customers and to establish sewerage systems, but Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires are definitely not having any difficulties producing profits for their stockholders. “Based on our scrutiny of publicly available financial filings, we’ve gathered that Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. raked in an aggregate of P138 billion in net profits from 2006 to June 2019,” Atienza said. “Both firms also rewarded their shareholders a combined P49 billion in cash dividends over the same period,” added Atienza. Until they fully comply with the Clean Water Act, the SC had said that Manila Water, Maynilad and the MWSS will have to continue to pay a P322,102 daily fine that escalates by 10 percent in two years, plus legal interest of 6 percent per annum. In asking the SC to reconsider

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its order, Atienza said the water firms had warned that water rates could hit the roof, should they be compelled to pay the fine until they complete their sewerage projects. Zarate, meanwhile, was appalled by recent statements from Manila Water. “Manila Water is saying that there would be a 780-percent water rate increase for their customers because of the Supreme Court-imposed fine. They were the ones who violated the law, yet they have the temerity to pass the fine to long-suffering consumers. This is the height of corporate impunity, insolence and greed,” said Zarate. The Bayan Muna party-list “will do all we can to stop this humongous water rate hike and at the same time make the water concessionaires accountable for their neglect of the environment.” Earlier, Manila Water insisted that it has complied with its responsibilities under the Clean Water Act and should not be fined a total of P921 million. Manila Water has already filed a motion for reconsideration. Also, Maynilad Water Services Inc. earlier maintained that it would be “legally and physical impossible” to comply with the SC’s directive to provide wastewater treatment facilities and to connect sewage lines in all establishments, including households, within a fiveyear period. Maynilad through its lawyers also asked the SC to set aside its August decision directing it along with Manila Water and MWSS to pay a fine for violating Philippine Clean Water Act.

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‘Brain drain tax’ for labor-exporting states eyed

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

MPOSING a “brain drain tax” may be worth exploring given the need of governments to invest in human capital through education and skills development, according to an expert. In an Asian Development Blog, Calcutta-based Centre for Studies in Social Sciences Economics Professor Saibal Kar said taxing unskilled and skilled migrant workers would lead to higher revenues that will enable source countries to

invest more on their people. Kar said, however, that the tax to be imposed should be a regressive exit tax where unskilled workers will have a higher tax rate than skilled workers to maximize government’s revenue collection.

“If the revenue [to be collected] supports and tops up neighborhood education and health expenditures of the families of unskilled migrants, the partial loss in remittance owing to the additional tax burden should not dissuade mobility of such workers. Eventually, the country generates more skilled individuals than it exports, leaving a greater stock of productive labor at home,” Kar said. Kar said even if unskilled migrants pay higher exit taxes, they are usually given tax refunds at their destination depending on country-specific bilateral treaties. This is not something that longterm visa holders enjoy. He said with these tax breaks, unskilled workers will be partly compensated for the higher tax

3rd

The Philippines’s rank among remittance-receiving countries. The top remittance-receiving country is India followed by China. burden. Kar stressed that these tax revenues will go to education and health programs, and projects in their home countries. The expert said skilled migrants also usually pay more in order to work abroad. Their costs include retraining cost at the destination and appearing for qualifying

examinations against a fee which can be significant. These costs help skilled migrant workers become more acceptable to employers in rich countries which cannot easily interpret their skill types owing to differences in educational and cultural practices. “As more skilled workers emigrate, the average skilled wage at the destination falls, squeezing the wage gap between rich and poor countries, such that only a low percentage of the highly skilled emigrate. This makes a poor base if exit tax targets the high skilled disproportionately,” Kar said. Kar said most developing countries receive little or nothing from high-skilled migrant workers. The bulk of remittances sent by unskilled migrants are sufficient

to “help developing countries efficiently manage the demand for foreign exchange.” This, Kar said, is the case of countries such as India, the People’s Republic of China, Turkey and the Philippines, which are the top remittance-receiving countries in the world. Between 2010 and 2013, remittances received by the Philippines increased to $24.5 billion in 2013 from $20.6 billion in 2010. This made the country the third-leading remittance-receiving country in the world. The top remittance-receiving country is India at $70 billion in 2013, followed by China at $59.5 billion. Other top recipients were Pakistan with $14.6 billion; Bangladesh, $11 billion; and Indonesia, $7.6 billion, among others.

De Lima alarmed by rising number of unhealthy Pinoy kids Top ADB nominee cites

PPOSITION Sen. Leila M. De Lima has expressed concern over the ballooning number of unhealthy Filipino children in the country, which health authorities have attributed to failing food systems and improper diet. De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, made the remark as the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef ) issued a global report warning against the rise of unhealthy Filipino children and adolescents. “It is incumbent upon the government to promote health awareness and proper nutrition among Filipinos, especially the young ones, to protect

them from developing detrimental health conditions in the long run and ensure a quality way of living for them,” she said. “The State should also ensure that healthy food options are available in the market and are accessible for everyone, especially the poor, by encouraging business establishments to sell healthier yet affordable food to consumers, among others,” she added. Unicef reported that 1 out of 3 Filipino children under 5 years old is stunted or too short for their age, while 7 percent of them are too thin for their height. A tenth of Filipino adolescents, meanwhile, are now

overweight. In its global report, it noted that children and adolescents in the Philippines have increased vulnerability to diseases due to poor health-seeking behavior, incomplete immunization, poor hygiene and care practices, and inadequate diet. Unicef also reportedly cited poor diet, inadequate nutrition and a failing food system as the top reasons why more and more Filipino children are not growing healthily these days. De Lima, a social justice and human-rights champion, pointed out that the government should not forget to value the people’s right to health despite the many issues

hounding the state. “Health is a human right, and the State is duty-bound to promote and value people’s right to health while instilling a sense of health consciousness among them,” she said. To help address the growing problems of improper nutrition among Filipinos, De Lima said she hopes that her Senate colleagues would look at her proposed measure requiring restaurants and fast-food chains to disclose calorie content and nutritional information in their menus. “It is high time to have a law in our country mandating the disclosure of ‘nutritional information’ in menus of food service establishments to enable consumers to make more informed and healthier food choices, promote health awareness and proper dieting,” she said. Under her Senate Bill 854, or the “Nutritional Information Disclosure Act,” food establishments are mandated to disclose in a “clear and conspicuous manner” on their menus and menu boards the calorie content information, which shall be adjacent to the name of the standard menu item.

social-inclusion plans in talks with DOF chief

HE leading nominee for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Presidency has bared his plans to enhance the institution’s capability in ensuring social inclusion. Former Vice Minister of Finance Masatsugu Asakawa, who was also the former Special Advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister, said he plans to shore up the bank’s expertise in international taxation and develop a universal framework for a global electronic commerce tax system. Asakawa bared such plans for the multilateral institution during a meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2019 Annual Meetings. Asakawa said that social inclusion, which can be achieved by providing better education and health care, is an indispensable element

in sustaining a country’s high economic growth and reducing poverty and income inequality. “Securing high quality jobs of people could be a better instrument than transfer of money. So the so-called social inclusion, which means prov iding more education, securing more health care to let them have better jobs, is really important. So far, ADB has done something but I would like to expand the conversation, as well,” Asakawa said. Dominguez said the ADB’s priorities in this aspect are in sync with the socioeconomic reform agenda of President Duterte, whose administration has provided free tertiary education in the Philippines’s state universities and colleges (SUCs) and will start implementing next year a Universal Health Care (UHC) program that will primarily benefit low-income Filipinos. Jove Moya

Digital shift seen to push EODB rank Continued from A1

portals of government agencies plays an important role in simplifying and improving government processes for doing business in the country,” Vea said in a statement. As such, Vea is confident the Philippines will see its ranking improve further in competitiveness surveys next year. He attributed his optimism to the growing number of national agencies and local government units partnering with PayMaya on digital payments. These partners from the government include the Department of Trade and Industry, of Science and Technology, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Home Development Mutual Fund, Professional Regulation Commission, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Social Security System and the Philippine Statistics Authority. The partnership with PayMaya enables these government agencies to accept digital payments for many of their transactions, allowing also the use of online payment solutions. On the other hand, the LGUs of Manila and Isabela are equipped by PayMaya to do cashless disbursements for their citizen beneficiaries. The incorporation of digital payments in public transactions allows the government to expand its reach to the unbanked

and underserved segments of the Philippines. Backed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the AntiRed Tape Authority (Arta), the adoption of digital payments is expected to make government services more accessible to the public. Such regulatory regime gave Vea the confidence to predict that the Philippines can move past its Southeast Asian neighbors in the next edition of the World Bank’s survey on ease of doing business (EODB). “We are encouraged by the progressiveness of the government agencies we have partnered with and are currently talking to because many of them are now open to improving their processes with the help of digital payments in order to deliver better public service to the Filipino people,” the PayMaya chief said. In the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 report, the Philippines jumped 29 notches to 95th in a recovery from two consecutive years of dropping doubledigit places. In spite of the leap, the country was kept at seventh place among the 10 Southeast Asian economies assessed by the multilateral lender. In the region, the Philippines trailed Singapore (second), Malaysia (12th), Thailand (21st), Brunei Darussalam (66th), Vietnam (70th) and Indonesia (73rd), and was only ahead of cel-

lar dwellers Cambodia (144th), Lao PDR (154th) and Myanmar (165th). Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez last Thursday vowed the government will implement reforms that will complement the passage of the EODB law and the creation of the Arta. He said among these reforms is the rollout of the Philippine Business Portal, the government’s one form, one number, end-to-end mobile registration for businesses. Lopez’s objective is to bring the Philippines within the 70th to 79th range of the World Bank’s EODB survey by next year to have the country inch closer to its manufacturing competitors in the region, particularly Vietnam and Indonesia. By indicator, the country landed 32nd in getting electricity; 65th in resolving insolvency; 72nd in protecting minority investors; 85th in dealing with construction permits; and 95th in paying taxes. However, Manila is lagging in trading across borders (113th); registering property (120th); getting credit (132nd); enforcing contracts (152nd); and starting a business (171st). To rank high in the World Bank’s report on EODB is to improve profile to investors, as the yearly survey measures how friendly a country’s regulatory environment is to businesses. Elijah Felice E. Rosales

BusinessMirror

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BusinessMirror

Economic managers delay sugar liberalization

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

PSA: Prices of four fertilizer grades up in September

@BNicolasBM

conomic managers have agreed to shelve plans to ease restrictions on sugar imports for now, as they will focus instead on slashing the domestic price of the sweetener, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia.

Pernia told the BusinessMirror in an ambush interview in Manila that the Economic Development Cluster (EDC) discussed the liberalization of the sugar industry on October 23. “We will not liberalize the sugar industry yet [as] we will give time to doing something about the very high prices of sugar here,” he said shortly after the EDC meeting. Asked until when the economic team will stick to this stance, Pernia said: “We will observe it [sugar industry] for six months to one year.” Pernia issued his statement almost a month after the Department of Finance formally proposed the liberalization of the sugar trade industry. The DOF had wanted to replace quantitative restrictions (QR) with tariffs and safeguard measures (for subsidized products) “to allow for more transparent, competitive pricing, and allow downstream industries to become more viable and grow as fast” as their counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The DOF argued that the QR

on sugar imports raised the wholesale price of refined sugar to 235.8 percent above the export price of Thailand and 393.2 percent above the reported prices of Food and Agriculture Organization. The DOF also noted that consumers and downstream industries are paying more than twice the international price for sugar. However, the Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) warned that easing restrictions on sugar imports will displace millions of farmers and undermine government’s efforts to improve the sector’s productivity. Confed Spokesman Raymond Montinola said neighboring Southeast Asian countries have measures in place to protect their local farmers. He also said sugar farmers in other countries, like Thailand, are “highly subsidized,” enabling them to export their surplus at a much cheaper price. Last June, the BusinessMirror reported that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is determined to pull down sugar prices, as requested by food manufacturers, but not through deregulation.

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T Joel Saget/AFP, via Getty Images/Bloomberg

Instead of liberalizing the sugar industry, the DTI said it instead wants to deal with producers and traders in keeping prices competitive and ensuring sufficient supply of the commodity.

Planters’ plea

Instead of pushing for sugar deregulation, the Negros Occidental Federation of Farmers Association, Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Association, Save the Sugar Industry Movement, and the Luzon Federation Sugar Producers said government must focus on farming modernization, mechanization and the grant of subsidy. “We appeal to the government to also accord us attention because officials do not know what is happening on the ground. They are not the ones who plant sugarcane,” the groups said. Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Association Chief Inaki Larrazabal

Jr. said the sugarcane industry currently pays for its own research and development efforts through the Philippine Sugar Research Institute. “The sugar industry fully supports the government. [Stakeholders] religiously pay their taxes for their produce, even for the sugar which they consume. We cannot get our sugar from the mill, either to sell it or consume it without paying the applicable taxes,” said Larrazabal. Lawmakers from sugar-producing provinces said they are keen on launching an inquiry into the planned liberalization of the sugar industry. Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Reyes said they will immediately work on the inquiry right after congressional recess. “Hopefully, we can immediately set the inquiry as soon as we return from recess.” With a report by Jove Moya

PHL elected chair of joint working group on IUU fishing

he Philippines was elected as chairman of the fourth Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) during the Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing held in Spain. The meeting of the JWG on IUUF involving the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held in Malaga, Spain, from October 21 to October 25. The nomination of the Deputy Administrator for Operations of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)

Nannette Z. Villamor-Dinopol was made by Spain, seconded by Chile and supported by Japan, European Commission and other members of the JWG. Dinopol is also the head of the Philippine delegation. She is accompanied by the Maritime Attaché-London Philippine Embassy and representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Foreign Affairs and Marina. One of the important points in the agenda of the fourth session is the training of fishing personnel and states with fleet managing, food processing and food distribution companies. This is a related component to

the Cape Town Agreement which is currently undergoing studies and consultations in the Philippines. Parties to the CTA are expected to pursue the safety and welfare of their fishermen. Marina said in a statement that the JWG on IUUF was created to address issues that surround IUUF. The proliferation of this activity affects legitimate fishers, including Filipino fishermen who rely on it for their livelihood. “IUU fishing also damages the marine environment when IUU fishers employ illegal and/or destructive equipment when catching fish. Since their activity is neither recorded nor reported, they will tend to engage in overfishing, thus destroying marine ecology,”

the statement read. By establishing a unified understanding on the responsibilities, polices, and rules and regulations of flag, port, coastal and market states, Marina said these adverse effects shall altogether be reduced, if not eliminated. The Philippines has been actively participating in the JWG since its first session in 2000. The IMO, FAO and other maritime-related associations from the international community have been partaking since. Employers and workers had to be wellrepresented, as well, through the ILO. After its third session was held in 2015, the fourth JWG has convened, until its conclusion on October 25.

he average retail price of four fertilizer grades rose by as much as 7.2 percent year-on-year in September, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Measured from a year ago level, the average dealers’ prices of the four fertilizer grades picked up during the month,” the PSA said in its monthly report titled “Updates on Fertilizer Prices,” released recently. On a monthly basis, however, all the retail prices of urea, complete fertilizer, ammosul and ammophos declined from the levels recorded in August, figures from the PSA showed. The average retail price of urea in September rose to P1,131.71 per 50-kilogram bag, 7.2 percent higher than the P1,055.36 per bag recorded a year ago. “The country’s average monthly dealers price of urea at P1,131.71 per sack in September 2019 was lower by 0.6 percent compared with its previous month’s level of P1,138.03 per sack,” the report read. “Compared with the previous month’s level, the average dealers’ prices of Urea went down in 10 regions during the month,” it added. The PSA observed the highest price of urea in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at P1,383.33 per bag, while the lowest price was recorded in Ilocos region at P987.50 per bag. “Measured from a year ago level, prices in all regions, except Ilocos region, were higher this month,” the PSA said. The average retail price of complete fertilizer in September was pegged at P1,145.91 per bag, according to PSA. The fertilizer cost P1,150.01 per bag in August and P1,115.84 per bag in September 2018. The PSA said the highest

price of complete fertilizer was recorded in ARMM at P1,416.67 per bag, while the lowest was registered in South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, plus General Santos City (Soccsksargen) at P1,017.25 per bag. “On a monthly basis, price decreases were noted in nine regions,” the PSA said. “Prices in all regions exhibited positive annual rates during the month.” The September average retail price of ammosul was pegged at P628.22 per bag, 3.1 percent higher than the P609.58 per bag average quotation in the same period of 2018. However, the figure was slightly lower than the P630.11 per bag average price level recorded in August. “Measured from a month ago level, nine regions recorded lower prices in September 2019. Relative to the same month in the previous year, all regions except Calabarzon, registered higher prices during the month,” the report read. “The lowest price of P547.38 per sack was posted in Soccsksargen. Meanwhile, the highest price of P907.50 per sack was still noted in ARMM,” it added. The national average retail price of ammophos in September reached P1,000.13 per bag, which was 5.3 percent higher than the average quotation of P950.21 last year. On a monthly basis, it was slightly lower than its average price of P998.31 per bag in August. “On a monthly basis, higher prices were posted in eight regions in September 2019,” the PSA said. “The highest price of P1,250 per sack was still observed in ARMM, while the lowest price of P915 per sack was noted in Cagayan Valley,” it added. The PSA regularly monitors the prices of four fertilizer grades, which are commonly used by rice planters.

California wineries shut as Kincade fire tears through Sonoma County

ajor California wineries, including one owned by Francis Ford Coppola, are bracing for long closures as power remains cut amid efforts to staunch fires raging through the state’s wine-producing region. Only 10 percent contained, the Kincade fire has swept through about 25,455 acres—an area bigger than Manhattan—burning about 50 homes and buildings, so far. The wildfire that erupted minutes after a PG&E Corp. power line went down has triggered a historic evacuation with state and county emergency responders calling on tens of thousands of people to flee their homes by Saturday afternoon. Some 2.8 million Californians may lose power. “Significant” portions of Sonoma County were told to evacuate quickly before PG&E carries out a blackout that will plunge millions into darkness to prevent more wildfires from breaking out. Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick said at a media briefing Saturday that the evacuations are the largest he’s seen in the more than two decades that he’s been with the sheriff’s office—more extensive than the ones triggered by the devastating 2017 fires. He urged residents to leave im-

This 2018 file photo shows Peay Vineyards in West Sonoma Coast. Bloomberg

mediately before the fire grows even more rapidly. “We’d like to get you out while we still have power and we still have communications,” he said. Two wineries in the region owned by Coppola, a five-time Oscar winner, aren’t in immediate danger, but closed their doors Thursday because of smoky air. Its Sunday Halloween carnival was also canceled, but its grapes are safe. “The winery has harvested the majority of our vineyards,” said Corey Beck, Coppola’s chief executive. “The grapes are in production at the winery where we currently have available backup power if needed.” Five minutes up Highway 101, Trione Vineyards and Winery will stay closed until at least Monday. That’s the longest ever because of a fire, a spokesman said. “We had a wedding Saturday, and they’ve moved to a San Francisco

location,” she said. They closed for the 2017 fires because staff and owners lived in affected areas. The National Weather Service is projecting wind guts of up to 80 miles per hour in areas around the fire, and a thicker layer of smoke is likely to push into parts of the the Bay Area this evening. California is the world’s fourthlargest wine producer and source of about 80 percent of United Statesmade wine, according to the Wine Institute. Home to 3,900 wineries and 5,900 grape growers, the state lures 24 million visitors annually to its wine regions, the most in the nation. Bankrupt utility PG&E Corp. has started cutting power in what would be the state’s largest—and potentially longest—deliberate blackout ever. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Friday, largely blaming PG&E. Bloomberg News

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SSS releases more than ₧84-M unemployment benefits to 6,900 members By Jove Moya

@BMJoveMoya

ORE than P84 million worth of unemployment benefits has been released two months after the implementation of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. According to Social Security System President Aurora C. Ignacio, the pension fund was able to provide financial assistance to at least 6,900 members of the SSS who were involuntarily separated from the work force. “We are now seeing the fruits of labor of our lawmakers, stakeholders and SSS representatives who have crafted [RA 11199],” Ignacio said. “We are able to provide cash benefits to the qualified members who needed the SSS the most when they unexpectedly lost their jobs.” Makati Gil-Puyat Branch approved the highest number of unemployment benefit applications at 943 amounting to P13.76-million worth of disbursement. This was followed by Bacoor Branch with 876 applications received amounting to P8.98 million releases; Biñan Branch with 833 approved applications amounting to P9.74 million benefit paid; and Pasig-Pioneer and Cebu Branches, both with 437 approved applications with disbursements amounting to P6.10 million and P5.16 million, respectively. The SSS unemployment benefit is one of the features of the Social Security Act of 2018 that seeks to provide a cash benefit equivalent to half of the member’s average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two months. “SSS members who were involuntarily separated from work

starting March 5, 2019, onward can avail the unemployment benefit,” Ignacio added. To qualify for unemployment benefit, members must not exceed 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation. But for underground and surface mine workers, and racehorse jockey members, they must not exceed 50 and 55 years old, respectively. Member-applicant must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions wherein 12 months of it should have been paid within the 18-month period before the month of involuntary separation. Involuntary separation includes installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment, closure or cessation of operation, and disease or illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or her co-employees’ health. Applicants must submit a DOLE-issued certification establishing the nature and date of involuntary separation, as well as a Notice of Termination from the employer or an Affidavit of Termination of Employment. Applicants must present an original and photocopy of one primary ID card or document, or in the absence of which, any two ID cards or documents, both with signature and at least one with photo at any SSS local branch or foreign office. Unemployment benefit application should be submitted within a year from the date of the involuntary separation. Applicants can only claim the said benefit once every three years starting from the date of separation from work.

Over ₧1B in assets frozen in 18 months by AMLC

By Bianca Cuaresma

Diokno, who has also been sitting as AMLC chairman for about seven months since he has taken the Central Bank helm, reported that AMLC’s recent “investigation efforts” resulted in “tangible numbers.” Aside from the assets frozen, Diokno said the AMLC also worked toward the forfeiture of assets with an estimated value of P600 million. Investigation efforts also helped

Risk grows exponentially

INNOVATION in the payments sector is critical. Partnerships with third parties is a key strategy for achieving the type of innovation required in today’s rapidly changing environment. However, this also creates increased risks. For all intents and purposes, the term “third-party risk” has long become a bit of a euphemism in the payments world: many of the better-integrated payment service providers are now so connected into their banking partners’ enterprises that there is often little difference between a bank’s payment systems and employees and those of their third-party payment providers. Yet, it is exactly this embeddedness that makes partnerships with third-party payment providers seem so beguilingly secure. The assumption is that their employees are following the same protocols, using the same controls and taking the same precautions as the banks’ own employees. Yet, often they are not. The leading banks are therefore placing increased focus on

What’s the trade-off?

IT will take more than increased oversight and control to make a new payment innovation succeed. It will also require the highest levels of security. And that means that bank and payment executives will need to ensure their drive toward innovation remains focused on delivering customer convenience and security. The problem is that proactive investments in security rarely move the meter with customers. They see security—cyber or otherwise—as table stakes in a payment transaction; keeping their money and data secure is a given. But they also want convenience. They want to rid themselves of two-factor authentications. They want to replace their debit and credit cards with phones and watches. And they want to allow other third parties, of their choosing, to have access to their payment (and even banking) data. The challenge for banks and payment providers, therefore, is to create partnerships and shared cultures that allow them to respond quickly to customer trends without ever losing sight of their security responsibilities. At every step, the partnership should be asking itself two questions: How does this action improve the customer experience? And how does it impact security?

Divided we fall

UNFORTUNATELY, in payments and in the wider digital world, there are no silver bullets that guarantee security. Rather, it requires a range of strategies, tools and capabilities—all working together—and focused on the risks that matter most to your

in the development of 11 money laundering complaints, two terrorism-financing complaints, 23 applications for bank inquiry for money laundering and three applications for bank inquiry for terrorism financing, Diokno said.

Standards assessment

DIOKNO also bared that the Philippines is in the latter stage of a mutual

evaluation (ME), which gauges the country’s levels of technical compliance with international anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing standards, as well as effectiveness of the country’s existing AML/CTF system. According to the governor, prior to the ME Report, the AMLC conducted a self-assessment based on the existing legal framework, operations of competent authorities, and statistics to forecast the evaluation results. On effectiveness, the assessment reflected accurate ratings for 7 out of the 11 Immediate Outcomes, while on technical compliance, the assessment reflected accurate ratings for 34 out of the 40 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. “Following the adoption of the ME Report, the Philippines has entered a 12-month observation period, the completion of which requires the country to submit a

comprehensive progress report to the APG [Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering] focused on the implementation of its recommended actions,” Diokno said. “This 12-month observation period gives us an opportunity for the country to remedy identified shortcomings in the ME Report.” Diokno also urged the AMLC officials and employees to “work even harder” to ensure that the Philippines is able to successfully exit the 12-month observation period. “We cannot afford to have the Philippines in the FATF’s list of high risk and noncooperative jurisdictions. Hence, we should be very strategic in our focus for the next 12 months,” Diokno said. “With perseverance, a reinforced Secretariat and a closer link with partner agencies, I am confident that we will be able to address the country’s weak AML/CFT areas,” he added.

Customs bureau supports PACC probe on two ports

HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has expressed its support on the investigation served by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) against the Port of Manila (POM) and the Manila International Container Port. Subpoenas were earlier served to the two major ports to secure documents related to smuggling and unauthorized release of shipments. According to BOC Spokesman and Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, the Bureau is working closely with the PACC by

Securing payments innovation managing these third-party relationships, closely integrating and overseeing their service providers in a way that allow them to become an extension of the banks’ own lines of business.

@BcuaresmaBM

ORE than P1 billion in assets were frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in a span of 18 months, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.

Perspectives

O more. Over the past few years, we have seen the rise of a range of new payment service providers. Some, like PayPal or Apple Pay, have created massive “merchant” networks through their online presence and partnerships with some of the bigger platform players. Others have found niches in their own areas, often responding to specific customer pain points in the payment environment. Not surprisingly, many of the world’s leading banks are now working closely with these payment service providers to create solutions and tools that both respond to shifting customer demand and keep the bank in the value chain. Exciting new innovations and models are emerging.

Monday, October 28, 2019 A13

organization and your customers. It also requires unprecedented collaboration across the ecosystem. Thankfully, we are seeing good progress and reason for optimism. At conferences like Sibos, banking and payment leaders are coming together to share ideas and strategies for improving security in this type of hyper-connected world. Industry associations and cyber groups are shining the spotlight on some of the challenges and encouraging collaboration. Even government agencies and spy networks are trying to play a convening role. Some of the more institutional payment service providers are also taking smart steps to help secure the payment ecosystem. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication), for example, has been fairly active in rolling out solutions—customer security programs, standardized know-your-customer data tools and a KYC registry, for example— that at the very least bring standardization and a common language to the discussion. But more collaboration will be required. The reality is that this is not an issue that can be tackled or solved alone. In fact, those who do decide to “go it alone” are often the ones most in danger. Rather, it is by sharing our ideas, experiences, threat assessments and tools that we will form a solid defense against cyber threats in a hyperconnected world.

The excerpt was taken from the KPMG article Securing payments innovation Reshaping the banking experience. © 2019 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent memberfirms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines. For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg. com.ph.

sending documents that are relevant for the evaluation. “This cooperation with PACC is part of our continuous campaign against corruption, which is one of the priorities that the commissioner has been emphasizing since his assumption as customs chief,” Maronilla said. The BOC said in a statement it remains committed in putting policy reforms in order to address the problem of corruption in the Bureau. It added that since November 2018, show-cause orders were issued against 119 customs employees for

noncompliance with existing customs rules and regulations. Furthermore, 23 administrative and 25 criminal complaints were filed against errant customs personnel. Several customs personnel were dismissed from the service this year, including a POM customs guard. The dismissal stemmed from a complaint received through a government hotline. The hotline was established in August to help BOC get rid of corrupt practices from among its ranks. A “No Contact Policy” is being implemented in the Accounts

Management Office through the Customer Care Portal System (CCPS). The CCPS, which was introduced in June, as a web-based application designed to combat red tape and promote transparency and efficiency in the delivery of customs services. Through this system, importers and customs brokers may apply online for accreditation with BOC without face-to-face transactions with customs personnel. As of today, an estimated 17,500 importers and 2,200 customs brokers are actively transacting with BOC. Jove Moya

BPI opens biggest branch in Makati

HE Bank of the Philippine Islands inaugurated the new BPI Makati Main Branch, its biggest branch in the Makati Central Business District. The current footprint of 2,943 square meters will be expanded come December 2020, adding another 179 sq m. The new branch is intended to serve all client segments and will offer specialized banking services. BPI Makati Main is sectioned into five different parts, each with its own function corresponding to retail banking, preferred banking, private banking, offices, and shared spaces and utilities. The branch has lounges for preferred clients and meeting spaces for retail clients. “We envision high-value interactions with our clients in our branches to complement the efficiency and convenience of our digital channels,” said BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing. The design of the flagship branch is reflective of BPI’s heritage, highlighting how the Bank looks to the future while valuing its rich history of 168 years.

BPI Chairman Jaime Zobel de Ayala (fourth from left); President and CEO Cezar P. Consing (second from left); and Sales and Service Channels Head Angelie King (front, third from left) led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of BPI Makati Main, the bank’s biggest branch in Makati in terms of size and deposits. They are joined by (from left): Business Manager Melot Jimenez; Area Business Director for Makati Central Jojo Gasa; Head of Private Banking Tim Chuidian; and Division Head for South Luzon Olga Ang. Photo courtesy of BPI

“While we provide the tools that allow our clients to do self-service with high tech, it is important that we have high quality face-to-face interactions

with them, as well. When clients visit the branch, we ought to make it worth their while,” Consing said. “It’s about combining high tech with high touch,” he added.

Metrobank posts 49% income growth in Q3

ETROPOLITAN Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported an unaudited consolidated net income of P8.5 billion for the third quarter of 2019, representing a 49-percent increase year-onyear. This brings the bank’s total income for the nine-month period to P21.6 billion. Metrobank’s solid performance was attributed to the consistent growth in operating revenues on the back of moderate loan growth and margin expansion, strong trading and foreign exchange gains and higher fee-based income. “The bank is proud to have sustained strong growth momentum by navigating well amid the dynamic movements in the local economy. We continue to focus on customer service, profitability, and quality growth,” Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee said. As always, our philosophy centers on providing solutions so that our customers can have meaningful banking experiences,” he added.

As of September, Metrobank’s CASA ratio improved to 64 percent of the bank’s P1.6-trillion total deposits. This provided liquidity to support loan growth of 7 percent to P1.4 trillion. Aligned with the performance of the Philippine economy, credit demand was mainly broad-based, led by the corporate segment. For the nine months, Metrobank’s net interest income grew 10 percent to P56.2 billion, and accounted for 70 percent of the bank’s total revenues of P80 billion. Net interest margin further expanded to 3.91 percent, from 3.83 percent in the first half of 2019. The bank’s noninterest income rose 36 percent to P23.7 billion. This included P10 billion in service fees and commissions, P8.1 billion in net trading and FX gains, and P0.9 billion in fees from asset management. Fee-based revenues, as well as trading gains continued to benefit from increased customer flows in fixed income and foreign

exchange, as well as opportunities in the financial markets. With the continued focus on improving efficiency and productivity, operating expense growth was kept at a reasonable level of 9 percent. This, coupled with relatively strong revenue growth for the period, led to an improvement in the cost-to-income ratio to 54 percent, from 58 percent last year. Asset quality metrics continued to be better-than-industry, with nonperforming loans ratio recorded at 1.5 percent. The bank set aside P7.8 billion provisions for credit and impairment losses, aligned with the increase in its asset portfolio. This pushed NPL cover higher to 96 percent, from 87 percent in June 2019. Metrobank’s consolidated assets and equity stood at P2.3 trillion and P304.7 billion, respectively. Total capital adequacy ratio was at 17.6 percent with Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 16.3 percent.

