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JULY 7, 2019

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We don’t have a plan for that SUNDAY STORIES MARLEN V. RONQUILLO

“N

ERDING out” is a new phrase that has entered the American political lexicon. It roughly means speaking about a geeky, nerdy topic with depth and passion. One of the presidential aspirants running in the current Democratic Party primary is responsible for the popularization of that phrase in the political sphere, though the words “serious” and “relevant” have somewhat replaced “nerdy” and “geeky.” And that is Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, a former law professor at Harvard.

Indeed, in terms of policy proposals on how to change the current economic structures in America and create a more egalitarian society after the structures shall have been altered, no one can top the policy proposals of Warren. All serious, all backed by data and with the complementary revenue measures that would fund the serious programs, starting with a proposal for a “wealth tax.” She has about 20 big policy planks — from student debt relief to the break-up of Big Tech.

Across America, Warren tells people — believers and skeptics alike — that “I have a plan for that,” in reference to her specific, detailed policy proposals.

I wish our current leaders would state this same message with conviction — “We have a plan for that” — then write the details of reform programs with the complementary proposals on where to get the money for these grand state programs. (Senator Warren does not propose anything through the usual public-private partnership, or PPP, because she deeply believes that governments should build and not in partnership with private corporations.)

Mr. Duterte is halfway through his six-year term and when we look at our policy environment, what we see, at best, is ad hoc planning, government-by-brinkmanship, or improvisation based on the propaganda needs of the day. Or, a massive infrastructure program that rests on the PPP scheme that is viewed elsewhere as a giveaway to plutocrats.

On some days, policy is driven by misguided passion. On other days, the driver is a flawed interpretation of the Constitution. Or shaky legality. Still, on some days, it is by otherworldly line of reasoning.

On the micro side, many Filipinos have the feeling that the agencies in charge of implementing Mr. Duterte’s key agenda don’t even value the importance Mr.

BY REINA C. TOLENTINO

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AVAO City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has decided not to pursue his plan to run for speaker of the House of Representatives, saying he would support the candidate endorsed by the party headed by his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“I have personally spoken to President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday night in Davao City regarding my plan to run for speaker of the House of Representatives. We both agreed that this will not be the right time for me to be speaker and I can still help his administration from the House in a different capacity,” the neophyte lawmaker said in a statement issued on Saturday.

“As president of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, I will support the bid for speakership of Congressman Isidro Ungab, from our sister party, Hugpong ng Pagba-

bago (HnP),” he added.

Ungab represents the Third District of Davao City.

“The President has also been fully informed of Rep. Ungab’s participation in the race for the next speaker of the House of Representatives,” the younger Duterte said.

Last week, HnP announced it would endorse Ungab for the House’s top post.

It said Ungab “is the only lawmaker to hold the chairmanships of both ways and means and appropriations committees.”

“We understand if President Duterte, because of delicadeza, will not accept the intent of our brother from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Congressman Paolo Duterte to resolve the conflict among candidates,” Hugpong said.

It proposed that the other contenders for the post accept other positions instead.

Last week, Paolo said he might join the speakership race to

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NOT THIS TIME Rep. Paolo Duterte CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Piñol’s transfer to MinDA confirmed

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President Rodrigo Duterte chats with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (second from left) and presidential assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino during the inauguration of a rice processing complex in Leyte on Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has confirmed that Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol will be transferred to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to serve as the government’s “point man” to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

In his speech during the inauguration of the Chen Yi Agventures Rice Processing Complex in Alangalang, Leyte, Duterte said Piñol’s expertise was needed to hasten the implementation of programs for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“Secretary Piñol will be leaving the Agriculture portfolio. Hirap ako sa Mindanao (I’m having difficulties in Mindanao) because we have created a new political entity there,” Duterte said.

“There seems to be a lag, there’s not much activity in really trying to devolve all powers of the national government relevant to the existence of BARMM. They seemed to be… I am not saying that they are not moving. But ever so slow that I would need a point man there in the likes of Secretary Piñol,” he added.

Last week, Piñol asked the President to be removed from his post at the Agriculture department and reassigned to another agency.

As MinDA chief, Piñol will act as the national government’s intermediary to the

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Declare war vs China, Duterte dares US PRESIDENT TO FIRE MORE PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has dared the United States to fire the “first shot” against China amid Beijing’s militarization of the West Philippine (South China) Sea. Duterte said the US should be the first to declare war against China if it wanted to help the Philippines assert its rights in the disputed waters.