A14 Monday, October 28, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

PHL fourth worst? Not necessarily

sociologist from the University of the Philippines has this to say about the Barretto sisters telenovela: “The way that the Filipinos have subscribed to this family feud shows a lot about our national character of being intrigue-driven and celebrity-centric.” This is another expert opinion: “In the Philippines, the obsession with beauty pageants is culturally entrenched.” We can add our own: The nation is equally as passionate about every global survey that ranks the country, from “Philippines eighth favorite country among travelers” to “Filipinos rank second-highest bubble tea drinkers in Southeast Asia.” Often, though, the problem is that we rarely look past the headlines, such as “Philippines fails to make it in Miss Earth 2019” or, most recently, “Philippine retirement system among worst in the world.” In fairness, the Press—and the electronic media to a lesser extent because of time constraints—does offer the complete story and full information. Our pundits try to do the same, but frequently with a political bias, which is unfortunate and unnecessary. If you are smart enough to make the money to buy a newspaper or read the digital version, you are smart enough to figure out who to vote for. Of course, there is a large group that believes they are much wiser than the majority of the people. But that is another story. Yes, the Philippines ranked fourth-worst globally for our Social Security System (SSS) pension on the Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index from the Monash Centre for Financial Studies in Melbourne, Australia. The Summary of the 2019 results shows that our SSS received a grade of “D,” with “A” being highest. However, in the “D” group was South Korea, China, Japan, India, Mexico, Turkey, Argentina and Thailand. Not to make any excuse for the Philippines; but it shows that a very economically diverse group of nations also have problems in their respective government pension programs. However, that does not address the reason for such a low score. What makes the score so low is the subcategory of integrity. And this is not about corrupt government officials stealing the money. Our “Integrity” score is so low because of a “zero”—the worst—score on “Upon a couple’s divorce or separation, are the individuals’ accrued pension assets normally taken into account?” A “Zero” score was received for “When joining the pension plan, are new members required to receive information about the pension plan?” Yet, the country made it to the top 15 in terms of “level of funding, length of expected retirement, labor force participation rate of the older population, and the current level of government debt and economic growth.” The overall conclusion for the Philippines to improve is as follows: 1) Increase the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals. 2) Increase coverage of employees in occupational pension schemes thereby increasing the level of contributions and assets (more enrolled employees). 3) Set aside funds in the public system for the future thereby reducing reliance on the pay-as-you-go system to insure sustainability. We need to read beyond the headlines to learn the truth and to see the full picture.

Ways to fight poverty Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

N poor countries, like the Philippines, education is the key in the alleviation of poverty and improvement of lives of individuals. But like in other poor countries, the Philippines faces challenges, like scarcity of classrooms, teachers, books and the inability of families to send their children to school because there is simply no money for food and transportation. Sometimes, the children are not being sent to school because their parents need them to help at home, or to do menial jobs. The relationship of education to poverty is just one aspect of the research studies conducted by the Nobel Prize awardees for Economics in 2019: Abhijit Banerjee (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Esther Duflo (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Michael Kremer (Harvard University). The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded to them the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in

Memory of Alfred Nobel 2019 “for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.” In the example mentioned above, the laureates found out that having more textbooks or feeding the children free meals in school makes no difference in the pupils’ learning outcomes. Their experiments point to the fact that inappropriate and ineffective teaching methods, not the lack of resources, are the

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Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan

legally speaking

ur Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof and has the power to discipline judges of lower courts, or order their dismissal by a vote of a majority of the members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon (Article VIII, Section 6 & 7, 1987 Constitution). Pursuant thereto, the SC issued its En Banc Resolution (AM 18-0105-SC) on October 25, 2018, creating the Judicial Integrity Board and the Corruption Prevention and Corruption Office, a permanent body with exclusive jurisdiction to investigate judicial misconduct and to recommend appropriate sanctions when proper. The JIB is composed of a chairman, and vice chairman who must be retired justices of the SC, and three regular members, who must be retired justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), Sandiganbayan or Court of Tax Appeals (CTA). The JIB serves for a term of three years without reappointment. Proceedings for the discipline of Justices of the Sandiganbayan, CTA and judges and personnel of the lower courts, including the Sharia Courts, and the officials and employees of the Office of the Jurisconsult, Court Administrator, Deputy Court Administrator, Assistant Court Administrator and their personnel, may be

instituted, motu proprio, by the SC, in the JIB. It may also be instituted by way of a verified complaint, supported by affidavits of persons who have personal knowledge of the facts alleged therein; or, by authentic documents which may substantiate said allegations, or upon an anonymous complaint, supported by public records of indubitable integrity (Section 1, AM 15-01-05 SC). Complaints involving graft and corruption, and violations of ethical standards, including anonymous complaints, filed against members of the SC shall be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Ethical Standards which shall have the task of preliminarily investigating and of submitting its findings and recommendations to the SC en banc, in accordance with the Internal Rules of the SC (AM 10-4-20-SC). Disciplinary actions or proceedings initiated by the SC, motu proprio, or on the basis of a verified or anonymous complaint, records or

biggest challenge to learning. Remedial tutoring programs and additional teaching assistants are more effective in helping students who have learning difficulties. Aside from education, the laureates’ experiments in poverty alleviation extend to other important areas like health, access to credit, and adoption of new technology. Their approach has transformed development economics and directly and indirectly influenced policymaking. The research improved the world’s ability to fight poverty, which is one of humanity’s most urgent issues today. Of interest to economists worldwide would be the laureates’ new approach to research. They have introduced a new approach to obtaining reliable answers about the best ways to fight global poverty: dividing the issue into smaller, more precise and more manageable questions. They have shown that these questions are often best answered via carefully designed experiments among people who are most affected. Their experiments, designed in a smaller scale, present results that can be used to

solve big world problems. What they did, essentially, was to really understand the lives of the people they were trying to help. Duflo explains, “Poor people are supposed to be either completely stupid, desperate, lazy or entrepreneurial. But we don’t try to understand the deep root, the interconnected root of the problem. So what we try to do in our work is unpack the problems, one by one, to better understand the reasons for particular problems. What works, what doesn’t work, and why.” So, going back to the example on education, many of us have surely observed that the quality of teaching and the appropriateness of the curriculum are the main factors that affect learning. Perhaps, some of us would go as far as to say that we didn’t need the laureates’ input to actually know this. I just hope that the results of their Nobel Prize-winning experiment will give a serious push to our education agencies to pursue this path or direction. And while we’re at it, it wouldn’t hurt to study the other aspects and results of the research on poverty: health, credit, behavior, etc.

documents/papers filed with or submitted to the SC or, on the basis of newspaper or media reports, shall be docketed, in the SC, as a regular administrative matter, for appropriate final action of the SC in the absence of substantial factual issues (Section 4, AM 18-01-05-SC). Disciplinary actions shall be instituted, motu proprio, by the JIB, in the SC, against any of those mentioned in Section 1 (1) on account of a conviction, of any of them, by the Sandiganbayan, or by the regular or special courts, or on account of any charge in the Sandiganbayan, or in a regular or special court for a felony or a crime defined by a special law. The JIB shall submit a report of such conviction or criminal action to the SC, within 10 days from knowledge thereof, with a recommendation that the report be deemed, by the SC, as an administrative complaint against the said court official, and docketed as a regular administrative case and for the JIB to conduct an administrative investigation thereof. Administrative charges that may be filed with the JIB may be serious, less serious, and light charges under Rule 140, Sections 21 to 24 entitled, “Discipline of Judges of Regular and Special Courts, Justices of the CA, Sandiganbayan, CTA, Court Administrator, Deputy Court Administer and Assistant Court Administrator.” These include the following: Serious charges: 1. Bribery, direct or indirect; 2. Dishonesty and violations of the anti-graft and corrupt practices law (RA 3019); 3. Gross misconduct constituting

violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct; 4. Knowingly rendering an unjust judgment or order as determined by a competent court in an appropriate proceeding; 5. Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; 6. Willful failure to pay just debt; 7. Borrowing money or property from lawyers and litigants in a case pending before the court; 8. Immorality; 9. Gross ignorance of the law or procedure; 10. Partisan political activities; and 11. Alcoholism and/or vicious habits. Less serious charge: 1. Undue delay in rendering a decision or order, or in transmitting the records of a case; 2. Frequently and unjustified absences without leave or habitual tardiness; 3. Unauthorized practice of law; 4. Violation of Supreme Court rules, directives, and circulars; 5. Receiving additional or double compensation unless specifically authorized by law; 6. Untruthful statements in the certificate of services; and 7. Simple Misconduct Light charges: 1. V u lgar and unbecoming conduct; 2. Gambling in public; 3. Fraternizing with lawyers and litigants with pending case/cases in his court; and 4. Undue delay in the submission See “Kapunan,” A15

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Monday, October 28, 2019 A15

Pasig River–The missing Transforming servant leaders transport link Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

Thomas M. Orbos

STREET TALK

ne traffic buster and transport solution that is already in our midst, and that millions of us Metro Manilans pass through daily but obviously ignore, is the Pasig River. This river system traverses the cities of Pasig, Makati, Mandaluyong and Manila with its tributaries reaching Marikina, Caloocan and Quezon City. The Pasig River also connects Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay, giving water access to the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal and Laguna to Metro Manila. Imagine the potential of a wellsupported river ferry system. What would normally take hours of travel would be cut in half. The current two-hour Marikina to Makati trip would take 45 minutes; Pililla, Rizal, to Makati would just be half the current time. How about Biñan to Divisoria in over an hour? All possible via Pasig River. And let’s not even talk about bulk cargo. Imagine the effect of the number of trucks off Manila roads traversing east to west with a reliable cargo ferry system. This was the case historically, until road transport became the focus of past administrations. But bringing back a reliable mass transport river ferry system would still be a logical step. It can be done quickly and cheaper than any rail or road development. All that is needed is the proper infrastructure and enhancement of the river transport ecosystem. There were many past government efforts to revive the Pasig River ferry system, specifically by Department of Transportation and Communications and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. From the time of then Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza to Jun Abaya, MAPALLA (Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake) river transport studies were conducted with brief attempts at private commercial service. The longest sustained ferry service was the one started by then MMDA chairman, Sen. Francis Tolentino and now being continued by the currrent Chairman Danny Lim. Though the river ferry service still needs a lot of work, these efforts have given government the needed institutional knowledge and experience in turning this river ferry service into a viable transport alternative. What have we learned? As a former MMDA official, here are some of the challenges that I feel need to be addressed: The Pasig River ferry service needs to be part of an integrated

Kapunan. . .

continued from A14

of monthly reports. Rule 140 (ibid) provides the following sanctions: A. If the respondent is guilty of a serious charge, any of the following sanctions may be imposed: 1. Dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all or part of the benefits as the Court may determine, and disqualification from reinstatement or appointment to any public office, including government-owned or controlled corporations. Provided, however, that the forfeiture of benefits shall in no case include accrued leave credits; 2. Suspension from office without salary and other benefits for more than three but not exceeding six months; or 3. A fine of more than P20,000 but not exceeding P40,000. B. If the respondent is guilty of a less serious charge, any of the following sanctions shall be imposed: 1. Suspension from office without salary and other benefits for not less than one month nor more than three months; or 2. A fine of not more than P10,000 but not exceeding P20,000. C. If the respondent is guilty of

transport system with reliable transfer connections to other transport modes, bringing commuters to key points in Metro Manila and the MAPALLA area. Commuter convenience of transfer to main lines needs to be in place. Schedules need to be followed with less delays. One thing that needs to be resolved is the problem of security checks once a boat crosses Malacañang. Though understandable, this needs to be resolved as it takes at least 25 minutes for this detour. The fare cost should not be higher than road transport. In my discussions with interested private ferry operators, the costs would not match up with the projected commuter traffic. Right now, the government continues to subsidize the fares and should do so until such time that commuter traffic hits critical mass. People also complained of the smell of the river and suggested air conditioned vessels. That is good but not as important as fare costs. Also, the cleaning of the river is partially resolved with a more conscious citizenry doing small things to help clean up the river. What else can be done? Involve the private sector. Along the Pasig River and the MAPALLA area are the big mall operators—SM for MOA, Rockwell, the Ayala Circuit and Megaworld’s Eastwood. Use them as docking sites. Let them spend for it. They may even invest on the ferry service. The river clean up? Either government does it or toll all the commercial establishments along the river and the vessels. That should provide the funds needed for sustainable dredging and cleanup. Let us rebuild and strengthen the Pasig River ferry service. It remains to be the cheapest and fastest transport alternative. Pasig River—the river “super highway” is already there. a light charge, any of the following sanctions shall be imposed: 1 A fine of not less than P1,000 but not exceeding P10,000 and/or 2. Censure; 3. Reprimand; 4. Admonition with warning In support of the initiative of the SC of creating the JIB to ensure that “members of the Judiciary must be of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence” the private sector has responded “in kind” by the creation in 2012 and officially established in 2015, of its own Judicial Reform Initiative, a multi-organization group composed of such business organizations as Management Association of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, Financial Executives of the Philippines, Makati Business Club Foreign Chambers, law schools and other advocacy NGOs. The JRI “aims to be the voice of the private sector in seeking an effective and efficient justice system.” I am now on my 40th year of law practice. Hopefully, I will see the day when hoodlums in robes get the justice they deserve. With the Supreme Court’s Judicial Integrity Board and the Private Sector’s Judicial Reform Initiative, there is reason to hope!!!

very leader has a journey story to share. After all, before he assumed any position of authority or exercised his influence over others, he had to face a series of challenges, ups and downs, humps and roadblocks, at home, in school, or in the community. A leader can lead by virtue of his possession (kings), power (government), position (company CEO), or even personality (gifted speakers). I truly admire servant leaders. They are leaders who lead by serving others. They are those who genuinely listen to the needs of their flock. They are the leaders who may not have high intelligence quotient but have extremely high emotional quotient. They can relate to people. They inspire people to follow them due to their emotional connection, established by the heart. They simply lead people with love.

Others say some people are destined to be servant leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. I say that a person must be transformed first to be a servant leader. I recently attended a Heal For Life Workshop. More than just being isolated for five days, incommunicado, the retreat integrated principles of brain anatomy and psychological behavior with doctrines from the

Scriptures. The underlying objective of the HFL program is for participants to rediscover, reconnect and reignite the inner child within them. Once found, the inner child would be able to align and transform the mind and heart of the participant as originally intended by its Creator, full of love for himself and for others, having been made in the image of God. In principle, leaders encounter life’s experiences that tend to make them suppress the inner child within. Leaders rarely exhibit their vulnerabilities and weaknesses. They believe that leadership is more mental than emotional. That’s what I thought too. Emotions are used by God to connect to our hearts. I recently found out that reading His word, not with my eyes but with my heart, allows me to experience His love. In the Bible, 1 John 4:8 tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” The best way to lead, in our homes, in government, in companies, is to have love. Gerardo Gambala is a perfect example of a leader transformed into a servant leader. A coup plotter

imprisoned, this class valedictorian of PMA somehow managed to discover his true self only after being broken. I am not truly aware of Gambala’s leadership journey. What I know is that he eventually submitted first and foremost to His will, then to His authority, borne out of love. His professional career is somewhat made beautifully through Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer, dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum. Similar to the Kintsugi philosophy, our God treats a leader’s brokenness and transform him into a servant leader, who leads out of love, rather than disguise the loving child within him. We are all capable to be transformed, beautified and made whole by God. HFL is one experience I would never forget. It is one event that I recommend to government or business leaders. Simply life changing and life transforming! For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

Plug revenue leakages first before raising taxes Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

muggling is one the country’s economic realities which, according to industry analysts, is causing revenue loss for the government of up to P250 billion a year, including smuggling of fuel. This is based on a study commissioned by the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) on eight of the country’s major industries. A huge amount, indeed, of foregone revenues due to smuggling, which the government could use to construct hospitals, school buildings and even subsidize its universal health-care program, the major reason for the “sin” tax legislation. But while raising taxes on products with a wide range of price elasticity, like tobacco and liquor among others, could be an immediate solution to the government’s need for funds, its impact on the market demand for cigarette, for instance, would, however, have ripple effects on labor as volume of sales would decrease and production slowdown ensues.

A more practical option that the government could consider to raise more funds to finance its projects would be to plug the revenue leakages caused by smuggling and other forms of illicit trade, before raising taxes. If only the government can collect at least 20 percent of the P250 billion foregone revenues due to smuggling, that would be an additional P50 billion revenues to fund its universal health-care program. I am afraid that raising the duties and taxes on locally manufactured goods would only result to a higher rate of smuggling incidents and other forms of illicit trade in the country. And more important, smuggling

‘Looking in, reaching out’ Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

have indicated as my vision for the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business (UPVSB) that it shall be the foremost learning institution in the area of business, accountancy and related disciplines, reaching out to its constituents and stakeholders in the Philippines and the rest of the world.

I have presented my plans for attaining this vision during the selection process that culminated in my being appointed as the dean of the VSB on October 11, 2019. These plans emanate from my insights derived from my four decades of experience in the government, private, practice and academic sectors. I had several major leadership roles in the course of my career, including Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy; Partner in the professional accounting firms SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.and the Reyes Tacandong & Co.; and the learning and/or training director of several institutions. In all of these stints, I have made an impact with the innovative and comprehensive programs and activities that I have pursued, including the “Making the Public Know” initiative in the BIR; the

“Expanding Horizons” program of the BOA, the “Market Circle ”programs in SGV and the “Work Smarter Live Smarter” and “Win-win Engagements” in RT. Since the time I prepared the plans about three months ago and after more subsequent consultations with various stakeholders, I have revised the “Looking in, reaching out” plans as follows: 1. Stakeholder Consultation and Feedback a. Online survey b. Polls c. Focus Group discussions d. Constitute an Advisory board of former VSB deans 2. Plans and programs for the school facilities, including the building infrastructure and learning resources a. Formulate mission, vision, strategic plan and digital transformation road map.

distorts the local market’s level playing field as smuggled goods are usually, if not always, sold at much lower prices than those locally manufactured. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III also has the same view on the issue about raising taxes and smuggling, when he ordered the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), to tighten their watch and to create a “Strike Team” against the operation of illicit trade in cigarettes. “The proliferation of illicit cigarettes and fake tax stamps, that’s going to bloom some more next year, bantayan n’yo ‘yan,” Dominguez told BIR and BOC officials during a meeting prior to the implementation of the sin tax law’s second tranche. We congratulate the Honorable Secretary’s determination and commitment to address the country’s smuggling problem and other forms of illicit trade, even as we are grateful for his concern for the local industry and consumers. Thus, with the Finance Secretary’s order to the government’s two major revenue generating agencies, I rest my piece on the issue of sin tax law and its impact to smuggling. Like filling a leaking swimming pool where more water would be

b. Undergo an organizational and structural review. c. Improve the physical infrastructure and facilities, including the maximum usage of the fourth and fifth floors. d. Acquire a Digital Learning and Teaching Solutions and subscription to E-Library and publications as part of Library collection, including c o s h a r i n g a r r a n ge me nt w it h libraries of other schools. e. Create a modern Business practice learning laboratory. f. Establish a Dean’s dash board. g. Develop an electronic Document Tracking and Filing system. h. Prepare a Manuals of procedures. i. Acquire a shuttle vehicle. j. Build a House of VSB with a Museum. 3. Plans and programs for academic program and course development a. Review of academic courses and curriculum i. That caters to the demand and requirements of industry. ii. That focuses on globalization, innovation, effective business communication, governance and ethics, regulatory compliance. b. Develop new and innovative academic or learning offerings i. Offering of VSB alone or jointly with other colleges. ii. Collaboration with local and global partners.

needed to top the pool for a significant part of it would only be wasted, raising the taxes on sin products would only be a temporary reprieve for the government’s need for funds, as money intended for the government would only get into the pockets of smugglers instead. This is one of the reasons why we at the FPI are working on our various advocacies to fight smuggling and other forms of illicit trade, if only to help in the government’s revenue generation efforts and to help protect the country’s local industries, the most affected sector by smuggling and other forms of illicit trade. We practically consider FPI on call, should the government need help anytime and in whatever way we can, with its anti-smuggling program. The reported seizures of fake and smuggled cigarettes worth billions of pesos, among others, are affirmations of the proliferation of such forms of illegal activities in the country.

Dr. Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade, a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

iii. Gr adu ate prog r a m s (Masters/Doctoral in Accountancy, Data Analytics/Science, Tax Management). iv. Invigorated Executive Development Program and Training. 4. Plans and program for faculty and administrative staff development and compensation a. Enhance existing grants on professorial chair, faculty exchange, support for completion of Doctoral program, book publication recruitment. b. Pioneer programs on industry immersion and industry and academic team teaching. c. Promote expertise sharing with corporate entities (Board membership, advisory, regulatory compliance). d. Hold trainings on effective teaching methodologies. To be continued Joel L. Tan-Torres is a certified public accountant who placed No. 1 in the May 1979 CPA Board Examinations. He is the dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business . He was the former commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue from 2009 to 2010, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy from 2014 to August 2018 and a partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co., CPA, from 2011 to 2019. This column accepts contributions from accountants, especially articles that are of interest to the accountancy profession, in particular, and to the business community, in general. These can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat.@gmail.com

A16 Monday, October 28, 2019

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BIR loses bid to collect ₧1.3B from businessman

By Joel R. San Juan

rules on verification and certification of non-forum shopping warrants the nullification of its appeal seeking the reversal of the CTA’s First Division’s September 2, 2016 decision granting Gaw’s petition disputing the tax assessment. “After a judicious study of the case, the Court resolves to deny the instant petition and affirm the September 20, 2018 decision and July 3, 2019 resolution of the Court of Tax Appeals en banc for failure of petitioner Commissioner of Internal Revenue to sufficiently show that the CTA EB committed any reversible er ror i n d i sm i ssi ng its petition for lack of proper verification and certification of non-forum shopping as required

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has lost in its bid to collect P1.3 billion from businessman Macario Lim Gaw Jr. representing undeclared income tax, value-added taxes (VAT) interests and surcharge for taxable year 2007.

In a three-page resolution, the Supreme Court’s First Division upheld the September 20, 2018 decision and July 3, 2019 resolution of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)

en banc which set aside on a technicality the tax assessment issued by the BIR. The CTA en banc held that the BIR’s failure to comply with the

by the Rules of Court [Rules],” the SC resolution read. “While the existence o f compelling reasons or special circumstances has been recognized as valid reasons for the relaxation of the Rules, such does not obtain in this case, considering that the CIR failed to rectify the procedural error despite having ample opportunity to do so, and no timely attempt at substantial compliance was made,” the SC added. The SC also did not give weight to the concern raised by the BIR that the dismissal of its petition would endanger the entirety of its deficiency tax assessment against Gaw in the amount of P7.01 billion for taxable years See “BIR,” A2

Solons rap water firms for rate-hike warnings By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

AWMAKERS on Sunday disputed the warning by the two private water firms that rates could shoot up by 780 percent, or by as much P26.70 per cubic meter, if they are forced to connect all their customers to a sewage collection, treatment and disposal system, as mandated by the Clean Water Act.

Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, in a statement, said there’s no need for water rates to skyrocket as these two firms have drawn P138 billion in net profits from 2006 to June 2019. “There’s absolutely no need for them to jack up water rates. They’ve clearly been making a lot of money over the years, and some of those profits came from the 20-percent environmental charge and 30-percent sewer charge they’ve been col-

lecting from customers,” Atienza said. “They should have fully invested the revenue from these charges to build sewerage networks and wastewater treatment facilities, but they clearly chose to do something else with the money,” added Atienza, who as then environment secretary had initiated the move to penalize the water concessionaires for their failure to speedily lay down

Keep your ears grounded

the sewerage networks, leading to water pollution. The case reached the Supreme Court, which upheld the government position. For his part, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also hit Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. for trying to pass on to consumers the P1.843 billion fine imposed by the SC. With their profits, the lawmakers said the firms have no excuse whatsoever for failing to meet their obligations, including their obligation to put up adequate sewerage networks and wastewater treatment facilities. See “Water firms,” A6

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In photo at the International Bazaar Foundation Inc. press conference and press launch are (left to right) IBF Adviser Rose Villamor; IBP President Consul Helen M. Ong; IBF Treasurer Alice Tesoro-Guerrero, Mdme; Susan B. Fries, president of the Spouses of Heads of Mission, and Maria Lourdes Barcelon-Locsin, overall chairman. NONOY LACZA

OR one whole day, on November 24, Sunday, the best products from all over the world will be showcased for sale, at the PICC Forums 1,2 and 3 at CCP Complex, Pasay City, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The one-day international bazaar, an annual activity, is organized by the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic and Consular Corps. and Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM). “This bazaar will showcase the finest items from different countries together with the Philippines’s best communitybased products,” said Maria Lourdes Barcelon-Locsin, wife of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and IBF chairman at the press briefing

recently. According to Susan Fries, spouse of Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries and SHOM president, the proceeds of this cosmopolitan bazaar will benefit local charities. Among the chosen beneficiaries this year are; the 41 scholars in colleges and universities in Metro Manila; the Ayala Foundation that conducts outreach projects in Mindanao, Palawan and Mindoro; the HABI textile that restores the fine arts of “inabelor abeliloko;” the Pilak Silvercraft that trains silversmiths in Baguio City; the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque City; Bogo, Cebu Provincial Hospital; the Missionaries of Charity; the Little Sisters of the Poor; the feeding program See “Bazaar,” A2

Widus, BCDA ink deal for ₧12-B Hann Lux luxury resort in NCC By Ashley Manabat

businessmirror.podbean.com

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR OF DIPLOMATS’ SPOUSES HAS BEST OF PHL, WORLD’S

Correspondent

L A R K F R E EP OR T— I n about five years, the Phase 1 of a luxury mountain resort, which includes an 18-hole championship golf course and a clubhouse, will be completed at the New Clark City (NCC). This developed after the agreement for the construction of a P12-billion luxury mountain resort at the NCC was signed by the Widus Group and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) at the Clark Marriott Hotel here last Friday. Aside from the Jack Nicklausdesigned golf course, Phase 1 will also include the development of the Angsana Hotel and the Banyan Tree Hotel—a leading global hospitality group that is rooted in the ethos of sustainability— “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”—for sustainable tourism development. The development of Phase 1 will have a total investment of P5 billion and is set for completion within five years. The agreement was signed between Daesik Han, president and CEO of Hann Development Corp., a member of the Widus Consortium, and Vince Dizon, president and CEO of BCDA. “All of this development that has taken place during the recent one or two years is much more than the previous decade,” Han said. “And I’ve witnessed how sincere this government is to bring these infrastructure projects, so it is very logical to look for business opportunities,” he added. “When I heard about the vision of Vince and how he plans to

develop New Clark City, I was thinking will there be any opportunity for another business, and that is the time I started studying his vision for New Clark City,” he said. The Widus Group is owner and developer of the Widus Hotel & Casino and the Clark Marriott Hotel here. Under the agreement, Widus will lease 450 hectares of land within NCC with an investment commitment of P12 billion. The luxury mountain resort will be located in the southernmost portion of NCC. Phase 2 includes the development of Westin and Luxury Collection by Marriott, two 18-hole championship golf courses, outdoor recreation facilities, premium villas and residences, a mixed-use commercial center, and a 10-hectare public park for a total investment of P7 billion. “We’re fortunate to partner with

the Widus Group for this new leisure attraction as they share with us the vision for New Clark City to be green, resilient and sustainable,” Dizon said. “Part of the agreement is the use of nature and Filipino-inspired architecture for the luxury mountain resort to showcase local culture and tradition which the Hann Group is known for,” he added. Located 100 kilometers north of Metro Manila, NCC is a 9,450-hectare development envisioned to decongest the capital. It will feature smart technologies and mixed-use developments including a worldclass government center, sports hub for national athletes, and educational centers. Phase 1A of NCC is 99-percent completed and houses the new Athletics Stadium and Aquatics Center which are ready for this year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Daesik Han, president and CEO of Hann Development Corp. (third from left), and BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon (second from left) lead the signing ceremony of the lease agreement for the development of a luxury mountain resort in New Clark City. They are joined by Widus Assistant Vice President for Corporate Planning and Compliance Agnes Liwanag (right), and BCDA Senior Vice President for Business Development and Operations Engr. Joshua Bingcang (left).

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Monday, October 28, 2019

4 firms keen on joining 2nd-round bidding for Malaya Thermal Plant By Lenie Lectura @llectura

HE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has identified four firms interested to participate in the second round of bidding for the privatization of the 650-megawatt Malaya Thermal Power Plant and its underlying land. MTPP is located in Pililla, Rizal. The four are Panasia Energy Inc., Phinma Energy Corp, Hill Trench Power Inc. and Therma Central Visayas Inc. Their representatives attended the pre-bid conference last week.

“ The pre-bid conference enabled interested bidders to ask questions and request for clarification relative to the bidding requirements. This is integral to ensuring that the bidders can

eventually submit bids and documents that are responsive to technical requirements of PSALM,” said PSALM President and CEO Irene Besido-Garcia. The MTPP is currently operational and being dispatched as a must-run unit by the National Gr id Cor p. of the Philippines (NGCP). However, per the Department of Energy’s (DOE) direction, once privatized, MTPP is no longer required to run as an MRU. The last day for the Submission of Documentary Deliverables is on November 7, 2019, at 5 p.m. PSALM will then check the completeness of the submitted documents and announce the prequalified bidders. Prior to the bid submission deadline, the PSALM Board, upon recommendation of the PSALM Bid s a nd Aw a rd s Com m it te e (PBAC), will meet to determine the Reserve Price for the plant and its underlying land. Qualified bidders will then be informed of the Reserve Price. The Bid Sub-

mission Deadline is set at noon on November 22, followed by the opening and evaluation of bids on the same day. In the event of a failure of bidding because there is only one bid received, the PBAC will declare a failure of the second round of bidding. Negotiation w ith the lone bidder will immediately commence in accordance with Schedule 8-Negotiation Procedure of the Bidding Procedures. Last September 18, PSALM declared the auction a failure because only one bidder participated. Under PSALM’s Bidding Procedures, there shall be a failure of bidding if only one bid is received. At the start of the bidding process in 2018, there were 11 companies that submitted to PSALM their letters of intent to participate in the bidding and purchased the bidding documents. After the prequalification process, there were four bidders declared as qualified to bid, namely:

AC Energy Inc., FGEN Reliable Energy Holdings Inc., DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc., and DMCI Power Corp. Only AC Energy formally submitted a bid. In a letter, DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc. informed PSALM of its decision to withdraw from the bidding, “due to current market conditions and uncertainty of supply of fuel.” FGEN Reliable Energ y Hold ings Inc. and DMCI Power Corp. did not indicate why they did not submit a bid.

Holcim income picks up in 3rd qtr but sales still down 13% from 2018

EMENT manufacturer Holcim Philippines Inc. said t u r n a rou nd operat ion s during the third quarter of the year lifted its income for the first three quarters of the year as demand rose with the government resuming its infrastructure spending. The company said its income during the nine months of the year ending September grew 7 percent to P1.87 billion, from last year’s

P1.74 billion. Income for July to September alone grew more than double to P457.19 million, from last year’s P176.74 million. To date, Holcim’s sales was still down 13 percent to P23.7 billion, from P27.3 billion last year. “Our earnings improvement continues in the third quarter, resulting in strong growth in the first nine months of the year despite lower

sales revenues. Our intensified focus on cost and operational efficiency across all our operations has allowed us to sustain high performance levels amid a still muted market environment,” John Stull, the company’s president and CEO, said. “We have seen better pricing and a favorable product mix. With our new and improved cement production and dispatch facilities commissioned this year, we are ready

PT&T, Virtalus partner to provide local enterprises with cloud solutions By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28

MERICAN company Virtalus has tied up with homegrown firm Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Co. (PT&T) to provide public and private cloud solutions for the local market. “Our partnership with Virtalus enables PT&T to launch value for money cloud services to empower more businesses,” said James Velasquez, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of PT&T. “By partnering with an established global IT [information-technology] service provider, this is yet another milestone for PT&T in innovating our services for our customers. We can expect more key initiatives such as this as we venture further in the IT space,” he added. Virtalus CEO Mazhar Durrani expressed excitement with the partner-

ship with PT&T, seeing it as something that will “bring immeasurable value to their customers.” He said, “Virtalus has helped companies all over the world in developing, deploying and managing their cloud resources with efficiency and scale.” Durrani said local telco giant PT&T represents another opportunity for them to grow in the Asian market. Apart from the Philippines, Virtalus designs and deploys cloud infrastructure solutions that have been providing software defined data center services to organizations globally, including those in the United States, Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. Its flagship architecture, Virtalus HyperCX Bento, simplifies data hub operations, streamlining the deployment, management and scaling of data center resources—delivering better cloud performance at a reasonable cost. Early this year, PT&T partnered with

5GS Security Inc. to offer cyber-security solutions to local enterprises. 5GS delivers these cyber-security solutions, both hardware and software: Multidimensional Security System, Ground Security-Personnel Access Control, Ground Security-Vehicle Access Control, Ground Security-Perimeter Protec tion, Medium/Low Airspace Protection (anti-drones), Computer Network/Online Protection, Security Visualization and Security Operations Center. With a 25-year franchise, PT&T establishes, maintains and operates both wired and wireless telco systems for domestic and international communications in the country. Its existing network and infrastructure, spanning over 10,000 kilometers of pure fiber optic cables, allow PT&T to meet the network demands of customers in the Greater Manila area, and nearby towns in North and South of Luzon.

AirAsia eyes more flights to and from Bacolod

UDGET ca r r ier A irA sia Philippines would like to increase its newly launched flights to Bacolod from Manila and further expand the West Visayan service via Clark and Cebu. Ricardo Isla, the company’s president, said the demand for air services to Bacolod is immense, given the vibrancy of the market in terms of business and tourism. “We want to fly the same frequency as the same provinces that we have opened, which is at four times daily, so that’s

eight flights per day,” he said on Sunday. Isla noted that his group is limited by the slotting in Manila and, as such, is studying the possible mounting of Bacolod flights via Clark and Cebu. “We will study Cebu-Bacolod and Clark-Bacolod flights. Bacolod is very promising considering positive signs of advanced booking—that is an option for the future,” he said. For the rest of the year, the airline has already seen around 20 percent of its Manila-Ba-

colod flights booked. AirAsia Philippines launched on Su nd ay it s t h r ice - d a i ly flights. Bacolod is the 12th domestic destination of AirAsia Philippines. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia noted that with the entry of AirAsia Philippines into the city, tourism is expected to grow. “Having more players in the game will always be healthy for the consumers,” he said. “We are expecting AirAsia to be a game changer for Bacolod.” Lorenz S. Marasigan

to capture opportunities as the market grows, and deliver innovative products and solutions to our customers,” he said. The company said cement demand may have picked up for the third quarter but its sales volumes were still lower than the third quarter last year despite improved pricing resulting in lower net sales of P8.3 billion from P8.5 billion last year.

The company opened new dispatch and loading facilities in its Bulacan plant in August to improve its ability to serve customers in Central and South Luzon, and the National Capital Region. New production assets in L a Union and Davao, meanwhile, opened ahead of schedule earlier this year. VG Cabuag

Ice cream, pasta boost RFM income in first 9 months

OOD and beverage company RFM Corp. said its income for nine months of the year grew 9 percent to P836 million, from last year’s P757 million as sales of its core products churned out by its bread and flour units surged. Revenues rose 10 percent to P10.77 billion, from last year’s P9.79 million. For the third quarter alone, its income rose 10 percent to P255 million, from last year’s P232 million while revenues rose 9 percent to P3.8 billion, from last year’s P3.48 billion. RFM President and CEO Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III said the company is allotting an additional capital expenditures of P220 million to expand institutional and consumer brand production capacities. This is on top of the P400-million capex approved a few months ago to expand the sauce and milk businesses. “RFM is quite bullish in its brands and businesses. We will continue to deploy the required funding to meet the growth in demand for our brands. To this end, we have a very strong cash position to back our capex. In fact, aside from the 50-percent cash payout policy and ongoing share buyback, we want our new capex to hasten the improvement of the returns to our shareholders over the long run,” Concepcion said in a statement. VG Cabuag

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PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

October 25, 2019

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

ASIA UNITED 54.5 55.8 56.4 56.4 54.5 55.8 8,170 451,608 BDO UNIBANK 147.8 148 149.2 149.2 147.1 147.8 1,220,840 180,509,784 98.5 99 97.5 100.5 97.5 99 5,750,770 571,743,705.5 BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK 25 25.25 24.9 25.5 24.9 25 182,700 4,570,660 EAST WEST BANK 12.18 12.2 12.2 12.4 12.12 12.2 933,300 11,420,868 71.65 71.7 72.1 73 71.65 71.65 3,999,570 287,942,253 METROBANK PBCOM 20.75 21.75 21.75 21.75 21.75 21.75 100 2,175 43.85 43.9 44.5 44.65 43.85 43.9 243,000 10,745,795 PHIL NATL BANK 57.15 58.15 58.15 58.15 58.15 58.15 390 22,678.5 PSBANK PHILTRUST 116.7 130 130.5 130.5 130.1 130.1 40 5,208 25.8 25.9 26.3 26.3 25.8 25.9 32,100 830,295 RCBC SECURITY BANK 202.2 203 201 203 201 203 476,330 96,424,614 UNION BANK 59.2 59.95 59.2 59.95 59.2 59.2 23,590 1,397,268 1.11 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.16 1,000 1,160 BRIGHT KINDLE BDO LEASING 1.86 2 1.91 1.91 1.8 1.8 131,000 239,950 COL FINANCIAL 18.52 18.56 18.54 18.56 18.52 18.52 4,000 74,188 4.68 4.75 4.7 4.77 4.67 4.75 1,093,000 5,109,640 FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND 7.71 8.49 7.71 7.71 7.71 7.71 700 5,397 1.23 1.26 1.26 1.26 1.26 1.26 17,000 21,420 IREMIT MANULIFE 750 765 750 750 750 750 730 547,500 NTL REINSURANCE 0.88 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.88 0.88 357,000 317,110 175 176.8 177 177 175 175 3,990 698,306 PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE 1,835 1,865 1840 1,840 1,835 1,835 115 211,350 VANTAGE 1.09 1.14 1.09 1.09 1.09 1.09 9,000 9,810 INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 2.85 2.86 2.78 2.86 2.76 2.85 22,065,000 62,521,660 1.32 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.32 1.34 13,000 17,400 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 38.4 38.45 39 39 38.25 38.4 835,600 32,091,035 BASIC ENERGY 0.241 0.247 0.248 0.249 0.241 0.247 8,550,000 2,091,300 25.4 25.45 25.2 25.55 25 25.4 2,865,200 73,026,005 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 78.9 79 79.95 79.95 78.9 79 130,200 10,288,565.5 356.2 359.2 363.8 363.8 356.2 356.2 249,900 89,547,006 MERALCO 19.92 19.96 20.2 20.2 19.88 19.96 4,126,800 82,372,430 MANILA WATER PETRON 5.05 5.07 5.1 5.11 5.05 5.07 301,900 1,529,475 10.84 11 10.94 11 10.94 11 57,200 628,944 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 33.7 33.8 33.8 33.8 33.65 33.7 145,600 4,912,260 SPC POWER 7.32 7.39 7.36 7.39 7.3 7.39 18,700 137,640 12.54 12.7 14.96 14.96 12.5 12.54 1,678,700 21,634,186 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 4.01 4.03 4.24 4.27 3.95 4.01 14,273,000 58,231,060 CNTRL AZUCARERA 17.2 17.66 18.06 18.06 17.2 17.66 6,500 112,886 15.36 15.4 15.5 15.5 15.34 15.4 101,100 1,557,244 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 5.57 5.59 5.55 5.65 5.53 5.59 11,800 65,882 8.65 8.67 8.7 8.71 8.63 8.65 543,500 4,707,739 1 DNL INDUS 6.99 7 7 7.03 6.99 7 993,900 6,960,262 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 92.1 93 93.95 94 92.1 93 44,890 4,171,658 0.68 0.69 0.71 0.71 0.68 0.69 346,000 238,310 ALLIANCE SELECT GINEBRA 48.6 48.85 47.35 48.6 47.3 48.6 16,200 786,855 JOLLIBEE 225.6 226.2 227.6 228 225.4 226.2 107,870 24,400,770 30.3 50 50 50 50 50 600 30,000 LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG 9.04 9.32 9.21 9.39 9.03 9.34 43,900 398,615 MAXS GROUP 13.2 13.22 13.2 13.3 13.18 13.2 128,500 1,696,192 0.183 0.193 0.187 0.187 0.186 0.186 70,000 13,050 MG HLDG PEPSI COLA 1.72 1.73 1.72 1.75 1.71 1.73 1,226,000 2,123,630 11.22 11.26 11.22 11.22 11.16 11.22 263,000 2,947,280 SHAKEYS PIZZA 1.87 1.89 1.91 1.93 1.86 1.89 715,000 1,347,460 ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP 5.2 5.24 5.14 5.25 5.14 5.24 1,183,300 6,151,743 2.13 2.17 2.2 2.2 2.17 2.17 24,000 52,590 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.128 0.131 0.131 0.131 0.131 0.131 20,000 2,620 UNIV ROBINA 150 150.5 154 154 146.8 150 3,044,210 455,512,439 1.28 1.29 1.29 1.3 1.26 1.28 2,253,000 2,873,400 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.42 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.52 1,000 2,520 CONCRETE A 65.8 69.2 65.8 65.8 65.8 65.8 150 9,870 72.55 76.65 72 76.7 72 76.7 260 18,767 CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG 2.49 2.5 2.58 2.6 2.41 2.5 2,942,000 7,321,310 5.8 6.14 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 7,900 45,820 DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT 15.14 15.18 15.12 15.28 15.12 15.14 186,500 2,825,350 EEI CORP 10.24 10.4 10.4 10.64 10.2 10.4 768,200 7,947,786 14.22 14.6 14.76 14.76 14.2 14.6 218,900 3,183,306 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 17.7 17.88 17.52 17.88 17.48 17.88 5,992,000 105,648,032 PHINMA 9.22 9.39 9.2 9.39 9.2 9.39 14,000 128,925 1.1 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.1 1.12 252,000 281,580 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.16 1.11 1.12 1,317,000 1,482,950 CROWN ASIA 2.09 2.11 2.11 2.12 2.1 2.1 589,000 1,242,560 1.6 1.72 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1,000 1,600 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.4 5.41 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.4 107,900 582,660 30.4 32 30.5 32 30.4 31 116,100 3,651,545 CONCEPCION 2.27 2.29 2.49 2.49 2.25 2.29 11,666,000 27,258,600 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 7.97 7.99 8.01 8.1 7.97 7.99 415,300 3,320,765 1.46 1.5 1.52 1.52 1.47 1.51 425,000 626,690 IONICS SFA SEMICON 1 1.02 1.03 1.03 1 1 51,000 51,030 CIRTEK HLDG 8.26 8.27 8.25 8.45 8.23 8.27 182,800 1,516,454

276,510 47,328,429 197,210,773 (2,992,840) (665,758) (38,158,900) (2,778,600) (167,900) 5,238,270 (928,256) (3,855) (229,850) 5,053,600 (14,715,460) 16,547,705 (5,623,826.5) (59,918,868) (1,557,528) (228,411) (805,950) (8,386,382) (465,830) (61,274) ,994,045.9998 (1,682,959) (1,172,479.5) 247,750 (11,202,002) 661,320 13,050 131,110 168,722 200 (200,720) (88,984,201) 261,580 (777,470) 2,093,960 (6,447,522) (8,187,062) (30,240) (61,800) (949,310) 396,820 562,020 (466,729)

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.85 13.28 849 54.7 11.68 3.68 0.73 1.12 1.14 6.69 8.2 13.04 3.5 0.214 878.5 5.62 73.05 5.1 0.485 4.29 13.36 0.58 4.89 0.038 1.41 1.26 400 1,025 166 0.85 216.8 0.22 0.225

0.86 13.4 859 54.8 11.7 3.7 0.74 1.13 1.15 6.75 8.21 13.4 4.3 0.224 880 5.63 73.2 5.54 0.5 4.32 13.42 0.6 4.9 0.039 1.45 1.3 436.2 1,027 166.7 0.87 218.6 0.225 0.235

0.9 12.8 865 54.85 11.9 3.68 0.73 1.14 1.15 6.73 8.65 13.04 3.03 0.224 879 5.63 73.8 5.04 0.51 4.31 13.58 0.58 4.97 0.038 1.45 1.26 400 1036 165.8 0.88 218.6 0.22 0.225

0.9 13.4 865 54.85 11.9 3.7 0.76 1.15 1.15 6.76 8.66 13.4 3.6 0.224 881.5 5.63 73.8 5.04 0.51 4.32 13.58 0.6 4.97 0.038 1.46 1.26 400 1,037 168.5 0.88 218.6 0.22 0.23

0.85 12.72 849 54.5 11.3 3.65 0.7 1.12 1.14 6.68 8.15 13 3.02 0.224 876 5.63 72.5 5.04 0.5 4.3 13.34 0.58 4.86 0.038 1.41 1.26 400 1,013 164.4 0.85 217 0.22 0.225

0.86 13.4 849 54.7 11.7 3.7 0.74 1.13 1.15 6.75 8.2 13.4 3.6 0.224 880 5.63 73.2 5.04 0.5 4.3 13.36 0.6 4.9 0.038 1.41 1.26 400 1,027 166 0.88 217 0.22 0.23

25,271,000 70,900 447,560 298,380 11,287,900 1,413,000 2,773,000 275,000 31,000 980,900 25,171,400 26,500 53,000 10,000 54,550 25,500 283,400 1,000 2,000 815,000 50,948,600 59,000 31,243,000 8,600,000 366,000 10,000 230 1,126,825 505,680 72,000 540 10,000 300,000

21,942,800 927,128 383,898,785 16,314,784.5 130,662,010 5,215,360 2,067,220 311,050 35,450 6,597,364 208,759,904 351,946 175,420 2,240 47,986,445 143,565 20,730,083 5,040 1,010 3,512,200 ( 686,055,698 34,370 153,216,840 326,800 521,150 12,600 92,000 1,157,214,190 83,889,686 61,520 117,598 2,200 67,900

(3,796,910) (162,711,395) (10,397,178) 3,704,994 (396,920) 2,300 3,608,927 (8,832,490) (22,236) (11,258,125) (135,120) 590,445 570,580.0001) 2,541,464 (6,411,000) 24,000 16,029,540 15,286,337 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.86 0.88 0.87 0.88 0.86 0.86 345,000 298,850 48.5 48.8 49.2 49.2 48.5 48.5 2,815,900 137,044,830 (57,355,850) AYALA LAND ARANETA PROP 1.75 1.79 1.79 1.79 1.74 1.79 57,000 99,810 BELLE CORP 1.99 2 2.01 2.01 2 2 644,000 1,288,600(1, 140,589.9998) 0.82 0.84 0.83 0.85 0.82 0.84 47,000 38,830 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.85 142,000 120,740 0.203 0.209 0.201 0.21 0.2 0.21 1,470,000 302,040 CROWN EQUITIES CEB LANDMASTERS 4.57 4.58 4.55 4.62 4.55 4.58 346,000 1,584,180 (23,000) CENTURY PROP 0.57 0.58 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 14,573,000 8,510,020 (1,140) 0.475 0.48 0.465 0.5 0.465 0.48 6,790,000 3,304,150 4,650 CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON 20.5 20.55 20.9 20.9 20.5 20.55 21,800 447,995 (2,025) DM WENCESLAO 10.2 10.22 9.97 10.24 9.95 10.2 2,408,800 24,555,503 22,543,037 0.445 0.45 0.465 0.465 0.45 0.45 7,760,000 3,531,550 (507,000) EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND 1.59 1.6 1.61 1.62 1.59 1.6 6,775,000 10,865,070 (7,058,550) GLOBAL ESTATE 1.22 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.22 1.22 861,000 1,055,070 14.62 14.72 14.62 14.8 14.6 14.62 517,600 7,570,688 (1,482,900) 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.39 1.4 1.42 1.42 1.39 1.39 1,200,000 1,674,800 4.41 4.68 4.68 4.68 4.5 4.5 24,000 111,960 KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD 4.86 4.88 4.95 4.95 4.84 4.86 12,026,000 58,708,430 (18,077,900) MRC ALLIED 0.29 0.295 0.295 0.3 0.29 0.295 6,590,000 1,938,900 (14,500) 0.41 0.435 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 10,000 4,100 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.03 2.05 2.02 2.05 2.01 2.05 167,000 337,830 ROBINSONS LAND 25.75 25.8 26 26 25.65 25.75 873,700 22,482,845 4,993,060 0.38 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.39 10,000 3,900 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 2.25 2.3 2.26 2.26 2.25 2.25 442,000 997,800 SHANG PROP 3.22 3.29 3.3 3.3 3.22 3.22 31,000 100,360 2.69 2.7 2.7 2.72 2.66 2.69 164,000 439,940 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 38.8 38.85 38.95 39.05 38.5 38.85 5,776,100 224,307,705 83,389,120 5.35 5.4 5.6 5.7 5.4 5.4 147,600 808,951 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 1.25 1.26 1.24 1.36 1.17 1.25 97,481,000 121,735,020 42,545,250 VISTA LAND 7.69 7.7 7.73 7.73 7.67 7.69 4,268,800 32,835,242 (17,819,387) SERVICES ABS CBN 18.5 18.8 18.48 18.8 18.4 18.5 400,100 7,449,650 5.2 5.22 5.25 5.25 5.2 5.22 77,300 402,897 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.405 0.43 0.42 0.42 0.41 0.41 150,000 61,700 MLA BRDCASTING 12.52 14 12.52 12.52 12.52 12.52 400 5,008 1,898 1,915 1902 1,915 1,891 1,915 35,130 66,967,200 4,631,420 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,099 1,108 1119 1,119 1,099 1,099 47,465 52,507,005 (15,722,700) 0.041 0.043 0.042 0.042 0.042 0.042 3,300,000 138,600 APOLLO GLOBAL DFNN INC 5.5 5.99 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 10,000 55,000 IMPERIAL 1.74 1.89 1.75 1.75 1.74 1.74 24,000 41,830 1,750 0.108 0.112 0.108 0.108 0.108 0.108 20,000 2,160 ISLAND INFO ISM COMM 4.98 4.99 5.04 5.06 4.96 4.99 1,100,400 5,493,080 (89,780) JACKSTONES 2.47 2.58 2.54 2.65 2.5 2.5 115,000 297,790 3.28 3.29 3.37 3.5 3.28 3.29 10,661,000 35,963,240 (843,180) NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.325 1,030,000 334,950 PHILWEB 3.03 3.06 3.08 3.1 3.01 3.06 498,000 1,514,010 (201,130) 10.2 10.3 10.34 10.34 10.3 10.3 6,100 62,918 (4,120) 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 16.32 17 18 18 17 17 100,300 1,732,840 1,727,740 6.78 6.79 6.8 6.93 6.78 6.78 282,900 1,924,776 (522,763) CHELSEA 93.05 93.2 95 95 92.7 93.2 103,700 9,687,794 (6,980,926) CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 122.7 122.9 122.9 123.2 121.7 122.7 1,154,970 141,757,702 (56,907,704) 0.91 0.92 0.94 0.94 0.91 0.91 445,000 410,450 LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA 18.58 18.6 18.64 18.64 18.58 18.6 105,000 1,953,080 PAL HLDG 8.01 8.25 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 400 3,280 1.57 1.6 1.57 1.6 1.56 1.6 225,000 355,850 HARBOR STAR WATERFRONT 0.66 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.66 0.66 1,452,000 969,430 STI HLDG 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.69 1,131,000 769,280 (408,200) 2.31 2.37 2.33 2.36 2.32 2.32 489,000 1,134,570 (1,076,520) BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 10.18 10.2 10.36 10.58 10.18 10.2 6,149,700 62,969,322 (25,734,084) 2.8 2.87 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 1,000 2,800 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 2.98 3 3.01 3.01 2.99 3 276,000 827,070 27,000 MANILA JOCKEY 3.35 3.43 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 10,000 34,000 4.86 5.12 4.86 5.14 4.86 5.13 6,100 31,024 (9,748) PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.69 0.67 0.68 2,165,000 1,453,600 (38,020) ALLHOME 11.48 11.5 11.52 11.52 11.48 11.5 5,806,300 66,750,864 (5,915,888) 2.4 2.42 2.39 2.45 2.39 2.42 109,000 262,450 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 39.6 40 40.4 40.4 39.4 40 367,700 14,556,450 (2,412,370) ROBINSONS RTL 76.3 79 77 79 75.6 79 327,700 25,867,316.5 6,239,420 140 144 144 144 144 144 60 8,640 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 2.59 2.6 2.58 2.6 2.56 2.59 1,191,000 3,072,840 1,277,420 16.46 16.48 16.56 16.58 16.44 16.46 297,000 4,896,530 1,006,304 WILCON DEPOT 0.51 0.52 0.54 0.54 0.51 0.52 9,928,000 5,196,410 73,800 APC GROUP EASYCALL 9.09 9.1 9.2 9.41 9.08 9.1 103,800 949,718 430 434 430 475 430 430 42,780 19,119,680 GOLDEN BRIA PRMIERE HORIZON 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.51 4,715,000 2,384,920 (83,640) SBS PHIL CORP 8.9 9.2 8.71 9.22 8.71 9.22 4,000 36,280 MINING & OIL ATOK 12 12.08 11.6 12.08 11.54 12.08 18,500 221,506 1.13 1.14 1.16 1.17 1.14 1.14 1,549,000 1,782,600 ( 233,010.0001) APEX MINING ABRA MINING 0.0016 0.0017 0 0.0016 0.0016 0.0016 0.0016 100,000,000 160,000 ATLAS MINING 2.52 2.59 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.52 10,000 25,200 2.59 2.6 2.59 2.61 2.59 2.6 387,000 1,006,550 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 7.55 7.65 7.55 7.65 7.55 7.65 200 1,520 1.71 1.72 1.71 1.72 1.68 1.72 12,635,000 21,500,300 (109,350) FERRONICKEL 0.205 0.21 0.225 0.225 0.204 0.205 970,000 201,250 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.105 0.107 0.106 0.107 0.106 0.106 2,990,000 318,890 0.108 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.108 0.11 320,000 35,140 LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 0.0091 0.0092 0 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 9,000,000 82,800 MARCVENTURES 1.13 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.13 1.17 269,000 308,810 1.01 1.03 1.05 1.07 1.02 1.02 147,000 152,300 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 3.93 3.94 3.9 4.03 3.9 3.94 6,620,000 26,184,380 1 ,207,039.9997 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.84 0.86 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 20,000 17,000 3.6 3.64 3.64 3.65 3.6 3.6 528,000 1,907,080 739,020 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 23 23.8 23.5 23.8 22.75 23.8 847,300 19,991,610 14,304,820 0.0059 0.0062 0.006 0.0062 0.006 0.0062 40,000,000 243,800 UNITED PARAGON ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 4,000,000 48,000 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 681,700,000 7,498,700 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 4,000,000 44,000 PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO 10.3 10.42 10.02 10.46 10 10.42 676,000 6,895,878 (710,276) PXP ENERGY 12.94 12.96 12.74 13.16 12.38 12.96 3,531,200 45,711,852 (3,220,700) PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 98.15 99.25 99.5 99.5 99.5 99.5 100 9,950 497.2 500 497.2 498 497.2 498 110 54,772 AC PREF B1 DD PREF 100.4 101 100.4 100.4 100.4 100.4 1,000 100,400 SMC FB PREF 2 990 996 990 990 990 990 100 99,000 108.6 109.5 109.5 109.5 109.5 109.5 450 49,275 (49,275) FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C 430.4 500 498 500 498 500 1,050 524,880 950 980 965 970 965 970 1,830 1,771,400 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B 951 970 970 970 970 970 120 116,400 LR PREF 1 1.01 1 1 1 1 2,229,000 2,229,000 100.9 101 100.9 101 100.9 101 5,190 524,189 MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B 1,006 1,037 1031 1,037 1,031 1,037 300 310,665 PCOR PREF 3A 1,050 1,053 1050 1,050 1,049 1,050 7,045 7,397,170 1,059 1,065 1060 1,060 1,059 1,059 10,000 10,599,305 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C 78 78.25 77.9 77.9 77.9 77.9 1,200 93,480 SMC PREF 2E 75.1 75.8 75 75.1 75 75.1 7,130 535,450 76.5 76.6 76.5 76.6 76.5 76.6 9,320 713,049 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H 75.4 75.5 75.5 75.5 75.4 75.5 8,030 606,226.5 75.55 75.7 75.7 75.7 75.7 75.7 66,500 5,034,050 SMC PREF 2I PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

17.72 5.04

17.74 5.12

18 5.12

17.72 5.12

17.74 5.12

145,900 100

2,588,708 512

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.54

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ITALPINAS 6.43 KEPWEALTH 11.38 0.94 XURPAS

1.55

1.6

1.55

38,000

59,200

6.44 11.4 0.95

6.44 11.5 0.93

6.5 11.62 0.99

6.4 11.28 0.92

6.43 11.4 0.95

280,700 295,400 14,030,000

1,804,917 3,363,036 13,519,710

(24,567) 4,850

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

118.3

(2,552,708) -

118.5

119

118.5

1,740

206,834

10,699

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Belle Corp income down 18% in Jan-Sept, dragged by weak income of Pacific Online By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ELLE Corp., the company that owns the land and buildings where City of Dreams Manila sits, said its net income fell 18 percent during the three quarters of the year to P2.18 billion, from last year’s P2.66 billion, mainly dragged by its unit that leases out equipment to the state-owned lottery operator.

Revenues were down 11 percent to P5.77 billion for the ninemonth period ending September from last year’s P6.46 billion. Belle blamed the fall in income on weaker results of its unit Pacific Online Systems Corp., which leases online betting equipment to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for their lottery and keno operations. Pacific Online, which is 50.1 percent-owned by Belle’s subsidiary Premium Leisure Corp., posted a 51-percent

decrease in revenues, to P766 million for the period, from P1.56 billion last year. “This was due to competition from the small town lottery, and the temporary suspension of lottery and keno operations by the PCSO during the third quarter of 2019. With the suspensions lifted, Pacific Online is working closely with the PCSO and its network of agents to boost the attractiveness of the pari-mutuel games it offers, and is working to implement cost efficiency

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

SHARE prices again posted their third straight weekly increase last week despite a low volume of trade. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 37.27 points to close at 7,922.50 points. “The general investor sentiment has remained very cautious as the appetite for equities continues to dwindle by the day. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reduced its Reserve Ratio Requirement for banks by another 100 basis points which, in effect, frees up almost P100 billion in cash. Although this is extremely good for our economy, the market had almost no reaction. Retail investors continue to speculate on second- and third-liners,” Christopher Mangun, research head at AAA Securities Inc., said. Trade volume was thin last week, valued at only P4.91 billion as against the year-to-date average of P6.32 billion. Foreign investors were net buyers at P1.47 billion. Most of the subindices ended higher, led by the All Shares index that gained 11.99 points to 4,767.03. The Financials index rose 35.53 to 1,876.79, the Industrial index dropped 172.94 to 10,470.07, the Holding Firms index climbed 68.15 to 7,745.04, the Property index was down 10.96 to 4,166.29, the Services index was up 1.28 to 1,531.53, and the Mining and Oil index surged 301.88 to 9,209.23. Losers led gainers for the week 120 to 87, and 38 shares were unchanged Top gainers were Suntrust Home Developers Inc., Philippine Trust Co., Now Corp., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., Cosco Capital Inc. and Xurpas Inc. Top losers, meanwhile, were Agrinurture Inc., Manila Mining Corp. B, Macay Holdings Inc., BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., DMCI Holdings Inc. and Axelum Resources Corp.

This week

SHARE prices may again move sideways this week, with the main index inching toward the 8,000-point level, but trading is still expected to be muted. It will be a four-day trading week as Friday, November 1, is a public holiday. There’s still no holiday declaration yet on October 31. Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital and Development Corp., said resistance will be very heavy as the main index approaches the 8,000-point level. “Market will probably react to window dressing since this is a shortened work week. Investors will be keeping an eye out on the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting during the middle of the week,” Limlingan said. Mangun, on the other hand, said most markets are anticipating a 25-basispoint rate cut. Without the reduction, US equities will falter despite being just a few points away from new highs as the market is already pricing in this cut that is yet to come, he said. On the other hand, the PSEi may have been climbing during the past weeks but on very low trading volumes, as foreign inflows and a lack of selling pressure allowed it to go higher, Mangun said, adding that this trend will not continue for very long. “It may inch higher potentially testing 8,000. However, we may see an increase in selling pressure as investors take some risk off the table ahead of the holiday. Overall, the market remains in limbo, trading sideways with no real direction,” he said.

Stock picks

BROKER Regina Capital advised investors to cut their losses on the stock of the Gokongwei food group Universal Robina Corp. (URC) after the P156.30 monthlong technical support failed to hold and sent the stock falling 4 percent last week. “Luckily, some respite exists around the P151.00-level, but this is at best tentative, as URC also breached this level intra-day toward the strong price floor of P150. Either way, indicators are all deep in bear territories,” it said. URC shares closed last week at P150 apiece. On the other hand, the broker advised to trade the range on the stock of DMCI Holdings Inc. after it fell victim to the market’s general weakness and its stock was by almost 3 percent during the week. “But unlike URC, the drop for DMCI was merely a technical rebound as its consolidation for the past few weeks still failed to break the P9.10 upper limit. And by now, the momentum is slowly losing steam,” the broker said, adding that a reliable support can be seen around P8.66 per share. DMCI shares closed Friday at P8.20 apiece. VG Cabuag

measures across its operations,” it said. Belle said its core operations continued to be stable as its real-estate operations posted a 4-percent increase in revenues to P2.63 billion for the period, from P2.52 billion last year. Of real-estate revenues, P2 billion came from Belle’s lease of the land and buildings comprising City of Dreams Manila to Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp., the operator of the casino. Belle’s real-estate sales and property management activities at its Tagaytay Highlands complex contributed the balance of P624 million during 2019, it said. Premium Leisure, which holds all the gambling assets of

Mutual Funds

Belle, registered a P2.38-billion share in gaming earnings of City of Dreams Manila for the first nine months of 2019, flat from last year. Belle’s principal asset is the City of Dreams Manila in Entertainment City in Parañaque, which is being leased on a long-term basis to Melco. In addition to lease income, Belle also has shares in revenues or earnings from City of Dreams Manila’s gaming operations through the operating agreement between its 78.7 percentowned subsidiary Premium Leisure and Melco Belle also owns approximately 1 hectare of presently undeveloped land across from the City of Dreams Manila site.