“Dalhin mo ‘yang lahat ng eroplano mo, barko mo dito sa China, fire the first shot at nandito kami sa likod. Sige, laban tayo kung sinong mapulpog (Bring all your aircraft and ships to China and fire the first shot. We’ll be right behind you.

Let’s do this and see who will go down),”

Duterte said.

“Sabi nila (They say we have the) USRP (Republic of the Philippines) pact.

Okay. Let America declare war. Let them assemble all their armaments there in South China Sea. Fire the first shot and I’ll be glad to do the next. Let us honor it. Do you want trouble? Okay, let’s do it,” he added.

Under the Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951, both nations agreed to support each other if attacked.

Duterte said he was hoping China would not “overdo things” because the US had been “egging” the Philippines on

the issue in the disputed sea.

“Kaya ‘yan ang problema natin (That’s our problem). I hope that China would not overdo things also because there is always America pushing us, egging us,” the President said.

“Ginagawa akong bait. Ano’ng tingin ninyo sa Pilipino, wati (They’re making me a pawn. Do you think Filipinos are earthworms)?” he added.

Duterte made the statement amid criticisms over his supposed submission to China. The President earlier said he had a verbal deal with Chinese President Xi

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CUSTOMS OFFICIALS

HEADS will roll at the Bureau of Customs (BoC) as President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed that he would fire more officials of the agency because of corruption.

The President again threatened to place the bureau under the military.

He bared his plan during the inauguration of the Chen Yi Agventures Rice Processing Complex in Alangalang, Leyte on Friday.

“I will go for the Customs again. There will be a lot of dismissals, I hope. And I try to really stop the corruption in the

higher crust of government,” Duterte said in his speech.

“When I go back, I would be firing more from the Bureau of Customs. Then maybe ilagay ko na sa army talaga lahat (I might place the army there),” he said.

Duterte was earlier criticized for his plan to let the military take over Customs operations amid allegations of widespread corruption.

Critics said a military “takeover” at the BoC would violate a constitutional pro-

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Business Times n keep in view Business leaders to watch out for

Nico Moreno

“

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ibarra Watches

SUNDAY JULY 7, 2019 Email: bizreports@manilatimes.net

A physicist-turned-watchmaker parlayed his admiration for national hero Dr. Jose Rizal into unique timepieces that have gained notice and customers. Even President Rodrigo Duterte wore one, bringing attention to a locally made product that carries the hallmark of Filipino quality and ingenuity.

Time to shine

As long as you see yourself waking up every morning smiling — despite knowing that you have to weather a thousand storms every day — you are in the right place.

You know your purpose and calling.”

ABOUT ME ROLE MODEL

Apart from my parents, Dr. Jose Rizal.

GOALS

To further develop competency for watchmaking in the country

FIRST PAYING JOB

I was a Nestlè corporate management trainee, receving P40,000 a month.

MORNING ROUTINE

I say a quick morning prayer, then check my phones for emails and messages while I stretch to wake myself up.

SPECIAL SKILLS

Research is my specialty.

TIME YOU SPEND ON SOCIAL MEDIA

BY LEAH C. SALTERIO LIKE MOST GUNG-HO ENTREPRENEURS, NICO MORENO COULDN’T WAIT TO STRIKE OUT ON HIS OWN. BUT BEING WISE, HE FIRST WORKED FOR A MULTINATIONAL COMPANY BEFORE SPREADING HIS WINGS. It was, undoubtedly, a big leap of faith for the skilled and dauntless millennial, who was once a part-time physics lecturer at De La Salle University (DLSU), where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physics degree, with specialization in materials science. Leaving a stable job represented a major decision and a big risk. Still, he did not look back.

“I was in a fast-track management program for two years that allowed me to learn the different facets of a company,” Nico says.

“It was a good stint in my professional career, but what really prompted me to gamble on entrepreneurship was discovering that it was my calling.

“I had to make sure that it was going to be the right choice. Turning my passion into my venture made me more confident to face the uncertainties.”

Nico is the founder and chief executive officer of Ibarra Watches, a premium Filipino watch brand assembled locally and distributed through the Kultura boutiques of SM and select stores. His orientation as a physicist undeniably helped him to develop and innovate this line of elegant and quality timepieces.