October 25, 2019

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 255.68 5.21% -1.13% -0.23% 1.38% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.4939 7.44% 2.08% 0.17% 3.69% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.8914 3.11% -2.87% -1.93% -0.3% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.9489 9.76% n.a. n.a. 5.32% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.867 8.28% n.a. n.a. 5.64% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 5.4329 8.47% 0.6% 0.3% 3.03% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.8718 8.43% -3.36% n.a. 4.2% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 114.57 4.76% n.a. n.a. -1.37% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 52.255 10.85% 1.01% n.a. 6.16% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 542.6 10.53% -0.06% 0.24% 5.41% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.3131 8.21% 0.94% 1.41% 4.71% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 38.6648 9.45% 1.81% 1.35% 5.55% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.0379 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 5.3127 12.06% 1.74% 2.25% 7.14% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 887.02 12.08% 1.65% 2.18% 7.07% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.8959 8.86% -0.15% n.a. 4.17% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.3001 10.33% 1.31% 1.41% 5.94% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 1.0188 11.61% 1.56% n.a. 6.76% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.7304 10.66% 3.16% 2.86% 6.56% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 118.9075 12.35% 2.39% 3.21% 7.37% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $0.9707 4.06% 2.5% -0.46% 4.48% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.2932 7.56% 7.66% n.a. 17.01% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5963 -0.89% -3.53% -3.44% -3.32% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2623 4.96% -1.08% -0.35% 2.4% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6583 8.07% 1.06% -1.04% 4.53% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,5 0.2365 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Grepalife Balanced Fund Corporation -a 1.3492 5.75% n.a. n.a. 3.44% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9677 9.63% 1.34% 1.33% 6.76% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.8069 12.04% 0.32% 0.59% 7.87% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 17.0465 11.48% 0.32% 0.5% 7.16% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.1527 6.8% 0.82% 1.35% 4.04% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.9022 9.97% 1.21% 1.07% 6.87% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,2 1.0236 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,2 1.0124 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,2 1.0094 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9889 10.21% 0.75% 0.59% 7.29% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03828 10.67% 2.24% 2.15% 8.44% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $0.9927 6.94% 2.22% 0.14% 8.65% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.7606 7.62% 5.66% 3.59% 13.66% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,7 $1.1071 6.81% 3.33% n.a. 10.16% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 355.32 4.08% 2.48% 2.29% 3.45% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9217 3.42% 0.24% 0% 3.36% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.0927 5% 5.24% 5.22% 3.92% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2131 4.55% 1.58% 2.02% 3.94% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3397 5.78% 1.62% 1.51% 6.1% Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp. -a P 1.6087 2.35% -0.64% -0.03% 2.83% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.3189 13.89% 1.22% 1.67% 10.18% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.7505 8.67% 1.57% 6.64% 2.21% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 0.9529 9.09% 0.28% n.a. 6.92% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.0408 10.61% 2.88% 2.44% 9.94% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.682 9.96% 2.35% 2.02% 9.23% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $466 4.49% 2.03% 2.81% 3.93% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.93 3.1% 1.21% 1.46% 3.41% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2027 7.23% 2.33% 2.52% 6.84% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0258 4.03% 1.06% 1.37% 4.03% Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund Corp. -a $1.7119 1.24% -1.46% 0.27% 1.28% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.0964 7.19% -0.07% -1.25% 5.8% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.401 12.66% 2.04% 3.18% 10.6% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.060248 5.91% 2.04% 2.04% 5.7% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1693 10.07% 1.57% 2.7% 10.35% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 125.04 4.2% 2.7% 2.11% 3.44% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0253 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2439 6.08% 2.41% 1.53% 5.25% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2578 3.86% 2.82% 2.23% 3.17% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0342 2.15% n.a. n.a. 1.8% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Launch date is January 3, 2019. 2 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 3 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 4 - Launch date is August 1, 2019. 5 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 7 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

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The World BusinessMirror

Facebook launches ‘News Tab’ section and will pay publishers

Economists call for alternative avenue to US-China trade wars A

FACEBOOK CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks about “News Tab” at the Paley Center on Friday, October 25, 2019, in New York. The new feature in the Facebook mobile app will display headlines—and nothing else—from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Business Insider, NBC, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, among others. AP PHOTO/MARK LENNIHAN

VER the course of its 15-year history, Facebook has variously ignored news organizations while eating their advertising revenue, courted them for video projects it subsequently abandoned, and then largely cut their stories out of its newsfeeds. Now it plans to pay them for news headlines—reportedly millions of dollars in some cases. Enter the “News Tab,” a new section in the Facebook mobile app that will display headlines—and nothing else—from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, BuzzFeed News, Business Insider, NBC, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, among others. Breitbart, a conservative news outlet that has been accused of running racist stories, will also be part of the news tab, as will local stories from several of the largest US cities. Headlines from smaller towns are on their way, Facebook says. Tapping on those headlines will take you directly to publisher web sites or apps, if you have any installed. Which is one thing publishers have been requesting from Facebook ’s news efforts for years. It’s potentially a big step for a platform that has long struggled with both stamping out misinformation and making nice with struggling purveyors of news. Though media watchers remain skeptical that Facebook is really committed to helping sustain the news industry. Facebook declined to say who is getting paid and how much, saying only that it will be paying “a range of publishers for access to all of their content.” Just last year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he wasn’t sure it “makes sense “to pay news outlets for their material. But now, as Zuckerberg told The Associated Press in an interview, “there’s an opportunity to set up new long term, stable financial relationships with publishers.” The Associated Press is not participating in the initiative. News executives have long been unhappy about the extent to which digital giants like Facebook make use of their stories—mostly by displaying headlines and short summaries when users post news links. A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress this year would grant an antitrust exemption to news companies, letting them band together to negotiate payments from the big tech platforms. “It’s a good direction that they’re willing for the first time to value and pay for news content,” said David Chavern, head of the News Media Alliance, a publisher trade group. “The trouble is that most publishers aren’t included.” Zuckerberg said Facebook aims to set up partnerships with a “wide range” of publishers. “We think that this is an opportunity to build something quite meaningful here,” he said. “We’re going to have journalists curating this, we are really focused on provenance

and branding and where the stories come from.” At an event on Friday in New York, Zuckerberg was asked why Facebook isn’t paying all publishers in the news section. He replied that the initial focus was on building a broad set of content and figuring how to compensate publishers with paywalls. The next step will be to add local and international sources to the tab, he said. In a statement, the Los Angeles Times said it expects the Facebook effort will help expand its readership and digital subscribers. The New York Times said it was a “welcome first step.” Facebook killed its most recent effort to curate news, the ill-fated Trending topics, in 2018. Conservatives complained about political bias, leading Facebook to fire its human editors and automate the section until it began recycling false stories, after which the social giant shut it down entirely. But what happens when the sprawling social network plays news editor? An approach that sends people news based on what they’ve liked before could over time elevate stories with greater “emotional resonance” over news that “allows public discourse to take place,” said Edward Wasserman, dean of the graduate journalism program at the University of California-Berkeley. “It deepens my concern that they’ll be applying Facebook logic to news judgment,” he added. The social network has come under criticism for its news judgment recently. In September, it removed a fact-check from Science Feedback that called out an antiabortion activist’s video for claiming that abortion is never medically necessary. Republican senators had complained about the fact check. Asked at the Friday event why Breitbart was included in the news section, Zuckerberg replied that the company wants a “breadth of content.” Facebook says a small team of “seasoned” journalists it employs will choose the headlines for the “Today’s Story” section of the tab, designed to “catch you up” on the day’s news. The rest of the news section will be populated with stories algorithmically based on users’ interests. That sounds similar to the approach taken by Apple News , a free iPhone app. But Apple’s effort to contract with news organizations has been slow to take off. Apple News Plus, a $10-a-month paid version, remains primarily a hub for magazines; other news publishers have largely sat it out. Apple’s service reportedly offered publishers only half the revenue it pulled in from subscriptions, divided according to how popular publishers were with readers. Zuckerberg said on Friday that he hopes to have 20 million to 30 million people in the US using the news section over a few years. AP

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Monday, October 28, 2019 B3

GROUP of prominent economists from the United States and China called for the world’s two largest economies to abandon their trade war and agree to a new path forward that would give both countries more latitude to both pursue their own domestic economic policies and hit back at those that hurt them. In a joint statement issued in China on Sunday, 37 economists— including Joseph Stiglitz, Michael Spence and three other Nobel winners—bemoaned what they said has been a descent of the trade conflict into a binary debate where the only emerging solutions are either wholesale economic reforms by China leading to a converging of economic models or an economically damaging “decoupling.” The group argued a more sensible framework for future trade relations would give China room to pursue industrial policies that are often a target of criticism from the US, while also allowing the US latitude to respond with targeted tariffs if China’s policies were damaging its interests. “We believe this approach preserves

the bulk of the gains from trade between the two economies, without presuming convergence in economic models,” the statement says. It also would be in line with the current multilateral system, they argued, although it would enlarge both the US and China’s rights under current World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The push is emblematic of the ways in which economists and other thinkers are wrestling with how to respond to US President Donald J. Trump’s challenge to the existing governance of the global economy. While many countries have circled the wagons to try and protect the WTO and other institutions from Trump’s attacks, there is also a growing acknowledgment from many sides of politics that the current system has not worked in addressing China’s economic rise and its effect on other economies. It comes as Trump is working to close what he has described as “phase one” of a trade truce with China that is designed to avoid a further escalation of their trade wars. It would see China commit to resuming agricultural purchases from the US at levels

similar to those seen before the US started imposing new tariffs last year and would put on hold the threat of further US duties. It is also expected to include commitments on intellectual-property reforms and currency manipulation by China. But the interim deal, which Trump has said he hopes to sign with China’s Xi Jinping at a summit in Chile next month, would crucially push discussions of other US complaints, such as China’s industrial policies to later rounds of negotiations. The effort unveiled on Sunday was led by New York University Law professor Jeffrey Lehman, Harvard economist Dani Rodrik and Yang Yao, dean of the National School of Development at Peking University. Rodrik is a long-standing critic of globalization and has advocated giving countries more “policy space” to pursue and protect domestic economic priorities, arguing that current global trading system often violates nations’ sovereignty. The statement’s other signatories include former World Bank Chief Economists Justin Yifu Lin

Pentagon hands Microsoft $10-B ‘war cloud’ deal, snubs Amazon

THIS April 12, 2016, file photo shows the Microsoft logo in Issy-les-Moulineaux, outside Paris, France. The Pentagon has awarded Microsoft a $10-billion cloud-computing contract called JEDI, on Friday, October 25, 2019. The contentious bidding process for the contract pitted Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle, among others, against one another. AP PHOTO/MICHEL EULER

AN FRANCISCO—The Pentagon awarded Microsoft a $10billion cloud-computing contract, snubbing early front-runner Amazon, whose competitive bid drew criticism from President Donald J. Trump and its business rivals. Bidding for the huge project, known as Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, pitted leading tech titans Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle and IBM against one another. The giant contract has attracted more attention than most, sparked by speculation early in the process that Amazon would be the sole winner of the deal. Tech giants Oracle and IBM pushed back with their own bids, and also formally protested the bidding process last year. Oracle later challenged the process in federal court, but lost. Trump waded into the fray in July, saying that the administration would “take a very long look ” at the process, saying he had heard complaints. Trump has frequently expressed his ire for Amazon and founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington

Post. At the time, he said other companies told him that the contract “wasn’t competitively bid.” Defense Secretary Mark Esper recused himself from the controversial bidding process earlier this week, citing a conflict of interest because his son works for one of the companies that originally bid. The JEDI system will store and process vast amounts of classified data, allowing the US military to use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up its war planning and fighting capabilities. A cloud strategy document unveiled by the Defense Department last year called for replacing the military’s “disjointed and stove-piped infor mation systems” with a commercial cloud service “that will empower the war fighter with data and is critical to maintaining our military’s technological advantage.” The Pentagon emphasized in an announcement that the process was fair and followed procurement guidelines. It noted that over the past two years, it has awarded more

than $11 billion in 10 separate cloud-computing contracts, and said the JEDI award “continues our strategy of a multi-vendor, multicloud environment.” The latter statement appeared designed to address previous criticism about awarding such a large deal to one company. The deal is a major win for Microsoft’s cloud business Azure, which has long been playing catch-up to Amazon’s market leading Amazon Web Services (AWS). Microsoft said it was preparing a statement. Amazon said on Friday it was surprised by the decision. “AWS is the clear leader in cloud computing, and a detailed assessment purely on the comparative offerings clearly lead to a different conclusion,” Amazon Spokesman Drew Herdener said in a statement. “We remain deeply committed to continuing to innovate for the new digital battlefield where security, efficiency, resiliency and scalability of resources can be the difference between success and failure.” According to a July report from

and Kaushik Basu. In an interview, Rodrik said Trump’s trade attack on China has shifted the debate on how to manage the economic relationship into dangerous territory. “What he is doing is crowding out space for a more reasonable discussion,” Rodrik said. “What the United States is doing is actually engaging in a trade war and imposing tariffs as a way of forcing China into a series of economic arrangements,” he said. “The modus operandi is ‘China you are not playing by the rules of the game and we are going to raise our tariffs on you until you fall into line.’” At the same time, he said, “China brings to a head the fundamental tensions of the world trading regime like nothing else” and policy-makers needed to realize that their expectation that China would simply “fall into line” with global trading rules had not worked. “China is the clearest example that is an unrealistic expectation and because it is such a large economy it makes the tension existential,” he said. Bloomberg News

Standard & Poor’s upgrades Greece’s rating a notch to BB-

THENS, Greece— Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has upgraded Greece’s credit rating by one notch to BB- with a positive outlook, saying another upgrade could follow within the next year. The agency says a potential future upgrade would depend on the center-right government’s continuing to implement economic reforms and also on an improvement in Greek banks’ sizeable exposure to nonperforming loans. S&P awarded the BBrating late on Friday, citing a reduction in risks to smooth implementation of the state budget and the lifting of restrictions on bank deposits and capital flows. Greece exited its eightyear bailout program last year and yields on the country’s bonds have dropped sharply in recent months. Nevertheless, all three major ratings agencies still classify Greek state bonds as well below investment grade. AP the research firm Gartner, Amazon holds almost 48 percent of the market for public cloud computing, followed by Microsoft in second place with close to 16 percent. Over the last year, Microsoft has positioned itself as a friend to the US military. President Brad Smith wrote last fall that Microsoft has long supplied technology to the military and would continue to do so, despite pushback from employees. Oracle and IBM were eliminated earlier in the process, leaving Microsoft and Amazon to battle it out at the end. Google decided last year not to compete for the contract, saying it would conflict with its AI ethics principles. Google employees have been especially vocal in protesting the company’s involvement with government contracts. “It’s a paradigm changer for Microsoft to win JEDI,” said Dan Ives, managing director of Wedbush Securities. “And it’s a huge black eye for Amazon and Bezos.” Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and other tech giants have faced criticism from their own employees about doing business with the government, especially on military and immigration related projects. AP

The World BusinessMirror

B4 Monday, October 28, 2019

Global markets ‘awash’ in oil as US shale boom barrels ahead T

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thailand sees limited impact from US trade benefits freeze

lobal markets are “awash” in crude thanks to the surge in US oil output, and the boom looks set to continue, US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in a Bloomberg TV interview. US shale production has turned the world “on its head,” and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is “off a bit” in a report last week saying that the bonanza is fading, Perry said on Sunday in Dubai. Oil and natural gas from American shale fields have made the US

one of the world’s largest producers and enabled it to become a net energy exporter. Perry will travel in the coming week to Saudi Arabia to discuss possible sales of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) and Saudi efforts to develop a nuclear power program. Perry held talks in the

United Arab Emirates and visited the country’s largest solar-power facility at a site near the UAE’s commercial hub of Dubai. The US sent 11 LNG shipments to the UAE over the past three years and is seeking to sell more of the fuel there and to Saudi Arabia, Perry said. The world needs to be prepared for attacks disrupting the global economy, and the US, the Saudi Arabia, and other allies are discussing the safety of oil supply routes, he said. Aerial strikes against Saudi oil facilities on September 14, temporarily knocked out half of the kingdom’s output, and the US is currently doing enough to help the Saudi Arabia defend against such attacks in the future, Perry said. Washington won’t hold a grudge

forever against the Saudi Arabia over the murder last October of government critic and US columnist Jamal Khashoggi, though there’s not a “massive amount of forgiveness” in Congress for his killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Perry said. The energy secretary said he asked US President Donald J. Trump to call Ukraine to try to sell US LNG there. The approach to Ukraine is important for energy sales and to break that country’s overreliance on Russian gas, he said. The US is “making progress” with its Middle East foreign policy, while efforts to impeach Trump won’t be an issue in the US presidential election next year and will go away in six months, Perry said. Bloomberg News

Dutch inventor unveils device to scoop plastic out of rivers

OTTERDAM, the Netherlands—Dutch inventor Boyan Slat is widening his effort to clean up floating plastic from the Pacific Ocean by moving into rivers, too, using a new floating device to catch garbage before it reaches the seas. The 25-year-old university dropout founded The Ocean Cleanup to develop and deploy a system he invented when he was 18 that catches plastic waste floating in the ocean. On Saturday he unveiled the next step in his fight: A floating solarpowered device that he calls the “Interceptor” that scoops plastic out of rivers as it drifts past. “We need to close the tap, which means preventing more plastic from reaching the ocean in the first place,” he said, calling rivers “the arteries that carry the trash from land to sea.” Slat’s organization has in the past drawn criticism for focusing only on the plastic trash already floating in the world’s oceans. Experts say that some 9 million tons (8 million metric tons) of plastic waste, including plastic bottles, bags, toys and other items, flow annually into the ocean from beaches, rivers and creeks. Three of the machines already are deployed to Indonesia, Malaysia and

Young Dutch inventor Boyan Slat unveils the Interceptor in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Slat is taking his effort to clean up floating plastic from the Pacific Ocean to rivers, using the Interceptor, a new floating device to catch garbage before it reaches the seas. AP

Vietnam—and a fourth is heading to the Dominican Republic, he said. Izham Hashim from the government of Selangor state in Malaysia was present at the launch and said he was happy with the machine. “It has been used for one-and-ahalf months in the river and it’s doing very well, collecting the plastic bottles and all the rubbish,” he said. Slat said he believes 1,000 rivers are responsible for some 80 percent of plastic pouring into the world’s oceans and he wants to tackle them all in the coming five years.

“This is not going to be easy, but imagine if we do get this done,” he told his audience of enthusiastic supporters, who whooped, clapped and cheered his announcements. “We could truly make our oceans clean again.” The vessel is designed to be moored in rivers and has a nose shaped to def lect away larger floating debris like tree trunks. He used his live-streamed unveiling to appeal for support from countries committing to clean up their rivers and businesses prepared

to inject funding and help with the operation of the devices. The interceptors work by guiding plastic waste into an opening in its bow, a conveyor belt then carries the trash into the guts of the machine where it is dropped into dumpsters. The interceptor sends a text message to local operators that can come and empty it when it’s full. Slat showed off how it worked by dumping hundreds of yellow rubber ducks into the water at the launch event in Rotterdam’s port. The interceptor caught nearly all of them. The machines currently cost about €700,000 ($775,600), but Slat said the cost will likely drop as production increases. Jan van Franeker of the Wageningen Marine Research institute has been critical of The Ocean Cleanup in the past, but said the new device looks promising. “I am really happy they finally moved toward the source of the litter,” he said in a telephone interview. “The design, from what I can see, looks pretty good.” Slat argued that the economic impact of not picking plastic out of rivers is higher than the cost of buying and using the machines. “Deploying interceptors is even cheaper than deploying nothing at all,” he said. AP

Activists ask NBC to release NDAs, hold independent probe

EW YORK—Activists called upon NBC Universal on Saturday to allow former employees to speak out freely on sexual harassment in the workplace without restriction, rather than having to come to the company first to be released from nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). The company said on Saturday that any former employee who believes they cannot disclose their experience with sexual harassment as a result of a non-disparagement agreement should contact the company, “and we will release them from that perceived obligation.” The statement, which was e-mailed to The Associated Press, was first reported on Friday night by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, in an emotional segment introducing author Ronan Farrow. The highly influential MSNBC host expressed deep concern that her own company’s bosses had thwarted Farrow’s reporting on sexual misconduct allegations against Harvey Weinstein—reporting which he then took to The New Yorker, where he won a Pulitzer Prize. Maddow also pointedly questioned NBC’s failure to launch an independent investigation of both the handling of the Weinstein story and of the behavior of Matt Lauer, the former Today anchor fired in 2017, over sexual misconduct allegations.

On Saturday, Tina Tchen, incoming president and CEO of Time’s Up, said NBC Universal, while taking a useful first step, hadn’t gone far enough to release employees from nondisclosure agreements or other restrictive clauses. She said NBC should simply state that everyone is free to speak, without fear of retaliation. “If NBC Universal is truly committed to letting survivors and employees speak out about sexual harassment at the network, it should simply release them from their nondisclosure agreements,” she said. “There is no reason to place the burden on those who choose to speak to reveal themselves in advance to NBC Universal. This is an example of the burdens that perpetuate fear and silence, no matter what new policies and trainings may say.” Tchen, who takes up her duties next week, added that the company must, like some other companies have, commit “to an independent, outside investigation into all the circumstances surrounding workplace culture at NBC and the journalistic decisions made at this important news outlet.... As an employer and especially as a news organization, NBC Universal should want to know the unvarnished truth.” NBC conducted its own internal investigation on the actions of its executives into how Farrow’s Weinstein story was handled, and how sexual misconduct allegations were handled. It concluded that its judgments on the Weinstein story were correct, based on the material Farrow had at the time. Farrow also alleged that NBC executives

were aware of sexual misconduct by Lauer before the allegation that led to his firing, but NBC has denied it. Also calling for further action by NBC Universal was Linda Vester, a former NBC News employee who has accused NBC star anchor Tom Brokaw of sexual harassment and now heads a group called Silence Breakers Alliance. “Why is NBC forcing these women who have already endured trauma to come crawling on their hands and knees, to ask the company to let them speak?” she asked in an interview on Saturday. “This would be evidence that the company is re-traumatizing the victim and trying to keep them under its thumb.” Vester has also been calling for NBC Universal to allow an independent inquiry. Friday’s remarks by Maddow came in a monologue introducing Farrow, who is on a publicity tour for his book, Catch and Kill, in which he outlines his view of roadblocks NBC News set up that led him to take his Weinstein story to The New Yorker. It also includes an interview with a former NBC News employee who alleges she was raped by Lauer, who denies the charge. “The allegations about the behavior of Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer are gut-wrenching at baseline, no matter who you are or what your connection is to this story,” Maddow told her viewers. “But accusations that people in positions of authority in this building may have been complicit in some way of shielding those guys from accountability, those accusations are very, very hard to stomach.” Maddow continued: “The amount of consternation this has caused among the rank and file people who work here would be almost impossible for me to overstate.” AP

rade-reliant Thailand said President Donald J. Trump’s decision to suspend some US trade benefits will affect only a small proportion of its exports. The impact is expected to be limited and would cut annual export value by at most $32.8 million in 2020, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. The US is Thailand’s second-largest export market, and shipments were worth $31.9 billion last year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The US said on Friday it will suspend $1.3 billion of benefits under the generalized system of preferences, and that Thai seafood products will be removed from the program. It said the steps were triggered by concerns about workers’ rights. Thai exports have struggled this year because of the strength of its currency and the fallout of the USChina trade war. The nation is on course for the slowest economic expansion in five years. The generalized system of preferences provides preferential duty-free

treatment for thousands of products to bolster the economies of developing nations, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Seafood products

The office said the suspension on Thai goods will take effect in six months and focus on products for which the US is a relatively important market for the Southeast Asian nation, but where Thailand accounts for a relatively small share of US imports. The eligibility of all Thai seafood products for the program will also be revoked due to “long-standing worker rights issues in the seafood and shipping industries,” the office said. Thai Union Group Pcl., one of the world’s biggest canned-tuna producers, said on Sunday it doesn’t expect a material operational impact from the US decision. Trade under the generalized system of preferences between Thailand and the US totaled $4.4 billion in 2018, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. Bloomberg News

Chilean president shaking up govt amid protests

Anti-government demonstrators are sprayed by a police water cannon during a protest in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Chile has been facing days of unrest, triggered by a relatively minor increase in subway fares. The protests have shaken a nation noted for economic stability over the past decades, which has seen steadily declining poverty despite persistent high rates of inequality. AP

ANTIAGO, Chile—Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera asked all his Cabinet members to offer their resignations on Saturday as he prepared to shake up his government in response to a wave of protests, including one that drew more than a million people the day before. Chile’s conservative president also said he might lift the state of emergency that has covered much of the country for the past nine days — a decree that had failed to bring peace after rioting broke out in response to a 4-cent rise in subway fares. The protests rapidly expanded to cover a far wider sense of frustration among many Chileans who felt they have been struggling to make do as the well-off grew richer. “The march we all saw yesterday was a massive and peaceful march,” Piñera said. “We have all heard the message. We have all changed.” He promised “a new Cabinet to confront these new demands and take charge of the new times.” Friday’s historic demonstration in central Santiago drew 1.2 million people. “All of them [Cabinet ministers] should go because they have been laughing at the people,” said Sonia Novoa, a 78-year-old retiree. Protesters have been calling for better pay, pensions, schools, housing and medical care, among many other demands. While most of the protests have been peaceful, some— especially at the start—have devolved into riots and looting, and the government says at least 20 people have died. Piñera has responded by raising pensions and the minimum wage, as well as by revoking the subway fare hike. He said he is also considering cutting water fees and highway tolls. For Pablo Rodríguez, a 30-year-old actor, the steps “are a good start, but aren’t sufficient.” Some of those who protested on Friday returned to the downtown Italy Plaza, to clean up the garbage

and debris left behind. “But I am going to take advantage of that and say to protest again,” said student Andrés Villarroel as he headed downtown. Politicians from both the ruling party and opposition had been asking for the ministerial change to reestablish the government’s credibility in the face of the unrest. Among the most controversial ministers is Andrés Chadwick, who has interior minister is in charge of police who have violently broken up protests. Supermarket employee Yolanda Jerez said she favored the moves. “The president’s announcements are great because we are expecting changes and they have to start with something,” she said. In spite of Piñera’s announcements and concessions, thousands gathered again on Saturday in plazas across Chile. Police with tear gas dispersed protesters in a plaza in central Santiago. As night fell, potbanging protests could be heard in many cities. Starting Saturday, Chile’s capital and other cities saw their curfews lifted. The independent National Human Rights Institute said that since the state of emergency went into effect, 3,162 people have been detained and 997 injured. A mission from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, is expected next week in Chile to investigate allegations of rights violations. The president of the Production and Commerce Confederation, Alfonso Swett, participated in a meeting with social and community leaders called by the government to find a way out of the crisis. “We businesspeople have an obligation to addresses the weariness, pains, deficiencies of citizens, and with great humility, with great conviction, we will be part of this solution,” Swett said. AP

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Monday, October 28, 2019

Impeachment panels threaten contempt if White House official defies subpoena

he House Democrats leading the impeachment inquiry of President Donald J. Trump demanded that a former White House official appear for his scheduled hearing on Monday, dismissing his attempt to challenge a subpoena in court. In a letter on Saturday to attor neys representing Charles K up p e r m a n , t he pre s ide nt ’s

former deputy national security adviser, leaders of three House committees said his lawsuit is

“ lacking in legal merit and apparently coordinated with the W hite House,” and failure to appear for his deposition “will constitute evidence that may be used against him in a contempt proceeding.” “Such willful defiance of a duly authorized subpoena may cause the committees to draw an adverse inference against the president,” the letter said. “ The W hite House’s overbroad assertion of ‘absolute immunity,’ at its core, is another example of the president’s stonewalling of Congress and concerted efforts

to obstruct the House’s impeachment inquiry.” The episode is the most recent example of the constitutional clash that has slowed congressional oversight of Trump, adding to the legal tussle between two branches of government. The Committees on Intelligence, Oversight and Foreign Affairs have issued subpoenas to most of the impeachment witnesses heard this month to give them legal cover to defy W hite House orders to not cooperate. The letter was sent by Intelligence Committee Chair man

Adam Schiff, Foreign A ffairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and acting Oversight Committee Chairman Carolyn Maloney. Kupperman on Friday made the argument that he was caught between two different directives and asked a federal judge whether he must appear. He said in court papers that he faces “ irreconcilable commands”—a subpoena from House Democrats requiring him to cooperate and an order from the W hite House not to testify. His lawyer, Charles Cooper,

US official: I.S. leader believed dead in US military assault

A SHINGTON—Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the shadowy leader of the Islamic State (IS) group who presided over its global jihad and became arguably the world’s most wanted man, is believed dead after being targeted by a US military raid in Syria. A US official told The Associated Press on Saturday that alBaghdadi was targeted in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province. The official said confirmation that the IS chief was killed in an explosion is pending. No other details were available. The official was not authorized to discuss the strike and spoke on condition of anonymity. President Donald J. Trump teased a major announcement, tweeting on Saturday night that “Something very big has just happened!” A White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, would say only that the president would be making a “major statement” at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday. If confirmed, the operation’s success could prove a major boost for Trump. The recent pullback of US troops he ordered from northeastern Syria raised a storm of bipartisan criticism in Washington that the militant group could regain strength, after it had lost vast stretches of territory it had once controlled.

This file image made from video posted on a militant website on July 5, 2014 purports to show the leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, delivering a sermon at a mosque in Iraq during his first public appearance. The leader of the Islamic State militant network is believed dead after being targeted by a US military raid in Syria. A US official told The Associated Press on Saturday, October 26, 2019, that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was targeted in Syria’s Idlib province. AP Photo/Militant video

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Syria war monitor, reported an attack carried out by a squadron of eight helicopters accompanied by a warplane belonging to the international coalition on positions of the Hurras al-Deen, an al-Qaida-linked group, in the Barisha area north of Idlib city, after midnight on Saturday. IS op-

eratives are believed to be hiding in the area, it said. It said the helicopters targeted IS positions with heavy strikes for about 120 minutes, during which jihadists fired at the aircraft with heavy weapons. The Britain-based Obser vator y, whic h operates through a network of activists on the ground, documented the

death of nine people as a result of the coalition helicopter attack. It is not yet known whether alBaghdadi is one of them, it said, adding that the death toll is likely to rise due to the large number of wounded. Al-Baghdadi’s presence in the village, which is a few kilometers away from the Turkish border, would come as a surprise, even if some IS leaders are believed to have fled to Idlib after losing their last territories in Syria to US-allied Kurdish forces in March. The surrounding areas are largely controlled by a rival of the Islamic State group—the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir alSham, or HTS—although other jihadi groups sympathetic to IS operate there. Unverified video circulated online by Syrian groups appeared to support the Observatory claim that the operation occurred in Barisha. Al-Baghdadi has led IS for the last five years, presiding over its ascendancy as it cultivated a reputation for beheadings and attracted hundreds of thousands of followers to a sprawling and selfstyled caliphate in Iraq and Syria. He remained among the few IS commanders still at large despite multiple claims in recent years about his death, and even as his so-called caliphate dramatically

shrank, with many supporters who joined the cause either imprisoned or jailed. His exhortations were instrumental in inspiring terrorist attacks in the heart of Europe and in the US. Shifting away from the airline hijackings and other mass-casualty attacks that came to define al-Qaida, al-Baghdadi, and other IS leaders supported smaller-scale acts of violence that would be harder for law enforcement to prepare for and prevent. They encouraged jihadists who could not travel to the caliphate to kill where they were, with whatever weapon they had at their disposal. In the US, multiple extremists have pledged their allegiance to al-Baghdadi on social media, including a woman who along with her husband committed a 2015 massacre at a holiday party in San Bernardino, California. With a $25 million US bounty on his head, al-Baghdadi has been far less visible in recent years, releasing only sporadic audio recordings, including one just last month in which he called on members of the extremist group to do all they could to free IS detainees and women held in jails and camps. The purported audio was his first public statement since last April, when he appeared in a video for the first time in five years. AP

Anti-government protests rage in Iraq, 7 killed B AGHDAD—At least seven more Iraqi protesters were killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces in Baghdad and the southern town of Nasiriyah, as thousands took part in nationwide anti-government protests, officials said. The new violence brought the number of demonstrators killed to 49 in two days of protesting, according to an Associated Press tally. The semiofficial Iraq High Commission for Human Rights, which accounts for violence in additional cities in southern Iraq, put the death toll at 63. Thousands of protesters tried to reach Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, home to embassies and government offices. Security forces fired tear gas as protesters tried to remove blast walls from a main bridge leading to the government district. By nightfall, the security forces had chased the protesters back to Tahrir Square, a central roundabout. “I want change. I want to remove those corrupt people who sleep in the Green Zone, and who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at us,” said protester Fares Mukhaled, 19, who sat barefoot on the ground at the square, where some had erected tents. Four people were killed when they were struck by tear gas canisters in Baghdad, security and

medical officials said. A second medical official said three protesters were shot dead by security guards when they attacked the office of a provincial official in the southern town of Nasiriyah. The town in the mainly Shiite south has seen especially violent protests in recent weeks and was placed under a 24-hour curfew on Friday along with the southern city of Basra. At least 149 were killed in a wave of demonstrations earlier this month. The spontaneous, leaderless protests are directed at the political establishment that came to power after the 2003 US-led invasion, which many blame for spiraling corruption and poor public services. The protests against the Shiitedominated government have been largely concentrated in Shiite areas. Some have also criticized Iran’s influence over the country. “Iraq is free. Iran out, out!” some protesters chanted in Tahrir Square. In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, a security official said demonstrators in a rally that took place outside the Iranian consulate also chanted for Iran to get out. The Interior Ministry and the military issued statements Saturday saying some protesters have exploited the rallies to attack government buildings and political party offices. The ministry said some of its

members were killed as police battled violent protesters but did not give a number. The military warned that it would take necessary and legal measures to deal with those it called saboteurs. Iraqi officials said 12 of those killed Friday died in a fire they had set when they stormed the office of a government-backed militia in the southern town of Diwaniyah. A security official said protesters torched the offices of at least three militias in southern Maysan province. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. In Baghdad, Iraqi police had fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live shots on Friday to break up protesters who gathered in the central Tahrir Square and later tried to cross the bridge leading to the Green Zone. The protesters returned in Saturday, clashing with security forces throughout the day. The rallies have mainly been by young, unemployed men who are demanding jobs and better services. Young women appeared among the crowd in Baghdad for the first time Saturday, some handing out water to the protesters. A widow who identified herself as Um Layth, or the mother of Layth, said she had asked her son and daughter to stay home because she feared

for their safety. But the 60-year-old from outside of Baghdad said she came to protest, wanting a better future for her children. “I am not afraid if I die, but I want a better future for my children,” she said. “If these parties and this government stay, they will have no future.” Iran emerged as a major power broker in Iraq after the 2003 invasion and has close ties to many of its political parties. Iran also backs a number of state-sanctioned militias that were mobilized in 2014 to battle the Islamic State group. Those militias have stood by the government and suggested the demonstrations are part of a foreign “conspiracy.” But Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a nationalist whose supporters have the largest number of seats in parliament, has endorsed the protests and called on the government to resign. He has also suspended his bloc’s participation in the government until it comes up with a reform program. In a statement Saturday he called on political leaders to “keep their hands off [the people],” saying there had been enough “repression, injustice and divisions.” He warned them to change course so the country does not “slide into the fires of sedition and civil war. “Resign before you’re forced to resign,” he said. AP

said in a statement that Trump “ has asserted that Dr. Kupperman, as a close personal adviser to the president, is immune from Congressional process, and has instructed Dr. Kupperman not to appear and testify in response to the House’s subpoena.” Kupperman, Cooper added, “cannot satisfy the competing and irreconcilable demands of both the legislative and executive branches, and there is no controlling judicial authority definitively establishing which branch’s c o m m a n d s h o u l d p r e v a i l .” Bloomberg News

Ethiopia protest deaths rise to 67, police make 170 arrests

ore than 170 people were arrested in Ethiopia after days of protests that resulted in 67 deaths, according to Amnesty International. Houses were looted and burned in the towns of Dire Dawa and Adama, in the Oromia region, the Ethiopian News Agency reported, citing the respective city administrations. More arrests are expected as investigations continue. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, called for calm and pledged to bring to justice the perpetrators of the ethnic and religious violence that led to the burning of churches, destruction of property and loss of life. Ethiopia deployed the military on Friday to restore order in parts of Oromia following protests that began on Wednesday. The protests broke out after Jawar Mohammed, who heads the Oromia Media Network, said the government ordered the withdrawal of his security personnel, endangering his life. Roads were blocked, property destroyed and 67 people have died, Amnesty International said in a text message on Saturday. Oromia was the center of protests in the years before Abiy came to power. He has pledged multiparty democracy, emboldening some political groups to call for greater regional autonomy. Ethiopia is scheduled to hold general elections next year.