He explains: “My discipline helped me to understand the craft of watches better, as well as the technicalities and processes involved. It also guided me in plotting the necessary steps to establish myself in the industry, knowing who to collaborate and work with.

“As a scientist, I am trained to do research and have a very keen interest in learning, teaching and creating new knowledge and competencies.”

Nico embarked on his watchmaking journey only in 2015. Since then, the brand has been growing in popularity and reach in the Philippines and even overseas. He says: “The business has been doing well, but it still is far from where we would like it to be. We feel we can do much better. We have been continuously developing and creating channels for the business.

“We try out different strategies — some do well and others don’t. For those that don’t, we revisit and learn from them. For those that do, we continue with them and still try to make them even better.”

Ibarra Watches derives inspiration from the life and ideals of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, whom Nico strongly admires. Crisostomo Ibarra was the main protagonist of Rizal’s seminal work Noli Me Tangere and, some say, his alter ego.

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About one and a half hours daily to check on some activities and metrics.

Nico observes: “[Rizal] represents the brilliance and potential of the Filipino as long as the love for country is instilled. As a history enthusiast and proud Filipino, I also want to make the brand and the business a vehicle for promoting the Filipino’s story.

“So, apart from building on the dream of establishing an industry for watchmaking in the country, I want to help focus the spotlight on the Philippines through our history and identity.”

Nico’s parents, Francis and Bea Moreno, who are entrepreneurs, provide his role models in business. “They both had their fair share of victories and failures, whether big or small ventures,” Nico says. “Growing up, I saw how hard they worked for my siblings and me. I saw how they managed what we had, especially during our lowest lows in life.

“In business and in life, it’s not always sunny. Sometimes, a storm comes and stays for a long time. But I saw how my parents endured, and learned from them, from my environment and from my education. I want to do my best in paving a path that will create a big impact on myself and others.”

Nico is the third among four siblings.

His sister Pia is in the US with her husband and children. His older brother Jay is also a

physicist and an engineer, who finished his masters and doctorate in quantum engineering in Japan.

“He is the one I get to talk to when it comes to the sciences and its applications,” Nico says.

“Since we’re both physicists, it’s fun to get to talk in that particular language.”

Nico’s younger brother, Migi, is now helping him with Ibarra Watches, and at the same time, juggles classes in law school.

“We always discuss developments in the business, and how we can run things more efficiently,” Nico says. “He tends to our legal concerns and needs, while giving advice to other people, as well. He will definitely be a great lawyer.”

Nico intends to make Ibarra Watches his life-long business trademark, if not one that will be known to future generations. “The path will be long and hard,” the 28-yearold reflects. “But as long as you see yourself waking up every morning smiling — despite knowing that you have to weather a thousand storms every day — you are in the right place.

You know your purpose and calling.”

Testimony to this faith he holds has been amply rewarded.

“My proudest moment was when our president [Rodrigo Duterte] wore and en-

that we expect do not show up, we will analyze and go back to the drawing board.

Nothing thrills Nico more than seeing someone sport an Ibarra Watches. “It feels really great,” he admits. “It tells me that while [there’s] still a lot of work to be done, Ibarra is getting there slowly. It fuels my passion all the more. And when you love your work, it doesn’t seem like work anymore.”

To unwind from what could be an over consuming concern, Nico spends time with the family and friends on weekends and catches up on his reading. “But as they say, being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job. So, one way or another, I always have Ibarra in my periphery.”

Driven and passionate, this is one individual, who is just counting the hours to tremendous success.

dorsed our watch in a press conference,” Nico beams. “Politics nowadays can be polarizing since some people liked us more after that, while others felt otherwise. But to have the President of a nation to not just wear, but also endorse our watch was really something.

“We never expected it. And this led to our second proudest moment: Being appointed the official watch of the Asean 50 Special Celebration in 2017. Our watch was presented as a token [of appreciation] to the heads of state present at the event, including US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.”

With competition always lurking in the background, Nico keeps alert catching up with trends. “We acknowledge competition, but try not to compete with them directly,” he says. “We would rather compete with ourselves. We try to look at what we are not doing correctly and we go for the alternative. If the results

n (Above) A trip to Osaka provides Nico a welcome breather from his consuming task of growing the Ibarra Watches brand. (Left) Nico conferring with an employee in the workshop. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

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