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South Pole’s ozone hole shrinks to smallest since discovery

ASHINGTON—The ozone hole near the South Pole this year is the smallest since it was discovered, but it is more due to freakish Antarctic weather than efforts to cut down on pollution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) reported.

This image made available by Nasa shows a map of a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica on October 20. The purple and blue colors indicate the least amount of ozone, and the yellows and reds show the most. Goddard Space Flight Center/Nasa via AP

This fall, the average hole in Earth’s protective ozone layer is 3.6 million square miles (9.3 million square kilometers). That’s down from a peak of 10.3 million square miles (26.6 million square kilometers) in 2006. This year’s hole is even smaller than the one first discovered in 1985. “ T hat’s rea l ly good news,” Nasa scientist Pau l New man said Tuesday. “That means more ozone over t he Hem isphere, less ultraviolet radiation at the surface.” Earth ’s ozone layer shields life on the surface from harmful solar radiation, but man-made chlorine compounds that can last in the air for 100 years nibble at the ozone, creating thinning and a gap over the Southern Hemisphere. The hole reaches its peak in September and October, and disappears by late December until the next spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The 1987 international Montreal Protocol—the only United Nations treaty ratified by every country on Earth—banned many of the chlorine compounds used in refrigerants and aerosols.

The ban resulted in a sl ig ht ly sm a l ler oz one hole i n re c e nt y e a r s , but t h i s y e a r ’s d ra m at ic sh r i n k i ng i sn’t f rom t ho s e e f for t s , Ne w m a n s a id . “ I t ’s j u s t a f l u k e o f t h e weat her,” sa id Un iversit y of Colorado atmospheric scientist Br ian Toon. Chlorine in the air needs cold temperatures in the stratosphere and clouds to convert into a form of the chemical that eats ozone, Newman said. The clouds go away when it warms up. But this September and October, the southern polar vortex—which just like the northern one is a swirl of cold high-speed winds around the pole—started to break down. At 12 m i les (20 k i lometers) h igh in t he at mosphere, temperat u res were 29 deg rees (16 deg rees Celsius) wa r mer t ha n average. Wind s d ropped f rom a nor m a l 161 mph to about 67 mph (259 k ph to 108 k ph), Nasa repor ted. This is something that happens on occasion, occurring in 1988 and 2002, but not this extreme, Newman said. “We got a little bennie [benefit] this year,” he said. AP

BAP rallies banks to pursue sustainable finance versus climate change

he Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) encouraged banks to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability principles into their corporate strategy, risk management and bank operations framework. BAP’s call was in collaboration with the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature, with support from the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (Unescap). At the Second Sustainable Finance Forum, held at the Manila Peninsula Hotel last week, BAP President Cezar P. Consing said in his opening remarks that the world’s leading institutional investors are increasingly demanding publicly listed companies to operate on sustainability and ESG frameworks. T he Ph i l ip pi ne Sto c k E xchange (PSE) itself has also committed to publishing ESG disclosure guidelines in an effort to gradually assimilate the framework in Philippine companies. Consing added that in the past

Study: Climate change making stronger El Niños

A SHINGTON— Climate change is making stronger El Niños, which change weather worldwide and heat up an already warming planet, a new study finds. Scientists examined 33 El Niños—natural warming of equatorial Pacific that triggers weather extremes across the globe—since 1901. They found since the 1970s, El Niños have been forming farther to the west in warmer waters, leading to stronger El Niños in some cases. A powerful El Niño can trigger drought in some places, like Australia and India. And it can cause flooding in other areas like California. The Pacific gets more hurricanes during an El Niño and the Atlantic gets fewer. El Niño makes w inters milder and wetter in t he United States, whic h genera l ly bene f it s f rom st rong E l Ni ños. They’re devastating elsewhere. The 1997-1998 event caused thousands of deaths from severe storms, heat waves, floods and drought, costing between $32 billion and $96 billion, according to a United Nations study. The shift for the origin of El Niño by hundreds of miles from

the east of the International Dateline to the west of that point is important because the water to the west is naturally warmer, said study lead author Bin Wang, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Hawaii. Before 1978, 12 of the 14 El Niños formed in the east. After 1978, all 11 were more central or western, according a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers did not study La Niñas, the cooler flip side to El Niño. Wang said there have been three “super” El Niños, starting in 1982, 1997 and 2015, and all started in the west. During each of those El Niños, the world broke new average temperature records. The study adds to growing evidence that “El Niño events are becoming stronger under continued climate change,” Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb, who wasn’t part of the research, said in an e-mail. Florida State University El Niño expert Allan Clarke, however, said the study focused too much on water temperature, when so much of El Niño formation depends on how water and the atmosphere are interconnected. AP

Bankers convene in the Second Sustainability Workshop at Manila Peninsula Hotel to discuss opportunities and risks of ESG integration.

few months, sustainability has found powerful proponents in the PSE, and regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, all of whom have introduced guidelines, frameworks, regulations and tools to encourage sustainable lending, business practices and disclosures. “As economically minded people, we all react to sensible measures. What gets measured gets managed,” Consing said. He added t h at Ph i l ippi ne banks are hell-bent on catching up, despite being behind their

Asean peers in integrating ESG and sustainability. The second sustainability forum also underscored the importance of being able to seize the opportunities and understand the costs that come with sustainable development. BAP began promoting ESG through dialogue with advocacy groups and capacitybuilding entities since 2017. “Our country lies at the epicenter of climate change. As banks, we must find a win-win situation where we can continue to remain profitable, despite the risks involved in sustainable financing.

We all should be part of this transformation journey of creating a resilient economy,” Consing said. “We should make what we do profitable so it can be sustainable.” The BAP is building a program to assist its members in their respective sustainability journey. Through its partnership with WWF, it will offer guidance to individual banks that want to integrate ESG in their own business models. “Someday, sustainable finance will be safe and sound banking— redefined,” Benjamin Castillo, BAP managing director said in his closing remarks.

Syngenta commits $2B, sets new targets for innovation to tackle climate change A S EL , Sw i t ze r l a n d — Sy n g e n t a rece nt l y a n n o u n ce d $ 2 b i l l i o n will be spent over the next five years to help farmers prepare for and tackle the increasing threats posed by climate change. Th e i nve s t m e nt s u p p o r t s a n e w Syngenta sustainability goal of delivering at least two technological breakthroughs to market each year, to reduce agriculture’s contribution to climate change, harness its mitigation capacity and help the food system stay within planetary boundaries. Sy n g e nt a CEO Er i k Fy r wa l d a l s o a n n o u n ce d t h at t h e i nve s t m e nt i n research and development for sustainable agriculture will be matched by a drive to reduce the carbon intensity of the company’s operations by at least 50 percent by 2030. This aims to support the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement on climate

Chris Lene sweeps water out of one of the businesses in the building he owns that was flooded by rainwater in Sacramento, California. AP/Rich Pedroncelli

change. Syngenta’s commitment has been validated and endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). “Agriculture is now at the front line of global efforts to tackle climate change,” Fyrwald said. “Syngenta is committed to accelerating our innovation to find better and ever safer solutions to address the shared challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss.” “These aren’t just words, this is real action that will drive focus in Syngenta to help farmers tackle climate change and reduce the sector’s contribution to the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions.” The $2 billion will be directed toward programs with clearly differentiated benefits or breakthrough technologies t hat will enable a step change in agricultural sustainability, such as land use, soil health and integrated pest management. Through a multiyear collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Syngenta is

developing strategies to identify and test new innovations and technology that can benefit farmers and contribute to positive environmental outcomes. The collaboration is grounded in efforts to promote soil health, resource efficiency and habitat protection in major agricultural regions worldwide. S a l l y J e we l l, CEO at Th e N at u re Conservancy said: “Achieving conservation at scale will require bold action from the private sector. As businesses increasingly recognize the risks of climate change and the benefits of sustainability, we welcome the opportunity to contribute o u r s c i e n ce a n d ex p e r t i s e to h e l p transform business practices. Syngenta’s investment in innovation is an important step toward a future where people and nature thrive.” Cynthia Cummis, director of Private S ec tor Climate Mitigation at World Resources Institute, one of the Science

B a s e d Ta r g e t s i n i t i a t i v e p a r t n e r s said: “We congratulate Syngenta for having their emissions reduction targets validated by the Science Based Ta rg e t s i n i t i at i ve. Le a d e r s h i p f ro m the agribusiness sec tor is vital in the fight against climate change, and by s e t t i n g t h e s e t a rg e t s, Sy n g e n t a i s putting themselves on a pathway to future -proof growth.” The targets form part of Syngenta’s Accelerating Innovation commitment launched earlier this year to address t h e i n c re a s e d c h a l l e n g e s f a ce d by farmers because of climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Progress against these targets will be reported annually and independently audited. The announcement was in large part informed by the completion of 150 listening sessions around the globe to help the company’s leaders identify priority areas for investment.

Foreign volunteers from Madrid-based telecom firm Telefónica joined the coastal cleanup in partnership with El Nido Resorts, in line with the Fundación ProFuturo Digital Education corporate social responsibility program.

El Nido joins intl coastal cleanup

he municipality of El Nido in Palawan—periodically adjudged as among the world’s best islands—joined the recent Inter nat iona l Coast a l Cleanup held annually which aims to raise awareness on the critical state of world ’s coastal and marine ecosystem. More than 450 volunteers from Barangay Lio, staff of the Ten Knots resorts, guests of Lio Tourism Estate and foreign tourists joined the daylong activities. Participants held “plogging” where they picked up trash as they jogged along Lio Beach. Some 17,417 pieces of trash— consisting of polystyrene, plastic bottles, residuals and other nonbiodegradable wastes—were collected along the scenic Bacuit Bay. Recyclable wastes were sold. Now on the fourth year of its hosting, Lio Tourism Estate also led beach games, art installations and an obstacle course made up

of trash materials collected from last year’s coastal cleanup. A mountain hiking trail was also opened to serve as a new adventure and ecotourism activity in the area. A continuing environmental program has been put in place by El Nido Resorts, the town’s major tourism stakeholder, to ensure ecological sustainability through wildlife conservation, marine protection and waste management. Situated north of Palawan, the town of El Nido has been constantly voted as among the 20 most beautiful beaches in the world for its extraordinary natural splendor and ecosystem. T he n at ion a l gover n me nt has declared the town a marine reserve park and a managed resource protected area, while the municipal government has been implementing a carrying capacity system for its major island destinations.

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Monday, October 28, 2019

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Exhibit for a cause Rising drought risk spurs most buoys campaign vs. cash into water funds in a decade nvestors are starting to pay marine pollution more attention to water shortages

and how to turn them into longterm investments.

The ACB, in partnership with the Center for Possibilities Foundation, held an exhibit for a cause at the Enderun Colleges in Taguig City. ACB

Samantha Kaspar’s painting of the Medinilla theresae, a newly discovered plant species that only grows in Mindanao, was unveiled. The rare plant species was named after ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim. ACB

he Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) recently brought its campaign against plastic pollution, “Oceans are Fitter without Our Litter,” to the art exhibit for biodiversity and autism awareness in Taguig City, Philippines. The campaign supports the commitments of the Asean member-states (AMS) to the Bangkok Declaration Combating Marine Debris in the Asean region, issued at the 34th Asean Summit held in June this year. The ACB, in partnership with the Center for Possibilities Foundation (CPF), held an exhibit for a cause at the Enderun Colleges in Taguig City, featuring 40 paintings of Samantha Kaspar, a 22-year-old artist with autism. With themes on biodiversity and environment depicted on Samantha’s artworks, the exhibition highlights the rich biodiversity, the variety, and variability of life in the Southeast Asian region, and the importance of conserving and protecting it. The logo of ACB’s campaign against plastic pollution features Samantha’s painting of an iconic sea turtle. “Plastic pollution is a serious threat to biodiversity with 1 million seabirds and over 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme,” ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim said in her speech before an audience comprising members of the private sector, government officials and dignitaries. Plastic bags have an uncanny resemblance to jelly fish, which is a food for sea turtles. Marine plastic debris is threatening the population of sea turtles. Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, three are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as endangered species and another three as critically endangered. Six of the species of marine turtles are found in Southeast Asia. “We are urging all of you to support the ACB’s campaign against plastic pollution. Without the marine animals, we won’t have any more inspiration for Samantha to paint,” Lim said. Lim added that each AMS is working toward the reduction and prevention of marine debris. Antoinette Taus, who was recently d e s i g n ate d by t h e U n i te d N at i o n s Environment Programme as its National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines, was the emcee of the exhibit’s program.

Gracing the exhibit were Switzerland’s Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen, Czech Republic’s Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Sediva, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Foreign Affairs Assistant S ecretar y Junever Mahilum-West. “Let us, through our individual and collective efforts, reduce our consumption of single-use plastic like plastic bottles... Let us encourage each other and our leaders in our communities, in the private sector, and in our respective nations, to initiate transformative change for clean and thriving aquatic ecosystems,” said Lim. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Samantha finds expression through visual art, and inspiration from nature and biodiversity. Using either watercolor or acr ylic on canvas and piña cloth, Samantha’s style has piqued the interests of art enthusiasts. She has been invited to display her artwork at the Fashion Arts Autism Benefit in New York, and other various exhibitions in the Philippines and abroad. “Samantha’s work tells us the value of nature in art and well-being. Nature fuels passion and creativity among artists, enabling them to create artwork that raises awareness and appreciation of our rich biodiversity,” Lim said. The exhibit also featured a shor t co n ce r t fe at u r i n g p e r fo r m a n ce s by Samantha, students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet. “Aside from painting, Sam has many other talents. What’s puzzling is that she barely talks to anyone. She speaks a few words but when she sings, she utters every line clearly and beautifully,” said Michelle Kaspar, Samantha’s mother. Samantha’s painting of the Medinilla theresae, a newly discovered plant species that only grows in Mindanao, was unveiled. The rare plant species was named after Lim, a wildlife advocate and former director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Philippines’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Proceeds from this benefit exhibit will go the projects of the ACB and CPF. The dinner at the event was prepared by the chef instructors and students of worldrenowned chef Alain Ducasse’s Ducasse Education Philippines.

Water-related exchange-traded funds (ETF) attracted more mo ne y i n t he n i ne mo nt h s through September than in any full year since 2007, data compiled by Bloomberg show. These funds have continued to add cash this month, with products run by Invesco Ltd. and First Trust Advisors leading inflows. A water crisis-ridden world may not be imminent, but it looks to be getting closer. The United Nations estimates that 2.1 billion people around the world lack access to safely managed drinking water. Meanwhile, the S&P Global Water Index, a basket of 50 water-related businesses around the world, has risen 24 percent this year to record levels, outperforming a 20-percent rise in the S&P 500. “Companies that improve water efficiency in power plants can maximize energy yields given existing water availability near such plants,” William Page, senior portfolio manager of the Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund, wrote in an investor note last quarter. “Likewise, water technologies for industrial processes, buildings, and infrastructure can also improve the economy’s energy efficiency.” Page’s mutual fund has about 40 holdings across nine environmental technology themes, with assets valued at about $10.2

million on October 21, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Money flowing

In v estor s are increasingly moving into clean technology, according to Page. In the ETF market, the First Trust Water ETF took in nearly $34 million in September this year, the most since November 2016. The Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF had a $42 million inflow earlier this month, while the Invesco Water Resources ETF has absorbed almost $26 million over the last four months. Unlike most thematic ETFs, which track more urgent trends, buying a water fund is a long-term play that’s potentially “many, many years” away, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas. “People for too long, all over the world, have taken water for granted, and that is no longer able to be the case,” said Matthew Diserio, president and cofounder of Water Asset Management, a global money manager that invests in water companies and assets. “Scarce, clean water is the resource that is defining this century, much like cheap, plentiful oil and gas defined the last century.”

Change afoot?

The water industry is one of the most traditionally under-invested sectors, and few investors focus

on water with the depth of understanding that exists with many other industries, said Diserio. But that has started to change. “Ever yone k nows water is life. But a primary focus on topics of climate change, without emphasizing what can and must be done to limit the impact on water supply a nd qu a l it y, is like tr ying to get people to stop smoking without tr ying to cure cancer,” he wrote in a report for the International Desalination Association this summer. Now, as more money is invested in water quality and supply, “virtually all the stocks that make up our portfolio are experiencing a positive fundamental tailwind of earnings growth,” Diserio said, highlighting companies he owns, including France’s Suez, Forterra Inc. of Irving, Texas, Manila Water Co. in the Philippines, and Milwaukee’s AO Smith Corp. “The companies that make up the water industry are the single best businesses for multigenerational capital preservation and wealth transfer of any industry,” he said. Investing in water has historically revolved around utilities and

dividend yields, but the water technology sector is “high impact” compared to utilities, according to Essex’s Page. His fund invests in clean-water technology covering management, treatment and distribution. Pa ge’s mut u a l f u nd hold s stock in Watts Water Technologies Inc. of North Andover, Massachusetts; Milwaukee’s Badger Meter Inc. and Lindsay Corp. of Omaha, Nebraska as he thinks these companies can increase their earnings in challenging revenue environments. Companies like Austra lia’s Fluence Corp.; Xylem Inc. of Rye Brook, New York; and Energ y Recover y Inc. in San Leandro, Ca l ifor nia, are a lso wel l-po sitioned to grow revenue and ear nings by prov iding equipment that can process and treat water, he said. Fluence is “easily scalable to the emerging markets, where it has had recent wins in the Middle East and Ivory Coast,” said Page. The Essex Environmental Opportunities Fund owned these companies as of August 31, regulatory filings show. Bloomberg News

Singapore to plant 250,000 trees to battle climate change

and-scarce, low-lying and increasingly hot Singapore is going to have to find room for more than a quarter of a million new trees and shrubs as the city-state steps up measures to respond to climate change. “Citizens around the world have come to recognize climate change for what it is— the defining issue of our times,” Masagos Zulkifli, minister for the environment and water resources, told a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A strong, united global response is needed, he said. Singapore is devoting considerably more state resources to deal with the challenge, making the case that shifts in the climate pose a threat to the nation’s very existence. In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it could cost S$100 billion or more over the next century to prepare the countr y to deal with rising sea levels, hotter temperatures and more intense rainfall. “Our weather is getting warmer, our

Waterfalls from the Rain Vortex in the Forest Valley garden at Changi Airport in Singapore. Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg

rainstorms heavier, and dry spells more pronounced,” Masagos said at the meeting last week. The government’s plans to respond “will incorporate nature-based solutions,”

he said, adding that at present, the country has more than 2 million trees. Last month was the hottest and driest September on record, Masagos said. Singapore, which has introduced a tax

on carbon, aims to stabilize its emissions by around 2030, Masagos added. “We must not take our eyes off the long-term, existential challenge of climate change,” he said. “Otherwise, citizens will take their cause to the streets and reason will fail to rule.” Climate change—and how best to tackle it—has risen up toward the top of the agenda for global policy-makers, with many nations seeing more protests. Last month, high-profile environmental activist Greta Thunberg scolded heads of state at a United Nations summit in New York. “The multilateral system is under strain, with the rise of nationalist, isolationist and protectionist sentiments,” Masagos said. “Despite awareness and concern about climate change being at its highest, some governments at one end of the spectrum allow forests to be burned to clear land for economic development, and use coal for energy generation.” Bloomberg News

Reforestation crucial to PHL efforts against climate change

s countries around the world endeavor to prevent the global climate crisis from reaching catastrophic levels by 2030, reforestation remains a basic but vital strategy in mitigating climate change. A study by academic journal Science revealed that 1 billion hectares of forest could reduce 300 gigaton of carbon, or 25 percent, in the atmosphere. In the Philippines, restoring forest cover is not only a matter of climate solution but of environmental survival. According to the Depar tment of Environment and Natural Resources’ Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB), every year the country loses 47,000 hectares of forest cover. Around 1.2 million hectares of denuded and degraded forest lands of the country need to be rehabilitated by 2022 to prevent landslides and ensure water availability. In the private sector, renewableenergy leader Energy Development Corp.

(EDC) is at the forefront in responding to these challenges, leveraging its flagship environmental program Binhi to reforest degraded lands, rescue vanishing native trees, develop ecotourism areas and provide livelihood to local communities. Since its launch in 2011, EDC’s Binhi has successfully restored 9,500 hectares of forest land with 96 premium native trees species under threat of extinction. This year, the program is expanding its scale to increase the Philippines’s forest cover. In its recent celebration of Binhi Day, EDC’s facilities across the country—the Mount Apo Geothermal Project (MAGP), Leyte Geothermal Project, the EDC-Burgos Wind Power Corp., Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project (BMGP), Southern Negros Geothermal Project and EDC Head Office—rallied employees, community members and other institutional partners to plant more trees in their respective areas. A total of 10,578 trees were planted across the different sites.

Binhi’s partners for these tree-planting activities included the DENR and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, local government units, schools, barangays and even volunteers from the military. The BMGP and MAGP power plants also engaged in river cleanup activities in their respective areas of operation. MAGP adopted Marbel and Matingao rivers in Barangays Balabag and Ilomavis in Kidapawan City, while the BMGP implemented cleanups along Rizal River in Barangay Rizal, Sorsogon City. “ Th e s c a l e a n d b re a d t h o f o u r re f o re s t at i o n e f f o r t s i s p ro o f t h at business and the environment can coexist sustainably. Doubling our efforts to restore our forests can take us a long way in protecting our planet and securing it for the generation who will bear the brunt of our inaction,” said Atty. Allan V. Barcena, head of EDC’s Corporate Social

Responsibility and Public Relations Group. Earlier this year, the Binhi program also joined a global effort to identify, assess and protect native trees species. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), the world’s largest plant conservation network and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s secretariat, tapped EDC as the first Philippine partner for its Global Tree Assessment program. BGCI aims to create the first global list of tree species and their conservation assessments by 2020. To date, only 25,000 of the world’s 80,000 tree species have global or national assessments for their risk of extinction. As BGCI’s partner, EDC will gather information on 800 Philippine endemic tree species. Binhi also won the best corporate social responsibility project in environment at the first CSR Guild Awards this year, hosted by the League of Corporate Foundations.

B8 Monday, October 28, 2019

PSID celebrates 40 creative years of graduation exhibits with Hugis Atbp. Mega Global Corporation Joins Naval Reserve Force

OR over four decades now, Mega Global Corporation has been committed to improve everyday lives of Filipinos, not only by making high-quality, value-for-money canned products, but also by providing thousands of jobs to communities. Two canning factories employ locals from the city and neighboring towns of Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao Today, Mega Global strengthens its commitment to Filipinos and communities as the first batch of 3,000 employees graduate from the Philippine Navy’s Reserve Command in Zamboanga City. Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, Flag

Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, and Rear Admiral Eric Kagaoan of Philippine Naval Forces Western Mindanao, presented the certificates to the graduates. The Philippine Navy Affiliated Reservist Unit (PNARU) under the Naval Reserve Command enlisted Mega Global as a reserve force to augment the naval force particularly for disaster response and outreach programs. “In Zamboanga City alone, Mega Global’s fishing arm, Mega Fishing Corporation, has the largest sardines fishing fleet in the country with over 85 commercial fishing vessels that will be

MEGA FISHING CORPORATION EXECOM with the High Ranking Officials of the Philippine Navy during the MEGA PNARU Graduation Ceremony

able to help in times of need,” said Mr. Marvin Tiu Lim, vice president for Sales and Marketing. Executives led by Mr. William Tiu Lim, president and CEO, Mr. Michael Tiu Lim, vice president for Business Development, Mr. Malcolm Tiu Lim, vice president for Zamboanga Operations, Ms. Michelle Tiu Lim Chan, vice president for Finance, Export and Support Group, and Mr. Jansen Chan, vice president for External Affairs, attended the graduation rites. Mega Global’s journey as PNARU goes all the way back to its outreach activities with the Philippine Navy—as part its corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is at the core of the company. Mega Tiu Lim Foundation partnered with the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM) led by Captain Talingdan leading to outreach programs in places like Sulade Basilan, Sarawai, Ozamis City, and Oroquieta City. Volunteer employees and management held various medical missions and feeding program. At the initiative of then Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Mega Fishing Corporation submitted its application for PNARU. The doors of the very supportive Vice Admiral Roberto Empedrad accepted the application.

HE revered Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) has been mounting graduation exhibits since 1979 when it only had nine graduates. After 40 years of continuous growth and creative outbursts, the school's status has reached cloud nine level. Young visionary students building what are labeled as “homes using geometrically inspired spaces for alternative types of built places” have put their work on spotlight for this year's milestone as their hard work and ingenuity will be featured in the exhibit to run for the whole of October on the 5th floor of Greenfield Tower in Mandaluyong City. The exhibit, dubbed HUGIS ATBP and presented by the Advanced Class of 2019, will showcase 12 different design spaces under 30 sqm, in three habitat styles all described innovative, ingenious, inspired, and globally adaptive. It is one boasting the concept of how design and functionality can co-exist in alternative spaces of varying shapes. "It is important that we push our visionary students to keep them thinking

outside the norms of design and exploring beyond the limits of traditional spaces," said topnotch interior designer Victor Ruel Pambid, PSID Vice President for Academic Affairs. These special spaces tackled aim to inspire and spark conversations on how design impacts the future of urban, suburban, and resort living. From square to round to triangular architecture, local to sustainable materials, luxury to economy, these interior design students explore stylish solutions for compact yet comfortable living. HUGIS ATBP is divided into three galleries: Parisukat at Parihaba, Bilog, and Tatsulok. Pambid said, "We aim to inspire people to utilize the spaces they have no matter what shape or size. In this time of rapidly increasing property values, design and practicality make a huge difference." The exhibit ongoing until October 31, 2019, from 8 am to 10 pm at the Greenfield Tower in Mandaluyong.

ASHINGTON—Not bad for a TBA. Unheralded rookie José Urquidy outpitched all those big-name aces who preceded him, quieting Washington’s bats and the Nationals Park crowd, too. Alex Bregman busted out of his slump with a go-ahead single in the first inning and a grand slam in the seventh, and the resurgent Houston Astros routed the Nationals 8-1 Saturday night to pull even at two games apiece in an unpredictable World Series that’s been one big road show. Urquidy had never pitched above Class A before this year. This stage seemed surreal. “A couple of moments,” he said, “I was thinking about, oh my God, I’m in a World Series pitching.” Game One winner Max Scherzer takes the mound Sunday night hoping to get Washington a home Series victory for the first time since the Senators won at Griffith Stadium in 1933. In a rematch of the opener, Gerrit Cole goes for Houston after losing for the first time since May. Visiting teams have won the first four games for the first time since 1996, when the Yankees broke the pattern in Game Six against Atlanta to take the title. Game Six will be Tuesday night in Houston, when the Astros lose their roadfield advantage. “This is what it’s all about,” Bregman said. “This is a beautiful thing. It’s two teams battling it out. They’ve got great pitching, great offenses. It’s been fun so far, and just want to keep it rolling.” Yuli Gurriel also drove in a run in the first as Houston strung together four singles in a seven-pitch span for a 2-0 lead against Patrick Corbin. Robinson Chirinos homered for the second straight day, a two-run drive that boosted the lead to 4-0 in the fourth. Fans started leaving in the seventh, when the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate and battered the bullpen. Bregman, who began the night in a one-for-13 Series slide, had the big blow, driving a low, inside fastball from Fernando Rodney into the left field stands of the ballpark where he was the All-Star Game MVP in 2018. Bregman held his bat high as he slowly walked out of the batter’s box, then took 28 seconds to savor circling the bases. Orange-clad Houston fans in the right field upper deck chanted “Let’s go Astros!” as Nationals fans were silenced. Wild-card Washington lost consecutive games for the first time since September 13 and 14 against Atlanta. “I think tonight was really the first time we really did what the Houston

The Associated Press

By Ronald Blum

the Nationals in order in the second, fourth and fifth, retiring his final nine batters. He threw 30 of his first 38 pitches for strikes, 45 of 67 overall. “He flipped his percentages,” Washington’s Adam Eaton said. “He threw

Astros offense can do,” outfielder Josh Reddick said. Starting pitchers were the talk of the Series coming in, with Washington’s Stephen Strasburg, Scherzer and Corbin combining for 12 All-Star picks and three Cy Young Awards. The baseball cards of Houston’s Cole, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke sparkle with 17 All-Star selections, two Cy Youngs and one MVP. But there were just five 1-2-3 innings by starters in the first three games, and the most consecutive outs were turned in by Nationals veteran Aníbal Sánchez, who retired seven straight in Game Three. Urquidy, who rebounded from Tommy John surgery in 2016, exceeded them all. “Maybe he doesn’t have the Max Scherzer, Gerrit Cole name, but he’s got good stuff,” Washington leadoff man Trea Turner said. Urquidy wasn’t even announced as Houston’s starter until after Game Three, with Manager AJ Hinch hoping to piece together innings any way he could. The 24-year-old right-hander began the season at Double-A Corpus Christi, then was bumped up to Triple-A Round Rock in mid-May and made his major league debut in July. It wasn’t all success: Urquidy was pounded for 11 runs and 14 hits at El Paso on August 7. “I think I was a little crazy, a little ruined from the heat,” he said. He faced the Nationals in just his 12th big league appearance, joining Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Jaime García (2011) as the only Mexican starting pitchers in Series history and Valenzuela as the only one to win. Urquidy’s mother, Alma, was on hand. “My mom is someone that I talk to a lot and, obviously, she helped me out this morning,” Urquidy said. “We had coffee, just gave me some words of encouragement.” Urquidy allowed two hits in five scoreless innings, striking out four and walking none. “From the very beginning I thought he was calm, I thought he was in control of his stuff,” Hinch said. “His fastball had a little extra life to it. It’s had good life this postseason. And then he just came up with big pitch after big pitch.” Mixing four-seam fastballs in the mid-90 mph range with two-seamers, sliders, curves and changeups, Urquidy set down

Strasburg are set to start Game Six. Washington Manager Dave Martinez was looking ahead. “We’ve got two of our big horses going in the next two games,” he said. “I just told the boys: ‘Hey, we’re in the World Series. We’re going to play Game Five, tied 2-2. Who would have thought that in the beginning?’”

me three sliders my first at-bat—and he throws it like 10 percent of the time. So I was just like, going back, scratching my noggin.” Josh James, Will Harris, Héctor Rondón, Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski combined for two-hit relief to close it out for Houston. Washington’s best chance to get back into the game came in the sixth, when Harris relieved with two on and one out, and Houston ahead 4-0. Anthony Rendon singled off the pitcher’s leg, loading the bases, and Juan Soto drove in a run with a groundout. Harris then struck out Howie Kendrick. After going seven for 21 with runners in scoring position during the first two games, the Nationals are one for 19 in the last two. Houston flipped for the positive, going nine for 23 with RISP after starting three for 17 in the two losses. The Astros burst ahead with timely hitting for the second straight night, getting consecutive one-out singles by José Altuve, Michael Brantley, Bregman and Gurriel. Brantley had three hits, raising his Series average to .471 (eight for 17). Bregman also finished with three hits. Chirinos, who homered off the screen on the left field foul pole to drive in Houston’s final run in Game Three, sent a flat changeup from Corbin deep into the left field seats, then slapped his chest and grinned as he skipped across home plate. The catcher doubled in the ninth and is four for 11 against the Nationals. Signed to a $140 million, sixyear contract as a free agent last offseason, Corbin dropped to 1-3 in three postseason starts and four relief appearances. He actually lowered his ERA to 6.64. After the Scherzer-Cole rematch, Houston’s Justin Verlander and Stephen

UNHERALDED rookie José Urquidy outpitches all those big-name aces who preceded him, quieting Washington’s bats and the Nationals Park crowd, too. AP

ASHINGTON—By the time Alex Bregman took nearly 30 seconds to circle the bases, then engaged in a series of animated high-fives, pats, hugs and personalized handshakes between the plate and the dugout, it was pretty clear. See ya, slump. Bregman broke loose Saturday night, putting the Houston Astros ahead with an RBI single in the first inning and later launching a grand slam off Fernando Rodney that highlighted an 8-1 romp over Washington in Game Four of the World Series. “This game was a game of

failure, and you’re going to fail a heck of a lot more than you succeed in it,” Bregman said. “So, I think the feeling that I had when I hit that was I was pretty fired up.” Holding his bat high, Bregman took a half-dozen steps or more down the first base line, watching his game-breaking slam sail in the seventh. He added another single for good measure as the Astros pulled even. “Tweaked a few things mechanically in between at-bats today,” he said. “But I wouldn’t say I really changed too much approach-wise. I think just mechanically I was better.” A day earlier, the regular season MVP candidate was hitless in five-bats, including a groundout against Rodney after the Nationals issued an intentional walk to face Bregman with the bases loaded. Overall, that left him at one for 13 in the Series. Bregman wasn’t daunted—that’s not his personality, he’s definitely among the most self-assured players in baseball. The cleanup man was confident he would clean up. So were the Astros. “I wasn’t worried about Alex. He might go zero for 10, but then he might go 10 for 10 with 20 RBIs. I know he’s going to go and play good, and he’s going to help us win the World Series,” star second

baseman José Altuve said. Said Manager AJ Hinch: “He’s one of the best players in baseball. But it is nice to see him crack a smile.” “He’s been our rock in the middle of the order, and it’s tough when you see him not be as consistent as he was during the season,” he said. “But there’s not a man in that clubhouse that was doubting that he was going to pay big for us at some point when given the opportunity again.” It didn’t take long—Bregman pounced on the first pitch he saw, and the Astros led the rest of the way. Bregman delivered in a ballpark where he’s had success, and in a city where his family has a legacy. Last year, Bregman’s leadoff home run in the 10th inning at Nationals Park sent the American League to an 8-6 win and earned him the All-Star Game MVP award. A half-century ago, his grandfather was general counsel for the Washington Senators, the team that moved to become the Texas Rangers for the 1971 season, leaving the nation’s capital without the national pastime until the Montreal Expos came in 2005. The 25-year-old third baseman hit 41 homers with 112 RBIs this season. But with the Astros aiming to add to the championship they won in 2017,

he’d been stuck in neutral this week, aside from a home run in a 12-3 loss in Game Two. Even his usually sure-handed defense at third base had been subpar. “It’s Alex Bregman, he’ll figure out a way all the time. He always figures it out,” Astros pitcher Brad Peacock said. Bregman quickly got in gear. After Altuve and Michael Brantley singled with one out in the first off Patrick Corbin, Bregman lined a single to left-center for a 1-0 lead. Yuli Gurriel followed with an RBI single, and a pocket of orange-wearing Houston fans in the third deck past the right field foul pole began their chant of “Let’s go, Astros!” Bregman ended any doubt about Houston winning with his slam, a deep drive off Rodney that easily cleared the left field wall. “Huge swing. Essentially a knockout punch for the game at the biggest moment with nowhere to put him,” Hinch said. Bregman enjoyed the trip around the bases, and Astros teammates spilled from the dugout to greet him. Back on the bench, he held up four fingers. At that point, many Nationals fans already were filing toward the exits. And way up above the right field foul pole, the cheer got louder and louder. “MVP! MVP!” AP

Slumping Astros star Bregman breaks loose, slams Nationals

THE Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman watches his grand slam against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning of Game Four on Saturday. AP

onday, October 28, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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NZAI CITY, Japan—Tiger Woods shot fourunder 66 in the third round of the rain-hit Zozo Championship on Sunday to widen his lead to three strokes over local favorite Hideki Matsuyama. Because torrential rain washed out play on Friday, the second round of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour’s first tournament in Japan was moved to Saturday. To make up for the lost day, the players started the fourth round immediately after finishing the third to get in as many holes as possible. After a bogey on the par-four first hole, Woods carded six birdies at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club course to finish three rounds at 16-under 194. His only other bogey came on the par-five 14th. Matsuyama stayed in contention with a 65 that featured six birdies against a lone bogey. Woods, who has led from the opening round, is making his first start in his 23rd season on the PGA Tour, needing one victory to reach 82 wins and tie the career record held by Sam Snead. Any holes they can’t get in Sunday will be played on Monday morning. Rory McIlroy, the highest-ranked player in the field, fired a 63 that included an eagle on the par-five 18th hole, six birdies and a lone bogey, and was in seventh place. South Koreans Somi Lee and Seung Yeon Lee were tied for the third-round lead Saturday at the Buick Ladies Championship, the second event on the Ladies PGA’s (LPGA) four-tournament Asian swing in Busan, South Korea. Somi Lee shot 67 and Seung Yeon Lee 68 for 54-hole totals of 13-under 203. Ha Na Jang was in third place, a stroke behind, after a 68. Amy Yang (67), Busan-born Australian Su Oh (67) and second-round leader Danielle Kang (71) were two strokes behind the leaders and tied for fourth. Seung Yeon Lee had birdies at 14, 15, 16 and 17, recovering from an early double bogey at No. 6. “I really tried to focus on the present,” said Seung Yeon Lee. “I wasn’t thinking about how many birdies I was making, how many pars I was

TIGER HIKES LEAD PETER SAGAN hints of retiring after the season. AP

Sagan to compete in 1st Giro d’Italia

Tiger Woods walks near his fans on the fourth hole during the third round on Sunday. AP

making or if I wasn’t too wrapped up in how I made a double bogey. Instead I just focused on every shot.” Somi Lee birdied six of her final 10 holes. Three players are on 11 under—last week’s winner Kang, four-time LPGA winner Yang and Su Oh, who is looking for her first victory in her

fourth year on tour. Kang started the day with a one-stroke lead after back-to-back 67s. After opening with three bogeys and one birdie over her first five holes, Kang recovered on the back nine, coming home with birdies on Nos. 11, 12 and 15. “It was a very frustrating round today. I hit

the wrong number twice. Every mistake you could possibly think of, we made it,” said Kang, who is aiming to become the LPGA Tour’s first back-to-back winner since 2017. “I was proud that we were able to capitalize on certain holes and make some birdies coming in. I know that finishing in the

red numbers was important. There was a lot of birdies out there today...I didn’t see much of the leaderboard, but I knew people were going low, so I was kind of frustrated.” The LPGA Tour’s Asian swing moves to Taiwan next week with a fourth stop in Japan. Kang won the first stop in Shanghai last week. AP

Fil-Chinese seniors out to regain Asean crown

einforced by two more former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players, Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) team leaves for Chang Mai, Thailand, on Monday determined to regain its lost glory when the Asean Veterans Basketball Tournament stages its 28th edition starting on Tuesday. FCVBA’s three-year reign in the annual event was snapped last year prompting the association’s “godfathers” Terry Que of Rain or Shine and Jimi Lim of Ironcon Builders to tap former Crispa player Joel Gomez and Roberto Poblete. “Both players are good additions to the team so we are confident we can regain our title,” Lim said. Former Crispa guard Bong de la Cruz has long been a regular fixture in the association

having played in the 50-above and 60-above divisions before. The other members of the team, according to Que, are former Adamson University captain Ching Ka Lee, Antonio Go, Zotico Tan, William Lao, Alfonso Kaw and Andrew Ongteco. “I think we are much stronger this year so we have a very good chance,” Que said. FCVBA has a rich winning tradition in the league, stamping its class, not only in the 65 and 60, but also in the 50-above division. When it hosted the event three years ago, it won all four age categories with Kenneth Duremdes leading the 40-above squad to the championship. Four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Allan Caidic and Jerry Codinera suited up for the 50s that easily topped their division.

DRAGIC, HEAT RALLY TO BEAT BUCKS

ILWAUKEE—Goran Dragic scored 25 points off the bench, Bam Adebayo added 19 points and the Miami Heat rallied from a 21-point third-quarter deficit to beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime, 131-126, on Saturday night. Antetokounmpo finished with 29 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists, but last season’s MVP also had eight turnovers and fouled out with 2:31 to play in overtime. Antetokounmpo also fouled out Thursday night in Houston. After trailing 74-53 with less than 11:00 to play in the third quarter, the Heat outscored Milwaukee 78-52 the rest of the way, including 49-33 in the fourth quarter and overtime. With the Heat up 121-119 with three seconds to play in regulation, Khris Middleton, who finished with 25 points, shot an air ball and Antetokounmpo tipped it in at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. Adebayo sank four free throws in the extra period and Dragic scored six points in overtime to lift Miami to its second win. Kendrick Nunn scored 18 points before fouling out for the Heat. Miami rookie Tyler Herro, a Milwaukee native, finished with 14. Heat guard Jimmy Butler missed his second game after he and his girlfriend welcomed a baby on Wednesday. Tobias Harris scored 29 points against his former team in Philadelphia’s 117-111 victory over Detroit. Al Horford added 23 points and Ben Simmons had 13 points and 10 assists to help the 76ers improve to 2-0. Philadelphia had 30 assists to Detroit’s 19. Derrick Rose led Detroit with 31 points in 27

minutes, but the Pistons missed 15 free throws in a game that was close until the closing moments. Andre Drummond had 11 points and 11 rebounds in Detroit’s second straight loss. Both teams were missing marquee big men—Joel Embiid was out with a sprained ankle for the 76ers, while Blake Griffin’s season won’t start for Detroit until November because of knee and hamstring soreness. Detroit also played without Reggie Jackson because of a back injury. AP

THE Heat’s Goran Dragic drives against the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. AP

ILAN—Three-time world champion Peter Sagan will compete in the Giro d’Italia for the first time next year—and then could quit cycling. The Slovakian has never ridden the Giro, making it the only Grand Tour stage victory he lacks from a muchdecorated 10-year professional career. Sagan announced his decision to compete in the famous Italian race—as well as the Tour de France— during the presentation of the route of the 2020 Giro, at a televised event in Milan recently. The 29-year-old, who rides for Bora-Hansgrohe, then hinted he could retire. “I always said that I want to do the Giro before I finish my career,” Sagan told reporters. “Then maybe after Giro I can finish my career.” When complimented on the “joke,” Sagan replied: “How do you know it is joke?” When pressed still further about it, he would only say: “Who knows.” Next year’s Giro starts in Hungary, which borders Sagan’s native Slovakia. Sagan also has several ties to Italy—he used to live in the country, speaks the language and turned professional with the Italian-based Liquigas team. Richard Carapaz, who became the first rider from Ecuador to win a Grand Tour with his triumph in this year’s Giro, said he wants to defend his title but that the decision ultimately lies with Team Ineos, which he will join from the start of next season. “I can’t guarantee it but I really think I will be there,” Carapaz said. “I will do my utmost to be there.” The 102nd edition of the race runs from May 9 to 31 and consists of 21 days of racing, totaling 3,579.8 kilometers between the start in Budapest and the finish in Milan. There are seven summit finishes, and a total of more than 45,000 meters of vertical elevation. AP

Angels sweep Perlas Spikers, advance anew to PVL finals

etro Gazz flexed its muscles against Bangko Perlas to score a semifinal sweep of the Perlas Spikers, 28-26, 25-17, 25-17, on Sunday and advance to their second straight Finals appearance in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Angel’s Jovielyn Prado went all-out with 13 attacks, 11 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions, while Jonah Sabete had 10 points and 14 excellent digs, and Stephanie Mercado finished with 10 attacks for the Angels. Sustaining their hot form hours after beating the Perlas Spikers in the series opener, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20, late Saturday, the Angels survived their rivals’ tough stand in the opening frame then imposed their will and power to clinch the first finals berth ahead of the Creamline Cool Smashers. The defending champion Cool Smashers, who needed to fight back from a first set defeat to repulse the Motolite side in Game One, also last Saturday, 18-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-14, were trying to forge another title clash with the Angels as they shoot for a sweep in their side of the semifinals playoff late Sunday. Petro Gazz stunned Creamline in the Reinforced Conference by rallying from a game down and sweeping the last two of their best-of-three series to snare the crown. Prado unleashed a 13-hit game, including 11 attack points, and spiked her superb all-around performance with 14 excellent receptions and 11 digs, while Paneng Mercado and the crisp-hitting Sabete combined for 21 markers for the Angels. But more than gaining a rare crack for a season sweep, the Angels relished the thoughts of going to the finals without the help of their talented imports who keyed their romp in the Reinforced Conference. “We have overcome that challenge, that is, making the finals by ourselves,” said Petro Gazz Coach Arnold Laniog, who also cited his wards’ hard work and commitment. Cherry Nunag added nine points while Jeanette Panaga finished with seven points for the Angels, who also cashed in on their rivals’ miscues to score 21 points off errors.

orts

sMirror

Monday, October 28, 2019

PHL BETS SHOWCASE WARES AT NCC TRACK By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

APAS, Tarlac—Sprinter Kristina Knott topped the women’s 200 meters and Janry Ubas won the men’s long jump in the athletics test event that was staged to determine the country’s preparedness in hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games at least at the newly built facilities at the New Clark City. Knott won the gold medal in 24.42 seconds, beating another Filipino-American, Kayla Richardson, who clocked 26.18 for the silver. Mahisin Maziah of Brunei Darussalam was third in 27.02 seconds. “Kristina is still undergoing treatment for some issues. She still has to peak, but she should be ready in four weeks for the 200 meters and the relays,’’ said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Philip Ella Juico. Despite his personal troubles back home, Ubas competed burdened by domestic woes in his native Cagayan de Oro but delivered the gold medal just the same with a winning leap of 7.52 m. The numbers, however, were below his personal best of 7.88, but good enough to put a smile on the faces of the crowd at the world-class 20,000-seat Athletic Stadium. “Janry had a lot of problems to tackle back home in Cagayan de Oro and couldn’t focus on training as much as he and the coaching staff wanted. Still he did well,’’ Juico said.

KRISTINA KNOTT and Janry Ubas flash their gold medal-winning performances at the Athletics Stadium of the New Clark City. NONIE REYES

MAROONS, TAMS IN F4 U

NIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) and Far Eastern University (FEU) sealed their spots in the Final Four with contrasting victories over separate foes in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Fighting Maroons buckled down on defense to avert a near collapse in the fourth period to eliminate the De La Salle Green Archers, 71-68, and claim their ninth win against four losses. UP also earned a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals regardless of the result of their final game on Wednesday. Defending champion Ateneo remained at the top with a 13-0 win-loss record, which it could extend to a perfect card for an outright Finals berth. The Tamaraws, meanwhile, had a swift 82-58 win over the University of the East to get the No.3 position with an 8-6 record and send University of Santo Tomas to No.4 with a superior quotient. Nigerian big man Bright Akhuetie had a solid performance of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while graduating guard Jun Manzo fired 12 points, including his split from the free-throw line that made it a three-point game with two seconds left. Ricci Rivero added 12 points and five rebounds, while Kobe Paras unloaded 10 points and four boards for UP. The Fighting Maroons took off to a 27-11 lead in the opening quarter, but the Green Archers countered with 21-0 burst for a slim 35-34 UP advantage. Paras engineered a 7-0 rally to start the second half as UP padded the cushion to 10, 55-45, entering the fourth. De La Salle slowly came back to life and momentarily took the driver’s seat, 68-66, courtesy of a basket by Encho Serrano with 1:35 remaining.

FORNEA BOUND FOR SEAG Mary Pauline

Fornea, a member of the Standard Insurance women’s duathlon team, will be competing for the first time in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Fornea is coming off a victory in the Northeast Duathlon Sprint held recently in Maryland, US. She is qualified for the 2020 International Triathlon Union Standard Duathlon World Championship. She is trained by USNA running Coach Karen Boyle. She will join Asia’s duathlon queen Monica Torres and veteran Jelsie de Vera Sabado in the SEA Games set in December at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Aries Toledo, a decathlete like Ubas, placed second with 7.49 m followed by Algin Gomez (6.83 m). “Janry has two events: long jump and the big one [decathlon]. His long jump performance will certainly earn quite a bit of points to put him within striking distance of the podium in decathlon,’’ said Juico. Hocket de los Santos, likewise, showed promise after finishing with a bronze behind a pair of veteran Thai pole vaulters. Patsapong Amsamang, the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games silver medalist, cleared 5.50 m for the gold, while Porranot Purahong cleared 5.20 m to clinch silver. The Philippine men’s and women’s 4x400-m relay squad finished third after hurdler Francis Medina claimed silver in the 400-m hurdles in 51.66 seconds behind Edwin Halomoan of Indonesia (51.35s). As expected, national team mainstays offered the best performance for the residents of Capas and nearby towns who were given access to watch games day and night. Last Saturday, three-time Olympian and national recordholder Marestella Torres-Sunang topped the women’s long jump with 6.20 m. She beat Thailand’s Chuaimaroeng Parinya (6.17 m) and Vietnam’s Vu Thi Ngoc Ha (6.02 m). At the equally majestic 2,000-seater Aquatics Center, Malaysian divers took advantage of the lean Filipino participants to almost sweep the competition.

Ramos keeps NGAP crown, Malixi wins

ean Ramos underscored his readiness to help anchor the national team’s gold medal drive in next month’s 30th Southeast Asian Games as he rallied from four strokes down to beat Jonar Austria by two with a 73 and clinch the Elite men’s crown for the second straight year in the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) Northern Luzon Regional Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Sunday. As second-round leader AK MD Syakir of Brunei Darussalam cracked under pressure and skied to an 81 on 40-41, the Filipino bets took over and slugged it out in a spirited backside duel with Ramos emerging on top again with clutch pars for a 37-36 card and a 54-hole total of 222 that included a 73 and 76. Austria, who led in the first round with a gutsy 72 but fell behind by two to Syakir after 36 holes of the annual tournament organized and conducted by the NGAP, grabbed the lead by matching Ramos’s opening 37. But he bogeyed two of the first two holes at the back, enabling Ramos to draw level at six-over overall then dropped two strokes on No. 14 to slip off the leaderboard. But Austria fought back and eagled the par-5 16th, only to yield those strokes on a wet double bogey on the tough par-3 17th and ended up with a 40. He settled for second at 224 while Jacob Rolida ran out of holes in his comeback bid that featured two birdies in the last six holes, finishing with the tournament-best 71

card to snatch third place at 225 in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Cignal and Metro Pacific Investments and serving as part of PLDT Group National Amateur Tour. Ramos’s victory augured well for his buildup for the SEAG, also set at Luisita, with Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus and Luis Castro as the other members of the team. Rianne Malixi, likewise, charged back to snare the Elite women’s title, edging Sophia Blanco in a playoff after the two finished tied at 227 after a 75 and 79, respectively. Four shots behind Blanco after 36 holes, Malixi put up a strong frontside 36 to grab the lead by one as the latter fumbled with a 41. But Malixi wobbled at the back, needing to birdie the last to save a 39 and a 75, while Blanco parred the last four holes for a 38 and a 79. It was Malixi’s third big victory in the season about to end as the rising star also ruled the Philippine Junior Amateur Open and the Phl Amateur Open Match Play crowns early in the season. Last year’s winner Kim Seo Yun of Korea failed to mount a rally and hobbled with a 78 for third at 231 while Laurea Duque wound up fourth at 233 after an 82 and Kayla Nocum placed fifth at 237 after an 81. Romeo Lopez carded a 79 and took the lead in Group I of men’s division, three shots ahead of Stephen Tan (82) and four-up on August Cruz (83) while Matthew Sangalang shot an 82 to post a two-stroke lead over Allan Pasion (84) and fourth over Titus Aguilar (86) in Group II.

IT’S JUVIC AGAIN Juvic Pagunsan (left)

receives his trophy from Summit Point Golf and Country Club General Manager Vic de Guzman after edging Tony Lascuña on the second playoff hole to claim the crown in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Summit Point World 18 Challenge of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia in Lipa City, Batangas, over the weekend.

Sensing urgency, Akhuetie and Paras shouldered the load at crunch time with back-to-back baskets to put themselves to a two-point advantage with 54 seconds left. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Filipina golfers stay in hunt in Q-Series

The 98 bidders take a break and will resume their hunt for LPGA cards on Wednesday at the start of the last 72 holes at Pinehurst No. 9. The Top 80 plus ties after six rounds will advance to the last 36 holes where the top 45 and ties will receive Category 14 membership on the LPGA Tour Priority List for 2020. Those who won’t make it will settle for Symetra Tour spots. Chinese Muni He moved on top halfway through the Q-Series with a 275 total after 69, now two shots ahead of Lauren Coughlin, Maia Schecter and Emma Talley of the US, who all pooled 277s, after a 68, 70 and 72, respectively.

ottie Ardina and Clariss Guce slowed down with 72 and 73, respectively, but Bianca Pagdanganan finally broke par with a 70 as they stayed in the race after four rounds of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Q-Series at Pinehurst No. 6 in North Carolina on Saturday. Ardina hit three birdies but stumbled with four bogeys for a 37-35 card at the par-71 layout and remained tied at 43rd, this time along with Guce, who failed to sustain her third round 68 with a two-over 73.

Starting at the backside, Guce actually birdied No. 17 but bogeyed the next two and after a run of pars at the front, she holed out with another bogey on the ninth to drop from a previous joint 28th position. Pagdanganan, meanwhile, made her move with a twobird ie, one-bogey card and though she stood down at tied 64th, the Stage I low medalist wheeled back into contention for a spot in the last two rounds of the grueling two, 72-hole final phase of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

Betten, Duke top 5i50 race in Subic

am Betten flashed top form and dominated the men’s pro division while Dimity Lee Duke charged back in the last two events to clinch the women’s tiara as the multititled Aussies shared top honors in the second Black Arrow Express 5i50 in Subic Bay on Sunday. Betten emerged with best time of 17:45 after the opening swim leg then kept his pace in the bike (57:15) and run (37:53) stages to beat Czech Jakub Langhammer by almost four minutes and reclaim his revered spot on the 5i50 ladder after ruling the Subic races three straight times from 2015. He timed 1:57:22 over the Olympic distance of 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run. “Yeah, I was so happy today. I knew that I was really fit. I’ve had a really great six to seven weeks of training in Australia,” said Betten, whose three-title run was halted by fellow Aussie Mitch Robins in last year’s inaugural staging of this event put up by one

of the country’s leading cargo movers and organized by Sunrise Events Inc., now part of the Ironman Group. Robins was actually set for a title-retention campaign but pulled out at the last minute. But Langhammer, coming off a victory in Davao 5150, proved to be a worthy challenger, keeping Betten in sight after the swim leg with an 18:50 clocking. But he failed to match his rival’s sustained charge in the last two events, finishing with 58:54 in the bike and 38:59 in the run for a 2:01:14 clocking. Fernando Jose Casares finished third overall in 2:04:35 and took the Asian Elite crown from last year’s winner John Leerams Chicano, who ended up fourth overall with a 2:05:23 clocking.

“Having finished second last year to Robins, I was disappointed with that result so I really wanted to make amends for that this year and have a really great race,” added Betten, visibly relieved after being able to hurdle such a challenging course he described as “toughest.” “That was a very, very tough course. That’s probably the toughest 5i50 course that I’ve ever raced on to date, which is great because as triathletes, we all love the challenge and everyone who crossed that finish line will feel a sense of achievement having finished that race and that run course,” said Betten. While Betten won in wire-to-wire fashion, Duke, winner

in Davao and coming off a runner-up finish in Ironman 70.3 a couple of months back, needed to rally in the bike and run legs to foil New Zealand’s Laura Wood in their side of the duel also marred by the last-minute withdrawal of last year’s winner Manami Iijima of Guam due to injury. “Coming off an Ironman race, it’s difficult to rise to an Olympic distance level because of all that speed. I was left in the swim but caught Laura on the bike and had a 24-second gap coming into the run where I pulled ahead early in the first few kilometers which was quite surprising,” said Duke, who timed 2:18:25 with clockings of 22:26 (swim), 1:04:33 (bike) and 45:58 (run).

Rick Olivares bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Bleachers’ Brew

One last time, Blue.

My father, Danny Olivares, is hoping to watch one more game of the Ateneo Blue Eagles. This one is this coming Wednesday when the two-time defending champions take on the University of the Philippines (UP). However, at the Mall of Asia Arena is Pasay City? At his condition where he has been greatly slowed down by a series of strokes? It is possible, but it would be difficult. Getting there and back all the way to the house would wear him out. Some 20 of his Ateneo batchmates (Grade School ’54, High School ’58, and College ’62) are going as part of their Diamond Jubilee celebration. That is quite a storied class. Actor and comedian Noel Trinidad, Mahar Mangahas of the Social Weather Station, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, noted US immigration lawyer Ted Laguatan, former Secretary of Education DJ de Jesus, Butch Bonoan of Better Than Ice Cream, banker Vic Barrios, Jess de la Fuente of IBM, national football team player and sports official Johnny Romualdez, basketball champ and Coach Dodie Agcaoili, former Jesuit Ed Garcia who now works as a life coach, the late President Elpidio Quirino’s Tonito Quirino, my Tito Vlady Olivares who put up Our Lady of Fatima University but now calls NYC home, and others. I even dated the daughter of one of his classmates. Hindi kami nagkatuluyan kasi na torpe ako. His Ateneo classmates who have moved on into the great hereafter who I was good friends with include former Blue Eagle Boogie Pamintuan who was a National Collegiate Athletic Association champ—teammates with Ed Ocampo and Paquito Diaz who went on to become an actor—and my neighbor during my younger years, sportscaster Joe Cantada who was an amateur boxing champ for Ateneo and who would give me Philippine Basketball Association tickets (he also mentored me as a young sportswriter for the Journal group and the Philippine Daily Inquirer), Ronnie Alejandro who made a name for himself in New York as a writer and who I did odd jobs for in Greenwich Village, actor and comedian Subas Herrero, comedian Gary Lising, broadcaster Manolo “Manok” Lopez who I worked with at Solar Sports, and others. During my father’s batch’s time in school (both at the Padre Faura and Loyola Heights campuses), they experienced four NCAA championships—1953-1954, 1957-1958, and 1961. “It was a smaller campus then with a smaller student population,” said my dad. “Aside from knowing each other, we are all celebrating the championships. When I was in grade school, high school and college. Those were the good old days as they call it.” I used to sit and listen in amazement to his stories of cheering at the old Rizal Memorial Coliseum. My first taste of a NCAA title came when I was in the Ateneo grade school when the Blue Eagles won the 1975-76 titles. When I got to high school, my batch won a juniors championship during our senior year. Then in college came the school’s first University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) crowns in 1987 and 1988. I got to see some of those games by that 1970s team that featured future pros Steve Watson, Joy Carpio, Padim Israel and Bambi Kabigting. My uncle Johnny Tañedo took me to some of those games. During those UAAP title years, I’d go with my dad. While he was never an athlete (unlike his kids), he enjoyed watching the games. Even when he physically did not go to the games, he’d watch them on television. My passion for sports (not just Ateneo sports) also comes from him (along with an uncle who fostered the love of baseball in me). During the launch of the Ateneo five-peat book (titled Five) that I wrote at the Ayala Museum, my father was so proud of a connection I had made to our alma mater. It was actually my second book about the Blue Eagles with The 18th Banner coincidentally being my first and the first of the five-peat titles. So in a way, Five was like the perfect bookend. There’s 11 Days in August that is about Gilas Pilipinas’ successful 2013 Fiba Asia campaign, An NU Champion that recounts the 2015 NU Bulldogs’ UAAP title season, Rise which tells of the NU Pep Squad’s three-peat in the Cheer Dance Championships, and contributing to Philippine Football: It’s Past, Its Future and Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan The Maestro of Philippine Basketball. I am currently working on Golden, that is recount the stories of the Xavier School Golden Stallions. Except for my unfinished book, my father has copies of everything I have written. And that brings me back to the upcoming game. Early this October, three of my father’s batchmates wrote current Ateneo University Athletics Director Emmanuel Fernandez inquiring about the possibility of getting block seating for the match. Personally, I think it is cool. Their batch is extremely close to one another. They regularly hold reunions and go out of their way to help other batchmates of theirs who aren’t well. “It’s not like this is our last hurrah,” said Ed Garcia who now works with the student-athletes of FEU. “It is just reliving the days of our youth. It would be nice to watch again though not in the bleachers. Lower box, upper box is good where it isn’t too painful on the knees. While our reunions have bigger numbers I think for the Ateneo-UP game, we can only bring in 20 from our batch.” My dad would like to watch with his classmates. Yell, cheer and sing one more time. However, it doesn’t look possible given his health condition. As much as I want him to go (and be with him), it is best that he stays from home and watch on television. He grudgingly agreed. “But I’ll be there in spirit,” he smiled.

Sports BusinessMirror

| Monday, October 28, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

‘MAKE F1 MORE ECO-FRIENDLY’ By Jim Vertuno

The Associated Press

EXICO CITY—Formula One is a global series with a large carbon footprint. Teams, drivers and fans fly to 21 races around the world, hauling tons of equipment. The cars use up and discard hundreds of tires during the season. And despite using hybrid engines, the series this year increased the allowable fuel consumption per race. Yet, that won’t stop defending champion Lewis Hamilton from using his social-media platforms to call for an awareness of global warming, calling for changes in farming, diet and a reduction in polluting materials. The drivers’ news conference at the Mexican Grand Prix, a race in a city of 22 million people choked with smog, was dominated by questions on Hamilton’s recent public admonishments on global warming, his support from other drivers, and whether it is hypocritical considering the arena in which they compete. Hamilton sparked the issue with a recent Instagram post venting to millions of followers his frustrations about large commercial farming and deforestation, global travel and consumer diets. He urged others to go vegan like him. “It’s my platform and we all have a voice,” Hamilton said. “It’s not the easiest, because yes, we are traveling around the world and racing cars. It doesn’t mean we should be afraid to speak up for positive change. I’m

always looking at things I can improve the effect.” Hamilton said he drives an electric car at home, and has sold off his plane and some of his fleet of automobiles. He said he has also cut back on travel and restricts what products can be brought into his office and home. He said he has pushed fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, a friend and business partner, to design clothes with sustainable fabric. “I don’t allow anyone in my office or my household to buy any plastics. I want everything recyclable down to deodorant, down to a toothbrush, all these kind of things. I’m trying to make as much change as I can in my personal space,” said Hamilton, who is British. “I try to make sure that by the end of the year I’m carbon neutral. I’m trying to make as much change as I can in my personal space.” Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel said he supports Hamilton’s effort to take a public stand, while acknowledging that F1 drivers may not be taken seriously on the issue. “You would be ignorant if you didn’t look at it,” Vettel said. “It’s very difficult for us to get acceptance from the outside. We don’t have the smallest footprint. The races happen around the world. Formula One, I feel, should do more. It’s a worldwide platform. We should send a much stronger message on the subject.” The series could wield influence with its corporate sponsors, Vettel said. Formula One officials said Friday the series owner will soon unveil a detailed plan to make the sport more environmentally friendly. F1 provided no specifics, but said the plan has been in development for a year and

“will not only tackle the carbon footprint of our cars but the wider footprint we leave as a sport.” The series shifted its engine technology to a more environmentally friendly hybrid engine in 2014. But F1 also this year increased allowable fuel consumption for the cars from 27 gallons (105 kilograms) to 29 gallons (110 kilograms) per race in order to boost power. Speaking at a German auto show in September, F1 CEO and President Chase Carey lauded the hybrid engine as a model for reducing carbon emissions. “The Formula 1 hybrid engine is the most efficient in the world and has a critical role to play to address the wider global environmental issue,” Carey said. “I think the solution to the environmental situation is going to be many and not just one, and while I appreciate electric has got the attention and has hit a sweet spot at the moment, I think electric will be part of the solution but has issues such as battery disposal that still need to be addressed.” An alternate series, Formula E, uses only electric cars. Initiated by Jean Todt, head of the FIA governing body of world motorsport, Formula E launched in 2014. That series also races in cities around the world, including Mexico City, Beijing, Berlin and New York. Mercedes, which has won six consecutive F1 constructor’s titles, is entering Formula E next season. Hamilton, who is chasing a sixth F1 championship this weekend, said he won’t be making a switch after his F1 career. “I have no interest whatsoever in Formula E,” Hamilton said.

Verstappen stripped of pole at Mexican GP Lewis Hamilton rides a scooter in the paddock area during the final practice session for the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix . AP

Max Verstappen talks to a member of his team during the final practice session for the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix. AP

EXICO CITY—Max Verstappen turned in a brilliant lap to snatch a surprising pole position at the Mexican Grand Prix. Then he opened his mouth. Three hours later, the Red Bull driver was bumped down to fourth, the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel were back at the front, and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton was in fighting position to clinch his sixth career Formula One championship. The changes came when Verstappen was penalized for not slowing down after Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas had a hard crash just ahead of him on his final lap of Saturday’s qualifying. Verstappen seemed to be in the clear until he admitted in the post-qualifying press conference he didn’t slow under a yellow flag, even though the rules require it.

ifa President Gianni Infantino glossed over questions about human-rights violations in China while celebrating the country’s selection as the first host of soccer’s expanded Club World Cup. “We have a social responsibility due to the magnitude and the power that football brings with it,” Infantino said after the Fifa Council decision in Shanghai on Thursday. “But we don’t do that by attacking, criticizing anyone.” Amnesty International is concerned China will use the Club World Cup to attempt to present an image of openness and tolerance while abuses persist throughout the country, leaders of the organization said. When asked at a news conference about a litany of rights violations in China, Infantino acknowledged issues in countries from Chile to Iran without directly addressing China, where there has been a crackdown on pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong this year. President Xi Jinping’s government has also faced criticism over its treatment of Muslims in China’s northwest, where the US government, activists and researchers say as many as 1 million people have been detained. “Countries all over the world are going through difficult times,” Infantino said. “It is not the mission of Fifa to solve the problems of the world.” But Fifa introduced a human-rights policy in 2017, in the second year of Infantino’s presidency, that is used to assess the suitability of event hosts. The policy was conceived after living and working conditions for the migrant population in 2022 World Cup host nation Qatar were censured by rights groups, including Amnesty.

“I was aware that Valtteri crashed,” Verstappen said. When pressed later whether he should have backed off, Verstappen bristled. “Do we have to go there? To safety? I think we know what we are doing, otherwise we would not be driving an F1 car.” Verstappen said. “It’s qualifying and, yeah, you go for it. But like I said before, if they want to delete the lap, then delete the lap.” His comments prompted an investigation from race stewards and Verstappen lost more than that. The Dutch driver had expertly cut the thin air and slow corners at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to perfection, and an earlier lap would have been good enough for his second career pole position. But Verstappen was still on the track because the Mercedes and Ferraris were

making their last runs. Bottas was rounding the final curve when he took a hard shunt into the wall and Verstappen zipped past. The crash ended qualifying and forced Ferrari to abort its final laps. Hamilton said the penalty was correct. “It’s really important that [race officials] are very strict on yellow flags,” Hamilton said. “There could have been marshals on the track. These volunteers put their lives on the line to make sure we are safe, and you have got people who are being careless and not abiding by the rules.” Leclerc said every driver knows to slow down under a yellow flag. Verstappen is only 22, but he’s a veteran driver in his 99th Grand Prix. “On my side, the crash was behind, so I cannot judge that situation, but yeah, I think it’s clear for every driver,” said Leclerc, who is also 22. “It’s the basics.” Ferrari is back in No. 1 for the sixth race in a row as Leclerc and Vettel hunt for the fourth team win in that span. Verstappen won the last two Mexican Grand Prix from the No. 2 spot, and the straight-line power edge of the Ferraris should give them a huge jump out of the start in the sprint to the first corner. The entire scenario gives Hamilton a better chance to close out the championship on a race track that has not been kind to him in recent years. Hamilton clinched the 2017 and 2018 championships in Mexico City but ran poor races both times. He hasn’t been on the podium here since winning in 2016. Hamilton can clinch the title Sunday with a podium finish that puts him 14 points clear of Bottas. Anything less than third for Hamilton extends the championship to next week’s US Grand Prix in Texas, a race he’s won five times since 2012. AP

Infantino won’t rebuke Club World Cup host China on human rights Infantino

That organization is now ratcheting up the pressure on Fifa after China was an uncontested selection to host the first Club World Cup after it expands from an annual seven-team event into a quadrennial competition with 24 participants from June-July 2021. “Where the national context risks undermining Fifa’s ability to ensure respect for internationally recognized human rights,” reads the policy from soccer’s global governing body, “Fifa will constructively engage with the relevant authorities and other stakeholders, and make every effort to uphold its international human-rights responsibilities.” Being staged a year before Beijing hosts the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Club World Cup gives China “yet another opportunity to try to ‘sportswash’ its tarnished international reputation,” said Allan Hogarth, head of policy and government affairs at Amnesty International in Britain. “It’s likely the Chinese authorities will

see the competition as an opportunity to project an image of openness and toleration,” Hogarth said, “whereas the much darker reality in the country is one of pervasive censorship, relentless roundups of dissidents, and the shocking mass detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.” Infantino is reticent to agitate the Chinese hosts. The long relationship between the National Basketball Association and China was significantly strained earlier this month when Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey’s tweeted in support of anti-government protesters in Hong Kong. Fifa, which is already sponsored by Chinese conglomerate Wanda, is locked in with the country’s government and soccer federation in trying to raise revenue for the Club World Cup. “I hope China will help Fifa to organize it in financial terms,” Infantino said. “It will be the club football event which will generate the highest revenue per match.” AP

Providing God

EAR God, by the prompting of the Holy Spirit You guide our lives. In gratitude we pray: God, in Your mercy hear us. Inspire Your Church to help young people grow closer to You through prayer, study Your word, and service to the needy and poor. Uphold and prosper efforts to end gun violence and other causes of homicide. Help us to increase treatment services for those who are mentally ill and psychologically imbalance. May God bless us with companions with whom we can share faith and wonder, laughter and tears, through Jesus our friend. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

PHOTOS FROM WWW. MANNEKENPIS. BRUSSELS.COM

Life

AND THEN SOME: BEAUTY STUFF I LEARNED FROM THE PEOPLE AND ACCOUNTS I FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM D4

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Monday, October 28, 2019

PHILIPPINES 1986

SOCCER PLAYER 1946

GALA COSTUME 1747

PELOTAS 2010

VIENNESE LAUNDRESS 1953

HAGUETTE 1955

DIGNITARY FROM KASAÏ 2007

DRACULA 1987

CLIMATE CHANGE 2006

EUROPEAN 2000

‘Manneken-Pis’: World’s most fashionable boy B

RUSSELS, Belgium—“This is our Eiffel Tower,” a tourist guide gushed, proudly pointing to the sculpture of a naked boy urinating to a basin. It’s the “mischievous and irreverent” Manneken-Pis—or “little man pee” in the Dutch dialect of Marols or le petit Julien in French— the symbol of this city. Together with my sisters Margie, Beth and Gemma, my brother-in-law Jerry and my niece Kirsty, we found our way to the fountain from the Grand Place (Grote Markt), past shops selling tempting Belgian chocolates and the delicious smell of Belgian waffles, to join a throng of tourists milling around the junction of Rue du Chêne/Eikstraat and the pedestrian Rue de l’Étuve/Stoofstraat. I thought the sculpture would be massive, like Michelangelo’s David in Florence. But, like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Stonehenge, Manneken-Pis is smaller than I expected. The bronze statuette is only 24 inches. Still, its tiny size plays a huge part in this

European Union capital’s heritage. Originally built in the middle ages, the fountain was a source of drinking water for the city dwellers. By 1619, the city commissioned a sculptor, Jérôme Duquesnoy the Elder, to create a statuette in bronze. By the 19th century, it ceased being a water source and purely became ornamental. What’s on view today is only a 1965 replica, the original safely housed from vandals at the Brussels City Museum. Legends have it that Manneken-Pis is the likeness of Duke Godfrey III of Leuven, a two-year-old lord who peed on their enemy troops in 1142, defeating them eventually; that it was of a boy who peed on an explosive, thereby saving the city from fire; or that of a boy who peed on the door of a witch, who cursed him to freeze for eternity. What isn’t the stuff of legend, though, is the awesome wardrobe that Manneken-Pis has acquired over the centuries. While the peeing nude statuette was a humorous way for the people of Brussels to piss off prudes, the little boy gets all dressed up, by an official dresser appointed since 1756, on special occasions. Manneken-Pis is, perhaps, the only secular statue in the world that has an extensive clothing collection especially made for it, much like how we adorn our Santo Niños, or the little boy Jesus. Just a few steps from the fountain is the Garderobe MannekinPis, a museum that houses the little boys costumes now numbering more than a thousand, mostly gifts from institutions and diplomats. The first outfit recorded was in 1698 but the oldest in the

collection dates back to 1747. As Inventory 1, its history goes: “French soldiers in Brussels kidnapped the statue in 1747, but it was quickly recovered. In order to calm Brussels moods, King Louis XV donated a suit and awarded him the title of knight in the Order of Louis IX the Saint.” Among the sports-themed is a soccer player given by the Royal Racing Club of Brussels in 1946. The most controversial costume is the “Viennese Laundress,” given by the ballet company Grete Wiesenthal, as the museum noted: “On June 4, 1953, the newspaper Le Peuple titled: ‘The 96th costume for Manneken-Pis is a girl’s dress!’: But the offended, oldest resident of Brussels will never show it off. […] Fortunately, no ceremony was planned at the corner of Stoofstraat and Eikstraat when this costume was handed over. What would the people of Brussels say when they see this brainy little fellow in a girl’s suit, who should put on his dress to do his needs?’ This is the only women’s costume in the Manneken-Pis wardrobe.” A festive costume is the “Haguette,” donated in 1955, the most symbolic character of the carnival of the Walloon city of Malmedy, Belgium, “recognizable by her big hat with colorful ostrich feathers and kindly grasps the viewer by his ankle with a wooden object, called hape-tchâr, a movable, extendable wooden rake that ends in grippers.” Manneken-Pis also assumes many personas, such as “Dracula,” a costume given during the International Festival of Fantastic Films in 1987, in the presence of movie Dracula, Christopher Lee. In 2000, the City

2 Shopping Center in this city organized a design competition and the winner, Géraldine Halbart, created a European Union-themed costume with patches of the flags of the member-countries. The little boy is also an environmental activist, as proven in the 2006 costume, “Climate Change,” given by the European Commission. The boy is also a diplomat, in the guise of a “Dignitary from Kasai, Congo,” given by the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, in 2007. The fashionable boy went conceptual high fashion in 2010, when the Spanish couture house, Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada, exhibited a costume based on an old Spanish folk expression, Ir and Pelotas, which literally means “being dressed in balls,” or “being naked.” And there’s a Philippine connection, of course. In 1986, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Salvador H. Laurel, on an official visit, gave the boy what looked like a camisa de chino ensemble. I think a barong Tagalog would be a more elaborate, appropriate and more representation of our culture. Should a Filipino delegation plan to donate another costume, they have to make an official request to the College of the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Brussels. “A ruling stipulates that certain conditions must be met before a costume can be accepted,” mannekinpis.brussels.com explains. “The material used must be of good quality, to ensure that the garments will remain in a good state of preservation, and the statuette must not be used for political purposes, promoting beliefs or advertising.” ■

World, meet Pouch THIS season, Bottega Veneta introduces The Pouch, one of Creative Director Daniel Lee’s first two designs for the brand. The oversized clutch features soft folds of leather, which completely envelop the rigid frame and create a voluminous, rounded form. The Pouch is available in three different types of craftsmanship and a palette that includes natural shades and saturated pop colors. The Velvet

Calf Intrecciato Pouch presents Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato weave in extra soft calf. The Butter Calf Pouch features panels of smooth leather, while the Cocco Souple version is composed of four skins that are meticulously used to achieve continuity of the scales. The Pouch is available in a smaller version, called The Pouch 20, after the measurement of its length. This style

is presented in Velvet Calf Intrecciato, Butter Calf and Cocco Souple. This exceptional small leather accessory can be easily used as an elegant mini clutch, to be held under the arm or by hand, or as a functional bag to organize small essentials. Exclusively distributed around these parts by Stores Specialists Inc., Bottega Veneta can be found at Greenbelt 4 and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing.

Style

BusinessMirror

Monday, October 28, 2019

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Nolan Gould, 21; Julia Roberts, 52; Bill Gates, 64; Annie Potts, 67.

ALL for fashion with College of Saint Benilde-School of Design and the Arts Dean Dottie Asela (from left), SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications Group Millie Dizon, Fashion Design and Merchandising Chairman Christine Benet and Associate Dean Cynthia Funk

ONE of the highlights of the event was the gathering of fashion educators for talks on fashion sustainability and technology. These included: (from left) Edward James Castro (Fashion Institute of Design and the Arts Cebu), Shannon Pamaong (Fashion Institute of the Philippines), Kristyn Caragay (University of the Philippines), Benet, Amina AranazAlunan (School of Fashion and the Arts) and Monina Tan-Santiago (Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Change is part of life, and with each passing day, the importance of adapting to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on around you will become more apparent. The small adjustments you make will be the turning point needed to help you reach a place that brings you satisfaction and joy. Stay focused and work hard to find your true calling. Your lucky numbers are 4, 12, 20, 28, 34, 43, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Finish what you start, and keep moving toward your long-term goal. Refuse to let what others decide sway your opinion or stop you from reaching your objective. An open mind doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to be a follower. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A changeable attitude will help you adjust and excel. If you are open to working with the inevitable, you will find a path that leads to greater success. A partnership should add balance to your life. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look back or try to undo the impossible. Opportunity stands in front of you, not behind. Concentrate on what matters most and how best to use your skills to get ahead. Learn from experience. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the initiative to sort through any unfinished business you have with someone. You have plenty to gain if you engage in something creative or geared toward partnerships that are fresh, invigorating and help you keep the momentum flowing. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

ALLANA NICOLASâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S fear of the depth of the sea inspired her to create her Deep Sea Horror collection.

J. PATCH, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear collection by Ericka Juliet de la Cruz, Angela Malazarte and Erika Mae Ng, is inspired by the mixed art and elements of Japan.

Sustainability + M technology = compelling style

Fashion and friendship celebrated KEDS x Betty and Veronica Kickstart Comic Print

KEDS x Betty and Veronica Triple Kick Leopard

RIVERDALE comes to Manila through its stylish power duo Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge drawn in iconic imagery from their 1950s era comic books. Brought to life by the series named after the school made famous by the gang, Archieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pair of best girl friends are presented in the latest collection from the Keds x Betty and Veronica collaboration. The OG BFFs come out in celebration of female camaraderie in style. Whether you follow their adventures from streaming the hit TV show, or flipping through the pages of one of the longest-running comic book series in history, Betty and Veronica have always been icons of friendship and rivalry. In their own way, the pair has always reflected the trends and latest fashions of each generation. Featured in their most iconic looks are portraits and panels of Betty and Veronica on the most popular styles of Keds. Refreshed with bright prints and elevated flatforms, there are five new styles of the collaboration in fun patterns and chic colors. Wear them in a Riverdale-inspired outfit for a viewing party, or for a milkshake run at Pop Tateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The Keds x Betty and Veronica collection is now available in stores and on www.keds.com.ph.

ALL goers had the rare opportunity to see the local fashion industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology and sustainability efforts during the recent Sinulid Epilogue at SM Megamallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mega Fashion Hall. A joint project of De La Salle-College of Saint Benildeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Design and Merchandising Program and SM Megamall, Sinulid Epilogue is the final installment of the Sinulid trilogy which started in the Sinulid Prologue held last April at the DLS-CSBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Design and the Arts, followed by Sinulid: Altered Translation, an annual fashion show and exhibit held last July at SM Aura Premier. Sinulid Epilogue featured a series of talks, exhibits, activities and an upcycling competition all focused on the concepts of sustainability and technology. One of the highlights of the event was the gathering of educators from the top fashion schools and programs in the country to discuss â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Impact of Education in Fashion and Sustainable Development,â&#x20AC;? among other talks. These included CSB, School of Fashion and the Arts, University of the Philippines, Institute of Creative Entrepreneurship, Fashion Institute of the Philippines, and Fashion Institute of Design and the Arts Cebu. The top 10 collections from CSB-Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wear collection were also shown as part of the exhibit. A fashion upcycling contest was held with items from American retailer Forever 21. Showcased in the event was a 3D body scanner from the Philippine Textile Research Institute, which aims to produce a Philippine standard sizing system. There were also exhibits from industry providers, including Lectra, Norde, Reviva, Triple K and Manila Fashion Supplies. â&#x2013;

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep moving forward. You will alleviate stress and anxiety if you engage in activities that will help you achieve something you feel passionate about doing. You can make a difference to your life and the lives of others if you are diligent in your pursuit. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Interaction will be your best source for information, imagination and innovation. Start conversations, and take part in events that will open your mind to new challenges and encourage you to meet interesting people. Romance is on the rise. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Make a point to do something to lower stress. A good workout, taking care of unfinished business or spending time with someone who makes you feel calm will suffice. Once you feel at ease, everything will fall into place. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Refuse to let anxiety take over when you should be pouring your energy into something concrete. Use your creativity to come up with a plan that will encourage positive change and a healthy attitude. Personal improvement is favored. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Ideas will flow freely, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean they are right. Remain cautious; start only what you know you can finish. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to appear proficient, not incompetent. A youngster or senior will offer beneficial insight. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a risk. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The tideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s turning, and the time to put a change in place is now. Mix business with pleasure, and it will help stir the pot and speed things up. A personal change will help you look and feel your best. Romance is featured. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Listen carefully. It will be easy to misunderstand someone who is trying to manipulate you. Emotions should be put aside when dealing with sensitive issues. Look out for your interests, not what will benefit someone else. Avoid risks. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Involvement will be your ticket to new beginnings. Initiate proposals, contracts and financial issues. An inside scoop will help you make a wise decision. A change to the way you handle money, health and legal matters will be beneficial. â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026;â&#x2DC;&#x2026; BIRTHDAY BABY: You are sensitive, innovative and disciplined. You are compassionate and curious.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fast!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; BY PAUL COULTER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Command used with Cut and Copy 6 IV amounts 9 Not suitable 14 Bargain-basement 15 Pitching stat 16 Takes it easy 17 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hurry up, dancer!?â&#x20AC;? 19 Happen next 20 Like some coincidences 21 Accurate statement 22 Alpine transport 25 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hurry up, music producer!?â&#x20AC;? 29 Shady spots in gardens 31 Sleep 32 Mowgliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bear friend 33 Celebrated 35 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hurry up, smelter!?â&#x20AC;? 40 League members 41 Participate in, as a contest 43 Cheese gadgets 47 Huge Starbucks size 48 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hurry up, watchmaker!?â&#x20AC;? 51 Pay attention to 52 â&#x20AC;&#x153;My bad!â&#x20AC;?

53 ___ Cheese (Doritos flavor) 55 Japanese dog 57 Request for a next-day delivery, say, and what each of 17-, 25-, 35- and 48-Across is 61 In need of sleep 62 â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ the season...â&#x20AC;? 63 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m at your serviceâ&#x20AC;? 64 Plain bagels donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have them 65 Sault ___ Marie 66 Spyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission, for short DOWN 1 Mac alternatives 2 Response to a rubdown 3 Red or Dead 4 Become entrenched 5 Blunt blade 6 Salsa singer Cruz 7 Stream 8 What old sofas do 9 Suffix for â&#x20AC;&#x153;percentâ&#x20AC;? 10 Like some healthy yogurt 11 ___-Lorraine 12 Full of moxie 13 Fly with a reduplicative name

18 22 23 24 26 27 28 30 33 34 36 37 38 39 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 50

Tricepsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; places Folder projection Be a blowhard Partner of â&#x20AC;&#x153;readyâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;willingâ&#x20AC;? ___ Park, Colorado â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take ___ Trainâ&#x20AC;? (Duke Ellington song) Boatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s steering device No-good Meal at a palace â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slipperyâ&#x20AC;? tree Grinder, by another name Small town descriptor Alternative magazine founder Eric Head, in Calais â&#x20AC;&#x153;Awesome!â&#x20AC;? What a bad winner does Novice Aim Tried out â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a] Ramblinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wreck From Georgia ___â&#x20AC;? Language group that gave us â&#x20AC;&#x153;kayakâ&#x20AC;? Billiards shot

54 56 57 58 59 60

Eleventh ___ Commercials Signal boosts on Twitter, briefly Mo. when Kwanzaa starts Mood music? The ___ & Stimpy Show

Solution to Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzle:

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Show BusinessMirror

Braggy Braganza, Queen of Soul Jaya and Adrian C. Cabangon

Kris Lawrence

Home Radio plays up original Pilipino music M ORE than 30 years since OPM, or original Pilipino music, burst into the scene, the genre continues to thrive, although not much heard over mainstream radio. Some have observed that it is in decline, since many FM stations no longer give as much airtime to OPM and OPM artists as they did during its heyday. Braggy Braganza, station manager of Home Radio 979, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Golden Dove Awardee for best FM station in Metro Manila this year, does not agree with this view. “OPM is very much alive, particularly in social media. You can witness OPM artists showcasing their talents with their songwriting skills, overall arrangements in rhythmic and melodic landscapes and image. Actually, today social media is their medium of exposure to be discovered,” Braganza said. Many of these OPM artists get to be offered recording contracts following their performances on social-media platforms, Braganza added. Braganza has taken up as an advocacy and campaign the promotion of OPM as a popular musical form through Home Radio. He initiated these efforts by coming up with the program “OPM Highlights,” which airs from 12 noon to 1 pm, Monday to Friday, over Home Radio 979. For one full hour, popular and emerging OPM artists serenade lunchtime listeners with their live performance from Home Radio’s studio

at the Fifth Floor, Citystate Centre Building, on Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City. The show, he said, is focused on OPM to give Filipino musicians a medium for expression and exposure, “to give them a chance to be heard on air during their performance on the show.” New and upcoming bands, veteran OPM bands or solo performers are all welcome at OPM Highlights, Braganza added. “We have such a wealth of musical talent in the country and we just have to give them a platform where they can be showcased and discovered,” he said. He concedes that “not all radio stations on FM focus on OPM artists,” but “it depends on their format and how they repackage the image of the station.” For Home Radio, with its adult contemporary, easy listening format, promoting OPM is an effective marketing move to promote the station itself. OPM first referred to Filipino pop songs, particularly ballads, that were popular in the Philippines during the late 1970s, evolving to include at present rock, jazz and soul, and rhythm and blues music performed by Filipino artists. OPM artists, such as Rico J. Puno, Ryan Cayabyab, and Celeste Legaspi in the 1970s, and Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, among many others, led the way in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the OPM scene continues to thrive, as Home Radio 979 discovered on its 25th anniversary concert

at the Music Hall in Metrowalk on Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. The event also served as the formal launch to the public of OPM Highlights, which had been broadcasting on a pilot basis since early this year. Organizers were surprised by the heavy turnout of musical artists who attended the event. “We were not expecting a lot of guests and performers, and we were surprised that the OPM scene really wanted to support and celebrate our anniversary,” said Braganza, expressing thanks to those who came on behalf of Insular Broadcasting System Inc. (IBSI), owner and operator of Home Radio 979, with the tagline “It feels good to be home.” The guest performers and artists were led by Jaya, Jay R, Kris Lawrence, Anthony Rosaldo, and many more established and aspiring OPM artists. Braganza enthused: “During and after the celebration, we received positive feedback that Home Radio has given a contribution to uplift the OPM scene. We brought veteran and newbie artists to perform together in one night to expose and highlight their talent and artistry.” It really feels good, he said, that new artists showed their gratitude for the privilege of being included in a lineup with veteran artists. OPM Highlights over Home Radio 979, Braganza affirmed, will always seek to enhance and promote Pinoy rock, pop music and ballads for the enjoyment of Filipino music lovers. n

FROM left: GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMAKF Executive Vice President and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog, Bea Binene, GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel Tiangco, Rocco Nacino, Patricia Tumulak, and GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer.

GMA Kapuso Foundation welcomes new Youth Advocates GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) welcomes the network’s stars as advocates of public service to encourage more youth to take part in GMAKF’s disaster, relief, education, and health programs. GMAKF, led by the multiawarded broadcast journalist, founder and ambassador Mel Tiangco, welcomes into the Kapuso Foundation fold the following artists: Rocco Nacino for health; Bea Binene for disaster relief; Patricia Tumulak for Kapuso School Development; and tween stars Sofia Pablo and Will Ashley for Unang Hakbang Sa Kinabukasan (education support). Present in the contract signing were Tiangco, GMAKF Executive Vice President and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer. Tiangco shared that it has always been her desire to involve more people in the foundation, “This is a big day for the GMAKF. For the longest time, I was hoping and praying na ma-isasakatuparan na ang kanaisan ko na sana everybody in the network will join the foundation in its efforts to be of service to our people.” The GMA artists/advocates have committed their time and effort for GMAKF’s mission to uplift the lives of

underprivileged Filipinos all over the country through the provision of quick-response disaster relief operations; the undertaking of health, nutritional and medical projects; and the carrying out of developmental programs designed to promote education. Versatile and talented dramatic actor Rocco Nacino feels enthusiastic to promote GMAKF’s health and nutrition projects, such as Bisig Bayan and Give-A-Gift projects. Apart from his showbiz stint, Rocco is a registered nurse and has a master’s degree in nursing, which explains his affinity for GMAKF’s health projects. He also recently enlisted as a reserve in the Philippine Navy and is part of the powerhouse cast of the Pinoy adaptation of hit Korean series Descendants of the Sun, as well as the second season of GMA News TV’s health talk show The Healthy Juan. Aside from these shows, he is also one of the lead stars of the romantic-comedy Write About Love, which is an official entry to the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival. On the other hand, Beautiful Justice star and budding chef/ entrepreneur Bea Binene commits to help spread awareness on the need to support GMAKF’s Operation Bayanihan relief operations. The actress has noted that more natural calamities are happening in the country and more public donations are needed to sustain GMAKF’s relief efforts when

disasters strike to ensure that immediate aid can be given to the needy. GMA host and actress Patricia Tumulak, who is a graduate of Early Childhood Education, understands the need for sturdy classrooms all over the Philippines. Patricia is keen on drumming up support for GMAKF’s Kapuso School Development program, which undertakes the building and rehabilitation of schools in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, as well as the Kapuso Tulay Para Sa Kaunlaran, wherein the foundation spearheads the construction of concrete and steel bridges in remote areas of the country to connect communities to schools and markets, in a bid to encourage learning and trade. Currently, Patricia is also part of the afternoon series Magkaagaw. Last, Prima Donnas stars Sofia Pablo and Will Ashley are also thrilled about joining GMAKF’s distribution of school supplies to tens of thousands of children in need all over the Philippines. A pillar project of GMAKF is the annual Unang Hakbang Sa Kinabukasan, which distributes sturdy school bags with complete sets of school supplies to kinder and Grade 1 students nationwide. Being students themselves, Sofia and Will have their sights set on standing up for the rights of all children to have access to quality education and empowering them to make their dreams come true.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Jay R

Rain Yamson’s Halloween horror night in Singapore

OTED Filipino cinematographer and filmmaker Rain Yamson was one of the few Asian celebrities that experienced the all-new level of fright nights at Universal Studios in Singapore recently. Billed as “Halloween Horror Nights,” the five masterfully designed haunted houses including two scare zones were unveiled to formally open these latest additions to the famous entertainment and adventure park in Singapore. “Their theme this year is Asian folklores,” shared Yamson, adding, “I learned that the top bosses of this new horror section of Universal Studios are so interested in Asian horror stories and, as a filmmaker, I am so amazed that there are a lot of commonalities among Asian horror stories and superstitions.” Yamson said he was very impressed by the details of the production design of each of the five haunted houses. “The featured house of this special celebrity edition was the House of the Curse of Naga, with intricate Thai-inspired designs and amazing details. For the first time ever, people will get to experience the thrills and scares inside an original haunted house created by the wonderful minds of the filmmakers who brought us the internationally famous Thai horror films Shutter and 4bia.” Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom are the popular filmmakers from Thailand who astounded the global film market with their horror creations. They collaborated with the creative teams from Singapore to bring the Curse of Naga to Singaporeans and tourists alike. Guests will have to navigate a lost Thai village under the spell of the Naga, the evil snake spirit. “The experience is overwhelming, especially for someone like me who is into filmmaking. I was awed by the spectacular special effects, the stunning landscape design, the elaborate details, and the wonderful original characters!” Yamson enthused. Another well-applauded haunted house is called The Chalet Hauntings, which allows the tourists to experience the paranormal stories that feature an extensive collection of Southeast Asian ghosts. Then there are the more colorful houses that showcase dolls and clowns, called Twisted Clown University, and the Japanese-inspired House of the Spirit Dolls. A fifth house plays on the visitors’ fear of tight spaces set in a grimy and cramped prison cell. Yamson is an award-winning cinematographer and his filmography is impressive. These are some of his works include Rainbow’s Sunset, Silong, Magkakabaung, Bhoy Intsik, Dance of the Steelbars and his Urian nominated work ’Di Natatapos ang Gabi. Very soon, he will embark on his first full-feature directorial work. Titled Angkas, this 2020 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival official entry is about two estranged friends who try to rebuild their embittered past as they set forth on a dangerous motorbike journey to retrieve a dead comrade. After conquering all the ghosts at the Universal Studios Singapore, I am sure that Yamson is more than ready to conquer all his fears as a first-time festival filmmaker. n

Style

Monday, October 28, 2019

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Beauty stuff I learned from the people and accounts I follow on Instagram

ANY of the people I follow on Instagram are friends and Korean celebrities. The rest are beauty brands, people who work in the beauty industry, or beauty influencers and enthusiasts. My favorite beauty people to follow on Instagram are those who really love skin care and makeup. Of course, one of the reasons why I love them is because I learn new things from them. Not every beauty person I follow is an expert. Some are just newbies in the field. But one thing I’ve learned is that it does not require an expert to know what works for you and what doesn’t. So, here are some of those learnings: ■ MULTISTICKS ARE THE BEST. Makeup artist Anthea Bueno (@antheabueno) is one of the most popular makeup artists in the Philippines. Her celebrity clients include Janine Gutierrez, Janella Salvador, Kylie Verzosa and Kelsey Merritt. From Anthea, I learned

that Bite Beauty Multisticks are the best multisticks because they can be used on the eyelids, cheeks and lips. These multisticks have a cream-to-powder finish, and are very practical for traveling. I have talked about these multisticks so many times, and it is no secret that I love them so much. They are good for a natural flushed look. ■ THE BEST BLUSH FOR P100. My friend Menchie (@chiieelovestoto) was the one who told me about Careline Oil Control Blush-On, which is only P100 but can last throughout an outdoor concert. I like Peachglow and Starlight Shine, which are always, sadly, out of stock. But Menchie is right, this is one of the best blushes in its price range. ■ SUNLIGHT IS THE BEST FILTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHS. I didn’t learn this from any specific person but direct light is always best for photographs, that’s why car selfies always work. ■ MEN CAN WEAR MAKEUP. MAC Cosmetics Korea’s new Powder Kiss Lipstick campaign features Korean pop star Hwang Min-hyun of the Korean boy group Nu’est. In the images, he is wearing bold shades, including the popular shade Devoted to Chili. He isn’t the only one. Chinese singer Kris Wu is the first AsiaPacific ambassador for Lancome. For MAC Cosmetics, the Asia-Pacific brand ambassador is Chinese pop star Lay Zhang, who is also with the boy group EXO. ■ COMBINING LIPSTICKS IS THE BEST WAY TO TRY OUT NEW COLORS. Most of the makeup artists I follow on Instagram combine lipstick colors to get the shade they want. This is why they can’t tell sometimes what shade they used when their followers ask them for specifics. The best way to combine colors is in a palette with a small scalpel. Other makeup artists simply use a lip brush to combine the colors on the back of their hands. ■ MAKEUP ARTISTS USE DIFFERENT FOUNDATION SHADES ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE FACE. To create dimension, makeup artists sometimes use up to three shades of foundation. The darker shade is used for the parts of the face hit by the light, while the light shade is for the rest of the face. Basically, different shades can be used to shade and illuminate instead of using just one shade. Of course, not all women can do this on an everyday basis. Who has the time to shade and illuminate everyday? But it would work for special occasions. ■ YOU CAN DRAW IN BROWS. This former colleague has the most beautiful brows and I thought they were real until she disclosed that she simply draws them in. She has had a phobia for brow procedures after a brow grooming session ruined her perfectly good eyebrows. It’s just hair, you say? Brows sometimes don’t grow back and this is what happened to her. Anyway, she now just shaves whatever strays hairs are outside the lower brow line and draws in the rest. ■

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Monday, October 28, 2019 E1

Americans are having fewer kids.

What will that mean for higher education?

By Nathan Grawe

A n e volv i ng demog raph ic trend—low fertility—suggests new challenges ahead for higher education. Looking forward 18 years from the 2008 recession, we can anticipate a sizable decline in prospective college students beginning in 2026. My own work seeks to understand what these trends mean for the demand for higher education. At first, it seems obvi-

ous: fewer young people means declining demand. However, no school serves a representative swath of students; community colleges, regional colleges and universities, and institutions with a national draw each serve different niches within the whole. Two-year colleges and nonselective four-year schools can expect a path that follows pop-

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emographic change is a constant force. College campuses are often at the forefront of the shifting composition of each generation.

ulation trends. Because these schools serve a relatively repre-

sentative subset of students, and because about 70 percent of grad-

uates attend college the fall after completing high school, this result represents nearly inevitable population arithmetic. In contrast, the projected demand for highly selective schools deviates from the general population trend. Highly selective schools can expect an upward trend in demand—up about 10 percent between now and 2025. Even this upward trend, however, will be overcome by declining fertility, such that the projected demand for highly selective schools in 2029 is little higher than today’s. In response to the falling numbers of prospective students, we might expect recruitment efforts in search of new markets. Still, even eliminating attendance gaps would not overcome declining fertility rates. As

a result, intensified price competition also seems possible. If changes to recruitment are insufficient, institutions will likely look for adaptations outside the admissions office. For example, colleges can recruit fewer new students if they increase their retention rates. Perhaps, most tantalizingly, some see the potential for online tools to reduce instructional costs—a desirable goal in an era of greater competition. Particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, where declines are already well under way, we should anticipate ongoing disruption, innovation and price competition. Nathan Grawe is a professor of economics at Carleton College.

How virtual reality can Corporate Action on Climate Change Has to Include Lobbying help train surgeons By Gideon Blumstein

ur current system of training and assessing surgeons has lagged behind the pace of innovation, leaving some doctors unprepared to perform complex surgeries and putting some patients at risk. Using virtual reality (VR) technology in training may play an important role in addressing these deficiencies and improving skills. How can we deliver the right kind of training in a standardized way? Furthermore, how can we objectively assess whether surgeons can perform proficiently before entering independent practice? Surgeons often lack adequate opportunities to consistently practice skills they’re learning—especially skills related to new medical technologies. These shortfalls are creating increasing levels of risk, with serious consequences for patients and the surgeons that care for them. The situation may continue to worsen owing to the looming impact of the aging baby boomer population and the projected surgeon shortage, which will further exacerbate the issue of access to trained and qualified surgeons. By definition, VR platforms directly address the skills gap by providing immersive, hands-on training that closely simulates an operating room environment. VR platforms offer portable, ondemand training that can be used anytime, anywhere. Hospita ls and universities around the world have success-

fully embraced VR-based training for years, but until now, we’ve had limited research on VR’s effectiveness. We set out to fill that gap through our recent clinical validation study at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. In the study, which was performed over two weeks, 20 participants were randomized between a traditionally trained group and a group that underwent VR training on the Osso VR platform to a specified level of proficiency. Then, each participant performed a procedure to repair a fractured tibia, one of the bones running between the knee and ankle. As measured by the Global Assessment Five-Point Rating Scale, participants in the VR group received significantly higher ratings in all categories compared to the traditionally trained group, with an overall improvement of 230 percent in the total score. VRtrained participants completed the procedure an average of 20 percent faster than the traditionally trained group. They also completed 38 percent more steps correctly in the procedure-specific checklist. Both findings were statistically significant. With a strained surgical-education system, rapid medical innovation and a pending surgeon shortage, VR may offer an important educational tool to augment surgeon training and continue to offer patients the very best care. Gideon Blumstein is an orthopedic surgery resident at UCLA’S David Geffen School of Medicine.

By Andrew Winston

he climate crisis is upon us, and there’s no time to wait for voluntary corporate action to tackle the challenge. We need the collective will that government provides. Companies have long allowed a chasm to open up between their own statements and actions on climate, and what their government relations and lobbying teams are doing in the halls of power. I want to offer some thoughts on context, and where the policy discussion could, or should, go. First, climate change is real

and affecting businesses today. Second, with increasing transparency, it’s much harder to hide the disconnect between what companies are saying they’re doing and what they’re actually advocating for behind the scenes. Third, stakeholders—customers, employees and communities—are demanding more action and are less tolerant of inconsistencies on this issue. Here are some suggestions for what science-based climate policies could look like:

n A price on carbon, rising aggressively over time.

n Ph a s e out s of i nt e r n a l combustion engines in the next 10 to 20 years. n Aggressive standards for building energy efficiency to m a nd ate net-zero bu i ld i ngs and/or renewable energy use on rooftops. n Investments in smarter design and development of cities. n Significant investments in clean infrastructure, such as a high-capacity electric grid. n Incentives for “circu lar economy” processes and innovation. n Tariffs on goods from countries with lower carbon standards.

n Adaptation plans and investments for those being physically displaced by sea level rise. n Retraining and relocation money for workers in key sectors who will be displaced by the transition to the clean economy. As important as policy is, it’s not everything. I’d love to see companies also think about their communication and efforts with other key stakeholders beyond government. Andrew Winston advises companies on how they can navigate and profit from environmental and social challenges.

Facebook’s Oversight Board is not enough

By Dipayan Ghosh

ollowing Mark Zuckerberg’s stated commitment to improving his company’s public accountability measures nearly a year ago, Facebook announced det a i led pl a ns l ast month for its new Oversight Board. The body, which the company says will comprise 40 independent experts who will serve in three-year terms, has been described by many as Facebook’s own Supreme Court. The board is designed to have notable independence; in these judgments it can overrule Zuckerberg himself. But is it really set up to succeed? I would contend not. It is not p o or e xe c ut ion t h at i s responsible for the company’s genera l t roubles i n content moderation; it is the business model behind the company’s

platforms itself. This same model lies at the center of the consumer Internet as a whole, and is based on maximizing consumer engagement and injecting ads throughout our digital experience. It relies on collecting personal data and on sophisticated algorithms that curate social feeds and target those ads. Because there is no earnest consideration of what consumers wish to or should see in this equation, they are subjected to whatever content the platform believes will maximize profits. These practices, in turn, generate negative externalities of which disinformation is only one. Take this example: When Russian political operatives sought to subvert our elections, they turned to the Internet platforms. These efforts relied on the very same audience segmentation and

targeting techniques that allow the platform to increase traffic (and ad revenue). For an Oversight Board to address these issues, it would need jurisdiction not only over personal posts but also political ads. Beyond that, it would need to be able not only to take down specific pieces of content but also to halt the flow of American consumer data to Russian operatives and change the ways that algorithms privilege contentious content. These steps are much more of a challenge to a company that relies on these mechanisms for its bread and butter. No matter where we set the boundaries, Facebook will always want to push them. In reality, then, the Oversight Board in its current form cannot address the harms that are perpetrated and perpetuated over

Facebook. Perhaps, the Oversight Board’s authority should be expanded from taking down content to the more critical concerns at the heart of the company itself. We need oversight of the company’s data practices to promote consumer and citizen privacy; oversight of its strategic acquisitions and data governance to protect against anticompetitive practices; and oversight of its algorithmic decision-making to protect against bias. There are many ways that such oversight could be operationalized: through shareholder power, governmental oversight, third-party auditing, industrial regulation or, indeed, extensions of the board’s authority. Dipayan Ghosh is a codirector of the Platform Accountability Project at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Education BusinessMirror

E2 Monday, October 28, 2019

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program

Keeping kids safe from online sexual exposure

any schoolchildren are now able to access the Internet without adult supervision. Thus, they are inadvertently exposed to indecent photos and videos which may no longer be limited to just simple search. In view of the alarming statistics and its commitment to child protection, the Department of Education (DepEd) is adopting Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) as part of the K-to12 Values Education subject to create a safer online environment for the younger members of society. DTP was designed to mold children into becoming responsible online citizens through learning modules and workshops that take a closer look at their online behavior and help boost their knowledge regarding digital citizenship and cyber safety for a more enjoyable and

protected Internet experience. “W hile the Internet helps children search information and communicate with their peers, it also comes with a price,” said Globe Head for Citizenship Miguel Bermundo. He added, “There is now a higher danger of children talking with strangers especially in social-media platforms, forums and online games. There are also more opportunities for them to be exposed to lewd materials, deliberately or accidentally.” However, keeping them away from computers and mobile phones is not the answer, Bermundo said. “Children must be

taught how to protect themselves from these threats.” Online sites have found creative ways to lure the youth into checking out sexually charged materials through key words that may seem harmless, spam e-mails, or unrelated topics, to expose them involuntarily to sexual activities. Much worse, f r iends and even strangers are able to force children to share naked photos or videos of them engaging in sexual activities. The National Baseline Survey-Violence Against Children recently highlighted this situation which stated that about 2.9 percent of children have their own nude body or own sexual activities shown via the Internet or mobile phone, 28 percent have been presented images of sexual activities of other people, and 35.4 percent have received sexually charged, negative, foul words or messages. On the other hand, the Department of Justice’s Office of Cybercrime reported receiving

37,715 cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2016 which grew to 45,645 in 2017. At the same time, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported 172 cases of child pornography in 2017, up from 62 cases the previous year. Globe, being a leader in digital transformation, has always been a strong advocate of digital literacy, especially in public schools. In 2016, Globe introduced DTP which contributes in creating a safer online environment for the younger members of society. DTP’s four modules include “Digital Insight,” with activities that help students discern proper online behavior to secure their information better; “Digital Impact” tackles issues on technology’s impact on students’ social activities; “Digital Ambition” equips them with skills on using technology to help achieve their life goals; and “Digital Discernment” teaches the youth how to spot false information online.

Kids appeal against plastic use DepEd reaffirms commitment to teachers’ safety

‘D

o not make the Plastic Monster bigger.” This was the appeal of more than 70 children who participated in the second children’s rights summit for children by children themselves held recently at Museo Pambata, Manila. The summit, dubbed “Kabataan: Kasama sa Pagharap sa Pagbabago ng Klima,” was organized by the EU Delegation to the Philippines in partnership with Museo Pambata to celebrate the 30th Year of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with a special focus on climate-change adaptation. It was a no-adults summit as children were trained to reecho what they learned about environment protection and climate-change adaptation with their fellow children aged eight to 14 years old. Creativity, innovation and collective voice to get rid of plastic wastes all for a better environment was held following the summit. An art installation was created by the children to ask people not to use plastic anymore. Joshua Miguel Untalan, 11, of Antonio Regidor Elementary School, said, “We are aware of our rights and we know that we have a duty to clean our surroundings.” We just need teamwork and a concrete resolve to help protect our environment, he added. Nilo Lucenada, 12, of CAA Elementary School, also voiced out the same concerns as Joshua’s. “We have the right to study, we have the responsibility to clean, we have the opportunity to share with our fellow children what is right and what is wrong. The use of plastic is wrong,” Lucenada said. Both Untalan and Lucenada were facilitators in the children’s rights summit and have enjoined their fellow children to fill up the Plastic Monster. Children, who comprise the next generation of stewards of planet Earth, deserve a healthy and sustainable environment. Therefore, the proliferation of plastic waste and its leakage into the environment is a major concern because it further affects climate change.

The use of plastics, the residues of fossil fuels, should be minimized and efforts should be undertaken to come up with recyclable form of plastics. As the first summit last year was devoted to children’s rights, this year’s edition has taken a notch further by linking children’s rights to the right of children for a green and sustainable environment. Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Wiersing of the EU Delegation to the Philippines said that the summit was a two-in-one event as it marked the 30th Convention on the Rights of Children and, at the same time, underscored the importance of climate-change adaptation linked to Climate Change Diplomacy Week. Since last year, the European Union has adopted a Circular Economy Action Plan to foster a transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a sustainable way. The plan aims to ensure that all plastic packaging in the European market would be recyclable by 2030, the consumption of single-use plastics significantly reduced and the intentional use of microplastics restricted. “We are committed ver y strongly to help uphold the rights of children, to empower them so that they are made aware of their rights and to encourage them to campaign and rally their fellow children to adapt to climate change,” Wiersing said. He said that the EU believes

in the inherent trait of the Filipino children to voice out their views, to assert their rights as children, and to come up with their own action plan to have a healthy, green and sustainable environment. The summit was comprised of a trainor’s training for children facilitated in by Giovanni Seritella of the EU Delegation to the Philippines’s Programme Manager for Environment, the Museo Pambata and Komunidad X. Since October 12, some 12 children aged nine to 14 from the artistic town of Angono, CAA and Regidor Elementary Schools were trained on the basics of children’s rights and what they can do to advocate for environment protection and for climate-change adaptation. The second step was the summit, where the children, together with youth leaders from Bye Bye Plastics Philippines, shared their skills and know-how with their fellow children. The children were encouraged to use their artistic skills to come up with tangible artworks, such as the Plastic Monster, songs and dance steps, about environment protection. They will remind all of them of the need to help save the environment, get rid of plastic pollution and learn how to adapt to climate change. While Sweden has a Greta Thunberg, the Philippines does not have only one but at least 70 child-advocates for the environment and climate-change adaptation.

he Department of Education (DepEd) recently reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring teachers’ safety and well-being and maintaining schools as zones of peace. This, after the shooting of Zhydee Bitago Cabañelez, an elementary teacher at the Dalit Elementary School in Valencia City, Bukidnon, on October 15. Four unidentified armed men attacked Cabañelez and her husband, Ramil, with the pupils still inside her classroom at around 8 a.m. The husband managed to escape while Cabañelez sustained serious physical injuries. DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla and OIC Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Alberto Escobarte, said in a statement through Viber that the victims would be provided with financial assistance. “We have already given financial assistance [to the victims]. We were able to give it through voluntary contributions to their family,” Sevilla added.

Security beefed up in Bukidnon where teacher was shot

Meanwhile, security has been tightened around a public school in a remote village in Valencia City, Bukidnon, following the shooting of Cabañelez. Dr. Victoria Gazo, Valencia schools’ division superintendent, said village leaders of Sitio Dalit, Barangay Lumbayao, have committed to assign civilian volunteers and zone leaders to serve as security officers at the Dalit Elementary School during school hours.

She said the presence of volunteers would deter possible attacks as what happened to Cabañelez, who is now recuperating. “During coordination meeting, I requested barangay officials to help in resolving issues on some teachers’ reluctance to continue serving in the school because of fear after the shooting incident,” Gazo was quoted as saying in a Philippine Information Agency news report. She warned that if no teacher is willing to serve at the school, parents will be forced to send their children to another school far from the village. “If this happens, it would be very risky for the children to commute due to the rolling terrain and the pupil’s daily crossing in Pulangui River,” Gazo added. Meanwhile, students who witnessed the shooting have undergone a therapy session. Gazo said a team of educators with psychosocial skills went to Dalit for a one-day debriefing session to students. The school is in a community of about a hundred households with four multi-grade teachers handling 51 students. She said the debriefing facilitators were dispatched on October 9, a day after four gunmen barged into the classroom of Cabañelez. According to police, Cabañelez was hit on her should and legs while Ramil was unharmed. During the session, Gazo said the team asked the schoolchildren to draw what they had experienced to assess

their emotional level following the incident. The facilitators noted that many of the participants made drawings depicting sadness, she said. “These drawings that indicate sadness reflect the pupils’ longing for their teacher [Cabañelez]. Many of them told facilitators they missed her,” Gazo said. Besides the students, the parents also took part in the debriefing. “Both children and parents were very responsive during the session. The parents were there so they could help us in handling their children’s trauma,” Gazo said. She said it was important for parents to report to school authorities if they noticed their children are acting strangely so DepEd could help them cope with trauma. Gazo said she has also ordered Dalit teachers to defer the periodical tests so the pupils could take an early semestral break. “I don’t think it’s proper for the children to take the exams considering what they have just experienced. It’s best that they should rest and enjoy the one-week break,” she said. Gazo said the incident was the first time to have happened under her watch. “We were shocked at what happened. But we still want to send the message that our schools are peace zones,” she said. Gazo said Cabañelez and her husband are still on official leave while she is recovering from her gunshot wounds. PNA

Tesda to train CDA members, staff

he Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) announced last week that it will soon train members and staff of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). The two agencies signed an agreement at the Tesda Secretary’s office in Bicutan, Taguig City, aiming to strengthen the capabilities of CDA members. Under the agreement, Tesda will provide the beneficiaries access to its technical and vocational education and training programs, enterprise development programs, as well as technology-based and community-based programs. Tesda, however, clarified that this is still subject to available scholarship slots, funds and also adherence to Tesda scholarship program guidelines. CDA, on the other hand, will promote Tesda’s activities and programs among cooperatives. The partnership will initially be ef-

Tesda headquarters

fective for one year. “I am sure that our efforts will be meaningful to the development of our TVET stakeholders and partners,” Tesda Secretary Isidro Lapeña said in

a statement. He added that Tesda’s partnership with CDA will further boost the agency’s “Abot Lahat” advocacy. Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA

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Monday, October 28, 2019 E3

How can I be more productive?

D By Millie F. Dizon

Throttle your e-mail system

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PR Matters

document

ear PR Matters, I work in the communications department of a medium-sized consumer company, and aspire to do the best I can. Having to cope with deadlines, meetings and assignments can be overwhelming, and it seems to be the same with my colleagues in other companies. They always complain they are swamped with work, and have difficulty attending to more important things. How can I increase my productivity on an everyday basis, and go beyond these tasks that seems to weigh down on us? Maybe you can give us some tips. Sincerely, Nina C.

Dear Nina, A friend of mine once told me that “if you want to get things done, get a busy person to do it.” In my experience, that is so true as the truly busy people I know are so generous they actually get to accomplish much. That is why they are so successful. Others whine that they are swamped with work, and seem so overwhelmed with this, that paralysis overtakes them. In short, they never get things done. But how can we become more productive? Geoffrey James has a theory: The Average Worker Spends 51 Percent of Each Workday on These Three Unnecessary Tasks, which he discusses in an article in Inc.com. “There are thousands of books on time management, and thousands more on work/life balance, but almost all of them either nibble around the edge of the problems, or pretend they don’t exist,” he says. So, “here’s the straight skinny: The reason most people are stressed for time is that they are wasting more than half of each day working on time-wasting tasks.” He lists three culprits and some simple solutions “to recapture the time that you’re otherwise destined to waste.”

Unnecessary commuting (13 percent)

We all have accepted the fact that we must make major adjustments to our commuting time to and from the office. But

New Business: Communications Consultancy Firm EON Group Bags New Business Projects with Department of Tourism

MAKATI, PHILIPPINES— The EON Group, an integrated communications consultancy, won two major bids under the Department of Tourism (DOT). Geared toward promoting the Philippines as a fun and dynamic destination, these creative and social-media projects will be handled primarily by the firm’s digital and creative technology arm, DiG. EON was entrusted by the DOT to provide socialmedia management and strategic planning services for the government agency, conceptualizing and executing a social-media strategy and promotions plan to increase the visibility of Philippineassociated destinations and products, as well as sustain the “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” campaign.

The proudly-Filipino communications consultancy will take on the tasks of creating content to drive engagement across all of the agency’s social-media platforms, developing and executing a media plan, and managing influencer partnerships. “We look forward to working with EON in capturing the global audience through social media and other innovative digital strategies that ensure worldwide engagement. We expect this partnership to yield world-class content that will contribute to the growth of the tourism industry,” said DOT Assistant Secretary Howard Lance Uyking. The EON Group also won the bid to provide creative services for the Department of Tourism’s promotional efforts for the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which will take place in Clark, Subic, Manila and other nearby areas later this year. The event is expected to gather around 17,000 participants from different countries, including athletes, team officials, technical officials, press and media attendees. Apart from bringing together athletes from Southeast Asian

unnecessary commuting may also mean not planning your daily schedule so you have to go from one end of Metro Manila within a few hours. Better planning can ease this.

Unnecessary meetings (16 percent)

According to a study in MIT which James described in a previous post, “the average worker spends approximately 22 years of their career in meetings. An estimated third of that time is spent in meetings where there’s no value added.” By the time a worker retires, “they’ll have spent at least 7 years in useless meetings which comes out to about 16 percent of the time you’ll spend at work during your lifetime.”

Unnecessary e-mails (23 percent)

According to research cited in Forbes, “the average office worker spends 2.5 hours a day reading and responding to an average of 200 emails, of which approximately 144 [mostly CCs and BCCs] aren’t relevant to their job.” Since the average office worker spends 2.5 hours a day doing e-mail, that’s about 1.8 hours spent on those irrelevant e-mails, which comes to a whopping 10 years spent on useless e-mails, which would be 23 percent of a 45-year career. James points out that adding up those three time-wasters “comes out to about 51 percent of countries, the Philippinehosted 2019 SEA Games will also serve as an avenue to showcase the beautiful tourist destinations of the country. EON is in charge of digital and audio-visual content creation, as well as the development of a media plan targeting all Southeast Asian countries, with the objective of promoting sports tourism to help boost foreign tourist arrivals. “This partnership with The EON Group signifies the Department of Tourism’s vision to effectively promote the Philippines through quality marketing campaigns that showcase our products and our people,” said Uyking. “Our hosting of the Southeast Asian Games is a great platform to promote sports tourism in the country,” he added. “These are two very exciting wins that align with EON’s advocacy of branding the Philippines,” said Junie del Mundo, cofounder and chief executive of The EON Group. “It is both an honor and a welcome challenge for our Filipino team of global thinkers to show that our country is a dynamic destination with caring, collaborative, creative and colorful people.”

your working life.” He encourages us to “think about that for a second. How much more would you accomplish if you were twice as productive? How much better your life would become if you always had plenty of time.” The numbers are staggering, but James offers us some solutions.

Try living close to your work

James suggested that a company wide work-from-home policy, but, in most cases, this is not possible. Maybe we could look at cutting our commuting time by staying closer

to our workplace.

Create an efficient meeting culture

James urges companies to look into specific policies that reduce or eliminate unproductive meetings: n No meeting without an agenda n No “status updates” during which you “go around the room.” n No meeting longer than 30 minutes n Leave a meeting the moment you realize you’re not adding value n Replace PowerPoints with a group reading of a briefing

James shares with us some approaches he has seen through the years. n Turn off e-mail during peak working hours n Limit the number of e-mails you send each day n Discourage CC, BCC and Reply All e-mails n Discourage Sisyphus-like behaviors like trying to achieve “zero inbox.” And if you’re shifting to viber groups, just make sure these are updated. In many cases, messages are still sent to those who are no longer part of the company and worse still, have moved on to work with competitors. These can be dangerous for company privacy matters. PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie F. Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman. We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

Perspective BusinessMirror

E4 Monday, October 28, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Our world is getting smaller By Kristina Lerman

University of Southern California

THE CONVERSATION

I was sharing a table with two strangers—one from Israel, the other from Baltimore, Maryland—when the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” came up in conversation. As it happened, the science adviser for the show is a good friend, and I never miss an opportunity to mention this. To my surprise, I was not the only one connected to the show. The Israeli researcher was related to one of the main actors, while the Baltimore researcher worked with my friend’s graduate school roommate. What a small world, our group agreed when we learned of these connections. We should not have been surprised. As network scientists who study complex systems composed of many interconnected parts, we know that social networks connecting us through kinship and friendship are often small, in the sense that any two people within the network are connected by unexpectedly short chains made up of social links.

Whom do you know?

ONE way to explain the small world effect is the story of Paul Erdos, the peripatetic mathematician. Erdos famously did not pay rent or own property; instead, he spent his life couch surfing at the homes of his mathematician friends. Each visit produced a mathematical paper or two. Over the years, he wrote hundreds of papers with his hosts. As a tribute, the mathematics community devised the “Erdos number,” to measure the collaboration distance to him. Paul Erdos’s coauthors had an Erdos number of “1”; people who wrote papers with them had an Erdos number of “2,” and so on. About a quarter million published mathematicians had an Erdos number, with a majority of them smaller than “5.” Remarkable as Erdos was, he was quite ordinary from the social network point of view. Anyone can be an Erdos. Let’s pick an “ordinary Joe.” His friends will have a “Joe

number” of 1, their friends will have a “Joe number” of 2 and so on. In fact, unless there is something seriously wrong with Joe, half the people in the United States will be linked to him by six hops—degrees of separation—or less. Yes, it really is a “small world.” There’s more. Not only do short chains connecting people exist, but people are surprisingly good at finding them. This was elegantly demonstrated by the sociologist Stanley Milgram in his 1963 experiment. Milgram chose some people at random from the Omaha, Nebraska, phone book and gave them each a manila envelope, with instructions to deliver the envelope to a stock broker in Boston that Milgram knew. The instructions were as follows: “If you do not know the target, do not try to contact him directly. Instead, mail this letter… to a personal acquaintance who is more likely than you to know the target…you must know this person on a first-name basis.” The acquaintance was given the same instructions. Milgram dropped off more than 160 letters and waited. The first letter arrived within a few days. Eventually, more than 40 letters reached the target, typically requiring—you guessed it—six forwarding hops. How were people able to find such short chains? Hints emerged already from Milgram’s experiment. When tracing the path of a letter, each hop typically halved the geographic distance to the target. As computer scientist Jon Kleinberg later proved, this is consistent with how social networks are organized. People have friends near and far, though there are fewer friends who are farther away. The longrange connections, though few and far between, help to stitch the social network together. Even if a person in Omaha, Nebraska, did not personally know anyone in Boston, they may have known someone who lives closer, like Chicago, to send the letter to, and that per-

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AS this happened to you? You strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, only to discover that you share surprising connections. My own brush with this phenomenon took place recently at a conference in Canada.

Our decreasing social distance to other people in the world may also facilitate the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially when it captures our emotions or imaginations. But, it also rewards us with serendipitous discoveries of connectedness. son would have been more likely to know someone closer to Boston, and so on. When the letter ultimately reached someone in Boston, that person would have had many local friends to choose from, one of whom may have known the target.

Surprising connections

researchers measured the chains of links connecting its 2 billion users: The median length was four, not six. This may explain why the entire world seems to find out about the latest news and trendy memes at nearly the same time.

SOCIAL interactions have migrated online in recent years. Facebook and other platforms make it easy to keep in touch with friends both near and far. As a result, social networks have gotten smaller. In 2011, Facebook

By Frank T. McAndrew Knox College

THE CONVERSATION

HEN I was a teenager, my dad wasn’t terribly interested in the music I liked. To him, it just sounded like “a lot of noise,” while he regularly referred to the music he listened to as “beautiful.” This attitude persisted throughout his life. Even when he was in his 80s, he once turned to me during a TV commercial featuring a 50-year-old Beatles tune and said, “You know, I just don’t like today’s music.” It turns out that my father isn’t alone. As I’ve grown older, I’ll often hear people my age say things like “they just don’t make good music like they used to.” Why does this happen? Luckily, my background as a psychologist has given me some in-

sights into this puzzle. We know that musical tastes begin to crystallize as early as age 13 or 14. By the time we’re in our early 20s, these tastes get locked into place pretty firmly. In fact, studies have found that by the time we turn 33, most of us have stopped listening to new music. Meanwhile, popular songs released when you’re in your early teens are likely to remain quite popular among your age group for the rest of your life. There could be a biological explanation for this. There’s evidence that the brain’s ability to make subtle distinctions between different chords, rhythms and melodies gets worse with age. So to older people, newer, less familiar songs might all “sound the same.” But I believe there are some simpler reasons for older people’s aversion to newer music. One of the most researched laws of social psychology is something called the “mere exposure effect.” In a nut-

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Why do old people hate new music?

shell, it means that the more we’re exposed to something, the more we tend to like it. This happens with people we know, the advertisements we see and, yes, the songs we listen to. When you’re in your early teens, you probably spend a fair amount of time listening to music or watching music videos. Your favorite songs and artists become familiar, comforting parts of your routine. For many people over 30, job and family obligations increase, so there’s less time to spend discovering new music. Instead, many will simply listen to old, familiar favorites from that period of their lives when they had more free time. Of course, those teen years weren’t necessarily carefree. They’re famously confusing, which is why so many TV shows and movies—from “Glee” to “Love, Simon” to “Eighth Grade”—revolve around the high-school turmoil. Psychology research has

Our decreasing social distance to other people in the world may also facilitate the spread of misinformation and fake news, especially when it captures our emotions or imaginations. But, it also rewards us with serendipitous discoveries of connectedness. Next time you are waiting at an airport or a bar, strike up a conversation with a perfect stranger: You may have a lot more in common than you think. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/our-world-is-gettingsmaller-123799.

shown that the emotions that we experience as teens seem more intense than those that comes later. We also know that intense emotions are associated with stronger memories and preferences. All of this might explain why the songs we listen to during this period become so memorable and beloved. So there’s nothing wrong with your parents because they don’t like your music. In a way, it’s all part of the natural order of things. At the same time, I can say from personal experience that I developed a fondness for the music I heard my own children play when they were teenagers. So it’s certainly not impossible to get your parents on board with Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/curious-kids-why-do-old-peoplehate-new-music-123834.